Potable Water Flushing Device Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flushing devices for potable water systems do not efficiently prevent flushing when water pressure drops, potentially leading to unnecessary flushing and undersupply during water consumption, especially in settings like laboratories and manufacturing plants where emergency showers are critical.
Innovation Solution
The flushing device incorporates a mechanically preloaded check valve or pressure sensor upstream of the flushing valve to prevent water flow when pressure is low, ensuring the flushing valve remains closed unless water is being withdrawn by a consumer, thereby preventing unnecessary flushing and ensuring continuous water supply to emergency showers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flushing valve is opened based on time-dependent control or water temperature monitoring, then hygiene standards are maintained through regular flushing, but unnecessary flushing occurs when water pressure is low, leading to water supply interruptions to consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The control device monitors water pressure in real-time and uses this feedback to decide whether to activate the flushing valve. When pressure is sufficient, flushing proceeds as scheduled; when pressure drops below a threshold, flushing is automatically cancelled, preventing supply interruptions to consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing control system transitions from static time-based scheduling to dynamic pressure-based control. The flushing valve operation adapts continuously to changing water pressure conditions, enabling the system to respond to actual system state rather than following a fixed schedule.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flushing is performed based on ambient temperature and stagnation time, then legionella formation is prevented in stagnant water, but water pressure drops during flushing cause inconvenience to consumers using emergency showers
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives feedback from pressure sensors monitoring the water supply line and adjusts flushing operation accordingly. When pressure drops indicating consumer usage, flushing is cancelled to maintain consumer convenience while still allowing scheduled flushing during normal operation to prevent legionella.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the flushing valve based on detected water pressure conditions. When pressure is within acceptable range, flushing parameters are set to maintain hygiene; when pressure drops, parameters are changed to prevent flushing, prioritizing consumer needs.
3Reliability
If the flushing valve remains open for extended periods to ensure water flow, then water stagnation is prevented, but water pressure drops below adequate levels for emergency shower operation
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing valve operation is made dynamic and responsive to real-time pressure conditions. The valve opens only when pressure is sufficient to maintain both flushing flow and adequate supply pressure, and closes when pressure drops, creating a balanced operational state that satisfies both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the flushing valve opening duration and timing based on water pressure parameters. When pressure is high, longer flushing cycles are permitted; when pressure is low, flushing is curtailed or cancelled, optimizing the balance between preventing stagnation and maintaining supply pressure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances flushing efficiency by preventing unnecessary flushing events, maintaining water supply to emergency showers, and maintaining hygiene standards in potable water systems by only flushing when water is being consumed, thus reducing inconvenience and ensuring adequate pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanically preloaded check valve or pressure sensor upstream of the flushing valve to prevent water flow when pressure is low
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor upstream of the flushing valve to prevent water flow when pressure is low
Implementation Method 3
letting fresh water from the water supply mains flow through
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flushing device that can be connected to a potable water system for flushing at least one water line (4), the flushing device comprising a flushing valve (8), a control line (24) that is connected to the flushing valve (8) in a controlling manner and a control device (22) that controls a position of the flushing valve (8) via the control line (24) in a time-dependent manner and/or in a manner depending on a water temperature and/or in a manner depending on a water consumption. In order to comply with the hygiene requirements for a potable water system and to enable efficient flushing, the flushing device according to the present invention is adapted to control the flushing process in a manner depending on the water pressure.