Forward Osmosis Membrane Assists Reverse Osmosis Pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional salt water desalination equipment using osmosis membranes faces high power consumption and operational costs due to the high load on the salt water supply pump, which hinders the widespread adoption of these systems, especially in water-scarce regions.

Innovation Solution

The equipment incorporates a forward osmosis membrane component that utilizes high-pressure concentrated salt water produced by a reverse osmosis membrane to assist the salt water supply pump, reducing its load and power consumption through a pressure exchange unit and an assisting device that increases the rotation capacity of the pump.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a reverse osmosis membrane component is used for salt water desalination, then freshwater can be produced from salt water, but the salt water supply pump consumes high power due to high load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreshwater productionVSAvoidpower consumption of salt water supply pump

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the high-pressure concentrated salt water, which is typically a waste product requiring energy-intensive disposal, into a useful resource. By feeding this high-pressure concentrated salt water into a forward osmosis membrane component, the system generates additional mixed water that can assist the salt water supply pump, thereby converting what was previously harmful (high-pressure waste requiring disposal) into a beneficial energy source that reduces overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding the concentrated salt water from the reverse osmosis process, the patent recovers its potential energy by utilizing it in a forward osmosis membrane component. This recovered energy in the form of high-pressure mixed water is then fed back to assist the salt water supply pump, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and reduces energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Device complexity

If high-pressure concentrated salt water is discharged without utilization, then the reverse osmosis system operates simply, but energy is wasted and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidenergy waste from discharged concentrated salt water

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reverse osmosis membrane component and the forward osmosis membrane component into an integrated system. The concentrated salt water output from the reverse osmosis component is directly fed into the forward osmosis component, combining two separation processes into a unified system that maximizes resource utilization and minimizes energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The forward osmosis membrane component serves multiple functions: it utilizes the high-pressure concentrated salt water that would otherwise be wasted, generates additional mixed water to assist the salt water supply pump, and produces permeate water that can be combined with freshwater output. This multi-functionality reduces overall system energy consumption without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration reduces the power consumption and operational costs of the salt water desalination process, making it more viable for water-scarce regions and contributing to regional water security and stability.

Implementation Method 1

a forward osmotic phenomenon to move water molecules from the treated freshwater path to the concentrated salt water path and produce mixed water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForward osmotic phenomenon: Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

a reverse osmosis membrane component that separates salt water into freshwater and concentrated salt water by using high pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse osmosis: Reverse Osmosis

Data Source

PatentEP2982654B1Salt water desalination device

Publication Date: 2021.10.06 KYOWAKIDEN IND

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AI summary

A salt water desalination equipment that can reduce a load on a salt water supply pump and a power consumption thereof is provided. [Solution] A salt water desalination equipment (1) includes a salt water supply unit (2) that supplies salt water to a reverse osmosis membrane component (3), a forward osmosis membrane component (4) to which concentrated salt water (51) discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane component (3) is supplied; and an assisting device (5) to which a mixed water (52) discharged from the forward osmosis membrane component (4) is supplied and which is also connected to the salt water supply unit (2). The assisting device (5) increases at least one of an electric power supplied to the salt water supply unit (2), a pressure given to the salt water supply unit, and rotation capacity to the salt water supply unit.