Fresh Water Production Method Using Chemical Injection and Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fresh water production systems using composite water treatment technologies, biofilm formation and chemical inefficiencies lead to reduced washing/sterilization effects and increased energy consumption, particularly in systems integrating advanced sewage treatment and seawater desalination, where microbial growth and chemical interactions complicate the use of semipermeable membranes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the continuous or intermittent injection of specific chemicals into different streams of water undergoing treatment, with neutralizing agents used to optimize the washing/sterilization effects, and monitoring with meters like pH, ORP, and chlorine concentration to adjust chemical dosages and prevent biofilm formation, ensuring effective sterilization of semipermeable membrane treatment apparatuses and piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemicals are injected into water streams for sterilization and washing in composite water treatment systems, then the washing/sterilization effects of semipermeable membrane treatment apparatuses and piping are improved, but chemical usage becomes inefficient and biofilm formation occurs due to inadequate neutralization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting neutralizing agents into water streams before the water contacts semipermeable membranes and piping. This pre-neutralization prevents chemical inefficiency and biofilm formation by adjusting pH and neutralizing residual chemicals in advance, ensuring optimal conditions for subsequent sterilization and washing processes without chemical waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using pH meters and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) meters to continuously monitor water quality parameters. Based on these measurements, the system automatically adjusts chemical injection rates and neutralizing agent dosing to maintain optimal sterilization effectiveness while preventing chemical accumulation and biofilm formation, thereby improving chemical usage efficiency
2Reliability
If multiple chemicals are injected into different water streams in integrated sewage treatment and desalination systems, then sterilization coverage is improved, but chemical interactions reduce washing/sterilization effects and increase energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the water treatment system into distinct zones with separate chemical injection points and neutralizing agent injection points. Different chemicals are injected into different water streams (sewage stream, desalinated water stream, concentrate stream) based on specific contamination risks in each zone. This targeted approach maintains sterilization coverage while reducing unnecessary chemical interactions and energy consumption associated with treating all streams uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by injecting specific chemicals and neutralizing agents at localized positions within the system based on local water quality requirements. pH meters and ORP meters monitor local conditions, and chemical dosing is adjusted locally rather than system-wide. This prevents unnecessary chemical interactions in regions where they are not needed, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective sterilization coverage
3Reliability
If chemicals are injected continuously to prevent biofilm formation, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but chemical costs and potential harmful chemical interactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent chemical injection cycles rather than continuous injection. The system uses pH meters and ORP meters to monitor water quality, and neutralizing agents are injected periodically to maintain sterilization effectiveness while preventing chemical accumulation. This periodic approach reduces harmful chemical interactions and costs while maintaining adequate sterilization effectiveness through timed dosing intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses neutralizing agents as intermediaries between sterilizing chemicals and the water environment. These neutralizing agents are injected at specific points to moderate chemical concentrations and prevent harmful interactions. The intermediary neutralizing agents buffer pH changes and neutralize excess sterilizing chemicals, reducing harmful effects while maintaining sterilization effectiveness through controlled chemical interactions
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 approach enhances the washing/sterilization effects of semipermeable membrane treatment apparatuses and piping, reduces chemical usage, and maintains membrane performance by optimizing chemical concentrations and interactions, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of fresh water production while minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
seawater desalination using nanofiltration membranes and reverse osmosis membranes... requiring a supply pressure higher than the osmotic pressure... treating water (A) undergoing treatment by a semipermeable membrane treatment apparatus (A)... treating the mixed water by a semipermeable membrane treatment apparatus (B)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fresh water production method applying a combined water-treatment technology employing a plurality of semi-permeable membrane units, the method enabling prevention of problems caused by growth of a biofilm and allowing effective use of an injected chemical agent and an injected neutralizing agent. The fresh-water production method produces fresh water by treatment of source water by a semi-permeable membrane treatment device, the concentrated water resulting from the treatment by the semi-permeable membrane treatment device is mixed with other source water, and the water mixture is treated by a second semi-permeable membrane treatment device. A first chemical agent is injected continuously or intermittently into the source water and a second chemical agent is injected continuously or intermittently into the source water.