Auxiliary Grey Water Supply for Commercial Kitchen Pre-Rinse Reuse
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial warewashing facilities face challenges in conserving water and energy due to the high volume of used dishwashing water being discarded after each wash cycle, which is not efficiently managed in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary grey water supply device is introduced, comprising a tank with an inlet, overflow outlet, and freshwater supply, which captures and recycles used dishwashing water for reuse in pre-rinse stations without significant modification to the warewashing machine, utilizing a pump and delivery conduit to redirect the grey water from the warewashing machine to the pre-rinse station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If used dishwashing water is discarded after each wash cycle, then the warewashing machine operates simply without complex water recovery systems, but water and energy are wasted due to high volume of discarded water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an auxiliary gray water supply device as an intermediary system between the warewashing machine and the pre-rinse station. This device captures and stores gray water, then delivers it to the pre-rinse station when needed, serving as a mediator that recovers water without requiring direct modification of the leased warewashing machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution segments the water recovery function into a separate auxiliary device rather than integrating it into the leased warewashing machine. This allows the water capture, storage, and delivery functions to be implemented independently through plumbing modifications, avoiding the need to modify the machine itself while still achieving water recovery.
2Loss of substance
If gray water is captured and stored in a tank, then water is conserved for reuse, but the system requires additional installation complexity and space
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary gray water supply device serves as an intermediary plumbing system that intercepts gray water discharge and redirects it to the pre-rinse station. This mediator approach allows water conservation through simple plumbing connections rather than requiring integration into the leased machine or complex treatment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the facility to self-manage water recovery through an independently installed auxiliary device that captures, stores, and delivers gray water without requiring modification or control of the leased warewashing machine. The facility owns and maintains this recovery system autonomously.
3Area of stationary object
If the auxiliary device is integrated into the warewashing machine, then space is saved, but modification of the leased machine is required which is prohibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water recovery function into a separate auxiliary device positioned adjacent to the warewashing machine rather than integrating it into the machine. This segmentation allows the recovery system to be installed independently through plumbing modifications without requiring any alteration to the leased warewashing machine itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary device acts as an intermediary system that bridges the gap between the warewashing machine discharge and the pre-rinse station water supply. This intermediary approach enables space-efficient positioning near the machine while maintaining the prohibition against machine modification through separate plumbing connections.
4Quantity of substance
If fresh water is used for pre-rinsing, then adequate water supply is ensured, but water and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements gray water recovery by capturing water that would otherwise be discarded from the warewashing machine and redirecting it to the pre-rinse station. This recovery process eliminates the need to discard functional water and reuse it for pre-rinsing, significantly reducing both water consumption and the energy required to heat fresh water.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary device maintains a continuous supply of recovered gray water to the pre-rinse station through a pump and delivery system, ensuring adequate water availability for pre-rinsing operations. The tank storage capacity ensures continuous supply even when the warewashing machine is not actively discharging water.
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 significantly reduces water and energy consumption by reusing sanitised, softened, and soaped grey water for pre-rinsing, potentially saving over $55,000 annually by minimizing fresh water usage and heating requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A pump has an inlet in fluid communication with the tank and an outlet in fluid communication with a delivery conduit
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary grey water supply device captures used wash water from a commercial warewashing machine for supply to a pre-rinse station without substantial modification of the commercial warewashing machine. The captured wash water is delivered to a pre-rinse station for pre-rinsing of dishes that will be washed within the commercial warewashing machine.