Halogen Oxoacid Ion Exchange Urea Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment methods, such as those disclosed in JP2011-183275 and JP2012-11356, are inefficient in removing urea from water and require long residence times, leading to suboptimal water quality and increased equipment size.

Innovation Solution

A water treatment system that includes a means for adding halogen oxoacid to the water, followed by an ion exchanger loaded with anion exchangers, allowing for efficient removal of urea in a short time by capturing halogen oxoacid ions and concentrating them to effectively remove urea, while minimizing the burden on downstream apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water is kept in a reaction tank for a long time to remove urea, then urea removal is achieved, but treatment time increases and equipment size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurea removal efficiencyVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing halogen oxoacid (such as hypochlorous acid, hypobromous acid, or periodic acid) into the water treatment process. This chemical addition enables rapid oxidation and decomposition of urea and other organic materials, reducing treatment time from hours to minutes while maintaining high removal efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs strong oxidants (halogen oxoacids) to accelerate the decomposition of organic materials including urea. The oxidizing action rapidly breaks down molecular structures of contaminants, achieving effective removal without requiring prolonged residence times in reaction tanks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Reliability

If water is kept in a reaction tank for a long time to remove urea, then urea removal is achieved, but equipment size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurea removal efficiencyVSAvoidreaction tank volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the chemical parameters through halogen oxoacid addition, the patent enables rapid contaminant decomposition that does not require large volume reaction tanks. The chemical reaction occurs quickly in smaller volumes, reducing equipment size while maintaining treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using large reaction tanks with prolonged residence time with a chemical approach using halogen oxoacids. This substitution allows effective urea removal in smaller equipment volumes by utilizing chemical oxidation rather than relying on extended physical contact time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If halogen oxoacid is added to water to be treated, then urea removal efficiency is improved, but organic material detachment and degradation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurea removal efficiencyVSAvoidorganic material detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces anion exchangers as an intermediary component between the halogen oxoacid addition point and the treated water outlet. The anion exchangers capture halogen oxoacid ions, preventing them from causing excessive oxidation damage to equipment and organic materials while still allowing effective urea removal through the chemical reaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers and removes the halogen oxoacid ions through the anion exchanger, separating them from the treated water. This prevents the harmful effects of residual oxidants on equipment and organic materials while maintaining the benefits of initial oxidation for urea removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

The system achieves rapid and efficient urea removal, reducing the need for lengthy residence times and smaller equipment footprint, while maintaining water quality by limiting organic material detachment and degradation.

Implementation Method 1

adding halogen oxoacid that adds halogen oxoacid to water to be treated that contains organic materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

an ion exchanger loaded apparatus that is positioned downstream of the means for adding halogen oxoacid, wherein at least anion exchangers are loaded in the ion exchanger loaded apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentUS20230322594A1Water treatment system, pure water production method, and water treatment method

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 ORGANO CORP

AI summary

A water treatment system that can effectively remove persistent organic materials is provided. Water treatment system has: means for adding halogen oxoacid that adds halogen oxoacid to water to be treated that contains organic materials; and ion exchanger loaded apparatus that is positioned downstream of means for adding halogen oxoacid, wherein at least anion exchangers are loaded in ion exchanger loaded apparatus. The water to be treated to which the halogen oxoacid has been added is supplied to ion exchanger loaded apparatus.