Portable Heat Pump Water Pasteurization Off-Grid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for pasteurizing water, such as boiling, are energy-intensive and often require access to an electric grid or fossil fuels, which is not feasible in many areas lacking safe drinking water, and do not efficiently reach the necessary pasteurization temperature of 70°C for effective microbial contamination removal.
Innovation Solution
A portable system utilizing an off-grid renewable energy source, such as a photovoltaic panel, coupled with a heat pump to pasteurize water in a storage tank, achieving the necessary temperature of 70°C efficiently without combustion or electric grid connection, using a thermodynamic cycle and an electric resistant heating element for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional boiling methods are used to pasteurize water, then microbial contamination is effectively removed, but energy consumption becomes excessively high and requires access to electric grid or fossil fuels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from boiling point (100°C) to pasteurization temperature (70°C), and modifies the time parameter by extending contact time at this lower temperature. This parameter transformation allows achieving the same disinfection effect with significantly reduced energy consumption, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system maintains continuous heating at 70°C for an extended period (multiple hours) to ensure complete pasteurization. This continuous action at optimized temperature ensures microbial removal while avoiding the energy waste of rapid boiling, balancing effectiveness with energy efficiency
2Reliability
If water is heated to boiling point (100°C), then complete pasteurization is achieved, but excess energy is consumed beyond what is necessary for effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and implements the optimal temperature parameter for pasteurization (70°C) rather than using the higher boiling point (100°C). By changing the temperature parameter to its minimum effective value and compensating with extended time, the system eliminates excess energy consumption while maintaining pasteurization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying excessive heat (boiling) to ensure pasteurization, the patent applies partial heating to the minimum effective temperature (70°C) and maintains it for extended duration. This partial action approach achieves the same disinfection goal with significantly reduced energy loss
3Use of energy by moving object
If a portable system with low power consumption (≤500W) is used, then energy accessibility is improved for off-grid locations, but the system complexity must be carefully managed
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed to be self-contained and self-regulating, automatically maintaining 70°C through feedback control without requiring external grid connection or manual intervention. This self-service capability enables portable operation with low power consumption while managing complexity through automation
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump serves multiple functions: heating water to pasteurization temperature, maintaining temperature over extended periods, and potentially providing cooling during condensation phases. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, managing overall complexity while achieving reliable pasteurization with portable power
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 provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method to pasteurize water using renewable energy, achieving the required temperature efficiently and safely, with the added benefit of being portable and capable of precise control, ensuring complete treatment without interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump to operate a thermodynamic cycle that transfers heat from the cold source of external air to the hot source of water storage that increases its temperature
Implementation Method 2
a condenser near to or directly in contact with a base of the tank, so as to pasteurize the liquid contained in the tank
Implementation Method 3
An electric resistant heating element can be added and immersed in the liquid of the tank in order to support the heating up process
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a system (100) for pasteurizing a liquid in a liquid storage tank (4), comprising: - a portable off-grid renewable energy source (1) arranged to generate an electric power signal having a power equal or inferior to 500 W,5 - the liquid storage tank (4) being portable, being arranged to contain a volume of liquid inferior to 50 l, and comprising a handle (48) for facilitating the transport of the liquid storage tank (4), for example after the pasteurization of said liquid, - a first container (36) comprising a heat pump (3) arranged to be 10 completely powered by said off-grid renewable energy source (1), - the heat pump (3) comprising a condenser (33) near to or directly in contact with a base (44) of the tank (4), so as to pasteurize the liquid contained in the tank.