Hyperfiltration Assembly with Pressurizable Reservoir for Scaling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment assemblies using hyperfiltration face limitations in recovery rates due to scaling issues, particularly with residential water containing calcium and bicarbonate ions, which restrict higher recovery operations below 35% to prevent CaCO3 scale formation.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment assembly incorporating a spiral wound hyperfiltration membrane module connected to a pressurizable reservoir with valves for diverting pressurized feed water through the reservoir upstream, allowing for selective introduction of additives like acetic acid to mitigate scaling and potentially increase recovery rates beyond 35% by using a flow restrictor and sensors for monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If recovery rate is increased above 35%, then water production efficiency is improved, but scaling (CaCO3) occurs due to salt concentration exceeding solubility limit
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by introducing cleaning agents or challenge species into the reservoir upstream from the membrane module, allowing these substances to pre-treat the feed water before it contacts the membrane. This prevents scaling and membrane contamination before they occur, enabling higher recovery rates without the harmful effects of CaCO3 scale formation
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir acts as an intermediary component between the feed water source and the membrane module. It provides a controlled environment where cleaning agents or challenge species can be introduced and mixed with the feed water, serving as a mediator that protects the membrane from direct contact with scaling-prone substances while still allowing high recovery operation
2Reliability
If cleaning agents are continuously added to prevent scaling, then membrane integrity is maintained, but system complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous addition, the system uses periodic action by introducing cleaning agents or challenge species only when needed through the reservoir valves. The system can alternate between normal operation mode and cleaning/testing mode, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining membrane integrity through periodic maintenance rather than continuous intervention
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 solution enables higher recovery rates (up to 70%) while minimizing scaling risks, maintaining system stability and efficiency through controlled addition of cleaning agents and challenge species for membrane integrity testing, effectively addressing scaling challenges in residential water treatment systems.
Implementation Method 1
Hyperfiltration is a membrane-based separation process where pressure is applied to a feed solution on one side of a semi-permeable membrane. The applied pressure causes 'solvent' (e.g. water) to pass through the membrane... while 'solutes' (e.g. salts) are unable to pass through the membrane
Implementation Method 2
To overcome the natural driving force of solvent to move from low to high concentration, the applied feed pressure must exceed the osmotic pressure
Implementation Method 3
a cleaning agent (e.g. acetic acid to mitigate scaling)
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment assembly comprising a spiral wound hyperfiltration membrane module connected to: i) a feed line adapted for connection to a source of pressurized feed water, ii) a permeate line adapted for connection to a dispenser of treated water and iii) a concentrate line adapted for connection with drain; wherein the assembly further includes a pressurizable reservoir with valves for selectively diverting flow of pressurized feed water along the feed line, through the reservoir and returning to the feed line prior to passing through the hyperfiltration membrane module.