Membrane Maintenance Scheduling Using Cost-Based Cleaning Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operation support devices for membrane filtration in water treatment require specialized knowledge for inputting reference values to determine cleaning and replacement schedules for separation membranes, making it difficult to calculate optimal operation costs.
Innovation Solution
An operation support device that calculates a cost model for separation membrane deterioration, determining reference values based on cleaning and replacement costs to automatically generate schedules for membrane maintenance, reducing the need for user-inputted values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If reference values for determining cleaning and replacement schedules are input by the user, then the operation support device can calculate cleaning and replacement schedules, but it requires specialized knowledge of the membrane filtration method making it difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The operation support device automatically determines the reference values for cleaning and replacement schedules by itself, without requiring user input. The device calculates these values based on operational data and the cleaning efficiency model, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for users to have specialized knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-calculates and stores reference values for cleaning and replacement schedules based on historical operational data and the cleaning efficiency model. These pre-determined reference values are then automatically applied when generating maintenance schedules, eliminating the need for users to input specialized parameters.
2Reliability
If the separation membrane is cleaned regularly, then the filtration capacity is maintained, but the cleaning cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a cleaning efficiency model that expresses the deterioration of the separation membrane relative to the number of cleaning events. By analyzing this model and operational data, the device dynamically determines the optimal cleaning schedule that maintains adequate filtration capacity while minimizing cleaning costs through data-driven decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation support device continuously monitors operational data and compares it against the cleaning efficiency model to provide feedback on membrane condition. This feedback loop enables the device to optimize cleaning schedules by predicting when cleaning will be most effective, balancing filtration capacity maintenance with cost reduction.
3Loss of energy
If the separation membrane is used longer between cleanings, then the cleaning cost decreases, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device analyzes the relationship between cleaning frequency, filtration capacity, and power consumption using the cleaning efficiency model. By changing the operational parameters based on this analysis, the device determines the optimal balance point where extended usage between cleanings is sustainable without excessive power consumption, achieving cost-effective operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation support device includes a computation unit that: calculates cost of separation treatment that depends on deterioration of a separation membrane using a cleaning efficiency model expressing deterioration of the separation membrane relative to the number of cleaning events, the separation membrane being configured to remove removal target from sewage; calculates operation cost using the cost of separation treatment, cleaning cost for one cleaning event for the separation membrane, and replacement cost for one replacement event for the separation membrane; determines, based on the operation cost, a first reference value used for determining whether to clean the separation membrane and a second reference value used for determining whether to replace the separation membrane; and calculates cleaning schedule and replacement schedule for the separation membrane using the first reference value and the second reference value determined.