Metering Pump Conductivity Feedback for Variable Water Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating metering pumps in water treatment systems are inefficient in adjusting the dosage of water conditioning agents based on fluctuating water quality, often requiring multiple pumps or extensive equipment to achieve optimal treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses electrical conductivity measurements to adjust the dosage of water conditioning agents by determining the difference in conductivity between untreated and treated water, allowing for precise control of the metering pump based on the setpoint function, which varies with the initial conductivity of the water, thereby accounting for existing ions and water quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed amount of water conditioning agent is added using a metering pump, then the equipment structure remains simple, but the treatment effectiveness deteriorates when water quality fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the conductivity of treated water is continuously measured and compared against a setpoint value. The metering pump's dosage is automatically adjusted based on the deviation between actual and target conductivity, creating a closed-loop system that maintains treatment effectiveness despite water quality fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the dosage parameter of the metering pump based on real-time conductivity measurements. When water quality changes (detected through conductivity variations), the control unit modifies the amount of water conditioning agent added, transitioning from fixed dosage to adaptive dosage control
2Reliability
If multiple metering pumps are used to achieve optimal treatment for different water qualities, then the treatment effectiveness improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single metering pump perform multiple dosing functions by equipping it with a microprocessor-based control unit that can adapt its output to various water quality conditions. The conductivity sensor provides real-time feedback that enables one pump to replace what would traditionally require multiple fixed-dosage pumps
Solution Approach 2:
The metering pump is transformed from a static, fixed-dosage device into a dynamic, adjustable system. The control unit continuously modifies the pump's dosage based on conductivity feedback, enabling a single pump to handle varying treatment requirements that previously would have demanded multiple specialized pumps
3Reliability
If the metering pump dosage is increased to ensure adequate treatment for all water quality conditions, then the reliability of treatment improves, but the loss of substance increases due to over-dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The conductivity sensor provides real-time feedback on the actual water quality, allowing the control unit to precisely adjust the metering pump output. This prevents both over-dosing and under-dosing, ensuring that water conditioning agent is added only in the exact amount needed to achieve the target conductivity, thereby eliminating waste from over-dosing
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 approach enables simple, precise, and cost-effective control of the metering pump, ensuring optimal dosage of water conditioning agents, reducing over- or under-dosing, and adapting to changing water quality in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrical conductivity L1 of the water to be treated and a second electrical conductivity L2 of the treated water or of the water of a water supply to which the treated water is supplied is determined
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a metering pump (6), wherein a water conditioning agent is metered into water to be treated, in particular a stream of water to be treated, using the metering pump (6), so that treated water is obtained, wherein a first electrical Conductivity L1 of the water to be treated and a second electrical conductivity L2 of the treated water or the water of a water supply to which the treated water is supplied are determined (101, 105), with a control unit (12) using a setpoint function DLFsoll(L1) A setpoint value DLFsoll is determined from the first conductivity L1 (102), the setpoint function DLFsoll(L1 varying with the first conductivity L1, and the control unit (12) controlling the metering pump (6) in such a way that a difference DLF=L2-L1 the specific conductivities L1 and L2 are adjusted to the setpoint DLFsoll. The invention offers a simple and cost-effective method for operating a metering pump, with which the metering performance of the metering pump can be optimized when the quality of the water to be treated fluctuates.