Mobile Water Pipe Disinfection With Sealed Biocide Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for disinfecting drinking water pipes using chlorine pose health risks to operators due to direct handling and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a pre-filled tank and dosing pump system that allows for safe, contact-free handling of biocidal products, ensuring safe and efficient disinfection of water pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operators manually handle and dose chlorine for pipe disinfection, then the disinfection process can be performed, but operator safety is compromised due to exposure to toxic chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hazardous chemical handling function from the operator's direct control. The chlorine is pre-filled in a sealed tank (30) that is integrated into the device's internal housing (14), removing the need for operators to manually handle the toxic substance. The dosing pump (60) automatically manages the chemical dispensing through sealed hydraulic circuit connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system between the operator and the hazardous chemical. The sealed tank (30) with integrated connectors acts as an intermediary that allows the dosing pump (60) to access and dose the chlorine without requiring direct operator contact with the chemical. The hydraulic circuit (16) serves as a sealed intermediary pathway for chemical transfer.
2Reliability
If chlorine is stored in a sealed tank integrated into the device, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tank (30), hydraulic circuit (16), and dosing pump (60) into a single integrated device (10). The tank is embedded within the internal housing and pre-connected to the hydraulic circuit through integrated connectors (46), creating a unified system that reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps despite the increased functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank (30) is pre-filled with chlorine and pre-connected to the hydraulic circuit (16) during manufacturing or setup. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for operators to perform complex assembly or handling procedures during field operations, reducing operational complexity while maintaining safety.
3Device complexity
If manual dosing is performed, then the process is simple, but the risk of chemical exposure and health hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing pump (60) performs the dosing function automatically without requiring manual intervention. The pump is integrated into the device and draws chlorine from the sealed tank (30) through the hydraulic circuit (16), dosing the chemical directly into the water pipes without operator contact. The system serves itself by automating the hazardous function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hazardous dosing function is extracted from manual operation and assigned to an automated dosing pump (60). The pump is positioned within the internal housing (14) and connected to the sealed tank (30) through the hydraulic circuit (16), removing the operator from the direct path of chemical exposure while maintaining dosing functionality.
4Productivity
If chlorine is handled during dilution and connection phases, then the disinfection can be performed, but the risk of splashes, burns and irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed hydraulic circuit (16) acts as an intermediary that enables chlorine transfer from the tank (30) to the water pipes without exposing operators to the chemical. The circuit's sealed connectors (46) and integrated design prevent splashes and leaks during the dilution and connection phases, maintaining productivity while eliminating exposure risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic circuit (16) uses sealed pathways and enclosed connections that contain the chlorine throughout the dosing process. The sealed structure prevents chemical escape during movement, connection, and operation, protecting operators from splashes and burns while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
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
Eliminates direct contact with hazardous chemicals, enhancing operator safety and ensuring effective disinfection with reduced risk of exposure.
Implementation Method 1
an operator doses the chlorine to dilute it in the water by handling it several times, particularly during the dilution and connection phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile and secure device (10) for disinfecting drinking water pipes. The device (10) has an external wall (12) defining an internal housing (14), a hydraulic circuit (16) housed within the internal housing (14), and a first end adapted for connection to a water point and a second end adapted for connection to a drinking water pipe to be disinfected. It also includes at least one reservoir designed to hold a pipe treatment product, and a dosing pump housed within the internal housing, positioned downstream of the reservoir and adapted for dosing the product and mixing it with water. The reservoir has a shape that allows it to be fitted into the housing of the device (10) and has a connector adapted for fluidly and securely connecting the reservoir to the hydraulic circuit (16) by snap-fitting without contact between the operator and the biocide.