Modular Filter Station With Symmetric Connection Distributors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter stations lack scalability and operational reliability for varying water treatment needs, and often fail to ensure the water quality is germ-free.
Innovation Solution
A filter station design with symmetrically arranged connection distributors, allowing for flexible configuration of filter pairs and air supply, enabling efficient backwashing and scalability through modular components, including membrane filters for enhanced filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a filter station is designed with fixed configuration, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying water treatment needs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter station is divided into multiple independent filter modules, each with its own housing and filter element. These modules can be individually installed, removed, or replaced without affecting other modules, enabling flexible configuration to match varying water treatment requirements while maintaining relatively simple individual module structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter station incorporates a dynamic module selection mechanism where the number and arrangement of filter modules can be adjusted based on water treatment needs. The connection system allows modules to be dynamically added or removed from the upper and lower connection distributors, providing adaptability without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If filters are cleaned by backflushing only, then the cleaning process is simple, but it cannot remove all types of contaminants effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system merges multiple cleaning methods into a unified system: backflushing for general contaminant removal, air bubbling for loosening adhering particles, and mechanical cleaning with sieves or rakes for coarse dirt. This combination achieves comprehensive cleaning effectiveness while integrating all functions into a single manageable cleaning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is designed to operate continuously or in sequential stages without interrupting filter operation. Backflushing, air bubbling, and mechanical cleaning can be performed in sequence or simultaneously, ensuring that filters are constantly maintained without stopping the water treatment process, thus providing continuous useful action for both filtration and cleaning.
3Reliability
If membrane filters are used for enhanced filtration, then water quality improves to be germ-free, but the filter surface requires more frequent and thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
Air bubbles are introduced through the filter medium from below, utilizing pneumatic principles to lift and remove adhering contaminants from the membrane filter surface. This pneumatic cleaning action effectively removes contaminants that would otherwise require frequent manual cleaning, reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining high water quality standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses porous membrane filter materials that provide high filtration efficiency for germ-free water while being designed with appropriate pore structures that prevent excessive contaminant adhesion. The porous structure allows for effective backflushing and air bubbling cleaning, making the enhanced filtration capability easier to maintain despite the high water quality requirements.
4Productivity
If multiple filters are arranged in parallel, then water treatment capacity increases, but the space requirement and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter modules are arranged in a nested or compact configuration where smaller filter elements are positioned within or alongside larger structural components. The upper and lower connection distributors are designed to accommodate multiple modules in a space-efficient manner, allowing parallel filtration capacity to increase while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the filter station.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter modules are arranged in a vertical dimension rather than only horizontal expansion. Multiple filters are stacked or positioned at different heights between the upper and lower connection distributors, utilizing vertical space to increase water treatment capacity without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint of the system.
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 design ensures a scalable and reliable water filtration system capable of producing germ-free water, with improved cleaning efficiency and operational reliability, suitable for various water treatment volumes.
Implementation Method 1
using air bubbles, which flow past the filter medium due to their buoyancy and tear the dirt particles loose
Implementation Method 2
The raw water penetrates the walls of the membrane filter elements in order to retain impurities in the raw water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A filter station is described which has a first, upper connection distributor (21) and a second, lower connection distributor (22), each of which have an equal number of a plurality of correspondingly arranged connections (31, 32), of which each connection (31) of the upper connection distributor (21) and the appropriate corresponding connection (32) of the lower connection distributor (22) forms a connection pair (03) intended in each case for the connection and/or for accommodating a filter (04) such that the filter station (01) is capable of accommodating a number of filters (04) that corresponds to the number of connection pairs (03), wherein the lower connection distributor (22) has an air connection (05) and the upper connection distributor (21) has a line connection (06).