Modular Reactor for Simultaneous Pool Water Disinfection and pH Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Current swimming pool water treatment methods, such as electrolysis and ultraviolet radiation, require simultaneous pH control to maximize efficacy and minimize byproducts, but lack an efficient reactor design for effective distribution and absorption of pH-adjusting compounds, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A modular reactor with a perimetral chamber having separate volumes for pH compound distribution and absorption, combined with a central chamber for electrolysis and UV treatment, featuring an inlet nozzle with sensors and an outlet nozzle with sensors for pH and chlorine readings, and a CO2 injector for pH adjustment, enhancing the distribution and absorption of pH-adjusting compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrolysis and UV radiation techniques are used for disinfection, then disinfection efficacy is improved, but pH control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple treatment functions (electrolysis, UV radiation, pH adjustment, oxidation) into a single integrated reactor system. The perimetral chamber houses both electrolysis electrodes and UV lamps, while the central chamber contains filler material for pH compound distribution. This merging eliminates the need for separate treatment units and simplifies overall system operation while maintaining high disinfection efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs disinfection (via electrolysis and UV), pH adjustment (via CO2 injector and filler absorption), and oxidation (via electrolytically generated chlorine). This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple water treatment requirements, reducing operational complexity despite the advanced functions provided.
2Reliability
If pH-adjusting compounds are added to maximize treatment efficacy, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but distribution and absorption efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is divided into distinct functional zones: the perimetral chamber for electrolysis and UV treatment, and the central chamber specifically dedicated to pH adjustment. The central chamber contains filler material that provides extensive surface area for pH compound absorption. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function, with the central chamber's filler material efficiently distributing and absorbing pH-adjusting compounds before water enters the treatment chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The central chamber is filled with porous filler material that provides extensive surface area for pH compound absorption. The porous structure allows efficient contact between the pH-adjusting compounds (injected via CO2 injector) and the filler material, enhancing absorption efficiency. This ensures rapid and uniform pH adjustment throughout the water volume before it undergoes electrolysis and UV treatment.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If continuous pH control is implemented, then byproduct minimization is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor incorporates automatic pH control through feedback mechanisms. pH sensors continuously monitor water pH and provide feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts the CO2 injector and pH compound dosing. This self-regulating system maintains optimal pH levels without requiring manual intervention, minimizing harmful byproducts while keeping operation simple. The system serves itself by automatically detecting and correcting pH deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs continuous pH monitoring with sensors that provide real-time feedback to the control mechanism. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the rate of pH compound addition through the CO2 injector and filler material dosing. This closed-loop feedback control ensures pH remains within the optimal range for maximizing treatment efficacy while minimizing harmful byproduct formation, all without increasing operational complexity for the user.
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 reactor enables efficient simultaneous oxidation, disinfection, and pH adjustment of swimming pool water, minimizing unwanted byproducts and handling risks, while ensuring effective treatment and residual disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
the water to be treated is subjected to continuous electric current by means of introducing electrodes (cathode, anode) therein. In the phenomenon of electrolysis, cathodic reduction and anodic oxidation processes which are utilized for swimming pool water purification (organic matter oxidation) and disinfection
Implementation Method 2
the ultraviolet (UV) radiation technique, which is based on using the effect of said radiation by means of using ultraviolet light emitters, such as low- or medium-pressure lamps isolated from the medium by means of quartz tubes, causing disinfection at given doses of mJ/cm2, elimination of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria). This is achieved by means of a physical process of altering the DNA of said microorganisms
Implementation Method 3
a perimetral chamber (2) having two volumes separated by a perforated surface (3): a first volume (2.1), for the distribution and injection of a pH-adjusting compound, comprising: an injector (11) of the pH-adjusting compound; a second volume (2.2) comprising a filler (4) to favor absorption of the pH-adjusting compound
Implementation Method 4
During the electrolysis process, small concentrations of chlorine and sodium hydroxide, which recombine to form hypochlorous acid, HClO, which subsequently reduce the organic matter and pathogens, converting back into salt
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a simplified modular reactor, where the method of purifying swimming pool waters can be carried out in an integral manner, where said method may comprise simultaneously applying the techniques of: oxidation-disinfection, ultraviolet radiation, and pH adjustment on the water to be treated.