Movable Anode Electrolysis System for Water Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purification systems, particularly those using electrolysis, face challenges in maintaining a small gap between electrodes due to contamination and erosion, which affects disinfection efficiency and requires frequent anode replacement, and ultraviolet systems are ineffective in turbid or organically rich waters.

Innovation Solution

An electrolysis system with movable anode and cathode plates that allow continuous cleaning and inspection, using a frustoconical interface for axial movement to compensate for erosion and a scrubbing surface for mechanical cleaning, enabling efficient exposure and maintenance of the anode without disrupting the treatment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrolysis systems use small gap spacing between electrodes for effective disinfection, then disinfection efficiency is improved, but contamination accumulates on electrode surfaces and erosion occurs, requiring frequent maintenance and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anode is designed to move axially relative to the cathode, transforming from a static to a dynamic component. This axial movement allows the anode to be periodically repositioned, exposing fresh surfaces for cleaning and inspection while maintaining the required small gap spacing for effective disinfection throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The anode surface is effectively segmented through axial movement, where different portions of the anode are sequentially exposed for cleaning and operation. This allows the anode to function in multiple stages, with some portions actively treating water while others are being cleaned or inspected, extending overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the anode remains stationary for continuous water treatment, then treatment continuity is maintained, but contamination accumulates and erosion reduces effectiveness, requiring shutdown for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment continuityVSAvoidanode effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cleaning and inspection actions on portions of the anode before they become heavily contaminated or eroded. By periodically moving the anode axially to expose fresh surfaces for cleaning, maintenance is performed proactively rather than reactively, preventing contamination accumulation that would otherwise require shutdowns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The axial movement mechanism enables continuous useful action by ensuring that while one portion of the anode is being cleaned or inspected, other portions continue to perform water treatment. This maintains treatment continuity without requiring complete system shutdown, preserving productivity while extending anode effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If ultraviolet systems are used for water purification, then point source disinfection is achieved, but they are ineffective in turbid liquids or waters with significant organic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection capabilityVSAvoidwater type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the fundamental parameter of disinfection method from ultraviolet light to electrolytic oxidation. This parameter change enables effective treatment of turbid and organically rich waters that are incompatible with UV systems, as electrolysis products can penetrate and disinfect regardless of water clarity or organic content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design maintains a consistent gap spacing, extends anode life by allowing complete exhaustion before replacement, and ensures continuous operation without interruptions, while also addressing the limitations of ultraviolet systems in treating turbid waters.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention provides an electrolysis system with anode and cathode plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

erosion of the anode is accommodated by providing a frustoconical interface surface where erosion can be compensated for by axial movement of the anode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSacrificial anode erosion: Erosion

Implementation Method 3

A water conduit is provided introducing water to be treated into the gap, and the anodic electrode and cathodic electrode are mounted to move continuously with respect to each other to change the portion of the second exposed electrode face proximate to the first exposed electrode face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical scrubbing: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS11535534B2Water purification system with cycling sacrificial anode

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 LASEE JACK

AI summary

An electrolysis system for water cleaning employs close anode and cathode plate spacing while providing cleaning of the plates. In one embodiment a moving anode allows access to the plates for cleaning.