Movable Partition Tank for Reverse Osmosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse osmosis systems face inefficiencies due to decreasing net driving pressure and permeate flow rates as feed fluid concentration increases, leading to reduced fresh water production and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing separate volumes within a tank, managed by movable partitions and three-way valves, allow for continuous operation by maintaining distinct salt concentrations and optimizing permeate production, reducing energy consumption by minimizing the need for high pressure pump usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If batch reverse osmosis processing is used to treat feed fluid, then permeate production can be achieved, but the net driving pressure decreases and permeate flow rate reduces as feed fluid concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The batch tank is divided into two separate volumes (feed volume and brine volume) by a movable partition. This segmentation allows the system to maintain distinct salt concentrations in each volume, preventing the net driving pressure from decreasing as processing continues. The partition enables continuous permeate production by isolating the concentrated brine from the feed solution.
2Productivity
If feed fluid concentration increases during processing, then more permeate is extracted initially, but permeate flow rate decreases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tank into separate feed and brine volumes, the system maintains consistent net driving pressure throughout the batch process. This eliminates the need to increase pump pressure to maintain permeate flow rate, thereby reducing energy consumption while sustaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable partition dynamically adjusts to separate the concentrate brine from the feed solution as processing progresses. This dynamic separation maintains optimal pressure conditions for permeate production throughout the batch cycle, preventing the decline in flow rate and reducing the energy required to maintain production.
3Productivity
If continuous operation is implemented, then productivity increases, but mixing of feed and brine occurs reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition creates physical segmentation between feed and brine volumes, maintaining stable salt concentration separation. This enables continuous operation without mixing, as the partition prevents contact between the two solutions while allowing the system to run continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic movable partition maintains the separation between feed and brine volumes throughout continuous operation. As the partition moves, it continuously re-establishes the separation boundary, ensuring stable composition maintenance while enabling uninterrupted processing.
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 continuous and efficient permeate production with reduced energy consumption and minimized mixing of feed and brine, maintaining consistent permeate rates and extending membrane life by preventing fouling and cyclical stresses.
Implementation Method 1
Reverse osmosis systems typically use one or more membrane housings that have one or more membranes therein that are used to extract an essentially pure fluid from a solution. The desalination reverse osmosis membranes receive feed fluid from brackish or sea water and extract fresh water therefrom. Fresh water is extracted or separated when the pressure of the feed fluid exceeds the osmotic pressure of the fluid which allows permeate or product fluid to cross the semi-permeable reverse osmosis membrane.
Implementation Method 2
The pressure required to produce fresh water is proportional to the concentration of the total dissolved solids (TDS) in this feed solution within the reverse osmosis housing. For typical ocean water, the concentration is about 35,000 parts per million (ppm) and the corresponding osmotic pressure is about 450 pounds per square inch (psi) (3,102 kPa).
Data Source
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AI summary
A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing has a feed fluid input, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet; The system further includes a charge pump, a plurality of valves and a tank having a volume comprising a movable partition dividing the volume into a first volume and a second volume. The plurality of valves selectively couples the charge pump to the first volume or the second volume and the brine outlet to the second volume or the first volume respectively.