Water Filtration Media Regeneration via Ozone Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems that utilize ozone for disinfection are expensive, complex, and require regular servicing, and the interaction of ozone with water can create carcinogenic byproducts, making them commercially unfeasible and requiring significant regulatory approval.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment system with a control system that operates in a regeneration mode including a first backwash mode, a draw mode to introduce ozone into the filtration media, and a second backwash mode to expel ozone, eliminating the need for ozone in the treatment process and reducing regulatory burdens, while improving filtration media regeneration and particulate removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ozone gas is used for water disinfection and oxidation, then waterborne organisms are effectively killed and water is disinfected, but the system becomes expensive, complex, and requires regular specialized servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ozone generation and delivery system from the water treatment process. Instead of continuously maintaining ozone in the water tank during service mode, the system uses a simple backflush mechanism where ozone is introduced only during regeneration mode and immediately removed, separating the disinfection function from the continuous treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic ozone introduction during regeneration mode rather than continuous ozone presence during service mode. The ozone is introduced periodically in controlled amounts during the regeneration cycle and then completely removed, transforming a complex continuous process into a simple periodic operation.
2Reliability
If ozone gas is introduced into water during treatment cycles, then oxidation and disinfection are achieved, but carcinogenic byproducts are created presenting a health danger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful interaction between ozone and water by completely removing ozone from the water tank after the regeneration cycle. The ozone is introduced only during regeneration, not during service mode, eliminating the chemical interaction that produces carcinogenic byproducts while maintaining the disinfection benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rushes through the ozone introduction process during regeneration mode and immediately removes all ozone before the next service cycle begins. This rapid transition prevents prolonged exposure and chemical reactions that would generate harmful byproducts.
3Reliability
If ozone treatment systems use electric air pumps for injecting ozone gas, then effective ozone delivery is achieved, but the systems become expensive and require regular specialized servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing water supply pressure to automatically draw ozone into the tank during regeneration mode without requiring external electric pumps. The water pressure from the supply system serves the dual purpose of both water delivery and ozone introduction, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for expensive specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply pressure serves multiple functions: it provides water for filtration, creates suction for ozone introduction during regeneration, and eliminates the need for separate electric pumps. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining effectiveness.
4Reliability
If water passes through a layer of ozone during treatment cycles, then oxidation and disinfection are effectively implemented, but significant regulatory approval is required prior to sale and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ozone from the continuous water treatment process by introducing it only during regeneration mode and immediately removing it. This separation eliminates the need for regulatory approval of ozone-modified water during service mode, as ozone is not present in the treated water that is delivered to consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic ozone introduction during regeneration rather than continuous ozone presence during treatment. This temporal separation means that treated water does not contain ozone, eliminating the need for regulatory approval of ozone-modified drinking water while maintaining the oxidation and disinfection benefits during regeneration.
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 system provides improved regeneration of the filtration media, enhanced particulate removal, particularly lead, and safer, higher-quality filtered water without the need for ozone in the treatment process, making it commercially viable and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the control system is configured to draw ozone into a water tank from an ozone gas source for disposing the ozone into contact with and dispersed through the water filtration media
Implementation Method 2
Water filtration systems for removing iron, manganese, arsenic, lead and other contaminants and sediments from water have long been in use
Implementation Method 3
it is known to bring ozone gas into contact with the water because ozone gas can be very effective at killing waterborne organisms, and thus disinfecting the contaminated water
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment system includes a water tank, a water filtration media, and an ozone gas source. A control system operates a service mode of the water treatment system during which an external water source is filtered by the filtration media. The control system also operates a regeneration mode of the water treatment system for regenerating the filtration media. The regeneration mode includes a first backwash mode to backwash the filtration media with the external water source. The regeneration mode includes a draw mode subsequent to the first backwash mode to draw ozone into the water tank and into contact with the filtration media. The regeneration mode includes a second backwash mode subsequent to the draw mode to expel ozone from the water tank and the filtration media prior to switching the system back into the service mode for filtration of the water source with the regenerated filtration media.