Ozone Disinfecting Mixer with Piezoelectric Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ozone-based disinfecting devices face inefficiencies in ozone distribution, as ozone is often dissolved in water, reducing its availability for disinfection, and release excess ozone into the atmosphere, violating regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
An ozone-based disinfecting device with a mixer featuring a piezoelectric flow sensing device and a control circuit that activates an ozone generator only when a minimum water flow rate is reached, ensuring ozone is entrained in water droplets rather than dissolved or released into the air, using a fan to manage airflow and ozone generation based on flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ozone is dissolved into water using venturi injection systems or bubble diffusers, then ozone is mixed into water, but a large proportion of ozone is consumed sterilizing the water itself, leaving reduced ozone available for disinfecting the target
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function of dissolving ozone in water and replaces it with direct contact disinfection. The spray nozzle generates a conical spray of water that contacts the target directly, while ozone gas contacts both the water spray and target simultaneously in the discharge chamber, eliminating the need for ozone to be dissolved in water first.
Solution Approach 2:
The water spray acts as an intermediary carrier of ozone to the target. Ozone gas mixes with the water spray in the discharge chamber, and the ozonated water spray then contacts the target, providing disinfection without requiring bulk dissolution of ozone in water.
2Quantity of substance
If venturi injection systems are used to mix ozone into water, then ozone is dissolved into water, but the system releases free gaseous ozone into the atmosphere in higher concentrations than permitted by regulatory standards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the venturi injection system that causes excessive atmospheric ozone release and replaces it with a spray-based contact chamber system where ozone is delivered directly to the target through water spray contact, preventing uncontrolled release into the atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a spray nozzle to generate a conical water spray that creates a controlled environment for ozone-water-target interaction. The hydraulic spray mechanism replaces the pneumatic venturi system, providing better control over ozone delivery and preventing atmospheric release.
3Quantity of substance
If bubble diffusers are used to emit ozone rich air in bubbles beneath water surface, then ozone is mixed into water, but diffuser holes become fouled over time decreasing system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely removes the bubble diffuser system from the design and replaces it with a spray nozzle and contact chamber configuration. This eliminates the diffuser holes that become fouled, ensuring consistent system performance over time without maintenance issues related to hole blockage.
4Reliability
If chlorine-based chemicals are used for disinfecting food products, then disinfection is achieved, but toxic byproducts such as chloramines and trihalomethanes are produced that are harmful to human health
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter from chlorine-based disinfectants to ozone-based disinfection. Ozone (O3) is a different chemical substance that decomposes into oxygen (O2), eliminating the formation of toxic byproducts like chloramines and trihalomethanes while maintaining effective disinfection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses ozone, a strong oxidant with about 1.5 times the oxidizing potential of chlorine, to achieve disinfection. Ozone's high reactivity allows it to kill microorganisms and react with pesticides and herbicides effectively, while its natural decomposition into oxygen prevents toxic residue formation.
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 device effectively carries ozone with water droplets, minimizing atmospheric ozone release and optimizing ozone use for disinfection, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhanced disinfection efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
the flow sensing device is an electronic flow sensing device for sensing vibration caused by a flow of water through the mixer
Implementation Method 2
water is forced through a convergent conical body, initiating a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the system
Implementation Method 3
water is forced through a convergent conical body, initiating a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the system. This creates a vacuum inside the body of the injector, thereby initiating a flow of ozone rich air through a suction port
Implementation Method 4
a major advantage of ozone is its natural decomposition into oxygen and thus its use in disinfecting food products is highly beneficial as it decomposes into a nontoxic gas
Implementation Method 5
using a fan to manage airflow and ozone generation based on flow rates
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An ozone-based disinfecting device is provided comprising a mixer having a generally hollow body with a water inlet for water under pressure, a spray nozzle for generating a generally conical spray of water introduced by way of the water inlet, a contact chamber communicating with a gas inlet for ozone rich gases, and an outlet aperture from the contact chamber that is coaxial with the spray nozzle and spaced apart therefrom. An electronic flow sensing device senses the extent of the flow of water through the spray nozzle according to vibration caused by water flowing through the mixer. The electronic flow sensing device is preferably located in a pocket formed in the mixer and preferably comprises a piezoelectric sensor embedded at least around its periphery in a settable material. A preferred construction of the mixer is also described.