Parallel Demineralizing Lines for Scale-Controlled Membrane Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demineralization apparatuses face performance deterioration due to scale precipitation and membrane clogging, requiring costly chemical washing or high initial costs for flow reversal, and existing flushing methods are insufficient for recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method involving parallel demineralizing lines where one line produces demineralized water while the other is washed with dilute water, which is replenished when quality increases, using pH-adjusted or inhibitor-treated dilute water to maintain low concentration and prevent scale formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If flushing is performed to wash away contaminants, then membrane surface cleaning is improved, but productivity decreases due to stopped permeate water production
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the demineralization lines into multiple parallel lines, allowing one line to be flushed while other lines continue normal operation. This segmentation enables cleaning without complete system shutdown, maintaining productivity while removing membrane surface contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic flushing at predetermined intervals during operation. By scheduling flushing periodically rather than continuously, the system maintains productivity during normal operation while periodically cleaning the membrane surface to prevent contamination buildup.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If chemical washing is performed to remove scale, then scale removal is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase due to stopping and restarting the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation by performing scale removal through dilute water passage without stopping the demineralization apparatus. This continuous action eliminates the need to stop and restart the system, reducing operational complexity while effectively removing scale precipitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dilute water from its own output to perform scale removal on the membranes. By utilizing its own produced dilute water for cleaning purposes, the system performs self-maintenance without requiring external chemical washing processes, simplifying operations.
3Reliability
If flow direction reversal is implemented to detach suspended matter, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional valves required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple parallel demineralization lines instead of reversing flow in a single line. This segmentation allows one line to be flushed while others operate normally, achieving stability through parallel operation without requiring complex valve systems for flow reversal.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If flushing frequency is increased to improve cleaning effectiveness, then contaminant removal is improved, but productivity decreases due to more frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides cleaning and production functions across multiple parallel lines, allowing frequent cleaning of one line without interrupting production in other lines. This segmentation enables effective contaminant removal while maintaining overall productivity through continuous operation of remaining lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary flushing of individual lines at predetermined intervals before significant contaminant accumulation occurs. By proactively cleaning lines during operation rather than waiting for performance degradation, the system maintains productivity while preventing contaminant buildup.
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 method recovers demineralization performance without stopping the apparatus, reduces dilute water consumption, and maintains flux without chemical washing, achieving efficient scale management.
Implementation Method 1
reverse osmosis membranes
Implementation Method 2
a reverse osmosis membrane apparatus (7, 10, 37, 40) includes a first reverse osmosis membrane apparatus (7) and a second reverse osmosis membrane apparatus (10)... a first demineralizing line (L1) having the first reverse osmosis membrane apparatus (7) and a second demineralizing line (L2) having the second reverse osmosis membrane apparatus (10)
Implementation Method 3
passing dilute water from a dilute water tank (31) through another demineralizing line (L2)... the flux of the demineralizing line is recovered
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a method for operating a demineralization apparatus provided with a plurality of demineralizing lines arranged in parallel and having demineralizers, the method comprising passing through some of the demineralizing lines water to be treated to produce demineralized water while passing through another demineralizing line(s) dilute water from a dilute water tank to perform washing of the line(s), and returning water used for said washing back to the dilute water tank, and being characterized by, when the water quality of the dilute water is on the high salts concentration side past a predefined value, discharging part of the dilute water so as to let said part join the water to be treated and providing a new supply of dilute water for replenishment.