Parallel Reverse-Osmosis Membrane Control for Stable Water Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pure water production devices face challenges in maintaining stable water quality and energy efficiency when the flow rate fluctuates due to varying water usage, leading to increased energy consumption and potential deterioration in water quality.
Innovation Solution
A pure water production device with a reverse osmosis membrane system that includes a detection means to calculate effective membrane pressure and controls the number of membranes and water supply pump operation to maintain a constant effective membrane pressure, optimizing energy use and water quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the flow rate is reduced in response to varying water usage, then energy consumption is reduced, but water quality deteriorates due to decreased effective membrane pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of reverse osmosis membranes in operation based on flow rate demands. When flow rate decreases, fewer membranes are activated to maintain optimal effective membrane pressure, preventing water quality deterioration while reducing energy consumption. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to varying operational conditions without compromising performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of effective membrane pressure by adjusting the number of active membranes. When flow rate varies, the control unit modifies the configuration of reverse osmosis membranes to maintain effective membrane pressure within the optimal range (0.3-1.5 MPa), ensuring water quality remains stable while adapting to different energy consumption requirements.
2Reliability
If the number of reverse osmosis membranes is increased to maintain water quality, then effective membrane pressure is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control of membrane configuration, activating only the necessary number of reverse osmosis membranes based on real-time flow rate and effective membrane pressure conditions. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining water quality through optimized membrane utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts the number of operational membranes to maintain effective membrane pressure within the optimal range. By changing the configuration parameter (number of active membranes) rather than always operating at maximum capacity, the system achieves energy efficiency without compromising water quality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the flow rate fluctuates due to varying water usage, then energy efficiency improves through reduced operation, but water quality becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors flow rate and effective membrane pressure, using this feedback to adjust the number of active reverse osmosis membranes. This closed-loop control ensures that water quality stability is maintained by keeping effective membrane pressure within the optimal range, while adapting to flow rate fluctuations to improve energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the number of operational membranes in response to flow rate variations. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain stable water quality by ensuring effective membrane pressure remains optimal, while consuming less energy during periods of lower water demand.
4Reliability
If the effective membrane pressure is maintained constant, then water quality remains stable, but energy consumption increases during low flow periods
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining constant effective membrane pressure through continuous high-pressure operation, the system changes the configuration parameter (number of active membranes) to match demand. This allows effective membrane pressure to be maintained within the optimal range only when necessary, reducing energy consumption during low flow periods while preserving water quality stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static constant-pressure operation to dynamic pressure management by adjusting the number of active membranes. This dynamic approach maintains water quality stability through optimal pressure control while adapting energy consumption to actual flow demands.
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 stabilizes water quality by adjusting the number of reverse osmosis membranes and pump operation, optimizing energy consumption, and preventing deterioration in water quality even with fluctuating flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis membrane system 12, an ultraviolet (UV) oxidation device 13
Implementation Method 2
an ultraviolet (UV) oxidation device 13 for treating this primary pure water W1
Implementation Method 3
a membrane degassing device 15
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Provided is a pure water production apparatus 3, wherein a reverse-osmosis membrane system 12 is configured so that three reverse-osmosis membranes 12A, 12B, 12C are positioned in parallel, and a water-supply pump 11A is configured to be controllable by a control means so as to supply pre-treatment water WO in an amount that corresponds to a requested amount of treated water W5 in the pure water production apparatus 3. A flow meter 32 is provided to a stage preceding the water-supply pump 11A. The number of instances of flushing of the reverse-osmosis membranes 12A, 12B, 12C can be controlled by the control means on the basis of a detection value from the flow meter 32. According to this pure water production apparatus, it is possible to stabilize water quality even when the flow rate fluctuates in a manner that follows the amount of water used or other factors, and to conserve energy.