Parallel Water Treatment Cords for Adaptable Feed Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment devices for heating or cooling circuits are limited in their ability to adapt to varying water quality and requirements, often leading to stone formation and corrosion, which increases energy consumption, flow resistance, and causes functional impairments and clogging.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment device with multiple parallel water treatment strands, each with a different function, allows for flexible treatment by selecting the appropriate strand using switching means, enabling partial or full desalination and softening to prevent corrosion and stone formation, and can be adapted to local conditions for cost-effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple water treatment strands with different functions are provided to adapt to varying water quality and requirements, then the adaptability and versatility of the water treatment device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple parallel treatment lines and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The water treatment device is divided into multiple independent treatment strands (first strand with demineralization, second strand with softening, third strand with filtration), each capable of operating separately. This segmentation allows the system to handle different water quality requirements by selecting appropriate strands while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides universal water treatment capability by integrating multiple treatment functions (demineralization, softening, filtration) into a single system with a common control unit and switching mechanism, allowing one device to serve multiple water treatment purposes based on quality requirements.
2Reliability
If demineralization is performed to prevent corrosion in water circuits, then the protection against corrosion is improved, but the cost and complexity of treatment increases compared to simple softening
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between demineralization and softening treatments based on the specific water quality and circuit requirements. The control unit evaluates whether full demineralization or simple softening is sufficient, allowing the treatment complexity to match the actual protection needs rather than always applying the most complex treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the treatment parameter (from full demineralization to simple softening) based on the corrosion risk assessment. When water quality and circuit materials indicate lower corrosion risk, the system uses less complex softening treatment, reserving demineralization for high-risk scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If switching means are provided to select between different water treatment lines, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional switching components
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically selects and switches between treatment strands based on pre-programmed criteria regarding water quality and circuit requirements, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system serves itself by making intelligent switching decisions, improving ease of operation while the automated control reduces the complexity burden of the switching mechanism.
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 provides adaptable and cost-effective water treatment tailored to the specific water quality and requirements of the circuit, preventing corrosion and stone formation, ensuring optimal operation and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The first chamber has an ion exchanger which demineralizes the water to be treated and sets a pH value between 8.5 and 10.5
Implementation Method 2
The second chamber contains anti-corrosion agents in tablet form that release chemical components into the water
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device for the treatment of feed water for filling a hot circuit (3) or cooling circuit with water, comprises water treatment cords (10a, 10b, 10c) by which water is subjected to water treatment function, and which are connected related to the flow of the running water parallel to each other, and switching means (9) by which a part of the water treatment cord is selectable for water treatment, where each water treatment cord comprises a different water treatment function, and has water treatment elements, which have individual function for water treatment. The device for the treatment of feed water for filling a hot circuit (3) or cooling circuit with water, comprises water treatment cords (10a, 10b, 10c) by which water is subjected to water treatment function, and which are connected related to the flow of the running water parallel to each other, and switching means (9) by which a part of the water treatment cord is selectable for water treatment, where each water treatment cord comprises a different water treatment function, and has water treatment elements, which have individual function for water treatment. The remaining water treatment cords are blocked for a water flow. The device is formed as a mobile treatment group. For each water treatment cord, a characteristic container is arranged in which all water treatment elements of the respective water treatment cord are arranged. The water treatment elements are formed as sieve filter or water-softening equipment with a cation exchanger in sodium form or with a nanofiltration membrane, or desalting device with a reverse osmosis membrane or a mixing of cation- and anion exchanger, or partially desalting device with a cation exchanger in hydrogen form or pH-buffer device or inhibitor dosing device. A flow meter (6) is arranged for the determination of the flow of the treated water. An intake sensor (7) and a flow sensor are arranged in the area of an inlet of the device for measuring the conductivity and/or the hardness of the water to be treated. A closure element is arranged for the interruption of the drain of treated water. A supervision arrangement is arranged for the supervision of the remaining capacity of the water treatment cords and a remainder capacity indicator is arranged for the water treatment cord. An acoustic signal giver, an optical signal giver and/or a radio signal giver is arranged for the signalization of exhaustion of the remaining capacity of water treatment cord. Independent claims are included for: (1) a water circulation system; and (2) a method for the operation of a device for the treatment of feed water.