Swimming Pool pH Control Composition with Aluminium Sulphate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current swimming pool water treatment methods require multiple chemicals to control pH, pathogen removal, water clarity, phosphate levels, and algae control, posing safety risks and inefficiencies, particularly with the use of harsh acids like hydrochloric and sulphuric acid.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising sodium bisulphate, aluminium sulphate, copper sulphate, and a chelating agent, which maintains pH control while also addressing water clarity, phosphate removal, and algae control in a single application, minimizing precipitation and corrosion risks, and including a calcium scale inhibitor to prevent scale formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrochloric acid is used to lower pH, then pH control effectiveness is improved, but corrosiveness to structures and equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sodium bisulphate in powder form, which is a safer, less corrosive alternative to hydrochloric acid. While it may require more frequent application, it avoids the severe corrosiveness and safety hazards of liquid acids, effectively replacing a dangerous long-lasting chemical with a safer consumable powder form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of acid corrosion into a benefit by using a milder acid (sodium bisulphate) that still achieves pH control but with reduced corrosiveness. The powder form also allows for controlled dissolution, preventing the violent reactions associated with concentrated liquid acids.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sulphuric acid is used to lower pH, then corrosiveness to structures is reduced, but safety hazards (burns, fumes) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sodium bisulphate powder as a safer alternative to sulphuric acid. The powder form eliminates the need for handling concentrated liquid acid, removing the associated burn and fume hazards while still providing effective pH control through controlled dissolution in the pool water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the handling hazard of sulphuric acid into a safe powder form. Sodium bisulphate powder can be handled without special protection equipment, yet still provides the necessary acidification effect when dissolved, converting a dangerous liquid into a safe dry chemical.
3Reliability
If multiple chemicals are used for pH control, pathogen removal, water clarity, phosphate removal, and algae control, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but safety risks and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple treatment functions into a single integrated chemical composition. The composition includes sodium bisulphate for pH control, aluminium sulphate for water clarity and phosphate removal, and copper sulphate for algae control, all in one product that simplifies application while maintaining comprehensive treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal chemical composition that performs multiple functions simultaneously: pH adjustment, water clarification, phosphate removal, and algae prevention. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate chemical applications and reduces operational complexity while maintaining all necessary treatment functions.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If sodium bisulphate powder is used for pH control, then safety is improved, but convenience decreases due to mixing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sodium bisulphate powder with other necessary chemicals and a liquid carrier to create a pre-mixed solution. This eliminates the need for operators to manually mix powder with water, retaining the safety benefits of sodium bisulphate while significantly improving ease of operation by providing a ready-to-use liquid composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the mixing action in advance during manufacturing, creating a pre-prepared liquid composition. Operators receive a ready-to-use product that has already been mixed to the correct concentrations, eliminating the inconvenient and potentially messy manual mixing step while maintaining the safety advantages of sodium bisulphate.
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 composition effectively regulates pH, reduces phosphate levels, improves water clarity, controls algae, and prevents scale formation, while being safer and more cost-effective than traditional methods, with reduced chlorine consumption and enhanced user safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the aluminium sulphate in the composition minimises the precipitation of sodium bisulphate at temperatures lower than about 5 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 2
aluminium sulphate, which minimises the precipitation of sodium bisulphate
Implementation Method 3
copper sulphate, and a chelating agent, which maintains pH control while also addressing water clarity, phosphate removal, and algae control
Implementation Method 4
copper sulphate, and a chelating agent
Implementation Method 5
including a calcium scale inhibitor to prevent scale formation
Implementation Method 6
chlorine is used extensively for the deactivation of pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for treating swimming pool water comprises sodium bisulphate and aluminium sulphate. The aluminium sulphate in the composition minimizes the precipitation of sodium bisulphate at temperatures lower than about 5 degrees Celsius for a time period to maintain a concentrated form of acid to control the pH level of the water. In some embodiments, the composition includes 30 to 40% sodium bisulphate (NaHSO4) wt/wt %, 0.2% to 5% aluminium sulphate Al2(SO4)3 wt/wt %, 0.1% to 1% copper sulphate/chelating agent wt/wt %, 0.01% to 0.02% sodium hydroxide, and balance water.