Portable Reverse Osmosis System Low Water Pressure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reverse osmosis (RO) water purification systems face disruptions due to fluctuations or lack of water pressure, particularly in portable systems, which can lead to interruptions in medical treatments and sensitive product manufacturing, requiring a solution to maintain a constant water supply without external coordination.
Innovation Solution
A portable RO system with a dual-valve configuration and internal storage tank, coupled with a pressurizing pump and solenoid valves, that automatically adjusts water flow and pressure to ensure continuous operation even at low or zero external water pressure, using a controller module to monitor and manage water levels and pressure, allowing for seamless switching between storage tank and external water sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable RO system is used, then portability and flexibility are improved, but the system becomes incapable of operating with zero or very low water pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two water source modes (direct city water connection and storage tank) based on real-time pressure conditions. The controller module automatically selects the appropriate water source, enabling the portable RO system to maintain reliable operation across varying pressure conditions while preserving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
An external pump is introduced as an intermediary component to provide the necessary pressurization when city water pressure is insufficient or zero. This external pump enables the portable RO system to operate reliably at locations with low or no water pressure while maintaining the system's portable nature.
2Reliability
If the system switches between external water supply and storage tank, then continuous operation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller module continuously monitors water pressure conditions and automatically switches between the external water supply and storage tank based on real-time feedback. This automated feedback control ensures continuous operation while minimizing the complexity of manual intervention, as the system self-regulates the water source selection.
3Reliability
If the pump rate is increased to compensate for low external pressure, then water supply stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies pump power selectively rather than continuously. The external pump is activated only when city water pressure is insufficient or zero, and the controller module modulates the pump rate based on the specific pressure deficit. This partial action approach maintains water supply stability while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during periods of adequate external pressure.
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 maintains a constant water supply, ensuring uninterrupted operation for medical treatments and manufacturing by automatically compensating for pressure fluctuations, allowing for reliable purification even at low or zero external water pressure without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a filtration method that removes many types of large molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a selective membrane
Implementation Method 2
RO is the process of forcing a solvent from a region of high solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane to a region of low solute concentration by applying a pressure in excess of the osmotic pressure
Implementation Method 3
the pump configured to provide water to a RO membrane unit
Data Source
AI summary
A water purification system is disclosed which, includes a reverse osmosis (RO) system or component that is connectable to a city or other outside water feed that is capable of responding to and compensating for low or no feed water pressure coming into the RO system to ensure the outgoing supply of purified water is provided consistently and at a minimum water pressure. This can be accomplished without the need for communication with another device or system-wide facility, such as a hospital, or a pharmaceutical or semiconductor manufacturing system, requiring a constant water supply.