Rainwater Harvesting Control for First-Flush Diversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rainwater harvesting systems lack efficient methods for managing and controlling the diversion of first flush water, rainwater collection, and reservoir filling levels, leading to potential contamination and inefficiencies in water management.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and data processing device using structured variables and functional blocks to monitor and manage rainwater harvesting systems, including identification of rainfall conditions, diversion of first flush, rainwater routing, and reservoir filling levels, with automatic control and remote communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual monitoring and control methods are used for rainwater harvesting systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but management efficiency and contamination prevention capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring and control operations with an automated computer-implemented system. The PLC-based control system automatically monitors rainfall conditions, controls diversion valves, tracks reservoir levels, and manages pumping operations, eliminating the need for manual intervention while significantly improving management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation through automatic detection and response mechanisms. The rainfall detection means automatically trigger diversion operations, level monitoring means autonomously control filling and pumping, and the control system self-adjusts operations based on real-time conditions without requiring external manual control.
2Reliability
If automated control systems are implemented for rainwater harvesting, then contamination prevention and water management optimization improve, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where level monitoring means provide real-time data on reservoir water levels, which the control system uses to automatically adjust diversion valve positions and pumping operations. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable contamination prevention by maintaining proper water levels and preventing overflow or dry-running conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring diversion protocols and pumping schedules based on predicted rainfall patterns and reservoir capacity. The control system proactively manages water diversion before contamination risks arise, and pre-coordinates pumping operations to maintain optimal reservoir levels.
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring of multiple variables is implemented, then water management precision improves, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors rainfall conditions, tracks reservoir water levels, controls diversion valve operations, manages pumping systems, and generates maintenance alerts. This multi-functional approach consolidates multiple measurement and control tasks into a single integrated system, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing detection difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into specialized detection means for different variables: rainfall detection means, level monitoring means for the reservoir, and level monitoring means for the first flush chamber. Each segment focuses on specific measurements, making detection simpler while the integrated control system synthesizes all data for comprehensive water management.
4Reliability
If first flush diversion is automatically controlled, then water quality improvement improves, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically initiating first flush diversion immediately upon detecting rainfall conditions, before contaminated runoff can enter the reservoir. The control system pre-coordinates valve opening timing based on rainfall detection, ensuring water quality protection without requiring complex manual judgment about optimal diversion timing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method and a data processing device comprising means for executing the method for monitoring and managing a rainwater harvesting system. The method is suitable for identifying and detecting data indicative of rainfall conditions through at least one reading means, determining the roof washing and first flush diversion time based on the ratio between the roof area and the rainfall, collecting the water in the chamber and subsequently directing it to the rainwater drainage networks, recording the rainwater level and readjusting the filling levels from the mains water supply and the borehole according to the reservoir, and setting the overflow, borehole and mains supply levels in accordance with the reservoir, based on the ratio between the volume and the depth thereof.