Rainwater Prefilter with Filter Socks for High Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rainwater harvesting systems face inefficiencies during high flow periods, as filters become overwhelmed and are often too complex or expensive for household use.
Innovation Solution
A rainwater harvesting prefilter system featuring a filter drum with a filter support plate and filter socks that capture particulates larger than 200 microns, along with a hold down plate and vertical supports to maintain the filter socks in place, allowing for effective filtration without clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filters are used in rainwater harvesting systems, then filtration of rainwater is achieved, but the filters become overwhelmed and cannot successfully capture all rainwater during high flow periods
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into multiple filter socks arranged in parallel within the filter drum. This segmentation divides the filtration task across multiple elements, allowing rainwater to be distributed and filtered simultaneously through multiple paths, thereby maintaining filtration effectiveness while increasing overall capture capacity during high flow periods
Solution Approach 2:
The filter socks are configured to extend vertically from the filter support plate into the lower chamber, utilizing the vertical dimension of the filter drum. This vertical arrangement maximizes the filtration surface area within the available volume, enabling higher flow rates to be processed effectively without compromising filtration performance
2Reliability
If elaborate industrial filtering systems are used, then comprehensive filtration is achieved, but the systems become too expensive for average household purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The filter socks are designed as inexpensive, replaceable filtering elements that can be easily removed and replaced when needed. This approach uses affordable, simple filtering components rather than expensive industrial-grade permanent filters, making the system cost-effective for household applications while maintaining reliable filtration performance
Solution Approach 2:
The filter socks utilize porous filtering material that provides effective filtration at low cost. This porous structure allows the filter to capture particulates larger than 200 microns while maintaining water flow, achieving reliable filtration performance without the expense of complex industrial filtering systems
3Manufacturing precision
If filters with fine mesh are used to capture small particulates, then filtration precision is improved, but the filters become prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The filter socks are positioned to extend downward from the filter support plate into the lower chamber, creating a localized filtration zone. This configuration allows the filter media to be optimally positioned where it can capture particulates effectively while maintaining adequate water flow through the system, preventing clogging by ensuring proper flow dynamics around the filtering elements
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 prefilter system efficiently captures larger debris and particulates, preventing clogging and ensuring a consistent flow of rainwater to the cistern tank, even during high flow periods, while being cost-effective for household applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of filter socks for filtering rainwater as it flows through the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. Each of the plurality of filter socks are positionable in one of the plurality of spaced apart apertures such that filter sock extends downward from the filter support plate into the lower chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A rainwater harvesting prefilter having a filter drum. The filter drum includes a fluid inlet configured to be fluidly connected to a fluid entrance pipe of a rainwater collection system and a fluid outlet configured to be fluidly connected to a cistern tank. A filter assembly is disposed in the filter drum. The filter assembly includes a filter support plate (with supporting components as needed) suspended in the filter drum such that the filter support plate spans across and substantially covers a width of the filter drum to separate the filter drum into an upper chamber having the fluid inlet and a lower chamber having the fluid outlet. A plurality of spaced-apart apertures are disposed in the filter support plate. A plurality of filter socks are positionable in the plurality of spaced apart apertures such that filter socks extend downward from the filter support plate into the lower chamber.