Residential Rainwater Ultrafiltration System with Recirculating Flush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing residential rainwater treatment systems are complex, require large spaces, are energy-inefficient, and need frequent maintenance, making them unsuitable for efficient and long-term operation.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized rainwater treatment system incorporating an ultrafiltration unit with a porous wall and a flushing mechanism that recirculates flushing water back to the collector, reducing water loss and maintenance needs, and includes a compact housing for easy installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional centralized rainwater treatment systems are used, then water treatment function is provided, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent filtration units (first filtration unit, second filtration unit, third filtration unit) that can operate independently. Each unit contains its own filter media and flushing mechanism, allowing modular maintenance and operation without requiring complex centralized control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic flushing mechanisms where filtered water from operational units is used to flush non-operational units. The control system automatically switches between units and activates flushing based on operational status, reducing manual intervention and maintenance complexity.
2Reliability
If thorough filter flushing is performed, then filter reliability is improved, but water loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding flushing water to drains or sewers, the system recovers and returns flushing water back to the rainwater collector. This closed-loop approach allows repeated use of flushing water for subsequent filtration operations, minimizing water loss while maintaining thorough filter cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing water serves multiple functions: it cleans the filter media of non-operational units, returns beneficial microbes and nutrients to the collector, and is reused for future flushing operations. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of each unit of water consumed.
3Reliability
If decentralized water treatment units are installed, then system reliability and water quality are improved, but installation complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filtration units are combined into a single integrated system with shared control mechanisms and water distribution networks. The units share common inlet and outlet connections to the rainwater collector, reducing the need for separate installation infrastructure and minimizing overall space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration units are designed with nested configurations where smaller components are housed within larger structural elements. The compact design allows units to be stacked or arranged in space-efficient configurations that minimize the footprint while maintaining functional independence of each unit.
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 provides reliable, bacteria-free drinking water with reduced maintenance and energy consumption, capable of long-term operation (at least 10 years) and efficient water treatment with minimal waste.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrafiltration unit including a filtering space, a water collecting space and a downstream filtered water outlet, the filtering space and collecting space being separated by a porous wall
Data Source
AI summary
Residential water treatment system, including: —a rain water collector (1), a water treatment unit (9), and a pump (2) for pumping water from the rain water collector (1) to the water treatment unit (9) via a water duct (8), wherein the water treatment unit (9) includes: an ultrafiltration unit (10) including a filtering space (12), a water collecting space (13) and a downstream filtered mf) water outlet (14), the filtering space (12) and collecting space (13) being separated by a porous wall (4), wherein the filtering space (12) extends between a water inlet port (11) and a water outlet port (15), in particular for supplying water to the filtering space during a water filtering phase and for flushing the filtering space during a flushing phase; wherein the system is configured for feeding flushing water from the filtering space (12) to the rain water collector (1) during a filter flushing phase.