Regenerative Water Apparatus with Periodic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water softeners face challenges in maintaining constant regenerative solution concentration due to varying water pressure, leading to inefficient use of regenerative substances and potential overflow, which can damage the system and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a main body containing a regenerative substance block, a water inlet port, a water outlet port, and a drain port, where raw water is supplied to dissolve the substance for a predetermined duration, and the produced regenerative water is discharged into a soft water tank, with a flow guide controlling excess water to maintain constant concentration and prevent waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If raw water is continuously supplied to the regeneration tank, then the regeneration operation can proceed, but the concentration of regenerative solution becomes inconstant due to varying water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a control program to periodically supply raw water to the regeneration tank in discrete steps rather than continuously. The control unit activates the water supply at specific intervals, allowing precise control over the amount of water added and maintaining constant regenerative solution concentration despite varying water pressure conditions.
2Reliability
If the duration of regenerating operation is increased to maintain satisfactory regeneration ability, then regeneration effectiveness improves, but the amount of regenerative substance used increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the regeneration process and adjusts the water supply duration and amount based on feedback from pressure sensors and pre-set parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures that the regeneration operation achieves satisfactory effectiveness while optimizing the amount of regenerative substance used, preventing both under-regeneration and excessive substance consumption.
3Productivity
If regenerative water continuously moves through the system, then the system operates continuously, but the regenerative substance is always in contact with raw water increasing consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic operation cycles where raw water is supplied to the regeneration tank only at specific intervals controlled by the control unit. During non-supply periods, the regenerative substance is not in contact with raw water, preventing continuous consumption while still maintaining the ability to operate continuously over time through repeated cycles.
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
Ensures constant concentration of regenerative water is produced, reducing regenerative substance consumption and extending the water softener's lifetime by controlling excess water and preventing overflow, thus enhancing operational safety and economic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
raw water is supplied to dissolve the substance for a predetermined duration, and the produced regenerative water is discharged
Implementation Method 2
tap water passes through strongly acid cation exchange resins containing Na+ so that hard water ingredients, such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, are substituted for by the Na+ of the cation exchange resins
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method of producing regenerative water. The apparatus includes a main body, a basket, a regenerative substance block and an on/off valve. The main body has a water inlet port through which raw water is supplied into the main body, a water outlet port through which regenerative water is discharged out of the main body, and a drain port which drains an excess of raw water or regenerative water. The basket is provided in the main body. The regenerative substance block is contained in the basket and dissolved by the raw water. The on/off valve is provided on the water outlet port. The raw water dissolves the regenerative substance block for a predetermined duration. When the on/off valve is opened, the produced regenerative water is supplied through the water outlet port into a soft water tank.