Residential Water Filter System with Backup Softening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing residential water purification systems are often large, expensive, and cumbersome, particularly when using reverse osmosis for on-demand water purification, and they lack an efficient backup system for peak usage times, which can lead to issues with hard water and lime scale formation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a filter stage, a water purification stage using small-scale reverse osmosis, and a backup water softening stage, where water is alternately directed through a reverse osmosis apparatus or a water softener based on pressure and demand, with a pressurized tank for storage and distribution, ensuring efficient and cost-effective water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse osmosis is used for on-demand water purification, then water purification effectiveness is improved, but system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides water treatment into separate functional stages: pre-filtration, reverse osmosis purification, and post-treatment. Multiple smaller RO units operate in parallel rather than one large unit, allowing modular scaling and reduced individual component sizes while maintaining overall purification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary filtration and pre-treatment before reverse osmosis to remove larger particles and reduce the burden on RO membranes. This preliminary action allows the RO system to be smaller and less complex since it only needs to handle dissolved solids rather than all impurities.
2Reliability
If reverse osmosis is used for on-demand water purification, then water purification effectiveness is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple smaller, less expensive RO units instead of one large expensive unit. Each unit can be manufactured and installed independently, reducing overall system cost while maintaining purification effectiveness through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable or easily replaceable pre-filters and membrane elements that can be replaced without replacing the entire expensive RO system, reducing long-term operational costs while maintaining purification quality.
3Reliability
If a single reverse osmosis system is used, then purification quality is maintained, but peak demand capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple RO units operate in parallel, with each unit maintaining purification quality standards. During peak demand, all units operate simultaneously to increase total output capacity while each unit individually maintains the required purification quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active RO units based on demand. During peak usage times, additional units are activated to increase capacity, while during low-demand periods, fewer units operate to maintain quality without wasting energy on excess production.
4Productivity
If water softener is used as backup, then peak demand capacity is increased, but lime scale formation risk remains
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary mixing chamber where softened water from the backup softener is blended with purified water from RO units. This intermediary mixing allows the softener to provide peak capacity while the RO-purified water component prevents lime scale formation in the final output.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the water supply have different treatments: RO-purified water for critical applications requiring zero scale formation, and softened water for high-demand applications where some mineral content is acceptable. The system provides locally optimized water quality for different usage scenarios.
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 a cost-effective and less cumbersome solution for residential water purification, effectively handling peak demand times with a backup softening system, reducing lime scale issues and ensuring a consistent water supply for households.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis apparatus for purifying water by removing dissolved solids therein
Implementation Method 2
wherein the first line leading to the reverse osmosis apparatus comprises a pump for increasing the pressure of the water in the first water line
Implementation Method 3
A solution to the problem of hard water is the use of a water softener that replaces calcium or magnesium cations with sodium or potassium cations
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a residential home water filter system and method. The water filter system comprises a filter stage, a water purification stage, a water storage stage, and a back-up water softening stage, to deliver filtered and purified water to consumers when needed. Water from a pressurized water source first flows through filter 16 and then to a first junction 18 to a reverse osmosis system 22 when a pump 24 is activated or to an ion exchange water softener 20 when the pump 24 is deactivated. The filtered and purified water is then stored in tank 26.