Reverse Osmosis Permeate Conduit Segment With Axial Inspection Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment facilities face challenges in installation time and potential leakage points due to connections between water treatment line segments, and reverse osmosis systems experience significant pressure drops at 90° turns in permeate outlets, increasing energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A permeate outlet segment with an elbow and inspection port aligned with the axis, reducing pressure loss and allowing axial access for inspection, combined with a flexible conduit for seamless transitions, minimizing connections and leak risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connection segments are used to connect water treatment line components, then installation flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the number of potential leakage points increases and installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidleakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate connection components into a single integrated connection segment that includes the conduit, elbow, and inspection port integration. This merging reduces the total number of connections and potential leakage points while maintaining the necessary adaptability for different installation configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection segment is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides flexible connection, enables inspection access, and maintains pressure integrity. The multi-functional design reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing leakage points while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a 90° turn (elbow) is introduced in the permeate outlet to enable axial inspection access, then inspection capability is improved, but pressure drop increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accessVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the inspection port in a different spatial dimension by integrating it with the elbow structure. This allows axial inspection access to be achieved through a three-dimensional configuration rather than requiring a separate lateral connection, thereby enabling inspection capability while minimizing the impact on fluid flow and pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If more connection points and inspection ports are added to the system, then inspection and monitoring capability are improved, but the number of leakage points increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection capabilityVSAvoidleakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection port is merged with the elbow structure of the connection segment, creating an integrated design where the inspection function is built into the flow path component. This integration allows inspection capability to be added without requiring separate external connections that would introduce additional leakage points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates efficient installation, reduces pressure drops, and minimizes leakage points, thereby optimizing energy use and installation costs in water treatment facilities.

Implementation Method 1

Each reverse osmosis unit includes a spiral wound membrane housed within a corresponding, elongated and cylindrical, pressure vessel. The spiral wound membrane separates a brine flow path from a permeate flow path. The pressure across the membrane can be in the order of 60+ Bar in some cases.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse osmosis: Reverse Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

a permeate outlet segment connecting the port to the conduit, the permeate outlet segment having: a first connecting end hydraulically connected to the port of the reverse osmosis unit; a second connecting end hydraulically connected to the conduit; an elbow between the first connecting end and the second connecting end;

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS20250270116A1Permeate conduit segment for reverse osmosis process andflexible conduit segment for water treatment facility

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 H20 INNOVATION INC

AI summary

A reverse osmosis system forming part of a reverse osmosis stage of a desalination water treatment plant, the reverse osmosis system has: a reverse osmosis unit having a reverse osmosis membrane housed in a pressure vessel extending longitudinally along an axis, and having a port extending along the axis: a conduit; and a permeate outlet segment connecting the port to the conduit, the permeate outlet segment having: a first connecting end hydraulically connected to the port of the reverse osmosis unit; a second connecting end hydraulically connected to the conduit; an elbow between the first connecting end and the second connecting end; and an inspection port stemming from the elbow, the inspection port being aligned with the first connecting end along the axis.