Ring Main Water Flushing Using Pressure-Difference Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drinking water systems, stagnant water in pipes can lead to contamination when not regularly used, as it is not effectively flushed out without active circulation or treatment, posing hygiene risks.
Innovation Solution
A drinking water system with a controllable valve at the end of each line, allowing for periodic flushing by creating a pressure difference to exchange stagnant water with fresh water from the public supply network, eliminating the need for a circulation pump and active water treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circulation pump and active water treatment system are used to ensure continuous water flow and hygiene, then the hygiene reliability is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the circulation pump and active water treatment system from the drinking water system, replacing them with a passive flushing mechanism that uses the existing public water supply network pressure to periodically flush and exchange stagnant water in the distribution lines
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by utilizing the natural pressure difference between the public water supply network and the building's internal network to automatically flush stagnant water without requiring external energy input or active control systems
2Productivity
If a circulation pump is installed to maintain continuous water flow, then the water exchange efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous circulation, the patent implements periodic flushing action through the controllable valve that opens at intervals to allow fresh water to flush through the distribution lines, exchanging stagnant water without continuous energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the self-service principle by leveraging the existing pressure differential from the public water supply network to drive the flushing process, eliminating the need for energy-consuming pumps while maintaining effective water exchange
3Reliability
If the controllable valve is opened frequently to flush stagnant water, then the hygiene is improved, but the water loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by opening the controllable valve only sufficiently and for only the duration needed to achieve effective flushing of stagnant water, rather than maintaining continuous flow, thereby minimizing water loss while preserving hygiene
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the control unit that monitors flushing effectiveness and adjusts the valve operation frequency and duration to achieve adequate hygiene with minimal water loss
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 continuous water exchange and hygiene by using the natural pressure difference to flush out stagnant water, reducing contamination risks and simplifying the system by avoiding the need for circulation pumps and active treatment.
Implementation Method 1
By opening the controllable valve, the standing water in the line, including the ring mains connected to it, can be exchanged and discharged into the sewage disposal network
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a drinking water or process water system with a transfer point (22) from a public drinking water supply network and at least one floor or riser pipe line (2) and several arranged one behind the other in the direction of extension of the line (2) and each connected to at least one consumer ( 12) leading ring lines (10), which branch off from the branch (2) and open into the branch behind it in the direction of flow of the branch. The present invention addresses the problem of possible contamination of the drinking water system in that the branch is assigned a controllable valve (28) which, when open, generates a flow in the branch that causes a flushing flow in the ring line (10) and the drinking or industrial water system connects to a delivery point (32) for used water to the public sewage disposal network. According to a secondary aspect, the ring mains (10) and/or the branch (14) or the mouth (16) of the respective ring main (10) on the line are designed in such a way that when drinking or service water is removed from one of the lines ( 2) connected consumer (12) by a flow in the line between the branch (14) and the mouth (16) of a ring line (10) of the line (2) upstream of the consumer (12) in the direction of flow, a pressure difference is generated, through which a flushing flow is generated in the upstream ring lines (10). The present invention also relates to a method for operating a drinking water or process water system, in which a pressure difference causing the flushing flow in the ring line (10) upstream in terms of flow is generated by actuating a consumer (12). According to an alternative aspect, a flow is generated in the branch (14) by opening a controllable valve (28) provided at the end of a line, which flow forms a pressure difference to each ring line (10). (Fig.3)