Rinse Water Reuse Control for Temperature and Microbial Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial, institutional, and industrial laundry facilities face challenges in efficiently managing water usage and reuse due to the diversity of soils and the inefficiencies of current water recycling systems, which lead to increased costs and textile wear, as well as issues with microbial growth and temperature maintenance in reused water.
Innovation Solution
A water reuse system that includes a narrow reservoir tank with antimicrobial features, a pump, and a recirculation kit with nozzles to efficiently recirculate and heat water, optimizing water quantity, temperature, and quality, while preventing contamination and microbial growth, and reducing the need for additional space or filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If water is recirculated and stored in a reservoir tank, then water usage is reduced, but microbial growth occurs in the stored water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of stored water (microbial growth) into a beneficial control mechanism by using UV-C lighting to actively sanitize the reservoir tank and recirculated water, transforming the storage system from a source of contamination to a controlled environment that prevents microbial growth while maintaining water reuse benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV-C light as an intermediary substance between the stored water and microbial contamination, using the UV-C radiation as a mediating factor that eliminates pathogens without affecting the water quality or requiring chemical additives
2Loss of substance
If reuse water is stored in a reservoir tank, then water recycling is enabled, but the water cools down and requires reheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously circulating water through the heating element before it is needed, maintaining the water at the required temperature proactively rather than reacting to temperature drops, thereby eliminating the need for reactive reheating cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous circulation and heating of the recirculated water through the reservoir tank, ensuring that the water remains at the optimal temperature throughout the storage period rather than allowing temperature fluctuations that would require periodic correction
3Loss of substance
If total recycle systems are used, then water usage is reduced by up to 70%, but the systems get fouled with heavy soils requiring frequent manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically sanitize and maintain itself through UV-C irradiation and continuous circulation, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations while maintaining the high level of water recycling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning operations with a non-mechanical UV-C sanitization system that automatically eliminates contamination without requiring physical intervention, thereby substituting manual labor with an automated photonic process
4Loss of substance
If low water machines are used, then water usage is reduced, but soil removal becomes inefficient and textiles wear out faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the water by continuously heating and UV-C treating the recirculated water, transforming it into a controlled environment that maintains optimal cleaning effectiveness despite reduced water volume, thereby preserving textile cleaning performance while using less water
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 effectively recirculates and heats water, reducing water and wastewater costs, extending textile lifespan, and optimizing laundry operations by minimizing downtime and labor, while maintaining effective soil removal and water quality.
Implementation Method 1
The controller activates a UV-C light source to irradiate the reservoir tank, thereby sanitizing the stored water and eliminating pathogens
Implementation Method 2
The controller activates a heating element to heat the recirculated water, thereby maintaining or increasing the water temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A water reuse system and controller for controlling water levels, temperature, and quality in the rinse water reuse system and methods of using the same, in order to optimize water usage. More particularly, the application pertains to a controller and methods of using the controller to regulate water levels and water quality in a water reuse system. As part of detailing the controller and methods of using the same, an apparatus for a water reuse system is also provided.