RO Control Valve Sequential Flush for Water Waste and Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse osmosis water purification systems face challenges in minimizing water waste while preventing contamination of produced pure water when the storage reservoir reaches a filled condition, as existing systems either waste water or allow contaminants to migrate back into the pure water stream.
Innovation Solution
A control valve system that sequentially terminates pure water production and brine outflow to a drain, allowing a flush flow to clear contaminants from the RO membrane before resuming production, using a multi-part valve housing with resilient diaphragms and magnetically connected valve heads to manage pressure differentials and ensure contamination-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the feed water inflow valve is closed to minimize water waste when the reservoir is full, then water waste is reduced, but contaminants accumulate on the upstream side of the RO membrane and can migrate into the pure water
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve closes the brine outflow valve before closing the feed water inflow valve, and keeps it closed for a predetermined time period. This preliminary action flushes accumulated contaminants from the upstream side of the RO membrane to the drain before system shutdown, preventing contaminant migration into the pure water when the system is off.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the naturally occurring pressure differential that exists when the reservoir is full to drive a reverse flow of brine through the membrane. By closing the brine outflow valve first, the system converts the pressure buildup that would normally be wasted into a beneficial flushing action that pushes contaminants away from the pure water side.
2Loss of substance
If the brine outflow valve is closed immediately to minimize water waste, then water waste is reduced, but contaminants are not flushed from the membrane and may contaminate the pure water
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve closes the brine outflow valve before closing the feed water inflow valve, and keeps it closed for a predetermined time period. This preliminary action flushes accumulated contaminants from the upstream side of the RO membrane to the drain before system shutdown, preventing contaminant migration into the pure water when the system is off.
3Productivity
If the system continues to operate with the reservoir full, then pure water production continues, but water waste increases due to accumulated contaminants potentially migrating into the pure water
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve closes the brine outflow valve before closing the feed water inflow valve, and keeps it closed for a predetermined time period. This preliminary action flushes accumulated contaminants from the upstream side of the RO membrane to the drain before system shutdown, preventing contaminant migration into the pure water when the system is off.
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
Effectively minimizes water waste and prevents contamination of the pure water by flushing accumulated contaminants from the RO membrane, ensuring continuous production of clean water without compromising water efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the control valve comprises a multi-part valve housing having first and second ends. A pure water chamber is disposed at the first end of the valve housing and a brine water chamber is disposed at the second end
Implementation Method 2
the reverse osmosis unit comprises a semi-permeable RO membrane through which a portion of the tap water supply is passed, such that the membrane acts essentially as an osmotic filter to remove dissolved metallic ions and the like as well as other contaminants and undesired particulate matter from the tap water
Implementation Method 3
the membrane acts essentially as an osmotic filter to remove dissolved metallic ions
Implementation Method 4
the control valve for positively and preferably sequentially terminating pure water production and brine outflow
Data Source
AI summary
An improved control valve for a reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system for supplying relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, wherein the improved control valve positively terminates pure water production and brine outflow to a waste or drain when a pure water reservoir reaches a substantially filled condition. The control valve responds to a predetermined pressure differential between a tap or feed water inflow and produced pure water to close a pure water outflow line when the pure water reservoir reaches a substantially filled condition, thereby positively preventing further production of pure water. Shortly thereafter, the control valve closes a brine outflow line thereby positively preventing further water flow through the system until at least a predetermined volume of the reservoir-stored pure water is dispensed. When this occurs, the control valve re-opens in sequence the brine outflow and the pure water outflow lines.