Reverse Osmosis Disinfection With Closed-Loop Concentration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reverse osmosis systems for dialysis therapy face challenges in accurately determining and maintaining the disinfectant concentration, leading to potential overconcentration or underconcentration issues that can damage the system or result in incomplete disinfection.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically calculates and adjusts the disinfectant quantity using a control unit, pressure sensors, and substance-selective sensors to maintain a precise target concentration, incorporating a disinfectant container and metering pumps for continuous disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calculation and addition of disinfectant quantities is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the concentration accuracy deteriorates leading to overconcentration or underconcentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfectant concentration accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically calculates and adjusts disinfectant quantities using integrated sensors and control units, eliminating manual intervention. The reverse osmosis system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of disinfectant concentration through substance-selective sensors and automated dosing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors disinfectant concentration using substance-selective sensors and feeds this information back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the disinfectant dosing to maintain the desired concentration level, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If overconcentration is created to ensure complete disinfection, then disinfection reliability is improved, but system damage risk increases due to excessively high pH values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection completenessVSAvoidsystem damage from high pH

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The substance-selective sensors continuously monitor the actual disinfectant concentration and pH levels, providing real-time feedback to the control unit. This enables automatic adjustment of disinfectant dosing to maintain the optimal concentration range, preventing both underconcentration (incomplete disinfection) and overconcentration (system damage).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts disinfectant dosing parameters based on real-time sensor readings, changing the amount of disinfectant added to maintain concentration within the safe and effective range, rather than using fixed or manual dosing amounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If decentralized canisters are used for disinfectant supply, then system complexity is reduced, but the accuracy of target concentration achievement deteriorates due to manual filling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget concentration achievementVSAvoidmanual filling operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages disinfectant supply through integrated metering pumps and control units that calculate and dispense the exact required quantities. The reverse osmosis system performs self-filling and self-adjustment without requiring user intervention for manual canister filling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical filling operations with automated electronic control systems, including substance-selective sensors, microprocessors, and metering pumps that automatically dispense disinfectant based on calculated requirements and real-time concentration monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If all dialysis machines are disconnected from the ring main during disinfection, then disinfection simplicity is improved, but productivity deteriorates as only the reverse osmosis system can be disinfected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous disinfection capabilityVSAvoiddisinfection process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reverse osmosis system with integrated substance-selective sensors and automated control can simultaneously disinfect multiple connected dialysis machines through the ring main while maintaining accurate concentration control, eliminating the need to disconnect machines for individual disinfection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4647404A1Method for chemical disinfection of a reverse osmosis system and reverse osmosis system

Publication Date: 2025.11.12 B BRAUN AVITUM

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AI summary

A method for the chemical disinfection of a reverse osmosis system (109), comprising a feed tank (102), a ring main (110) for connecting consumers (111), at least one membrane module (105), an inlet line (124) to the membrane module (105), at least one pressure pump (104) for pumping liquid into the membrane module (105), and a disinfectant container (123), wherein disinfectant is pumped from the disinfectant container (123) into the feed tank (102). The method comprises the steps of: - setting a target concentration of the disinfectant; - determining the quantity of disinfectant required based on the target concentration of the disinfectant; - transferring the quantity of disinfectant required for the target concentration from the disinfectant container (123) into the feed tank (102) by means of a discharge device (112, 122).