RO-Ionizer Hydrogenated Water Using Brine Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing hydrogenated drinking water are inefficient, result in significant water waste, require additional minerals to enhance electrolysis, and fail to effectively utilize reverse osmosis filtration due to the presence of total dissolved solids, leading to contaminated oxygenated water disposal.
Innovation Solution
A process and system that incorporates reverse osmosis filtration to produce pure permeate and brine, where the brine is reintroduced into an ionizer with a proton exchange membrane to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen, ensuring minimal contamination and efficient electrolysis without additional minerals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reverse osmosis filtration is used to remove total dissolved solids, then water purity is improved, but water waste increases due to brine disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reuses the brine stream from reverse osmosis filtration by introducing it into the electrolysis chamber. This allows the brine to serve as an electrolyte source for hydrogen production, converting what would be waste into a useful component of the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the reverse osmosis filtration system with the electrolysis system by connecting the brine output of the former to the electrolyte input of the latter. This integration allows the two processes to work together synergistically, with the brine from filtration becoming the electrolyte for hydrogen generation.
2Productivity
If additional minerals are added to enhance electrolysis, then hydrogen production efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the brine naturally produced by the reverse osmosis unit as the electrolyte for electrolysis, eliminating the need for separate mineral addition systems. The reverse osmosis process itself provides the necessary electrolytes (minerals and salts) that are then reused in the electrolysis chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The brine stream acts as an intermediary between the reverse osmosis filtration process and the electrolysis process, transferring the necessary minerals and salts from the filtration waste stream to the electrolysis reaction chamber.
3Manufacturing precision
If brine is disposed of after reverse osmosis filtration, then water purity is improved, but energy waste occurs due to discarded dissolved solids
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the brine stream containing dissolved solids and minerals, the patent recovers it and introduces it into the electrolysis chamber where these dissolved solids serve as electrolytes for hydrogen production, converting potential waste into a valuable resource.
4Device complexity
If conventional electrolysis is used without reverse osmosis integration, then system simplicity is maintained, but water contamination occurs in the hydrogenated output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into two distinct functional segments: the reverse osmosis filtration chamber that produces pure permeate and concentrated brine, and the electrolysis chamber that uses the brine to produce hydrogenated water. This segmentation allows each process to optimize its function while maintaining overall system purity.
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
This approach preserves 75% of the water, reduces electricity consumption, and produces uncontaminated hydrogenated drinking water while minimizing the system's footprint, effectively utilizing reverse osmosis filtration and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
passing water into a reverse osmosis filter so as to produce a permeate and a brine
Implementation Method 2
ionizing the permeate and the at least a portion of the brine so as to produce an oxygenated water output and the hydrogenated drinking water output
Implementation Method 3
an ionizer with a proton exchange membrane to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
A process and system for producing a hydrogenated drinking water has a reverse osmosis filter, an ionizer and a power supply. The reverse osmosis filter has an inlet on one side thereof and first and second outlets on an opposite side thereof. The first outlet is adapted to pass a permeate from the reverse osmosis filter. The second outlet is adapted to pass brine from the reverse osmosis filter. The ionizer is in fluid communication with the reverse osmosis filter. The ionizer has a first inlet connected to the first outlet of the progress osmosis filter. The ionizer has a second inlet connected to the second outlet of the reverse osmosis filter. The power supply is connected to the ionizer so as to electrolysize the brine and the permeate.