RO Membrane Iodide Auxiliary Agent for Slime Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reverse osmosis membrane treatments face issues with slime formation and membrane degradation due to the use of chlorine-based oxidizing agents, which can lead to biofouling and increased chemical costs, while iodide solutions suffer from free iodine release and inadequate suppression, causing membrane degradation and high chemical costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of iodide and an alkali agent to water with low free chlorine concentration, followed by removal of excess chlorine, to create a slime-suppressing auxiliary agent with controlled iodide and alkali composition, suppressing free iodine release and membrane degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a chlorine-based oxidizing agent is used to suppress slime formation, then slime suppression is improved, but membrane degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslime suppressionVSAvoidmembrane degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using stabilized chlorine compounds (chloramine, chlorosulfamic acid) or stabilized hypobromous acid compositions instead of free chlorine, and controls the pH to 6.0-8.0 to maintain effectiveness while reducing membrane degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using compounds that release active chlorine or bromine slowly and controllably, mediating between the need for strong disinfection and the need to protect the membrane from harsh oxidizing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a reducing agent is added to decompose hypochlorous acid, then membrane degradation is suppressed, but slime suppression effect is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane degradationVSAvoidslime suppression

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming stabilized chlorine or bromine compounds that are added to the feed water before membrane treatment, ensuring both membrane protection and sustained slime suppression without needing subsequent reducing agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the amount of reducing agent is increased, then membrane protection is improved, but chemical costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane degradationVSAvoidchemical costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical form from unstable free chlorine requiring large amounts of reducing agent to stabilized compounds that are inherently membrane-safe, reducing both chemical consumption and costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If iodide aqueous solution is used to reduce residual chlorine, then chlorine removal is achieved, but free iodine is released causing corrosion and sublimation issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual chlorine removalVSAvoidfree iodine release

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of iodine release into a benefit by using iodide in alkaline conditions where it remains stable and non-volatile, and by utilizing the formed iodine as an effective slime-suppressing agent rather than a harmful byproduct

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

5Reliability

If stabilized chlorine compound or stabilized hypobromous acid is added to supply water, then slime suppression is improved, but the agent is consumed by excessive reducing agent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslime suppressionVSAvoidagent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the pH parameter to 6.0-8.0 and controls the dosage based on water quality, ensuring the stabilized compounds remain effective while minimizing consumption through efficient utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively inhibits slime formation and membrane degradation, reducing chemical costs and maintaining membrane performance by using a slime-suppressing auxiliary agent with controlled iodide and alkali composition.

Implementation Method 1

addition step of adding an iodide and an alkali agent to water having a free chlorine concentration of 0.2 mg/L or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Reverse osmosis membrane treatments using a reverse osmosis membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Implementation Method 3

a chlorine-based oxidizing agent such as hypochlorous acid is usually used to suppress slime formation caused by microbe proliferation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

a reducing agent is added to the water supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane to decompose the hypochlorous acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS20260001792A1Method for producing slime-suppressing auxiliary agent for reverse osmosis membrane, slime-suppressing auxiliary agent for reverse osmosis membrane, and water treatment method

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 ORGANO CORP

AI summary

Provided is a method for producing a slime-suppressing auxiliary agent which is for a reverse osmosis membrane and which contains an iodide and suppresses the release of iodine. This method for producing a slime-suppressing auxiliary agent for a reverse osmosis membrane includes adding an iodide and an alkali agent to water having a free chlorine concentration of 0.2 mg/L or less.