Rotary Filter Pressure Loss Estimation for Water Pumping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water filtration systems, particularly rotary filters, face challenges with clogging agents like algae and debris from natural environments, leading to unpredictable pressure loss and flow rate issues, which are not adequately accounted for in filter design, potentially resulting in insufficient or zero flow downstream.

Innovation Solution

A method to estimate and manage the evolution of pressure loss over time in rotary filters by using data from the natural environment, filter dimensions, and local measurements of water levels and flow rates, allowing for optimized filter design and operation to anticipate and mitigate clogging effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rotary filters are used to filter water from natural environments, then water purification is achieved, but pressure loss increases over time due to clogging by impurities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater purification reliabilityVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by estimating the evolution of pressure loss over time before it becomes critical. The method calculates anticipated pressure loss based on environmental data, filter dimensions, and local measurements, allowing operators to take preventive maintenance actions before the filter becomes completely clogged and causes system failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring local measurements of water levels upstream and downstream of the filter, and flow rates. This real-time data feeds into the pressure loss estimation model, allowing the system to adapt and predict future pressure loss conditions, enabling proactive management of the filtration system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If rotary filter size is increased to handle more flow, then flow capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow capacityVSAvoidfilter design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using the estimation method to determine optimal filter design parameters (size, rotation speed, washing system characteristics) based on the desired minimum flow rate and maximum tolerated pressure loss. This allows for optimized filter sizing that balances flow capacity with complexity, rather than simply increasing size to handle all flow requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If rotary filter rotation speed is increased to prevent clogging, then filtration efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by determining the optimal rotation speed as a variable parameter rather than a fixed value. The estimation method calculates the appropriate rotation speed based on real-time conditions including environmental data, current filter state, and operational requirements, allowing the system to adjust rotation speed dynamically to maintain filtration efficiency while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables the anticipation and optimization of pressure loss, ensuring reliable flow rates and minimizing downtime by allowing for the design of filters that account for clogging agents, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of water filtration systems.

Implementation Method 1

the present invention relates to the field of filtration of water from natural or outdoor sites... rotary filters (for example drum filters) intended to filter the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

washing system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray cleaning: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11752456B2Optimization of rotary filters relative to risk of clogging a facility for pumping water from a natural site

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE

AI summary

In the management of a facility pumping water from a natural environment containing impurities, the facility makes use of at least one rotary filter purifying the pumped water while some impurities at least partially clog the rotary filter. In particular, provision is made for estimating an evolution over time of a pressure loss caused by impurities clogging the rotary filter, based at least on data relating to the natural environment, dimensions of the rotary filter, and local measurements relating to at least one water level Namont upstream of the filter and to a flow rate of water Qaspiré drawn in downstream of the filter. Such an estimate of the evolution over time of the pressure loss makes it possible to anticipate possible risks of insufficient water supply to the pumping system (POM) downstream of the filter (FIL), or even to design filters (FIL) adapted to the needs of specific pumping facilities.