Seawater Desalination Filter Regeneration via pH Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seawater desalination devices experience a sharp decrease in cleaning efficiency over time when using the cleaning agent comprising hydroxy dicarboxylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and a heavy metal compound, due to the pH increase caused by alkaline inorganic substances in seawater, leading to reduced effectiveness of the cleaning agent when reused.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first liquid chemical with an acid other than hydroxy dicarboxylic acid and a second liquid chemical containing hydrogen peroxide, a heavy metal compound, and hydroxy dicarboxylic acid is used for regenerating filters, where the pH of the second liquid chemical is adjusted to 6.0 or less to maintain cleaning effectiveness even when reused.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning agent comprising hydroxy dicarboxylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and a heavy metal compound is used for regenerating filters in seawater desalination devices, then excellent cleaning effect is exhibited at the start of cleaning, but cleaning efficiency decreases sharply thereafter due to pH increase caused by alkaline inorganic substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH of the cleaning agent to 6.0 or less through adding acid other than hydroxy dicarboxylic acid. This parameter change prevents the pH from rising due to alkaline inorganic substances in seawater, thereby maintaining the cleaning efficiency of hydrogen peroxide and heavy metal compounds throughout the regeneration process, even when the cleaning solution is recovered and reused.
2Loss of substance
If the cleaning agent is recovered and reused, then resource efficiency is improved, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to pH increase from alkaline inorganic matter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the pH of the recovered and reused cleaning agent at 6.0 or less by adding acid other than hydroxy dicarboxylic acid. This parameter control ensures that the cleaning effectiveness is maintained even after multiple uses, preventing the degradation that would normally occur due to pH increase from alkaline inorganic substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the pH of the cleaning agent and adjusting it by adding acid when necessary. This feedback loop ensures that the cleaning agent maintains its effectiveness throughout multiple regeneration cycles, allowing for sustained resource efficiency without sacrificing cleaning performance.
3Ease of operation
If pH is allowed to increase naturally during cleaning, then the cleaning process is simpler, but the cleaning agent becomes ineffective due to alkaline conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from allowing natural increase to actively maintaining it at 6.0 or less by adding acid other than hydroxy dicarboxylic acid. This parameter control ensures that the cleaning agent remains effective throughout the cleaning process, preventing the deactivation that would occur under alkaline conditions while still maintaining operational simplicity through automated or standardized pH adjustment.
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 method ensures stable and long-term regeneration of seawater treatment devices with minimal decrease in cleaning efficiency, effectively removing both organic and inorganic matter from filters, even when the cleaning solution is recovered and reused.
Implementation Method 1
the hydroxy radical (HO.) generated by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and a heavy metal ion derived from the heavy metal compound oxidatively decomposes and removes organic matter from the filter deposits
Implementation Method 2
By incorporating a hydroxy dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen peroxide and the heavy metal compound in the cleaning agent, it is possible to clean and remove inorganic matter from the filter deposits, as well as to remove heavy metals adhered to the filter
Data Source
AI summary
This method, for regenerating a member used in a device that treats seawater, involves a cleaning step for removing deposits from the member. In the cleaning step, a first chemical solution containing an acid other than hydroxydicarboxylic acid and a second chemical solution containing hydrogen peroxide, a heavy metal compound and hydroxydicarboxylic acid are used.