Self-Cleaning Water Purification System with Automated Thermal Cycling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water purification technologies, such as reverse osmosis, filtration, and distillation, often require multiple stages or combinations of technologies to achieve acceptable water quality and struggle to handle a broad spectrum of contaminants, including microbiological, radiological, and chemical pollutants, while also needing frequent maintenance and user intervention.

Innovation Solution

A continuous, self-cleaning water purification system that includes an inlet, preheater, degasser, evaporation chamber, demister, and product condenser, with a control system allowing for automated operation for extended periods without user intervention, capable of removing a wide range of contaminants, including microbiological, radiological, metals, salts, and organic compounds, achieving high yields of purified water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional technologies such as reverse osmosis, filtration, and distillation are used, then water purification is achieved, but multiple treatment stages or combination of various technologies are required to handle diverse contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle diverse contaminantsVSAvoidnumber of treatment stages

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple purification functions into a single integrated still apparatus. The still integrates heating elements, condensation surfaces, filtration media, and distillation chambers into one unified device that simultaneously removes various contaminant types through combined thermal and physical processes, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The still apparatus is designed as a universal purification device capable of handling diverse contaminants including microbiological, radiological, and chemical pollutants through multiple mechanisms within a single system. The device performs heating, evaporation, condensation, and filtration functions simultaneously to achieve broad-spectrum water purification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional purification systems are used, then water quality improvement is achieved, but frequent cleaning and user intervention are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater quality consistencyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The still apparatus incorporates self-cleaning mechanisms that automatically remove accumulated contaminants and scale deposits without requiring manual intervention. The system uses thermal cycling, automated drainage, and internal flushing mechanisms to maintain optimal operating conditions continuously, reducing maintenance frequency and ensuring consistent water quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous operation of the purification system without interruption for cleaning or maintenance. The still apparatus maintains continuous heating, evaporation, and condensation cycles while automatically managing waste removal and internal cleanliness, providing uninterrupted production of purified water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If distillation technologies are used, then removal of contaminants is achieved, but recovery of input water is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removal efficiencyVSAvoidwater recovery rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The still apparatus implements systems to recover and reuse portions of the input water and condensate. The design includes collection mechanisms for condensate and waste streams that can be redirected back through the system for further purification or reuse, thereby recovering a major fraction of the input water while maintaining high contaminant removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 system effectively reduces contaminant levels in water to below specified limits, maintaining high water production efficiency with minimal maintenance needs, producing purified water that meets or exceeds ultrapure and distilled water standards, even when input water contaminant levels are significantly higher.

Implementation Method 1

a preheater, an evaporation chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

an evaporation chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a product condenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS7678235B2Water purification system

Publication Date: 2010.03.16 SYLVAN SOURCE INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for water purification. The systems have a preheater, a degasser, an evaporation chamber, a demister, and a control system, wherein the control system permits operation of the purification system through repeated cycles without requiring user intervention or cleaning. The system is capable of removing, from a contaminated water sample, a plurality of contaminant types including: microbiological contaminants, radiological contaminants, metals, salts, volatile organics, and non-volatile organics.