Shower Water Recycling With Mode Switching and Partial Reheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water recycling shower systems are not financially sustainable due to the frequent replacement of high-grade purification filters, which becomes expensive over time.
Innovation Solution
An electric water-recycling shower system that switches between normal and recycle modes, using a waste water intake to re-use heated waste water, reducing the need for fresh water intake and lowering energy consumption by employing a lower-wattage heating element for re-heating waste water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-grade purification filters are used to clean recycled water for showering, then water quality is improved, but filter replacement frequency increases and operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of water quality requirements by recognizing that shower water does not require drinking water quality. This allows using less intensive filtration methods that are sufficient for showering purposes, thereby reducing filter replacement frequency and operational costs while maintaining adequate water quality for the intended use
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial filtration action appropriate for the specific use case. Instead of applying excessive high-grade purification suitable for drinking water, the system uses filtration levels that are partially sufficient for showering, reducing the intensity and cost of filtration while meeting the actual requirements
2Device complexity
If all waste water is discarded in normal mode, then system simplicity is maintained, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between normal mode (discarding waste water) and recycle mode (reusing waste water) based on operational conditions. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain simplicity during normal operation while reducing water consumption during recycle mode, adapting to different usage scenarios without requiring complex continuous filtration infrastructure
3Speed
If a high-wattage heating element is used to heat fresh water, then heating speed is improved, but energy consumption increases when recycling waste water
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial heating action when recycling waste water. Since waste water is already heated from the shower, only partial re-heating is required to compensate for heat loss during storage and recirculation. This allows using a lower-wattage heating element for recycle mode compared to the high-wattage element needed for heating cold fresh water, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate heating speed
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 saves energy and water by reusing heated waste water, reducing the frequency of filter replacements and lowering water consumption, making it more financially sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating element, a fresh water intake arranged to pass the first heating element
Implementation Method 2
the recycle mode comprises a second heating element
Data Source
AI summary
An electric water-recycling shower system comprising a first heating element, a fresh water intake arranged to pass the first heating element, an intake valve to control the flow of water through the fresh water intake, a water output, and a shower waste, wherein during a normal mode of operation, the intake valve is configured to allow a flow of water from the fresh water intake to pass by the first heating element and out of the water output, characterised in that the system is adapted to switch between the normal mode and a recycle mode of operation, the recycle mode comprising a waste water intake, and a waste valve connected to the shower waste, wherein the waste valve is configured to close in order to allow collection of waste water for diversion of water through the waste water intake, past a heating element and out of the water output.