Side-flow RO Filter Extended Fluid Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spiral-wound type reverse osmosis filters have a low water recovery rate due to the short residence time of raw water with the membrane, requiring dedicated filter housings and prone to drift issues when raw water is introduced through both ends.
Innovation Solution
A side-flow type RO filter with an extended fluid transfer path where raw water is introduced along the length of the reverse osmosis membrane, eliminating the need for dedicated filter housings and enhancing purification efficiency by using a central pipe with radial penetration holes and a feed screen to secure the transfer path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If raw water is introduced through both ends of the reverse osmosis membrane, then the filter housing can be manufactured with standard designs, but drift occurs during raw water introduction and dedicated filter housings are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces raw water through only one end of the reverse osmosis membrane instead of both ends, creating an asymmetric flow configuration. This prevents drift occurrence while still allowing for standardized filter housing manufacturing. The asymmetric design eliminates the drift problem that occurs with bilateral introduction while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Device complexity
If raw water flows in the width direction of the reverse osmosis membrane sheet, then the filter structure is simplified, but the residence time is shortened and purified water amount is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow direction from the width direction to the length direction of the reverse osmosis membrane sheet. This dimensional change extends the residence time of raw water on the membrane surface, increasing the amount of purified water produced. The flow path is optimized to traverse the longer dimension of the membrane, thereby improving recovery rate while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If the central pipe has penetration holes for purified water collection, then purified water can be efficiently collected, but concentrated water discharge path becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the concentrated water discharge function from the central pipe structure by providing a separate discharge hole in the housing. This separation allows the central pipe to focus solely on purified water collection through penetration holes, while concentrated water is discharged through a dedicated path in the housing, simplifying the overall structure rather than complicating it.
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 design increases the amount of purified water produced, improves water purification efficiency, and simplifies filter housing manufacturing by allowing single-direction raw water introduction through the side surfaces, enhancing productivity and purification efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis membrane sheet 3 which is transferred in a longitudinal direction for purification
Data Source
AI summary
A side-flow type RO filter is provided including a filter housing including a top-open housing and a bottom-open cap coupled to an opening of the housing, where a raw water inlet port, a purified water outlet port and a concentrated water outlet port are formed in the filter housing; an RO filter provided inside the filter housing with a reverse osmosis membrane sheet wound in a roll-type; and a central pipe provided in a center portion of the RO filter and an exit thereof is connected to the purified water outlet port, the central pipe being configured to collect the purified water that passes a peneratrion hole after being purified by the reverse osmosis membrane sheet and transfer the purified water to the purified water outlet port, wherein the RO filter is configured to transfer the raw water introduced through an outside end of the reverse osmosis membrane sheet in a longitudinal direction of the reverse osmosis membrane sheet thereby extending the transfer path of the raw water and separate the raw water into purified water that passes the reverse osmosis membrane sheet and concentrated water filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane sheet to be transferred to the concentrated water outlet port.