Silicate Drinking Water Production via Ion Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing drinking water with high silicate content are economically inefficient and result in undesirable levels of sodium and potassium, requiring complex processes and potentially harmful sensory effects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the mixing of demineralized water with a water glass solution containing sodium or potassium silicate, followed by an ion exchange process using reverse electrodialysis or electroionization to adjust mineral concentrations, specifically reducing sodium and potassium ions while maintaining high silicate levels, and further adjusting calcium, bicarbonate, and magnesium ions to achieve optimal mineral balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water glass solution containing sodium or potassium silicate is used to enrich silicate in drinking water, then silicate content is improved, but sodium and potassium concentration increases causing harmful effects and sensory deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excess sodium and potassium ions from the water glass solution using ion exchange technology, specifically selecting only the beneficial silicate component while eliminating the harmful mineral ions. This is achieved through ion exchange resins or electrodialysis that selectively remove Na+ and K+ ions while retaining silicate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameters of the water glass solution by diluting it with demineralized water to reduce sodium and potassium levels to acceptable ranges (Na: 0.5-50 mg/l, K: 0.5-20 mg/l) while maintaining beneficial silicate content (15-250 mg/l SiO2).
2Quantity of substance
If reverse osmosis followed by electrodialysis is used to enrich ortho-silicic acid, then silicate content is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary demineralization of raw water using reverse osmosis to create a clean base water, then directly adds water glass solution containing silicate. This preliminary preparation simplifies subsequent processing compared to the prior art's multi-step electrodialysis approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the complex electrodialysis step from prior art methods and instead uses a simpler ion exchange or direct addition process to achieve the same silicate enrichment goal, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If SiO2 or amorphous Si crystals are added to purified water, then silicate content is improved, but filter steps are required to remove unwanted particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and solubility parameters of silicate by using water glass solution (aqueous sodium/potassium silicate) instead of solid SiO2 or amorphous Si crystals. This soluble form eliminates the need for filtration steps while providing the same beneficial silicate content.
4Stability of the object's composition
If demineralized water is produced by reverse osmosis and mineral salts are added, then constant drinking water quality is improved, but silicate content remains low requiring additional enrichment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water glass solution that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides silicate enrichment, maintains pH balance, and contributes to overall mineral content. This multi-functional additive simplifies the process compared to adding separate mineral salts for each component.
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 enables the economical production of drinking water with high silicate content and controlled mineral concentrations, ensuring both health safety and sensory quality, suitable for large industrial quantities.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting at least part of the mixture to an ion exchange process to reduce the concentration of sodium - and/or potassium ions
Implementation Method 2
followed by an ion exchange process using reverse electrodialysis or electroionization to adjust mineral concentrations
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing drinking water with a high silicate content, comprising the steps of: mixing demineralized raw water and a water glass solution, and subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to an ion exchange process to reduce the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions. The invention further relates to a device for producing drinking water with a high silicate content, comprising: a mixing device for mixing demineralized raw water and a water glass solution, and an ion exchanger for subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to an ion exchange process to reduce the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions.