Silver Ion Biocide Delivery System with Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water treatment systems face challenges in maintaining consistent and controlled concentrations of silver ions for microbial control in industrial and potable water, particularly in preventing biofilm growth and ensuring effective biocide performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for generating and releasing silver ions into water supplies using electrochemical and controlled solubility approaches, including silver ion release units, high concentration modules, and pH/temperature adjustment modules, along with quality assurance and quality control mechanisms, to achieve precise concentrations of silver ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silver ions are added to control microbial contamination, then microbial control effectiveness is improved, but maintaining consistent concentration becomes difficult due to varying water characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback control mechanism where silver ion concentration is continuously monitored and the release rate is automatically adjusted to maintain the target concentration range (10-1000 μg/l), resolving the issue of concentration inconsistency caused by varying water characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (electric current for electrochemical generation, pH, temperature, flow rate) to optimize and maintain consistent silver ion concentration despite variations in water characteristics, directly addressing the stability problem
2Reliability
If high concentration of silver ion is used to prevent or reverse biofilm growth, then biocide performance is improved, but risk of excessive concentration and system damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts silver ion concentration based on real-time monitoring and control algorithms, allowing temporary elevation to high concentrations (1000+ μg/l) when biofilm is detected while automatically returning to safe maintenance levels, thus improving biocide performance without sustained exposure to harmful concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic high-concentration pulses for biofilm prevention and reversal, alternating with maintenance-phase low-concentration delivery, which achieves effective biocide performance while minimizing the risk associated with continuously high concentrations
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple control parameters (temperature, pH, flow rate) are adjusted to achieve desired silver ion concentration, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions (silver ion generation via electrochemical oxidation, pH adjustment, temperature control, flow rate regulation, concentration monitoring, and automated control) into a single multi-functional platform, achieving precise concentration control while managing complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems
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
These systems enable effective microbial control by maintaining consistent silver ion concentrations, preventing biofilm growth, and optimizing biocide performance through precise control of silver ion levels, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of water treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
The controlled solubility medium could be a form of silver attached to ion exchange resin, and/or a metal oxide, metal halide, or metal salt containing silver
Implementation Method 2
an electroanalytical analyzer wherein the analyzer comprises a voltammetric detector
Implementation Method 3
pH adjustment module configured to adjust the pH of water in the water system
Implementation Method 4
temperature adjustment module configured to adjust the temperature of water in the water system
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for delivering silver ion biocide is described herein. The systems described relate to passing water from a water system through a silver ion release module and optional high-concentration silver ion release module. The system includes an analyzer, detector, and/or controller for monitoring the concentration of silver ion and adjusting the flow path, flow rate, temperature and/or pH of the water in order to obtain the desired concentration of silver ion. The system optionally includes other metal ions released into a water system, the concentration of which may be used to automatically calibrate the described system and/or cause the system to take actions based on the measured concentration of silver ion or of the second metal ion.