Sodium Hypochlorite Production Device with Offline Electrolysis Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment systems for pools, especially private and industrial pools, face challenges in efficiently producing and controlling the quantity of sodium hypochlorite, often requiring excessive salt usage and lacking precise control over salt quantities, which can lead to unutilized resources and handling hazards of dangerous chemicals.

Innovation Solution

A compact device that uses electrolysis to produce sodium hypochlorite offline, integrating an electrolysis reactor block with softened water and brine tanks, and an electronic unit for managing the process, allowing continuous production and precise control of sodium hypochlorite without adding salt to the pool water, thereby optimizing salt usage and reducing chemical releases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional liquid chlorine or calcium hypochlorite dosing systems are used, then disinfection is achieved, but excessive salt usage and lack of precise control over salt quantities occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of salt quantitiesVSAvoidexcessive salt usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors to monitor the actual concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the pool water and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the electrolysis operation accordingly, increasing or decreasing salt addition to maintain the optimal chlorine concentration, thereby achieving precise control and preventing excessive salt usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the electrolysis process by adjusting the amount of salt added to the brine solution based on real-time monitoring of pool water conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that only the necessary amount of salt is used to achieve the desired disinfection level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If offline sodium hypochlorite production is implemented, then salt usage is controlled, but continuous production capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesalt usage controlVSAvoidcontinuous production capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-mixes a concentrated brine solution with a high salt concentration in a storage tank before it enters the electrolysis cell. This preliminary concentration action allows the electrolysis process to operate continuously at optimal efficiency, maintaining high productivity while using salt only where needed rather than dissolving it throughout the entire pool volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous operation by continuously feeding concentrated brine into the electrolysis cell, which continuously produces sodium hypochlorite that is then injected into the pool. This continuous useful action ensures both salt usage control and sustained productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Volume of moving object

If compact device design is used, then space is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice spaceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the brine preparation function and the electrolysis function into a single integrated compact unit. The brine tank, electrolysis cell, pump, and control electronics are combined in one housing, reducing overall device volume while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compact device is designed as a universal module that can be installed in various pool configurations. The integrated design performs multiple functions (storage, electrolysis, pumping, control) within a single unit, making it adaptable to different installation scenarios while maintaining space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device ensures efficient and controlled production of sodium hypochlorite, minimizing salt usage and chemical releases, providing a safer and more efficient treatment process comparable to in-line systems while operating offline, with continuous production and precise concentration management.

Implementation Method 1

the electrolysis of salt in the form of a saline solution, also known as brine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4361110A1Sodium hypochlorite production device
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 POOL TECH
  • EP4361110A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4361110A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4361110A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A device for the production of sodium hypochlorite for water treatment, to be injected into a water circuit to be treated or stored before injection, comprising on the one hand an electrolysis reactor block (1) including: - An electrolysis cell (30); - A first water reservoir (4) including a softened water supply pipe (42) and an outlet pipe (53) including a first pump; - A second brine reservoir (5) including a salt storage space and including a water supply pipe (40) to produce the brine by mixing with the stored salt, and an outlet pipe (50) including a second pump; and on the other hand an electronic unit (100) for managing the electrolysis reactor.The block (1) includes a first hydraulic compartment (2) incorporating the two reservoirs (4, 5) of softened water and brine, and a second electro-hydraulic compartment (3) hermetically sealed from the first compartment (2) and comprising the pumps and the electrolysis cell (30) having an inlet (38) for the mixture of water and brine obtained at the outlet of the pumps, and an outlet (39) for the sodium hypochlorite produced.