Method of calculating pathogen inactivation for a fluid heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid heating systems for thermal pasteurization are often expensive to operate, require significant energy to maintain temperature, and lack efficient mechanisms for pathogen inactivation, especially in remote or off-grid settings.
Innovation Solution
A solar fluid heating system utilizing a parabolic mirror to focus sunlight on a fluid heating tube, combined with a thermally actuated valve and a dual-axis tracking device for precise solar tracking, allowing for controlled fluid flow and pathogen inactivation based on calculated temperature profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid heating systems are used for thermal pasteurization, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but operational costs are high and significant energy is required to maintain temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats water using solar energy before it enters the pasteurization chamber, reducing the additional energy needed to reach pasteurization temperatures. The solar collector captures and stores thermal energy in advance, performing the heating action beforehand rather than during the pasteurization process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulated pasteurization chamber maintains temperature without continuous external energy input by retaining the heat already accumulated in the water and chamber walls. The system serves itself by using the thermal mass of the chamber and pre-heated water to sustain pasteurization temperatures through passive insulation rather than active heating.
2Ease of manufacture
If batch pasteurization processes are used, then manufacturing costs are lower, but operational costs increase due to repeated temperature cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous pasteurization by maintaining a constant temperature in the pasteurization chamber through insulation and periodic solar re-heating. Water flows continuously through the chamber at a controlled rate, receiving consistent pasteurization treatment without the need to cool down and reheat between batches, thereby eliminating the energy waste associated with temperature cycling.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar fluid heating systems are used, then operational costs are reduced and pathogen inactivation is achieved, but system complexity increases with tracking devices and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The solar collector serves multiple functions: it heats water for pasteurization, provides thermal energy storage capacity, and can be adjusted to track the sun's movement. The insulated chamber also serves dual purposes as both a pasteurization chamber and a thermal storage medium, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses passive solar tracking through the natural movement of the sun across the sky, requiring minimal active control mechanisms. The insulated chamber automatically maintains temperature through its thermal mass and insulation properties without requiring complex temperature control systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
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 efficiently heats and pasteurizes water with minimal energy input, reducing operational costs and achieving effective pathogen inactivation without reliance on public utilities, suitable for remote or off-grid applications.
Implementation Method 1
a parabolic mirror to focus sunlight on a fluid heating tube
Implementation Method 2
solar fluid heating system utilizing a parabolic mirror to focus sunlight
Implementation Method 3
a thermally actuated valve and a dual-axis tracking device for precise solar tracking
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining pathogen inactivation may include performing an energy balance on a fluid heating system. Performing an energy balance may include calculating temperatures of a fluid at a plurality of locations as the fluid flows through the fluid heating system. The method of determining pathogen inactivation may also include receiving inactivation kinetic data regarding a pathogen present in the fluid and determining pathogen inactivation amounts based on exposure to the temperatures. Performing an energy balance may include receiving a plurality of input parameters relating to the fluid heating system. The plurality of input parameters may relate to a solar collection system and an associated fluid control system. The solar collection system may include a parabolic mirror and the fluid control system may include an elongated flow element arranged along a focal axis of the parabolic mirror.