Solar Fluid Heating With Digital Flow Control for Pasteurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid heating systems for 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 digital fluid heating system incorporating a solar collection system with a parabolic mirror to focus sunlight, a flow-control assembly with digitally controlled valves, and a tracking system for precise solar alignment, ensuring maximized energy use and pathogen inactivation at a maximized flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid heating systems are used for pasteurization, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but operational costs are expensive and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses solar energy to heat the fluid, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external energy sources. The solar collection system captures and converts solar energy directly into thermal energy for pasteurization, reducing operational costs and energy dependency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical heating systems with a solar-based thermal system. The solar collection system substitutes for traditional fuel-burning or electric heating mechanisms, using optical and thermal principles instead of mechanical energy conversion
2Ease of manufacture
If batch heating process is used, then manufacturing cost is lower, but operating cost increases due to repeated heating cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous flow-through pasteurization where fluid constantly moves through the heating channel, eliminating the need to heat and cool the system repeatedly. This continuous operation maintains optimal temperature consistently, reducing energy waste associated with batch heating cycles
3Productivity
If flow rate is increased to maximize productivity, then pathogen inactivation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the balance between flow rate and temperature by adjusting operational parameters. The solar heating system provides sufficient thermal energy to maintain effective pasteurization temperatures even at higher flow rates, and the control system dynamically adjusts parameters to ensure pathogen inactivation while maximizing productivity
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 effectively pasteurizes water with reduced operational costs, minimal energy consumption, and high precision, making it suitable for remote areas with little to no reliance on public utilities, while maintaining a low power usage and high precision solar tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a solar collection system configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis
Implementation Method 2
solar collection system configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis to heat water
Implementation Method 3
a flow-control assembly comprising a digitally controlled valve configured to control the flow of the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A digital fluid heating system may include a solar collection system configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis, an elongated flow element arranged and configured for transporting fluid along the solar collection system at the focal axis, and a flow-control assembly comprising a digitally controlled valve configured to control the flow of the fluid in the elongated flow element such that pathogens present in the fluid are substantially inactivated before the fluid exits the fluid heating system and at a maximized flow rate under the given energy providing conditions. The system may also include one or more digital controls and communication systems for remote and/or automatic control.