Sorbent Recharger Effluent pH Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recharging zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide in sorbent dialysis require separate treatment and disposal of chemical solutions, increasing costs, complexity, and waste, and lack a system for automatic neutralization, especially when recharging both materials simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A sorbent recharger system that includes compartments, pumps, and sensors to manage the recharging process of zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide, using a static mixer and fluid connections to neutralize effluents in-line, allowing for concurrent or independent recharging and safe disposal without additional treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate treatment and disposal of chemical solutions is used for recharging zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide, then complete recharge treatment is achieved, but costs, complexity, and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the recharging processes for zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide into a single integrated system. The effluent from zirconium phosphate recharging (acidic) is mixed with effluent from zirconium oxide recharging (basic) through a static mixer, allowing simultaneous recharge treatment while simplifying waste disposal infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful acidic effluent from zirconium phosphate recharging and harmful basic effluent from zirconium oxide recharging into a beneficial neutralized solution. By mixing these oppositely charged effluents, the system neutralizes pH extremes, transforming waste streams into safely disposable effluent without requiring separate treatment systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If neutralization infrastructure is added for effluent disposal, then safe disposal is achieved, but costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful acidic and basic effluents into a beneficial neutralized solution by mixing them together. The static mixer combines effluent streams with opposite pH characteristics, automatically neutralizing them and eliminating the need for additional neutralization infrastructure or chemical treatment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own effluent streams to neutralize each other. The acidic effluent from zirconium phosphate recharging self-neutralizes the basic effluent from zirconium oxide recharging through passive mixing, eliminating the need for external neutralization agents or complex treatment infrastructure.
3Productivity
If concurrent recharging of both sorbent materials is implemented, then productivity increases, but coordination of recharging processes becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the recharging operations for zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide into a single coordinated system. Both sorbent materials are recharged simultaneously using a unified control architecture that manages fluid delivery, mixing, and effluent handling, increasing throughput while maintaining process simplicity.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective recharging of zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide, reducing waste and complexity by neutralizing effluents in-line, facilitating safe disposal and extending the life of sorbent modules through efficient ion exchange processes.
Implementation Method 1
a static mixer at or downstream of the junction
Implementation Method 2
zirconium phosphate removes ammonium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions from dialysate
Implementation Method 3
the zirconium oxide removes anions such as phosphate or fluoride ions
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5A
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing effluent from recharging zirconium phosphate and/or zirconium oxide are provided. The systems and methods control the pH of the zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide effluent to allow for safe disposal. The systems and methods provide for management of the recharger effluent pH while recharging zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide either independently or concurrently.