Integrated Strainer Electrolyzer for Debris-Safe Biocide Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biofouling in water systems leads to equipment inefficiency and costly downtime due to clogging and the use of harsh chemicals for cleaning, while existing real-time biocide generation systems face interference from debris.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic biocide-generating device integrated with a strainer that includes electrode plates protected by a dielectric sleeve and flow diverters, ensuring debris collection without interfering with water flow and effective biocide production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrode plates are integrated with strainer for real-time biocide generation, then biofouling prevention is improved, but debris interference with electrode operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric protective sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrode plates and the strainer basket. This sleeve allows electrical insulation while permitting water flow and biocide generation, simultaneously protecting electrodes from debris contact while maintaining the electrolytic function for biofouling prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode plates are nested within the strainer basket structure, with the dielectric sleeve positioned between them. This nested arrangement allows the strainer to capture debris externally while the electrodes remain protected internally, enabling both functions to operate simultaneously without interference
2Object-affected harmful factors
If strainer captures debris effectively, then water system protection is improved, but water flow distribution across electrodes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric protective sleeve is designed with selectively sized openings that provide different local properties: larger openings in regions requiring water flow access to electrodes, and smaller openings in regions requiring debris capture. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both water flow distribution and debris capture effectiveness
3Reliability
If periodic acid cleaning is used to address bio-growth, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but operational downtime and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic biocide generation system performs preliminary continuous action to prevent biofouling accumulation in the first place. By generating biocides in-real-time within the water system, the system maintains continuous protection, eliminating the need for periodic shutdowns for acid cleaning and thus preventing downtime and associated costs
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
Prevents biofouling by generating biocides in-situ, maintaining equipment performance with minimal downtime and reducing the need for harsh chemicals, while effectively managing debris interference.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic arrangement for providing the in-situ generation of biocide within the water passing through the water system
Data Source
AI summary
A biocide-generating device including a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The biocide-generating device additionally including a strainer basket that mounts within an interior of the housing including parallel electrode plates positioned within an interior of the strainer basket. The biocide generating device additionally including a protective dielectric sleeve in which the electrode plates are received. The protective dielectric sleeve is positioned between the electrode plates and the strainer basket.