Single UV Filter Double Pass Sterilization in RO Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filtration systems, particularly reverse osmosis systems, fail to ensure complete sterilization of water both before storage and at the point of use, as UV filters can be rendered ineffective by contaminants and may allow microorganism breakthrough due to single pass sterilization and potential contamination of storage vessels.
Innovation Solution
A modular-filter based reverse osmosis system with a single UV filter that channels purified water through the UV filter twice: once before storage and again before use, utilizing check valves to ensure all water passes through the UV filter, enhancing sterilization and preventing microorganism growth in storage vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single UV filter is used in reverse osmosis systems, then the system complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the sterilization reliability is insufficient due to single pass sterilization and potential microorganism breakthrough
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow path is segmented into two separate passes through the UV filter. The first pass sterilizes water before it enters the storage tank, and the second pass sterilizes water before dispensation. This segmentation of the sterilization process into multiple stages allows a single UV filter to provide comprehensive protection at both critical points, resolving the contradiction between using a single filter and achieving reliable sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The first UV sterilization pass is performed preliminarily before water enters the storage tank. This preliminary action prevents microorganisms from proliferating in the tank during storage, addressing the sterilization need in advance before the storage phase begins, thereby enhancing overall sterilization reliability with a single filter.
2Reliability
If UV filter is placed before storage tank, then sterilization dose is enhanced and system hygiene is improved, but microorganisms downstream of the filter remain untreated
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sterilization action is made continuous by implementing two sequential passes through the UV filter. The first pass occurs before storage to ensure system hygiene, and the second pass occurs before dispensation to ensure treated water is delivered. This continuous application of UV sterilization at both critical points ensures that microorganisms are treated at all stages, resolving the contradiction between improving system hygiene and treating downstream microorganisms.
3Reliability
If UV filter is placed at the end of the system prior to point of use, then dispensed water is 99.99% sterile, but the storage vessel and upstream components are exposed to microorganism contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization protection is segmented into two distinct locations: before storage and before dispensation. By placing UV sterilization at both points in the flow path, the system protects both the storage vessel from contamination and ensures sterile water delivery, resolving the contradiction between protecting the storage vessel and ensuring dispensed water sterility.
4Manufacturing precision
If reverse osmosis membrane is used to filter water, then particles and dissolved solids are removed, but micro-tears develop during lifecycle allowing microorganism breakthrough
Solution Approach 1:
UV sterilization is applied as a protective measure before water enters the storage tank and before dispensation, cushioning against the potential harm of microorganism breakthrough through membrane micro-tears. This preliminary protective action compensates for the membrane's declining integrity over its lifecycle, ensuring that even if microorganisms pass through the membrane, they are subsequently eliminated by UV sterilization.
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
This solution achieves 99.99% sterilization of water both before storage and at the point of use, preventing contamination and ensuring system hygiene with a single UV filter, thereby improving water quality and safety for drinking and agricultural irrigation.
Implementation Method 1
utilize UV-irradiation of source water to neutralize possible pathogens and micro-organisms in the source water
Implementation Method 2
modular-filter based reverse osmosis system
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment system having modular-filter based residential reverse osmosis (RO) system that passes a stream of purified water through an ultraviolet light (UV) filter twice to ensure the water is sterile, while using only one UV filter, thereby forcing the water through a UV filter twice in a modular-filter based RO system. The water treatment system also includes a system whereby water passes through the UV filter at both points using only one UV filter by employing a system whereby a purified water stream is passed through a single remineralization module twice. The present invention also includes the method for treating water through such double forced sterilization system.