UV Fluid Treatment Feedback Control for Energy Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultraviolet fluid treatment systems face challenges in reducing operating costs, particularly electrical energy consumption and oxidant usage, due to lack of real-time feedback control and inefficient use of kinetic and reactor models in optimizing system parameters.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet fluid treatment system employing a programmable logic device that calculates contaminant conversion using a kinetic model and adjusts system parameters via a reactor model, incorporating upstream and downstream fluid property measurements to optimize energy and oxidant usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If real-time feedback control is implemented using kinetic and reactor models, then operating cost is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously measuring fluid properties (UV transmittance, flow rate, temperature) and using kinetic and reactor models to adjust operating parameters in real-time, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a programmable logic device as an intermediary that processes measurements from fluid property sensors and applies kinetic/reactor models to determine optimal operating parameters, bridging the gap between simple measurements and complex control decisions
2Manufacturing precision
If contaminant concentration is measured directly for control, then treatment precision is improved, but measurement time is too long for real-time control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses readily measurable fluid properties (UV transmittance, flow rate, temperature) as intermediaries that can be measured quickly and are correlated to contaminant concentration through kinetic models, avoiding the need for time-consuming direct contaminant analysis while maintaining treatment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces slow direct contaminant measurement methods with faster indirect measurement of fluid properties combined with kinetic modeling, substituting a time-intensive analytical process with a rapid sensor-based approach
3Reliability
If oxidant addition is increased to ensure contaminant removal, then treatment reliability is improved, but operating cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts oxidant addition rates based on real-time measurements of fluid properties and kinetic model predictions of contaminant conversion, ensuring sufficient oxidant is added for reliable treatment while avoiding unnecessary oxidant consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operating parameters (oxidant concentration, flow rate, UV intensity) dynamically based on measured fluid properties and model predictions, optimizing the balance between treatment reliability and oxidant consumption
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 approach enables real-time control of ultraviolet fluid treatment systems, reducing operating costs by optimizing electrical energy and oxidant consumption based on measured fluid properties, thereby improving treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first measurement device to obtain a first measurement comprising the concentration of the marker compound in the flow of fluid at a first location and a second measurement device to obtain a second measurement comprising the concentration of the marker compound in the flow of fluid at a second location
Implementation Method 2
radiation (e.g., ultraviolet radiation) fluid treatment systems
Implementation Method 3
oxidation and degradation of chemical contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet fluid treatment system having feedback control using a kinetic model and a reactor model that interact with one another. The kinetic model uses readily measured fluid properties upstream and downstream of a radiation zone to calculate the conversion of a target contaminant as it passes through the fluid treatment system. This obviates the need to measure the contaminant concentration directly, which generally is too slow to permit real-time control. A reactor model relates system operating cost to system operating parameters, such as electrical power consumption and/or rate of oxidant addition, where applicable. The reactor model is linked to the kinetic model and is used to optimize operating cost by adjusting system operating parameters based on a comparison between the conversion obtained from the kinetic model and the overall treatment objectives. A control center, an ultraviolet fluid treatment apparatus, and a method of treating a fluid are also disclosed.