UV Liquid Disinfection System Salinity-Based Dose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV liquid disinfection systems for ballast water do not effectively account for varying salinity levels, which affects microbial inactivation efficiency, failing to meet international regulations for ecological and economic protection.
Innovation Solution
A UV liquid disinfection system that measures salinity levels and adjusts the UV dose based on pre-determined data, using a processor to control UV light intensity and water flow rate to achieve a desired microbial inactivation level, capable of treating both salty and fresh water efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed UV dose is applied to all water types, then the system is simple to operate, but microbial inactivation is ineffective at varying salinity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The UV disinfection system dynamically adjusts the UV dose based on real-time salinity measurements. The controller modifies UV light intensity and exposure duration according to the detected salinity level, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying water conditions to maintain effective microbial inactivation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operational parameters (UV dose, light intensity, exposure duration) based on salinity measurements. By linking UV dose to salinity levels through pre-determined data, the system optimizes microbial inactivation efficiency for different water types without requiring complex manual adjustments
2Reliability
If the UV dose is increased to ensure inactivation at all salinity levels, then microbial inactivation is reliable, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes UV dose parameters based on salinity measurements, applying higher doses only when necessary (high salinity) and lower doses when sufficient (low salinity). This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures reliable microbial inactivation while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption at lower salinity levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time salinity measurements as feedback to adjust UV dose delivery. The controller continuously monitors salinity and modifies UV light intensity and exposure duration accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances microbial inactivation reliability with energy efficiency
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UV dose is decreased to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but microbial inactivation becomes insufficient at high salinity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts UV dose parameters based on salinity conditions, increasing dose when salinity is high and decreasing it when salinity is low. This ensures energy is not wasted at low salinity levels while maintaining sufficient inactivation capacity when needed, balancing energy efficiency with treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically scales UV dose delivery to match actual treatment needs determined by salinity measurements. Rather than applying a fixed high dose, the system adapts its output in real-time, maintaining reliability when required while reducing energy consumption when conditions permit
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 ensures effective microbial inactivation across different salinity levels, meeting international regulations by optimizing UV dose delivery, thereby preventing ecological damage from non-native species in discharged ballast water.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet (UV) liquid disinfection systems, using UV light source have been long known. The degree of inactivation of microorganisms or absolute microbial level in the liquid is related to the UV dose applied to the microorganisms.
Implementation Method 2
The salinity levels of the water to be treated may be measured
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet (UV) liquid disinfection system and method are described. The system includes a conduit to carry liquid to be disinfected, the conduit having an inlet to receive the liquid and an outlet to discharge the liquid; a UV source configured to illuminate the liquid within the conduit; a liquid salinity detector to measure a value indicative of the liquid salinity; and a controller coupled to the salinity detector and configured to receive from the liquid salinity detector the measured value and to determine a desired salinity-adjusted UV dose level based on the measured value and predetermined data correlating salinity levels to respective UV dose levels.