Venturi Ozone Recirculation for Hygienic Water Storage Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances with storage tanks face challenges in maintaining the disinfection of stored aqueous liquids, as germs can multiply and biofilm formation occurs due to incomplete disinfection, especially when water is reused for laundry or cleaning purposes.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance with a storage tank and an oxidizing agent generator, utilizing a Venturi nozzle and ozone generation, where ozone is introduced into the storage tank through a Venturi nozzle connected to an ozone generator, and an ozone removal device is included to ensure safe operation, using activated carbon or catalysts for ozone decomposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If water is stored in a storage tank for reuse to save water, then water conservation is improved, but microbial growth and biofilm formation occur due to incomplete disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary disinfection of stored water using ozone generated by the oxidizing agent generator before the water is reused. The Venturi nozzle introduces ozone into the storage tank during the pumping process, pre-treating the water to prevent microbial growth before it becomes a problem
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously circulates and re-ozonates the stored water through the Venturi nozzle during each pump cycle, maintaining ongoing disinfection rather than a single treatment. This continuous action ensures that any microbial contamination is repeatedly exposed to oxidizing agents, preventing biofilm formation
2Reliability
If ozone is introduced into the storage tank through a Venturi nozzle, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but ozone safety concerns arise from potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The Venturi nozzle acts as an intermediary device that safely introduces ozone into the water stream. By mixing ozone with water through the Venturi effect, the system delivers effective disinfection while the water acts as a carrier that controls and contains the ozone, reducing free ozone leakage risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing water circulation infrastructure to deliver ozone safely. The water flow through the Venturi nozzle automatically draws in and mixes with ozone, using the water flow itself to control and contain the oxidizing agent, eliminating the need for separate ozone delivery mechanisms that could leak
3Reliability
If complete disinfection of stored water is attempted, then microbial elimination is improved, but the complexity of the disinfection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the water pumping function with the ozone injection function by placing the Venturi nozzle in the water circulation line. The single pump operation simultaneously moves water through the system and creates the suction needed for ozone introduction, merging two functions into one integrated process
Solution Approach 2:
The Venturi nozzle serves multiple functions: it acts as a flow control device for water, an ozone injection mechanism, and a mixing chamber. This multi-functional component achieves complete disinfection without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function, maintaining system 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
This setup effectively disinfects and maintains the quality of stored aqueous liquids, preventing microbial growth and biofilm formation, allowing for longer storage and reuse without separate cleaning of the storage container, ensuring hygiene and reducing the need for additional cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first venturi nozzle (16) arranged between the treatment tank (1) and the storage tank (32) and connected to the oxidizing agent generator (20)
Implementation Method 2
The use of oxidizing agents in a household appliance, particularly a washing machine or other laundry care appliance, has recently become more attractive. The use of ozone is popular here.
Implementation Method 3
Ozone is a powerful disinfectant and, in combination with a care or cleaning agent used in a household appliance, also causes complex and rapid reactions that enable an improved care or cleaning effect.
Implementation Method 4
an ozone removal device is included to ensure safe operation, using activated carbon or catalysts for ozone decomposition
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance with a treatment container (1) for receiving objects to be treated, a storage container (32) for an aqueous fluid (6), at least one pump (22, 35) for conveying the aqueous fluid (6) between the storage container (32) and the treatment container (1), an oxidising agent generator (20) and at least one Venturi nozzle (16, 26), wherein a first Venturi nozzle (16) is arranged between the treatment container (1) and the storage container (32) and is connected to the oxidising agent generator (20), and the storage container (32) is connected to the treatment container (1) via a first air channel (38), which can be controlled with a valve (39). The invention further relates to a method for operating said household appliance.