Vehicle Wash Liquid Reclamation With Oxidation and Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle wash systems face issues with water conservation and liquid reclamation, as they often result in anaerobic conditions leading to unpleasant odors and clogged nozzles due to the accumulation of dirt and organic materials, which can damage pumps and clog systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wash system incorporating a filtration system to remove neutrally buoyant materials and an oxidizer system to introduce oxidizers into the liquid loop, with a feedback control loop for adjusting oxidizer dosing based on measured characteristics, ensuring effective recycling and maintenance of dissolved oxygen levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If liquid reclamation system is used to recycle wash liquid, then water consumption is reduced, but the liquid turns anaerobic causing unpleasant smells and can clog nozzles or damage pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies strong oxidants (oxygen, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide) to the recirculating wash liquid to maintain dissolved oxygen levels above 2 ppm. This accelerated oxidation prevents anaerobic decomposition of organic materials, eliminating unpleasant odors and preventing clogging of nozzles and damage to pumps while maintaining the water conservation benefits of liquid reclamation
2Reliability
If filtration system is used to remove material from liquid, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but dissolved oxygen levels may drop due to organic material decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces oxidants into the wash liquid before it reaches the filtration system and maintains continuous oxidation throughout the recirculation loop. This preliminary and continuous oxidation action prevents organic materials from decomposing anaerobically, ensuring that filtered materials do not deplete dissolved oxygen levels and that nozzle functionality is maintained
3Reliability
If oxidizer system is used to introduce oxidizer into liquid, then anaerobic conditions are prevented, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the oxidizer system into the existing liquid recirculation loop, using the same pump and piping infrastructure already present in the vehicle wash system. The oxidizer injection point is positioned to utilize existing flow paths, allowing the system to prevent anaerobic conditions while minimizing additional complexity by leveraging multi-functionality of existing components
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 effectively recycles and sanitizes wash liquids, preventing anaerobic conditions, reducing odor formation, and maintaining system functionality by maintaining dissolved oxygen levels, thus enhancing water conservation and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The oxidizer system introduces an oxidizer into the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The filtration system removes material from the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wash system is provided that includes an oxidizer system and a filter system.