Water Conditioning Diversion Devices for Resin Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water conditioning systems that use deionizing resin and reverse osmosis filters face challenges such as resin consumption, increased water usage, and reduced membrane life due to scaling and fouling, particularly when not properly flushed or used optimally.
Innovation Solution
A portable water conditioning system that combines DI and RO conditioners with diversion devices to optimize media utilization, featuring automated startup and shutdown states, pressure diversion, and recirculation to extend membrane life and reduce resin consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deionizing resin is used to condition water, then water conditioning effectiveness is improved, but resin consumption increases requiring replacement or recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and reuses DI resin by implementing a recirculation mode where spent resin is regenerated in-place, and a resin transfer mode where resin is moved from an exhausted conditioner to a regenerated one, thereby reducing resin consumption and replacement frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the DI resin by switching between service mode (water conditioning) and regeneration mode (chemical recovery), allowing the resin to be reused multiple times through parameter changes rather than single-use disposal
2Reliability
If reverse osmosis filters are used to condition water, then water conditioning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases due to concentrate waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers water by recirculating the concentrate stream back through the RO membrane, allowing multiple passes to extract more permeate and reducing overall water consumption and concentrate waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by recirculating concentrate through the RO membrane in a continuous loop, maximizing water extraction from each unit of feed water and minimizing waste
3Device complexity
If reverse osmosis filters are used without proper flushing, then system simplicity is improved, but membrane life is reduced due to scaling and fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous beneficial action by maintaining constant flow through the RO membrane via recirculation, preventing stagnation and scaling while extending membrane life without adding complex flushing procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-maintenance by automatically recirculating concentrate through the membrane, which continuously cleans the membrane surface and prevents fouling without requiring external intervention or complex flushing systems
4Reliability
If multiple water conditioners are assembled into a system, then water conditioning effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases requiring diversion devices
Solution Approach 1:
The diversion device serves multiple functions: directing flow between conditioners, enabling recirculation mode, facilitating resin transfer, and controlling system startup/shutdown, thereby managing complexity through multi-functionality rather than separate components for each function
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 reduces DI resin usage, extends the life of RO membranes, and optimizes water flow, providing conditioned water efficiently while minimizing costs and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet
Implementation Method 2
a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes an incoming water inlet; a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a diversion device having a diversion valve, the diversion valve placing the concentrate outlet in fluid communication with a waste water outlet; a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet; a bypass valve configured to selectively place the permeate outlet in fluid communication with one or more of the waste water outlet, the deionizing stage, and the pure water outlet; and a controller configured to control the diversion device and the bypass valve to provide water at the pure water outlet of a desired condition.