Water Conditioning Plates for Biofilm and Scale Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Water distribution and circulation systems face issues with biofilms and scale deposits due to organic and inorganic materials, leading to reduced equipment effectiveness, increased maintenance and energy costs, and undesirable odors.
Innovation Solution
A water processor with alternating conditioning plates or discs featuring sharp edge flow-directing apertures creates turbulence and shear, dividing larger gas bubbles into nano-bubbles to reduce organic and inorganic materials, preventing biofilm and scale formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water flows through conventional smooth pipes, then flow rate is maintained, but biofilm and scale deposits build up on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical turbulence and shear forces through specially designed aperture configurations that create chaotic water flow patterns. This mechanical action prevents organic and inorganic materials from adhering to pipe surfaces, effectively eliminating biofilm and scale formation while maintaining equipment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional chemical treatment methods with a mechanical flow conditioning system. By using alternating aperture patterns to generate turbulence and shear, the system achieves water conditioning through physical mechanisms rather than chemical additives, preventing deposit formation without chemical reactions.
2Reliability
If chemical treatments are used to reduce organic materials and minerals, then water conditioning is achieved, but chemical treatment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical flow conditioning for chemical treatment processes. The alternating aperture configurations create turbulence and shear that physically condition the water by preventing organic and inorganic material accumulation, eliminating the need for chemical additives and associated treatment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The water processing system is self-conditioning through its own flow dynamics. The alternating aperture configurations automatically generate the necessary turbulence and shear forces as water passes through, requiring no external chemical inputs or additional energy sources beyond the water's own flow pressure.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional smooth aperture plates are used, then manufacturing is simple, but turbulence and shear in water flow are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the aperture plate into alternating configurations with different aperture patterns. This segmentation creates zones of varying flow resistance that generate turbulence and shear as water passes between them. The segmented design maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving water processing effectiveness through enhanced flow dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the aperture plate have different aperture configurations (alternating patterns). This local variation in aperture quality creates localized turbulence and shear zones that collectively condition the water flow. Each local region contributes differently to the overall flow conditioning while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.
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 processor effectively reduces biofilm and scale formation, improving equipment efficiency, reducing maintenance and energy costs, and enhancing water quality by precipitating solids for removal.
Implementation Method 1
The alternating flow-directing apertures force the water to flow in a staggered, circuitous or indirect fashion through the water processor, which creates turbulence and shear in the water flow
Implementation Method 2
The alternating flow-directing apertures force the water to flow in a staggered, circuitous or indirect fashion through the water processor, which creates turbulence and shear in the water flow
Implementation Method 3
Nano-bubbles may aid in precipitating solids suspended in the water, so that the precipitated solids may be removed from the water via filtration or settling
Data Source
AI summary
A water processor is provided for processing or conditioning water to be distributed downstream of the water processor. The water processor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet opposite the inlet. The water processor includes a conditioning element disposed inside of the housing between the inlet and outlet. The conditioning element includes a plurality of plates having apertures with sharp edges to direct the flow of water and facilitate splitting of small gas bubbles into even smaller nano-bubbles. The plurality of plates include a first plate having a first configuration of apertures and a second plate having a second configuration of apertures. The first and second plates are disposed in alternating spaced arrangement along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The second configuration is different from the first configuration such that the flow path through the water processor is circuitous or substantially indirect.