A water distribution and water treating architecture system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water distribution and treating systems are inadequate for applications with limited access to clean water, such as recreational vehicles and ships, where efficient water recycling and purification are necessary to conserve and maintain water quality.
Innovation Solution
A water distribution and treating architecture system with two recirculation loops, one for user water and another for grey water, incorporating a light grey water tank, a fresh water inlet, a heater, a water treating unit with UV treatment and filtration, and sensors for quality measurement, allowing for the recirculation and reuse of water that meets quality parameters, even if it is too cold or hot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If water is recycled and reused in the system, then water conservation is improved and fresh water supply is reduced, but water quality degradation and bacterial growth may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous recirculation of water through the treatment unit, ensuring that water is constantly purified and disinfected rather than allowing stagnant conditions that would lead to quality degradation and bacterial growth
Solution Approach 2:
A UV treatment unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the water storage tank and the distribution system. This UV unit acts as a mediator that disinfects the recirculated water, preventing bacterial growth while allowing continuous water reuse
2Device complexity
If a single recirculation loop is used, then system complexity is reduced, but water quality control and temperature management are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system is segmented into two distinct loops: a first recirculation loop for temperature control and a second recirculation loop for quality control. This segmentation allows each loop to specialize in its function, with the first loop managing heating/cooling and the second loop managing purification and disinfection, thereby improving overall water quality control without requiring an excessively complex single-loop system
3Ease of operation
If water temperature is strictly controlled within narrow parameters, then user comfort is improved, but usable water volume is reduced due to discarding temperature-extreme water
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of water that has become too cold or too hot by routing it through the first recirculation loop with the heating/cooling unit. This allows the water to be temperature-adjusted and reused, expanding the usable water volume while maintaining user comfort through proper temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding temperature-extreme water, the system continuously recirculates it through the heating/cooling unit, converting it back to usable temperature ranges. This continuous conversion process maximizes water utilization while ensuring user comfort
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 purifies water, conserving resources by reusing water that meets quality standards, reducing the need for continuous fresh water supply and minimizing waste, while maintaining water quality and preventing bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
the water distribution and water treating architecture system comprises a light grey water tank... wherein the water treating unit comprises a heater... WO2017/099663 there is disclosed an apparatus for water supply and sanitary purposes, wherein the apparatus comprises a light unit intended for neutralisation of organisms in said water flow
Implementation Method 2
said light grey water tank further being connected to a heater so that both cold and hot water may be fed to a water treating and distributing unit... wherein the water treating unit comprises a heater
Implementation Method 3
WO2009/147647 A1 there is disclosed a water recycling system for domestic use, said water recycling system involving an optical detector to detect certain smaller sized (nonfiltered) contaminants and a filter to remove larger sized (filtered) contaminants
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention describes a water distribution and water treating architecture system 1 comprising a light grey water tank 2, said light grey water tank 2 being connected to a fresh water inlet 3, said light grey water tank 2 further being connected to a heater 4 so that both cold and hot water may be fed to a water treating and distributing unit 5 from the light grey water tank 2, said water treating and distributing unit 5 comprising a water treating unit 6, wherein the water distribution and water treating architecture system 1 also comprises a user unit 7 with a user outlet 8 and a sensor unit tank 9, which sensor unit tank 9 comprises at least one sensor directed to measuring water quality and sending information to a control unit, wherein the water distribution and water treating architecture system 1 comprises a user water recirculation loop 10 enabling recirculation of water from the sensor unit tank 9 into the water treating and distributing unit 5 and water treating unit 6 and further to the user outlet 8, said sensor unit tank 9 also being connected to a grey water outlet unit 20; and wherein the water distribution and water treating architecture system 1 also comprises a water feeding recirculation loop 11 enabling recirculation of water from the light grey water tank 2 into the water treating and distributing unit 5 and water treating unit 6 and back to the light grey water tank 2.