Water Treatment Chemical Dosing Control Using Real-Time Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling chemical dosing in seawater desalination plants rely on sampling experiments and operator knowledge, making it difficult to apply real-time state changes in feed water, such as seawater or wastewater, which limits the effectiveness of chemical usage and treatment efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a control value derivation part to analyze real-time data through a water treatment model and controller, calculating a control value to set the minimum chemical dosage required to maintain treated water within a normal range, with a chemical dosing output control part providing these values to a water treatment control device, and a controller selection management part evaluating and selecting optimization algorithms for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time data analysis through water treatment model and optimization algorithm is implemented, then chemical dosing optimization and treatment efficiency are improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a water treatment model for simulating plant behavior, an optimization algorithm for calculating control values, and a control value derivation part for implementing decisions. This modular segmentation allows each component to be developed and optimized independently while working together to achieve real-time chemical dosing optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes real-time sensor data through the water treatment model and optimization algorithm before generating control decisions. This intermediary layer acts as a mediator between raw sensor inputs and actuator commands, enabling sophisticated optimization without directly complicating the physical control infrastructure.
2Loss of substance
If chemical dosage is minimized to reduce costs, then operational expenses decrease, but treatment quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors treated water quality parameters and feeds this information back to the water treatment model and optimization algorithm. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust chemical dosage in real-time, minimizing chemical usage while ensuring treatment quality remains within acceptable ranges by dynamically responding to actual water conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization algorithm dynamically adjusts chemical dosage parameters based on real-time water quality measurements and predicted plant behavior. By changing dosage parameters adaptively rather than using fixed rates, the system achieves minimal chemical consumption while maintaining reliable treatment quality across varying operating conditions.
3Measurement precision
If control targets are divided into groups, parts, and units for precise control, then control accuracy is improved, but computational time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Control targets are segmented into a hierarchical structure of groups, parts, and units, allowing the optimization algorithm to process control decisions at multiple levels of granularity. This segmentation enables precise control accuracy for individual units while leveraging group-level patterns to reduce overall computational burden through hierarchical processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis and grouping of control targets before detailed optimization. By pre-organizing control targets into hierarchical groups and parts, the system reduces the computational complexity of subsequent detailed optimization, achieving high control accuracy without proportional increases in computational time.
Data Source
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Figure 5B~5C
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling chemical dosing optimization in a water treatment plant treating feed water includes: a control value derivation part configured to receive real-time data, analyze the real-time data through a water treatment model and a controller in response to receiving the real-time data, and calculate a control value, such that the control value is to set a minimum of a chemical dosage while maintaining a state of treated water of the water treatment plant in a normal range, the water treatment model simulating the water treatment plant and the controller being an optimization algorithm; and a chemical dosing output control part configured to provide the control value to a water treatment control device.