Water Filter Unit With Injector Pump Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse osmosis water filtration systems face issues with space consumption and mechanical/electrical failures of circulation pumps, leading to maintenance challenges and inefficiencies, particularly when using unapproved spare parts.
Innovation Solution
A water filter unit with an injector pump that creates increased flow velocity without moving parts, recirculating unfiltered water and utilizing a compact design with a reverse osmosis filter membrane, which reduces maintenance needs and enhances filtration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a circulation pump is used to recirculate unfiltered water in RO systems, then filtration efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase due to mechanical and electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical circulation pump with a hydrodynamic recirculation system that uses the existing water flow and pressure differential across the RO membrane to drive recirculation. The concentrate stream naturally flows back to mix with feed water, eliminating mechanical moving parts while maintaining filtration efficiency through enhanced water flux management
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles by leveraging the pressure differential inherent in the RO process itself. The high-pressure feed water and concentrate stream interact hydraulically to create recirculation flow patterns that enhance filtration without requiring external mechanical pumping, converting the system's operational pressure into useful recirculation flow
2Reliability
If multiple filter units are connected in series to improve purification, then water quality is enhanced, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple filter units into a single integrated RO system. By combining feed water treatment, membrane filtration, and concentrate recirculation into one unified device with integrated chambers and flow paths, it achieves multi-stage purification effects without requiring separate physical filter units, thereby reducing overall space consumption while maintaining enhanced water quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a nested chamber configuration where the RO membrane element is housed within an inner chamber that is itself contained within an outer housing. The concentrate recirculation channel is nested within the flow path structure, allowing multiple functional zones to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, thus achieving compact multi-functional integration
3Productivity
If mechanical pumps are used for water recirculation, then flow control is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential mechanical and electrical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical and electrical pumps by using passive hydrodynamic recirculation. The system relies on the natural pressure differential created during RO operation, where high-pressure feed water and concentrate stream interact to drive flow recirculation through properly designed channels, eliminating all mechanical moving parts and electrical components associated with pumping
Solution Approach 2:
The RO system performs its own recirculation function using the energy and pressure inherent in its normal operation. The concentrate stream, under pressure from the RO process, automatically flows back to mix with feed water without external assistance, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate recirculation pumping equipment
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 solution provides a compact, low-maintenance water filtration system with improved flow rates and reduced risk of unfiltered water bypassing the filter membrane, ensuring effective purification and extended system lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
an injector pump arranged to receive the pressurized water and create an increased flow velocity trough the injector pump of said pressurized water fed to the filter membrane
Implementation Method 2
Reverse Osmosis (RO), a water treatment method traditionally known for removing salt from seawater, is also used to purify drinking water by forcing untreated water molecules through a semi-permeable filter membrane
Implementation Method 3
a weaker saline solution will tend to migrate to a strong saline solution; that is, a solution that is less concentrated will have a natural tendency to migrate to a solution with a higher concentration
Implementation Method 4
There will be a drop in pressure over the injector pump that may create a suction effect primarily affecting the unfiltered water within the filter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
A water filter unit (100) for purifying pressurized water fed to the water filter unit (100) is provided, said water filter unit (100) comprising; a containment (101) defined by a wall section (110), a first end section (111) and a second end section (112), wherein the wall section (110) is attached to the first end section (111) and the second end section (112); a water inlet (120) arranged in said first or second end section (111,112) through which the pressurized water is fed into the containment (101); a filter membrane (130) arranged in said containment such that at least part of the water is fed through the filter membrane (130); a first water outlet (140) for filtered water from the membrane; wherein the water filter unit (100) further comprises an injector pump (150) arranged to create an increased flow velocity trough the injector pump (150) of said pressurized water fed to the filter membrane (130), and said injector pump (150) is furthermore arranged to receive unfiltered water not fed through the membrane and recirculate said unfiltered water within the containment (101).