Water System Flushing Control via Temperature Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking and service water systems face inefficiencies in flushing processes, leading to potential bacterial growth due to misinterpretation of temperature profiles, resulting in unnecessary flushing or failure to flush when needed.
Innovation Solution
A system with temperature sensors upstream and downstream of the flushing valve, connected to a control unit that adjusts flushing schedules based on temperature differences to accurately determine user behavior and optimize flushing intervals, ensuring hygienic conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing is performed based on constant temperature profile monitoring, then flushing can be triggered when water stagnates, but external temperature influences cause misinterpretation and unnecessary flushing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the temperature profile of water in the pipeline and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust flushing decisions. The control unit compares measured temperature profiles against learned user behavior patterns to determine whether flushing is necessary, thereby improving reliability while responding to actual stagnation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system learns user behavior patterns autonomously by analyzing temperature profiles over time. The control unit automatically adapts to individual usage patterns without manual intervention, enabling the system to distinguish between temperature changes caused by user activity versus environmental factors, thus reducing unnecessary flushing while maintaining hygiene.
2Extent of automation
If flushing valve is controlled by motor actuator, then automated flushing can be implemented, but precise control of valve position becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical valve control with a simplified motor actuator that receives electronic control signals. The motor actuator converts electrical commands into mechanical valve positioning, reducing mechanical complexity while enabling automated control through electronic timing and temperature-based triggers.
3Loss of substance
If flushing cycles are extended to reduce water consumption, then water usage decreases, but temperature equilibrium with ambient causes misinterpretation of stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary learning of user behavior patterns by analyzing temperature profiles during initial operation periods. This preliminary action establishes a baseline for distinguishing between temperature changes caused by user activity versus environmental factors, enabling more accurate flushing decisions that extend intervals while maintaining hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature profile acts as an intermediary indicator that indirectly reflects water usage patterns. By monitoring temperature changes over time and comparing them against learned patterns, the system can infer whether water has been used without directly measuring flow, enabling extended flushing intervals while maintaining measurement precision.
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 bacterial growth risks by aligning flushing with actual user activity, minimizing unnecessary water usage and external influence impacts, thus ensuring a hygienically harmless operation.
Implementation Method 1
A first temperature sensor is arranged upstream of the consumer in the flow direction. A second temperature sensor is arranged between the consumer and the flushing valve.
Implementation Method 2
If a drinking water pipeline remains unused for a longer period of time, the temperature of the standing water in it adapts to the ambient temperature. A thermal equilibrium is established between the environment and the drinking water pipeline.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a drinking and service water system with a connection (2) to the public water supply network, at least one supply line (4, 6) leading to at least one consumer (8), a flushing valve (10) downstream of the consumer (8) in the flow direction for draining water from the drinking and service water system, a control unit (12) connected to the flushing valve (10) in terms of control, and a first temperature sensor (18) upstream of the consumer (8) in the flow direction, the control unit (12) comprising a flushing module which determines flushing processes to the control unit (12) at specific times and/or at specific time intervals. This invention is intended to provide a drinking and service water system which, with an efficient flushing device, fulfills the hygienic requirements placed on a drinking water system. To solve the problem, a second temperature sensor (20) is arranged between the consumer (8) and the flushing valve (10) and the control unit (12) is arranged to decide whether the predetermined flushing operation is to be suspended or postponed on the basis of a temperature difference between a measured value of the first temperature sensor (18) and a measured value of the second temperature sensor (20). In a secondary aspect, the present invention provides a method for flushing such a system.