Water hygiene improving system and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for maintaining water hygiene in building supply networks are inadequate in preventing Legionella and biofilm growth, as they often rely on short-term solutions that do not ensure long-term protection against pathogens and biofilm contamination, and are energy-intensive with potential for recontamination.
Innovation Solution
A water hygiene improving system that uses a combination of bioreactors and membrane filtration to remove nutrients and microorganisms at the point of entry or within the water supply network, reducing biofilm growth potential and maintaining water quality by limiting incoming bacteria and nutrients, thereby preventing contamination and extending the lifespan of water supply systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional water hygiene methods (temperature control, water exchange) are used, then short-term pathogen limitation is achieved, but long-term protection is not ensured and recontamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by removing nutrients and microorganisms from incoming water before it enters the building water supply network. This preventive measure stops biofilm formation at its source, providing long-term protection rather than treating symptoms after contamination occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary treatment system (nutrient removal device and microorganism removal device) between the public water supply and the building's internal network. This intermediary layer filters and treats water, preventing pathogens and nutrients from reaching the internal system where they would cause biofilm growth.
2Reliability
If conventional water hygiene methods are used, then energy-intensive operations are required, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes nutrients and microorganisms from incoming water through dedicated removal devices. By taking out the problematic substances before they enter the building network, the system eliminates the need for continuous energy-intensive heating and water exchange operations required by conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The nutrient removal device uses biological processes (biofilm on filtering media) to naturally consume and remove nutrients from water. This self-service mechanism reduces reliance on energy-intensive mechanical systems while maintaining effective nutrient levels for preventing pathogen growth.
3Quantity of substance
If nutrient-rich water is supplied to buildings, then microorganism growth is supported, but biofilm and pathogen proliferation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The nutrient removal device extracts and removes excess nutrients from incoming water through biological filtration. By taking out these nutrients before water enters the building network, the system prevents the food supply that would otherwise support biofilm and pathogen proliferation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of nutrients (which feed pathogens) into a beneficial process by using those same nutrients to feed beneficial biofilm on the filtering media. The nutrient removal device's filtering media develops a biofilm that consumes nutrients, transforming potential harm into a useful biological treatment mechanism.
4Quantity of substance
If microorganisms are present in supplied water, then natural water composition is maintained, but pathogen contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microorganism removal device extracts and removes harmful microorganisms and pathogens from incoming water through filtration. This selective removal maintains water quality while eliminating the specific pathogens that pose health risks, distinguishing between natural microorganisms and harmful contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary microorganism removal device between the public water supply and building network. This intermediary layer acts as a barrier that filters out pathogens while allowing treated water to pass through, protecting the internal system from contamination sources.
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
This approach significantly reduces the risk of waterborne diseases, maintains water quality, and extends the lifespan of water supply systems by preventing biofilm formation and recontamination, allowing for efficient operation of low-energy heating systems and compliance with health regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane filtration system, the membrane filtration system coupled downstream from the first bioreactor, and the membrane filtration system may include a membrane which achieves a sufficient high removal of particles, microorganism and bacteria
Implementation Method 2
a first bioreactor, and water from the building water supply network may pass through the first bioreactor. The first bioreactor may include a first biofilm, and the first biofilm may be configured to remove a first nutrient from the water passing through the first bioreactor
Data Source
AI summary
A water hygiene improving system and method are provided which may include and utilize one or more water hygiene improving devices which may be coupled to a building water supply network at any number of locations so that water passing through each water hygiene improving device is returned to the building water supply network. The water hygiene improving device may include one or more membrane filtration systems and optionally one or more bioreactors. The system and method include a new and innovative approach for surviving or improving water hygiene within the whole water supply network of new or existing buildings, for prevention of their contamination with Legionella or other pathogens, general limitation of biofilm growth and their negative effects on water hygiene, also at point of use (POU), and water distribution within new or existing buildings by limitation of incoming nutrients, bacteria and other microorganisms at point of entry (POE) of buildings or at other locations of the water supply network within the building.