Water Purification System with Flushing Tank Recirculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purification systems face challenges in minimizing the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) difference between purified water and wastewater during the flushing process, leading to inefficiencies and increased TDS levels.

Innovation Solution

A water purification system that includes a filter part with a source water area and a purified water area, and a flushing tank that recirculates and filters a portion of the purified water back into the source water area, thereby maintaining low TDS levels and minimizing the creep phenomenon.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the flushing method is used to reduce creep phenomenon, then the initial TDS of purified water is reduced, but the TDS difference between purified water and wastewater increases due to limited flushing water capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial TDS of purified waterVSAvoidTDS difference between purified water and wastewater

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recycles the concentration difference between purified water and wastewater by using the purified water (which has lower TDS) to flush the source water area, thereby recovering the potential value of the TDS gradient that would otherwise be wasted. This circular utilization resolves the contradiction by continuously maintaining low initial TDS without requiring excessive flushing water volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a continuous flushing mechanism where purified water continuously flows through the source water area during operation, maintaining a consistent low TDS level at the filtration side. This continuous action prevents the TDS gradient from developing, thereby minimizing the creep phenomenon without intermittent large-volume flushing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Manufacturing precision

If the volume of wastewater side is minimized to reduce creep phenomenon, then the initial TDS is reduced, but the assembly becomes structurally inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial TDS of purified waterVSAvoidassembly structural efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the purified water serve multiple functions: it is not only the final product supplied to users but also serves as the flushing medium for the source water area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flushing water storage and reduces the structural complexity associated with minimizing wastewater volume for flushing purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If wastewater removal method is used to reduce creep phenomenon, then the initial TDS is reduced, but the recovery ratio and TDS fluctuate due to unstable flow rate at beginning of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial TDS of purified waterVSAvoidrecovery ratio and TDS stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary flushing of the source water area using purified water before normal operation begins or after stagnation periods. This preliminary action pre-establishes a low TDS condition at the filtration side, ensuring stable initial TDS levels and preventing the fluctuations that occur when starting operation with high TDS water in the source area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 minimizes the TDS difference between purified water and wastewater by recirculating and filtering the purified water, reducing the creep phenomenon and maintaining efficient water purification.

Implementation Method 1

there is a reverse osmosis filter that is provided with a reverse osmosis membrane. The reverse osmosis causes the water to pass through the reverse osmosis membrane at a specific pressure to filter the water while the water is introduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse osmosis: Reverse Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

while water is not filtered through the reverse osmosis filter, water on a filtration side of the reverse osmosis filter flows to a non-filtration side due to an osmotic pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmotic pressure: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS20250042770A1Water purification system

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 KYUNGDONG NAVIEN CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a water purification system. The water purification system comprises: a filter unit which has a raw water area for receiving raw water, and a purified water area for accommodating purified water produced by filtering at least a portion of the raw water from the raw water area, and which is provided to separate the raw water into waste water and purified water to be discharged; and a flushing tank provided to receive and store purified water from the purified water area and supply the stored purified water to the raw water area, wherein after being introduced into the flushing tank from the purified water area, at least a portion of the purified water supplied from the flushing tank to the raw water area may be re-filtered and then discharged from the purified water area to be re-introduced into the flushing tank.