Water Purification Sequence for Humic Substance Decomposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purification methods using ozone and OH radicals are inefficient in decomposing humic substances like fulvic acid, leading to incomplete decomposition and the generation of numerous by-products.

Innovation Solution

A water purification system and method involving the addition of hydrogen peroxide, followed by irradiation with a wavelength of 320 nm light, and subsequent ozone treatment to effectively decompose humic substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If strong oxidation using ozone and OH radicals is used to decompose organic substances, then decomposition ability is improved, but when humic substances are present, incomplete decomposition occurs and numerous by-products are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidative decomposition abilityVSAvoidby-product generation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by adding hydrogen peroxide before ozone treatment to pre-activate the water matrix. This preliminary step creates a favorable chemical environment that enables complete subsequent decomposition of humic substances without generating harmful by-products, thereby resolving the contradiction between strong oxidation power and by-product formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If conventional oxidation methods are used, then processing speed is maintained, but decomposition efficiency for humic substances is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddecomposition efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the water matrix by introducing hydrogen peroxide, which alters the oxidation pathway. This parameter change enables complete decomposition of recalcitrant humic substances while maintaining processing speed, thereby simultaneously improving both productivity and decomposition efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple treatment steps are added to improve decomposition, then decomposition efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecomposition efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the oxidation functions by combining hydrogen peroxide addition with subsequent ozone treatment in an integrated flow. This merging approach achieves complete decomposition of humic substances while avoiding the need for separate complex treatment units, thereby improving decomposition efficiency without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves significant decomposition of humic substances with minimal by-product formation by leveraging the synergistic effect of hydrogen peroxide and 320 nm light, followed by ozone treatment to ensure complete decomposition.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating the water to be treated with light having a wavelength of 320 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotodissociation: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

oxidatively decompose object substances in a water to be treated in a lump by strong oxidation using ozone, OH radicals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4613714A1Water purification system and water purification method
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 KAIGA NOBUYOSHI
  • EP4613714A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613714A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613714A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an effective water purification system. A water purification system 1 comprises a hydrogen peroxide addition section 31 for adding hydrogen peroxide to a water to be treated, a light irradiation section 32 for irradiating the water to be treated with light having a wavelength of 320 nm, and an ozone treatment section 33 for treating with ozone. A humic substance in the water to be treated is decomposed by light irradiation in the light irradiation section 32, and the remaining substance is decomposed by ozone treatment in the ozone treatment section 33.