Water Purification Apparatus Reject Water Recirculation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water purification methods for dialysis fluids are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and waste water management, as they often require large, heavy containers and result in reject water being discarded, rather than reused.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that optimize water purification efficiency by using a Reverse Osmosis unit and an electrically controlled deionization unit, where reject water is recirculated based on power consumption thresholds to minimize energy use and maximize water recovery, with a control system to monitor and adjust recirculation rates to maintain optimal operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If reject water is recirculated to increase water recovery, then water consumption is reduced, but power consumption of the deionization unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the recirculation flow rate of reject water based on real-time monitoring of power consumption and water quality parameters. The control system varies the recirculation rate to optimize the balance between water recovery and energy consumption, rather than maintaining a fixed recirculation rate
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors power consumption by the deionization unit and water quality parameters, then uses this feedback information to adjust the recirculation flow rate. This closed-loop control ensures the system operates at optimal points, preventing excessive energy consumption while maximizing water recovery
2Productivity
If the deionization unit operates at high capacity to produce more purified water, then productivity increases, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including deionization unit capacity and recirculation flow rate based on real-time conditions. This allows the system to optimize the balance between purified water production rate and energy consumption, adapting to varying demand and water quality conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes operational parameters such as recirculation flow rate, deionization unit capacity, and operating pressure to optimize the balance between productivity and energy consumption. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can operate at optimal efficiency points
3Loss of substance
If recirculation flow rate is increased to optimize efficiency, then water recovery improves, but the deionization unit may operate beyond optimal conditions increasing energy use
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors power consumption and water quality parameters in real-time, using this feedback to adjust the recirculation flow rate. This prevents the deionization unit from operating beyond optimal conditions by continuously adapting the recirculation rate to maintain efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic adjustment of recirculation flow rate based on real-time monitoring of operational parameters. This allows the system to optimize water recovery while preventing excessive energy consumption by adapting to changing conditions
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 reduces energy consumption and costs by optimizing the water purification process, allowing for high-purity water production with minimal energy expenditure and reducing waste water disposal, while ensuring efficient operation and maintaining high water recovery rates.
Implementation Method 1
Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water purification technology that remove contaminants from water by pushing the water under pressure through a semipermeable membrane, a RO membrane
Implementation Method 2
an electrically controlled deionization unit downstream the RO unit receiving at least part of the permeate flow
Data Source
AI summary
A water purification apparatus and method for optimizing efficiency of the water purification apparatus comprising a fluid circuit including a Reverse Osmosis, RO, unit (3), providing a permeate flow, and an electrically controlled deionization unit (4) downstream the RO unit (3) receiving at least part of the permeate flow. The method comprises obtaining (S1) a value indicative of power consumption by the electrically controlled deionization unit and determining (S2) whether the obtained value indicative of the power consumption meets at least one criterion. The method further comprises controlling recirculation of reject water produced by the water purification apparatus, based on a result of the determining (S2), in order to optimize efficiency of the water purification apparatus.