Water Purification Sensor System for Recirculation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification and recycling systems lack an efficient mechanism to optimize the decision between recirculation and separation modes based on real-time water quality monitoring, leading to suboptimal water treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a UV sensor to indicate the functionality of the water treatment unit, a conductivity sensor to assess water quality, and a level sensor in the drain to inform the control system about water level and flow patterns, enabling real-time selection between recirculation and separation, and incorporating a filter system with a pre-filter and mid/fine filters to optimize particle removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to monitor water quality parameters, then measurement precision and decision accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into specialized sensors, each measuring specific water quality parameters (UV transmittance, conductivity, flow rate, temperature). This segmentation allows for precise measurement of individual parameters while keeping each sensor relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to process data from multiple different sensor types (UV sensor, conductivity sensor, flow sensor, temperature sensor) and make a unified decision about water recirculation versus discharge. This multi-functionality allows a single control system to handle diverse sensor inputs without requiring separate control systems for each parameter.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring of multiple water quality parameters is implemented, then reliability of water treatment decisions is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring where sensor data about UV transmittance, conductivity, flow rate, and temperature is constantly fed back to the control system. The control system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the water treatment process and make real-time decisions about recirculation versus discharge, ensuring reliable operation while optimizing energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in multiple water quality parameters simultaneously (UV transmittance, conductivity, flow rate, temperature) and uses these parameter changes to trigger appropriate responses. By monitoring parameter trends rather than requiring absolute precision at all times, the system achieves high reliability while reducing the energy burden of continuous high-precision measurement.
3Productivity
If a comprehensive sensor system with multiple sensor types is used, then productivity of water purification process is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sensor monitors UV transmittance in advance to detect changes in water quality before they become critical. This preliminary detection allows the control system to adjust the water treatment process proactively, maintaining high purification efficiency while avoiding the need for more complex corrective mechanisms when problems arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that integrates data from multiple sensor types (UV sensor, conductivity sensor, flow sensor, temperature sensor) and translates this information into unified control decisions. This intermediary function allows the system to maintain high productivity by coordinating all sensors and treatment mechanisms without requiring direct complex interactions between each component.
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 optimizes water treatment decisions, ensuring water quality meets set standards, reducing contamination risks, and improving the learning capabilities of the control system for enhanced performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor (1) directed to indicating the function of the UV light treatment in the water treatment unit (40)
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor (2) directed to indicating the water quality, wherein the second sensor (2) is a conductivity sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention describes a sensor system intended for a system (10) allowing for purification and recycling of water or separation of water, wherein said system (10) allowing for purification and recycling of water or separation of water comprises a water treatment unit (40), wherein said sensor system comprises one first sensor type 1 directed to indicating the function of a water treating source in the water treatment unit, and wherein the sensor system also comprises a second sensor type 2 directed to indicating the water quality, and wherein both the first sensor type 1 and the second sensor type 2 give input to a control system (4) of the system (10) with respect to a selection decision of either recycling of water in the system (10) or separation of water from the system (10).