Multi-Stage Water Purification System with UV Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems, including municipal distribution systems, face challenges in providing potable water due to contamination risks and the presence of trace human-made chemicals like endocrine disrupting compounds, and there is a need for a flexible, self-contained solution that can produce safe drinking water for everyday use, especially during emergencies when bottled water may be unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained countertop or under-counter water treatment system employing four stages of filtration and/or adsorption, ion exchange, coupled with two stages of UV disinfection, which includes a primary and secondary UV module, granular activated carbon adsorption, and a chlorine disinfectant residual test kit to ensure microbiological, inorganic, and organic contaminant removal without generating a liquid waste stream, and allows for manual operation in case of system failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple stages of filtration and UV disinfection are used, then water purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water treatment system is divided into multiple independent stages: first fluid filter, primary UV light module, second fluid filter, and secondary UV light module. Each stage performs a specific function (particulate removal, microbial inactivation, fine filtration, and final disinfection), allowing the complex purification process to be managed through modular, sequential operations rather than a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested filtration where the second fluid filter (with smaller pore size) is positioned downstream of the first fluid filter (with larger pore size). This nested arrangement allows coarse particles to be removed first, then finer particles are captured by the subsequent filter, creating an efficient multi-layered filtration system that maximizes purification while minimizing redundant complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If self-contained design is used, then adaptability for emergency use is improved, but loss of substance increases due to no liquid waste stream
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes harmful contaminants (microorganisms, endocrine disrupting compounds, particulates) from the water through the multi-stage filtration and UV disinfection process. By taking out only the harmful substances while allowing beneficial minerals to pass through the selective filters, the system achieves purification without generating liquid waste, as contaminants are captured on filter media rather than being mixed with water in a waste stream.
Solution Approach 2:
Different filter media are used at different stages to target specific types of contaminants: the first fluid filter removes particulates, the activated carbon filter captures organic compounds and endocrine disruptors, and the second fluid filter removes fine particles. This localized approach to contamination removal allows the system to be highly effective while maintaining water flow and avoiding waste generation.
3Reliability
If manual operation capability is added, then reliability during power failure is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-operating through gravity-driven flow and passive filtration mechanisms. The gravity feed system automatically moves water through the filtration stages without requiring external power, and the filters self-regulate flow based on pressure differential. This self-service design provides manual operation capability inherently, as users can simply open a valve or remove a cap to initiate water flow through the system without complex controls or power requirements.
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 addresses contamination issues by providing reliable, economical, and flexible production of safe drinking water, ensuring the removal of contaminants while preserving beneficial minerals and allowing for continued water purification during emergencies, even without a power source, by using a syringe to manually pump water through the system.
Implementation Method 1
two stages of UV disinfection, which includes a primary and secondary UV module
Implementation Method 2
granular activated carbon adsorption
Implementation Method 3
ion exchange
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid treatment system for treating a fluid, the system including structure for moving a fluid therethrough the system, the structure for moving the fluid including a first inlet and a first outlet, further a primary fluid filter having a primary fluid filter inlet and a primary fluid filter outlet, wherein the primary fluid filter inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet. Included with the system is a primary ultraviolet light module having a primary ultraviolet light module inlet and a primary ultraviolet light module outlet, wherein the primary ultraviolet light module inlet is in fluid communication with the primary fluid filter outlet and a secondary fluid filter having a secondary fluid filter inlet and a secondary fluid filter outlet, wherein the secondary fluid filter inlet is in fluid communication with the primary ultraviolet light module outlet, wherein the secondary fluid filter outlet discharges a first treated fluid.