Water Softening System Circulation Pump for Scale Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water softening systems face challenges in efficiently removing scales and biofilms from filter units, leading to reduced performance and contamination, with existing descaling methods like citric acid being ineffective for large or firmly stuck scales and biofilms.
Innovation Solution
A water softening system incorporating a filter unit that uses an electrical deionization scheme, a circulation passage with a pump and filter management material provider to manage the filter units, including citric acid and sterilization materials, to descale and sterilize the units, improving scale removal efficiency and preventing biofilm formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If citric acid is used for descaling the filter unit, then some scales can be removed, but large or firmly stuck scales and scales in death angle areas cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state and movement characteristics of the descaling solution by using a pump to circulate it through the filter unit. This transforms the static application of citric acid into a dynamic flowing system, enabling the solution to reach dead angle areas and exert mechanical force on firmly stuck scales, thereby resolving the limitation of conventional descaling methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic principles by using a pump to force the descaling solution through the filter unit's circulation passage. This hydraulic action enables the solution to penetrate areas that were previously inaccessible and applies pressure to dislodge firmly adhered scales, overcoming the inadequacy of simple citric acid application
2Productivity
If the filter unit operates continuously to provide soft water, then water supply is maintained, but scales accumulate and biofilms form reducing filter performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous circulation of the descaling solution through the pump and circulation passage, ensuring that the filter unit is constantly exposed to the cleaning action. This continuous action prevents scale accumulation and biofilm formation while maintaining water supply, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and performance degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit performs self-cleaning through the circulation system that continuously moves the descaling solution through its own structure. The pump-driven circulation enables the filter to maintain itself without external intervention, removing scales and preventing biofilms while continuing to provide soft water
3Duration of action of stationary object
If scales are allowed to accumulate in the filter unit, then continuous operation is maintained, but the adsorption area is reduced and filter performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary cleaning action by continuously circulating the descaling solution through the filter unit before significant scale accumulation occurs. This preventive approach maintains the adsorption area and filter performance throughout continuous operation, preventing the deterioration that would result from scale buildup
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 removes scales and biofilms, maintaining filter unit performance and preventing contamination, ensuring continuous soft water supply without interrupting the water delivery process.
Implementation Method 1
a filter unit that removes the least a portion of the ionic material contained in the source water based on an electric force
Implementation Method 2
a pump that pumps, together with the filter management material, the water that flows along the circulation passage to the filter unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a water softening system for removing an ionic material contained in source water supplied from a water source and providing soft water to a source of demand, including a filter unit that removes the least a portion of the ionic material contained in the source water based on an electric force and discharge the soft water, a supply passage that supplies the source water to the filter unit, a discharge passage that discharges water from the filter unit, a circulation passage connecting the discharge passage and the supply passage, a filter management material provider that provides a filter management material used to manage a performance of the filter unit to water that flows along the circulation passage, and a pump that pumps, together with the filter management material, the water that flows along the circulation passage to the filter unit.