Water Softening System with Station-Driven Hardness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water softening plants are inflexible in adjusting water hardness levels at different removal stations, requiring complex manual input for changing desired water hardness values, especially when installed centrally and serving multiple applications with varying water needs.
Innovation Solution
A method where the desired water hardness is set and transmitted from individual water removal stations to the control device, allowing for convenient adjustment of blended water hardness using current measurement variables, enabling different levels of water hardness to be selected based on specific applications without manual adjustments at the control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the desired water hardness value is fixed at the control device during installation, then the system is simple to operate initially, but it cannot adapt to different water hardness requirements at different water removal stations
Solution Approach 1:
The water removal station autonomously transmits its desired water hardness value to the control device without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically receives and processes the transmitted value, enabling self-service operation where the endpoint device initiates and manages the parameter setting process
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the control device imposing a fixed water hardness value on all stations, the invention inverts the control flow by allowing individual water removal stations to transmit their own desired values to the control device. This reverses the traditional top-down control approach to a bottom-up initiation approach
2Ease of operation
If complete softening is applied to all water flows, then water softness is maximized, but corrosion risk increases and salt consumption rises due to premature softener exhaustion
Solution Approach 1:
Different water removal stations receive water with different hardness levels tailored to their specific requirements. Some stations receive fully softened water while others receive partially softened or unsoftened water, creating local quality variations that optimize both softness where needed and corrosion protection where required
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying complete softening universally, the system applies partial softening selectively at specific stations based on their needs. This partial action approach prevents over-softening that would cause corrosion and premature softener exhaustion
3Productivity
If a single water hardness value is supplied to all water removal stations, then the control system is simple, but it cannot meet diverse application requirements such as drinking water preparation versus washing machine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The water hardness value is no longer static but dynamic, allowing each water removal station to transmit its desired value at different times based on its specific application needs. The system adapts to changing requirements rather than maintaining a fixed configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The water distribution system is segmented into independent control units at each water removal station, allowing each station to independently transmit and receive its desired water hardness value. This segmentation enables customized water quality for each application without affecting other stations
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
Enables flexible and convenient provision of varying water hardness levels at different stations, reducing unnecessary softening, conserving resources, and minimizing corrosion risks, while ensuring precise control of blended water quality.
Implementation Method 1
an automatically adjustable blending device for mixing a blended water flow V(t)blended comprising a first softened partial flow V(t)part1soft and a second partial flow V(t)part2untreated which carries untreated water
Implementation Method 2
the control device controlling the adjustment position of the blending device by means of one or more experimentally determined current measurement variables in such a manner that the water hardness in the blended water flow V(t)blended is adjusted to a predetermined desired value (SW)
Implementation Method 3
it must be regenerated prematurely. This is linked with high salt consumption and consequently increased costs. In order to carry out a partial softening operation, a blending device for mixing softened water (also referred to as soft water) and untreated water is required
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a water softening plant (1) having:an automatically adjustable blending device (9a, 9a′, 9a″) for mixing a blended water flow V(t)blended comprising a first softened partial flow V(t)part1soft and a second partial flow V(t)part2untreated which carries untreated water, and havingan electronic control device (11),the control device (11) controlling the adjustment position of the blending device (9a, 9a′, 9a″) by means of one or more experimentally determined current measurement variables in such a manner that the water hardness in the blended water flow V(t)blended is adjusted to a predetermined desired value (SW),the blending device (9a, 9a′, 9a″) supplying one or more water removal stations (50, 50′, 50″) with blended water, is characterized in thatthe desired value (SW) is predetermined by a setting of the one or more water removal stations (50, 50′, 50″),and in that the setting of the one or more water removal stations (50, 50′, 50″) is transmitted to the control device (11).With the present invention, it is possible to provide water having different levels of hardness at one or more connected water removal stations with a water softening plant in a convenient manner.