Water Treatment Structure Surface Wetting Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water treatment plants face contamination risks during extended breaks in use, especially with large surface area structures like ion exchange resins, requiring costly and environmentally harmful salt brine preservation methods that are heavy and difficult to handle.

Innovation Solution

A method where the surface of the water treatment structure is kept wet with brine and the container is filled with gas, reducing the need for large quantities of brine, minimizing leakage risks, and simplifying handling and transport by maintaining the water treatment system in a lighter and more cost-effective state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the water treatment structure is stored completely filled with brine solution, then bacterial growth is prevented, but the weight increases and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of bacterial growthVSAvoidweight of water treatment plant
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the excess brine solution from the container, retaining only a minimal amount necessary for surface wetting of the water treatment structure. This removes the harmful weight while preserving the essential protective function against bacterial growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The brine solution is applied locally to wet the surface of the water treatment structure rather than filling the entire container. This localized application provides sufficient protection against contamination while minimizing the quantity of brine required, thereby reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If large quantities of brine solution are used for preservation, then contamination is prevented, but costs increase and environmental impact worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of contaminationVSAvoidbrine solution consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the majority of brine solution from the system, extracting only the essential function of contamination prevention while eliminating excessive amounts of substance that cause cost and environmental problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using excessive amounts of brine solution, the patent applies a partial amount sufficient for surface wetting. This partial action is sufficient to achieve the protective effect without the waste associated with complete immersion storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the container is filled with brine solution for preservation, then the water treatment structure is protected, but leakage risk increases during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of water treatment structureVSAvoidleakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the brine solution from the container, leaving only a minimal amount for surface wetting. This dramatically reduces the volume of liquid that could leak during transport while maintaining the protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The brine solution is applied locally to the surface of the water treatment structure rather than filling the container. This localized application minimizes the total liquid volume and associated leakage risk while providing sufficient protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If complete brine immersion is used for preservation, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but the complexity of handling and transport increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinhibition of bacterial growthVSAvoidhandling and transport
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the excess brine solution, removing the weight and volume that complicate handling and transport while maintaining the essential protective function through minimal surface wetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By applying brine solution locally to the surface rather than using complete immersion, the patent reduces the quantity of material to handle and transport, simplifying operations while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 method effectively prevents contamination, reduces brine usage and associated costs, and facilitates quick startup by minimizing rinsing processes, while ensuring the water treatment system remains protected and easy to handle during storage and transport.

Implementation Method 1

a surface of the at least one water treatment structure in the container is kept wetted with the brine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface wetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 2

an environment of the at least one water treatment structure in the container is kept filled with a gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas displacement:

Data Source

PatentEP3907192B1Method for preserving a water treatment plant with surface wetting of a water treatment structure
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 JUDO WASSERAUFBEREITUNG
  • EP3907192B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3907192B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3907192B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for preserving a water treatment plant (1) with a brine solution (6), wherein the water treatment plant (1) comprises a container (2) in which at least one water treatment structure (3a) is arranged, and wherein the water treatment plant (1) remains in a preservation state (145) for a preservation time t1 of at least 8 hours, in particular wherein the preservation state (145) is terminated by rinsing the container (2) with water before commissioning (190) of the water treatment plant (1) (180), characterized in that in the preservation state (145) a surface of the at least one water treatment structure (3a) in the container (2) is kept wetted with the brine solution (6), and an environment of the at least one water treatment structure (3a) in the container (2) is kept filled with a gas (8).The invention presents a method for preserving water treatment plants that is cost-effective and simplifies the handling of the water treatment plant.