Electropositive Zeta Potential Filter for Drinking Water Backflow Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for protecting drinking water installations from contamination by backflow of category 5 liquids are technically complex, expensive, and difficult to retrofit, and do not adequately prevent the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A safety device comprising a hydromechanical shut-off device and an electrokinetic adsorption filter with filter material having a positive zeta potential, which prevents backflow by binding microorganisms to the filter material, ensuring the drinking water installation is protected without the need for a free outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety separation station with unobstructed free outlet is used to protect drinking water installations from category 5 liquids, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the protection mechanism from mechanical (free outlet) to electrochemical by utilizing the zeta potential parameter of the filter material. The filter material with positive zeta potential creates electrostatic repulsion against positively charged category 5 liquids, providing protection without requiring complex mechanical free outlet structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical safety separation station with unobstructed free outlet with an electrochemical filtration system. The electrostatic repulsion mechanism based on zeta potential substitutes for the mechanical free outlet design, simplifying the overall system while maintaining protection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a safety separation station with unobstructed free outlet is installed, then protection against category 5 liquids is improved, but installation cost and maintenance expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the electrochemical parameter of zeta potential in the filter material to achieve protection at lower cost. By selecting filter materials with appropriate positive zeta potential, the system provides effective protection against category 5 liquids without requiring expensive safety separation station infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a relatively simple and cost-effective filter element that can be replaced periodically, substituting for the expensive and complex safety separation station. The filter material with positive zeta potential provides the necessary protection at a fraction of the cost of traditional free outlet systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional backflow prevention systems are used, then backflow prevention is improved, but the systems cannot reliably prevent ingress of pathogenic microorganisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the limitation of traditional backflow preventers by introducing the electrochemical parameter of zeta potential. The positive zeta potential of the filter material creates electrostatic repulsion that effectively blocks pathogenic microorganisms, which typically carry a positive charge, thereby enhancing protection beyond what mechanical backflow prevention alone can achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter material with positive zeta potential acts as an intermediary between the backflow prevention function and pathogen blocking. It provides an electrochemical barrier that specifically targets and repels positively charged microorganisms, complementing the mechanical backflow prevention capability.
4Reliability
If retrofitting of existing piping systems with safety separation stations is attempted, then protection is improved, but implementation difficulty increases due to system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables retrofitting by changing from a complex mechanical free outlet system to a simpler electrochemical filtration system. The filter element with positive zeta potential can be integrated into existing piping configurations without requiring the extensive modifications needed for traditional safety separation stations, making retrofitting practical and feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential protection function from the complex safety separation station and implements it through a simpler filter element with positive zeta potential. This extracted functionality can be easily integrated into existing systems without requiring the full complexity of traditional free outlet designs.
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 solution effectively prevents contamination of drinking water installations by pathogenic microorganisms, providing reliable protection against backflow without the complexity and expense of traditional systems, ensuring the drinking water remains safe and free from category 5 liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a filter material with an electrokinetic, in particular electropositive potential (zeta potential) in aqueous environment
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a safety device for protecting a drinking water installation (1) against a fluid-carrying fluid guidance system (2) which is connected to the drinking water installation (1), wherein the safety device is to be installed in the area of the fluid guidance system (2) in order to prevent contamination of the drinking water carried in the drinking water installation (1).In order to provide reliable protection for the drinking water installation against a fluid conveying system that can carry drinking water or non-drinking water by preventing backflow of category 5 fluid into the drinking water installation without having to install an expensive, technically complex and maintenance-intensive system with an unimpeded free outlet, the safety device comprises a safety fitting (3) that prevents backflow of the fluid from the fluid conveying system (2) into the drinking water installation (1) and at least one germ filter (4) designed as an adsorption filter, which contains a filter material (5) with an electrokinetic, in particular electropositive, potential (zeta potential) in aqueous environments.