Water energy matrix control
AssigneeSpi Technology Ltd.
InventorsJames Shubat, Gerben Op Den Buijs, Ludo Feyen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for controlling microbiological growth in a water system and premise plumbing system which uses stabilized hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant and maintains water energy matrix control. Maintenance of stable hydrogen peroxide residual in the system in combination with active temperature monitoring enables better control of the water energy matrix and reduction of hot water temperature while maintaining microbiological control.
Claims15
A method for water energy matrix control in a hot water system, the method comprising:
- heating water in the hot water system at a temperature below a threshold temperature required for thermal disinfection;
- dosing the water system with stabilized hydrogen peroxide to maintain the concentration of stabilized hydrogen peroxide at a minimal threshold concentration of at least 1 ppm;
- monitoring concentration of stabilized hydrogen peroxide in the hot water system to maintain the concentration of stabilized hydrogen peroxide at a minimal threshold concentration of at least 1 ppm;
- monitoring microbiological growth in the hot water system by measuring concentration of ATP, detection of microbiological DNA, or a combination thereof;
- and
- monitoring temperature in the hot water system to maintain the water system below a threshold temperature for thermal disinfection,
- wherein the stabilized hydrogen peroxide provides microbiological control in the hot water system without thermal disinfection through water heating.
A premise plumbing system comprising:
- a water heater with temperature controller for maintaining the water heater below a threshold temperature for thermal disinfection;
- a dosing pump for dosing stabilized hydrogen peroxide into the premise plumbing system;
- an in-line apparatus for measuring the concentration of hydrogen peroxide at different locations in the premise plumbing system;
- a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of water in the premise plumbing system downstream the water heater;
- a control system for receiving hydrogen peroxide concentration data from the in-line apparatus and controlling the dosing pump based on the hydrogen peroxide concentration in the premise plumbing system;
- and
- a network of pipes connecting the water heater, dosing pump, control system, in-line apparatus and temperature sensor,
- wherein the control system maintains an acceptable residual concentration of hydrogen peroxide of at least 1 ppm in the premise plumbing system.
A method for reducing energy use in a potable water premise plumbing system, the method comprising:
- heating water in the premise plumbing system at a temperature below a threshold temperature required for thermal disinfection;
- dosing the water in the premise plumbing system with stabilized hydrogen peroxide to maintain the concentration of stabilized hydrogen peroxide at a minimal threshold concentration of at least 1 ppm;
- periodically measuring, in-line, a residual concentration of hydrogen peroxide at at least one location in the premise plumbing system;
- controlling a dosing pump to maintain a minimum residual concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the premise plumbing system at the minimal threshold concentration;
- and
- maintaining temperature of the water heater at a temperature of less than 60° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.