CN1989076A - water purification system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a gravity fed water purification system comprising: a filtration unit adapted to separate particulate and soluble material from the input water, which unit is in fluid communication with a chemical dispensing unit such that flow rate of water exiting the filtration unit is controlled by a flow control means before the water encounters a biocide dispensed by the chemical dispensing unit, the water thereafter being retained in a retention chamber for a predetermined period of time before exiting the water purification system through a scavenger means adapted to separate the dispensed biocide from the exit water.

Description

water purification system

technical field

The invention relates to a gravity self-flow water purification system, which is used for providing purified high-quality drinking water. The water purification system continues to supply large flows of drinking water for a long time while ensuring the removal of harmful pollutants.

Background technique

Large numbers of the world's population live in countries with severe shortages of sanitary drinking water. People have to rely directly on groundwater sources such as wells, ponds and rivers. These water sources are often contaminated by sewage, industrial discharge and agricultural by-products such as pesticide residues.

Gravity-fed water filters such as spherical narrow-neck filters (carafe filters) are known for domestic use, in which water flows into the filter element through a series of small holes on the wider top of the trapezoidal-shaped filter and flows through the filter element. The filter reaches the narrow bottom, during which the flow passes through a porous bed of loose adsorbent. Such filters are inherently limited in achieving effective flow rates, as water is required to flow through a deep bed of adsorbent particles and often clogs after passing small amounts of water. Additionally such filters cannot effectively separate harmful pathogens present in the water.

A kind of water purification device is disclosed in WO9529878 (Recovery Engineering Inc.1995) No. patent publication, and it comprises a disinfection unit that is made up of iodinated resin unit and gac unit. This sanitizing unit has its limitations due to the high cost of the iodinated resin unit. In addition, iodine remaining in the water may be harmful to some people's health.

Therefore, there remains a need to develop a low-cost and capable Improved water purification systems that consistently and more efficiently produce healthy drinking water at the desired rate. It is also very important to remove all fungicides used to kill pathogenic microorganisms before people use the purified water. More importantly, the system must continue to provide the desired large flow of pure water for a long time under the action of a few centimeters of gravity head. It is also desirable to eliminate the need for frequent cleaning, replacement parts or maintenance of the water purification system. The prior art fails to provide the desired features described above.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a gravity feed water purification system capable of continuously supplying clean drinking water at a high flow rate of about 100-200ml/min for a long time, wherein the flow rate No significant changes will occur.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a gravity-fed water supply capable of supplying drinking water free from pollutants such as particulate matter, dissolved impurities such as harmful odors, pesticide residues and other organic matter, and harmful pathogens such as cysts, bacteria and viruses purification system.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a gravity fed water purification system that does not require any external energy such as electricity to operate the unit.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a gravity fed water purification system which does not require the use of expensive replacement parts and thus is low maintenance.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a gravity fed water purification system comprising a filtration unit adapted to separate particulates and solubles from feed water, the unit being in fluid communication with a chemical dispensing unit such that Before the water contacts the bactericide dispensed by the chemical dispensing unit, the effluent flow of the filter unit is adjusted by the flow control device, and then the water stays in the water storage chamber for a predetermined period of time, and then passes through the sterilizing agent used to separate the dispensed from the effluent water. The removal device of the agent exits the water purification system.

Detailed ways

Therefore, the present invention provides a gravity gravity feed water purification system, comprising:

- a filter unit suitable for separating particulate matter and soluble matter in the incoming water, the unit being in fluid communication

- chemical distribution unit, so that the effluent flow from the filter unit passes through the

-The flow control device is controlled, then the water in the

- After staying in the water storage chamber for a predetermined period of time, pass

- Cleaning means for separating the dispensed biocide from the effluent water out of the water purification system.

Said flow control means preferably comprises a flow control tank of predetermined size adapted to discharge a desired volume of water, the tank comprising at least one inlet means for passing water from an outlet of said filtration unit into said tank and at least one operative connection A siphon discharge to said flow control tank adapted to control the flow of water out of said tank.

The filter unit preferably comprises a carbon block filter medium. The carbon block filter media is processed into a block from powdered activated carbon (PAC) and a binder through the steps of thorough mixing, pressurization and heat treatment. The powdered activated carbon is preferably selected carbon made from bituminous coal, coconut shell or charcoal or petroleum pitch. Preferably, the size uniformity coefficient of the powdered activated carbon used is less than 2, more preferably less than 1.5, and the amount of carbon tetrachloride exceeds 50%, more preferably exceeds 60%.

Suitable carbon block filter media are disclosed in patent document GB2390987 and more preferably also in our co-pending application 320/MUM/2004. This co-pending application describes carbon block filter media for use in gravity feed water filters, the carbon block filter media having a particle size such that 95% by weight of the particles pass through a 50 mesh screen and no more than 12% The granules can be made of powdered activated carbon (PAC) passing through a 200 mesh screen and a binder material with a melt flow rate (MFR) of less than 5. More preferably, the carbon block filter media comprises 55-80% by weight of powdered activated carbon having a particle size between 100-200 mesh and having a volume less than 50% of the carbon block.

By using the above filter unit, it is possible to continuously maintain a flow rate of 100-300ml/min for a long time under the condition of 75mm gravity water head, and can meet the requirement of removing particle pollutants from chemical pollutants.

The filter unit may be used with other known filter devices such as a sediment filter, preferably a flushable or replaceable sediment filter for removal of fine dust and other microscopic particles. The sediment filter may be a non-woven fabric, preferably a microporous fabric with a pore size suitable for retaining particles of 3 microns or above. Most preferably, the water first passes through the sediment filter before passing through the carbon block filter media.

The gravity gravity feedwater purification system according to the present invention includes a flow control device for adjusting the water flow rate of the filter unit. Flow regulation is preferably achieved using means that do not require an input of external energy, such as electrical energy. The flow control means may include throttling devices such as stopcocks, valves, venturis, and baffles. More preferably, a flow control device as described in our co-pending application 927/MUM/2002 comprising a combination of a straight channel and at least one bend adapted to control the flow of water may be used. A particularly preferred flow control device for meeting the object of the present invention is described in WO2004/074182 patent document. The latter flow control means comprises a flow control tank of predetermined size for discharging a desired volume of water, the tank comprising at least one inlet means for allowing water to flow into said tank from an outlet of said filtration unit and at least one operatively connected to The flow control box is a siphon discharge device suitable for controlling the amount of water flowing out of the water tank.

In the scheme described in the above co-pending application, by selecting the size of the control box and selecting the specific form of the siphon discharge device, such as pre-selecting the diameter and shape of the siphon tube, an inverted tubular U/V shape suitable for flow control is preferred Components that allow water flow to be adjusted over a wide range. The application of this preferred feature of the flow control device ensures a good regulation of the water flow regardless of the water output of the filter unit.

The effluent from the flow control device contacts the biocide dispensed by the chemical dispensing unit. The chemical dispensing unit is preferably a unit that dispenses the sterilant without the need for external energy, such as electrical energy. The chemical dispensing unit is configured to release a desired concentration of biocide into the water as water flows through the chemical dispensing unit. The biocide in the chemical dispensing unit may be in liquid form and added to the water in controlled quantities. The biocide is preferably present in solid form and when the water comes into contact with the solid surface, the biocide dissolves into the water at a controlled rate. More preferably, the solid is in the form of one or more tablets. When there is more than one tablet, the chemical dispensing unit preferably comprises a tubular body in which the tablets are stacked. Tablets release the biocide into the water in a controlled manner, using any means available for this purpose. The chemical dispensing unit of the present invention may preferably comprise the chemical disinfection system disclosed in our co-pending application 926/MUM/2002. Preferably, the tablet dissolves slowly during release, and a new tablet does not come into contact with the water until the previous tablet has completely dissolved.

The chemical sanitizing system described in the above co-pending application comprises a sanitizing unit containing a chemical sanitizing agent and having an opening at the bottom, the means for introducing water into the unit for sanitizing has a nozzle-like top, the The top is optionally disposed near the lower portion of the unit and facing the opening in the bottom of the unit, the nozzle-like top having an optionally angled conical outer surface to facilitate contact between the flow of water and the disinfectant exposed through the opening. Post-contact conditioning exposure and delivery of the active disinfectant.

The chemical dispensing unit preferably has a cylindrical section that stacks the antiseptic tablets together on a perforated disc or non-woven fabric. There is a water inlet at the lower central position of the fungicide storage place, water flows in from the inlet and contacts with the surface of the tablet, and then is discharged through the windows (openings) around the storage place.

The biocide is preferably a chemical agent capable of delivering active chlorine into the water to ensure the killing of microorganisms. Any chlorine-releasing fungicides that may be used include chlorinated trisodium phosphate, calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, various N-chlorinated compounds known in the art to release active chlorine such as sodium or potassium Dichloroisocyanurate, trichlorocyanuric acid, monochloramine, dichloramine, [(monotrichloro)-tetrakis(dichloromonopotassium)]pentaisocyanurate, 1,3-dichloro -5,5-Dimethyl (dimethylidanotone), chloramine T, p-toluene-thiodichloroamide, trichloromelamine, N-chloramine, N-chlorosuccinimide, N, N'-dichloro Azodiurea, N-chloroacetylurea, N,N-dichloroazodiurea, N-chloroacetylurea, N,N-dichlorobiurea, dicyandiamide chloride.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the water purification system further comprises an indicator device which, after a period of use, provides an indication when all available biocide tablets have been used up. The indicator device preferably provides a visual indication when the antiseptic tablet is completely or nearly completely used up. Any indicating device known in the art may be used in the present invention. Particularly preferred is an indicating device comprising a colored tablet placed on top of the stack of biocide tablets and a transparent window located at the bottom of the chemical dispensing unit through which the lowermost large Portion of pills. Colored tablets can be inert, which is very stable in the presence of water and bactericides. When the fungicide is a chlorine releasing chemical, the inert tablet is made of a material that is very inert to the oxidizing properties of chlorine. Alternatively, the inert tablet can be coated with a material which is very inert to chlorine, especially a polymeric material.

In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the water purification system further includes a water shut-off device that ensures that no water flows through the flow control device when the sterilant is used up. Said water shut-off means preferably comprises said inert tablet. The tablet can be made of a magnetic material, preferably iron or nickel, suitably coated with a coating inert to the biocide, and a counter-magnet can be placed at the bottom of the chemical dispensing unit so that when all the biocides When the agent is used up, the two magnets will come close to each other and stick tightly together, thereby acting as a valve mechanism to ensure that the flow of water out of the control device is cut off.

After flowing through the biocide dispensing unit, the biocide-containing water is stored in the system's reservoir for a predetermined period of time. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that storing the water containing the biocide for this period of time is to ensure that all pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses are killed. Preferably, the storage time of water in the water storage chamber is 30-300 minutes, more preferably 60-180 minutes. Any means of storing the water in the water purification system for such a period of time may be used. A more suitable method is disclosed in WO2004/000732. Another alternative preferred way to ensure that the water is stored in the storage chamber for such a period of time is to introduce water from the bottom of the chemical dispensing unit to the storage chamber through some downpipes, where it passes through a partition Divide nearly laminar water into two or more horizontal sections. The distance between the inlet of the water storage chamber and the outlet of each horizontal section takes the maximum value in order to ensure that the distance between each inlet point and outlet point is the farthest. The long distance the water travels and the laminar flow of the water in the storage chamber ensure the required storage time.

The water exiting the water storage chamber also passes through a cleaning device before exiting the water purification system. The removal device separates the dispensed biocide from the water. The removal device is preferably antibacterial activated carbon.

Although water may flow through the removal device in an upflow or downflow fashion, upflow is preferred in the present invention. For various specific implementation forms, reference may be made to the water flow method described in WO2004/014803 patent document.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the gravity gravity feed water purification device provided comprises:

a water supply chamber with a coarse filter through which water to be purified is fed into the water supply chamber;

carbon block filter media and a correspondingly shaped non-woven sediment filter, replaceable/flushable, suitable for separating particulate matter and dissolved matter from the feed water,

It is in fluid communication with a chemical dispensing unit that includes an indicator device such that the effluent flow from the filter unit passes through the

The flow control device is controlled by the flow control device, which includes a flow control box and a siphon device, and then the water will be stored in the

in the water storage chamber for a predetermined period of time, and finally through the

An upflow removal device exits the water purification system, the removal device being adapted to separate the dispensed biocide from the effluent water.

The invention will be illustrated below by means of a specific non-limiting example of a water purification system according to FIG. 1 .

example

Fig. 1 is an embodiment of a water purification system according to the present invention. The system has a water supply chamber (FC) into which the water to be purified is fed through a coarse filter (FC) adapted to capture large particles. The water supply container has a minimum height of 20cm which provides a low gravity head for water to be filtered through carbon block filter media (CBF). A sediment filter (SF) made of non-woven fabric and having a shape corresponding to the carbon block filter medium (CBF) was placed on it. The sediment filter removes particles between 3 and 6 microns in size. The carbon block filter separates out particles less than 3 microns in size, dissolved organics and pesticides. The carbon block filter also filters chlorine resistant cysts. Water exiting the carbon block filter is fed by gravity into a flow control device (FCM) consisting of a control box and a siphon discharge that effectively controls the water before it comes in contact with the biocide traffic. The flow control device can ensure that the flow is controlled within a narrow range regardless of the water pressure head in the water supply chamber (FC). The biocide is distributed from the chemical distribution unit (CDU) into the effluent from the flow control device (FCM). The chemical dispensing unit has a stack of insecticide tablets (BT) and an indicator device (IM) consisting of colored inert tablets. A transparent window (TM) is provided at the bottom of the chemical dispensing unit (CDU), through which the indicator (IM) can be observed when all tablets have been used. The water containing the biocide then enters the Reservoir (RC) where it will stay for a predetermined period of time to kill all viruses and bacteria. Baffles (B) are placed in the reservoir chamber (RC) to ensure that the water flow is routed to ensure the desired residence time. The water then passes through the removal unit (SM) in an upward flow to separate the pesticide from the water. The water is then collected in the collection chamber (CC). Finally purified water with all contaminants removed is dispensed through a tap (T).

It is therefore possible by the present invention to provide a simple and cost-effective gravity-fed water purification system that can continuously supply clean drinking water at a desired high flow rate over a long period of time, free of all contaminants that Matter includes particulate matter, micro-organisms and dissolved matter including pesticide residues.

Claims (21)

1. A gravity gravity water supply purification system, comprising: - a filter unit suitable for separating particulate matter and soluble matter in the incoming water, the unit being in fluid communication - chemical distribution unit, so that the effluent flow from the filter unit passes through the -The flow control device is controlled, then the water in the - After staying in the water storage chamber for a predetermined period of time, pass - Cleaning means for separating the dispensed biocide from the effluent water out of the water purification system. 2. The water purification system of claim 1, wherein the flow control means comprises: - a flow control tank of predetermined size adapted to discharge the required volume of water, the tank comprising at least one inlet means for allowing water to flow into said tank from the outlet of said filtration unit, and - At least one siphon drain operatively connected to said flow control tank and adapted to control the flow of water out of said tank. 3. A water purification system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter unit comprises a carbon block filter media. 4. The water purification system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the carbon block filter media comprises powdered activated carbon (FAC) and a binder material processed into a block by the steps of intensive mixing, pressurization and heat treatment. 5. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water flow rate is maintained at 100-300ml/min at a head of approximately 75mm. 6. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter unit further comprises a sediment filter. 7. The water purification system of claim 6, wherein the sediment filter is a non-woven fabric having a pore size suitable for retaining particles of 3 microns or above. 8. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biocide is in the form of one or more tablets. 9. The water purification system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tablets are stacked one on top of the other. 10. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biocide is a chemical agent capable of delivering active chlorine to the water. 11. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising indicator means operable to provide an indication when all available biocide has been exhausted after a period of time. 12. The water purification system of claim 11, wherein the indicator means provides a visual indication. 13. The water purification system of claim 12, wherein said indicator means comprises a colored tablet positioned on top of the stack of biocide tablets and a transparent window positioned at the bottom of the chemical dispensing unit through which The lowermost tablet can be observed with the naked eye. 14. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising water shut-off means to ensure that no water flows through the flow control means when the biocide is exhausted. 15. A water purification system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said water shut-off means comprises said inert tablet made of magnetic material suitably coated with a coating which is inert to bactericides, And a reverse magnet can be placed at the bottom of the chemical dispensing unit, so that when all the sterilant is used up, the two magnets will come close to each other and stick tightly together, thereby ensuring that the discharge control device is cut off The role of the valve device for water flow. 16. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the average storage time of the water in the reservoir is 30 to 300 minutes. 17. The water purification system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the average storage time of the water in the water storage chamber is 60-80 minutes. 18. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir is divided into two or more horizontal sections by partitions. 19. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removal means comprises bacteriostatic activated carbon. 20. A water purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water flows through the removal means in an upflow manner. 21. A gravity feed water purification device, comprising: - a water supply chamber with a coarse filter through which the water to be purified is fed into the water supply chamber; - a carbon block filter medium and a non-woven sediment filter of corresponding shape, replaceable/flushable, suitable for separating particulate matter and dissolved matter from the influent water, - it is in fluid communication with a chemical dispensing unit that includes an indicating device such that the effluent flow from the filter unit passes through the - Controlled by a flow control device comprising a flow control box and a siphon, the water will then be stored in - for a predetermined period of time in the reservoir, and finally through - An upflow cleaning device exiting the water purification system, said cleaning device being adapted to separate dispensed biocide from the effluent water.