WO2022152952A1

WO2022152952A1 - Facility for the treatment of liquids by osmosis

Info

Publication number: WO2022152952A1
Application number: PCT/ES2021/070020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan Carmelo SUÁREZ IZQUIERDO
Original assignee: Suarez Izquierdo Juan Carmelo
Priority date: 2021-01-18
Filing date: 2021-01-18
Publication date: 2022-07-21
Also published as: ES2956377R2; ES2956377A2

Abstract

A facility for the treatment of liquids by osmosis, wherein the filter membranes can operate correctly without the use of chemical products, comprising a first pipe through which the liquid flows and which connects the following elements arranged in series: a first pump, at the liquid inlet of the facility; a first filter; a first scale-inhibiting device; an ultraviolet disinfection device; a second filter; a pressure vessel comprising at least one osmosis membrane and an ultrasonic cleaning device, such that direct osmosis takes place. Optionally, a second pump may be included for reverse osmosis to take place.

Description

INSTALLATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF LIQUIDS BY OSMOSIS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is encompassed in the field of liquid treatment, specifically in treatment by osmosis, both direct and reverse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The installations and their use procedures for the treatment of liquids, both potable and non-potable, and specifically water, are known: production of potable water from sea, brackish or well water; production of reuse water from wastewater; wastewater treatment for reuse or controlled discharge; recovery of industrial waters; etc .

Installations or plants and their traditional direct and reverse osmosis operating processes face the challenge of protecting them against biological and organic contamination, scale, as well as their effective cleaning without causing damage to the filtering membranes or other elements. of the installation.

Currently , known installations use chemicals in one or more parts of the installation to meet the above challenge . In the case of pretreatment, when the liquid to be treated is water, the supply water is usually protected from biological or organic contamination by adding chemical oxidants (sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, etc.) subsequently they must be eliminated before the entrance of the water to the membranes. This elimination of oxidants is carried out by adding other chemical products (sodium bisulfite, for example) that neutralize the oxidants and prevent the deterioration of the membranes as a consequence of the presence of oxidants in them. These neutralizers, although they neutralize the chemical oxidants, in turn cause an anaerobic environment in the membranes that facilitates, in an environment conducive to it, the proliferation of bacterial contamination and the presence of extracellular polymeric substances ("EPS" according to its acronym in English ) produced by these bacteria . Said EPS being one of the precursor factors of fouling ("biof ouling" according to the common name in English). Another consideration to take into account is about antiscaling chemical products, substances aimed at preventing or delaying the nucleation in the membranes of solids and minerals dissolved in the water and therefore their clogging.

Lastly , it is worth noting the chemical products used for the periodic washing of the membranes and auxiliary elements in traditional installations with osmosis . These chemical products (citric acid, caustic soda, peracetic acid, etc.) cause damage to the membranes over time and considerably reduce their useful life.

The combination of the chemical risk factors described above , or even some of them alone , can be precursors of deformations in the pores of the membranes , often facilitating the passage of unwanted elements such as viruses or bacteria , reducing this way the effect , safety and final quality sought with the osmotic treatment .

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is established and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other features thereof.

The object of the invention is an installation for the treatment of liquids by direct or reverse osmosis in which the filtering membranes can operate correctly without the use of chemical products. The technical problem to be solved is to configure the elements of the installation in such a way that the aforementioned object is achieved.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention relates to an installation for the treatment of liquids, normally water-based, by osmosis, comprising a first conduit through which the liquid flows and characterized in that it connects the following elements arranged in series: a first pump, at the entrance of the liquid to the installation to propel it along it; a first filter, arranged after the first pump, which creates a first protection before entering the following elements; a first scale inhibitor device, which delays the nucleation or achieves a subsequent physicochemical formation of minerals or other substances present in the liquid; an ultraviolet disinfection device, for the disinfection of the liquid; a second filter; a pressure vessel comprising at least one membrane for osmosis and an ultrasonic cleaning device, which cleans the membranes through cavitation; thus being able to take place a direct osmosis. Optionally, a second pump can be added before the pressure vessel, so that reverse osmosis can take place.

Each of the elements that make up the installation performs an action that has a positive effect on the element that follows it, thus achieving an additive action to provide much greater performance and efficiency than in known installations. For example, the first scale inhibitor device arranged before the ultraviolet disinfection device protects the device from scale in the ultraviolet lamp, since it can reach temperatures of up to 800 ° C; Similarly, said ultraviolet disinfection device arranged at the beginning of the installation protects it, especially the membranes, from fouling or EPS, consequently the ultrasonic cleaning device acts more effectively as it practically does not find fouling substances in the liquid, with which achieves a better extraction of minerals in the pores and surface of the membrane, which are normally removed later in a simple way by means of a flushing liquid flow.

Thus, an advantage of the invention, coinciding with the object thereof, is that a treatment of the liquid is achieved without the use of chemical products, differing from what is known.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES This description is complemented with a set of figures, illustrative of the preferred example, and never limiting of the invention.

Figure 1 represents a scheme of the installation of the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an installation for the treatment of liquids by osmosis that comprises a first conduit (1) through which the liquid flows, which connects the following elements arranged in series:

- a first pump (17), at the entrance of the liquid to the installation;

- a first filter (18), arranged after the first pump (17);

- a first scale inhibitor device (19);

- an ultraviolet disinfection device (20);

- a second filter (21);

- a pressure vessel (24) comprising at least one membrane (25) for osmosis and an ultrasonic cleaning device (26), so that direct osmosis takes place.

The scale-inhibiting device, both the first (19) mentioned and the second (22) mentioned later, can be known, normally incorporating a sacrificial anode, magnetic, electrolytic, electronic elements, etc. A scale inhibitor device (19,22) with a magnetic anode is preferred, whose advantage is that it is not influenced by the quality of the liquid, such as water, since it does not have direct contact with it and does not consume energy.

The ultrasonic cleaning device (26) has been schematically represented by means of a sonotrode outside the pressure vessel (24), but it is not limiting and it could also be located inside said pressure vessel (24), which due to cavitation produces cleaning, and may be any of the known. The preferred sonotrode on the outside of the pressure vessel (24) embraces it and simulates a sweeping effect along its length that allows its interior and the membrane (25) to be cleaned without the need for mechanical displacement elements, without opening said cup (24) for maintenance, etc.

The combination is preferred, due to its proven effectiveness, of a medium pressure ultraviolet disinfection device (20), with a wavelength between 200 nm and 400 nm, and high intensity, up to 4.2 kW for each lamp, and that offers a 360° angled effect, protecting the entire volume of liquid and preventing shadows caused by particles or elements in suspension that serve as a shield against viruses or bacteria, with an ultrasonic cleaning device (26) in a pressure vessel ( 24).

One installation option is that between the second filter (21) and the pressure vessel (24) there is a second scale inhibitor device (22) -represented in a broken line in Figure 1-, being necessary depending on the conditions. characteristics of the liquid to be treated, that is, if it is necessary to insist on removing scale to protect the membrane (25) for osmosis. Added to this configuration, you can add a second pump (23) -represented in broken line in Figure 1- between said second scale inhibitor device (22) and the pressure vessel (24), so that reverse osmosis takes place.

Another option, simpler than the previous one, when a second scale-inhibiting device (22) is not needed, is that a second pump (23) is placed between the second filter (21) and the pressure vessel (24). How does reverse osmosis take place?

With the mentioned elements, the minimum and sufficient installation is achieved to achieve the object of the invention. Below are additional details that help complete the installation, especially from the energy point of view.

In this description and in what follows, for descriptive simplicity, it is considered that a conduit that crosses one or more elements without branches does not change its name or reference, when it branches off or branches it is called another way. For example, as seen below, the fourth conduit (4) is named the same as the inlet and outlet of the electrolyzer device (30), but it is called differently, the fifth conduit (5), when it branches.

Another installation option is that at the outlet of the pressure vessel (24) there is a second conduit (2) through which a rejection liquid flows and a third conduit (3) through which a product liquid flows. In this way, the untreated or insufficiently treated liquid and the treated liquid are separated and can be reused. Another option is that the liquid is water, a fourth conduit (4) is connected to the third conduit (3), through which the product water flows, said fourth conduit (4) to a product water tank (28), the which is connected through the fourth conduit (4) to an electrolyzer device (30) or also called an electrolysis or electrolytic cell, from which a sixth conduit (6) with oxygen starts up to an oxygen tank (36) and a seventh conduit ( 7) with hydrogen to a hydrogen tank (31), both tanks (31,36) are connected to a fuel cell (32) by means of the seventh conduit (7) from the hydrogen tank (31) and an eighth conduit (8) connected to the sixth conduit (6) from the oxygen tank (36). In this way, the treated water is broken into its components so that it can be used to generate electricity. The fuel cell (32) can be any of the known types: low temperature ("LTPEMFC" according to its acronym in English, in a range from 50 to 80°C), medium or high temperature (such as of solid oxide, "SOFC" according to its acronym in English, above 80 ° C).

Another option is that the fuel cell (32) is connected to an exchanger (33) through a ninth conduit (9) and a tenth conduit (10), said exchanger (33) is connected to a hot water tank (34) through a twelfth conduit (12) and a thirteenth conduit (13). In this way, the heat generated in the fuel cell (32) is used to heat water, which is normally from a sanitary or heating water circuit. Another option is that a fifth conduit (5) is connected to the fourth conduit (4) for conduction of the product water to a hydrogen peroxide generator (38), from which a fourteenth conduit (14) starts up to a hydrogen peroxide tank. (39) . In this way, this component is available as a by-product obtained in the installation.

Another option is that a fifteenth conduit (15) comes out of the hydrogen peroxide tank (39) to connect with the first conduit (1) at the entrance of the ultraviolet disinfection device (20). In this way, an added disinfectant is provided at the entrance of the installation, providing advanced oxidation, which is very beneficial when disinfection is difficult.

Another option is that a sixteenth conduit (16) comes out of the hydrogen peroxide tank (39) to connect with the third conduit (3) after the intersection of the third conduit (3) and the fourth conduit (4). In this way, a disinfection is provided to the product water, which is more beneficial than the usual treatment with chlorine.

Both the use of the fifteenth conduit (15) and/or the sixteenth conduit (16) option, as well as the exchanger (33), make the installation reuse the incoming liquid and the heat in internal loop mode, causing a reuse that can reach up to 95% of the incoming liquid and of the energy contributed to the operation of the installation, thus creating a circular economy installation, in line with the current requirements of use and recycling. Another option is that a first electrical conductor (11) with electrical energy arrives at the electrolyser device (30). In this way the operation of the electrolysis is controlled; When the level of hydrogen generated is at its maximum, electrical energy is no longer provided by the first electrical conductor (11) to stop the electrolyser device (30). Also, the fuel cell (32) can be the only source of electrical energy in the installation, although it is also common for it to be insufficient and therefore an external supply is required by the first electrical conductor (11).

Another option is that a second electrical conductor (11') comes out of the fuel cell (32) to transport the electrical energy generated; it can, for example, reach an electrical cabinet (35) of the installation. In this way, the energy generated is used, either outside the installation or for its own operation.

Another option is that a first valve (27) is arranged in the connection of the third conduit (3) and fourth conduit (4), analogously a second valve (29) can be arranged, by itself or added, in the connection between the fourth conduit (4) and fifth conduit (5); and a third valve (37) can be arranged, alone or added, in the connection between the sixth conduit (6) and the eighth conduit (8). As usual in any physical-chemical treatment installation, as many regulation elements, valve-type or others, as necessary, both for safety and for piloting or control, can be arranged. In this case, three valves stand out given their relevance: the first valve (27), which if it forces the passage to the fourth conduit (4) prevents the exit of the liquid product of the installation with which a closed loop installation would be created; the second valve (29), which allows selecting not to have passage to the electrolyser device (30), for example when a high conductivity is detected (greater than 0.2 pS.cim ¹ ), and also allows closing the passage through the fifth conduit (5) so as not to enrich the hydrogen peroxide generator (38) with oxygen, options that will be used depending on the production or consumption of electricity and hydrogen peroxide; The third valve (37) allows enriching with oxygen through the eighth conduit (8) the components supplied to the fuel cell (32).

Another option is that the oxygen tank (36) includes an external oxygen inlet (6') that comes from outside the installation. So that oxygen can be supplied when the installation's own production is insufficient.

Another option is that the filters, first (18) and second filter (21), are of the type of microfiltration (0.1 pm to 10 pm), nanofiltration (0.001 pm to 0.1 pm) or ultrafiltration ( 0.04 pm to 0.1 pm). In this way, a severe filtration is carried out to protect the elements of the installation after the second filter (20). This is the most advantageous option, in another simpler configuration some of the filters, first (18) or second filter (21), are of one of those types, and the filter that is not of the type of sand, zeolite, activated carbon, etc.; even in another configuration, both filters (18, 21) can be of the type of sand, zeolite, activated carbon, etc.

Claims

1. -Installation for the treatment of liquids by osmosis comprising a first conduit (1) through which the liquid flows, characterized in that it connects the following elements arranged in series: a first pump (17), at the entrance of the liquid to the facility; a first filter (18), arranged after the first pump (17); a first scale inhibitor device (19); an ultraviolet disinfection device (20); a second filter (21); a pressure vessel (24) comprising at least one membrane (25) for osmosis and an ultrasonic cleaning device (26), so that direct osmosis takes place.

2. -Installation according to claim 1 in which a second scale inhibitor device (22) is arranged between the second filter (21) and the pressure vessel (24).

3. -Installation according to claim 1 in which a second pump (23) is arranged between the second filter (21) and the pressure vessel (24), so that reverse osmosis takes place.

4. -Installation according to claim 2, in which a second pump (23) is arranged between the second scale inhibitor device (22) and the pressure vessel (24), so that reverse osmosis takes place.

5. -Installation according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which at the outlet of the pressure vessel (24) a second conduit (2) is arranged through which a rejection liquid flows and a third conduit (3) through which it flows a liquid product.

6. -Installation according to claim 1, in which the first scale inhibitor device (19) is with a magnetic anode.

7. -Installation according to claim 2, in which the second scale inhibitor device (22) is with a magnetic anode.

8. -Installation according to any of the preceding claims, in which the ultrasonic cleaning device (26) comprises a sonotrode outside the pressure vessel (24) embracing it.

9. -Installation according to any of the preceding claims, in which the ultraviolet disinfection device (20) is medium pressure, with a wavelength between 200 nm and 400 nm, and high intensity, up to 4.2 kW for each lamp , so that it provides a 360° angled effect.

10. -Installation according to claim 5 in which the liquid is water, a fourth conduit (4) connected to the third conduit (3), said fourth conduit (4) to a product water tank (28), which It is connected by the fourth conduit (4) to an electrolyzer device (30), from which a sixth conduit (6) starts. - 14 - with oxygen to an oxygen tank (36) and a seventh conduit (7) with hydrogen to a hydrogen tank (31), both tanks (31,36) are connected to a fuel cell (32) through the seventh conduit (7) from the hydrogen tank (3; . ) and an eighth conduit (8) connected to the sixth conduit (6) from the oxygen tank (36).

11. -Installation according to claim 10 in which the fuel cell (32) is connected to an exchanger (33) by means of a ninth conduit (9) and a tenth conduit (10), said exchanger (33) is connected to a hot water tank (34) through a twelfth conduit (12) and a thirteenth conduit (13).

12. -Installation according to claim 10 in which a fifth conduit (5) is connected to the fourth conduit (4) for conduction of the product water to a hydrogen peroxide generator (38), from which a fourteenth conduit (14) starts to a hydrogen peroxide tank (39).

13. -Installation according to claim 12 in which the hydrogen peroxide tank (39) leaves a fifteenth conduit (15) to connect with the first conduit (1) at the entrance of the ultraviolet disinfection device (20).

14. -Installation according to claim 12 in which the hydrogen peroxide tank (39) leaves a sixteenth conduit (16) to connect with the third conduit (3) after the intersection of the third conduit (3) and fourth conduit (4 ) . - fifteen -

15. -Installation according to claim 10 in which the electrolyser device (30) arrives with a first electrical conductor (11) with electrical energy.

16. -Installation according to claim 10 in which a second electrical conductor (11') leaves the fuel cell (32) to transport the generated electrical energy.

17. -Installation according to claim 10 in which a first valve (27) is arranged in the connection of the third conduit (3) and fourth conduit (4).

18. -Installation according to claim 12 in which a second valve (29) is arranged in the connection between the fourth conduit (4) and the fifth conduit (5).

19. -Installation according to claim 10 in which a third valve (37) is arranged in the connection between the sixth conduit (6) and the eighth conduit (8).

20. -Installation according to claim 10, in which the oxygen tank (36) includes an external oxygen inlet (6') that comes from outside the installation.

21. -Installation according to claim 1, in which the first filter (18) and/or second filter (21) is of the microfiltration, nanofiltration or ultrafiltration type.