BE1031014B1 - MODULAR FLUID TREATMENT SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for treating a fluid, in particular for the treatment of rainwater, spring water or borehole water, in particular for watering livestock and plant nutrition. The system comprises a rigid structure 1, 2, 3 on which are mounted a filtration circuit 6 with several filtration devices 7 to 12 and a treatment circuit 13 with several antimicrobial treatment devices 14, 16. The filtration circuit is mounted on one face of a wall 1, and receives a variable number of filtration devices in series and/or in parallel fixed by first fixing means 22. The treatment circuit is mounted on another face of the wall, and receives a variable number of treatment devices in series and/or in parallel and fixed by second fixing means.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title: Modular fluid treatment system

The present invention relates to a modular system for treating a fluid, such as water. It finds particular application in the treatment of rainwater, spring water or borehole water, in particular for watering livestock and plant nutrition.

In the field of water treatment for agriculture, it is important for a farmer to be able to have an efficient water treatment system, which can easily be transported to different points of use, and which is correctly sized in relation to the need in terms of quantity and flow of water.

We know for example from document US5972216 a water treatment system, capable of being transported from one point to another, for example on a trailer of a vehicle. The system includes several water treatment modules integrated into a rigid structure and connected together, in series or in parallel, in order to adapt the flow rate of the system.

However, such systems have limited modularity. To extend the capacity of the system beyond its nominal capacity, it is necessary to increase the overall volume of the supporting structure, with a significant footprint and weight.

In addition, the supporting structure makes access to certain elements of the system located at the heart of the volume formed by this structure complicated.

One of the aims of the invention is therefore to resolve the aforementioned problems in particular. Thus, the invention aims in particular to propose a system for treating a fluid, such as water, which is modular, easy to transport, to implement and to maintain.

The subject of the invention is thus a modular system for treating a fluid, such as water, comprising a rigid structure on which a main fluidic treatment circuit and an electronic control unit are mounted, the main fluidic circuit comprising a main inlet allowing the entry of a flow of fluid to be treated into the main fluid circuit, a filtration circuit comprising one or more filtration devices capable of filtering the fluid, a treatment circuit comprising one or more devices treatment capable of carrying out at least one antimicrobial treatment of the fluid, a main outlet making it possible to collect a flow of treated fluid in the main fluid circuit, and circulation means comprising at least one circulation pump connected to the control unit and configured to allow the circulation of fluid in the main fluid circuit under the control of said control unit.

The means of circulation are connected between the main entrance and an entrance to the filtration circuit. An input of the treatment circuit is connected to an output of the filtration circuit. An output of the processing circuit is connected to the main output.

The rigid structure comprises at least one substantially vertical main wall having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the filtration circuit being mounted on the first face and configured to receive a variable number of filtration devices connected in series and /or in parallel, each filtration device being fixed by first fixing means on the first face, said first face being configured to receive a variable number of first fixing means corresponding to the variable number of filtration devices, and the circuit of processing being mounted on the second face and configured to receive a variable number of processing devices connected in series and/or in parallel, each processing device being fixed by second fixing means on the second face, said second face being configured to receive a variable number of second fixing means corresponding to the variable number of processing devices.

According to certain embodiments, the system further comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations: - the filtration circuit comprises one or more filtration lines in parallel, each filtration line being configured to receive a variable number of filtration devices;

- the processing circuit comprises one or more processing lines in parallel, each processing line being configured to receive a variable number of processing devices; - the main wall is provided with at least one first passage allowing the

S passage of a fluid connection between the outlet of the filtration circuit on the side of the first face and the inlet of the treatment circuit on the side of the second face; - the circulation means are mounted on the second face of the main wall; - the main wall is provided with at least a second passage allowing the passage of a fluid connection between the circulation means on the side of the second face and the entrance to the filtration circuit on the side of the first face; - the main structure comprises two side walls oriented substantially perpendicular to the main wall so as to form a main volume delimited in particular by the main wall and the two side walls; - the second face is placed inside the main volume; - the system includes a removable cover configured to close the main volume; - the cover comprises an upper part configured to close the main volume by being positioned adjacent to the main wall and the side walls, and a front part configured to close the main volume by being positioned parallel to the main wall and adjacent on both side walls.

Thus, the system of the invention offers great modularity thanks in particular to the matrix organization of the treatment devices of the treatment circuit and the filtration devices of the filtration circuit, distributed on each face of the main wall, with a footprint at the reduced ground.

Indeed, for a given dimensioning of the main structure, the user can choose the number of filtering lines, the number of processing lines, and for each line, the number of devices, within the limit of the maximum operating number, in particular of dimensions of the main wall. The addition or removal of filtration devices or filtration lines, and treatment devices or treatment lines, is done simply and quickly, thanks in particular to the two faces of the main wall configured for this purpose, and thanks to quick fluidic connections.

By increasing the length and/or width of the main wall, we can further increase the capacity of the system, by increasing the footprint to a limited extent, and therefore the overall size.

Generally speaking, the system of the invention brings together the filtering and antimicrobial treatment functions in a completely integrated manner in a modular central type system ready to easily and quickly connect to a source and a destination.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and not limiting, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 10, which schematically represent an example of a processing system water according to the invention in different configurations, with illustration of the modulation of the treatment capacities

As can be seen in the example shown in these figures, the system of the invention therefore comprises a rigid structure 1, 2, 3 on which are mounted a main fluid processing circuit and an electronic control unit 4 which notably comprises a power supply. This control unit 4 can also include communication means configured to transmit information relating to the operation of the system to the outside, and possibly receive from the outside information for controlling the operation of the system.

The main fluid circuit is divided in particular into a so-called filtration part and a so-called treatment part. More precisely, this main fluid circuit comprises a main inlet 5, a filtration circuit 6, a processing circuit 13, a main outlet 18 and circulation means 19.

The main inlet 5 allows the entry of the fluid to be treated into the main fluid circuit, such as water, for example via an inlet connection 32 to facilitate connection to an external source of water to be treated. I! may include a reserve of rainwater, spring water, or even borehole water.

The filtration circuit 6 comprises one or more filtration devices 7 to 12 capable of filtering the fluid, for example to filter certain microparticles by staged microfiltration and/or to treat taste and odor and eliminate certain products such as pesticides or heavy metals by filtration with activated carbon.

In the configuration shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, six filtration devices 7 to 12 are arranged along two filtration lines in parallel, each of these 5 lines comprising three filtration devices in series. In the configuration shown in Figure 7, three filtration devices 7 to 9 are arranged along a single filtration line comprising the three filtration devices in series.

The treatment circuit 13 comprises one or more treatment devices 14 to 17 capable of carrying out at least one antimicrobial treatment of the fluid. This may, for example, involve antimicrobial treatment using ultraviolet rays, LEDs or even mercury discharge devices. Other antimicrobial treatments are also possible.

In the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 4, four processing devices 14 to 17 are arranged along two parallel processing lines, each of these lines comprising two processing devices in series. In the configuration shown in Figure 8, a single processing device 16 is arranged on a single processing line. In the configuration shown in Figure 9, two processing devices 16 and 17 are arranged in series on a single processing line. In the configuration shown in Figure 10, two processing devices 14 and 16 are arranged respectively on two parallel processing lines.

The main outlet 18 makes it possible to collect the flow of treated fluid in the main fluid circuit, for subsequent use, for example for watering livestock or plant nutrition, particularly in greenhouses.

To increase the flow rate, several systems according to the invention can be used by connecting the inputs 5 of each of these systems and the outputs 18 of each of these systems. Thus, modularity is achieved not only by the possibility of easily changing the number of processing devices 14 to 17 and the number of filtering devices 7 to 12 in a system, but also by the possibility of easily connecting several systems in parallel.

The circulation means 19 include one or more circulation pumps. connected to the control unit 4, and configured to allow the circulation of the fluid in the main fluid circuit under the control of this control unit 4. In the example shown in the figures, a single circulation pump 19 is used. Preferably, this or these circulation pumps 19 are of the self-priming type.

The circulation means 19, therefore the circulation pump 19, are connected between the main inlet 5 and an input of the filtration circuit 6. Furthermore, an input of the treatment circuit 13 is connected to an output of the filtration circuit 6 Finally, an output of the processing circuit 13 is connected to the main output 18. Thus, the main fluidic circuit is connected to the main input 5 on the one hand and to the main output 18 on the other hand. In this main fluidic circuit, between the connection with the main inlet 5 and the connection with the main outlet 18, the circulation means 19, the filtration circuit 6 and the treatment circuit 13 are connected in series.

The interconnection of these different elements within the main fluidic circuit will be described later in more detail.

As can be seen in the figures, the rigid structure 1, 2, 3 comprises at least one main wall 1, which extends substantially vertically. For reasons in particular of solidity and overall size, this main wall 1 is actually substantially vertical. But the invention extends to a system in which this main wall 1 would have a main plane which would deviate from the vertical to a certain extent, or would have a substantially vertical part and one or more other parts whose respective main planes would deviate from the vertical. vertical to a certain extent. Furthermore, this main wall 1 is preferably substantially flat, here again for reasons in particular of solidity and bulk of the assembly. But the invention also extends to a system in which this main wall 1 would have curvatures or would be flat in pieces (or a combination of the two).

As can be seen in the figures, the main wall 1 has a first face 20, and a second face 21 opposite this first face 20.

Thus, the system is represented in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7 seen from the side of the first face 20, and in Figures 2, 4, and 8 to 10 from the side of the second face 21.

As can be seen in these different figures, the filtration circuit 6 is mounted on the first face 20, and the treatment circuit 13 is mounted on the second face 21.

The filtration circuit 6 is configured to receive a variable number of filtration devices 7 to 12 connected in series and/or in parallel. Each of these filtration devices 7 to 12 is fixed by first fixing means 22 on the first face 20, as can be seen in the figures (only the first fixing means 22 for a filtration device are referenced, so as not to not overload the figures). Thus, the first face 20 of the main wall 1 is configured to receive a variable number of first fixing means 22, which corresponds to the variable number of filtration devices 7 to 12.

The processing circuit 13 is configured to receive a variable number of processing devices 14 to 17 connected in series and/or in parallel. Each of these treatment devices 14 to 17 is fixed by second fixing means 23, 24 on the second face 21, as can be seen in the figures (only the second fixing means 23, 24 for a treatment device are referenced, so as not to overload the figures). Thus, the second face 21 of the main wall 1 is configured to receive a variable number of second fixing means 23, 24, which corresponds to the variable number of processing devices 14 to 17.

As explained above, the filtration circuit 6 comprises one or more filtration lines in parallel, each filtration line being configured to receive in series a variable number of filtration devices 7 to 9 and 10 to 12.

Also as explained above, the processing circuit 13 comprises one or more processing lines in parallel, each processing line being configured to receive in series a variable number of processing devices 14, 15 and 16, 17.

The main wall 1 is thus dimensioned to receive a variable number of filtration lines and a variable number of treatment lines, and so that each of these filtration and treatment lines can receive a variable number of filtration devices, respectively treatment . Thus, the main fluidic circuit of the system of the invention has two circuits in matrix configuration of variable dimensions,

distributed on each face 20, 21 of the main wall 1. The dimensions of the main wall 1 constrain the maximum number of filtration devices 7 to 12 in the filtration circuit 6 and the maximum number of treatment devices 14 to 17 in the treatment circuit 13. The effective number of filtration devices 7 to 12 thus varies within the limit of the corresponding maximum number, and the effective number of treatment devices 14 to 17 thus varies within the limit of the corresponding maximum number.

As can be seen for example in Figures 7 to 9, the main wall 1 is provided with at least one first passage 27, 28 to allow the passage of a fluid connection between the outlet of the filtration circuit 6 on the side of the first face 21 and the input of the processing circuit 13 on the side of the second face 22.

In the example shown in the figures, the main wall 1 comprises two first passages 27, 28 which take the form of two notches 27, 28 at the periphery of the upper part of the main wall 1. It could also be holes formed near the periphery of the upper part of the main wall 1. More generally, these first passages 27, 28 take the form of cutouts 27, 28 in the main wall 1, positioned appropriately on this main wall 1. These first passages 27, 28 allow the passage of a pipe for each treatment line in treatment circuit 13. When a single treatment line is present in the treatment circuit 13 (FIGS. 7 to 9), only the first passage 28 corresponding to the processing line present in the processing circuit 13 is used for the passage of a fluid connection, the other first passage 27 being unused. Thus, the main wall 1 is preferably provided with a number of first passages 27, 28 corresponding to the maximum number of processing lines of the processing circuit 13 that the second face 21 of this main wall 1 can receive.

Alternatively, a single first passage 27 or 28 could allow the passage of a single fluid connection from the filtration circuit 6, whatever the number of treatment lines in the treatment circuit 13. In this case, the fluid connection is divided after passing through the single first passage 27 or 28, in as many connections as there are processing lines in the processing circuit 13.

We can see, for example in Figures 2, 4 and 8 to 10, that the circulation means 19 are mounted on the second face 22 of the main wall 1, therefore on the same side as the processing circuit 13.

To allow the connection between these circulation means 19, located on the side of the second face 22, with the inlet of the filtration circuit 6, located on the side of the first face 21, at least one second passage 29 is provided. This second passage 29 therefore allows the passage of a fluid connection between the circulation means 19 and the inlet of the filtration circuit 6.

On the other hand, the main structure also comprises two side walls 2, 3 oriented substantially perpendicular to the main wall 1, so as to form a main volume delimited in particular by the main wall 1 and these two side walls 2, 3. The same considerations than those presented above for the main wall 1, apply to the side walls 2 and 3, in terms of substantially vertical orientation and flatness. Furthermore, the invention also extends to a system in which the orientation of these two side walls 2, 3 relative to the main wall 1 would deviate to a certain extent from a perpendicular orientation.

It can be seen in the figures that the second face 22 of the main wall 1 is arranged inside the main volume delimited in particular by this main wall 1 and the two side walls 2, 3.

We can plan to completely close the main volume by means of a removable cover 25, 26, as shown in Figure 6.

In the example shown, the cover 25, 26 comprises an upper part 25 and a front part 26. The upper part 25 is configured to close the main volume by being positioned adjacent to the main wall 1 and to the side walls 2, 3. Thus, this upper part 25 closes the main volume from above. Furthermore, the front part 26 is configured to close the main volume by being positioned parallel to the main wall 1 and adjacent to the two side walls 2, 3. Thus, this front part 26 closes the main volume from the front, from side of the second face 22.

As can be seen in these figures, a passage 33 is provided in the side wall 2. This passage 33, which can for example take the form of a cutout in the side wall 2, allows access from the outside of the main volume at main entrance 5.

As seen in the figures, an additional fluid connection can be provided directly between the circulation means 19 and an additional outlet 31, with the aim of allowing direct pumping from a fluid source, without filtration or treatment of the fluid.

In this case, a passage 35 is provided in the side wall 3, to allow access from outside the main volume to this additional outlet 31. Here again, this passage 35 can take the form of a cutout in the wall lateral 3.

Furthermore, the main outlet 18 is arranged outside the main volume, on the side of the first face 20 of the main wall 1, which makes it accessible even when the cover 25, 26 is present.

To allow the fluid connection between the outlet of the processing circuit 13, on the side of the second face 21, and the main outlet 18 on the side of the first face 20, one or more passages are provided in the main wall. This or these passages are not referenced in the figures, so as not to overload them.

As for the first passages 27, 28, this or these other non-referenced passages can take the form of notches, holes, or more generally cutouts in the main wall 1 positioned appropriately thereon. In the example shown in the figures, this is a single notch on the periphery of the lower part of the main wall 1. This other unreferenced passage allows the passage of a single pipe or fluid connection from the circuit of treatment 13 towards the main outlet 18. When several treatment lines are present in the treatment circuit 13, they join before passing through the main wall 1.

Alternatively, we can provide as many of these passages as potential processing lines in the processing circuit 13, to allow the passage of one fluid connection per processing line. Each of these fluid connections then join after passing through these said passages in the main wall 1, to be connected to the main outlet 18 after passing through the side of the first face 20.

READ

A certain number of feet can be provided, including foot 34, or casters (preferably equipped with brakes), or even feet provided with such casters, to support the main wall 1 and the side walls 3, 4, therefore the rigid structure 1, 2, 3.

It is recalled that the present description is given by way of example and is not restrictive of the invention. In particular, the invention is not limited to a system comprising a determined number of filtration devices 7 to 12 or treatment devices 14 to 17, nor to a limited number of these devices per filtration or treatment line respectively.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the use of specific filtration devices, nor to specific antimicrobial treatment devices.

Claims (10)

1. Modular system for treating a fluid, such as water, comprising a rigid structure (1, 2, 3) on which are mounted a main fluid treatment circuit and an electronic control unit (4), the main fluidic circuit comprising a main inlet (5) allowing the entry of a flow of fluid to be treated into the main fluidic circuit, a filtration circuit (6) comprising one or more filtration devices (7 to 12) capable of carrying out filtering the fluid, a treatment circuit (13) comprising one or more treatment devices (14 to 17) capable of carrying out at least one antimicrobial treatment of the fluid, a main outlet (18) making it possible to collect a flow of fluid treated in the main fluidic circuit, and circulation means (19) comprising at least one circulation pump (19) connected to the control unit (4) and configured to allow the circulation of the fluid in the main fluidic circuit under the control of said control unit (4), the circulation means (19) being connected between the main input (5) and an input of the filtration circuit (6), an input of the processing circuit (13) being connected to an output of the filtration circuit (6), an outlet of the treatment circuit (13) being connected to the main outlet (18), characterized in that the rigid structure (1, 2, 3) comprises at least one main wall (1) substantially vertical having a first face (20) and a second face (21) opposite the first face (20), the filtration circuit (6) being mounted on the first face (20) and configured to receive a variable number of filtration devices filtration (7 to 12) connected in series and/or in parallel, each filtration device (7 to 12) being fixed by first fixing means (22) on the first face (20), said first face (20) being configured to receive a variable number of first...— fixing means (22) corresponding to the variable number of filtration devices (7 to 12), and the processing circuit (13) being mounted on the second face (21) and configured to receive a variable number of processing devices (14 to 17) connected in series and/or in parallel, each processing device (14 to 17) being fixed by second fixing means (23, 24) on the second face (21 ), said second face (21) being configured to receive a variable number of second fixing means (23, 24) corresponding to the variable number of processing devices (14 to 17). 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the filtration circuit (6) comprises one or more filtration lines in parallel, each filtration line being configured to receive a variable number of filtration devices ((7 to 9) , (10 to 12)). 3. System according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the processing circuit (13) comprises one or more processing lines in parallel, each processing line being configured to receive a variable number of processing devices ((14, 15), (16, 17)). 4. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the main wall (1) is provided with at least a first passage (27, 28) allowing the passage of a fluid connection between the outlet of the filtration circuit (6) on the side of the first face (21) and the inlet of the treatment circuit (13) on the side of the second face (22). 5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the circulation means (19) are mounted on the second face (22) of the main wall (1). 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the main wall (1) is provided with at least one second passage (29) allowing the passage of a fluid connection between the circulation means (19) on the side of the second face (22) and the inlet of the filtration circuit (6) on the side of the first face (21). 7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the main structure comprises two side walls (2, 3) oriented substantially perpendicular to the main wall (1) so as to form a main volume delimited in particular by the main wall (1) and the two side walls (2, 3). 8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the second face (22) is arranged inside the main volume. 9. System according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it comprises a removable cover (25, 26) configured to close the main volume. 10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the cover (25, 26) comprises an upper part (25) configured to close the main volume by being positioned adjacent to the main wall (1) and to the side walls ( 2, 3), and a front part (26) configured to close the main volume by being positioned parallel to the main wall (1) and adjacent to the two side walls (2,3).