BR102018013293A2 - water purification system and physicochemical adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

Physicochemical water purification and adjustment system The constructive principles and functionalities found in the present invention are applicable to the purification, physicochemical adjustment and water filling sector for human consumption. An object of the present invention is a purification, physicochemical adjustment and water filling system for human consumption comprising the following elements: a first interchangeable plate heat exchanger; a high pressure silica filter; a high pressure activated carbon filter; an ion exchanger; a double reverse osmosis system; an ozonizing system; mineral salt addition means; and means for adjusting hydrogen concentration. alternatively, the system may include a filling machine.

Description

(54) Title: PURIFICATION SYSTEM AND PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL ADJUSTMENT OF WATER (51) Int. Cl .: C02F 9/00; 1/42 C02F; C02F 1/02; 1/50 CO202; C02F 103/02 (73) Owner (s): MVA PARTICIPAÇÕES & CONSULTORIA LTDA.

(72) Inventor (s): MÁRCIO AUGUSTO FERREIRA GONZALES (66) Internal Priority: BR102017018435-8 of 08/28/2017 (85) Start date of the National Phase:

06/28/2018 (57) Abstract: PURIFICATION SYSTEM AND PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL WATER ADJUSTMENT The construction principles and functionalities found in the present invention are applicable to the purification sector, physicochemical adjustments and water filling for human consumption. The object of the present invention is a system of purification, physical-chemical adjustment and bottling of water for human consumption, comprising the following elements: A first interchangeable plate heat exchanger; a high pressure silica filter; a high pressure activated carbon filter; an ion exchanger; a double reverse osmosis system; an ozonator system; means for adding mineral salts; and means for adjusting the hydrogen concentration. Alternatively, the system may include a filling machine.

SYSTEM Π 0)

1/8

PURIFICATION SYSTEM AND PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL ADJUSTMENT OF WATER

Technical sector [1] The constructive principles and functionalities found in the present invention are applicable to the purification sector, physical-chemical adjustments and bottling of water for human consumption.

Description of the state of the art [2] There are several systems on the market for the purification and adaptation of waters from different sources with a view to later human consumption.

[3] For human consumption, water with a hydrogen concentration (quantified by the pH value) in the range between 7 and 12 (preferably between 8.5 and 10.5) is considered different, as well as a wide offer of mineral salts , especially magnesium, in the range between 10 and 80 mg per ml of water, preferably above 40 mg per ml.

[4] The current state of the art includes some patent documents dealing with water purification processes, such as Chinese document CN 205856183U, which describes a process aimed at purifying cold water, but not recommended for human consumption. Another example, CN 103880213, describes a cold water purification process, involving much larger facilities, and does not address the issue of adequate packaging in order to facilitate competitive access for consumers. With regard to packaging, we find the North American document US 8303182B2, which describes packaging with 2 welds, polymer mixtures and a large generation of solid waste per volume of liquid.

[5] The solutions known in the state of the art, involve machinery and processes carried out in large installations, requiring large investments in land, infrastructure and high fixed costs. Therefore, there is a need for an industrial system of purification, physical-chemical adjustment and water packaging for human consumption of reduced dimensions, which allows the multiplicity of its installation, operation in smaller areas, with less

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 6/13

2/8 infrastructure requirement and easy access to the final consumer.

[6] There is also a demand for healthier water for human consumption in the state of the art, filled in inviolable, biodegradable packaging, with less generation of solid waste per ml of water, more thermally efficient, easier to transport and handle, obtained by a system installed and operated in small areas and with minimal infrastructure requirements.

Brief description of the Invention [7] The object of the present invention is a system of purification, physical-chemical adjustment and bottling of water for human consumption, comprising the following elements:

[8] A first interchangeable plate heat exchanger (11); a high pressure silica filter (12); a high pressure activated carbon filter (13); an ion exchanger (14); a double reverse osmosis system (16); an ozonator system (17); means for adding mineral salts (18); and means for adjusting the hydrogen concentration (19) and a set of machines for filling single packages (200).

Objectives of the present invention [9] The objective of the present invention is to make the capillary and competitive offer of healthy water available to the population, without harming nature, through a compact system that purifies, adjusts the physical-chemical characteristics and packs unprecedented water for human consumption, with reduced investment and operating cost, enabling its multiple installation and operation in smaller areas and with less infrastructure requirements.

[10] Still the objective of the present invention is to provide water of superior and unprecedented quality for human consumption, in inviolable, biodegradable, recyclable, thermally more efficient packaging, with the lowest generation of solid waste by volume of water ever seen, easy to transport and handling, obtained by a compact filling system and with minimum requirements of

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 7/13

3/8 infrastructure, which enables the multiplication of these facilities in all regions of Brazil and other countries.

Description of the figures [11] Figure 1: Illustrates a flow chart of processes comprised in the system of the present invention.

[12] Figure 2: Illustrates a system (10) built according to the principles of the present invention.

[13] Figure 3: Illustrates a filling (3) according to the principles of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention [14] Firstly, the system must be coupled to a water source, either by means of a pressurized supply or by means of a reservoir, or pumped directly from a water table. A system (10) for the purification and physical-chemical adjustment of water for human consumption, built according to the principles of the present invention comprises the following steps and elements, as shown in the flowchart represented by figure 1:

[15] An initial heating of the water, using an interchangeable plate heat exchanger (11); a first filtration, through a high pressure silica filter (12); another filtration, through a high pressure activated carbon filter (13); passing through an ion exchanger (14); means of adjusting the hydrogen concentration (19); the passage through a double reverse osmosis system (16); passage through an ozonator system (17); means for adding mineral salts (18) and a set of machines for filling single packages (200).

[16] An example of a system (10) is shown in figure 2, where the equipment was stored in an area of 240m ² , and 2m high, requiring a volume of 480 m ³ of regular water supply to the system. Alternatively, the system could be powered by a pressurized source of water.

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 8/13

4/8 [17] The first interchangeable plate heat exchanger (11) has the function of raising the temperature between 40 ° C and 60 ° C, preferably between 55 ° C and 65 ° C, and consequently reducing its density, tension surface and viscosity, in order to facilitate the subsequent filtration step.

[18] After passing through the first interchangeable plate heat exchanger (11), water between 40 ° C and 60 ° C is admitted to the silica filter (12), whose function is to remove suspended solid particles with dimensions between 20 and 100 microns. The flow of water through this element is facilitated by the reduction of its density, surface tension and viscosity, made possible by its previous heating.

[19] Subsequently, the water that leaves the silica filter (12) and is admitted to the activated carbon filter (13), this time at a purposefully lower temperature, ideally in the range of 30 ° C to 60 ° C, preferably in the range of 35 ° C to 45 ° C, due to the loss of temperature during its passage in the silica filter. The function of the activated carbon filter (13) is to remove chlorine, algae, colored substances, aromatic compounds and other substances that may give a strange taste to the water.

[20] Next, water is admitted to the ion exchanger (14). At this point, the water flows in close contact with granules of cationic and anionic ion exchange resins, of vast surface, whose function is to remove, by chemical affinity, unwanted metal ions, particularly heavy metals.

[21] After the ion exchanger, the water is then conducted through the double reverse osmosis filtering system (16), whose function is to separate, through ultrafine membranes, the permeate liquid (pure water) from the waste composed of salts, organic substances, any and all contaminating particles in suspension with dimensions above 5 microns, in addition to 99.9% of the bacteria possibly present.

[22] In the subsequent stage of the process, water is admitted to the ozonator system (17), in which gaseous ozone (O3) is produced and widely bubbled [23] installation. A system built according to the system in figure 2 is capable of

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 9/13

5/8 to purify and fill 5,000 liters per hour. That is, a system (10) built according to figure 2, is capable of producing about 10 liters / m ³ of installation, in 1 hour.

[24] According to the example in figure 2, there is a tank and a pump to receive and pressurize the water to be treated by the system (10), which will guarantee that in passing water, guaranteeing 100% of the mortality of any type of cell life ( algae, bacteria, yeast, fungi, etc.), and oxidizing any trace of organic matter. This stage of the process guarantees purity, lightness, freshness and a 2-year validity for bottled water. After this step, the pH is checked by means of a sensor (19-b), and then the water is temporarily stored in a tank (15).

[25] Thus, an absolutely pure water is obtained, but its composition will still be properly balanced, with a view to reaching the unprecedented standards of health and potability for human consumption. Here, for human consumption, it is understood not only the simple consumption of water, but also the preparation of drinks with it, especially hospital drinks, soft drinks, gelatines, juices, teas, flavored waters, and other solutions, mixtures and colloids that use water as a solvent or excipient vehicle.

[26] At this moment, pH control and adjustment is started, using a metering pump (19-a), whose function is the balanced and automatic addition of sodium bicarbonate, which by chemical affinity leaves the sodium ions in the water in the form of sodium hydroxide, leading to the adjustment of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ). The control is done so that the final product has an alkaline pH between 7.0 and 12.0, preferably between pH 8.5 and 10.5.

[27] The water is then passed through salt addition means (18). At this point the water receives the addition of a premix containing pink himalayan salt and magnesium chloride, in order to add up to 94 types of mineral salts, with high hydrating and replenishing power, among which the Magnesium salts stand out. It should be noted that the Himalayan pink salt itself already contains magnesium salts, being the third element with the highest concentration. This metal is very present in soil

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 10/13

6/8

Himalayan, containing ores such as magnesite (MgCO3), dolomite (CaMg (CO3) 2) and brucite (Mg (OH) 2), compounds that present 46.6%, 22% and 69%, respectively, of Magnesium and are used for the commercial extraction of the element (Second survey carried out in 2009 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Geological Resources of Pakistan). Despite the presence of magnesium in the Himalayan salt, the premix may contain other sources of magnesium, in order to increase or control its concentration, such as adding magnesium chloride. As seen in figure 2, in the present example, it was decided to use subdivided salt addition means (18-a and 18-b), where a salt dispenser (18-a) is dedicated to additional magnesium salts. That is, the means of adding salts (18) can be subdivided, presenting exclusive means for adding magnesium salts.

[28] It is important to note here the distinction made between the means of adding salts (18), and the means of controlling pH (19), the latter despite also measuring the concentration of salts, such as Sodium Hydroxide, aims to control the pH of the water, as already explained. It so happens that, in the human body, the normal pH of the blood must be kept within a narrow range (7.35-7.45) for the proper functioning of the metabolic processes and for the release of correct amounts of oxygen in the tissues. Metabolism generates large amounts of acids that need to be neutralized or eliminated to maintain the acid-base balance. Lungs and kidneys are the main organs involved in the regulation of blood pH, where blood buffer systems (hemoglobins, plasma proteins, bicarbonates and phosphates) also contribute to the regulation of their pH 7. It is noteworthy that the pH value of foods and drinks is not necessarily related to the alkalizing / acidifying effect on the body.

[29] The alkalinizing or acidifying power of a food is determined from the content of sulfate, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium, and can be calculated using the PRAL (potential renal acid load, in Portuguese,

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 11/13

7/8 potential of renal acid load). The PRAL is a mathematical calculation created by Thomas Remer and Friedrich Manz, in 1995, which allows the direct evaluation of the above mentioned components in a food. The more negative the PRAL value, the more alkalizing the food. The consumption of alkalizing foods and drinks (that is, those with negative PRAL) has a clear impact on the body's acid-base balance. In the case of water, know that the higher the concentration of Magnesium and / or Bicarbonate, the lower the PRAL value. In this sense, the consumption of alkalizing drinking water has gained prominence. Several studies have verified the beneficial potential of alkalizing diets, highlighting the preservation of muscle mass in the elderly and maintenance of bone health. In the present system, the means of adding salts (18) will adjust the PRAL value of the water resulting from the process, to the range of -1 to -3.

[30] The calculation of the PRAL value can be calculated using the following formula, adapted for mineral waters: PRAL = [0.00049 SO4 (mg)] + [0.027 Cl (mg)] + [0.037 P (mg)] - [0.21 K (mg)] - [0.026 Mg (mg)] - [0.413 Na (mg)] - [0.013 Ca (mg)] (source: Nutrire Magazine. 2015 Dec; 40 (3): 344-351 , made available by the following electronic address: http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/2316-7874.78015).

[31] At the end of this stage we obtain pure water with a PRAL value suitable for human consumption, between -1 and -3, with hydrogen concentration in the range between pH 7.0 and 12, preferably between pH 8.5 to 10 , 5, unique availability of 94 mineral salts and, in particular, magnesium content between 10 and 80 mg per liter of water, preferably above 40 mg per liter. The water is then stored in a tank (20).

[32] The system also comprises a set of machines for filling single packages (200), with the purpose of filling the water resulting from the process for later distribution close to its production. In this case, a suitable filling solution would be in inviolable LDPE packaging.

[33] According to the example in figure 2, the system comprises a module of

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 12/13

8/8 filling (200) of the volumetric injection type with thermal welding, capable of packing 4 to 8 thousand sachets of water per hour (3), as illustrated in figure 3. Where, a typical volume of this type of filling can vary from 150 ml to 1500 ml.

[34] It is important to note that the sachet (30) of figure 3, is comprised of LDPE films joined by welding lines (31), the outline of the welding lines simulating, preferably, the shape of a traditional bottle, with a neck (34). In the neck the user can cut, or alternatively, tear the neck (34) in order to access the content through an opening in the neck (34), and drink the bottled water.

[35] The neck opening process (34) is irreversible, making the filling (3) proof of reuse.

[36] The sachet (30) features information printed on your body. The impressions (35) are made on the sachet itself, previously printed, since, preferably, the filling module (200) will be fed with the sachets constructed in low density polyethylene (LDPE) films, previously made.

[37] Still preferably, the prints (35) include information useful to users such as; the volume of the sachet, legal information, the silhouette of a water bottle, or the object that is most convenient.

[38] The sachet may include a line (36), indicating the user the best neck region (34) to open the sachet (30). Said neck opening (34) will allow the user to insert a straw or force the water out by applying pressure to the sides of the sachet, in order to consume the bottled water.

[39] The description of the example presented here, does not exhaust other possible achievements and arrangements included in the scope of the present invention, and should not be considered as limiting, therefore. In this sense, a specialist in the subject will be able to make use of several arrays of sensors and controllers, tanks and pumps in order to control a system built according to the principles of the present invention.

Petition 870180071047, of 08/14/2018, p. 13/13

1/2

Claims (13)

Claims 1 System (10) for the purification and physical-chemical adjustment of water for human consumption, characterized by: - an interchangeable plate heat exchanger (11); - a high pressure silica filter (12); - a high pressure activated carbon filter (13); - an ion exchanger (14); - means for adjusting the hydrogen concentration (19) in order to obtain water, with hydrogen concentration in the range between pH 7 and 12 - a double reverse osmosis system (16); - an ozonator system (17); and - means for adding mineral salts (18); in order to obtain water, with 94 mineral salts, 10 to 80 mg / liter of magnesium in its composition. 2. System (10) as described in claim 1, characterized by the fact that it obtains water with a magnesium content in the range between 10 and 80 mg per liter. 3. System (10) as described in claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that it produces water with hydrogen concentration in the range between pH 8.5 and 10.5. 4. System (10) as described in claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized by the fact that it produces water with a PRAL value between -1 and -3. System (10) as described in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the means for adding 94 mineral salts (18) are subdivided, presenting exclusive means for adding magnesium salts. 6. System (10) as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 characterized by being used in the preparation of hospital drinks, soft drinks, gelatin, juices, teas, flavored waters, and other solutions, mixtures and colloids that Petition 870180055761, of 06/28/2018, p. 16/20 2/2 use water as a solvent or excipient vehicle. System (10) as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 characterized in that it comprises a filling module (200). 8. System (10) as described in claim 7, characterized by the fact that it occupies a defined volume between 450 to 510 m ³ . 9. System (10) as described in claim 8, characterized by the fact that ₃ produces from 9 to 11 liters per m ³ of installed machinery, per hour. 10. System (10) as described in claims 7, 8 or 9 characterized by filling the water in sachets (30). 11. System (10) as described in claim 10 characterized by the fact of filling the water in sachets (30), made of LDPE. 12. System (10) as described in claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the sachets (30) comprise: - welding lines (31); the contour of the weld lines substantially simulating the shape of a bottle, with a neck (34); and - impressions (35), including information useful to users. 13. System (10) as described in claim 12, characterized in that the sachets (30) comprise a line (36), indicating to the user the best neck region (34) to open the sachet (30). Petition 870180055761, of 06/28/2018, p. 17/20 1/2 ι ^- FIGURE 1 Source External 18-b 200 FIGURE 2 Petition 870180055761, of 06/28/2018, p. 18/20 2/2 Petition 870180055761, of 06/28/2018, p. 19/20 1/1