CA2191493A1 - Apparatus for producing the high quality drinking water - Google Patents
Apparatus for producing the high quality drinking waterInfo
- Publication number
- CA2191493A1 CA2191493A1 CA 2191493 CA2191493A CA2191493A1 CA 2191493 A1 CA2191493 A1 CA 2191493A1 CA 2191493 CA2191493 CA 2191493 CA 2191493 A CA2191493 A CA 2191493A CA 2191493 A1 CA2191493 A1 CA 2191493A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- ozone
- storage tank
- tank
- temperature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/72—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by oxidation
- C02F1/78—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by oxidation with ozone
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
- C02F1/283—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Treatment Of Water By Oxidation Or Reduction (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus is described for producing and maintaining the high quality drinking water that represents the type of the point-of-use cooler/dispenser which embodies the combined process of the filtration, disinfection and oxidation resulting the highly conditioned drinking water free of chlorine, unpleasant odour, colour and with crisp, pleasant taste that is achieved with a help of the ozonation system that produces ozone which is introduced into the water storage tank containing prefiltrated water of the municipal or well supply, and ozone residual in water is maintained inside the water storage tank assuring the disinfection level and the high quality of the drinking water which is ready to be dispensed and consumed at any time of the day.
Description
21~1493 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Invention Field The invented apparatus represents the type of the self-contained apparatus which is designed to embody the combined process of the filtration, disinfection and oxidation to produce the high quality drinking water. The invention provides the advanced development of the point-of-use water cooler/dispenser combined with the water conditioning ozonation system.
On contrary to the bottled water cooler /dispenser (s) the present invention is configured for use in conjunction with the cold water dispenser whereby water should be supplied through the municipal tap directly to the water storage tank inside the cold water dispenser. The tap water is pushed through the carbon filter and enters the storage tank where it further is treated by ozone that introduced into the storage tank through the diffuser. The treated water is free of chlorine, bacteria, viruses that is assured by the periodical in time infusion of ozone into the storage tank.
GENERAL BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
The water cooler has become a common backdrop in the American life providing quality drinking water for people at the office and home. But conventional bottled water coolers are not without drawbacks: the physical concerns of handling the water boffles themselves.
One area where people and industry attention has focused is the self-contained point-of-use water cooler market. With the world demand for quality drinking water increasing, the point-of- use water treatment industry is addressing new ways to meet both quality and logistical ~lem~n~lc for water cooler solution.
Perhaps the most compelling reasons for consumers to switch to the point-of-use coolers involve the physical demands of the traditional bottled drinking water cooler.
21ql4q3 Bottled-water distribution requires heavy equipment, competent staffing and detailed route strategy.
Trucks are loaded at the p]ants with fifty-pound bottles of water, each truck holding an average three hundred and twenty bottles, or more than seven and a half tons. At each stop, the driver must make sure that protective stress gear is in place before moving several hundred pounds of bottles to the customer's office. They also collect the empties, adjust refill orders and so]ve the billing problems.
Physical and logistical concerns do not end with the driver. Once in the customer's office, there is the problem of sorting and replacing empties and physically lifting a boffle into place when the bott]e on the cooler is empty.
There are several attempts to provide continuous water supply without boffle-change i~ ~lion, and incorporate specialized treatment systems to ensure the best water possible.
In US Patents No. 5,125,044; 5,405,526; 5,114,042 to Carl M. Sutera the idea of elimin~ting the bottled water services for conventional water cooler/dispensers is applied to inventing the specially designed self-filled bottle water purifying and dispensing system. US Patent No. 5,405,526 describes the bottle water disinfection system and specially designed water bottle to use iodine, chlorine or the like disinfectants. It is "comparatively effective and reliable, while being relatively inexpensive to maintain and easy to operate" is become doubtful in a view of the latest movements against chlorine and ineffective and expansive in case of ozone application for water disinfection.
In fact, many municipal water systems use chlorine to sterilize water. Chlorine reacts with by-products of organic material to form a group of chemicals called trihalomethanes. One such trihalomethane, chloroform, is a suspected carcinogen, cancer causing agent.
Details of Health Canada study were included in a report presented to a Great Lakes conference organized by Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This study have shown that drinking water treated with chlorine could be causing more than 500 cases of cancer and ~out 140 deaths in Ontario each year.
21 ~1 4~3 4 Other study have shown some domestic filtering systems can create bacteria problem in drinking water.
"Unless they are properly m~int~ined, water coolers and water filters may thus actually worsen the microbial and chemical quality of tap water," said the Health Canada report.
The Clinton A-lmini~tration's Clean Water plan and the US Senate's Water Bill would both broaden the US EPA's powers to ban or restrict releases of the most persistent toxins. Water toxins, in particular chlorine and chlorinated compounds, are being targeted. A chlorine ban could be, in fact be written into the Bill.
In many chlorine based application, ozone has been conclusively shown to be a functional, cost-effective alternative that does not result in toxic discharges.
In a view of using US Patent No. 5,114,042 it seems not economically and practically feasible to use the specially designed self-filled bottle for iodine, chlorine or ozone infusion.
US patent 5,266,215 November 30, 1993, "Water Purification Unit" to Engelhard; Rolf, US patent 5,547,590, August,20,1996, "UV-based Water Decont~min~tion System with Dimmer-Control" to Szabo; Louis and US patent 4,230,570, October,28,1980 "Ozone / Ultrovilet Water Purification" to Dadd; Robert C. are related to the water purification process by the Ultroviolet Radiation that could be incorporated with ozone generation system to enhance killing of any microorganisms present and to oxidize any undesirable compounds in water. The above mentioned patented systems work on "the inflowing water" that meens they can not protect water against cont~min~tion during storage time inside the cooler or other dispensing equipment where the treated water is free of the disinfectant agents including chlirine and is vulnerable to the col-t;1"~ ion during storage time.
21914q3 5 SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
The main objective of the present invention is to provide the filtration and continuous ozone-disinfection water treatment system which is effective, reliable, easy to operate and maintain. The invented concept and ~~ lus are designed to use specific quantities of ozone in conjunction with conventional filtration system that embodied into the well-recognized shape of the point-of use cooler/dispenser which is utilized to treat the municipal or well water sources to get high quality drinking water free of bacteria, odour, colour, chlorine and ~ hl the high quality of disinfection inside the cooler tank during storage time.
Ozone is much more powerful, than chlorine, oxidizing and viricidial agent used in drinking water treatment. Its effects of elimination of organics, taste, odour and colour have been described widely.
But it has to be produced on site and introduced into the water for the disinfection purposes.
The invented ~pa,~lus which comprises the processes of ozone production from the clean ambient air, ozone introduction into the water storage tank with water dispensing means, incoming water prefiltration and exhaust filter.
The prototype of the apparatus has been built to study the specific operating and m~int~n~nce conditions. The municipal chlorinated water supply was the prime subject of study. The corona discharge ozone generator has constantly produced the calculated amount of ozone that introduced into the storage tank of the cooler filled with chlorinated municipal water. The introduction of ozone into the water containing residual of chlorine caused the drop in chlorine content, resulting from following chemical reaction:
2CL02 +03 = 2CL03 +02 The action kinetics of ozone with chlorine dioxide are very fast. The resulting products of this oxidation reaction is chlorate which is easily filtered out of the water at the next treatment stage.
The best results have been achieved during the experiments when ozone was introduced into the cold water with temperature about 41 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Cent. At this conditions ozone was desolved faster inside the water, confilms the data, see Table 1, and stayed composed longer, about one hour, providing the best conditions for disinfection and interaction with chlorine.
Temperature Solubility of Ozone (degrees Cent.) (liter/liter Water) 0 0.64 4 0.58 11.8 05 l 5 0.456 19 0.381 27 0.27 0.112 0.031 ~
After ten minutes of ozone injection into the water, ozone residual value is reached to 0.32 parts per million or 0.32 milligrams per liter.. The evaluation criteria for the water treatment equipment selection is "CT", where "C" is residual of ozone in water or ozone concentration and "T" is the time required to m~int~in the concentration to obtain drinking water of high microbiological quality. The Govermnent Clean Water regulations require to m~int~in a dissolved ozone residual of 0.4 milligrams per liter for a IlllnilJ~ ll of four minutes to get high quality drinking water. The value of "CT" criteria is recomm~nded in a range of 1.5 ~ ll.ll to 5 and up. For example. CT = 0.4x4 = 1.6 or in our case CT = 0.32x] 0= 3.2. which is in a range of the recommended "CT" value. The water analysis have shown no bacteria, no impurities halmful for human body, no color or odor. The taste of treated water was fresh, crisp and pleasant.
After the study at the laboratory the prototype has been installed at the household for on site testing.
For the more then one year of testing apparatus has provided pure, free of chlorine, high quality drinking water. No complains have been registered from any of the member of the designated household.
DESCRIPTION AND PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The flow diagrams of possible equipment arrangement of the apparatus are shown in Figures 1,2,3 The general view of the apparatus is shown in Figure-4.
Figure 1 shows small capacity apparatus that could be installed in any kitchen to provide the high quality drinking water at the rate of 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour of 50 degrees Fahrenheit water.
Water from the municipal supply 12 comes through the tap 9, passes the filtration stage 6, containing carbon carlridge 15, solenoid valve 8 and enters the cooling tank 1. The water level inside the cooling tank 1 is controlled by the level control switch 7 which closes solenoid valve 8 to stop the water flow.
The ozone generating unit 2 constantly produces controlled amount of ozone which is introduced into the cooling tank 1 through a diffuser 3. The clean ambient air for the ozone production is supplied by the air pump 4 and enter the ozone generator through the filter 5. Check valve 16 stops the water entering ozone generator 2. The low water temperature is m~int:~ined at the point of 41-50 degrees Fahrenheit with a help of the conventional refrigeration system 11 with a fixed setting thermostat. The refrigerant 18 is circulated through the coil ]4 around the tank I and coo]s down water 17 to the conhrolled temperature. Treated water is dispensed through the sediment filter 27 and faucet 10. The excess of ozone is exhausted through the top of the cooling tank I equipped with the specially designed ozone filhration system which consists of filter 19 filled with actuated granular carbon 22, that could be periodically changed by removing the filter housing 20 from the sealed cover 21 and undoing screw 24 from the filter housing bottom 23. The top cover 13 is equipped with the carbon filhation media, felt, 25, and 0.125 inch hole on the top of the cover 13. The exhaust filhation system is specially designed to increase the rate of ozone solubility in cold water by slightly elevated partial pressure above the water level as per Henry's law. The s~isf~tory results have been achieved when the pressure inside the water storage tank was registered at about 1.5 pounds per square inch.
The present invention proposes the cooling system that is more efficient in comparison with convenhonal coolers. It has been known for a long time the problem of the ineffective method of cooling down the water in the storage cooling tank of the convenhonal coolers.
US Patent No. 4,061,184 "Heat Fxch~nger for a refrigerahion water cooler" to Richard J. Radcliffk, describes the heat exchanger that can handle the lower refrigerant temperature without freezing the water inside the cooling tank.
He has used the heat exchanger design with the intermediate coolant along with freon that helps to find the proper rate of heat exchange between water and intermediate coolant. The result is a more effective process of cooling but less practical because of the higher price involved.
Another US Patent No 5,072,590, "Bottled water chilling system", to Bruce P. Burrows, describes the heat exchanger with " closed loop circulation network connected between said heat exchanger and module hot side." It increases the overall heat hransfer coefficient and accelerate the cooling down process. But it requires addihional equipment, such as a pump, elechic motor, piping, exhra maintenance and seems not price-practical.
21914~3 The proposed invention solves the problem naturally. The ozone is introduced into the cooling storage tank through diffuser 3, Figure 1. The dispersed ozone/air bubbles create "boiling" like conditions and furiously agitate the water inside the tank 1. In turn, the constant water movement near the heat transfer wall that wrapped with refrigeration coil 14, provides excellent heat transfer conditions. The water motion prevents freezing that keep the heat transfer surfaces clean, m;~ g effective water cooling. The result is a better capacity water cooler. The study confirmed that the proposed water cooler produces approximately from 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour of 50 degrees Fahrenheit water in comparison to 17 to 59 of the same cups from conventional cooler. No additional devices, such as, pumps, coils, cylinders aside of that serving the water conditioning purpose are required.
Figure 2 shows the flow diagram of the apparatus that suits the commercial offices, ~ u~ , bars, hotels, medical or dental offices, etc. This apparatus produces the ozonated cooking ambient temperature water 17, cold 50 degrees Fahrenheit water 28, and as an option hot water, that is not shown in the diagram.
The water from the municipal supply 12 comes through the tap 9, passes the filtration stage 6, containing carbon filter cartridge 15, solenoid valve 8 and enter the 5 gallon water storage tank 1, The water level inside the storage tank 1 is controlled by the control level switch 7 which closes solenoid valve 8 to stop the water flow. The ozone generating unit 2 produces controlled amount of ozone which is introduced into the storage tank 1 through difffiser 3. The ozonated water 17 then comes to the cooling storage tank 26 through the sediment or carbon filter 27. The clean ambient air for the ozone production is supplied by the air pump 4 and enter the ozone generator through the filter 5.
Check valve 16 stops the water entering ozone generator 2. The low water temperature is m~int~ined inside the cooling storage tank 26 at the point of 41-50 degrees Fahrenheit with help of the conventional refrigeration system 11 equipped with a fixed setting thermostat. The refrigerant 18 is circulated through the coil 14 attached to the outside wall of the tank 26 and cools down the water 28 to the controlled temperature. Treated, ambient temperature ozonated water 17 that is used for cooking 21 9 1 493 lo purposes is dispensed through the faucet 10, cold drinking water 28 is dispensed through the faucet 29. The excess of ozone is exhausted through the top of the storage tank 1 that equipped with the specially designed ozone destroying system which consists of the filter 19, comprising filter housing 20, actuated granular carbon 22 that could be periodically changed by removing the filter housing 20 from the sealed cover 2l and undoing screw 24 from the filter housing bottom 23. The top cover 13 has the 0.125 inches hole on the upper face and equipped with the carbon filtration felt 25. The exhaust filtration system is specially designed to increase the rate of ozone solubility in water by the rn~hll~inillg the slightly elevated pressure inside the storage tank which dives the increased partial pressure above the level of the water based on Henry's law and its fundamental relationship goveming the solubility of ozone in water. The pressure inside the water storage tank is registered at the range of one to two pounds per square inch; the residual of ozone in the air around the Water Oxidozer at the operating conditions was at the level of 0.03 milligrams of ozone per one liter of the air.
The specifically dirrt;.~." flow diagram of the apparatus, in respect of the ozone inffision into the water storage tank, is shown in Figure 3. Ozone is produced by the ozonator 3 and introduced into the ambient temperature water storage tank 1 with a help of the Venturi type of injector 3. The water 17 is circulated through the closed loop by means of the water pump 4, piping and the valve system 30, 31, 32, 33. The clean air is sucked into the ozone generator 2 through the filter 5 by vacuum that created inside the injector 3 when the storage water flow is pumped through the piping system. Ozone then picked up by the water flow, thoroughly mixed inside the piping system and enter the water storage tank 1 as shown in Figure 3. The valves 30, 31, 32, 33 are provided to set up the back wash operation for the filter 6 to reduce the frequency of the cartridge 15 replacement.
The apparatus has the innovative features of the m~i"~ g the required level of the ozone residual in water resulting of the proper level of disinfection. It is done by periodically switching "on'~ and "off"
the ozone generator at the rate of about fifteen minutes each hour for twenty four hours a day. The desired results are achieved with help of the refrigeration system thermostat. The ozone generator 2. is 21 91 493 ll switched "on" and "off" along with the refrigeration compressor. The signal to stop the ozone generator comes from the temperature controller installed in refrigeration system when the water temperature reaches about 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The average operating time of the ozone generator is established at the rate of about fifteen minutes each hour for twenty four hours a day. The presented innovation is more economically and practically feasible in comparison with time control systems that required additional electrical circuit and usually expensive timers.
The general view of the invented apparatus is shown in Figure 4. The apparatus consists of the point-of-use cooler I dispenser 35, which embodies the corona discharge ozone generation system 2 that produces ozone and introduces it into the water storage tank 1 through the diffuser 3. The ozonated water is dispensed through the faucets 10, 29, 36. The check valve 16 prevents water entering the ozone generation system 2.
1. Invention Field The invented apparatus represents the type of the self-contained apparatus which is designed to embody the combined process of the filtration, disinfection and oxidation to produce the high quality drinking water. The invention provides the advanced development of the point-of-use water cooler/dispenser combined with the water conditioning ozonation system.
On contrary to the bottled water cooler /dispenser (s) the present invention is configured for use in conjunction with the cold water dispenser whereby water should be supplied through the municipal tap directly to the water storage tank inside the cold water dispenser. The tap water is pushed through the carbon filter and enters the storage tank where it further is treated by ozone that introduced into the storage tank through the diffuser. The treated water is free of chlorine, bacteria, viruses that is assured by the periodical in time infusion of ozone into the storage tank.
GENERAL BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
The water cooler has become a common backdrop in the American life providing quality drinking water for people at the office and home. But conventional bottled water coolers are not without drawbacks: the physical concerns of handling the water boffles themselves.
One area where people and industry attention has focused is the self-contained point-of-use water cooler market. With the world demand for quality drinking water increasing, the point-of- use water treatment industry is addressing new ways to meet both quality and logistical ~lem~n~lc for water cooler solution.
Perhaps the most compelling reasons for consumers to switch to the point-of-use coolers involve the physical demands of the traditional bottled drinking water cooler.
21ql4q3 Bottled-water distribution requires heavy equipment, competent staffing and detailed route strategy.
Trucks are loaded at the p]ants with fifty-pound bottles of water, each truck holding an average three hundred and twenty bottles, or more than seven and a half tons. At each stop, the driver must make sure that protective stress gear is in place before moving several hundred pounds of bottles to the customer's office. They also collect the empties, adjust refill orders and so]ve the billing problems.
Physical and logistical concerns do not end with the driver. Once in the customer's office, there is the problem of sorting and replacing empties and physically lifting a boffle into place when the bott]e on the cooler is empty.
There are several attempts to provide continuous water supply without boffle-change i~ ~lion, and incorporate specialized treatment systems to ensure the best water possible.
In US Patents No. 5,125,044; 5,405,526; 5,114,042 to Carl M. Sutera the idea of elimin~ting the bottled water services for conventional water cooler/dispensers is applied to inventing the specially designed self-filled bottle water purifying and dispensing system. US Patent No. 5,405,526 describes the bottle water disinfection system and specially designed water bottle to use iodine, chlorine or the like disinfectants. It is "comparatively effective and reliable, while being relatively inexpensive to maintain and easy to operate" is become doubtful in a view of the latest movements against chlorine and ineffective and expansive in case of ozone application for water disinfection.
In fact, many municipal water systems use chlorine to sterilize water. Chlorine reacts with by-products of organic material to form a group of chemicals called trihalomethanes. One such trihalomethane, chloroform, is a suspected carcinogen, cancer causing agent.
Details of Health Canada study were included in a report presented to a Great Lakes conference organized by Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This study have shown that drinking water treated with chlorine could be causing more than 500 cases of cancer and ~out 140 deaths in Ontario each year.
21 ~1 4~3 4 Other study have shown some domestic filtering systems can create bacteria problem in drinking water.
"Unless they are properly m~int~ined, water coolers and water filters may thus actually worsen the microbial and chemical quality of tap water," said the Health Canada report.
The Clinton A-lmini~tration's Clean Water plan and the US Senate's Water Bill would both broaden the US EPA's powers to ban or restrict releases of the most persistent toxins. Water toxins, in particular chlorine and chlorinated compounds, are being targeted. A chlorine ban could be, in fact be written into the Bill.
In many chlorine based application, ozone has been conclusively shown to be a functional, cost-effective alternative that does not result in toxic discharges.
In a view of using US Patent No. 5,114,042 it seems not economically and practically feasible to use the specially designed self-filled bottle for iodine, chlorine or ozone infusion.
US patent 5,266,215 November 30, 1993, "Water Purification Unit" to Engelhard; Rolf, US patent 5,547,590, August,20,1996, "UV-based Water Decont~min~tion System with Dimmer-Control" to Szabo; Louis and US patent 4,230,570, October,28,1980 "Ozone / Ultrovilet Water Purification" to Dadd; Robert C. are related to the water purification process by the Ultroviolet Radiation that could be incorporated with ozone generation system to enhance killing of any microorganisms present and to oxidize any undesirable compounds in water. The above mentioned patented systems work on "the inflowing water" that meens they can not protect water against cont~min~tion during storage time inside the cooler or other dispensing equipment where the treated water is free of the disinfectant agents including chlirine and is vulnerable to the col-t;1"~ ion during storage time.
21914q3 5 SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
The main objective of the present invention is to provide the filtration and continuous ozone-disinfection water treatment system which is effective, reliable, easy to operate and maintain. The invented concept and ~~ lus are designed to use specific quantities of ozone in conjunction with conventional filtration system that embodied into the well-recognized shape of the point-of use cooler/dispenser which is utilized to treat the municipal or well water sources to get high quality drinking water free of bacteria, odour, colour, chlorine and ~ hl the high quality of disinfection inside the cooler tank during storage time.
Ozone is much more powerful, than chlorine, oxidizing and viricidial agent used in drinking water treatment. Its effects of elimination of organics, taste, odour and colour have been described widely.
But it has to be produced on site and introduced into the water for the disinfection purposes.
The invented ~pa,~lus which comprises the processes of ozone production from the clean ambient air, ozone introduction into the water storage tank with water dispensing means, incoming water prefiltration and exhaust filter.
The prototype of the apparatus has been built to study the specific operating and m~int~n~nce conditions. The municipal chlorinated water supply was the prime subject of study. The corona discharge ozone generator has constantly produced the calculated amount of ozone that introduced into the storage tank of the cooler filled with chlorinated municipal water. The introduction of ozone into the water containing residual of chlorine caused the drop in chlorine content, resulting from following chemical reaction:
2CL02 +03 = 2CL03 +02 The action kinetics of ozone with chlorine dioxide are very fast. The resulting products of this oxidation reaction is chlorate which is easily filtered out of the water at the next treatment stage.
The best results have been achieved during the experiments when ozone was introduced into the cold water with temperature about 41 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Cent. At this conditions ozone was desolved faster inside the water, confilms the data, see Table 1, and stayed composed longer, about one hour, providing the best conditions for disinfection and interaction with chlorine.
Temperature Solubility of Ozone (degrees Cent.) (liter/liter Water) 0 0.64 4 0.58 11.8 05 l 5 0.456 19 0.381 27 0.27 0.112 0.031 ~
After ten minutes of ozone injection into the water, ozone residual value is reached to 0.32 parts per million or 0.32 milligrams per liter.. The evaluation criteria for the water treatment equipment selection is "CT", where "C" is residual of ozone in water or ozone concentration and "T" is the time required to m~int~in the concentration to obtain drinking water of high microbiological quality. The Govermnent Clean Water regulations require to m~int~in a dissolved ozone residual of 0.4 milligrams per liter for a IlllnilJ~ ll of four minutes to get high quality drinking water. The value of "CT" criteria is recomm~nded in a range of 1.5 ~ ll.ll to 5 and up. For example. CT = 0.4x4 = 1.6 or in our case CT = 0.32x] 0= 3.2. which is in a range of the recommended "CT" value. The water analysis have shown no bacteria, no impurities halmful for human body, no color or odor. The taste of treated water was fresh, crisp and pleasant.
After the study at the laboratory the prototype has been installed at the household for on site testing.
For the more then one year of testing apparatus has provided pure, free of chlorine, high quality drinking water. No complains have been registered from any of the member of the designated household.
DESCRIPTION AND PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The flow diagrams of possible equipment arrangement of the apparatus are shown in Figures 1,2,3 The general view of the apparatus is shown in Figure-4.
Figure 1 shows small capacity apparatus that could be installed in any kitchen to provide the high quality drinking water at the rate of 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour of 50 degrees Fahrenheit water.
Water from the municipal supply 12 comes through the tap 9, passes the filtration stage 6, containing carbon carlridge 15, solenoid valve 8 and enters the cooling tank 1. The water level inside the cooling tank 1 is controlled by the level control switch 7 which closes solenoid valve 8 to stop the water flow.
The ozone generating unit 2 constantly produces controlled amount of ozone which is introduced into the cooling tank 1 through a diffuser 3. The clean ambient air for the ozone production is supplied by the air pump 4 and enter the ozone generator through the filter 5. Check valve 16 stops the water entering ozone generator 2. The low water temperature is m~int:~ined at the point of 41-50 degrees Fahrenheit with a help of the conventional refrigeration system 11 with a fixed setting thermostat. The refrigerant 18 is circulated through the coil ]4 around the tank I and coo]s down water 17 to the conhrolled temperature. Treated water is dispensed through the sediment filter 27 and faucet 10. The excess of ozone is exhausted through the top of the cooling tank I equipped with the specially designed ozone filhration system which consists of filter 19 filled with actuated granular carbon 22, that could be periodically changed by removing the filter housing 20 from the sealed cover 21 and undoing screw 24 from the filter housing bottom 23. The top cover 13 is equipped with the carbon filhation media, felt, 25, and 0.125 inch hole on the top of the cover 13. The exhaust filhation system is specially designed to increase the rate of ozone solubility in cold water by slightly elevated partial pressure above the water level as per Henry's law. The s~isf~tory results have been achieved when the pressure inside the water storage tank was registered at about 1.5 pounds per square inch.
The present invention proposes the cooling system that is more efficient in comparison with convenhonal coolers. It has been known for a long time the problem of the ineffective method of cooling down the water in the storage cooling tank of the convenhonal coolers.
US Patent No. 4,061,184 "Heat Fxch~nger for a refrigerahion water cooler" to Richard J. Radcliffk, describes the heat exchanger that can handle the lower refrigerant temperature without freezing the water inside the cooling tank.
He has used the heat exchanger design with the intermediate coolant along with freon that helps to find the proper rate of heat exchange between water and intermediate coolant. The result is a more effective process of cooling but less practical because of the higher price involved.
Another US Patent No 5,072,590, "Bottled water chilling system", to Bruce P. Burrows, describes the heat exchanger with " closed loop circulation network connected between said heat exchanger and module hot side." It increases the overall heat hransfer coefficient and accelerate the cooling down process. But it requires addihional equipment, such as a pump, elechic motor, piping, exhra maintenance and seems not price-practical.
21914~3 The proposed invention solves the problem naturally. The ozone is introduced into the cooling storage tank through diffuser 3, Figure 1. The dispersed ozone/air bubbles create "boiling" like conditions and furiously agitate the water inside the tank 1. In turn, the constant water movement near the heat transfer wall that wrapped with refrigeration coil 14, provides excellent heat transfer conditions. The water motion prevents freezing that keep the heat transfer surfaces clean, m;~ g effective water cooling. The result is a better capacity water cooler. The study confirmed that the proposed water cooler produces approximately from 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour of 50 degrees Fahrenheit water in comparison to 17 to 59 of the same cups from conventional cooler. No additional devices, such as, pumps, coils, cylinders aside of that serving the water conditioning purpose are required.
Figure 2 shows the flow diagram of the apparatus that suits the commercial offices, ~ u~ , bars, hotels, medical or dental offices, etc. This apparatus produces the ozonated cooking ambient temperature water 17, cold 50 degrees Fahrenheit water 28, and as an option hot water, that is not shown in the diagram.
The water from the municipal supply 12 comes through the tap 9, passes the filtration stage 6, containing carbon filter cartridge 15, solenoid valve 8 and enter the 5 gallon water storage tank 1, The water level inside the storage tank 1 is controlled by the control level switch 7 which closes solenoid valve 8 to stop the water flow. The ozone generating unit 2 produces controlled amount of ozone which is introduced into the storage tank 1 through difffiser 3. The ozonated water 17 then comes to the cooling storage tank 26 through the sediment or carbon filter 27. The clean ambient air for the ozone production is supplied by the air pump 4 and enter the ozone generator through the filter 5.
Check valve 16 stops the water entering ozone generator 2. The low water temperature is m~int~ined inside the cooling storage tank 26 at the point of 41-50 degrees Fahrenheit with help of the conventional refrigeration system 11 equipped with a fixed setting thermostat. The refrigerant 18 is circulated through the coil 14 attached to the outside wall of the tank 26 and cools down the water 28 to the controlled temperature. Treated, ambient temperature ozonated water 17 that is used for cooking 21 9 1 493 lo purposes is dispensed through the faucet 10, cold drinking water 28 is dispensed through the faucet 29. The excess of ozone is exhausted through the top of the storage tank 1 that equipped with the specially designed ozone destroying system which consists of the filter 19, comprising filter housing 20, actuated granular carbon 22 that could be periodically changed by removing the filter housing 20 from the sealed cover 2l and undoing screw 24 from the filter housing bottom 23. The top cover 13 has the 0.125 inches hole on the upper face and equipped with the carbon filtration felt 25. The exhaust filtration system is specially designed to increase the rate of ozone solubility in water by the rn~hll~inillg the slightly elevated pressure inside the storage tank which dives the increased partial pressure above the level of the water based on Henry's law and its fundamental relationship goveming the solubility of ozone in water. The pressure inside the water storage tank is registered at the range of one to two pounds per square inch; the residual of ozone in the air around the Water Oxidozer at the operating conditions was at the level of 0.03 milligrams of ozone per one liter of the air.
The specifically dirrt;.~." flow diagram of the apparatus, in respect of the ozone inffision into the water storage tank, is shown in Figure 3. Ozone is produced by the ozonator 3 and introduced into the ambient temperature water storage tank 1 with a help of the Venturi type of injector 3. The water 17 is circulated through the closed loop by means of the water pump 4, piping and the valve system 30, 31, 32, 33. The clean air is sucked into the ozone generator 2 through the filter 5 by vacuum that created inside the injector 3 when the storage water flow is pumped through the piping system. Ozone then picked up by the water flow, thoroughly mixed inside the piping system and enter the water storage tank 1 as shown in Figure 3. The valves 30, 31, 32, 33 are provided to set up the back wash operation for the filter 6 to reduce the frequency of the cartridge 15 replacement.
The apparatus has the innovative features of the m~i"~ g the required level of the ozone residual in water resulting of the proper level of disinfection. It is done by periodically switching "on'~ and "off"
the ozone generator at the rate of about fifteen minutes each hour for twenty four hours a day. The desired results are achieved with help of the refrigeration system thermostat. The ozone generator 2. is 21 91 493 ll switched "on" and "off" along with the refrigeration compressor. The signal to stop the ozone generator comes from the temperature controller installed in refrigeration system when the water temperature reaches about 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The average operating time of the ozone generator is established at the rate of about fifteen minutes each hour for twenty four hours a day. The presented innovation is more economically and practically feasible in comparison with time control systems that required additional electrical circuit and usually expensive timers.
The general view of the invented apparatus is shown in Figure 4. The apparatus consists of the point-of-use cooler I dispenser 35, which embodies the corona discharge ozone generation system 2 that produces ozone and introduces it into the water storage tank 1 through the diffuser 3. The ozonated water is dispensed through the faucets 10, 29, 36. The check valve 16 prevents water entering the ozone generation system 2.
Claims (5)
1. The apparatus that embodies the combined water conditioning process including filtration, ozonation and constantly maintained disinfection to get the high quality conditioned water free of bacteria, viruses, chlorine, color, odor with pleasant, crisp taste:
the apparatus, that is an advanced development of the point-of-use type of water cooler/dispenser incorporates said combined process of filtration, ozonation and constant disinfection; on-site ozone produced in corona discharge ozone generator is introduced into the water storage tank containing prefiltrated water from municipal or well water supply. Ozone disinfects water by killing viruses, bacteria, removes unpleasant taste, odor, color under the controlled constantly maintained ozone residual in water. Then ozone is converted into the oxygen.
the apparatus, that is an advanced development of the point-of-use type of water cooler/dispenser incorporates said combined process of filtration, ozonation and constant disinfection; on-site ozone produced in corona discharge ozone generator is introduced into the water storage tank containing prefiltrated water from municipal or well water supply. Ozone disinfects water by killing viruses, bacteria, removes unpleasant taste, odor, color under the controlled constantly maintained ozone residual in water. Then ozone is converted into the oxygen.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, is designed to provide the best temperature conditions for ozone dissolving and staying longer in the treated water:
the refrigeration system with fixed thermostat maintains the required water temperature at 41 degrees Fahrenheit which is the optimum temperature of the water inside the cooling storage tank to create the best conditions for ozone solubility and comfortable enough for drinking;
the refrigeration system with fixed thermostat maintains the required water temperature at 41 degrees Fahrenheit which is the optimum temperature of the water inside the cooling storage tank to create the best conditions for ozone solubility and comfortable enough for drinking;
3. The exhaust system of said apparatus of claim l, is designed to create conditions of elevated pressure inside the water storage tank increase ozone solubility in water and ozone destruction level at the point of exhaust:
a specially designed cover on the top of said water storage tank is installed to follow Henry's law and to create conditions for the elevated partial pressure above the water level. The best results is registered at the pressure of 1.5 pounds per square inch inside said water storage tank. The ozone residual in the air around the said apparatus in a radius of one foot is registered at the level of 0.03 milligrams per liter, maximum.
a specially designed cover on the top of said water storage tank is installed to follow Henry's law and to create conditions for the elevated partial pressure above the water level. The best results is registered at the pressure of 1.5 pounds per square inch inside said water storage tank. The ozone residual in the air around the said apparatus in a radius of one foot is registered at the level of 0.03 milligrams per liter, maximum.
4. The apparatus of clam 1 maintains the required level of ozone residual and disinfection by periodically switching "on" and "off" the ozone generator with help of the temperature controller of the apparatus refrigeration system:
ozone generator is switched "on" and "off" along with the refrigeration compressor. The signal to stop ozone production comes from the temperature controller when the water temperature reaches 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The average "on" and "off' switching intervals is established at the rate of fifteen minutes each hour for twenty hours a day. This innovation is more economically and practically feasible in comparison with the time controlling system that requires the additional electric circuits with usually expensive timers.
ozone generator is switched "on" and "off" along with the refrigeration compressor. The signal to stop ozone production comes from the temperature controller when the water temperature reaches 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The average "on" and "off' switching intervals is established at the rate of fifteen minutes each hour for twenty hours a day. This innovation is more economically and practically feasible in comparison with the time controlling system that requires the additional electric circuits with usually expensive timers.
5. The water cooling tank of said apparatus in claim 1 carries the new features of the heat exchanger that are result of increased water cooling capacity:
the ozone diffuser is installed at the bottom of the water cooling tank of said Water oxidozer, and provides the intensive agitation inside the water cooling tank that prevents the water freezing on the heat exchanger surface even at the near water freezing temperature that keeps the water cooling tank wall clean and resulting better heat transfer efficiency. The water cooling tank equipped with said diffuser at the bottom, produces cold water at the rate of ten percents more then conventional cooling water tank. or it comes from 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour in comparison to 17 to 59 of the same cups from the conventional water cooling tank.
the ozone diffuser is installed at the bottom of the water cooling tank of said Water oxidozer, and provides the intensive agitation inside the water cooling tank that prevents the water freezing on the heat exchanger surface even at the near water freezing temperature that keeps the water cooling tank wall clean and resulting better heat transfer efficiency. The water cooling tank equipped with said diffuser at the bottom, produces cold water at the rate of ten percents more then conventional cooling water tank. or it comes from 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour in comparison to 17 to 59 of the same cups from the conventional water cooling tank.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2191493 CA2191493A1 (en) | 1996-11-28 | 1996-11-28 | Apparatus for producing the high quality drinking water |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2191493 CA2191493A1 (en) | 1996-11-28 | 1996-11-28 | Apparatus for producing the high quality drinking water |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2191493A1 true CA2191493A1 (en) | 1998-05-28 |
Family
ID=4159327
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2191493 Abandoned CA2191493A1 (en) | 1996-11-28 | 1996-11-28 | Apparatus for producing the high quality drinking water |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2191493A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006015480A1 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2006-02-16 | Electrotemp Technologies Inc. | Ozone sterilizing system for water dispensing system |
| CN114380418A (en) * | 2021-12-24 | 2022-04-22 | 上海汇业机械科技有限公司 | Non-negative pressure water supply equipment with filtering and sterilizing functions |
-
1996
- 1996-11-28 CA CA 2191493 patent/CA2191493A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006015480A1 (en) * | 2004-08-10 | 2006-02-16 | Electrotemp Technologies Inc. | Ozone sterilizing system for water dispensing system |
| US8153074B2 (en) | 2004-08-10 | 2012-04-10 | George Yui | Ozone sterilizing system for water dispensing system |
| CN114380418A (en) * | 2021-12-24 | 2022-04-22 | 上海汇业机械科技有限公司 | Non-negative pressure water supply equipment with filtering and sterilizing functions |
| CN114380418B (en) * | 2021-12-24 | 2022-10-11 | 上海汇业机械科技有限公司 | Non-negative pressure water supply equipment with filtering and sterilizing functions |
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