CN217677140U

CN217677140U - Apparatus for pretreating water, producing and distributing intensified water

Info

Publication number: CN217677140U
Application number: CN202220305302.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安东尼·金特尔; 劳伦特·普普纳特
Original assignee: VIO
Current assignee: VIO
Priority date: 2021-02-15
Filing date: 2022-02-15
Publication date: 2022-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-15
Also published as: BR202022002857U8; BR202022002857U2; ES1289258Y; FR3119843B3; FR3119843A3; ES1289258U; JP3238937U; DE202022100853U1

Abstract

The present application relates to an apparatus for pretreating water, producing and dispensing enhanced water. The device includes in proper order: -means for extracting water from a source (1) of the well or groundwater type; -a pre-treatment member for pre-treating water; -a buffer tank (5) in which water is stored; -an enhanced water producing means for producing enhanced water by electrolysis using boron doped diamond, the enhanced water producing means being configured to electrolyze the entire volume of water contained in the buffer tank; -means for dispensing enhanced water; the whole apparatus is pressurized and the electrolysis of water is operated in a closed loop via a buffer tank (5). The pretreatment member includes a filtering member, behind which a member for partially removing cations present in the water is disposed.

Description

Apparatus for pretreating water, producing and distributing intensified water

Technical Field

The present application relates to an apparatus and method for pretreating water, producing enhanced water, and distributing the enhanced water in an agricultural field. This water is used in agriculture for animals to drink, irrigate plantations, or spray plantations and animals.

In particular, this livestock drinking water is used for cattle, sheep, poultry and other cellular organisms.

Background

Water is an essential nutrient that is involved in all essential physiological functions of an animal or plant organism. However, it should be noted that water consumption is much greater compared to other nutrients. This is why the availability of water and its properties are key parameters for the health and productivity of livestock and plants.

For livestock, poor drinking water quality is often a contributing factor in reducing livestock consumption. For example, high producing cows may use more than 80 to 100 liters per day and may even use more than 150 liters per day in the hot summer months.

The use of well water or ground water for water supply may contain many pathogenic microbial elements. Feeding contaminated water can lead to various structural lesions (until death) or reduced productivity or reproductive capacity in the animal.

Standard water treatment methods using disinfection products, such as chlorination, ozone or hydrogen peroxide injection and other physicochemical methods, address only partially the need for drinking water treatment and may present a risk of strong disinfectant residues that may cause side effects such as chlorination byproducts. Thus, the health risks that may lead to various diseases of animals and plants persist.

Therefore, attention is usually focused on the microbiological or mineral quality of the drinking water. However, the potential harm or risk of poor drinking water should be taken into account by emphasizing the sensitivity or vulnerability to metabolism for receiving poor drinking water. In fact, the immune system of animals with fragile metabolism will be overwhelmed by the same drinking water, whereas animals with strong metabolism will not be affected.

To solve this problem, it is necessary to intervene on the metabolic capacity to understand how to react and to protect itself from the potentially harmful effects of the pollutants contained in the drinking water. This intervention can be achieved by direct action on the drinking water thanks to the electrolysis of boron-doped synthetic diamond, which enables the production of intensified water, i.e. water with electrons and therefore free negative charges. By drinking such enhanced water, electrons contained in the enhanced water are transferred to cells of animal or plant organisms, which affect the ability of metabolism to react and protect themselves from contaminants that may be contained in the same enhanced water.

It is known to provide a complete installation of a size suitable for farms that enables the collection of the available water directly on the agricultural land, the storage of the water in a buffer tank and the treatment of the water by diamond electrolysis to obtain enhanced water, and the distribution of the enhanced water over short and long distances in farms.

In fact, for example in a farm with animals, the milking parlour may be remote from the wells in the farm. However, the animals mostly drink water after milking, and therefore intensified water has to be provided in the vicinity of the milking parlour.

In farms with plantations, the field to be irrigated may be remote from the water supply of the farm. It is therefore necessary to transport the enhanced water over long distances while maintaining the enhanced water properties throughout the path of the water to the plantation.

The electrolysis of water is performed on the entire volume of water in the buffer tank, not on a portion of the volume of water. The facility is designed to suit the needs of each farm, using a surge tank sized for daily water demand, and adjusting electrolysis to actual water usage.

It is well known that the quality of drinking water for farm animals has a great influence on the performance and health of the farm animals. Within the context of the above-described installation (electrolysis by boron-doped synthetic diamond), it has been found that the results may vary depending on the mineral composition of the water being pumped, and in the case of extremely high concentrations of certain cations, the effect may sometimes be opposite to the target, thereby altering the quality of the water and leading to a reduction or even elimination of the beneficial effects of the above-described electrolysis.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The object of the present application is to overcome the various drawbacks mentioned above by means of a device capable of producing a greatly enhanced water to act on the metabolic capacity (of ingesting it) in order to react and protect itself from the pollutants that may be contained in this same enhanced water, irrespective of the quality of the water initially extracted from the well or groundwater. The device must be able to avoid too high a concentration of disinfecting elements in the water and must be adapted to the agricultural facility by distributing this enhanced water over a long distance (i.e. on an agricultural land scale) at the outlet.

This object is achieved by a device for pretreating, producing and distributing enhanced water, comprising in sequence:

-means for extracting water from a water source of the well or groundwater type;

-a pre-treatment member for pre-treating water;

-a buffer tank in which water is stored;

-an enhanced water producing means for producing enhanced water by electrolysis using boron doped diamond, the enhanced water producing means being configured to perform said electrolysis on the entire volume of water contained in said buffer tank;

-means for dispensing enhanced water;

the whole apparatus is pressurized and the electrolysis of water is operated in a closed loop via a buffer tank.

The main characteristic of the present application is that the pretreatment means comprise a filtering means, behind which means are provided for partially removing the cations present in the water.

Unlike the prior art, there is no need to traditionally disinfect water using chlorine, ozone, or other substances. In contrast, water pretreated in accordance with the present application may contain biological or chemical contaminants.

The idea behind this application is to develop a concept for pre-treating raw water before electrolysis (ideally before storage of the water) to control the concentration of cations. No measures need to be taken with respect to biological and chemical contaminants.

In fact, it has been found that the presence of cations, in particular multivalent cations, in large quantities in the water to be electrolyzed leads to a modification of the electrolysis, the water at the outlet of the electrolysis being insufficient to exert an effective action on the metabolism (intake of these waters) in order to be able to react and protect itself from the pollutants that may be contained in the same strengthening water.

In particular, the high presence of iron, manganese or calcium in the water to be electrolyzed leads to the formation of harmful precipitates such as iron hydroxide or calcium carbonate. Indeed, in addition to the fact that these harmful precipitates may accumulate in the pipe and damage or obstruct the pipe, these harmful precipitates seem to possibly eliminate the influence of electrolysis by boron-doped synthetic diamond on the physical, chemical and energy characteristics of drinking water.

The present application is directed to eliminating too high a concentration of cations, but in such a way that naturally occurring cations are not completely removed. In particular, a system is provided for removing high concentrations of cations from water prior to electrolysis such that the high concentrations of cations do not affect the performance of the electrolysis. In addition, for animal health reasons, drinking water should contain some cations, such as magnesium and calcium, as these cations are beneficial to the body in limited concentrations. Thus, the goal is to reduce the number of cations, but not completely eliminate them. This therefore means "partial" removal of the cations. Thus, the means for partially removing cations should be placed directly on the water supply so that the water is subjected to the action of the means for partially removing cations during a single pass, rather than being placed on an electrolytic circuit, or the water would be subjected to the action of the means multiple times so that all cations would be removed, which would have an adverse effect on the animal.

This pretreatment facilitates the action of electrolysis using the boron-doped synthetic diamond and avoids the formation of hydroxide or carbonate precipitates that would alter the effect of electrolysis on the drinking water structure.

So far, no action has been performed by the farmer or the professional in the field of water electrolysis, except for primary filtration or chlorination, which actions have no influence on the problem that is the object of the present application. Calcium carbonate in hard water (CaCO) for cattle ₃ ) Amounts in excess of 500 mg/l are acceptable but unacceptable for other animals.

Depending on its inherent quality as a molecule, drinking water not only provides hydration, but also benefits the digestive system by improving the balance of intestinal microbiota and the ability to regulate the body's oxidative stress at the cellular level. The dispensing system according to the present application allows to provide a high intrinsic quality of drinking water, in particular by acting on the hardness to water.

In fact, according to the present application, the hardness of the water discharged from said means for partially decationizing is lower than 150mg/L calcium carbonate.

According to various embodiments of the present application, which may be employed collectively or individually:

-water is passed through the pretreatment member in an open loop; the device thus consists in installing a system for removing cations in which the water passes only once and is then collected in a buffer tank where, if necessary, a plurality of electrolyzations are carried out.

-the pre-treatment means further comprise a disinfecting means not injecting substances into the water, said disinfecting means being located between the filtering means and the means for partially removing cations.

-the filter member comprises at least one physical filter type filter. The filter member may be a physical membrane filter or a physical sand filter.

-the sterilizing member comprises an ultraviolet lamp: the uv light is capable of inactivating any fungi present in the water that are associated with the spread of livestock diseases.

-said means for partially removing cations comprise an ion exchange system of the softener type and/or a precipitate formation system of the deironing agent type.

-the buffer tank comprises an inlet for pre-treated water, an outlet for stored water, which outlet is connected to an enhanced water generating means, and an enhanced water return, which is also connected to the enhanced water generating means.

-the intensified water return comprises a member for generating a rotational movement of water in a buffer tank; this has the effect of avoiding water stagnation or the deposition of certain minerals that may be in suspension during electrolysis.

The member for generating the rotational movement of water comprises a guide means oriented obliquely towards the side wall of the buffer vessel, so as to guide the intensified water falling back into the buffer vessel towards said side wall.

-the enhanced water generating means comprises a circuit comprising, in order:

-a solenoid valve that directs the water leaving the buffer tank into the circuit;

-means for analyzing the water;

-means for managing the flow rate of water in the circuit, such as solenoid valves;

an electrolytic cell using boron doped diamond electrodes to produce enhanced water.

The device comprises means for cleaning the electrolyzer.

The means for washing the electrolyzer comprise an acid treatment circuit which automatically and periodically washes the electrolyzer; this enables the limestone present in one or more electrolysis chambers of the electrolysis cell to be removed.

-the washing member is activated in the phase in which the water is not circulated: the acid solution injected into the electrolytic cell must not mix with the water.

The device comprises an additional member for generating a rotational movement of water between the electrolyzer and the buffer tank, said additional member comprising a swirler.

The present application also relates to a method for pretreating water, producing enhanced water and distributing said enhanced water for agricultural land using the aforementioned device, said method comprising in sequence:

-a first step of extracting water from a water source of the well or groundwater type;

-a step of pre-treating the water;

-a step of storing water in a buffer tank;

-a step of electrolysis of all the water present in the buffer tank by means of a boron-doped diamond electrode;

-a step of transferring the enhanced water from the buffer tank to a distribution network,

-during all steps, the water is put under pressure.

The pretreatment steps sequentially comprise: a step of filtering the water, a step of disinfecting the water without injecting any substance into the water, and a step of partially removing cations present in the water.

The user may use the device as described above to dispense the fortified water as potable water, for example for livestock.

The method can also be used for irrigating ground plantation, and the irrigation water is recovered after irrigating plants so as to refill the empty buffer tank after irrigation. This particular use enables control of the composition of the recovered water in terms of disinfection and the presence of nutrients.

It can also be used for spraying enhanced water to plants and/or animals.

Finally, it can be used, for example, for filling and maintaining fish farms.

Other types of usage and application scenarios may also be envisaged for the apparatus.

In each case, the device is used on an agricultural land scale. Therefore, this type of installation must be robust and sized to be able to transport enhanced water over long distances.

Drawings

The present application will be better understood and other features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the present application, given as purely illustrative and non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for pretreating water, producing enhanced water, and dispensing the enhanced water according to the present application.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, an apparatus for pretreating water, producing enhanced water, and dispensing the enhanced water includes a facility capable of extracting, pretreating, storing, enhancing, and then delivering the water to a distribution network.

More specifically, water is drawn from a source 1, which may be a thief well, ground water, a rain water collector, or any other water retention area.

Water is pumped by a first booster 2 which returns the pressurized water to a buffer tank 5 to fill it, and which also enables the water in the buffer tank to be distributed, if necessary, by means of a second optional booster 8 arranged downstream of the buffer tank.

Before reaching the buffer tank 5, the pumped water passes through the pre-treatment means.

These pre-treatment means comprise a filtering means 3, behind which there is arranged a disinfecting means 4 not injecting substances into the water, behind which there is arranged means 29 for partially removing the cations present in the water.

The filter member comprises at least one physical filter. Preferably, there may be a plurality of filters in series. For example, the filter may be a membrane filter, a sand filter, or the like.

These filters make it possible to remove large impurities and to prevent residues and dirt particles from depositing at the bottom of the buffer vessel 5, so that the bottom of the buffer vessel does not clog for a long time.

The sterilizing member 4, which does not inject a substance into the water, includes an Ultraviolet (UV) lamp. The ultraviolet lamps are placed in the water supply piping of the well or borehole. The ultraviolet lamp enables the inactivation of any fungi present in the water. The ultraviolet action destroys the structure of the water, which will be reconstructed in the electrolysis circuit. The use of uv lamps enables disinfection without residue or added minerals, which is essential for diamond electrolysis.

The means 29 for partially removing the cations comprise a softening system of the softening agent type, and/or an iron removal device. The softening agent includes a salt exchange resin. As water passes through the resin, the resin captures calcium and magnesium cations while releasing sodium ions. The softener reduces the hardness of the water. The iron removal unit enables excess iron cations to be captured. Thus, a substantial reduction in the cations present in the water was observed.

The partial removal of iron and/or calcium from the water prevents the formation of harmful precipitates of the iron hydroxide or calcium carbonate type. In fact, in addition to the fact that these precipitates may accumulate in the pipe and damage or obstruct the pipe, these precipitates appear to possibly eliminate the effect of electrolysis by the boron-doped synthetic diamond on the physical, chemical and energy characteristics of the drinking water.

These different pretreatments are carried out in an open loop, i.e. in a single water channel. The aim is therefore to optimize the quality of the water to be electrolyzed that reaches the upstream of the buffer tank 5.

In this case, the hardness of the water at the outlet of the pretreatment must be lower than 150mg CaCO per liter of water ₃ . This hardness threshold in the water is important because it enables the next stage (in this case electrolysis) to be carried out in an optimal manner.

The size of the buffer tank 5 is designed according to the daily water demand of the farm. The buffer tank 5 may contain all the water required for a day, or the buffer tank 5 may be filled several times during a day.

The buffer tank 5 is not necessarily located in the vicinity of the water source 1. There is no restriction on the distance between the buffer tank 5 and the source 1, since in all cases, even for large distances or gradients, the pumping means are applicable regardless of the nature of the water source.

Then, the water stored in the buffer tank 5 is electrolyzed in the closed loop 11.

In particular, the stored water leaves the buffer tank 5 via the water outlet 6, enters the loop 11 and then returns to the buffer tank 5.

In particular, the stored water reaches the circuit 11 via the solenoid valve 12. The water then passes through zone 13 where a series of analyses are performed to determine the quality of the water and to define an appropriate electrolysis program.

The series of analyses is primarily bacteriological and chemical to understand the bacterial levels of water. Other analyses were also performed to summarize the different parameters that characterize the extracted water.

Specifically, the following are the types of analyses performed:

-measuring the water hardness of the limestone to see if it is necessary to activate the softening system upstream of the buffer tank during the filling thereof: in particular, it is known whether a threshold of 150mg/L is exceeded.

-measuring the iron content to see if it is necessary to activate the iron removal device upstream of the buffer tank during filling of the buffer tank.

-measuring the electrical conductivity to adapt the configuration of the electrolytic cell in order to optimize the efficiency of the electrolytic cell.

-reading the water temperature: hot water requires longer electrolysis times than cold water.

Measuring the redox potential of the water to know the oxidation characteristics (i.e. having a positive potential, which is typical of chlorinated water) or the reduction characteristics (i.e. having a negative potential) of the water.

-measuring the disinfectant rate: disinfectant water has an oxidative potential and is particularly irritating, corrosive to the skin and quite acidic.

-and so on.

These analyses are set up at the facilities of their farm according to the degree of follow-up of the analyses desired by the user.

Some measurements are taken daily (such as bacterial analysis) and others are taken weekly, monthly or yearly (such as water hardness) to monitor changes over a longer period of time or to check whether equipment used in the facility is normal.

These measurements are taken before electrolysis begins, but some measurements may also be repeated after electrolysis is complete to check the efficiency of electrolysis and adjust the electrolysis settings. The fact that the circuit 11 and the buffer vessel 5 co-operate in a closed loop enables such servo control.

Knowledge of the bacterial level of the water enables the quantity of circulation and the corresponding duration of the circulation to be defined. The water in the buffer tank 5 is fully electrolyzed, rather than partially electrolyzed, prior to the first use of the day. The electrolysis is carried out in at least one cycle. A second cycle can be initiated during water distribution to maintain the molecular properties of the water. Then, after use, over time, the water is pumped back to refill the buffer tank 5 and the electrolysis continues with a different cycle, in particular in order to maintain the new characteristics of the newly fortified water throughout the day, keeping the same level of increase. In fact, without intermediate electrolysis, the quality and performance of the still unused strengthening water in the buffer tank 5 may deteriorate over time, since the strengthening performed only provides a low activity remanence over time. Therefore, it is necessary to repeat the operation in the middle to maintain the action on the water, i.e. to keep it in a stable state inside the buffer tank and ready for use. Therefore, it is necessary to extend the electrolysis cycle to the whole day. Thus, it may be desirable to perform two short cycles at two different times of the day, rather than temporarily performing one long cycle.

Once the analysis has been performed and the circulation has been defined, the water passes through an electrolytic cell 17 comprising a boron doped diamond electrode on a silicon or niobium substrate. During the circulation, almost all of the water contained in the buffer tank 5 passes through the electrolytic cell.

The configuration of the electrolytic cell 17 is determined based on the results of various analyses and measurements performed in advance and on the amount of water.

In particular, the number of electrolysis compartments is generally defined between 1 and 4, and the space between the electrodes is generally defined between 1 and 5 mm.

The rate of electrolysis is also defined on the basis of these results. The duration of electrolysis can be extended by up to five times for the same amount of water. The rate of electrolysis is governed by a solenoid valve 16 located upstream of the electrolysis cell 17, which controls the flow rate of water into the electrolysis cell 17. The solenoid valve 16 is controlled by a timer 14 on which the cycle is programmed and which can be set or controlled manually by an automatic control system which receives the analysis results as input and sends commands to the timer 14 as output.

A remote monitoring modem 15 may be associated with the timer 14 so that a user may track the progress of the electrolysis cycle remotely, for example from the room.

Electrolysis is advantageous because it enables the water to reach a low redox potential, between-600 mV and +200 mV. Thus, this is a water that does not exhibit irritating or corrosive behavior to the skin as does water having an acidic or high redox potential. This low redox potential water is referred to as enhanced water, which carries available electrons and boron.

Thus, the water leaving the electrolytic cell 17 is intensified and re-injected into the buffer tank 5. The enhanced water to be dispensed does not contain any added disinfectants or other elements that could cause a hygienic risk.

However, it is possible to inject the nutrients 18 into the water in the buffer tank 5, but this is only to improve the nutrient content of the water, without reducing the negative redox potential of the water.

The buffer tank 5 comprises an inlet 22 for pretreated water, an outlet 6 for stored water connected to said electrolytic means, and an intensified water return 7 also connected to said electrolytic means. The intensified water return portion 7 includes a member for generating a rotational motion of water in the buffer tank 5.

The buffer tank 5 includes: an upper wall 26 having a member for generating a rotational motion of water; at least one side wall 28; and a bottom wall 27, said means for generating a rotary motion of water comprising guide means 23 (for example comprising end pipe sections 23 oriented obliquely towards the side walls 28 of buffer vessel 5). The water leaving through this conduit 23 falls into the buffer vessel and hits or approaches the side walls, causing the water in the buffer vessel to spin. This rotational movement imparted to the water avoids stagnation of the water or deposition of certain minerals on the wall 28 which may already be in suspension during electrolysis.

The water thus intensified, kept in motion and present in the buffer tank 5 is then distributed to the farm via the distribution network 10. As shown in the figure, this network 10 may be connected to the buffer tank 5 via a specific buffer tank outlet or via the same buffer tank outlet 6 for the circuit 11. In the latter case, the water will follow the same initial section 9 between the outlet 6 of the buffer tank 5 and the solenoid valve 12 at the inlet of the circuit 11 (in which case the circuit will be closed). Thus, the water will continue to flow towards the first distribution point 21, which may be located at a distance of several meters from the buffer tank 5, instead of entering the circuit 11.

The distribution network may contain a plurality of distribution points (not shown). The valve 19 is always located at the level of the dispensing point 21 to allow or not the entry of water.

The whole apparatus is at a pressure between 2 and 8 bar. Preferably, a safety valve called a "suction cup" is added at the top of the buffer tank 5 to discharge the gas formed due to electrolysis.

However, the electrolysis of water in the circuit 11 may be carried out at atmospheric pressure. In this case, there is no need to purge the buffer tank 5 and pumping will be performed again at the inlet of the distribution circuit 10 via the second booster 8 to deliver the intensified water under pressure to the various distribution points.

Optionally, a first resonator 30 may be placed between the first booster 2 and the pre-treatment member upstream of the buffer tank 5 to produce a catalytic action in the pumped water. The second resonator 20 may be placed at the level of the first distribution point 21, far from the buffer tank 5, to regenerate the catalytic action in the enhanced water. Other resonators may be placed at the height of other distribution points.

This optional and combined embodiment of the information systems with electrolysis makes it possible to improve the quality of the water at the point of use, as well as to improve the capacity of each information system (in particular in terms of remanence and performance) to reinforce the role of the other information system, regardless of the distance between the electrolysis point and the point of distribution of the water.

The apparatus includes means for cleaning the electrolytic cell 17. The means for cleaning the electrolytic cell 17 comprises an acid treatment loop 25 which automatically and periodically cleans the electrolytic cell 17. In particular, the means for cleaning the electrolyzer cleans one or more electrolysis chambers of the electrolyzer 17. The cleaning member is activated when the water is not being circulated. The peristaltic pump circulates the acid solution contained in the appropriate tank 24 in the electrolytic cell 17 in countercurrent to the advancing water flow. The acid solution will be returned to the tank 24 after washing the electrolytic cell 17, i.e. after passing through the electrolytic cell.

The cleaning cycle may be programmed by a timer, which may correspond to the timer 14, the cleaning cycle being: 1 to 4 times per week, each cycle lasting 30 to 120 minutes.

The acid solution will be replaced when it is neutralized by the dissolved limestone during passage through the electrolysis module. The cleaning cycle is programmed during the rest of the electrolyzer 17 when the water is not being circulated.

The implementation of this acid treatment circuit makes it possible to solve the problem of blockages due to the possible presence of excessive limestone deposits at the level of the electrolysis chamber, without the need to inject acid into the buffer tank 5 and therefore also into the drinking tank.

Optionally, another member producing a rotational movement of the water is arranged at the outlet of the electrolytic cell 17, more precisely between the electrolytic cell 17 and the buffer tank 5. The aim is to achieve a rotational movement about the axis of the water flow. This means comprises a vortex 31, which therefore has the function of amplifying and stabilizing the structure of the intensified water before it is returned to the buffer tank 5. The swirler 31 is mounted so that acid from the cleaning loop 25 does not flow through it. The swirler is therefore placed downstream of the junction of the electrolyzer 17 and the acid wash loop 25.

The swirler 31 may comprise a finned member that enables water to be drawn into the hollow vortex. By means of the swirler, the electrolyzed water strengthens the hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and the water molecules recombine with each other. The molecules are linked together by charge effects due to their polarity. The swirler 31 amplifies the effect of the diamond on the structure of the water.

An exemplary example in a broiler farm with four rooms, each equipped with a boron doped synthetic diamond electrolysis system on silicon substrates according to the present application, but only room 4 was equipped with the claimed system for removing excess concentrations of cations before the well water reached the buffer tank. The growing season of the chickens lasted 42 days to bring the chickens to a mature body weight of about 2.9 kg. During the growth of the animals, dead animals were counted and cleared daily and reported in a follow-up book. The four rooms are configured as follows:

room 1 and room 3: and (5) simple filtering.

Room 2: filtered and then sterilized by means of ultraviolet lamps and then introduced into an electrolytic cell.

Room 4: filtration is performed, then passed through an ultraviolet lamp, then through an excess concentration cation removal system, and then introduced into an electrolytic cell.

Electrolyzing for 3 hours every 6 hours 4 times a day, namely electrolyzing for 12 hours every day.

Overall mortality survey after 42 days:

room	Starting number	Number of deaths	Final amount
				1	26700	1096	25604
2	26700	999	25701
				3	26700	994	25706
4	26700	874	25826

This results in a lower mortality rate in the room 4 when implementing the pretreatment means according to the claimed application.

The equipment shown in the figures referred to is only one possible example of the application and is in no way limiting, on the contrary it covers design variants that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art. The same applies to examples of configurations of the installation, which are in no way limiting and modifications of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus for pretreating water, producing and dispensing enhanced water, said apparatus comprising in sequence:

-means for extracting water from a water source (1) of the well or groundwater type;

-a pre-treatment member for pre-treating water;

-a buffer tank (5) in which water is stored;

-enhanced water generation means for generating enhanced water using boron doped diamond for electrolysis, said enhanced water generation means being configured to perform said electrolysis on the entire volume of water contained in said buffer tank;

-means for dispensing enhanced water;

the whole apparatus is pressurized, the electrolysis of the water operates in a closed loop via the buffer tank (5), characterized in that the pre-treatment means comprise a filtering means behind which there is arranged a disinfecting means that does not inject substances into the water, behind which there is arranged means for partially removing the cations present in the water, the hardness of the water discharged by the means for partially removing the cations present in the water being less than 150mg/L calcium carbonate.

2. The apparatus for pretreating water, generating and distributing enhanced water according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing member comprises an ultraviolet lamp.

3. Apparatus for pretreating water, producing and distributing enhanced water according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for partially removing cations present in water comprises an ion exchange system and/or a precipitate formation system.

4. Device for pretreating water, producing and distributing enhanced water according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the buffer tank (5) comprises an inlet (22) for pretreated water, an outlet (6) for stored water, which is connected to the enhanced water generating means, and an enhanced water return (7), which is also connected to the enhanced water generating means, the enhanced water return (7) comprising means for generating a rotational movement of water in the buffer tank (5).

5. Device for pretreating water, producing and distributing intensified water according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises an additional member for generating a rotational movement of water between the electrolyzer (17) and the buffer tank (5), said additional member comprising a swirler (31).