DE102022110516A1 - BYPASS DEVICE FOR A FLUID PROCESSING SYSTEM, FLUID PROCESSING SYSTEM COMPRISING THE SAME AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A FLUID PROCESSING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a bypass device for a fluid processing system, the device comprising: a bypass filter device with at least one bypass filter element, the bypass filter device being adapted to receive a raw fluid via a raw fluid inlet, the raw fluid by flowing through the at least to filter a bypass filter element with regard to particulate contaminants and to output a filtered fluid as bypass filtrate fluid via a filtrate outlet, and a valve device which is connected to the bypass filter device in such a way that the valve device on its inlet side draws the bypass filtrate fluid from the bypass Filter device receives, and which is designed to open and allow a flow through the valve device from the input side to an output side of the valve device and thus through the bypass filter device when a pressure difference from fluid pressure on the input side of the valve device minus fluid pressure on the Output side of the valve device is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold value. Furthermore, a fluid processing system with a fluid filtration device and the bypass device as well as a method for operating such a fluid processing system are disclosed.

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates generally to a bypass device for a fluid processing system, a fluid processing system with the same and a method for operating such a fluid processing system. The present invention relates in particular to a bypass device for a fluid processing system, which allows an insufficient or interrupted fluid supply to be at least partially compensated for by a fluid filtration device of a fluid processing system, without causing a downstream fluid supply network, which supplies an object to be supplied with filtered fluid, with particulate matter To load contaminants, as well as a fluid processing system with the same and a method for operating such a fluid processing system.

Background of the invention

It is known that objects have a fluid supply network in order to make fluid supplies available for use at numerous withdrawal points. An example of this is a drinking water supply network in private, public, commercial or industrial buildings, usually divided into cold water network and hot water network. Such a drinking water supply network in buildings is usually fed with raw drinking water from a central water supply, for example a public drinking water network (but also, for example, your own well).

The raw drinking water may contain particulate contaminants, such as dirt particles and/or microorganisms, in particular bacteria (including in particular legionella). To avoid contamination and contamination of the building's own drinking water supply network, so-called ultrafiltration systems can be used, which can be installed, for example, at the central building entrance to the water supply, in front of the hot water preparation or directly at each consumer. Such ultrafiltration systems are usually fully automated systems with fully automatic operations via built-in control systems.

The ultrafiltration systems physically filter the contaminants and microorganisms out of the raw drinking water via size exclusion and make filtered water (also filtrate or filtrate water) available for the building's own drinking water supply network. By supplying the building's own drinking water supply network with water from which the contaminants and microorganisms have been removed exclusively via ultrafiltration systems, on the one hand the formation of biofilms in the water pipes can be prevented and thereby, but also in general, the water quality in the building's own drinking water supply network can be improved. On the other hand, by removing the microorganisms, the possible accumulation of bacteria (particularly legionella) in hot water pipes can be greatly reduced, making it possible to potentially lower the hot water flow temperature from 60°C to 45°C. This allows energy to be saved for generating hot water, which is advantageous from an economic and ecological point of view.

The most sensible way to install ultrafiltration systems is at the central building entrance of the drinking water supply, i.e. e.g. at the transfer point from the public drinking water network to the building's own drinking water supply network, as this means that a high degree of hygiene and water quality can be achieved most easily and centrally throughout the building's own drinking water supply network. Although it actually makes the most sense, installation at the central building entrance is currently the exception.

The reasons are, on the one hand, that the highest flow rates and highest extraction peaks are to be expected here and the ultrafiltration systems must be dimensioned accordingly. In practice, the ultrafiltration system at the central building entrance is usually dimensioned in such a way that it is not designed for the expected largest flows or highest withdrawal peaks, but rather is dimensioned smaller for cost and space reasons in order to cover the average water requirement of the building . However, this means that when such high flows or withdrawal peaks occur, there may be an insufficient water supply in the building's drinking water supply network.

On the other hand, an ultrafiltration system at the central building entrance of the drinking water supply means that if the ultrafiltration system occasionally needs to be backwashed and/or cleaned, or if the ultrafiltration system malfunctions or fails, water will no longer be available to consumers in the building's drinking water supply network. When the ultrafiltration system is backwashed and/or cleaned, the conventional fully automated ultrafiltration systems stop using the building's own drinking water supply network for a certain period of time or even take additional filtered water which is used for the backwashing. In the event of maintenance, malfunction or failure of the ultrafiltration system, the ultrafiltration system is out of service Operation and there is also no supply to the building's own drinking water supply network.

On the one hand, the above problems represent a loss of comfort for the users of the building's own drinking water supply network, as the water supply in a building can be inadequate (e.g. there is insufficient water available when showering or bathing, etc.) or the water supply in a building can even be interrupted for a certain period of time can be. On the other hand, safety-relevant (particularly fire protection) problems can also arise, for example if, due to the interruption of the water supply, there is an insufficient supply of extinguishing water, e.g. for fire-fighting systems or extinguishing water extraction points.

One way to generally avoid these problems is to design the ultrafiltration systems at the central building entrance in multiple streets with independent lines. However, a multi-line system with a high technical design, i.e. with several independent ultrafiltration systems (possibly even with their own emergency power supply), is always associated with significantly higher investment costs for planning and installation as well as significantly higher operating costs.

There is therefore a need for new, cost-effective and less complex solutions to ensure an adequate water supply in a building during high flows or withdrawal peaks and to provide an emergency water supply with filtered water in the event of an interruption of the water supply by the ultrafiltration system, without the building's own Compromising the drinking water supply network with contamination or microorganisms. In other words, there is a need for an improvement in the comfort, reliability and reliability of fluid processing systems with ultrafiltration systems, for solving safety-relevant problem situations, especially with regard to fire protection, as well as for a cost-effective and less complex solution compared to multi-line or oversized systems.

Although explained above with specific reference to the drinking water supply to buildings, the need explained also exists in numerous other applications, for example process water for chemical or industrial processes.

Brief explanation of the invention

The present invention is based on the object of completely or at least partially solving the above-mentioned problems in the known technology and of satisfying the still existing needs. For this purpose, the present invention provides a bypass device for a fluid processing system, a fluid processing system with the same and a method for operating such a fluid processing system. By using the bypass device, the present invention can provide a cost-effective and less complex solution to at least partially compensate for high flows or withdrawal peaks in an object's own fluid supply network of an object to be supplied and to provide an emergency fluid supply with filtered fluid in the event of an interruption in the fluid supply by a (main) fluid filtration device without compromising the object's own fluid supply network with contamination or microorganisms. The present invention can thus improve the comfort, reliability and reliability of such fluid treatment systems in a cost-effective manner and allows the design of smaller-sized and more compact fluid filtration devices (e.g. smaller-sized and more compact ultrafiltration systems).

According to one aspect of the present invention, a bypass device for a fluid processing system may comprise: a bypass filter device with at least one bypass filter element, the bypass filter device being configured to receive a raw fluid via a raw fluid inlet, the raw fluid by flowing through the at least a bypass filter element to filter particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, and to output a filtered fluid as a bypass filtrate fluid via a filtrate outlet, and a valve device which is connected to the bypass filter device in such a way that the valve device forms the bypass on its inlet side -Filtrate fluid receives from the bypass filter device, and which is designed to open and allow a flow through the valve device from the input side to an output side of the valve device and thus through the bypass filter device when a pressure difference from fluid pressure on the input side the valve device minus fluid pressure on the outlet side of the valve device is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold value.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the bypass device can have a bypass line along which the bypass filter device and the valve device are arranged in sequence.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention The bypass device can also have a housing in which the valve device and the bypass filter device are accommodated.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the bypass line may have: a bypass supply line, which is connected to the bypass filter device and is designed to supply the raw fluid to the bypass filter device, an intermediate connection line, which with the filtrate outlet of the bypass filter device and with the input side of the valve device (e.g. with an input connection of the valve device on its input side), and a bypass discharge line, which is connected to the output side of the valve device (e.g. with an output connection of the valve device on its output side) connected is.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the housing may further include a housing inlet port configured to be supplied with raw fluid and a housing outlet port configured to discharge the bypass filtrate fluid. Further, the bypass device may include an inlet connection line, which is housed in the housing and connects the housing inlet port to the raw fluid inlet of the bypass filter device, a housing interconnection line, which is housed in the housing, and the filtrate outlet of the bypass filter device to the inlet side of the valve device (e.g. with an input port of the valve device on its input side), and an outlet connection line, which is housed in the housing and connects the output side of the valve device (e.g. an output port of the valve device on its output side) with the housing outlet port.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the at least one bypass filter element of the bypass filter device can be a membrane filter element which is designed to physically remove particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, including in particular legionella, by means of size exclusion To remove raw fluid that flows through the bypass filter device. The membrane filter element of the bypass filter device can, for example, have a nominal pore size of a maximum of 0.1 μm, preferably a maximum of 0.02 μm, and can be designed to carry out ultrafiltration.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, a first shut-off device (e.g. a first shut-off valve) can be provided upstream of the bypass filter device and a second shut-off device (e.g. a second shut-off device (e.g. a second shut-off valve) may be provided, wherein the first and second shut-off elements can be designed to prevent the supply of raw fluid to the bypass filter device and the removal of filtrate fluid from the bypass filter device. This makes it easier to remove the bypass filter device (e.g. for replacement or cleaning) in the event of scheduled maintenance work or unscheduled maintenance work, since the line section with the bypass filter device can be shut off by the two shut-off devices.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the valve device can be designed to be free of electrical and/or electronic components. Additionally or alternatively, the bypass filter device can be designed to be free of electrical and/or electronic components. Additionally or alternatively, the valve device can be designed as a (e.g. purely mechanical pressure difference valve device, wherein optionally the valve device can be opened and closed exclusively by the pressure difference between the inlet side and outlet side of the valve device. In a further exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the valve device can be so be designed so that it opens or closes (e.g. exclusively) independently. In a further exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the valve device can be designed as a hybrid pressure difference valve device, which is set up in such a way that, in addition to the pressure difference-dependent opening ( e.g. allowing the flow) and closing, can be forcibly opened and closed by an externally controllable actuating mechanism. The externally controllable actuating mechanism can, for example, be a manual (e.g. manual-mechanical), an electromechanical or electromagnetic actuation mechanism.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the valve device can have a proportional behavior in which the valve device opens further with increasing pressure difference between the inlet side and the outlet side of the valve device, if the pressure difference consists of fluid pressure on the inlet side of the valve device minus fluid pressure on the outlet side of the valve Oil device is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold for opening. Furthermore, the predetermined pressure difference threshold can be between 0.5 bar and 5 bar. Preferably, the predetermined pressure difference threshold can be between 1.8 bar and 2.2 bar. For example, the predetermined pressure difference threshold can be at least substantially 2 bar.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the bypass device may further comprise one or more sensors configured to provide information about at least one of a pressure of the bypass filtrate fluid and a flow rate of the bypass filtrate fluid capture. The one or more sensors may, for example, have a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of the bypass filtrate fluid (e.g. in particular upstream and/or downstream of the valve device), a flow rate sensor for measuring the flow rate of the bypass filtrate fluid and/or the like. For example, the one or more sensors may be mechanical sensors that output the measured information visually (e.g. on a scale), or may be electrical or electronic sensors that output the measured information in the form of data, electrical signals, and the like.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the bypass device of the present invention, the bypass device may further comprise a data processing device which is electrically connected to the one or more sensors and which is set up to process the information supplied by the one or more sensors to process and record.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a fluid treatment system (e.g. a drinking water treatment system) may have: a raw fluid supply line which is designed to be connected to a raw fluid supply network, a filtrate line which is designed to be connected to a filtrate fluid supply network of an object to be supplied, a fluid filtration device (e.g. an ultrafiltration system), which has a main control device, which is set up to control the operation of the fluid filtration device, and at least one main filter element, which is set up to receive the raw fluid from the raw fluid supply line, particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, from the raw fluid and to output a filtered fluid as the main filtrate fluid via the filtrate line, and a bypass device according to the present invention (e.g. according to one or more of the embodiments explained above), wherein the bypass device with the raw fluid supply line and the filtrate line and is designed to allow a flow through the bypass filter device of the bypass device bypassing the fluid filtration device if the pressure difference is fluid pressure on the inlet side of the valve device of the bypass device minus fluid pressure on the outlet side of the valve device Bypass device is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold.

The fluid processing system of the present invention has the fluid filtration device, through which the filtrate fluid supply network of the object to be supplied is supplied with filtered fluid during normal operation, and has the bypass device, which is switched on depending on the pressure difference (i.e. depending on demand) in addition to the fluid filtration device or as an alternative to the fluid filtration device and can supply filtered fluid to the filtrate fluid supply network parallel to and bypassing the fluid filtration device. Thus, in a fluid treatment system of the present invention, the fluid filtration device functions as a main unit (e.g., main fluid filtration device) and the bypass device functions as a safety unit. By providing the fluid filtration device and the bypass device in parallel in the fluid processing system of the present invention and switching on the bypass device as needed, the problems mentioned at the beginning can be solved in whole or in part and the desired effects can be achieved.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, the bypass line can branch off from the raw fluid supply line upstream of the fluid filtration device and open into the filtrate line downstream of the fluid filtration device.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, the bypass device may be configured to deliver the bypass filtrate fluid, in addition to the main filtrate fluid of the fluid filtration device, into the filtrate line in order to maintain a pressure and/or a flow rate in the filtrate line to increase if the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side of the valve device of the bypass device minus fluid pressure on the outlet side of the valve device of the bypass device is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, the fluid processing system can further comprise: a backwash line, which is branched off from the filtrate line and is designed to selectively connect the filtrate line to the at least one main filter element via a backwash valve in the fluid filtration device, and a sewer drain line, which is designed to be connected to a fluid drainage sewer system, in particular a public sewer system. The backwash line can be connected to the filtrate line and the fluid filtration device, so that when the backwash valve is open, filtered fluid flows back from the filtrate line via the backwash line through the at least one main filter element into the channel drain line.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, when the backwash valve is open, the fluid processing system can be set up to supply the filtrate fluid supply network exclusively via the bypass device.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, the fluid filtration device can be an ultrafiltration system and the at least one main filter element of the fluid filtration device can be a membrane filter element which is designed to remove particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, including in particular legionella, by means of size exclusion physically removed from the raw fluid. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, the at least one bypass filter element and the at least one main filter element may have substantially identical filtration properties. With filtration properties, for example, the nominal pore size. For example, the at least one bypass filter element and the at least one main filter element can be identical.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid treatment system of the present invention, the raw fluid supply network can be a public drinking water supply network and the filtrate fluid supply network can be an object's own (e.g. building's own) drinking water supply network of an object to be supplied, e.g. a building. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The raw fluid supply network can also be a non-public drinking water supply network, for example a drinking water supply network fed by its own (private) well. The object to be supplied can not only be a building, but can also be a vehicle (for example a train, an airplane, a ship or the like) or the like. The raw fluid of the raw fluid supply network can be any liquid to be filtered, in particular water. In the case of water, it can be drinking water, process water for chemical or industrial processes or the like.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, the maximum possible flow of the bypass device can be between 1/3 and 1/5, preferably 1/4, of the maximum possible flow of the fluid filtration device.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the fluid processing system of the present invention, the main controller of the fluid filtration device may be electrically connected to the one or more sensors of the bypass device and configured to process and record the information provided by the one or more sensors. In other words, the main control device of the fluid filtration device can receive, process and store the information from the one or more sensors in addition to or as an alternative to the data processing device of the bypass device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a fluid treatment system with a fluid filtration device and a bypass device is provided. The fluid processing system may be, for example, a fluid processing system described herein in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The method may include: supplying a filtrate fluid supply network of an object to be supplied with filtered fluid through a fluid filtration device which converts raw fluid into filtered fluid by filtration, and when the pressure difference is fluid pressure on an input side of a valve device of the bypass device minus fluid pressure on an output side of the valve device the bypass device is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold, additionally or alternatively supplying the filtrate fluid supply network with filtered fluid through the bypass device, which converts raw fluid into filtered fluid by filtration and supplies the filtered fluid to the filtrate fluid supply network, bypassing the fluid filtration device.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention The supply of the filtrate fluid supply network with filtered fluid through the bypass device can be carried out in addition to the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network through the fluid filtration device if such fluid removal occurs in the filtrate fluid supply network, for which the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network by the fluid filtration device is insufficient, so that the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the input side of the valve device of the bypass device minus fluid pressure on the output side of the valve device of the bypass device becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention, supplying the filtrate fluid supply network with filtered fluid through the bypass device can take place as an alternative to supplying the filtrate fluid supply network through the fluid filtration device when the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network through the fluid filtration device is interrupted, so that the pressure difference Fluid pressure on the input side of the valve device of the bypass device minus fluid pressure on the output side of the valve device of the bypass device becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention, the filtrate fluid supply network can be supplied with filtered fluid through the bypass device by automatically opening the valve device of the bypass device.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method may further comprise terminating the additional or alternative supply of filtered fluid to the filtrate fluid supply network by the bypass device when the pressure difference becomes less than the predetermined pressure difference threshold.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a fluid processing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a fluid processing system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• 3 is a schematic representation of the bypass device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the fluid processing system 2 .
• 4 is a schematic representation of the bypass device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention in the fluid processing system 2 .
• 5 illustrates a normal operating condition in the fluid processing system according to various embodiments of the present invention.
• 6 illustrates a fluid replenishment operating state in the fluid treatment system according to various embodiments of the present invention.
• 7 illustrates an operating condition with an emergency fluid supply in the fluid treatment system according to various embodiments of the present invention, wherein a fluid filtration device is in a backwash and cleaning mode of operation.
• 8th represents an operating state with an emergency fluid supply in the fluid processing system according to numerous embodiments of the present invention in the event of an interruption of the fluid supply by the fluid filtration device due to maintenance or failure.

It is to be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale and are a somewhat simplified representation of various features in order to demonstrate the basic principles of the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent components of the present invention.

Detailed description

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention is described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it is clear that the present description is not intended to limit the invention to these exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, modifications and other embodiments which may be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. In contrast, when one element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, then there are no intermediate elements present. Other expressions explaining the relationship between elements, such as "between", "immediately between", "adjacent to" or "directly adjacent to" and the like, can be understood in the same way.

Unless otherwise stated or the context suggests otherwise, terms such as "approximately", "approximately", "essentially" are to be understood as being within normal tolerance in the art. The terms “about”, “approximately”, “substantially” can therefore be used as a range within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1 %, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.01% can be understood as the value specified.

The present invention relates to a bypass device and its use and installation in a fluid treatment system. For a better understanding of the present invention, such a fluid processing system will first be described as the place of use of the bypass device according to the invention. However, the application of the bypass device according to the invention is not limited to the fluid processing system described herein and the bypass device according to the invention can also be used in systems with other designs.

If a “fluid” is spoken of below (e.g. as a “raw fluid”, as a “filtrate fluid” or the like), then this can mean a liquid, for example water, in particular drinking water (e.g. cold water and/or hot water) or process water for chemical or industrial processes, but also other liquids. In the present application, the term “raw fluid” refers to a fluid that is still unfiltered, which may contain impurities (e.g. particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms), and the term “filtrate fluid” in the present application refers to a fluid which has already undergone filtration.

With reference to 1 until 8th A fluid treatment system 10 is described in accordance with numerous embodiments of the present invention.

The fluid treatment system 10 can be used in a variety of applications and can be used, for example, as a stationary drinking water treatment system for supplying drinking water to a building, as a drinking water treatment system for supplying drinking water in a train, an airplane or a ship, as a mobile (e.g. mounted on a motor vehicle) drinking water treatment system Mobile drinking water supply system of buildings, events or the like can be used.

The fluid treatment system 10 according to the present invention includes a raw fluid supply line 18, a filtrate line 20, a fluid filtration device (e.g. main fluid filtration device) 40 and a bypass device 50, 150 according to numerous embodiments of the present invention. Further, the fluid treatment system 10 according to the present invention may include a backwash line 24 and a channel drain line 28.

The raw fluid supply line 18 is, on the one hand, connected to a raw fluid supply network 12 or set up for connection to the raw fluid supply network 12, and, on the other hand, is connected to the fluid filtration device 40 in order to supply the fluid filtration device 40 with raw fluid (e.g. raw drinking water) from the raw fluid supply network 12. Furthermore, a bypass line 22 of the bypass device 50, 150, which will be described in detail later, branches off from the raw fluid supply line 18 upstream of the fluid filtration device 40 in order to be supplied with raw fluid from the raw fluid supply line 18.

The raw fluid supply network 12 can be a public drinking water supply network to which the raw fluid supply line 18 can be connected. The raw fluid supply network 12 can also be a non-public drinking water supply network, for example a drinking water supply network fed by its own (private) well. When using the fluid processing system 10 on a train, an airplane or a ship, the raw fluid supply network 12 may include a raw fluid reservoir (not shown) in which raw fluid is stored.

The filtrate line 20 is on the one hand connected to the fluid filtration device 40 in order to be supplied with filtered fluid (eg filtered drinking water - also referred to herein as filtrate) by the fluid filtration device 40, and on the other hand is connected to the filtrate fluid supply network 14 of an object to be supplied or for connection to the Filtrate fluid supply network 14 set up. The fluid filtered by the fluid filtration device 40 is also referred to herein as the main filtrate fluid. Furthermore, the bypass line 22 opens into the bypass Device 50, 150 downstream of the fluid filtration device 40 into the filtrate line 20, so that fluid flowing in the bypass line 22 can be introduced into the filtrate line 20.

The filtrate fluid supply network 14 can be a (e.g. closed) fluid supply network of the object to be supplied (also “object's own fluid supply network”). The filtrate fluid supply network 14 may, for example, be a drinking water supply network of the object to be supplied. The object to be supplied may be a building, a vehicle (e.g. a train, an airplane, a ship or the like) or the like. The filtrate fluid supply network 14 can also be a temporarily set up drinking water supply network for an event (e.g. an open-air concert, a folk festival or the like) or a temporary accommodation (e.g. a container village or a tent city for the temporary accommodation of disaster victims).

The backwash line 24 can branch off from the filtrate line 20 and be connected to the fluid filtration device 40. Filtered fluid can flow back from the filtrate line 20 into the fluid filtration device 40 in a controlled manner via the backwash line 24. To control the flow through the backwash line 24, a backwash valve can be provided in the fluid filtration device 40. The backwash valve may be configured to be controlled (e.g., by control using a main controller described later) to selectively open or close to permit or block flow through the backwash line 24 into the fluid filtration device 40.

The channel drain line 28 can connect the fluid filtration device 40 to a fluid drainage channel system 16. This can be fluid drainage channel system 16, for example a public sewer system.

The fluid filtration device 40 represents the main unit in the fluid processing system 10, which in normal operation completely takes over the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network 14 with filtrate fluid. The fluid filtration device 40 can therefore also be referred to as the “main fluid filtration device”.

The fluid filtration device 40 is, for example, a fluid filtration system which is set up to remove particulate contaminants from the raw fluid provided by the raw fluid supply network 12. Such fluid filtration systems are fundamentally known to those skilled in the art, which is why only certain aspects of the structure and functioning of the fluid filtration system are explained below and details known to those skilled in the art are omitted.

Particulate contaminants can mean, for example, dirt particles and/or microorganisms. In the case of a drinking water treatment system, such particulate contaminants may not only be aesthetically concerning, but may also be hygienically concerning for human use. Among the microorganisms to be removed, which can be hygienically unsafe for human use, particular mention should be made of bacteria, including in particular legionella.

By removing these particulate contaminants, on the one hand, the formation of biofilms in the lines downstream of the fluid filtration device 40 is prevented, and on the other hand, by preventing the formation of biofilms and also generally through filtration, the fluid quality in the overall system is improved. In particular, in the case of a drinking water treatment system, any accumulation of legionella in hot water pipes can be greatly reduced by upstream ultrafiltration of the incoming raw drinking water, thereby enabling a potential reduction in the hot water flow temperature from 60°C to 45°C. This can also save energy for generating hot water.

In order to achieve the filtration performance explained above with regard to particulate contamination, the fluid filtration device 40 can in particular be a (drinking water) ultrafiltration system with membrane filter elements with a nominal pore size of 0.01 μm to 0.1 μm.

The fluid filtration device 40 is connected to the raw fluid supply line 18, the filtrate line 20, the backwash line 24 and the channel drain line 28 as previously described. The fluid filtration device 40 further has at least one main filter element 42. Furthermore, the fluid filtration device 40 has a plurality of lines and valves (not shown) which connect the at least one main filter element 42 in a controlled manner to the raw fluid supply line 18, the filtrate line 20, the backwash line 24 and / or the channel drain line 28, so that various Operating modes of the fluid filtration device 40 can be realized.

In a filtration mode of operation, the at least one main filter element 42 may be connected to the raw fluid supply line 18 and to the filtrate line 20 to receive the raw fluid from the raw fluid supply line 18, remove particulate contaminants from the raw fluid, and a filtered fluid as the main filtrate fluid via the filtrate line 20. In the filtration operating mode, the raw fluid flows through the at least one main filter element 42, with particulate impurities remaining on the raw fluid side as retentate.

If the flow through the at least one main filter element 42 falls below a predetermined threshold value and/or the differential pressure at the main filter element 42 between the filtrate fluid side and the raw fluid side exceeds a predetermined threshold value and/or after a predetermined time has elapsed, it can be determined that at least one main filter element 42 is to be subjected to backwashing and/or cleaning. If the answer is yes, a backwash and cleaning mode of operation can be carried out. In the backwashing and cleaning operating mode, the fluid connection between the at least one main filter element 42 and the raw fluid supply line 18 and between the at least one main filter element 42 and the filtrate line 20 is blocked by corresponding valves. In other words, the raw fluid supply to the at least one main filter element 42 and the filtrate fluid removal from the at least one main filter element 42 are interrupted. The at least one main filter element 42 is then connected to the channel drain line 28 by opening a corresponding valve (and thus depressurized) and then the at least one main filter element 42 is connected to the backwash line 24 by opening the backwash valve. Filtrate fluid can thus flow through the at least one main filter element 42 in the direction opposite to the filtration operating mode, whereby the at least one main filter element can be backwashed and freed and cleaned of the dirt accumulated thereon. Cleaning chemicals can also be added during backwashing. For further cleaning, air can also be blown into the main filter element 42. Dissolved contamination can be removed from the at least one main filter element 42 using backwashed filtrate fluid (or additionally with blown-in air), for example introduced into the channel drain line 28. Depending on the level of contamination, such backwashing and cleaning can take between several seconds and several minutes. During backwashing, the supply of filtered fluid via the fluid filtration device 40 is interrupted.

For controlling the overall operation of the fluid filtration device 40, it has a main control device 44. The main control device 44 of the fluid filtration device 40 is set up to implement an automatic operation of the fluid filtration device 40, in which, among other things, the operating modes described above are implemented in a fully automatic manner. For this purpose, the main control device 44 can control the various valves of the fluid filtration device 40, including the backwash valve, in a fully automatic manner (e.g. according to predefined program sequences) in order to implement the operating modes described. The main controller 44 of the fluid filtration device 40 may, for example, have at least one processor configured to process data and software programs to implement the operations, operations, and operating modes described herein, and at least one memory configured to process the data and software programs store and provide to the processor. An example of a main control device 44 of the fluid filtration device 40 can be a PLC control device (PLC = “programmable logic controller”), which controls the fully automated operation of the fluid filtration device 40.

The at least one main filter element 42 of the fluid filtration device 40 may be housed in a filter cartridge (not shown) to enable easy replacement of the main filter element 42. The at least one main filter element 42 of the fluid filtration device 40 may be a membrane filter element which is designed to physically remove particulate contaminants from the raw fluid by means of size exclusion. The membrane filter element of the fluid filtration device 40 can have a nominal pore size of a maximum of 0.1 μm, preferably a maximum of 0.02 μm, for the removal of particulate contaminants physically from the raw fluid by means of size exclusion. The membrane filter element can therefore carry out a so-called “ultrafiltration”, as is known to those skilled in the field of drinking water supply. An example of a membrane filter element for ultrafiltration, which is called a bypass filter element 54, is a membrane filter element known to those skilled in the art with porous hollow fibers with microscopically small pores as a filter medium. Filter cartridges with such membrane filter elements are also generally known to those skilled in the art. With a nominal pore size of the membrane filter element of a maximum of 0.1 μm, preferably a maximum of 0.02 μm, germs, such as legionella, can be effectively prevented from passing through the membrane filter element and the fluid filtration device 40 can therefore produce an at least essentially germ-free, in particular legionella-free, filtrate deliver to the filtrate line 20. As a result, a closed fluid supply network can be included in the filtrate fluid supply network 14 downstream of the fluid filtration device 40 finally filtered fluid (ie filtrate) can be formed.

Even if the fluid filtration device 40 in the illustrated embodiments of the present invention is connected directly downstream of the filtrate fluid supply network 14, that is to say is arranged, for example, at the entrance to a building water supply, the fluid filtration device 40 can also be arranged and installed at other points in the system, for example in front of the building's hot water treatment, directly for each consumer as a so-called “point-of-use” installation (POU installation) or similar.

As described above with regard to the fluid filtration device 40 and at the beginning with regard to the prior art, interruptions in the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40 can occur during backwashing processes. Likewise, such interruptions in the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40 may occur during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance or malfunctions of the fluid filtration device 40. Due to the fully automatic operation of the fluid filtration device 40, a power failure can also lead to an interruption of the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40. Such interruptions in the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40 can mean a loss of comfort for the users of the filtrate fluid supply network 14, for example because the drinking water and/or hot water supply in a building is impaired or fails for a long period of time. Furthermore, safety-related (particularly fire protection) problems can also arise, for example if an insufficient supply of extinguishing water (e.g. from fire-fighting systems or extinguishing water extraction points) occurs due to the interruption of the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40. However, since the filtrate fluid supply network 14 is designed as a closed fluid supply network with exclusively filtered fluid, unfiltered raw fluid cannot simply be introduced into the filtrate fluid supply network 14 in order to at least partially compensate for the interruption of the fluid supply by the fluid filtration device 40.

Given these limitations, the present invention provides the bypass device 50, 150 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

The bypass device 50, 150 according to numerous embodiments of the present invention has a bypass filter device 52 and a valve device 60 as basic components. The bypass filter device 52 can have at least one bypass filter element 54 and can be set up to receive the raw fluid via a raw fluid inlet 56, to filter the raw fluid for particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, by flowing through the at least one bypass filter element 54 and output a filtered fluid as a bypass filtrate fluid via a filtrate outlet 58. The valve device 60 may be connected to the bypass filter device 52 such that the valve device 60 receives the bypass filtrate fluid from the bypass filter device 52 at its inlet side 62, and may be configured to open and allow a flow through the valve device 60 from the input side 62 to an output side 64 of the valve device 60 and thus through the bypass filter device 52 to allow if a pressure difference from fluid pressure on the input side 62 of the valve device 60 minus fluid pressure on the output side 64 of the valve device 62 is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold value D is for opening.

In other words, the valve device 60 can be configured to open and allow a flow through the valve device 60 from the input side 62 to an output side 64 of the valve device 60 and thus through the bypass filter device 52 when a pressure difference from fluid pressure in the Bypass line 22 upstream of the valve device 60 minus fluid pressure in the bypass line 22 downstream of the valve device 60 is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold value D.

The valve device 60 can therefore have an internal actuation mechanism for opening and closing the valve device 60 depending on the pressure difference. Examples of this will be explained later.

The valve device 60 can further be configured to be closed and to block a flow through the valve device 60 when the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side 62 of the valve device 60 minus fluid pressure on the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60 is less than the predetermined pressure difference threshold D. The valve device 60 can therefore be set up so that the flow through it is only in one direction depending on the differential pressure, for example in the direction from the inlet side 62 towards the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60.

The valve device 60 can have a proportional behavior in which the valve device 60 changes with an increasing pressure difference between the inlet side 62 and the outlet side 64 The valve device 60 opens further when the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side 62 of the valve device 60 minus fluid pressure on the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60 is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D. In other words, the valve device 60 cannot suddenly open or close completely at the predetermined pressure difference threshold D, but can open more or less in proportion to the pressure difference exceeding the pressure difference threshold D. To put it another way, depending on the level of the pressure difference above the pressure difference threshold D, the valve device 60 can open further and let more water through. However, below the pressure difference threshold D, the valve device 60 can still be or remain securely closed.

The bypass device 50 is arranged parallel to the fluid filtration device 40 to enable a parallel fluid supply to the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluid supply network 14 bypassing the fluid filtration device 40. To bypass the fluid filtration device 40, the bypass device 50 can have the bypass line 22, along which the bypass filter device 52 and the valve device 60 are arranged in sequence.

The bypass device 50 can have a maximum possible flow of between 1/3 and 1/5, preferably 1/4, of the maximum possible flow of the fluid filtration device 40. By maximum possible flow can be meant the nominal flow or rated flow. The bypass device can thus ensure a supplementary fluid supply in the event of high fluid withdrawal peaks in the fluid supply network 14 or an emergency fluid supply in the event of a failure of the fluid filtration device 40, whereby the costs for the bypass device can be kept low compared to the higher-flow fluid filtration device 40.

The components of the bypass device 50 may, in an embodiment of the present invention, be arranged in a fluid processing system 10 in a distributed manner along a bypass line 22 of the bypass device 50, such as in 1 and 5 until 8th shown. In a bypass device 150 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the components of the bypass device 150 may be housed in a housing 160 and installed as a unit with the housing 160 along the bypass line 22, such as in 2 , 3 and 4 shown.

Referring to 1 First, a bypass device 50, the components of which are arranged in a distributed manner along the bypass line 22 of the bypass device 50, will be described according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As in 1 shown, the bypass device 50 has the bypass line 22, along which the bypass filter device 52 and the valve device 60 are arranged in sequence. In this embodiment, the bypass line 22 may include a bypass supply line 22a, an interconnection line 22b, and a bypass discharge line 22c. The bypass supply line 22a forms the section of the bypass line 22, which branches off from the raw fluid supply line 18 upstream of the fluid filtration device 40, and is connected to the bypass filter device 52 in order to supply the raw fluid to the bypass filter device 52. The intermediate connection line 22b forms the section of the bypass line 22 which connects the filtrate outlet 58 of the bypass filter device 52 with the inlet side 62 of the valve device 60 (eg with an inlet port of the valve device 60 on its inlet side 62). The bypass discharge line 22c forms the section of the bypass line 22, which is connected to the output side 64 of the valve device 60 (for example with an output connection of the valve device 60 on its output side 64) and opens into the filtrate line 20 downstream of the fluid filtration device 40, so that Bypass filtrate fluid flowing out of the valve device 60 can be introduced into the filtrate line 20.

Referring to 2 and 3 A bypass device 150, the components of which are housed in the housing 160 and installed as a unit with the housing 160 along the bypass line 22, will be described according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The housing 160 may include a housing inlet port 162 configured to be supplied with raw fluid and a housing outlet port 164 configured to exhaust the bypass filtrate fluid. The bypass device 150 may further include an inlet port 152, a housing interconnection line 154, and an outlet port 156 housed in the housing 160. The inlet connection line 152 connects the housing inlet connection 162 to the raw fluid inlet 56 of the bypass filter device 52. The housing interconnection line 154 connects the filtrate outlet 58 of the bypass filter device 52 to the inlet side 62 of the valve device 60. The outlet connection line 156 connects the output side 64 of the valve device 60 with the housing outlet connection 164.

In the embodiment according to 2 and 3 the bypass line 22 has the bypass supply line 22a and the bypass discharge line 22c. The bypass supply line 22a is connected to the housing inlet port 162 and supplies raw fluid to the housing inlet port 162. The bypass discharge line 22c is connected to the housing outlet port 164 and receives the bypass filtrate fluid from the housing outlet port 164 to supply the bypass filtrate fluid to the filtrate line 20 to initiate.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, instead of having the housing connections, the housing 160 may also be formed with openings through which the bypass supply line 22a and the bypass discharge line 22c exit 1 can extend through. In this case, the bypass supply line 22a and the bypass discharge line 22c can additionally perform the functions of the inlet connection line and the outlet connection line 2 and 3 take over.

In the bypass device 50, 150 according to various embodiments of the present invention, the bypass filter device 52 may be formed in the form of at least one filter cartridge. In the embodiments of the present invention shown in the figures, the bypass filter device 52 is shown, for example, in the form of a filter cartridge. The bypass filter device 52 (e.g., each filter cartridge thereof) may include a filter device housing 53 provided with the raw fluid inlet 56 and the filtrate outlet 58. The filter device housing 53 can further have a vent outlet 57, which can be used to vent the filter device housing 53. At least one bypass filter element 54 can be accommodated within the filter device housing 53. The raw fluid can flow into the filter device housing 53 via the raw fluid inlet 56. The raw fluid inside the filter device housing 53 can flow through the bypass filter element 54, removing particulate contaminants (e.g. dirt particles and microorganisms) and producing a filtered fluid (filtrate). The filtrate side of the bypass filter element 54 may be connected to the filtrate outlet 58 so that filtered fluid is discharged via the filtrate outlet 58. Such filter cartridges with membrane filter elements, which can be used for the bypass filter device 52, are generally known to those skilled in the art.

The at least one bypass filter element 54 of the bypass filter device 52 can be a membrane filter element which is designed to physically remove particulate contaminants (e.g. dirt particles and microorganisms, including in particular legionella) from the raw fluid that flows through the bypass filter device 52 by means of size exclusion remove. The membrane filter element of the bypass filter device 52 can, for example, have a nominal pore size of a maximum of 0.1 μm, preferably a maximum of 0.02 μm, and can therefore carry out ultrafiltration.

In other words, the at least one bypass filter element 54 of the bypass filter device 52 can have a membrane filter element with essentially identical filtration properties as the at least one main filter element 42 of the fluid filtration device 40. This can ensure that when the filtrate fluid supply network 14 is supplied with fluid by means of the bypass device 50, the closed fluid supply network is maintained with only filtered fluid (i.e. filtrate). For example, the at least one bypass filter element 54 of the bypass filter device 52 and the at least one main filter element 42 of the fluid filtration device 40 can be identical. It is also possible for identical filter cartridges with identical filter elements to be used in the bypass device 50 and in the fluid filtration device 40. This means, for example, that manufacturing costs can be reduced by using the same parts.

For easy removal (e.g. for replacement or cleaning) of the bypass filter device 52 in the case of scheduled maintenance work or unscheduled maintenance work, the bypass device 50 can also have a first shut-off device 59a and a second shut-off device 59b. The first shut-off device 59a and the second shut-off device 59b can be manual shut-off valves known to those skilled in the art. The first shut-off element 59a can be arranged in the fluid line (e.g. the bypass supply line 22a or the inlet connection line 152) upstream of the bypass filter device 52. The second shut-off element 59b can be arranged in the fluid line (e.g. the interconnection line 22b or the housing interconnection line 154) downstream of the bypass filter device 52 between the bypass filter device 52 and the valve device 60. The bypass filter device 52 can be cleaned manually when removed. Due to the low, demand-dependent connection and activation of the bypass device (i.e. allowing a flow through the bypass device), long downtimes without cleaning (for example longer than 1 year) can advantageously be expected.

The valve device 60 in the bypass device 50, 150 according to numerous embodiments of the present invention is designed for this purpose tet to allow a flow through the valve device 60 when a predetermined pressure difference threshold D for the pressure difference between the input side 62 minus the output side 64 of the valve device 60 is exceeded and otherwise (ie in a normal case with a pressure difference below the pressure difference threshold D) to allow a flow through the valve device 60 To block. In other words, a situation in which there is a fluid pressure lower by at least the pressure difference threshold value on the output side 64 of the valve device 60 than on the input side 62 of the valve device 60, an opening of the valve device 60 and thus a flow through the valve device 60. The valve device 60 can be set up to open or close independently (ie without external intervention). The pressure difference between the inlet side 62 and the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60 can arise, for example, from high fluid withdrawal peaks in the filtrate fluid supply network 14, from an interruption of the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40 and the like. The predetermined pressure difference threshold D can be between 0.5 bar and 5 bar, preferably between 1.8 bar and 2.2 bar. For example, the predetermined pressure difference threshold can be at least substantially 2 bar.

In order to achieve high reliability of the bypass device 50, 150 according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, it is desirable to have the bypass device 50, 150 (in particular the valve device 60 of the bypass device) without or with as little automation technology or other electrical devices as possible controlled components.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bypass filter device 52 and/or the valve device 60 can therefore be designed to be free of electrical and/or electronic components.

The valve device 60 can thus be designed as a (e.g. purely) mechanical pressure difference valve device, which is free of electrical and/or electronic components. The valve device 60 can also be designed as a mechanically pressure-operated pressure difference valve device, which is opened exclusively by the pressure difference between the inlet side 62 and the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60. For example, but without being limited to this, a mechanically pressure-operated pressure differential valve device can have a valve seat with a valve passage and a spring-loaded valve plate which is biased towards the valve seat by a valve spring. The preload of the valve spring can be adjusted such that, in normal cases, the valve plate is pressed against the valve seat in order to close the valve passage, and that the valve plate detaches from the valve seat and opens the valve passage when the pressure difference between the input side and the output side of the valve device is equal to or is greater than the predetermined pressure difference threshold D.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the valve device 60 can be designed as a hybrid pressure difference valve device, which, in addition to the pressure difference-dependent opening and admission of the flow, allows a forced opening and admission of the flow through an externally controllable actuating mechanism. An externally controllable actuation mechanism can mean an actuation mechanism which can be acted upon from outside the valve device 60. In other words, such a hybrid pressure difference valve device further offers the desired functionality that a flow through the valve device 60 is permitted when a predetermined pressure difference threshold value D for the pressure difference between the input side 62 minus the output side 64 of the valve device 60 is exceeded and otherwise a flow through the valve device 60 is blocked . In addition, such a hybrid pressure difference valve device can make it possible to override the pressure difference-dependent actuation mechanism of the valve device 60 and to enable the valve device 60 to be opened in an externally controllable manner. For example, but not limited to, a hybrid pressure differential valve device may include a valve seat with a valve passage and a spring-loaded valve disk biased toward the valve seat by a valve spring, such as the mechanically pressure-operated pressure differential valve device described above. In addition, for example, a threaded rod with a valve plate can be connected to the valve plate in order to move the valve plate toward or away from the valve seat by moving the threaded rod. The threaded rod can be driven and moved linearly by a manual mechanical drive (for example a hand crank) or by an electromechanical drive (for example an electric rotating actuator or servo motor or an electric linear motor). Alternatively, for example, a push rod of an electromagnetic linear actuator (e.g. a solenoid) can be connected to the valve plate to provide an electromagnetic actuation mechanism. In all cases, smooth back-and-forth movement of the valve plate must be provided (for example through appropriate freewheels) in order to ensure that the valve device 60 opens depending on the pressure difference. With an electromagnetic beta Actuation mechanism, for example, the push rod of the electromagnetic linear drive can be freely linearly movable when the drive is in a de-energized state.

With reference to 4 According to various embodiments of the present invention, the bypass device may further optionally include one or more sensors 180. Even if the sensor is 180 in 4 within a housing 160 of the bypass device 150 2 and 3 are shown, the sensor 180 or the multiple sensors can also be located at a corresponding location in the bypass device 50 1 be arranged. Furthermore, the position of the sensors 180 is not the same as in 4 position shown is limited and the sensor 180 or the multiple sensors can also be arranged at other positions along the bypass line 22.

The one or more sensors 180 may include a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure of the bypass filtrate fluid (e.g., in particular upstream and/or downstream of the valve device 60), a flow rate sensor for measuring the flow rate of the bypass filtrate fluid, and/or the like. The one or more sensors 180 may be mechanical sensors that output the measured information visually (e.g., on a scale), or may be electrical or electronic sensors that output the measured information in the form of data, electrical signals, and the like. In other words, the one or more sensors 180 may be configured to collect information about at least one of a pressure of the bypass filtrate fluid and a flow rate of the bypass filtrate fluid.

With further reference to 4 According to numerous embodiments of the present invention, the bypass device may further optionally have a data processing device 200. Even if the data processing device 200 in 4 is shown within a housing 160 of the bypass device 150, it is not limited to this and can also be installed outside the housing 160. The data processing device 200 may be electrically connected to the one or more sensors 180 and may be configured to process and record the information provided by the one or more sensors 180. For this purpose, the data processing device 200 can receive the information recorded by the sensors in the form of electrical (eg analog or digital) signals and process the signals. For this purpose, the data processing device 200 can have a processor for processing the information supplied and a memory for storing the information. In an exemplary embodiment, the data processing device 200 can function as a recording device which can record the activation of the bypass device when the predetermined pressure difference threshold D is exceeded, whereby, for example, interruptions in the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40 can be recorded and tracked.

Alternatively or additionally, the main control device 44 of the fluid filtration device 40 can be electrically connected to the one or more sensors 180 of the bypass device 50, 150 and is configured to process and record the information provided by the one or more sensors. In other words, the main control device 44 of the fluid filtration device 40 can alternatively or additionally implement the described functions of the data processing device 200.

The optional sensors and the optional data processing device of the bypass device according to the present invention can be provided so that they do not influence the operation of the valve device 60, whereby the high reliability of the bypass device 50, 150 can be maintained.

With reference to 5 until 8th An operation of the fluid processing system 10 with the bypass device according to numerous embodiments of the present invention is described. Even if the 5 until 8th on the fluid processing system 10 1 represent, it is understood that the explained functionality also applies to the fluid processing system 10 2 until 4 applies.

Referring to 5 an operating state of the fluid processing system 10 is described, in which the fluid filtration device 40 is in the filtration operating mode described above. In 5 the pressure difference between the input side 62 and output side 64 of the valve device 60 is smaller than the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D and the valve device 60 consequently remains closed. Flow through the valve device 60 and the bypass filter device 52 is therefore blocked. That means that in 5 the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluid supply network 14 are supplied with filtered fluid exclusively via the fluid filtration device 40. The in 5 The operating state of the fluid processing system 10 shown represents the normal operating state.

Referring to 6 an operating state of the fluid processing system 10 is described ben, in which a high fluid withdrawal peak occurs in the filtrate fluid supply network 14 and as a result the fluid pressure increases in the filtrate fluid supply network 14, in the filtrate line 20 and in the bypass line 22 connected thereto (eg in the a bypass discharge line 22c and / or the outlet connection line 156). the output side 64 of the valve device 60. Such high fluid withdrawal peaks in the filtrate fluid supply network 14 can occur temporarily, for example when fluid is withdrawn from several points in the filtrate fluid supply network 14 at the same time (for example when many people in a building shower or fill a bathtub at the same time). As a result, the pressure difference between the input side 62 and output side 64 of the valve device 60 can become greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D. As in 6 shown, in this situation the valve device 60 opens and the valve device 60 releases a flow. Consequently, additional fluid flows through the bypass filter device 52 and the valve device 60 and additional filtrate fluid (ie, bypass filtrate fluid) may be introduced from the bypass line 22 into the filtrate line 20. By additionally connecting the bypass device 50,150 of the present invention, the pressure loss in the filtrate fluid supply network 14 due to the high fluid withdrawal peaks can be compensated and sufficient fluid can be made available in the filtrate fluid supply network 14. It should be noted that the pressure compensation (ie the increase in the fluid pressure in the filtrate fluid supply network 14) can be increased to a maximum such that the pressure difference between fluid pressure on the input side 62 minus the fluid pressure on the output side 64 of the valve device 60 (for example again) is/becomes equal to the pressure difference threshold value D . It is understood that the pressure difference threshold value D must be chosen such that with this pressure difference and an associated fluid pressure in the filtrate fluid supply network 14, sufficient fluid pressure and fluid flow are available for the consumers in the filtrate fluid supply network 14. The in 5 The operating state of the fluid preparation system 10 shown represents a fluid withdrawal-dependent fluid replenishment operating state by the bypass device 50, 150 of the present invention.

Referring to 7 an operating state of the fluid processing system 10 is described, in which the fluid filtration device 40 is in the backwashing and cleaning operating mode described above. This means that the at least one main filter element 42 of the fluid filtration device 40 is backwashed using filtrate fluid from the filtrate line 20 via the backwash line 24 and the fluid used for flushing is discharged via the channel drain line 28. Since in this operating state there is no fluid supply to the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluid supply network 14 through the fluid filtration device 40, the fluid pressure in the filtrate fluid supply network 14 and in the filtrate line 20 as well as in the bypass line 22 connected thereto on the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60 decreases. As a result, the pressure difference between the input side 62 and output side 64 of the valve device 60 can become greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D. As in 7 shown, in this situation the valve device 60 opens and the valve device 60 releases a flow. Consequently, the bypass device 50, 150 of the present invention switches on, whereby fluid flows through the bypass filter device 52 and the valve device 60 and bypass filtrate fluid can be introduced from the bypass line 22 into the filtrate line 20. Since the fluid supply of the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluid supply network 14 is interrupted by the fluid filtration device 40, the fluid supply of the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluid supply network 14 with filtered fluid takes place in the operating state of 7 exclusively via the bypass device 50, 150 of the present invention. The backwash line 24 can also be supplied with filtrate fluid for the backwash and cleaning process via the bypass device 50, 150 of the present invention. The in 7 The operating state of the fluid processing system 10 shown represents an emergency fluid supply in the event of an operational interruption of the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40.

Referring to 8th An operating state of the fluid treatment system 10 is described in which the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40 is interrupted due to scheduled or unscheduled maintenance work, a malfunction of the fluid filtration device or a failure of the fluid filtration device 40 (for example due to a power failure). Due to the interrupted fluid supply to the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluid supply network 14 through the fluid filtration device 40, the fluid pressure in the filtrate fluid supply network 14 and in the filtrate line 20 as well as in the bypass line 22 connected thereto on the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60 decreases. As a result, the pressure difference between the input side 62 and output side 64 of the valve device 60 can become greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D. As in 8th shown, in this situation the valve device 60 opens and the valve device 60 releases a flow. Consequently, fluid flows through the bypass filter device 52 and the valve device 60 and bypass filtrate fluid can be introduced from the bypass line 22 into the filtrate line 20. Since the fluid supply of the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluidver supply network 14 is interrupted by the fluid filtration device 40, the fluid supply of the filtrate line 20 and the filtrate fluid supply network 14 with filtered fluid takes place in the operating state of 8th exclusively via the bypass device 50, 150 of the present invention. The in 8th The operating state of the fluid processing system 10 shown represents an emergency fluid supply in the event of an interruption of the fluid supply through the fluid filtration device 40 due to maintenance or failure.

Furthermore, the present invention represents a method for operating a fluid treatment system 10 with a fluid filtration device 40 and a bypass device 50 according to the present invention. The method is equally applicable to the bypass device 150 according to the present invention.

The method may initially include a first step of supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 of the object to be supplied with filtered fluid (main filtrate fluid) through the fluid filtration device 40. In this step, the filtrate fluid supply network 14 can be supplied exclusively via the fluid filtration device 40. The step of supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 of the object to be supplied with filtered fluid through the fluid filtration device 40 can take place, for example, when the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side 62 of the valve device 60 of the bypass device 50 minus fluid pressure on the outlet side 64 of the valve device 60 of the bypass -Device 50 is less than a predetermined pressure difference threshold for closing (e.g. the predetermined pressure difference threshold D or another predetermined pressure difference threshold).

The method may further include a second step of additionally or alternatively supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 with filtered fluid (bypass filtrate fluid) through the bypass device 50, bypassing the fluid filtration device 40, when the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side 62 of the valve device 60 of the bypass Device 50 minus fluid pressure on the output side 64 of the valve device 60 of the bypass device 50 is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D. The pressure difference can occur as a result of insufficient or interrupted supply of the filtrate fluid supply network 14 by the fluid filtration device 40. Supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 with filtered fluid through the bypass device 50 can be done by automatically opening the valve device 60 of the bypass device 50 depending on the pressure difference.

Supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 with filtered fluid through the bypass device 50 in addition to supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 through the fluid filtration device 40 can occur if the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network through the fluid filtration device 40 is insufficient. Such a case can occur if a high total fluid withdrawal occurs in the filtrate fluid supply network 14, exceeding the maximum possible filtration quantity (i.e. flow rate) of the fluid filtration device 40. As a result, the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the input side 62 of the valve device 60 of the bypass device 50 minus fluid pressure on the output side 64 of the valve device 60 of the bypass device 50 can become greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D, whereby the bypass device 50 is activated (i.e. a flow through the bypass device 50 is permitted) and is additionally switched on in parallel to the fluid filtration device 40.

Supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 with filtered fluid through the bypass device 50 as an alternative to supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 through the fluid filtration device 40 can take place when the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network through the fluid filtration device 40 is interrupted. Such an event may occur when fluid filtration device 40 is not in operation due to scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, a malfunction or failure of fluid filtration device 40 (e.g. due to a power outage). As a result, the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the input side 62 of the valve device 60 of the bypass device 50 minus fluid pressure on the output side 64 of the valve device 60 of the bypass device 50 can become greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold value D, whereby the bypass device 50 is activated (i.e. a flow through the bypass device 50 is permitted) and the bypass device 50 is switched on as an alternative to the out-of-operation fluid filtration device 40.

The method according to the invention may further comprise a step of terminating the additional or alternative supply of filtered fluid to the filtrate fluid supply network 14 through the bypass device 50 when the pressure difference becomes less than a predetermined pressure difference threshold for closing. In other words, the method can return to the first step of supplying the filtrate fluid supply network 14 of the object to be supplied with filtered fluid through the fluid filtration device 40, when the pressure difference falls below the predetermined pressure difference threshold D.

In the method according to the invention, a step can also be provided in which the valve device 60, in addition to the pressure difference-dependent opening and closing of the valve device 60, can be forcibly opened and closed by an externally controllable actuating mechanism. In other words, the method according to the invention can have a step of overriding the pressure difference-dependent opening and closing of the valve device 60 by an externally controllable actuating mechanism and of forcibly opening and closing the valve device 60.

With the bypass device in a fluid processing system according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, the fluid processing system resulting from the invention and the method for operating such a fluid processing system according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, it can be made possible to eliminate an insufficient or interrupted fluid supply through the (main) Fluid filtration device of the fluid processing system to at least partially compensate for this without burdening a downstream fluid supply network, which supplies an object to be supplied with filtered fluid, with particulate contaminants.

In this way, the comfort, reliability and reliability of such fluid processing systems can be improved and safety-relevant problem situations, particularly with regard to fire protection, can be solved.

Furthermore, the present invention can reduce the costs for planning, installing and operating ultrafiltration systems at central building entrances, since multi-lane systems are not necessary to increase reliability and the ultrafiltration systems can also be made smaller because the bypass device according to the invention compensates for high fluid withdrawal peaks can.

For ease of explanation and precise definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper...", "under...", "inner...", "outer...", "up", "down", "upwards", "downwards", "front...", "behind...", "front", "back" "inwards / inwards", "outwards / outwards", "inside, "outside", “inside,” “outside,” “forward/forward,” and “backward/backward” are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with respect to their positions as shown in the drawings.

The foregoing descriptions of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (29)

Bypass device (50, 150) for a fluid processing system, comprising the device: a bypass filter device (52) with at least one bypass filter element (54), the bypass filter device (52) being designed to receive a raw fluid via a raw fluid inlet (56), the raw fluid flowing through the at least one bypass filter element (54) to filter particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, and to output a filtered fluid as a bypass filtrate fluid via a filtrate outlet (58), and a valve device (60), which is connected to the bypass filter device (52) in such a way that the valve device (60) receives the bypass filtrate fluid from the bypass filter device (52) on its inlet side (62), and which is set up for this purpose to open and allow a flow through the valve device (60) from the inlet side (62) to an outlet side (64) of the valve device (60) and thus through the bypass filter device (52) when a pressure difference from fluid pressure on the Input side (62) of the valve device (60) minus fluid pressure on the output side (64) of the valve device (60) is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold (D) for opening. Bypass device (50, 150). Claim 1 , comprising: a bypass line (22) along which the bypass filter device (52) and the valve device (60) are arranged in sequence. Bypass device (50, 150). Claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: a housing (160) in which the valve device (60) and the bypass filter device (52) are accommodated. Bypass device (50, 150). Claim 2 or 3 , in this respect Claim 2 referred back, wherein the bypass line (22) has: a bypass supply line (22a), which is connected to the bypass filter device (52) and is designed to supply the raw fluid to the bypass filter device (52), an intermediate connection line ( 22b), which is connected to the filtrate outlet of the bypass filter device (52) and to the inlet side (62) of the valve device (60), and a bypass discharge line (22c), which is connected to the output side (64) of the valve device (60). Bypass device (150). Claim 3 , wherein the housing (160) further comprises a housing inlet port (162) configured to be supplied with raw fluid and a housing outlet port (164) configured to discharge the bypass filtrate fluid, and wherein the bypass device (150) further comprises: an inlet connection line (152), which is housed in the housing (150) and connects the housing inlet connection (162) to the raw fluid inlet (56) of the bypass filter device (52), a housing interconnection line (154), which is housed in the housing (150) and connects the filtrate outlet (58) of the bypass filter device (52) with the inlet side (62) of the valve device (60), and an outlet connection line (156) which is housed in the housing (150). is and connects the output side (64) of the valve device (60) to the housing outlet connection (164). Bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the at least one bypass filter element (54) of the bypass filter device (52) is a membrane filter element which is designed to physically remove particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, including in particular legionella, from the raw fluid, which is the bypass, by means of size exclusion. Filter device (52) flows through to be removed. Bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , wherein a first shut-off device (59a) is provided upstream of the bypass filter device (52) and a second shut-off device (59b) is provided downstream of the bypass filter device (52) between the bypass filter device (52) and the valve device (60). , wherein the first and second shut-off elements (59a, 59b) are designed to prevent the supply of raw fluid to the bypass filter device (52) and the removal of filtrate fluid from the bypass filter device (52). Bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the valve device (60) is designed to be free of electrical and/or electronic components and/or the bypass filter device is designed to be free of electrical and/or electronic components. Bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the valve device (60) is designed as a mechanical pressure difference valve device, wherein optionally the valve device (60) can be opened and closed exclusively by the pressure difference between the inlet side (62) and outlet side (64) of the valve device (60). Bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , wherein the valve device (60) is designed as a hybrid pressure difference valve device, which is set up so that, in addition to the pressure difference-dependent opening and closing, it can be forcibly opened and closed by an externally controllable actuating mechanism. Bypass device (50, 150). Claim 10 , wherein the externally controllable actuation mechanism is a manual, an electromechanical or electromagnetic actuation mechanism. Bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , wherein the valve device (60) has a proportional behavior in which the valve device (60) opens further with increasing pressure difference between the inlet side (62) and outlet side (64) of the valve device (60), if the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side ( 62) of the valve device (60) minus fluid pressure on the outlet side (64) of the valve device (62) is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold (D) for opening. Bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 , further comprising: one or more sensors (180) configured to detect information about at least one of a pressure of the bypass filtrate fluid and a flow rate of the bypass filtrate fluid. Bypass device (50, 150). Claim 13 , further comprising a data processing device (200) which is electrically connected to the one or more sensors (180) and which is set up to process and record the information provided by the one or more sensors (180). Fluid treatment system (10), in particular drinking water treatment system, the system comprising: a raw fluid supply line (18), which is set up to be connected to a raw fluid supply network (12), a filtrate line (20), which is set up to be connected to a filtrate fluid supply network (14) of an object to be supplied, a fluid filtration device (40), which has a main control device (44), which is set up to control the operation of the fluid filtration device (40) to control, and has at least one main filter element (42), which is designed to receive the raw fluid from the raw fluid supply line (18), to remove particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, from the raw fluid and to use a filtered fluid as the main Dispense filtrate fluid via the filtrate line (20), and a bypass device (50, 150) according to one of the Claims 1 until 14 , wherein the bypass device (50, 150) is connected to the raw fluid supply line (18) and the filtrate line (20) and is designed to accommodate a flow through the bypass filter device (52) of the bypass device (50, 150). To allow bypassing of the fluid filtration device (40) if the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side (62) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50, 150) minus fluid pressure on the outlet side (64) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device Device (50, 150) is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold (D) for opening. Fluid processing system (10). Claim 15 , comprising the bypass device (50, 150) according to one of Claims 1 until 14 , in this respect Claim 2 referred back, wherein the bypass line (22) branches off from the raw fluid supply line (18) upstream of the fluid filtration device (40) and opens into the filtrate line (20) downstream of the fluid filtration device (40). Fluid processing system (10). Claim 15 or 16 , wherein the bypass device (50, 150) is designed to deliver the bypass filtrate fluid, in addition to the main filtrate fluid of the fluid filtration device (40), into the filtrate line (20) in order to maintain a pressure and / or a flow rate in the To increase the filtrate line (20) when the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side (62) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50, 150) minus fluid pressure on the outlet side (64) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device ( 50, 150) is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold (D) for opening. Fluid processing system (10) according to one of the Claims 15 until 17 , further comprising: a backwash line (24), which is branched off from the filtrate line (20) and is designed to selectively connect the filtrate line (20) to the at least one main filter element (42) via a backwash valve in the fluid filtration device (40). connect, and a channel drain line (28), which is designed to be connected to a fluid drainage channel system (16), in particular a public sewer system, wherein the backwash line (24) is connected to the filtrate line (20) and the fluid filtration device (40). , so that when the backwash valve is open, filtered fluid flows back from the filtrate line (20) via the backwash line (24) through the at least one main filter element (42) into the channel drain line (28). Fluid processing system (10). Claim 18 , wherein the fluid processing system (10) is set up to supply the filtrate fluid supply network (14) exclusively via the bypass device (50, 150) when the backwash valve is open. Fluid processing system (10) according to one of the Claims 15 until 19 , wherein the fluid filtration device (40) is an ultrafiltration system, and wherein optionally the at least one main filter element (42) of the fluid filtration device (40) is a membrane filter element which is designed to remove particulate contaminants, in particular dirt particles and microorganisms, including in particular legionella, by means of Physically remove size exclusion from the raw fluid. Fluid processing system (10) according to one of the Claims 15 until 20 , wherein the raw fluid supply network (12) is a public drinking water supply network and wherein the filtrate fluid supply network (14) is an object's own drinking water supply network of an object to be supplied, in particular a building. Fluid processing system (10) according to one of the Claims 15 until 21 , wherein the maximum possible flow of the bypass device (50, 150) is between 1/3 and 1/5, preferably 1/4, of the maximum possible flow of the fluid filtration device (40). Fluid processing system (10) according to one of the Claims 15 until 22 , wherein the at least one bypass filter element (54) and the at least one main filter element (42) have substantially identical filtration properties, optionally the at least one bypass filter element (54) and the at least one main filter element (42) being identical . Fluid processing system (10) according to one of the Claims 15 until 23 , having the bypass device (50, 150). Claim 13 , wherein the main control device (44) of the fluid filtration Direction (40) is electrically connected to the one or more sensors (180) of the bypass device (50, 150) and is set up to process and record the information provided by the one or more sensors (180). Method for operating a fluid processing system (10) with a fluid filtration device (40) and a bypass device (50, 150), in particular a fluid processing system (10) according to one of Claims 15 until 24 , comprising the method: supplying a filtrate fluid supply network (14) of an object to be supplied with filtered fluid through the fluid filtration device (40), which converts raw fluid into filtered fluid by filtration, and when the pressure difference from fluid pressure on an inlet side (62) of a valve device (60 ) of the bypass device (50, 150) minus fluid pressure on an output side (64) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50, 150) is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure difference threshold (D) for opening, additional or alternative supply of the filtrate fluid supply network (14) with filtered fluid through the bypass device (50, 150), which converts raw fluid into filtered fluid by filtration and supplies the filtered fluid to the filtrate fluid supply network (14), bypassing the fluid filtration device (40). Procedure according to Claim 25 , wherein the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network (14) with filtered fluid by the bypass device (50, 150) takes place in addition to the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network (14) by the fluid filtration device (40) when such fluid removal is carried out in the filtrate fluid supply network (14), for which the supply of the filtrate fluid supply network (14) by the fluid filtration device (40) is insufficient, so that the pressure difference from fluid pressure on the inlet side (62) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50, 150) minus fluid pressure on the outlet side ( 64) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50, 150) becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold (D) for opening. Procedure according to Claim 25 or 26 , wherein supplying the filtrate fluid supply network (14) with filtered fluid through the bypass device (50, 150) takes place as an alternative to supplying the filtrate fluid supply network (14) through the fluid filtration device (40), when the filtrate fluid supply network (14) is supplied by the fluid filtration device ( 40) is interrupted, so that the pressure difference consists of fluid pressure on the inlet side (62) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50, 150) minus fluid pressure on the outlet side (64) of the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50 , 150) becomes greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure difference threshold (D) for opening. Procedure according to one of the Claims 25 until 27 , wherein the filtrate fluid supply network (14) is supplied with filtered fluid through the bypass device (50,150) by automatically opening the valve device (60) of the bypass device (50,150). Procedure according to one of the Claims 25 until 28 , further comprising: terminating the additional or alternative supply of filtered fluid to the filtrate fluid supply network (14) by the bypass device (50,150) when the pressure difference becomes less than a predetermined pressure difference threshold for closing.

Images