DE2615222A1 - Recovering and desalting therapeutic water for re-use - by reverse osmosis and semipermeable membrane filtering, esp. with heat recovery - Google Patents

Abstract

Method of regenerating and/or partially recovering water esp. mineral waters or brine, comprises subjecting to a pressure exceeding its osmotic pressure and is filtering through a semipermeable element to give pure water and a concentrated soln. which contains the pptd. substances, such as salts and high-molecular cpds. organic cpds. etc. Pref. the water is pre-filtered before reverse osmosis and then opt. oxidised e.g. by ozone.

Description

Method and device for regeneration and / or partial

Recovery of water for medicinal baths or the like The invention relates to a method for regeneration and / or partial recovery of water, in particular mineral water or brine for medical baths, exercise pools or the like. Facilities with hygienic requirements.

The healing and treatment methods require physical therapy including a considerable consumption of drinking water, mineral water and / or Brine. So far, this water is from the municipal supply facilities or obtained from specially drilled sources. After the therapeutic value of the waters more or less used and these waters have been bathed off, are in everyone Trap either the municipal sewage collection systems or open water bodies with the the resulting wastewater is polluted.

Brine sources and, accordingly, the consumers of this brine are in usually regionally concentrated. Because brine wastewater because of its high salt content the municipal sewage treatment plants cannot be fed, so that the biological If the equilibrium is not disturbed there, these are so far after appropriate dilution discharged into open waters with fresh water. The disadvantage is the waste of high quality drinking water on the one hand and the pollution of the waters by the Salt amounts on the other hand.

Another problem with these waters is that their use temperature in physical therapy usually between 280 c for an exercise bath and 420 C for overheating baths. After a one-time, relatively short period of use the energies required for this heating are lost together with the water.

There is therefore the task of developing a method of the type mentioned at the beginning Art to create with which despite the considerable hygienic requirements such bathing establishments and the water they use can be used several times can, so that the amount of waste water is reduced and the heat supplied to the water better can be exploited. Furthermore, the invention has the task of providing a To create apparatus for performing this method.

To achieve this object, the method according to the invention is shown in FIG The type mentioned at the beginning essentially consists in the fact that that which forms a solution is degraded Water is placed under a pressure higher than its osmotic pressure and is semi-permeable Filter element is pressed, leaving pure water and one now more concentrated Solution containing the substances to be excreted, such as salts, dissolved in the water Substances, bacteria, viruses, enzymes, dyes, organic substances and the like can be separated from each other. Through this process you will be doing this advantageously both the dissolved and the undissolved substances of a certain minimum size excreted from the bathed water, so that a much of this water is of a quality sufficient for reuse can be recovered, which at the same time also meets the hygienic requirements enough.

Further, in some cases essential, embodiments of the invention The method are the subject of further claims. Especially the combination of individual or more of these Ausgestal operations with the aforementioned invention Processes provide an opportunity to use bathing water or the like in an economical manner. partly to be reused, so that the heat contained therein is at least partially preserved.

An embodiment of the process of its own importance for processing a bathing brine can consist in that in a first stage initially over Sand or activated carbon filters or the like, the suspended matter and high molecular weight substances separated from the brine and then in the second stage the purified brine with it Help the reverse osmosis in a salt solution higher concentration than the bath brine and is separated into pure water. This makes it possible to get out of the focused Brine and the pure water a bath brine with the original salt concentration Mix. It is also possible to use both the concentrated brine and the pure water a bath brine for brine baths with a higher salt concentration as well as a brine for Brine pools with lower salt concentration and mix these two Bring brines from different storage containers to the appropriate consumers.

To protect the osmosis filter, the bathed water can be drained before it enters in this filter via a heat exchanger or the like.

cooled and the heat gained thereby expediently the cycle be fed back after filtration. This on the one hand becomes the osmosis filter protected from excessive heating and on the other hand also those in the bathed Heat contained in water is fed back into the cycle.

A particularly useful device for carrying out the method is essentially characterized by one that includes the water consumer Circuit, in the course of which at least a membrane filter element with hollow fiber membranes or spiral wound membranes is arranged, which membranes are semi-permeable. This and, if necessary, results from further developments according to further claims a device in which in a partially closed water cycle a significant amount of a bathed water possibly along with the Heat contained in it can be recovered, taking into account the hygienic requirements is fully sufficient.

The following is the invention and its essential pertaining to it Details are described in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows each in a schematic Representation: FIG. 1 shows an example of a water recovery system for medical purposes Baths, FIG. 2 shows a water recovery system for medical baths and swimming pools and FIG. 3 shows a water recovery system for brine baths and brine swimming pools.

All of the illustrated embodiments represent water recovery systems represents, which for the regeneration or recovery of drinking water, mineral water or brine for medical baths, exercise pools or the like. Facilities with increased serve hygienic requirements. Corresponding parts of these systems are therefore provided with the same reference numerals.

All embodiments have in common that in which the water consumer enclosing circuit at least one membrane filter element, hereinafter also briefly called filter element or osmosis filter 1, is arranged, which with hollow fiber membranes or spiral wound membranes which are semipermeable. In the embodiments 2 and 3 it can be seen that the osmosis filter 1 is a heat exchanger 2 upstream can be. Furthermore, in the concentrate discharge line branching off from the osmosis filter 1 3 also each have a heat exchanger 4 arranged, which in the exemplary embodiment According to FIG. 1, additionally within the supply line 5 for the fresh water to be supplied which replaces the discharged concentrate.

In the circuit of a treatment system for exercise baths 6, which are indicated schematically in Figures 2 and 3, baths 7 and the like is a surge water tank 8 according to Figures 2 and 3 and another according to FIG Collection container 9 is provided. These containers allow floats if necessary 10 or the like. A continuous water treatment during the bathing operation, there constantly dipped water passed into this container 8 and from there the treatment can be added before it after separation of the concentrate and enrichment is fed back to a swimming pool 6 with fresh water.

In all the exemplary embodiments, there are within the regeneration cycle also at least one circulating pump 11 and preferably at least one metering device 12 arranged for disinfectants and / or precipitants. In addition, each contains Regeneration circuit at least one volume measuring device 13 for checking and controlling of the fresh water to be supplied in relation to the concentrate discharged. In the end is also in the illustrated embodiments in the regeneration cycle at least one metering device 14 for regulating the pH value of the water or the solution arranged.

In detail, Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a bathing facility, that works with drinking water. The consumers of a medical bath department - Basin 6 for exercise baths, underwater massages, medical tub baths 7, arm baths 16, foot baths 17, Kneipp showers - direct that during a certain Period of time, e.g. wastewater generated hourly via one of the general wastewater network separate collecting line 18 in the surge water or collecting tank 8 or 9. A A collecting tank 9 is to be provided if an exercise pool 6 is not available is, so that also in this case a continuous one during the bathing operation Operation of the processing plant is made possible.

It can also be useful to have splash water and dirty water tanks to be carried out separately, and the level to be controlled by floats.

Via a filter system known per se, which e.g. a sand or Contains activated carbon filter 19, the dipped water is the splash water tank 8 or taken from the collecting container 9 and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures 2 and 3 fed back to the swimming pool 6 via a reheater 20.

The bathed water from the medicinal baths goes into the treatment cycle constantly dissolved organic and inorganic substances in various concentrations which cannot be eliminated by the filter 19. It means that the permissible amount of dissolved substances in the bathing water during operation is exceeded.

According to the invention this problem is solved in that continuously a partial flow of the movement pool circuit or in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the entire regeneration cycle is driven through the filter element 1. It will proceed in such a way that the water that forms a solution is submerged under a higher one set as its osmotic pressure and through the semi-permeable filter element 1 is pressed, so that pure water and a now more concentrated solution, which the substances dissolved in the water to be excreted such as salts, high-molecular substances, Contain bacteria, viruses, enzymes, dyes, organic substances and the like can be separated from each other. In addition to the dissolved substances, for example Suspended solids with molecular weights greater than 400 are excreted from the water and via the concentrate flow from the preparation cycle.abaefULwt. That Concentrate, which can be discharged via line 3, can either discharged into the municipal sewage system or into special concentrate containers and possibly sent to further processing. The concentrate quantities are only about 15 to 30% of the treated water volume, so that a considerable amount Relief of the sewage network is achieved.

The purified water that is generated in the filter element, flows into a pure water tank 21 and can from there via a pressure booster system 22 and a reheater 23 are fed back to the consumers.

If, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, no exercise bath is provided is, the bathed water from the bath section is taken from the collecting tank 9 and with the pre-filter 19 connected via the filter element 1 in the above-described Processed and returned to the consumer.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment, which in essential parts agrees with the aforementioned embodiments, but otherwise for a swimming pool with brine is intended. The brine circuit therefore largely corresponds the water cycle according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, so that too the device for the circulation corresponds to these examples.

So, as in the examples mentioned above, it becomes the bathed water before the reverse osmosis in the filter element 1 beforehand with the aid of the filter system 19 pre-filtered. Here are both a sand filter and an activated carbon filter intended.

It is also provided in this embodiment that the substances contained in the water between the pre-filtering and the reverse osmosis are oxidized, e.g. B. by ozone. It can be seen in Fig. 3 between the sand filter and an ozone generator 24 for the activated carbon filter.

In this case, there is the special feature that during the bathing operation Accruing, unwanted substances are separated from the bath brine, the brine itself but should be returned to the cycle. The substances to be eliminated are therefore either retained via the already mentioned sand filter 25 and removed from the circuit in a known manner during backwashing, or removed from the sand filter substances not retained are oxidized by adding ozone and / or in the downstream activated carbon filter 26 absorbed.

Another option is to get pollutants from the bath brine to be separated by ultrafiltration.

According to the invention, the bath brine is prepared by that in a first stage first over sand or

Activated carbon filters or the like, the suspended matter and high molecular weight substances separated from the brine and then in a second stage the purified brine with it Using reverse osmosis and the filter element 1 in a saline solution higher Concentration as the brine and in pure water is separated.

It can be seen in Fig. 3, as in the area of the beginning of the osmosis filter 1 leads a line 27 to a container 28 for concentrated brine, while on At the end of the filter 1, a line 29 leads to a pure water tank 30. This method makes it possible to use the bath brine, which normally has a salt content of 2 ß to 6 %, back into the therapeutic cycle of a sanatorium, spa house or to return brine baths and not as polluting wastewater in the communal Drain sewage system or an open body of water. From the concentrated brine and A bath brine with the original salt concentration can be added to the pure water are mixed and in Fig. 3 it is shown that from the concentrated brine and the pure water as well as a bath brine for brine baths with a higher salt concentration as well as a brine for brine pools 6 with a lower salt concentration and these two brines from different storage containers 31 and 32 den can be forwarded to appropriate consumers.

Because of existing regulations, they always come from a bathing brine cycle The amount of bath brine to be removed and replaced is in the present case advantageously no more concentrated salt solution, since the salt is in the circuit is retained, but pure water is discharged, which is of the quality of Drinking water corresponds, so it does not pose any environmental pollution.

The return of z. B. 2% brine from the container 32 to the exercise bath 6 can in turn take place via a reheater 20 with the aid of a pump 33, which similar to the pressure-increasing system 22 in the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 1 and 2 ensures that the treated water is brought to service water pressure, optionally heated and then fed back to the consumer.

In all the exemplary embodiments, it can also be expedient to if to protect the osmosis filter 1, the bathed water before entering it Filter through a heat exchanger or the like.

cooled and the heat gained expediently the circuit is fed back after filtration. In the embodiments according to Fig. 2 and 3, this is done by the already mentioned heat exchanger 2, which the supplied Warm up fresh water at the same time.

The return of z. B. 4% brine (see. Fig. 3) to the tubs takes place in turn by a pressure-increasing system 22 and a reheater 23.

Overall, there is a device and also a method with which is advantageous especially when combining one or more the measures described above bathed water or brines to a considerable extent Part of the re-use can be made, so that the water requirement and the energy requirement can be reduced considerably.

Nevertheless, this is done in a relatively simple way, so that the effort to recover the water and heat is viewed as relatively low can be.

All in the description, the following claims and the drawing The features and construction details shown can be used individually or in any combination with one another are of essential importance.

-Expectations-

Claims (16)

Claims 1. Process for regeneration un or partial return extraction of water, especially mineral water or brine, for medical baths, Exercise pool or the like. Facilities with hygienic requirements, d a d u r c h g e -k e n n n n e i c h n e t that the bathed water forming a solution placed under a pressure higher than its osmotic pressure and by a semi-permeable Filter element (i) is pressed so that pure water and one now more concentrated Solution containing the substances dissolved in the water to be excreted, such as salts and high molecular weight Substances, bacteria, viruses, enzymes, dyes, organic substances and the like can be separated from each other. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the degraded water is pre-filtered before reverse osmosis. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the substances contained in the water between the pre-filtering and the reverse osmosis are oxidized e.g. by ozone. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that from the wastewater for its purification branched off partial flow (= Solution concentrate) the heat is withdrawn and the fresh water to be supplied as a replacement or is added to the treated water. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the water exposed to the reverse osmosis is brought to service water pressure, optionally heated and then fed back to the consumer. 6. Process for the preparation of a bathing brine, in particular after a or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a first First stage via sand or activated carbon filters (19; 25, 26) 'or the like. the suspended solids and high molecular weight substances are separated from the brine and then in the second stage the purified brine with the help of reverse osmosis separated into a salt solution with a higher concentration than the bath brine and into pure water will. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that from the concentrated brine and the pure water a bath brine with the original salt concentration is mixed. 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that from the concentrated brine, the pure water is both a bath brine for brine baths with a higher salt concentration as well as a brine for brine pools with a lower one Salt concentration are mixed and these two brines from different storage containers (31; 32) are forwarded to the corresponding consumers. 9. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized characterized in that to protect the osmosis filter, the bathed water before Entry into this filter via a heat exchanger or the like. Cooled and the thereby won Heat is expediently fed back into the circuit after the filtration. 10. Device for carrying out the method, in particular according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the water consumer enclosing circuit, in the course of which at least one membrane filter element (1) is arranged with hollow fiber membranes or spiral wound membranes, which Membranes are semi-permeable. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the Osmosis filter (1) is preceded by a heat exchanger (2). 12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that that in the concentrate discharge line (3) branching off from the osmosis filter (1) Heat exchanger (5) is arranged, which is preferably also within the Supply line (5) for the fresh water to be supplied is located. 13. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the circuit of a treatment plant for exercise baths (6), bath tubs (7) and the like, a surge water tank (8) or the like. Collection container (9) is provided, which preferably has a Swimmers or the like enables continuous processing during the bathing operation. 14. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one circulating pump within the regeneration circuit (11) and preferably at least one metering device (13) for disinfection and precipitants are arranged. 15. Device according to one or more of claims 10 to 14, characterized characterized in that at least one quantity measuring device (13) in the regeneration circuit is arranged to monitor and control the fresh water to be supplied. 16. Device according to one or more of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that at least one metering device runs in the regeneration circuit (14) is arranged to regulate the pH of the water or the solution.