GB2488630A

GB2488630A - A medium for treating water

Info

Publication number: GB2488630A
Application number: GB201201428A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Colin Brebner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-03
Filing date: 2012-01-27
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Also published as: GB201103628D0; GB201201428D0

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for treating water which contains alkaline ions includes a vessel 12 and a medium, the medium including sintered bioceramic particles 14 and catalytic ceramic particles 16. The sintered bioceramic particles and catalytic ceramic particles attract alkaline ions contained in water, the attraction by the catalytic ceramic particles being relatively greater than the attraction of alkaline ions by the bioceramic particles. Water 34 containing magnesium and calcium ions flows through the vessel and comes into contact with the bioceramic particles before coming into contact with the catalytic ceramic particles. Magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate crystals form on the bioceramic particles and water flow breaks off some of the crystals and conveys them to the catalytic ceramic particles. Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate crystals form on the catalytic ceramic particles and the flow of the water breaks off some of the crystals formed on the particles and conveys them out of the vessel. Alternatively, polyacrylic particles can be utilised instead of the catalytic ceramic particles.

Description

A MEDIUM, AN APPARATUS FOR AND A METHOD OF TREATING WATER The present invention relates generally to water filters and water conditioning devices. It also relates to a medium, an apparatus for and a method of treating water.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Ion exchange media which are activated by dosing with salt are commonly used in traditional water softeners which are purely designed to combat the effects of scale in water systems. A disadvantage of these units is that untreated water has to be supplied for drinking purposes.

Chemical water treatment is widely used to disinfect water; methods can range from periodic dosing of the water tanks and systems with a single dose of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and other oxidizing chemicals or continuous dosing involving a strong reagent being injected into the flowing stream. Chemical treatments are not ideally suited to potable water use as they can taint the water with objectionable colour, taste and smell besides creating harmful entities such as carcinogens. All of the above methods involve tainted water being returned to the water table.

The present invention relates to a non-chemical reagent water filter, conditioning apparatus and treatment method and seeks to provide an improved method and device for removing chlorine and other contaminants from water whilst removing old scale build up and controlling scaling and corrosion on water pipes and equipment.

More specifically the invention relates to a water conditioning and disinfection and filtration method and device comprising a sealed pressure vessel or water filter cartridge containing ceramic and modified acrylic copolymer beads and sintered bio-ceramic beads. The method of water conditioning includes the immersion of the ceramic media within the fluid and the flow of water over the ceramic media's surface before the fluid passes through the ceramic and modified acrylic copolymer beads.

This method and device may stop particles created by the media entering into the fluid distribution pipe work.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a medium for treating water which contains alkaline ions, the medium including a first particulate matter, each particle of the first particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; and a second particulate matter, each particle of the second particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; the attraction of alkaline ions by the second particulate matter being relatively greater than the attraction of alkaline ions by the first particulate matter.

The invention also provides an apparatus for performing a descaling process.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of conditioning a fluid in which ceramic and modified acrylic copolymer beads and sintered bio-ceramic beads are contained within.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing chlorine and heavy metals from the fluid.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a combined water filtration and water conditioning device comprising a sealed pressure vessel.

The sealed pressure vessel of the combined water filtration and water conditioning device may be substituted by a water filter cartridge.

The conditioning member of the combined water filtration and water conditioning device may include more than one disinfection medium.

At least one medium of the combined water filtration and water conditioning device may have bactericidal properties.

At least one medium member of the combined water filtration and water conditioning device may be operable to condition water against scaling.

At least one medium member of the combined water filtration and water conditioning device may be selected to reduce chlorine taste and heavy metals in fluids.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of continuously conditioning and filtering and disinfecting water and other fluids without the need of power and other constant external resources.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of protecting water and other fluids from organic contaminants.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a filtration and conditioning device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a device for conditioning fluids against chlorine and other contaminants substantially as described herein.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a device that does not require power or salt to stop water forming scale on pipes and equipment.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a device that does not require power or salt to stop water forming corrosion on pipes and equipment.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a device that has a method of catching particles formed by the medium contained within.

Any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

Further features are defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for treating water in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example of the present invention is described by way of example only with reference to Figure 1, which shows a preferred device in which 12 is a pressure vessel which contains a bio-ceramic medium 30 in bead form, (typically 5mm in diameter and of a mix of both white and brown) and ceramic and modified acrylic copolymer beads 32 which is filled on top of the bioceramic medium to 50% to 100% of the pressure vessel capacity.

Depending on the application, the preferred anti-bacterial ceramic will be selected to remove unwanted micro-organisms from the water.

Testing has been carried out by The Water Quality Centre (Thames Water PLC -a NAMAS approved organ isation) on the following anti bacterial ceramic material: Nagano Ceramic Code STA-15 The results of which are follows: TIME Escherichia Coli Leg ionelia pnuemophilia Hours cfu/ml cfu/ml 0 2350 1850 2880 1337 24 0 590 48 0 307 Optionally, the ceramic material may be mixed with other such ceramic materials of different composition or with other known filter media: A. A single ceramic composition B. A mixture of varying ceramic compositions C. Either of the foregoing with another filter medium such as: Silver, Copper, alloys such as KDF in solid powder or mesh forms.

The present method and apparatus allows the constant immersion of the anti bacterial ceramic media within the water removing unwanted contaminants and bacteria.

Optionally, the apparatus can contain between 1 gram and 1 Okgs of the anti bacterial ceramic medium, this is dependent on the volume of water to be conditioned and the rate of disinfection required.

The apparatus can be used singly or in any number of combinations to effectively treat a volume of liquid.

More specifically, and still with reference to Figure 1, an apparatus for treating water which contains alkaline ions is designated, generally, by the reference numeral 10.

The apparatus includes, broadly, an elongated vessel 12, a first particulate matter 14 and a second particulate matter 16.

The elongated vessel 12 defines a vessel inlet 14 and a vessel outlet 16. The elongated vessel includes a pipe 18, an inlet diffuser 20 and an outlet diffuser 22.

The pipe defines an inlet end 24 and an outlet end 26. The inlet end of the pipe is attached to the vessel wall 28 in the region of the vessel inlet 14 in a configuration in which the inlet of the pipe is in register with the vessel inlet. The outlet end of the pipe is disposed in the region of the end of the vessel opposing the vessel inlet. The inlet diffuser is attached to the outlet end of the pipe. The outlet diffuser is attached to the vessel outlet.

The first particulate matter 14 is in the form of a single type of or various types of sintered bioceramic balls 30 for water treatment manufactured by Biocera, Korea.

The second particulate matter 16 is in the form of catalytic ceramic medium 32 such as FilterSorb SP manufactured by Watch Gmbh, Germany. The catalytic ceramic medium may be substituted by a catalytic polyacrylic medium.

The sintered bioceramic balls 30 and the catalytic ceramic medium particles 32 are disposed inside the elongated vessel.

The sintered bioceramic balls 30 reduce the size of clusters of water molecules that come into contact with it. The sintered bioceramic balls further remove chlorine and kill bacteria contained within water that comes into contact with it.

Both the sintered bioceramic balls 30 and the catalytic ceramic medium 32 attract alkaline ions contained within water which comes into contact with it. The catalytic ceramic medium attracts ions to a relatively greater extent than the sintered bioceramic balls.

The catalytic ceramic medium 32 is relatively more buoyant in water than the sintered bioceramic balls.

In use, the elongated vessel 12 is vertically oriented. Water 34 under pressure enters the elongated vessel 12 through the vessel inlet 14. The water passes through the pipe 18 and is diffused into the vessel through the inlet diffuser 20. Since the sintered bioceramic balls 30 have relatively low buoyancy within water they are disposed at the end of the elongated vessel opposite its inlet 14 and outlet 16. Since the catalytic ceramic medium 32 has buoyancy in water which is relatively higher than that of the sintered bioceramic balls, they are disposed at the end of the vessel in the region of the vessel inlet and vessel outlet.

As water 34 enters the vessel 12 though the inlet diffuser 20, the sintered bioceramic balls 30 attract magnesium and calcium ions contained within the water.

Consequently, magnesium carbonate crystals and calcium carbonate crystals are formed on the sintered bioceramic balls. The sintered bioceramic balls further elute magnesium ions into the water.

The flow of the water 34 breaks off at least some of the calcium carbonate crystals and magnesium carbonate crystals formed on the sintered bioceramic balls 30 and conveys the broken off crystals from the sintered bioceramic balls to the catalytic ceramic medium 32.

Particles of the catalytic ceramic medium 32 attract the broken off calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate crystals and further magnesium and calcium ions contained within the water. Consequently, calcium carbonate crystals and magnesium carbonate crystals form on the particles of the catalytic ceramic medium.

The greater attracting force of the catalytic ceramic medium 32 on the ions relative to that of the sintered bioceramic balls aids the formation of crystals which are relatively larger than the crystals formed on the sintered bioceramic balls.

The flow of the water 34 further breaks off at least some of the magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate crystals formed on the particles of the catalytic ceramic medium 32. Crystalline magnesium carbonate and crystalline calcium carbonate do not form scale and are conveyed out of the vessel outlet 16 by the flow of the water.

Further, the sintered bioceramic balls 30 reduce the size of clusters of water molecules of the water 34. The formation of crystals on both the bioceramic balls 30 and the catalytic ceramic medium 32 is expedited by the reduced size of the clusters of water molecules.

More particularly, water molecules of the water 34 form clusters of various sizes due to hydrogen bonding. The sintered bioceramic balls 30 contain alkaline earths which interact with the water. Consequently, hydrogen and hydroxyl ions are formed breaking down the original water clusters to individual water molecules which rebond through hydrogen bonding into uniform sized smaller clusters.

The smaller clusters of water molecules allow for the magnesium and calcium ions to spread more evenly within the water 34, consequently resulting in an even spread of the magnesium and calcium ions onto the catalytic ceramic medium. In addition, since the surface of the sintered bioceramic balls encourage crystal growth through mild template assisted crystallisation, an even spread of magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate crystals develop in embryonic seed form on the balls, thereby allowing the crystals which break off to more readily attach to and grow on the catalytic ceramic medium.

Still further, the sintered bioceramic balls 30 increase the pH of the water towards a neutral pH.

More particularly, the sintered bioceramic balls 30 in contact with the water 34 results in an effect which is similar to that of a miniature electric cell. Application of an electrical voltage of a certain value across two inert electrodes immersed in water will cause current to flow involving ions (not electrons as in metals and semiconductors), the positive hydrogen ions (He) collecting at the cathode where electrons convert the ions to hydrogen gas (H2). This is only possible if a corresponding process takes place at the anode, which transfers electrons from the water, achieved by the hydroxyl ions (OH-) converting to oxygen gas (02). Impurities in the water increase the electrical conductivity of the water and reduce the potential at the electrodes.

The water 34, which includes Ca2 and Mg2, will also include other minerals such as NAP, K, Mg2, Cr, 5042, and HC032. Over the surface areas of the bioceramic balls, minute cells are formed comprising pairs of cathodes and anodes, thereby causing the electrolytic process described above. The water in the region around the cathode (the catholyte) is generally alkaline (high pH) due to the formation of the hydroxyl, while the region around the anode (the anolyte) is acidic (low pH) and is where the oxidising entities are formed. When catholyte water and the anolyte water mix the result is water with a pH which is more neutral. The electrolysis process occurring between the cathodes and anodes thus changes the pH of the water 34 in the vessel 12 towards a neutral pH.

Further, water with a relatively more neutral pH has a relatively lower surface tension.

This results in a more even spread of the magnesium and calcium ions onto the catalytic ceramic medium. In addition, since the surface of the sintered bioceramic balls encourage crystal growth through mild template assisted crystallisation, an even -10-spread of magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate crystals develop in embryonic seed form on the balls, thereby allowing the crystals which break off to more readily attach to and grow on the catalytic ceramic medium.

Also, the sintered bioceramic balls 30 remove chlorine contained within the water 34.

More particularly, the chlorine is absorbed by the bioceramic balls and reacts with the bioceramic balls to form chloromide which is retained within the balls.

Further, the sintered bioceramic balls 30 kill bacteria contained within the water 34.

More particularly, the bioceramic balls contain quartz and various oxides, including silver oxides, thereby killing bacteria contained within the water.

It is envisaged that the medium, apparatus and method for treating water will allow for the efficient production of ionised alkaline water containing natural crystalline magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate. It is further envisaged that the water so produced will have health benefits for humans who drink it. -11 -

Claims

Claims: 1. A medium for treating water which contains alkaline ions, the medium including a first particulate matter, each particle of the first particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; and a second particulate matter, each particle of the second particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; the attraction of alkaline ions by the second particulate matter being relatively greater than the attraction of alkaline ions by the first particulate matter.
2. A medium according to claim 1, wherein the alkaline ions include calcium ions and magnesium ions and wherein the crystals include crystalline calcium carbonate and crystalline magnesium carbonate.
3. A medium, according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second particulate matter is relatively more buoyant in water than the first particulate matter.
4. A medium, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first particulate matter reduces the size of clusters of water molecules that come into contact with the first particulate matter.
5. A medium, according to any one of claims I to 4, wherein the first particulate matter removes chlorine contained within water that comes into contact with the first particulate matter. -12-
6. A medium, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first particulate matter changes the pH of water that comes into contact with the first particulate matter towards a neutral pH.
7. A medium, according to any one of claims I to 6, wherein the first particulate has an anti-bacterial effect on water that comes into contact with the first particulate matter.
8. A medium, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first particulate matter comprises bioceramic matter, preferably in the form of balls, preferably in sintered form.
9. A medium, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second particulate matter comprises ceramic particulate matter.
10. A medium, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second particulate matter comprises polyacrylic particulate matter.
11. A medium for treating water which contains alkaline ions, the medium including a first sintered bioceramic particulate matter; and a second ceramic particulate matter.
12. A medium for treating water which contains alkaline ions, the medium including a first sintered bioceramic particulate matter; and a second polyacrylic particulate matter. -13-
13. Apparatus for treating water which contains alkaline ions, the apparatus including a vessel defining an inlet and an outlet; a first particulate matter, each particle of the first particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; and a second particulate matter, each particle of the second particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; the attraction of alkaline ions by the second particulate matter being relatively greater than the attraction of alkaline ions by the first particulate matter, the first particulate matter and the second particulate matter being disposed in the vessel in an arrangement wherein water entering the vessel through the inlet comes into contact with at least a portion of the first particulate matter before it comes into contact with the second particulate matter.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the alkaline ions include calcium ions and magnesium ions and wherein the crystals include crystalline calcium carbonate and crystalline magnesium carbonate.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the second particulate matter is relatively more buoyant in water than the first particulate matter.

-14 -
16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the first particulate matter reduces the size of clusters of water molecules that come into contact with the first particulate matter.
17. A method of treating water which contains alkaline ions, the method including providing a first particulate matter, each particle of the first particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within the water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; and providing a second particulate matter, each particle of the second particulate matter attracting alkaline ions contained within the water which is in contact with the particle, thereby causing the formation on the particle of crystals containing at least some of the alkaline ions which are attracted by the particle; the attraction of alkaline ions by the second particulate matter being relatively greater than the attraction of alkaline ions by the first particulate matter, the first particulate matter and the second particulate matter being arranged such that the water comes into contact with at least a portion of the first particulate matter before it comes into contact with the second particulate matterS
18. A method according to claim 17. wherein the alkaline ions include calcium ions and magnesium ions and wherein the crystals include crystalline calcium carbonate and crystalline magnesium carbonate.
19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the attraction of alkaline ions by the second particulate matter is relatively greater than the attraction of alkaline ions by the first particulate matter. -15-20. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the second particulate matter is relatively more buoyant in the water than the first particulate matter.21. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the first particulate matter reduces the size of clusters of water molecules of the water that come into contact with it.22. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the first particulate matter removes chlorine contained within the water that comes into contact with the first particulate matter.23. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the first particulate matter changes the pH of the water that comes into contact with the first particulate matter towards a neutral pH.24. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the first particulate matter kills bacteria in the water that comes into contact with the first particulate matter.25. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the first particulate matter comprises sintered bioceramic balls.26. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the second particulate matter comprises ceramic particulate matter.27. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the second particulate matter comprises polyacrylic particulate matter.28. Apparatus for treating water, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.