GB2503419A

GB2503419A - Liquid purification system

Info

Publication number: GB2503419A
Application number: GB1207572.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Padwick
Original assignee: WANANCHI Ltd
Current assignee: WANANCHI Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-01
Filing date: 2012-05-01
Publication date: 2014-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-01
Also published as: GB201207572D0; GB2503419B

Abstract

A liquid purification system comprises an inlet (2, Fig. 1.2) for receiving contaminated liquid, wherein the inlet is connected to a first filter 6 and liquid is then passed from the first filter to a second filter 8. The second filter is coupled to an ultraviolet (UV) lamp 4 which irradiates the liquid. Liquid passes from the UV lamp through to a final filter 10, which is the finest filter. The final filter is connected to an outlet (12, Fig. 1.2) for discharge of purified liquid. An electrical supply (14, Fig. 1.2) powers the UV lamp and a pump 16. The pump, which is connected to the filters, is configured to pump the liquid through the system. Liquid flows through the system at a specific flow rate and with a pre-determined turbulence so as to permit complete irradiation of the contaminated liquid. Preferably, the system is portable and may be disposed in a case (20, Fig 1.1).

Description

Liquid Purification System The present invention relates to a liquid purification system and in particular to a mobile water purification system.

Existing water purification systems in harsh environments encounter logistical and material difficulties arising from delivery, use, source contamination and subsequent purification processes.

To date, the existing solutions require large static purification systems. A number of alternatives have also been tried to address these difficulties but none successfully.

This system is specifically designed to deal with the issues of ease of use, robust construction, size, transport and maintenance in the field for the provision of potable water supplies from contaminated sources.

The complete device that has been designed involves the use of Ultra Violet (UVC) light. Other methods of physical filtration of contaminated water suppries are also employed in order to provide a source of clean drinking water for human or animal consumption in remote or harsh environments. The device is specificalty designed to be portable and can be carried by one person.

The system can be used in the harshest conditions and is designed to withstand the rigours of insensitive operations. The device s designed to fit inside a NATO standard case to allow for quick and easy incorporation into military logistical processes and operations. Moreover, all connections are industry standard plumbing push fit mechanisms to enable simple setup and operation.

The device is a sealed unit with only 4 serviceable parts that are accessed by the user. In order to effect purification, it requires minimal training. The device has its own internal power supply as a standard, which can be recharged from multiple external sources with an input ol lZv for the internal power cell. Alternative recharging options, such as solar, battery, and mains are part of the overall design.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings of which: Figure 1.1 is an artist's impression of the whole, assembled device; Figure 1.2 is an artist's impression of the chassis assembly without the case; Figure 1.3 is an artist's impression of some of the internal features of the assembly without the top plate; Figure 1.4 illustrates the UV housing; Figure 1S illustrates the filter housing and Figure 1.6 shows in section a view of the electrical end cap connector but does not display the wiring.

As shown in figures 1.1 to 1.3, the device comprises an inlet 2 for receiving the contaminated liquid. The inlet Is connected to a filter 6 and water is then passed to filter 8. Filter 8 is coupled to an ultra violet (UV) lamp 4. Water passes from the lamp 4 through to filter 10. Finally the finest filter 10 is connected to an outlet 12 from which flows purified liquid. There is an electrical supply 14 for powering the UV lamp 4 and a pump 16. The pump, connected to the electrical supply and filters, is for pumping the liquid through the device. There is also a charging point 18 for charging the electrical supply.

The device is designed to fit inside a case 20, preferably a standard NATO case. The present invention is directed towards the combination of features. This includes the fact that the particulate filters are disposed is such a way that users have restricted access to maximise the robustness of the device. In addition, the present invention is also directed towards the design and disposition of the UV filter.

The devke is unique in the way that it channels input contaminated water flow around the UVC light source to create a dynamic flow of water that ensures complete purification of the supply.

The assembly specifications and design allow for water contaminated with microbiological organisms to flow through the device at a specific flow rate, typically up to 8 litres per minute, and with a pre-determined turbulence so as to permit complete irradiation of the contaminated supply and provide subsequent output of purified, potable water at the outlet.

The chassis 22 has been designed to allow for installation of the features in a manner which allows for easy access and maintenance. The chassis is rubber mounted for shock absorbency and is secured inside the case. A top plate 24 fits on top of the chassis which holds the electrical fittings and fuses and pipe inlet and outlet fittings. The top plate is the only surface exposed to the end user, thus preventing unauthorised access to the internal components.

As shown in figure L4 the internal UVC lamp housing has been designed to be installed into the chassis at 45 degrees to the horizontal in order to allow for the complete purification device to be contained within a confined space and to permit the user to access the assembly easily without the need to contaminate or access any other parts of the complete purification unit The length of the lamp that is used is required to adequately sterilise the water at the flow rate of the pump. (8 litres per minute). Moreover, given that length, we installed it at an angle to use the minimal size box and when using a NATO box, still close the lid.

Figure 1.4 illustrates the UV housing without the sensor or lamp. The assembly is in 5 parts.

There is a lower block A machined from a solid block. This block construction also contains wire thread inserts Al in the openings made for fixings. Block A is machined to define a hole B to accept a push fit cartridge based on British Industry standard plumbing. Block A also has two individual holes to accept screw fixings for attaching the block.

Block B is machined on its outer faces C to ensure it remains at the correct angle when placed into the designated space in the case. A plate D, preferably a stainless steel facing plate, with 4 holes and fixings connects block A to a tube E. Tube E is secured onto block A by food grade rubber gaskets (not shown on the drawing) and by cap screws of suitable grade and quality. Tube E, which is preferably stainless steel, is secured to block A and block F by means of the same fixings described in relation to plate ft An upper block F s machined from two solid blocks. Block F contains wire thread inserts in the openings made for fixings in a similar manner to those in block A. One side of this block is cut to allow the housing as a whole to sit at the correct depth and angle within the case. This upper part of block F is connected tD the electrical supply and a cap as shown in figure 1.6. At the upper end of block F, the opening to the housing is cut through the block and a groove Fl is machined to accept a nitrile rubber o ring into the block. This prevents water ingress between block F and the electrical end cap as shown in figure 1.6. Block F contains 4 individual fixings which join the two parts of block F together and a further series of holes to secure it to the machined face plate which is displayed to the user when they open the completed unit (not shown).

A 12v to 220-240v power inverter 26 is installed within the chassis. This is utilised to permit sufficient power to the UVC lamp (230v) which is required to disinfect the water at a maximum flow rate of 8 Litres per minute The system incorporates three individual filters 6, 8, 10 which remove partAculates, pathogens and odours, coLour or taint, bacteria and bad taste. As shown in figure 1.5, the filter housings are designed so that the filters can be removed and replaced individually without requiring the end user to access any other part of the system. The unique feature of the filter housings is that the filters are inverted. The design and inversion of the filters minimises the protrusion of the housing cap and seal from the top plate thereby eliminating the need for access and diminishing the space requirements of the device.

The device relies on an internal pump to generate the flow of water from source to output. This pump is secured to the chassis. The pump is powered by a 12v rechargeable internal power cell.

The pump is self-priming and has no working parts that can be damaged by contaminated water.

The power cell is a Lithium Ion Polymer battery.

The inlet pipe which connects to the top plate also has a bespoke, floating strainer which is attached at the end. This strainer/float has been designed to ensure that the supply of water does not lie in sediment and prevents damaging material from clogging the system.

The design of the housing and inlet create turbulence in the water flow which forces the water to pass around the lamp housing at a rate and dynamic that ensures the water is irradiated completely. The angle and dimensions of the housing ensures that all bacterial contamination is destroyed by exposure to the UVC source. This ensures that any material which has past through the first 2 filters is tumbled to minimise the possibility of dark spots on the material that do not get UV exposure.

Integral to the design, the housing has also been designed to allow the use of TMpush fit" standardised plumbing components which conform to British Industry standards. The top plate has one inlet and one outlet fitting located at opposite sides of the system to prevent accidental misuse. These fittings are colour coded -Red and Blue -for easy identification by illiterate end users.

Cther key design safety features of the device are the isolation of the pump to prevent potentially harmful water being pumped through to the end user. This occurs following two separate safety checks: i. when the electrical end cap is disconnected by isolating the circuit. The housing isolates pressurised water in the device from the electricity supply and connections by forcing the operator to disconnect the electrical supply (thus ensuring the pressurising pump is isolated) and by ensuring that the housing cannot be opened with an electrical current being connected. Upon disconnecting the cap the UVC lamp is isolated preventing the user being exposed to harmful UV radiation produced by the lamp.

2. A UVC light sensor is installed which monitors the UVC lamp as the water is being purified. This element has pre-set parameters which cut off the power supply to the pump and components of the device if the UVC radiation passing through the system fails to irradiate with sufficient power.

Once the output from the lamp drops below a pre-determined level the sensor isolates the water pump and prevents contaminated water from flowing through the device and reaching the end user. This feature ensures that the output from the purifier cannot be contaminated by bacteria prior to exit and used due to insufficient levels of UVC disinfection.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, there is a device assembly and its component parts for the purification of contaminated water. The assembly is designed to pump, filter and disinfect water thereby producing an end product of potable water. The device is shaped and constructed to utilise minimal space and adhere to NATO standard logistical specifications. The device is tough, robust, man-portable and requires minimal training or expertise to operate.

The assembly utilises a UVC lamp and housing which is isolated from the water supply and which in turn protects the users from UV exposure and dangers from electrical supply when the unit is in operation.

The device directs contaminated water which is pumped through the housing, to create a vortex and subsequent turbulence which ensures that the entire water supply is disinfected before exiti rig the housing by means of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation with the UVC lamp.

The UVC lamp housing is usable in a confined space and operates at a 45 degree angle to the horizontal.

The assembly utilises unique filter element housings bespoke to the overall form to prevent user access to uriauthorised components thus increasing the overall durability and simplicity of the device.

The assembly utilises an integral, self-priming pump system thus increasing the simplicity and ease of use.

The device assembly utilises an integral, re-chargeable, durable power cell.

The device assembly utilises a bespoke attachment for preventing the suction end of the water system from sinking into sediment of a water source and prematurely clogging the system.

The device assembly utilises a top plate that both performs as a simple to operate control panel whilst at the same time acting as a barrier preventing unauthorised access to internal components.

Claims

Claims: l.A liquid purification system comprising an inlet for receiving contaminated liquid, two or more filters connected in series to the inlet, a UV lamp for irradiating contaminated liquid a final filter for fine filtering the filtered and irradiated liquid, an outlet connected to the final filter, a pump for pumping the liquid from inlet to outlet and a power source for powering the UV lamp and the pump, wherein the disposition of the filters and Liv lamp together with the pump create turbulence and a flow rate to ensure that any contamination is removed or destroyed to purify the liquid.
2. A liquid purification system as claimed in cLaim 1,in which said system is disposed in a portable rugged case.
3-A liquid purification system as claimed in claim 2, in which said system includes a top plate for sealing said system from a user whilst allowing access to the inlet, outlet, a charging point for the power source, an end cap for the UV lamp and filter ends. C')
4. A liquid purification system as claimed in claim 3, in which said inlet and outlet are disposed at O opposite sides of the top plate and coLour coded red for the inlet and blue for the outlet. a)
5. A liquid purification system as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which said filters are disposed inverted with only the filter ends protruding above the top plate, thereby minirnising the dimensions of the filters above the top plate and enabling a user to repLace a filter without requiring access to the system.
6. A liquid purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding cLaims in which said UV lamp is isolated from the liquid.
7. A liquid purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said UV lamp is disposed at 450 to the top plate.
8. A liquid purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which said end cap of the Liv lamp when disconnected from the power source prevents the UV lamp from operating and isolates the pump.
9. A liquid purification system as c[airned in claim 8, further comprising a UV sensor for monitoring the UV [amp and for turning off the UV lamp if the radiation falls below a predetermined level.
10. A liquid purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a power inverter connected to the power source and the UV lamp.
11. A liquid purification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims substantially as herein before described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.CO o 0)