MXPA05008735A

MXPA05008735A - Flow regulator for controlled gravity flow of fluid.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05008735A
Application number: MXPA05008735A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Anantharam Vadhyar Jayashree
Original assignee: Unilever Nv
Priority date: 2003-02-18
Filing date: 2004-02-06
Publication date: 2005-09-20
Also published as: BRPI0407345B1; RU2005129120A; WO2004074182A3; ZA200505778B; WO2004074182A2; RU2364912C2; BRPI0407345A; CN1751279A; PL213012B1; PL377188A1; CN102757116A

Abstract

The invention provides a flow regulator for controlled gravity flow of fluid comprising: - a flow control reservoir adapted to discharge the required volume of fluid and comprising at least one inlet for entry of the fluid into the reservoir; - at least one siphon discharge operatively connected to the flow control reservoir and adapted to control the flow rate of the fluid from the reservoir. The flow regulator is particularly suitable for the provision of control over the flow of water in water purification systems, especially gravity flow water purification devices for the purification of water for domestic consumption.

Description

REGU LADOR D E F LUJ O FOR FLU TION OF F LU I DOES BY G RAVETY CONTRO CAM PO D E I NVE N CIO N The present invention relates to a flow regulator and, in particular, a flow regulator for regulated release of fluids under gravity flow. Such a system can be used in combination with purification systems, such as biocide release systems (eg, halogenated resins or chlorine tablets), which require regulated fluid contact with active for the purification process.

ANTE CEDE NTES AND TECN I The purification systems of the type discussed above require the fluid to be treated to pass under gravity flow through the purification unit to make contact with the fluid flowing with the fluid treatment medium. employee. There is a need to control the flow by gravity in such systems to achieve effective treatment and purification. US 458 4106 describes a chlorination system for distributing chlorine as the active in a hot tub or spa. The system regulates the flow of water through a mixing chamber with a valve or tap to control the speed of chlorine distribution. A mounting of venturi tubes and deflectors also regulates the flow of water through the mixing chamber and controls the particle size of chlorination tablets that will flow from the chlorination system. US 5089127 discloses a chemical feeder including a cylinder for receiving a can holding a plurality of solid sanitizing elements configured in the form of pellets or tablets, for example calcium hypochlorite or chloroisocyanurate. The bottom and lower end of the side wall of the canister are perforated and the lower end portion of the canister is located within the upper portion of an open top entrance or erosion deposit. The water enters the lower end of the erosion tank through an inlet opening in the shape of a jet and passes upwards to contact the solid sanitizing elements in the lower end portion of the can to gradually erode and dissolve the sanitizing elements. in the lower end portion of the boat. The amount of chemical supplied to the water passing through the feeder is controlled by varying the inlet flow velocity of the water, which collides with the elements in the lower end portion of the can. In this system, an inlet control valve is mounted in the inlet duct to control the flow of the inlet water to the sanitizing tank. US 6298871 B 1 describes a chemical feeder that produces a solution of a chemical treatment agent, such as sodium hypochlorite. The feeder comprises a housing defining a cavity, and an elongated vertical hollow container is centrally located within the cavity. The lower wall of the side wall of the container is adjacent to the base and contains a plurality of perforations in the lower portion of the side wall, which is separated from the inner wall of the housing. At least one hollow canister having a plurality of perforations in its base and the lower portion of its side wall is slidably received inside the container. Ducts are provided to deliver the liquid in which the chemical treatment agent is provided to a chamber below the perforations in the can and to remove the liquid stream containing the chemical treatment agent from the feeder. A problem with devices such as venturi tubes and deflectors is that they require regular manual intervention and do not provide uniform flow control. On the other hand, more complex control mechanisms such as electronically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated systems may be more reliable but are expensive to manufacture and maintain.

OBJECTIVE OF THE I NVENTION The objective of the present invention is to provide a flow regulator for controlled release of fluids under gravity flow, regardless of the height or volume of the source, which is simple and effective in terms of cost, and yet does not suffer from irregular control, drastic changes in flow characteristics or turbulence and does not involve complexities in installation and maintenance. The flow regulator of the invention can be adapted for convenient attachment or installation to any supply or source, such as storage units that supply water under gravity. The flow regulator of the invention provides controlled release of fluid under gravity flow and can be adapted for use in conjunction with any conventional gravity-based purification system, especially those that require residence time or controlled water contact for the purpose of purification and filtration, such as biocide discharge units. This allows control over contact with or release of purifying actives, such as biocides, to maintain a uniform water purification and avoid problems of insufficient purification or excessive loading of active to water being treated. The flow regulator of the invention does not require electrically, electronically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven flow control valves or valves, and does not require repeated manual intervention. The flow regulator of the invention is simple and compact to be easily assembled in any gravity flow system that requires regulated fluid flow through it and at the same time deals with problems of plugging or interruption of fluid flow or complexity in the maintenance BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a flow regulator for controlled gravity fluid flow comprising: a flow control reservoir adapted to discharge the volume of fluid required and comprising at least one inlet for the fluid inlet in the warehouse; - at least one siphon discharge "operatively connected to the flow control reservoir and adapted to control the flow velocity of the fluid from the reservoir In the flow regulator of the invention, the fluid flow rate is first regulated through a selective dimension of the control tank which achieves a first stage of flow rate control regardless of the speed or volume of flow of the fluid source.Additional flow control is achieved by the siphon discharge, which It preferably comprises a tubular member of pre-selected dimensions to facilitate flow rate control, More preferably, the siphon discharge comprises an inverted tubular "U" or "V" shaped member having two arms, one end which constitutes the entrance end, while the other constitutes the exit end, with the entrance end positioned at a higher level and projecting towards the reservoir. The control end on the bottom thereof, and the outlet end is arranged lower than the entry end to maintain a difference in height between the inlet and outlet ends of the tubular member. By controlling the dimensions of the internal diameter of the tubular member as well as the difference in height of its inlet and outlet ends, it is possible to regulate the flow velocity of the fluid through the siphon discharge. This can be achieved by using a tubular member configured in an inverted "U" or "V" shape with the inlet and outlet ends at the respective ends of the tubular member, the arm of the tubular member having the entry end shorter than the length of the arm that has the exit end.

To achieve a regulated flow of 10 to 200 ml / min, the size of the control reservoir can be selected from 50 to 500 ml and the tubular siphon discharge can have a diameter in the range of 0.5 to 50 mm, with a difference in height between the inlet and outlet ends of the tubular siphon discharge from 1 to 200 mm. Furthermore, considering that the resistance offered by the tubular siphon discharge also has a relation to the flow velocity, the material of the tubular siphon discharge should be selected based on the desired flow velocity. The preferred materials are glass, plastic, polymer, ceramic or metal. The flow regulator of the invention may comprise a plurality of separate control tanks. In this case, each tank is provided with an independent siphon discharge for the controlled flow rate of fluid from the respective control tanks. Preferably, the or each control tank is provided with a vent adapted to allow the air pressure in and out of the tank to equalize after each fluid discharge and ensure reliable operation of the siphon regulated discharge. Suitably, such ventilation can be provided in the inlet opening of the fluid inlet tank. The flow regulator of the invention can be incorporated into gravity feed systems, such as gravity feed water purification systems, where the regulated flow of water through various water purification means is desired for effective purification.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a purification system comprising: a source of untreated fluid; a flow regulator system operably connected to the source comprising a flow control reservoir adapted to discharge the volume of fluid required, and comprising at least one inlet for the fluid inlet from the source to the reservoir, at least one siphon discharge operatively connected to the flow control reservoir and adapted to control the flow velocity of the fluid from the reservoir, and at least one outlet for the fluid exit from the siphon discharge, and one unit of purification of the fluid, which is operatively connected to the outlet. The purification unit normally contains any conventional purification agent in powder, granular, resin or tablet form. Preferred purifying agents include pentaiodide resin and trichlorocyanuric acid (TCCA). It is also possible to use other conventional chlorine release compounds, such as potassium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, chlorinated trisodium phosphate, calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, monochloramine, dichloramine, [(monotrichlor) -tetra (monopotassium dichloro)] pentaisocyanurate ,, 3-dichloro-5, 5-dimethylideotone, paratoluene sulfodichloroamide, trichloromelamine, N-chloramine, N-chlorosuccinimide,?,? '- dic! Oroazodicarbonamide, N-chloroacetyl-urea,? ,? - dichloroazodicarbonamide, N-chloroacetyl-urea, N, N-dichlorbiuryl, chlorinated dicyandiamide and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the purification unit contains a biocide delivery unit operatively connected to the exit of the siphon discharge, so that the flow of regulated fluid comes in contact with the biocide for controlled purification. Preferably, the purification unit also contains a mechanism for regulated discharge of the fluid treated with biocide to a downstream residence chamber and additionally through a purifying system (for removal of residual impurities), to be finally collected in a lower chamber as treated fluid, which can be discharged from an outlet in the lower chamber. The flow regulator of the invention is simple but effective in achieving control over the fluid flow rate. To accommodate and fix the flow regulator, it can be provided with simple fixation media, which could be integrated with any conventional purification unit. It is also possible to secure the separable flow regulator with respect to the interior of the purification unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is particularly suitable for the provision of control over the flow of water in water purification systems, especially gravity flow water purification devices for the purification of water for domestic consumption. Such devices usually involve several components and usually have five basic units comprising: (a) an upper chamber, which is used for storage of water to be treated. This camera usually carries a pre-filter, usually a carbon block to remove sediment, organic impurities and cysts. (b) a biocide delivery system which usually carries chlorine tablets, such as NaDCCA, TCCA, iodinated resin or other biocides. The biocide delivery system receives water from the upper chamber by gravity. (c) a residence chamber or residence time chamber that provides the necessary time for the pathogens and the biocide to remain together to achieve the goal of killing the pathogens. (d) a purifying system (usually activated carbon), which receives water from the residence chamber and removes residual impurities such as iodine, chlorine, TH S and the like. (e) a lower chamber which receives the purified water from the purifier for consumption. The important factor for such gravity purification devices is the variable flow rate of inlet water encountered by such systems. Considering that the various components have different requirements for effective purification based on the contact time or residence time of the water passing through, it is important that the flow velocity in such devices be effectively controlled to achieve the desired purification of the water. In particular, the biocide treatment in such systems has a critical relationship to the rate of water flow through said biocide delivery system, because although it is important that the water should come into contact with the biocide for death For the desired pathogen, it is not desirable that the water passing through the biocide delivery system contains proportions of the biocide beyond a safe limit stipulated for domestic consumption. The flow regulator of the invention allows effective control of the water flow rate to achieve a more secure purification of the water to be treated.

DESCRIPTION IN RELATION TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES The flow regulator of the invention is explained hereinafter in greater detail in the following non-limiting Examples, as illustrated by the accompanying Figures, in which Figure 1 is a sectional view of a bucket filter for drinking water purification including a flow regulator of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the flow regulator used in the cube filter of Fig. 1. In Figure 1, a cube filter is comprised by an upper chamber (1) for storage of the water to be treated. The upper chamber also houses a pre-filter (PF), which is a carbon block used to remove sediment, organic impurities and cysts. From the pre-filter (PF), water is allowed to flow by gravity into an additional chamber (2), which houses a flow regulator (FR). The flow regulator is adapted so that regardless of the volume of water in the upper chamber (1) and the water flow rate through the pre-filter (PF), the water from the flow regulator (FR) is discharged in regulated quantities and at a controlled speed. The flow regulator (FR) comprises a control reservoir which is dimensioned to allow controlled volume flow of water from the control reservoir. The flow regulator (FR) further comprises a siphon discharge member (SDM), which is a "U" shaped tubular member having an inverted input (IN), which is at a higher level with respect to the exit (OT). The height difference between the input (IN) and the output (OT) can be adjusted depending on the desired required flow rate. Water from the flow regulator (FR) with controlled flow rate leaves the outlet (OT) and passes through a biocide unit (3), which releases a pre-selected dose of biocide in the water. Subsequently, the water treated with biocide is allowed to flow under gravity to a lower chamber (5) via a purifying unit (4). The treated water is collected in the lower chamber (5) to be finally discharged as and when required from a discharge outlet (DO) in the lower chamber (5). Figure 2 further illustrates the flow regulator (FR). This comprises a control tank (CR), which stores water of a controlled volume regardless of the volume of the source from which the tank is fed. A tubular siphon discharge member (SDM) provides the output of the regulated water contents. The dimensions of the control tank (CR) and the inlet / outlet diameter and height of the tubular siphon discharge member (SDM) are chosen to achieve the desired control of the flow rate. The flow regulator (FR) can be further adapted so that the flow of water controlled from the control tank (CR) via the tubular siphon discharge mech (SDM) takes place only when the control tank (CR) is has filled to a desired height.

Example: Demonstration of flow regulation; The filter shown in Figure 1 was used to demonstrate control in the water flow regardless of the head in the upper chamber (1). Several levels were taken in the upper chamber (1) varying from 170 mm to 55 mm and the water flow through the outlet (OT) was determined (Example 1). The experiment was repeated using a filter as shown in Figure 1, except that the flow regulator (FR) was absent (Comparative Example A). The results are shown in table 1.

Table 1 The results show that in the presence of the flow regulator (FR), the water flow rate is independent of the head in the upper chamber. This is not the case in Comparative Example A. Therefore, the flow regulator of the invention is effective in detaching the upstream flow rate variation from the feed to the biocide dispenser, resulting in a uniform delivery of the biocide.

Claims

1 . A flow regulator for controlled gravity fluid flow comprising: - a flow control reservoir adapted to discharge the required volume of fluid and comprising at least one inlet for the fluid to enter the reservoir; - at least one siphon discharge operatively connected to the flow control reservoir and adapted to control the flow velocity of the fluid from the reservoir. A flow regulator according to claim 1, wherein the siphon discharge comprises an inverted tubular "U" or "V" shaped member having two arms, one end of which constitutes the inlet end while the other end constitutes the exit end, with the entrance end positioned at a higher level and projecting towards the control deposit at the bottom thereof, and the exit end disposed lower than the entry end to maintain a difference in height between the inlet and outlet ends of the tubular member. 3. A purification system comprising: - a source of untreated fluid; a flow regulator operatively connected to the source comprising a flow control reservoir adapted to discharge the volume of fluid required and comprising at least one inlet pair for the fluid inlet from the source to the reservoir, at least one discharge siphon connected operatively to the flow control reservoir and adapted to control the flow velocity of the fluid from the reservoir, and at least one outlet to exit the fluid from the siphon discharge, and - a purification unit for the fluid , which is operatively connected to the output. A purification system according to claim 3, wherein the purification unit contains a biocide delivery unit operatively connected to the outlet of the siphon discharge, so that the regulated fluid flow enters the contact with the biocide for controlled purification. 5. A gravity flow water purification device for the purification of water for domestic consumption, comprising: (a) an upper chamber, which is used for storage of water to be treated and which carries a pre-filter to remove sediment, organic impurities and cysts; (b) a biocide delivery system, which carries chlorine tablets, iodinated resin or other biocides, and which receives water from the upper chamber by gravity; (c) a residence chamber or residence time chamber that provides the necessary time for the pathogens and biocide to remain together to achieve the goal of killing the pathogens; (d) a purifying system which receives water from the residence chamber and removes the residual impurities, and (e) a lower chamber that receives the purified water from the purifier for consumption, in which the device is provided with at least one flow regulator as defined in claim 1 or claim

2. 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the flow regulator is located between the upper chamber (a) and the biocide delivery system (b) . SUMMARY The invention provides a flow regulator for controlled gravity fluid flow, comprising: a flow control reservoir adapted to discharge the required volume of fluid and comprising at least one inlet for the fluid to enter the reservoir; - at least one siphon discharge operatively connected to the flow control reservoir and adapted to control the flow velocity of the fluid from the reservoir. The flow regulator is particularly suitable for the provision of control over the flow of water in the water purification system, especially gravity flow water purification devices for the purification of water for domestic consumption.