MXPA99001045A - Water treatment device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer monitored and controlled system for degassing, superheating and exploding water into a vacuum chamber (20), in which instant steam results. The steam is condensed in a chilled countercurrent brine apparatus (30), stored in a holding tank (31) containing ultraviolet light and is evacuated to the point of use by a booster pump (32) flowing through a mineral repleting column (33) and a carbon filter for freshness and the assurance of the absence of off taste.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WATER TREATMENT GENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pure water for consumption, to be used in the kitchen and to maintain hygiene is a universal necessity. The purity and safety of water is deteriorating throughout the world. Tap water is no longer safe in major cities in the United States and abroad. It is contaminated by microbes, chemicals, heavy metals and, in many cases, water from the subsoil and drainage that gets into distribution systems that are already old and in ruins. The improvement of municipal water treatment systems will be of little help. Filtering and online treatment throughout the distribution system will also be of little help as the distribution systems are old, leaking and, in some cases, contaminated by lead seals. Pure water for our cities is a great challenge that will not be solved soon. Therefore, it is imperative that the water purification at the point of use of all the water used at home is the immediate solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference will not be made in detail to the current preferred embodiment of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, characters with the same reference are used to designate like elements. The water purification and conditioning unit of the invention is illustrated schematically in Figures 1 to 8. Figure 1 discloses a general schematic drawing of the entire system of this invention. The raw water from the source enters the system through the conduit 1. In Figure 2, it then flows to the countercurrent heat exchanger 2 where the water is preheated and the compressor gas cools. The water enters the heat exchanger 2 through the conduit 1. The heated refrigerant enters the heat exchanger through the conduit 2a that traverses the system inside the conduit 2b. All the ducts are held by holding means 2c. This system flows in a countercurrent fashion and makes the heat exchanger faster. Then, the feed water enters the manifold 15 and is distributed to the degassing crucibles 11 of Figure 3 through the conduit 16 and controlled by the valve 10 which regulates the computer 38. The four degassing crucibles have an internal crucible Centrifugally operated 11 i which has a size of about four liters. The centrifugal movement is activated by a small high-speed motor 11 h at the bottom of the crucible 11 h. There is an outer box an inlet valve 10, an outlet valve 14 and a vacuum valve 12. Water flows into the centrifuge chamber where it is rotated from 3 to 5 thousand RPM contained in a vacuum of 18 to 20 inches by pump of circular vacuum 9 from 10 to 20 seconds. After the unit is stopped and the vacuum valve closed, the water drains into the manifold 40. The computer orders the four degassing chambers, so that one is always filling, one is emptying and the other two are turning or pumping empty. The detailed operation of degassing is as follows. The preheated feed water enters the degassing chamber through the duct 16, through the valve 10 and enters the centrifugal chamber 11 i through the opening 11 k of the baffle 11j. Water is sprayed into the walls of the chamber 11 i by the rotating water jets 11d. Chamber 111 is rotated at 3-5,000 RPM with the engine 11 h while maintaining a vacuum through conduit 17. Vacuum is protected from water with baffle 11 j and 11 b. The vacuum ports 11c are on the baffle 11 b. In sequence, the vacuum is applied, the centrifugal speed is at maximum and the water is injected into the 11f walls. Vacuum is released and the degassed water exits through the conduit 13 and the valve 14. Then, the degassed water enters the countercurrent heat exchanger 25 where it is heated to 260 degrees F. In figure 4, vegetable oil heated to 260 degrees F enters heat exchanger 25 through conduit 25b. The degassed water enters through the conduit 40. The heated degassed water leaves the conduit 26 after collecting heat from the heat exchanger against the current. The oil exits through conduit 25a to overheat. The insulation 43 covers the heated oil passages. Then, the water flows into conduit 26 where it is injected through valve 27 into the heated vacuum expansion chamber (360 degrees F.). Figure 5 shows the heated vacuum expansion chamber 20. Degassed water is injected at 250 degrees F. and at a pressure of 10 PSI through the valve 27 and the conduit 38 (passing through the deflector 20c) to the wall of the camera through the ejection ports 20b. The inner surface of the chamber is at 350 degrees F. Prior to injection, a vacuum is pulled through conduit 23, which is protected by baffle 20d. Valves 24, 21 and 27 close the vacuum. The valve 27 opens to inject the water. Then, it is closed and the 21 is opened to let the steam out through the opening 22. Then, the chamber is recycled. The water evaporates instantly, leaving the debris behind, while the steam expelles itself through the valve 21 and the conduit 22 to enter the brine cooler in countercurrent 30. Figure 6 represents the heat change in brine by countercurrent to cool the distillate. The steam enters the countercurrent heat exchanger through the conduit 22. The cooled brine (20 degrees F.) enters the opposite direction through the conduit 30b. The cold condensed pure water exits through the conduit 30a and the heat loaded brine exits through the conduit 30c to return to the cooler. Cover 8 isolates the ducts from the cold brine. Then, the microbial-free water is drained into the holding tank 31. Figure v represents the holding tank 31 of the purified water Pure water enters the tank through the conduit 31b. The level sensors 39 and 39a control the operation of the system. The UV tubes 31a keep a tank free of microbes of pure water. Then, the water is pumped by the pump 32 to the filter bank. The water level sensor 39 sends data to the computer that controls the various activation zones of the system. The tank contains UV sterilizing lamps to ensure the continuity of microbial-free water. Then, the water is brought to the point of use through the pump 32. Figure 8 represents the filter bank of this invention composed of a mineral filling column and an active charcoal filter with conduction means, means of automated valves and automatic lifting means. Pure water from the holding tank enters the mineral replacement unit 33 through the conduit 33a. The mineral substitution unit contains porous rock to which a carefully calculated mineral composition is fixed, which is maintained in the porous rock as pumice stone by means of a patented mineral colloid. The mixture of mineral colloids is maintained in the buffer tank 33b and programmed to cycle the desired amount through the column 33, the conduit 33g and the conduit 33d. After cycling, the surpluses are injected into 33f. Then, this solution flows through conduit 33g upon request to backwash the entire system. The water flows from the conduit 33a to pass through the automated back-up system, through the conduit 35 to enter the automatic projection; then, through conduit 34d to the bottom of the carbon filter bank and then out through conduits 37 to the point of consumption. The preheater (heat exchanger) 25 is heated with a vegetable oil from the heat source and the pump 29 (260 degrees F.). The heat jackets for the vacuum expansion chamber 20 are maintained at 350 degrees F. by circulating vegetable oil which is pumped into the duct 41 and returns through it to enter the manifold 42. The ducts 43, 41 and 42 are double ducts (both entry and exit). Since there are four (4) parallel passages per batch in this device design, the water flow does not have a detectable difference in a flow through a system. Automatic backwashing is controlled by computer and is done at the moment when there is no demand for use in the water level of the tank 31. The following table indicates the part numbers and part descriptions as used in the present and in the drawings attached to it. By virtue of which various and different embodiments can be made within the scope of the concept of the invention taught herein, and as many modifications can be made to the embodiments detailed herein in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it should be understand that the details of the present should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting manner. What is claimed in this invention is: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers to a water purification unit at the point of use, designed to continuously and completely purify water at all points of use, such as houses, restaurants, hotels, military units , maritime and field, as well as the desalion of seawater at the point of use. The device will elimi all chemicals, all microorganisms and will fill the water of the essential subsoil minerals.

OBJECTIVES PE THE INVENTION In accordance, e & an object of this invention to provide a device that will fulfill the function of providing at the point of use a water treatment system that can convert any water into microbial-free, chemical-free, chlorine-free water, with pleasant taste, soft, full of minerals for the whole house, apartment, restaurant or any other establishment. Another object of the invention is to provide a system for the purification of water, in which the feed water is preheated through a heat exchanger that takes energy from the cooling unit of the systems (condenser side), with the In order to conserve maximum energy. Another object of this invention is to provide a vacuum chamber, centrifugal, with a thin layer of water to degas the feed water. An additional objective of this invention is to take advantage of the peculiar and little known physical character of the degassed water. When pure water is free of dissolved gases, it can be heated to more than 100 degrees C (up to 180 degrees C.) Without boiling, but with more heating, boiling may occur with explosive violence. This steam at (100 degrees C.) occupies a volume 1700 times greater than water at 100 degrees C. A further object of the invention is to isolate the degassing chamber through a series of three (3) in-line valves. These valves are electronic and are controlled by the on-board computer controller. Another object of the invention is to heat the degassed feed water to 260 degrees F. under pressure, and then sprayed into a vacuum chamber heated to 350 degrees F., where it suddenly evaporates explosively, which gives the pressure and vaporization to dislodge the chamber in the condenser. Another object of the invention is to provide a countercurrent heat exchanger with brine cooler at 20 degrees F. to condense the pressurized and nebulized steam in pure chemical water and microbiologically at room temperature.

A further objective of this invention is to provide a holding tank containing a UV light source to maintain a microbial-free condition of the water and provide sensors of the high water level and the lowest water level to regulate the operation of the system to through the microprocessor on board. Another object of the invention is to provide a booster pump that through in-line pressure sensors will provide the desired pressure and flow through the system. This pressure and flow will be increased with smaller inline pumps, if necessary. A further object of the invention is to pass the water of this invention, as it flows from the holding tank, through a column of colloidal minerals (to replace the trace minerals) and finally through a carbon column to ensure good taste and freshness of the water. A further object of the invention is to provide a vegetable oil heated in electronic form (or by another heat source), circulated through a jacket 1 in a preheated heat exchanger and heated vacuum chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric cooling unit for cooling the brine in the countercurrent condensing chamber and providing heat for the preheater. A further object of the invention is to provide a bump capacity for each part of the system that will contain potable water in scale solution to keep the system clean. The computer processor will program and order this highlight. Another object of the invention is to provide four degassing centrifugal vacuum chambers and four heated vacuum vaporization chambers, each of which operates as a batch process and is arranged by the computer controller as the sensors indicate that the unit is operational from the point of view of temperature, pressure and vacuum. The additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The object and advantages of the invention can be obtained by the apparatus and method which are indicated in particular form in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the current preferred embodiment of the invention and serve to explain the principles of the invention. To better understand the nature, objectives and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements and where: FIGURE 1 is a schematic drawing complete of the whole unit with its various components as well as the indications regarding the working mechanism. FIGURE 2 is a detailed schematic drawing of the preheating unit of the tap water preheating the condenser water of the refrigeration unit, which shows the flow of hot gas and cold tap water in the countercurrent direction, and the tube of gas is housed inside the water tube. FIGURE 3 is a detailed schematic drawing of the centrifugal degassing vacuum chamber; One of these four cameras works on the batch principle and is ordered by a computer. FIGURE 4 is a detailed schematic drawing of the countercurrent heat exchanger that will bring the temperature of degassed water to 260 degrees F. under pressure. FIGURE 5 is a detailed schematic drawing of the heated vacuum expansion chamber of the invention, having its source of heat and its valve regulating mechanism. FIGURE 6 is a detailed schematic drawing of the counter current brine heat exchanger for cooling the steam distillate.

FIGURE 7 is a detailed schematic drawing of the ambient temperature holding tank, with level sensors and ultraviolet treatment tanks. FIGURE 8 is a detailed schematic drawing of the filter tank: 1) mineral filler column 2) carbon filter column.

Claims (21)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S Having sufficiently described my invention, I consider as a novelty and therefore claim as my exclusive property, what is contained in the following claims:

1 A purification method comprising the following steps: a) providing a quantity of degassed water; b) heat the degassed water to at least 260 degrees F .; c) inject the degassed water heated in a vacuum chamber to superheat the water to at least 350 degrees F., and d) allow the superheated degassed water to evaporate explosively, evaporating rapidly and condensing in a countercurrent cooler.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of draining the condensed water in a holding tank.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of drawing water by pumping it through a column of minerals and a carbon column to replenish the trace minerals and remove any "unpleasant taste" residue.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of adding an incoming water line to a countercurrent heat exchanger to preheat the incoming water and cool the "high side" gas in a refrigeration unit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a first counter-current conduit contained in a gas conduit.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the water entering the countercurrent exchanger is of the same temperature as the leaving gas and the leaving water is of the same temperature as the incoming gas.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a controlled valve in electronic form to control the access of the water entering the system, maintaining the system, or to cut the water in an emergency.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the process water enters a band of centrifugal vacuum chambers through a manifold and electronic valve system, closing 2 electronic valves and wherein the centrifugal force forms a thin layer of water , and the vacuum as well as the centrifugal force result in the elimination of dissolved gases from the feed water.

9. A water purification system at the point of use, comprising: a) means for heating degassed water to at least 260 degrees F .; b) a vacuum chamber heated to receive the heated water and vaporize the water explosively, and c) a means to condense and cool the water for consumption.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the water is condensed in a countercurrent cooler.

The system of claim 9, further comprising a mineral column and a carbon column for replenishing the trace minerals and removing any "unpleasant taste" residue from the condensed water.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a containment means in which the incoming water line is attached to a countercurrent heat exchanger to preheat the incoming water and cool the "high side" gas in a unit of refrigeration.

13. A water purification system at the point of use, comprising: a) means for heating the degassed water to at least 260 degrees F .; b) a vacuum chamber heated to receive the heated water and vaporize the water explosively; c) a means to condense and cool the water for consumption, and d) a means to replace trace minerals in water before consumption.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a heat exchanger further comprising countercurrent conduits defining a water conduit within the gas conduit.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the water entering and flowing in the countercurrent exchanger is at the same temperature as the outgoing gas and the leaving water is at the same temperature as the incoming gas.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising an electronically controlled valve to control the access of the water entering the system, to conserve or cut the water in an emergency.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein a band of centrifugal vacuum chambers is provided to an electronic manifold and valve system to receive the condensed and cooled water.

18. The system of claim 13, further providing a vegetable oil heated in electronic form (or heated by gas or another energy source) which is circulated through the jacket of the "preheated" heat exchanger and the heated vacuum chamber. .

19. The system of claim 13, further providing an electric cooling unit that is used to cool the brine in the countercurrent condensing chamber and provide heat to the "preheated" heat exchanger of the feedwater.

20. The system of claim 13, further providing a shoulder system for each part of the system containing potable water that dissolves calcareous deposits to keep the system clean; the highlight is timed and ordered by the computer's processor. The system of claim 13, wherein the unit provides at least four (4) centrifugal degassing vacuum chambers and four (4) heated vaporization chambers, each of which operates as a batch process and It is ordered by the computer controller, as the sensors indicate that the unit is operational from the point of view of temperature, pressure or vacuum.