NO20150496A1 - Mixing unit for a water-sterilizing device - Google Patents
Mixing unit for a water-sterilizing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NO20150496A1 NO20150496A1 NO20150496A NO20150496A NO20150496A1 NO 20150496 A1 NO20150496 A1 NO 20150496A1 NO 20150496 A NO20150496 A NO 20150496A NO 20150496 A NO20150496 A NO 20150496A NO 20150496 A1 NO20150496 A1 NO 20150496A1
- Authority
- NO
- Norway
- Prior art keywords
- mixing
- zone
- water
- mixing unit
- mixing zone
- Prior art date
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 107
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 37
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 22
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 241000588724 Escherichia coli Species 0.000 description 4
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 206010000059 abdominal discomfort Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020188 drinking water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002906 microbiologic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000024891 symptom Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
- B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
- B01F23/232—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
- B01F23/2323—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles by circulating the flow in guiding constructions or conduits
Description
Mixing unit for a water sterilizing device
The present invention relates to a water-sterilizing device, including a mixing unit for mixing water and a sterilizing gas, such as ozone.
Description of the Prior Art
Regardless of how modern the city is, in which people live, delivery of water to each user must pass through a complex water supply system, including small reservoirs, pressure stations and transfer pipelines, and the water may become polluted during the operation process of the water supply system due to factors including old pipelines, leakage, public works construction, fouling of the reservoirs, and so on, resulting in the water drawn by users containing impurities and Escherichia coli (E. coli), thus, the water must be first filtered and boiled before drinking, otherwise symptoms of upset stomach may result.
In order to solve the problems of drinking water, various types of functionally different water filters have appeared on the market for the user to choose from, such as: water filters which use multilayer filter elements to filter out impurities from the water, RO (reverse osmosis) water filters, UV (ultraviolet) tube sterilization water filters, and so on. Because UV tube sterilization water filters are provided with functionality to both filter impurities and sterilize using ultraviolet rays, such water filters are an excellent choice for users worried about relatively large numbers of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria being present in the water.
The principle of the UV ultraviolet tube sterilization water filter lies in a ultraviolet tube being disposed within a water filter, and when the user opens a water valve (faucet) to get water, then a sensor senses the flow of water and activates the ultraviolet tube, thereby causing the ultraviolet tube to emit ultraviolet rays to effect sterilization of the water.
In addition to filtering and UV radiation of the water, it is also known to mix the incoming water with ozone before UV radiation. Ozone (O3) has the great advantage of killing most microbiological life but quickly being broken down to oxygen (O2). Oxygen is a harmless substance.
The ozone generator is connected to the water intake passage via a one-way air valve. When water flows through the water intake passage on its way to the water filter, then the water velocity causes a negative pressure inside a mixing unit coupled to the ozone generator (BernoullPs principle), thereby enabling ozone (O3) produced by the ozone generator to be drawn into the water intake passage through the one-way air valve. Accordingly, when the water flows through the water intake passage and enters the water filter, then the water is mixed with ozone, thereby increasing sterilization effectiveness of the water.
A magnetic wave vibrator may be disposed within the water filter, and uses the principle of magnetic wave vibration to effect vibration of the water within the water filter to enable accelerated reduction and de-stabilization of the ozone (O3) molecules mixed within the water to form oxygen molecules (O2).
Such a water sterilizer is known from the applicants PCT application WO 2010/040721, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Summary of the invention
The objective of the present invention is to provide a mixing unit for mixing water to be sterilized with ozone, i.e. to provide as small gas bubbles as possible in a sufficient number.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, the invention provides a mixing unit for a water-sterilizing device, for mixing water and a sterilizing gas, such as ozone, said mixing unit being generally shaped like a venture nozzle with an inlet funnel that connects with an expansion zone via a mixing zone, said mixing zone being at the narrowest part of the nozzle, at least one gas channel leading gas into the mixing zone. The invention ischaracterized in thatsaid mixing zone has a uniform cross section from upstream to downstream of said at least one gas channel.
It has been found that the length of the uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone should be short. Tests have shown that the best effects are achieved if this length is as short as possible.
Preferably, the length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone is less than four times the diameter of said mixing zone.
Further preferred, is the length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone is less than three times the diameter of said mixing zone.
Even further preferred, is the length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone substantially equal to the diameter of said mixing zone.
In a yet preferred embodiment, the length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone is less than the diameter of said mixing zone.
It has been found that a good mixture with small gas bubbles is also achieved if the expansion zone starts immediately downstream of the gas channels. It has however been found that this embodiment is slightly inferior to the embodiments with a length of uniform mixing zone downstream of the gas channels.
It has been found that a particularly good mixture is achieved if the nozzle downstream of said uniform mixing zone widens in a steep angle towards said expansion zone.
In particular, it has been found that the effect is particularly pronounced if the steep angle widening is about 45° or more.
Preferably, said steep angle is about 90° to the longitudinal axis of said mixing zone.
It is also possible to set said at least one gas channel at an angle towards the downstream side relative to the longitudinal axis of the mixing zone without negative effect.
In an embodiment said expansion zone has a substantially uniform cross section and a diameter that is minimum 40% larger than the diameter of the mixing zone.
Preferably, the sterilizing gas is ozone. This gas will quickly convert to harmless oxygen.
To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, a brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by a detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an exploded elevation view of an ultraviolet water sterilizer suitable for the incorporation of the present invention. Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of the ultraviolet water sterilizer of figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic drawing of a mixing unit according to the present invention. Figure 4a is a schematic drawing of a mixing unit according to prior art. Figures 4b - h are schematic drawings of a mixing unit in various embodiments according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to figures 1 and 2, which show a water sterilizer suitable for use with
the present invention. The sterilizer comprises a water filter housing 2 internally
i provided with an ultraviolet tube 1, wherein the water filter housing 2 is internally provided with a holding space 3, an upper portion of the water filter housing 2 is a water outlet housing 4, and a filter element 5 is disposed between the holding space 3 and the water outlet housing 4. At a lower portion of the water filter
housing 2 is a water intake housing 6, and the water intake housing 6 is
i connected to a power source 7 which supplies power required by the ultraviolet tube 1 to operate. After water flows through the water intake housing 6 and enters the holding space 3, then the water is sterilized by means of the ultraviolet tube 1, whereupon the filter element 5 filters out impurities, after which the water flows out the water outlet housing 4.
Referring to figure 2, which show a control device disposed within the water intake housing 6 comprising a water intake passage 10 positioned within the water intake housing 6, and the water intake passage 10 is provided with a water inlet 11, a water outlet 12 and a pressure communication channel 13 positioned between the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12; the communication channel 13 is connected to a mechanical water pressure switch assembly 20. When water flows through the water intake passage 10 and enters the water filter 2, then the water pressure switch assembly 20 is simultaneously actuated, thereby activating and enabling the ultraviolet tube 1 within the water filter 2 to emit ultraviolet rays and effect sterilization of the water. When the intake of water stops then the water pressure switch assembly 20 is able to delay shutting-off time of the ultraviolet tube 1, thereby enabling the water remaining within the water filter 2 to obtain sufficient sterilization.
An ozone generator 40 is connected to the water intake passage 10 via a one-way air valve 41. When water flows through the water intake passage 10 and enters the water filter 2, the aforementioned elastic press switch 25 simultaneously activates the ultraviolet tube 1 and the ozone generator 40 by means of the control circuit 30, thus causing the ozone generator 40 to produce ozone. At this time, the water velocity of the water passing through the water intake passage 10 causes a negative pressure at the one-way air valve 41 (Bemoulli's principle) connected to the ozone generator 40, thereby enabling ozone (O3) produced by the ozone generator 40 to be output into the water intake passage 10 through the one-way air valve 41. Accordingly, when the water flows through the water intake passage 10 and enters the water filter 2, then the water is mixed with ozone, thereby increasing sterilization effectiveness of the water.
The present invention is intended to be placed in immediate vicinity of the ozone generator 40 and in connection with the water outlet 12. Figure 3 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a mixing unit according to the principles of the invention. The mixing unit is a generally cylindrical tube 30, which is situated in the water flow passage 10. An ozone port 31 leads the ozone from the one-way valve 41 into the passage 10. O-rings 32 and 33 seals the passage 10 upstream and downstream the ozone port 31, and an annular space 21 is formed between the tube 30 and the passage 10. The tube 30 has a flow bore 22 passing lengthwise therethrough.
The mixing unit 30 proper is generally designed as follows:
At the upstream end, there is a water inlet funnel 34. This narrows rapidly into a generally cylindrical mixing zone 35. At least one ozone radial channel 36 (in figure 2 two such channels are shown, but there may be more) connects the mixing zone 35 with the space between the space 21, so that ozone can flow from the port 31 into the space 21 and through the channels 36 into the mixing zone 35.
Downstream of the mixing zone 35, the bore 22 widens rapidly out again in a transition zone 37 and continuous to widen gradually along an expansion chamber 38. The water and ozone mixture exits the mixing unit at the outlet end 39. From here, the water and ozone mixture flows into the filter housing 2.
The mixing unit works as follows:
Incoming contaminated water is channelled through the funnel 34 to increase the speed of the water and thus create a jet stream. In the mixing zone, the Venturi-effect of the jet stream creates a vacuum near the two radial channels 36. This vacuum sucks the ozone from the two channels 36, and the gas is mixed with the water.
The performance of the mixing unit is measured by how well the gas is mixed with or dissolved into the water. Six physical variables decide how well the gas is dissolved into the water: (1) The shape of the funnel 34 for the incoming water into the narrow mixing zone.
(2) The length of the mixing zone through which the jet stream is passing.
(3) The location of the two perpendicular holes in the duet through which the gas is sucked from the vacuum. (4) The size (diameter) of the two channels 36 relative to the size (diameter) of the mixing zone. (5) The shape of the transition zone 37 between the mixing zone and the expansion chamber. This is decisive for creating a spray of the mixture inside the expansion chamber.
(6) The size (diameter) and shape of the expansion chamber.
The combination of these six physical variables create theoretically tens of thousands different design options.
However, through extensive testing the inventor has found that the following design criteria will result in the best mixing of water and ozone:
- The mixing zone should be short and have a uniform cross section.
- The transition into the expansion chamber should be abrupt; preferably, the transition should be a wall that is situated about 90° to the axis of the mixing zone.
Figures 4a - h show various alternative designs of a mixing unit. Figure 4a shows a venture nozzle of a per se known type. As is evident from this figure, the inlet funnel 34 joins an oppositely funnelled expansion zone 22a at a sharp transition 35a. The ozone channels 36 enters the expansion zone 22a downstream of this transition 35a. It has been found that using the two above criteria, the mixing of the water and ozone can be greatly improved relative to the efficiency of the design of figure 4a.
Figure 4b shows an embodiment of the present invention where the abrupt transition 35a has been replaced with a straight section 35b with a uniform cross section that extends from upstream to downstream of the channels 36. Downstream of the straight section 35b it joins the expansion zone 22b. It has proved through testing that already by doing this simple modification of the design, the mixing improves.
In figure 4c the straight section 35c joins a transition zone 37c that widens rapidly (much like the principle design shown in figure 3). This results in a wider expansion zone 22c. By doing this the mixing will improve even further.
In figure 4d, the transition zone 37d has been shaped to widen with an even steeper angle. Tests show that this further improves the mixing.
In figure 4e, the transition zone has been replaced by a straight wall 37e that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mixing zone 35e. Tests show that this embodiment will give the greatest results regarding mixing of water and ozone.
In figure 4f, the straight wall has been replaced by a wall 37f that curves somewhat upstream from the downstream opening of the mixing zone 35f. The mixing zone 35f is also somewhat longer than in the previous embodiments. Tests show that these two amendments result in a somewhat reduced mixing efficiency compared to the design of figure 4e, although the effect is still greater than compared with the design of figure 4a.
Figures 4g and h show alternatives where the channels 36 have been inclined somewhat downstream relative to the mixing zone 35g, h. This does not seem to have a negative effect.
Although, the embodiment of figure 4e has proven to be the best mode of those that have been tested, the other embodiments also improve the mixing over the known venture nozzle of figure 4a. There may also be other embodiments that have not been tested that proves to be feasible. With the principles of the invention defined in the appended claims, a person of skill will fairly easily arrive at other advantageous embodiments.
Preferably the gas/water mixture ratio should be in the order of between 4:9 and 1:6. Within this range, it has been found that the ozone is effective in sterilizing the water. A higher content of ozone than about 45% will not improve the sterilizing.
Claims (12)
1.
A mixing unit for a water-sterilizing device, for mixing water and a sterilizing gas, such as ozone, said mixing unit being generally shaped like a venture nozzle with an inlet funnel that connects with an expansion zone via a mixing zone, said mixing zone being at the narrowest part of the nozzle, at least one gas channel leading gas into the mixing zone,characterised in thatsaid mixing zone has a uniform cross section from upstream to downstream of said at least one gas channel.
2.
The mixing unit of claim 1,characterised in thatthe length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone is less than four times the diameter of said mixing zone.
3.
The mixing unit of claim 1,characterised in thatthe length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone is less than three times the diameter of said mixing zone.
4.
The mixing unit of claim 1,characterised in thatthe length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone substantially equal to the diameter of said mixing zone.
5.
The mixing unit of claim 1,characterised in thatthe length of said uniform mixing zone from the gas channel to the expansion zone is less than the diameter of said mixing zone.
6.
The mixing unit of claim 1,characterised in thatthe expansion zone starts immediately downstream of the gas channels.
7.
The mixing unit of any of the preceding claims,characterised inthat the nozzle downstream of said uniform mixing zone widens in a steep angle towards said expansion zone.
8.
The mixing unit of claim 7,characterised in thatthe length of said steep angle widening is about 45° or more.
9.
The mixing unit of claim 7 or 8,characterised in thatsaid steep angle is about 90° to the longitudinal axis of said mixing zone.
10.
The mixing unit of any of the preceding claims,characterised inthat said at least one gas channel is set at an angle towards the downstream side relative to the longitudinal axis of the mixing zone.
11.
The mixing unit of any of the preceding claims,characterised inthat said expansion zone has a substantially uniform cross section and a diameter that is minimum 40% larger than the diameter of the mixing zone.
12.
The mixing unit of any of the preceding claims,characterised inthat the sterilizing gas is ozone.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20150496A NO20150496A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 | 2015-04-23 | Mixing unit for a water-sterilizing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20150496A NO20150496A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 | 2015-04-23 | Mixing unit for a water-sterilizing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NO20150496A1 true NO20150496A1 (en) | 2016-10-24 |
Family
ID=61800039
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO20150496A NO20150496A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 | 2015-04-23 | Mixing unit for a water-sterilizing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NO (1) | NO20150496A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2021170196A1 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2021-09-02 | Aquateq Development Ivs | Water accelerator |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2623730A1 (en) * | 1987-11-27 | 1989-06-02 | Dion Biro Guy | Plant for the manufacture of foams, especially for the production of cellular structural components permitting the manufacture of foams with very low proportions of emulsifying agent of between 1 and 15 per thousand |
| EP0322925A2 (en) * | 1987-12-30 | 1989-07-05 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Improved gas dispersion process |
| US5674312A (en) * | 1994-07-13 | 1997-10-07 | Gdt Corporation | Injection of soluble gas in a liquid stream and removal of residual undissolved gas |
| US5685994A (en) * | 1994-10-20 | 1997-11-11 | Johnson; Dennis E. J. | Method for water treatment and purification using gas ion plasma source and disinfectant metal ion complexes |
| US20120012536A1 (en) * | 2010-07-19 | 2012-01-19 | Cascade Water Services | Water treatment apparatus and process to reduce pipe scale and biomass |
| US20130004382A1 (en) * | 2010-01-18 | 2013-01-03 | Xia Men Tahoo System Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for generating ozone water |
-
2015
- 2015-04-23 NO NO20150496A patent/NO20150496A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2623730A1 (en) * | 1987-11-27 | 1989-06-02 | Dion Biro Guy | Plant for the manufacture of foams, especially for the production of cellular structural components permitting the manufacture of foams with very low proportions of emulsifying agent of between 1 and 15 per thousand |
| EP0322925A2 (en) * | 1987-12-30 | 1989-07-05 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Improved gas dispersion process |
| US5674312A (en) * | 1994-07-13 | 1997-10-07 | Gdt Corporation | Injection of soluble gas in a liquid stream and removal of residual undissolved gas |
| US5685994A (en) * | 1994-10-20 | 1997-11-11 | Johnson; Dennis E. J. | Method for water treatment and purification using gas ion plasma source and disinfectant metal ion complexes |
| US20130004382A1 (en) * | 2010-01-18 | 2013-01-03 | Xia Men Tahoo System Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for generating ozone water |
| US20120012536A1 (en) * | 2010-07-19 | 2012-01-19 | Cascade Water Services | Water treatment apparatus and process to reduce pipe scale and biomass |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2021170196A1 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2021-09-02 | Aquateq Development Ivs | Water accelerator |
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