US2541799A

US2541799A - Method of feeding chemicals

Info

Publication number: US2541799A
Application number: US749692A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene B White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-05-22
Filing date: 1947-05-22
Publication date: 1951-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 1968-02-13

Description

Feb. i3, 1951 E. B. WHITE METHOD OF FEEDING CHEMICALS Filed May 22, 1947 TIME COMFORTABLE SAFE ZNE=.-.5

9 l0 ll /ZN l Z 5 4 5 6 7 8 .9 lo l/ /ZN l 8 7 6 5 4 JM., A 6 Z ar D. W N 1 a z w M A 9 5 6 M 7M u ,En R 5 n. m 2 2 w n A 9 8 Patented Feb 13, 1951 UNITED STATES BATENT OFFICE METHOD F FEEDING CHEMICALS Eugene B. White, Oak Park, Ill. Application May 22, 1947, Serial N0. 749,692 l y8 Claims. (Cl. ZIO- 11)v The invention relates generally to a method of feeding chemicals or the like, and more particularly to such a method which may be Vreadily adapted for use in feeding or injecting sterilizing or antisepticizing chemicals into'a water supply line or system.

The present Vinvention also is particularly adapted for appication to vthe treatment of swimming -pool water in pools of the 'll and draw type, as well as pools of the circulating type. With respect to vsuch vswimming pools, it is customary to employ mechanical means for injecting the antisepticizing materials into the poolY water, this being accomplished by making a concentrated solution of the antiseptiCZiIlg Chemicas and injecting the solution by some 'form of mechanical means vor the like into the water entering the pool. It is customary in such pools to endeavor to maintain a residual of from threetenths to five-tenths parts per million of the antisepticizing material, which is generally chlorine, in the pool at all times. However, as the method employed at present is to feed the soution at a substantially uniform rate into the pool Water already containing such material, it will be apparent that the maintenance of the residual within the desired limits involves more or less constant attention of the operator.

The present invention has among its objects the utilization of a novel method of feeding chemicals or the like, whereby the concentration of the solution iniected may be automatically varied over a period of time to achieve the desired results. For example, in the case of swimming pools the residual of chlorine in the pool Water may be automatically controlled to maintain the residual within predetermined limits substantially throughout the normal period of 'pool use.

Another object of the invention is the utilization of such a method which requires a minimum amount of attention from the operator to achieve the desired results and which may be readily utilized with pools of either the ll and draw type or of the recirculating type.

A further object of the invention is the utilization of such a method which is very simpley and at the same time very eicient for the purposes intended.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention herein show-n and described wil be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given. y

For the purposes vof illustration, the present invention is illustrated in connection with water 2 supply systems, particularly those utilized in swimming pool water systems. However, it will be apparent to those skiled in the art that the present invention may be readily adapted for use in feeding chemicals of Various types wherein similar feeding characteristics are desirable.

In the drawings, whereinr like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view ofl a swimming pool system of the recirculating type, utilizing the present invention;

f Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 of the application of the present invention to a swimming pool system of the ll and draw type;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View showing the app`ication of the present invention to a water or other Vfluid supply line;

Figl is a graph showing the results obtained by use of the present method in the sterilization of swimming pool water; and

Fig. 5 is a graph similar to that illustrated in Fig. 4 with the results obtained in the sterilization of swimming pool Water, utilizing present methods of feeding the sterilizing material.

Referring to Fig. l, I indicates generally a swimming pool having an inlet 2 for water entering the pool and an outlet '3. The outlet 3 is connected by piping li, to the low pressure side of a suitable circulating pump 5, a suitable strainer 6 being interposed in the line if desired. The high pressure side of the pump 5 is connected by piping 'i to suitable filters 8, the outlets of which are in turn connected by piping 9 to the inlet 2 of the pool. Thus, the pool water is constantly being withdrawn through the outlet 3 to the pump 5 through the line l, lters and piping 9 back to the pool. 'The construction thus described is typical of systems now in use and in the absence of the use of the present invention, the sterilizing material might be added directly to the pool water or, if in solution form, fed by mechanical means, such as a pump, into the return line, it being common in such cases to introduce it inthe line between the filter and the pool inlet, or in other words, in the piping 9.

The present method is illustrated in connection with, and preferably contemplates, the use of a hydraulic injector indicated generally by the numeral ll, having its inlet l2 connected to the high pressure side of the pump 5 by piping i3 communicating with the piping 1, and the outlet vlll of the injector connected by piping l5 to the piping 4 and the low pressure side of the pump 5. The injecting means may be of any suitable design as -for example, the injector mechanism illustrated in my co-pending application, Chemical Feeder, Serial No. 749,691, filed May 22, 1947. The sterilizing chemicals are prepared in the form of a solution and placed in a suitable tank I6 and adapted to be withdrawn into the injector I! through a tube or piping I'I. Water from the high pressure side of the pump 5 may also be admitted into the tank I6 through valve I8, piping I9 and valve 2l, the latter being diagrammatically illustrated in the present instance as being of a float actuated type and adapted to be opened and closed by the fall and rise of the liquid level in the tank I6.

In practicing t-he present invention, the operator will determine the residual of sterilizing material in the pool Water before initiating the sterilizing operation, and knowing the pool capacity and period of use desired, can calculate the amount of chemicals required in accordance wit-h common practice. The chemicals are then added to and mixed with the water in the tank I6 after which the system i5 placed in operation, the rate of feed being so determined as to produce the desired results.

When the system is in operation, the pump 5 will draw water from the pool through the pipving 4 and back to the pool through piping 1,

filters 8 and piping 9, a portion of the water circulated being by-passed from the high pressure vside to the low pressure side of the system through piping I3, injector II and piping I5, the by-passed volume of water being relatively small compared with that' being recirculated through the pool. As the water ows through the injector II, the antisepticizing solution will Ybe drawn from the tank I6 through the piping I'I into the injector and ultimately into the low pressure piping 4 ofthe system to the pool I.

As the fluid level of the solution in the tank falls as a result of the injection thereof into the system, the float valve 2I will open to admit water into the tank I6, thereby bringing the fluid level up to its original position. Thus, as uid is withdrawn from the tank I6, the chemical concentration of the solution therein will be undergoing a reduction due to the admission of the diluting water through the valve 2|. When the feeding operation is rst begun a solution of maximum concentration of antisepticizing material is fed into the pool, thereby building up a residual of such material in the pool water. However, as the concentration of the solution being fed decreases, the residual will tend to level off, and upon further feeding action will then begin to decline.

This action is graphically illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein it is arbitrarily assumed that the period of pool use will run from approximately 9 a. m. to l p. m., this being a common operational period. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be 4noted that when fresh antisepticizing solution is first fed into the pool in the morning at 9 a. m., the residual curve will rise very steeply to -bring it within the desired operating limits by 9 a. m., when the pool is first open for use. The curve then starts to level off through the forenoon and early afternoon 'at the upper limits desired. It will be apparent that the solution Will have been diluted to such an extent that it is approximately just making up normal losses in residual conl tent over this period. From about p. m. the residual begins to drop as the dilution of the solution has reached a point where it will not compensate for normal losses. It will be noted that the curve does not drop below the lower I9 and valve I8.

4 limit set, of three-tenths P. P. M residual, until 10 p. m., the assumed end of the period during which the pool is in use. The curve then levels 01T until the residual content is approximately one-tenth P. P. M. at 8 a. m., at which time the cycle is repeated.

Fig. 5 graphically illustrates a residual curve comparable to Fig. 4 but employing present methods of feeding the chemicals. The residual curve illustrated on this graph is typical of feeding methods wherein a solution of substantially uniform concentration is fed into a pool system, and it will be noted that as the sterilizing solution is fed into the pool the residual content rises at a uniform rate. When the residual reaches the maximum desired limit, it is necessary for the operator to stop the feeding action, at which point the residual content begins to decline. It will be apparent that with this method the period of time that the residual content is within the predetermined limits is relatively short compared with the results achieved by the use of the present invention. It will also be apparent that while the residual could be raised by again starting feeding of the solution, the constant attention of the operator would be required, and that if the operator fails to stop the feeding at the proper time, the residual will continue to rise above the desired maximum limit.

While the present invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a swimming pool system of the circulating type, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the method is also readily applicable to other types of pool or water systems.

Fig. 2 illustrates the application of the present invention to a pool system of the fill and draw type wherein fresh water under pressure, as for example from a city pressure line, is admitted to the pool and simultaneously therewith water is beingr lost from the pool through the overow, etc. Referring to Fig. 2, I indicates a swimming pool having an inlet 2 and an outlet 3', the inlet 2 being operatively connected to a source of fresh water under pressure, indicated by the piping 2|, the outlet 3" being connected by piping 22 to a drain or other waste disposal means.

Valves

23 and 24 in the respective piping control the amount of water admitted to and drained from the pool. The inlet I2 of the injector II is connected to the piping 2i by the piping I3', with the outlet I4 of the injector connected by piping I5' to the pool inlet 2. It will be noted that the inlet I2 of the injector is connected to the piping 2I at the high pressure side of the valve 23 and the piping I 5' to the outlet 2' through a pipe 24 of such a diameter that the pressure in such pipe -Will be less than that in the piping I3',`so that there will be a pressure differential between the piping I3 and the piping I5' regardless of the position of the Valve 23. The tank I6 and piping Il are employed in the same manner as has been heretofore described in connection with the system illustrated in Fig. l, with the cat valve 2l connected to the line I3' through the piping The results achieved with such system will be the same as has been heretofore described with respect to the system i1- lustrated in Fig. 1, solution being fed from the tank I 6 into theV injector II, piping I5 and into the pool, the solution being simultaneously diluted with water from the piping I3 through valve I8', piping I9 and oat valve ZI. l 'I asume The present method may also be employed in connection with other water supply lines, as for example, in connection with the antisepticizing of potable water supplies and reservoirs thereof. Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the present vinvention to such a system wherein the sterilizing solution is fed into a supply line. Referring to Fig. 3, 3! indicates generally a supply pipe which, for example, may be carrying water into a reservoir, thewater flow being in the direction of the arrows.- Interposed in the water line is. a restricting orifice indicated generally by the numeral 32 which will create a pressure differential on opposite sides of the orifice, the side 3 la being the high pressure side and the side Sib the relatively low pressure side of the line. In this application the inlet l2 of the injector El is connected by piping 33 to the high pressure side 3m of the line and the outlet I4 is connected by piping 35 to the low pressure side 3&1) of the line. The tank l5 and piping II are as previously described and the oat valve 2l is operatively connected to the piping 33 through piping 39 and valve 38. Obviously, the results achieved in this application of the invention will be the same as that previously described for the pool systems illustrated in Figs. l and 2, and as graphically illustrated in Fig. 4.

It will be noted in the examples given above that the material being fed is'initially mixed with a relatively small volume of the receiving uid, by-passed from a main fluid line, and then fed into and mixed with the larger volume of uid flowing in the main line; and in the case of pools or reservoirs is iinally mixed with the much greater volume of fluid in the pool or reservoir.

- Thus, particularly in the case of swimming pools,

the materials fed are mixed and diluted in a series of steps, whereby excessive localized concentrations are eliminated.

It will be noted from the above disclosure that I have produced a novel method of feeding a chemical solution, the utilization of which will automatically vary the concentration of the materials being fed to produce the desired results. It will likewise be apparent that While I have illustrated the application of my invention in connection with swimming pool and water supply systems, my novel method may be readily employed in feeding other types of materials into fluid systems where it is desirable to vary the concentration of the materials being fed. Furthermore, it will be apparent that while I have illustrated the application of my method in connection with a hydraulic feeding mechanism, the invention may be readily utilized in connection with feeding mechanisms of various types other than hydraulic.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact arrangement and method herein shown and described, or uses mentioned. Y

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l.. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a water supply line, comprising creating a pressure dierential in different portions of said line, lay-passing water from the high pressure side to the low pressure side of said line, injecting a sterilizing solution into the water so by-passed, and simultaneously continuously reducing the concentration of the sterilizing solution being fed.

2. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a water supply line, comprising creatinga pressure differential in different portions of said line, ley-passing water from the high pressure side to the low pressure side of Said line, providing a supply of a sterilizing solution of predetermined volume, injecting said solution into the water so by-passed and simultaneously diluting said supply of solution with water from said supply line to continuously reduce the concentration of the sterilizing solution being fed.

3. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a water supply line, comprising creating a pressure differential in diierent portions of said line, Toy-passing water from the high pressure side to the low pressure side of said line. providing a supply of a sterilizing solution of predetermined volume` injecting said solution into the Water so by-passed and simultaneously adding water from said supply line to the supply of solution to maintain the volume thereof substantially constant, and to continuously reduce the concentration of said solution.

4. The method of feeding sterilizing materials intoa swimming pool water supply or circulation system, comprising providing a supply of sterilizing solution of suicient volume and strength for providing adeguate water sterilization over a desired periodr of time, injecting said solution into the pool water supply line, in relatively small amounts compared to the initial volume of the injecting solution, and simultaneously reducingr the concentration of said supply of solution during the injection of such solution to maintain the residual content of sterilizing material in the nool water substantially within predetermined limits over such period of time.

5. The rnethod of feeding sterilizing materials into a swimming pool water system of the fill and draw type, utilizing a fresh water supply under pressure. comprising providing a supply of sterilizing soliution of predetermined volume', feeding said solution in relatively small amounts compared with the initial volume of the solution, into the fresh water supply line to said pool, and simultaneously diluting said supply of solution with water from said fresh water supply to continuously reduce the concentration of the solution being fed. f

6. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a swimming pool water system of the fill and draw type, utilizing a fresh water supply under pressure, comprising providing a supply of sterilizing solution of predetermined volume, feeding` said solution in relatively small amounts compared with the initial volume of the solution, into the fresh water supply line to said pool, and simultaneously adding water from said fresh water supply to said supply of solution to maintain the volume of the latter substantially constant, the concentration thereof diminishing as the solution is fed.

7. The method of feeding or injecting a solution into a fluid system, comprising providing a predetermined volume of the solution to be fed, feeding said solution in relatively small amounts, compared with the total initial volume ofy the solution, into the receiving fluid, and adding a diluting fluid to such supply of the solution during the feeding process, to maintain a substantially constant volume of solution and a corresponding diminution of the strength of the solution. i

8. The method 'of feeding sterilizing materials into a Swimmingpool water supply or circula- -tion system, comprising providing a supply of a sterilizing solution of predetermined volume, injecting said solution into the pool water supply line in relatively small amounts compared with the initial volume of the injecting solution, and

adding Water to said supply in a predetermined ratio to the reduction in the volume resulting from injection thereof into the pool Water supply line, and thereby substantially continuously reduce the concentration of the solution being fed throughout the period of feeding.

EUGENE B. WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Butler Oct. 13, 1891 Number Number Number 8 Name Date Elfreth Jan. 22, 1907 Sevcik Mar. 14, 1922 Hartman Dec. 1, 1925 Sutphen et al June 10, 1930 Dresher July 11, 1933 Henderson Mar. 26, 1935 Ornstein Nov. 24, 1936 Echagaray May 25, 1937 Bowers et al Mar. 29, 1938 Pick Apr. 29, 1941 Nielson et al. May 27, 1941 Alerad et al. Feb. 2, 1943 Gershon Feb. 16, 1943 Lindsay Apr. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Mar. 8, 1935