WO1998017584A1

WO1998017584A1 - Ultrasound treatment device for water or other fluid

Info

Publication number: WO1998017584A1
Application number: PCT/SI1997/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zupanc^¿Ic^¿
Original assignee: Zupancic
Priority date: 1996-10-18
Filing date: 1997-09-16
Publication date: 1998-04-30
Also published as: AU4325197A; SI9600307A

Abstract

The figure shows an ultrasound crystallizer in straight form showing the housing (1), the cover of the ultrasound generator (2), the ultrasound generator (3), the digital regulator (4) and the cover of the digital regulator (5). The ultrasound generator (3) emits high density energy which precludes the formation of calcareous deposits in pipelines and other equipment. A correct selection of an ultrasound frequency will further achieve a bacterial reduction in warm water systems and a sediment disinfection in treatment plants following anaerobic and aerobic fermentation processes.

Description

ULTRASOUND TREATMENT DEVICE FOR WATER OR OTHER FLUID

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Field of the invention

Pipe lines; filtration, ultrasound cleaning.

Problem description

Hard water has different amounts of free ions of Ca and Mg and other impurities. Depending on the temperature the fouling occurs and the elements may bind into crystals which are deposited on the surfaces which are in contact with water. In particular, impurities may be found on the heating bodies, elbows and similar piping elements, i.e. on areas which have either high temperature or there are sudden changes of operating conditions. Examples of latter can be found in ejectors, nozzles, faucets and similar elements facilitating contact of hard water with environment. Due to depositing of the crystals on the surfaces the efficiency of the device decreases and the water quality becomes worse. Classical filtration and chemical treatment methods are either expensive or not user friendly (e.g. filter exchange etc.).

The technical problem is therefore prevention of Ca and Mg ions from binding and accelerated extraction of particulates from the fluid in user friendly, simply and not to expensive fashion. State of the art

The concept of softening, cleaning, and separation using pressure waves is known and described, inter alia, in US 3,992,288 in which King describes the use of separation by migration of bodies with greater density due to ultrasound downward and migration of smaller density bodies upward following the conservation laws. The weakness of this method is its limitation to particulates and its inability to be used for fluids.

Apart from sound waves one can achieve the softening of hard water using magnetic crystallizers which are sensitive to several factors and are in particular do not work well with varied water quality, e.g. with water containing more than 40 ppm of Si and 2 ppm of Fe.

In addition, one can achieve softening of the water using chemical appliances and additives, however, they require use of catalysts and additives which may leave traces in water and change its quality.

State of the art contains also US 4,244,749 in which Sachs et. al. describe the use of ultrasound transducers for cleaning of biological coating on outer side of pipe wall using cavitation. Weakness of this application is in limitation to use on outer side of pipe wall and cavitation.

State of the art contains also US 4,320,528 in which Scharton et al. recommend the use of ultrasound for cleaning products of corrosion, oxidation, sedimentation and similar processes from various parts of heat exchangers, particularly from hard-to-access parts. The weakness of described state of the art is in limitation to use in stationary layers and applications connected to heat exchangers.

State of the art further contains US 4,727,734 in which Kanazawa et al. describe the use of cleaning mechanism using air bubbles either induced in the system of produced via means of ultrasound generator. The weakness of described state of the art is in use in stationary or mobile reservoirs rather than piping systems and limitation to cleaning effects of air bubbles.

State of the art also contains US 4,752,401 in which Bodenstein suggests cleaning of potable or recirculated technical water in passages in which the water comes into direct contact with ultraviolet light. At the same time ultrasound generator is used yet only the cleaning effects on the surface of ultraviolet light is mentioned and not on the water itself, the latter being the main drawback of therein described state of the art.

State of the art describes also CA 583869 where Masri describes the system of water cleaning in water passages using ultrasound between 15 and 150 kHz for at least 12 seconds causing the cavitation, the limitations being the main drawback of described state of the art.

State of the art contains US 5,059,331, in which Goyal describes filtration of the fluid using ultrasound energy and its combination with water hammer effect. The main drawback of described state of the art is in limitation to deposit cleaning by immersing the cleaned element.

State of the art contains also US 5,085,783, in which Feke et. al. describe particle separation from the fluid in elongated chamber during which the fluid is led in which acoustic wave is generated, said wave guiding the particles on one side of the chamber while the fluid flows in the other. The main drawback of this state of the art is in limitation regarding the shape and in embodiment of the invention itself.

State of the art contains also JP 1-301843, in which Ushimaru et al. describe the use of ultrasound generator in the water tank for water treatment after its chlorination, the main drawback being the necessity of using the water tank.

State of the art contains also US 5,466,367 in which Coate et. al. describe the use of ultrasound for coagulation and precipitation in industrial waste, this limitation being the main drawback of this state of the art.

State of the art finally contains also JP 5-250537 and JP 6-028099 in which Dokhu et al. describe the cleaning of articles using ultrasound in several successive steps. The main drawback of this state of the art is in limitation to cleaning of stationary object in water tank.

Ultrasound generator is described as one of the state of the art essential components. Ultrasound generator is an apparatus transforming input energy, either electric or mechanical, or other form of energy into pressure waves manifested as high frequency sound, known as ultrasound. Ultrasound generator is well know and is described, either directly or through the references in above described patent applications which are in the part describing ultrasound generator incorporated as a reference. Description of the Invention

An invention described in this application is Ultrasound crystallizer which is successfully solving the problems presented in the state of the art. The main body of the invention is an ultrasound generator emitting high density energy which precludes binding Ca and Mg ions in warm water and thus formation of calcareous deposits in pipelines and other equipment. This device is used for softening, filtration, and other mechanical and/or ionic treatment of water or other fluid.

The ultrasound generator (3) is fastened to a housing of the crystallizer (1) connected to a pipeline, said housing in straight or angular form or in combination with a flowmeter or a calorimeter. The ultrasound generator (3) is protected by a cover (2). A digital regulator (4) is connected to the cover (2), said regulator used to regulate a frequency and an intensity (power) of the ultrasound generated by the ultrasound generator(3). The digital regulator (4) is protected by a digital regulator cover (5).

The invention can be used in devices for potable water preparation, central heating devices, and all other devices subject to calcareous deposits. At the same time, the use of the ultrasound crystallizer has no consequences on the water quality, and device is harmless for the environment.

The invention can be connected anywhere in the system of potable or technical water, seemingly most suitable being connected to or positioned at a cold water inlet right before a water heater or to a potable water inlet in the building thus giving all users of potable water benefit of the softened water. The invention can be connected directly to all kinds of devices for warm and hot water supply. Further, the ultrasound can be directed to desired position using means of a screen and taking advantage of an equality of incoming and reflected ultrasound angles.

A correct selection of an ultrasound frequency is necessary for successful operation of the invention, said selection depending on device size and its distance to final users, i.e. the heating elements and nozzles which are most likely subjected to the deposits. The correct selection and its modulation will in addition to softening achieve also:

- a bacterial reduction in warm water systems eliminating the necessity for thermal disinfection;

- a reduction in use of detergents due to accelerated breakup of dirt or soil;

- a reduction of sanitary and other equipment cleaners use due to reduction of calcareous deposits;

- a silt and a sediment disinfection in treatment plants following anaerobic and aerobic fermentation processes.

Water chlorination can be replaced by the use of the invention in wells, reservoirs, or other sources for potable water due to harmful effects on bacteriae in water.

Several ultrasound generators can be mounted around the circumference of the housing. Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows presents an ultrasound crystallizer in straight form showing the housing (1), the cover of the ultrasound generator (2), the ultrasound generator (3), the digital regulator (4) and the cover of the digital regulator (5).

Claims

1. Ultrasound crystallizer used for softening, filtration, and other mechanical and/or ionic treatment of water or other fluid, characterized by an ultrasound generator (3) connected to a crystallizer housing (1) protected by a cover (2).

2. Invention as claimed in claim 1, characterized by regulation of frequency and intensity of an ultrasound by means of a digital regulator(4), connected to the ultrasound generator (3), and protected by a digital regulator cover (5).

3. Ultrasound crystallizer used for softening, filtration, and other mechanical and/or ionic treatment of water or other fluid, characterized by being positioned right before inlet in a device or devices for warm or hot water supply.

4. Ultrasound crystallizer used for softening, filtration, and other mechanical and/or ionic treatment of water or other fluid, characterized by being positioned directly within devices for warm or hot water supply.

5. Ultrasound crystallizer used for softening, filtration, and other mechanical and/or ionic treatment of water or other fluid, characterized by the ultrasound direction to desired position using means of a screen..

6. Ultrasound crystallizer used for softening, filtration, and other mechanical and/or ionic treatment of water or other fluid, characterized by being used for a water disinfection and/or a reduction of bacteriae in water.

7. Invention as claimed in any of previous claims, characterized by being connected to a flowmeter and/or to a calorimeter.

8. Invention as claimed in any of previous claims, characterized by having straight or in an angular form.

9. Invention as claimed in any of previous claims, characterized by a silt and/or a sediment disinfection in treatment plants following anaerobic and aerobic fermentation processes.

10. Invention as claimed in any of previous claims, characterized by several ultrasound generators mounted around the circumference of the housing.