WO2006118357A1

WO2006118357A1 - System for purifying water adopting the same

Info

Publication number: WO2006118357A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001274
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung-Yun Kim
Original assignee: Yuneco Development Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-04-15
Filing date: 2005-05-02
Publication date: 2006-11-09

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for purifying water including a pump; an intake piping connected with the pump to transmit a suction force of the pump; a plurality of intake members whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the intake piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion in a collection orifice formed in a bottom of a closed water area, the intake members having a plurality of intake holes formed therein for taking water and sludge inside the collection orifice; a sludge filtration apparatus for separating and filtering the sludge, taken in through the intake piping, from water; and a supply piping for supplying the water, filtered by the filtration apparatus, to an upper water area.

Description

SYSTEM FOR PURIFYING WATER ADOPTING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a system for purifying water, and more particularly to a system for purifying water equipped with a rotary intake apparatus for sludge and a rotary upflow water filtration apparatus capable of effectively removing precipitated or deposited sludge present in water bodies of closed water areas such as ponds. Background Art

[2] Generally, continuous inflow water runs short or hardly exists in most closed water areas such as naturally or artificially created reservoirs or ponds. If an increase of spontaneously occurring pollutants and unspecified pollutants flowing in from the outside exceeds a natural self-purification capacity in a water body of such a closed water area itself, the water is severely polluted, resulting in accumulation of various precipitated or deposited sludges on a bottom of a pond.

[3] Since the accumulated pollutants become decayed or rise to the water surface as time passes, they have bad smells, contaminate water, and also destroy the scenic beauty. Accordingly, there has been an absolute demand for continuously removing the precipitated or deposited sludge.

[4] The conventional method for removing precipitated or deposited sludge includes a method for draining out water from a related water area and dredging the water area, a method for exhausting out water of a related water area using a suction apparatus, etc. However, these methods have disadvantages that they require enormous manpower, time and cost, and pollutants should be also periodically removed therefrom since they are increasingly accumulated again as time passes.

[5] As other conventional methods, there have been attempts to remove precipitates by adding chemical medicines or injecting air in water to float the precipitates. However, the method has disadvantages that its efficiency of removing pollutants is significantly low if a water area is very wide, and it is very uneconomical since an apparatus for injecting chemicals and air and an apparatus for removing floating materials should be installed additionally.

[6] Considering the above contexts, there has been proposed an apparatus for collecting sludge at all times to purify water of a closed water area. According to such an apparatus, a plurality of intakes are installed in a bottom of a pond, and then connected with an apparatus for purifying water through an underground piping. Accordingly, the apparatus purifies water by taking in precipitates along with water through the intakes at all times. [7] However, the above apparatus also has a problem that, since sludge is taken in along with water through intakes having a narrow diameter, the sludge can be removed in an adjacent region of the intakes but not still removed in a remote region from the intakes. In order to solve the problem, a large number of intakes may be installed in a bottom of a pond, but this is very uneconomical, and, in particular, may severely damage water landscapes.

[8] Also, the filtered pollutants or sludge is intactly deposited on a sand layer in a bottom of a pond since the conventional system for purifying water employs a so- called "downward" filtration method in which a contaminated water is filtered by percolating into a basal layer. Accordingly, the bottom of the purified water area may be contaminated seriously, which causes bad smells or destroys water landscapes. In addition, if water is forced to flow backward through a filter layer for the purpose of periodically removing deposited pollutants, the purified water area is more severely contaminated while the deposited pollutants or sludge rises to the water surface of a pond, and its removal efficiency is significantly reduced, as well as this method is very uneconomical since a large amount of water is used for removing the sludge.

[9] Accordingly, there has been demanded a method capable of effectively filtering and purifying water without contaminating water in a purified water area. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, the present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for purifying water using a sludge intake apparatus capable of effectively removing sludge deposited in water from a broader region of a closed water area.

[11] It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for purifying water using a water filtration apparatus capable of effectively removing sludge or pollutants included in water without contaminating water of a purified water area by employing a rotary upflow filter system. Technical Solution

[12] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a system for purifying water, including a pump; an intake piping connected with the pump to transmit a suction force of the pump; a plurality of intake members whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the intake piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion in a collection orifice formed in a bottom of a closed water area, the intake members having a plurality of intake holes formed therein for taking water and sludge inside the collection orifice; and a sludge filtration apparatus for separating and filtering the sludge, taken in through the intake piping, from water. [13] Here, the intake member is preferably a hollow cylindrical pipe.

[14] The intake holes are preferably all formed in one direction to be inclined toward a sideward direction of the intake member, or more preferably formed to be inclined obliquely downwards or upwards.

[15] Preferably, the system for purifying water of the present invention includes a coupling member coupled with an end of the intake member and also rotationally coupled with the intake piping so that the intake member is communicated with the intake piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the intake piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[16] Here, the rotary connection unit includes a bush coupled with an end of the intake piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[17] Preferably, the system for purifying water of the present invention further includes a strainer installed in an opening of the collection orifice formed above the intake member.

[18] A still another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for purifying water, including a pump for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area; a filter case equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the pump and having a sludge outlet formed in a bottom of the filter layer; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the filter case; and a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer, wherein the water from which the sludge is filtered by flowing upward through the filter layer is supplied to an upper water area.

[19] The discharge unit includes a plurality of discharge pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the discharge piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion, and having a plurality of discharge ports formed therein for spraying the water and the sludge.

[20] The discharge ports are preferably all formed in one direction to be inclined toward a sideward direction of the discharge pipe, or more preferably formed to be inclined obliquely upwards toward the filter layer.

[21] The system for purifying water of this embodiment includes a coupling member coupled with an end of the discharge pipe and also rotationally coupled with the discharge piping so that the discharge pipe is communicated with discharge piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the discharge piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[22] The rotary connection unit includes a bush coupled with an end of the discharge piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[23] Preferably, a strainer is equipped inside the filter case, and the filter layer is arranged above the strainer.

[24] More preferably, the filter case is composed of a cylindrical body and a hopper-type precipitation unit extended to a lower portion of the cylindrical body.

[25] Also, the precipitation unit of the filter case is additionally equipped with at least one perforated plate having a plurality of through holes formed therein.

[26] A still another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for purifying water including a first pump for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area; a housing equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the first pump and having a sludge outlet formed in a bottom of the filter layer, a supply piping being connected to an upper portion of the filter layer so that the water from which the sludge is filtered is discharged therethrough; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the first pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the housing; a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer; and a supply piping for discharging the water, from which the sludge is filtered by flowing upward through the filter layer, into an upper water area.

[27] Preferably, the system for purifying water of the present invention further includes a backwash unit installed above the filter layer inside the housing to force water to flow backward from the upper water area to the housing.

[28] The backwash unit includes a backwash piping extended from the upper water area to an upper portion of the filter layer inside the housing; a second pump installed in the backwash piping to apply a driving force so that water flows backward; and a plurality of backwash pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with an end of the backwash piping inside the housing and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion and having a plurality of backwash ports formed therein for spraying the back-flowed water.

[29] Preferably, the system for purifying water of the present invention includes a coupling member coupled with an end of the backwash pipe and also rotationally coupled with the backwash piping so that the backwash pipe is communicated with backwash piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the backwash piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[30] Here, the rotary connection unit includes a bush coupled with an end of the backwash piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube. [31] Preferably, the system for purifying water of the present invention further includes an auxiliary pipe connected with the backwash piping; and a compressor for injecting compressed air into the housing through the auxiliary pipe so that the sludge detained by the filter layer is discharged through the sludge outlet.

[32] A still another aspect of the present invention provides a system for purifying water, including a pump; an intake piping for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area using a driving force of the pump; a plurality of intake members whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the intake piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion in a collection orifice formed in a bottom of the lower water area, and having a plurality of intake holes formed therein for taking water and sludge inside the collection orifice; a filter case equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the pump and having a sludge outlet formed in the bottom of the filter layer; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the filter case; and a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer, wherein the water from which the sludge is filtered through the filter layer flows to an upper water area which is arranged on the filter layer by flowing upward through the filter layer.

[33] A yet another aspect of the present invention provides a system for purifying water including a first pump; an intake piping for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area using a driving force of the first pump; a plurality of intake members whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the intake piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion in a collection orifice formed in a bottom of the lower water area, and in which a plurality of intake holes formed therein for taking water and sludge inside the collection orifice; a housing equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the first pump and having a sludge outlet formed in the bottom of the filter layer and a supply piping connected to an upper portion of the filter layer for discharging the water from which the sludge is filtered; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the first pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the filter case; and a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer, wherein the water from which the sludge is filtered through the filter layer flows backward through the supply piping to an upper water area arranged above the filter layer by flowing upward through the filter layer. Brief Description of the Drawings [34] FIG. 1 is a plane view schematically showing a system for purifying water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [35] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a system for purifying water according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [36] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sludge intake apparatus used in the system for purifying water according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [37] FIG. 4 is a schematic plane view showing a sludge intake apparatus used in the system for purifying water according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [38] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a coupling portion of the sludge intake apparatus used in the system for purifying water according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [39] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a sludge filtration apparatus in the system for purifying water according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [40] FIG. 7 is a schematic plane view showing a sludge filtration apparatus in the system for purifying water according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [41] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a coupling portion of the sludge filtration apparatus used in the system for purifying water according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [42] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sludge filtration apparatus used in a system for purifying water according to a still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [43] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a coupling portion in a backwash unit of a sludge filtration apparatus used in a system for purifying water according to a yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [44] FIGs. 1 and 2 show schematic configurations of a system for purifying water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [45] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the system for purifying water of the present invention is installed in a closed water area, for example a pond. The pond may be classified into a lower water area 100 containing most water and having a relatively lower water surface, and an upper water area or purified water area 200 positioned in a partial region having a relatively higher water surface than the lower water area 100. The upper water area 200 and the lower water area 100 are connected by a stepped water area 300 present between them, and the water flows from the upper water area 200 to the lower water area 100. [46] The system for purifying water according to the present invention includes a plurality of sludge intake apparatuses 10 installed inside the lower water area 100, and a sludge filtration apparatus 20 for filtering sludge taken in by the sludge intake apparatus 10.

[47] A plurality of the sludge intake apparatuses 10 may be insta spaced apart from a bottom of the pond, and the interval and the number of the sludge intake apparatuses 10 may be suitably selected according to a pollution level and a self-purification capacity of water, a size of a water area, etc. and the sludge intake apparatuses 10 may be sequentially operated when they are installed in plural number.

[48] FIGs. 3 and 4 show more detailed configurations of the sludge intake apparatuses

10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, a collection orifice 110 having a predetermined depth is formed in the bottom of a pond, and a sludge intake apparatus 10 is installed inside the collection orifice 110. The collection orifice 110 may be constructed by casting concrete or installing separate structures.

[49] Specifically, the sludge intake apparatus 10 includes a plurality of intake members

11, 11 ' that are installed and rotated inside the collection orifice 110 with being spaced apart in a predetermined distance from a bottom of the collection orifice 110. Two symmetrically arranged intake members are illustrated in this embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the intake members may be also arranged in three, four or more.

[50] Preferably, the intake members 11, 11' are hollow cylindrical pipes, and a plurality of intake holes 12a, 12b are formed in side surfaces of the intake members 11, 11'. It goes without saying that cylindrical pipes as well as pipes having polygonal sections may used as the intake members 11, 11'. According to the present invention, the intake holes 12a, 12b are all formed in one direction (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated in this embodiment). This is for the purpose of rotating the intake members 11, 11' by means of the reaction generated when water and sludge are taken in through the first and second intake holes 12a, 12b, as described later.

[51] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intake holes 12a,

12b may be formed to be inclined obliquely along a circumferential direction of the intake members 11, 11', and more preferably formed to be inclined obliquely downwards or upwards, for example at 45°. At this time, inclined angles of the intake holes may be suitably selected so that the intake members 11, 11' can be rotated by a reaction to an intake action, considering an efficiency of taking in sludge.

[52] Also, one of ends of the intake members 11, 11' is coupled to be communicated with an intake piping 30 connected with a pump 40 (see FIG. 2), wherein the intake members 11, 11' are coupled so that they can be rotated in a central region of a coupling portion of the intake piping 30. According to the present invention, the intake members 11, 11' may be coupled with the intake piping 30 by means of a rotary connection unit 13, as shown in FIG. 5. The intake members 11, 11' may be integrally formed, or integrated by means of a coupling member 1 Ia. In this case, the coupling member 11a may be rotationally coupled with the intake piping 30.

[53] The rotary connection unit 13 includes a bush 13a coupled with an end of the intake piping 30 so that it can be communicated with the intake piping 30; and a rotary tube 13b coupled so that it can be rotated in the bush 13a and coupled to be communicated with the intake members 11, 11' or an end of the coupling member 11a.

[54] At the end of the rotary tube 13b, formed is a bracket 13c, which is then coupled with a bracket 1 Ib formed at the end of the coupling member 11a using a coupling portion such as a bolt 15a. Also at the end of the bush 13a, a bracket 13d may be formed, which may be then coupled with a bracket 30a formed at the end of the intake piping 30 using a bolt 15b.

[55] A bearing 13e such as a sliding bearing is interposed, for example, between the bush 13a and the rotary tube 13b so that the bush 13a and the rotary tube 13b can be rotated against each other. In order to support the weight of the rotary tube 13b, an additional bearing 13f may be preferably interposed at a lower end of the rotary tube 13b to smoothly support rotation of the rotary tube 13b.

[56] More preferably, the rotary connection unit may be easily exchanged according to damage of the bearing and expiration of a service life since it may be assembled or dissembled as one part for the intake member and the intake piping.

[57] Although coupling between the intake member 11 and the intake piping 20 has been described in detail in this embodiment, it should be understood that the embodiment is not limited to the above, and any of the conventional configurations may be applied if an intake member may be configured to be rotationally coupled with the intake piping.

[58] As shown in FIG. 3, a strainer 16 may be installed in an opening of a collection orifice 110 formed on the intake members 11, 11' to cover the collection orifice 110. The strainer 16 prevents the intake members 11, 11' from being damaged by colliding with stones, pebbles, or other relatively large foreign substances. Further, the strainer 16 may be covered up with pebbles on it, as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the water landscape may be naturally presented since the sludge intake apparatuses installed in the bottom of the pond are not visually viewed from the outsides. Paving such a pebble is no obstacle to water purification because pollutants and sludge in water may flow in through gaps between the pebbles. Rather, an efficiency of purifying water may be improved due to decomposition of the pollutants and the sludge by microorganisms living in surfaces of the pebbles.

[59] More preferably, relatively large stones or pebbles are laid high to create humps among a plurality of sludge intake apparatuses installed in the bottom of the pond, and therefore pollutants or sludge is naturally induced into the collection orifice 110 of the sludge intake apparatus.

[60] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2 again, the pump 40 is connected pipe by pipe with a sludge filtration apparatus 20 for separating and filtering the introduced sludge, and the sludge filtration apparatus 20 forces the water, from which the sludge is separated and filtered, to flow into the upper water area 200.

[61] Referring to FIG. 6 showing a detailed configuration of the sludge filtration apparatus 20 according to the present invention, the sludge filtration apparatus includes a filter case 21 composed of a cylindrical body 21a and a hopper- type precipitation unit 21b; and a discharge unit installed inside the filter case 21.

[62] A filter layer 22 is equipped inside the body unit 21a of the filter case 21 so that it can filter the contaminated water. The conventional filtering materials such as pebble, sand, activated carbon and so on may be used in the filter layer 22. Preferably, a strainer 23 is installed in the body unit 21a, and substances having large particles, for example pebble, are heaped up on the strainer 23, on which a fine particle layer such as sand is accumulated.

[63] A discharge piping 50 connected with the pump 40 is extended to a lower portion of the filter layer 22 inside the filter case 21, preferably to a central region of a lower portion of the strainer 23, and a discharge unit is installed on an end of the extended discharge piping 50.

[64] The discharge unit includes a plurality of discharge pipes 24 rotationally supported at an end of the discharge piping 50. Referring to FIG. 7 showing a configuration of the discharge pipe 24, the discharge pipe 24 is coupled with the discharge piping 50 so that it may have an end communicated with the discharge piping 50 and also rotate based on a coupling portion of the discharge piping 50.

[65] Also, a plurality of discharge ports 24a are formed in the discharge pipe 24, and the discharge ports 24a are all formed in one direction (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated in this embodiment) in a side surface of the discharge pipe 24. This is for the purpose of rotating the intake members 11, 11' by means of the reaction generated when water and sludge are discharged through the discharge ports 24a, as described later.

[66] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the discharge ports

24a may be formed to be inclined upward obliquely toward the strainer 23 along a circumferential direction of the discharge pipe 24, preferably at an angle of 45°. At this time, inclined angles of the discharge ports may be suitably selected so that the discharge pipe 24 can be rotated by a reaction to a discharging action, considering an efficiency of discharging sludge. In addition, the discharge port 24a may be also formed of conventional through holes or configured in a nozzle shape.

[67] Also, one end of the discharge pipe 24 is coupled to be communicated with the discharge piping 50 coupled with the pump 40 (see FIG. 1). At this time, the discharge pipe 24 is coupled to be rotatable based on the coupling portion of the discharge piping 50. That is, the discharge pipe 24 may be coupled with the discharge piping 50 by means of a rotary connection unit 26, as shown in FIG. 8. The discharge pipe 24 may be integrally formed, or integrated by means of the coupling member 25. In this case, the coupling member 25 may be rotationally coupled with the discharge piping 50.

[68] The rotary connection unit 26 includes a bush 26a coupled to be mutually communicated with an end of the discharge piping 50; and a rotary tube 26b coupled so that it can be rotated in the bush 26a and coupled to be communicated with the discharge pipe 24 or an end of the coupling member 25.

[69] At the end of the rotary tube 26b, formed is a bracket 26c, which is then coupled with a bracket 25a formed at an end of the coupling member 25 using a coupling member such as a bolt 28a. Also at an end of the bush 26a, formed is a bracket 26d, which may be then coupled with a bracket 50a formed at an end of the discharge piping 50 using a bolt 28b.

[70] A bearing 26e such as a sliding bearing is interposed, for example, between the bush 26a and the rotary tube 26b so that the bush 26a and the rotary tube 26b can be rotated against each other. In order to support the weight of the rotary tube 26b, an additional bearing 26f may be preferably interposed at a lower end of the rotary tube 26b to smoothly support a gravity of the rotary tube 26b.

[71] More preferably, the rotary connection unit may be easily exchanged according to damage of the bearing and expiration of a service life since it may be assembled or dissembled as one part for the discharge pipe and the discharge piping.

[72] Although the coupling between the discharge pipe 24 and the discharge piping 50 has been described in detail in this embodiment, it should be understood that the embodiment is not limited to the above, and any of conventional configurations may be applied if the discharge pipe may be arranged to be rotationally coupled with the discharge piping.

[73] The precipitation unit 21b of the filter case 21 is a site on which the separated and filtered sludge is accumulated and precipitated, and in the bottom of the precipitation unit 21b, a sludge outlet 21c is formed, which is coupled with an inflow port 41 of the pump 40 by means of a sludge discharge pipe 60.

[74] Also, at least one perforated plates 70 having a plurality of through holes 71 formed therein may be installed in the precipitation unit 21b of the filter case 21 by means of a bracket 72. This is for the purpose of allowing sludge to flow out stably and uniformly by preventing fluids from swirling when discharging the sludge, as described later. [75] The sludge filtration apparatus of the present invention may be installed right beneath the purified water area 200, as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. In this case, the natural landscapes may be maintained intact since various aquatic plants of the purified water area 200 may grow on the filter layer 22.

[76] In FIG. 2, reference numerals 75, 76, 77 and 78 indicate valves, respectively.

Although pipings between the sludge intake apparatus 10 and the pump 40, and between the sludge intake apparatus 10 and the sludge filtration apparatus 20 have been described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the pipings between them may be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, though only one pump is used in the embodiments, a plurality of pumps may be also used for various usages, respectively.

[77] Hereinafter, an operation of the system for purifying water of the present invention configured as mentioned above will be described in detail, as follows.

[78] For operating the system for purifying water of the present invention, the pump 40 is firstly driven to take sludge along with water in the lower water area 100 through the intake piping 30. At this time, the valves 75 and 77 remain opened, and the valves 76 and 78 remain closed.

[79] A suction force by the pump 40 is transmitted to the intake members 11, 11' communicated with the intake piping 30, and therefore water and sludge are taken in through the first and second intake holes 12a, 12b of the intake members 11, 11'. At this time, the intake members 11, 11' are rotated as illustrated in FIG. 4, for example counterclockwise by the reaction generated when the water and the sludge are taken in since the first and second intake holes 12a, 12b are all formed in one direction. The size and length of the intake members 11, 11' are preferably suitably selected considering a rotation force by the reaction as described above.

[80] Such a rotation of the intake members 11, 11' prevents sludge from being deposited, and simultaneously is forced to effectively take in more sludge from a wider region since they effectively take in deposited sludge without floating the deposited sludge around the collection orifice 110.

[81] Subsequently, a mixing water of sludge taken in through the intake piping 30 into the inflow port 41 of the pump 40 flows out from an outlet port 42 of the pump 40, and then flows through the discharge piping 50 into the precipitation unit 21b of the filter case 21 in the sludge filtration apparatus 20.

[82] And then, the mixing water of sludge flows into the discharge pipe 24 connected with the end of the discharge piping 50, and then is sprayed through the discharge ports 24a. At this time, the discharge ports 24a are inclined obliquely upwards toward the strainer 23, and therefore the mixing water of sludge sprayed from the discharge ports 24a collides with the strainer 23. Accordingly, the discharge pipe 24 is rotated clockwise, for example by the reaction to an injection pressure of the mixing water of sludge since the discharge ports 24a are formed in one direction (for example, a counterclockwise direction) along a side surface of the discharge pipe 24, as shown FIG. 7.

[83] Such an operation has certain effects of the present invention. First, the operation functions to detach pollutants accumulated or attached on the strainer 23 by spraying a mixing water of sludge obliquely toward the strainer 23. Second, separation and filtration of the sludge are more facilitated by stirring sludge and water adjacent to the strainer 23 while the discharge pipe 24 is rotating.

[84] Subsequently, the sprayed mixing water of sludge flows upward through the filter layer 22 by means of a pressure, wherein the sludge or the pollutants are filtered through the filter layer 22.

[85] As a result, the clean water from which the sludge is separated is spouted out into the purified water area 200, and then flows in the lower water area 100 along a stepped water area 300. Although it is shown that the sludge filtration apparatus of the present invention is buried right beneath the purified water area 200 in this embodiment, the water separated and filtered by the sludge filtration apparatus may flow in the purified water area 200 via an additional passage as another alternative.

[86] These procedures are repeated to precipitate the separated sludge on the bottom of the precipitation unit 21b inside the filter case 21. If the sludge is accumulated over a predetermined amount, they are removed by discharging them out through the filter case 21. This process is described in detail, as follows.

[87] For an operation of draining water, the valves 75 and 77 are closed and the valves

76 and 78 are opened, and then the pump 40 is driven. If the pump 40 is driven, the sludge accumulated on the bottom of the precipitation unit 21b are discharged along with water through a sludge discharge pipe 60. At this time, water flows downward since a back pressure is applied to the filter layer 22, and the sludge or the pollutants detained in the filter layer 22 and the strainer 23 are detached in a downward direction, and simultaneously discharged along with water through the sludge discharge pipe 60 during this process. Upon discharging the sludge, the perforated plate 70 functions to constantly maintain a stream of fluid without stirring the fluid.

[88] Subsequently, the sludge discharged out through the sludge discharge pipe 60 are discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 90.

[89] The procedure for discharging sludge as described above has no affect on the purified water area, and has no problem that the water in the purified water area is contaminated or pollutants floats up since water flows downward by means of a back pressure generated when the sludge is discharged.

[90] FIG. 9 show a sludge filtration apparatus 120 used in the system for purifying water according to a still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sludge filtration apparatus 120 of this embodiment may be independently mounted at separate sites such as an apparatus room instead of being installed under the ground.

[91] Referring to FIG. 9, the sludge filtration apparatus 120 of this embodiment includes a closed housing 121, a filter layer 122 installed inside the housing 121, a discharge unit installed beneath a boundary of the filter layer 122, and a backwash unit installed on a boundary of the filter layer 122.

[92] The conventional filtering materials such as pebble, sand, activated carbon and so on may be used in the filter layer 122. Preferably, strainers 123a, 123b spaced apart by a predetermined distance are installed inside the housing 121, and the filter layer 122 may be interposed between the strainers 123a and 123b.

[93] A suction pump 140 is connected to take in a contaminated mixing water of sludge through the intake piping 30, and a discharge piping 150 is extended from the suction pump 140 to the inside of the housing 121, preferably to a central region of a lower portion of a lower strainer 123a, and a discharge unit is installed at an end of the extended discharge piping 150.

[94] The discharge unit includes a plurality of discharge pipes 124 having discharge ports 124a formed therein and rotationally supported at an end of the discharge piping 150. Here, a configuration and a coupling relation of the discharge unit are not described in detail since they are the same as described above.

[95] The separated and filtered sludge is concentrated and precipitated on the bottom of the housing 121, and then the separated and filtered sludge is discharged out through a sludge discharge pipe 160 connected with a sludge outlet 121c formed in the bottom of the housing 121.

[96] Also, a supply piping 141 is connected to the top of the housing 121 to discharge the water from which the sludge is separated and filtered, and the supply piping 141 is connected to the purified water area or the upper water area 200 (see FIG. 1).

[97] According to this embodiment, a backwash unit for discharging sludge is installed on the top of an upper strainer 123b inside the housing 121. The backwash unit includes a backwash piping 142 extended from the upper water area 200 to the top of the filter layer 122 inside the housing 121; and a backwash pump 240 installed in the backwash piping 142 for forcing water to flow backward from the upper water area 200 toward the housing 121.

[98] Also, a plurality of backwash pipes 224 in which backwash ports 224a are formed are rotationally coupled with an end of the backwash piping 142 inside the housing 121. That is, the backwash pipes 224 may be coupled with the backwash piping 142 through a rotary connection unit 226, as shown in FIG. 10. The backwash pipes 224 may be integrally formed with each other, or integrated by means of a coupling member 225. In this case, the coupling member 225 may be rotationally coupled with the backwash piping 142.

[99] The rotary connection unit 226 includes a bush 226a coupled to be mutually communicated with an end of the backwash piping 142; and a rotary tube 226b rotationally coupled in the bush 226a and coupled to be communicated with an end of the backwash pipe 224 or the coupling member 225.

[100] At an end of the rotary tube 226b, formed is a bracket 226c, which is then coupled with a bracket 225a formed at an end of the coupling member 225 using a coupling portion such as a bolt 228a. Also at an end of the bush 226a, formed is a bracket 226d, which may be then coupled with a bracket 142a formed at an end of the backwash piping 142 using a bolt 228b.

[101] A bearing 226e such as a sliding bearing is interposed, for example, between the bush 226a and the rotary tube 226b so that the bush 226a and the rotary tube 226b can be rotated against each other. In order to support a gravity of the rotary tube 226b, an additional bearing 226g may be preferably interposed on a flange 226f formed at a lower end of the bush 226a to smoothly support rotation of the bush 226a.

[102] More preferably, the rotary connection unit may be easily exchanged according to damage of the bearing and expiration of a service life since it may be assembled or dissembled as one part for the backwash pipe and the backwash piping.

[103] Although coupling between the backwash pipe and the backwash piping has been described in detail in this embodiment, it should be understood that the embodiment is not limited to the above, and any of conventional configurations may be applied if the backwash pipe may be arranged to be rotationally coupled with the backwash piping. In addition, although the supply piping and the backwash piping have been separately shown in this embodiment, their functions may be also combined to be conducted by a single piping.

[104] According to this embodiment, an auxiliary pipe 143 is connected with the backwash piping 142, and it is then extended to a compressor 340. In FIG. 9, reference numerals 175, 176, 177 and 178 indicate valves, respectively.

[105] Then, an operation of the system for purifying water according to a still another embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail, as follows.

[106] For operating the system for purifying water of the present invention, if the pump

140 is firstly driven, sludge is taken in along with water through the intake piping 30. At this time, the valves 175, 176 and 177 remain closed.

[107] A mixing water of sludge taken in through the intake piping 30 flows through the discharge piping 150 into the housing 121 of the sludge filtration apparatus 120.

[108] And then, the mixing water of sludge flows into the discharge pipe 124 connected with an end of the discharge piping 150, and then is sprayed through the discharge ports 124a. At this time, the discharge ports 124a are inclined obliquely upwards toward the lower strainer 123a, and therefore the mixing water of sludge sprayed from the discharge ports 124a collides with the strainer 123a. Accordingly, the discharge pipe 124 is rotated, for example, in a counterclockwise direction. This rotation of the discharge pipe 124 prevents a filter layer from being closed by pollutants, as well as sludge from being concentrated.

[109] Subsequently, the sprayed mixing water of sludge flows upward through the filter layer 122 by means of an internal pressure of the housing 121, wherein the sludge or the pollutants are filtered through the filter layer 122.

[110] Subsequently, the water having passed through the filter layer 122 is spouted out through the supply piping 141 into the purified water area 200, and then flows in the lower water area 100 along the stepped water area 300.

[I l l] Meanwhile, the valve 178 are closed and the valves 175, 176 and 177 are opened, and then the backwash pump 240 is driven when conducting an operation of discharging and removing sludge. If the backwash pump 240 is driven, the water in the upper water area 200 flows backward along the backwash piping 142 into the housing 121, and then discharged through the backwash port 224a of the backwash pipe 224.

[112] At this time, the backwash pipe 224 is rotated, for example in a counterclockwise direction by the reaction to an injection force since water is sprayed through the backwash port 224a with a strong pressure. This rotation of the backwash pipe 224 is forced to effectively detach the sludge attached and detained in the filter layer 122 by applying a constant pressure to an upper region of the housing 121.

[113] More preferably, a compressed air is injected into the housing 121 through an auxiliary pipe 143 by operating a compressor 340 in addition to operation of the backwash pump 240. In that case, a back pressure is further increased inside the housing 121, and also water and the compressed air are forced to flow downward. In this process, the sludge or pollutants attached and detained in the filter layer 122 and the strainer 123a are detached in a downward direction, and simultaneously discharged out into the sludge discharge pipe 160 together with water. Industrial Applicability

[114] The system for purifying water of the present invention has advantages, as follows.

[115] First, the system for purifying water of the present invention may prevent sludge from being deposited or precipitated, and also effectively remove sludge from a broader area since water and sludge are taken in by rotation of an intake member.

[116] Second, the system for purifying water of the present invention may prevent water in a purified water area from being contaminated or water landscapes from being damaged since sludge is separated from water using a rotary upflow filter system.

[117] Third, the system for purifying water of the present invention may facilitate separation of sludge and prevent an apparatus performance from being deteriorated since water and sludge are filtered while stirring using a discharge member.

[118] Fourth, the system for purifying water of the present invention does not need installation of additional driving units such as a motor because an intake unit and a discharge unit are rotated by reaction to a suction force or a discharging force without any of special driving sources, and therefore a structure of the system is simple and it is also economical in the installing and manufacturing costs.

[119] Fifth, an environment- friendly system may be realized without negatively affecting the water landscapes and water environments by installing a sludge intake apparatus and a sludge filtration apparatus of the present invention so that the sludge intake apparatus can be covered up with pebbles and so on, and the sludge filtration apparatus is also covered up under a purified water area.

Claims

[1] A system for purifying water, comprising: a pump; an intake piping connected with the pump to transmit a suction force of the pump; a plurality of intake members whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the intake piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion in a collection orifice formed in a bottom of a closed water area, the intake members having a plurality of intake holes formed therein for taking water and sludge inside the collection orifice; and a sludge filtration apparatus for separating and filtering the sludge, taken in through the intake piping, from water.

[2] The system for purifying water according to claim 1, wherein the intake member is a hollow cylindrical pipe.

[3] The system for purifying water according to claim 2, wherein the intake holes are all formed in one direction to be inclined toward a sideward direction of the intake member.

[4] The system for purifying water according to claim 3, wherein the intake holes are formed to be inclined obliquely downwards or upwards.

[5] The system for purifying water according to claim 1, comprising: a coupling member coupled with an end of the intake member and also ro- tationally coupled with the intake piping so that the intake member is communicated with the intake piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the intake piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[6] The system for purifying water according to claim 5, wherein the rotary connection unit includes: a bush coupled with an end of the intake piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[7] The system for purifying water according to claim 1, further comprising a strainer installed in an opening of the collection orifice formed above the intake member.

[8] A system for purifying water, comprising: a pump for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area; a filter case equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the pump and having a sludge outlet formed in a bottom of the filter layer; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the filter case; and a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer, wherein the water from which the sludge is filtered by flowing upward through the filter layer is supplied to an upper water area.

[9] The system for purifying water according to claim 8, wherein the discharge unit includes a plurality of discharge pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the discharge piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion, and having a plurality of discharge ports formed therein for spraying the water and the sludge.

[10] The system for purifying water according to claim 9, wherein the discharge ports are all formed in one direction to be inclined toward a sideward direction of the discharge pipe.

[11] The system for purifying water according to claim 10, wherein the discharge ports are formed to be inclined obliquely upwards toward the filter layer.

[12] The system for purifying water according to claim 9, comprising: a coupling member coupled with an end of the discharge pipe and also rotationally coupled with the discharge piping so that the discharge pipe is communicated with discharge piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the discharge piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[13] The system for purifying water according to claim 12, wherein the rotary connection unit includes: a bush coupled with an end of the discharge piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[14] The system for purifying water according to claim 8, wherein a strainer is equipped inside the filter case, and the filter layer is arranged above the strainer.

[15] The system for purifying water according to claim 8, wherein the filter case is composed of a cylindrical body and a hopper-type precipitation unit extended to a lower portion of the cylindrical body.

[16] The system for purifying water according to claim 15, wherein the precipitation unit of the filter case is additionally equipped with at least one perforated plate having a plurality of through holes formed therein.

[17] A system for purifying water comprising: a first pump for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area; a housing equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the first pump and having a sludge outlet formed in a bottom of the filter layer, a supply piping being connected to an upper portion of the filter layer so that the water from which the sludge is filtered is discharged therethrough; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the first pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the housing; a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer; and a supply piping for discharging the water, from which the sludge is filtered by flowing upward through the filter layer, into an upper water area.

[18] The system for purifying water according to claim 17, wherein the discharge unit includes a plurality of discharge pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the discharge piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion and having a plurality of discharge ports formed therein for spraying the water and the sludge.

[19] The system for purifying water according to claim 18, wherein the discharge ports are all formed in one direction in a side surface of the discharge pipe.

[20] The system for purifying water according to claim 12, wherein the discharge ports are formed to be inclined obliquely upward toward the filter layer.

[21] The system for purifying water according to claim 17, further comprising a backwash unit installed above the filter layer inside the housing to force water to flow backward from the upper water area to the housing.

[22] The system for purifying water according to claim 21, wherein the backwash unit includes: a backwash piping extended from the upper water area to an upper portion of the filter layer inside the housing; a second pump installed in the backwash piping to apply a driving force so that water flows backward; and a plurality of backwash pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with an end of the backwash piping inside the housing and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion and having a plurality of backwash ports formed therein for spraying the back-flowed water.

[23] The system for purifying water according to claim 22, comprising: a coupling member coupled with an end of the backwash pipe and also ro- tationally coupled with the backwash piping so that the backwash pipe is communicated with backwash piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the backwash piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[24] The system for purifying water according to claim 23, wherein the rotary connection unit includes: a bush coupled with an end of the backwash piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[25] The system for purifying water according to claim 22, further comprising: an auxiliary pipe connected with the backwash piping; and a compressor for injecting compressed air into the housing through the auxiliary pipe so that the sludge detained by the filter layer is discharged through the sludge outlet.

[26] A system for purifying water comprising: a pump; an intake piping for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area using a driving force of the pump; a plurality of intake members whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the intake piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion in a collection orifice formed in a bottom of the lower water area, and having a plurality of intake holes formed therein for taking water and sludge inside the collection orifice; a filter case equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the pump and having a sludge outlet formed in the bottom of the filter layer; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the filter case; and a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer, wherein the water from which the sludge is filtered through the filter layer flows to an upper water area which is arranged on the filter layer by flowing upward through the filter layer.

[27] The system for purifying water according to claim 26, wherein the intake member is a hollow cylindrical pipe.

[28] The system for purifying water according to claim 27, wherein the intake holes are all formed in one direction to be inclined toward a sideward direction of the intake member.

[29] The system for purifying water according to claim 28, wherein the intake holes are formed to be inclined obliquely downwards or upwards.

[30] The system for purifying water according to claim 26, comprising: a coupling member coupled with an end of the intake member and also ro- tationally coupled with the intake piping so that the intake member is communicated with the intake piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the intake piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[31] The system for purifying water according to claim 30, wherein the rotary connection unit includes: a bush coupled with an end of the intake piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[32] The system for purifying water according to claim 26, further comprising a strainer installed in an opening of a collection orifice formed in an upper portion of the intake member.

[33] The system for purifying water according to claim 26, wherein the discharge unit includes a plurality of discharge pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the discharge piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion, and having a plurality of discharge ports formed therein for spraying the water and the sludge.

[34] The system for purifying water according to claim 33, wherein the discharge ports are all formed in one direction to be inclined toward a sideward direction of the discharge pipe.

[35] The system for purifying water according to claim 34, wherein the discharge ports are formed to be inclined obliquely upwards toward the filter layer.

[36] The system for purifying water according to claim 33, comprising: a coupling member coupled with an end of the discharge pipe and also rotationally coupled with the discharge piping so that the discharge pipe is communicated with discharge piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the discharge piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[37] The system for purifying water according to claim 36, wherein the rotary connection unit includes: a bush coupled with an end of the discharge piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[38] The system for purifying water according to claim 26, wherein the filter case is composed of a cylindrical body and a hopper-type precipitation unit extended to a lower portion of the cylindrical body.

[39] The system for purifying water according to claim 38, wherein the precipitation unit of the filter case is additionally equipped with at least one perforated plate having a plurality of through holes formed therein.

[40] A system for purifying water comprising: a first pump; an intake piping for taking in sludge along with water from a lower water area using a driving force of the first pump; a plurality of intake members whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the intake piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion in a collection orifice formed in a bottom of the lower water area, and in which a plurality of intake holes formed therein for taking water and sludge inside the collection orifice; a housing equipped with a filter layer for filtering the water and the sludge taken in by the first pump and having a sludge outlet formed in a bottom of the filter layer and a supply piping connected to an upper portion of the filter layer for discharging the water from which the sludge is filtered; a discharge piping for supplying the water and the sludge, taken in by the first pump, to a lower portion of the filter layer inside the filter case; and a discharge unit rotationally coupled with an end of the discharge piping to spray the water and the sludge, supplied through the discharge piping, toward the filter layer, wherein the water from which the sludge is filtered through the filter layer flows backward through the supply piping to an upper water area arranged above the filter layer by flowing upward through the filter layer.

[41] The system for purifying water according to claim 40, comprising: a coupling member coupled with an end of the intake member and also rotationally coupled with the intake piping so that the intake member is communicated with the intake piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the intake piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[42] The system for purifying water according to claim 41, wherein the rotary connection unit includes: a bush coupled with an end of the intake piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[43] The system for purifying water according to claim 40, wherein the discharge unit comprises a plurality of discharge pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with the discharge piping and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion, and having a plurality of discharge ports formed therein for spraying the water and the sludge.

[44] The system for purifying water according to claim 40, further comprising a backwash unit installed above the filter layer inside the housing to force water to flow backward from the upper water area to the housing.

[45] The system for purifying water according to claim 44, wherein the backwash unit includes: a backwash piping extended from the upper water area to an upper portion of the filter layer inside the housing; a second pump installed in the backwash piping to apply a driving force so that water flows backward; and a plurality of backwash pipes whose ends are coupled to be communicated with an end of the backwash piping inside the housing and also installed to be rotatable based on the coupling portion, and having a plurality of backwash pipes formed therein for spraying the back-flowed water.

[46] The system for purifying water according to claim 45, comprising: a coupling member coupled with an end of the backwash pipe and also rotationally coupled with the backwash piping so that the backwash pipe is communicated with backwash piping; and a rotary connection unit interposed between the coupling member and the backwash piping to be rotationally coupled with each other.

[47] The system for purifying water according to claim 46, wherein the rotary connection unit includes: a bush coupled with an end of the backwash piping; a rotary tube rotationally coupled in the bush and fixed at an end of the coupling member; and a bearing interposed between the bush and the rotary tube.

[48] The system for purifying water according to claim 45, further comprising: an auxiliary pipe connected with the backwash piping; and a compressor for injecting compressed air into the housing through the auxiliary pipe so that the sludge detained by the filter layer is discharged through the sludge outlet.