WO2010010573A1

WO2010010573A1 - A water purifier

Info

Publication number: WO2010010573A1
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Girdharlal Jivrajbhai Adroja; Shankar B. Kausley; Mathai Joseph; Dilshad Ahmad; Chetan Premkumar Malhotra; Sabaleel Nandy
Original assignee: Tata Chemicals Ltd.; Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-07-24
Filing date: 2008-12-10
Publication date: 2010-01-28
Also published as: AP2011005591A0; ZA201101306B

Abstract

The invention relates to a water purifier comprising an outer casing configured for connecting the purifier to an outside surface of a water storage vessel; the purifier comprising a purification chamber configured to hold a composition for water purification; an upper chamber formed above the purification chamber and a bottom chamber formed below the purification chamber; a channel for conveying water received from the storage vessel to the bottom chamber, water entering the purification chamber from the bottom chamber and passing through the purification chamber; and an outlet passage for conveying the water exiting the purification chamber to an outlet of the purifier.

Description

The invention relates to the treatment of water. More particularly the invention relates to a water purifier. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Clean potable water is a basic human requirement. However, a large portion of the world's population, especially those living in developing counties do not have access to clean potable water.

Growing population, lack of sanitary condition, poverty, poor planning, industrial pollution, over exploitation of natural water and national disasters are the main reasons of contamination of water. This contaminated water is the source of many diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, fever, abdominal pain, and constipation, caused due to bacterial contamination transmitted through water. In India for example, as per the data collected by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in 2003 there were 10.5 million cases of diarrhea with 4709 deaths resulting majorly due to consumption of contaminated water. According to the World Health Organization, the provision of safe water alone can reduce diarrheal and enteric disease by up to 50%, even in the absence of improved sanitation and other hygiene measures.

Many water purification devices like in-line (electricity operated) devices, terminal end devices including counter top and faucet mounted filtration and self- contained batch system including gravity fed systems have been introduced into the market. However, many communities of the developing countries do not have access to piped water or reliable electricity connection to make use of inline or electrically driven purification units. They also do not have access to central water purification units installed near the water bodies from where they source their water. Moreover, the people in these communities cannot afford the point-of-use water purifies currently available in the market. The maintenance requirements and the high cost of consumables of these purifiers pose further hurdles for the adoption of these devices.

Thus there is a need for a water purification device that is simple, point-of-use gravity driven purification device that is inexpensive, easy to use and effective in removing bacterial contamination from drinking water and can be easily attached to commonly available storage vessels. SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect a pair of perforated plates is placed within the outer casing, the pair of perforated plates forming a purification chamber between them.

In accordance with an aspect the purifier comprises an inner container placed within the outer casing and forming a bottom chamber between the inner container and the outer casing, the inner container including the purification chamber and the upper chamber. The purification composition is kept under compaction within the purification chamber. The water purifier is preferably made of food grade plastic. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing illustrates the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the following detailed description serves to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG 1 illustrates the sectional view of an embodiment of the purifier showing the path of water through it.

FIG 2 illustrates an isometric view of an outer casting in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 3 illustrates a sectional view of an outer casting in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 4 illustrates an isometric view of a lid of an outer casing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 5 illustrates a sectional view of a lid of an outer casing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 6 illustrates an isometric view of an inner container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 7 illustrates a sectional view of an inner container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 8 illustrates a top view of an inner container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG 9 illustrates an isometric view of a lid of an inner container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG 10 illustrates a sectional view of a purifier in accordance with an embodiment showing compacted purification composition.

FIG 11 illustrates an isometric view of an intermediate plate in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG 12 illustrates a purifier in accordance with an alternate embodiment.

FIG 13 illustrates a sectional view of an embodiment of channel and outlet passage.

FIG 14 illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of channel and outlet passage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To promote an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will be made to the embodiment and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system and such further applications of the principles of the inventions as disclosed therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in art to which the invention relates.

A device for the treatment of water is described. More particularly a water purifier that may be attached to a storage vessel is described. The water purifier is configured for attachment to commonly available water storage vessels and functions on a reverse flow of water through the purifier. The purifier does not require any external energy for operation as the flow of water through the purifier is under the force of gravity. The purifier is configured to form a fluid passage between the water storage vessel and the purifier outlet. The fluid passage is a reverse flow of the water through the purification chamber, a reverse flow signifying the movement of water through the purification chamber in a direction against the force of gravity or in an upward direction. A reverse flow through the purification chamber provides for a controlled purification with a longer and uniform period of contact between the water and the purification bed. The reverse flow of the water prevents formations of channels within the purification bed and consequently provides a more uniform purification throughout the life of the water purifier.

With reference to the accompanying figures and initially to figure 1 a water purifier (10) in accordance with an embodiment is illustrated. The purifier (10) includes an outer casing (20) having an attachment means (90) configured for attaching the purifier to an outside surface of a water storage vessel. The attachment means is also configured for allowing the passage of water in to the purifier. The attachment means may be integrally formed on the outer casing or may be an external component connected to it.

The purifier includes a purification chamber (40), a bottom chamber (60) and an upper chamber (50). The bottom chamber is positioned below the purification chamber while the upper chamber is positioned above the purification chamber. The purifier is also provided with a channel (70) configured for conveying water received from the storage vessel to the bottom chamber and an outlet passage (80) for conveying the water exiting the purification chamber to a purifier outlet (23). In the embodiment illustrated, the outer casing includes within it an inner container (30), that forms a bottom chamber (60) between the outer casing and the inner container. The inner container includes the purification chamber (40) and the upper chamber (50).

The outer casing in accordance with the embodiment illustrated comprises of a main body (21) and a lid (22). Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a main body of the outer casing of a purifier, while figures 4 and 5 illustrate a lid of the outer casing. The lid (22) is configured for attachment with the main body (21) such that in the assembled condition forms a closed container. The main body is a hollow receptacle with the bottom surface (28) having a purifier outlet (23).

The lid (22) may be attached to the main body (21) by any means including but not limited to threads, push fit, snap fit or ultrasonic welding.

In the embodiment illustrated the attachment means (90) is formed on the lid (22) of the outer casing. The attachment means may be any means including but not limited to threads, push fit or snap fit that connect with corresponding threads or slots on the water storage vessel or on a connector element provided on the water storage vessel. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment means is in the form of a projection (24) comprising of internal threads (25). The attachment means also has an inlet passage (26) configured for conveying water from the water storage vessel to the water purifier.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate an inner container (30) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The inner container (30) is sized smaller than the outer casing (20) such that when the inner container is placed within the outer casing gaps or channels are formed between the outer casing and the inner container. The inner container includes a main body (31) and a lid (32). The main body (31) is also a hollow receptacle, preferably of the same shape as the main body of the outer casing, having a bottom surface (34). The lid (32) and the main body (31) together form a closed container in assembly.

In the embodiment illustrated, the inner container is configured to include the purification chamber (40) and the upper chamber (50). The purification chamber is formed between the bottom surface (34) of the inner container and an intermediate surface (35) while the upper chamber is formed between the intermediate surface (35) and the lid (32).

The bottom surface of the inner container may be integrally formed with the main body (31) or may be formed separately as a lid or plate that fits on the main body (31). It is preferred that at least one of the lid (32) or the bottom surface (34) be integrally formed with the main body, while the other surface be attached to the main body as a lid. In the embodiment illustrated, the bottom surface is integrally formed with the main body while the lid is attached to the main body as a lid.

The inner container includes an intermediate surface (35) that forms the purification chamber and the upper chamber. The intermediate surface may be integrally formed with the main body or may be formed separately as a plate that fits within the inner container. The inner container may be provided with grooves or slots to receive the intermediate plate. It is preferred that the intermediate plate is separately formed. A separately formed intermediate plate allows for easy filling of a water purification composition in the purification chamber. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated, the bottom surface (34) is provided with perforations (37) that allow the entry of water into the purification chamber. The intermediate plate (35) is also provided with perforations (36) that allow the exit of water from the purification chamber. The intermediate plate (35) holds the water purification composition in place within the inner container.

The inner container contains an outlet passage (80) for conveying water exiting the purification chamber to the outlet (23) of the purifier. In the embodiment illustrated, the outlet passage is a hollow stem (33) centrally placed within the main body (31). One or more such hollow stems may be formed for conveying the water exiting the purification chamber to the outlet (23). The hollow stems may pass through the purification chamber. Alternatively, the hollow stem may pass from outside the purification chamber, such as for example may pass through the outer casing. The hollow stem illustrated in the embodiment passes through the purification chamber.

Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of the lid (32) of the inner container. The lid (32) may be attached to the main body (31) by any means including threads, push fit, snap fit or by ultrasonic welding. The lid may be used to keep the intermediate plate pressed against the water purification composition (101) of the purification chamber so as to provide a compacted purification bed in the purification chamber, and at least one spring (200) may be placed between the lid and the intermediate plate for this, as illustrated in figure 10. The lid (32) may be provided with a slot (38), four in the embodiment illustrated to receive the spring (200). The composition for water purification may also be kept under compaction by any means including but not limited to the use of swelling chemicals or direct pressing.

In the embodiment illustrated the outer casing has a slot (27) formed on the bottom surface (28) that connects the outlet passage to the purifier outlet (23). A corresponding projection is provided on the outlet passage that fits within the slot (27) to form a leak proof joint between the outlet passage and the purifier outlet. In the embodiment illustrated, the hollow stem (33) formed in the inner container as an outlet passage includes a projection (39) that fits within the slot (27).

The purifier is also provided with a channel (70) for conveying the water received from the storage vessel to the bottom chamber. The channel may be in the form of a hollow stem or tube that connects the storage vessel to the bottom chamber. The channel may also be formed between at least one side edge of the outer casing and the inner container. In the illustrated embodiment the inner container is placed centrally within the outer casing such that a channel (70) is formed along the gaps between the inner surface of the outer casing and the inner container.

With reference again to figure 1 the flow of water through the water purifier is illustrated. Water from the storage vessel enters the water purifier though the inlet (26), as marked by the numeral (1). This water then flows along the top surface of the lid (32) into channel (70) as marked by the numeral (2). Water from the channel (70) enters the bottom chamber for subsequent entry in to the purification chamber (40). This has been depicted in the figure 1 by the numeral (3). Water from the bottom chamber enters the purification chamber and passes over the purification bed, as marked by numeral (4). Water exiting the purification chamber is received in an upper chamber (50) as marked by the numeral (5). This water then flows in to the outlet passage towards the purifier outlet, as marked by the numeral (6). Lastly, water exits the purifier through the purifier outlet as marked by the numeral (7).

With reference to figure 12 a water purifier in accordance with an alternate embodiment is illustrated. The purifier includes a purification chamber (40), a bottom chamber (60) and an upper chamber (50). The bottom chamber is positioned below the purification chamber while the upper chamber is positioned above the purification chamber. The purifier is also provided with a channel (70) configured for conveying water received from the storage vessel to the bottom chamber and an outlet passage (80) for conveying the water purified by the chamber to a purifier outlet (23).

In the embodiment illustrated, the purification chamber is formed in the purifier by a pair of perforated plates (45, 46) placed between a bottom surface (28) and a top surface (22) of the outer casing. The first perforated plate (45) is placed closer to the top surface of the outer casing and forms an upper chamber (50) between itself and the top surface (22). The second plate (46) is placed closer to the bottom surface (28) and forms a bottom chamber (60) between itself and the bottom surface. The plates (45, 46) are similar to the intermediate plate as illustrated in figure 11, and have openings or perforations (36) formed on them. The second plate (46) allows for the entry of water in to the purification chamber from the bottom chamber while the first plate (45) allows for the exit of water from the purification chamber. The plates are configured to fit into slots provided in the main body (21) of the outer casing. One of the plates may be integrally formed within the outer casing with the second plate positioned after the water purification composition has been placed within the purification chamber.

A channel (70) for conveying water received from the storage vessel through inlet (26) to the bottom chamber is provided. In the illustrated embodiment the channel is a hollow stem (170) that passes though the purification chamber and connects the inlet (26) with the bottom chamber. The hollow stem has been illustrated as centrally placed within the outer casing and passing through the purification chamber. However, one or more such hollow stems may be placed between the inlet and the bottom chamber. The inlet (26) is also configured to form a leak proof joint with the water storage vessel or a connector provided on the water storage vessel.

Water from the bottom chamber enters the purification chamber and exits in to the upper chamber. An outlet passage is provided for conveying water from the upper chamber to the purifier outlet. In the embodiment illustrated the outlet passage is formed as a hollow stem that is placed centrally within the purification chamber.

The channel (70) and the outlet passage (80) may be formed by two distinct hollow stems, as two partitions of a hollow stems or as concentric hollow stems passing through the purification chamber. Figures 13 and 14 illustrates an embodiment with channel and outlet passage formed as concentric rings. The combined hollow stem (190) includes a central channel (170) and an outer outlet passage (180). The top end (171) of the channel (170) may be connected with the inlet (26) for receiving water from the storage vessel and an outlet (172) opening into the bottom chamber. The outlet passage (180) surrounds the channel (170) and has an inlet (181) operatively connected to the upper chamber (50) for receiving water exiting the purification chamber and an outlet (182) for conveying water to the outlet (23). The combined channel and outlet passage (190) is provided with a projection (191) that fits within slot (27) of the outer casing.

With reference again to figure 12 the flow of water through the purifier is explained. Water enters the purifier from the storage vessel through inlet (90) into the channel (70) to reach the bottom chamber (60). Water from the bottom chamber enters the purification chamber (40) through the perforations on plate (46). Water passes through the purification chamber and exits the purification chamber through the perforations of plate (45) into the upper chamber (50). The water collected in the upper chamber enters the outlet passage (80) and is conveyed to the purifier outlet (23).

The intermediate plate (35) or the perforated plates (45, 46) may have a porous mesh attached on at least one surface covering the perforations. The mesh may be attached to the perforated plate by any means including but not limited to gluing, heat welding and ultrasonic welding and preferably the mesh is attached to the perforated plate by heat welding.

In accordance with an aspect a nozzle (100) to meter the flow of the water is placed at the purifier outlet (23). The nozzle controls the rate of flow of water through the water purifier such that the flow of water is maintained nearly constant throughout the life of the purifier. The nozzle also helps in regulating the time of contact of water with the water purification composition. The contact time is adjusted to provide maximum purification while providing a reasonable flow rate. As illustrated in figure 1 and 12 the nozzle is placed within the outer casing of the water purifier. The nozzle is configured to fit into a slot (27) formed in the outer casing.

In accordance with an aspect the purifier is made of food grade plastic. The water treatment composition may be any composition that can effectively remove contaminants from water. In accordance with a preferred embodiment the water purification composition includes rice husk ash and more particularly rice husk ash coated with a bactericide.

The water purifier as described by this document is a simple and effective point of use water purifier that can remove contaminants from water. Moreover the water purifier may be attached to any water storage vessel.

Claims

We claim:

1. A water purifier comprising: an outer casing configured for connecting the purifier to an outside surface of a water storage vessel; the purifier comprising a purification chamber configured to hold a composition for water purification; an upper chamber formed above the purification chamber and a bottom chamber formed below the purification chamber; a channel for conveying water received from the storage vessel to the bottom chamber, water entering the purification chamber from the bottom chamber and passing through the purification chamber; and an outlet passage for conveying the water exiting the purification chamber to an outlet of the purifier.

2. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 comprising a pair of perforated plates placed within the outer casing, the pair of perforated plates forming a purification chamber between them.

3. A water purifier as claimed in claim 2 wherein one perforated plate is integrally formed with the outer casing.

4. A water purifier as claimed in claim I₅ 2 or 3 wherein the channel is formed of at least one hollow stem.

5. A water purifier as claimed in claim 4 wherein the hollow stem passes through the purification chamber.

6. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 comprising an inner container placed within the outer casing and forming a bottom chamber between the inner container and the outer casing, the inner container including the purification chamber and the upper chamber.

7. A water purifier as claimed in claim 6 wherein the channel is formed between at least one side edge of the outer casing and the inner container.

8. A water purifier as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inner container is provided with a pair of perforated plates that form the purification chamber.

9. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner container has an integrally formed bottom surface with perforations in it.

10. A water purifier as claimed in claim wherein the outer casing is provided with a slot neat the outlet of the purifier for engaging a projection formed on the outlet passage.

11. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the purification chamber holds a compacted composition for water purification.

12. A water purifier as claimed in claim 11 wherein the composition for water purification is compacted using springs, swelling chemicals or direct pressing.

13. A water purifier as claimed in claim 2 or 8 wherein the purification composition is kept under compaction by at least one spring that presses against at least one perforated plate of the purification chamber.

14. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outlet passage is a hollow stem connecting the upper chamber to a purifier outlet.

15. A water purifier as claimed in claim 14 wherein the hollow stem passes through the purification chamber.

16. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the channel and outlet passage are formed on two partitions of a hollow stem.

17. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 or 14 wherein the outlet passage has a nozzle connected to it.

18. A water purifier as claimed in claim 17 wherein the nozzle is placed at the purifier outlet.

19. A water purifier as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein the nozzle is placed within the outer casing.

20. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the water received from the storage vessel enters the purifier under gravity.

21. A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the purifier is made of food grade plastic.

22.A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer casing includes a container and a lid.

23.A water purifier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer casing includes an attachment means for connecting the purifier to an outside surface of a water storage vessel.

24. A water purifier as claimed in claim 23 wherein the attachment means includes any of threads, snap fit or push fit for coupling with a storage vessel.

5.A water purifier substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.