WO2014053182A1 - A semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line and an according method - Google Patents

A semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line and an according method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014053182A1
WO2014053182A1 PCT/EP2012/069609 EP2012069609W WO2014053182A1 WO 2014053182 A1 WO2014053182 A1 WO 2014053182A1 EP 2012069609 W EP2012069609 W EP 2012069609W WO 2014053182 A1 WO2014053182 A1 WO 2014053182A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flushing
water
disinfection
substance
water line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2012/069609
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andreas Ruppert
Jamal ZAOUAGHI
Heribert Lohwieser
Original Assignee
Ecolab Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ecolab Inc. filed Critical Ecolab Inc.
Priority to PCT/EP2012/069609 priority Critical patent/WO2014053182A1/en
Priority to DE112012006972.2T priority patent/DE112012006972T5/en
Publication of WO2014053182A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014053182A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
    • E03B7/006—Arrangements or methods for cleaning or refurbishing water conduits
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
    • E03B7/07—Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
    • E03B7/074—Arrangement of water treatment devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, and a method of semi-automatically flushing a water line.
  • Various systems are known in the art that provide water for human consumption and use, wherein the systems are usually connected to a water line, for example a pressurized water mains.
  • a water line which are not used regularly a contamination of stagnant water in the water line can occur.
  • a said system for providing water for use might be a disinfection unit, for example like disinfection units used in hospitals.
  • the water flow rate through these units is usually low, for example some litres per day, or in case of a temporary closure of a ward in the hospital, there might be no water flow at all for several days or weeks so that the water in the water line is stagnant for a longer period of time.
  • a flushing of the water line for example a water line connected to the disinfection unit, is necessary before reusing the disinfection unit.
  • the flushing of the water line prior to using the disinfection unit might be forgotten by a user.
  • Even during normal use of the disinfection unit it might not be obvious to a user when a flushing of the water line might be necessary in order to avoid using contaminated water.
  • a semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, comprises a disinfection unit comprising at least a first disinfection substance connected to a water line and a water valve for dosing an amount of discharged water, a dosing pump for dosing the amount of disinfection substance, a first flow check device for measuring the amount of water discharged and a second flow check device for measuring the amount of discharged disinfection substance, and a programmable controller comprising a timer unit and a, in particular manual, triggering means, wherein the controller is connected to the water valve and the dosing pump and the first and second flow check device
  • the disinfection unit might be connected to a water line, for example a pressurized water mains, and may comprise at least a first disinfection substance, wherein the disinfection substance is dischargeable and soluble into the water of the water line within the disinfection unit in order to provide a ready-to-use solution being discharged from the disinfection unit with a predefined concentration of the disinfection substance. It is also possible to discharge water from the water line only, without any disinfection substance dissolved in the water.
  • the disinfection substance may be provided in a container, which might be interchangeable, in case that the disinfection substance runs out.
  • the disinfection substance might be a solid, powdery or liquid substance, which may be added to the water in the water line in order to form a ready-to-use solution with a predefined concentration.
  • the disinfection unit may further comprise a water valve for dosing the amount of discharge water, wherein the water to be discharged is supplied by the water line.
  • the water valve may dose the amount of water entering the disinfection unit from the water line.
  • the disinfection substance may be added to the water from the water line inside the disinfection unit by a dosing pump, which may add the necessary amount of disinfection substance in order to reach a predefined concentration of a ready-to-use solution.
  • the water from the water line may flow through the disinfection unit and may be discharged from the disinfection unit when the water valve is opened.
  • the water discharged from the disinfection unit may comprise added disinfection substance or not.
  • the amount of water flowing through the disinfection unit and being discharged may be measured by a first flow check device.
  • a second flow check device may be provided for measuring the amount of disinfection substance discharged into the water, wherein the measured amount of discharge substance is the amount of substance that is added to the water flowing through the disinfection unit.
  • the second flow check device may be integrated into the dosing pump, for example a diaphragm pump or a piston pump, wherein the amount of discharge disinfection substance may be derived from the dosing pump parameters.
  • the water valve, the dosing pump and the first and second flow check device may be, in particular electrically, connected to a programmable controller wherein the programmable controller may activate and operate the water valve, the dosing pump as well as the first and second flow check device.
  • the programmable controller comprises a timer unit, which may be used for measuring a standby time, for example a time during which the disinfection unit has not been used for discharging water or a ready-to-use solution, and/or measuring the duration of water flowing through the disinfection unit and/or the duration of dosing the dosing substance into the water.
  • the programmable controller is able to automatically measure for example the standby time and/or how much water, in particular water with or without added disinfection substance, has been discharged in a certain amount of time.
  • This enables the programmable controller to derive and automatically indicate the need of a flushing, based on the standby time and/or an amount of discharged water during a predefined time period.
  • a user may be reminded of the necessity to trigger a, in particular manually, flushing of the water line before discharging and using the ready-to-use solution. Therefore, the risk of using contaminated stagnant water for the ready-to-use solution may be avoided.
  • a user may trigger the semi-automatic flushing of the water line by using a triggering means, for example a button arranged on the programmable controller.
  • a semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit is provided.
  • the semi-automatic flushing system according to the present invention has the advantage that the risk of using the disinfection unit without flushing is reduced or may even be avoided, thus increasing the safety and reliance of the disinfection unit for providing an uncontaminated ready-to-use solution.
  • a further advantage of the semi-automatic is the manual triggering of the flushing which makes a user to consciously provide means for collecting the water or ready-to-use solution discharged during the flushing and thus reduces the risk of unintentionally using, for example, contaminated water or solution discharged by an automatic flushing.
  • the amount of disinfection substance used may be reduced, thus, reducing the costs for disinfection substance usage and increasing the benefits for the environment by reducing the amount of disinfection substance discharged into the environment .
  • the controller comprises a display for indicating a recommendation for flushing and triggering means for, in particular
  • the display might provide the user with information for example of when the flushing has been activated last time, and/or may show information about the flushing, for example if the flushing will be activated with water only or with the ready-to-use solution with a first or second
  • the controller might also comprise a triggering means for example in form of a button and/or the triggering means might be incorporated into the surface of the display, for example in form of a touch- resistant surface of the display.
  • a further aspect of the present invention is a method of semi-automatically flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, as described above, comprising the steps of measuring a value of a time parameter indicative of a standby time, comparing the measured value of the time parameter with a time reference value, indicating the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line, in particular of the semi-automatic flushing system, based on a result of the step of comparing.
  • the standby time may be the time elapsed since a last
  • the value of a time parameter may be measured by a timer unit wherein the measured value of the time parameter may be compared to a time reference value by the programmable controller, wherein the time reference value may be stored inside the controller.
  • the value of the time parameter may be continuously or discontinuously measured and/or compared with the time reference value. If the value of the time parameter corresponds to or exceeds the time reference value, the programmable controller may indicate the recommendation to manually trigger a
  • recommendation to trigger a flushing may be indicated acoustically and/or optically, for example by using a display in order to prompt a user to state if a flushing is to be activated or not.
  • the method further comprises the steps of measuring a value of a flow rate parameter indicative of an amount of water and/or disinfection substance flushed in a period of time, comparing the measured value of the flow rate parameter with a flow rate reference value, indicating the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line, in particular of the semi-automatic flushing system, based on a result of the step of comparing.
  • the flow rate parameter corresponds to a certain volume of water and/or disinfection substance flushed in a corresponding period of time.
  • the flow rate parameter might for example be 10 liters of water and/or disinfection substance per day of a, for example, ready- to-use solution being discharged from the disinfection unit during one day.
  • the value of the flow rate parameter may be measured by the programmable controller, for example with the first flow check and the second flow check device and the time measured, for example, by the timer unit, wherein the flow rate reference value may be stored inside the controller.
  • the value of the flow rate parameter may be continuously or discontinuously measured and/or compared with the flow rate reference value. If the value of the flow rate parameter corresponds to or exceeds the flow rate reference value, the programmable controller may indicate the recommendation to manually trigger a flushing of the water line.
  • the method further comprises the step of triggering, in particular manually, the flushing of the water line according to a preset flushing parameter.
  • the flushing may be executed according to the flushing parameter, for example with a predefined amount of water or ready-to-use solution with a given concentration.
  • the preset flushing parameter may comprise the duration of the flushing, and the volume of water and/or the amount of disinfection substance to be discharged during the flushing.
  • the time parameter may be reset by the programmable controller, in order to start measuring the value of the time parameter indicative of the standby time again starting from the beginning.
  • the preset flushing parameter comprises a predefined flushing flow rate with water and/or disinfection substance dissolved in water in order to form a ready-to-use solution.
  • the flushing flow rate might be the flow rate of water discharged only or may be the flow rate of water with an added amount of disinfection substance, for example in order to form a ready-to-use solution.
  • the ready-to-use solution comprises a first or second concentration of the dissolved disinfection substance.
  • the first or second concentration may be achieved by adding an amount of disinfection substance to the water from the water line flowing through the disinfection unit, wherein the amount of disinfection substance is adjusted to the amount of water flowing through the disinfection unit in order to obtain the desired first or second concentration of the disinfection substance to be dissolved in the water in order to achieve a ready-to-use solution with the desired first or second concentration.
  • the method comprises the steps of setting of the time reference value, setting of the flow rate reference value.
  • the setting of the time reference value and/or the setting of the flow rate reference value may be done in a setup prior to operating the disinfection unit.
  • a user may set the time reference value indicative of a standby time of the disinfection unit, in order to set the time required to lapse after a flushing before the requirement of a further flushing of the disinfection unit may be indicated.
  • the flow rate reference value may be set according to a certain flow rate of water only during a certain period of time which has to be set, or might comprise the flow rate of water with a certain amount of disinfection substance added during a period of time.
  • the method further comprises the step of setting the preset flushing parameter.
  • the flushing parameter might be set during a setup, for example prior to operating the disinfection unit.
  • the preset flushing parameter may comprise the setting of a predefined flushing flow rate with water and/or disinfection substance and the duration of the flushing.
  • the amount of water to be discharged and/or the amount of disinfection substance to be discharged with the water might be set in order to provide a ready-to-use solution with a first or second concentration of disinfection substance may be set.
  • the first or second concentration of the ready-to-use solution for flushing may be directly set during a setup prior to operating the disinfection unit or flushing system.
  • the method further comprises the steps of measuring a value of a substance parameter indicative of an amount of disinfection substance available for dosing, comparing the measured value of the substance parameter with a substance reference value, indicating the need to refill the disinfection substance, in particular by triggering an alarm, based on a result of the steps of comparing.
  • the substance parameter may be measured by the programmable controller, wherein the substance parameter may for example the weight and/or the volume of the disinfection substance available for dosing, which may be measured with a weight sensor connected to the controller.
  • the substance reference value may be predefined or may be setup by the user in order to enable the alarm to the triggered prior to running out of disinfection substance, allowing for a timely refilling of the disinfection substance .
  • the method further comprises the step of controlling the dosing of the disinfection substance.
  • the controlling of the dosing comprises the actual controlling of the dosing of the disinfection substance, which is started when the flushing is triggered.
  • the controlling of the dosing may comprise the measurement of water discharged, controlling the amount of disinfection substance added to the water according to the flushing parameter by controlling the dosing pump, in order to provide a ready-to-use solution with a predefined concentration. Controlling the duration of the dosing of the substance may depend on the amount of water which is flushed; further the concentration of the ready-to-use solution may be measured and compared to a preset concentration value.
  • the timer unit of the programmable controller may be reset in order to start the measurement of the time parameter indicative of a standby time anew.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a semi-automatic flushing system according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 a flow diagram of a method of semi- automatically flushing a water line.
  • FIG. 1 shows a semi-automatic flushing system 10 comprising a disinfection unit 12 with a disinfection substance 14, which is held in a container inside the disinfection unit 12.
  • the disinfection substance 14 can be discharged into a water line 16, for example when a water valve 18 is opened and water is running from the water line 16 through the disinfection unit 12 in order to be discharged in form of a ready-to- use solution.
  • a dosing pump 20 may dose the disinfection substance 14 into the water line 16, in order to dissolve the disinfection substance 14 in the water flowing through the disinfection unit 12 for providing a ready- to-use solution of a predefined concentration.
  • the water line 16 may for example be a pressurised water main.
  • the amount of water discharged from the disinfection unit 12 of the semi-automatic flushing system 10 is measured by a first flow check device 22 arranged on the water line 16.
  • the amount of disinfection substance 14 discharged into the water line 16 is measured by a second flow check device 24.
  • the second flow check device 24 may be integrated into the dosing pump 20, for example if the dosing pump 20 is designed in form of a diaphragm pump, wherein the amount of dosed disinfection substance 14 may directly be measured depending on the position of the diaphragm.
  • the water valve 18, the dosing pump 20, and the first flow check device 22 and the second flow check device 24 are electrically connected to a programmable controller 26, by which they may be controlled and activated.
  • the programmable controller 26 comprises a timer unit 28 as well as a display 30 for indicating the recommendation to manually start a flushing of the water line 16 and the disinfection unit 12, as well as a trigger means 32, in form of a button, in order to manually start the flushing of the water line 16 and the disinfection unit 16 of the semi-automatic flushing system 10.
  • Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of the method of semi- automatically flushing a water line.
  • parameters may be preset before operating the disinfection unit.
  • the flushing parameters may be preset, for example by setting a predefined flushing flow rate for the flushing of the water line, wherein the flushing flow rate may comprise the flushing of water only or water with an added amount of disinfection substance.
  • the added disinfection substance dissolved in the water may form a ready-to-use solution of a first or second concentration of disinfection substance dissolved in the water.
  • the concentration of the first ready-to-use solution may be preset so that when the flushing with a ready-to-use solution is triggered the ready-to-use solution is provided according to the preset parameters.
  • the dosing parameters may be set, comprising the amount of disinfection substance to be dosed to a given volume of water in order to provide a ready-to-use solution with a first or second concentration.
  • a time reference value may be preset, in order to be compared to a time parameter indicative of a standby time, in order to be able to indicate the recommendation to trigger a flushing of the water line based on a standby time.
  • a flow rate reference value may be preset for comparing with a measured value of a flow rate parameter indicative of an amount of water and/or disinfection substance flushed in a period of time, in order to be able to indicate recommendation to flush the water line.
  • the programmable controller may continuously measure, for example, as shown in Fig. 2 the value of the time parameter indicative of the standby time, until the preset time reference value is reached or exceeded, in which case the programmable controller indicates the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line.
  • the recommendation is automatically displayed after the expiration of the standby time for example in form of a message stating "flushing recommended" as shown in the display of the semi-automatic flushing system. A user is prompted to decide if a flushing is to be triggered or not. In case a flushing is not to be started, the time parameter indicative of the standby time is reset and may again be continuously measured until the preset time reference value is reached or exceeded.
  • the flushing of the water line and the disinfection unit is started, wherein the flushing is executed according to the preset flushing parameters.
  • the flushing may be executed with water only, in particular with a given amount or preset amount of water for preset time period or the flushing may be executed with a ready-to- use solution with a predefined first or second concentration for a predefined period of time.
  • the value of the time parameter indicative of the standby time may be reset, and the programmable controller may continuously measure the value of the time parameter and compares it to the time reference value, until the time reference value is reached or exceeded, leading to a new recommendation to trigger the flushing.
  • the dosing of the disinfection substance for example the controlling of the dosing pump, may be executed according to preset "dosing handling" parameters. Also the recommendation to start a manual flushing, for example via an acoustic alarm and/or via a displayed message, may be handled according to preset "alarm handling” parameters.
  • the dosing and alarm handling parameters may be stored in the programmable controller .

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)

Abstract

A semi-automatic flushing system (10) for flushing a water line (16), in particular a water line (16) connected to a disinfection unit (12), comprises a disinfection unit (12) comprising at least a first disinfection substance (14) connected to a water line (16), a water valve (18) for dosing the amount of discharged water, a dosing pump (20) for dosing an amount of disinfection substance (14), a first flow check device (22) for measuring the amount of water discharged and a second flow check device (24) for measuring the amount of discharged disinfection substance (14), and a programmable controller (26) comprising a timer unit (28) and a, in particular manual, triggering means (32), wherein the controller (26) is connected to the water valve (18) and the dosing pump (20) and the first and second flow check device (22, 24). Due to the semi-automatic flushing system (10) the risk of using the disinfection unit (12) without flushing is reduced or may even be avoided, thus increasing the safety and reliance of the disinfection unit (12) for providing an uncontaminated ready-to-use solution.

Description

A semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line and an according method
Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to a semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, and a method of semi-automatically flushing a water line. Background of the invention
Various systems are known in the art that provide water for human consumption and use, wherein the systems are usually connected to a water line, for example a pressurized water mains. In water lines which are not used regularly a contamination of stagnant water in the water line can occur. A said system for providing water for use might be a disinfection unit, for example like disinfection units used in hospitals. The water flow rate through these units is usually low, for example some litres per day, or in case of a temporary closure of a ward in the hospital, there might be no water flow at all for several days or weeks so that the water in the water line is stagnant for a longer period of time. Therefore, a flushing of the water line, for example a water line connected to the disinfection unit, is necessary before reusing the disinfection unit. The flushing of the water line prior to using the disinfection unit might be forgotten by a user. Even during normal use of the disinfection unit, it might not be obvious to a user when a flushing of the water line might be necessary in order to avoid using contaminated water. Thus, there might be a risk of contaminated water being used to provide a ready- to-use solution than disinfectant.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved flushing system which offers an increased safety by reducing the risk of using contaminated water, further it is desirable to reduce the amount of a disinfection substance used. SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION
This object is solved by means of a semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, having the features of claim 1 and a method of semi-automatically flushing a water line having the features of claim 3. Preferred embodiments, additional details, features, characteristics and advantages of the object of the invention of said semi-automatic flushing system and said method are disclosed in the subclaims.
In a general aspect of the invention a semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, comprises a disinfection unit comprising at least a first disinfection substance connected to a water line and a water valve for dosing an amount of discharged water, a dosing pump for dosing the amount of disinfection substance, a first flow check device for measuring the amount of water discharged and a second flow check device for measuring the amount of discharged disinfection substance, and a programmable controller comprising a timer unit and a, in particular manual, triggering means, wherein the controller is connected to the water valve and the dosing pump and the first and second flow check device
The disinfection unit might be connected to a water line, for example a pressurized water mains, and may comprise at least a first disinfection substance, wherein the disinfection substance is dischargeable and soluble into the water of the water line within the disinfection unit in order to provide a ready-to-use solution being discharged from the disinfection unit with a predefined concentration of the disinfection substance. It is also possible to discharge water from the water line only, without any disinfection substance dissolved in the water. The disinfection substance may be provided in a container, which might be interchangeable, in case that the disinfection substance runs out. The disinfection substance might be a solid, powdery or liquid substance, which may be added to the water in the water line in order to form a ready-to-use solution with a predefined concentration. The disinfection unit may further comprise a water valve for dosing the amount of discharge water, wherein the water to be discharged is supplied by the water line. The water valve may dose the amount of water entering the disinfection unit from the water line. The disinfection substance may be added to the water from the water line inside the disinfection unit by a dosing pump, which may add the necessary amount of disinfection substance in order to reach a predefined concentration of a ready-to-use solution. The water from the water line may flow through the disinfection unit and may be discharged from the disinfection unit when the water valve is opened. The water discharged from the disinfection unit may comprise added disinfection substance or not. The amount of water flowing through the disinfection unit and being discharged may be measured by a first flow check device. A second flow check device may be provided for measuring the amount of disinfection substance discharged into the water, wherein the measured amount of discharge substance is the amount of substance that is added to the water flowing through the disinfection unit. The second flow check device may be integrated into the dosing pump, for example a diaphragm pump or a piston pump, wherein the amount of discharge disinfection substance may be derived from the dosing pump parameters. The water valve, the dosing pump and the first and second flow check device may be, in particular electrically, connected to a programmable controller wherein the programmable controller may activate and operate the water valve, the dosing pump as well as the first and second flow check device. The programmable controller comprises a timer unit, which may be used for measuring a standby time, for example a time during which the disinfection unit has not been used for discharging water or a ready-to-use solution, and/or measuring the duration of water flowing through the disinfection unit and/or the duration of dosing the dosing substance into the water. Thus, the programmable controller is able to automatically measure for example the standby time and/or how much water, in particular water with or without added disinfection substance, has been discharged in a certain amount of time. This enables the programmable controller to derive and automatically indicate the need of a flushing, based on the standby time and/or an amount of discharged water during a predefined time period. Thus, a user may be reminded of the necessity to trigger a, in particular manually, flushing of the water line before discharging and using the ready-to-use solution. Therefore, the risk of using contaminated stagnant water for the ready-to-use solution may be avoided. A user may trigger the semi-automatic flushing of the water line by using a triggering means, for example a button arranged on the programmable controller.
By providing an automatic indicating of the need of a flushing of the water line and the disinfection unit and by manually triggering the flushing of the water line, a semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, is provided. The semi-automatic flushing system according to the present invention has the advantage that the risk of using the disinfection unit without flushing is reduced or may even be avoided, thus increasing the safety and reliance of the disinfection unit for providing an uncontaminated ready-to-use solution. A further advantage of the semi-automatic is the manual triggering of the flushing which makes a user to consciously provide means for collecting the water or ready-to-use solution discharged during the flushing and thus reduces the risk of unintentionally using, for example, contaminated water or solution discharged by an automatic flushing. In addition, by providing the possibility to flush the water line with or without adding a disinfection substance, the amount of disinfection substance used may be reduced, thus, reducing the costs for disinfection substance usage and increasing the benefits for the environment by reducing the amount of disinfection substance discharged into the environment .
In another embodiment of the invention the controller comprises a display for indicating a recommendation for flushing and triggering means for, in particular
manually, starting the flushing. The display might provide the user with information for example of when the flushing has been activated last time, and/or may show information about the flushing, for example if the flushing will be activated with water only or with the ready-to-use solution with a first or second
concentration. The controller might also comprise a triggering means for example in form of a button and/or the triggering means might be incorporated into the surface of the display, for example in form of a touch- resistant surface of the display.
A further aspect of the present invention is a method of semi-automatically flushing a water line, in particular a water line connected to a disinfection unit, as described above, comprising the steps of measuring a value of a time parameter indicative of a standby time, comparing the measured value of the time parameter with a time reference value, indicating the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line, in particular of the semi-automatic flushing system, based on a result of the step of comparing. The standby time may be the time elapsed since a last
flushing of the water line has been activated. The value of a time parameter may be measured by a timer unit wherein the measured value of the time parameter may be compared to a time reference value by the programmable controller, wherein the time reference value may be stored inside the controller. The value of the time parameter may be continuously or discontinuously measured and/or compared with the time reference value. If the value of the time parameter corresponds to or exceeds the time reference value, the programmable controller may indicate the recommendation to manually trigger a
flushing of the water line. The indicating of the
recommendation to trigger a flushing may be indicated acoustically and/or optically, for example by using a display in order to prompt a user to state if a flushing is to be activated or not.
In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the steps of measuring a value of a flow rate parameter indicative of an amount of water and/or disinfection substance flushed in a period of time, comparing the measured value of the flow rate parameter with a flow rate reference value, indicating the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line, in particular of the semi-automatic flushing system, based on a result of the step of comparing. The flow rate parameter corresponds to a certain volume of water and/or disinfection substance flushed in a corresponding period of time. The flow rate parameter might for example be 10 liters of water and/or disinfection substance per day of a, for example, ready- to-use solution being discharged from the disinfection unit during one day. The value of the flow rate parameter may be measured by the programmable controller, for example with the first flow check and the second flow check device and the time measured, for example, by the timer unit, wherein the flow rate reference value may be stored inside the controller. The value of the flow rate parameter may be continuously or discontinuously measured and/or compared with the flow rate reference value. If the value of the flow rate parameter corresponds to or exceeds the flow rate reference value, the programmable controller may indicate the recommendation to manually trigger a flushing of the water line.
In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of triggering, in particular manually, the flushing of the water line according to a preset flushing parameter. When the flushing is triggered, the flushing may be executed according to the flushing parameter, for example with a predefined amount of water or ready-to-use solution with a given concentration. The preset flushing parameter may comprise the duration of the flushing, and the volume of water and/or the amount of disinfection substance to be discharged during the flushing. After triggering the flushing, the time parameter may be reset by the programmable controller, in order to start measuring the value of the time parameter indicative of the standby time again starting from the beginning. In a further preferred embodiment the preset flushing parameter comprises a predefined flushing flow rate with water and/or disinfection substance dissolved in water in order to form a ready-to-use solution. The flushing flow rate might be the flow rate of water discharged only or may be the flow rate of water with an added amount of disinfection substance, for example in order to form a ready-to-use solution. In a further preferred embodiment of the method the ready-to-use solution comprises a first or second concentration of the dissolved disinfection substance. The first or second concentration may be achieved by adding an amount of disinfection substance to the water from the water line flowing through the disinfection unit, wherein the amount of disinfection substance is adjusted to the amount of water flowing through the disinfection unit in order to obtain the desired first or second concentration of the disinfection substance to be dissolved in the water in order to achieve a ready-to-use solution with the desired first or second concentration.
In a further preferred embodiment the method comprises the steps of setting of the time reference value, setting of the flow rate reference value. The setting of the time reference value and/or the setting of the flow rate reference value may be done in a setup prior to operating the disinfection unit. A user may set the time reference value indicative of a standby time of the disinfection unit, in order to set the time required to lapse after a flushing before the requirement of a further flushing of the disinfection unit may be indicated. The flow rate reference value may be set according to a certain flow rate of water only during a certain period of time which has to be set, or might comprise the flow rate of water with a certain amount of disinfection substance added during a period of time.
In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of setting the preset flushing parameter. The flushing parameter might be set during a setup, for example prior to operating the disinfection unit. The preset flushing parameter may comprise the setting of a predefined flushing flow rate with water and/or disinfection substance and the duration of the flushing. The amount of water to be discharged and/or the amount of disinfection substance to be discharged with the water might be set in order to provide a ready-to-use solution with a first or second concentration of disinfection substance may be set. For ease of handling, the first or second concentration of the ready-to-use solution for flushing may be directly set during a setup prior to operating the disinfection unit or flushing system.
In a further preferred embodiment the method further comprises the steps of measuring a value of a substance parameter indicative of an amount of disinfection substance available for dosing, comparing the measured value of the substance parameter with a substance reference value, indicating the need to refill the disinfection substance, in particular by triggering an alarm, based on a result of the steps of comparing. The substance parameter may be measured by the programmable controller, wherein the substance parameter may for example the weight and/or the volume of the disinfection substance available for dosing, which may be measured with a weight sensor connected to the controller. The substance reference value may be predefined or may be setup by the user in order to enable the alarm to the triggered prior to running out of disinfection substance, allowing for a timely refilling of the disinfection substance . In a further preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of controlling the dosing of the disinfection substance. The controlling of the dosing comprises the actual controlling of the dosing of the disinfection substance, which is started when the flushing is triggered. The controlling of the dosing may comprise the measurement of water discharged, controlling the amount of disinfection substance added to the water according to the flushing parameter by controlling the dosing pump, in order to provide a ready-to-use solution with a predefined concentration. Controlling the duration of the dosing of the substance may depend on the amount of water which is flushed; further the concentration of the ready-to-use solution may be measured and compared to a preset concentration value. After dosing the timer unit of the programmable controller may be reset in order to start the measurement of the time parameter indicative of a standby time anew.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Additional details, features, characteristics and advantages of the object of the invention are disclosed in the figures and the following description of the respective figures, which - in exemplary fashion - show one embodiment and an example of a semi-automatic flushing system according to the invention. In the drawings :
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a semi-automatic flushing system according to the present invention; and
Fig. 2 a flow diagram of a method of semi- automatically flushing a water line.
The illustration in Fig. 1 shows a semi-automatic flushing system 10 comprising a disinfection unit 12 with a disinfection substance 14, which is held in a container inside the disinfection unit 12. The disinfection substance 14 can be discharged into a water line 16, for example when a water valve 18 is opened and water is running from the water line 16 through the disinfection unit 12 in order to be discharged in form of a ready-to- use solution. A dosing pump 20 may dose the disinfection substance 14 into the water line 16, in order to dissolve the disinfection substance 14 in the water flowing through the disinfection unit 12 for providing a ready- to-use solution of a predefined concentration. The water line 16 may for example be a pressurised water main. The amount of water discharged from the disinfection unit 12 of the semi-automatic flushing system 10 is measured by a first flow check device 22 arranged on the water line 16. The amount of disinfection substance 14 discharged into the water line 16 is measured by a second flow check device 24. The second flow check device 24 may be integrated into the dosing pump 20, for example if the dosing pump 20 is designed in form of a diaphragm pump, wherein the amount of dosed disinfection substance 14 may directly be measured depending on the position of the diaphragm. The water valve 18, the dosing pump 20, and the first flow check device 22 and the second flow check device 24 are electrically connected to a programmable controller 26, by which they may be controlled and activated. The programmable controller 26 comprises a timer unit 28 as well as a display 30 for indicating the recommendation to manually start a flushing of the water line 16 and the disinfection unit 12, as well as a trigger means 32, in form of a button, in order to manually start the flushing of the water line 16 and the disinfection unit 16 of the semi-automatic flushing system 10.
Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of the method of semi- automatically flushing a water line. In a setup step, which may for example be executed before the operating of the semi-automatic flushing system, parameters may be preset before operating the disinfection unit. In the setup flush procedure parameters, the flushing parameters, may be preset, for example by setting a predefined flushing flow rate for the flushing of the water line, wherein the flushing flow rate may comprise the flushing of water only or water with an added amount of disinfection substance. The added disinfection substance dissolved in the water may form a ready-to-use solution of a first or second concentration of disinfection substance dissolved in the water. The concentration of the first ready-to-use solution may be preset so that when the flushing with a ready-to-use solution is triggered the ready-to-use solution is provided according to the preset parameters. Also the dosing parameters may be set, comprising the amount of disinfection substance to be dosed to a given volume of water in order to provide a ready-to-use solution with a first or second concentration. Further a time reference value may be preset, in order to be compared to a time parameter indicative of a standby time, in order to be able to indicate the recommendation to trigger a flushing of the water line based on a standby time. A flow rate reference value may be preset for comparing with a measured value of a flow rate parameter indicative of an amount of water and/or disinfection substance flushed in a period of time, in order to be able to indicate recommendation to flush the water line.
After the setup the programmable controller may continuously measure, for example, as shown in Fig. 2 the value of the time parameter indicative of the standby time, until the preset time reference value is reached or exceeded, in which case the programmable controller indicates the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line. The recommendation is automatically displayed after the expiration of the standby time for example in form of a message stating "flushing recommended" as shown in the display of the semi-automatic flushing system. A user is prompted to decide if a flushing is to be triggered or not. In case a flushing is not to be started, the time parameter indicative of the standby time is reset and may again be continuously measured until the preset time reference value is reached or exceeded. In case the user starts the flushing, for example by manually triggering the trigger means, the flushing of the water line and the disinfection unit is started, wherein the flushing is executed according to the preset flushing parameters. According to the preset flushing parameters, the flushing may be executed with water only, in particular with a given amount or preset amount of water for preset time period or the flushing may be executed with a ready-to- use solution with a predefined first or second concentration for a predefined period of time. After the flushing has been executed the value of the time parameter indicative of the standby time may be reset, and the programmable controller may continuously measure the value of the time parameter and compares it to the time reference value, until the time reference value is reached or exceeded, leading to a new recommendation to trigger the flushing. The dosing of the disinfection substance, for example the controlling of the dosing pump, may be executed according to preset "dosing handling" parameters. Also the recommendation to start a manual flushing, for example via an acoustic alarm and/or via a displayed message, may be handled according to preset "alarm handling" parameters. The dosing and alarm handling parameters may be stored in the programmable controller .
The particular combinations of elements and features in the above detailed embodiments are exemplary only; the interchanging and substitution of these teachings with other teachings in this and the patents/applications incorporate by reference are also expressly contemplated. As those skilled in the art will recognize, variations, modifications, and other implementations of what is described herein can occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by the way of example only and is not intending as limiting. In the claims, the wording "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the identified article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. The inventions scope is defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto. Furthermore, reference signs used in the description and claims do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed .
List of reference signs semi-automatic flushing system disinfection unit
disinfection substance water line
water valve
dosing pump
first flow check device second flow check device programmable controller timer unit
display
trigger means
-?T Standby time

Claims

Claims
1. A semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line (16), in particular a water line (16)
connected to a disinfection unit (12), comprising:
a disinfection unit (12) comprising at least a first disinfection substance (14) connected to a water line (16), a water valve (18) for dosing the amount of
discharged water, a dosing pump (20) for dosing an amount of disinfection substance (14), a first flow check device (22) for measuring the amount of water discharged and a second flow check device (24) for measuring the amount of discharged disinfection substance (14), and a
programmable controller (26) comprising a timer unit (28) and a, in particular manual, triggering means (32), wherein the controller (26) is connected to the water valve (18) and the dosing pump (20) and the first and second flow check device (22, 24) .
2. The semi-automatic flushing system according to claim 1, wherein the controller (26) comprises a display (30) for indicating a recommendation for flushing and triggering means (32) for, in particular manually, starting the flushing.
3. A method of semi-automatic flushing a water line, in particular a water line (16) connected to a disinfection unit (12) according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: - measuring a value of a time parameter indicative of a stand-by time, comparing the measured value of the time parameter with a time reference value, indicating the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line, in particular of the semi-automatic flushing system (10), based on a result of the step of comparing.
4. The method according to claim 3, comprising the steps of: measuring a value of a flow rate parameter
indicative of an amount of water and/or disinfection substance flushed in a period of time,
comparing the measured value of the flow rate parameter with a flow rate reference value,
indicating the recommendation to, in particular manually, trigger a flushing of the water line, in particular of the semi-automatic flushing system (10), based on a result of the step of comparing.
5. The method according to claims 3 or 4, comprising the step of triggering, in particular manually, the flushing of the water line (16) according to a preset flushing parameter.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the preset flushing parameter comprises a predefined flushing flow rate with water and/or disinfection substance dissolved in water in order to provide a ready-to-use solution.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the ready- to-use solution comprises a first or second concentration of the dissolved disinfection substance.
8. The method according to any of the claims 3 to 7, comprising the steps of: setting of the time reference value,
setting of the flow rate reference value.
9. The method according to any of the claims 3 to 8, comprising the step of setting of the preset flushing parameter .
10. The method according to any of the claims 3 to 9, comprising the steps of: measuring a value of a substance parameter
indicative of an amount of disinfection substance (14) available for dosing,
comparing the measured value of the substance parameter with a substance reference value,
indicating the need to refill the disinfection substance (14), in particular by triggering an alarm, based on a result of the step of comparing.
11. The method according to any of the claims 3 to 10, comprising the step of controlling the dosing of the disinfection substance (14).
PCT/EP2012/069609 2012-10-04 2012-10-04 A semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line and an according method WO2014053182A1 (en)

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PCT/EP2012/069609 WO2014053182A1 (en) 2012-10-04 2012-10-04 A semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water line and an according method
DE112012006972.2T DE112012006972T5 (en) 2012-10-04 2012-10-04 Semi-automatic flushing system for flushing a water pipe and corresponding method

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EP3020421A1 (en) * 2014-11-13 2016-05-18 Schulz GmbH Device for warning about contamination in water conduits and devices
CN107489610A (en) * 2017-10-19 2017-12-19 王树伟 Multichannel precision measures apparatus for controlling pump and its measurement control method
WO2020182700A1 (en) * 2019-03-11 2020-09-17 Rehau Ag + Co Method for rinsing a pipe-bound drinking water dispensing device and pipe-bound drinking water dispensing device designed thereto

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DE102011051181A1 (en) * 2010-06-20 2011-12-22 Thomas Pfalz Method for e.g. controlling drinking water supply for watering pipe, involves carrying out sanitation of pipeline or watering pipe during watering operation by brief automated switching to flushing operation

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2681853A1 (en) * 1991-09-26 1993-04-02 Heinrich Victor Sa Mobile disinfection station for drinking water systems
US5800629A (en) * 1997-03-06 1998-09-01 H.E.R.C. Products Incorporated Pipe system cleaning and in-line treatment of spent cleaning solution
WO2009002080A1 (en) * 2007-06-25 2008-12-31 Young Uk Ku Pipe cleaning apparatus and method
DE202010002733U1 (en) * 2010-02-22 2010-07-01 MÖSSLEIN Wassertechnik GmbH Arrangement for disinfecting and rinsing drinking water fittings, water meters and the like, which are intended for immediate installation.
DE102011051181A1 (en) * 2010-06-20 2011-12-22 Thomas Pfalz Method for e.g. controlling drinking water supply for watering pipe, involves carrying out sanitation of pipeline or watering pipe during watering operation by brief automated switching to flushing operation

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3020421A1 (en) * 2014-11-13 2016-05-18 Schulz GmbH Device for warning about contamination in water conduits and devices
CN107489610A (en) * 2017-10-19 2017-12-19 王树伟 Multichannel precision measures apparatus for controlling pump and its measurement control method
WO2020182700A1 (en) * 2019-03-11 2020-09-17 Rehau Ag + Co Method for rinsing a pipe-bound drinking water dispensing device and pipe-bound drinking water dispensing device designed thereto

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