WO2020164914A1

WO2020164914A1 - Device and method for mineralization of water

Info

Publication number: WO2020164914A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/052208
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silpa Suresh ANUMALASETTY; Sharadchandra Govind Bansode; Shrikant Popat NALAWADE; Siddhi Suresh RAUL; Skand Saksena
Original assignee: Unilever N.V.; Unilever Plc; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2019-02-11
Filing date: 2020-01-30
Publication date: 2020-08-20

Abstract

The water dispensing device of the present invention is suitable for mineralizing water and comprises an inlet for entry of water, in fluid communication with a line Lτ; a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on the line Lτ and downstream of the inlet; a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising bicarbonate salts on line Lτ, through a line LD at a point M on line Lτ; a sterilizing means (F) on the line Lτ, the sterilizing means positioned downstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and the point M; and an outlet (O) for dispensing mineralized water; wherein the mineral cartridge and the dosing container are positioned on line Lτ such that mineral cartridge (C) is positioned either upstream of point M or downstream of point M between the inlet and sterilizing means (F).

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MINERALIZATION OF WATER

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for mineralization of water and more particularly to a device and method for mineralization of water to obtain palatable water.

Background of the Invention

For providing safe drinking water, it is important that water is treated, in doing so, it is seen that water also gets ripped of essential minerals. Also, at times, the water itself is devoid of minerals. It also happens that drinking water may not be palatable to some people.

Sometimes the salt levels are very high or very low and sometimes some minerals levels are such that they may make the water distasteful.

It is also known that use of water treatment processes, such as membrane filters like reverse osmosis membrane used widely in the water purification industry, take away dissolved salts from water. RO devices work on the principle of reduction in dissolved solids from the input water. Water has a particular taste partly because of the dissolved solids. Removal of dissolved solids beyond a certain point may adversely affect the taste. Similarly, if higher amount of dissolved solids remain in the output water (also called permeate), the taste of water may still be unpalatable at least to some consumers. Therefore, in order to adjust the taste of permeate water, mineralization means are used in some RO devices.

Therefore, it is required that the drinking water is mineral enriched as well as palatable to the consumer.

Summary of the Invention

The present inventors have designed a device suitable for dosing of salts and minerals into the water such that the dispensed water is palatable and in fact very good tasting.

First aspect of the present invention provides a water dispensing device suitable for mineralization of water, the device comprising: i. an inlet (I) for entry of water, in fluid communication with a line LT; ii. a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on line I_t and downstream of the inlet;

iii. a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising bicarbonate salts on line I_T, through a line I_D at a point M on the line I_t;

iv. a sterilizing means (F) on the line I_t, the sterilizing means positioned downstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and the point M; and

v. an outlet (O) for dispensing mineralized water; wherein the mineral cartridge and the dosing container are positioned on line such that mineral cartridge is positioned either upstream of point M or downstream of point M between the inlet and sterilizing means.

Second aspect of the present invention provides use of water dispensing device according to the first aspect for providing mineral water.

Third aspect of the present invention provides a method of mineralizing water, the method comprising: a. providing a water dispensing device according to the first aspect; b. adding calcium and magnesium salts by passing water in line I_t into the

mineral cartridge;

c. dosing liquid additive into line I_t at point M; and

d. sterilizing the water obtained after passing water through the mineral cartridge and dosing of the liquid additive, through the sterilizing means (F) to obtain mineralized water; wherein the steps b and c are interchangeable.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being implemented in various ways.

The terms“including”,“comprising”,“containing” or“having” and variations thereof as used herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms“mounted,”“connected,”“supported,” and“coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

The description below is intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or

The conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about".

Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

The invention will now be described into more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings whereby

Figures 1 and 2 show illustrations of different embodiments of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention provides mineralized water which is very palatable.

The present inventors surprisingly found that the mineralized water obtained by the device and the method of the present invention was appreciated by the consumers and it was surprising to find a way to add minerals and retain the delectableness of water too. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to: i. an inlet (I) for entry of water, in fluid communication with a line I_t;

ii. a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on line I_t and downstream of the inlet;

iii. a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising bicarbonate salts on line I_T, through a line I_D at a point M on line I_t;

iv. a sterilizing means (F) on the line LT, the sterilizing means positioned downstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and the point M; and

A water dispensing device

The water dispensing device of the present invention is suitable for mineralizing water and comprises an inlet for entry of water, in fluid communication with line LT; a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on line L_T and downstream of the inlet; a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising bicarbonate salts on line LT, through a line LD at a point M on line LT; a sterilizing means (F) on the line LT, the sterilizing means positioned downstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and the point M; and an outlet (O) for dispensing mineralized water; wherein the mineral cartridge and the dosing container are positioned on line L_T such that mineral cartridge is positioned either upstream of point M or downstream of point M between the inlet and sterilizing means.

The water dispensing device of the present invention comprises an inlet for allowing entry of water into the device from a source of water.

The inlet of the device is in fluid communication with a line LT, from which water flows into the device.

It is preferred that the water dispensing device of the present invention is a water treatment device and more particularly, a water purifying device. When the water dispensing device is a water purifying device, the inlet is provided for entry of raw/untreated water and preferably a prefilter is provided downstream of the inlet and in fluid communication with the inlet. It is preferred that the prefilter is the first filter or stage of water purification and more preferred that the prefilter is intended to remove particulate matter from the water. It is more preferred that the prefilter is a sediment filter.

Water treatment unit is the main filtration unit in fluid communication with the prefilter and can be a RO membrane, microfiltration membrane, Ultrafiltration membrane or any other filtration unit.

It is preferred that the water dispensing device of the present invention comprises a water treatment unit upstream of mineral cartridge and more preferable that the water treatment unit is a desalination unit, such as a reverse osmosis membrane unit (RO) or the likes.

It is further preferred that when the water dispensing device is a water purifying device, a prefilter is present upstream of the water treatment unit.

It is preferred that the water dispensing device of the present invention is a water purifying device comprising an inlet for entry of water, in fluid communication with line I_t; an electromechanical means for driving flow of water into a reverse osmosis membrane unit, a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on line I_t and downstream of the inlet; a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising bicarbonate salts on line LT, through a line I_D at a point M on line I_t; a sterilizing means (F) on the line LT, the sterilizing means positioned downstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and the point M; and an outlet (O) for dispensing mineralized water; wherein the mineral cartridge and the dosing container are positioned on line L_T such that mineral cartridge is positioned either upstream of point M or downstream of point M between the inlet and sterilizing means and wherein, the RO unit is positioned upstream of the mineral cartridge and the point M.

The mineral cartridge may be present upstream of point M where the liquid additive is dosed on line L_T or downstream of point M. The positioning of the mineral cartridge and the dosing container are interchangeable in the flow path of the water dispensing device.

Mineral Cartridge

The device of the present invention comprises a mineral cartridge downstream of the inlet and in fluid communication with the inlet. The mineral cartridge is positioned on line L_T of the inlet of water dispensing device. The mineral cartridge comprises calcium and magnesium salts. It is preferred that the salts are inorganic salts having a solubility in water at least of 0.0006 gm/100gm at 25°C.

It is preferred that total salts in the mineral cartridge range from 1 to 200 ppm, more preferably from 5 to 150 ppm and most preferably from 10 to 100 ppm.

Dosing Container

A dosing container is designed to store a liquid additive. It could be made of any material compatible with the liquid additive such as plastic, glass and other inert materials.

It is preferred that the dosing container doses the liquid additive through a dosing tube. The dosing tube could be made of different types of materials which are chemically inert and compatible with the liquid additive such as high molecular weight PVC, silicon, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic vulcanizate, vton rubber etc. In a highly preferred aspect silicone tube is used as a liquid additive dosing tube. It is further preferred that when silicone is used as a material for the liquid additive dosing tube, preferably the silicon is peroxide cured.

It is preferable that the dosing container has an air opening to prevent a vacuum lock from disrupting flow of liquid additive from the dosing container. It is more preferable that the air opening is covered or plugged with an air filter. It is preferable to use an air permeable membrane as an air filter.

Liquid Additive

The present invention provides dosing of liquid additive comprising bicarbonate salts. It is preferred that the bicarbonate salts are of sodium and/or potassium or mixtures or combinations thereof. It is highly preferred that the bicarbonate salts range from 10 to 500 ppm, more preferably from 20 to 400 ppm and most preferably from 30 to 350 ppm.

Regulating means

The water dispensing device of the present invention preferably comprises a regulating means wherein the regulating means drives the flow of liquid additive from the dosing container (DC) through a line LD to a point M on the line LT. Regulating means is configured to regulate dosing of the liquid additive from the dosing container through line I_D into the line I_t at point M.

The regulating means is preferably positioned at the dosing container or in the flow path of the liquid additive flowing from dosing container to the line I_t at point M .

It is preferable that regulating means is spatially positioned at or between the dosing container, liquid additive dosing tube and the point M. It is most preferable that the regulating means is positioned at the liquid additive doing tube.

Regulating means could be mechanical, suction type, electrical or displacement type.

The mechanical regulating means could be a piston type regulating means. This dosing mechanism preferably includes a defined size of reservoirs/Bore size with 2 one way valves and a spring-loaded piston. The piston movement is preferably controlled by user. When piston is pressed against the spring preferably one valve is closed and other one open resulting into dosing of defined liquid. The amount of dosed liquid controlled by the piston movement and bore size of cylinder. When the piston is released it returns to its normal position because of spring force and simultaneously 2^nd open valve opens and fill the reservoir.

A suction type regulating means preferably includes a defined size of reservoirs/Bore size with one-way valve and a spring-loaded piston. Piston movement is preferably controlled by user. Preferably when piston is pressed against the spring and valve is forced to close resulting into dosing of available liquid in reservoir out of nozzle. The amount of dosed liquid is controlled by the piston movement and bore size of cylinder. When the piston is released, it returns to its normal position because of spring force and simultaneously valve opens and because of suction reservoir get filled.

An electrical type regulating means preferably includes a pump type regulating means such as a peristaltic pump. This mechanism-based dosing preferably includes a peristaltic (Rollar) pump which generate the pluses in the tube which filled with the liquid which generate positive displacement of the liquid within the tube with the help of rollers. Dosing is controlled by defined no of turns/seconds. A displacement type regulating means is preferably a valve/Displacement Type regulating means. A Solenoid valve (SV) based dosing mechanism preferably includes a small reservoir having a small opening which is operated by a piston. Piston moment is controlled by electrical means. When electrical power is supplied to SV the coil situated within pulls piston upwards resulting into dosing of the liquid. The amount of dosed liquid is controlled by bore size of tubing and time of opening and closing of piston.

It is preferable that the regulating means is a pump and more preferably a positive

displacement pump including but not limited to rotary lobe pump, progressing cavity pump, rotary gear pump, piston pump, diaphragm pump, screw pump, gear pump, vane pump, regenerative (peripheral) pump and peristaltic pump. It is further preferred that the regulating means is a rotary pump and most preferably a rotatory gear pump. In a rotatory gear pump the liquid is trapped by the opening between the gear teeth of two identical gears and the chasing of the pump on the suction side. On the pressure side the liquid is squeezed out when the teeth of the two gears are rotated against each other. It is highly preferred that the regulating means is positioned such that the liquid additive dosing tube is pinched

intermittently by the gears of the peristaltic pump for a regulated dosing of the liquid additive.

It is preferable that the device comprises a control circuit which controls the regulating means for regular dispensing of the liquid additive.

A Sterilizing means

The device of the present invention comprises a sterilizing means preferably positioned downstream of point M and the mineral cartridge. It is preferable that the sterilizing means is positioned upstream of the outlet and more preferable that it is positioned penultimate to the outlet in the flow path of the water dispensing device.

It is important that the water dispensed for drinking is not contaminated with microorganisms, therefore it is important to have a sterilizing means before the water is dispensed for drinking. Especially when the water dispensing device is a water purification device, then dispensing water which is pure and filtered and free of any contamination is of utmost importance.

It is preferred that the sterilizing means is a membrane type filter or a UV type assembly and preferably a membrane filter. It is preferred that when the sterilizing means is a membrane type filter, the filter is selected from microfilter, ultrafiltration membrane, RO membrane or combinations thereof.

Outlet

The mineralized water after passing through the sterilizing means to get mineralized water free of any contaminants is dispensed through an outlet, preferably through a tap.

It is also possible that the mineralized water is first collected in a storage chamber and then dispensed through an outlet, in this case the storage chamber is positioned upstream of the outlet and in fluid communication with the outlet.

A Method of mineralizing water

The present invention provides a method of mineralizing water, the method comprising:

a. providing a water dispensing device according to the first aspect; b. adding calcium and magnesium salts by passing water in the line I_t into the mineral cartridge;

c. dosing liquid additive into the line I_t at the point M; and

d. sterilizing the water obtained after passing water through the mineral cartridge and dosing of the liquid additive through the sterilizing means (F) to obtain mineralized water;

wherein the steps b and c are interchangeable.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the dosing container doses the liquid additive into line through line I_D with the help of a regulating means to drive and control the flow of the liquid additive into line I_t at the point M.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the regulating means is a pump and preferably a positive displacement type of pump.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the dosing container has an air opening and preferably the air opening is plugged by an air filter and more preferably a membrane type filter.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the sterilizing means is a membrane type filter or a UV type assembly and preferably a membrane filter. It is preferred that when the sterilizing means is a membrane type filter, the filter is selected from microfilter, ultrafiltration membrane, RO membrane or combinations thereof.

It is preferred that in the method of the present invention the device further comprises a water treatment unit upstream of mineral cartridge and preferably upstream of both mineral cartridge and point M, wherein the water treatment unit is preferably a desalination unit and more preferably a RO unit.

It is preferred that the TDS of the water entering the mineral cartridge, when mineral cartridge is upstream of point M, is in the range of 2 to 100 ppm, more preferably in the range of 4 to 90 ppm and most preferably in the range of 5 to 40 ppm. It is preferred that a RO membrane unit is present upstream of the mineral cartridge to provide water in the preferable TDS range.

It is preferred that the TDS of the water passing the point M, when point M is upstream of mineral cartridge, is in the range of 2 to 100 ppm, more preferably in the range of 4 to 90 ppm and most preferably in the range of 5 to 40 ppm. It is preferred that a RO membrane unit is present upstream of the point M to provide water in the preferable TDS range.

Use

The present invention provides use of water dispensing device of the present invention for providing mineral water.

The present invention provides use of water dispensing device of the present invention for providing palatable water.

Figure 1 is an illustration of a device suitable for mineralization of water. The figure shows an inlet an inlet (I) for entry of water from a source of water, in fluid communication with line I_t; a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on line I_t and downstream of the inlet; such that water with added minerals from the mineral cartridge (C) flow into a line ; a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising potassium bicarbonate into line I_t at a point M; a sterilizing means (F) on the line LT, downstream of point M and the mineral cartridge; and an outlet for dispensing mineralized water. It is preferred that a regulating means (RM) is present on the dosing line (LD) to drive and control the flow of the liquid additive into line at the point M. Figure 2 is an illustration of a device suitable for mineralization of water. The figure shows an inlet (I) for entry of water from a source of water, in fluid communication with line I_t; a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising potassium bicarbonate into line I_t at a point M, a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on line I_T and downstream of the point M; such that water with dosed liquid additive flows downstream from point M into the mineral cartridge (C) and into line I_t; a sterilizing means (F) on the line I_t, downstream of point M and the mineral cartridge; and an outlet for dispensing mineralized water. It is preferred that a regulating means (RM) is present on the dosing line (LD) to drive and control the flow of the liquid additive into line at the point M.

EXAMPLES

Technical benefits of the disclosed invention will now be explained further with the help of a non-limiting example.

Example 1: Triangle test

A water purification device having a prefilter an RO membrane unit was used for the test.

The mineral cartridge was downstream of the RO unit and liquid additive comprising sodium bicarbonate was dosed into the line L_T at point M downstream of the mineral cartridge, the water was then filtered and dispensed, and the water was offered to the panelists

(consumers) for tasting.

A standard ASTM test E1885 - 04(2011) Standard Test Method for Sensory Analysis - Triangle Test was done to determine whether a perceptible sensory difference exists between samples of two products.

During a triangle test, a panellist is presented with one different and two alike samples. If possible, all three samples were presented to the panellist at once, and the panellist were instructed to taste the samples from left to right. The six possible order combinations should be randomized across panellists. For samples A and B, the six possible order combinations are: AAB, ABA, BAA, BBA, BAB, and ABB. The panelists is instructed to identify the odd sample and preference and record his answer. Following three key elements need be selected for each triangle test:

1. a (alpha) risk - probability of concluding that a perceptible difference exists when, in reality, one does not. Higher value of a indicates low difference assumption between the two samples and vice versa.

2. 6 (beta) risk - probability of concluding that no perceptible difference exists when, in reality, one does. Lower value of 6 indicates low difference assumption between the two samples and vice versa.

3. p_d (proportion of discriminators)— proportion of the total consumers that can

distinguish between the two products. This is usually for our confidence level that how many percent of the total panelists if correctly distinguishes will satisfy our assumption of difference between the two samples.

4. Usually a and 6 risks are expressed in percentage and vary from 0.1 % to 10%.

5. p_d falls generally in three ranges (one option to be chosen from):

• <25% - this represents that if small percentage of total consumers identify the difference correctly, then their views can be taken forward to conclude the test;

• 25% to 35% - this represents medium sized percentage of total consumers and;

• >35% - this represents large percentage of total consumers.

Key parameters

• Following triangular test parameters were taken into assumption:

1. a - 0.01 (indicating“strong” evidence that the difference is apparent)

2. 6 - 0.02 (indicating“slight” evidence that the difference is not apparent)

3. P_d - 50% (as in our case minimum 50% of total consumer views can give us the confidence)

Basis the above considerations, the 36 panelists were taken (as per the standard Table A1.1); and 40 consumers participating in the test. Table 1 : Samples tested:

Table 2: Results

The results of the Triangle test from Table 2 clearly demonstrate that there was a significant difference in taste of the Sample B from the two sets. And sample B was preferred over Sample A in the two sets.

Also, Sample B of set 2 was preferred over Sample B of set 1 , thus clearly demonstrating that the mineralized water from the device and method of the present invention is palatable.

The various features of the present invention referred to in individual sections above apply, as appropriate, to other sections mutatis mutandis. Consequently, features specified in one section may be combined with features specified in other sections as appropriate. Any section headings are added for convenience only, and are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, it should be understood that where features mentioned in the claims are followed by reference numerals, such numerals are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the claims and are in no way limiting to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A water dispensing device suitable for mineralization of water, the device comprising:

i. an inlet (I) for entry of water, in fluid communication with a line LT; ii. a mineral cartridge (C) comprising calcium and magnesium salts positioned on line L_T and downstream of the inlet;

iii. a dosing container (DC) for dosing a liquid additive comprising bicarbonate salts on line LT, through a line LD at a point M on the line LT;

iv. a sterilizing means (F) on the line LT, the sterilizing means positioned downstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and the point M; and v. an outlet (O) for dispensing mineralized water;

wherein the mineral cartridge and the dosing container are positioned on line L_T such that mineral cartridge (C) is positioned either upstream of point M or downstream of point M between the inlet and sterilizing means (F).

2. A water dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the dosing container (DC) doses the liquid additive through line L_D through a regulating means (RM) to drive and control the flow of the liquid additive into line LT.

3. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the regulating means (RM) is a pump.

4. A water dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the pump is a positive

displacement type of pump.

5. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the dosing container (DC) has an air opening.

6. A water dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein the air opening is plugged by an air filter.

7. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the sterilizing means (F) is a membrane type filter or a UV assembly.

8. A water dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the when the sterilizing means (F) is a membrane type filter, the filter is selected from microfilter, ultrafiltration membrane, RO membrane or combinations thereof.

9. A water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the device further

comprises a water treatment unit upstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and the dosing container (DC).

10. A water dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the water treatment unit is a desalination unit.

11. Use of water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 10 for providing mineral water.

12. A method of mineralizing water, the method comprising:

a. providing a water dispensing device according to claims 1 to 10;

b. adding calcium and magnesium salts by passing water in the line I_t into the mineral cartridge (C);

c. dosing liquid additive into the line I_t at the point M; and

d. sterilizing the water obtained after passing water through the mineral cartridge (C) and dosing of the liquid additive, through the sterilizing means (F) to obtain mineralized water;

wherein the steps b and c are interchangeable.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein a water treatment unit is positioned upstream of the mineral cartridge (C) and dosing container (DC).

14. A method according to anyone of the claims 12 and 13, wherein, the liquid additive is dosed at point M at intermittent intervals.

15. A method according to anyone of the claims from 12 to 14, wherein, the liquid additive is dosed at point M into line by a regulating means.