Portable water disinfection system

• US 20020020675A1
• Filed: 07/16/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aqua Research, LLC
• Original Assignee: Miox Corporation (Industrie De Nora S.p.A)
• Inventors: Hand, Frank, Herrington, Rodney E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,736,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/748
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/04 Specific process operations in the feed stream; Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/12 Addition of chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/2603 Application of an electric field, different from the potential difference across the membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/00 Details relating to membrane cleaning, regeneration, sterilization or to the prevention of fouling
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/281 by applying a special coating to the membrane or to any module element
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/025 Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/027 Nanofiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/04 Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/06 Energy recovery
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/08 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/10 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/08 Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/407 for marking on special material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/44 by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis general membrane separation processes B01D61/00, membrane modules B01D63/00, electrodialysis C02F1/4693, combination of membrane modules and bioreactors C02F3/1268
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/441 by reverse osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46104 Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4674 with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46119 Cleaning the electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46128 Bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46142 : Catalytic coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/08 : Seawater, e.g. for desalination
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4611 : Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4612 : Controlling or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4615 : Time
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46165 : Special power supply, e.g. solar energy or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4618 : Supplying or removing reactants or electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/04 : Oxidation reduction potential [ORP]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/10 : Solids, e.g. total solids [TS], total suspended solids [TSS] or volatile solids [VS]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 : Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 : Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 : Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 9/14 : Pumps characterised by muscle-power operation hand-held spraying or dispensing apparatus using pumps or bulbs B05B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/131 : Reverse-osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/208 : Off-grid powered water treatment

Abstract

A portable oxidant generator for generating a chlorine or chlor-oxygen solution suitable for sterilizing contaminated drinking water, thereby providing a water disinfection system and potable water. The oxidant generator includes an electrolytic chamber and a power supply or source. The chamber holds a salt brine solution such that the solution is in contact with an anode and cathode included in the chamber. The power supply provides electrical charge that is passed between the anode and cathode through the salt brine solution. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a combination manual pump/switch is activated and injects electrolyte into the cell chamber and electrolyzes the solution. In one embodiment, as electrolysis proceeds, hydrogen gas is liberated and causes a gas pressure within the cell chamber thereby forcing the freshly generated oxidant solution from the cell. In another embodiment, as electrolysis proceeds, hydrogen gas is liberated and causes gas pressure within the sealed cell chamber which acts against a spring loaded piston thereby increasing the chamber volume to minimize pressure buildup, and to maintain the electrolyte in contact with the anode and cathode throughout the electrolysis process irrespective of the orientation of the device. When electrolysis is complete, an electric valve is actuated that allows the freshly produced oxidant to be discharged in to the drinking container to provide disinfection and render the water potable.

Claims

1. An apparatus for decontamination of a fluid in a fluid container, said apparatus comprising:

an electrolytic cell for generating at least one oxidant, said oxidant to be subsequently added to the fluid;

an electrolyte reservoir comprising an electrolyte disposed therein;

a power source;

an activator for activating said power source to generate a current and thereby generate an oxidant from said electrolyte; and

an opening for release of at least a portion of said generated oxidant into the fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said activator comprises a pump-like device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell comprises an anode and a cathode.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said anode comprises;

a titanium substrate; and

an oxide coating.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said oxide coating comprises at least one metal selected from the group VIII elements of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cathode and said anode are concentric.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises at least one source selected from the group consisting of a battery, external power source, fuel cell, solar panel, and manually driven electric generator.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said power source further comprises a generator to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte reservoir comprises a salt reservoir.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte reservoir comprises a refillable reservoir.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is disposable.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte reservoir further comprises a storage compartment.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said storage compartment comprises a self-sealing check valve.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said self-sealing check valve comprises at least one seal selected from the group consisting of an elastomer and a mechanical check valve.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one indicator selected from the group consisting of a visually readable indicator, audible indicator and vibratory indicator.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an attachment for the fluid container.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said attachment comprises threads for attaching the apparatus to the fluid container.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid container is a portable water container.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening for release of said oxidant comprises a check valve.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opening releases a predetermined amount of said oxidant into the fluid.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a contact to activate a switch to activate said power source.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a timer.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said timer is set at a predetermined time to allow a predetermined current in said electrolytic cell.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte reservoir comprises an extension.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said electrolyte reservoir extension is disposed between an anode and a cathode.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an oxidant generating reaction produces a gas pressure within said reservoir.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising at least one opening for release of said gas pressure.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said gas pressure releases said oxidant through said opening into the fluid.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said opening comprises a vent.

30. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said oxidant comprises a chlorine containing substance.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said chlorine-containing substance comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of chlorine, hypochlorite, and a chlor-oxygen substance.

32. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a piston.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said piston draws said electrolyte into said electrolytic cell.

34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said piston moves in response to gas pressure generated with said cell.

35. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said piston discharges said generated oxidant into the fluid.

36. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a stop button.

37. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board.

38. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a valve for sealing said cell during electrolysis.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said valve comprises an electrically activated valve.

40. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte reservoir further comprises an access and fill port for adding additional electrolyte to said apparatus.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a filter screen.

42. A cap for a fluid container and decontamination of fluid in the fluid container, said cap comprising:

an electrolytic cell comprising at least one anode and cathode;

an electrolyte reservoir comprising an electrolyte therein for generating at least one oxidant to be subsequently added to the fluid;

a pump;

a switch;

a power source activated by said switch for providing a current between said anode and said cathode thereby generating said oxidant from said electrolyte; and

an opening for release of at least a portion of said generated oxidant into the fluid container.

43. The cap of claim 42 further comprising a timer activated by said switch for providing a predetermined current between said anode and said cathode.

44. The cap of claim 42 comprising a fixed electrolyte conductivity.

45. The cap of claim 42 wherein said reservoir further comprises an extension disposed between said anode and said cathode.

46. The cap of claim 42 wherein said electrolyte reservoir comprises a salt reservoir.

47. The cap of claim 46 wherein said salt reservoir comprises a brine reservoir.

48. The cap of claim 42 wherein said electrolyte reservoir is refillable.

49. The cap of claim 42 wherein said cap is disposable.

50. The cap of claim 42 further comprising a piston activated by said switch for drawing electrolyte from said reservoir into said electrolytic cell, and wherein said piston moves in response to gas pressure generated within said cell and discharges said generated oxidant into the fluid container.

51. The cap of claim 42 further comprising a stop button.

52. The cap of claim 42 further comprising a printed circuit board.

53. The cap of claim 42 further comprising a valve for sealing said cell during electrolysis.

54. The cap of claim 42 wherein said electrolyte reservoir further comprises an access and fill port for adding additional electrolyte to said apparatus.

55. The cap of claim 54 further comprising a filter screen.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the step of providing the apparatus comprises providing a disposable apparatus.

58. The method of claim 56 wherein the step of providing the apparatus comprises providing a refillable apparatus.

59. The method of claim 56 wherein the step of providing the apparatus comprises providing a salt electrolyte reservoir.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of providing the apparatus comprises providing a brine electrolyte reservoir.

61. The method of claim 56 wherein the step of providing the apparatus comprises providing a piston for drawing the electrolyte into the cell and for discharging the generated oxidant into the fluid.

62. The method of claim 56 wherein the step of providing the apparatus comprises providing a check valve for releasing the generated oxidant into the fluid.

63. The method of claim 56 further comprising the step of generating a gas pressure within the electrolytic cell.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising the step of releasing the gas pressure generated within the electrolytic cell.

65. The method of claim 56 wherein the step of generating oxidant comprises generating a chlorine containing substance.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the step of generating a chlorine containing substance comprises generating at least one member selected from the group consisting of chlorine, hypochlorite and a chlor-oxygen substance.

56. A method for decontaminating a fluid supply using an oxidant generator, the method comprising the following steps:

providing an apparatus comprising;

an electrolytic cell comprising an anode and a cathode for generating at least one oxidant, the oxidant to be subsequently added to the fluid;

an electrolyte reservoir comprising an electrolyte disposed therein;

a power source;

an activator for activating the power source to generate a current and thereby generate an oxidant between the anode and the cathode from the electrolyte; and

an opening for release of at least a portion of the generated oxidant into the fluid;

manually activating the activator;

generating an oxidant from the electrolyte between the anode and cathode; and

discharging the generated oxidant into the fluid.