DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INTRODUCING A CHEMICAL INTO A LIQUID

• US 3,772,193 A
• Filed: 11/08/1971
• Issued: 11/13/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph R. Nelli, Luther C. Mitchem
• Original Assignee: Joseph R. Nelli, Luther C. Mitchem
• Inventors: Nelli, Joseph R., Mitchem, Luther C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hart, Charles N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wyse, Thomas G.
• Application Number:
  US05/196,359
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 210/60,62,64,169,205,484,501,21,321 137/268 23/267R,267B,267D,267F
• US Class Current: 210/756
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 21/221 comprising constructions for blocking or redispersing undissolved solids
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/688 Devices in which the water progressively dissolves a solid compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4891 With holder for solid, flaky or pulverized material to be dissolved or entrained

Abstract

A device for introducing a chemical into a liquid to provide a preselected concentration of the chemical in the liquid. The device utilizes a limitedly permeable barrier to separate the liquid and the chemical to be introduced into the liquid. By proper regulation of the flow of a liquid through the device, a preselected concentration of the chemical can be continuously maintained in the liquid.

Claims

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the outlet of the receptacle is positioned in remote relation to the inlet and above the level at which liquid is admitted to the receptacle.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the barrier means and the inner wall of the receptacle define an annular space for receiving a liquid into which a chemical is to be introduced.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the barrier means comprises a tightly woven, chemical- and tear-resistant fabric, said fabric being characterized in that it has a weight of the order of about 8 to about 16 ounces per square yard and an air permeability of the order of about 1 to about 14 cubic feet per minute at a pressure of 0.5 inch of water.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the container is cylindrical and is formed of a flexible, chemical-resistant screen, the side wall and bottom of the container being enclosed by the inner side of the barrier means.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the sides of the receptacle are formed to maintain the chemical metering and retaining means centered with respect to the vertical axis of the receptacle.

7. A device for introdUcing a chemical into a liquid to provide a preselected concentration of the chemical in the liquid, comprising:

a receptacle having an inlet for admitting into the receptacle a liquid into which a chemical is to be introduced and an outlet to enable liquid to be removed from the receptacle after a chemical has been introduced into the liquid, and chemical metering and retaining means within the receptacle, said means including a container for holding a supply of the chemical, said container having a perforated side wall and a bottom wall, said means further including an enclosure member the inner side of which overlies the side wall at least of the container and the outer side of which is in contact with the liquid introduced into the receptacle through the inlet thereof, said enclosure member acting as a limitedly permeable barrier between the chemical in the container and the liquid introduced into the receptacle and being formed of a tightly woven, chemical- and tear-resistant fabric, said fabric being characterized in that it has a porosity such that it is limitedly permeable with respect to liquid entering the receptacle through the inlet thereof to enable a portion at least of the liquid to permeate the fabric in one direction into contact with the chemical in the container, the porosity of the fabric further being such that it is limitedly permeable with respect to liquid on the inner side thereof into which the chemical has been introduced to enable a portion at least of the chemical carrying liquid to permeate the fabric in the opposite direction into the liquid in the receptacle on the outer side of the fabric, the porosity and the concomitant limited permeability characteristics of the fabric acting to continuously maintain a concentration of the chemical in the liquid on the inner side of the fabric at a higher level than on the outer side of the fabric whereby the liquid having the greater concentration of chemical will tend to continuously permeate the fabric in the direction of the liquid in the receptacle on the outer side of the fabric, and means for regulating the quantity of liquid entering the receptacle through the inlet thereof.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein back-flow means are provided at the inlet of the receptacle to prevent chemical carrying liquid from passing out of the receptacle through the inlet.

9. In a method of introducing chlorine in controlled amounts into swimming pool water, the steps which comprise:

providing a receptacle having chemical metering and retaining means therein within which is disposed a chlorine- containing chemical to be introduced into water, said chemical metering and retaining means comprising barrier means having an inner side in contact with the chlorine-containing chemical and an outer side in contact with water in the receptacle, said barrier means having a porosity such that it is limitedly permeable with respect to water in the receptacle to enable a portion at least of the water in the receptacle on the outer side of the barrier means to permeate therethrough in one direction into contact with said chemical to be introduced into the water, the porosity of said barrier means further being such that it is limitedly permeable with respect to water into which said chemical has been introduced on the inner side of the barrier means to enable a portion at least of said chemical carrying water to permeate the barrier means in the opposite direction into the water in the receptacle on the outside of the barrier means, the porosity and the concomitant limited permeability characterisitcs of the barrier means acting to continuously maintain a concentration of the chemical in the water on the inner side of the barrier means at a higher level than on the outer side of the barrier means whereby the water having the greater concentration of chemical will tend to continuously permeate the barrier means in the direction of the water in the receptacle on the outer side of the fabric, introducing water into the receptaCle to cause a portion at least of the water to permeate the barrier means whereby the chlorine-containing chemical will be introduced into the water on the inner side of the barrier means and the concentration of the chlorine-containing chemical in the water on the inner side of the barrier means will reach a level which will tend to cause the water to permeate the barrier means in the opposite direction into the water in the receptacle on the outer side of the barrier means, and feeding said chemical carrying water at a controlled rate from the receptacle into the water in the swimming pool.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the barrier means comprises a tightly woven, chemical- and tear- resistant fabric, said fabric being characterized in that it has a weight of the order of about 8 to about 16 ounces per square yard and an air permeability of the order of about 1 to about 14 cubic feet per minute at a pressure of 0.5 inch of water.