Portable water disinfection system

• US 6,261,464 B1
• Filed: 05/25/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aqua Research, LLC
• Original Assignee: Miox Corporation (Industrie De Nora S.p.A)
• Inventors: White, John F., Herrington, Rodney E., Mitchke, Curtis M., Hickerson, John K., Cushman, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Simmons, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoey, Betsey Morrison
• Application Number:
  US09/318,468
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 210/739, 210/748, 210/758, 210/764, 210/85, 210/244, 210/192, 204/194, 204/400, 204/232, 204/242, 204/271, 204/272, 204/275
• US Class Current: 210/758
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/04 Specific process operations in the feed stream; Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/2603 Application of an electric field, different from the potential difference across the membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2321/30 Mechanical cleaning, e.g. with brushes or scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/025 Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/04 Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/06 Energy recovery
• 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 chloro-oxygen solution suitable for sterilizing contaminated drinking water, thereby providing potable water. The oxidant generators include 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 which is passed between the anode and cathode through the salt brine solution. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply includes an energy storage device that is charged to predetermined voltage. The energy storage device is preferably charged by a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The present invention includes a brine storage compartment in the cap. The present invention also includes a total dissolved solids measuring device to determine if the water to be treated requires reverse osmosis filtration to remove high concentrations of ions from the source water to be treated.

Claims

1. An apparatus to treat a substance, said apparatus comprising:

a portable electrolytic cell for generating oxidation/reduction products, said products to be subsequently added to the substance;

a power source;

a chamber for holding an electrolyte;

a delivery mechanism for providing said products to the substance to be treated; and

wherein said apparatus comprises a syringe-like configuration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrolytic cell comprises a plurality of plates.

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 catalytic material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said anode comprises a titanium substrate.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said anode comprises an oxide coating.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said oxide coating comprises at least one metal selected from the Group VIII elements of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said oxide coating comprises ruthenium oxide.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cathode is disposed within said anode.

10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cathode comprises an outer housing for said anode.

11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of said anode and cathode comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of metallic, plastic, ceramic, silicone, and a non-conducting material.

12. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said anode is disposed adjacent to said cathode.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatusfurther comprises a pocket clip for attachment to a user'"'"'s pocket.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises at least one source selected from the group consisting of an electrical, solar, electro-mechanical, and chemical generator.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said power source further comprises a generator to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a reservoir.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said reservoir comprises a salt reservoir.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chamber comprises a reservoir.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said reservoir comprises a refillable reservoir.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said reservoir comprises a disposable reservoir.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electrolyte storage compartment.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said electrolyte storage compartment is self-sealing.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 comprising at least one seal selected from the group consisting of an elastomer and a mechanical check valve.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one deposit-removing apparatus.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said deposit-removing apparatus comprises at least one apparatus selected from the group consisting of a scraper and a shaft comprising break-away segments.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a circuit for measuring total dissolved solids of a substance.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said circuit comprises an electrical circuit included in an integral circuit.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising a temperature measuring device.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one indicator selected from the group consisting of visually readable, audible, and tactile to show completion of electric charge in the substance.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said indicator comprises a vibratory indicator.

31. A method for treating a substance using an oxidant generator, the method comprising the following steps:

a) creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte wherein creating comprises generating an electrical current from an anode to a cathode, passing the electric current through the electrolyte and measuring the total dissolved solids of the substance; and

b) releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating the substance.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of releasing the products onto a substance for treating comprises releasing the oxidants onto a fluid.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating comprises releasing the oxidants into a substance for decontaminating.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by passing water through a porous salt chamber to be collected in the cell.

35. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by pressing/pushing the end of the electrolytic cell comprising a self-sealing electrolyte storage compartment when electrolytic cell is inserted into the substance.

36. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current in an apparatus comprising a syringe-like configuration.

37. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidants by generating an electric current in an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of plates.

38. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising a catalytic material.

39. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising a titanium substrate.

40. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode further comprising an oxide coating.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising ruthenium oxide.

42. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of the Group VIII elements in the Periodic Table of the Elements.

43. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products in a reservoir.

44. An apparatus to treat a substance, said apparatus comprising:

a portable electrolytic cell for generating oxidation/reduction products, said products to be subsequently added to the substance;

a power source;

a chamber for holding an electrolyte;

a delivery mechanism for providing said products to the substance to be treated; and

a disposable reservoir.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said disposable reservoir comprises an electrolyte reservoir.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said disposable reservoir holds a fluid.

47. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said disposable reservoir holds a solid.

48. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said apparatus comprises a syringe-like configuration.

49. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said electrolytic cell comprises a plurality of plates.

50. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said electrolytic cell comprises an anode and a cathode.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said anode comprises a catalytic material.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said anode comprises a titanium substrate.

53. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said anode comprises an oxide coating.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein said oxide coating comprises at least one metal selected from the Group VIII elements of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said oxide coating comprises ruthenium oxide.

56. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said cathode is disposed within said anode.

57. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said cathode comprises an outer housing for said anode.

58. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein at least one of said anode and cathode comprises at least one substance selected from the group consisting of metallic, plastic, ceramic, silicone, and a non-conducting material.

59. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said anode is disposed adjacent to said cathode.

60. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said apparatus further comprises a pocket dip for attachment to a user'"'"'s pocket.

61. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said power source comprises at least one source selected from the group consisting of an electrical, solar, electro-mechanical, and chemical generator.

62. The apparatus of claim 61 wherein said power source further comprises a generator to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.

63. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said disposable reservoir comprises a salt reservoir.

64. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said disposable reservoir comprises a refillable reservoir.

65. The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising an electrolyte storage compartment.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said electrolyte storage compartment is selfsealing.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 comprising at least one seal selected from the group consisting of an elastomer and a mechanical check valve.

68. The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising at least one deposit-removing apparatus.

69. The apparatus of claim 68 wherein said deposit-removing apparatus comprises at least one apparatus selected from the group consisting of a scraper and a shaft comprising break-away segments.

70. The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising a circuit for measuring total dissolved solids of a substance.

71. The apparatus of claim 70 wherein said circuit comprises an electrical circuit included in an integral circuit.

72. The apparatus of claim 70 further comprising a temperature measuring device.

73. The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising at least one indicator selected from the group consisting of visually readable, audible, and tactile to show completion of electric charge in the substance.

74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said indicator comprises a vibratory indicator.

75. An apparatus to treat a substance, said apparatus comprising:

a portable electrolytic cell for generating oxidation/reduction products, said products to be subsequently added to the substance;

a power source;

a chamber for holding an electrolyte wherein said chamber comprises a disposable reservoir; and

a delivery mechanism for providing said products to the substance to be treated.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said disposable reservoir comprises an electrolyte reservoir.

77. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said disposable reservoir holds a fluid.

78. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein said disposable reservoir holds a solid.

79. An apparatus to treat a substance, said apparatus comprising:

a portable electrolytic cell for generating oxidation/reduction products, said products to be subsequently added to the substance;

a power source;

a chamber for holding an electrolyte;

a delivery mechanism for providing said products to the substance to be treated; and

a self-sealing electrolyte storage compartment.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein said self-sealing electrolyte compartment comprises at least one seal selected from the group consisting of an elastomer and a mechanical check valve.

81. An apparatus to treat a substance, said apparatus comprising:

a portable electrolytic cell for generating oxidation/reduction products, said products to be subsequently added to the substance;

a power source;

a chamber for holding an electrolyte;

a delivery mechanism for providing said products to the substance to be treated; and

at least one deposit removing apparatus.

82. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein said at least one deposit removing apparatus comprises at least one apparatus selected from the group consisting of a scrapper and a shaft comprising break-away segments.

83. An apparatus to treat a substance, said apparatus comprising:

a portable electrolytic cell for generating oxidation/reduction products, said products to be subsequently added to the substance;

a power source;

a chamber for holding an electrolyte;

a delivery mechanism for providing said products to the substance to be treated; and

a circuit for measuring total dissolved solids of a substance.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein said circuit comprises an electrical circuit included in an integral circuit.

85. The apparatus of claim 83 further comprising a temperature measuring device.

86. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein said substance comprises electrolyte.

87. A method for treating a substance using an oxidant generator, the method comprising the following steps:

creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte wherein creating comprises generating an electrical current from an anode to a cathode, passing the electric current through the electrolyte, and pressing/pushing the end of the electrolytic cell comprising a self-sealing electrolyte storage compartment when electrolytic cell is inserted into the substance; and

releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating the substance.

88. A method for treating a substance using an oxidant generator, the method comprising the following steps:

a) creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte in an apparatus comprising a syringe-like configuration and passing an electric current through the electrolyte; and

b) releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating the substance.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of releasing the products onto a substance for treating comprises releasing the oxidants onto a fluid.

90. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating comprises releasing the oxidants into a substance for decontaminating.

91. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by passing water through a porous salt chamber to be collected in the cell.

92. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by pressing/pushing the end of the electrolytic cell comprising a self-sealing electrolyte storage compartment when electrolytic cell is inserted into the substance.

93. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by measuring the total dissolved solids of the substance.

94. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidants by generating an electric current in an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of plates.

95. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising a catalytic material.

96. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising a titanium substrate.

97. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode further comprising an oxide coating.

98. The method of claim 97 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising ruthenium oxide.

99. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of the Group VIII elements in the Periodic Table of the Elements.

100. The method of claim 88 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products in a reservoir.

101. A method for treating a substance using an apparatus comprising an oxidant generator and a self-sealing electrolyte storage compartment, the method comprising the following steps:

creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell from an electrolyte solution comprising electrolyte of the self-sealing electrolyte storage compartment; and

releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating the substance.

102. A method for treating a substance using an apparatus comprising an oxidant generator and a disposable electrolyte reservoir, the method comprising the following steps:

creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell from an electrolyte solution comprising electrolyte of the disposable electrolyte reservoir; and

releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating the substance.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein the step of releasing the products onto a substance for treating comprises releasing the oxidants onto a fluid.

104. The method of claim 102 wherein the step of releasing the products onto or into a substance for treating comprises releasing the oxidants into a substance for decontaminating.

105. The method of claim 102 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by passing water through a porous salt chamber to be collected in the cell.

106. The method of claim 102 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by passing an electric current through an electrolyte.

107. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode to a cathode.

108. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by measuring the total dissolved solids of the substance.

109. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by pressing/pushing the end of the electrolytic cell comprising a self-sealing electrolyte storage compartment when electrolytic cell is inserted into the substance.

110. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current in an apparatus comprising a syringe-like configuration.

111. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidants by generating an electric current in an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of plates.

112. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising a catalytic material.

113. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising a titanium substrate.

114. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode further comprising an oxide coating.

115. The method of claim 114 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising ruthenium oxide.

116. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products by generating an electric current from an anode comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of the Group VIII elements in the Periodic Table of the Elements.

117. The method of claim 102 wherein the step of creating oxidation/reduction products in a portable electrolytic cell for holding an electrolyte comprises creating oxidation/reduction products in a reservoir.