Water purifier

• US 6,607,668 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pure H2O Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Technology Ventures, Inc.
• Inventors: Rela, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Menon, Krishnan S
• Application Number:
  US09/932,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 210/232, 210/321.6, 210/652, 210/257.2, 210/663, 210/639, 210/195.1, 210/195.2, 210/120, 210/188, 210/282, 210/288, 210/90, 210/103, 210/143, 210/484, 210/497.01, 210/96.1, 210/97, 210/87, 210/269
• US Class Current: 210/321.6
• 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 2311/2619 UV-irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/268 Water softening
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/025 Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/04 Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/48 having one or more compartments filled with ion-exchange material , e.g. electrodeionisation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/54 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/58 Multistep processes
• 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 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/441 by reverse osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/469 by electrochemical separation, e.g. by electro-osmosis, electrodialysis, electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4695 electrodeionisation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/007 Processes including a sedimentation step
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 : Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/185 : The treatment agent being halogen or a halogenated compound
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 5/00 : Softening water; Preventing scale; Adding scale preventatives or scale removers to water, e.g. adding sequestering agents softening using ion-exchange C02F1/42
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 : Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage

Abstract

Water purifier using membranes, ion exchange resins and electricity to remove ionic, organic and suspended impurities from water to produce high quality, pure water. Supply water is pre-treated by directing it first into a sediment pre-filter module, a softener module and a sediment removal and dechlorination module. The pre-treated water is supplied to a reverse osmosis module which separates the water into two streams (a purified water stream and a concentrate stream) by collecting fluids from both sides of pressurized membranes. The purified water is passed to an electrodeionization module which further purifies the water and directs the water to an ultraviolet sterilization module. The concentrate stream is divided into a recycle stream which is passed to the inlet of the reverse osmosis module and a waste concentrate stream which flows to an outlet of the machine. A control method for the water purifier is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A water purifier for purifying supply water, comprising:

a softener module arranged to receive the supply water and remove metallic ions from the water, said softener module comprising at least one tank containing sodium form ion exchange resins such that upon flow of the water through said at least one tank, calcium and magnesium ions react with said sodium resins and are removed from the water;

regeneration means associated with said at least one tank for regenerating the sodium ion resins in said at least one tank;

a de-chlorination module arranged to receive water from said softener module and remove oxidizing and organic compounds from the water;

a control valve arranged downstream of said de-chlorination module for regulating flow of water from said de-chlorination module;

a reverse osmosis module arranged downstream of said control valve and comprising reverse osmosis membranes which purify the water upon flow of water through said membranes;

a pump arranged between said control valve and said reverse osmosis module arranged to pump water at a high pressure through said reverse osmosis module;

an electrodeionization (EDI) module arranged to receive water from said reverse osmosis module and remove ions from the water to provide a stream of pure water;

a control system for controlling operation of said softener module, said de-chlorination module, said control valve, said reverse osmosis module, said pump, said electrodeionization module and said ultraviolet sterilization module to optimize purification of the supply water;

a first flow monitor associated with said softener module for measuring rate of flow of water into said softener module, said first flow monitor being coupled to said control system, said control system being structured and arranged to determine processing capacity of said softener module based on the measured flow rate and initiate regeneration of the sodium ion resins based on analysis of the determined processing capacity of said softener module and a pre-determined capacity of the sodium ion resins; and

means for providing three streams of water from said reverse osmosis module into said electrodeionization module, the three streams of water being an EDI process stream, an EDI electrode stream and an EDI concentrate stream, said electrodeionization module including three flow monitors, each arranged to measure rate of flow of a respective one of the three streams of water, said three flow monitors being coupled to said control system, said control system being structured and arranged to calculate optimum required flow rates for each stream and adjust control valves to change at least one of the flow rate and pressure of each of the three streams to maintain operation of said electrodeionization module within allowable operating margins.

2. The water purifier of claim 1, further comprising a frame, said softener module, said de-chlorination module, said control valve, said reverse osmosis module, said pump and said electrodeionization module being arranged in connection with said frame.

3. The water purifier of claim 1, further comprising a frame having an interior space, said softener module, said de-chlorination module, said control valve, said reverse osmosis module, said pump and said electrodeionization module being arranged in said interior space of said frame.

4. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein said de-chlorination module comprises tubular housings and solid block, activated carbon elements arranged in said tubular housings.

5. The water purifier of claim 4, wherein said carbon elements are encased in a polypropylene membrane.

6. The water purifier of claim 4, wherein said de-chlorination module further comprises ultraviolet lamps each arranged in a center of a respective one of said tubular housings.

7. The water purifier of claim 4, further comprising a second flow monitor associated with said de-chlorination module for measuring rate of flow of water into said de-chlorination module, and an indicator visible from exterior of the water purifier, said second flow monitor being coupled to said control system to enable said control system to determine processing capacity of said carbon elements and control said indicator to provide an indication when replacement of said carbon elements is required.

8. The water purifier of claim 1, further comprising:

a water quality monitor for measuring ionic concentration in the water;

a temperature monitor for measuring temperature of the water; and

a pressure monitor for measuring pressure of the water;

said water quality monitor, said temperature monitor and said pressure monitor being coupled to said control system and said control system being structured and arranged to activate an indicator or alarm when the measured ionic concentration, temperature or pressure of the water is outside of an operational range.

9. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein said control system is structured and arranged to monitor time of operation of said pump and activate an indicator or alarm when maintenance of said pump is required or when said pump has malfunctioned.

10. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein said reverse osmosis module separates water into purified water and concentrated wastewater, said concentrated wastewater being divided into a recycle stream and a waste stream, said recycle stream being directed into said pump.

11. The waste purifier of claim 1, further comprising a water quality monitor for measuring ionic concentration in pure water outlet from said electrodeionization module, said water quality monitor being coupled to said control system, said control system calculating required electrical voltage and current required by said electrodeionization module and automatically adjusting each to achieve optimum outlet water quality.

12. The water purifier of claim 1, further comprising a sediment pre-filter module for receiving the supply water and removing particles therefrom, water being directed from said sediment pre-filter module to said softener module, said control system being coupled to said sediment pre-filter module for controlling said sediment pre-filter module.

13. The water purifier of claim 12, wherein said sediment pre-filter module comprises tubular ceramic elements with a specific pore size for trapping particles on the surface of said ceramic elements.

14. The water purifier of claim 13, wherein said sediment pre-filter module further comprises stainless steel or polypropylene tubular element housings, said ceramic elements being arranged in said tubular element housings.

15. The water purifier of claim 13, further comprising a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure of said ceramic elements at an inlet end of said sediment pre-filter module and a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure of said ceramic elements at an outlet end of said sediment pre-filter module, said first and second pressure sensors being coupled to said control system and providing pressure readings to said control system, said control system being structured and arranged to analyze said pressure readings and determine when said sediment pre-filter module is performing below a threshold satisfaction level indicative of the need to clean said ceramic elements.

16. The water purifier of claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet sterilization module arranged to receive water from said electrodeionization module and eliminate bacteria from the water such that a pure water stream is provided from said ultraviolet sterilization module.

17. The water purifier of claim 1, wherein said reverse osmosis module is arranged to separate inlet water into purified water and concentrated wastewater, the concentrated wastewater being divided into a recycle stream and a waste stream, further comprising a conduit connected to said control valve and to said pump, said conduit having an inlet for receiving the recycle stream from said reverse osmosis module such that the recycle stream is blended with feed water being directed through said control valve.

18. A water purifier for purifying supply water, comprising:

a softener module arranged to receive the supply water and remove metallic ions from the water;

a de-chlorination module arranged to receive water from said softener module and remove oxidizing and organic compounds from the water;

a control valve arranged downstream of said de-chlorination module for regulating flow of water from said de-chlorination module;

a reverse osmosis module arranged downstream of said control valve and comprising reverse osmosis membranes which purify the water upon flow of water through said membranes;

said reverse osmosis module including means for separating inlet water into an RO permeate stream and an RO concentrate stream, said RO concentrate stream being divided into a recycle stream and a waste stream;

a pump arranged between said control valve and said reverse osmosis module arranged to receive the recycle stream from said reverse osmosis module and to pump water at a high pressure through said reverse osmosis module;

an electrodeionization (EDI) module arranged to receive the RO permeate stream from said reverse osmosis module and remove ions from the water to provide a stream of pure water;

a control system for controlling operation of said softener module, said de-chlorination module, said control valve, said reverse osmosis module, said pump, said electrodeionization module and said ultraviolet sterilization module to optimize purification of the supply water; and

means for providing three streams of water from the RO permeate stream into said electrodeionization module, the three streams of water being an EDI process stream, an EDI electrode stream and an EDI concentrate stream, said electrodeionization module including three flow monitors, each arranged to measure rate of flow of a respective one of the three streams of water, said three flow monitors being coupled to said control system, said control system being structured and arranged to calculate optimum required flow rates for each stream and adjust control valves to change at least one of the flow rate and pressure of each of the three streams, when the flow rate differs from the flow rate measured by said flow monitors, to maintain operation of said electrodeionization module within allowable operating margins.

19. The water purifier of claim 18, further comprising:

a water quality monitor for measuring ionic concentration in the water;

a temperature monitor for measuring temperature of the water; and

a pressure monitor for measuring pressure of the water;

said water quality monitor, said temperature monitor and said pressure monitor being arranged between said reverse osmosis module and said pump and being coupled to said control system and said control system being structured and arranged to activate an indicator or alarm when the measured ionic concentration, temperature or pressure of the water is outside of an operational range.

20. The water purifier of claim 18, further comprising:

a water quality monitor for measuring ionic concentration in the water;

a temperature monitor for measuring temperature of the water; and

a pressure monitor for measuring pressure of the water;

said water quality monitor, said temperature monitor and said pressure monitor being arranged between said de-chlorination module and said pump and being coupled to said control system and said control system being structured and arranged to activate an indicator or alarm when the measured ionic concentration, temperature or pressure of the water is outside of an operational range.

21. The water purifier of claim 18, wherein said reverse osmosis module comprises a first manifold for collecting the RO permeate stream from said membranes and a second manifold for collecting the RO concentrate stream from said membranes.

22. The waste purifier of claim 18, further comprising a water quality monitor for measuring ionic concentration in pure water outlet from said electrodeionization module, said water quality monitor being coupled to said control system, said control system calculating required electrical voltage and current required by said electrodeionization module and automatically adjusting each to achieve optimum outlet water quality.

23. The water purifier of claim 18, further comprising a conduit connected to said control valve and to said pump, said conduit having an inlet for receiving the recycle stream from said reverse osmosis module such that the recycle stream is blended with feed water being directed through said control valve.

24. The water purifier of claim 18, further comprising a sediment pre-filter module for receiving the supply water and removing particles therefrom, water being directed from said sediment pre-filter module to said softener module, said control system being coupled to said sediment pre-filter module for controlling said sediment pre-filter module.

25. The water purifier of claim 18, further comprising a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure of said ceramic elements at an inlet end of said sediment pre-filter module and a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure of said ceramic elements at an outlet end of said sediment pre-filter module, said first and second pressure sensors being coupled to said control system and providing pressure readings to said control system, said control system being structured and arranged to analyze said pressure readings and determine when said sediment pre-filter module is performing below a threshold satisfaction level indicative of the need to clean said ceramic elements.

26. The water purifier of claim 18, further comprising an ultraviolet sterilization module arranged to receive water from said electrodeionization module and eliminate bacteria from the water such that a pure water stream is provided from said ultraviolet sterilization module.

27. The water purifier of claim 18, wherein said softener module comprises at least one tank containing sodium form ion exchange resins such that upon flow of the water through said at least one tank, calcium and magnesium ions react with said sodium resins and are removed from the water.

28. The water purifier of claim 27, further comprising regeneration means associated with said at least one tank for regenerating the sodium ion resins in said at least one tank.

29. The water purifier of claim 28, further comprising a first flow monitor associated with said softener module for measuring rate of flow of water into said softener module, said first flow monitor being coupled to said control system to enable said control system to determine processing capacity of said softener module based on the measured flow rate and initiate regeneration of the sodium ion resins based on analysis of the determined processing capacity of said softener module and a pre-determined capacity of the sodium ion resins.