Patent ID: 6495036
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B01F,C02F,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for introducing ozone into water for treatment for disinfection or oxidation purposes, said apparatus comprising:a. a contactor vessel for receiving water to be treated, the vessel including a water inlet conduit for introducing untreated water into the vessel and a water outlet conduit for withdrawing treated water from the vessel; b. at least one diffusion chamber within the contactor vessel and within which ozone is introduced into water to be treated, the diffusion chamber containing water; c. at least one downflow tube having a longitudinal axis and positioned substantially vertically within the at least one diffusion chamber, the downflow tube including a water inlet and a water outlet, wherein the downflow tube is J-shaped, having a first vertical leg including the downflow tube water inlet and a second vertical leg of shorter length than the first vertical leg, the second vertical leg including the downflow tube water outlet, and wherein the first and second vertical legs are interconnected by at least one curved tubular connector portion to enable water to flow into the first vertical leg and to flow out of the second vertical leg, and wherein the downflow tube water outlet is spaced from and is positioned below the downflow tube water inlet; d. an ozone distributor positioned within the at least one downflow tube between the downflow tube water inlet and the downflow tube water outlet, the ozone distributor including a plurality of elements in communication with a source of ozone for introducing ozone into the downflow tube; e. a deflector spaced from the downflow tube water outlet to deflect and laterally disperse outlet flow from the downflow tube; and f. a check valve positioned at the downflow tube water outlet for closing the outlet opening and preventing backflow of water into the outlet opening upon cessation of flow of untreated water into the downflow tube inlet, wherein the check valve includes an axially slidable closure member movable between a first position spaced from the downflow tube water outlet to allow flow therethrough, and a second position at which the closure member overlies and blocks flow through the downflow tube water outlet.