Water Treatment Modules and Method of Use Thereof

The disclosure relates to water treatment modules that may be adapted to achieve required standards of capacity or purity. The disclosure describes the linkage of different water treatment treatment modules to achieve the required standards.

BACKGROUND

The quality of the public water supply is an ongoing issue and water treatment methods that supplement or replace those used in the public supply is increasing in popularity. Further, in many situations, access to the public water supply may be limited and standalone water treatment systems may be the only way to purify water. For example, well water may be the only available water source.

In these and other situations, water treatment systems must be adaptable to particular sources of water. For example, a water source may have particularly high levels of selected contaminants, such as iron or arsenic, or sediment, and water treatment modules that are easily adaptable or customized to remove the specific contaminants would be desirable. In addition, it would be advantageous to have water treatment modules that may be easily adapted to changes in the water supply over time.

In addition, different users have different standards and requirements for water treatment. For example, residential users may require less water treatment capacity than commercial users. Some users may also require water treated to higher purity standards. For example, water for medical or scientific uses require particularly high standards of water, such as for dialysis, laboratory use, or for the preparation of medications. It would be very desirable to have an easily adaptable water treatment module that can achieve the required capacity, the required water purity standards or achieve both desired capacity and/or purity. It would also be desirable to achieve these goals with an easily maintained and inexpensive system.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to water treatment modules that are adaptable to particular water purification situations, such as a required capacity or a required standard of purity. According to the disclosure, water treatment modules may be connected to achieve these requirements where the treatment modules incorporate different materials and media.

In some examples, treatment modules of the disclosure are configured to utilize filtration media, such as sediment filters, activated carbon, or media that removes iron and arsenic. The filtration water treatments systems may be fluidly connected to modules or systems that employ other methods of water treatment, such as reverse osmosis systems and modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods described herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other disclosure and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, “involving” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate examples consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively.

Other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplary aspects and embodiments are discussed in detail below. This description is intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and examples. The accompanying drawings are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and examples and embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings, together with the specification, serve to explain the described and claimed aspects and embodiments.

The disclosure relates, to water treatment modules that may be assembled to build a water treatment system to achieve a desired water purity or achieve a desired water output (flow rate gallons per minute or capacity, total gallons) or both a desired output and purity. In preferred examples, the disclosure relates to water treatment modules that may be adapted or customized to particular requirements, such as selected standards of water purity or desired water treatment capacities, or a combination of these requirements. Water treatment modules of the disclosure may be used for residential, commercial, private, or public applications. For example, water treatment modules may be placed near the entry site of the water supply into a building, including residences or commercial buildings. In other examples, treatment modules of the disclosure may be placed within residential, commercial or public buildings to achieve desired properties for the water.

In some examples, water treatment modules may include components that increase water purity to achieve established standards, such as government-specified standards. In preferred examples, treatment modules of the disclosure may be used for medical or scientific applications. In preferred examples, water outputted from the treatment module may be of sufficient quality to be used for dialysis procedures. In preferred examples, water outputted from treatment modules of the disclosure may be sufficient quality to be used in scientific laboratories. In preferred examples, water outputted from treatment modules of the disclosure may be of sufficient quality to be used for the preparation of medicines.

Treatment modules of the disclosure may be used with different feed water sources including, without limitation, the public water supply, well water, sea water, brackish water, or fresh water. Treatment modules of the disclosure may be adapted to changes in water composition over time. For example, entire treatment modules or components of treatment modules may be easily replaced to accommodate changes in water composition.

According to the disclosure, two or more treatment modules may be linked or connected to achieve desired properties of outputted water. Two or more treatment modules may be connected fluidly, mechanically, or electrically or some combination of these linkages. For example, water may flow from one treatment module to a second treatment module. In further examples, a third, a fourth, a fifth or more than five modules may be added where water may flow from module to module, where each module treats water using the same or different media to achieve the required purity or the required output. Treatment modules may be linked to other components, such as one or more storage tanks, pumps, or other water treatment components, such as water sterilization components, Connected modules may be placed in parallel or series, depending on requirements for output or purity.

In preferred examples, a treatment module includes an enclosure, at least one media tank or cartridges containing media or other components for water purification, and a media manifold. In general, the media tanks are vertically orientated such that input water enters and exits the tank through one or openings in the top of each tank.

In preferred examples, treatment modules have at least two media tanks that are connected in parallel such that the at least two tanks are side by side to form a row of tanks in the treatment module. In these examples, each of the in-parallel tanks in a row of tanks has the same type of media.

In preferred examples, at least two rows of at least two in-parallel tanks may be placed in a treatment module. In preferred examples, rows of in parallel tanks are placed immediately adjacent to each other. In preferred examples, treatment modules have one row of tanks, have two rows of tanks, or have three rows of tanks or more than three rows of tanks. Each row of tanks may contain the same or different media from adjacent rows.

Tanks of the treatment modules may include filtration media for removing sediment, may include activated carbon, may include media from removing iron and arsenic, or media for softening water. Treatment modules for filtration may be linked to reverse osmosis systems or modules, systems using ultrafiltration components, components that sterilize water, modules including deionizing resin or combinations of these modules. Individual treatment modules may have a combination of two or more components for water purification.

In preferred examples, water to be treated may be flowed through the treatment module continuously or may be pulsed through the treatment module depending on requirements, Water may also be flowed through the treatment module to permit back washing or regeneration of the cartridge material, such as from a brine media tank. In preferred examples, water treatment modules are capable of controlling the flow of water for purification, for backwashing the media, or for regenerating media.

In some examples, the water treatment module of this example may be standalone, having its own power source, sensors, flow meters, sensors, and controllers. For example, each water treatment module may have sensors that monitor total dissolved solids, where the concentration of total dissolved solids is relayed to a controller that may shut the module down or send an alarm if specifications of the system are exceeded. Similarly, each module may have flow meters to monitor water pressure throughout the module which information may be relayed to the controller, in preferred examples, each module may be monitored and controlled using Wifi networks or similar methods.

Example 1 Treatment Module Including Filtration Media

FIGS.1-6illustrates aspects of a treatment module that incorporates one or more types of filtration media. In general, the components of filtration treatment modules are very similar irrespective of the type of filtration media employed in the module. The use of interchangeable components such as media tanks and manifolds, allows for simplified assembly, maintenance, or adaptability of the treatment module. Table 1 provides non-limiting examples of filtration media that may be employed in water treatment modules of the disclosure

TABLE 1Examples of impuritiesType of MediaremovedExamplesSedimentMaterial down to 20ZeosandFiltrationmicronsZeosorbMaterial down to 5micronsMaterial down to 3micronsCatalyticChlorineCarbonChloramineLeadVolatile organiccompoundsSoftenerReduces water hardness10% Cross LinkIronResinBariumRadiumIron/ArsenicIronKataloxSediment down to 3micronsArsenic

FIG.1shows an example of an enclosure10that may be employed for the water treatment modules of the disclosure. The enclosure includes front panel12, side panels14, top panel16, base17and status screen indicator18. The status screen reflects data collected by the controller (not shown) concerning the system. The enclosure may be manufactured from ultraviolet-resistant resistant plastic.

FIGS.2a-cshows a further example of an enclosure. In this example, the enclosure20is smaller than the enclosure shown inFIG.1, where this enclosure may, for example, be employed in a residential situation. In this example, the enclosure is about 21 inches deep, 29 inches wide and 59 inches high. Front panel22and base27is shown as well as rear panel23. InFIGS.2a-c, selected panels have been removed from the enclosure to show the interior of the treatment module. In this example, two media tanks21,24is shown. Inlet25, outlet27, and drain29are placed on a rear panel of the enclosure20where water enters a treatment module through the inlet25and flows through manifold26to the media tanks. In this example, manifold26has cover28. Status screen31is also shown.

The media tanks are orientated vertically such that water enters media tanks22,24from the top 32 of each tank and flows downward into the media. Module manifold26is mounted on the top of the tanks and includes gate valves controlled by solenoids to regulate the flow of water through the manifold (not shown in this figure). Mount30holds the tanks in place.

In this example, both media tanks have the same dimensions. For example, the media tanks in the example are cylindrical having a diameter of approximately 1.0 inches and a height of approximately 44 inches. In other examples, the media tank may take other shapes and dimensions.

In general, two filtration media tanks that are side by side, as shown inFIGS.2a-c, are paired in having the same filtration media. The paired tanks form a row of tanks. The paired tanks (a row) are connected in parallel such that when water flows into the treatment module through inlet25, then through module manifold26, the water flows through both media tanks of the row simultaneously. Water pressure forces the feed water through the media in the tank, then through back through the top 32 of the tanks22,24to an outlet27.

FIG.3shows a further example of a water treatment module40similar to the treatment module. The enclosure42is shown with side panels removed. In this example, the treatment module40has four vertically orientated filtration media tanks. A first row46having two tanks is positioned towards the rear of the enclosure and a second row48of two tanks is positioned immediately adjacent to the first row48, towards the front of the enclosure. In this example, the cap of manifold50has been removed to show solenoids52.

FIGS.4aand4bshows a further example of a filtration treatment module60according to the disclosure.FIG.48is a perspective view andFIG.4bshows the example from the top. Inlet74, outlet72and drain70are also shown. In this example, the module has six vertically orientated media tanks, arranged in a first row62of two tanks, a second row64of two tanks and a third row66of two tanks. In this example, the first row62of tanks is closest to the inlet, the second row64is immediately adjacent to the first row. The third row66is immediately adjacent to the second row64. The tanks are closely spaced with no gap between adjacent tanks. This arrangement reduces required material, reduces the module's footprint, or facilitates maintenance.

Media manifolds68are positioned on top of each row of media tanks, covering the tops of the tanks. In this example, components of the manifold are protected by cap The configuration of the media manifolds68permits the arrangement of the media tanks and controls the flow of water through the pairs of tanks.FIG.4balso shows first line80, second line82and drain line84. In this example, serial port connectors86are also shown where the port connectors fluidly connect first line80and manifold68.

In some examples, all six tanks (three rows of two tanks in each row) may have the same media. For example, all six tanks may contain catalytic carbon. In this situation, each row of tanks may be arranged in parallel with adjacent rows to achieve the required output volume (for example, gallons) or output flow rate (for example, gallons per minute). In this case, the module manifolds68are configured to allow flow of input water through all six tanks simultaneously.

In other examples, each row of tanks may contain different types of media. For example, the first row of tanks62, closest to the inlet, may contain media to reduce iron and arsenic, the second row of tanks may contain softener media, and the third row of tanks may contain catalytic carbon. In this example, each row of tanks is connected in series with the immediately adjacent row of tanks. In this example, the module manifolds are configured to allow flow of input water sequentially through each pair of tanks, where the water passes sequentially through each type of media, from iron/arsenic media to softener media to catalytic carbon media.

In other examples, two rows of tanks may have the same media and a third row may have a second type of media. For example, the first row may be a sediment filtration media and the remaining second and third rows may be softener media. In this case, the first and second rows may be positioned in series with each other and the second and third rows are positioned in parallel with each other. In this example, water flows first through the first row having sediment filtration media than then simultaneously flows through the second and third rows of media tanks having softener.

FIGS.5aand5bshow views, of a treatment module90showing, enhanced views of media manifolds according to the disclosure. In this example, the caps of the manifolds have been removed. InFIG.5a, inlet92, outlet94and drain96are shown. These figures show three rows of media tanks91,93and95, where row of tanks91is closest to inlet92and row93is immediately adjacent to row91. Each row of tanks has two media tanks. In this example, the three rows of tanks are connected in parallel such that water flows to all tanks simultaneously. Each row of tanks has similar media manifolds106, Also shown are solenoids99where solenoids control gate valves in media manifolds106. Motors98are also shown positioned on each manifold where each motor drives the operation of solenoids in the respective media manifolds. First line100, second line102and drain line104are shown most clearly inFIG.5b.

In the example where rows of tanks are connected in series, one or more serial port connectors are inserted to fluidly connect manifolds with first line100. Serial connectors86are shown inFIG.4b.

FIG.6aandFIG.6bshows schematics of the flow of input water through the system. When rows of tanks are in all in parallel, the flow of water is similar to that shown inFIG.6a. In this example, water flows from inlet92to first line100and flows through the media module96mounted on tank row91when solenoids99open gate valves. A portion of the water flows through the media in the tanks of row91and the remainder of the water flows through first line100to the manifolds positioned on second93and third 95 rows of tanks. For each row of tanks, water flows through the media and exits the tanks, then flows through the second line102to outlet94.

InFIG.6b, the flow of water is shown when the rows of tanks are positioned in series and water flows sequentially through each row of tanks. In this example, water flows from inlet92to first line100and flows through the media manifold96mounted on tank row91when solenoids99open gate valves. Water exits both tanks of row91and passes through a serial port connector103that is fluidly connected to first line300. The water treated in the first row of tanks thereby flows to the second row of tanks for treatment. Similarly, water exiting the second of row of tanks flows through a second serial port connector103to flow treated water to the first line:100for treatment in the third row of tanks. Treated water exiting the third row of tanks flows to second line102and thereby to outlet94. The above descriptions also apply to situations where rows of tanks are in both in series and in parallel.

In preferred examples, one or more filtration treatment modules may be linked to a further module or system employing an additional method for purifying water. In particularly preferred examples, the one or more filtration treatment modules may be linked in series or in parallel with at least one reverse osmosis system or module.

FIGS.7aand7bshows one example of a reverse osmosis system200, shown in a perspective view and as seen from above. In this example, panels have been removed from the enclosure201to show the interior. This example shows four reverse osmosis cartridges202, linked in parallel. Surge tank204is also shown.

In additional examples, additional water treatment methods may be employed using further modules or system, depending on requirements. For example, water may be passed through previously described filtration treatment module where the tanks contain calcite. In this case, carbon dioxide may be reduced, and the pH of the output water stabilized.

In additional examples, modules that produce sterile and ultrapure water for laboratory use may be utilized.FIGS.8aandbshows a module that includes two cartridges in parallel for deionizing water304, two cartridges in parallel for ultrafiltration302, and for ultraviolet light sterilization306. In other examples, further treatment modules have one or more of deionizing resin, ultrafiltration cartridges or ultraviolet sterilization. According to this example, water with a resistivity of greater than 18 megaohmirneter may be outputted. According to this example, a resistivity meter may be present with a linked alarm to indicate failure of the treatment module to achieve the preset standard.

FIG.9shows one assembly or system of modules for purifying water. The arrangement described here would be suitable for a residential situation. In this example, a filtration module402is fluidly linked to a reverse osmosis module where input water first flows through the filtration module then flows to the reverse osmosis module. For example, the filtration module may contain a first row of sediment filter tanks and two rows of softener tanks. The reverse osmosis module may contain two reverse osmosis cartridges. In this example, the system is capable of more than 9 gallons per minute output. Inlet410, drain416, outlets408are shown for each outlet. Bypass line412is also indicated.

FIG.10shows one assembly or system of modules for purifying water. The arrangement described here would be suitable for a large residential or smaller commercial situation. In this example, input water is first flowed to sediment filtration module502to remove materials down to about 20 microns. The water then flows to a first treatment module504with three pairs (rows) of tanks with softener media. The water then flows to a second treatment module506with three pairs (rows) of tanks having catalytic carbon. The second treatment module506is fluidly connected in series with reverse osmosis modules510where the reverse osmosis modules each have four reverse osmosis cartridges. In this example, the system is capable of outputting more up to about 35 gallons per minute.

FIG.11shows a further example of a water treatment system according to the disclosure. In this example, the treatment module incorporates several different treatment modules combined with reverse osmosis module. This example demonstrates one arrangement that may be used in a commercial setting, or in a larger building. In this example, the disclosed treatment system provides up to 80 gallons per minute of output water.

In this example, input water first flows into a prefilter unit602that filters material greater than about 20 microns. Water flows into one of three treatment modules604,606,608connected in parallel. In this example, all three treatment modules contain six tanks (three rows) of activated carbon media where the rows in each module are connected in parallel.

Water, having passed through the activated carbon modules then flow into a prefilter unit (610) that filters material greater than about 5 microns.

This example also shows an injection module612where anti-scalents or anti-bacterial agents may be introduced into treated water where the ant-scalent reduces water hardness, iron and aluminum and the anti-bacterial agent reduces bacterial contamination. Water may then flow to two pumping systems (614) to maintain flow of water.

In this example, the filtered water flows to one of five reverse osmosis modules (616,618,620,610,622,624), linked in parallel.

The foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the disclosure, systems and methods may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.