Water Composition, Filter, Filter Assembly and Water Purification System

A water composition is adapted to be received and sealed in a container and includes water that is capable of being utilized by living organism, silicic acid and hydrogen gas dissolved in the water. The silicic acid of the water composition is present in an amount of not greater than a saturation concentration of the silicic acid. The water composition has an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) that is lower than −400 mV. A filter for producing the water composition includes a carrier and a silicon material adsorbed on the carrier. A filter assembly and a water purification system containing the filter are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application Nos. 1061200153 and 107111936, filed on Jun. 16, 2017 and Apr. 3, 2018, respectively.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a water composition, particularly to a water composition containing silicic acid and hydrogen gas. The disclosure also relates to a filter, a filter assembly and a water purification system for producing the water composition. The disclosure further relates to a method for making the water composition, use of the water composition, a water composition set, and a water composition-generating portable product.

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen-dissolved drinking water is advantageous to human beings for it can neutralize reactive oxygen species or free radicals present in the body. Therefore, research topics related to hydrogen-dissolved drinking water has become popular in recent years.

Currently, most commonly sold hydrogen-dissolved drinking water is produced by directly dissolving high-purity hydrogen in water, or reacting magnesium powder or a magnesium tablet with pure water to generate hydrogen gas. However, the former method has problems such as difficulty in obtaining high-purity hydrogen, difficulty in dissolving hydrogen in water, and safety concerns over use of high-purity hydrogen. With regard to the latter method, magnesium hydroxide that is produced by reacting magnesium with water may not be simultaneously taken with some drugs used for treating cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, if the content of magnesium hydroxide is too high, it is likely to lead to acute drug poisoning, acute renal failure, hypermagnesemia or other adverse health conditions.

Based on the above, safely producing hydrogen-dissolved drinking water which is beneficial to living organisms (e.g., human beings) remains a problem to be solved by those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a water composition, a filter, a filter assembly, and a water purification system that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a water composition adapted to be received and sealed in a container includes water that is utilizable by living organisms, silicic acid and hydrogen gas dissolved in the water. The silicic acid is present in an amount of not greater than a saturation concentration of the silicic acid in the water composition. The water composition has an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) that is lower than −400 mV.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a filter for producing the water composition includes a carrier and a silicon material supported on the carrier.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a filter assembly includes a housing and the aforesaid filter. The housing defines a receiving space and includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication with the receiving space. The filter is received in the receiving space of the housing.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a water purification system includes at least one the aforesaid filter assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a first embodiment of a water composition9according to the present disclosure is shown to be sealed in a first container81that is inverted upside down. The water composition9includes water91, silicic acid dissolved in the water91, and hydrogen gas92dissolved in the water91. In this embodiment, the water91substantially fills the first container81, and the concentration of the silicic acid (i.e., the concentration of dissolved silica) present in the water composition9is not greater than the saturation concentration of the silicic acid. The oxidation-reduction potential (hereinafter abbreviated as ORP) of the water composition9is lower than −400 mV. The water composition9and the first container81constitute a water composition set (A).

According to this disclosure, the water91can be defined as water that is utilizable by living organisms (e.g., animals, plants, and other organisms). It should be noted herein that the atomic weight of the hydrogen gas92is extremely light, so that the hydrogen gas92dissolved in the water91can easily float upwards. Accordingly, the purpose of inverting the first container81upside down is that, the hydrogen gas92that drifts upward is positioned at the bottom of the first container81and is dissolved in the water91. As such, when the first container81returns to its normal position from the upside down position, and is opened to release its sealed state for drinking, most of the hydrogen gas92will still remain at the bottom of the first container81and will not be quickly moved out of the first container81due to the release of the sealed state.

In certain embodiments, the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92are generated by mixing a to-be-treated water91′ (hereinafter referred to as to-be-treated water91′) with a predetermined amount of silicon material93(seeFIG. 2). That is, the silicon material93can be used to make the above-mentioned water composition9by mixing with the to-be-treated water91′. The silicon material93may be nano silicon or micro silicon. Examples of the silicon material93include non-porous silicon, porous silicon, granulated silicon, silicon nanowire and combinations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the content of the predetermined amount of the silicon material93in the water91ranges between 40 mg/L to 200 mg/L. In an exemplary embodiment, the silicon material93is nano silicon. In certain embodiment, the silicon material93has an average diameter ranging between 50 nm and 300 nm. In another exemplary embodiment, the average diameter of the silicon material93ranges between 100 nm and 250 nm. The nano silicon is highly reactive in nature, which facilitates rapid reaction with water molecules to generate hydrogen gas and silicic acid. It should be further explained herein that, the smaller the average diameter of the nano silicon is, the greater the activity thereof is, and the faster the reaction rate between the nano silicon and the water91is. In order to prevent the nano silicon from being consumed rather quickly in view of the fact that its average diameter is very small and hence its reaction with water is vigorous, in certain embodiments, the nano silicon is covered with a silicon oxide film.

The nano silicon may be discarded nano silicon powder yielded from squaring and slicing Si ingot. The porous silicon may be a silicon wafer, silicon powder, etc. that has been subjected to acid etching. The granulated silicon may be produced by spray granulation of silicon powder. The silicon nanowire may be obtained by etching a silicon material using an etchant.

In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of the silicic acid in the water composition9ranges between 11 mg/L and the saturation concentration of the silicic acid. In another exemplary embodiment, the concentration of the silicic acid in the water composition9is between 20 mg/L and its saturation concentration, whereas the ORP of the water composition9is lower than −500 mV. In a further exemplary embodiment, the concentration of the silicic acid in the water composition9is between 40 mg/L and its saturation concentration; the ORP of the water composition9is below −650 mV. Parenthetically, the concentration of the silicic acid should not exceed its saturation concentration in the water composition9so as to avoid supersaturation of the silicic acid that may cause the silicic acid to polymerize or precipitate into insoluble silica gel.

In pharmaceutical industry or even in healthcare-related fields, silicon and silicic acid are known to be essential for the formation of bones and connective tissues, and are conducive in treating osteoporosis, nail fracture, hair loss, increased wrinkle and other health issues. Therefore, when the first embodiment of the water composition9of this disclosure is used as drinking water, the silicic acid in the water composition9will be beneficial for the formation of human connective tissues.

Referring toFIGS. 2 to 5, a method for making the first embodiment of the water composition9according to the present disclosure includes the following steps (a), (b) and (c).

As shown inFIG. 2, the step (a) includes filling water to be treated91′ into the first container81from an opening811of the first container81, and mixing the predetermined amount of the silicon material93with the to-be-treated water91′. The step (b) includes sealing the opening811of the first container81that is filled with a mixture of the to-be-treated water91′ and the predetermined amount of the silicon material93. In this embodiment, the to-be-treated water91′ substantially fills the first container81, and the to-be-treated water91′ and the silicon material93are reacted with each other to generate the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92which are dissolved in the treated water91, thereby obtaining the water composition9.

The average diameter of the silicon material93, the predetermined amount of the silicon material93in the water91, the concentration of the silicic acid dissolved in the water composition9and the ORP of the water composition9have been described in detail in the foregoing, and will not be further described hereinafter.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the sub-step (a1) is adding the predetermined amount of the silicon material93into a second container82having a smaller capacity than the first container81. The second container82has two opposite openings821.

The sub-step (a2) is covering one of the openings821of the second container82with a hydrophilic membrane filter822.

The sub-step (a3) is, after the sub-step (a2), filling a portion911′ of the to-be-treated water91′ in the second container82so that the portion911′ of the to-be-treated water91′ is reacted with the predetermined amount of the silicon material93so as to generate the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92.

As shown inFIG. 4, the sub-step (a4) is covering the other of the openings821of the second container82using an additional hydrophilic membrane filter822.

The sub-step (a5) is, after the sub-step (a4), disposing the second container82and a remaining portion912′ of the to-be-treated water91′ into the first container81from the opening811of the first container81so that the predetermined amount of the silicon material93and the remaining portion912′ of the to-be-treated water91′ continues to be reacted with each other so as to further generate the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92. In this embodiment, the portion911′ of the to-be-treated water91′ is first filled in the second container82. However, in other embodiments, the portion911′ of the to-be-treated water91′ may not be filled in the second container82, and the predetermined amount of the silicon material93in the second container82is directly reacted with the portion912′ of the to-be treated water91′ in the first container81.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, the step (a) further includes a sub-step (a4′) between the sub-step (a4) and the sub-step (a5). In the sub-step (a4′), two covers823are used to respectively cover the openings821of the second container82so as to shield the corresponding hydrophilic membrane filters822. Each of the covers823has a through hole (not shown in the figure) communicating with a respective one of the corresponding openings821of the second container82.

As shown inFIG. 5, the step (c) is inverting the first container81so that the opening811of the first container81faces downward.

As shown inFIG. 5, the first embodiment of the to-be-treated water91′ of the present disclosure substantially fills the first container81. The opening811of the first container81is sealed for increasing the partial pressure of hydrogen. However, it should be noted that, if the reduction in the hydrogen is not a major consideration herein, or the reducing level of the hydrogen is within an allowable range, or the opening811of the first container81is completely sealed, in other embodiments, the step (a5) of inverting the first container81may be omitted. In certain embodiments, the to-be-treated water91′ does not necessarily substantially fill the first container81, and the filling ratio of the to-be-treated water91′ in the first container81may also be greater than 90%, and the remaining space in the container81may be filled with hydrogen to avoid a decrease in the partial pressure of the hydrogen gas92in the to-be-treated water91′.

According to the present disclosure, a water composition-generating portable product (P) is provided. An embodiment of the water composition-generating portable product (P) includes the second container82, the silicon material93, the two hydrophilic membrane filters822and the two covers823. In the water composition-generating portable product (P), the arrangements among the second container82, the silicon material93, the two hydrophilic membrane filters822, and the two covers823are as mentioned above and are shown in step (a4′) ofFIG. 4.

From the aforementioned, it is understood that the use of the silicon material93to react with the to-be-treated water91′ can produce the water composition9containing the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92.

Referring toFIG. 6, a first embodiment of a filter42of the present disclosure is adapted for purifying water and producing a water composition9containing silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92(as shown inFIG. 18). The first embodiment of the filter42includes a carrier421and a silicon material422. The carrier421may be a porous material, a non-porous material, or the combination thereof. The silicon material422is supported (e.g., adsorbed) on a surface of the carrier421.

The carrier421is used for supporting the silicon material422. As such, any material that can hold and support the silicon material422may be used in the present disclosure. Examples of the carrier421includes activated carbon, a hollow fiber membrane, bamboo charcoal, porphyritic andesite, quartz sand, fiber, ceramic, and combinations thereof.

The silicon material422used in the filter42is the aforesaid silicon material93. In an embodiment, the carrier421is an activated carbon4211having a plurality of micropores4210distributed on a surface thereof, and the silicon material422is the nano silicon having an average diameter ranging between 100 nm and 250 nm. A portion of the silicon material422is disposed in the micropores4210of the activated carbon4211.

In an exemplary embodiment, based on the weight of the filter42, the carrier41is present in an amount less than or equal to 90 wt %, and the silicon material422is present in an amount greater than or equal to 10 wt %, and thus, the filter42can simultaneously has the functions of water purification and generation of the water composition9. In another exemplary embodiment, the silicon material422is present in an amount between 10 wt % and 40 wt %. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the silicon material422is present in an amount between 15 wt % and 30 wt %. In a further another exemplary embodiment, the silicone material422is present in an amount not smaller than 20 wt %, and the carrier421is present in an amount not greater than 80 wt %. In certain embodiments, the silicon material422may be used alone as the filter42, and is not necessary to be used with the carrier421.

Referring toFIG. 7, a method for making the first embodiment of the filter42of the present disclosure includes: adding a silicon slurry4220(containing a solvent4222(e.g., alcohol) and the silicon material422(e.g., nano silicon)) into a container having stirring function, adding the carrier421(e.g., the activated carbon4211with micropores4210) into the container, and stirring the mixture of the silicon slurry4220and the carrier421so that the silicon material422can enter into the micropores4210of the activated carbon4211through turbulent currents generated by stirring and then is adsorbed on the activated carbon4211. The solvent4222is then removed by e.g., heating, so as to obtain the first embodiment of the filter42.

Referring toFIG. 8, a second embodiment of the filter42of the present disclosure is similar to the first embodiment except that the filter42of the second embodiment further includes a binder423. The binder423binds the silicon material422(e.g., the nano silicon) and the carrier421(e.g., the activated carbon4211), so that a portion of the silicon material422is adsorbed and bound onto the carrier421. In an embodiment of this disclosure, the silicon material422is the nano silicon, and the carrier421is the activated carbon4211, and the binder423and the activated carbon4211together constitute a sintered activated carbon. To be specific, the second embodiment of the filter42is made by mixing the activated carbon4211, the nano silicon (i.e., the silicon material422) and the binder423to obtain a mixture, hot pressing the mixture in a mold to form a green body, and finally sintering the green body into the filter42. It is worth mentioning that after sintering, the binder423is formed with a plurality of holes (not shown in the figure) to allow the water9to flow therethrough.

Referring toFIG. 9, a third embodiment of the filter42of the present disclosure is similar to the first embodiment. The difference resides in that, the carrier421of the third embodiment is a hollow fiber membrane4212having a hollow fiber4213formed with a plurality of through holes4210thereon. The average diameter of the through holes4210ranges between 10 nm and 100 nm. The silicon material422(in this embodiment, the silicon material is nano silicon) is supported onto a surface of the hollow fiber membrane4212. In certain embodiments, the hollow fiber membrane4212may include a plurality of hollow fibers4213, each of which is being formed with the through holes4210(seeFIG. 9).

The method for making the third embodiment of the filter42of the present disclosure includes: mixing the silicon material422with a fluid (e.g., water), directing the silicon material422by a flow direction of the fluid to the hollow fiber membrane4212so that the silicon material422is supported onto the surface of the hollow fiber membrane4212. The fluid also flows through the through holes4210and travels toward an outlet of the hollow fiber membrane4212. In certain embodiments, the silicon material422may be bound onto the hollow fiber membrane4212by virtue of a binder423. Otherwise, the silicon material422may be added during production of the hollow fiber membrane4212.

Referring toFIG. 10, a first embodiment of a filter assembly4of the present disclosure is adapted for purifying water and producing the water composition9containing the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92. The filter assembly4includes a housing41and a filter42as described in any of the above embodiments of the filter42(e.g., the filter42shown inFIGS. 6, 8 and 9). The housing41defines a receiving space40, and has an inlet401and an outlet402which are disposed at two opposite sides of the housing41and which are in fluid communication with the receiving space40. The filter42is received in the receiving space40of the housing41. In certain embodiments, the inlet401is disposed below the outlet402in an operating state.

In certain embodiments, the filter assembly4may further include a water flow-dispersion unit and a blocking unit. The water flow-dispersion unit is located in the receiving space40of the housing41and is adjacent to the inlet401, and the blocking unit is located in the receiving space40of the housing41and is adjacent to the outlet402.

As shown inFIG. 10, in this embodiment, the filter42is the first embodiment of the filter42shown inFIG. 6, and the carrier421is the activated carbon4211distributed uniformly in the receiving space40of the housing41, and the silicon material422is the nano silicon. With the micropores4210in which a portion of the silicon material422is deposited, the contact area between the water91and the silicon material422may be increased, thereby increasing the hydrogen content in the water composition9.

Moreover, in certain embodiments, the filter assembly4is vertically disposed (seeFIGS. 10 to 16) such that the outlet402is located at the opposite end of the housing51which is at a higher level than that of the other opposite end of the housing51. Thus, the loss of the silicon material422along with the flowing of the water may be reduced.

It is noted that, in certain embodiments, the housing41of filter assembly4may be filled with only the silicon material422to produce the water composition9containing the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92.

Apart from directly using the first embodiment of the filter42, the first embodiment of the filter assembly4can also be so prepared that a first portion of the carrier421(i.e., the activated carbon4211), the silicon material422and a second portion of the carrier421(i.e., the activated carbon4211) are sequentially disposed in the receiving space40of the housing41of the filter assembly4in a direction from the inlet401toward the outlet402of the housing41. In use, when to-be-treated water (not shown in this figure) is introduced into the housing41from the inlet401, the first portion of the activated carbon4211disposed proximate to the inlet401can uniformly disperse the to-be-treated water. The silicon material422is moved along the water flow direction (F) and is then supported onto the carrier421. The second portion of the activated carbon4211disposed proximate to the outlet402can reduce the impact of water current and block the silicon material422from flowing out of the housing41. As such, in the first embodiment of the filter assembly4, the first portion of the carrier421disposed proximate to the inlet401is used as the water flow-dispersion unit, and the second portion of the carrier421disposed proximate to the outlet402is used as the blocking unit.

The purpose of the water flow-dispersion unit is to prevent water from accumulating at the inlet401, and to evenly distribute water in the receiving space40of the housing41. As such, the water flow-dispersion unit suitable for this disclosure is not limited to the activated carbon4211mentioned above, and may be glass beads, a partition with holes, a non-woven fabric, and the like. Moreover, the purpose of the blocking unit is to reduce the probability that the silicon material422is being carried out of the receiving space40with the flow water. Therefore, the blocking unit suitable for the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned activated carbon4211. Other materials, such as bamboo charcoal, porphyritic andesite (also known as medical stone), hollow fiber membrane, fiber or quartz sand, etc. that can block the silicon material422at the location proximate to the outlet402are also suitable.

Furthermore, the filter assembly4may further includes a material (e.g., medical stone, etc.) that is capable of releasing trace elements (e.g., rubidium, strontium, selenium, etc.) and/or other minerals (e.g., potassium, etc.). Thus, the water composition9may further includes the trace elements and other minerals in addition to the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92.

Referring toFIG. 11, the second embodiment of the filter assembly4of the present disclosure is similar to the first embodiment except that the filter42used in this embodiment is the one shown inFIG. 8(i.e., the second embodiment of the filter42which includes the binder423). With the binder423which binding the carrier421(e.g., activated carbon4211) and the silicon material422, the silicon material422can be more firmly supported on the carrier421so as to prevent the silicon material422from being flushed with water and flowing out of the housing41.

Referring toFIG. 13, a third embodiment of the filter assembly4of the present disclosure is substantially the same as the first embodiment except that the carrier421is the combination of the activated carbon4211and the hollow fiber membrane4212, and the silicon material422is the nano silicon. That is, the third embodiment of the filter assembly4includes the first embodiment of the filter42and the third embodiment of the filter42. In this embodiment, the activated carbon4211is distributed evenly in a part of the receiving space40of the housing41, and is disposed proximate to the inlet401relative to the hollow fiber membrane filters4212, and the hollow fiber membrane4212is disposed in another part of the receiving space40of the housing41, and is disposed proximate to the outlet402relative to the activated carbon4211.

Apart from directly using the first and third embodiments of the filter42(in which the silicon material422has been distributed in the carrier421), as shown inFIG. 12, the third embodiment of the filter assembly4of the present disclosure can also be so prepared that, a first portion of the activated carbon4211), the silicon material422, a second portion of the activated carbon4211, and the hollow fiber membrane4212are sequentially disposed from the inlet401toward the outlet402of the housing41. In use, the to-be-treated water is introduced into the housing41through the inlet401(not shown in this figure), the to-be-treated water can substantially fill the receiving space40, and drive the silicon material422to move along the water flow direction (F). A portion of the silicon material422is deposited in the micropores4210of the activated carbon4211such that the contact area between the to-be-treated water and the silicon material422may be increased, thereby increasing the hydrogen content in the water composition9. Moreover, the silicon material422not deposited in the micropores4210of the activated carbon4211can still be brought to the hollow fiber membrane4212along the water flow direction (F) and is adsorbed onto the surface of the hollow fiber membrane4212. Thus, the water composition9continues to react with the silicon material422in the hollow fiber membrane4212, and an aeration effect will be occurred here so as to further increase the amount of dissolved hydrogen gas92. In addition, the hollow fiber membrane4212can also block the aggregated and precipitated silicic acid generated due to supersaturation. Since the to-be-treated water is continuously introduced into the filter assembly4, the aggregated and precipitated silicic acid may be further dissolved.

Referring toFIG. 14, a fourth embodiment of the filter assembly4of the present disclosure is substantially the same as the third embodiment. The difference resides in the arrangement of the filter42in the receiving space40of the housing41of the filter assembly4. Similarly, the carrier421is the combination of the activated carbon4211and the hollow fiber membrane4212, and the silicon material422is the nano silicon. The activated carbon4211is distributed evenly in the receiving space40of the housing41, and the hollow fiber membrane4212is located in the receiving space of40of the housing41to surround the activated carbon4211. In this embodiment, the activated carbon4211is disposed proximate to the inlet401, and the hollow fiber membrane4212is disposed proximate to the outlet402. In other words, the receiving space40proximate to the inlet401is filled with the activated carbon4211, and the receiving space40proximate to the outlet402is filled with the hollow fiber membrane4212.

To be specific, in this embodiment, the receiving space40is filled with the first embodiment of the filter42(i.e., the silicon material422deposited in the micropores4210of the activated carbon4211) and the third embodiment of the filter42(i.e., the silicon material422is adsorbed onto the surfaces of the hollow fiber membrane4212), and the third embodiment of the filter42is disposed to surround the first embodiment of the filter42.

Similar to the third embodiment of the filter assembly4shown inFIG. 12, in this embodiment, the silicon material422may be separately disposed in the receiving space40of the housing41from the activated carbon4211and the hollow fiber membrane4212. When the to-be-treated water (not shown inFIG. 14) is introduced into the housing41from the inlet401, the silicon material422can flow along the water flow direction (F) to pass through and thus be supported on the activated carbon4211and the hollow fiber membrane filter4212.

Referring toFIG. 15, a fifth embodiment of the filter assembly4of the present disclosure is substantially the same as the fourth embodiment. The difference resides in the arrangement of the filter42in the receiving space40of the housing41of the filter assembly4, and the positional relationship of the inlet401and the outlet402. Similarly, the carrier421is the combination of the activated carbon4211and the hollow fiber membrane4212, and the silicon material422is the nano silicon. In this embodiment, the inlet401and the outlet402are disposed at the same side of the housing41. The hollow fiber membrane4212is surrounded by the activated carbon4211. In other words, the hollow fiber membrane4212is disposed in the center of the receiving space40, while the activated carbon4211surrounds the hollow fiber membrane4212. The activated carbon4211is disposed proximate to the inlet401, and the hollow fiber membrane filters4212is disposed proximate to the outlet402. In other words, the receiving space40adjacent to the inlet401is filled with the activated carbon4211, and the receiving space40adjacent to the outlet402is filled with the hollow fiber membrane4212.

In use, to-be-treated water (not shown inFIG. 15) is introduced into the housing41from the inlet401and passes through the activated carbon4211, and then reacts with the silicon material422supported on the activated carbon4211to generate the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92. The water composition9containing the dissolved silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92flow into the through holes4210of the hollow fiber membrane4212and then flow out of the housing41through the outlet402. Some of the silicon material422can be brought to the position where the hollow fiber membrane4212is located along the water flow direction (F) and is supported on the hollow fiber membrane4212.

It should be noted that, in the first to fourth embodiments of the filter assembly4, the inlet401and the outlet402may be disposed at the same side of the housing41.

Referring toFIG. 16, a sixth embodiment of the filter assembly4of the present disclosure is similar to the third embodiment except that the sixth embodiment of the filter assembly4further includes a detachable connecting member43, and has differences in detailed structure of the housing41and the arrangement of the filter42.

Specifically, the housing41has a first member411and a second member412detachable from each other. The first member411and the second member412respectively include the inlet401and the outlet402of the housing41. Each of the first member411and the second member412has a connecting section4111,4121. In use, the connecting sections4111,4121face each other and are in spatial communication with each other. The detachable connecting member43is connected to and is disposed between the first member411and the second member412, and the receiving space40of the housing41is defined cooperatively by the first member411and the second member412. In this embodiment, the carrier421is the combination of the activated carbon4211and the hollow fiber membrane4212, and the silicon material422is the nano silicon. In this embodiment, the activated carbon4211is located in the first member411of the housing41, and the hollow fiber membrane4212is located in the second member412of the housing41. In other words, the first embodiment of the filter42(i.e., the silicon material422(such as the nano silicon) deposited in the micropores4210of the activated carbon4211) is filled in the first member411, while the third embodiment of the filter42(i.e., the silicon material422(such as the nano silicon) is supported on the surface of the hollow fiber membrane4212) is filled in the second member412.

In this embodiment, the detachable connecting member43is a rotary connection assembly. The connecting section4111,4121of each of the first member411and the second member412is formed with an external thread4112,4122and a loop groove4113,4123that is in the shape of a loop. The loop groove4113of the first member411and the loop groove4123of the second member412face each other to define an accommodating space44. The rotary connection assembly of the detachable connecting member43includes a nut431formed with an internal thread4310, an elastic inner seal ring433and a pair of elastic outer seal rings432. The nut431is formed with an upper recess4311and a lower recess4312respectively recessed in two opposite ends of the nut. The outer seal rings432are respectively disposed in the upper recess4311and the lower recess4312. The inner seal ring433is disposed in the accommodating space44defined by the loop grooves4113,4123of the first member411and the second member412. To be specific, the external threads4112,4122of the first member411and the second member412are threadedly connected to the internal thread4310of the nuts431so as to connect the first member411and the second member412and define the receiving space40of the housing41. The inner seal ring433and the outer seal rings432seal the receiving space40to avoid leakage of to-be-treated water (not shown inFIG. 16) from the receiving space40.

The first and second members411,412may be connected with the detachable connecting member43by virtue of other connecting manner. In certain embodiments, the first and second members411,412are inserted fittingly in the detachable connecting member43.

FIG. 16shows a state where the water has yet to be introduced into the second member412of the housing41. Once the sixth embodiment of the filter assembly4is put to use, the silicon material422can be carried to the second member412along with water flow direction (F) so as to be supported onto the surface of the hollow fiber membrane4212.

In this embodiment, the filter assembly4is a separable filter assembly. Briefly, when the silicon material422of the first embodiment of the filter42filled in the first member411is unable to be reacted with water to produce the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92, the nut431of the rotational connection assembly is loosened to detach the first member411from the second member412, so that the filter42in the first member411can be replaced. After replacement, the nut431of the rotational connection assembly is tightened to connect the connecting segment4111of the first member411and the connecting segment4121of the second member412. In this situation, the housing41of the filter assembly4can be repeatedly used so as to achieve cost-saving.

Referring toFIGS. 17 and 18, a first embodiment of a water purification system of the present disclosure is used to produce the water composition9containing the silicic acid (not shown in the figure) and the hydrogen gas92. The water purification system includes at least one of the aforesaid filter assemblies4(i.e., the first to sixth embodiments of the filter assemblies4) as a first filter assembly and a pipeline unit7.

The water purification system may optionally further include a degassing unit3, at least one second filter assembly5, and/or an ultraviolet light sterilization unit6. The water purification system may be connected to a water-generating device2that can generate to-be-treated water91′ to be fed into and treated by the water purification system. The water-generating device2includes an inlet201and an outlet202, and may be a commercially available reverse osmosis (R.O.) device, or any other type of water purification equipment. Thus, the to-be-treated water91′ to be fed into the water purification system of this disclosure is filtered water. However, natural water, underground water or other unfiltered water may be used directly as well. It should be noted that, under appropriate circumstance (e.g., the R.O. device is used as the water-generating device2), the water purification system of the present disclosure may merely include the aforesaid filter assembly4of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the degassing unit3is disposed upstream of the first filter assembly4in the water flow direction (F), and is connected to the first filter assembly4through a transport pipe72of the pipeline unit7. Specifically, the degassing unit3includes a casing31defining a receiving space30therein and a degassing member32received in the receiving space30. The degassing unit3is used to remove gases (e.g., CO2, O2, N2, etc.) originally dissolved in the to-be-treated water91′ so as to enhance the amount of hydrogen to be dissolved in the water91of the water composition9. The degassing unit3suitable for use in the water purification system of this disclosure may be a filter-type air extractor, or any other type of filter capable of adsorbing gas.

In certain embodiments, the second filter assembly5is disposed downstream of the first filter assembly4along the water flow direction (F). The second filter assembly5includes a housing51defined with a receiving space50, and a porous material52filled in the receiving space50. The housing51of the second filter assembly5includes an inlet501and an outlet502disposed at two opposite ends of the housing51and in fluid communication with the receiving space50. The porous material52of the second filter assembly5may be activated carbon521, a hollow fiber membrane522or the combination thereof. The first filter assembly4and the second filter assembly5are fluidly connected each other through a transport pipe72of the pipeline unit7.

The ultraviolet sterilizing unit6is disposed downstream of the first filter assembly4along the water flow direction (F), and is fluidly connected to the first filter assembly4via the pipeline unit7for sterilizing the water composition9. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet sterilizing unit6is disposed downstream of the first filter assembly4and the second filter assembly5. Specifically, the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6includes a housing61defining a receiving space60, and an ultraviolet lamp unit62. The housing61includes an inlet601and an outlet602disposed at two opposite ends of the housing61and in fluid communication with the receiving space60. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet lamp unit62includes a plurality of UV lamps arranged in a direction from the inlet601to the outlet602.

Referring toFIG. 17, the inlet201of the water-generating device2is connected to an inlet pipe71. The water composition9flows out of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6through an outlet pipe73.

In this embodiment, the water purification system includes the degassing unit3, two of the first filter assemblies4, the second filter assembly5and the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6sequentially arranged along the water flow direction (F). The number of the transport pipe72of the pipeline unit7is five. In this embodiment, each of the first filter assemblies4is the first embodiment of the filter assembly4shown inFIG. 10. The second filter assembly5is disposed in an upright position, and the porous material52of the second filter assembly5is the hollow fiber membrane522.

To be specific, the inlet pipe71is connected to the inlet201of the water unit2, and the five transport pipes72respectively connect the outlet202of the water-generating device2and an inlet301of the degassing unit3, an outlet302of the degassing unit3and an inlet401of one of the two first filter assemblies4immediately connected to the degassing unit3(hereinafter referred to as upstream first filter assembly), an outlet402of the upstream first filter assembly4and an inlet401of the other one of the first filter assemblies4disposed downstream of the upstream first filter assembly (hereinafter referred to as downstream first filter assembly), an outlet402of the downstream first filter assembly4and the inlet501of the second filter assembly5, and the outlet502of the second filter assembly5and the inlet601of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6. The outlet pipe73is to be connected to the outlet602of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6.

Furthermore, when the water composition9moves along the water flow direction (F), disturbance phenomenon might occur naturally. This disturbance phenomenon may gradually result in accumulation of gas that may affect the flow of the water composition9. Thus, the reason for placing the second filter assembly5in an upright position is for the hollow fiber membrane522in the receiving space50of the housing51to be arranged in the upright position, so that the gas accumulating in the receiving space50of the second filter assembly5can be easily expelled out from the outlet502to the transport pipe72.

Referring again toFIG. 17andFIG. 18, the first embodiment of the water purification system may be used in a method for producing a second embodiment of the water composition9of the present disclosure. The method for producing the second embodiment of the water composition9includes the steps of: delivering the to-be-treated water91′ produced by the water-generating device2to the degassing unit3to remove CO2, O2and N2in the to-be-treated water91′, and introducing the to-be-treated water91′ that has been degassed to flow through the pipeline unit7from the outlet302of the degassing unit3to the upstream first filter assembly4so as to react the to-be-treated water91′ with the silicon material422supported on the carrier421(e.g., activated carbon4211), thereby generating the water composition9containing the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92; delivering the water composition9(containing the water91, the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92) and a part of the silicon material422from the outlet402of the upstream first filter assembly4through the transport pipe72of the pipeline unit7into the downstream first filter assembly4, so that the water composition9continues to react with the silicon material422of the downstream first filter assembly4to further generate the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92so as to increase the content of the dissolved hydrogen gas92of the water composition9, and then delivering the water composition9from the outlet402of the downstream first filter assembly4through the pipeline unit7into the second filter assembly5, in which the water composition9flows through the hollow fiber membrane522of the second filter assembly5along the water flow direction (F) so that the silicon material422released from the first filter assemblies4is partially or completely adsorbed on the hollow fiber membrane522, and introducing the water composition9from the outlet502of the second filter assembly5along the water flow direction (F) into the receiving space60of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6to sterilize the water composition9using the ultraviolet lamp unit62, and then delivering the water composition9from the outlet602of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6to the outlet pipe73.

In the second embodiment of the water composition9produced by the aforesaid, the concentration of the silicic acid dissolved in the water91is between 40 mg/L and the saturation concentration of the silicic acid, and the ORP of the water composition9is below −500 mV. In certain embodiments, the ORP of the second embodiment of the water composition9is less than or equal to −650 mV.

It is worth mentioning that the number of the first filter assembly4may vary. The more the number of the first filter assembly4, the lower the ORP value will be. Furthermore, if the downstream first filter assembly4is the one having the hollow fiber membrane4212(i.e., the third to sixth embodiments of the filter assemblies4respectively shown inFIGS. 13 to 16), the second filter assembly5can be omitted.

Apart from being used as drinking water, the water composition9of the present disclosure can be added into an article that will be applied to plants or animals so as to slow down the oxidation rate of the article, the plants and the animals, or to facilitate formation of the connective tissue in the animals. The article may be one that can be externally or internally applied to the animals. Examples of the article may include, but are not limited to, a skin care product or a beverage. The animal may be a vertebrate, but is not limited thereto. Examples of the skin care product may include, but are not limited to toning lotions, moisturizing lotions, moisturizing creams, essences, whitening lotions, whitening milks, whitening creams, etc. In addition, examples of the beverage includes e.g., apple juice. The water composition9can be used to enhance the preservation of the beverage. The water composition9of this disclosure can also be used in any other application where water is needed except for applications where hydrogen and/or silicic acid cannot be used.

Referring toFIG. 19andFIG. 20, the second embodiment of the water purification system of the present disclosure is substantially the same as the first embodiment. The differences reside in that the second embodiment of the water purification system does not include the degassing unit3, but further includes a discharge unit74and two measuring units75. Moreover, the second embodiment of the water purification system includes one first filter assembly4and a plurality of the second filter assemblies5. In this embodiment, the number of the second filter assembly5is two (the upstream second filter assembly and the downstream second filter assembly disposed downstream of the upstream second filter assembly), and thus the pipeline unit7has four of the transport pipes72. The porous materials52filled in the receiving spaces50of the upstream and downstream second filter assemblies5are respectively the activated carbon521and the hollow fiber membrane522. The upstream second filter assembly5further includes a nanometer silver53supported on the activated carbon521.

Referring toFIG. 19, the discharge unit74is disposed downstream of the downstream second filter assembly5, and is operationally connected to the pipeline unit7. Specifically, the discharge unit74is a pressure relief valve operationally and fluidly connected to the transport pipe72and is disposed downstream of the outlet502of the downstream second filter assembly5and upstream of the inlet601of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6for discharging a liquid, gas, or the combination thereof from the pipeline unit7. During production of the water composition9in the first filter assembly4and the second filter assemblies5, gas will be continuously generated and accumulated due to disturbance of the water91, causing undesired high pressure in the transport pipes72that can adversely affect the water flow. The discharge unit74(e.g., the pressure relief valve) included in the second embodiment of the water purification system could release the undesired high pressure in the transport pipes72so as to enhance the liquid flow.

In this embodiment, the two measuring units75are respectively mounted upstream and downstream of the first filter assembly4along the water flow direction (F). Specifically, one of the measuring units75disposed upstream of the first filter assembly4(hereinafter referred to as upstream measuring unit) is operationally connected to the transport pipe72that connects the outlet202of the water-generating device2and the inlet401of the first filter assembly4, whereas the other one of the measuring units75disposed downstream of the first filter assembly4(hereinafter referred to as downstream measuring unit) is operationally connected to the transport pipe72that connects the outlet502of the second filter assembly5and the inlet601of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit6, and is disposed downstream of the discharge unit74. The measuring units75are used to measure the amount of the total dissolved solid (TDS) in the fluid. In this embodiment, the measuring units75are TDS meters. When the to-be-treated water91′ is R.O. water, the amount of total dissolved solids (hereinafter referred to as Vt) measured by the downstream measuring unit75will be greater than the amount of total dissolved solids (hereinafter referred to as V0) measured by the upstream measuring unit75. Once the difference (ΔV) between Vtand V0is smaller than a predetermined value, it indicates that the amount of the silicic acid in the water composition9has gradually decreased, and replacement of the filter42of the first filter assembly4is needed.

Referring toFIG. 21, the third embodiment of the water purification system of this disclosure is similar to the second embodiment. The difference resides in that the water purification system of the third embodiment further includes a flow meter76, and the discharge unit74is disposed between the upstream second filter assembly5and the downstream second filter assembly5. The flow meter76is disposed upstream of the first filter assembly4along the water flow direction (F).

In this embodiment, the discharge unit74(e.g., gas discharge valve) is operationally connected to the transport pipe72connecting the inlet501of the downstream second filter assembly5and the outlet502of the upstream second filter assembly5. For the upstream second filter assembly5, the level of the inlet501is lower than that of the outlet502thereof. For the downstream second filter assembly5, the level of the inlet501of is higher than that of the outlet502thereof. The aforesaid arrangement of the second filter assemblies5and the arrangement of the discharge unit74are designed to enhance gas-discharging effect, and to reduce the accumulation of gas in the receiving spaces50of the second filter assemblies5.

In addition, the flow meter76is connected to the transport pipe72that connects the outlet202of the water-generating device2and the inlet401of the first filter assembly4, and is disposed upstream of the upstream measuring unit75. It should be noted that, when the discharge unit74is not turned on in time to discharge the accumulated gas, or either one or both of the first filter assembly4and the second filter assembly5is clogged, the water flow speed will be reduced (e.g., drop to 0.4 L/min from 0.9-2 L/min) and will be detected by the flow meter76. The reduced water flow speed might seriously affect water generating speed and water quality (such as increased bacteria number, changes in taste, etc.) of the water composition9. Thus, when the reduced water flow speed is detected by the flow meter76, the discharge unit74can be turned on in time to discharge the gas accumulating in the transport pipe72. Moreover, by incorporating the information about ΔV, reduction in water flow speed, and period of use of the first filter assembly4and the second filter assembly5, the need for replacing the first filter assembly4and the second filter assembly5can be determined by the user.

The disclosure will be further described by way of the following examples. However, it should be understood that the following examples are solely intended for the purpose of illustration and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure in practice.

Examples

Preparation 1: Water Composition of Example 1 and Method for Making the Same

A water composition of Example 1 is the first embodiment of the water composition9as mentioned above, and the method for making the water composition of Example 1 is based on the method described inFIGS. 2 to 5.

First, a small amount of drinking water was filled in a first container having a capacity of 1 L. Next, a bottom opening of a second container having a capacity of 30 mL was covered with a hydrophilic membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 220 nm, and the second container was filled with 150 mg of nano non-porous silicon (purity: 99.35%, average diameter: 200 nm). After filling the second container with drinking water, a top opening of the second container was covered with another hydrophilic membrane filter having an average pore diameter of 220 nm. Then, the top and bottom openings of the second container were respectively covered with two covers each having a through hole. The second container filled with the nano non-porous silicon and the drinking water was placed in the first container. The nano non-porous silicon was obtained by grinding a silicon wafer having a purity of 9N. Afterwards, a remaining space in the first container was filled with the drinking water, and then the first container was sealed. Finally, the first container was inverted in an upside down position. The drinking water was continuously reacted with the nano non-porous silicon to generate silicic acid and hydrogen gas so as to obtain the water composition of Example 1. Two samples of the water composition9were prepared. One of the samples of the water composition9was subjected to ORP and the silicic acid concentration measurements after 13 days, and the other one of the samples of the water composition9was subjected to such measurements after 28 days.

The ORP of the water composition of Example 1 was measured using electrodes (Manufacturer: JAQUA; Model: EO221) and an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) analyzer (Manufacturer: Horiba Ltd.; Model: F-51). The water composition was subjected to colorimetric measurement using a silicate test kit (MColortest™, Merck) to determine silicic acid concentration. The analyzed data of the water composition of Example 1 is shown in Table 1.

When the first container was opened after 28 days for determining the concentration of silicic acid and the ORP value, the concentration of the silicic acid and ORP value of the water composition of Example 1 were 3 mg/L and −446 mV, respectively. However, the applicants found that when the silicic acid and hydrogen gas in the second container82diffused evenly throughout the first container81, the silicic acid present in the water composition is in a concentration of not lower than 11 mg/mL, and the ORP value might be lower than −500 mV.

Preparation 2: Water Composition of Example 2 and Method for Making the Same

A water composition9of Example 2 was made using the second embodiment of a filter assembly4(i.e., the filter assembly4shown inFIG. 11, in which a binder423is used to bind a portion of the silicon material (e.g., nano silicon)422and the activated carbon4211.

Referring again toFIG. 11, drinking water was introduced into the inlet401of the filter assembly4, and was reacted with the silicon material422of the filter42to generate silicic acid and hydrogen gas92so as to obtain the water composition9containing the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas92. The water composition9of Example 2 then flowed out of the filter assembly4from the outlet402. The specification and source of the silicon material422were the same as those used in Preparation 1. The activated carbon4211was a coconut shell activated carbon purchased from Goldstar Carbon Tech Inc., Taiwan, having a diameter between 150 and 380 μm, and the binder423was an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene purchased from Celanese Corporation (Model No: GUR2122).

The silicic acid concentration and the ORP value of the water composition9of Example 2 were determined using the same method as used in Preparation 1, and the analyzed data are summarized in Table 2.

Preparation 3: Filter and Method for Making the Same

A filter as shown inFIG. 6(i.e., the first embodiment of the filter42) was made using the method for making the filter shown inFIG. 7. The specification and source of nano non-porous silicon used herein were the same as those used in Preparation 1. The activated carbon was purchased from Haycarb PLC (Model No: RWAP 1074), and had a diameter approximately between 0.425 mm and 1.7 mm (hereinafter referred to as HB activated carbon).

First, 80 g of the nano non-porous silicon and alcohol with 99.5% purity were evenly mixed to obtain a nano non-porous silicon slurry with a solid content of 20%. Next, 270 g of the activated carbon was added to the nano non-porous silicon slurry and the obtained mixture was stirred evenly in order for the nano non-porous silicon in the nano non-porous silicon slurry to be deposited on the activated carbon (some of the nano non-porous silicon was situated in the micropores4210). Finally, the mixture was dried to remove the alcohol therein, thereby obtaining the filter. The weight percentage of the activated carbon and the nano non-porous silicon in the filter of Preparation 3 were 77.1 wt % and 22.9 wt %, respectively.

Preparation 4: Filter Assembly and Method for Making the Same

A filter assembly as shown inFIG. 10(i.e., the first embodiment of the filter assembly4) was prepared. The specification and source of the nano non-porous silicon used herein were the same as those used in Preparation 1, and the activated carbon was the HB activated carbon as mentioned above.

First, 50 g of the activated carbon (bottom portion), 100 g of the nano non-porous silicon (middle portion), and 230 g of the activated carbon (top portion) were sequentially filled into a receiving space of a housing through an outlet of the housing. The weight percentage of the total activated carbon and the nano non-porous silicon were 73.7 wt % and 26.3 wt %, respectively. Then, the inlet and the outlet of the housing were respectively connected to a transport pipe of pipeline unit. A drinking water was then introduced into the receiving space from the inlet, and flowed toward the outlet. The nano non-porous silicon was moved by the water flow and then was deposited in the micropores4210of the activated carbon4211. When the drinking water was reacted with the nano non-porous silicon, silicic acid and hydrogen gas were generated. The nano non-porous silicon deposited in the micropores of the activated carbon facilitates an increase in the amount of dissolved hydrogen as mentioned above.

Preparation 5: Water Composition of Example 3 and Method for Making the Same

A water composition of Example 3 was prepared using the first embodiment of the water purification system (containing two first filter assemblies, i.e., upstream first filter assembly and downstream first filter assembly) and one second filter assembly. The two first filter assemblies were made using the method described in Preparation 4. The specification and source of nano non-porous silicon used herein were the same as those used in Preparation 1, and activated carbon was the HB activated carbon as mentioned above.

First, a drinking water produced by an R.O. device (Manufacturer: ADD; Model No.: 400P) was introduced from an outlet of the R.O. device into a membrane degasifier through a pipe to remove CO2, O2and N2from the drinking water. The drinking water was then introduced from an outlet of the membrane degasifier into the upstream first filter assembly through a pipeline unit. The drinking water was then reacted with the nano non-porous silicon of the upstream first filter assembly to generate silicic acid and hydrogen gas so as to obtain the water composition. The water composition (containing the drinking water, silicic acid, and hydrogen gas) and a portion of the nano non-porous silicon were then introduced from an outlet of the upstream first filter assembly through a transport pipe of the pipeline unit to the downstream first filter assembly. The drinking water of the water composition was continuously reacted with the nano non-porous silicon filled in the downstream first filter assembly to generate silicic acid and hydrogen gas, thereby increasing the amount of the silicic acid and the dissolved hydrogen.

Subsequently, the water composition was delivered from an outlet of the downstream first filter assembly to the second filter assembly through the pipeline unit. The second filter assembly contained a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (Manufacturer: Sampo Corporation; Model: FJ-V1203BL). All or a part of the nano non-porous silicon was adsorbed onto the hollow fiber membranes. The water composition was then introduced from an outlet of the second filter assembly through the pipeline unit to an ultraviolet light sterilization unit (Manufacturer: KC-FLOW; Model: 16W-2GPM) to disinfect the water composition.

Finally, the disinfected water composition (i.e., water composition of Example 3) then flowed out of the water purification system from an outlet of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit.

It should be noted that the filter used in the first filter assemblies of the water purification system may be other filter as mentioned above.

The drinking water to be fed into the first filter assemblies, the water composition immediately flowing from the outlet of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit, and the total water composition produced using the water purification system and collected for 15 days, were subjected to the ORP value and the silicic acid concentration measurements. The data are summarized in Table 3.

TABLE 3Silicic acidORP (mV)concentration (mg/L)Drinking water to be fed280~3000.3into the first filterassembliesWater composition flowing<−500>42from the outlet of theultraviolet lightsterilization unitTotal water composition−576>42collected for 15 days

Furthermore, 900 mL of the water composition of Example 3 flowing from the outlet of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit was directly received and sealed in a 1 L bottle to obtain Sample A with a filling rate of 90%. 230 mL of the water composition of Example 3 flowing from the outlet of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit was directly received and sealed in a 1 L bottle to obtain Sample B with a filling rate of 23%. 215 mL of the water composition of Example 3 flowing from the outlet of the ultraviolet light sterilization unit was directly received and sealed in a 230 mL bottle to obtain Sample C with a filling rate of 93.48%. After the bottles of Samples A to C were opened, variation in ORP values of Samples A to C over time was recorded. Referring toFIG. 22, for Sample A, the ORP value at 60-minute mark (60 minutes after the bottles of Sample A were opened) is about −500 mV, and the OPR value at 432-minute mark had increased to −100 mV. For Sample B, the ORP value at 432-minute mark is below −450 mV. For Sample C, the ORP value at 432-minute mark is approximately −530 mV. Thus, it is revealed that the water composition of Example 3 of this disclosure has good stability of OPR.

Application Example

In order to further prove that the water composition of this disclosure has oxidation-reducing effect, apple juice was used in the Application Example. To be specific, 100 mL of apple juice was added into a 0.2 L glass bottle, and then 100 mL of the water composition of Example 3 was added into the bottle to obtain test sample A. To prepare test sample B (as a Comparative Example), 100 mL of apple juice was added into a 0.2 L glass bottle, and then 100 mL of the drinking water used in Example 3 (i.e., the drinking water to be fed into the filter assembly4) was added into the bottle to obtain test sample B. Test samples A and B were sealed and then inverted upside down, and the color change of test samples A and B was observed. As shown byFIG. 23, the left glass bottle in each picture is test sample A and the right glass bottle in each picture is test sample B. Result showed that at 3 hours after the glass bottles were sealed, test sample B (i.e., right glass bottle) has changed from grey color to dark grey color, which indicates that the apple juice of test sample B was significantly oxidized. Moreover, the color of test sample B was darker than that of test sample A after 2 hours and also after 3 hours, which indicates that the water composition of Example 3 was able to reduce oxidation rate.

In summary, the filter, filter assembly, and the water purification system (which contains the silicon material or the combination of the silicon material and the carrier) of this disclosure can be used to produce the water composition containing the silicic acid and the hydrogen gas by reacting water with the silicon material. The obtained water composition containing silicic acid is likely to be beneficial for the formation of human connective tissues, and also exhibits oxidation-reducing effect. The water composition9of this disclosure is relatively safe compared to the conventional hydrogen-dissolved drinking water that contains magnesium hydroxide.