Abstract:
A system and a method for treating water, the system comprising a first conduit having an inlet and an outlet with an ozone generator situated thereon, the ozone generator being operative to selectively treat water flowing through the conduit with the ozone, a sensor to measure the oxidation reduction potential of water, the sensor being operatively connected to the ozone generator, a holding tank situated at the outlet of the first conduit, the holding tank having a gas outlet conduit and a gas release valve, a second conduit extending from the holding tank, and an activated carbon filter on the second conduit.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 12/807,542 filed Sep. 7, 2010 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a system and a method and more particularly, relates to a water treatment system and a method for treating water. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The treatment of water for many purposes is well known in the art. In most industrialized countries, the water is treated centrally for distribution to residences and businesses. Normally, the treatment will include the use of chlorine to ensure that any bacteria in the water are killed. 
         [0004]    In some instances, the central treatment of water is not possible, particularly in rural locations, and accordingly an alternative method of treating water is desirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for the treatment of water and which system is compact and suitable for residential use. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for the treatment of water wherein the water is effectively treated within a holding tank. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water treatment system comprising a first conduit having an inlet and an outlet, an ozone generator situated on the conduit, the ozone generator being operative to selectively treat water flowing through the conduit with ozone from the ozone generator, a sensor to measure the oxidation reduction potential of the water, the sensor being operatively connected to the ozone generator, a holding tank situated at the outlet of the first conduit, the holding tank having a gas outlet conduit and a gas release valve, a second conduit extending from the holding tank, and an activated carbon filter on the second conduit. 
         [0008]    According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for treating water comprising the steps of passing water through a conduit, measuring the oxidation reduction potential of the water in the conduit, generating ozone and introducing the ozone into the water when the oxidation reduction potential falls below a first predetermined value and until the oxidation reduction potential reaches a second predetermined value, discharging the water into a holding tank to permit the ozone to treat the water, and withdrawing water from the tank as needed and passing the water through an activated carbon filter. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides for the treatment of water with ozone. The use of ozone for such purposes is known in the art. Ozone has an extremely high oxidating power. Ozone is a triatomic molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is an ellotrope of oxygen and is much less stable than the diatomic ellotrope. Ozone is present in low concentrations in the earth&#39;s atmosphere. The injection of tiny ozone bubbles into water saturates every drop of the water. At this point, oxidation of iron, sulfur and manganese is immediate and produces micro-floculation. 
         [0010]    Ozone is also a disinfectant that kills all e-coli bacteria on contact. As well, it will kill fungus, mold and yeast and will precipitate all the heavy metals. It is also useful for reducing scale build-up on equipment such as pipes and water heaters and to prevent staining on showers, sinks, bathtubs and toilets. 
         [0011]    In operation, water will enter the first conduit from a suitable source thereof. The treatment process and system of the present invention may conveniently be utilized in residential applications, but could equally well be utilized in many other situations. As water passes through the conduit, it enters the holding tank. As the water rises, the air vent will evacuate excess air to avoid overly high pressures with low levels of water. 
         [0012]    Subsequently, in one embodiment, the booster pump pushes the water through a venturi injector which creates a vacuum in order for the ozone to mix with the water. After the venturi injector, the ozonated water mixes with the incoming water from the well. 
         [0013]    As the water reaches the level of the float air vent, the vent is closed, pressure builds up and the filling will be stopped at a pressure of approximately 50 to 80 psi and more preferably, around 60 psi. The ozonation process continues until the oxidation reduction potential sensor detects a level of approximately 800 mV at 0.9 ppm. The sensor naturally controls the ozone generator and the recirculation pump until the water is sterilized. While the water is sterile, it stays in the tank until it is ready to be consumed. When the water is needed, it will pass through the activated carbon filter to eliminate any residual ozone in the water. 
         [0014]    While the water is being used, the pressure in the tank will drop. When it reaches a predetermined level (such as 30 psi) a signal is sent to the well pump to add water and keep filling the tank until the pressure reaches the upper predetermined level (approximately 60 psi). 
         [0015]    When the oxidation reduction potential drops to a predetermined level (approximately 500 mV), the ozonation system and the recirculation pump start up and add ozone to the water in order to purify the same. 
         [0016]    The ozone generator is known in the art and is typically used with an oxygen concentrator and an air dryer. Typically, dry air or oxygen is drawn into the ozone generator at which point the air is charged with a high voltage. As the concentrated oxygen is drawn into the ozone generator, the high voltage splits some oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms. This causes the atoms to react with the oxygen molecules to form triatomic ozone. 
         [0017]    As aforementioned, the ozone injection is preferably done with a venturi injector but can also be done with a ceramic, or a stainless steel membrane diffuser. It has a water inlet and outlet and a suction to inject the ozone into the water. Typically, this is an efficient process as the water will dissolve approximately 90% of the ozone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a water treatment system according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a water treatment system according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a water treatment system according to the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a water treatment system according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a schematic of a water treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a first conduit  10  which has an inlet  12  to which water is supplied. The water may be from a well or a municipal system or another suitable source. 
         [0024]    A check valve  14  is mounted at inlet  10  such that no reverse flow of water may occur. 
         [0025]    An air compressor  16  takes ambient air, compresses the same, and passes it through conduit  18  as indicated by arrow  20 . 
         [0026]    An oxygen concentrator  22  takes the compressed air and concentrates the oxygen component thereof. The concentrated oxygen is then passed through conduit  24  as indicated by arrow  26 . An ozone generator  28  receives the concentrated oxygen from oxygen concentrator  22  and generates ozone. Typically, the ozone generator uses high voltage electricity. 
         [0027]    The ozone is then pumped through conduit  30  as indicated by arrow  32  where the ozone injection apparatus provides for the injection of tiny ozone bubbles into the water. This may conveniently be done through a venturi  34  or an air diffuser. A water pump  36  is also provided, but it can be done without a water pump by using high pressure air injection. 
         [0028]    An oxygen reduction potential sensor  38  is mounted on first conduit  10  and is operatively connected to an oxidation reduction potential controller  40 . Controller  40  is connected to ozone diffuser by connection  42 . 
         [0029]    At the outlet  44  from ozone diffuser  34 , there is flow as indicated by arrow  43  to a storage tank  46 . 
         [0030]    Storage tank  46  has a gas outlet conduit  48  at an upper portion thereof to permit outflow of gases from within storage tank  46 . Mounted on gas outlet  48  is a gas release solenoid valve  50 . The gas release solenoid valve  50  operates with a float value  64 . Float value  64  may also be situated on the upper side of tank  46  at the desired water height level on a bulkhead fitting. When water level drops due to excessive gas pressure build-up, the float activates the solenoid valve so that it opens and releases the pent up air that caused the water level drop, the pressure in the tank drops and the well pump or solenoid activates, adding additional water to the tank, up until the water reaches and deactivates the float. It is understood that the ozone generator  28 , oxygen concentrator  22  and compressor  16  are all activated as soon as fresh water from line  12  enters the system. Thus, the water level in tank  46  to be controlled adequately, requires two level controllers one for the gas evacuation and one for the maintenance of water level through pressure. 
         [0031]    Also, pipe  48  being narrow and sealed on one end causes water to be trapped within, not letting it drain. To prevent this water entrapment, drain pipe  68  connects the float chamber with tank  46 , forming an air passage that permits the water to drain in pipe  48 . 
         [0032]    An evacuation pipe  48  has a dual function, it acts as an air evacuation system and also as a level control for tank  46 . The length that the pipe enters the tank is a level control. 
         [0033]    At the lower end of storage tank  56 , there is provided a second conduit from which the ozonated water may flow as indicated by arrow  54 . The water flows to an activated carbon filter  56  and is then suitable for use as required. 
         [0034]    A transfer conduit  58  extends between first conduit  10  and second conduit  52  and there is a one way valve thereon to permit flow from second conduit  52  back to first conduit  10 . 
         [0035]    A pressure switch  62  is mounted on second conduit  52  which may be connected to a well pump or a solenoid to tap water. 
         [0036]    As may be seen from the above description, there is provided a water treatment system which does not require the use of a pump to pressurize the system; rather, the system employs the pressure supplied by the water as it arrives at the treatment system. 
         [0037]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the reference numerals utilized are similar to those of  FIG. 1  for similar components, but in the  100 &#39;s. As will be seen from  FIG. 2 , the well or tap water inlet  112  has a check valve  114  mounted thereon. In this arrangement, pressure switch  162  is mounted at the inlet while an inline mixer  170  is provided. The ozone from ozone generator  128  is fed from line  130  to venturi  134 . An inlet  176  extends from tank  146  through one way valve  135  to the inlet. 
         [0038]    In the arrangement of  FIG. 3 , reference numerals in the  200 &#39;s are used for similar components. 
         [0039]    As may be seen from this drawing, pressure switch  262  is arranged to send a signal to a solenoid  284  or the well pump. There is provided an inline mixer  274 . 
         [0040]    Turning to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a further system for the treatment of water. The system is designed to be self-contained and can be used either for a single residence or for a small building which may, for example, contain a plurality of independent living units. 
         [0041]    The system contains a conduit for air which is generally designated by reference numeral  308 . At the beginning of conduit  308 , there is provided an air filter  310  through which air may flow on its way to an air compressor  312 , the air flows through conduit  308  to an air cooler  314 . Preferably, in the actual physical construction, air cooler  314  is placed within a pressurized reaction tank  340  as will be discussed hereinbelow. 
         [0042]    The cooled air then goes further downstream to a moisture separator  316 . A pressure regulator  318  is provided on conduit  308 . 
         [0043]    The dryer air then goes through an oxygen concentrator  320 . Oxygen concentrator  320  preferably uses pressure swing absorption technology to generate oxygen. A typical arrangement includes cylinders filled with zeolite which under high pressure has the ability to absorb nitrogen and allow only oxygen to pass through. When the zeolite becomes saturated with nitrogen, the pressure in the cylinder is released to exhaust nitrogen to the atmosphere while another cylinder with fresh zeolite is used to continue to absorb nitrogen and permit the passage of oxygen. The cycle is continued through a number of such cylinders to produce a continuous flow of highly concentrated oxygen. Preferably, at the exit, one is provided with 90 to 95% pure oxygen at a flow rate typically of between 3 litres per minute to 5 litres per minute. 
         [0044]    The concentrated oxygen is then passed further downstream through conduit  308  to an ozone generator  322 . Ozone generator  322  uses the oxygen generated by the oxygen generator to produce highly concentrated ozone. Any type of ozone generators may be utilized with a typical ozone generator utilizing corona discharge inside a reaction chamber. The oxygen is fed into the reaction chamber and as it comes in contact with the corona discharge, it breaks down into oxygen atoms which subsequently recombine to form ozone molecules. Typically, such a system could produce 5 to 10 grams of ozone per hour at a concentration of 7 to 12%. 
         [0045]    The system takes water from an untreated water source  326  and passes the same through conduit  328  and filter  329 . On conduit  328  there is provided a flow switch  330  and a check valve  332 . Further downstream, there is provided a flow control valve  334  followed by a pump  336 . 
         [0046]    Pump  336  is arranged to pump the untreated water and mix the same with ozone from conduit  308 . 
         [0047]    At the outlet side of pump  336 , there is provided a check valve  338  through which the treated water may flow into a pressurized reaction tank  340 . Pressurized reaction tank  340  includes an internal divider  342  such that the water has to follow a path sufficiently long to permit full reaction between the ozone and the water. 
         [0048]    Associated with pressurized reaction tank  340  is a level switch  344  which detects when the water in the tank is at a certain level. In conjunction with the pressure gauge  346 , there is a solenoid valve  341  which is fitted on a gas outlet line  350 . The arrangement is such that when a certain level of water is detected within pressurized reaction tank  340 , solenoid valve  341  is opened such that some of the gas within the pressurized reaction tank  340  is released. This permits more water to flow into the tank. The tank will also have a pressure switch  352  and an ozone neutralizer  354  mounted on gas outlet line  350 . 
         [0049]    A recirculation line  356  extends from the bottom of pressurized reaction tank  340  to flow control valve  334 . 
         [0050]    The treated water may be discharged through a discharge conduit  358  and through an activated carbon filter  360  which rids the treated water of any excess ozone as well as filtering out impurities and precipitate metals such as iron, manganese and arsenic. Such materials would ordinarily not be filterable without ozone&#39;s strong oxidation property. 
         [0051]    It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.