Abstract:
A system and method for extracting active elemental iodine from the contact of water with stored crystal iodine and for introducing the extracted elemental iodine into a water supply line and/or otherwise making the extracted elemental iodine available for an intended use. The system operates by allowing a portion of the water entering from a water supply line to be redirected to a first housing where it makes contact with stored crystal iodine causing to extract active elemental iodine. The iodinized water leaves the first housing and enters a second housing where it makes contact additional stored crystal iodine to help stabilize the elemental iodine concentration. The system can be designed to provide the elemental iodine in more than one potency concentration through the use of a metering valve and different travel routes for the elemental iodine out of the second housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to iodine production, in particular to a system and method for producing elemental iodine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Diseases, such as, but not limited to,  salmonella , often are found in chickens and poultry, such as those found on a chicken farm. Additionally, bacteria, such as, but not limited to,  e coli , has also been found on farms. Thus, there is a need to eliminate or reduce these and other diseases and bacteria from farms and other locations. The present invention is directed to addressing this problem and also helps to purify drinking water systems and other system and provides a system and method for generating or extracting active elemental iodine and introducing the elemental iodine back into a drinking water system. The use of the elemental iodine generated by the present invention method and system may also be beneficial for treating medical problems and for other uses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a method and system for the storage of crystal iodine where it is use the system to create elemental iodine. The extracted elemental iodine can be used for different medical needs, such as but not limited to, treating wounds, protecting the thyroid glands from radioactive iodine exposure, disinfecting water supplies, etc. The extracted elemental iodine is provided in an active elemental iodine form and not iodides. Iodine is derived from a family of halogens which include the following members, Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine. From this group elemental iodine is the only one known to have the ability to disinfect or cure many diseases, and can be used to protect the thyroid gland from exposure to harmful elements. The system does not require the use of electricity or complex mechanical elements in order to produce the active elemental iodine. 
     Generally, the present invention system and method permits a constant flow and extraction of elemental iodine through the contact of flowing water with the stored crystal iodine. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the system can include two housings (i.e. PVC, stainless steel, etc.) which can be tube shaped and can be approximately 1 inch to approximately 6 inches or more in diameter. Though also not limiting, the walls of the housing can be approximately ¼ inch thick. The housings are preferably connected in series with the first housing serving as a primary unit and the second housing serving as a secondary unit. The housings can each be provided with a removable cap and are filed with crystal iodine, which can be approximately 98% pure. The housings can be mounted or secured to a platform for easy handling. 
     The system operates by allowing a portion of the water entering from a water supply line to be back flowed or back pressured, through the partial opening of a gate valve in the water supply line, where the back flowed water is redirected through a water entry line to the first housing. The back flowed water enters the first housing and contacts the stored crystal iodine causing the water to get iodinized (creating or extracting active elemental iodine). The iodinized water leaves the first housing and enters the second housing where it contacts the crystal iodine stored therein which helps to stabilize the elemental iodine concentration. The extracted elemental iodine can be used for many purposes, some of which have been mentioned above. However, the desired potency of the elemental iodine can be different from one use to another. Thus, the system can be designed to provide the elemental iodine in more than one potency concentration through the use of control and/or metering valves and different travel routes for the elemental iodine out of the secondary housing. One travel route can include a water reentry line for introducing the extracted elemental iodine into the water supply line. Another travel route provides a hose where the extracted elemental iodine can be directly applied and most likely in a more potent form as compared to reentry into the water supply line where the concentration of the elemental iodine is diluted. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for extracting active elemental iodine from the contact of water with stored crystal iodine and for introducing the extracted elemental iodine into a water supply line and/or otherwise making the extracted elemental iodine available for an intended use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The FIGURE illustrates the present invention system for creating active elemental iodine which is either directed back into the water supply line or through a separate fluid line where it can be available in a more potent form. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As seen in the FIGURE the present invention provides a system and method for creating active elemental iodine and is generally referenced as system  10 . System  10  redirects water from a water supply line  20  through one or more housings containing crystal iodine which forms elemental iodine upon contact with water. Water supply line  20  can be any type of water source, such as, but not limited to a main water line from water plant, a garden hose (wherein threads on inlet  21  could be provided for connecting the garden hose to system  10 ), etc. 
     The formed or generated elemental iodine (iodinized or iodinated water) can be mixed back into the water supply line to dilute the elemental iodine or the created elemental iodine can be directly administered, such as, but not limited to, through an outlet hose, where it can be provided in a more potent or higher concentration form. As mentioned above, system  10  can be installed within a water plant supply line, connected to a garden hose, etc. Where installed within a water supply line, system  10  can merely create a break in the flow of at least a portion of the water from through water supply line  20  for use in creating elemental iodine through contact with crystal iodine. 
     A water supply inlet  21  of system  10  can be in communication with water supply line  20 . Depending on the position of a valve  24  (i.e. gate valve, etc.), water entering inlet  21  from water supply line  20  can either travel through non-mixing water route or pipe line  22  and/or mixing water route or pipe line  23 . Where mixing is not desired, valve  24  is opened and valve  26  is closed causing water to travel through non-mixing water route  22  and to ultimately continue through water supply line  20  unchanged as if the present invention system  10  was not present. 
     Where the creation of elemental iodine is desired, valve  26  is opened and valve  24  can be partially, but not fully, opened. The partial opening of valve  24  creates back pressure and causes a first portion of the water entering inlet  22  to continue through and out of water line  22  unchanged, while also creating a backflow at valve  24  to direct a remaining portion of the water through water exit line  25  and valve  26  and into tubing  28  to serve as an inlet line into a first cylinder or canister  60  containing or housing an amount of crystal iodine  150 . 
     Water exit line  25  is disposed before the point of location for valve  24  in water supply line  22  and an iodinized water (having a level of active elemental iodine in parts per million) reentry line  27  is disposed at a point of location beyond valve  24  in water supply line  20 . 
     First cylinder, canister, receptacle, vessel, housing, container, etc. (collectively referred as “Cylinder  60 ”) is provided with a water inlet port having a tubing connection mechanism  62  provided towards the top of first cylinder  60  wherein one end of tubing  28  is attached. First cylinder  60  is also provided with an outlet port having a tubing connection mechanism  64  provided towards the bottom of the first cylinder  60  for exiting the created elemental iodine (as discussed below) out of first cylinder  60 . Disposed within first cylinder  60  is a substantial amount of crystal iodine  150  which extends from at or near the bottom of first cylinder  60  up until it is at or near the top of first cylinder  60 . 
     First cylinder  60  can be provided with a removable cap  70  (i.e. threaded and screwed to first cylinder  60 , snugly secured to first cylinder  60 , etc.) which is sealed through an o-ring  71 , gasket, etc. Removable cap  70  permits access to the interior area of first cylinder  60  for adding a fresh supply or additional crystal iodine  150 . The amount of crystal iodine  150  contained within first cylinder  60  decreases through its absorption by the water flowing through first cylinder  60 . Thus, after enough much water passes through first cylinder  60 , a new or additional supply of crystal iodine will be required to be stored within first cylinder  60 . By removing cap  70 , access to the interior area of first cylinder  60  is provided for supplying the new or additional amount of crystal iodine  150 . Preferably, a new o-ring  71 , gasket, etc. can also be provided each time crystal iodine is added to first cylinder  60  and/or cap  70  is removed. 
     Though not preferred, it is also within the scope of the invention to permanently attach cap  70  to first cylinder  60  (or not have a cap but instead a permanent top) such that when it is time for a new supply of crystal iodine  150  the entire first cylinder  60 /cap  70  is replaced with a new first cylinder  60 /cap  70  having the fresh supply of crystal iodine  150  contained therein. 
     The higher position of the inlet port to the outlet port on first cylinder  60  causes the water entering into first cylinder  60  through the inlet portion to flow downward and contact a substantial portion of crystal iodine  150  prior to exiting out of the outlet port and into tubing  88  attached at a first end at the outlet port of first cylinder  60 . Though not preferred, it is also within the scope of the invention to reverse the positions of the ports such that the water enters from the bottom of first cylinder  60  and flows upward to exit out of the outlet port of first cylinder  60 . 
     A second cylinder, canister, receptacle, vessel, housing, container, etc. (collectively referred as “Cylinder  100 ”) is provided with an inlet port having a tubing connection mechanism  102  provided towards the top of second cylinder  100  wherein a second end of tubing  88  is attached for receiving within second cylinder  100  the elemental iodine created within first cylinder  60 . Second cylinder  100  is also provided with an outlet port having a tubing connection mechanism  104  provided towards the bottom of the second cylinder  100  for exiting the further stabilized elemental iodine out of second cylinder  100  (discussed in more detail below). Disposed within second cylinder  100  is a substantial amount of crystal iodine  150  which extends from at or near the bottom of second cylinder  100  up until the crystal iodine is at or near the top of second cylinder  100 . 
     Second cylinder  100  can be provided with a removable cap  110  (i.e. threaded and screwed to second cylinder  100 , snugly secured to second cylinder  100 , etc.) which is sealed through an o-ring  111 , gasket, etc. Removable cap  110  permits access to the interior area of second cylinder  100  for adding a fresh supply or additional crystal iodine  150 . The amount of crystal iodine  150  contained within second cylinder  100  decreases through its absorption by the elemental iodine flowing into second cylinder  60  that was created within first cylinder  60 . Thus, after enough elemental iodine passes through second cylinder  100 , a new or additional supply of crystal iodine will be required to be stored within second cylinder  100 . By removing cap  110 , access to the interior area of second cylinder  100  is provided for supplying the new or additional amount of crystal iodine  150 . Preferably, a new o-ring  111 , gasket, etc. can also be provided each time crystal iodine is added to second cylinder  100  and/or cap  110  is removed. 
     The directing of the elemental iodine created in first cylinder  60  through second cylinder  100  increases the parts per million concentration of the elemental iodine and helps to stabilize or provide a consistent concentration for the elemental iodine created by system  10 . 
     Though not preferred, it is also within the scope of the invention to permanently attach cap  110  to second cylinder  100  (or not have a cap but instead a permanent top) such that when it is time for a new supply of crystal iodine  150  the entire second cylinder  100 /cap  110  is replaced with a new second cylinder  100 /cap  110  having the fresh supply of crystal iodine  150  contained therein. 
     The higher position of the inlet port to the outlet port on second cylinder  100  causes the elemental iodine created in first cylinder  60  entering into second cylinder  100  through the inlet portion to flow downward and contact a substantial portion of crystal iodine  150  prior to exiting out of the outlet port. Though not preferred, it is also within the scope of the invention to reverse the positions of the ports such that the elemental iodine enters from the bottom of second cylinder  100  and flows upward to exit out of the outlet port of second cylinder  100 . 
     First cylinder  60  can be constructed similar or the same as second cylinder  100  and for a system having more then two cylinders, all of the cylinders can be constructed similar or same. Additionally, systems having more then two cylinders can be connected in series communication with each similar to how the outlet of first cylinder  60  feeds into the input of second cylinder  100 . 
     An outlet pipeline  120 , tubing, etc. is in communication with second cylinder  100  through the second cylinder outlet port. A valve, such as a metering valve  92 , is provided in outlet pipeline  120  for controlling the flow of elemental iodine flowing out of second cylinder  100 . Where the system is provided with a single cylinder, the outlet pipeline  120  and metering valve  92  can be at the outlet of the single cylinder. Similarly, for a system having more then two cylinders, the outer pipeline  120  and metering valve  92  can be disposed at the outlet of the last cylinder of the plurality of cylinders. 
     Metering valve  92  helps to control how much parts per million of active elemental iodine will be in the water supply when the supply of iodinized water is introduced into water supply line  20  through reentry line  27  beyond valve  24 . Metering valve  92  can be provided with a series of numbers with each number representing or corresponding to a certain amount of elemental iodine in parts per million. Thus, an operator merely turns a dial, indicator, etc. to the number corresponding to the desired amount of parts per million. 
     The further stabilized active elemental iodine leaves the outlet port of second cylinder  100  (or the last cylinder in a more than two cylinder system) and can be directed for reentry into water supply line  20  through reentry line  27 . A valve  29  can be provided in reentry  27  to further control the flow of the iodinized water (elemental iodine). As an alternative to having the elemental iodine reenter water supply line  20 , a hose or other connector can be attached at metering valve port  95 . Thus, where the iodinized water (elemental iodine) is reentering water supply line  20 , a first end of the elemental iodine (iodinized water) reentry line  27  can be connected at a metering valve port  95 . 
     For other applications of the iodinized water (elemental iodine), a hose  103  with or without a sprayer  105 , a dispenser, a tubing member, another water line, etc. can be connected to metering valve port  95 . To switch the item to be connected to or at metering valve port  95 , especially if water is still entering into first cylinder  60 , metering valve  92  can be moved to a “closed” position, to prevent the iodinized water (elemental iodine) from continuing to flow through. With valve  92  in a closed position, the various items connectable to port  95  can be switched as desired. Once the desired item (elemental iodine reentry line  27 , hose  103 , sprayer, dispenser, etc.) is properly connected at port  95 , valve  92  can be moved to an “open” position to permit the flow of the iodinized water (elemental iodine). When hose  103 /sprayer  105  is connected at port  95 , the flow of iodinized water (elemental iodine) flowing out of sprayer  105  can be controlled by an on/off valve  107 . Additionally, where only reentry of the iodinized water (elemental iodine) into water supply line  20  is desired, the elemental iodine reentry line  27  can extend from the outlet port of second cylinder  100  (or last cylinder of a more than two cylinder system) to the water supply line  20  beyond valve  24 . In this version a single valve can be provided to control elemental iodine flow and the connection of iodinized water reentry line  27  can be permanent (though such is not considered limiting). 
     In use valve  24  is turned such that water following through from water supply  20  into high  22  creates a backflow to direct a certain amount of water through opening  26  into tubing  28  and into cylinder  60 . The water going into cylinder  60  is exposed to and reacts with the crystal iodine and creates elemental iodine therefrom the exposure and reaction. The elemental iodine then leaves cylinder  60  and travels through tubing  88  until it reaches second cylinder  100 . The elemental iodinized water going into cylinder  100  is exposed to and reacts with the crystal iodine to further stabilize the active elemental iodine. The elemental iodine then leaves cylinder  100  and travels through iodinized water reentry line  27  back into the water supply, through hosing  103 , or as otherwise desired. 
     Where the iodinized water is fed back into the water supply line  20 , it can be mixed with water passing through valve  24  so that the potency or concentration of the elemental iodine is diluted. The reduced potency iodine can be effective in treating and killing many diseases known to exist in water supply lines and as fluid source to farm animals can be used as a treatment of diseases found in such animals, such as, but not limited to,  salmonella.  Attaching hose  103  or another attachment provides the elemental iodinized water in a more potent form as it is available for its desired application without being mixed with regular water flowing through water supply line  20 . One non-limiting use for the elemental iodine applied from hose  103  can be for cleaning purposes such as, but not limited to, spraying an area occupied by pigs to kill “ e coli ” bacteria living in the area. 
     Though not show a two or more connection port can be provided for the metering valve port  95 . Where a two port connection is provided (i.e. “Y” fitting, etc.), both the elemental iodine (iodinized water) reentry line  27  and hose  103  can be connected at port  95 , and a controller can be provided to select which elemental iodine travel route to open. The controller could also be set up to permit both routes to be open at the same time. 
     Though elemental iodine can be created from a single cylinder system and such system is considered within the scope of the invention, it is preferred, though again not absolutely required, that at least second cylinder  100  with its second amount of crystal iodine be provided in order to produce a more stable and consistent elemental iodine. Furthermore, as mentioned above, it is also within the scope of the invention that more than two cylinders containing crystal iodine can be provided and preferably in series similar to how the first and second cylinders described above are attached. 
     It should be recognized that the various water routes can be created through pipes (metal, PVC, plastic, stainless steel, etc.), tubing, hoses, etc. and such terminology can be considered interchangeable with respect to the above description and claims. Furthermore, a water travel route can be created by any possible configuration (i.e. one long pipe, fittings, short pipes, tubing, hoses, with connectors such as elbows, “forty five” connectors, “T” or “Y” shape connectors, etc.) and all are considered with the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not considered to any one type of valve and all valves capable of controlling and directing water and elemental iodine flow as described above can be used and are considered within the scope of the invention. The various valves, fittings, pipes, connectors, housings (cylinders), etc. describe above can be preferably sealably connected within the pipelines and water travel routes through conventional plumbing techniques and all such techniques and components needed therefore (i.e. gaskets, o-rings, welding materials, etc.) are considered within the present invention and are incorporated by reference. Additionally, though the invention is intended to be use with a water supply line, it is also considered within the scope of the invention to pass through other types of fluids in addition or alternatively to water. 
     System  10  can be supported in position by any frame or support system. In one non-limiting example, brackets  131 , braces, straps, etc. can be used to secure system  10  to a wall, structure, platform, etc. Additionally, the connection of system  10  within a water supply line may be itself, provide enough support for system  10 . 
     While the invention has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, person skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the invention, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modifications disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the invention.