Patent Abstract:
A method, system and apparatus for treating water is provided including a treatment mode comprising the steps of drawing said water from a pressurized water source through a controlling device to a treating vessel, the water inlet of said treating vessel being substantially at the top of a treating vessel, contacting said water with pressurized air present at the top of said treating vessel to release substantially all hydrogen sulfide and offensive odors present in the water and to dissolve oxygen in the water which reacts with soluble iron in the water to form ferric oxides, flowing the water through a filter bed of calcite mineral to remove substantially all sediment present in the water and to neutralize the ph of the water and to remove substantially all the ferric oxides from the water, the ferric oxides fastening to the calcite minerals and to already fastened ferric oxides, flowing the water to a final media means and to the outlet of the treating vessel.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for treating water including a treatment mode comprising the steps of drawing said water from a pressurized water source through a controlling device to a treating vessel, the water inlet of said treating vessel being substantially at the top of a treating vessel, contacting said water with pressurized air present at the top of said treating vessel to release substantially all hydrogen sulfide and offensive odors present in the water and to dissolve oxygen in the water which reacts with soluble iron in the water to form ferric oxides, flowing the water through a filter bed of calcite mineral to remove substantially all sediment present in the water and to neutralize the ph of the water and to remove substantially all the ferric oxides from the water, the ferric oxides fastening to the calcite minerals and to already fastened ferric oxides, flowing the water to a final media means and to the outlet of the treating vessel and through the controlling device to a potable water plumbing system connected thereto. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVEVTION 
     It is therefor an object of this invention to provide a water treatment method, system and apparatus to effectively and efficiently remove substantially all offensive and malodorous contaminants and gases contained in ground water for use in a potable water system. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a water treatment method, system and apparatus to effectively and efficiently remove substantially all ferrous bicarbonate, ferric hydroxide, hydrogen sulfide, odors, sediment, acidity and small amounts of manganese from ground water using a single combination aeration treatment vessel. 
     The prior art is replete with all types of water treatment systems, methods apparatus that are susceptible to clogging caused primarily by oxidized iron fastening to the interior surfaces of the several system components. This results primarily from the air induction of the iron laden water from the well into the pressure and aeration tanks. It is well known that the consequences of the “coating” or fastening of oxidized iron to the interior surfaces of system components include restricted flow and diminished efficiency of the several system components. Ultimately, the entire system must be dismantled and cleaned or replaced. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,532 to McLean is an example of such a approach of introducing the water into an aerator device. Air is entrained and mixed by turbulence into the water in a significant quantity, the water sucking air into the aerator device as it flows into the pressure tank. This air entrained water will initiate the forming of oxidized iron fastening to the interior surfaces of the several system components of the McLean system. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,530 discloses a complicated loop system of treating well water in which a venturi nozzle mixes air into water during the entire pump cycle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages will be more clearly understood and appreciated from the following Detailed Description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the Water Treatment System of the present invention wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation of an embodiment of the Water Treatment System of the present invention partially broken away for clarity of illustration, with arrows schematically indicating the direction of water flow during the treatment mode. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation of an embodiment of the Water Treatment System of the present invention partially broken away for clarity of illustration, with arrows schematically indicating the direction of water flow during the backwash mode. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation of an embodiment of the Water Treatment System of the present invention partially broken away for clarity of illustration, with arrows schematically indicating the direction of water flow during the air injection mode. 
         FIG. 3   a  is an elevation of an enlarged view of the air injection assembly of the control valve which is activated only during the air injection mode of  FIG. 3  with arrows schematically indicating the direction of water and air flow during the air injection mode. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation of an embodiment of the Water Treatment System of the present invention partially broken away for clarity of illustration, with arrows schematically indicating the direction of water flow during the rinse mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the Figures there is shown a Water Treatment System  10  which is particularly adapted to provide potable to an associated plumbing system (not shown). 
     The Water Treatment System  10  is fluidly connected by inlet line  12  to pressurized source such as a submersible well pump (not shown). The inlet line is fluidly connected via a check valve  14  to a control valve  16 . 
     The operation of the well pump could be controlled by a cut-in, cut-out pressure switch (not shown) which senses the fluid pressure downstream of the well pump, all as well known in the prior art. 
     The Water Treatment System  10  is fluidly connected by outlet line  20 , at the control valve  16 , to an associated potable water plumbing system (not shown). 
     Control valve  16  may be selected from a wide variety of control valves such as the 2510 Econominder (T.M. of the Fleck Company) as manufactured by the Fleck Company. The control valve  16  may be used as manufactured except for several modifications which will be discussed further below. 
     The control valve  16  automatically controls the flow of water and time durations during the four modes of operation of the present invention and is typically an electro-mechcanically driven device as is the 2510 Econominder. As such, it is electrically connected to 115 volt receptacle (not shown). 
     The control valve  16  attached to a treatment vessel or tank  18 . Typically the control valve is threadably attached to the treatment vessel  18  at the top thereof. The treatment vessel  18  may be selected from a wide number available vessels used in well water applications such as molded fiberglass tanks manufactured by International Water Werks under their designated Model Numbers 1048 (10 inches in diameter and 48 inches in height), 1054 (10 inches in diameter and 54 inches in height) and 1248 (12 inches in diameter and 48 inches in height). The treatment vessel  18  may typically have an inside diameter of between ten and twelve inches and have an interior height of between 48 and 54 inches. As shown in  FIG. 1 , Line A represents the high pressure water level cut-out point of the well pump and Line B represents the low pressure water level cut-in point of the well pump. As further shown in  FIG. 1 , there is a pocket of compressed air  26  contained at the top of vessel  18 . 
     Also contained within vessel  18  is filter media  28  which comprises a about 98% by weight of calcium carbonate and about 0-2% by weight of magnesium oxide. The percentage of magnesium oxide is increased as the acidity of the untreated water increases. 
     An example of such magnesium oxide  28  is that supplied by Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties, Inc. of Manistee, Mich. 49660 under their MagChem label; sized prilled  30 . 
     An example of such calcite material is the limestone (with small amounts of calcium magnesium oxide and crystalline silica quartz) supplied by Specialty Minerals of 260 Columbia Street, Adams, Mass. 01220. 
     Further contained within vessel  18  is a gravel type filter media  30 . An outlet riser tube  22  having a strainer basket  24  at one end thereof disposed in the gravel media  30 . The outlet riser tube  22  is fluidly connected at its other end to the control valve  16  and is in fluid communication with the outlet line  20  via the control valve  16 . 
     An example of such gravel  30  is course sand supplied by Southern Products &amp; Silica Company, Inc. of P.O. Box 189, Highway 1 N, Hoffman, N.C.; sized (31610) individual pieces ranging from about ⅛ to ¼ inches in diameter. 
     Typically for the aforementioned 1048 tank the air pocket  26  comprises about 0.5 cu. ft. (depending upon the air pressure): 1 to 2 lbs. of the magnesium oxide could be used with about 100 lbs. of the limestone comprising about 1 cubic feet by volume along with about 0.5 cu. ft. by volume of the gravel. 
     Typically for the aforementioned 1054 tank the air pocket  26  comprises about 0.5 cu. ft. (depending upon the air pressure): 1 to 2 lbs. of the magnesium oxide could be used with about 125 lbs. of the limestone comprising about 1.25 cubic feet by volume along with about 0.5 cu. ft. by volume of the gravel. 
     Typically for the aforementioned 1248 tank the air pocket  26  comprises about 0.5 cu. ft. (depending upon the air pressure): 1 to 2 lbs. of the magnesium oxide could be used with about 125 lbs. of the limestone comprising about 1.25 cubic feet by volume along with about 0.75 cu. ft. by volume of the gravel. 
     The present invention essentially comprises four modes of operation; the treatment mode as depicted in FIG.  1  and the three modes of  FIGS. 2-4  which may be broadly described as the regeneration modes; i.e. the backwash mode of  FIG. 2 , the air injection mode of  FIGS. 3 and 3   a  and the rinse mode of FIG.  4 . Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the treatment mode involves drawing non-aerated water from a water source such as a well, pressurized by a pump (not shown) through inlet line  12  and check valve  14  to control valve  16 . The check valve is adapted to allow fluid flow toward the control valve  16  but checks fluid flow in the opposite direction. 
     The control valve  16  fluidly connects the inlet line  12  and the top of the treatment vessel  18 . The untreated water then flows through compressed air pocket  26 . It is important to note that this is the first time the untreated water is exposed to air. Hydrogen sulfide and offensive odors are released from the well water and is captured by the air pocket  26 . 
     It is well known that oxygen readily dissolves in water under pressure. Water just below water levels A or B accordingly contains such dissolved oxygen as well as ferrous bicarbonate and ferric oxides. 
     As water continues to flow, as depicted by the flow arrows in  FIG. 1 , the water ph is neutralized upon contact with calcite mineral filter media  28 . Oxygen reacts with soluble iron compounds. The oxidation reaction of Fe++ to Fe+++ produces ferric oxides. The ferric oxides fasten to the calcite mineral  28  and accordingly, essentially all ferric oxides are caught or captured on the calcite mineral filter media  28 . 
     Sediments in the water flow are also captured by the calcite mineral filter media  28 . Filter media  30  completes the filtering process as the water flow through the strainer basket  24 , up riser tube  22  and to the outlet line  20  via control valve  16 . The thus treated water enters the associated potable water system (not show) with essentially every trace of iron, sulfides, odor and sediment removed. This treatment process is continuous as such treated water is drawn from the treatment vessel  18  by the demands of the associated potable water system. Typically, the treatment mode runs continuously for approximately twenty-four hours before regeneration is required. This period is controlled by the control valve  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the backwash mode, which could be considered as the first of the regeneration modes, begins after the treatment mode and is typically six minutes in duration at a flow rate of one gallon per minute to two gallons per minute. The flow rate will vary according to the volumetric dimensions of the treatment vessel  18  as will be further discussed below. The timing, time period, flow rate and flow patterns are controlled by the control valve  16 . 
     As implied by the title of this mode the flow of water is reversed as depicted by the flow arrows in FIG.  2 . 
     Non aerated water is pumped through inlet line  12  and check valve  14  to the riser tube  22  via control valve  16 . The water flow continues through strainer  24  and gravel media  30 . The air pocket  26 , which is now saturated with hydrogen sulfide and other objectionable gases and depleted of oxygen, all occurring during the treatment mode, is released via the control valve  16 , to drain pipe  32 . 
     The filter media  28  is lifted slightly. The calcite granules that comprise the filter media  28  are in close contact rubbing and scouring each other thus removing ferric oxides that are fastened to the filter media  28 . Such loosened ferric oxides are carried upward by the water flow flushed from the treatment vessel  18  to the drain pipe  32  via control valve  16 . 
     The duration of the backwash mode can be increased later if the treatment vessel  18  is not been completely cleansed. By monitoring the discharge from the drain pipe  32  during the backwash mode it can be determined if the discharge is clear. After the Treatment System has been functioning a few weeks the backwash discharge should be clear at first then darken, turning orange or brown, depending upon the quantity of iron being removed. Thereafter the discharge from the drain line  32  should become clear again before the backwash mode is complete. 
     The following are examples of the backwash flow rates: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Treatment Tank Size 
                   
               
               
                   
                 (diameter × height in 
               
               
                   
                 inches) 
                 Backwash flow rate 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 × 48 
                 1.0 gpm 
               
               
                   
                 10 × 54 
                 1.5 gpm 
               
               
                   
                 12 × 48 
                 2.0 gpm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring now to FIG.  3  and  FIG. 3   a , the air injection mode, which could be considered as the second of the regeneration modes, begins after the backwash mode and is typically twenty-two minutes in duration. The flow rate will vary according to the volumetric dimensions of the treatment vessel  18 . The timing, time period, flow rate and flow patterns are controlled by the control valve  16 . 
     The air injection mode involves drawing non-aerated water from a water source such as a well, pressurized by a pump (not shown) through inlet line  12  and check valve  14  to control valve  16 . Control valve closes the internal bypass (not shown) around the in-line venturi  36  contained in the injector body portion  34  of the control valve. Water flow is then directed through screen  38  for removing particulate matter in the water that clog the venturi. As water passes through the venturi  36 , a pressure differential is created at the throat  40  of the venturi  36 . 
     A bore  42  axially coextensive with the throat  40  accepts a pressure sensitive valve  44 , as for example, a Schrader valve such as the type of Schrader valve employed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,530 to Chandler. The use of the Schrader valve is a modification to the standard issue Fleck Company Model 2510 Econominder. 
     The Schrader valve opens in response to the pressure differential at the throat  40  allowing for ambient air to enter the bore  42  to mix with the water flowing through the venturi  36 . The air entrained water is directed by the control valve  16  to the top of the treatment vessel  18 . This is the only time that any water is made to flow through the injector body  34  and its venturi  36 . 
     Pressure inside the treatment vessel  18  quickly drops as water inside treatment vessel  18  flows down through filter media  28 , gravel  30 , strainer  24 , riser tube  22  through control valve  16  and out drain pipe  32 . 
     As air entrained water flows into the top of the treatment vessel  18  air is released to form air pocket  26 . Water flows downward, as above discussed, and slowly rinses the lifted and loosely packed filter media  28  of untreated water present from the backwash mode. The water level is controlled by the control valve  16  to be about 1 ½ inch above the filter media  28  when the air injection mode is terminated. 
     Several sizes of venturis  36  are available from the manufacturer of the control valve  16 , as for example from the Fleck Company. Choosing the size or flow rate of the venturi is important for optimal regeneration and effective water treatment. The following are examples of flow rates: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Treatment Tank Size 
                 Injector Venturi flow 
               
               
                   
                 (diameter × height in 
                 rate  @ 40 p.s.i. 
               
               
                   
                 inches) 
                 pump pressure 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 × 48 
                 .45 gpm 
               
               
                   
                 10 × 54 
                 .45 gpm 
               
               
                   
                 12 × 48 
                 .84 gpm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the rinse mode, which could be considered as the third and final regeneration mode, begins after the air injection mode and is typically four minutes in duration. The flow rate will vary according to the volumetric dimensions of the treatment vessel  18 . The timing, time period, flow rate and flow patterns are controlled by the control valve  16 . 
     The rinse mode involves bypassing the air injector body  34  and the venturi  36  therein thereby compressing the air pocket  26 . Drawing non-aerated water from a water source such as a well, pressurized by a pump (not shown) through inlet line  12  and check valve  14  to control valve  16 , air pocket  26 , filter media  28 , gravel, strainer  24 , riser tube  22 , control valve and out the drain line  32 . 
     The filter media  28  is compressed to tightly packed state and the pressure in the treatment vessel  18  rises to equilibrium with the pump cut-off pressure. At this point the rinse mode is terminated and the regeneration cycle is complete. 
     The treatment system according to this invention is ready to supply treated water completely void of iron, hydrogen sulfide, obnoxious odors, sediment and acidity to its associated potable water system. 
     This is accomplished without a separate aeration tank, an air regulating device or air vent, use of an air compressor, in-line cartridge filter, devices including a venturi that restrict the flow of water from the well pump to the pressure switch and pressure system. 
     Several tests were conducted employing the present invention on well water applications. The results of these tests, which confirm the efficacy of this invention, are as follows: 
     Test No. I 
     Untreated Well Water Analysis
         pH: 5.5   Ferrous Bicarbonate: 3.0 ppm   Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.10 ppm   Well Pump:: ½ hp deep well jet pump
           Maximum pressure: 35 psi   Maximum flow rate @ 35 psi: 3 gpm   
           Fleck 2510 Econominder control valve   Treatment vessel; 10 inch diameter; 48 inch height   Calcium carbonate 98%; Magnesium 2%   Backwash flow rate: 1 gpm; injector size #1*       

     Treated Well Water Analysis
         pH: 7.0   Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.0 ppm   Ferric Hydroxide: 0.0 ppm   Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.0 ppm       

     Test No. II 
     Untreated Well Water Analysis
         pH: 5.8   Ferrous Bicarbonate: 7.5 ppm   Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.15 ppm   Well Pump:: ½ hp submersible pump
           Maximum pressure: 55 psi   Maximum flow rate @ 55 psi: 12 gpm   
           Fleck 2510 Econominder control valve   Treatment vessel; 12 inch diameter; 48 inch height   Calcium carbonate 99%; Magnesium 1%   Backwash flow rate: 2 gpm; injector size #2*       

     Treated Well Water Analysis
         pH: 7.0   Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.0 ppm   Ferric Hydroxide: 0.0 ppm   Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.0 ppm       

     Test No. III 
     Untreated Well Water Analysis
         pH: 8.0   Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.75 ppm   Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.05 ppm   Well Pump:: 1½ hp submersible pump
           Maximum pressure: 60 psi   Maximum flow rate @ 60 psi: 29 gpm   
           Fleck 2510 Econominder control valve   Treatment vessel; 10 inch diameter; 54 inch height   Calcium carbonate 100%   Backwash flow rate: 1.5 gpm; injector size #1*       

     Treated Well Water Analysis
         pH: 8.0   Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.0 ppm   Ferric Hydroxide: 0.0 ppm   Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.0 ppm       

     *Injector specifications as found at page 27 in Fleck Co. Service Manual dated June 1995 covering, among other things, their Model 2500 Econominder Control Valve and associated parts.  
     While particular examples of the present invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broadest aspects. The aim and purpose of the appended claims, therefore, is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 2