Abstract:
An ozonating water treatment and filtration apparatus is provided wherein a groundwater containing contaminates including hydrogen sulfide, ferrous oxide, carbon dioxide, manganese, arsenic, coliform bacteria and other pathogens and compounds, are removed by filtration utilizing a zeolite and pea gravel filter media and by application of an oxidant using low concentrations of ozone. A silent ozone generator and injector feature provides silent operation and no ozone pumping mechanism. The apparatus is self regenerating, low cost, and low maintenance requiring few consumables and minimal user intervention.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional utility patent application, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, is a Continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/702,346, filed Sep. 18, 2012, from which priority is claimed and whose disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of water treatment. More particularly, this invention is directed to a self regenerative ozonating water treatment and filtration apparatus for the purification of groundwater. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Groundwater is frequently contaminated with hydrogen sulfide, ferrous oxide, carbon dioxide, manganese, arsenic, coliform bacteria and other pathogens and compounds. For the water to be made potable these impurities must be removed. Consequently water drawn from wells or other natural sources typically requires some form of water treatment and filtration that is often complex and high maintenance. The contaminates can be removed with prior art water treatment devices utilizing oxidants and various filter media; however, these devices suffer from high maintenance due to non-regenerative filter beds, consumable and hazardous oxidants, mechanically complex and often unreliable equipment and from complications related to not being integrated with water supply storage. Further, prior art devices typically utilize pumping mechanisms that are noisy and prone to failure, features undesirable particularly for residential installations. 
     What is needed is a reliable, low cost, low maintenance and efficient water treatment apparatus. In view of the limitations of the prior art, the herein disclosed invention is provided to overcome the many disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of water treatment and filtration apparatus suitable for groundwater contaminate removal, having high reliability, simplicity, low maintenance, low complexity, low operation noise levels, and low cost thereby overcoming the various disadvantages of the prior art. 
     The present invention is a self regenerative ozonating water treatment and filtration apparatus capable of removing commonly encountered contaminates including hydrogen sulfide, ferrous oxide, carbon dioxide, manganese, arsenic, coliform bacteria and other pathogens, by integrating chemical oxidation with low levels of ozone and filtration through a zeolite based medium. The present invention is particularly well suited for processing contaminated source water from a residential well, spring or stream wherein the source water is stored in a typical residential water storage cistern tank having a capacity of 2,500 gallons to 5,000 gallons, although the present invention is suitable for other similar applications. Additionally, the disclosed invention has high reliability, few consumables, a low noise operation, low cost, and low maintenance features as further advantages. 
     The present invention is integrally installed with a water storage tank wherein water is circulated from the storage tank through a filter bed comprising a zeolite portion and a pea gravel portion, through an ozone injector and diffuser mechanism, a sight glass for observing flow, and returned to the water storage tank wherein the ozone in the returned filtered water is bubbled through the water in the storage tank. The ozone is introduced at low concentrations into the return flow to perform as an oxidant for oxidizing contaminates, both organic and inorganic compounds, and as a disinfectant for bacteria and pathogens. The repeated circulation of the storage tank water through the apparatus rapidly removes the offending contaminates to potable levels. 
     Oxidation with ozone and filtration removes contaminants from groundwater. The geochemistry is such that iron exists as water soluble Fe 2+  and arsenic as water soluble As 3+  and manganese as Mn 2+ . These water soluble minerals are oxidized to the insoluble higher oxidation states which precipitate and are removed by filtration. Hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to sulfate and carbon dioxide is displaced by oxygen. The precipitates as well as oxidized organics are removed by filtration and absorption into the zeolite. The zeolite is regenerated via backwashing at a preset interval. The interval is adjusted to match the approximate rate of loading with the precipitated contaminants. 
     During normal operation the water flow rate through the filter bed slows as the bed accumulates precipitates, contaminates and debris. As indicated, supra, backwash of the filter bed is required to regenerate the filter bed and to flush out the accumulated precipitates, contaminates and debris. In the regeneration mode, treated water in the storage tank or source water is pumped through the filtered in the reverse direction and discharged to a drain. Regeneration mode requires a different configuration of the various valves from the normal operation mode to produce the reverse flow. A control unit with user interface and being in direct electronic communication with the various valves incorporated in the apparatus, provides a means for a user to configure the apparatus for normal or regeneration modes and to program the time interval between and the duration of normal and regeneration mode cycles automatically. 
     Of particular noteworthiness and distinction over the prior art is the unique feature of injecting ozone into the filtered water stream from the filter bed in normal operation. Prior art ozone injection pumps typically utilize vibrating bellow type pumps to push ozonated air through the system. These types are pumps are known for buzzing loudly during operation and for being maintenance prone. According to the present invention, ozone is drawn into the water stream from the filter bed by a reduced pressure created by the water stream from the filter bed flowing through a down pipe pulling the water flow past an ozone injector. Ozone is drawn through the injector, utilizing a Venturi effect, thereby eliminating the need for an ozone pump. In the present invention ozone is generated by drawing air into a cylindrical container containing an ultraviolet (UV) lamp and through to the ozone injector by the negative pressure from the ozone injector Venturi effect. As air is drawn past the lamp and irradiated by the UV, oxygen in the air is converted to ozone. The mechanism according to the present invention is silent, reliable and low maintenance. 
     A visual flow indicator sight glass is provided to give a qualitative indication of the flow rate through the apparatus. Reflective streamers flutter faster at higher flow rates. Low flutter during normal operation mode when the apparatus is activated indicates that there may be a mechanical fault or that the filter bed may require maintenance or regeneration. No flutter during normal operation mode when the apparatus is activated indicates that the apparatus requires maintenance. Bubbles of ozonated air are also visible during normal operating conditions. 
     In a typical water storage cistern tank, as required in many regions, water treated water is pumped from the tank to the residence. The present invention circulates water drawn from the storage tank and returns treated water to the tank, thereby facilitating simple installation to existing storage tanks. As water is drawn from the storage tank, make up or top up water is required to fill the tank. In normal operation the circulated water is drawn from the storage tank; however, when additional top up groundwater is required, the circulation draw is stopped and groundwater from the source is instead directed into the water treatment apparatus filter inlet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the features, advantages, and principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the water treatment and filtration apparatus according to the present invention wherein the essential features of the apparatus are visible including the filter tank, controller, ozone generator, view glass, and circulating pump. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view taken on Line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  illustrating the regeneration valve mechanism and pumping of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the flow sight glass mechanism element according to the present invention showing a no flow condition. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the flow sight glass mechanism element of  FIG. 3  showing a normal flow condition. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the water treatment and filtration apparatus according to the present invention illustrating the apparatus installed on a typical water cistern storage tank and showing the flow through the apparatus and the various valve positions in a normal operation water treatment mode. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the water treatment and filtration apparatus of  FIG. 5  showing the flow through the apparatus and the various valve positions in a regeneration mode. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the flow paths within the regeneration valve wherein the flows and valve positions are illustrated in the normal operation mode. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the flow paths within the regeneration valve wherein the flows and valve positions are illustrated in the regeneration mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in a front elevation view at  10  in  FIG. 1 , a new type of self regenerative ozonating water treatment and filtration apparatus. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the water treatment and filtration apparatus  10  comprises a fiberglass filter tank  12  containing a filter bed, a regeneration control valve  14  in direct fluid communication with the filter tank  12 , the valve  14  having an inlet in direct fluid communication with a water source to be treated and a circulating pump  36  drawing water from a water storage tank, the valve  14  further having an outlet port connected to outlet pipe  38  vertically ascending and perpendicularly fixed to a horizontally disposed outlet cylinder  40 , the outlet cylinder  40  further comprises an ozone injector  32  fixed to the proximate, the distal end of the outlet cylinder  40  receives an outlet line  42  being in direct fluid communication with the water storage tank  82 , ozone injector  32  being in direct gas communication with an ozone generator  18 ; and a control unit  16  with user interface  44 , being in direct electrical communication with the various valves, pumps and ozone generator, programmed and operable to activate and deactivate the various valves, pumps, and ozone generator, in sequences and combinations commensurate with a normal treatment and filtration mode, and alternatively with a regeneration mode. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the filter tank  12  is preferably constructed of fiberglass and comprises an outlet manifold pipe  76  fixed inside to the top of the tank  12  and extending downwardly to the bottom of the tank  12 , an inlet port  74  providing flow into the top of the tank  12 , and a filter bed comprising a lower portion  80  being pea gravel disposed within the bottom of the filter tank in sufficient quantity to cover the bottom end of the outlet manifold  76 , and an upper portion  78  of 80% natural zeolite, preferably being clinoptiloite or mordenite or a combination thereof, in sufficient quantity to fill the remainder of the filter tank  12 ; however, the zeolite media must not block the inlet port  74  of the filter tank  12  located near the top of the filter tank  12 . The filter bed removes solids precipitated by oxidation with ozone from the ozone generator  18  as well as other debris. 
     Ozone, in concentrations of approximately 1 ppm to 3 ppm, is generated by an ozone generator  18  comprising a cylinder  20  having a proximate end cap  22  with air inlet ports  24  and an electrical cable  26  being in direct electrical communication with a 254 nm ultraviolet lamp centrally disposed within the cylinder  20 . The distal end cap  28  of the ozone generator  18  receives the proximate end of the ozone delivery tube  30 . The ozone delivery tube distal end is attached to an ozone injector  32  providing gas flow from the ozone generator  18  to the ozone injector  32 . An ozone check valve  34  may optionally be disposed between the ozone delivery tube  30  and the ozone injector  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The ozone injector  32  performs as a diffuser to mix ozone laden air with water flowing through the apparatus. Control unit  16  is in direct electrical communication with the ozone generator  18  through electrical cable  24  and selectively activates the ultraviolet lamp when water is flowing through the apparatus in normal operating mode. It will be appreciated that although the oxygen flowing through the ozone generator is not entirely converted to ozone and other gases in the air remain. The ozone laden gas therefore also aerates water flowing through the apparatus. 
     An optional sight glass  50  tube may be disposed within the outlet cylinder  40  to provide a mechanism for a user to observe the flow rates through the apparatus. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , streamers  52  fixed to the outlet cylinder  40  and provide a qualitative indication of the flow rate. In  FIG. 3 , the streamers are idle and laying flat at  56  across the bottom of the sight glass  50  indicating no flow. Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the same streamers are now fluttering vigorously in the water flow at  58  within the sight glass  50  indicating high flow rates. Ozonated air bubbles  54  further indicate normal operation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  illustrating a typical installation of the present invention on a water storage tank  82  and in normal operating mode, water is drawn and circulated from the water storage tank  82  through inlet check valve  66  and through regeneration source valve  68  to the circulating pump  36  delivering water to the inlet port of the filter tank  12 . A typical 1/15 HP pump  36  is sufficient in most applications to deliver at least 4.5 gallons per minute flow rate. The water is now dispersed across the top of the zeolite of the upper portion  78  of the filter bed, through the zeolite and pea gravel of the lower portion  80  of the filter bed up through the bottom end of the outlet manifold  76  exiting the filter tank  12 , through the outlet pipe  38  to the outlet cylinder  40  and returning to the storage tank  82  by way of a vertically disposed tank return pipe  64  and into the storage tank  82 . The tank return pipe  64  has an upper portion  62 , the down pipe, extending to the top of the water  94  and a lower portion  96 , extending further into the contents of the water tank  82 . In order for the ozone injector  32  to perform properly, the length of the down pipe  62  must provide at least a vertical 2.5 foot drop from the level of the outlet cylinder  40  to the highest water level  94  in the storage tank  82 . The vertical drop provides a reduced pressure at the ozone injector  32  thereby drawing ozone into the system. It is also preferable to provide a 5 degree drop of the outlet line  42  along the horizontal run to the top end of the vertically disposed tank return pipe  64 . The tank return pipe  64  lower portion  96  has a length sufficient to extend 3 feet below the level of the water in the storage tank  82 . An optional diffuser  70  may be installed at the bottom of the tank return pipe  64  to create smaller bubbles  72  and hence more ozone contact with the water  88 . Top up water from the water source is selectively introduced by opening the water source valve  60  thereby allowing flow through the filter inlet pipe  48  to the inlet port  74  of the filter tank  12 . 
     In the regeneration mode as in  FIG. 6 , the valves are now configured to deliver water from the storage tank to the outlet manifold  76  of the filter tank  12  thereby backwashing the filter bed  78 ,  80  wherein flow is reversed through the inlet port  74  of the filter tank  12  and directed out to a drain through the water discharge line  46 . Note that treated water  88  is normally delivered by submerged pump  84  to the house through house delivery line  90  and shutoff valve  92 . In regeneration mode, this same water, having a higher pressure than can be produced by circulating pump  36 , may optionally be used to backwash the filter tank  12  by activating the regeneration source valve  68 . Similarly, the various valves may be optionally configured to utilize source water for the backwash by activating source water valve  60 . 
     Details of the connections to the regeneration valve  14  mounted to the top of the filter tank  12  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  wherein the outlet pipe  38  turns to vertically ascend to the outlet cylinder  40 . The inlet line  48  receives water from a water source through source water valve  60  to be treated or from the circulation pump  36  mounted near the bottom of the filter tank  12 . The function of valve  14  is to direct flow appropriately for normal operation mode and also for regeneration mode. In regeneration mode when the filter tank filter bed  78 ,  80  is backwashed, flushing water is discharge through discharge line  46  to a drain. 
     Valve  14  is a typical regeneration type valve. It will be appreciated that various types of regeneration valve mechanisms are available that accomplish the same flow routing so a slider type valve mechanism is illustrated in the various figures merely as an example. As illustrated in  FIG. 7  showing the normal operating mode valve configuration of the slider valve piston  94  of the regeneration valve  14 , water flow is routed from the filter tank outlet manifold  76  drawing water from the lower portion  80  of the filter bed in the filter tank  12  and out to the outlet pipe  38  for return to the storage tank  82 . Water flows from the water source or storage tank through inlet line  48  into the inlet port  74  of the filter tank discharging water onto the top of the upper portion  78  of the filter bed. 
     In regeneration mode, the slider valve piston  96  of the regeneration valve  14  is now positioned to route water flow as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , wherein the flow through the filter tank  12  is now reversed. Water from the storage tank  12  is now routed through inlet line  48  back through the filter tank outlet manifold  76  forcing water to the bottom of the filter tank, through the pea gravel of the lower portion  80  of the filter bed, up through the zeolite of the upper portion  78  of the bed and out the inlet port  74  to the discharge line  46  to a drain, thereby effecting the backwash of the filter bed. 
     For efficient operation, the water tank  82  should be of sufficient size to equal 3 times the volume of treated water  88  or liquid required per day of use. 
     While embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, variations and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited thereto and ask that the scope and breadth of this invention be determined from the claims which follow rather than the above description.