Liquid purification or separation – With alarm – indicator – register – recorder – signal or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2001-11-06
Drodge, Joseph W. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
With alarm, indicator, register, recorder, signal or...
C210S086000, C210S138000, C210S192000, C210S257100, C210S258000, C210S259000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312588
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates of an apparatus for the production of water fit for human consumption from water contaminated by microorganisms, chemicals, heavy metals and minerals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The production of water fit for human consumption from water contaminated by micro-organisms, chemicals, heavy metals and minerals is a requirement throughout the world. Many different proposals have been made for the purification of contaminated water.
The most popular system in widespread use for the purification of contaminated water is a pitcher wherein contaminated water is passed through a filter made of a combination of a porous media filter, activated carbon, and an ion exchange resin and into a clean water reservoir within the pitcher. This type of system will reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, and pesticides. However, there are several disadvantages associated with this device. The first disadvantage of this water purification system is that the structure of the filter provides a breeding ground for microorganisms thereby multiplying the dangers of microorganisms which may be present in very low numbers. Another disadvantage of such a water purification system is that the filter life is not measured and it is possible for the user to employ the filter beyond its useful life. A further disadvantage of such a water purification system is that oils and fuels often present in water drawn from lakes and rivers are not readily removed and that said oils and fuels tend to coat the filters and damage their operational life and effectiveness. Some filtration based products now incorporate a means of measuring the water volume passing though the filter and an indicator as to when to change the filter. Other filters incorporate an iodine product to minimize the risk of microbiological hazards, however, these materials often impart undesirable tastes and many are potential carcinogens.
Another popular system in use for the purification of contaminated water is a system which employs an ultraviolet light for disinfection in series with a porous media and carbon filter. This type of system will reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, and pesticides and has some disinfection capability. However, there are several disadvantages associated with this device. The first disadvantage of this water purification system is that the ultraviolet light's disinfection efficacy is greatly diminished by turbidity or color in the water which can cause the filter to become contaminated by microorganisms which can readily live and breed therein thereby multiplying the danger from any microorganisms which may be present. Another disadvantage of such a water purification system is that the filter life is not measured and it is possible for the user to employ the filter beyond its useful life. A further disadvantage of such a water purification system is that oils and fuels often present in water drawn from lakes and rivers are not readily removed and that said oils and fuels tend to coat the filters and damage their operational life and effectiveness. Some filtration based products now incorporate a means of measuring the water volume passing though the filter and an indicator as to when to change the filter. Other filters incorporate an iodine product to minimize the risk of microbiological hazards, however, these materials often impart undesirable tastes and many are potential carcinogens.
Clearly therefore, it is desirable that the design of a water purification system will employ a filtration stage prior to ozone, ozone for disinfection and oxidation, and a post ozone filtration stage to remove any residual ozone and products of ozonation from the water before consumption. It is also desirable that the design of a water purification system will employ a means of ensuring, disinfection efficacy. It is also desirable that the design of a water purification system will employ a means of monitoring the filter usage and provide the user with an indication to change the filter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the view of satisfying the functional requirements of drinking water purification for use by an individual in a domestic (i.e. residential) environment, the invention comprises a dirty water container into which the user introduces the water to be treated. The water to be treated may be from a municipal water supply which is fed to a house through supply pipes. It may also be water which is obtained from a well maintained by the individual or any other source that the individual has for their house or cottage. The invention further comprises a valve arrangement incorporated into the dirty water container which allows said dirty water container to be separated from the rest of the drinking water purification system so as to facilitate filling without water being spilled. The invention further comprises a pre-ozonation filter which contains a combination of a porous media, calcium bentonite, zeolite, activated carbon and a second porous media. This pre-ozonation filter removes sediment, oils, fats, grease, heavy metals, pesticides and a wide range of chemical and metallic pollutants from the water prior to ozonation. The pre-ozonation filtration stage significantly reduces the amount of ozone required to achieve the desired level of disinfection and oxidation.
The invention further comprises an disinfection and oxidation stage in which ozone gas is introduced into the water. This treatment stage provides for a five to seven log reduction in microorganisms as well as a two to four log reduction in pesticides, herbicides and a wide range of chemical, metallic and mineral pollutants.
The invention further comprises an post-ozonation filter. The post-ozonation filter contains a combination of a porous media, activated carbon and a second porous media. This post-ozonation filter reduces or eliminates any residual ozone, sediment and pollutants flocculated by the ozonation process, and any remaining trace levels , pesticides, herbicides and other chemical pollutants from the water prior to the water being dispensed into a clean water carafe.
This invention further comprises an oxidation/reduction probe in the ozonation chamber to all the disinfection and oxidation process progress to be monitored and provides the feedback employed by the micro-controller to determine the treatment time. The monitoring of the disinfection and oxidation process by the oxidation/reduction probe also provides a means of rejecting water which cannot be effectively purified thereby ensuring the quality level of the water being dispensed from the water treatment device. This invention also incorporates a light which indicates when the water purified is not satisfactory as it cannot achieve the desired oxidation/reduction conditions after a period of time. A further feature of this invention is that treated water which is not satisfactory will not be dispensed from the machine. A provision to manually dump out the bad water is provided and the system will reset when the start switch is depressed only if the unsatisfactory water has been dumped out.
The invention further comprises a counter which tallies the number of operational cycles of the water purification system. As this invention describes a batch system having a fixed volume of contaminated water being purified in each batch, the filter life can be monitored and an indicator light will indicate when the filter must be changed. A further safeguard incorporated into this invention is that after a predetermined number of cycles after the indicator light has signalled the time to change the filter, the system will stop operating until the user replaces the filter and resets the system by means of a reset switch.
The invention further comprises a series of indicator lights which provide the user with information as to when the system has power; when the purification process is in progress; and when the filter must be changed.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a domestic countertop apparatus for treating water on a batch ba
Conrad Helmut Gerhard
Conrad Wayne Ernest
Phillips Richard Stanley
Szylowiec Ted
Bereskin & Parr
Drodge Joseph W.
Fantom Technologies Inc.
Mendes da Costa Philip C.
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