Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Including geographic feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-04-24
Simmons, David A. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Including geographic feature
C210S757000, C210S806000, C210S155000, C210S170050, C210S206000, C422S239000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06221257
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for treatment of water to be discharged into the environment. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for dechlorinating water for discharge into the environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are occasions when water that has been treated for potability must be discharged into the environment. State and federal environmental regulations restrict certain chemicals and the concentration of certain chemicals that can be discharged into the environment. For example, water from filtration plants which has been treated for potability may contain more chlorine than is permitted by regulations for direct discharge into rivers, bays, lakes, and other water collection areas. Potable water, which is typically treated at water treatment facilities for use as drinking water, is generally treated with chlorine. Water from these treatment facilities are transported to residences and businesses by way of water mains and other water transportation means, such as pipes, trucks, and rail tankers.
Occasionally, the water mains transporting potable water must be drained so that an inspector can enter the water main or water tunnel for inspection purposes, among other reasons. In the past, the water was simply pumped out of the pipes or tunnels into the streets, roadways or nearby streams, without further treatment. To comply with the above-mentioned regulations, a need exists for an on-site system, and preferably a portable system, for treating the water as it is being discharged, such as an apparatus that can be connected to a fire hydrant or hose.
Similarly, when new pipes or tunnels are placed in a region, they are first cleaned with various chemicals, such as chlorine, to remove contaminants therefrom. When chlorine is used, the pipes are filled with chlorinated water for a predetermined period of time to cleanse the pipes and kill any contaminants therein. At the end of this period, the chlorinated water is typically drained into the street, roads, or nearby rivers and streams. The heavily chlorinated water used to decontaminate new pipes can be hazardous to the environment if discharged without prior treatment, such as dechlorination.
Chlorinated potable water is discharged into the environment for many other reasons. In addition to water mains and fire hydrants of water treatment facilities, the source of the potable chlorinated water can be from the spigots of residences and businesses, as well as street washing vehicles and water transportation vehicles. For example, swimming pools, ski resorts employing systems to artificially produce snow, and businesses and residences that engage in landscaping, discharge significant amounts of water to the environment. If the water is treated potable water, then dechlorination may be required to comply with regulations on discharged water to protect the environment. Damage to the environment, especially fish and other wildlife, can result from excess discharge of chlorine and other chemicals into the environment from potable water or other discharged fluids.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for the removal of chlorine and other contaminants from water or other fluids prior to being discharged into the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Water is often times treated with chlorine or chlorine compounds at water treatment facilities and fresh water plants to destroy contaminants that otherwise render the water unsafe for human consumption. However, it is not desirable to discharge chlorinated, potable water into the environment, especially into fragile and sensitive ecosystems since high chlorine levels can kill some fish and aquatic plants. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided to remove dissolved chlorine from potable or otherwise treated water prior to discharge into the surrounding environment. The apparatus is configured for use with other fluids to remove chemicals from or add chemicals or air to water or other liquid.
In preferred embodiments, chlorinated water (e.g., potable water from a water main or fire hydrant) is introduced into an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus contains a reaction container with an internal chamber containing a dechlorination compound, such as sodium sulfite. The chlorinated water is introduced into the apparatus and flows through a pipe containing an aeration device. The aeration device can be a disk having variably spaced holes, a wire screen or screens, a ceramic frit, or other suitable aeration component. After passing through the aeration device, the water proceeds past a reaction zone for contacting and reacting with the dechlorination agent. The chlorine and chlorine compounds in the water react with the dechlorination agent to remove the chlorine from the water. After passing the reaction zone, the water is discharged from the apparatus. The reaction container is preferably filled with sodium sulfite or other dechlorinating agent to remove chlorine from potable water as known in the art. The chamber can be provided with other chemicals to treat other fluids by removing or adding chemicals.
In further embodiments, the treated (e.g., dechlorinated) water can pass through another component of the pipe where air is introduced to increase the amount of dissolved oxygen prior to discharge from the apparatus. In this manner, not only is chlorine removed from the water prior to discharge, but also the oxygen level of the discharged water is increased.
The aspects and objects of the invention are basically attained by providing an apparatus for treating water that comprises a conduit having a longitudinal axis with an upstream end defining a water inlet and downstream end defining a water outlet. The conduit defines a substantially linear flow path extending substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis. A supply inlet extends into the conduit and substantially perpendicular to the conduit. A reaction container is positioned in the supply inlet and the conduit. The reaction container is dimensioned for containing a water treating agent and having a side wall with a plurality of apertures therein for allowing water passing through the conduit to pass through the reaction container.
The aspects of the invention are further attained by providing an apparatus for treating water that comprises a water conduit having a side wall, a water inlet at an upstream end of the conduit, and a water outlet at a downstream end of the conduit. The side wall defines an axial passage extending from the inlet to the outlet. A supply conduit is coupled to the side wall and defines an opening through the side wall into the water conduit. A reaction container for containing a water-treating agent is positioned in the supply conduit and in the axial passage of the water conduit. The reaction container has a side wall with a plurality of apertures for allowing water in the axial passage to flow through the reaction container. The reaction container is dimensioned to receive a water-treating agent in an amount to effectively treat water passing through the water conduit.
The aspects of the invention are still further attained by providing a method of treating water which comprises the steps of feeding water through a treating apparatus. The apparatus has a conduit with an inlet for receiving untreated water and an outlet for discharging treated water. An inlet pipe is coupled to the conduit and defines a transverse inlet into the conduit. The conduit defines a substantially axial flow path through the apparatus. A water-treating agent is supplied into a reaction container and positions the reaction container in the conduit through the transverse inlet. The reaction container has a side wall with a plurality of apertures therein. Water is fed through the conduit to pass through the reaction container to contact the water-treating agent and to treat the water and discharge treated water through the outlet.
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Hoey Betsey Morrison
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
Simmons David A.
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