Next Patent: Reactive filtration
Next Patent: Reactive filtration
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[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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:
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013] Referring now to the Figures there is shown a Water Treatment System
[0014] The Water Treatment System
[0015] 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.
[0016] The Water Treatment System
[0017] Control valve
[0018] The control valve
[0019] The control valve
[0020] Also contained within vessel
[0021] An example of such magnesium oxide
[0022] 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.
[0023] Further contained within vessel
[0024] An example of such gravel
[0025] Typically for the aforementioned
[0026] Typically for the aforementioned
[0027] Typically for the aforementioned
[0028] The present invention essentially comprises four modes of operation; the treatment mode as depicted in
[0029] The control valve
[0030] 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.
[0031] As water continues to flow, as depicted by the flow arrows in
[0032] Sediments in the water flow are also captured by the calcite mineral filter media
[0033] Referring now to
[0034] Non aerated water is pumped through inlet line
[0035] The filter media
[0036] The duration of the backwash mode can be increased later if the treatment vessel
[0037] 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
[0038] Referring now to
[0039] 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
[0040] Control valve closes the internal bypass (not shown) around the in-line venturi
[0041] A bore
[0042] The Schrader valve opens in response to the pressure differential at the throat
[0043] Pressure inside the treatment vessel
[0044] As air entrained water flows into the top of the treatment vessel
[0045] Several sizes of venturis
[0046] 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
[0047] Referring now to
[0048] The rinse mode involves bypassing the air injector body
[0049] The filter media
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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:
[0053] Test No. I
[0054] Untreated Well Water Analysis
[0055] pH: 5.5
[0056] Ferrous Bicarbonate: 3.0 ppm
[0057] Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.10 ppm
[0058] Well Pump:: ½ hp deep well jet pump
[0059] Maximum pressure: 35 psi
[0060] Maximum flow rate @ 35 psi: 3 gpm
[0061] Fleck 2510 Econominder control valve
[0062] Treatment vessel; 10 inch diameter; 48 inch height
[0063] Calcium carbonate 98%; Magnesium 2%
[0064] Backwash flow rate: 1 gpm; injector size #1*
[0065] Treated Well Water Analysis
[0066] pH: 7.0
[0067] Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.0 ppm
[0068] Ferric Hydroxide: 0.0 ppm
[0069] Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.0 ppm
[0070] Test No. II
[0071] Untreated Well Water Analysis
[0072] pH: 5.8
[0073] Ferrous Bicarbonate: 7.5 ppm
[0074] Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.15 ppm
[0075] Well Pump:: ½ hp submersible pump
[0076] Maximum pressure: 55 psi
[0077] Maximum flow rate @ 55 psi: 12 gpm
[0078] Fleck 2510 Econominder control valve
[0079] Treatment vessel; 12 inch diameter; 48 inch height
[0080] Calcium carbonate 99%; Magnesium 1%
[0081] Backwash flow rate: 2 gpm; injector size #2*
[0082] Treated Well Water Analysis
[0083] pH: 7.0
[0084] Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.0 ppm
[0085] Ferric Hydroxide: 0.0 ppm
[0086] Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.0 ppm
[0087] Test No. III
[0088] Untreated Well Water Analysis
[0089] pH: 8.0
[0090] Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.75 ppm
[0091] Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.05 ppm
[0092] Well Pump:: 1½ hp submersible pump
[0093] Maximum pressure: 60 psi
[0094] Maximum flow rate @ 60 psi: 29 gpm
[0095] Fleck 2510 Econominder control valve
[0096] Treatment vessel; 10 inch diameter; 54 inch height
[0097] Calcium carbonate 100%
[0098] Backwash flow rate: 1.5 gpm; injector size #1*
[0099] Treated Well Water Analysis
[0100] pH: 8.0
[0101] Ferrous Bicarbonate: 0.0 ppm
[0102] Ferric Hydroxide: 0.0 ppm
[0103] Hydrogen Sulfide: 0.0 ppm
[0104] *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.
[0105] 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.