WATER PURIFIER AND WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A water purifier for home use, irrigation systems used for crop cultivation or the pharmaceutical industry includes a water inlet for a water to be purified and a water outlet for a purified water. A water treatment chamber is fluidly connected to the water inlet and the water outlet. The water treatment chamber is confined by a chamber wall. The water purifier includes a high-voltage plasma unit for generating a cold plasma within the water treatment chamber. The plasma unit has a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is arranged inside the water treatment chamber such that, during use of the water purifier, it is contacted by the water. The second electrode is disposed spaced apart from the first electrode and electrically insulated therefrom by a dielectric. The water purifier further relates to a water purification system.

Claims

1. A water purifier for home use, irrigation systems used for crop cultivation or the pharmaceutical industry, comprising: a water inlet for a water to be purified and a water outlet for a purified water; wherein the water inlet is positioned eccentrically with regards to a longitudinal center axis of the water treatment chamber; a first and a second housing part and a water treatment chamber disposed in between the two housing parts; wherein the water treatment chamber is fluidly connected to the water inlet and the water outlet, and wherein the said water treatment chamber is being confined by a chamber wall, wherein the chamber wall has a cylindrical shape; wherein the water inlet is formed by one of the housing parts and the water outlet is formed by the respective other housing part, wherein the chamber wall, with each of its free ends, is sealingly seated in a bore of both housing parts; and a high-voltage plasma unit for generating a cold plasma within the water treatment chamber, the plasma unit having a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is arranged inside the water treatment chamber such that, during use of the water purifier, it is contacted by the water and a second electrode, which is disposed spaced apart from the first electrode and electrically insulated therefrom by a dielectric.

2. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the chamber wall comprises the dielectric or consists of the dielectric, wherein the second electrode of the plasma unit is either fully embedded in the dielectric or positioned on the outside of the dielectric.

3. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric is glass, a dielectric resin or a ceramic such as aluminium oxide.

4. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode extends along the longitudinal center axis of the chamber wall.

5. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode is ring-shaped and fully encompasses the water treatment chamber in a circumferential direction thereof.

6. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein one of the housing parts comprises a water inlet connector and the other housing part comprises a water outlet connector.

7. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein an opening area A1 of the water inlet is smaller than an opening area A2 of the water outlet of the water treatment chamber.

8. The water purifier according to claim 7, wherein the opening area of the water inlet is smaller than 80% of the opening area A2 of the water outlet.

9. The water purifier according to claim 7, wherein the opening area A1 of the water inlet is between 10% and 25% of a cross-sectional area A3 of the water treatment chamber.

10. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the water purifier is dimensioned and designed for faucet mount or faucet-integrated use.

11. The water purification system comprising a housing and the water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the water purifier is connected to a water storage vessel arranged within the housing, the water storage vessel configured for the purified water.

12. The water purification system according to claim 11, wherein the housing is provided with an outlet tap for the purified water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The novel features characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as, a preferred mode of use, and further objective and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a water purifier according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0029] FIG. 2 is the water purifier according to FIG. 1 in a longitudinal sectional view; and

[0030] FIG. 3 is a ready-to-use tabletop water purification system comprising a water purifier according to FIGS. 1 and.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a water purifier 10 which is especially suited for purifying drinking water for household, in particular kitchen, use. The water purifier 10, more precisely, allows for disinfecting drinking water with regards to any potentially infectious biological contaminants such as, for instance, viruses, bacteria, protozoa or algae. The water purifier 10 may, for instance, be used as a faucet mounted water purifier 10 or as a faucet-integrated (built-in) water purifier 10.

[0032] The water purifier 10 comprises a first and a second housing part 12, 14 and a reactor or water treatment chamber 16 disposed in between the two housing parts 12, 14. The first housing part 12, is provided with a water inlet connector 18 for connecting of a water line thereto. The second housing part 14 is provided with a water outlet connector 20 for connecting a purified water line thereto.

[0033] Each of the connectors 18, 20 may be provided with coupling means 22 such as a connector flange or a connection thread for a secure connection of a respective water line not shown in the drawings.

[0034] The water treatment chamber 16 is at least partially defined by a chamber wall 24 which extends along its longitudinal central axis L from the first to the second housing part 12, 14. The chamber wall 24 confines the water treatment chamber in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal central axis L thereof. The chamber wall 24, according to FIG. 2, preferably has a hollow circular cylindrical form. In other words, the chamber wall 24 is designed as a tube.

[0035] The chamber wall 24 has an inner and an outer surface 26a, 26b and is made from a dielectric 28. The chamber wall may be seated in a mounting bore 30 of both housing parts 12, 14 with each of its free ends 32 in a sealing manner. This sealing seat of the chamber wall 24 can be achieved, for instance, by a radial and/or axial press-fit of the chamber wall 24 within the mounting bores 30. Additionally or alternatively, the chamber wall 24 can be glued to the housing parts 12, 14 or there can be an elastomeric seal disposed in between the chamber wall 24 and each of the housing parts 12, 24. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chamber wall has an exemplary internal diameter 34 of 22.3 millimeters and an external diameter 36 of 25.3 millimeters. The chamber wall thickness 38 is thus 3 millimeters.

[0036] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the first housing part 12 defines a water inlet 40 of the water treatment chamber 16. The water inlet 40 has an opening area denominated A.sub.1. The water inlet 40 is preferably positioned eccentrically with regards 24 to the longitudinal center axis L of the water treatment chamber 16.

[0037] The second housing part 14 defines the water outlet 42 of the water treatment chamber 24 (=reactor). The water outlet 42 has an opening area denominated A.sub.2. The cross-sectional area of the water treatment chamber 16 is denominated A.sub.3. The water inlet 40 opening area A.sub.1 is smaller than the opening area A.sub.2 of the water outlet 42. Preferably, the water inlet 40 opening area A.sub.1 is smaller than 80% of the opening area A.sub.2 of the water outlet 42. Further, the size of the opening area A.sub.1 of the water inlet 40 is preferably between 10% and 25% of the size of the cross-sectional area of the water treatment chamber 16. The water inlet 40 can, for instance, have a diameter of 3 to 4 millimeters in a water purifier 10 for household use. The water inlet 40 fulfills the function of limiting the volume flow rate Q of the water with respect to the cross sectional area A.sub.3 of the water chamber 16 to a predefined maximal volume flow rate value Q.sub.max.

This allows for a reliable disinfection of the organic matter contained in the water.

[0038] The housing parts 12, 14 may be made of stainless steel, titanium or any other suitable material.

[0039] The water purifier 10 further comprises a plasma unit overall denominated 44 for generating a dielectric barrier discharge inside the water treatment chamber 16 by which the water is disinfected. The plasma unit 44 comprises a first or inner electrode 46 and a second or outer electrode 48. The first electrode 46 is arranged on and extends along the longitudinal central axis L of the chamber wall 24. In other words, the chamber wall 24 and the first electrode 46 are arranged concentrically.

[0040] The first electrode 46 can, for instance, be arranged in a through-hole 50 of one of the housing parts 12, 14 and extends over at least half of the length, preferably at least two thirds of the length 52 of the water treatment chamber. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first housing part 12 is provided with the through-hole 50 with the first electrode 46 extending there through.

[0041] For the generation of the plasma, the plasma generator 54 has an output voltage of 10 kilovolts or more and up to one Ampere of alternating electrical current with a variable frequency between 10 kilohertz to 70 kilohertz. Preferably, for control of all operating parameters of the plasma generator 54, there is a, preferably programmable, control unit 56.

[0042] The first electrode 46 is preferably made of stainless steel. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode is made of ⅛ inch 304L stainless steel. The first electrode may have a circular cylindrical shape.

[0043] The second electrode 48 of the plasma unit 44 is arranged on the outside of the chamber wall 24. The second electrode 48 is preferably ring-shaped and fully encompasses the water treatment chamber 16 in a circumferential direction thereof. The second electrode 48 can, for instance, be wound around the chamber wall 24 in a helical fashion as can be seen in FIG. 2. The second electrode 48 may, for instance, be designed as a copper spiral. The spiral can be composed of e.g., 3, 4, 5 or more equidistant turns.

[0044] The first electrode 46 is connected to the plasma generator via an electrically conductive live wire 58, whereas the second electrode 48 is connected to the plasma generator via an electrically conductive neutral wire 60. The plasma unit generates a so-called dielectric barrier discharge which generates an air plasma discharge in the water by which potentially infectious water contaminants are disrupted and/or inactivated.

[0045] The plasma generator 54 has a power supply cable 62 for connecting the plasma generator 54 to an electrical energy source (not shown in the Figs.), in particular the public power grid.

[0046] During use of the water purifier 10, the water to be purified is pressurized for forcing it through the water treatment chamber 16. For instance, the water can be pressurized to a pressure of 20 to 300 kPa. The water is guided to the water treatment chamber 16 via the inlet connector 18 of the first housing part 12. The water enters the water purification chamber 16 via the eccentric water inlet 40 thereof. The plasma unit 44 is operated under the control of the control unit 56 such that a dielectric discharge is generated inside the water treatment chamber 16 right where the water flows to disinfect the water whilst flowing through the water treatment chamber 16 in an axial direction towards the water outlet 42.

[0047] The disinfected water is drained from the water treatment chamber via the outlet 42 and the outlet connector 20 of the second housing part 14.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a tabletop water purification system 100 which has a housing 102 and a water purifier 10 as outlined above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 which is at least partially or, preferably, fully arranged inside the housing 102. The water purification system 100 may comprise a reservoir or storage vessel 104 for the purified (disinfected) water.

[0049] The housing 102 may be supported from an internal support frame 106. The support frame may comprise a base plate 108, a middle plate 110 and an upper plate 112 which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the direction of the vertical axis V of the housing 102. There are vertical frame members 114 arranged in between the plates and by which the plates are interconnected.

[0050] The electronic assembly of the water purification system 100 is preferably mounted on the upper plate 112 of the support frame 106. The control unit 56 and the plasma generator 54 are clearly visible. The inlet connector 18 may be hooked up to a water line. The outlet connector 20 is fluidly connected (not shown) to the storage vessel 104 inside the housing. The storage vessel 104 is mounted on the base plate 108 to prevent the water purification system 100 from tipping over when in use. The middle plate 110 serves to hold the water storage vessel 104 in place and preferably fully embraces the same. There is a pump 116 provided which is fluidly connected to the water storage vessel 104 and which serves to pump the purified water to an outlet tap denominated 118. An operating element 120 such as pushbutton or the like serves for operation of the outlet tap. In FIG. 3, any tubing fluidly interconnecting the storage vessel 104 with the outlet connector 20 of the water purifier 10 and with the outlet tap 118, respectively, as well as the tubing fluidly connecting the inlet connector 18 of the water purifier 10 with a water line is not shown for illustrative purposes.

[0051] The water purifier 10 described hereinabove above is especially suited for household use. However, it can be envisioned, that the water purifier 10 can be parametrized for the central water supply of residential homes, commercial buildings or even a municipal or regional water supply. Further, the water purifier may be parametrized for irrigation systems as used for crop cultivation or even for use in the pharmaceutical sector.