Reactor for integral water treatment

Abstract

The invention relates to a simplified modular reactor, where the method of purifying swimming pool waters can be carried out in an integral manner, where said method may comprise simultaneously applying the techniques of: oxidation-disinfection, ultraviolet radiation, and pH adjustment on the water to be treated.

Claims

1. Reactor for integral water treatment, comprising: an inlet nozzle (1); a perimetral chamber (2) having two volumes separated by a perforated surface (3): a first volume (2.1), for the distribution and injection of a pH-adjusting compound, comprising: an injector (11) of the pH-adjusting compound; a second volume (2.2); an outlet nozzle (6) where the water is collected once it has been treated characterized in that the second volume (2.2) comprises a filler (4) to favor absorption of the pH-adjusting compound; and the reactor also comprises a central chamber (5) inside the perimetral chamber (2) communicated in its lower portion with the perimetral chamber (2) through holes (12) preventing the passage of the parts forming the filler.

2. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet nozzle (1) comprises: a pH sensor.

3. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet nozzle (1) comprises: a chlorine sensor.

4. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (6) comprises: a pH sensor.

5. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (6) comprises: a chlorine sensor.

6. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (6) comprises: a flow switch (10).

7. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the first volume (2.1) is located above the second volume (2.2) separated by the perforated surface (3).

8. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the inside of the central chamber (5) comprises at least two electrodes (7) to perform electrolysis.

9. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one ultraviolet light emitter inside the central chamber (5).

10. Reactor according to claim 9, characterized in that the ultraviolet light emitter is an ultraviolet lamp (8).

11. Reactor according to claim 1, wherein the injector of the pH-adjusting compound is a CO.sub.2 injector (11).

12. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet nozzle (1) and the outlet nozzle (6) are attached in by-pass arrangement with an auxiliary pump (13) at the inlet and a control valve (14) at the outlet to regulate the pressure inside the reactor.

13. Reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a chemical oxidizer metering unit in the central chamber (5).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description in which the following is depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B show respective section views of the modular integrated reactor, indicating the circulation of the water to be treated from the inlet to the outlet of the reactor, going through the different chambers/parts of the reactor.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a detailed section view of the head of the integrated reactor where the parts thereof can be seen in detail.

(4) FIG. 3 shows the by-pass installation with pressure control in the reactor integrated by means of pump at the inlet and control valve at the outlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(5) As mentioned, the invention relates to a reactor for integral water treatment comprising: an inlet nozzle (1); a perimetral chamber (2) having two volumes separated by a perforated surface (3): a first volume (2.1), for the distribution and injection of a pH-adjusting compound, comprising: an injector (11) of the pH-adjusting compound; a second volume (2.2) comprising a filler (4) to favor absorption of the pH-adjusting compound; a central chamber (5) inside the perimetral chamber (2) communicated in its lower portion with the perimetral chamber (2) through holes (12) preventing the passage of the parts forming the filler; an outlet nozzle (6) where the water is collected once it has been treated.

(6) A pH and/or chlorine reading of the water to be treated can be taken at the inlet nozzle (1).

(7) Therefore, the inlet nozzle (1) preferably comprises: a pH sensor. Likewise, the inlet nozzle (1) preferably comprises a chlorine sensor.

(8) A pH and/or chlorine and/or flow reading of the water to be treated can be taken at the outlet nozzle (6).

(9) Therefore, the outlet nozzle (6) preferably comprises: a pH sensor. Likewise, the outlet nozzle (6) preferably comprises a chlorine sensor. The outlet nozzle (6) preferably comprises a flow switch (10).

(10) If the arrangement between the first volume (2.1) and the second volume (2.2) is such that the first volume (2.1) is located above the second volume (2.2), the mixture of the pH-adjusting compound with the water is improved, particularly if this compound is gas.

(11) Therefore, the first volume (2.1) is preferably located above the second volume (2.2) separated by the perforated surface (3).

(12) The filler (4) is preferably formed by a grouping of a plastic body that is repeated, generally having a spherical and/or cylindrical geometry with pores or gaps which may be of a higher density than water or lower density than water, assuring in any case the increase in contact surfaces and improving distribution in the reactor upon passage therethrough without preferential channels.

(13) The inside of the central chamber (5) preferably comprises at least two electrodes (7) to perform electrolysis. More preferably, these electrodes (7) are in the form of a plate or mesh, having a monopolar, bipolar, or mixed electrical configuration. They apply a cathode-anode voltage between 3 and 24 VDC and a current density between 1 and 60 mA/cm.sup.2, with salt concentrations between 0.3 and 6 g/l.

(14) Preferably, at least one ultraviolet light emitter is present inside the central chamber (5). It is preferably an ultraviolet lamp (8). More preferably, the ultraviolet lamp (8) is a low- or medium-pressure lamp; the ultraviolet lamp is tubular-shaped and comprises an also tubular-shaped element for isolating it from the medium, preferably formed by a quartz sleeve. Said lamp provides a dose of UV-C between 1 and 60 mJ/cm.sup.2.

(15) Even more preferably, at least two electrodes (7) and one ultraviolet lamp (8) are present in the central chamber (5) so as to simultaneously cause the oxidation-disinfection and ultraviolet radiation treatment in situ.

(16) Preferably, the injector (11) of the pH-reducing compound is a CO.sub.2 injector. The organochlorine byproducts are minimized with CO.sub.2 compared to its alternatives, while at the same time handling risks are minimized as it is a reagent found in nature.

(17) It is important to control the pressure inside the reactor for integral water treatment of the invention, where the absorption chamber (2.2) and filler (4) are located, as indicated in FIG. 3. The working pressure can either be the natural pressure obtained in the by-pass installation, or else it can be increased by means of an auxiliary pump at the inlet (13) and a pressure control valve at the outlet (14), in this case the CO.sub.2 gas absorption process is maximized.

(18) Therefore, the inlet nozzle (1) and the outlet nozzle (6) are preferably attached in by-pass arrangement with an auxiliary pump (13) at the inlet and a control valve (14) at the outlet.

(19) Finally, as an alternative to electrolysis treatment for causing oxidation-disinfection, the reactor may have in the central chamber (5) a chemical oxidizer-disinfectant metering unit instead of the electrolysis electrodes.