Portable Self-Contained Reverse Osmosis System

Abstract

The invention provides for a portable, self-contained reverse osmosis system of which all necessary components to carry out substrate processing fit within the containment vessel. The invention weighs fewer than 50 pounds, consumes fewer than 250 watts of electricity, and can easily be carried from one location to another. While the invention is capable of processing hundreds of gallons of substrate per day, it can efficiently process as little as one gallon of substrate at a given time.

Claims

1. A portable reverse osmosis system that is self-contained in a five gallon bucket, or similarly-sized container, weighing fewer than 25 pounds, utilizing fewer than 250 watts of electricity, comprising: a means of drawing in and pressurizing substrate, a means of power, a sediment filter housing assembly for filtering substrate, one or more reverse osmosis membrane housing assemblies plumbed for the removal of water from substrate, and a restriction or metering device that limits substrate flow through the reverse osmosis membrane(s) concentrate outputs.

2. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 1, of which further treatment of concentrate or permeate is permitted by the use of a self-contained ultraviolet purification device.

3. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 1, of which power can be derived from a self-contained electric storage device that weighs no more than 15 additional pounds.

4. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 3, of which a solar cell or array of solar cells is incorporated as a means of recharging the self-contained electric storage device.

5. A portable reverse osmosis system that is self-contained in a six gallon bucket, or similarly-sized container, weighing fewer than 25 pounds, utilizing fewer than 250 watts of electricity, comprising: a means of drawing in and pressurizing substrate, a means of power, a sediment filter housing assembly for filtering substrate, one or more reverse osmosis membrane housing assemblies plumbed for the removal of water from substrate, and a restriction or metering device that limits substrate flow through the reverse osmosis membrane(s) concentrate outputs.

6. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 5, of which further treatment of concentrate or permeate is permitted by the use of a self-contained ultraviolet purification device.

7. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 5, of which power can be derived from a self-contained electric storage device that weighs no more than 15 additional pounds.

8. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 7, of which a solar cell or array of solar cells is incorporated as a means of recharging the self-contained electric storage device.

9. A portable reverse osmosis system that is self-contained in a seven gallon bucket, or similarly-sized container, weighing fewer than 35 pounds, utilizing fewer than 250 watts of electricity, comprising: a means of drawing in and pressurizing substrate, a means of power, a sediment filter housing assembly for filtering substrate, one or more reverse osmosis membrane housing assemblies plumbed for the removal of water from substrate, and a restriction or metering device that limits substrate flow through the reverse osmosis membrane(s) concentrate outputs.

10. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 9, of which further treatment of concentrate or permeate is permitted by the use of a self-contained ultraviolet purification device.

11. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 9, of which power can be derived from a self-contained electric storage device that weighs no more than 15 additional pounds.

12. The portable reverse osmosis system of claim 11, of which a solar cell or array of solar cells is incorporated as a means of recharging the self-contained electric storage device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0011] FIG. 1Component diagram of portable, self-contained reverse osmosis system.

[0012] FIG. 2Example of a series plumbing schematic for a multiple membrane system.

[0013] FIG. 3Example of a parallel plumbing schematic for a multiple membrane system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The portable self-contained reverse osmosis system consists of the following items:

[0015] 1. Bucket with a volume equal to or fewer than 7 gallons

[0016] 2. Internal separator plate designed to organize internal components

[0017] 3. Pressure booster pump capable of up to 150 psi

[0018] 4. Means of powering pressure booster pump (power transformer or internal power source)

[0019] 5. Sediment filter housing assembly fewer than 20 long (containing sediment filter)

[0020] 6. Reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly (containing reverse osmosis membrane)

[0021] 7. Restriction/metering device

[0022] 8. Intake (substrate) suction hose

[0023] 9. Outlet permeate (water) hose

[0024] 10. Outlet concentrate hose

[0025] 11. Lid or means of closing system

[0026] 12. Ultraviolet purification assembly

[0027] 13. Solar panel

[0028] FIG. 1 depicts a component diagram of the portable, self-contained reverse osmosis system. Items 2-13 are self-contained within the bucket (item 1) with a volume equal to or fewer than 7 gallons. The lid (Item 11) fits on top of the bucket and allows the system to be sealed and stored when not in use. The separator plate (item 2), which contains specific cut-outs to fit various housings and an ultraviolet purification assembly (12), acts as a means of organizing the contents within the bucket. The separator plate (item 2) has a diameter that is designed to rest against the tapered inside edge of the bucket (item 1), or is incorporated into the bucket itself. The pressure booster pump (item 3) is attached, using appropriate fasteners, to the inside bottom or internal side of the bucket (item 1). A means of powering (item 4) the pressure booster pump can come from a power transformer (relying on an external power source) stored inside the bucket or a rechargeable internal power source that is affixed to the inside of the bucket. Alternatively, power could be supplied directly from a solar panel (item 11) incorporated into the lid of the system. The sediment filter housing assembly (item 5) is placed into the appropriate cut-out of the separator plate (item 2). The membrane housing assembly (item 6) is placed in the appropriate cut-out of the separator plate (item 2). An ultraviolet purification assembly (item 12) may also be placed in an appropriate cut-out in the separator plate. The pressure booster pump (item 3) inlet is equipped with a length of hose to be used as an intake (substrate) suction hose (item 8) for substrate to be processed. This often contains a fine mesh strainer for the purpose of pre-filtering large sediment from the substrate. This intake (substrate) suction hose (item 8) can pass through the separator plate or a thru hull fitting to the exterior of the bucket. The pressure booster pump (item 3) outlet is connected to the sediment filter (item 5) inlet with appropriately-sized tubing. This tubing can either run through a hole in the separator plate or a thru hull style fitting to the exterior of the bucket.

[0029] FIG. 2 depicts an example of a series plumbing configuration. The intake (substrate) suction hose (item 8) is connected to the ultraviolet purification assembly (item 12). The ultraviolet purification assembly is then connected to the pressure booster pump (item 3) inlet. The pressure booster pump (item 3) outlet is connected to the sediment filter housing assembly (item 5) inlet. The sediment filter housing assembly (item 5) outlet is connected to the first reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly (item 6) inlet. The concentrate outlet of the first reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly will be plumbed to the inlet of a second reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly. The tubing will attach to the concentrate outlet of the first reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly through the separator plate (item 2) and into the inlet of the second reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly (item 6). A metering device will be placed on the outlet concentrate hose (item 10) of the last reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly. The metering/restriction valve (item 7) can be a calibrated flow restrictor or an adjustable needle valve. The permeate outlets of the reverse osmosis membrane housings assemblies will be plumbed together and terminate at the outlet permeate (water) hose (item 9). The outlet concentrate hose (item 10) and outlet permeate (water) hose (item 9) can pass thru the separator plate, or through a thru hull connector to the exterior of the bucket.

[0030] FIG. 3 depicts an example of a parallel plumbing configuration. The intake (substrate) suction hose (item 8) is connected to the ultraviolet purification assembly (item 12). The ultraviolet purification assembly is then connected to the pressure booster pump (item 3) inlet. The pressure booster pump (item 3) outlet is connected to the sediment filter housing assembly (item 5) inlet. The sediment filter housing assembly (item 5) outlet is connected to the plurality of reverse osmosis membrane housing assembly (item 6) inlets. The concentrate outlets of the plurality of reverse osmosis membrane housing assemblies will be plumbed together. A metering device will be placed after the connected concentrate outlets, terminating at the outlet concentrate hose (item 10). The metering/restriction valve (item 7) can be a calibrated flow restrictor or an adjustable needle valve. The permeate outlets of the plurality of reverse osmosis membrane housing assemblies will be plumbed together and terminate at the outlet permeate (water) hose (item 9). The outlet concentrate hose (item 10) and outlet permeate (water) hose (item 9) can pass thru the separator plate, or through a thru hull connector to the exterior of the bucket.

[0031] The steps for using the system are as follows:

[0032] 1. The lid is removed from the bucket. The components necessary to begin substrate processing are located. This includes the power source, intake (substrate) suction hose, outlet permeate (water) hose, and outlet concentrate hose. The hoses are pre-plumbed through the separator plate or the user attaches them to their corresponding thru hull fitting in the side of the bucket. Unlike existing large-scale reverse osmosis systems, this invention consumes very little electricity (fewer than 250) watts. It can be plugged into a standard 110 v outlet, 220 v outlet, or utilize an alternative power source (like a battery or inverter). The pressure booster pump, which may vary from 12-48 volt inputs, can run off multiple power sources. Power may come from an external 110 v or 220 v source through a transformer. Alternatively, the system may be powered by an external or internal 12-48 v power source.

[0033] 2. The intake suction hose is placed in the substrate to be processed and substrate flows into the system. This is different from existing light-weight reverse osmosis systems in that the present invention can draw substrate from any type of container through a single flexible intake tube. It does not need to be plumbed to a separate pressurization device, or attached in any way to a storage vessel. Unlike existing reverse osmosis systems, the ability for this system to draw in and pressurize substrate from a flexible tube allows users to process quantities of substrate as small as one gallon, from any container or location where substrate has pooled.

[0034] 3. Once substrate starts flowing out of the outlet concentrate hose, the user creates restriction by decreasing the flow of substrate through the needle valve. Alternatively, a pre-calibrated restrictor is used in place of the needle valve to create restriction and increase the pressure within the system. Once the permeate and concentrate outlet hoses are flowing at an acceptable rate (between 10% to 70% water removal as determined by the user), permeate begins flowing through the permeate discharge outlet. This single flow control device aides in the ease of use of the system and decreases the amount of time necessary to start processing substrate.

[0035] 4. Upon completion of substrate processing, the unit is flushed with permeate water. One method of permeate flushing involves removal of the intake suction hose from the substrate allowing the unit to run dry. The user then places the intake suction hose into saved permeate water, and the system is flushed with permeate water using to no restriction. The amount of permeate water used for flushing is equal to the permeate produced, or up to 10 gallons. The hoses, transformer, and other parts can then be placed back into the container. The container is sealed with the lid, and stored until next use. If the system is not to be used for over a week, common reverse osmosis cleaning agents can be pumped through the system to minimize biological growth and prolong membrane life. The volume displaced by this system (less than 1 gallon) aids in the time, ease and cost of flushing compared to large-scale reverse osmosis systems.