APPARATUS AND METHOD TO MAKE WATER DRINKABLE

Abstract

An apparatus to make water drinkable includes a tank (12) for the water to be made drinkable. A lower part (12a) of the tank contains the water to be made drinkable and an upper part (12b) is configured to accumulate the damp air. The tank also includes a hot air inlet (21) positioned in correspondence with the lower part (12a) and an exit pipe (19) for the damp air. The apparatus also includes a condensation unit (16) located in cooperation with the tank (12).

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. Apparatus to make water drinkable, comprising a tank (12) to accumulate and/or contain the water to be made drinkable, wherein said tank (12) comprises: a lower part (12a) to contain the water to be made drinkable, an upper part (12b) to accumulate damp air, a hot air inlet (21) positioned in correspondence with said lower part (12a), at least one exit pipe (19) for the damp air positioned in said upper part (12b) to allow the damp air to exit, said apparatus further comprising a condensation unit (16) configured to condense said damp air and separate the condensation into clean water and heated air, said condensation unit (16) being connected to said tank (12) by means of said damp air exit pipe (19) and by means of a pipe (24) for the heated air connected to said hot air inlet (21), wherein said pipe (24) for the heated air defines a path for said heated air from said condensation unit (16) to said tank (12), and wherein a forced path (P) for the air is provided from the damp air exit pipe (19) to the pipe (24) for the heated air.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said condensation unit (16) comprises a heat exchange and recovery section (18) and a condensation section (20).

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said heat exchange and recovery section (18) and said condensation section (20) are air-air heat exchangers.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a source of renewable energy (26).

16. Apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a diffuser element (32) disposed inside said tank (12), associated with said hot air inlet (21) and configured to convey the air uniformly over the whole surface of the water.

17. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in the lower part (12a) of said tank (12), there is a circuit (27) to heat the water to be made drinkable, and configured to keep the temperature of the water between about 40 C. and 60 C.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said heating circuit (27) comprises an upper heat exchange device (28) configured to keep the damp air in the tank (12) at a temperature of more than or equal to 60 C.

19. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the heating device (27) further comprises a lower heat exchange device (29) and wherein said upper heat exchange device (28) is disposed above said diffuser element (32) and said lower heat exchange device (29) is disposed below said diffuser element (32).

20. Apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a control and command unit (35) configured to regulate the functioning of the apparatus at least to keep the optimum temperature levels to make the water drinkable, adapting to the energy conditions available.

21. Method to make the water contained in a tank (12) drinkable, the method comprising: accumulating water to be made drinkable in a lower part (12a) of said tank (12); introducing hot air through a hot air inlet (21) positioned in said lower part (12a) to reduce the absorption of heat from the accumulated water and to produce damp air in an upper part (12b) of said tank (12); transferring said damp air through a damp air exit pipe (19) positioned in said upper part (12b) to allow the damp air to exit into a condensation unit (16); condensing said damp air arriving from said damp air exit pipe (19) in said condensation unit (16) and produce condensation of clean water and heated air; and sending said heated air by means of a pipe (24) for the heated air into said tank (12) under the level of the water to be made drinkable through said hot air inlet (21), wherein said method provides to make the damp air from the damp air exit pipe (19) to the pipe (24) for the heated air following a forced path (P) in said condensation unit (16) to be dried to remove the water from it and to be heated before introducing it into said tank (12) through said hot air inlet (21).

22. Method according to claim 21, further comprising heating said water to be made drinkable in said tank (12) by means of a heating circuit (27).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus to make water drinkable according to embodiments described here;

[0061] FIG. 2 is a detail of a part of the apparatus to make water drinkable in FIG. 1;

[0062] FIG. 3 is a detail of a part of the apparatus to make water drinkable in FIG. 1;

[0063] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the method to control the apparatus according to embodiments described here.

[0064] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0065] We shall now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawing. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

[0066] Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

[0067] In accordance with the above purposes, embodiments described using FIGS. 1 and 2 concern an apparatus 10 to make water drinkable. The apparatus 10 can be used to treat seawater or waste water, also from sewer systems, or more generally non-drinking water of any type, eliminating pollutants, dirt or other from it, in order to make it drinkable or in any case usable for any use whatsoever.

[0068] The apparatus 10 provides a containing and/or accumulation tank 12, hereafter simply tank 12, for the water to be made drinkable, which can be hermetically sealed during use.

[0069] The water accumulated in the tank 12 can contain salt for example, pollutants, bacterial load or solid residues, which make it undrinkable and not suitable for use by a user.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the tank 12 comprises a lower part 12a configured to contain the water to be made drinkable for a determinate vertical portion, and an upper part 12b, configured to define an accumulation chamber for the damp air that is big enough and in any case correlated in size with the quantity of water contained in the lower part and intended to be made drinkable.

[0071] According to some embodiments, the tank 12 comprises at least an entrance pipe 13 for the water to be made drinkable; the pipe 13 can take water directly from the sea, or can be connected to a well 14, for example by means of an immersion pump 15, to take water from a water table.

[0072] According to some embodiments, the entrance pipe 13 for the water to be made drinkable may not need filters during pick-up, since possible solid residues are decanted onto the bottom of the tank 12 and can be removed during the programmed emptying operations.

[0073] According to some embodiments, the tank 12 can also comprise at least one exit pipe 17 for the water to a discharge tank, or dilution tank, for example to reduce the concentration of salts from the water before sending it to the sea or a water table, for example to perform periodic maintenance.

[0074] According to some embodiments, valves can be provided to selectively open/close respectively the entrance pipe 13 and/or the exit pipe 17 of the water to/from the tank 12.

[0075] According to some embodiments, the tank 12 also comprises means to blow in hot air, configured to heat the water present in the tank 12.

[0076] The tank 12 can comprise a hot air inlet 21, which can be associated with the blowing means, positioned in correspondence with the lower part 12a of the tank 12.

[0077] The hot air inlet 21 can be for example an aperture or a passage pipe for hot air.

[0078] In some embodiments, the hot air inlet 21 can be positioned for example under the minimum level of the water to be made drinkable that is present during the normal functioning of the apparatus 10 in the tank 12.

[0079] According to a possible solution, the hot air inlet 21 can be positioned for example about half-way along the vertical extension of the lower part 12a.

[0080] The hot air introduced into the water contained in the tank 12 absorbs humidity and transports a determinate mass of water in the form of damp air into the upper part 12b of the tank 12. In this way the formation of damp air is forced at a temperature corresponding to that of the water present in the tank 12.

[0081] The tank 12 also comprises a damp air exit pipe 19, which can be positioned in the upper part 12b of the tank 12 to allow the damp air to exit.

[0082] The apparatus 10 also comprises a condensation unit 16, located in cooperation with the tank 12, for example by means of the damp air exit pipe 19.

[0083] The condensation unit 16 is configured to receive the damp air generated in the tank 12, and to condense it, separating it into condensed water and heated air.

[0084] According to some embodiments, a pipe 24 for heated air is provided, which connects the condensation unit 16 to the hot air inlet 21 to allow the heated air to flow from the condensation unit 16 to the tank 12.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the condensation unit 16 comprises a heat exchange and recovery section 18 and a condensation section 20, configured to progressively cool and dry the damp air arriving from the tank 12.

[0086] According to one solution, the heat exchange and recovery section 18 and the condensation section 20 can be heat exchangers of the air-air type, in which the damp air arriving from the tank 12 can flow in counter-current with ambient air taken from outside the condensation unit 16.

[0087] According to embodiments described using FIGS. 1 and 3, the damp air arriving from the tank 12 is made to transit through the heat exchange and recovery section 18, partly cooling and giving up heat to the air flowing in counter-current.

[0088] Subsequently, the partly cooled damp air passes through the condensation section 20 in which it gives up heat to the air taken from the outside, giving up condensation. The condensed water vapor precipitates toward the bottom of the condensation section 20 in direction F (FIG. 3).

[0089] According to some embodiments, a condensation collection tank 22 can be provided (FIG. 1) associated, for example by means of an exit pipe for purified water 23, with the condensation section 20.

[0090] Moreover, according to some embodiments, the pipe 24 for the heated air is associated with the heat exchange and recovery section 18.

[0091] In these embodiments, the air with reduced absolute humidity exiting from the condensation section 20 is made to circulate forcedly again in the heat exchange and recovery section 18, in which it is again heated before being made to exit through the pipe 24 for the heated air.

[0092] According to embodiments described using FIG. 3, the air, from the damp air exit pipe 19 to the pipe 24 for the heated air, follows a forced path P.

[0093] According to some embodiments, the condensation unit 16 is configured to use the heat of the phase change (vapor-water) to heat the air toward the pipe 24 for the heated air, before introducing it into the tank 12 through the hot air inlet 21.

[0094] According to some embodiments, an air movement unit 25 is provided, disposed along the pipe 24 for the heated air, such as a fan, or an air suction pump. The air movement unit 25 is configured to move, for example by sucking it in, the air heated by the heat exchange and recovery section 18, and to introduce it at a desired pressure into the tank 12.

[0095] According to some embodiments, the circuit of air along the forced path P under normal working conditions is substantially a closed circuit, except in the start-up and heating phase. When the air movement unit 25 is inoperative, the volatile substances, due to the rise in temperature, are able to exit from the tank 12, which prevents them from spreading in the condensation water.

[0096] The air heated in the heat exchange and recovery section 18 is sent to the tank 12 under the level of the liquid head of the water to be made drinkable, so as to spread into one or more points under the level of the liquid head, and then rises upward, taking with it water vapor which tends to saturate the upper part 12b of the tank 12.

[0097] According to some embodiments, downstream of the pipe 24 for the heated air a diffuser element 32 can be provided, disposed inside the tank 12, and associated with the hot air inlet 21, configured to convey the air uniformly over the whole surface of the water, so as to prevent nebulization and hence the transport of water with its contents into the damp air and hence into the condensation unit 16.

[0098] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 comprises a renewable energy source 26, located in cooperation at least with the tank 12.

[0099] According to some embodiments, the renewable energy source 26 can comprise one or more of either a wind power generator, solar cells with a photovoltaic effect, or a solar water heating unit, for example with solar panels or solar concentration.

[0100] According to possible embodiments, the apparatus 10 can be completely powered by the electric energy supplied by the renewable energy source 26.

[0101] According to a variant embodiment, not shown, the apparatus 10 can be connected to a traditional electric power network, and be powered by it.

[0102] According to some embodiments, a circuit 27 for heating the water can be present in the tank 12.

[0103] According to embodiments described using FIGS. 1 and 2, the heating circuit 27 can comprise an upper heat exchange device 28, disposed near the level of the liquid head.

[0104] According to embodiments described using FIGS. 1 and 2, the heating circuit 27 also comprises a lower heat exchange device 29, disposed near the bottom of the tank 12.

[0105] According to an embodiment described using FIGS. 1 and 2, the diffuser element 32 can be disposed between the upper heat exchange device 28 and the lower heat exchange device 29.

[0106] According to possible solutions, the upper heat exchange device 28 and the lower heat exchange device 29 are coils connected to each other, in which a heating liquid flows, for example water.

[0107] According to some embodiments, the tank 12 is provided with an entrance aperture 30 for the heating liquid, associated with the upper heat exchange device 28, and an exit aperture 31 for the heating liquid, associated with the lower heat exchange device 29.

[0108] In this way, the heating liquid enters through the entrance aperture 30, passes through the upper heat exchange device 28 and the lower heat exchange device 29 and exits through the exit aperture 31.

[0109] According to some embodiments, the heating liquid can be heated to a desired temperature using the energy produced by the renewable energy source 26.

[0110] According to embodiments described using FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 also comprises a control and command unit 35, configured to regulate the functioning of the apparatus 10 at least to keep the temperature levels optimal to make the water drinkable, adapting to the available energy conditions, for example based on the energy available from the renewable energy source 26.

[0111] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 10 can comprise temperature detectors 36, 37, 38.

[0112] In particular, a first temperature detector 36 can be provided, disposed in the upper part 12b of the tank that functions as an accumulation tank for the damp air and configured to detect the temperature of the damp air accumulated therein.

[0113] A second temperature detector 37 can also be provided, positioned in the lower part 12a of the tank 12 and configured to detect the temperature of the water to be made drinkable.

[0114] A third temperature detector 38 can also be provided, positioned in the pipe 24 for the heated air, to detect the temperature of the heated recirculated air.

[0115] According to a possible solution, the apparatus 10 can also comprise a detector 39 to detect the level of liquid, configured to detect the level of the water to be made drinkable in the tank 12.

[0116] According to another possible solution, the apparatus 10 also comprises a detector to detect the flow rate of heated air, configured to detect the flow rate of air along the pipe 24 for the heated air.

[0117] According to embodiments described using FIG. 1, the control and command unit 35 is connected to and receives data from one, several or all the temperature detectors 36, 37, 38, the level detector 39, flow rate detector 40 and external energy source 26, and according to the data received, regulates the functioning of the apparatus 10.

[0118] According to embodiments described using FIG. 4, the control and command unit 35 can receive an indication of the level of liquid in the tank 12 from the level detector 39 and can compare it with a predetermined minimum level and maximum level. If the level of the liquid is lower than the minimum level, the control and command unit 35 activates the immersion pump 15 to take water to be made drinkable from the sea or well 14. Vice versa, if the level of the liquid is higher than the maximum level, the control and command unit 35 de-activates the immersion pump 15.

[0119] If necessary, the control and command unit 35 can command the opening of the exit pipe 17 to discharge at least part of the liquid from the tank 12 to take it under the maximum level.

[0120] According to some embodiments, the control and command unit 35 can be configured to receive data relating to the temperature of the liquid in the tank 12 by means of the second temperature detector 37 and relating to the temperature of the damp air by means of the first temperature detector 36, and to compare them with the temperature of the recirculated air detected by the third temperature detector 38.

[0121] According to some embodiments, the control and command unit can detect the temperature of the heat source, for example detecting the energy supplied by the renewable energy source 26, or the heating temperature of the liquid in the heating circuit 27.

[0122] Based on this comparison, the control and command unit 35 can therefore regulate the heating circuit 27 and/or the air movement unit 25 to regulate respectively the temperature of the liquid in the tank 12 and the air flow rate through the air movement unit 25 in order to keep a desired temperature difference between the temperature of the damp air exiting from the tank 12 and the temperature of the heated air entering the tank 12.

[0123] For example, if the temperature of the heating circuit 27 is lower than a set value, it can regulate the air flow rate to keep the temperature levels of the water and damp air at the desired levels.

[0124] If the temperature of the heating circuit 27 is greater than or equal to the set value, then the control and command unit 35 activates the air movement unit 25.

[0125] Subsequently, the control and command unit 35 can verify if the temperature of the heated air, detected by the temperature detector 38, is greater than or equal to a set value. If so, the air movement unit 25 remains active, until the temperature of the heat source becomes lower than the reference value set, in which case the air movement unit 25 is de-activated. If the temperature of the heat source is greater than or equal to the reference value set, then the control and command unit 35 makes a new comparison of the level of water with the respective minimum and maximum values, and possibly modulates the flow rate of heated air.

[0126] Moreover, if it is necessary to actuate maintenance operations, the control and command unit 35 can possibly de-activate the air movement unit 25 and the heating circuit 27 and open the exit pipe 17 to empty the tank 12.

[0127] According to possible variant embodiments, the control and command unit 35 comprises a memorization unit configured to memorize the data detected by the detectors 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and/or the set data for the functioning of the apparatus 10.

[0128] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the apparatus and method to make water drinkable as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0129] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of apparatus and method to make water drinkable, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0130] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.