WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

Description

WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention describes a water treatment system comprising a chemical component application section, a static mixer, and a water treatment station comprising filtration vessels. The present invention is in the technical field of water treatment and supply systems and related components. Background of the Invention

[0002] Conventional water production systems are designed to capture local raw water from reservoirs or springs and are generally composed of treatment systems comprising at least one coagulator, settling tank, flocculator and filters.

[0003] However, these systems often require a large space to be implemented, mainly due to the settling tank, which, in addition to the settling time inherent to its function, requires a large area and volume and is a component that is difficult to repair and maintain, especially if any cracks / damage occur in its structure.

[0004] Some simplified water treatment system solutions aimed at some type of compactness can be found in the state of the art, as well as specific components that may be useful in such systems, such as tubular mixers.

[0005] The article Garcia-Ávila et al. “Experimental Evaluation of Tubular 'Flocculator Implemented in the Field for Drinking Water Supply: Application in the Developing World'. Water 2023, 15, 833 reveals a water treatment system comprising 12 components, including a horizontal tubular flocculator, a settling tank, and filters. However, this system still requires considerable space and a fixed structure for operation, as well as a settling tank (which excessively increases the time required for water treatment). Furthermore, the tubular flocculator acts to provide water mixing. Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 6 / 30 2 / 13 of the raw material and chemical components are lost through the "bends" in the piping, causing a high pressure drop in the system, in addition to not providing adequate mixing of all the liquid.

[0006] Among the prior art patent documents, document US20130068698 describes a water filtration unit comprising: an enclosure; a passive separator in the enclosure to receive a pressurized source of water with a high particle content, to separate most of the particle mass from the water and produce water with a low particle content; particle outlet means arranged at least partially within the enclosure to receive and allow the disposal of the separated particles from the water; at least one filtration module in the enclosure to simultaneously receive the water with a low particle content, to filter the remaining particles and contaminants from the low particle content water, allowing the water to pass through porous filtration means of each module by gravity;and at least one outlet pipe coupled to an outlet on a wall of the enclosure to receive the filtered water from the filtration modules and supply the filtered water to a fluid reservoir outside the enclosure. The system in this document does not teach or suggest the elimination of the settling tank through the use of a system with the order of components and steps of the present invention. Additionally, the document does not teach or suggest a static mixer in the piping that promotes coagulation and flocculation within the piping.

[0007] Document BR112022021249 describes a reverse flow / static spiral mixer apparatus whose purpose is the intense molecular shearing of liquids (oils and water / oil emulsions) to break intermolecular and intramolecular bonds, expressly teaching that the use of flocculants for filtration becomes unnecessary. The document neither teaches nor suggests the use of a component that acts as a static mixer in piping in combination with the application of coagulants / flocculants for raw water treatment aimed at producing potable water, nor does it mention Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 7 / 30 3 / 13 its integration with mixed filter bed filtration vessels for this purpose.

[0008] Thus, compact and mobile treatment plant solutions are of particular interest in the art, both for replacing traditional systems and for operation during maintenance periods of some component in a conventional water treatment plant. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In this sense, the present patent application presents a new water treatment system comprising: i. raw water receiving piping and comprising a section for the application of chemical components for water treatment, in fluid communication with; ii. at least one pipe with one or more sections comprising in its interior cavity a structure with a static mixer, which is in fluid communication with; iii. at least one water treatment plant comprising filter bed filtration vessels and a treated water outlet pipeline downstream of said filtration vessels.

[0010] Thus, the aforementioned system is particularly useful for situations where the implementation or operation of the conventional system is not feasible, whether due to short implementation times, equipment maintenance or structural failures, such as leaks in settling tanks or filters, or in situations where there is a specific and urgent need, such as meeting specific demands in newly formed communities, complying with contractual or legal deadlines, among other situations that require speed or ease in the production and distribution of treated water, as well as in cases of adverse weather conditions such as excessive rainfall, use of alternative water sources, landslides, among others. Figures

[0011] Figure 1: Flowchart of the water treatment system. Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 8 / 30 4 / 13

[0012] Figure 2: Photograph of a raw water sample (1000 NTU - Unit Nephelometric Turbidity) and sample of water treated by the water treatment system (0.40 NTU turbidity).

[0013] Figure 3: Internal top view of the mobile water treatment station. 3.1 Container (20 feet). 3.2 FRP tank 48x72. 3.3 Provide for side closure in tarpaulin (mobile system). 3.4 Treated water outlet. 3.5 Coagulated water inlet. 3.6 Backwash outlet. 3.7 Container A: 15.11 m2.

[0014] Figure 4: 3D view of the mobile water treatment plant piping. 4.1: Coagulated Water Inlet. 4.2: Backwash Outlet. 4.3: Treated Water Outlet.

[0015] Figure 5: 3D view of the piping and tanks of the mobile water treatment plant.

[0016] Figure 6 and Figure 7: Top view of the piping and mapping of the parts of the mobile water treatment plant. 01: Cross with JGS sockets and elastic joint. 02: 90° bend with JGS sockets and elastic joint. 03: Tee with JGS sockets and elastic joint. 04: Automatic valve. 05: JGS pipe (Elevated 2.60). 06: JGS pipe (Downpipes). 07: JGS pipe (Elevated 0.10). 08: 48X72 FRP tank - Blue, Diameter 48 and Height 72, Top and Bottom Opening 6 inches - Tripod flange.

[0017] Figure 8: Chemical product application section.

[0018] Figure 9: Static mixer inside a pipe.

[0019] Figure 10: Static mixer inside a pipe and with a detailed example of the internal fixing in the pipe.

[0020] Figure 11: Static mixer.

[0021] Figure 12: Static device for rapid coagulation, 4 meters long, fixed internally in the piping.

[0022] Figure 13: Overlapping of the skids and final assembly of the mobile water treatment plant.

[0023] Figure 14: Skid with filters. Individual valves with electric actuator. Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 9 / 30 5 / 13

[0024] Figure 15: Piping and treated water junction of two modules of the mobile water treatment plant for storage.

[0025] Figure 16: Treated water entering the reservoir from the mobile water treatment plant. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] The present detailed description of the invention establishes some, non-limiting, definitions of the main terminologies and technical characteristics employed throughout this patent application, as well as providing examples of some embodiments of the present invention so that it can be reproduced by a person skilled in the art.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, pipeline “i” is located upstream of at least one pipeline “ii” and the water treatment plant “iii” is located downstream of pipeline “ii”.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the raw water contains turbidity below 200 NTU.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, said water treatment system consists essentially, or solely, of:

[0030] i. raw water receiving piping and comprising a section for applying chemical components for water treatment, in fluid communication with;

[0031] ii. at least one pipe with one or more sections comprising in its interior cavity a structure with a static mixer, which is in fluid communication with;

[0032] iii. at least one water treatment plant comprising filter bed filtration vessels and a treated water outlet pipeline downstream of said filtration vessels.

[0033] In the context of the present invention, the term water treatment system should be understood as a complete treatment system, from receiving a raw water source to obtaining treated water. The term water treatment plant should be interpreted as a subsystem. Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 10 / 30 6 / 13 which can be mobile or static and which comprises the filtration media / filters.

[0034] Application of chemical components for coagulation and flocculation

[0035] The present system comprises a first raw water collection / receipt point and thus has as its first point a section for the application of chemicals intended to promote coagulation and flocculation of the raw water. This first section occupies a considerably reduced space compared to traditional sections (e.g., 10 cm spacing between each application point of each chemical component in the piping) and can be applied at adjacent points in the system's piping line with reduced spacing (e.g., the entire application section can be contained within a 1 m region of the piping).

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the chemical components for water treatment are: Coagulants, such as aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride and polyaluminum chloride; Flocculants, such as polyacrylamide (PAM), polyDADMAC and polyamine; pH adjusters, such as sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and sulfuric acid; Corrosion inhibitors, such as phosphates, silicates and zinc orthophosphate; Anti-scalants, such as calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate, polyphosphates and polyacrylic acids; Adsorbents; or; a combination of these components or others that may be of interest or required for the water treatment in question, such as components derived from fluorine, chlorine, biocides, clarifiers, alkalizing agents, polymers, among others.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the chemical components are: Calcium Hydroxide (gel); Aluminum Polychloride; Sodium Hypochlorite; Poly Electrolyte; Fluosilicic Acid.

[0038] Static mixer

[0039] A static mixer was developed, which assists in the rapid mixing of chemical compounds, thus promoting coagulation and flocculation in the raw water pipeline itself, within the pipeline and in a short space, followed by the rapid routing of the already flocculated water to the units. Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 11 / 30 7 / 13 filtration.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the device is 4 meters long and is fixed internally to the raw water pipeline (after the application of chemicals) where it rapidly assists in the mixing of coagulant, alkalizing agent, polymer, chlorine and fluoride. With the aid of the device, coagulation occurs in the raw water pipeline itself in a short space (e.g. 13 meters), with the coagulated water being directed directly to the filtration units of the mobile water treatment plant.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the static mixer is provided with an internal support shaft disposed centrally in the pipe and comprising one or more fins fixed to said internal support with a surface area sufficient to provide mixing of said chemical components within the pipe.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the static mixer is provided with an internal support shaft disposed centrally in the piping and comprising one or more fins fixed to said internal support and in a geometry of circumferential or helical cross-sections, extending radially from the internal support shaft.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, said circumference sections have a radius of length up to the limit of the pipe radius and an internal angle between 10° and 270°, preferably between 90° and 200°, more preferably between 120° and 180°.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more fins arranged on the same support element are fixed in such a way that each adjacent fin fills a distinct or substantially distinct region of the pipe's cross-section, the region being able to be repeated between non-adjacent fins. That is, the fins must be arranged in such a way as to allow the passage of fluid through the pipe, but with sufficient obstruction to generate effective turbulence.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, said internal support Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 12 / 30 8 / 13 is fixed to the pipe in its central position by at least one means of interference fit or fastening by steel or stainless steel bolts and nuts.

[0046] Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Filtration System

[0047] According to the present invention, it was possible to arrive at a water treatment station and filtration system that occupies less physical space than conventional filters, is quick to install, can be installed in a container and transported to different locations as a mobile water treatment station, with chemical dosing and / or backwashing of automated filters and that eliminates the need for a settling tank structure for raw water with turbidity below 200 NTU.

[0048] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the filter bed vessels are mixed and composed of Zeolite and Manganese Dioxide arranged in alternating layers. In one embodiment of the present invention, the removal of Iron and Manganese is carried out by filter vessels comprising a mixed filter bed composed of Zeolite (0.5 to 1 mm), clinoptolite and Manganese Dioxide (0.3 to 0.35 mm). In one embodiment of the invention, other filter media may be used depending on the characteristics of the raw water.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, filtration can be carried out by pressurizing the piping containing the water, which can be done by a multi-way valve or by individual valves with an electric actuator and a control program via PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The installation of a system with individual valves with electric actuators allows for a 50% increase in the treatment flow rate in each filter vessel.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the filtration system comprises an automated quick rinsing system immediately after backwashing.

[0051] All applications, both at the inlet (raw water) and outlet (final water), can be automatically corrected via PLC. Parameter, level, and pressure information can be monitored by the CCO (Control Center). Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 13 / 30 9 / 13 Operational Control) and the backwash system can be activated manually (locally), automatically according to turbidity, pressure drop, filtration cycle time, working pressure, among others via PLC, and a rinsing system can be added immediately after backwashing, with remote activation and deactivation of the Mobile WTP.

[0052] Example: Mobile Water Treatment Plant and System

[0053] System Characteristics: - 2 Mobile Water Treatment Plant Modules with 4 filtration vessels each; - 8 filtration vessels in total; - Each filtration vessel with a capacity of 7.5 L / s (27 m3 / h); - Total capacity of the 8 filtration vessels: 60 L / s (216 m3 / h); - Filtration vessels with mixed filter media (composed of Zeolite and Manganese Dioxide), arranged in alternating layers. - Applications of Chemical Products: Calcium Hydroxide (gel), Aluminum Polychloride, Sodium Hypochlorite, Polyelectrolyte and Fluosilicic Acid. - Filtration run of 2 to 3 hours (depending on the turbidity of the raw water).

[0054] The filtration system was based on high-performance filter material. The use of zeolites proved to be quite efficient in retaining turbidity, color, taste and odor, as well as retaining metals such as iron and aluminum. The use of manganese oxide as a filter medium for the removal of soluble manganese also demonstrated excellent results. The combination of these two materials enabled a significant increase in treatment capacity per filtration area. Test Maximum Value Minimum Value Test Maximum Value Minimum Value Loss on Ignition 15.00% 7.00% Na2O 5.00% 0.00% SiO2 75.00% 62.00% K2O 5.00% 0.50% Al2O3 15.00% 7.00% MnO 0.50% 0.00% Fe2O3 3.00% 0.50% P2O5 0.50% 0.00% TiO2 0.50% 0.00% ZnO 0.50% 0.00% CaO 5.00% 0.50% CuO 0.10% 0.00% MgO 3.00% 0.00% Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 14 / 30 10 / 13 Table 1: Chemical composition - natural zeolite Test Maximum Value Minimum Value Test Maximum Value Minimum Value Loss on ignition 5.00% 0.50% Na2O 1.00% 0.00% SiO2 95.00% 75.00% K2O 3.00% 0.00% Al2O3 5.00% 0.50% MnO 7.00% 1.00% Fe2O3 3.00% 0.50% P2O5 1.00% 0.00% TiO2 0.50% 0.00% ZnO 0.50% 0.00% CaO 1.00% 0.00% CuO 0.10% 0.00% MgO 1.00% 0.00% Table 2: Chemical composition - manganese oxide

[0055] For initial testing, a system with a mixed filter bed (75% zeolite and 25% manganese oxide) was used for 3.5 L / s. The results were very favorable, and the water treated by this filter presented all parameters within the limits of the legislation. In an area of ​​1 m2, it was possible to treat 3.5 L / s.

[0056] In this way, 4 filters were distributed per skid, totaling 30 L / s. Considering that the intended treatment rate was 60 L / s, a second skid was superimposed, thus in the same area of ​​18.5 m2 it was possible to double the treatment capacity of the total flow rate of interest, as can be seen in figure 13.

[0057] The sizing of the filter bed defined the use of a mixed bed with 600 kg of zeolite and 600 kg of manganese oxide in each filter. According to the results obtained during the operational tests, several modifications were necessary until the system could produce water within the characteristics required to meet the quality parameters required by local legislation.

[0058] One of the modifications was aimed at improving coagulation and flocculation efficiency. For this purpose, a 4-meter-long static mixer was built, allowing flocculation to occur in a short 13-meter tubular section (figures 9-11). This also made it possible for all pretreatment chemicals to be applied in a 1-meter-long section with 10 cm spacing upstream of the static mixer (figure 8). Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 15 / 30 11 / 13

[0059] Table 3 presents some of the results obtained in tests with a flow rate of 3.5 L / s, demonstrating the system's ability to adapt the final water to the requirements of the legislation. Assay Result Unit of Measurement Total Aluminum < 0.050 mg / L Total Antimony < 0.005 mg / L Total Arsenic < 0.010 mg / L Total Barium 0.014 mg / L Total Cadmium < 0.001 mg / L Total Lead < 0.009 mg / L Total Copper < 0.060 mg / L Apparent Color < 4.0 uH Total Chromium < 0.008 mg / L Total Iron < 0.1400 mg / L Total Lithium 0.371 mg / L Total Manganese < 0.0085 mg / L Total Mercury < 0.0002 mg / L Total Nickel < 0.006 mg / L Total Silver 0.005 mg / L Total Selenium < 0.010 mg / L Total Sodium 12.105 mg / L Total Uranium < 0.010 mg / L Total Zinc 0.016 mg / L Table 3: Treated water report

[0060] The following tables present the main characteristics of the water before and after treatment carried out in the mobile WTP. The raw water shows intense variation in color, turbidity, and levels of aluminum, iron, and manganese, varying well above the values ​​acceptable by current legislation. Local Sample Total Al (mg / L) Color (uH) Total Fe (mg / L) Total Mn (mg / L) Turbidity (uT) 175 Aranha Stream Intake 0.128 91.7 2.499 0.7179 9.3 22516 Aranha Stream Intake 0.055 9 0.3099 0.0358 5.1 Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 16 / 30 12 / 13 39331 Aranha Stream Intake 263 2.3506 0.0377 55 41990 Aranha Stream Intake < 0.050 41.3 0.6475 0.0653 4.6 49712 Aranha Stream Intake 9.35 424 6.4222 0.1171 160 5700 Aranha Stream Intake 2.977 356 5.4891 0.2145 150 29963 Aranha Stream Intake < 0.050 83.4 0.8722 0.0911 26 3650 Aranha Stream Intake 6.159 234 2.9743 0.0713 60 Table 4: Characteristics of raw water Sample Al tot (mg / L) Color (uH) Fe tot (mg / L) Mn tot (mg / L) Turb (uT) 1377 0.215 5.8 < 0.1400 0.0153 < 0.50 22580 0.132 7.5 0.3021 0.1367 1.6 42021 < 0.050 < 4.0 < 0.1400 < 0.0085 < 0.50 Table 5: Characteristics of the final water from the Conventional WTP (before the operation of the Mobile WTP) Sample Al tot (mg / L) Color (uH) Fe tot (mg / L) Mn tot (mg / L) Turb (uT) 5693 < 0.050 < 4.0 < 0.1400 < 0.0085 0.6 29967 0.161 < 4.0 < 0.1400 < 0.0085 < 0.50 3653 0.09 11.3 < 0.1400 0.0294 3.45 Table 6: Characteristics of the final water from the Mobile WTP

[0061] The proposal to use mixed-bed filter media with zeolite and manganese oxide to replace sand beds, and the use of pressurized filters, made it possible to assemble water treatment systems that are so compact that they can be easily transported.

[0062] The Mobile WTP enabled a simplified structure, where only the raw water inlet, treated water outlet and discharge connections were needed. Petition 870260043420, dated 08 / 05 / 2026, page 17 / 30 13 / 13 filters (backwashing), in addition to an electrical outlet for operating the valves, must be installed to begin operation. Skid mounting facilitates transport and allows for simple and compact assembly in an area of ​​18.5 m2, as well as the use of automatic valves that allow for complete system operation, including controlling the backwashing of the filters.

[0063] The results of the tests of the various parameters proved the efficiency of the treatment to meet the quality limits required by current legislation, even under adverse conditions of color, turbidity, iron and manganese, as can be seen in the raw vs. treated water photograph shown in Figures 2 and 16. The efficiency of the mixed bed of zeolite and manganese dioxide made it possible to produce treated water within the limits defined by local legislation in a negligible area compared to conventional WTPs.

[0064] The examples disclosed here are intended only to illustrate some of the numerous ways of carrying out and using the present invention, without limiting the interpretation of its scope and breadth, as well as any alternative forms and configurational variations thereof that will be defined from the claims presented herein.

Claims

Claims 1. Water treatment system characterized by comprising: i. raw water receiving piping comprising a section for applying chemical components for water treatment, in fluid communication with; ii. at least one pipe with one or more sections comprising in its interior cavity a structure with a static mixer, wherein the static mixer is provided with an internal support shaft disposed in a central position in the pipe and comprising one or more fins fixed to said internal support with a surface area sufficient to provide the mixing of said chemical components within the pipe; which is in fluid communication with; iii. at least one water treatment station comprising filter bed filtration vessels and a treated water outlet pipe (3.4) downstream of said filtration vessels; wherein pipe “i” is upstream of at least one pipe “ii” and the water treatment plant “iii” is downstream of pipe “ii”.

2. Water treatment system, according to claim 1, characterized by the static mixer having an internal support shaft disposed in a central position in the piping and comprising one or more fins fixed to said internal support and in a geometry of circular or helical cross-sections, extending radially from the internal support shaft.

3. Water treatment system, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said circular sections have a radius of length up to the limit of the pipe radius and an internal angle between 10° and 270°, preferably between 90° and 200°, more preferably between 120° and 180°.

4. Water treatment system, according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by one or more fins arranged on the same support element being fixed in such a way that each adjacent fin fills a distinct region of the pipe cross-section, the region being able to be repeated between fins that are not adjacent to each other.

5. Water treatment system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said internal support is fixed to the piping in its central position by at least one means of interference fit or screw fastening.

6. Water treatment system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the filter bed vessels being mixed and composed of Zeolite and Manganese Dioxide arranged in alternating layers.

7. Water treatment system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chemical components for water treatment are coagulants, flocculants, pH adjusters, corrosion inhibitors, antiscalants, adsorbents, or a combination thereof.

8. Water treatment system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in the raw water having a turbidity below 200 NTU.

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