Water treatment apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a water treatment apparatus having an inlet for water, a first outlet for treated water and a second outlet for waste water, a water container, an evaporator-condenser unit, a droplet separator and a compressor. The inlet is connected to the water container. The water container is connected to an evaporator inlet of an evaporator of the evaporator-condenser unit. An evaporator outlet of the evaporator of the evaporator-condenser unit is connected to the droplet separator arranged in the water container. The droplet separator is connected to a condenser inlet of a condenser of the evaporator-condenser unit. A condenser outlet of the condenser of the evaporator-condenser unit is connected to the first outlet. The compressor is arranged between the droplet separator and the condenser inlet, wherein the compressor is configured to generate a negative pressure on a side of the droplet separator. Furthermore, the compressor is designed such that, in a range of mass flow below one kilogram per hour, the negative pressure rises when the mass flow decreases and falls when the mass flow rises.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a water treatment device, in particular to a water treatment device for single sampling points. BACKGROUND

[0002] Water treatment devices are known, in which drinking water can be provided on a large scale. They can work by means of mechanical vapor compression distillation (English: MVCD) and can be used, for example, in a sea water desalination device. Furthermore, water treatment devices for single sampling points are also known, in which, here, cleaning, desalination and / or decalcification of the water provided by a house connection before use is a priority, in particular in regions in which the water is contaminated, but also, for example, in order to decalcify the water. It can be provided here, for example, that a water treatment device is operated in a kitchen in order to be able to use the treated drinking water there. These water treatment devices for single sampling points treat the water by means of reverse osmosis (English: RO). Here, the dirt is removed by means of a filter membrane. In comparison with the RO method, the MVCD method can also be advantageously applied in water treatment devices for single sampling points, but due to thermodynamic fluctuations, a stable operation is not possible with the methods known to date. SUMMARY

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a water treatment device, in which a stable operation by means of mechanical vapor compression distillation (MVCD) is possible even with small mass flows, as occurs in water treatment devices for single sampling points.

[0004] This object is achieved by a water treatment device according to the invention. Advantageous refinements at least include: the compressor is implemented in the form of a side channel blower; wherein a heat exchanger is arranged with a first side that absorbs heat between the inlet and the water container and with a second side that releases heat between the condenser outlet and the first outlet; wherein a storage tank is arranged between the condenser outlet and the first outlet; wherein the underpressure is a maximum of 200 mbar; wherein the droplet separator is a cyclone; wherein the mass flow is a maximum of 5 kilograms per hour; wherein the inlet is provided to be connected to a domestic water pipe and / or the second outlet is provided to be connected to a domestic waste water pipe; wherein a heating element is arranged in the water container; wherein a circulation pump is arranged between the water container and the evaporator inlet.

[0005] A water treatment device, in particular for a single sampling point, has an inlet for water, a first outlet for treated water and a second outlet for waste water, a water container, an evaporator-condenser unit, a droplet separator and a compressor. The inlet is connected to the water container. The water container is connected to an evaporator inlet of an evaporator of the evaporator-condenser unit. An evaporator outlet of the evaporator of the evaporator-condenser unit is connected to the droplet separator arranged in the water container, wherein the droplet separator is connected to a condenser inlet of a condenser of the evaporator-condenser unit. A condenser outlet of the condenser of the evaporator-condenser unit is connected to the first outlet. The compressor is arranged between the droplet separator and the condenser inlet, wherein the compressor is designed to generate a negative pressure on the side of the droplet separator, wherein the compressor is designed such that in the range of mass flow below one kilogram per hour the negative pressure rises when the mass flow falls and falls when the mass flow rises.

[0006] Here, the negative pressure can be understood as the pressure difference between the evaporator and the condenser of the evaporator-condenser unit. In particular, the pressure in the evaporator is lower than the pressure in the condenser. In order to increase the thermal efficiency, it can be provided that the condensation heat generated by the condensation of the water in the condenser is directly transferred to the evaporator in order to provide the energy required there for the evaporation of the water. Due to the negative pressure, the condensation temperature in the condenser is higher than the evaporation temperature in the evaporator, so that an effective energy recovery can be achieved.

[0007] If a compressor is used in which the negative pressure falls when the mass flow falls in the range of the mass flow, this leads to the fact that additional energy is required for the evaporation, so that the entire process becomes inefficient in terms of energy. Due to the small thermal capacity in the water treatment device, small changes in the mass flow have a greater influence on the generated negative pressure, so that if there is this characteristic of the relationship between the mass flow and the negative pressure, the water treatment device cannot be operated stably in the case of a small mass flow (below one kilogram per hour). In contrast, according to the invention, the characteristic is designed such that in the range of the mass flow below one kilogram per hour the negative pressure rises when the mass flow falls and falls when the mass flow rises. Thereby a self-regulating balance can be achieved in which a falling mass flow leads to an increased negative pressure and thus to a reduced evaporation temperature compared to the condensation temperature. This leads to a stronger evaporation and thus to an increased mass flow, so that the balance can be maintained more easily. It can be provided that the compressor is designed such that in the range of the mass flow below two kilograms per hour or also in the entire range the negative pressure rises when the mass flow falls and falls when the mass flow rises. In any case, the compressor must be designed such that in the range of the mass flow below one kilogram per hour the negative pressure rises when the mass flow falls and falls when the mass flow rises, wherein in this case outside the range other behaviors of the negative pressure and the mass flow are also possible.

[0008] In operation, undesired components of the water supplied via the inlet, such as salt, lime or organic material, accumulate in the water container, so that from time to time waste water, which can also be referred to as brine, remaining in the water container can be removed via the second outlet. The droplet separator is used, inter alia, to separate water droplets, which also contain salt, lime or organic material, entrained in the evaporator from the water vapor and to return them again to the water container.

[0009] Further elements can be provided between elements referred to as connected. For example, the droplet separator is connected with the condenser inlet, and the compressor is arranged between the droplet separator and the condenser inlet.

[0010] In an embodiment, the compressor is realized in the form of a side-channel blower. A side-channel blower has the required properties, so that it is designed, inter alia, such that in the range of mass flows below one kilogram per hour, the underpressure rises when the mass flow falls and falls when the mass flow rises.

[0011] In an embodiment, a heat exchanger is arranged with the side that absorbs heat between the inlet and the water container and with the side that releases heat between the condenser outlet and the first outlet. Thereby, a further increase in efficiency is achieved, since the water after condensation still always has a certain residual heat, which can be output to the supplied water by means of the heat exchanger.

[0012] In an embodiment, a storage tank is provided between the condenser outlet and the first outlet. Thereby, the treated water can be stored for later use. It can be provided that the water treatment device is equipped with a controller and a level sensor, wherein the level of the storage tank is measured by means of the level sensor and the level switches on and / or switches off the water treatment device by means of the controller. For example, it can be provided that the storage tank is completely filled below a minimum fill level and that subsequently the water treatment device is placed in a stand-by mode until the level falls below the minimum fill level again.

[0013] In an embodiment, the underpressure is at most 200 mbar. Such an underpressure can be well realized with a compressor having the above-mentioned properties with respect to underpressure and mass flow, in particular by means of a side-channel blower.

[0014] In an embodiment, the droplet separator is a cyclone. A cyclone is very suitable as a droplet separator.

[0015] In an embodiment, the mass flow is at most five kilograms per hour. A water treatment device for a single sampling point, i.e. for example for a kitchen, has such a mass flow.

[0016] In an embodiment the inlet is provided to be connected to a domestic water pipe. Especially the inlet can have a corresponding connection element. In an embodiment the second outlet is provided to be connected to a domestic waste water pipe. Especially the second outlet can have a corresponding connection element.

[0017] In an embodiment the heating element is arranged in the water container. This enables pre-heating of the water in the water container and thus enables faster treatment of the water.

[0018] In an embodiment a circulation pump is arranged between the water container and the evaporator inlet. Thereby the efficiency of the water treatment device can be further improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Embodiments of the application are explained according to the following drawings. In the schematic drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 a water treatment device is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 a graph of negative pressure versus mass flow is shown; and

[0022] Figure 3 another water treatment device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1A water treatment device 100 is shown with an inlet 101 for water, a first outlet 102 for treated water and a second outlet 103 for waste water, a water container 104, an evaporator-condenser unit 110, a liquid droplet separator 105 and a compressor 120, wherein the inlet 101 is connected with the water container 104, wherein the water container 104 is connected with an evaporator inlet 112 of an evaporator 111 of the evaporator-condenser unit 110, wherein an evaporator outlet 113 of the evaporator 111 of the evaporator-condenser unit 110 is connected with the liquid droplet separator 105 arranged in the water container 104, wherein the liquid droplet separator 105 is connected with a condenser inlet 117 of a condenser 116 of the evaporator-condenser unit 110, wherein a condenser outlet 118 of the condenser 116 of the evaporator-condenser unit 110 is connected with the first outlet 102, wherein the compressor 120 is arranged between the liquid droplet separator 105 and the condenser inlet 117, wherein the compressor 120 is designed to generate a negative pressure on the side of the liquid droplet separator 105, wherein the compressor 120 is designed in such a way that in the range of mass flows below one kilogram per hour the negative pressure rises when the mass flow decreases and falls when the mass flow rises. It can be provided that the compressor 120 is designed in such a way that in the range of mass flows below 2 kilograms per hour or also throughout the range the negative pressure rises when the mass flow decreases and falls when the mass flow rises. In any case, the compressor 120 must be designed in such a way that in the range of mass flows below one kilogram per hour the negative pressure rises when the mass flow decreases and falls when the mass flow rises, wherein in this case outside the range other behaviors of the negative pressure and the mass flow are also possible. Here, the negative pressure is to be understood as the pressure difference between the evaporator 111 and the condenser 116 of the evaporator-condenser unit 110. In particular, the pressure in the evaporator 111 is lower than the pressure in the condenser 116. In order to improve the thermal efficiency, it can be provided that the condensation heat generated by the condensation of the water in the condenser 116 is directly transferred to the evaporator 111 in order to provide there the energy required for the evaporation of the water. Due to the negative pressure, the condensation temperature in the condenser 116 is here higher than the evaporation temperature in the evaporator 111, so that an effective energy recovery can be achieved.

[0024] Here, the liquid droplet separator 105 is designed as a nozzle 106 and a mesh 107. If water is evaporated in the evaporator 111, water present here can also be entrained as liquid droplets. These liquid droplets are blocked by the mesh 107 and flow back down again into the water container 104, while the water vapor can leave the liquid droplet separator 105 upwards. Figure 1 In addition to the diagram of the liquid droplet separator 105, other design options of the liquid droplet separator 105 can also be considered.

[0025] In operation, undesired components of the water supplied via the inlet 101, such as salt, lime or organic material, accumulate in the water container 104, so that waste water remaining in the water container 104 can be removed from time to time via the second outlet 103. The droplet separator 105 serves, inter alia, to separate water droplets also containing salt, lime or organic material, which are entrained in the evaporator 111, from the water vapor and to return them again to the water container 104.

[0026] Figure 2 A diagram 200 is shown, in which a negative pressure 201 is plotted over a mass flow 202. Here, a first curve 203 shows a relationship between the negative pressure 201 and the mass flow 202 according to the application. If the mass flow 202 is less than a first mass flow 204 of one kilogram per hour, it can be seen from the diagram that, in the range up to the first mass flow 204, the negative pressure 201 rises as the mass flow 202 falls and falls as the mass flow 202 rises. A second curve 210 (dashed line) shows a relationship between the negative pressure 201 and the mass flow 202 for a compressor known hitherto from the prior art, in which, in the range up to the first mass flow 204, the negative pressure 201 falls as the mass flow 202 falls and rises as the mass flow 202 rises. In order to operate the water treatment apparatus stably, the behavior shown by the first curve 203 is advantageous, enabling a self-regulating equilibrium in which a falling mass flow 202 leads to an increased negative pressure 201 and thus to a reduced evaporation temperature compared to the condensation temperature. This leads to stronger evaporation and thus to an increased mass flow 202, so that the equilibrium can be maintained more easily. With the second curve 210, no such equilibrium occurs.

[0027] Figure 3 A further water treatment apparatus 100 corresponding to the water treatment apparatus 100 of Figure 1 is shown, provided that no differences are described in the following. Figure 3 The water treatment apparatus 100 of Figure 1 shows further elements which are each individually also optionally provided in the water treatment apparatus 100 of Figure 1 These individual elements which are also provided in the water treatment apparatus 100 of are each referred to in the following as an additional embodiment.

[0028] In one embodiment, the compressor 120 is implemented in the form of a side channel blower 121. The side channel blower 121 has the required properties, inter alia, as shown by the first curve 203 of Figure 2 , which is designed in particular such that, in the range in which the mass flow is below one kilogram per hour, the negative pressure rises as the mass flow falls and falls as the mass flow rises.

[0029] In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is arranged with a first side 131 for absorbing heat between the inlet 101 and the water container 104, and with a second side 132 for releasing heat between the condenser outlet 118 and the first outlet 102. This achieves further efficiency improvements because the water retains some residual heat after condensation, which can be output to the supplied water via the heat exchanger 130.

[0030] In one embodiment, a storage tank 140 is arranged between the condenser outlet 118 and the first outlet 102. This allows for the storage of treated water for later use. The water treatment equipment 100 may be equipped with a controller 141 and a level sensor 142, wherein the level of the storage tank 140 is measured by means of the level sensor 142, and the water treatment equipment 100 is switched on and / or off by means of the level via the controller 141. For example, it may be specified that the storage tank 140 is fully filled when it falls below a minimum fill level, and then the water treatment equipment 100 is placed in a static mode until the level falls below the minimum fill level again.

[0031] In one embodiment, the maximum negative pressure is 200 mbar. This negative pressure utilizes... Figure 2 The negative pressure 201 and mass flow rate 202 characteristics shown can be well achieved by means of a suitable compressor 120, especially by means of a side channel blower 121.

[0032] In one embodiment, the droplet separator 105 is a cyclone separator 108.

[0033] In one embodiment, the mass flow rate 202 is a maximum of five kilograms per hour. This mass flow rate 202 is particularly useful for water treatment equipment 100 with a single sampling point, such as water treatment equipment for a kitchen.

[0034] In one embodiment, inlet 101 is configured to connect to a domestic water pipe. Specifically, inlet 101 may have corresponding connecting elements. In one embodiment, second outlet 103 is configured to connect to a domestic wastewater pipe. Specifically, second outlet 103 may have corresponding connecting elements.

[0035] In one embodiment, the heating element 109 is arranged in the water container 104. This enables preheating of the water in the water container 104 and thus allows for more efficient water treatment.

[0036] In one embodiment, a circulation pump 150 is arranged between the water container 104 and the evaporator inlet 112. This can further improve the efficiency of the water treatment equipment 100.

[0037] In one embodiment, valve 160 is arranged between inlet 101 and water container 104.

[0038] The design of the water treatment device 100 is used to achieve certain characteristic factors of the water treatment device 100. In particular, it can be achieved that the water treatment device 100 can be installed in a housing 170 with maximum dimensions of 75 cm to 75 cm to 75 cm, preferably in a housing with maximum dimensions of 50 cm to 50 cm to 50 cm, and thus can be used as a device in a separate room, for example a kitchen. The energy requirement per kilogram of treated water can be kept at a maximum of 60 watt hours, and the maximum power consumption can be kept at 500 watts.

[0039] Although the application has been described in detail by preferred embodiments, the application is not limited to the examples disclosed, and other variants can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the application.

Claims

1. Water treatment apparatus (100) having an inlet (101) for water, a first outlet (102) for treated water and a second outlet (103) for waste water, a water container (104), an evaporator-condenser unit (110), a droplet separator (105) and a compressor (120), wherein, The inlet (101) is connected to the water container (104), wherein the water container (104) is connected to an evaporator inlet (112) of an evaporator (111) of an evaporator-condenser unit (110), wherein an evaporator outlet (113) of the evaporator (111) of the evaporator-condenser unit (110) is connected to a droplet separator (105) arranged in the water container (104), wherein the droplet separator (105) is connected to a condenser inlet (117) of a condenser (116) of the evaporator-condenser unit (110), wherein a condenser outlet (118) of the condenser (116) of the evaporator-condenser unit (110) is connected to the first outlet (102), wherein the compressor (120) is arranged between the droplet separator (105) and the condenser inlet (117), wherein the compressor (120) is designed such that, in a range of mass flow (202) below one kilogram per hour, the negative pressure (201) rises when the mass flow (202) falls and falls when the mass flow (202) rises.

2. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein The compressor (120) is realized in the form of a side channel blower (121).

3. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A heat exchanger (130) is arranged between the inlet (101) and the water container (104) with a first side (131) for absorbing heat and between the condenser outlet (118) and the first outlet (102) with a second side (132) for releasing heat.

4. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A storage tank (140) is arranged between the condenser outlet (118) and the first outlet (102).

5. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The negative pressure (201) is maximally 200 mbar.

6. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The droplet separator (105) is a cyclone (108).

7. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The mass flow (202) is maximally 5 kilograms per hour.

8. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The inlet (101) is designed to be connected to a domestic water pipe and / or the second outlet (103) is designed to be connected to a domestic waste water pipe.

9. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A heating element (109) is arranged in the water container (104).

10. The water treatment apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A circulation pump (150) is arranged between the water container (104) and the evaporator inlet (112).

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