Liquid filtration system

Abstract

This invention relates to a liquid filtration system, comprising a filter tank having: a partitioned top on which a hose assembly fixed to a corresponding support plate is mounted; and a fluid distribution plate comprising a central portion without perforations and a peripheral portion having multiple perforations, the distribution plate being located between the hoses and a lower inlet conduit for water to be filtered, the lower inlet conduit including an upper opening and a lower opening, the upper opening for supplying liquid to a hole near the central portion of the distribution plate, and the lower opening for supplying liquid to a hole in the peripheral portion furthest from the central portion. The filter includes filter media, an outlet conduit for filtered water located in the upper region of the tank, a filter media regeneration circuit, a filter self-cleaning circuit, and a control panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The system of the present invention is applicable to the purification of all types of liquids with low or medium pollutant loads, and is particularly suitable for large volumes of water from swimming pools, lakes, ponds, etc. Background Technology

[0002] There are currently known different types of filters, among which the following are worth mentioning:

[0003] a) A water filter with a polyester container, the filter surface corresponding to its area or cross-section.

[0004] The filter contains a filter medium, which can be silica sand or recycled glass. Water enters the upper part of the container and passes through the filter medium into a perforated or grooved pipe, allowing filtered water to pass through. The filtered water is collected at the bottom of the container. To achieve good filtration quality, the flow rate of water through the filter varies depending on the water usage; a suitable flow rate for most applications is 30 m² / m² of filtration area. 3 / h.

[0005] Polyester filters with silica or glass filter media have certain advantages, such as low cost and a variety of models and sizes, but also some disadvantages, such as high water consumption when cleaning the filter or the need to use many units to filter a large amount of water.

[0006] b) Steel filters using perlite regenerated filter media

[0007] The filter is much more expensive than a polyester filter and has a vertical circular shape. Its size is limited by its main feature, namely, a movable upper section that houses a movable top from which hundreds of hoses are suspended. These hoses are formed from a stainless steel base and coated with polyester mesh, serving as supports for the regenerated filter media (called perlite) and providing a large filtration surface for the filter, enabling it to operate under low water flow rates and large volumes of water.

[0008] Water enters through the bottom of the filter and exits through the top after passing through the perlite filter media and a hose, where dirt particles larger than 1 to 5 microns are retained inside the hose.

[0009] In this configuration, the useful filter surface is the area formed by perlite adhered to hundreds of hoses. An internal, movable top has a pneumatic system called a Bump or Bumping that moves up and down to regenerate the perlite, which needs to be removed approximately every 4 hours and replaced roughly monthly. This movement causes the perlite to detach from the hoses.

[0010] Cleaning the filter requires manual intervention to keep the hose extremely clean. This cleaning is done by removing the front window of the filter and spraying pressurized water onto the hose, which results in a significant waste of water.

[0011] Steel filters with hoses and perlite regeneration media can have a capacity of up to 150m. 2 The filter surface area is approximately 3m² per square meter. 3 It operates at a low water flow rate of / h, which allows for a flow rate of approximately 450m³ / h to be obtained using a single filter. 3 The filtered water flow rate is / h.

[0012] The steel filter using perlite regenerated filter media has some disadvantages: it must be made of steel because its top is movable, which is very expensive; its size is limited due to its mechanical properties and the need for access ports and removable components; and the necessary manual cleaning is difficult and arduous and must be performed by trained personnel.

[0013] c) Polyester filters using recycled perlite filter media

[0014] Patent application PCT / ES2018 / 070356, claiming priority from Spanish patent ES2690100B2 of the same applicant, describes a filter for purifying large volumes of water, the filter comprising: a polyester tank, the lower and upper parts of which are separated by a fixed partition top; a collector for inlet and outlet water, disposed in the lower part of the polyester tank with a downward-facing outlet connected to the inlet; a lower drain pipe having a valve for removing dirt during filter cleaning; and a cleaning device including a cleaning collector disposed above the collector for inlet and outlet water, the cleaning collector consisting of a ring having small jets. The system comprises: a tube assembly with the small jets facing the upper region of the filter; a cleaning collector connected to a pump assembly for pumping pressurized fluid inward during its cleaning step; multiple hoses fixed to and suspended from the top of the fixed partition, the hoses forming a support for the perlite filter media; an inspection port for assembly and maintenance of internal components; an upper opening for air venting and purging, having an air detection sensor connected to the control panel on one side and a valve for opening and closing the air vent on the other, the valve being automatically controlled by the control panel based on signals provided by probes; and an upper outlet for filtered water.

[0015] The filter offers various advantages, such as low cost; availability in multiple models and sizes, enabling the filtration of large volumes of water with a single unit; and automatic cleaning with minimal water usage, requiring no professional operation.

[0016] The applicant has identified several aspects of the filter that could be improved. Specifically, one area where this type of filter needs improvement is the uncontrolled, sudden influx of water into the hose from the inlet collector. This can cause the perlite filter media to detach from the outer surface of the hose, exceeding or excessively reducing the system's filtration capacity. This uncontrolled, sudden influx can also cause the lower ends of the hoses to collide and deteriorate, requiring replacement.

[0017] This replacement created additional problems because replacing any one of the hundreds of hoses in the polyester box required removing the top of the divider and the plate covering all the hoses. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The purpose of this invention is to provide a liquid filtration system comprising a filter box having a lower inlet for a liquid to be filtered, an upper outlet for filtering the liquid, and a series of hoses inside which the outer surfaces of the hoses form supports for the filter media.

[0019] The liquid filtration system of the present invention is of the type described in the aforementioned patent application PCT / ES 2018 / 070356 by the same applicant, which incorporates technical features that address the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0020] Specifically, the technical features provided by this invention enable the successful resolution of the aforementioned drawbacks, namely, the uncontrolled entry of water to be filtered into the water tank area where the hoses and perlite filter media are located, and the difficulty in replacing any one of the hundreds of hoses included in the water tank.

[0021] The system type of the present invention includes: a filter tank having a lower wall, side walls, and an upper wall; a partition top dividing the interior of the tank into a lower compartment and an upper compartment; a pressure inlet conduit for directing the liquid to be filtered toward a region near the lower wall of the tank; a plurality of hoses protruding from the partition top toward the lower compartment, the hoses including: an outer surface of a support forming the filter medium, and an inner surface defining the conduit, the inner surface being closed at a lower end and open at an upper end for circulating the filtered fluid to the upper compartment; a filtered water outlet conduit located in the upper region of the tank; and a regeneration circuit for the filter medium.

[0022] To prevent water from entering the hoses uncontrollably and turbulently and into the filter medium contained between the hoses, the present invention considers incorporating a fluid distribution plate into the housing, the fluid distribution plate being disposed between the inlet pipe of the liquid to be filtered and the lower end of the hose, the distribution plate comprising a central portion without perforations and a peripheral portion having a plurality of perforations for the passage and distribution of the liquid to be filtered toward the hose.

[0023] To achieve an almost uniform distribution of the incoming liquid across the entire horizontal portion of the chamber, an inlet conduit for the liquid to be filtered is horizontally arranged inside the chamber and includes: an upper opening for supplying liquid to a portion near the center of the distribution plate, facing the center of the distribution plate; and a lower opening for supplying liquid to a peripheral portion of the distribution plate, facing the concave lower surface of the filter chamber.

[0024] The hoses include technical features such as reinforcements at their upper and lower ends, further highlighting the unique characteristic that all hoses are divided into independent groups, each group of hoses being secured to a support plate, which is detachably mounted on top of the filter box partition. This feature allows any hose group to be removed from the partition top and replaced with another set of hoses without removing the entire partition top or the remaining hose groups mounted on the partition top. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To supplement the ongoing description and to facilitate understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is provided, in which the following is illustrated by way of non-limiting example:

[0026] - Figure 1 A schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment of the liquid filtration system according to the present invention is shown, wherein the water tank is cut along a vertical plane.

[0027] - Figure 2 A perspective view of the fluid distribution plate to be filtered inside the chamber is shown, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0028] - Figure 3 A perspective view of a set of individual hoses is shown, one set of hoses being connected to a corresponding support plate and detached from the top of the box divider. Detailed Implementation

[0029] exist Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the liquid filtration system includes a filter box 100 made of resin, the filter box 100 being provided with a lower wall 101, a side wall 102 and an upper wall 103.

[0030] A partition top 104 is installed in the box 100, which divides the interior of the box 100 into a lower compartment 105 and an upper compartment 106.

[0031] The box 100 has a lower discharge opening 107 with a discharge valve 108 and an upper outlet 109 with an exhaust valve 110.

[0032] The liquid filtration system also includes a water detection sensor 111 located in the upper compartment and two pressure sensors 112 connected to the control panel 113. These pressure sensors 112 detect the pressure difference present between the lower compartment 105 and the upper compartment 106 of the tank.

[0033] The tank 100 has an inlet conduit 200 at its lower end for directing the liquid to be filtered toward an area near the lower wall 101 of the tank, and an outlet conduit 300 at its upper end for filtering water.

[0034] A first valve 204, a pump 203 for pumping liquid into the tank 100, and a second switching valve 205 are mounted on an inlet conduit 200 outside the tank 100.

[0035] The outlet conduit 300 also has a switching valve 301.

[0036] Inside the box 100, a plurality of hoses 401 are arranged, which protrude downward from the top partition 104 toward the lower compartment 105.

[0037] The outer surface of the aforementioned hose 401 forms a support for the perlite filter medium (not shown).

[0038] The box 100 includes a fluid distribution plate 500 arranged horizontally between the lower ends of the inlet conduit 200 and the hose 401.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the distribution plate 500 includes a central portion 501 without perforations and a peripheral portion 502 with a plurality of perforations for allowing the liquid to be filtered supplied by the inlet conduit 200 to pass through and be distributed to the filter medium fixed to the outside of the hose 401.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In the distribution plate 500, the inlet conduit 200 has an upper opening 201 and a lower opening 202. The upper opening 201 supplies liquid to a hole in the distribution plate 500 near the center portion 501, and the lower opening 202 supplies liquid to a hole in the peripheral portion 502 of the distribution plate that is furthest from the center portion 501. The lower opening 202 faces a lower surface 101, which is concave, and guides the liquid projected by the lower opening 202 into the hole in the peripheral portion 502 that is furthest from the center portion 501 of the distribution plate 500.

[0041] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the path described by the liquid projected from the upper opening 201 and lower opening 202 of the inlet conduit 200 toward the orifice of the distribution plate 500 is represented by a dashed line.

[0042] The central portion 501 of the distribution plate 500 has no holes and preferably has a circular shape with a diameter larger than that of the inlet conduit 200, thereby ensuring that the water flow projected through the upper opening 201 inevitably impacts the aforementioned central portion 501 of the plate, which distributes the water flow to the nearest hole of the peripheral portion 502, preventing it from suddenly or turbulently entering the lower compartment 105 of the box containing the hose and perlite filter media.

[0043] The hoses 401 included in the housing are typically hundreds of hoses to define a large filter surface, which are distributed into individual groups 400, for example... Figure 3 The example group is shown in the text.

[0044] Each group 400 forms a single, indivisible integral component, the component including a plurality of hoses 401 whose upper ends are connected to a support plate 402 detachably mounted on a partition top 104 of the water tank 100; such that each group 400 can be individually removed and replaced without removing the partition top 104 or the remaining group 400 of hoses 401 mounted on the partition top 104.

[0045] The support plate 402 has through holes for mounting fixing screws to the top 104 of the divider of the box 100.

[0046] The hose 401 is closed at its lower end and has protective coatings 405 and 406 at its upper and lower ends, respectively.

[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, the upper protective coating 405 includes a stretchable polyolefin tube that protects the upper protective coating from possible friction with the separating top 104; while the lower protective coating 406 includes a flange for keeping the braided fibers covering each hose 401 taut, a stretchable polyolefin tube, and a resin coating of a polymer with high resistance to high temperatures and chemical reagents. Using the protective coating 406, the lower end of the hose 401 is sealed without the use of plastic plugs or other components that could be accidentally removed and released from the hose 401.

[0048] The protective coating 406 also prevents the lower end of the hose 401 from easily deteriorating due to, for example, impact with other hoses.

[0049] To regenerate the filter media within the chamber, the system includes a filter media regeneration circuit, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0050] The regeneration circuit includes an air supply pipe 700 connected to a scavenging pump 701 and equipped with a switching valve 702. The air supply pipe 700 has multiple air outlets 703 located below the distribution plate 500.

[0051] The filter self-cleaning circuit includes a water supply pipe 600 connected to a cleaning pressure pump 601 and equipped with a valve 602. The water supply pipe 600 has multiple outlets 603 located above the distribution plate 500 and below the hoses, facing the upper region. Each outlet 603 is a blower-type nozzle positioned to enter all channels located between the hoses 401.

[0052] During the filtration process, the filter media regeneration circuit remains inactive, pumps 601 and 701 are not in operation, and valves 602 and 702 are in the closed position.

[0053] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, valves 204 and 205 are arranged in series in the inlet conduit 200, and valve 301 is also arranged in series in the outlet conduit 300. The valves define the portions connected by branches 801 and 802 within the inlet conduit 200 and the outlet conduit 300, and are equipped with separate valves 803 and 804. Branches 801 and 802 are used to backwash and recirculate the filtered water into the inlet conduit inside the water tank, respectively.

[0054] The system allows for the execution of different operations and work cycles.

[0055] - Pre-coating: During this operation, perlite filter media adheres to the outer surface of hose 401. During this stage, considering that the rate will vary in each unit and must be adjusted at a lower speed than normal operating speed during filtration system startup, pump 203 is started at a low speed via a frequency converter.

[0056] Once pump 203 is started, valve 205 and air filling valve 110 are opened. When sensor 111 detects that all air has left chamber 100, air filling valve 110 closes and recirculation valve 804 opens. After a period of time, perlite filter material surrounds the hose, and the system enters the filtration stage.

[0057] Filtration: Once the previous pre-coating operation has been performed, in which perlite has been placed around the hose, recirculation valve 804 is closed, valve 301 is opened, and the speed of pump 203 is increased until the desired flow rate is reached. Filtration is maintained until the perlite filter medium is saturated, i.e., so much dirt particles are retained on its exterior that the pressure difference between the upper compartment 106 and the lower compartment 105 increases; the increase in pressure difference is detected by pressure sensors 112 located in the upper compartment 106 and the lower compartment 105 of the chamber.

[0058] - Regeneration of the filter media (perlite): During the regeneration phase, the suction valve 205 and pump valve 301 are closed, and the air supply valve 110 is opened; then the scavenging pump 701 is started, and pressurized air is injected through the air outlet 703 of the air supply duct 700 located below the distribution plate 500 to open valve 702. The supplied air passes through the perforations of the distribution plate 500 and is perfectly distributed upwards throughout the entire housing section. After a period of time, valve 702 is closed, and the scavenging pump 701 is disconnected. In this regeneration phase, all perlite filter media and dirt are removed, and a new pre-coating operation must then be performed to reposition the perlite around hose 401.

[0059] - Filter self-cleaning and filter media replacement: After a certain period of use and multiple regenerations, it is necessary to replace the perlite filter media and perform filter self-cleaning. The self-cleaning and replacement process of perlite is fully automated, except for the filling of perlite, which is usually a manual process. It can be automated through some hopper feeding system or similar system, and can only be started from the idle state. In the idle state, all valves are closed and all pumps are shut down.

[0060] During this stage, inflation valve 110 is opened, scavenging pump 701 is activated, and valve 702 is opened, causing the micronized perlite to be completely separated from hose 401. While scavenging pump 701 is running, vent valve 108 is opened, causing tank 100 to be emptied, while the fluid and perlite remain under the influence of pressurized airflow. When the tank is empty, valve 702 is closed and scavenging pump 701 is deactivated.

[0061] The self-cleaning sequence then continues, opening valve 602 and starting cleaning pump 601. Pressurized water is discharged through outlet 603 of pipe 600, cleaning all hoses 401 and the water tank. Once cleaning is complete, cleaning pump 601 is deactivated and valve 602 is closed.

[0062] - Backwash: This operation is performed after cleaning with pressurized air to separate the micronized perlite from the hose and rinse the hose and tank with water.

[0063] Backwashing allows for a final flush of hose 401 by injecting water in a reverse flow manner. To do this, pump 203 starts at a low speed and backwash valve 803 opens, thereby keeping drain valve 108 and air valve 110 open and in an idle state.

[0064] Having fully described the nature of the invention and examples of preferred embodiments, it is clear for all relevant purposes that the materials, forms, dimensions, and arrangements of the described elements are susceptible to variation, provided that such variation does not involve altering the essential features of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. A liquid filtration system, comprising: - The filter box is equipped with a lower wall, side walls and a top wall; - The top is separated, dividing the interior of the filter box into a lower compartment and an upper compartment; - Pressure inlet conduit for directing the liquid to be filtered toward the area near the lower wall of the filter box; - Multiple hoses protrude from the top of the partition toward the lower compartment; The hose includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface forming a support for the filter medium, the inner surface defining a conduit for circulating the filtered fluid, the conduit being closed at a lower end and opening toward the upper compartment at an upper end. - An outlet conduit for filtering water located at the top of the filter box; - A filter media regeneration circuit, wherein the filter media regeneration circuit includes an air supply pipe connected to a scavenging pump and equipped with a switching valve, the air supply pipe having multiple air outlets located below a fluid distribution plate; - A filter self-cleaning circuit, comprising a water supply pipe connected to a pump and equipped with a switch valve, the water supply pipe having multiple outlets located above the fluid distribution plate and below the hose; and - Control Panel; where: - The chamber interior includes the fluid distribution plate, which is horizontally arranged between the inlet conduit for the liquid to be filtered and the lower end of the hose; the fluid distribution plate includes a central portion without perforations and a peripheral portion with multiple perforations for distributing and guiding the liquid to be filtered toward the hose. - The inlet conduit for the liquid to be filtered is arranged horizontally within the filter chamber and includes: an upper opening for supplying liquid to a hole near the central portion of the fluid distribution plate and facing the central portion of the fluid distribution plate; and a lower opening for supplying liquid to a hole at the peripheral portion of the fluid distribution plate, the hole at the peripheral portion being farther from the central portion than the hole near the central portion, the lower opening facing a concave lower surface of the filter chamber.

2. The liquid filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the central portion of the fluid distribution plate is circular and its diameter is larger than the diameter of the inlet conduit of the liquid to be filtered.

3. The liquid filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the hose includes a spring, the spring being externally coated with braided fibers made of a high-toughness, high-chemical-resistant polymer and capable of withstanding high temperatures, the hose having protective coatings on the upper and lower ends, the protective coatings comprising a polyolefin expandable tube, and having a resin coating of a polymer with high resistance to high temperatures and chemical reagents at the lower end.

4. The liquid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the hoses are divided into independent groups; and the hoses of each group are connected at their upper ends to a filter plate detachably mounted on the top of a partition of the filter housing.

5. The liquid filtration system of claim 1, wherein the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit have on / off valves arranged in series, the on / off valves defining two portions of the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, the two portions being connected toward the inlet and recirculation conduits via a recirculation branch for filtered water to resist flow through the interior of the filter housing.

Images