Liquid purification system

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for the purification and / or desalination of liquids, in particular water from various sources, and for the domestic and / or drinking water supply in domestic and / or industrial applications in personal lands and gardens. The liquid purification system includes: a source liquid line having an inlet valve mounted thereon; the reverse osmosis membrane is provided with a liquid discharge pipeline and a purified liquid pipeline which are connected with the reverse osmosis membrane; a purified liquid supply line and a purified liquid tank, wherein the purified liquid supply line supplies the purified liquid to a customer; a secondary purified liquid line connected to the purified liquid tank and the stock solution line; and a control unit, in which the liquid purification system is designed to be able to almost completely remove a debris layer on the reverse osmosis membrane by intensively and repeatedly flushing the reverse osmosis membrane with the purified liquid.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application, whose parent application application number is 202080078382.3 (international application number is PCT / RU2020 / 000538), the application date is October 14, 2020, and the invention title is "Liquid Purification System". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a liquid purification system and / or desalination system, wherein the liquid is primarily water from various sources, and the invention is intended for domestic and / or drinking water supply in suburban and rural residences. Background Technology

[0003] Different liquid purification systems are well-known and widely distributed.

[0004] One known prior art is the liquid purification system described in international application WO 2002 / 055182 A1 (B01D 61 / 00, publication date 18.07.2002, applicant TEKNOWSMARTZ INNOVATIONS / TECHNOLOGY INC., Canada). This system includes a feed liquid line with an inlet valve and a compressor, a reverse osmosis membrane connected to a purified liquid line, and a liquid recirculation line with a first recirculation pump. A drain line is connected upstream of the first recirculation pump to the recirculation line. A purified liquid tank, a second recirculation pump, a purified liquid container, and a purified liquid supply line are installed in series on the purified liquid line. The purified liquid container is manufactured as a pressure tank. A secondary purified liquid line is connected upstream of the purified liquid container to the purified liquid line. The outlet of the secondary purified liquid line is connected downstream of the compressor to the feed liquid line. The operating principle of the liquid purification system in application WO 2002 / 055182 is as follows. Feed solution from a primary source flows along the feed line through the inlet valve and compressor to the reverse osmosis membrane. The solution is purified and drained into the recirculation line, then returned by the recirculation pump to the feed line upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane inlet. The purified liquid from the reverse osmosis membrane flows into a purified liquid tank or container, or is delivered to the customer via the purified liquid supply line. When the amount of liquid in the purified liquid tank reaches its maximum, the purification process stops and the system switches to flushing mode. The compressor and both pumps shut off, and the inlet valve and valves on the recirculation line are closed. Valves on the secondary purified liquid line and the drain line are opened. Purified liquid for flushing is taken from the purified liquid container and flows along the secondary purified liquid line to the feed line. In the feed line, the purified liquid enters and flushes the reverse osmosis unit, then flows into the recirculation line and is discharged to the outside of the system via the drain line. When the amount of purified liquid in the purified liquid container decreases, the recirculation pump on the purification line turns on, and purified liquid from the purified liquid tank is pumped into the purified liquid container while the rinsing process continues. The rinsing process stops when the purified liquid reaches a minimum predetermined value. The valves on the secondary purified liquid line and the drain line close, the compressor, the first circulation pump, and the second circulation pump turn on, and the inlet valve and the valve on the recirculation line open, initiating a new liquid purification cycle.

[0005] The main drawback of the liquid purification system in application WO 2002 / 055182 is the inefficient use of the purified liquid used for flushing. During flushing, the purified liquid flows along many pipes and components of the system, and therefore the pressure of the purified liquid decreases, which weakens the flushing effect. Furthermore, there is no recirculation of the purified liquid, which increases the amount of purified liquid used for flushing. Therefore, to completely flush the reverse osmosis membrane, a volume of purified liquid equivalent to the volume of the purified liquid container (the volume of the purified liquid tank) is required to flush the system.

[0006] One known prior art is the liquid purification system in patent RU 2614287 (С02F 1 / 44, priority date 02.09.2015, applicant Aquaphor Corporation). This liquid purification system includes a liquid line with an inlet valve and a compressor. A feed and drain mixing line is connected to the feed line and a feed and drain container (another container). This container consists of two chambers separated from each other by flexible spacers. The chambers are confined by the flexible spacers, and the inner wall of the container is used for compressing the medium (another displacement chamber), while the chamber confined by the inner wall of the flexible spacers is used for mixing the feed and drain (another collection chamber). In addition to the feed and drain mixing line, the inlet of the feed and drain mixture supply line is also connected to the container collection chamber. The feed and drain mixture supply line is equipped with a circulation pump, and the outlet of this line is connected to the inlet of the reverse osmosis membrane. A recirculation line and a purified liquid line are connected to the outlet of the reverse osmosis unit. A drain line equipped with a valve is connected to the recirculation line. Conversely, the recirculation line is connected via a T-joint to the mixing line of the feed liquid and the drain liquid, and also to the feed liquid line upstream of the container and downstream of the compressor. The purified liquid container and purified liquid supply line are connected to the purified liquid line. The system is equipped with a control panel. The compressor, circulation pump, and solenoid valves are connected to this control panel.

[0007] The system operating principle of patent RU2614287 is as follows: When the liquid purification system is started, raw liquid from a source flows along the raw liquid line, passing through an open inlet valve and a compressor. Subsequently, the raw liquid flows along the raw liquid and drain mixture line into the collection chamber of the container, and then flows along the raw liquid and drain mixture supply line through a circulation pump into the reverse osmosis membrane, where the liquid is purified. The purified liquid flows to the purified liquid line. The drain returns to the collection chamber of the container along the recirculation line. Simultaneously, raw liquid in an amount equivalent to the obtained purified liquid continuously flows from the source along the raw liquid line into the raw liquid and drain mixture line, and further into the collection chamber of the container, where mixing of the raw liquid and drain occurs. Due to the operation of the compressor supplying liquid to the collection chamber under pressure, the pressure in the displacement chamber increases during the liquid purification process. During the liquid purification process, the valve on the drain line is periodically opened via a signal from the control panel. Due to the pressure buildup in the displacement chamber of the container, the drained liquid is pumped at high speed through the feed line containing the mixture of feed solution and drained liquid into the reverse osmosis membrane and then discharged to the drain pipe. Simultaneously, the polarization layer formed on the surface of the liquid purification unit due to synergistic polarization is damaged. After draining, the valve on the drain line closes and the liquid purification process continues.

[0008] After the purified liquid tank is full, completely empty the container. Close the inlet valve, turn off the compressor, and open the drain valve on the control panel. Liquid from the container's collection chamber flows along the feed line and drain mixture supply line into the circulation pump, then through the reverse osmosis unit into the drain line, and finally out of the system through the open valve. The system then enters flushing mode. Flushing is performed with feed solution, which flows along the feed line through the compressor, then to the collection chamber, then along the feed line and drain mixture supply line into the circulation pump, through the reverse osmosis unit to the drain line, and finally out of the system through the open valve. After the reverse osmosis unit flushing is complete, the system remains stationary until the liquid purification process begins.

[0009] The main drawback of the system in patent RU 2614287 is that it uses a mixture of feed and discharge solution to flush the reverse osmosis unit. This is ineffective because such a mixture contains contaminants, making it impossible to completely flush the reverse osmosis membrane. Furthermore, contaminants can accumulate on the membrane surface during flushing, regardless of the flow rate.

[0010] The liquid purification system of patent US 4629568 (B01D 13 / 00, priority date 26.09.1983, applicant Kinetico, Inc., SHA) was selected as the closest similar solution. The system includes a feed line with an inlet valve, a control panel, and a reverse osmosis membrane connected to a drain line and a purified liquid line, which is divided into a purified liquid supply line and a purified liquid supply line to a purified liquid tank. Furthermore, the system includes a secondary purified liquid line connected to the purified liquid supply line in the purified liquid container and to the feed line upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane. A reflux valve is installed on the secondary purified liquid line. A regulating valve, a flow regulator, and a pressure relief valve are installed on the drain line. Valves on the inlet valve and drain valve on the feed line are connected to the control panel.

[0011] The system working principle of patent US4629568 is as follows: If there is no liquid in the purified liquid container, a signal from the control panel closes the regulating valve on the drain line and simultaneously opens the inlet valve on the feed liquid supply line. The feed liquid flows along this line to the reverse osmosis membrane, where it is purified. If the purified liquid supply line is closed, the purified liquid flows to the purified liquid container. When purified water flows into the container, the pressure inside the container increases. When the pressure reaches a predetermined value, the control panel closes the inlet valve on the feed liquid line and simultaneously opens the regulating valve on the drain line. The drain flows out of the system, and the system enters flushing mode. Due to the pressure difference upstream and downstream of the pressure relief valve on the drain line, the liquid held in the reverse osmosis membrane flows out. When the inlet valve on the feed liquid line is closed, the volume of liquid flowing out of the reverse osmosis membrane is equal to the volume of liquid flowing out of the purified liquid container. The liquid flowing out of the purified liquid container flows into the reverse osmosis membrane along the secondary purified liquid supply line, thereby flushing the reverse osmosis membrane. Then the rinsing liquid (the purified liquid after rinsing the membrane) flows out and is discharged.

[0012] A drawback of the given system is the lack of a recirculation line, which leads to significant consumption of both raw and purified liquid. Furthermore, in the system of patent US 4629568, the pressure differential is the driving force during flushing, but it cannot provide the high flow velocity of the purified liquid through the reverse osmosis membrane. This low velocity renders the flushing valve ineffective, preventing the removal of the debris layer from the membrane. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The objective and technical effect of this invention is to develop a novel liquid purification system that reduces liquid consumption while increasing rinsing effectiveness during rinsing.

[0014] The problem to be solved and the technical effect achieved are accomplished by a liquid purification system comprising: a feed line having an inlet valve; a reverse osmosis membrane connected to a drain line and a purified liquid line; a purified liquid supply line; a purified liquid container; a secondary purified liquid line connected to the purified liquid container and the feed line; and a control panel. The liquid purification system is characterized by almost completely removing the debris layer on the reverse osmosis membrane by concentrated and repeated flushing with the purified liquid, wherein the number of flushing cycles is not less than two and not more than six, preferably four, times. The liquid purification system also includes a recirculation line equipped with a valve and connected upstream of a circulation pump located upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane on the feed line. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 A liquid purification system is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The liquid purification system includes a feed line 1 with an inlet valve 2 and a circulation pump 3 (therefore the inlet valve and circulation pump are installed on the feed line), a reverse osmosis membrane 4, a purified liquid line 6 equipped with a valve 7, a purified liquid container 8, a purified liquid supply line 13, a drain line 5 equipped with a valve 16, a secondary purified liquid line 9 equipped with a valve 10, a recirculation line 11 with a valve 12, and a control panel (not shown in the figure). The feed line 1 is connected to the inlet of the reverse osmosis membrane 4. The purified liquid line 6 equipped with valve 7 and the purified liquid container 8 are connected to the purified liquid reverse osmosis membrane outlet. The recirculation line 11 and the drain line 5 are connected to the drain outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane. The recirculation line 11 with valve 12 is connected to the feed line 1 downstream of the inlet valve 2 and upstream of the circulation pump 3. The purified liquid supply line 13 and the secondary purified liquid line 9 with valve 10 are connected to the outlet of the purified liquid container 8. This secondary purified liquid line is connected to the original liquid line 1 downstream of the inlet valve 2 and upstream of the circulation pump 3. Figure 1 Inlet valve 2, circulation pump 3, valve 7, valve 12 and valve 16 are operatively connected to the control panel (not shown in the figure).

[0017] The purified liquid container 8 is a container having, but not limited to, two cavities separated by flexible spacers (not shown). The purified liquid cavity 14 is defined by the inner wall of the flexible spacer. The compressible medium cavity 15 is defined by the inner wall of the main body of the purified liquid container 8 and the outer wall of the flexible spacer (not shown). Cavity 15 is filled with a compressible medium, such as, but not limited to, air, inert gas, or a raw liquid. In the case of a raw liquid, a raw liquid line 1 passes through the compressible medium cavity 15, and a recirculation line 11 is connected upstream of the purified liquid container 8 to the raw liquid line. The purified liquid container 8 can also be made as a gravity tank or pressure tank equipped with a booster pump.

[0018] In addition, the system may include one or more collection containers, one or more drainage containers, pressure generating devices, flow restrictors, pre-filters, post-filters, liquid disinfection devices, scale inhibitor dispensing devices, and / or other additive monitors.

[0019] The working principle of the liquid purification system with the features of this invention is as follows.

[0020] Under pressure, the feed solution flows along the feed solution line 1 through the open inlet valve 2 into the circulation pump 3 to the inlet of the reverse osmosis membrane 4, where the liquid is purified. The purified liquid flows to the purified liquid line 6 and through the open valve 7 into the purified liquid chamber 14 of the purified liquid container 8 and / or into the purified liquid supply line 13. When the purified liquid chamber 14 is filled with purified liquid, the pressure in the compressible medium chamber 15 increases. When the purified liquid container 8 is configured as a pressure tank, purified liquid flows into the container and its internal pressure increases. During the purification process, valve 16 is closed, so the drained liquid flows out from the reverse osmosis membrane 4 and returns to the feed solution line along the recirculation line 11.

[0021] When the predetermined amount of purified liquid in chamber 14 is reached, the control panel closes inlet valves 2 and 7. The system enters flushing mode. For a short period, the control panel opens valve 16, allowing the remaining liquid in the system to flow out along drain line 5. After the predetermined short period, the control panel closes valve 16. Therefore, only valves 10 and 12 are open. When valve 2 on feed line 1 is closed, the pressure on the feed line decreases, and no feed is under pressure. Simultaneously, the purified liquid in container 8 is under pressure. Due to this pressure, a portion of the purified liquid flows along the secondary purified liquid line 9 through the open valve 10 back to feed line 1. As a portion of the purified liquid flows out of container 8 into the feed line, the pressure in container 10 decreases, preventing further leakage. Flushing is performed as follows: this portion of the purified liquid flows along feed line 1 through circulation pump 3, which increases the flow rate of purified liquid into the inlet of reverse osmosis membrane 4. When valves 16 and 7 are closed, the liquid downstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 4 flows into the recirculation line 11 and returns to the feed line 1 through the open valve 12. After the purified liquid has filled the reverse osmosis membrane 4 and the recirculation line 11, the control panel closes valve 10. Therefore, only valve 12 remains open. The portion of the feed line 1 from the inlet valve 2 to the reverse osmosis membrane 4 (including the circulation pump 3), the reverse osmosis membrane 4, and the recirculation line 11 form a flushing closed loop. The liquid in the loop is passed through the loop at least twice, but no more than six times, preferably four times. The flow rate is maintained at a high level. Thereafter, the control panel opens valve 16 on the drain line 5 and the flushing liquid flows out of the system, also flushing away any debris remaining in the line.

[0022] Unlike recent similar designs, the liquid in the loop maintains a more stable flow rate due to the continuous operation of the circulation pump 3. Effective rinsing is achieved by the high-speed liquid passing through the reverse osmosis membrane 4 multiple times. Therefore, this effective rinsing is accomplished with a relatively small amount of liquid, increasing the effectiveness of the rinsing and reducing the consumption of purified liquid. Furthermore, the reverse osmosis membrane 4 does not experience hydraulic shock due to the stable pressure in the loop, which increases its service life.

[0023] Preferred embodiments are given in the description of the present invention. Within the limitations of the claims, modifications can be made to the present invention, thereby enabling its wide applicability.

Claims

1. A liquid purification system, comprising: a raw liquid line (1) having an inlet valve (2); a reverse osmosis membrane (4) having an inlet, a drain outlet and a purified liquid outlet, the reverse osmosis membrane (4) being connected to the raw liquid line (1) through the inlet; a drain line (5) equipped with a valve (16), the drain line (5) being connected to the drain outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane (4); a purified liquid line (6) connected to the purified liquid outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane (4) and to a purified liquid container (8); a purified liquid supply line (13) connected to the purified liquid container (8); a secondary purified liquid line (9) equipped with a valve (10), connected to the purified liquid container (8) and to the raw liquid line (1); and a control panel, characterized in that the liquid purification system further comprises: a circulation pump (3) connected to the raw liquid line (1) upstream of the reverse osmosis membrane (4); a recirculation line (11) equipped with a valve (12), the recirculation line (11) being connected at one end to the drain line (5) upstream of the valve (16) of the drain line and at the other end to the raw liquid line (1) upstream of the circulation pump (3); and a valve (7) equipped in the purified liquid line (6); wherein the secondary purified liquid line (9) is connected to the raw liquid line (1) downstream of the inlet valve and upstream of the circulation pump, and wherein the control panel is operatively connected to each of the inlet valve (2), the circulation pump (3), the valve (7) of the purified liquid line (6), the valve (12) of the recirculation line (11) and the valve (16) of the drain line (5) and is configured to perform a flushing cycle by operating the inlet valve (2), the circulation pump (3), the valve (7) of the purified liquid line (6), the valve (12) of the recirculation line (11) and the valve (16) of the drain line (5) so that, within the flushing cycle, a layer of debris on the reverse osmosis membrane is almost completely removed by repeatedly flushing the reverse osmosis membrane intensively with purified liquid, wherein the number of flushes within one flushing cycle is not less than two and not more than six; wherein the purified liquid container (8) is a container having not limited to two chambers separated by a flexible partition, the two chambers comprising: a purified liquid chamber (14) defined by an inner wall of the flexible partition; and a compression medium chamber (15) defined by an inner wall of a body of the purified liquid container (8) and an outer wall of the flexible partition, and the compression medium chamber (15) being filled with a compressible medium. The number of flushes within one flushing cycle is four.

2. The liquid purification system of claim 1, wherein, ​

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