Water installation system

Abstract

Water installation system, designed as a drinking water system (1), with an outlet which is designed as the outlet of a water treatment device (100), wherein the water installation system has a flow direction (D) towards the outlet, wherein a wastewater channel connects behind the outlet, and in the flow direction (D) has at least a germ barrier (200) upstream of the wastewater channel, wherein it is a chemical germ barrier (200) which comprises an alkalizing and / or oxidizing material (2100), and wherein the outlet of the drinking water system (1), which leads to the wastewater channel, comprises a connection assembly for inserting at least one cartridge (2040) with the chemical germ barrier (200).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a water installation system which is designed as a drinking water system. Background of the invention

[0002] Water installation systems such as reverse osmosis systems, backwash filters or membrane filters usually all have a concentrate / wastewater outlet in the direction of a sewage channel.

[0003] Backflow contamination can occur through direct contact with the sewer system or, in the case of a free outlet, via the air. Reverse osmosis systems, backwash filters, and membrane filters are just a few examples.

[0004] However, the risk of back-contamination can also exist with other installation systems.

[0005] At the point where water installations meet the sewer system, there is a particular risk of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or algae multiplying in the water within the pipes. The term "microorganisms" is used below to refer to both algae and organisms such as bacteria and fungi.

[0006] To prevent this, safety devices such as backflow preventers or a so-called "free outlet" can be installed at vulnerable points of use. Backflow preventers consist of chambers connected in series, with a non-return valve between each chamber. A free outlet provides an unobstructed flow path that prevents backflow of water that has already flowed out of the water pipe, even if negative pressure develops in the pipe system. However, microorganisms can also spread through the air and thus enter the concentrate / wastewater outlet, where they can multiply. This can progress to the formation of biofilms. Therefore, in addition to the risk of microorganisms entering from non-potable water, there is also the risk of so-called backflow contamination.

[0007] Single or mixed populations of microorganisms can form biofilms in aqueous environments on surfaces such as the inner walls of tanks or pipes, as well as on filters.

[0008] For example, in membrane filters, increased bacterial growth or biofilm formation can occur on the concentrate side. During filtration, microorganisms adhere to the membrane and become embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS are produced by microorganisms and released into their environment. The composition of the EPS depends on the species involved in the biofilm. The EPS ensure the adhesion of the microorganisms to the membrane surface and provide mechanical and chemical stability to the biofilm. As the biofilm thickness increases, the filtration efficiency of the membrane decreases. Furthermore, the increased bacterial growth on the concentrate side can lead to uncontrolled backflow contamination into the pipe network.

[0009] Document US 3,795,609 A discloses a method for treating water from a mine using, among other things, reverse osmosis and the addition of an alkali. Document DE 20 2008 010 466 U1 discloses a reverse osmosis system with a pre-filter and a post-filter. Document EP 3 392 202 B1 discloses a method for treating contaminated liquids. Document DE 20 2014 003 627 U1 discloses a backflow preventer for a reverse osmosis system. Document DE 20 2019 101 531 U1 discloses an installation system with a directional control valve and a bypass. Document DE 3218636 C2 discloses a heating system with a neutralization tank containing magnesium oxide. Object of the invention

[0010] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of increasing the service life and safety of a water installation system while simultaneously reducing the risk of bacterial back-contamination in the pipe system.

[0011] The invention is intended to provide an installation system with which contamination on the concentrate / wastewater side by microorganisms can be largely avoided. Summary of the invention

[0012] The object of the invention is already solved by a water installation system with the features of claim 1.

[0013] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0014] The invention provides a water installation system, designed as a drinking water system, with a withdrawal point, the so-called "point of use", and an outlet to a sewage canal, wherein the drinking water system has a flow direction towards the withdrawal point and the outlet and, viewed in the flow direction, has at least a germ barrier in front of the sewage canal.

[0015] The germ barrier is therefore located upstream of the sewer.

[0016] The germ barrier is located in a water-carrying pipe. This is a pipe through which water from a water treatment plant is fed into the sewer system.

[0017] The outlet is designed as the outlet of one, in particular a single, device, such as the concentrate outlet of a reverse osmosis system.

[0018] The germ barrier is therefore not located on or in the sewer, but in a water pipe leading to the sewer.

[0019] The germ barrier prevents backflow contamination from the wastewater system into the water installation. This eliminates the need for a free outlet in many applications.

[0020] Secondly, contamination running along a pipe wall, in particular the formation of a biofilm, can be avoided.

[0021] For the sake of simplicity, the water installation system will also be referred to as the "drinking water system" in the following.

[0022] The drinking water system is supplied by a drinking water source. The system is bounded by an inlet to the drinking water source, through which drinking water enters the system, and by the point of use. Preferably, the drinking water system is a self-contained, easily handled component that can be connected to the water supply, for example, in a household. The drinking water system can consist of several components.

[0023] The term "chemical germ barrier" is used in contrast to a "mechanical germ barrier." A mechanical germ barrier is a particle barrier, such as a filter, which retains germs due to their size differences. The chemical germ barrier according to the invention comprises a biocidal contact material. A "biocidal contact material" is understood to be a material that has a bactericidal and / or fungicidal and / or algicidal effect upon contact with water.

[0024] The chemical germ barrier includes an alkalizing and / or oxidizing material.

[0025] A biocidal effect can be achieved by increasing the pH value above 9, in particular to a pH value above 10, but preferably below 13.

[0026] Furthermore, the chemical germ barrier can have an oxidative effect, in particular by forming an oxidative substance such as hydrogen peroxide.

[0027] With the help of this invention, biofilm formation and the growth of algae in a drainage system of the water installation can be reduced or even almost completely prevented compared to devices without a corresponding device.

[0028] The chemical germ barrier thus prevents germs or a biofilm from growing through the process.

[0029] The germ barrier is designed in such a way that water in a section of the flow path is chemically treated to kill microorganisms within that section. Specifically, the chemical germ barrier prevents the growth of germs along a pipe wall against the flow direction.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the alkalizing and / or oxidizing material contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of carbonates, oxides or peroxides.

[0031] Calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide and zinc peroxide, as well as mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned materials, are particularly suitable for use in the context of the invention.

[0032] In particular, a suitable peroxide can be used to both increase the pH value and release hydrogen peroxide into the water.

[0033] Thus, within the scope of the invention, several chemical germ barriers are available for the drinking water system, depending on the application and external conditions.

[0034] For particularly easy installation, the invention provides that an outlet of the drinking water system, which leads to the sewage canal, includes a connection assembly for connecting at least one cartridge with the chemical germ barrier.

[0035] The connection assembly is designed so that the cartridge can be inserted into the connection assembly.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the water treatment unit and the germ barrier are separately interchangeable. This enables particularly easy handling of the water treatment unit and the germ barrier, allowing for safe operation and cost-effective maintenance of the drinking water system.

[0037] Agglomerated materials, in particular, are easy to handle, as dust formation is largely prevented.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chemical germ barrier comprises an alkalizing and / or oxidizing material which has particles whose particle size is less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm, particularly preferably in the range between 0.2 mm and 10 mm, preferably in the range between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0039] The particle sizes specified above refer to the initial state of the respective alkalizing and / or oxidizing material. The upper limit for the particle size of the material is determined in particular by the desired dissolution kinetics. In principle, the use of powder is also possible within the scope of the invention. Materials with particles larger than 20 µm are preferred, particularly larger than 100 µm, and most preferably larger than 200 µm, so that the flow resistance of the material is reduced compared to a bed of smaller particles.

[0040] The selected granulated materials dissolve in water so slowly that the pH value of the water in the cartridge is increased, thus enabling the desired biocidal effect. With the aid of this invention, biofilm formation and algae growth can be reduced or even almost completely prevented. In particular, the alkalizing and / or oxidizing material is configured such that the OH - -Concentration increases to such an extent that the pH value rises to 10 to 13.

[0041] Influence of pH value on bacterial growth: All microorganisms have a pH range within which growth is possible, or rather, an optimal pH range. Most natural environments have a pH between 4 and 9, and there are many microorganisms whose optimum pH lies precisely within this range.

[0042] The most common bacteria found in drinking water, such as Legionella, Pseudomonas, E. coli, and Enterococci, have their optimum pH value in precisely this range. bacterium pH optimum pH range in which growth is possible E. coli 7-7,5 5,5-9 Enterococci 7,5 4,6-9,9 Legionella 7 5-8,1 Pseudomonas ae. 7,0-7,5 4,5-9,5

[0043] While the extracellular pH influences bacterial growth, the intracellular pH must remain close to neutral (exception: extremely acidophilic or alkaliphilic bacteria), as DNA is acid-labile and RNA is alkali-labile. If the extracellular pH falls outside the optimum range or the range in which growth is still possible (see table), the bacteria are no longer able to stabilize the intracellular pH. This slows down or stops bacterial growth, or leads to bacterial death.

[0044] According to the invention, a chemical germ barrier is thus provided in a surprisingly simple manner, the biocidal effect of which is based on the increase of OH. -- Concentration is based on a pH value of 10 to 13.

[0045] In one embodiment of the invention, the chemical germ barrier can be provided with a housing with an internal volume in the range of 10 ml to 200 ml, preferably an internal volume in the range between 15 ml and 50 ml, and can therefore be extremely compact. Description of the drawings:

[0046] The invention is illustrated in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Identical and similar components are designated with the same reference numerals, and the features of the different exemplary embodiments can be combined.

[0047] They show: Fig. 1 Schematic representation of a cartridge containing an alkalizing and / or oxidizing material acting as a germ barrier. Fig.2 a schematic representation of a water installation system with reverse osmosis. Fig. 3 A schematic representation of a water installation system with a backwash filter Fig. 4 A schematic representation of a water installation system with a membrane filter operated in tangential flow filtration.

[0048] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a chemical germ barrier 200 with an alkalizing and / or oxidizing material 2100 in a cartridge 2040. The chemical germ barrier 200 has a flow direction D, with the material 2100 positioned upstream of the wastewater channel in the flow direction D.

[0049] In order to be able to handle the chemical germ barrier 200 separately and independently of the water treatment unit, the cartridge 2040 with the germ barrier 200 in these variants of the invention has a retention grid or fleece 2200 and 2210 on the inlet side 2140 as well as on its outlet side 2410.

[0050] The chemical germ barrier 200 contains at least one material selected from the group of carbonates, oxides or peroxides.

[0051] Calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide and zinc peroxide, as well as mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned materials, are particularly suitable for use in the context of the invention.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiments, the cartridge 2040 has fastening means 2610 on its inlet side 2140 and also fastening means 2600 on its outlet side 2410. These can be designed, for example, as a flange or thread.

[0053] The in Fig. The chemical germ barrier 200 shown can be used for the following described examples of water installation systems.

[0054] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the invention of a water installation system as a drinking water system 1 with a water treatment device 100, designed as a reverse osmosis system.

[0055] Water from a water source is fed into the water treatment plant 100 via line 401. During operation, treated water from the water treatment plant 100 can be drawn off at a draw-off point 38 via the draw-off line 403.

[0056] The reverse osmosis vessel 402 has a first chamber 421 and a second chamber 422. A semipermeable membrane 411 is arranged between the chambers 421 and 422. During operation, the incoming water is pumped through the semipermeable membrane 411. In the first chamber 421, dissolved substances in the incoming water are retained, resulting in a concentrate.

[0057] The concentrate can be discharged via a drain, namely the concentrate line 406, and disposed of via a wastewater line 407, which leads to the sewer (not shown). There is a risk of backflow contamination from the wastewater line 407, even if, as shown here, a so-called "free outlet" is provided. To counteract such backflow contamination, a germ barrier 200 is installed in the concentrate line 406.

[0058] During operation, water with a reduced concentration of dissolved substances enters the second chamber 422. This permeate is supplied as treated water via a line 403 to the outlet 38, which is designed as a tap.

[0059] In addition to line 406 from the concentrate side to the wastewater drain, this example also includes a second line 404 from the permeate side to the wastewater drain. When starting reverse osmosis, for example after stagnation, the first permeate is often discarded because, for instance, heavy metals and other pollutants that are retained during operation can still diffuse onto the permeate side during the stagnation phase. The wastewater from the so-called first permeate, which is discarded via line 404, can also be routed through a germ barrier 200.

[0060] According to another embodiment not shown, the lines 404 and 406 can be joined together before they reach the sewer via a common germ barrier 200.

[0061] According to the in Fig. In the application shown for a reverse osmosis system, the germ barrier 200 can also be used for the process of nanofiltration, which works similarly to reverse osmosis and basically only has a membrane with a larger pore diameter.

[0062] In Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention with a water treatment device 100 with a backwash filter 300.

[0063] Incoming water from a water source is fed into the water treatment plant 100. Treated water can be drawn from the water treatment plant 100 during operation via the extraction line 403.

[0064] During operation of the backwash filter 300, deposits can form on the filter surface. To clean the backwash filter 300 of these deposits, it is backwashed against its normal flow direction. The wastewater generated during backwashing is discharged via a wastewater line 407. There is also a risk of backflow contamination from the wastewater line 407.

[0065] To counteract such reverse contamination, a germ barrier 200 is installed in line 406.

[0066] In Fig. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention with a water treatment unit 100 comprising a membrane filter 301 operating in tangential flow filtration. Incoming water is supplied to the water treatment unit 100 from a water source. During operation, treated water can be drawn from the water treatment unit 100 via the outlet line 403.

[0067] In tangential flow filtration, the liquid to be filtered flows parallel to a membrane 302 or another filter medium, and the permeate is drawn off perpendicular to the flow direction. The comparatively high velocity largely prevents the formation of a filter cake (surface layer or fouling) of the solid particles to be separated on the membrane 302.

[0068] Hollow fibers (called capillary membranes) are particularly suitable for this purpose.

[0069] The filtrate is free of solids. The portion of the liquid stream that does not pass through membrane 302, the retentate, is discharged into the sewer. This poses a risk of back-contamination of pipe 406. To counteract such back-contamination, a germ barrier 200 is installed in pipe 406. Reference symbol list 1 Drinking water system 100 Water treatment plant 200 chemical germ barrier 2040 cartridge 2100 alkalizing and / or oxidizing material 2140 Cartridge inlet side 2410 Cartridge outlet side 2200 retaining grids, nonwoven fabric 2210 Retention grid, nonwoven fabric 2600 Fasteners, flange, thread 2610 Fasteners, flange, thread 300 backwash filters 301 Membrane filters 302 Membran 38 sampling point 401 Pipeline for incoming water, raw water, water to be treated, feed 402 Reverse osmosis tank 403 Permeate line, line for treated water 404 Wastewater pipe “First permeate” 406 Line, Concentrate Line 407 Wastewater pipe 411 semipermeable membrane 421 first chamber of the reverse osmosis tank 422 second chamber of the reverse osmosis tank D Flow direction

Claims

[1] Water installation system, designed as a drinking water system (1), with an outlet which is designed as the outlet of a water treatment device (100), wherein the water installation system has a flow direction (D) towards the outlet, wherein a wastewater channel is connected behind the outlet, and having at least a germ barrier (200) upstream of the wastewater channel in the flow direction (D), wherein the germ barrier (200) is a chemical germ barrier comprising an alkalizing and / or oxidizing material (2100), and wherein the outlet of the drinking water system (1), which leads to the wastewater channel, comprises a connection assembly for inserting at least one cartridge (2040) with the chemical germ barrier (200). [2] Water installation system according to claim 1, characterized by, that the chemical germ barrier (200) comprises an alkalizing and / or oxidizing material (2100) selected from the group of carbonates, oxides or peroxides, in particular a calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide and zinc peroxide, as well as mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned materials. [3] Water installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the chemical germ barrier (200) is designed as a tool-free replaceable cartridge (2040). [4] Water installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water installation system includes a reverse osmosis system, a nanofilter, a backwash filter (300) or a membrane filter (301). [5] Water installation system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the outlet of the water treatment facility (100) is designed as a concentrate outlet of a reverse osmosis or nanofilter system, as an outlet of a backwash filter (300) or as a retentate outlet of a cross-flow filter.

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