Apparatus for reducing the oxidation-reduction potential value in cold drinking water

Abstract

The device for reducing the redox potential value of cold drinking water according to the present invention comprises a flow tank (1) with an inlet port (2) and an outlet port (3). The tank (1) is made of chromium-nickel alloy steel and comprises at least two cartridges (5) with high-purity magnesium bars (6) having a pure magnesium content of at least 99.95%, the bars (6) extending into the inner space of the tank (1) through an additional opening (7) and insulated from the tank (1). The device further comprises a trigger unit (9) consisting of a DC power supply (10) integrated with a control unit (11), the positive pole of the trigger unit (9) being connected to the magnesium bar (6) and the negative pole being connected to the tank (1). The device can be installed in a domestic cold drinking water system and can utilize the potential difference between the magnesium bar and the tank to continuously reduce the redox potential value to a negative value while changing the pH within the range of alkaline water suitable for human consumption (pH 8-9.9).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for reducing the oxidation-reduction potential value in cold drinking water, which device is particularly suitable for domestic use to improve the quality of drinking water. [Background technology]

[0002] The water available in domestic water systems is supplied from urban networks and is suitable for human consumption. The quality parameters of such water include the so-called redox potential, which defines the tendency of water to enter into oxidation reactions, i.e. its ability to gain or lose electrons. Water with a positive reduction (oxidation-reduction) potential exhibits oxidizing properties. The more positive the redox potential, the more the oxidizing effect of the water is recorded and such water is harmful to the human organism due to the presence of free radicals. On the other hand, water with a negative redox potential is more beneficial for human health. The actual level of the redox potential is expressed in millivolts (mV) and is measured with an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensor, and the average redox potential of drinking water available from urban water networks ranges from +180 mV to +180 mV.

[0003] Patent application PL417820A discloses a method for reducing the redox potential in water, in which water having a redox potential of +50mV to +250mV is mixed with water previously exposed to a glow discharge until a redox potential of -75mV to -135mV is reached, the proportion of mixed water may range from 0.1% to +10%. Furthermore, the patent application discloses the use of the water subjected to the glow discharge as an ingredient for the production of functionalized water or beverages.

[0004] Patent specification US2004118775A1 refers to water with a reduced redox potential, which is produced by dissolving gaseous hydrogen, pre-cooled to a temperature between -180°C and -60°C, and feeding it at a pressure between 0.5 and 500 atmospheres to water cooled to a temperature between 0°C and 50°C.

[0005] After the initial water temperature and pressure were restored, it was possible to obtain water with a very low redox potential below -175 mV and a pH very similar to neutral pH, but below pH=9.0. Such water with reduced redox potential is suitable for daily use in large quantities, i.e. for drinking and cooking, without adverse effects on the human organism.

[0006] Next, patent document US5797216A discloses an apparatus and method for reducing the redox potential in water, where the improvement of water quality covers the steps of supplying water for treatment and reducing the redox potential in the water by injecting atomic hydrogen into the water volume.

[0007] However, none of the previously known devices and methods allow for a quick, easy and efficient reduction of the redox potential in drinking water supplied for domestic use from a municipal water supply network.

[0008] Furthermore, patent specification PL202453B discloses an apparatus for water treatment, in particular water disinfection, its sterilization and eradication of microorganisms. The apparatus comprises a tank in which water is supplied for treatment and a group of electrodes arranged in the tank. The group of electrodes is connected to an external generator of electric pulses that are supplied to the group of electrodes mentioned. A generator of alternating pulses with a maximum amplitude of less than 50 V and a pulse frequency ranging from 1 kHz to 5000 kHz is supplied with low-voltage power and is equipped with a control device designed to automatically adjust the maximum amplitude of the electric pulses, the amplitude polarization and the duty factor of the pulse shape according to the conductivity of the water to be treated. The tank and the pulse generator constitute a compact structure, the group of electrodes comprising at least one electrode in the form of a wire or bar or, alternatively, designed as a conductive coating provided on the inside of the tank wall. One embodiment of the present invention assumes that the group of electrodes is made of a magnesium-containing material. But in any case, the apparatus is designed for the eradication of bacteria from water and is not intended or suitable for the reduction of the redox potential in the drinking water to be treated.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to design an apparatus intended for reducing the redox potential value in cold drinking water, suitable for operation under domestic conditions, with a simple design and operating principle that allows substantially uninterrupted access to water with a negative redox potential, without requiring attention or any additional maintenance by the user.

[0010] The present invention relates to a device for reducing the redox potential value in cold drinking water. Such a device includes a flow tank having an inlet port and an outlet port. The essence of the invention is that the tank is made of chromium and nickel steel and contains at least two cartridges with bars made of high purity magnesium with a content of at least 99.95% pure magnesium. These bars extend into the tank interior through additional openings and are electrically insulated from the tank. The device also includes a trigger unit designed as a DC power supply unit integrated with a control unit, the positive pole of the power supply unit being connected to the magnesium bar and the negative pole to the tank.

[0011] The device according to the invention can be installed under domestic conditions on a pipeline with cold drinking water and allows an uninterrupted reduction of the redox potential value for water intended for human consumption, the reduction being achieved by the potential difference between the magnesium bar and the tank. The tank, made of a material with a low iron content or completely iron-free material, contains the drinking water flowing at an average temperature of 14 ° C to 18.5 ° C and becomes the place where the hydroxyl (OH) groups are decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen, the decomposition process being initiated by an external voltage. The excess hydrogen does not undergo diffusion, since no change of state occurs due to violent movement of the particles and the excess hydrogen ions are absorbed into the free valence orbitals of the hydrogen atoms in the H2O particles. The two strongly polarized hydrogen atoms bonded to the oxygen atoms in the water particles each have four free valence orbitals and can absorb the subsequent hydrogen atoms released from the hydroxyl (OH) groups. The aforementioned process allowed the generation of water with redox potential values ​​in the range of -180 mV to -260 mV. However, if the process is triggered frequently, for example by supplying an external voltage, after a few minutes or a few doses, redox potential values ​​as low as about -800 mV can be reached. Furthermore, the completed process leads to a significant and even three-fold increase in the magnesium ion content in the drinking water, which is a desired effect due to the beneficial influence of magnesium ions on human health, while the content of other metals in the water, such as chromium, copper or nickel, remains low. This process is associated with an offset of the pH of the water to a stable alkaline reaction with a pH in the range of 8 to 9.9.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tank volume ranges from 2 liters to 5 liters, which allows it to be installed in a kitchen cupboard under the kitchen sink in order to achieve the most beneficial conditions for the physical and chemical treatment of water. Another application of the invention assumes the installation of the device in a balloon-free dispenser of drinking water, which eliminates the contamination of water with plastic particles.

[0013] Furthermore, another preferred embodiment of the present invention presumes the installation of magnesium bars made of high purity magnesium having a metal content of at least 99.98, as past observations have confirmed the most beneficial effect of such bars on the process of redox potential reduction.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device has two or three magnesium bars depending on the tank volume.

[0015] In addition, a useful solution assumes that a cartridge with magnesium bars is screwed into additional openings formed in the tank and that an insulating element is inserted between the cartridge body and each magnesium bar.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment of the present invention assumes that the source of DC current is configured to operate within a voltage range of 24V to 40V, more preferably 30V to 40V, and most preferably 36V, and a current range of 350mA to 1.5A, preferably 350mA to 950mA, more preferably 500mA to 950mA, and most preferably 800mA.

[0017] It is justified to design the control unit as a programmable clock generator with the possibility of adjusting the frequency of the clock pulses, since the frequency affects the achieved water parameters.

[0018] The most preferred embodiment of the invention assumes that the device includes a sensor of the redox potential value mounted in the tank, connected to a display mounted on the outside of the tank and designed for instantaneous display of the redox potential value in the water. However, such a solution is merely optional and has no relation to the process dedicated to beneficial improvement of water parameters. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail in the description of one embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of the tank; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tank; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the complete cartridge with the magnesium bar in its longitudinal section; [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the trigger circuit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a tank with three magnesium cartridges.

[0020] The device for the reduction of redox potential values ​​in cold drinking water comprises a tank 1 with a volume of 2-5 liters, for example 3 liters, and is designed for connection with a domestic water supply system by means of an inlet port 2 and an outlet port 3. The device can be mounted, for example, inside a kitchen cupboard under the sink and fixed to the wall by means of a bracket 4. The tank 1 is made of chromium-nickel alloy steel, in particular AISI 304, but it is also possible to make it of iron-free chromium-nickel alloy steel. The tank 1 is integrated into the domestic water supply system, through which cold drinking water having a temperature of about 14 ° C to 18.5 ° C flows. The tank 1 comprises two cartridges 5 with bars 6 made of high-purity magnesium, the content of which is at least 99.95%, in particular 99.98%, of pure magnesium. The cartridges 5 extend into the interior space of the tank 1 through an additional opening 7, where they are screwed into the tank 1 and insulated from it by an insulating element 8.

[0021] Another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 assumes that the tank 1 can be equipped with three cartridges with magnesium bars.

[0022] In addition, the device comprises a trigger unit 9 designed as a low current source 10 of DC voltage integrated with a control unit 11 designed as a programmable clock generator, the trigger unit 9 being connected to the magnesium bar 6 (see FIG. 4). The positive pole of the DC voltage source 10 is connected to the bar 6 and the negative pole is connected to the tank 1. The DC voltage source 10 is arranged to operate within a voltage range of 24V to 40V, more advantageously 30V to 40V, most advantageously 36V, and with a current range of 350mA to 1.5A, advantageously 350mA to 950mA, more advantageously 500mA to 950mA, most advantageously 800mA.

[0023] The device may include an optional sensor of redox potential value that is placed inside the tank and interfaced with a display mounted on the outside of the tank and designed for instantaneous display of the redox potential value in the water.

[0024] The trigger unit is supplied with a low voltage within a safe level. The water treatment process can be triggered, for example, with a voltage of 36 V and a current of 800 mA for a period of about 1 to about 10 minutes. After triggering, the process continues spontaneously due to the difference in potential between the magnesium bar and the tank, as well as the natural potential of H2O dissociation. If the water consumption is fairly moderate and the volume of the tank 1 is about 5 liters, water with reduced reduction potential shall be available for about 8 hours. However, if consumption of water with a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) at a level exceeding 2 liters / hour is expected, activation of the trigger unit within an appropriately short time interval is necessary.

[0025] Also, although not shown in the accompanying drawings in order to avoid any impediment to the understanding of the invention, the device can be equipped with various types of well-known water filters for further mechanical, chemical or biological decontamination of the water.

Claims

1. A device for reducing the redox potential value of cold drinking water, comprising a flow tank (1) with an inlet port (2) and an outlet port (3), said tank (1) being made of chromium-nickel alloy steel and comprising at least two cartridges (5) with high purity magnesium bars (6) having a pure magnesium content of at least 99.95%, said bars (6) extending into the inner space of said tank (1) through an additional opening (7) and being insulated from said tank (1), said device further comprising a trigger unit (9) consisting of a DC power supply (10) integrated with a control unit (11), the positive pole of said trigger unit (9) being connected to the magnesium bars (6) and the negative pole being connected to said tank (1).

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume of the tank (1) ranges from 2 liters to 5 liters.

3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the magnesium bar (6) is made from high purity magnesium having a magnesium content of at least 99.98%.

4. 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises three magnesium bars (6).

5. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge (5) with the magnesium bar (6) is screwed into an additional opening (7) formed in the tank (1), and an insulating element (8) is inserted between the cartridge (5) body and the magnesium bar (6).

6. 6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the DC power supply (10) is configured to operate within a voltage range of 24V to 40V, more preferably 30V to 40V, most preferably 36V, and a current range of 350mA to 1.5A, preferably 350mA to 950mA, more preferably 500mA to 950mA, most preferably 800mA.

7. 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (11) is designed as a programmable generator of clock pulses.

8. 8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensor located within the tank and connected to a display mounted on the outside of the tank.

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