Fluid Recycling Unit for Aircraft

Abstract

A fluid recycling unit for use on board an aircraft or other passenger transport vehicle, the fluid recycling unit captures various types of used fluids, filters or otherwise appropriately processes the fluids, and recycles the fluids for various uses on board the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a fluid recycling unit for use on board an aircraft or other passenger transportation device (mounted on board) is provided. The fluid recycling unit captures various types of used fluid, filters or otherwise appropriately processes the fluid, recycles the fluid, and returns it to one or more water utilization systems for various uses within the passenger transportation device.

Background Art

[0002] Water is a resource that is costly to store on board passenger transportation devices such as aircraft because of its high density and large volume consumed during flight (especially during international flights). In fact, the weight of the water itself accounts for a large portion of the total net weight of the potable water system on board aircraft and other passenger transportation devices. From the perspective of fuel requirements, this weight is particularly costly during takeoff of the aircraft. Further, during long flights, the use of potable water (i.e., water of potable quality) from the sink faucet by passengers causes hundreds of gallons (a large amount) of water to flow into the sink (washbasin, faucet) in the lavatory (washroom, handwashing area, toilet) per flight, resulting in a large amount of water consumption during flight. This water is generally referred to as "graywater". "Graywater" is water that is dirty but does not include sewage or "blackwater". "Graywater" is a term commonly used to represent consumed or used water that has been used for handwashing. After the potable water exits the faucet for the user to rinse their hands, the used water / graywater is considered waste (wastewater) and is typically discharged outside the aircraft or led into the waste system within the aircraft.

[0003] Drinking water is used for handwashing purposes and is typically used for toilet flushing in the cabin of transportation equipment. However, such high-quality / potable water is not necessarily required for toilet flushing. In the closed environment of passenger transportation equipment such as commercial airliners, there are two main toilet flushing mechanisms. First, there are chemical recirculating toilets that use a sterilizing fluid. Second, there are vacuum toilets (vacuum toilets) that use drinking water from a water tank. The galley treatment flushing system (galley treatment flushing system) and the faucet for handwashing in the lavatory also use drinking water. Currently, these applications use the same water source (the same water quality source) as equipment that requires a potable quality water source (e.g., coffee machines, espresso machines, water dispensers in the galley, etc.). This leads to an additional weight that needs to be carried on the aircraft due to the size of the tank and the water purification system required to purify a larger amount of water.

[0004] Various attempts to reuse graywater are being considered. Examples of solutions identified by the assignee of this case are outlined and described in various U.S. patents. These U.S. patents include, but are not limited to, U.S. Patent No. 9,458,028 (invention name "Mixed Fluid Filtration System"), U.S. Patent No. 9,540,107 (invention name "System and Method for Treating Graywater in the Cabin of a Passenger Transportation Device"), and U.S. Patent No. 10,308,361 (invention name "Disposable Modular Reservoir"). The entire contents of each of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference. These solutions have been and continue to be useful, but improvements are still being considered. The inventors of the present invention have identified a method of reducing the amount of water that needs to be carried on board by using strategies of water filtering and treatment to wash, reuse, and recycle various types of fluids.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention have designed a fluid recycling unit for use within a passenger transportation device such as an aircraft. The fluid to be recycled can be water, graywater from the sinks of the aircraft, or other types of wastewater. The graywater treatment components described herein can be used in association with existing storage units to improve maintenance, reduce weight, and expand the options for the use of the storage unit. Further features are described herein.

[0006] As used in this patent, the terms "invention", "the invention", "this invention", "the present invention", "disclosure", "the disclosure", and "the present disclosure" are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the claims below. Statements containing these terms are not intended to limit the subject matter described herein, nor are they intended to limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not by this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts further described in the "Detailed Description of the Invention" section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the subject matter recited in the claims, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the subject matter recited in the claims. The subject matter should be understood with reference to the appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

[0007] According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may be provided that captures used water, treats the used water to a determined treatment level to provide treated water, and recycles the treated water within a passenger transportation device. The system may have a reservoir fluidly connected to a basin, the reservoir having a top opening, a top lid having a fluid inlet for receiving used water from the basin, and an outlet. The system may also have a filter system removably positioned within the reservoir, the filter system configured to treat the used water to a determined treatment level to provide treated water. There may also be an adapter positionable at the outlet of the reservoir, the adapter having a first flow path for sending the treated water to a first location and a second flow path for sending any untreated or excess treated water to a second location. The first location may be a water utilization system or a fluid treatment stack. Exemplarily, the water utilization system may be a toilet flushing system, a sink faucet, or a potable water delivery system. Exemplarily, the second location may be a discharge line, a vacuum waste tank, a discharge mast, a fluid treatment stack, or any combination thereof.

[0008] In one example, the determined treatment level includes a first treatment level sufficient for use of the treated water as toilet flushing water. In other examples, the determined treatment level may be a second treatment level sufficient for use of the treated water as potable water or potable-quality water.

[0009] The filter system may be a mechanical microfilter of a porous polymer. The filter system may be an electrochemical filter including a porous anodic filter core and a metallic mesh cathode. It is also possible for the filter system to be positioned within the reservoir via a filter holder.

[0010] Some embodiments include a mixing pump to increase water contact time. Alternatively or additionally, the filter system may incorporate a helical or stepped structure to increase water contact time. The top lid includes one or more backwash rings for generating a cleaning vortex inside the reservoir.

[0011] There may be a gas absorption material located inside the reservoir to capture and react with the exhaust gas (exhaust gases of multiple types) released during filtration. There may be an exhaust extraction line for sending the exhaust gas (exhaust gases of multiple types) released outside the reservoir during filtration. The exhaust extraction line may send the exhaust gas (exhaust gases of multiple types) to an aircraft outflow valve. In other examples, the exhaust extraction line sends the exhaust gas (exhaust gases of multiple types) to a hydrogen fuel cell.

[0012] This disclosure is a system for recycling fluids on board a passenger transportation device, collecting used water from a lavatory sink into a gray water reservoir, and sending the used water to one of (a) a first filtration system sufficient to treat the used water for recycling in a lavatory toilet flush and (b) a second filtration system sufficient to treat the used water for recycling at a lavatory faucet. In this example, there may also be a third filtration system configured to receive black water from a lavatory toilet flush and sufficient to treat the received water for further recycling in a lavatory flush.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention provide a fluid recycling system that captures used fluid, directs the used water through one or more filtration systems by circulation or other means, and redistributes the treated fluid to various locations (positions) within the aircraft cabin of the transportation device. Specific examples include capturing used water / graywater and directing water through a laboratory (or other systems that require water and wastewater treatment) to purify the graywater through a series of treatment steps. The water is then transferred to a faucet for reuse in handwashing or other potable water uses, or can be transferred to a toilet for water for washing (cleaning). The series of treatment steps can be varied depending on the ultimate use of the water. Other specific embodiments provide a filter system that is replaceable and removable with respect to an existing reservoir fluidly connected and mounted to the water system.

[0028] One embodiment described herein for capturing, treating, and transferring various types of used water may be connected to an existing graywater interface valve. An exemplary graywater interface valve is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 7,533,426, which has the title of the invention "Graywater Interface Valve System and Method" and is co-owned by the assignee of the present case. The content of U.S. Patent No. 7,533,426 is incorporated herein. This patent describes a reservoir that can be positioned below the basin (drain, washbasin) of a sink to collect used handwashing water (also referred to herein as "graywater"). The purpose of the reservoir disclosed in the above patent is to store graywater and send the graywater to a main waste tank through a valve that minimizes vacuum flushing noise. The present disclosure provides a filter system that can be used in connection with this reservoir (or multiple other reservoirs) to filter graywater captured for reuse / recycling in other areas of the aircraft. Other areas of the aircraft can include use as toilet flushing liquid, use as handwashing water, use as drinking water as long as the disinfection level is sufficiently high, or any other suitable use.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, there are shown a plurality of types of filter systems 10 that can be used in connection with an existing reservoir 12, such as the reservoir described by the above-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 7,533,426. The plurality of filter systems 10 are described and shown as being used in connection with an existing reservoir 12, but it should be understood that the disclosed filter system(s) 10 can be used with any other reservoir that can be associated with an alternative reservoir or sink basin. One exemplary alternative reservoir is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 10,308,361 (“Disposable modular reservoir”). This reservoir can be easily removed from and repositioned in a water flow system. As shown, the reservoir 12 has an upper opening 14 configured to receive the filter system 10. A top lid 16 can be fixedly attached to cover the reservoir 12. The top lid 16 can provide both an inlet (pouring opening) 18 to the reservoir 12 and a holding function for the filter system 10. The top lid 16 may also include a vent 20 that allows for the intake of air into the reservoir 12 and the release of air from the reservoir 12. As will be described more fully later, the vent 20 may be used to backwash the filter system 10.

[0030] A variety of filter systems 10 are available and considered within the scope of the present disclosure. In one example, the filter system 10 is a mechanical microfilter 22 of a porous polymer. In another example, the filter system 10 is a two-part electrochemical filter 30. In other examples, it is possible to use both types of filters together. The plurality of filters may function individually, sequentially, or collectively. It should be understood that the plurality of processing steps can be varied according to the ultimate use of the water. For example, if the captured greywater is to be used as toilet flushing water, it does not need to be treated to the same level as drinking water. It is possible to use the storage unit 12 to treat the greywater to a first level. If it is necessary to treat the water to a second level or higher, the water can be sent to one or more additional processing stacks, such as the stack described in U.S. Patent No. 9,540,107 (co-owned by the assignee of the present case). The possible treatments and process flows are also described below. Additionally or alternatively, the water can also be sent to one or more UV light treatment systems or chemical treatment systems (many of which are described in patents and patent applications co-owned by the assignee of the present case). Non-limiting examples of this technology are described in U.S. Patent No. 10,266,426, U.S. Patent No. 9,376,333, and U.S. Patent No. 9,260,323. All of these are owned by the assignee of the present case.

[0031] In an embodiment of the porous polymeric mechanical microfilter 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a filter body 24 may be provided. In a specific example, the filter body 24 has an elongated cylindrical shape. The porosity (pore density) of the filter can range from any suitable pore size that allows for the desired filtration. Exemplary filters are manufactured and sold by the Porex Filtration Group (registered trademark). The filter body 24 can be fixed in a determined position via a filter holder 26. In one example, the filter holder 26 has an upper portion 28 configured to receive and support the filter body 24, and a lower portion 29 configured to cooperate with an adapter 40. The adapter 40 will be further described below.

[0032] In an embodiment of the two - part electrochemical filter 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the embodiment may include a metal mesh cathode 32 that receives a porous anode 34. As described above, these components can be fixed in a determined position via the filter holder 26. Electrochemical filters based on porous conductive materials can be used to purify wastewater by removing undesirable materials such as heavy metals, salts, organic micromolecules, bacteria, or other biological contaminants, by removing effluents (eluates) and other electrolytes. Electrochemical filters have two main operating principles. An electrochemical filter can operate via deposition by charge transfer, or electrodeposition. Alternatively, an electrochemical filter can operate via adsorption without charge transfer, called electro - sorption (electro - sorption is based on electrostatic interactions similar to a capacitor). Electrochemical filters are used in other technical fields, but using an electrochemical filter to treat greywater for reuse within an aircraft has not been previously considered or suggested in the industry. Exemplary electrochemical filters are manufactured and sold by the Caltech Industrial Corporation.

[0033] Two available filter options are described, but it should be understood that other filter options are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the hybrid fluid filtration system shown and described by U.S. Patent No. 9,458,028 (co-owned by the assignee of the present case) is also an option for a filter that may be used. The system can be designed to be located inside the existing reservoir 12.

[0034] In short, what the described filter system 10 generally intends is not to direct graywater to another location for filtration or to design an additional (or separate) storage component for the filtration function, but rather to adapt the existing reservoir 12 to receive a filter so that the existing reservoir 12 can function as a system for filtering and reusing graywater. The filter system 10 is intended to be insertable into and removable from the reservoir 12 in a relatively easy manner. In short, it is considered to be a "plug and play" type of filtration solution. The components of the filter system 10 located inside the reservoir 12 are modular so that the filter and the filter holder can be removed separately from the reservoir system rather than removing the entire reservoir / built-in filter system. This helps to improve the system's maintenance turnaround time.

[0035] Figure 4 shows how wastewater can cross the filter system 10. When influent wastewater or influent graywater flows into the inlet 18 (from the sink basin or other water-using device), the fluid is received into the interior of the internal flow path 36 of the filter system 10. As the graywater / fluid is processed by the filter system 10, the graywater / fluid flows from the internal flow path 36 into the region 38 of the reservoir 12 that is external to the filter system 10. The water can be forced to flow through the filter system 10 multiple times by a mixing pump or other water flow system described below. Once the flow is complete, the "purified" water in the external region 38 is flowed into the interior of the adapter 40.

[0036] Figures 1 - 3 show the adapter 40 and its relationship to the reservoir 12 of the adapter 40. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter 40. As shown, the adapter 40 is configured to cooperate with the outlet 42 of the reservoir 12. The adapter 40 is attached to the outlet 42 of the reservoir 12 by friction fitting, screw fastening, adhesive fixation, or other suitable means. In one specific example, the adapter 40 may be a T-diverter having at least two flow paths 44, 46. The first flow path 44 can be used to direct water (which may be referred to herein as "treated water") treated by the filter system 10 to a water-using system. The water-using system may be a toilet flushing system, a sink faucet, or other potable water source. The first flow path 44 may have an outlet 50 that can cooperate with any suitable conduit for directing the water away from the reservoir 12 for its ultimate use. A fluid pump may be used to direct the water as desired.

[0037] The second flow path 46 of the adapter 40 can be used to direct any non-treated water (or any treated water that does not need to be used), or any other undesirable or storage-excessive fluid to the discharge line (drain line) 48. Generally, by discharging into the discharge line 48, the fluid in the second flow path 46 is led to the waste tank (waste fluid tank, waste water tank) inside the machine. However, it is also possible to lead the discharge line 48 to a discharge mast (drain mast) or other external discharge source (external drain source). The adapter 40 is prevented from requiring a separate (distinct) outlet for the storage section. Instead, the adapter 40 is mounted on an existing outlet (storage section outlet) 42.

[0038] A valve (pinch valve or flush valve) 52 can also be provided. The valve 52 provides an interface between the in-machine vacuum waste (waste fluid, waste water) system and the storage section 12. When the valve 52 is opened, a vacuum is applied to the storage section 12 (and the filter system 10 contained inside the storage section 12). This vacuum can apply a force to the fluid contained in the storage section 12 towards the vacuum waste system. The valve 52 can also be opened for backwashing / cleaning of the filter system 10. This flow is shown in FIG. 4.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the backwash ring 54 can be used to assist in the backwash of the filter system 10. Various options are shown in these figures. Generally, the backwash ring 54 is shaped to fit the base 56 of the inlet 18. The inlet 18 is joined to the top lid 16. Here, referring to FIG. 5, the backwash ring 54 is shown having a generally circular perimeter (peripheral portion) 58, and one or more openings 60 are located around the perimeter 58. The one or more openings 60 may be a circular opening 60a formed in the body of the backwash ring 54, may be an elongated slit 60b, may be any other suitable shape, or may be a combination of these. The backwash ring 54 can have one or more protrusions 62 along the outside of the perimeter 58 for fixation within the base (vent base) 56. For example, one of the one or more protrusions 62 can cooperate with a groove or other internal cavity of the top lid 16, thereby fixedly positioning the backwash ring 54 in a determined position. In an alternative example, the backwash ring 54 can be fixed to the top lid 16 via a screw or other fastener that can be received through one or more fastener receiving holes in the perimeter (peripheral portion) of the backwash ring.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, one version of the ring may have a plurality of fixed openings 63 along the outer surface of the peripheral ring (around the ring), but the peripheral ring may not have the opening 60. The ring without the opening 60 is shown as the ring on the right side of FIG. 6. When this version of the ring is fitted to the base 56 and used, air can be made to go straight through the reservoir. Thereby, for example, if the filter is not disposed in the reservoir and backwashing is not necessary, the system can be made to function in a conventional manner. FIG. 6 also shows a backwash ring 54 having block elements 64 as an example of the backwash ring 54. The block element 64 can be used to block (close) the air supply port 20. The backwash ring 54 can be positioned below the inlet 18 such that the block element 64 lies below the air supply port 20. The block element 64 applies a force to the air drawn into the air supply port 20 to “bend” it and let it flow into the filter system 10. The air is moved around the filter for backwashing. The larger the opening 60 around the ring, the more air flows for backwashing. The general purpose of the device is to be usable as a standard graywater management unit (using the ring on the right side of FIG. 6 without an opening) and / or to be usable as a unit for treating graywater for reuse with one of the backwash rings having an opening fitted. Thus, the system provides manufacturing flexibility according to the function for in-aircraft use purposes of the aircraft.

[0041] In use, when the valve 52 is opened and a vacuum is applied to the storage section 12, air is drawn in through the air inlet 20. Due to the arrangement of the backwash ring 54 at the base 56 of the air inlet, a force is applied to the air to pass through one or more openings 60. As a result, air is drawn into the outer region 38, and a force is applied to the fluid held in the outer region 38 to move across the filter system 10 towards the internal flow path 36. This is shown by the plurality of inward arrows in FIG. 4. The treated water in the outer region 38 moves across the filter system 10 into the internal flow path 36, assisting in removing any residues that may accumulate along the inside of the filter system 10. The fluid from the internal flow path 36 is then drawn into the in-air waste tank. This backwash filtration process is more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 9,458,028, owned by the assignee of the present case. Here, U.S. Patent No. 9,458,028 is incorporated by reference.

[0042] FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative filter system options. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a filter having a stepped or staged filter 70 configuration. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a filter having a rotatable or helical filter 72 configuration. These embodiments allow the fluid to cross the filter system several times and contact both the cathode and anode filter portions as it passes through the filter system. A chemical reaction occurs each time the fluid passes through the filter portion, and the water is treated more thoroughly. The filter system can be shaped such that liquid treatment can proceed or be facilitated by gravity (e.g., gravity-feed treatment) as the liquid falls or passes through the filter.

[0043] Additionally or alternatively, a mixing pump 80 associated with the filter system can be provided. The mixing pump 80 is shown in FIG. 9. The mixing pump 80 can have an impeller shape or a mixer shape and agitate the fluid within the filter or bring the fluid into contact with more portions of the filter. It is also possible to provide a pump that raises the fluid towards the top of the filter and then flows it back downwards for multiple paths (across multiple paths).

[0044] Additionally, when an electrochemical filter system is used, unwanted exhaust gas (exhaust gas) that needs to be disposed of may be generated and present. For example, hydrogen gas may be generated during the filtration process. Generally, it is preferred that no outgassing occurs within the aircraft environment. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a method for discharging exhaust gas. Referring now to FIG. 10, an exhaust extraction line 90 may be provided. The exhaust extraction line 90 may extend externally from the storage section 12 and may send any exhaust gas generated inside the storage section 12 to the main waste tank, the aircraft outflow valve, or both. The exhaust extraction line 90 may extend externally from the storage section 12 at an opening 92 and may direct the gas to a valve 94. The exhaust extraction line 90 may then send the exhaust gas back to a main waste line 96 flowing to the main waste tank.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, a gas absorption material 98 located inside the storage section 12 may be provided. An example is shown in FIG. 11. The gas absorption material 98 may react with the exhaust gas (multiple types of exhaust gas) in order to safely capture the gas. In one example, the gas absorption material 98 may capture the gas and may turn the captured gas into a gel inside the gas absorption material 98. The gas absorption material 98 may be removable and replaceable. It is also possible to provide an indicator that indicates when the gas absorption material 98 is saturated and should be replaced.

[0046] In a further embodiment, the exhaust gas, hydrogen can be captured and the gas can be reused. Specifically, if the exhaust gas is hydrogen, it can be directed for use in a hydrogen fuel cell 100. As shown in FIG. 12, a hydrogen fuel cell 100 may be present inside the transport device. This hydrogen fuel cell 100 uses hydrogen gas as one of its inputs. The exhaust extraction line 90 can extract hydrogen gas as the exhaust gas and can send the hydrogen gas through an appropriate conduit to the hydrogen fuel cell 100 located at a position away from the hydrogen gas.

[0047] FIG. 13 presents an overview of the current fluid flow process used within a passenger transportation device. In this flow, potable water is used in all applications including cabin use, galley use, lavatory faucets, and lavatory toilets. Used water from all of these applications flows to the main waste tank. In this process, greywater (often in the form of used handwashing water) is treated the same as blackwater (often in the form of sewage), and all fluids are collected in the main waste tank for disposal.

[0048] FIG. 14 shows the flow of recycled fluid described herein. In this example, greywater from the lavatory sink may flow to a filtration system and be recycled. As shown, in the first exemplary fluid flow 102, greywater from the lavatory sink is collected as described above and sent through a first filtration system to provide recycled fluid that can be sent to the lavatory toilet for flushing. In the second exemplary fluid flow 104, greywater from the lavatory sink is collected as described above and sent through a second filtration system. The second filtration system may perform a higher level of filtration, may use multiple filter systems, or any other suitable filtration option that processes the collected greywater to a level where it can be reused at the lavatory faucet for the next round of handwashing.

[0049] In the third exemplary fluid flow 106, black water may be collected from the toilet bowl and sent through a third filtration system. The third filtration system is designed to receive black water from laboratory sink washes and to be sufficient to treat the received water for recycling in further laboratory sink washes. The third filtration system may use a mechanical filter system, an electrochemical filter system, a chemical treatment system, a UV treatment system, or any other suitable filter system designed to treat black water to a sufficient level. A general goal regarding the third exemplary fluid flow 106 is to continue the goal of recycling in - flight water to prevent the occurrence of situations where additional water needs to be carried on the aircraft. Instead of using potable (drinkable) water for toilet flushing and instead of using filtered gray water for toilet flushing, it is contemplated that the used toilet water itself may be purified to a sufficient level for reuse in subsequent toilet flushes.

[0050] While the subject matter of certain embodiments of this disclosure is described with specificity so as to meet statutory requirements, this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The subject matter recited in the claims may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be construed as implying any particular order or arrangement between various steps or elements except where the order of individual steps or the arrangement of multiple elements is explicitly described.

[0051] It should be understood that different arrangements of the components shown in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described, are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and can be used without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention are described for illustrative purposes and not for limiting purposes, and alternative embodiments will be apparent to the reader of this patent. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments or the embodiments depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A system that captures used water, treats the used water to a determined treatment level to provide treated water, and recycles the treated water within a passenger transportation device, comprising: A storage unit fluidly connected to a basin, having an upper opening, a top lid having a fluid inlet for receiving used water from the basin, and an outlet, wherein the top lid comprises one or more backwash rings for generating a cleaning vortex inside the storage unit; A filter system removably positioned within the storage unit, the filter system configured to treat the used water to a determined treatment level to provide treated water; An adapter positionable at the outlet of the storage unit, the adapter comprising a first flow path for sending the treated water to a first position and a second flow path for sending any untreated water or excess treated water to a second position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first position includes a water utilization system or a fluid treatment stack.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the water utilization system includes a toilet flushing system, a faucet of a sink, or a drinking water distribution system.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second position includes a discharge line, a vacuum waste tank, a drain mast, a fluid treatment stack, or any combination thereof.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the determined treatment level includes a first treatment level sufficient for use of the treated water as toilet flushing water.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the determined treatment level includes a second treatment level sufficient for use of the treated water as drinking water or potable water quality.

7. The filter system is configured to define an internal flow path, The filter system includes a mechanical microfilter of a porous polymer disposed around the internal flow path, The system according to claim 1, wherein the internal flow path communicates with the fluid inlet of the top lid when the filter system is positioned within the storage unit.

8. The filter system is configured to define an internal flow path, The filter system includes an electrochemical filter including a porous anodic filter core disposed within the internal flow path and a metallic mesh cathode disposed around the internal flow path. The system according to claim 1, wherein the internal flow path communicates with the fluid inlet of the top lid in a state where the filter system is positioned within the reservoir.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the filter system is positioned within the reservoir via a filter holder.

10. The filter system is configured to define an internal flow path. The filter system includes a mixing pump positioned to stir the used water within the internal flow path to increase the contact time between the used water and the filter system. The system according to claim 1, wherein the internal flow path communicates with the fluid inlet of the top lid in a state where the filter system is positioned within the reservoir.

11. The filter system is configured to define an internal flow path. The filter system includes a helical structure or a stepped structure arranged within the internal flow path for increasing the contact time between the used water and the filter system, the helical structure or the stepped structure being provided within the internal flow path. The system according to claim 1, wherein the internal flow path communicates with the fluid inlet of the top lid in a state where the filter system is positioned within the reservoir.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a gas absorption material positioned inside the reservoir for capturing the exhaust gas discharged during filtration and reacting with the exhaust gas.

13. A system for capturing used water, treating the used water to a determined treatment level to provide treated water, and recycling the treated water within an in-flight passenger transportation device, comprising: a reservoir fluidly connected to a basin, the reservoir having an upper opening, a top lid having a fluid inlet for receiving used water from the basin, and an outlet; a filter system removably positionable within the reservoir, the filter system configured to treat the used water to a determined treatment level to provide treated water; an exhaust extraction line for sending the exhaust gas discharged outside the reservoir during filtration; an adapter positionable at the outlet of the reservoir, the adapter comprising a first flow path for sending the treated water to a first position and a second flow path for sending any untreated water or excess treated water to a second position.

14. The exhaust extraction line sends the exhaust gas to an aircraft outflow valve, the system according to claim 13.

15. The exhaust extraction line sends the exhaust gas to a hydrogen fuel cell, the system according to claim 13.

16. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a filtration system configured to receive black water from a laboratory toilet washdown and sufficient to treat the received water for further recycling in the laboratory washdown.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more backwash rinses include block elements.

18. The system according to claim 1 or 13, wherein the first flow path or the second flow path extends orthogonally to the outlet in a state where the adapter is positioned at the outlet of the storage unit.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more backwash rinses include one or more protrusions.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the one or more protrusions are configured to fit into the internal cavity of the top lid.

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