Liquid ozonization device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid ozonization device comprising: a transparent container (1) with graduation markings (11); a glass coil (2) inside the container (1) extending from the lower end to the upper end thereof; a pierced plate for generating micro bubbles (3) at the bottom of the container (1), connected to the coil (2); an ozone inlet mouth (5) that connects the coil (2) with a silicon cannula (12) to an ozone generator; a stopcock (4) at the ozone inlet mouth (5); an ozone outlet mouth (6) that connects the container (1) with another silicon cannula (13) to an ozone destructor; an inlet mouth for the liquid (7) to the container (1); and an outlet mouth for the ozonised liquid (8).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Liquid ozonation device

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to a liquid ozonation device that provides, for its intended function, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below, which represent an improvement on the current state of the art.

[0005] More specifically, the object of the invention focuses on a device for the treatment of liquids by means of ozone, mainly water, more specifically a device comprising a tank with mixing means under micro bubbling with ozone, which, in addition to achieving a bubble size with a diameter between 10 and 50 pm that decrease in size to finally disappear under water, advantageously allowing them to remain in the water for a long time and act as a battery that supplies ozone continuously, has a practical, reusable, light and easy-to-handle design, compatible with all devices on the market related to ozone therapies.

[0006] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of ozonation apparatus and devices, focusing particularly on those applicable to water ozonation.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As is well known, water ozonation is a process that uses ozone to disinfect and purify water. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive form of oxygen and a powerful oxidizer. It is commonly used in water treatment plants and purification systems to eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and other contaminants present in water.

[0010] Water ozonation offers significant benefits. These are some of the main uses and advantages:

[0011] - Control fungi, microorganisms and algae in plants.

[0012] - Control the growth of fungi and microorganisms by washing the udders of milk-producing animals with these solutions.

[0013] - Increase the shelf life of foods, including citrus fruits, vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

[0014] - Improve the quality of drinking water. Ozone is also a metal chelator.

[0015] - Use of water for mouthwashes and wound cleaning treatments.

[0016] For the application of ozone to water, ozonizers, or devices that generate ozone and dissolve it in water, are known. Essentially, these devices comprise the following components:

[0017] - An ozone generator, which is responsible for producing ozone using different methods, and which usually have special electrodes or plates that facilitate ozone production.

[0018] - A contact or mixing tube, where, once generated, the ozone is introduced into said tube or reactor where it mixes with water, being specially designed to guarantee a high efficiency of ozone transfer to water, allowing for adequate dissolution.

[0019] - And an injection or diffusion system, to ensure effective mixing of ozone with water, which can consist of a Venturi injector or a diffuser stone placed in the contact tube. These systems create a flow of water that draws in or disperses the ozone, facilitating its dissolution in the water.

[0020] In general, there are different contact tube designs to maximize ozone dissolution and mixing with water. Some systems use a spiral or coil contact tube, while others employ a multi-stage or multi-chamber reactor design.

[0021] When ozone is introduced into the contact tube, the following processes occur:

[0022] - Ozone, which is a gas, dissolves in water upon contact. Ozone dissolution is most effective when there is a large surface area between the gas and the water.

[0023] - During dissolution, ozone diffuses from the gas phase to the liquid phase. This process is due to a concentration difference between the ozone in the gas and the ozone dissolved in the water.

[0024] - Once dissolved in water, ozone can react with various substances present, such as microorganisms and organic or inorganic compounds. These reactions aid in disinfection and the removal of contaminants.

[0025] As mentioned, some systems incorporate Venturi injectors or diffuser stones to create fine ozone bubbles in the water. These bubbles increase the surface area between the ozone and the water, promoting ozone dissolution and transfer to the liquid.

[0026] The size of ozone bubbles can vary depending on the characteristics of the system and the design of the contact tube. In general, ozone bubbles tend to have a small diameter, in the range of micrometers to millimeters, allowing for a greater surface area for ozone transfer to the water and greater efficiency in the ozonation process.

[0027] Well, the objective of the present invention is the development of an ozonizing device, specifically a mixing tube that achieves a minimum size of the ozone bubbles, to favor their permanence in the water and increase the effectiveness of the device, constituting, at the same time, a reusable, light and easy-to-handle device, and which, in addition, is compatible with the devices existing on the market related to ozone therapies or treatments.

[0028] On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although as has been said, other ozonizing devices are known, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any that presents technical and structural characteristics equal to or similar to those claimed here is unknown.

[0029] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The liquid ozonation device proposed by the invention represents an improvement over what is already known, with the characterizing details that make it possible and distinguish it conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0031] What the invention proposes, as previously indicated, is a device for ozonizing water or other liquids under microbubbling, more specifically a device or contact tube comprising a tank with mixing means and generation of ozone bubbles, with a practical, reusable, lightweight and easy-to-handle design and compatible with all devices on the market related to ozone therapies.

[0032] Specifically, the microbubbles generated by the device object of the invention are small bubbles with a diameter between 10 and 50 pm, which decrease in size and finally disappear under water.

[0033] The size of a bubble is the first determining characteristic for understanding its properties, since a size distribution on a micro / nanometric scale is associated with better stability and mass transfer, significantly influencing its behavior and other physicochemical and electrical characteristics within a liquid.

[0034] Larger bubbles tend to emerge showing greater buoyancy, while smaller bubbles will remain in the liquid medium more easily and for longer periods of time with a random motion pattern or Brownian motion.

[0035] The microbubbles remain in the water for a long time and act like a battery, continuously supplying ozone to the water. As the ozone is consumed, they diffuse more, maintaining the level of dissolved ozone in the water. The microbubbles do not rise to the surface but are distributed evenly throughout the water, ensuring its sterilization. The antimicrobial action of ozone microbubbles is exerted by the free radicals generated during microbubble cavitation. The pH of the solutions in which they are found significantly affects the amount of free radicals generated, with a lower pH increasing the number of hydroxyl free radicals.

[0036] Furthermore, the inhibition of bubble coalescence, i.e. the process of merging to form larger bubbles and thus the resulting smaller bubble size, leads to an increase in the mass of ozone gas transferred to water or saline solution.

[0037] Microbubbles, unlike other larger bubbles, have unique characteristics such as their surface charge, which gives them a half-life of up to 6 months under in vitro conditions.

[0038] For all this, the water ozonation device essentially comprises the following elements:

[0039] - A graduated vertical tube-shaped glass container, preferably with a capacity of 250 ml.

[0040] - A glass coil incorporated inside the container, such that it runs internally from one end to the other.

[0041] - A micro-bubbling glass plate incorporated into the bottom of the container, connected to the lower end of the coil, so that the bubbles generated emerge through it at the bottom of the container.

[0042] - An ozone inlet or passageway at the upper end of the coil, shaped like a conduit connecting the device to a silicone cannula which, in turn, connects to an ozone generator.

[0043] - A stopcock inserted into the ozone inlet duct at the top end of the coil, which allows the ozone inlet to be controlled.

[0044] - An ozone outlet or connection from the device's container to a second silicone cannula which, in this case, is connected to an external ozone destructor or ozone catalyst, preferably to convert the excess ozone not used in the ozonation process, i.e. the bubbles that have risen to the top of the liquid inside the container, into molecular oxygen (O2), which is a more stable and safe form.

[0045] - An inlet for the liquid, usually water or solution, into the device container located at the top end of said container.

[0046] - And an ozonated water outlet with the device located at the lower end of the container and connected to an outlet cannula.

[0047] Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a support for placing the container, with the set of elements attached to it, on an appropriate element provided for this purpose so that it remains in a vertical position and can operate correctly. Preferably, said support is formed by an elongated piece, preferably a metal plate, with a hanging hole that is integrally attached to the glass container.

[0048] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0050] Figure 1.- Shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the liquid ozonation device object of the invention, showing the main parts and elements it comprises as well as their configuration and arrangement.

[0051] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0052] In view of the described figure 1 and only one, and in accordance with the numbering adopted therein, a non-limiting embodiment of the ozonation device of the invention can be observed, which comprises what is indicated and described in detail below. Thus, as can be seen in said figure, the device (10) of the invention is of the type that comprises a container (1) of liquid with a coil (2) with perforations connected to an ozone generator to generate bubbles that mix with the liquid. And, based on said already known configuration, it is essentially distinguished by comprising:

[0053] - As a liquid container (1), a transparent glass container (1), which is configured in the form of a closed vertical tube, preferably with a capacity of 250 ml, and is provided with graduated marks (11) to know the volume of liquid it contains.

[0054] - As a coil (2), a coil (2) also made of glass that is incorporated inside the container (1) and that covers practically its entire interior from its lower end to the upper end.

[0055] - A perforated glass plate for the generation of micro bubbling (3) incorporated in the bottom of the container (1), connected to the coil (2), so that the ozone emerges through it in the form of micro bubbles at said bottom of the container (1).

[0056] - An ozone inlet mouth (5) which, formed in the form of a duct, connects to one end of the coil (2), at the upper end of the container (1), to a first silicone cannula (12) which, in turn, is connected to an ozone generator (not shown).

[0057] - A stopcock (4) inserted into the aforementioned ozone inlet duct (5), at the upper end of the container (1), which allows opening or closing the passage of ozone to the coil (2).

[0058] - An ozone outlet (6), also in the form of a duct, which connects the upper part of the container (1) with a second silicone cannula (13) which, in turn, is connected to an external ozone destructor or catalyst (not shown).

[0059] - An inlet mouth for the liquid (7) to the container (1), located at the upper end of said container (1), which is introduced through a pipe provided, preferably, with a stop valve (14). - And an outlet mouth for the ozonized liquid (8) located at the lower end of the container (1) and which, in turn, is connected to an outlet cannula (15) and may incorporate a stop valve (not shown).

[0060] Preferably, the perforations of the microbubble plate (3) have a diameter between 10 and 50 pm such that they generate ozone bubbles of said dimensions. Preferably, said plate (3) is a circular plate that is perforated around the perimeter.

[0061] Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a support (9) to be able to place the container (2) with all its elements supported in a vertical position. Preferably, said support (9) is an elongated piece, preferably a metal plate, with a hanging hole that is integrally joined, for example glued with some type of glue, to the glass container (1) on its external rear part, that is to say on the part opposite to that which incorporates the graduated marks (11).

[0062] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to explain it further so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages derived from it, stating that, within its essence, it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and to which it will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- LIQUID OZONIZATION DEVICE comprising a liquid container (1) with a coil (2) with perforations connected to an ozone generator to generate bubbles that mix with the liquid, is characterized by comprising: - a transparent glass container (1) configured in the form of a closed vertical tube and provided with graduated marks (11); - a glass coil (2) incorporated in the container (1) and covering practically its entire interior from its lower end to its upper end; - a perforated glass plate for the generation of microbubbles (3) incorporated in the bottom of the container (1), connected to the coil (2), such that the ozone emerges through it in the form of microbubbles in said bottom of the container (1); - an ozone inlet (5) that connects one end of the coil (2), at the upper end of the container (1), to a first silicone cannula (12) which, in turn, is connected to an ozone generator; - a stopcock (4) inserted into the ozone inlet duct (5), at the upper end of the container (1), to open or close the passage of ozone to the coil (2); - an ozone outlet (6) that connects the upper end of the container (1) with a second silicone cannula (13) which, in turn, is connected to an external ozone destructor or catalyst; - a liquid inlet (7) to the container (1), located at the upper end of said container (1); and - an ozonized liquid outlet (8) located at the lower end of the container (1). 2.- LIQUID OZONIZATION DEVICE, according to claim 1, characterized in that the perforations of the micro-bubbling plate (3) have a diameter of between 10 and 50 pm, such that they generate ozone bubbles of said dimensions. 3.- LIQUID OZONIZATION DEVICE, according to claim 2, characterized in that said micro-bubbling plate (3) is a circular plate that is perforated around the perimeter. 4.- LIQUID OZONIZATION DEVICE, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent glass container (1) configured as a closed vertical tube has a capacity of 250 ml. 5.- LIQUID OZONIZATION DEVICE, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a support (9) to place the container (2) with all its elements supported in a vertical position. 6.- LIQUID OZONIZATION DEVICE, according to claim 5, characterized in that the support (9) is an elongated, metallic piece, with a hanging hole that is integrally connected to the glass container (1) by its external rear part.

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