Dynamic water treatment processing

Abstract

The present invention discloses a process and system for treating wastewater obtained from commercial processes. Wastewater is collected from a commercial process, such as commercial juicing, then further processed through solid removal using a concentrator. The wastewater is then subsequently or simultaneously analysed to determine its chemical composition, and based on this analysis, an automated treatment process is initiated by a computer. The wastewater is directed into a treatment module via a manifold, where it undergoes appropriate treatment, which may include filtration, reverse osmosis, chemical injection, or ultraviolet light exposure. After treatment, the water is reanalysed to determine if further treatment is required, and if the desired composition is achieved, the treated water is directed to a storage tank or water mains network. The system comprises components for concentrating, separating, analysing, and treating the wastewater, and automated water treatment based on real-time chemical composition.

Description

DYNAMIC WATER TREATMENT PROCESSINGFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to devices and methods for dynamic water treatment.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Water footprints are important to large companies to ensure they are not having a significant impact on the natural resources available for the production of their commercial products.

[0003] The ability to clean process water and repurpose or feed it back into the system has many advantages such as new products or reducing the need to seek new water to enter the system. An example of this can be observed within the mining industry wherein water is used for the cleaning of equipment, due to the scarcity of water within these regions the water is recycled and fed back into the cleaning water system. An issue with a lot of the systems is that they are static and are unable to adapt to differences within the water chemistry, and they are essentially treating the water for all the various cases if the chemical treatment is required or not.

[0004] An object of the present invention is the use of a static / fixed treatment systems with the introduction of an automated system that can analyse the water quality and automatically arrange a suitable treatment until the water quality of interest is achieved. Such a system can prolong the use of each filter by only utlising it when required.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method to address a shortcoming of the prior art, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a process of wastewatertreatment, comprising: obtaining a wastewater that is collected from a commercial process; removing solids in the wastewater using a concentrator; analysing the wastewater to determine its chemical composition and depending on the chemical composition of the wastewater, initiating a treatment process automatically by a computer; feeding the wastewater into a manifold that feeds it into the treatment process assigned by the computer automatically, to produce treated wastewater; and analysing the treated wastewater after exiting the treatment system to determine if further treatments are required or if it is at the desired composition wherein the wastewater is then sent to a storage tank or a water mains network.

[0007] In an embodiment, the treatment process comprises passing the wastewater through one or more filters.

[0008] In an embodiment, the filters are bidirectional.

[0009] In an embodiment, the one or more filters may be selected from one or more of activated carbon filters, charcoal filters, chromatography resin columns, activated alumina, ionisation filter, or a mechanical filter.

[0010] In an embodiment, the treatment process comprises utilising a forward osmosis process, a reverse osmosis process, ultraviolet light, electrolysis, or settling tank.

[0011] In an embodiment, the treatment process comprises chemical injection and subsequent mixing of the wastewater.

[0012] In an embodiment, the chemical injections may comprise settling agents, pH adjusters, ORP adjustments, chlorine, or flocculant.

[0013] In an embodiment, analysing the chemical composition of the wastewatercomprises determining a level of volatile organic carbon, pH, nitrite, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, iron, zinc, sodium, manganese, chlorine, sulphates, total dissolved solids, and / or hardness.

[0014] In an embodiment, analysing the chemical composition of the wastewater is performed using ion selective probes, light spectrum analysis, XRD, XRF, or chemical induction.

[0015] In an embodiment, the concentrator comprises of one or more of the following: a sand filter, a centrifuge, a mesh filter, a filter, an electro flocculation, or a settling tank.

[0016] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for treating wastewater, comprising: a feed input comprising wastewater produced from a commercial process; wherein the feed input comprises solids and liquids; a concentrator configured to concentrate the feed input, thereby producing a concentrated liquid and a waste product comprising concentrated solids; a separator configured to remove a solid portion from the waste product thereby producing a liquid-rich waste product; an analysis module adapted to determine a chemical composition of the liquid-rich waste product and determine whether further treatment of the liquid-rich waste product is necessary; a treatment module to further treat the liquid-rich waste product; and a storage module

[0017] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the wastewater is obtained from plant material.

[0018] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the treatment module comprisesone or more filters.

[0019] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the filters are bidirectional.

[0020] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the one or more filters may be selected from one or more of activated carbon filters, charcoal filters, chromatography resin columns, activated alumina, ionisation filter, or a mechanical filter.

[0021] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the treatment module comprises utilising a forward osmosis process, a reverse osmosis process, ultraviolet light, electrolysis, or settling tank.

[0022] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the treatment module comprises a chemical injector and mixer.

[0023] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the chemical injector may inject one or more of settling agents, pH adjusters, ORP adjustments, chlorine, or flocculant to treat the wastewater.

[0024] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the analysis module comprises one or more of ion selective probes, light spectrum analysis, XRD, XRF, or chemical induction.

[0025] In an embodiment of the second aspect, the concentrator comprises of one or more of a sand filter, a centrifuge, a mesh filter, a filter, an electro flocculation, or a settling tank.

[0026] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The DetailedDescription is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will refer drawings as follows:

[0028] Figure 1 provides a flow chart of the water treatment process according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 , plant material 5 such as fruit or vegetables are commonly processed into an input stream using processes known in the art, such as but not limited to crushing, pulping, heating, steam treatment, press, grating, and any other method wherein the plant material can be processed into a slurry, liquid, or plant water.

[0030] Alternatively, the input stream can be obtained from other processes such as wastewater, meat processing, chemical production, stormwater, and any other form of commercial processing method wherein wastewater is produced and need to be processed.

[0031] The processed plant material 5 is then sent to a concentrator that can comprise of but is not limited to a centrifuge, evaporation, settling, flocculation, electro flocculation and or any other means wherein the solids can be removed from the water content. A combination of the various concentration methods can also be used, for example combing a centrifugal concentration process with a settling tank. The water content in the solids can initially start at but is not limited to 99% to 1%. For example, a carrot will typically have a water content of 86% to 89% in comparison to a watermelon which has a typical water content of 90%.

[0032] The concentration stage produces two products: a concentrated juice, which is the desired product for commercial uses; and a waste consisting of the remaining solids and potentially some remaining water content. The remaining water content within the waste product can be but is not limited to 90% to 1%. The remaining water content is dependent on what the user's requirements are for the concentrated juice content, for example, the if the concentrated juice product consists of the first 10%, the remaining 90% will in the solid content which is considered waste. In most scenarios, the remaining water content within the wastematerial is unknown or is highly variable due to the variable water content of the plant material, which is used in the process, for example, if a user is using a mixed feedstock of vegetables and plant material, the water content in the processes plant material will be highly variable.

[0033] The waste material is then processed wherein the water content is separated from the solid content. The processes that can be used to remove the solid content can be but is not limited to evaporation, a press, crushing, boiling, liquefying, and any other method that can be utilised wherein the solids can be removed from the water content. Once the water content from the water material is removed, it is transferred to the storage location. The storage location can be but is not limited to a pipe or tank. The storage location will consist of a means wherein the water can be analysis for its chemical content.

[0034] An analysis that occurs of the water can be undertaken, if required, in real-time. The analysis can be for and is not limited to volatile organic carbon, pH, nitrite, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, iron, zinc, sodium, manganese, chlorine, sulphates, total dissolved solids, and / or hardness. It should be noted that there are no limitations to what type of water chemical analysis can be undertaken, any form of analysis can be undertaken wherein it can be measured.

[0035] The means of analysis 55 for the water can be undertaken with but not limited to ion-selective sensors, light spectrum analysis, pH sensors, or any other sensors that can be used to analyse the chemical composition in the water. For example, an optical light probe can be inserted into the storage location wherein it will obtain the water chemistry information. The water chemistry information can be but is not limited to continuous and / or periodically according to a set time.

[0036] The chemical composition of the water is captured wherein the water is then pumped to a selective treatment manifold 50. The selective treatment manifold will then arrange a route for the water to pass through so the targeted filters 60 of interest are selected. The water can be directed through but is not limited to an activated carbon filter, charcoal filter, chromatography resin column, such as AmberChrom™ columns, forward osmosis, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light, activated alumina, ionisation filter, mechanical filter, electrolysis, or settling tank.

[0037] The water direction through each of the filters can also be via either direction through the filter, this allows the filters to be used bidirectionally.

[0038] The selective manifold and the storage tank can also consist of chemical injection points and mixing apparatuses. Chemical injections can consist of solutions that are injected for but not limited to settling agents, pH adjusters, ORP adjustments, chlorine, flocculant, and any other suitable liquid for water treatment.

[0039] The selection of chemical injection and direction on how the water travels through the water injection manifold is determined after the analysis of the wastewater composition in the storage tank.

[0040] The water pressures and flows are undertaken throughout the process using but not limited to pumps, gravity pressure, and / or syphon. The water flow and pressure are calculated in accordance with the water chemistry and the treatment the computer identifies as required. The water flow and pressure are in accordance with the retention time required, pressure required for the treatment, flow required for each treatment.

[0041] The chemical composition is analysed using but not limited to ion selective probes, light spectrum analysis, XRD, XRF, chemical induction. The chemical composition can be analysed inline or within a tank wherein the water is retained for a set period. For example chemical composition systems that require a chemical reaction to take place for analysis such as some light spectrum methods may need a long retention time wherein a chemical of interest is dosed and a reaction takes place and is analysed, once the reaction has taken place the wavelength of interest will be exposed to the water and the absorption will be recorded, providing the data for the chemical of interest. Though inline solution such as ion selective probes can be used wherein the probe is inserted into a pipe or tank wherein it can be exposed to the water of interest.

[0042] Once the chemical composition is captured, the computer then will evaluate the suitable treatments required for the water to be treated to for it to achieve the desired water composition. This is achieved by the selective water manifold isolating opening a value allowing the water to travel through the desired treatment method. The isolation of each of the treatment methods can be but is notlimited to valves and pressure.

[0043] An activated carbon and charcoal filter will be used wherein the water may contain organics, volatile organics, chlorine, pesticides, trihalomethanes, gasoline, solvents, and industrial cleaners.

[0044] Forwards osmosis may be used wherein the water is separated from a draw solution; the draw solution will pull the water through the filter leaving the undesired water on one side. The draw solution is then further processed to via flowing it the water analysis sections 50 wherein it is then reanalysed to determine to suitability for the next process.

[0045] Reverse osmosis may be used wherein the water is pressurised through a membrane of interest wherein only a selective compound or chemical is capable to pass through, producing a water of interest and leaving a untreated on one side of the membrane.

[0046] Ultraviolet light maybe used to reduce the active bacteria load, this system may use various method or channel to expose the UV light to the water for various durations of time. For example, there may be but not limited to multiple channels of light, various light intensities, and retention time used to expose the water to the light.

[0047] Alumina maybe used as a flocculant due or to bind to various ions of interest that maybe found within the water.

[0048] An ionisation filter maybe used wherein charged compounds can be removed from the water, the ionisation filter can be either positively or negatively charged.

[0049] A physical filter can be used wherein it can be used to expose the water to various micron size filters, this can be from but not limited to 100 microns to 1 micron. The filters can be selected in accordance with the users requirements.

[0050] Electrolysis can be used to flocculate the water further if required, flocculation can also create further chemical reactions to the water wherein the water composition change and gases maybe formed. For example, if NaCI is presence,electro flocculation can produce chlorine gas during the electrolysis stage.

[0051] A settling tank can be used wherein flocculation can occur, this process can be accelerated with the addition of solutions such as but not limited to iron, alumina, or any other charged solution. Alternatively, the settling tank can also use an aeration method wherein the flocculant is brought to the surface.

[0052] Once the water leaves the filter 60 it is then directed back 70 to the water analysis section wherein the water chemistry is analysed to confirm the chemistry of the water, the processor will then determine what further water quality treatments will be required, for example, it may undergo the same filter 60 processes or a different one. For example, the user has the desired water quality they are looking to achieve and inputs that information into the processor, the device then will analyse the input water and select the filters which are required to achieve it.

[0053] Once the water has achieved the desired water chemistry it can then exit the filter system 60 into a storage location wherein it is ready for its intended use. The intended use of the water can be but is not limited to the irrigation, washing, consumption, and any other form for which water is used.

[0054] As the water is discharged after the process is completed, additional feeds such as other liquid streams can be introduced. The other liquid streams that can be feed into the final step can be but is not limited to saline water, water, pH adjuster, flavouring, carbonation, oxygen, colouring, and any other liquid which can be used to add to the user’s final desirability.

[0055] The water from the feed can also be feed directly back into a recycled water main for a water authority. The water would be pressured at a higher pressure than the water authority mains and the water will flow back though a flow meter into the water authority’s trunk main.

[0056] The pressure can be but not limited to pump or gravity fed. The pressure of the pumps and the gravity mains are in accordance with the current pressure of the water authority mains, this ensures that water pressure will not be over exceeding the pressure of the current water pressure.

[0057] Ideally the water would be fed back into the water authorities’ trunk main during peak use periods to reduce the demand of water from the water authority’s storages and supply. The benefits of this are that it allows the water authorities to reduce their costs associated with pumping demand and power associated with that process.

[0058] The flow meter can be used to capture the total amount of water that is being flowed into the water authorities water network. This can be used as a means of capture data that can be used to credit back to the water authorities. The forms of credits that can be used can be but not limited to tokens, cryptocurrencies, credits, discounts, cash, financial incentives, or any other form of financial gain.

[0059] If the water quality standard is achieved to drinking water standards, the water maybe fed into a drinking water system. The water quality can be assessed either by the sensors already in the process 50, or via standard means from a storage facility of interest.

[0060] The water enters the process and solids are removed, the water is then flowed into the water chemistry analysis wherein a light spectrum detects high amounts of organic matter. Then computer then determines that the water needs to be treated to an organic carbon treatment. The computer determines the pump pressure, retention time required, the flow, and the number of cycles required to remove the organic matter form the water of interest. The selective manifold 60 then opens the value and pumps the water into the treatment of interest. Once the organic matter has been removed from the water, the water chemistry is then analysed 50 and then the water is discharged for future use.

[0061] Alternatively, the water from a fruit processing plant is captured during the processing stage. The water is then fed into the analyser wherein the water quality is then obtained, and the suitable treatments are identified, the water is then fed into each of those treatments until the water quality of interest is obtained. Within this case drinking water quality standards are met, and the water is pumped into the drinking water main. The flow meter records the amount of water that has been pumped into the drinking water mains and that is credited to the company for the total amount of water.

[0062] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0063] In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the word "comprising" is not intended to have the exclusive meaning of the word such as "consisting only of", but rather has the non-exclusive meaning, in the sense of "including at least". The same applies, with corresponding grammatical changes, to other forms of the word such as "comprise", etc.

[0064] Other definitions for selected terms used herein may be found within the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

[0065] Any promises made in the present document should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention and are not intended to be promises made about the invention in all embodiments. Where there are promises that are deemed to apply to all embodiments of the invention, the applicant / patentee reserves the right to later delete them from the description and they do not rely on these promises for the acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent in any country.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A process of wastewater treatment, comprising: obtaining a wastewater that is collected from a commercial process; removing solids in the wastewater using a concentrator; analysing the wastewater to determine its chemical composition and depending on the chemical composition of the wastewater, initiating a treatment process automatically by a computer; feeding the wastewater into a manifold that feeds it into the treatment process assigned by the computer automatically, to produce treated wastewater; and analysing the treated wastewater after exiting the treatment system to determine if further treatments are required or if it is at the desired composition wherein the wastewater is then sent to a storage tank or a water mains network.

2. The process as in claim 1, wherein the treatment process comprises passing the wastewater through one or more filters.

3. The process as in claim 2, wherein the filters are bidirectional.

4. The process as in claim 2, wherein the one or more filters may be selected from one or more of activated carbon filters, charcoal filters, chromatography resin columns, activated alumina, ionisation filter, or a mechanical filter.

5. The process as in claim 1, wherein the treatment process comprises utilising a forward osmosis process, a reverse osmosis process, ultraviolet light, electrolysis, or settling tank.

6. The process as in claim 1, wherein the treatment process comprises chemical injection and subsequent mixing of the wastewater.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the chemical injections may comprise settlingagents, pH adjusters, ORP adjustments, chlorine, or flocculant.

8. The process as in claim 1 , wherein analysing the chemical composition of the wastewater comprises determining a level of of volatile organic carbon, pH, nitrite, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, iron, zinc, sodium, manganese, chlorine, sulphates, total dissolved solids, and / or hardness.

9. The process as in claim 1 , wherein analysing the chemical composition of the wastewater is performed using ion selective probes, light spectrum analysis, XRD, XRF, or chemical induction.

10. The process as in claim 1 , wherein the concentrator comprises of one or more of the following: a sand filter, a centrifuge, a mesh filter, a filter, an electro flocculation, or a settling tank.

11. A system for treating wastewater, comprising: a feed input comprising wastewater produced from a commercial process; wherein the feed input comprises solids and liquids; a concentrator configured to concentrate the feed input, thereby producing a concentrated liquid and a waste product comprising concentrated solids; a separator configured to remove a solid portion from the waste product thereby producing a liquid-rich waste product; an analysis module adapted to determine a chemical composition of the liquid-rich waste product and determine whether further treatment of the liquid-rich waste product is necessary; a treatment module to further treat the liquid-rich waste product; and a storage module.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the wastewater is obtained from plant material.

13. The system as in claim 11 , wherein the treatment module comprises one or more filters.

14. The system as in claim 13, wherein the filters are bidirectional.

15. The system as in claim 13, wherein the one or more filters may be selected from one or more of activated carbon filters, charcoal filters, chromatography resin columns, activated alumina, ionisation filter, or a mechanical filter.

16. The system as in claim 11 , wherein the treatment module comprises utilising a forward osmosis process, a reverse osmosis process, ultraviolet light, electrolysis, or settling tank.

17. The system as in claim 11 , wherein the treatment module comprises a chemical injector and mixer.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the chemical injector may inject one or more of settling agents, pH adjusters, ORP adjustments, chlorine, or flocculant to treat the wastewater.

19. The system of claim 11 , the analysis module comprises one or more of ion selective probes, light spectrum analysis, XRD, XRF, or chemical induction.

20. The system as in claim 11 , wherein the concentrator comprises of one or more of a sand filter, a centrifuge, a mesh filter, a filter, an electro flocculation, or a settling tank.

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