Arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water, comprising a fluid conduit which has an inlet and an outlet and along which at least the following components that are fluidically connected to the fluid conduit are arranged in the following sequence between the inlet and the outlet of the fluid conduit: an addition unit for H2O2, a catalyst unit for initiating a Fenton reaction, a unit for generating an advanced oxidation process (AOP), a reaction chamber with a mixer, and a filter unit for filtering organic chlorine compounds, the components being suitably designed such that they are arranged on a mobile means of transport, for example in the form of a sack truck, for portable handling of the whole arrangement.

Description

[0001] Arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Swimming pools, whether public or private, are subject to special water quality requirements. The pool's contents can be described as a "chemical reactor." These health protection requirements for users are addressed in the Infection Protection Act (July 2000). Section 37 stipulates that the quality of the water must not be harmful to human health. There are no uniform laws or standards regarding pool water treatment in Europe or worldwide. Therefore, each country determines for itself which conditions must be guaranteed to ensure the safety of bathers. In some countries, e.g. Austria and Denmark, the requirements have been incorporated into laws; in others, they have been incorporated into standards as generally accepted rules of technology.Regardless of the country, the goal is always the same: “Hygienic safety by reducing the transmission of diseases through water and ensuring the most pleasant, non-harmful bathing experience possible!”

[0006] One of the most important tasks of pool water treatment is the removal of pathogenic germs through disinfection. When selecting a disinfectant, safety, compatibility with the fill and pool water, the size of the pool, the bathing load, and the operation of the facility, including the suitability of the operator, must be taken into account. The need to treat pool water arises, on the one hand, from the continuous introduction of potentially pathogenic germs as well as organic and inorganic substances by bathers or the environment. Therefore, the pool contents and the pool body, including the pool water treatment system, must also be considered as a "chemical reaction zone" with the disinfectant, the resulting disinfection by-products (DNP), and the removal of contaminants (dilution with fresh water).

[0007] During disinfection, the reaction between the disinfectant and organic and inorganic substances in the water can produce a variety of reaction products, such as trichloramine, chloroform, trihalomethanes, and many more. In principle, the operator of a swimming pool is responsible for ensuring that the quality of the swimming pool water does not pose a health risk to users. The basis for potentially hygienic and safe operation is established right from the start when selecting the treatment process.

[0008] According to DIN 19643 and DIN EN 16713, in German public and private pools, perfect, hygienic water quality can only be achieved through optimal interaction of water treatment (filtration), disinfection, pool hydraulics and at least 30 liters of fill water additive per bather.

[0009] This combination of procedures is also used in private pools, but in many cases not with the necessary stringency and continuity due to a mostly lack of professional and improper pool operation combined with inadequate monitoring.

[0010] Since not all contaminants can be removed by filtration, a "dilution" must be carried out to regulate the concentration of the non-removable substances (the standards stipulate an addition of fresh water of at least 30 liters per bather and day, which should be carried out either continuously, daily or weekly (in large pools).

[0011] Although the currently applicable standards for maximum freshwater addition in pool areas contribute to a significant reduction in the relevant water demand, the freshwater demand in this segment is still significant. Particularly in times and regions with water scarcity, questions arise regarding resource conservation and sustainability when it comes to private water demand and consumption in connection with swimming pool use. Possible consequences include decrees and / or restrictions on private water use, especially in gardens and pool areas, which make it impossible to comply with the hygiene regulations for swimming pool water explained above, or at least only with increasingly costly effort.

[0012] If, for “water-saving reasons,” dilution of the used bathing water or thorough cleaning after winter storage by draining, cleaning, and filling with fresh water is omitted, harmful health consequences cannot be ruled out.

[0013] A number of publications are known for cleaning swimming pool water. DE 1110576 A describes a process for cleaning and sterilizing swimming pool water using chlorine and chlorine dioxide added to the circulating water, in which the ratio of chlorine to chlorine dioxide should be between 1:1.5 and 1:3.

[0014] The document DE 10 2007 042 685 A1 describes a method for treating water in water circuits of swimming pools, in particular in the pool area, in which microbially contaminated water, after leaving the swimming pool, is mixed with hydrogen peroxide of a predeterminable concentration, the mixture then flows through a catalyst arrangement, after which the water is treated with chlorine and / or sodium hypochlorite and / or chlorine dioxide and / or other chlorine-containing disinfectants or hydrogen peroxide and / or with UV radiation, and the water thus treated is introduced either into the pool area and / or into the inlet to the filter.

[0015] The document DE 10 2011 012 137 A1 discloses a device and a method for the treatment of pool water, which is circulated in a pool water circuit and is thereby filtered and disinfected by adding H2O2 and by irradiation with UV light, wherein an additional chlorination of the pool water is provided.

[0016] The publication US 2021 / 0276897 A1 discloses a permanently installed drinking water treatment system that filters drinking water slightly contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (up to 100 g / l) to obtain drinking water free of 1,4-dioxane within the legally prescribed limits. The system provides three fluidically connected containers, each of which is filled with the drinking water to be purified in a valve-controlled manner, i.e., in a batch operation. The first container contains an iron oxide catalyst, a supply of H2O2, and an integrated UV light source to carry out a Fenton reaction. The Fenton reaction is sensor-monitored, so that after the reaction is complete, the contents of the first container are transferred to the second container, which contains an activated carbon filter for further purification of the drinking water.Finally, the purified drinking water flows into the third container, the so-called reservoir container for freshly purified drinking water.

[0017] Description of the invention

[0018] The invention is based on the object of providing a system for cleaning swimming pool water that enables water treatment that meets requirements and standards, is both energy- and resource-efficient, and can be used flexibly. Particularly in view of the increasingly critical climatic conditions for the operation of private pools and swimming pools, the novel cleaning system is intended to enable cost-effective water treatment.

[0019] Open up a new world of water purification that can be used on-site for permanently installed or mobile swimming pools without the need for costly installation work. This should make it possible to clean even heavily contaminated swimming pool water, contaminated, for example, by human organic compounds, sunscreens, drug residues, chlorine stabilizers, microbial substances, and / or disinfection by-products with a concentration of up to 100 mg / l, so that the purified swimming pool water meets bathing water quality standards according to the WHO and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), i.e., it has a particle fineness of 1 pm to 99%. This particle fineness can be measured and verified using residual dirt analysis, e.g., using laser particle counting.

[0020] The solution to the problem underlying the invention is defined in claim 1. Features that advantageously further develop the inventive concept are explained in the subclaims and the further description.

[0021] The idea underlying the proposed arrangement is based on an arrangement mounted on a mobile means of transport for portable handling, enabling on-site, needs-based pool water purification. The cleaning measure serves as a type of basic cleaning of the pool water, carried out once or several times a year, which can be carried out independently of and alongside the water circulation circuits that are permanently integrated in most cases, particularly in permanently installed pools or swimming pools, and which incorporate conventional filter and / or cleaning units. The cleaning process takes place within the framework of a continuous flow through the proposed cleaning arrangement, in order to clean large quantities of contaminated pool water in the shortest possible time, e.g., with a flow rate of up to 5 m 3 / h.

[0022] The proposed system for cleaning swimming pool water comprises a fluid line with an inlet and outlet, along which at least the following components, fluidically connected to the fluid line, are arranged in the following flow sequence between the inlet and outlet of the fluid line: a H2O2 addition unit, a catalyst unit for initiating a Fenton reaction, a unit for generating an advanced oxidation process (AOP), a reaction chamber with a mixer, and a filter unit for filtering organic chlorine compounds. All components are suitably designed so that they are arranged on a mobile transport device for holistic, portable handling, so that the cleaning system according to the proposed solution can be used as a portable unit directly on site and can be removed again after the swimming pool water treatment has been completed.

[0023] The mobile purification unit enables the formation of hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) by combining the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the pool water to be purified, the initiation of a Fenton reaction separate from the addition of H2O2 but immediately following it, and a subsequent enhanced oxidation in the presence of UV light and the addition of ozone. These radicals, which are capable of chemically decomposing organic water constituents within the reaction chamber in competition with or in addition to the chemical effect of ozone, are capable of effectively decomposing organic water constituents. These in-situ reactions, which take place in the reaction chamber, ensure a measurably significant elimination of the chlorinated reaction products contained in the pool water to be purified.

[0024] The organic substances additionally contained in the pool water to be purified, such as those originating in a variety of ways from sunscreens or medication residues, etc., lead to a variety of reaction intermediates through the chemical decomposition processes taking place in the reaction chamber. These intermediate products, after leaving the reaction chamber, are extracted from the pool water to be purified within a filter unit for filtering organic chlorine compounds. A multi-stage filter is preferably suitable as the filter unit, which provides, in a first stage, an activated carbon filter for filtering organic chlorine compounds and, in at least a second stage, a particle filter for extracting particles with a particle size of 1 to 30 pm, preferably 1 to 10 pm, preferably 3 to 5 pm. Preferred further embodiments provide additional filters for extracting n-heterocyclic compounds or the like.

[0025] The filtering effect of the filter unit decreases with increasing service life due to the filtrate that separates out therein, which is why it is advantageous to design the filter unit for the filtration of organic chlorine compounds in the form of a replacement module in order to be able to maintain the filtering effect without restriction by replacing a used replacement module with a fresh replacement module. In a preferred embodiment, the filter unit for the filtration of organic chlorine compounds is arranged on a first hand truck or a first equipment trolley, whereas all other components for cleaning swimming pool water are accommodated on a second hand truck or a second equipment trolley. A shut-off valve and a detachable, fluid-tight connecting flange are arranged along the fluid line between the filter unit for the filtration of organic chlorine compounds and the reaction chamber for module replacement.

[0026] For the controlled supply of the water to be purified from a swimming pool into the fluid line of the cleaning arrangement, a feed pump is used, which is preferably mounted directly downstream of the inlet of the fluid line and is also preferably designed to be controllable, so that its feed rate can either be specified or adjusted manually by specialist personnel as required or, as will be explained in more detail below, automatically adjusted via an analysis and control unit as a function of a cleaning result achievable with the aid of the arrangement according to the solution within the framework of a control or regulation.

[0027] Below, an arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water designed according to the solution is explained with reference to Figure 1. Brief description of the invention

[0028] The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive concept, using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows:

[0029] Fig. 1 Fluid line arrangement with fluid components of a mobile

[0030] Arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water

[0031] Ways of implementing the invention, industrial applicability

[0032] Figure 1 shows a fluid line F of the proposed arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water, with the cleaning components arranged along the fluid line F, all of which are arranged on a mobile transport means T, for example in the form of at least one hand truck or in the form of at least one equipment trolley. Each of the components shown in Figure 1, which are arranged along the fluid line F, is designed and arranged in terms of shape, size, and weight such that all components are arranged on a transport means T, preferably movable by a person.

[0033] The arrangement according to the solution for cleaning swimming pool water has a fluid line F, which has an inlet (Zu) and an outlet (Ab). The inlet (Zu) is fluidically connected to the swimming pool or a pool connection 1, via which the swimming pool water to be cleaned, typically with a pH value of 7 +- 0.4, is sucked into the fluid line F with the aid of a feed pump 3. On the other hand, at the end of the fluid line F, i.e. after the swimming pool water has been completely cleaned, the cleaned swimming pool water returns to the swimming pool via the outlet (Ab) directly or indirectly via a pool return 26.

[0034] A fluid pump 3, whose delivery rate can be adjusted manually or automatically, ensures a preferably constant water flow within the fluid line F, which can be measured using a flow sensor or flow sensor 8. A shut-off device 2, for example in the form of a slide valve, is installed between the feed pump 3 and the inlet Zu, to which a sampling tap P is also attached. A rinse water supply line 4 opens along the fluid line F between the feed pump 3 and the flow sensor 8, along which two backflow preventers 5, 7 are installed according to DIN-EN 1717, between which a filter unit 6 is installed, which ensures that no dirt particles > 1 pm can enter the fluid line F. In addition, a further shut-off device 4' is installed along the rinse water supply line 4, which can be operated manually or automatically.In this way, it is possible to supply fresh water as needed along the fluid line F. The fresh water supply line 4 can be connected either to a water tap provided on site or to a portable fresh water reservoir.

[0035] In addition to its mechanical filter function, the filter unit 6 can also preferably be designed as a chemical and / or biological water treatment filter in order to ensure a predefined biological chemical water quality, which is added to the fluid line system F as required.

[0036] Downstream of the flow sensor 8 is a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) addition unit 9, via which H2O2 can be controlled and metered into the fluid line F. Directly or indirectly downstream of the H2O2 addition unit along the fluid line F is a catalyst unit 11 for initiating a Fenton reaction of iron(II,III) oxide, which is operated in a pH range of 7 + / - 0.4. The iron(II,III) oxide is preferably present in the catalyst unit 11 in the form of iron wool rusted in atmospheric oxygen.

[0037] Optionally, an ultrasonic wave induction device US is installed along the fluid line system F directly upstream of the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) addition unit 9. This device allows ultrasonic waves with frequencies in the range of 20 kHz to 400 kHz to be introduced into the pool water to be purified. In this way, macroscopic components in the pool water can be crushed or broken up. Furthermore, the ultrasonic wave injection contributes to effective local turbulence in the pool water, which supports the chemical reaction of the immediately subsequent Fenton reaction. Alternatively or in combination, the ultrasonic wave injection US can also be carried out at the location of the catalyst unit 11.

[0038] Downstream of the catalyst unit 11 along the fluid line F is a unit 13 for initiating an advanced oxidation process (AOP). This unit comprises a UV radiation source (UV-C), an ozone addition unit (O3), and a titanium oxide catalyst (TiO2), which forms highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH-). OH radicals have a higher redox potential than ozone and react more rapidly with most organic water constituents. Optionally, a static mixer is incorporated into the unit 13 for initiating an advanced oxidation process to ensure the most complete and efficient mixing of ozone and air.

[0039] Within a reaction chamber 16 following the unit 13 for generating extended oxidation along the fluid line F, the pool water to be purified reacts with the OH radicals formed by the addition of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, UV radiation, and induced Fenton oxidation in the presence of titanium dioxide, thereby decomposing the organic substances contained in the pool water. A mixing system, preferably in the form of a packing or a packed bed, particularly preferably in the form of Raschig rings, is installed within the reaction chamber 16 to support the chemical reaction. The mixing system is capable of effectively mixing the OH radicals in the water to be purified.The reaction chamber 16 preferably has a volume size adapted to the dynamic filling with the pool water to be purified, so that an upper volume portion not filled with liquid is always formed within the reaction chamber, at which a drain line Ab' opens, along which a venting unit 17, preferably in the form of a Mankenberg vent, and a residual ozone depletor 18 are arranged. Optionally, the drain line Ab' is connected via a rinse water drain 19 for cleaning and a disposal unit 20 for rinse water drainage.

[0040] Also optionally, the fluid line F is connected via a slide valve 15 before entering the reactor chamber 16, via which an additional air supply can be carried out into the fluid line F if required.

[0041] The fluid line F leads from the reaction chamber 16 and opens into a filter unit Fl, which preferably consists of a special multi-layer filter 23 for absorption processes to reduce organic chlorine compounds and N-heterocyclic compounds, as well as a microfilter unit 24. The special multi-layer filter 23 is preferably based on an activated carbon filter, which enables particle filtration down to 1 pm. After leaving the filter unit Fl, the fluid line F flows into the swimming pool via the outlet Ab or directly or indirectly via a pool return 26.

[0042] Preferably, a further shut-off valve 21 and a detachably fluid-tight connecting flange 22 are arranged along the fluid line F between the reaction chamber 16 and the filter unit Fl, which allows the filter unit Fl to be designed as a replacement module and to be arranged on a separate sack barrow or separate equipment trolley for convenient replacement.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, a sampling unit 25 is installed between the filter unit Fl for filtering organic chlorine compounds and the outlet Ab. This sampling unit is preferably connected to an analysis and control unit A / S, which can generate a signal based on a water sample analysis to be carried out on the purified swimming pool water. The signal generated by the analysis and control unit A / S serves to control or regulate at least one of the following components: feed pump 3, addition unit 9 for H2O2, unit 13 for generating an extended oxidation with a UV radiation source and ozone addition unit. In addition, the shut-off device 4' for adding additional rinse water and the optional air addition 15 can be actuated with the aid of the signal generated by the analysis and control unit A / S. Optionally, the analysis and control unit A / S can analyze the purified swimming pool water using a residual dirt analysis, e.g.by means of laser particle counting, e.g. for the purposes of subsequent data storage and proof of cleaning.

[0044] Furthermore, further manually or automatically controllable three-way valves 10 and 12 are provided along the fluid line F in order to bypass the catalyst unit 11 and the unit 13 for generating an extended oxidation along a connecting line V if necessary.

[0045] List of reference symbols

[0046] 1 swimming pool connection

[0047] 2 shut-off device

[0048] 3 feed pump

[0049] 4 Flushing water line

[0050] 4' controllable valve

[0051] 5 backflow preventers

[0052] 6 Filter unit

[0053] 7 backflow preventer

[0054] 8 Flow sensor, flow sensor

[0055] 9 Addition unit of H2O2

[0056] 10 three-way valve

[0057] 11 Catalyst unit for initiating a Fenton reaction

[0058] 12 three-way valve

[0059] 13 Unit for generating an advanced oxidation

[0060] 14 Check valve

[0061] 15 Connection for optional purge air supply

[0062] 16 Reaction chamber with mixing system for a gas-water reaction

[0063] 17 Vent unit, Mankenberg vent

[0064] 18 residual ozone destroyers

[0065] 19 Flush drain for cleaning

[0066] 20 Disposal of rinse water

[0067] 21 Shut-off device

[0068] 22 detachable fluid-tight connecting flange

[0069] 23 carbon filters, special multi-layer filters

[0070] 24 Microfilter unit

[0071] 25 Sampling tap

[0072] 26 Return to the pool

[0073] A / S Analysis and Control Unit

[0074] F Fluid line Fl Filter unit

[0075] From expiry

[0076] To inflow

[0077] From drain line

[0078] P Sampling tap

[0079] T mobile means of transport

[0080] V connecting line

[0081] US ultrasonic wave insonification device

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Arrangement for cleaning swimming pool water with a fluid line (F) having an inlet and outlet (inlet, outlet), along which at least the following components fluidically connected to the fluid line (F) are arranged in the following order between the inlet and outlet lines (inlet, outlet) of the fluid line (F): Addition unit (9) of H2O2, Catalyst unit (11) for initiating a Fenton reaction, unit (13) for generating an extended oxidation (AOP), reaction chamber (16) and Filter unit (Fl) for filtering organic chlorine compounds, wherein the components are designed such that they are arranged on a mobile transport means (T) for a holistically portable handling.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that a controllable feed pump (3) and a flow sensor (8) arranged downstream of the H2O2 addition unit (9) are arranged along the fluid line (F).

3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that a flushing water line (4) connectable to a flushing water reservoir is provided, along which at least one water filter (6) of the following type is introduced: chemical and / or biological water treatment filter, mechanical water filter, and that the flushing water line (4) opens into the fluid line (F) between the controllable feed pump (3) and the flow sensor (8).

4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the addition unit (9) of H2O2 is controllable and quantity-dosable.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the catalyst unit (11) contains iron(II,III) oxide for initiating a Fenton reaction.

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the unit (13) for generating an extended oxidation (AOP) has a UV radiation source and an ozone addition unit.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the unit (13) for generating an extended oxidation (AOP) comprises TiO2.

8. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the unit (13) for generating an extended oxidation (AOP) is designed as a static mixer.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a mixer is arranged in the reaction chamber (16), which is designed in the manner of a packing or a packing bed.

10. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the packing is designed as Raschig rings. 11 . Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the reaction chamber (16) has a volume size and can be filled in such a way that there is always a non-liquid-filled, upper volume part which is connected to a discharge line (Ab') along which a venting unit (17) and an ozone destroyer (18) are provided.

12. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the filter unit (Fl) has activated carbon filters for filtering organic chlorine compounds.

13. Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the filter unit (Fl) is designed to filter at least the following compounds: chlorine compounds, N-heterocyclic compounds.

14. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the filter unit (Fl) for filtering organic chlorine compounds comprises a particle filter which is designed to filter 1 - 30 pm particles, preferably 1 - 10 pm particles.

15. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a sampling unit (25) is mounted between the filter unit (Fl) for filtering organic chlorine compounds and the outlet.

16. Arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that an analysis and control unit (A / S) is arranged on the sampling unit (25), which generates a signal on the basis of a water sample analysis.

17. Arrangement according to claim 16 and one of claims 6 to 15, characterized in that the signal and / or a signal originating from the flow sensor (3) controls at least one of the following components: Feed pump (3), addition unit (9) of H2O2, UV radiation source, the ozone addition unit.

18. Arrangement according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that a first controllable three-way valve (10) is arranged along the fluid line (F) between the addition unit (9) of H2O2 and the catalyst unit (11) for initiating the Fenton reaction, and a second three-way valve (10) is arranged between the unit (13) for generating the extended oxidation (AOP) and the reaction chamber (16) with the mixer, and that the first and second three-way valves (10) are additionally connected to a connecting fluid line (V).

19. Arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the first and second three-way valves (10) are controllable and can be actuated by the signal.

20. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the mobile transport means (T) is designed in the manner of at least one sack barrow or in the manner of at least one equipment trolley.

21. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the filter unit (Fl) for filtering organic chlorine compounds is designed in the manner of an exchange module.

22. Arrangement according to claim 21, characterized in that the filter unit (Fl) for filtering organic chlorine compounds is arranged on a first sack barrow or a first equipment trolley and the remaining components on a second sack barrow or a second equipment trolley, and that along the fluid line (F) between the filter unit (Fl) for filtering organic chlorine compounds and the A shut-off unit (21) and a detachably fluid-tight connecting flange (22) are arranged in the reaction chamber (16).

23. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that an ultrasonic wave irradiation device (US) is arranged along the fluid line (F) in front of the addition unit (9) of H2O2 and / or in the region of the catalyst unit (11) for initiating a Fenton reaction.

Images