Miniaturized water treatment station

Abstract

The present disclosure falls within the technical area of miniaturized systems, in a laboratory and / or experimental context, defining a water treatment station. The station of the present disclosure and the elements contained therein are miniaturized compared to large-size plants such as water treatment plants in major infrastructures. The station of the present solution allows, in an innovative manner, the analysis and treatment of chemically and biologically contaminated water and the implementation of said treatment in a miniaturised structure containing at least two tanks, wherein the second tank (B202) comprises at least one water inlet and one water outlet and the first tank (B201) comprises at least one water inlet and one water outlet, the water outlet being formed in a side section of the first tank (B201).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] MINIATURIZED WATER TREATMENT PLANT

[0003] DISCLOSURE AREA

[0004] This disclosure falls within the technical area of ​​miniaturized systems, in a laboratory and / or experimental context, defining a water treatment plant. The plant in this disclosure and its components are miniaturized when compared to large-scale plants, such as water treatment plants, found within large infrastructures.

[0005] STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

[0006] Solutions that seek to simulate the operation of water treatment plants for educational purposes are known in the state of the art.

[0007] These solutions simulate the operation of plants, including elements that, for example, are intended to represent contaminants, but which are not contaminants, consisting only of fictitious elements with which they seek to demonstrate how treatment plants work in general in a learning context.

[0008] These systems are nonfunctional and do not effectively treat water, at least beyond removing these fictitious elements from the water or demonstrating how a water treatment plant would operate. These plants do not allow for the development and research of laboratories.

[0009] Therefore, they do not require their components to function effectively to treat water in general.

[0010] The miniaturized plant of this solution allows for the efficient treatment, testing, and control of new contaminated water treatment models in an innovative way, in an environment of scientific development, research, and learning. PRESS RELEASE SUMMARY

[0011] The present disclosure includes a miniaturized water treatment plant, the plant comprising at least two reservoirs suitable for containing liquids, a first reservoir and a second reservoir, wherein: the second reservoir comprises at least one water inlet and one water outlet, the first reservoir comprises at least one water inlet and one water outlet, the water outlet being formed in a side section of the first reservoir, and further comprising a waste outlet, the waste outlet being formed in a lower section of the first reservoir and being suitable for removing deposited waste at least by gravitational action, the water outlet of the first reservoir being connected to the water inlet of the second reservoir, and wherein the water outlet of the second reservoir is connected to a water outlet of the plant, the plant comprising a first valve and a first pump,the first valve being controllable and allowing water to enter the first reservoir, and the first pump being controllable, pumping of the first pump being carried out from a water inlet of the station to the water inlet of the first reservoir, and the station further comprising a third valve, the third valve being controllable and allowing water to exit from the first reservoir to the inlet of the second reservoir, and wherein each of the reservoirs has a capacity between 4 and 50 L.,

[0012] The water outlet from the first reservoir to the inlet of the second reservoir is carried out by gravitational action, when the third valve is open.

[0013] The station may be configured so that, after a reaction has taken place inside the first reservoir and a product of that reaction has settled at the bottom of the first reservoir, the third valve is opened so that water treated for the contaminant passes from the first reservoir to the second reservoir.

[0014] The station may further comprise a second valve, the second valve being controllable and allowing waste deposited at the bottom of the first reservoir to exit through the waste outlet and to a waste outlet of the station, the station being configured so that the second valve allows waste to exit after the third valve allows water to exit. The station may further comprise a first drain outlet, a fourth valve, and a fifth valve, the first drain outlet being connected to the outlet of the second reservoir, the fourth valve being controllable and allowing water to exit from the second reservoir to the first drain outlet when the fifth valve is closed and the fourth valve is open. The fifth valve is controllable and allows water to exit through the outlet of the second reservoir to the water outlet of the station when the fifth valve is open and the fourth valve is closed.

[0015] The station may further comprise a flow meter disposed between the water inlet of the station and the first reservoir, the first pump pumping water according to at least one value obtained by the flow meter.

[0016] The station may further comprise means for determining the volume of water contained within the second reservoir. Optionally, the means for determining the volume of water contained within the second reservoir may comprise a level sensor disposed at the outlet of the second reservoir and configured to determine the hydrostatic water pressure within the second reservoir, determining the volume of water contained within the second reservoir based on a hydrostatic water pressure value obtained by the level sensor.

[0017] The station may further comprise an aeration pump arranged within the second reservoir such that, when water is present within the second reservoir, air from the aeration pump comes into contact with the water.

[0018] The station may additionally comprise electronically controllable mechanical agitation means arranged within the first reservoir to facilitate a chemical process to be carried out within the first reservoir. During an experiment, a chemical reagent is added to a contaminated water solution within the first reservoir. The agitation means agitate the mixture—in contact with the medium of the first reservoir—promoting the chemical process (e.g., a precipitation and coagulation-flocculation process), further optimizing the reaction and the formation of the resulting product.

[0019] The agitation media may be rotary, with their rotation speed being electronically controllable. The agitation media may also have blades inclined between 80° and 100°, optionally 90°, and may have two to four blades. This rotation and inclination promotes chemical precipitation and coagulation-flocculation of the resulting product.

[0020] The station may further comprise an overflow control element and a second drainage outlet, and wherein the first reservoir comprises a third water outlet, the overflow control element being arranged within the first reservoir and connected to the third water outlet in such a way that when water within the first reservoir reaches a pre-defined volume, it enters the overflow control element and exits through the third water outlet to the second drainage outlet.

[0021] Each valve can be electronically controllable.

[0022] The first and second reservoirs may be installed on at least one bench, this bench being mobile, optionally by means of wheels installed on the underside of the bench.

[0023] The present disclosure further comprises a method for treating water in the water treatment plant of the present disclosure. The method comprises the steps of:

[0024] • obtain contaminated water in the first reservoir,

[0025] • add at least one reagent to the contaminated water contained in the first reservoir, obtaining a mixture, the mixture thus incurring a reaction such as a chemical precipitation reaction and forming residues,

[0026] • wait for the deposition of residues resulting from the reaction at the bottom of the first reservoir,

[0027] • open the water outlet of the first reservoir and obtain water treated for the contaminant in the second reservoir.

[0028] Contaminated water in the first reservoir can be obtained by: pumping demineralized or previously treated water from the station's water inlet to the first reservoir and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir, adding demineralized water directly to the first reservoir and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir, or pumping water with a previously added contaminant from the station's water inlet to the first reservoir.

[0029] The method may be such that the outflow of water from the first reservoir to the inlet of the second reservoir is carried out by gravitational action, when the third valve is open.

[0030] The method may further include determining a water flow rate between the station water inlet and the first reservoir, and water pumping may be performed based on this determined flow rate.

[0031] The method may additionally include determining the volume of water contained within the second reservoir. Optionally, the volume of water contained within the second reservoir may be obtained based on the determination of the hydrostatic pressure of the water within the second reservoir, for example, based on a level sensor located at the outlet of the second reservoir.

[0032] The method may further include activating an aeration pump disposed within the second reservoir such that, when water is present, air from the aeration pump comes into contact with the water. The method may then include the steps of supplying water containing a biological contaminant to the second reservoir, adding chlorine to the water containing a biological contaminant, and / or activating the air pumping for a predefined period.

[0033] The method may further comprise the step of, after opening the water outlet of the first reservoir and obtaining water treated for the contaminant in the second reservoir, opening the second valve, allowing the exit of waste deposited in the lower part of the first reservoir through the waste outlet of the station.

[0034] The method may further comprise draining water from the second reservoir to a first drain outlet connected to the second reservoir outlet, a fourth valve allowing water to drain from the second reservoir to the first drain outlet when a fifth valve is closed and the fourth valve is open. The fifth valve allows water to drain through the second reservoir outlet to the station water outlet when the fifth valve is open and the fourth valve is closed. The method may further comprise activating mechanical agitation means within the first reservoir.

[0035] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0036] Figure 1 - Schematic representation of a station according to the present disclosure. The station comprises a first reservoir (B201), the outlet of which on the side face thereof is connected to an outlet valve (V203), electronically controlled, for the inlet of a second reservoir (B202).

[0037] The station comprises a water inlet (X201) connected to a first valve (V201), for feeding water (V201), and this water is pumped by the first pump (P210) to the first reservoir (B201) controlled and quantified by means of a flow meter (B221). Whereas, when the first valve (V201) is open and the first pump (P210) is in operation, water from the station's water inlet (X201) enters the first reservoir (B201).

[0038] The present disclosure comprises two modes of operation. One mode of operation in which pretreated water comes from another upstream station with water inlet at the inlet (X201), and an isolated mode of operation [the water does not come from the inlet (X201), but is inserted directly into the reservoir (B201)]. A chemical reagent and / or a synthetic and / or biological sample can be added and dissolved through an electronically controlled stirrer (M211) and arranged inside the first reservoir (B201), in such a way that it comes into contact with the medium inside the first reservoir (B201), promoting the chemical process, and allowing optimization of the reaction and consequent formation of the reaction product.

[0039] In the first reservoir, synthetic chemical and / or biological samples (contaminant) are added, the solution is stirred using an electronically controlled stirrer (M211) and, through the inclusion of chemical reagents that promote precipitation and / or coagulation-flocculation reactions and through this stirring and the effect of gravity, residues formed by the precipitation and / or coagulation-flocculation reaction are deposited at the bottom of the first reservoir (B201).

[0040] A third valve (V203) may be opened so that water treated for the chemical contaminant flows to the second reservoir (B202) by gravity, controlling the passage of water treated for the chemical contaminant. Deposited waste may exit through the bottom of the first reservoir (B201) as the station's waste outlet (B203) upon opening a second valve (V202) after the removal of pretreated water through the electronically controlled third valve (V203). The station may comprise a level sensor (B224) to control the efficiency of the quantity of pretreated water.

[0041] The station may further comprise a drain outlet (Drain) via a fourth valve (V204). A fifth valve (V205) allows water to exit through the outlet of the second reservoir to the water outlet of the station (X202) when the fifth valve (V205) is open and the fourth valve (V204) is closed. The fourth valve (V204) allows water to exit from the second reservoir (B202) to the first drain outlet (Drain) when the fifth valve is closed (V205) and the fourth valve (V204) is open.

[0042] The station comprises an aeration pump (P212) and an in-line chlorine meter (B223) in the second reservoir (B202).

[0043] An overflow control element is arranged inside the first reservoir (B201) and connected to a third water outlet (Overflow) of the first reservoir (B201), such that when water inside the first reservoir (B201) reaches a pre-defined volume, it enters the overflow control element and leaves through the third water outlet (Overflow). The outlet for deposited waste is formed in a lower section of the first reservoir (B201). The outlet for water treated for a chemical contaminant is in a side section of the first reservoir (B201).

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The station described herein defines a miniaturized, mobile, digital water treatment monitoring and control system. Monitoring and control can be performed in real time using augmented reality.

[0046] This station allows the treatment of contaminated water by chemical precipitation or coagulation-flocculation.

[0047] The water coming from the plant's water inlet may be demineralized water or water previously treated for one or more contaminants at a previous treatment plant.

[0048] To carry out water treatment, the plant comprises at least two reservoirs suitable for containing liquids, a first reservoir (B201) with at least one water inlet and one water outlet, the water outlet being formed in a lateral section of the first reservoir (B201), and a second reservoir (B202) with at least one water inlet and one water outlet. The first reservoir (B201) also comprises a waste outlet (B203, Sludge Drain), and this is formed in its lower section and is suitable for removing deposited waste at least by gravitational action. The water outlet of the first reservoir (B201) is connected to the water inlet of the second reservoir (B202), and the water outlet of the second reservoir (B202) is connected to a water outlet of the plant (X202).

[0049] The outlets of the first reservoir (B201) are thus a water outlet, for the outlet of water treated for contaminants, which allows the water to exit to the second reservoir (B202) and, from there, to the station, and a waste outlet, from which waste resulting from a reaction that occurs inside the first reservoir (B201) and that generates waste sedimentation is extracted.

[0050] The station also comprises a first valve (V201) and a first pump (P210). The first valve (V201) is controllable and allows water to enter from the station water inlet (X201) to the first reservoir (B201). The first pump (P210) is also controllable to pump water from the station water inlet (X201) to the water inlet of the first reservoir. The station may comprise at least one microcontroller configured to control the operation of its elements, such as valves and pumps, such as the first valve (V201) and the first pump (P210).

[0051] Thus, contaminated water can be obtained inside the first reservoir (B201) by pumping demineralized or pre-treated water from the station's water inlet to the first reservoir and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir (B201), adding demineralized water directly to the first reservoir and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir (B201), or pumping water with a contaminant previously added from the station's water inlet to the first reservoir (B201).

[0052] One possible operation involves connecting the plant's water inlet (X201) to a water source from which water is pumped. This water source may consist of a water reservoir or a previous water treatment plant where water contaminated with a contaminant has already been treated for that contaminant. The plant also comprises a third, controllable valve (V203) that allows water to flow from the first reservoir (B201) to the inlet of the second reservoir (B202). Control of the third valve (V203) allows, after a reaction has taken place within the first reservoir (B201) and a product of that reaction has settled at the bottom of the first reservoir (B201), the third valve (V203) to open, allowing water treated for the contaminant to flow from the first reservoir (B201) to the second reservoir (B202).

[0053] Each of the reservoirs has a capacity between 4 and 50 I, optionally 4 and 15 I, optionally 6 and 9 I.

[0054] The water outlet from the first reservoir (B201) to the inlet of the second reservoir (B202) can be carried out by gravitational action, when the third valve (V203) is open.

[0055] The station may comprise a flowmeter (B221). The station may be configured to stop the operation of the first pump (P210) when the value obtained by the flowmeter (P221) is greater than or equal to a pre-defined value. The station may be configured to maintain the operation of the first pump (P221) when the value obtained by the flowmeter (B221) is less than or equal to a pre-defined value. As an example, the pre-defined value may correspond to a maximum volume, this maximum volume corresponding to a total volume of the first reservoir (B201) or to a pre-established volume for carrying out an experiment in the first reservoir (B201).

[0056] This station allows, in the first reservoir (B201) - which can be defined as a main deposit -, the placement of synthetic samples and the addition of chemical reagents, each via an independent decantation funnel connected to the first reservoir (B201) or directly into the first reservoir (B201), according to the water and wastewater parameters, recreating real water treatment processes, namely in the reduction of pollutant load, both in suspended and dissolved form, present in wastewater.

[0057] The station may additionally comprise an aeration pump (P212) arranged within the second reservoir (B202) such that, when water is inside the second reservoir (B202), air from the aeration pump (P212) comes into contact with the water. The second reservoir (B202) therefore allows simulating the growth of harmless bacteria in a learning context, with sample collection and microbiological analysis of the water. The second reservoir (B202), when associated with the aeration pump (P212), allows controlling the growth of these bacteria by pumping air and adding chlorine, verifying the effectiveness of the treatment, either jointly or separately.

[0058] The station may comprise a second controllable valve (V202) that allows the exit of waste deposited at the bottom of the first tank (B201) through the waste outlet and to a station waste outlet (B203). The second valve (V202) opens, allowing the exit of waste, after the third valve (V203) has been opened, allowing the exit of water treated for the contaminant through the side outlet of the first tank (B201), and then closed, or after the level of water and waste within the first tank (B201) has fallen below the water outlet of the first tank (B201).

[0059] The station comprises a first drainage outlet (Drain), a fourth valve (V204), and a fifth valve (V205). Their operation allows the station's water output to be managed.

[0060] The first drainage outlet (Drain) is connected to the outlet of the second reservoir (B202), to allow water to leave the station, avoiding water from leaving the station (X202).

[0061] The fourth valve (V204) is controllable and allows water to flow from the second reservoir (B202) to the first drain outlet (Drain) when the fifth valve (V205) is closed and the fourth valve (V204) is open. This operation will occur when, for example, you want to discard the water contained inside the second reservoir (B202).

[0062] The fifth valve (V205) is thus equally controllable, and allows water to flow through the outlet of the second reservoir (B202) to the station water outlet (X202) when the fifth valve (V205) is open and the fourth valve (V204) is closed. This will be the most common operation of the station of the present disclosure, which will deliver water treated for contaminant and / or bacteria to the station water outlet (X202).

[0063] Each valve can be electronically controllable.

[0064] The station may comprise electronically controllable mechanical agitation means (M211) arranged within the first reservoir (B201) as a means of facilitating the chemical process to be carried out within the first reservoir (B201). When there is a mixture of water contaminated with a contaminant and a chemical reagent suitable for reacting with that contaminant within the first reservoir (B201), the agitation means may be activated to agitate the mixture.

[0065] This agitation promotes the chemical process (e.g., precipitation and coagulation-flocculation) and optimizes the formation of residues resulting from the reaction. These residues can then be removed, after settling at the bottom of the first reservoir, through the process previously described.

[0066] The agitation media (M211) may be rotary, with their rotation speed being electronically controllable. The rotation may correspond to a fast agitation rotation between 100 and 250 rpm, a moderate agitation rotation between 30 and 99 rpm, and / or a slow agitation rotation between 10 and 29 rpm.

[0067] The agitation means (M211) can also have blades with an inclination between 80 and 100°, optionally 90°, and can have two to four blades, this rotation and inclination promoting chemical precipitation and coagulation-flocculation of the resulting product.

[0068] This set also allows water turbidity readings throughout the process using portable equipment collected through an auxiliary orifice. The system provides visualization of floc formation, growth, and settling, as well as floc behavior influenced by the speed of the electromechanical agitator with servo drive and air vent to remove air from the circuit, as a true learning process.

[0069] The station also comprises an overflow control element and a second drainage outlet (Overflow), and in which the first reservoir (B201) has a third water outlet. The overflow control element is arranged inside the first reservoir (B201) and connected to the third water outlet in such a way that when water inside the first reservoir (B201) reaches a pre-defined volume, it enters the overflow control element and exits through the third water outlet to the second drainage outlet (Overflow), thus preventing excess water from overflowing the first reservoir (B201). This measure prevents contaminated water from flowing uncontrolled from inside the first reservoir (B201).

[0070] The overflow element can be a telescopic and adjustable overflow by mechanized or manual tie rod, with the function of collecting suspended particles, with selective drainage and maximum level safety function, without compromising safety in the learning and research environment.

[0071] The station of the present disclosure is thus based on a storage system in a main tank - the first reservoir (B201) -, equipped with an electromechanical agitator (M211) and dynamic servomotor control with blade angle adjustment. The second reservoir (B202) can be equipped with an in-line measuring block for analyzing water characteristics such as pH and free chlorine.

[0072] The station of the present disclosure may comprise one or more controllers comprising computational means configured to control elements such as valves, pumps, and / or agitation means. It may also obtain monitoring data obtained from said sensors.

[0073] The present disclosure may also comprise a system comprising the station of the present disclosure and a remote or local controller. The remote or local controller may be configured to allow access to a human-machine interface (HMI) that allows activating station control commands of the present disclosure, by human action and / or automatically.

[0074] In this way, the plant can be controlled automatically through software, as if it were a treatment plant, but also individually, providing space for scientific development and research into better processes, methods and good practices.

[0075] This controller, configured with control software, also has the ability to collect data and parameterize and activate all station elements, which can be viewed schematically or in 3D according to predefined representation standards. Data collection allows for direct intervention in real-time process improvements or can be used in conjunction with machine learning.

[0076] This station can thus be equipped with a set of in-line sensors and actuators to allow continuous process control, as well as the analysis of the preliminary characteristics of the raw water and the final characteristics of the treated water, such as pH, conductivity and free chlorine.

[0077] Each sensor or actuator can be installed on a face of a corresponding reservoir, for example, on a side face or a top face. The top face can be formed by a reservoir lid, thus being removable from the reservoir.

[0078] The station elements of the present disclosure, such as reservoirs, inlets and outlets, pumps, or valves, may be connected by piping and corresponding coupling elements. These piping and corresponding coupling elements may be standardized.

[0079] The pipes, sensors, actuators and fixing supports can be coupled using quick-connect and quick-fix coupling elements, allowing for easy configurations without the need for special tools and also providing expanded learning and research skills.

[0080] The water treatment method of the present disclosure consists of a method for treating water in the water treatment plant of the present disclosure.

[0081] The method comprising the steps of:

[0082] • obtain contaminated water in the first reservoir,

[0083] • add at least one reagent to the contaminated water contained in the first reservoir (B201) obtaining a mixture, the mixture thus incurring a reaction such as a chemical precipitation reaction and forming residues,

[0084] • wait for the deposition of residues resulting from the reaction at the bottom of the first reservoir (B201),

[0085] • open the water outlet of the first reservoir (B201) and obtain water treated for the contaminant in the second reservoir (B202).

[0086] Contaminated water in the first reservoir (B201) can be obtained by: pumping demineralized or pretreated water from the station's water inlet to the first reservoir (B201) and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir (B201), adding demineralized water directly to the first reservoir (B201) and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir (B201), or pumping water with a contaminant previously added from the station's water inlet to the first reservoir (B201).

[0087] The method may be such that the water outlet from the first reservoir (B201) to the inlet of the second reservoir (B202) is carried out by gravitational action, when the third valve (V203) is open. In this case, the arrangement between the first reservoir (B201) and the second reservoir (B202) is such that, when the third valve (V203) is open, the water treated in the first reservoir (B201) for the contaminant flows to the second reservoir (B202).

[0088] The method may be such that the outflow of water from the first reservoir (B201) to the inlet of the second reservoir (B202) is carried out by gravitational action, when the third valve is open. The method may further include determining a water flow rate between the station water inlet (X201) and the first reservoir (B201), and water pumping may be carried out based on this determined flow rate.

[0089] Water pumping to the first reservoir (B201) can stop when the determined flow rate for a given period is greater than or equal to a predefined value. Water pumping to the first reservoir (B201) can be continued when the determined flow rate for a given period is less than or equal to a predefined value. For example, the predefined value may correspond to a maximum volume, this maximum volume corresponding to the total volume of the first reservoir (B201) or to a predefined volume for conducting an experiment in the first reservoir (B201).

[0090] The method may further include determining the volume of water contained within the second reservoir (B202). Optionally, the volume of water contained within the second reservoir may be obtained based on the determination of the hydrostatic pressure of water within the second reservoir (B202), for example based on a level sensor (B224) disposed at the outlet of the second reservoir (B202). This information allows monitoring the volume of water contained within the second reservoir (B202). The method may further comprise the steps of obtaining water containing a biological contaminant in the second reservoir (B202), adding chlorine to the water contaminated with a biological contaminant, and / or activating air pumping for a predefined period.

[0091] The second reservoir (B202) allows the simulation of harmless bacterial growth in a learning context, with sample collection and microbiological analysis of the water. The second reservoir (B202), when combined with the aeration pump (P212), allows the growth of these bacteria to be monitored by pumping air and adding chlorine, verifying the effectiveness of the combined or separate treatment.

[0092] As a method for treating water in the water treatment plant of the present disclosure, it may specifically include the steps of:

[0093] • Add demineralized water to the first tank as a solid, neutral base, and the amount required to carry out the experiments.

[0094] • Activate and regulate the mechanical agitator based on experience and research to ensure homogenization of the contaminant inserted in the next step.

[0095] • Add a synthetic chemical and / or biological sample

[0096] • Add a chemical reagent to the first tank.

[0097] • Adjust the mechanical stirrer according to the reagent.

[0098] • Wait for the precipitation and coagulation-flocculation process of the residues present and deposition at the bottom of the first reservoir.

[0099] • Open the water outlet of the first reservoir to obtain pre-treated water at the station's water outlet.

[0100] • Open the waste outlet deposited in the lower part of the first tank.

[0101] • Perform chemical analysis of the waste collected in the first reservoir.

[0102] • Perform chemical and / or biological analysis of pre-treated water collected in the second reservoir.

[0103] • Perform microbiological analysis of bacterial growth in the second reservoir

[0104] • Activate or not the aeration system and / or chlorine insertion.

[0105] • Continuously measure the presence and quantity or concentration of chlorine.

[0106] • Verify the effectiveness of microbiological treatment. As a method for treating water in the water treatment plant of the present disclosure, it may alternatively specifically include the steps of:

[0107] • Open the water inlet of the station of this disclosure to obtain contaminated water from the previous station, pumping the water to the first reservoir, in the correct quantity and programmed according to the experiment to be carried out.

[0108] • Whether or not to add a synthetic chemical and / or biological sample.

[0109] • Activate and regulate the mechanical stirrer based on experience and research to ensure homogenization of the chemical reagent inserted in the next step.

[0110] • Add a chemical reagent to the first tank.

[0111] • Adjust the mechanical stirrer according to the reagent.

[0112] • Wait for the precipitation and coagulation-flocculation process of the residues present and deposition at the bottom of the first reservoir.

[0113] • Open the water outlet of the first reservoir to obtain pre-treated water at the station's water outlet.

[0114] • Open the waste outlet deposited in the lower part of the first tank.

[0115] • Perform chemical analysis of the waste collected in the first reservoir.

[0116] • Perform chemical and / or biological analysis of pre-treated water collected in the second reservoir.

[0117] • Perform microbiological analysis of bacterial growth in the second reservoir

[0118] • Activate or not the aeration system and / or chlorine insertion.

[0119] • Continuously measure the presence and quantity or concentration of chlorine.

[0120] • Check the effectiveness of microbiological treatment.

[0121] • Perform analysis of the waste collected in the first reservoir.

[0122] The station and method of this disclosure thus enable the training and / or experimentation of the following activities:

[0123] - Speed ​​control of electric motors, in the coagulation and flocculation process, in accordance with international standards.

[0124] - Level measurement through different types of sensors.

[0125] - Control of continuous processes and energy efficiency of processes.

[0126] - Excessive energy consumption and countermeasures.

[0127] - Efficiency of electric actuators.

[0128] - Causes of cloudiness in water.

[0129] - Study of the growth and inactivation of anaerobic bacteria by aeration and / or chlorination - Analysis of the factors that affect sedimentation.

[0130] - Analysis and quantification of turbidity before and after the process.

[0131] - Standard coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation process.

[0132] - Analysis of DTI symbology and scheme according to EN 62424:2010-01 and ISO 10628 standards.

[0133] In one example, the station of the present disclosure may include: two or more transparent water tanks with a capacity of 7 liters to allow viewing of the experiments, without interfering with learning, with a connection interface and holes for sample collection, sensors, actuators, a water aeration pump, accessories, fastening and piping with quick connection, an electromechanical stirrer with adjustable blades, with respect to the tie rod and angle of attack, equipped with a speed control drive, depending on the experiments and mixing of synthetic samples and reagents, an in-line measuring block, based on the hardware, with a pH sensor equipped with a compatible I / O interface, an in-line measuring block, based on the hardware, with a chlorine sensor equipped with a compatible I / O interface, portable measuring equipment for analyzing pH, conductivity, free and total chlorine, color and turbidity,chemical reagents developed to ensure stoichiometric quantities in relation to synthetic samples, process control device, data collection and Internet of Things (IoT).,

[0134] Synthetic samples, which include contaminants and reagents based on the principles of oxidation-reduction, can be associated with the station and method of this disclosure for their implementation. These samples are parameterized to represent water, wastewater, and industrial processes such as textiles and metallurgy.

[0135] In various embodiments, the station, the method, and / or their elements include components for executing at least some of the example features and capabilities of the described methods, whether through hardware components (such as memory and / or processor), software, or any combination thereof. In various embodiments, a station controller may consist of or comprise a microcontroller, with the capability of receiving external data through inputs and providing actuation of outputs, based on configured rules and / or predefined programming.

[0136] An article for use with the station and / or method, such as a pre-recorded storage device or other similar computer-readable medium, including program instructions recorded thereon, or a computer data signal carrying computer-readable program instructions, may direct a device to facilitate implementation of the methods described herein. It is understood that such apparatus, articles of manufacture, and computer data signals are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0137] A "computer-readable medium" means any medium that can store instructions for use or execution by a computer or other computing device, including a server, a read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or flash memory, random-access memory (RAM), a portable floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state storage device (e.g., NAND flash or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), and / or an optical disc such as a Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or Blu-Ray™ Disc.

[0138] As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the present disclosure is not to be limited to the embodiments described herein, and various modifications are possible that remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0139] Naturally, the embodiments presented above are combinable in different possible ways, and the repetition of all these combinations is avoided here.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Miniaturized water treatment plant, the plant comprising at least two reservoirs suitable for containing liquids, a first reservoir (B201) and a second reservoir (B202), wherein: the second reservoir (B202) comprises at least one water inlet and one water outlet, the first reservoir (B201) comprises at least one water inlet and one water outlet, the water outlet being formed in a side section of the first reservoir (B201), and further comprising a waste outlet, the waste outlet being formed in a lower section of the first reservoir and being suitable for removing deposited waste at least by gravitational action, the water outlet of the first reservoir (B201) being connected to the water inlet of the second reservoir (B202), and wherein the water outlet of the second reservoir (B202) is connected to a water outlet of the plant (X202),the station comprising a first valve (V201) and a first pump (P210), the first valve being controllable and allowing water to enter the first reservoir (B201), and the first pump (P210) being controllable, a pumping of the first pump (P210) being carried out from a water inlet of the station (X102) to the water inlet of the first reservoir (B201), and the station further comprising a third valve (V203), the third valve (V203) being controllable and allowing water to exit the first reservoir (B201) to the inlet of the second reservoir (B202), and wherein each of the reservoirs has a capacity between 4 and 50 L, the station being configured in such a way that the water exit from the first reservoir (B201) to the inlet of the second reservoir (B202) is carried out by gravitational action, when the third valve (V203) is open.

2. Station according to the previous claim, in which it is configured so that, after a reaction has taken place inside the first reservoir (B201) and a product of this reaction has sedimented at the bottom of the first reservoir (B201), the third valve (V203) is opened so that water treated with respect to the contaminant passes from the first reservoir (B201) to the second reservoir (B202).

3. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, the station further comprising a second valve (V202), the second valve (V202) being controllable and allowing the exit of waste deposited at the bottom of the first reservoir (B201) via the waste outlet and towards a waste outlet of the station (B203), the station being configured so that the second valve (V202) allows the exit of waste after the third valve (V203) allows the exit of water.

4. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it additionally comprises a first drain outlet (Drain), a fourth valve (V204) and a fifth valve (V205), the first drain outlet (Drain) being connected to the outlet of the second reservoir (B202), the fourth valve (V204) being controllable and allowing water to exit from the second reservoir (B202) to the first drain outlet (Drain) when the fifth valve (V205) is closed and the fourth valve (V204) is open, and / or the fifth valve (V205) being controllable and allowing water to exit through the outlet of the second reservoir (B202) to the water outlet of the station (X202) when the fifth valve (V205) is open and the fourth valve (V204) is closed.

5. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a flow meter (B221) arranged between the water inlet of the station (X201) and the first reservoir (B201), the first pump (P210) pumping water according to at least one value obtained by the flow meter (B221).

6. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for determining the volume of water contained inside the second reservoir (B224) and, optionally, the means for determining the volume of water contained inside the second reservoir (B202) comprise a level sensor (B224) arranged at the outlet of the second reservoir (B202) and configured to determine the hydrostatic pressure of water inside the second reservoir (B202), determining the volume of water contained inside the second reservoir (B202) based on a hydrostatic pressure value of water obtained by the level sensor (B224).

7. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an aeration pump (P212) arranged within the second reservoir (B202) such that, when water is within the second reservoir (B202), air from the aeration pump comes into contact with the water.

8. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, the station further comprising mechanical stirring means (M211), electronically controllable and arranged within the first reservoir (B201) as facilitating means of a chemical process to be carried out within the first reservoir (B201).

9. Station according to the preceding claim in which the stirring means (M211) are rotary, their rotation speed being electronically controllable and, optionally, the stirring means have blades with inclination between 80 to 100°, optionally 90°, optionally having two to four blades.

10. Station according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an overflow control element and a second drainage outlet (Overflow), and in which the first reservoir (B201) comprises a third water outlet, the overflow control element being arranged within the first reservoir (B201) and connected to the third water outlet in such a way that when the water within the first reservoir (B201) reaches a predefined volume, it enters the overflow control element and exits via the third water outlet to the second drainage outlet (Overflow).

11. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each valve is electronically controllable.

12. Station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reservoir (B201) and the second reservoir (B202) are installed on at least one bench, said bench being mobile, optionally via wheels installed on a lower face of the bench.

13. Method for treating water in the water treatment plant of any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of: • obtain contaminated water in the first reservoir (B201), • add at least one reagent to the contaminated water contained in the first reservoir (B201) obtaining a mixture, the mixture thus incurring a reaction such as a chemical precipitation reaction and forming residues, • wait for the deposition of residues resulting from the reaction at the bottom of the first reservoir (B201), open the water outlet of the first reservoir (B201) and obtain water treated for the contaminant in the second reservoir (B202).

14. Method according to the previous claim in which the contaminated water in the first reservoir (B201) is through: pumping demineralized or previously treated water from the water inlet of the station to the first reservoir (B201) and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir (B201), adding demineralized water directly to the first reservoir (B201) and adding a contaminant to the first reservoir (B201), or pumping water with a contaminant previously added from the water inlet of the station to the first reservoir (B201).

15. Method according to any one of claims 13-14 wherein the water outlet from the first reservoir (B201) to the inlet of the second reservoir (B202) is carried out by gravitational action, when the third valve (V203) is open.

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