Water reclamation system and method for textile industry

Abstract

A water reclamation system (S) for treating wastewater (W) of textile treatment proceedings, comprising: a first module (1) having a mechanical filtration system (10) and a dirty water tank (11); a second module (2) comprising a treatment station (20) comprising: - a first treatment tank (201) for receiving the wastewater (W) from the dirty water tank (11); and a first dosing system (2011) for introducing a first chemical agent into the first treatment tank (201) to treat the wastewater (W), wherein the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant, a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant; and a third module (3) comprising an ozone treatment tank (30) for receiving the wastewater (W) that has previously been treated in the second module (2), and ozone generating means configured to provide ozone to the ozone treatment tank (30) for treating the wastewater (W) within the ozone treatment tank (30) for obtaining treated water (C).

Description

[0001] WATER RECLAMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TEXTILE INDUSTRY

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to systems and methods for treating wastewater generated during textile treatment processes. More specifically, the invention pertains to a water reclamation system designed to efficiently treat and reclaim wastewater resulting from various textile treatment proceedings, including but not limited to washing, dyeing, finishing, laser marking, ozone treatment, enzymatic treatments, softening processes, desizing operations, tinting procedures, and similar textile treatment methodologies.

[0004] PRIOR ART

[0005] In the textile industry, various treatment processes are employed to enhance fabric properties or achieve desired appearances, such as dyeing, finishing, and chemical treatments. These processes often generate wastewater containing contaminants like dyes, chemicals, and organic compounds, presenting challenges for effective treatment and reclamation. Prior art solutions have addressed aspects of wastewater treatment in textile industries, yet they often exhibit certain limitations and disadvantages.

[0006] Traditional methods and systems incorporate biological treatment of wastewater, such as activated sludge processes or constructed wetlands, to degrade organic pollutants in textile wastewater. While effective for organic matter removal, biological treatments may be less efficient for treating certain chemicals like dyes and may require longer retention times and larger space requirements.

[0007] Other prior art solutions are based on the application of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), including methods like UV irradiation, and advanced oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, have been explored for breaking down persistent organic pollutants in textile wastewater. However, these processes can be energy-intensive and may not be cost-effective for large-scale applications due to high operational costs and limited removal efficiency for certain contaminants like dyes.

[0008] Membrane processes like reverse osmosis and nanofiltration have been utilized to separate contaminants from wastewater. Although effective for removing dissolved substances, membrane fouling and high energy consumption are major drawbacks, particularly when dealing with wastewater from textile treatments, which can contain suspended solids and high organic loads. The aforementioned prior art solutions demonstrate advancements in textile wastewater treatment. However, each method has inherent limitations regarding efficiency, scalability, operational costs, or environmental impact. Therefore, there remains a need for an improved water reclamation system specifically tailored to effectively treat and reclaim wastewater resulting from diverse textile treatment proceedings, optimizing contaminant removal while mitigating drawbacks associated with current approaches.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention addresses the problem of providing a solution for treating wastewater generated by textile treatment proceedings that overcomes the above-listed disadvantages of the prior art solutions and provides improved results in the treatment of wastewater.

[0011] A first aspect of the invention refers to a water reclamation system for treating wastewater of textile treatment proceedings. The system comprises a first module, a second module and a third module.

[0012] The first module is configured to receive a wastewater provided to the water reclamation system. The first module comprises a mechanical filtration system and a dirty water tank. The mechanical filtration system is configured to remove particles from the wastewater received by the first module. The dirty water tank is configured to receive the wastewater from the mechanical filtration system.

[0013] The mechanical filtration system of the first module may comprise one or more filters (e.g. mechanical filters, i.e. not encompassing biofiltration filters) configured to filter solid particles having predetermined sizes (e.g. by applying a stream of external water - also referred to as fresh water - to the one or more filters). The one or more filters may comprise at least two filters arranged in a sequential configuration (i.e. one filter after another considering a flow direction of the wastewater through the reclamation system). In preferred embodiments, the filters may be arranged such that each filter is configured to retain particles larger than a respective filter size limit. The filters may be arranged in a sequence in which the filter size limits of the respective filters decrease along the sequence. Thus, the one or more filters may comprise a first filter configured to retain particles larger than a first size limit, and a second filter configured to retain particles larger than a second size limit, the second size limit (e.g. in the range 10 to 200 .m, preferably in the range 25 to 100 .m, more preferably 50 .m) may be smaller than the first size limit (e.g. in the range 100 to 500 .m, preferably in the range 200 to 400 .m, more preferably 300 .m). In preferred embodiments of the invention, the one or more filters (i.e. all of them) are configured as mechanical filters which exclude biofiltration filters. The second module comprises a treatment station comprising: a first treatment tank and a first dosing system. The first treatment tank is configured to receive the wastewater from the dirty water tank, wherein the first dosing system is configured to introduce a first chemical agent into the first treatment tank for treating the wastewater. The first chemical agent may comprise at least one of: a coagulant, a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant. Alternatively, the first chemical agent may be a coagulant, a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant.

[0014] A coagulant is a chemical substance used in water treatment processes to improve water quality by reducing turbidity and removing small, suspended solids. A coagulant neutralises the electrical charge of suspended solids in the wastewater, which causes these solid particles to clump together. This process receives the name of coagulation and aids in the removal of said solid particles during subsequent filtration or sedimentation stages (e.g. in a decanting station as according to some examples of the invention). There are numerous types of organic and inorganic coagulants that can be used in water treatment. In preferred embodiments, the coagulant is an organic coagulant. An organic coagulant may be configured as a synthesized monomers of aluminium or as an ironbased coagulants. In some embodiments, the organic coagulants may be configured as polyamines, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (Poly DADMACs), or polytannate.

[0015] A flocculant is a chemical configured to bind together the small solid particles that have been neutralized by the coagulant(s). This process, which receives the name of flocculation, encourages the formation of larger clumps of particles, or ‘flocs’, making them easier to remove. Thus, a flocculant is a chemical that can be added to the water to help colloids and any other suspended solids bind together and form heavier particles. The heavier particles then settle to a bottom of a container / tank so that the remaining part of the wastewater can be drained off.

[0016] A coagulant-flocculant is a substance that perform both the functions of coagulation and flocculation. They first neutralize the charge of suspended particles in the water (coagulation), and then bind these particles together to form larger clumps (flocculation). This dual action provided by a coagulant-flocculant is particularly effective in the water reclamation system of the first aspect of the invention.

[0017] The third module comprises an ozone treatment tank and one or more ozone generating means. The ozone treatment tank is configured to receive the wastewater that has previously been treated in the second module, and the ozone generating means is / are configured to provide ozone to the ozone treatment tank for treating the wastewater. Preferably, the ozone generation means may be configured to provide ozone to the ozone treatment tank at a production rate (e.g. with a flow rate or with a mass production / flow rate) in the range 100 to 10000 (ozone) g / h, preferably in the range 500 to 10000 (ozone) g / h.

[0018] It should be noted that the ozone treatment tank may be configured to receive the wastewater directly from the second module, or it may be configured to receive the wastewater indirectly from the second module (e.g. through a filtering module arranged between the second module and the third module). Once the wastewater is treated in the third module, i.e. once the wastewater has passed through the first, the second and the third modules, the wastewater is regarded as treated water, which is suitable for being used again in textile treatment proceedings, such as washing and finishing proceedings. “Treated water", also referred to as clean or optimal water, means wastewater that has passed through all modules of the water reclamation system and has been purified to a higher quality, e.g. a quality suitable for reuse in textile treatment proceedings. The specific arrangement of the third module after the second module (i.e. downstream) has the advantage of significantly enhancing the ozone treatment in the third module, while providing optimal water not requiring any subsequent filtering step. Thus, a water reclamation system having this specific arrangement increases the efficiency of the ozone treatment in the third module, thus optimising the ozone treatment process by ensuring a high usability of the ozone (e.g. reducing the consumption of ozone) and providing an improved control on the ozone treatment process (the higher efficiency reduces the time required for completing the ozone treatment and increases the repeatability of the said process).

[0019] In some embodiments, the third module may comprise a recirculation circuit connected to the treatment tank and configured to continuously pump wastewater from and to the ozone treatment tank thereby forming a recirculation loop. The recirculation loop enhances the supply and mixing of ozone with the wastewater, thereby improving a reaction of the ozone with the wastewater. Further, the third module may also comprise a catalyst filter configured to transform unreacted ozone (i.e. any remaining ozone that have failed to react with the wastewater within the ozone treatment tank) into oxygen.

[0020] The second module may further comprise a decanting station comprising a decanting tank having a primary storage unit. The decanting tank may be configured to receive the wastewater from the treatment station and to separate solid particles of the wastewater by a process of sedimentation to store the solid particles into the primary storage unit. The decanting tank may be configured as a lamella tank or as a conical clarifier, wherein the conical clarifier may preferably be configured as a deep cone clarifier. Apart from the first storage unit, the decanting station may further comprise an auxiliary tank configured to receive the wastewater from the decanting tank. The first and / or the second storage units may be configured as bags configured to receive solid residues.

[0021] The decanting station may further comprise one or more primary sensors configured to determine a filling status of the primary storage unit. The concept filling status refers to a degree to which the primary storage unit has been filled with the solid particles separated by the process of sedimentation. In some case, the filling status may correspond to a percentage a total capacity of the primary storage unit (e.g. a value in the range 40%-100%). The decanting station may be configured such that: when the one or more primary sensors determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit is below a first predetermined threshold, then the solid particles which have been previously separated from the wastewater by the decanting tank are stored in the primary storage unit; and when the one or more primary sensors determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit reaches the first predetermined threshold, then the primary storage unit stops receiving the solid particles. The first predetermined threshold corresponds to a predetermined filling status of the primary storage unit (e.g. a particular percentage of the capacity of the primary storage unit).

[0022] The decanting station may further comprise a secondary storage unit and one or more secondary sensors. The secondary storage unit may be configured to store the solid particles which have been previously separated by the decanting tank. The secondary storage unit may be configured to receive the solid simultaneously with the primary storage unit or in an alternate manner with respect to the primary storage unit. The one or more secondary sensors may be configured to determine a filling status of the secondary storage unit.

[0023] The treatment station may be configured such that, when the one or more primary sensors determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit reaches the first predetermined threshold, then the solid particles which have been previously separated from the wastewater by the decanting tank are stored in the secondary storage unit as long as the one or more secondary sensors determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit are below a second predetermined threshold. The second predetermined threshold corresponds to a predetermined filling status of the secondary storage unit (e.g. a particular percentage of the capacity of the secondary storage unit). This configuration is compatible with embodiments of the system in which both the primary and the secondary storage units are configured to receive simultaneously solid particles of the wastewater to be stored (e.g. until the respective sensors - i.e. the primary or the secondary sensors - detect that the respective predetermined threshold - i.e. the first or the second predetermined threshold - has been reached), and also with embodiments in which the primary and the secondary storage units are configured to receive the solid particles in an alternate manner (i.e. such that only one of the primary and the secondary storage units receives solid particles during a particular time period, e.g. while the respective filling status of the respective storage unit is below the respective predetermined threshold).

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the treatment station may be further configured such that, when the one or more secondary sensors determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit reaches the second predetermined threshold, then the solid particles (i.e. those which has been previously separated from the wastewater by the decanting tank) are stored in the primary storage unit as long as the one or more secondary sensors determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit are below a second predetermined threshold.

[0025] The second module may further comprise a centrifugal station arranged as a final station of the second module. The centrifugal station may comprise a centrifugal unit configured to centrifuge the wastewater before leaving the second module to further remove solid particles from the wastewater. A centrifugal unit in the context of the present invention may comprise a rotating mechanism that utilizes centrifugal force to separate suspended solid particles from liquid wastewater. The centrifugal unit may comprise an inlet for introducing wastewater into a rotating chamber, where the centrifugal force generated by rotation causes the heavier solid particles (i.e. those heavier particles among those that have not been stored in the primary or the secondary storage units) to move towards the periphery of the chamber, thereby separating them from the liquid wastewater. The separated solids are then collected and discharged from the centrifugal unit, while the clarified liquid is expelled through an outlet, which is preferably arranged at the center of the chamber. The centrifugal unit effectively facilitates the removal of solid contaminants from wastewater, contributing to the purification and treatment of the wastewater stream / flow.

[0026] In some embodiments, the centrifugal unit may be configured to operate at a centrifugal speed in the range 500 to 5000 rpm, preferably in the range 1000 to 5000 rpm, and more preferably in the range 1000 to 3000 rpm. The centrifugal speed may be interpreted as referring to a rotation speed of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit. Preferably, the centrifugal station may be configured to operate continuously (e.g. the centrifugal unit may be configured to operate such that the predetermined flow rate flows through it, instead of applying closed centrifugal cycles with a predetermined time duration),

[0027] The centrifugal station may further comprise a cleaning water pump configured to selectively provide pressurised water (e.g. external fresh water and / or treated water that has been previously treated by the water reclamation system) to the centrifugal unit (e.g. to a rotating chamber arranged in the centrifugal unit) for cleaning the centrifugal unit (e.g. an interior of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit). The cleaning water pump may be configured to provide pressurized water having a pressure in the range 1 to 10 bar. The cleaning water pump may be configured to provide the pressurized water applying a cleaning cycle having a duration in the range 5 seconds to 5 minutes.

[0028] In some embodiments, the centrifugal station may be further configured such that, when the centrifugal unit has been operating for a predetermined time (e.g. for a time in the range 15 minutes to 2 hours, preferably 30 minutes to 1 hour, more preferably 45 minutes to 1 hour) or has completed a predetermined number of cycles (e.g. a predetermined number of rotations) (i.e. the centrifugal station may be configured to measure the operating time of the centrifugal station and / or the number of centrifugal cycles -e.g. rotations of the rotating chamber-), the cleaning water pump is automatically activated to clean (e.g. applying the cleaning cycle) the interior of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit. The centrifugal station may optionally comprise one or more sensors and respective processing means (e.g. a control unit) to control the cleaning water pump (e.g. to control / manage its activation).

[0029] In some embodiments, the centrifugal station may comprise at least one sensor configured to measure vibrations of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit. The centrifugal station may be further configured such that, when the measured vibration exceeds a predetermined vibration range, the cleaning water pump is automatically activated to clean (e.g. applying the cleaning cycle) the interior of the rotating chamber. This configuration (which may be adopted as an alternative or as a complement to the configuration in which the cleaning water pump is activated after a predetermined time or a predetermined number of cycles) enables the system to detect anomalies — such as imbalances or residue build-up within the chamber — that may impair centrifugal performance or cause mechanical wear, and to respond proactively by initiating a cleaning cycle. The predetermined vibration range may be selected based on empirical data or operational thresholds, and the activation logic may be implemented by a control unit operatively connected to the vibration sensor and the cleaning water pump.

[0030] The centrifugal station may further comprise an auxiliary reserve tank configured to receive the wastewater from the centrifugal unit. Preferably, the reserve tank may further comprise an auxiliary dosing system configured to introduce an antifoam agent and / or an acid into the reserve tank. The addition of an antifoam agent reduces the formation of foam on the surface of the wastewater. This reduction of foam provides an enhanced process efficiency of the third module arranged since the presence of foam can interfere with the ozone treatment provided by the third module. The antifoam agent may comprise surface-active substances that disrupt foam stabilization, leading to its collapse. Excessive foam can lead to operational problems such as reduced tank capacity, equipment overflow, or blockages in pipes and valves. Adding an antifoam agent helps in preventing these issues and maintaining a safe operation of the waste reclamation system. The addition of acid provides a reduction of the pH of the wastewater, which also contributes to improve the effecti vity and efficiency of the subsequent treatment with ozone provided by the third module.

[0031] In some embodiments in which the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant, the first dosing system may be configured to provide a concentration of the coagulant in the first treatment tank within a predetermined range. For example, the first dosing system may be configured to measure (e.g. to monitor or to measure in rea time) a concentration of the first chemical agent (e.g. coagulant) in the first treatment tank and may be further configured to introduce an amount of the first chemical agent selected to provide a concentration of the coagulant in the first treatment tank within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably within the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably within the range 25-100 ppm.

[0032] In some embodiments in which the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant-flocculant, the first dosing system may be configured to provide a concentration of the coagulant-flocculant in the first treatment tank within a predetermined range. For example, the first dosing system may be configured to measure (e.g. to monitor or to measure in rea time) a concentration of the first chemical agent (e.g. coagulant-flocculant) in the first treatment tank and may be further configured to introduce an amount of the first chemical agent selected to provide a concentration of the coagulant-flocculant in the first treatment tank within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably within the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably within the range 25-100 ppm.

[0033] Preferably the first dosing system may comprise a first concentration measuring subsystem configured to measure a concentration of the first chemical agent and / or of any component of the first chemical agent within the first treatment tank. The first dosing system may be further configured to regulate (e.g. by selecting a specific amount of the first dosing agent to be introduced into the first treatment tank) a concentration of the first chemical agent (e.g. coagulant and / or coagulantflocculant) within the first treatment tank based on the concentration measured by the first concentration measuring subsystem. Further, the first dosing system may comprise the first chemical agent (e.g. the first dosing system may comprise a respective storing recipient configured to store the first chemical agent).

[0034] The second module may further comprise a second treatment tank and a second dosing system. The second treatment tank may be configured to receive the wastewater from the first treatment tank, and the second dosing system may be configured to introduce a second chemical agent into the second treatment tank to treat the wastewater, wherein the second chemical agent is or comprises a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant.

[0035] In some embodiments, the second chemical agent is or comprises a flocculant, and the second dosing system is configured to provide a concentration of the flocculant in the second treatment tank within a predetermined range. For example, the second dosing system may be configured to measure (e.g. to monitor or to measure in rea time) a concentration of the second chemical agent (e.g. coagulant-flocculant) in the second treatment tank and may be further configured to introduce an amount of the second chemical agent selected to provide a concentration of the second chemical agent (e.g. coagulant or flocculant) in the second treatment tank within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably withing the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably within the range 25-100 ppm.

[0036] Preferably the second dosing system may comprise a second concentration measuring subsystem configured to measure a concentration of the second chemical agent and / or of any component of the second chemical agent within the second treatment tank. The second dosing system may be further configured to regulate (e.g. by selecting a specific amount of the second dosing agent to be introduced into the second treatment tank) a concentration of the second chemical agent within the second treatment tank based on the concentration measured by the second concentration measuring subsystem. Further, the second dosing system may comprise the second chemical agent (e.g. the second dosing system may comprise a respective storing recipient configured to store the second chemical agent).

[0037] The first treatment tank may further comprise one or more pH sensors configured to measure a pH level of the wastewater within the first treatment tank. Thus, the treatment station may be further configured to regulate the pH level within the first treatment tank by introducing a pH regulating agent (e.g. soda) within the first treatment tank by means of the first dosing system based on the measurements of the one or more pH sensors.

[0038] In some embodiments, the water reclamation system may further comprise a filtering module, which is configured to be arranged (e.g. connected) between the second module and the third module, wherein the filtering module may comprise filtration means configured as a submerged membrane filtration system. In preferred embodiments, the submerged membrane filtration system may have an average pore size of between 0.05 and 0.1 microns; and / or the submerged membrane filtration system may comprise PVDF ultrafiltration membranes.

[0039] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the second module may further comprise a drainage feedback loop configured to selectively provide a part of the wastewater of the treatment station and / or of the decantation station to the first module. For example, the drainage feedback loop may comprise one or more drain pipes configured to connect the treatment station (e.g. the first treatment tank and / or the second treatment tank) and / or the decanting station (e.g. the decanting tank and / or the optional auxiliary tank) to the first module (i.e. directly to the first module or indirectly to the first module; wherein indirectly may be interpreted as referring to providing said part of the wastewater to a waste tank or waste pool from which the first module receives the wastewater). Further, in those embodiments having a centrifugal station, the drainage feedback loop may further comprise one or more drain pipes configured to connect the centrifugal station (e.g. the centrifugal unit and / or the auxiliary reserve tank) directly or indirectly to the first module. The fact that the drainage feedback loop provides a way to selectively provide a part of the wastewater of the second module is powerful tool for increasing the effectiveness of the water reclamation system, since it allows that part or all of the wastewater is circulated one or more times through the first and second modules before reaching the third module in which the wastewater is treated with ozone.

[0040] In some embodiments, the water reclamation system may be configured to operate with a continuous circulation of water at a predetermined flow rate. This configuration may be applied in combination with any of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention described herein. By enabling continuous flow conditions, the system can support stable process parameters, improve treatment consistency, and facilitate integration with automated textile treatment lines. The capacities of the associated tanks and the treatment components (i.e. any of the components described for the first, second and third modules) may be selected based on the predetermined flow rate (e.g. to ensure that the system is allowed to operate with the predetermined flow rate), which may be configured to provide optimal performance and efficient water reclamation. Preferably, the water reclamation system may be configured to operate (e.g. to circulate) with a predetermined flow rate in the range 0.25 to 100 m3 / h.

[0041] A second aspect of the invention refers to a textile treatment system comprising a water reclamation system according to any of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, a treated-water tank configured to receive treated water from the water reclamation system, at least one textile treatment station configured to retrieve the treated water from the treated-water tank and to treat (e.g. to conduct a textile treatment proceeding) textile products using the treated water, thereby generating wastewater, and a waste tank configured to receive the wastewater from the textile treatment station. The water reclamation system is further configured to receive the wastewater from the waste tank and to treat the wastewater to obtain treated water. In this manner, the textile treatment system enables water to be repeatedly reclaimed and reused within the same processing loop, thereby reducing the overall consumption of fresh water and improving the sustainability of the treatment process.

[0042] Textile treatment proceedings" refers to industrial processes applied to textile materials, including but not limited to washing, dyeing, finishing, laser marking, ozone treatment, enzymatic treatments, softening, desizing, and tinting procedures, for the purpose of altering the physical or aesthetic properties of the textiles.

[0043] In some embodiments, the treated-water tank, the textile treatment station, the waste tank, and the water reclamation system may be fluidly connected in a closed-loop configuration defining a continuous circulation path for water. The water reclamation system may be configured to circulate water continuously at a predetermined flow rate from the waste tank, through the water reclamation system, to the treated-water tank. Furthermore, each of the waste tank and the treated-water tank may have a respective volume capacity selected to allow maintaining the predetermined flow rate of circulation of water through the water reclamation system. In preferred embodiments, the predetermined flow rate is in the range of 0.25 to 100 m3 / h. The system may be adapted to operate with specific values of the continuous flow rated within the above range based on the amount of wastewater generated by the at least one textile treatment station. By dimensioning the system components to maintain continuous operation at a specified flow rate, the invention facilitates process stability, operational efficiency, and integration with automation strategies. For example, all the modules (e.g. first, second and third modules) and the tanks that they comprise (e.g. the first treatment tank, the second treatment tank, the decanting tank, and / or the auxiliary reserve tank) of the water reclamation system may be configured to ensure the continuous predetermined flow rate. For example, the centrifugal unit may be configured to operate continuously while the predetermined flow rate is maintained (e.g. the centrifugal unit may be configured to operate such that the predetermined flow rate flows through it, instead of applying closed centrifugal cycles with a predetermined time duration.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of wastewater reclamation with a textile treatment system (which may be according to any of the embodiments of the second aspect of the invention) comprising a water reclamation system (which may be according to any of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention), a treated-water tank, a textile treatment station, and a waste tank. The method comprises directing wastewater from the waste tank to a first module of the water reclamation system. The wastewater is mechanically filtered by a mechanical filtration system of the first module to remove particles, after which the filtered wastewater is collected in a dirty water tank.

[0045] The method further comprises transferring the wastewater from the dirty water tank to a first treatment tank of a treatment station forming part of a second module of the water reclamation system. A first chemical agent is added into the first treatment tank by means of a first dosing device, the chemical agent comprising or consisting of a coagulant, a flocculant, or a coagulantflocculant. The chemically treated wastewater is then transferred to an ozone treatment tank of a third module of the water reclamation system, and is treated therein with ozone supplied by an ozone generating unit.

[0046] Following the ozone treatment, the resulting treated water is transferred into the treated-water tank. From there, the treated water is supplied to the textile treatment station, where it is used for treating textile products, thereby generating further wastewater. The generated wastewater is collected in the waste tank, thereby closing the loop.

[0047] In some embodiments, the method further comprises continuously circulating water at a predetermined flow rate from the waste tank, through the water reclamation system, to the treated- water tank. The flow rate is preferably selected in the range of 0.25 to 100 m3 / h. This continuous flow regime enables efficient process operation, reduces water consumption, and facilitates automation.

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Fig. 1 schematically depicts a view of a water reclamation system S according to embodiments of the invention.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a variation of the water reclamation system S on the basis of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 .

[0051] Fig. 3 depict a first module 1 compatible with the system S of any of Figs. 1 or 2. Figs. 4A-4D show respective schematic representations of a second module 2 compatible with the system S of any of Figs. 1 or 2. The second modules of Figs. 4A-4D are compatible with the first module 1 of Fig. 3.

[0052] Fig. 5 depicts a schematic representation of a water reclamation system S according to embodiments of the invention. The water reclamation system S is shown together with an external textile treatment process T, wherein the water reclamation system S is connectable to the textile treatment process T to treat the wastewater W resulting from said textile treatment process T.

[0053] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Fig. 1 schematically depicts a view of a water reclamation system S for treating wastewater of textile treatment proceedings (i.e. resulting from said proceeding). The system S comprises a first module 1 , a second module 2, a third module 3 and an optional fourth module 4 comprising (or configured as) a treated-water tank 40, wherein all these elements are connected in a series arrangement (i.e. in a sequential connection such that the wastewater passes successively through the first module 1 , then through the second module 2, then through the third module 3 and then through any other optional module, such as the treated-water tank 40).

[0055] The system S of Fig. 1 is compatible with any of the embodiments depicted in any of Figs. 3-5. In some embodiments, the water reclamation system S may be configured to operate with a continuous circulation of water at a predetermined flow rate. (e.g. in the range 0.25 to 100 m3 / h).

[0056] The first module 1 is configured to receive a wastewater W provided to the water reclamation system S, and comprises a mechanical filtration system 10 and a dirty water tank 11. The mechanical filtration system 10 is configured to remove particles (e.g. solid particles) from the wastewater W received by the first module 1. The dirty water tank 11 is configured to receive the wastewater W from the mechanical filtration system 10.

[0057] The mechanical filtration system 10 comprises one or more filters configured to filter solid particles having predetermined sizes. The one or more filters may comprise at least two filters arranged in a sequential configuration (i.e. one filter after another considering a flow direction of the wastewater through the reclamation system).

[0058] The second module of Fig. 1 is compatible with any of the configurations for the second module shown in Figs. 4A to 4D. The second module 2 comprises a treatment station 20. Although not visible in Fig. 1 , the treatment station 20 comprises a first treatment tank 201 and a first dosing system 2011 similar to those shown in Figs. 4A-4D. The first treatment tank 201 is configured to receive the wastewater W from the dirty water tank 11 , wherein the first dosing system 2011 is configured to introduce a first chemical agent into the first treatment tank 201 for treating the wastewater W. The first chemical agent may comprise at least one of: a coagulant, a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant. Alternatively, the first chemical agent may be: a coagulant, a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant.

[0059] The third module 3 comprises an ozone treatment tank 30 and one or more ozone generating means. The ozone treatment tank 30 is configured to receive the wastewater W that has previously treated in the second module 2 (e.g. the ozone treatment tank 30 may be configured to receive the wastewater W directly from the second module 2, or may be configured to receive the wastewater W by means of an intermediate module, i.e. indirectly). The ozone generating means is / are (i.e. depending on whether there is one or a plurality) configured to provide ozone to the ozone treatment tank 30 for treating the wastewater W. The ozone generation means may be configured to provide ozone to the ozone treatment tank at a production rate (e.g. with a flow rate or with a mass production / flow rate) in the range 100 to 10000 (ozone) g / h, preferably in the range 500 to 10000 g / h. Once the wastewater W is treated in the third module 3, the wastewater W is regarded as treated water C (also referred to as clean or optimal water), which is suitable for being used again in textile treatment proceedings, such as washing and finishing proceedings.

[0060] Although it is not shown in Fig. 1 , in some embodiments compatible with the system S of Fig. 1 , the third module may comprise a recirculation circuit connected to the treatment tank 30 and configured to continuously pump wastewater W from and to the ozone treatment tank 30 thereby forming a recirculation loop. Further, the third module 3 may also comprise a catalyst filter configured to transform unreacted ozone (i.e. any remaining ozone that have failed to react with the wastewater within the ozone treatment tank) into oxygen.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a variation of the water reclamation system S on the basis of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The water reclamation system S of Fig. 2 only differs from that of Fig. 1 in that it further comprises a filtering module 2’, which is configured to be arranged (e.g. connected) between the second module 2 and the third module 3. The purpose of this module is that of providing an additional filtering step to the wastewater before reaching the third module. The filtering module 2’ comprises filtration means 20’ that may be configured as a submerged membrane filtration system. In preferred embodiments, the submerged membrane filtration system may have an average pore size of between 0.05 and 0.1 microns, and / or the submerged membrane filtration system may comprise PVDF ultrafiltration membranes. The filtering module 2’ shown in Fig. 2 is an additional module that is broadly compatible with any of the embodiments described in this application (e.g. with that of Fig. 5). Therefore, the filtering module 2’ should be interpreted as a feature being transversely compatible with the remaining embodiments, since it is only required to arrange this module between the second module and the third module to obtain the additional filtering benefits that it provides.

[0062] Fig. 3 depict a first module 1 compatible with the system S of any of Figs. 1 or 2. It should be noted that the first module of Fig. 3 represents a preferred embodiment comprising some optional features. Although in other compatible embodiments the first module 1 may comprise a single mechanical filter 101 , the embodiment of Fig. 3 shows a preferred configuration in which the mechanical filtration system 10 comprises a plurality of filters. In particular, Fig. 3 depicts a mechanical filtration system 10 comprising two filters 101 , 102 (although in other embodiments the number of filters may be greater). The filters 101 , 102 (which are preferably mechanical filters) are configured to filter solid particles having predetermined sizes (e.g. by applying a stream of external water - also referred to as “fresh water” - to the one or more filters). The filters 101 , 102 are arranged in a sequential configuration (i.e. in a series arrangement; i.e. one filter after another considering a flow direction of the wastewater through the reclamation system).

[0063] The dirty water tank 11 , which is configured to receive the wastewater W from the mechanical filtration system 10, is shown in Fig. 3 as being optionally configured as pool of wastewater.

[0064] In preferred embodiments compatible with the embodiment of Fig.3, the filters 101 , 102 of the mechanical filtration system 10 may be configured such that each filter is configured to retain particles larger than a respective filter size limit (i.e. each filter may have a corresponding filter size limit). The filters 101 , 102 are arranged in a sequence (e.g. in a series arrangement), preferably such that the filter size limits of the respective filters decrease along the sequence. In Fig. 3 the one or more filters are represented by a first filter 101 and a second filter 102, wherein the first filter 101 may be configured to retain particles larger than a first size limit, and the second filter 102 may be configured to retain particles larger than a second size limit, the second size limit being preferably smaller than the first size limit. Thus, the first size limit may be in the range in the range 100 to 500 .m, preferably in the range 200 to 400 .m, more preferably 300 .m; and the second size filter may be in the range 10 to 200 .m, preferably in the range 25 to 100 .m, more preferably 50 .m, the selected second size filter being preferably smaller than the first filter size.

[0065] Figs. 4A-4D show respective schematic representations of a second module 2 compatible with the system S of any of Figs. 1 or 2. The second modules 2 of Figs. 4A-4D are compatible with the first module 1 of Fig. 3. Further, the second modules 2 of Figs. 4A-4D are also configured to be connected to a first module 1 according to Fig. 3 (and also according to any of the alternative embodiments described in the description of Fig. 3).

[0066] Fig. 4A shows a second module 2 comprises a treatment station 20. The treatment station comprises 20 of Fig. 4A comprises a first treatment tank 201 having a first dosing system 2011 . S described for Figs. 1 and 2, the first dosing system 2011 is configured to introduce a first chemical agent into the first treatment tank 201 for treating the wastewater W.

[0067] The first dosing system 2011 may optionally be configured to introduce a pH regulating agent (i.e. apart from the first chemical agent) into the first treatment tank 201 for regulating a pH within the first treatment tank 201. For this purpose, the first treatment tank may optionally comprise one or more pH sensors 2012 (as shown in Fig. 4A) configured to measure a pH level of the wastewater W within the first treatment tank 201 . Thus, the treatment station 20 may be further configured to regulate the pH level within the first treatment tank 201 by introducing a pH regulating agent (e.g. soda) within the first treatment tank 201 by means of the first dosing system 2011 based on the measurements of the one or more pH sensors 2012. Fig. 4A schematically represents the first dosing system 2011 with two arrows pointing towards the first treatment tank 201 , wherein the two arrows represent the ability of the system for introducing the first chemical agent and the optional pH regulating agent.

[0068] The first chemical agent may be or may comprise a coagulant, and the first dosing system 2011 may be configured to provide a concentration of the coagulant in the first treatment tank 201 within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably withing the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably within the range 25-100 ppm. In alternative embodiments compatible with the configuration shown in Fig. 4A, the first chemical agent may be or may comprise a coagulant-flocculant, and the first dosing system 2011 may be configured to provide a concentration of the coagulant-flocculant in the first treatment tank 201 within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably withing the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably within the range 25-100 ppm.

[0069] Fig. 4A also shows that the treatment station 20 further comprises an optional second treatment tank 202 having a second dosing system 2021. The second treatment tank 202 is configured to receive the wastewater W from the first treatment tank 201 , while the second dosing system 2021 is configured to introduce a second chemical agent into the second treatment tank 202 to treat the wastewater W. The second chemical agent may be or may comprise a flocculant or a coagulantflocculant. Accordingly, the second dosing system 2021 may be configured to provide a concentration of the flocculant (it should be noted that both the flocculant and the coagulantflocculant comprise flocculant) in the second treatment tank 202 within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably withing the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably within the range 25-100 ppm.

[0070] In those embodiments in which the second chemical agent is or comprises a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant agent, preferably the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant.

[0071] Fig. 4B depicts a second embodiment of the second module 2 in which the treatment station 20 comprises a first treatment tank 201 , but not a second treatment tank 202 as in Fig. 4A. However, it should be noted that the second module 2 of Fig. 4B is also compatible with having a second treatment tank 202 (as it can be seen in Fig. 4C). The second module 2 of Fig 4B further comprises a decanting station 21 comprising a decanting tank 210 and an optional auxiliary tank 211. The decanting tank 210 comprises or is connected to a primary storage unit 2101. The decanting tank 210 is configured to receive the wastewater W from the treatment station 20 and to separate solid particles of the wastewater W by a process of sedimentation to store the solid particles into the primary storage unit 2101 . The optional auxiliary tank 211 is configured to receive the wastewater from the decanting tank 210.

[0072] The decanting station 21 may optionally comprise one or more primary sensors 2102 configured to determine a filling status of the primary storage unit 2101. The decanting station 21 may be configured such that: when the one or more primary sensors 2102 determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit 2101 is below a first predetermined threshold, then the solid particles which have been previously separated from the wastewater by the decanting tank 210 are stored in the primary storage unit 2101 ; and when the one or more primary sensors 2102 determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit 2101 reaches the first predetermined threshold, then the primary storage unit 2101 stops receiving the solid particles. The first predetermined threshold corresponds to a predetermined filling status of the primary storage unit (e.g. a particular percentage of the capacity of the primary storage unit).

[0073] The decanting tank 210 may be configured as a lamella tank 210 or as a conical clarifier, wherein the conical clarifier may preferably be configured as a deep cone clarifier.

[0074] Fig. 4C shows another embodiment of the second module 2 in which the treatment station 20 comprises a first 201 and a second 202 treatment tanks (compatible with those described for Fig. 4A). Further, the decanting station 20 shown in Fig. 4C is based on the one depicted in Fig. 4B, but also comprises (the following are optional features) a secondary storage 2103 unit and one or more secondary sensors 2104.

[0075] Similarly to the first storage unit 2101 , the secondary storage unit 2103 is also configured to store the solid particles which have been previously separated by the decanting tank 210. The secondary storage unit 2103 may be configured to receive the solid simultaneously with the primary storage unit 2101 or in an alternate manner with respect to the primary storage unit 2101. The one or more secondary sensors 2104 may be configured to determine a filling status of the secondary storage unit 2103.

[0076] In some embodiments, the treatment station 21 may be configured such that, when the one or more primary sensors 2102 determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit 2101 reaches the first predetermined threshold, then the solid particles which have been previously separated from the wastewater by the decanting tank 210 are stored in the secondary storage unit 2103 as long as the one or more secondary sensors 2104 determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit 2103 are below a second predetermined threshold. This ensures that the water reclamation system S is allowed to be operated continuously (e.g. to operate with a continuous flow of water within a predetermined flow rate).

[0077] This configuration is compatible with embodiments of the system in which both the primary 2101 and the secondary 2103 storage units are configured to receive simultaneously solid particles of the wastewater W to be stored (e.g. until the respective sensors - i.e. the primary 2102 or the secondary 2104 sensors - detect that the respective predetermined threshold - i.e. the first or the second predetermined threshold - has been reached), and also with embodiments in which the primary 2101 and the secondary 2103 storage units are configured to receive the solid particles in an alternate manner (i.e. such that only one of the primary and the secondary storage units receives solid particles during a particular time period, e.g. while the respective filling status of the respective storage unit is below the respective predetermined threshold. The first and / or the second storage units may be configured as bags configured to receive solid residues.

[0078] The alternate manner should be interpreted such that the system the decanting station 21 may be configured to store solid particles only in the first storing unit 2101 until the one or more primary sensors detect that the filling status corresponds to the first predetermined threshold, such that, once the first predetermined threshold is reached, then the decanting station 21 starts storing the solid particles in the second storing unit 2103 until the one or more secondary sensors detect that the filling status corresponds to the second predetermined threshold. Therefore, the alternate manner provides a time period for emptying (or replacing) the first storing unit 2101 (i.e. while the first storing unit 2101 is no longer receiving particles). The same configuration is applicable the other way around, i.e. starting by the second storing unit.

[0079] In preferred embodiments, the treatment station 21 may be further configured such that, when the one or more secondary sensors 2104 determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit 2103 reaches the second predetermined threshold, then the solid particles (i.e. those which has been previously separated from the wastewater by the decanting tank 210) are stored in the primary storage unit 2101 as long as the one or more primary sensors 2102 determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit 2101 are below a first predetermined threshold.

[0080] FIG. 4D depicts a second module 2 based on the second module of Fig. 4G, but further comprising a centrifugal station 22 arranged as a final station of the second module 2. The centrifugal station 22 may comprise a centrifugal unit 220 configured to centrifuge the wastewater W before leaving the second module 2 to further remove solid particles from the wastewater. The centrifugal unit according to the Fig. 4 may be combined with any of the second modules 2 of any of Figs. 4A to 4G.

[0081] A centrifugal unit 220 in the context of the present invention may comprise a rotating mechanism that utilizes centrifugal force to separate suspended solid particles from liquid wastewater W. The centrifugal unit 220 may comprise an inlet for introducing wastewater into a rotating chamber, where the centrifugal force generated by rotation causes the heavier solid particles (i.e. those heavier particles among those that have not been stored in the primary or the secondary storage units, wherein the condition of heavier is based on a predetermined value) to move towards the periphery of the chamber, thereby separating them from the liquid wastewater. The separated solids are then collected and discharged from the centrifugal unit, while the clarified wastewater W is expelled through an outlet, which is preferably arranged at the centre of the chamber. The centrifugal unit 220 effectively facilitates the removal of solid contaminants from the wastewater W, contributing to the purification and treatment of the wastewater W stream.

[0082] The centrifugal unit 220 may be configured to operate at a centrifugal speed in the range 500 to 5000 rpm, preferably in the range 1000 to 5000 rpm, and more preferably in the range 1000 to 3000 rpm. Preferably, the centrifugal station 22 may be configured to operate continuously (e.g. the centrifugal unit 220 may be configured to operate such that the predetermined flow rate flows through it, instead of applying closed centrifugal cycles with a predetermined time duration), The centrifugal station 22 of Fig. 4D further comprises an optional auxiliary reserve tank 221 configured to receive the wastewater from the centrifugal unit 220. Preferably, the reserve tank 221 may further comprise an auxiliary dosing system 2211 , as the one showed in Fig. 4D. The auxiliary dosing system 2211 is configured to introduce an antifoam agent and / or an acid into the auxiliary reserve tank 221 . The auxiliary reserve tank 221 may comprise one or more sensors configured to detect and measure the presence of foam and / or to measure the level of acidity (pH) in the wastewater W of the auxiliary reserve tank 221 , such that auxiliary dosing system 2211 of the auxiliary reserve tank 221 may be configured introduce the antifoam agent and / or the acid based on the measurements made by the one or more sensors of the auxiliary reserve tank 221 .

[0083] Although it is not visible in Fig. 4D, the centrifugal station 22 of Fig. 4D may further optionally comprise a cleaning water pump configured to selectively provide pressurised water (e.g. external fresh water and / or treated water that has been previously treated by the water reclamation system S; e.g. in a textile treating system A as the one shown in Fig. 5, the water cleaning pump may be configured to retrieve treated water from the treated-water tank 4) to the interior of the centrifugal unit 220 for cleaning the centrifugal unit 220 (e.g. an interior of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit 220). The cleaning water pump may be configured to provide pressurized water having a pressure in the range 1 to 10 bar. The cleaning water pump may be configured to provide the pressurized water applying a cleaning cycle having a duration in the range 5 seconds to 5 minutes.

[0084] The centrifugal station 22 may be further configured such that, when the centrifugal unit 220 has been operating for a predetermined time (e.g. for a time in the range 15 minutes to 2 hours, preferably 30 minutes to 1 hour, more preferably 45 minutes to 1 hour) or has completed a predetermined number of cycles (e.g. a predetermined number of rotations), the cleaning water pump is automatically activated to clean (e.g. applying the cleaning cycle) the interior of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit 220. The centrifugal station 22 may optionally comprise one or more sensors and respective processing means (e.g. a control unit) to control the cleaning water pump (e.g. to control / manage its activation).

[0085] Alternatively or complementarily, the centrifugal station 22 may comprise at least one sensor configured to measure vibrations of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit 220, and the centrifugal station 22 may be further configured such that, when the measured vibration (i.e. by the at least one sensor) exceeds a predetermined vibration range, the cleaning water pump is automatically activated to clean (e.g. applying the cleaning cycle) the interior of the rotating chamber. Fig. 5 depicts a schematic representation of a water reclamation system S according to embodiments of the first aspect of the invention. The water reclamation system S is shown together with a textile treatment process T, thereby forming together a textile treatment system A, wherein the water reclamation system S is connectable to the textile treatment process T to treat the wastewater W resulting from said textile treatment process T.

[0086] The textile treatment process T depicted in Fig. 5 is represented as a generic textile treatment proceeding T. The textile treatment process T comprises a textile treatment station T 1 (e.g. one or more washing machines) configured to treat textile products (textiles, garments or similar). The textile treatment station T 1 may be configured to provide a textile treatment including but not limited to: washing, dyeing, finishing, laser marking, ozone treatment, enzymatic treatments, softening processes, desizing operations, tinting procedures, and similar textile treatment methodologies.

[0087] The textile treatment station T 1 requires water to treat the textile products and produces wastewater W as a result of the treatment. The wastewater generated by the textile treatment station T1 is stored / received in a waste tank T2 (it should be noted that the waste tank T2 is exemplary represented as part of the textile treatment process, however the waste tank T2 may also be configured as a tank being part of the water reclamation system S or as a tank being external to the water reclamation system S and to the textile treatment process T), wherein the water reclamation system S is configured to retrieve wastewater W from the waste tank T2.

[0088] The water reclamation system S of Fig. 5 is based on the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the water reclamation system S of Fig. 5 comprises a first module 1 according to Fig. 3, a second module 2 according to Fig. 4D, a third module 3 and an optional treated-water tank 4 (i.e. a water tank configured to receive -e.g. contain- water treated C by the water reclamation system S, i.e. water outputted by the water reclamation system S), wherein all these elements are connected in a series arrangement. Optional pumps have been arranged along a path followed by the wastewater to represent an advantageous configuration. In some compatible embodiments, the optional treated-water tank 4 may alternatively be arranged as part of the textile processing system S.

[0089] The water reclamation system S of Fig. 5 is also compatible with the embodiment of Fig. 2, in the sense that the system S may further comprise a receiving filtering module 2’ arranged (e.g. connected) between the second module 2 and the third module 3. It should be noted that some of the reference signs that have been previously used to refer to relevant features of the preceding embodiments are omitted in Fig. 5 for the sake of conciseness and readablity of Fig. 5.

[0090] The first module 1 of Fig. 5 is not limited to the specific embodiment shown in Fig. 3, but is compatible with any of the embodiments previously described for any first module 1. Thus, the first module 1 of Fig. 5 is replaceable by any other embodiment of the first module 1 described in the present description.

[0091] Although Fig. 5 depicts a second module 2 as shown in Fig. 4D, the water reclamation system S of Fig. 5 is broadly compatible with any of the embodiments described in the present description (including those of Figs. 4A to 4C and also those features that have been described as optional features of the embodiments of Figs. 4A to 4C).

[0092] The second module 2 of Fig. 5 shows a more detailed view of a preferred configuration for the first dosing system 2011 and the second dosing system 2012 of any of the preceding embodiments. In particular, the first dosing system 2011 is represented by a first primary dosing unit 2011a and a second primary dosing unit 2011 b. The first primary dosing unit 2011a is configured to introduce the first chemical agent into the first treatment tank 201 , while the second primary dosing unit 2011b is configured to introduce the pH regulating agent (e.g. soda) into the first treatment tank 201 based on the measurements made by the one or more pH sensors 2012.

[0093] Further, the second dosing system 2021 is represented by a first secondary dosing unit 2021a and a second secondary dosing unit 2021 b. The first secondary dosing unit 2021a is configured to introduce the second chemical agent into second secondary dosing unit 2021b, while the second secondary dosing unit 2021b is configured to receive the second chemical agent and mix it with external water (e.g. fresh water) to introduce the resulting mixture (e.g. a dilution of the second chemical agent in external water) into the second treatment tank 202.

[0094] The second module 2 of Fig. 5 comprises an optional a drainage feedback loop 23 configured to selectively provide a part of the wastewater W of the treatment station 20 and / or of the decantation station 21 to the first module 1 . The drainage feedback loop 23 comprises one or more drain pipes configured to connect the treatment station 20 (e.g. the first treatment tank 201 and / or the second 202 treatment tank) and / or the decanting station 21 (e.g. the decanting tank 210 and / or the optional auxiliary tank 211) to the first module 1 (i.e. directly to the first module 1 or indirectly to the first module 1). In particular, Fig. 5 shows that the drainage feedback loop 23 indirectly provides the drained wastewater W to the first module 1 by providing said drained wastewater W to the waste tank T2 or pool from which the first module 1 receives the wastewater W. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 5, one or more of the drain pipes of the drainage feedback loop 23 are configured to receive a part of the wastewater W from the primary storage unit 2101 and from the secondary storage unit 2103, such that the decanting station 21 is connected to the drainage feedback loop 23 by means of the connections of the primary 2101 and secondary 2103 storage units to the drainage feedback loop 23, this been an optional feature of the water reclamation system.

[0095] Further, Fig. 5 shows the optional feature of having a centrifugal station 22 as part of the second module 2. As shown in Fig. 5, the drainage feedback loop 23 may further comprise one or more drain pipes configured to connect the centrifugal station 22 (e.g. the centrifugal unit 220 and / or the auxiliary reserve tank 221) directly or indirectly to the first module 2.

[0096] Fig. 5 shows a more detailed view of a preferred configuration for the auxiliary dosing system 2211 of any of the preceding embodiments. In particular, the auxiliary dosing system 2211 is represented by a first auxiliary dosing unit 2211a and a second auxiliary dosing unit 2211b. The first auxiliary dosing unit is configured to introduce an antifoam agent into the auxiliary reserve tank 221. The second auxiliary dosing unit 2211 b is configured to introduce an acid into the auxiliary reserve tank 221.

[0097] As previously described, the auxiliary reserve tank 221 may comprise one or more sensors (not shown in Fig. 5) configured to detect and measure the presence of foam and / or to measure the level of acidity (pH) in the wastewater W of the auxiliary reserve tank 221 , such that auxiliary dosing system 2211 (i.e. 2211a and 2211 b) of the auxiliary reserve tank 221 may be configured introduce the antifoam agent and / or the acid based on the measurements made by the one or more sensors of the auxiliary reserve tank 221.

[0098] Further, it is noted that Fig. 5 shows the preferred and optional configuration in which the treated- water tank 4, the textile treatment station T1 , the waste tank T2, and the water reclamation system S are fluidly connected in a closed-loop configuration defining a continuous circulation path for water. As previously described, the water reclamation system S may be configured to circulate water continuously at a predetermined flow rate (e.g. represented by a range between lower and upper values) from the waste tank T2, through the water reclamation system S, to the treated-water tank 4. Furthermore, each of the waste tank T2 and the treated-water tank 4 may have a respective volume capacity selected to allow maintaining the predetermined flow rate of circulation of water through the water reclamation system S. In preferred embodiments, the predetermined flow rate is in the range of 0.25 to 100 m3 / h. Preferably, the centrifugal station 22 may also be configured to operate continuously while the predetermined flow rate is maintained through it (e.g. the centrifugal unit 220 may be configured to operate such that the predetermined flow rate continuously flows through it.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A water reclamation system (S) for treating wastewater (W) of textile treatment proceedings, the system comprising: a first module (1) configured to receive a wastewater (W) provided to the water reclamation system (S), wherein the first module (1) comprises a mechanical filtration system (10) and a dirty water tank (11), wherein the mechanical filtration system (10) comprises one or more filters (101 , 102) configured to remove particles from the wastewater (W) received by the first module, and wherein the dirty water tank (11) is configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the mechanical filtration system (10); a second module (2) comprising a treatment station (20), the treatment station (20) comprising: a first treatment tank (201) configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the dirty water tank (11); and a first dosing system (2011) configured to introduce a first chemical agent into the first treatment tank (201) to treat the wastewater (W), wherein the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant, a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant; and a third module (3) comprising an ozone treatment tank (30) configured to receive the wastewater (W) that has previously been treated in the second module (2), and ozone generating means configured to provide ozone to the ozone treatment tank (30) for treating the wastewater (W) within the ozone treatment tank (30) for obtaining treated water (C).

2. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 1 , wherein the second module (2) further comprises a decanting station (21) comprising a decanting tank (210) having a primary storage unit (2101), wherein the decanting tank (210) is configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the treatment station (20) and to separate solid particles of the wastewater (W) by a process of sedimentation to store the solid particles into the primary storage unit (2101); wherein preferably the decanting station (21) further comprises an auxiliary tank (211) configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the decanting tank (210).

3. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 2, wherein the decanting tank (210) is configured as a lamella tank or as a conical clarifier, the conical tank being preferably configured as a deep cone clarifier.

4. The water reclamation system (S) of claims 2 or 3, wherein the decanting station (21) further comprises one or more primary sensors (2102) configured to determine a filling status of the primary storage unit (2101); wherein the decanting station (21) is configured such that: when the one or more primary sensors (2102) determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit (2101) is below a first predetermined threshold, then the solid particles which have been previously separated from the wastewater (W) by the decanting tank (210) are stored in the primary storage unit (2101); and when the one or more primary sensors (2102) determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit (2101) reaches the first predetermined threshold, then the primary storage unit (2101) stops receiving the solid particles.

5. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 4, wherein the decanting station (21) further comprises: a secondary storage unit (2103) configured to store the solid particles which has been previously separated by the decanting tank (210); and one or more secondary sensors (2104) configured to determine a filling status of the secondary storage unit (2103); wherein the treatment station (21) is configured such that, when the one or more primary sensors (2102) determine that the filling status of the primary storage unit (2101) reaches the first predetermined threshold, then the solid particles which has been previously separated from the wastewater (W) by the decanting tank (210) are stored in the secondary storage unit (2103) as long as the one or more secondary sensors (2104) determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit (2103) are below a second predetermined threshold; wherein preferably the treatment station (21) is further configured such that, when the one or more secondary sensors (2104) determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit (2103) reaches the second predetermined threshold, then the solid particles which has been previously separated from the wastewater (W) by the decanting tank (210) are stored in the primary storage unit (2101) as long as the one or more secondary sensors (2104) determine that the filling status of the secondary storage unit (2103) are below a second predetermined threshold.

6. The water reclamation system (S) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second module (2) further comprises a centrifugal station (22) arranged as a final station of the second module (2), the centrifugal station (22) comprising a centrifugal unit (220) having a rotating chamberconfigured to centrifuge the wastewater (W) before leaving the second module (2) to further remove solid particles from the wastewater (W).

7. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 6, wherein the centrifugal station (22) is configured to operate at a centrifugal speed in the range 500 to 5000 rpm, preferably in the range 1000 to 5000 rpm, and more preferably in the range 1000 to 3000 rpm.

8. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the centrifugal station (22) further comprises a cleaning water pump configured to provide pressurised water, preferably external pressurized fresh water and / or treated water that has been previously treated by the water reclamation system (S), to a rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit (220) for cleaning the centrifugal unit (220).

9. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 8, wherein the centrifugal station (22) is further configured such that, when the centrifugal unit (220) has operated for a predetermined time or has completed a predetermined number of centrifugal cycles, the cleaning water pump is automatically activated to clean the interior of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit.

10. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 8 or 9, wherein the centrifugal station (22) comprises at least one sensor configured to measure vibration of the rotating chamber, wherein the centrifugal station is configure such that, when the at least one sensor measures a vibration of the rotating chamber that is higher than a predetermined vibration range, the cleaning water pump is automatically activated to clean the interior of the rotating chamber of the centrifugal unit.

11. The water reclamation system (S) of any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the centrifugal station (22) further comprises an auxiliary reserve tank (221) configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the centrifugal unit (220), wherein preferably the reserve tank (221) further comprises an auxiliary dosing system (2211) configured to introduce an antifoam agent and / or an acid into the reserve tank (221).

12. The water reclamation system (S) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant, wherein the first dosing system (2011) is configured to measure a concentration of the coagulant in the first treatment tank (201) and is further configured to introduce an amount of the first chemical agent to provide a concentration of the coagulant in thefirst treatment tank (201) within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably within the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably withing the range 25-100 ppm.

13. The water reclamation system (S) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant-flocculant, wherein the first dosing system (2011) is configured to measure a concentration of the coagulant-flocculant in the first treatment tank (201 ) and is further configured to introduce an amount of the first chemical agent to provide a concentration of the coagulant-flocculant in the first treatment tank (201) within the range 25-5000 ppm, preferably within the range 25-1000 ppm and more preferably withing the range 25-100 ppm.

14. The water reclamation system (S) of claim any of the preceding claims, wherein the second module (2) further comprises: a second treatment tank (202) configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the first treatment tank (201); and a second dosing system (2021) configured to introduce a second chemical agent into the second treatment tank (202) to treat the wastewater (W), wherein the second chemical agent is or comprises a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant.

15. The water reclamation system (S) of claim 14, wherein the second chemical agent is or comprises a flocculant, wherein the second dosing system (2021) is configured to measure a concentration of the flocculant in the second treatment tank (202) and is further configured to introduce an amount of the second chemical agent to provide a concentration of the flocculant within the range 15-1000 ppm, preferably within the range 15-200 ppm and more preferably withing the range 15-50 ppm.

16. The water reclamation system (S) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first treatment tank (201) further comprises one or more pH sensors (2012) configured to measure a pH level of the wastewater (W) within the first treatment tank (201), wherein the treatment station (20) is configured to regulate the pH level within the first treatment tank (201) by introducing soda within the first treatment tank (201) by means of the first dosing system (2011) based on the measurements of the one or more pH sensors (2012).

17. The water reclamation system (S) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the system (S) further comprises a filtering module (2’), which is configured to be arranged between the secondmodule (2) and the third module (3), wherein the filtering module (2’) comprises filtration means (20’) configured as a submerged membrane filtration system; wherein preferably: the submerged membrane filtration system has an average pore size of between 0.05 and 0.1 microns; and / or the submerged membrane filtration system comprises PVDF ultrafiltration membranes.

18. The water reclamation system (S) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second module (2) further comprises a drainage feedback loop (23) configured to selectively provide a part of the wastewater (W) of the treatment station (20) and / or of the decantation station (21) to the first module (1).

19. The water reclamation system (S) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ozone generating means configured to provide ozone to the ozone treatment tank (30) at a production rate in the range 100 to 10000 g / h, preferably in the range 500 to 10000 g / h.

20. A textile treatment system (A) comprising: a water reclamation system (S) according to any of the preceding claims; a treated-water tank (4) configured to receive treated water (C) from the water reclamation system (S); a textile treatment station (T1) configured to retrieve treated water (C) from the treated- water tank (4) and further configured to treat textile products using the treated water (C), thereby generating wastewater (W); and a waste tank (T2) configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the textile treatment station (T1): wherein the water reclamation system (S) is configured to receive the wastewater (W) from the waste tank (T2) and to treat the wastewater (W) for obtaining treated water (C).

21. The textile treatment system (A) according to claim 20, wherein: the treated-water tank (4), the textile treatment station (T1), the waste tank (T2), and the water reclamation system (S) are fluidly connected in a closed-loop configuration defining a continuous circulation path for water;the water reclamation system (S) is configured to circulate water continuously at a predetermined flow rate from the waste tank (T2), through the water reclamation system (S), to the treated-water tank (4); and each of the waste tank (T2) and the treated-water tank (4) has a respective volume capacity selected to allow maintaining said predetermined flow rate of circulation of water through the water reclamation system (S); wherein preferably the water reclamation system (S) is configured such that the predetermined flow rate is in the range 0.25 to 100 m3 / h.

22. A method of wastewater reclamation with a textile treatment system (A) according to claim 20 or 21 , the method comprising: directing wastewater (W) from the waste tank (T2) to the first module (1) of the water reclamation system (S); mechanically filtering the wastewater (W) with the mechanical filtration system (10) of the first module (1) to remove particles from the wastewater (W), and then collecting the wastewater (W) from the mechanical filtration system (10) into the dirty water tank (11); transferring the wastewater (W) from the dirty water tank (11) to the first treatment tank (201) of the treatment station (20) of the second module (2) of the water reclamation system (S); controlling the first dosing means to provide a first chemical agent into the first treatment tank (201) for treating the wastewater (W) within the first treatment tank (201), wherein the first chemical agent is or comprises a coagulant, a flocculant or a coagulant-flocculant; transferring the wastewater (W) from the second module (2) into the ozone treatment tank (30) of the third module (3) of the water reclamation system (S); and controlling the ozone generating means of the third module (3) to supply ozone to the ozone treatment tank (30) for treating the wastewater (W) within the ozone treatment tank (30); transferring the treated water (C) into a treated-water tank (4); supplying the treated water (C) from the treated-water tank (4) to the textile treatment station (T1); treating textile products with the textile treatment station (T1) using the treated water (C), thereby generating wastewater (W); and collecting the wastewater (W) generated by the textile treatment station (T1) in the waste tank (T2) for being subsequently directed to the first module (1); wherein preferably the method further comprises controlling the water reclamation system (S) to circulate water continuously at a predetermined flow rate from the waste tank (T2), throughthe water reclamation system (S), to the treated-water tank (4), said predetermined flow rate being preferably in the range 0.25 to 100 m3 / h,.

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