Device for purifying water

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water purification unit comprising a container, said container comprising a water-inlet, a filtering compartment and a water-outlet, the filtering compartment comprising a first filtering element, and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR PURIFYING WATER

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a water purification unit. In particular the present invention relates to a water purification unit being compact and easy to use and maintain.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Impurities in water, like microorganisms, chemicals, pesticides and PFAS have become an increasing problem, and even several water samples are taken and analysed during water purification, only a fraction of the impurities are included in the testing during water purification.

[0006] Hence, large number of impurities are forwarded with the tap water to the consumer or industry which may affect public health and there is a need to remove or reduce the number of impurities from the water.

[0007] Presently various systems and methods are provided to purify water for e.g. personal / private use, ensuring that it is safe and clean for drinking, cooking, and other domestic activities. The need for these purification systems and methods are particularly important in areas where public water supply may be contaminated or unreliable, but also in areas having well-structured and well-organised water purification, since, as mentioned above, only a fraction of the impurities / contaminants are analysed and removed from the water before being distributed to the consumers.

[0008] This inadequate water purification and removal of impurities in water has resulted in people start introducing their own additional water purification system. Some common methods of water purification that are used may include:

[0009] Filtration Systems, including:

[0010] Activated Carbon Filters: These filters are often used for removing chlorine, odours, and organic compounds, improving taste and reducing harmful substances. Ceramic Filters: These are traditionally used to remove bacteria and protozoa from water. Some ceramic filters may be impregnated with silver to enhance bacterial removal.

[0011] Reverse Osmosis (RO) : May be a highly effective method that uses a semi- permeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved salts, heavy metals, and microorganisms.

[0012] Ultrafiltration (UF) : Similar to reverse osmosis but with larger pore sizes, removing bacteria and some viruses while allowing more minerals to remain in the water.

[0013] Disinfection:

[0014] UV Light Purification: Uses ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens without adding chemicals to the water.

[0015] Chlorination: Adding chlorine or chlorine-based compounds to kill pathogens. It's effective but can leave an aftertaste and produce byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs).

[0016] Ozonation: Uses ozone gas to disinfect water. It is effective at killing microorganisms and breaking down organic matter.

[0017] Ion Exchange:

[0018] Used to soften water by replacing calcium and magnesium ions (which cause hardness) with sodium or potassium ions. It can also remove other specific contaminants, like heavy metals.

[0019] Boiling :

[0020] Boiling may be a simple and effective method to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites and is often suggested when water purification has become inadequate. However, it doesn't remove chemical contaminants or heavy metals.

[0021] The challenge with the systems and methods presently available on the market is the distinctive applications for specific impurities and contaminants and use of more systems and applications would increase volume, space requirements and complexity of the combined system. Furthermore, activated carbon is a traditionally used filter for purifying water, however, the presently available systems using activated carbon includes a complex and expensive maintenance since often the entire cartridge comprising the activated carbon is changed and substituted with a new cartridge comprising fresh activated carbon.

[0022] The challenge with this approach is that it leaves a large environmental issue and makes the system and maintenance very expensive.

[0023] Hence, there is a need in the industry for an improved water purification unit and a water purification unit that would be environmentally friendly would be advantageous. In particular, a simpler, cheaper, efficient and reliable water purification unit, as well as a compact water purification unit that has a low space requirement would be advantageous.

[0024] Summary of the invention

[0025] Thus, an object of the present invention relates to a water purification unit being compact, environmental-friendly and which is easy to use and maintain.

[0026] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water purification unit that solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art with space requirements, environment, costs, simplicity, handling problems and effectiveness.

[0027] Thus, one aspect of the invention relates to a water purification unit comprising a container, said container comprising a water-inlet, a filtering compartment and a wateroutlet, the filtering compartment comprising a first filtering element, and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a reusable cassette provided with a cassette-water inlet, a cassette-water outlet and a cassette-cavity, wherein the cassettecavity is configured to comprise an adsorbent.

[0029] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a pre-packet sachet comprising an adsorbent, wherein the pre-packet sachet is configured to a cassette cavity located between a cassette-water inlet and a cassette-water outlet.

[0030] The present invention will now be described in more detail in the following. Brief description of the figures

[0031] Figure 1 shows a water purification unit (1) according to the present invention comprising a container (2) and a lid (11), said container (2) comprising a water-inlet (3), a filtering compartment (4) and a water-outlet (5), the filtering compartment (4) comprising a first filtering element (6), a second filtering element (7) and a third filtering element (8), and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette (9) comprising an adsorbent (10). The first filtering element (6), the second filtering element (7) and the third filtering element (8) may be individually reusable from each other.

[0032] Detailed description of the invention

[0033] Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention surprisingly found that by constructing the water purification unit with a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent as described herein it is possible for the consumer to empty and refill the reusable cassette with fresh adsorbent or it is possible for the consumer to clean the adsorbent to continuously reuse the adsorbent in the reusable cassette rather that replacing the adsorbent with fresh adsorbent. This reduces costs and waste and the water purification unit, the container and the cassette can be reused again and again.

[0034] A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a water purification unit comprising a container, said container comprising a water-inlet, a filtering compartment and a water-outlet, the filtering compartment comprising a first filtering element, and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention the reusable cassette may preferably be used / reused by the consumer. This means that the consumer may replace the adsorbent in the reusable cassette, or regenerate, e.g. by washing or cleaning, the adsorbent.

[0036] In practice the consumer may: remove the reusable cassette from the container of the water purification unit, replacing the adsorbent with fresh / new adsorbent, or regenerating the adsorbent and returning the regenerating adsorbent to the reusable cassette, and reinserting the reusable cassette into the water purification unit. The term "reusable" may relate to continued application of the reusable cassette according to the present invention after one or more of the adsorbent has been changed or cleaned.

[0037] The container may be provided with a reusable lid which may be used to open the container to allow removal or instalment of the reusable cassette.

[0038] The lid may be provided with a thread that may interact with a corresponding thread on the container which may interact with each other to close the container.

[0039] Alternatively, the lid and the container may be closed together by a hook fastener, or a hook and eye fastener, or the like. The hook fastener may be a simple closure device comprising the following two main parts:

[0040] Hook part: A small, curved piece of metal or plastic that catches or latches onto the corresponding part. Preferably, the hook part may be placed on the lid.

[0041] Eye part: A small loop or ring that the hook fits into to create a secure closure. Preferably, the eye part may be placed on the container.

[0042] Preferably, the container and lid may be provided with one or more hook fastener, such as two or more hook fastener.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention the water-inlet and / or the water outlet may be placed in the lid of the water purification unit.

[0044] The adsorbent may be a material capable of binding or capturing an adsorbate from water. During use, the adsorbate may adhere to the surface of the adsorbent.

[0045] Preferably, the adsorbate comprises virus, microorganisms, organic compounds and / or chemical compounds. Preferably, the adsorbate may comprise organic compounds and / or chemical compounds.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention the adsorbent comprises an adsorbent material selected from the group consisting of an activated carbon, a silica gel, kaolin, clay, a zeolite compound, a chromatographic resin, and a combination hereof.

[0047] Preferably, the adsorbent comprises activated carbon. In an embodiment of the present invention the activated carbon may be obtained from peanut shells, wood, coconuts, vegetable waste, oil bitumen, lignite, peat, fossil coal, or a combination hereof. Preferably, the activated carbon may be obtained from coconuts.

[0048] Preferably, the adsorbent of the present invention may comprise activated carbon in combination with one or more of a silica gel, kaolin, clay, a zeolite compound, and / or a chromatographic resin. Preferably, the adsorbent may comprise activated carbon in combination with a chromatographic resin.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention the adsorbent consists essentially of activated carbon in combination with a chromatographic resin.

[0050] Preferably, the adsorbent consists essentially of activated carbon.

[0051] In the context of the present invention, the term "consists essentially of", relates to a limitation of the scope of a claim to the specified features or steps and those features or steps, not mentioned and that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention.

[0052] The activated carbon may be provided as granulated activated carbon (GAC), micronized granulated activated carbon (pGAC), as powdered activated carbon (PAC), or a combination hereof.

[0053] The carbon may be activated by processing (activating) the carbon to have small, low- volume pores that greatly increase the surface area of the carbon to be available for adsorption or chemical reactions. The activated carbon may comprise a microscopic "sponge"-like structure allowing the atoms or molecules to adhere to the surface of the activated carbon.

[0054] Preferably, the activated carbon may be provided as powdered activated carbon (PAC).

[0055] Preferably, the PAC (powered activated carbon) may comprise particles having an average particles size less than 0.03 mm, such as less than 0.02 mm, e.g. less than 0.01 mm, such as less than 0.008 mm, e.g. less than 0.005 mm, such as less than 0.001 mm, e.g. in the range of 0.03-0.001 mm, such as in the range of 0.02-0.01 mm.

[0056] The granular activated carbon (GAC) and the micronized granulated activated carbon (pGAC) may both have a larger particle size compared to powdered activated carbon (PAC) and may also comprise a highly porous structure providing a large surface area for absorption.

[0057] Preferably, the pGAC (micronized granulated activated carbon) may comprise particles having an average particles size in the range of 0.03-0.08 mm, such as in the range of 0.04-0.07 mm, e.g. in the range of 0.05-0.06 mm.

[0058] Preferable the GAC (granulated activated carbon) may comprise an average particle size above 0.8 mm, such as above 0.9 mm, e.g. above 1.0 mm, such as above 1.1 mm, e.g. above 1.2 mm, such as above 1.5 mm, e.g. above 2.0 mm, such as above 3,0 mm, e.g. above 5.0 mm, such as above 7,5 mm, e.g. above 10.0 mm, such as above 12,5 mm, e.g. above 15.0 mm, such as above 17,5 mm, e.g. above 20.0 mm, such as in the range of 0.8-20 mm, e.g. in the range of 0.9-10 mm, such as in the range of 1.0-3 mm, e.g. in the range of 1.1-1.2 mm.

[0059] The average particles size according to the present invention may be determined by sieving.

[0060] The adsorbent may also be supplemented with one or more anti-microbial substances to reduce potential microbial growth in the first filtering element.

[0061] The specific combination of adsorbent materials in the adsorbent may depend on the intended application of the water purification unit according to the present invention and the water to be purified.

[0062] The water purification unit according to the present invention may be designed for various purposes, such purposes may include purification of tap water, lake water, river water, ground water, well water, or the like.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present invention the water purification unit may be a tap-water purification unit.

[0064] Tap water is the water that comes directly from a faucet or tap, typically supplied to homes and businesses through a public or private water supply system. It is usually treated and purified to make it safe for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and other household uses. Tap water may originates from natural sources like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or underground aquifers. The water is collected, treated, and then distributed through a network of pipes.

[0065] Before the tap water is supplied to homes or business, the water may undergo various treatment processes to remove contaminants, pathogens, and impurities. Common treatments include filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection (often with chlorine or chloramine).

[0066] Generally, the quality of tap water may be regulated by governmental agencies (like the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. or the European Union in Europe) to ensure it meets safety standards. These regulations govern the levels of contaminants that are permissible in tap water. However, one a small amount of the contaminants present in the water supplied as tap water are analysed, resulting in large amounts of non-analysed contaminants remain in the tap water when supplied.

[0067] The present invention may preferably remove large amounts of these contaminants before used by the consumer.

[0068] Tap water according to the present invention may be used for drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and irrigation. In most developed countries, tap water is safe to drink directly, though in some places, it is traditionally that additional filtration or boiling may be recommended due to local contamination issues, the water purification unit according to the present invention is highly suitable for this purpose.

[0069] The water purification unit according to the present invention may, in particular when used for tap water, be installed: at the house-water inlet before the stream is split into heated and cold water and / or at the cold water pipe after the split into heated and cold water; and / or at one or more cold water pipes just before the usage-water outlet.

[0070] In the present context the term "just before" may relate to a distance from the usagewater outlet of 5 meters or less, e.g. 4 meters or less, such as 3 meters or less, e.g. 2 meters or less, such as 1.5 meters or less, e.g. 1 meter or less.

[0071] The distance may be determined by the pipe length from the water purification unit and the usage-water outlet. The usage-water outlet may preferably be where the water pipe is connected to e.g. a faucet or a water using device.

[0072] The water purification unit may preferably be placed below the faucet, preferably below the sink, and / or on the pipe before the connecting to one or more water using device.

[0073] The water using device may be a coffee machine, a quooker device, a sparkling water machine, a water dispenser or the like.

[0074] The reusable cassette may comprise a cassette-water inlet and a cassette-water outlet, where the cassette-water inlet allow water to flow from the water-inlet to the first filtering element and the cassette-water outlet allow water to flow from the first filtering element to the water outlet.

[0075] The reusable cassette may be provided with a cassette cavity located between the cassette-water inlet and the cassette-water outlet. The cassette-cavity may comprise the adsorbent.

[0076] A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a reusable cassette provided with a cassette-water inlet, a cassette-water outlet and a cassette-cavity, wherein the cassette-cavity is configured to comprise an adsorbent.

[0077] The reusable cassette may be provided with a cassette-lid that may be removed or opened from the reusable cassette when the adsorbent needs to be replaced or if it needs to be cleaned.

[0078] In an embodiment of the present invention the reusable cassette may comprise a fourth semi-permeable membrane. Preferably, the fourth semi-permeable membrane may be provided at the cassette-water inlet and / or at the cassette-water outlet, preferably, at the cassette-water outlet.

[0079] Preferably, the adsorbent provided in the cassette-cavity of the reusable cassette may be a pre-packet sachet, preferably a pre-packet sachet according to the present invention.

[0080] A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a pre-packet sachet comprising an adsorbent, wherein the pre-packet sachet is configured to a cassette cavity located between a cassette-water inlet and a cassette-water outlet. The adsorbent may be provided in a pre-packed sachet, or the adsorbent may be provided as a powdered adsorbent which may be dosed and added to the cassette cavity.

[0081] Preferably, the pre-packed sachet may be configured to fit into the cassette cavity,

[0082] The sachet may be provided by a first semi-permeable membrane allowing water to penetrate and keeping the adsorbent in place.

[0083] The porosity of the first semi-permeable membrane may depend on the adsorbent used and the particle size of the adsorbent. Preferably, the porosity of the semipermeable membrane may be lower than the mean particle size of the adsorbent. In an embodiment of the present invention the porosity of the first semi-permeable membrane may be at most 50% of the mean particle size of the adsorbent, such as at most 25%, e.g. at most 10%, e.g. at most 5%, such as at most 2%, e.g. at most 1%, such as at most 0.5%, e.g. at most 0.1%, such as at most 0.05%, e.g. at most 0.01%, such as at most 0.001% of the mean particle size of the adsorbent.

[0084] The first semi-permeable membrane may be provided as a filter paper, a metal membrane, a plastic membrane, a ceramic membrane (e.g. a silicon carbide membrane, SiC-membrane), a fibre activated carbon (FAC) or a combination hereof.

[0085] The first semi-permeable paper may provide a barrier ensuring that the adsorbent is maintained in the reusable cassette according to the present invention.

[0086] The filter paper according to the present invention may be prepared from different types of paper pulps. The pulp may be made from softwood, hardwood, fibre crops, or mineral fibres.

[0087] The adsorbent may be provided to the reusable cassette as a particulate adsorbent (powdered, agglomerated or granulated adsorbent) which may be dosed and added to the cassette cavity as a free-flowing material. In this case a fourth semi-permeable membrane may be provided at the inlet of the first filtering element and / or at the outlet of the first filtering element. The fourth semi-permeable membrane used at the inlet of the first filtering element may be the same or may be different from fourth semi-permeable membrane used at the outlet of the first filtering element.

[0088] The fourth semi-permeable membrane may be as described above for the first semipermeable membrane. The purpose of the fourth semi-permeable membrane may be to retain the particulate adsorbent in the first filtering element, and / or to ensure that undesirable microbials are transferred to the first filtering element or from the first filtering element to the consumer obtaining the cleaned water from the water-outlet.

[0089] The effectivity of the adsorbent in capturing and / or binding impurities from the water may decrease over time, as more and more binding sites on the adsorbent gets occupied. When this happens, the adsorbent may preferably be removed and either regenerated or discarded.

[0090] Discarded adsorbent may be burnt.

[0091] Adsorbent may be regenerated by chemical regeneration, e.g. by washing or flushing the adsorbent with salt water, chlorinated water, chemical waters, organic acids, alkaline compounds (like NaOH solutions), or the like; by thermal regeneration; or a combination of chemical regeneration and thermal regeneration.

[0092] In an embodiment of the present invention the water purification unit may further comprise a second filtering element. The second filtering element may be placed in the filtering compartment.

[0093] Preferably, the filtering compartment may comprise a second filtering element, and the second filtering element may be placed in the filtering compartment of the container.

[0094] The water purification unit according to the present invention may comprise a container, said container comprising a water-inlet, a filtering compartment and a water-outlet, the filtering compartment comprising a first filtering element and a second filtering element, and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element and the second filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent.

[0095] The second filtering element may be placed in the filtering compartment of the container. The second filtering element may be placed between the water-inlet and the first filtering element.

[0096] The second filtering element may be provided with an internal hollow cavity. The internal hollow cavity comprises at least one opening. Preferably, the first filtering element may be placed or connected to the at least one opening of the second filtering element. Preferably, a cassette-water inlet of the first filtering element may be placed or connected to the at least one opening of the second filtering element.

[0097] The second filtering element may preferably be in contact with the first filtering element.

[0098] Preferably, the cassette-water inlet may be located in the internal hollow cavity of the second filtering element or in an opening of the internal hollow cavity of the second filtering element.

[0099] The water-inlet may be in fluid connection with the second filtering element, and the second filtering element may be in fluid connection with the first filtering element.

[0100] Preferably, the water-inlet may be in fluid connection with the second filtering element, and the second filtering element may be in fluid connection with the first filtering element and the first filtering element may be in fluid connection with the water-outlet.

[0101] The second filtering element may comprise a second semi-permeable membrane allowing water to penetrate, and filtering solids present in the water before reaching first filtering element.

[0102] The porosity of the second semi-permeable membrane may depend on the application and / or the water to be purified.

[0103] Preferably, the porosity of the second semi-permeable membrane may be a microfiltration membrane.

[0104] The second semi-permeable membrane may be defined by the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the membrane used. In an embodiment of the present invention the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the membrane used in the second semi-permeable membrane may be above 1000 Da, e.g. above 5000 Da, such as above 10.000 Da, e.g. above 25.000 Da, such as above 50.000 Da, e.g. above 50.000 Da, such as above 75.000 Da, e.g. above 100.000 Da, such as in the range of 1000-500.000 Da, e.g. in the range of 25.000- 400.000 Da, such as in the range of 50.000-300.000 Da, e.g. in the range of 75-200.000 Da, such as in the range of 100.000-150.000 Da.

[0105] The second semi-permeable membrane may be defined by the pore size of the membrane used. Preferably, the pore size of the membrane used in the second semi-permeable membrane may be in the range of 0.01-15 pm, such as in the range of 0.1-10 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.5-7.5 pm, such as in the range of 0.75-5.0 pm, e.g. in the range of 1.0-4.0 pm, such as in the range of 2.0-3.0 pm, e.g. about 2.5 pm.

[0106] The second semi-permeable membrane may be provided as a filter paper, a metal membrane, a plastic membrane, a ceramic membrane (e.g. a silicon carbide membrane, SiC-membrane), a fibre activated carbon (FAC), cotton, polypropylene or a combination hereof.

[0107] The filter paper according to the present invention may be as described previously.

[0108] The second semi-permeable membrane may preferably remove impurities selected from sand, limestone, rust, ochre, ferric oxides, bacteria or the like.

[0109] The water purification unit according to the present invention may preferably also comprise a third filtering element.

[0110] In an embodiment of the present invention the filtering compartment comprises a third filtering element.

[0111] The water purification unit according to the present invention may comprise a container, said container comprising a water-inlet, a filtering compartment and a water-outlet, the filtering compartment comprising a first filtering element and a third filtering element, and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element and the third filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent.

[0112] The third filtering element may be placed in the filtering compartment of the container. The third filtering element may be placed between the water-inlet and the first filtering element.

[0113] The third filtering element may be provided in the internal hollow cavity between the first filtering element and the second filtering element.

[0114] The third filtering element may preferably be in contact with the first filtering element. Preferably, the third filtering element may be held by the first filtering element, preferably by the cassette of the first filtering element.

[0115] Preferably, the third filtering element may be placed upstream from the cassette-water inlet. The third filtering element may be located in the internal hollow cavity of the second filtering element.

[0116] Preferably, the third filtering element may be placed upstream from the cassette-water inlet and the third filtering element may be located in the internal hollow cavity of the second filtering element.

[0117] Preferably, the water-inlet may be in fluid connection with the third filtering element, and the third filtering element may be in fluid connection with the first filtering element and the first filtering element may be in fluid connection with the water-outlet.

[0118] The third filtering element may comprise a third semi-permeable membrane allowing water to penetrate, and filtering solids present in the water before reaching first filtering element.

[0119] The porosity of the third semi-permeable membrane may depend on the application and / or the water to be purified.

[0120] Preferably, the porosity of the third semi-permeable membrane may be an ultrafiltration membrane or a nanofiltration membrane.

[0121] The third semi-permeable membrane may be defined by the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the membrane used. In an embodiment of the present invention the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the membrane used in the third semi-permeable membrane may be in the range of 50-100.000 Da, e.g. in the range of 75-75.000 Da, such as in the range of 100-50.000 Da, e.g. in the range of 125-25.000 Da, such as in the range of 150-10.000 Da, e.g. in the range of 200-5.000 Da, such as in the range of 300-2.500 Da, e.g. in the range of 400-1.500 Da, such as in the range of 500-1.000 Da.

[0122] The third semi-permeable membrane may be defined by the pore size of the membrane used. Preferably, the pore size of the membrane used in the third semi-permeable membrane may be in the range of 0.0001-0.4 pm, such as in the range of 0.0005-0.3 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.001-0.2 pm, such as in the range of 0.005-0.1 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.01-0.075 pm, such as in the range of 0.025-0.05 pm.

[0123] The third semi-permeable membrane may be provided as a filter paper, a metal membrane, a plastic membrane, a ceramic membrane (e.g. a silicon carbide membrane, SiC-membrane) or a combination hereof. The filter paper according to the present invention may be as described previously.

[0124] In an embodiment of the present invention the third filtering element and / or the third semi-permeable membrane may be a hollow fibre filter.

[0125] The third filtering element may allow water to penetrate. Preferably, the third filtering element may allow water to penetrate and remove one or more impurities selected from virus, bacteria, microplastic, pesticides, and long PFAS chains, or the like.

[0126] In the present context the term "long PFAS chains" may relate to PFAS molecules having 8 or more carbon atoms in their molecular structure.

[0127] In an embodiment of the present invention the filtering compartment comprises a second filtering element and a third filtering element.

[0128] Preferably, the filtering compartment comprises a first filtering element. More preferably the filtering compartment comprises a first filtering element and a second filtering element. Event more preferably, the filtering compartment comprises a first filtering element, a second filtering element, and a third filtering element.

[0129] Preferably, the water purification unit according to the present invention may comprise a container, said container comprising a water-inlet, a filtering compartment and a wateroutlet, the filtering compartment comprising a first filtering element, a second filtering element and a third filtering element, and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent.

[0130] The water-inlet may be in fluid connection with the second filtering element, and the second filtering element may be in fluid connection with the third filtering element, and the third filtering element may be in fluid connection with the first filtering element and the first filtering element may be in fluid connection with the water-outlet.

[0131] The first filtering element may be different from the second and the third filtering element. The second filtering element may be different from the third filtering element.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present invention the first filtering element, the second filtering element and the third filtering element may be in serial fluid connection going from the water-inlet to the second filtering element to the third filtering element to the first filtering element and to the water-outlet.

[0133] Preferably, the pore size of a membrane used in the second filtering element may be in the range of 0.1-15 pm, such as in the range of 0.01-15 pm, such as in the range of 0.1-10 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.5-7.5 pm, such as in the range of 0.75-5.0 pm, e.g. in the range of 1.0-4.0 pm, such as in the range of 2.0-3.0 pm, e.g. about 2.5 pm, and wherein the pore size of a membrane used in the third filtering element may be in the range of 0.0001- 0.4 pm, such as in the range of 0.0005-0.3 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.001-0.2 pm, such as in the range of 0.005-0.1 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.01-0.075 pm, such as in the range of 0.025-0.05 pm.

[0134] In an embodiment of the present invention the first filtering element may comprise attachment means for attaching the third filtering element to the first filtering element.

[0135] The third filtering element may comprise an outer circumference (e.g. diameter) that is slightly smaller than the inner circumference surrounding the cassette-water inlet of the first filtering element. During assembling the third filtering element may slide into the first filtering element, creating a fluid connection between the third filtering element and the cassette-water inlet.

[0136] The third filtering element may be subjected to repeating assembling and / or disassembling to / from the first filtering element. This repeating assembling and / or disassembling may be necessary when the adsorbent needs to be replaced or regenerated.

[0137] Preferably, the attachment between the first filtering element and the third filtering element may be sealed.

[0138] In an embodiment of the present invention the first filtering element may comprise attachment means for attaching the second filtering element to the first filtering element. The second filtering element may comprise and inner circumference (e.g. diameter) that is slightly larger than the outer circumference of the first filtering element and the third filtering element may slide around the first filtering element, creating a hollow cavity being in fluid connection with the cassette-water inlet, and enclosing the third filtering element.

[0139] In an embodiment of the present invention the first filtering element comprises attachment means for attaching the second filtering element and the first filtering element comprises attachment means for attaching the third filtering element. In an embodiment of the present invention water purification unit according to the present invention may be a 2-in-l water purification unit (comprising two filtering elements).

[0140] In another embodiment of the present invention water purification unit according to the present invention may be a 3-in-l water purification unit (comprising three filtering elements).

[0141] The water purification unit according to the present invention may be provided as a mobile unit or a stationary unit.

[0142] When the water purification unit according to the present invention may be provided as a stationary unit, the lid or the container may be attached to a stationary object, e.g. a wall, a floor or a cupboard. Preferably, the lid of a stationary unit is attached to a wall or a cupboard.

[0143] In an embodiment of the present invention the water purification unit according to the present invention may be provided as a mobile unit.

[0144] The mobile unit may be provided with a pump, either an electrically driven pump or a manually driven pump.

[0145] A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a system comprising a water purification unit according to the present invention and a pump, wherein the pump is configured to move water from the water-inlet to the water-outlet of the water purification unit.

[0146] Preferably, the capacity of the container may be 40 litre or less, e.g. 35 litres or less, 30 litre or less, e.g. 25 litres or less, such as 20 litre or less, e.g. 16 litres or less, such as 12 litres or less, e.g. 10 litre or less, such as 9 litres or less, e.g. 8 litres or less, such as 7 litres or less, e.g. 6 litres or less, such as 5 litres or less, e.g. 4 litres or less, such as 3 litres or less, e.g. 2 litres or less, such as 1 litres or less, e.g. 0.5 litres or less.

[0147] Preferably, the capacity of the container may be in the range of 0.5-40 litre, e.g. in the range of 1-30 litres, such as in the range of 2-20 litre, e.g. in the range of 3-15 litres, such as in the range of 4-12 litre, e.g. in the range of 5-10 litres, such as in the range of 6-8 litres, e.g. about 7 litres.

[0148] The capacity of the container may be determined by the capacity of the volume of the filtering compartment. Traditionally, the water purification units are placed on a side stream of part of the water flow. The water purification unit according to the present invention may preferably be placed on the full / entire water stream (e.g. without using a separate by-pass).

[0149] In an embodiment of the present invention the water flow rate provided in the water filtration unit may be in the range of 0.01-1.0 m3 / h, such as in the range of 0.05-0.9 m3 / h, e.g. in the range of 0.1-0.8 m3 / h, such as in the range of 0.2-0.7 m3 / h, e.g. in the range of 0.3-0.75 m3 / h, such as in the range of 0.4-0.7 m3 / h, e.g. in the range of 0.45-0.65 m3 / h, such as in the range of 0.5-0.6 m3 / h

[0150] The water flow provided in the water filtration unit may be with a pressure of 1-15 bar, such as in the range of 2-12 bar, e.g. in the range of 3-10 bar, such as in the range of 4-8 bar, e.g. in the range of 5-7 bar, such as about 6 bar.

[0151] The water-inlet and / or the water-outlet may be provided with a valve. Preferably, the valve may be a ball valve, e.g. a ballofix ball valve, or a seat valve.

[0152] In an embodiment of the present invention the water-inlet and / or the water outlet may be placed in the lid of the water purification unit and the water-inlet and / or the water-outlet may be provided with a valve. Preferably, this valve may be a ball valve, e.g. a ballofix ball valve, or a seat valve.

[0153] The container may be provided with a drain that allows water to be transferred from the filtering compartment of the water purification unit of the present invention to the outside before opening the lid of the water purification unit.

[0154] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water purification unit according to the present invention may be reused by the consumer.

[0155] The term "reused by the consumer" relates to continued application of the water purification unit according to the present invention after one or more of the filtering units has been changed or cleaned.

[0156] It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

[0157] All patent and non-patent references cited in the present application, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The invention will now be described in further details in the following non-limiting examples.

[0158] References

[0159] 1: a water purification unit

[0160] 2: a container

[0161] 3: a water-inlet 4: a filtering compartment

[0162] 5: a water-outlet

[0163] 6: a first filtering element

[0164] 7: a second filtering element

[0165] 8: a third filtering element 9: a reusable cassette

[0166] 10: an adsorbent

[0167] 11: a lid

Claims

Claims1. A water purification unit comprising a container, said container comprising a water-inlet, a filtering compartment and a water-outlet, the filtering compartment comprising a first filtering element, and the water-inlet being in fluid connection with the first filtering element, wherein the first filtering element is provided in a reusable cassette comprising an adsorbent.

2. The water purification unit according to claim 1, wherein the adsorbent comprises an adsorbent material selected from the group consisting of an activated carbon, a silica gel, kaolin, clay, a zeolite compound, a chromatographic resin, and a combination hereof.

3. The water purification unit according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the adsorbent comprises activated carbon.

4. The water purification unit wherein the water purification unit is a tap-water purification unit.

5. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 1-4, wherein the filtering compartment comprises a second filtering element.

6. The water purification unit according to claim 5, wherein the second filtering element is provided with an internal hollow cavity comprising at least one opening, wherein the first filtering element is placed or connected to the at least one opening of the second filtering element.

7. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 1-6, wherein the filtering compartment comprises a third filtering element.

8. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 1-7, wherein the filtering compartment comprises a second filtering element and a third filtering element.

9. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 1-8, wherein the pore size of a membrane used in the second filtering element is in the range of 0.1-15 pm, such as in the range of 0.01-15 pm, such as in the range of 0.1-10 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.5-7.5 pm, such as in the range of 0.75-5.0 pm, e.g. in the range of 1.0-4.0 pm, such as in the range of 2.0-3.0 pm, e.g. about 2.5 pm, and wherein the pore size of a membrane used in the third filtering element may be in the range of 0.0001-0.4 pm, such as in the range of0.0005-0.3 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.001-0.2 pm, such as in the range of 0.005-0.1 pm, e.g. in the range of 0.01-0.075 pm, such as in the range of 0.025-0.05 pm.

10. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 7-9, the third filtering element is in contact with the first filtering element, preferably, the third filtering element is held by the first filtering element, preferably by the cassette of the first filtering element.

11. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 7-9, wherein the third filtering element is provided in an internal hollow cavity between the first filtering element and the second filtering element.

12. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 8-11, wherein the water-inlet may be in fluid connection with the second filtering element, and the second filtering element may be in fluid connection with the third filtering element, and the third filtering element may be in fluid connection with the first filtering element and the first filtering element may be in fluid connection with the water-outlet.

13. The water purification unit according to anyone of claims 1-12, wherein the capacity of the container is in the range of 0.5-40 litre.

14. A reusable cassette provided with a cassette-water inlet, a cassette-water outlet and a cassette-cavity, wherein the cassette-cavity is configured to comprise an adsorbent.

15. A pre-packet sachet comprising an adsorbent, wherein the pre-packet sachet is configured to a cassette cavity located between a cassette-water inlet and a cassettewater outlet.

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