ES1297568U - AUTONOMOUS ELECTROLYSIS AND ELECTRODIALYSIS EQUIPMENT FOR POTABILIZATION OF WATER - Google Patents

Abstract

Autonomous electrolysis and electrodialysis equipment for water purification characterized by comprising: - an initial filtration unit (1), where the water to be treated is filtered; - an electrochemical treatment unit, where the water is conducted after the filtration unit (1) and which, in turn, comprises: - a tank (2), with an anode (3) and a cathode (4) manufactured with an aluminum alloy and connected to a source capable of generating an electric current, and a synthetic semi-permeable membrane (5) impregnated with colloidal ionic resin, - an autonomous electric power source (6), which generates the electric current, - and a container (7) attached to the tank (2) with a sodium chloride solution that feeds said tank (2); - a settling unit (8), where the water arrives after the electrochemical treatment; - a final activated carbon filter (9), through which the water passes at the outlet of the settling unit (8); and - an oxygenation unit (10), where oxygen is injected into the treated water.

Description

DESCRIPTION

AUTONOMOUS ELECTROLYSIS AND ELECTRODIALYSIS EQUIPMENT FOR POTABILIZATION

OF WATER

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the statement of this descriptive memory, refers to an autonomous electrolysis and electrodialysis equipment for water purification that provides, to the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail later. .

The object of the present invention falls on a piece of equipment to carry out a non-drinking water treatment process that includes stages of filtration, electrolysis, electrodialysis, sedimentation and oxygenation, for which said equipment is distinguished by comprising, among other elements, at least one electrochemical unit where the electrolysis and electrodialysis operations are carried out that has an autonomous energy source, preferably based on solar energy, as a power source to generate an electric current that activates the reactions, being connected to an anode and a cathode incorporated in a tank with a sodium chloride solution, for the electrolytic reaction, and in which there is also a semi-permeable membrane impregnated with colloidal ionic resin that, in turn, causes the electrodialysis reaction, allowing drinking water to be obtained at low cost and in any location.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention falls within the industry sector dedicated to the manufacture of equipment for the treatment of non-potable water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem that the present invention solves is that of purification of water with easily accessible technologies for urban and rural populations with socio-economic limitations, since the deficit of access and purification of water is latent in the population of these communities, especially in rural compared to urban, given that these areas have low levels of sanitation and optimal access to drinking water supply. Less than 50% of the rural population in underdeveloped countries have access to such a drinking water supply (WHO & UNICEF, 2007).

Different types of plants and equipment for drinking water treatment are currently known. The most used type, for example in Colombia, is that of "full-cycle plants- that have coagulation, sedimentation, chlorination filtration processes. Disinfection is carried out by chemicals such as Chlorine.

The objective of the present invention is the development of equipment that, as a replacement for chlorine, uses chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant, since chemical chlorine, in addition to the handling and storage risks it entails, is related to the formation of trihalomethanes. which, in turn, are associated with Cancer.

Another objective of the present invention is the development of equipment that is low-cost and suitable for reaching rural populations with a lack of resources for access to said technologies and energy supply, as well as drinking water.

Likewise, it is an objective of the present invention to avoid the problems of contaminated water transforming it into drinking water, removing its contamination in percentages above 90%.

On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least by the applicant, the existence of any other autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, which has technical characteristics, the same or similar to those presented by the one claimed here.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification that the invention proposes is configured as the ideal solution to the aforementioned objectives, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously noted, is equipment for carrying out a non-drinking water treatment process based on the application of filtration, electrolysis, electrodialysis, sedimentation and oxygenation stages, for which said The equipment essentially comprises a filtration unit, an electrochemical treatment unit, a decantation unit and an oxygenation unit, and is distinguished mainly by the fact that the electrochemical treatment unit or electrochemical unit, where the reactions of electrolysis and electrodialysis, comprises an autonomous energy source, preferably a source based on solar energy, as a power source to generate an electric current that causes said chemical reactions, which is connected to an anode and a cathode incorporated in a tank with a sodium chloride solution in which, in addition, the existence of a semi-permeous membrane is expected ble impregnated with colloidal ionic resin.

Thus, in the initial filtration unit, where the water to be treated is delivered, a first stage of filtration of said water is carried out, for which, preferably, this unit comprises at least one activated carbon filter.

Next, the water is conducted to the tank of the electrochemical treatment unit, inside which, submerged in a sodium chloride solution, it incorporates at least one anode, which is preferably an orifice plate made of an aluminum and titanium alloy. , whose holes will be larger or smaller depending on the size of the equipment, and a graphite, aluminum and iron alloy cathode, both being connected to the power source that generates electric current to cause an electrolysis reaction in the water; source that, as has been said, is preferably of the solar type, for example made up of one or more solar panels that are preferably connected to one or more storage batteries, all of which allows a totally autonomous operation of the equipment.

In addition, inside said tank, the inclusion of a synthetic semi-permeable membrane that is impregnated with colloidal ionic resin is also contemplated, to cause an electrodialysis reaction when applying electric current, which membrane is arranged so that it separates the interior of the tank in two parts, a previous one with the anode and the cathode, through which the water to be treated penetrates and in which, under the influence of the electric field, the first electrolysis reaction is generated, and another subsequent one to which the water arrives after passing through the membrane where, under the influence of the electric field, it is generates the electrodialysis reaction, and after which is the water outlet to be conducted to the unit of the next sedimentation stage.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, said membrane is impregnated with a solution of colloidal particles of iron, copper or aluminum filings and, furthermore, it is held or supported by a mesh that holds it in the correct and taut position. inside the tank when water passes through it.

On the other hand, between the settling unit, where the water arrives after the electrochemical treatment to be subjected to the sedimentation stage, where the separation of flocculated sediments is carried out, and the final oxygenation unit, where oxygen is injected into the water. treated, the incorporation of another activated carbon filter is foreseen, in this case a filter made of activated carbon and activated carbon covered with colloidal silver, to guarantee an ultrafiltration, retaining the small particles that were not eliminated in the previous stages. Likewise, said filter can contain other components, such as anthracites, sand and gravel.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that a technician in the field will understand that, taking into account the results and the parameters of the contamination load of the water to be treated, the appropriate voltage and current range will be applied to the electrodes in the electrochemical treatment unit. to achieve optimal results during electrodialysis.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this specification is attached, as an integral part of it, a plan in which, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, has represented the following:

Figure number 1 and only.- Shows a schematic representation of an embodiment example of the autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification object of the invention, appreciating the main parts and elements it comprises.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the described figure 1, and in accordance with the numbering adopted in it, an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification of the invention can be observed, which comprises what is described in detail below.

Thus, as can be seen in said figure, the equipment of the invention essentially comprises the following elements:

- An initial filtration unit (1), where the water to be treated is delivered and filtered.

- An electrochemical treatment unit, where the water is conducted after the filtration unit (1) and which, in turn, includes:

- A tank (2), inside which it incorporates an anode (3) and a cathode (4) made of an aluminum alloy and connected to a source capable of generating an electric current, as well as a synthetic semi-permeable membrane (5) impregnated with colloidal ionic resin,

- An autonomous electrical power source (6), which is what generates the electrical current between the anode (3) and cathode (4),

- and a container (7) attached to the tank (2) that feeds it with a sodium chloride solution, to procure the chemical reaction.

- A decantation unit (8), where the water arrives after the electrochemical treatment to be decanted.

- A final activated carbon filter (9), through which the water passes at the outlet of the settling unit (8) before passing to the oxygenation unit (10).

- And, finally, an oxygenation unit (10) where oxygen is injected into the treated water, resulting in perfectly drinkable water.

In the preferred embodiment, the autonomous electrical power source (6) is a solar power generation system comprising one or more solar panels, which preferably also comprises one or more auxiliary batteries that support said solar panel or panels.

In any case, it is important to point out that, preferably, the anode (3) is made up of one or more perforated plates made of an aluminum and titanium alloy, and that the distance of the perforation is variable, depending on the size of the equipment. in each case.

In addition, preferably, the aluminum and titanium alloy with which said plate or plates that make up the anode (3) is made has a percentage of 30-40% aluminum and 60-70% titanium.

For its part, the cathode (4) is an electrode composed of an alloy of graphite, aluminum and iron. In this case, the alloy with which the cathode (4) is made preferably has percentages of 80-90% graphite, 10-15% aluminum and 10-5% iron.

As for the membrane (5), it is important to note that it is located at the end of the tank (2), after the anode (3) and cathode (4) defining two compartments, a front one with the anode (3) and the cathode ( 4) and a later one, in which the water outlet is located after passing through said membrane and once subjected to electrochemical treatment or electrolysis and electrodialysis processes.

This membrane (5) is impregnated with colloidal ionic resin consisting, preferably, of a solution of colloidal particles of iron, copper or aluminum filings.

Furthermore, preferably, the membrane (5) is supported on a mesh (5a) that can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene or a mixture of these or their derivatives.

On the other hand, it should be noted that, preferably, the final activated carbon filter (9) is made of two materials: one of activated carbon at 30% of its volume and another of activated carbon covered with colloidal silver at 70%. remaining %, said coverage being a maximum of 0.1%.

In turn, the initial filtration unit (1) preferably also comprises at least one initial activated carbon filter.

Finally, it should be noted that, if present, the tank screws (2) of the electrochemical treatment unit for the electrolysis and electrodialysis process are graphite screws, so as not to contaminate the process with the oxide that would be generated using another material.

The table below shows the operating parameters of the electrochemical treatment unit comprising the equipment of the invention.

As an example, the treatment of a sample of domestic wastewater treated with the equipment object of the invention is presented below, although this does not imply restricting its scope.

The physicochemical characteristics of the water to be treated initially and after treatment by means of the equipment of the invention:

The results of the previous example show that the equipment of the invention, which includes means for the filtration, electrolysis, electrodialysis, sedimentation, filtration and oxygenation stages, reduces the chemical contamination of the water with a removal close to 90% of total solids, associated to an increase in the concentration of dissolved oxygen and neutralization of the pH, which shows the significant contribution of the equipment in the treatment to make water drinkable.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims (13)

1 Autonomous electrolysis and electrodialysis equipment for water purification characterized by comprising: - An initial filtration unit (1), where the water to be treated is filtered; - An electrochemical treatment unit, to which the water is conducted after the filtration unit (1) and which, in turn, comprises: - a tank (2), with an anode (3) and a cathode (4) made of an aluminum alloy and connected to a source capable of generating an electric current, and a synthetic semi-permeable membrane (5) impregnated with colloidal ionic resin , - An autonomous electrical power source (6), which generates electrical current, - and a container (7) attached to the tank (2) with a sodium chloride solution that feeds said tank (2); - a settling unit (8), where the water arrives after the electrochemical treatment; - a final activated carbon filter (9), through which the water passes at the outlet of the settling unit (8); and - An oxygenation unit (10), where oxygen is injected into the treated water. 2. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to claim 1, characterized in that the autonomous electrical power source (6) comprises one or more solar panels. 3. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrical power source (6) comprises one or more auxiliary batteries that support the solar panel or panels. 4. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the anode (3) is made up of one or more aluminum and titanium alloy plates, perforated with a distance from the perforation variable, depending on the size of the team. 5. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to claim 4, characterized in that the aluminum and titanium alloy with which the plate or plates that make up the anode (3) is made has a percentage of 30-40% aluminum and 60-70% titanium. 6. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cathode (4) is an electrode composed of an alloy of graphite, aluminum and iron. 7. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to claim 6, characterized in that the alloy with which the cathode (4) is made has percentages of 80-90% graphite, 10-15% aluminum and 10-5% iron. 8. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the membrane (5) is located at the end of the tank (2), after the anode (3) and cathode (4). 9. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to claim 8, characterized in that the membrane (5) is impregnated with colloidal ionic resin. 10. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to claim 9, characterized in that the colloidal ionic resin with which the membrane (5) is impregnated is a solution of colloidal particles of iron, copper or aluminum filings. 11. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the membrane (5) is supported on a mesh (5a) of polyethylene, polypropylene or a mixture of these or their derivatives 12. - Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the final activated carbon filter (9) is made of activated carbon in 30% of its volume and covered activated carbon of colloidal silver in the remaining 70%, said coverage being a maximum of 0.1%. 13. Autonomous electrodialysis and electrolysis equipment for water purification, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the initial filtration unit (1) comprises at least one initial activated carbon filter.