RS59318B1 - Closed sanitary water system - Google Patents

Abstract

Closed sanitary water system for installation in buildings and vehicles where water and energy savings are to be achieved. The system comprises at least one shower tray (7) with a coarse filter and a corresponding shower head (6), as well as at least one washbasin (17) with a coarse filter and a corresponding faucet (16) with a sensor (26). The system includes two subsystems: hydraulic subsystem and control subsystem. The hydraulic subsystem comprises a tank (11) with a valve (10) connected to the dispenser (9) into which the pipeline (8) from the bathtub (7) flows directly and indirectly through it the pipeline (19) from the sink (17) which is connected to the two pipes with a valve (5a) connected to the discharge pump (1) which is further connected by a discharge pipe (2) to a three-stage filter (3), then to a chamber (4) with ultraviolet radiation and a heater (18) which is via a three-way valve (15) it is connected to the sink tap (16) (17) by a pipeline (14) or is connected to the valve (5) via a three-way valve (15) and to the shower head (6) via it. One outlet from the valve (5) is connected to the dispenser (9) by a pipeline (13). The control system includes a control unit (21) with a sound and light signal to which other elements of the control system are directly connected: temperature selection unit (22), shower encoder (23), shower encoder (7), minimum encoders (25, 24) and the maximum level in the dispenser (9), as a sensor (26) of the tap (16) of the sink (17), and a pressure sensor (27).

Description

Technical field to which the invention relates

Broadly speaking, the invention relates to ecology, because the application of the invention enables savings in the consumption of sanitary water and energy savings. More specifically, the invention relates to a system in which sanitary water is circulated from use to purification to a certain degree and then reused as sanitary water. In order for the aforementioned to be completely clear, the terms sanitary water and purification should be specified. The explanation of these terms is not only related to the present invention but is provided as it is used by those skilled in the art. Sanitary water is water that is primarily used for bathing and washing. Sanitary water is not used for drinking. Purification of sanitary water represents purification to a certain degree, i.e. it does not represent the purification of used sanitary water to the degree that it can be used as drinking water, but to the degree that it can be used again as sanitary water. In this way, it is possible to realize a closed system of water use - purification - reuse of water.

For a better understanding of the invention, the meanings of the already domesticated expressions "grey water", i.e. sanitary water used for washing and bathing, so the invention relates to the purification of gray water in a closed system. Experts in this field also use the term "black water" which, unlike gray water, also contains the remains of feces and the invention does not apply to the field of black water purification.

According to MKP, the invention can be marked with the classification symbol C02F 1/32, which refers to the purification of waste water with ultraviolet light. According to the IPC, the invention can also be marked with the classification symbol E03B 3/00, which refers to the production and collection of running water.

A technical problem that is solved by an invention

The technical problem solved by the invention can be defined in the following way: how to construct a closed system for sanitary water in which sanitary water is used for showering and washing or so-called. gray water is purified again to the degree of purity of sanitary water and reused, i.e. in other words, it circulates in the system, while at the same time the system is compact, simple, reliable and can be used in different places: in work and living facilities, vehicles, etc. The subject invention solves the problem of water supply, especially in urban and rural areas where there is not enough water available, by drastically reducing the consumption of sanitary water, and thus brings significant economic savings.

State of the art

As a state of the art in relation to the subject matter, the invention can be considered a typical system for using drinking or sanitary water for washing and showering. With such a system, consumption is significantly higher for the same number of washes and showers than with the proposed system, because the temperature is set simultaneously with the water flow, while here the temperature is selected before the water is turned on, as well as because when washing and washing hands, the water only leaks when the hands are in front of the sensor, and the water from the shower head only leaks when the user is in the shower. On the other hand, with existing systems, water is drained into the sewers, which is a significant environmental and economic burden. Here, the water is purified for reuse in the very facility where it circulates. Such a concept is also called the concept of using gray water.

In the state of the art, there are solutions for the use of gray water, where the water is purified completely or partially and reused in the same place.

One such solution is described in the patent document DE 10207162 A1, in which waste water does not come only from showering and washing, so unlike the system according to the subject invention, the system from the aforementioned document includes complex devices for separating gray and black water, where the black water is discharged into the sewer, and the gray water is purified again.

In the state of the art, the solution from document EP 1529136 V1 is also known, in which there is a valve with a sensor that detects and differentiates between gray and black water, and in the case of gray water, the valve directs the water to purification, and in the case of black water to the sewer. This solution differs from the subject invention in that, according to the subject invention, the system in which black water occurs is separated from the system for which protection is requested.

In patent document US 5,317,766, a solution is described in which gray water is collected for use in toilet flushing, which is obviously different from the subject invention. Similarly, according to document US 6,132,138 gray water is collected to maintain a constant humidity in the foundations of the building and for irrigation, which is also clearly different from the subject invention. US 6,355,160 is cited as another example of gray water collection, in which gray water is collected and purified for flushing and flushing the toilet bowl.

US 8,521,335 describes a sensor system for various gray water parameters and a control unit that tests whether the gray water is suitable for irrigation and manages its use. In contrast, the system according to the invention relies on the known parameters of the filter and UV purification and does not examine the gray water parameters (except temperature) with sensors.

From the above, it can be seen that the invention in question differs from solutions from the state of the art.

Brief description of the essence of the invention

A closed sanitary water system is a system in which the water for washing and bathing after use does not flow into the sewer, but is purified in a three-stage filter and a chamber with ultraviolet radiation and reused for washing and bathing. The system adequately provides for the replenishment of small amounts of water that are lost through evaporation and remaining on the user's body, and also provides for energy savings. Energy saving in the system is achieved in a number of ways: appropriate insulating linings, using used water to heat the water in the dispenser and letting the water run out only after reaching the desired temperature. A shower and a sink are provided as places for showering and washing. The water from the shower and sink is, roughly speaking, returned to the dispenser, and then pushed from the dispenser through the purification elements for reuse. A more detailed description is given below.

As mentioned, the system includes a shower tub above which a shower head is placed and a sink with a sink faucet. From these elements of the system, the implementation of the system can be seen, ie. closed sanitary water system is used for washing, washing hands and showering with sanitary water. The system can be divided into two subsystems, i.e. hydraulic subsystem or installation and control subsystem. The hydraulic subsystem includes a water pump that is connected to a three-stage water filter via a pressure pipeline. The three-stage water filter is then piped to a flow chamber that has an ultraviolet lamp, and the chamber is then piped to a water heater. The water heater has a suitable temperature sensor. The water heater is connected by a pipeline to the first three-way valve that divides the supply pipeline into two drainage branches, one towards the sink faucet and the other towards the shower head, depending on the user's needs. The sink faucet has a corresponding sensor that allows water to be dispensed only when it detects the user's hands. The shower has a weight sensor that allows water to flow from the shower head only when the user is standing in the shower. Both of these elements, the faucet sensor and the shower weight load sensor are part of the control subsystem, which will be described in more detail below. The shower and sink have coarse mechanical filters for the water that flows out of them.

On the branch of the pipeline from the three-way valve to the shower head, there is another three-way valve, which is connected to the return pipeline that passes through the dispenser exchanger and is then connected to the suction water of the pump via the valve. In other words, the three-way valve is connected by its inlets to the return pipeline that passes through the dispenser exchanger, then to the dispenser itself, and the output arm to the suction pipeline of the pump.

The shower tub is connected to the dispenser with a return pipeline. The return line from the sink is connected to the return pipeline, so it is also connected to the dispenser. The dispenser has a heat exchanger construction, that is, it consists of a vessel in which the water is collected and a heating snake through which the water supplied by the pipeline passes, which heats the water in the dispenser chamber.

In addition to hydraulic installations, i.e. hydraulic subsystem, this system according to the invention also includes a control subsystem. The control subsystem is made up of appropriate electronic or electrical elements and the pictures do not show how they are connected to each other because each of the control elements is connected directly to the control unit. The control unit has two basic functions: starting the system as a whole and choosing how to use the system, i.e. use for showering or washing. The control unit is connected to the electrical supply of the entire system, as well as to all individual components of the control subsystem, and has a sound and light signal. The individual components of the control subsystem are the unit for selecting the desired shower temperature, various sensors or state transmitters in the system, such as the shower bath load transmitter, the maximum and minimum level transmitters in the dispenser with heat exchanger. The control unit is also connected to the corresponding electric valves. The control unit manages the operation of the pump, flow chamber with ultraviolet lamp, heater with temperature sensor. All these elements of the control system are connected to the control unit in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

The exemplary embodiment described here does not limit the invention defined by the patent claim. The operation of the system, which will be described in detail below, is clear to an expert in this field from the described construction. It is important to note that the user of the system is very easy to operate the system. Selecting the temperature on the appropriate unit, starting the sink faucet by placing your hands in front of the sensor and releasing the shower water by stepping into the shower tub does not require any special familiarization with the user, reading the instructions for use or any kind of education.

It should be noted once again that the elements that make up the system can be found on the market and are made using known technologies and have a known construction, which increases the possibility of applying the system.

Application of the system is desirable in any place where one wants to save water from the water supply (sanitary or drinking) and reduce the amount of water discharged into the sewage system. Of course, this is much more desirable in water-poor geographical and climatic areas or in suitable commercial (eg hotels) and residential facilities. It is also clear from the description of the invention that the invention can be applied in different vehicles without special changes.

The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the figures in which it is shown.

Brief description of the draft images

The invention is shown in the following figures. The figures are provided only as an illustration of exemplary embodiments and do not limit the invention defined by the patent claims. It is understood that individual elements can be replaced by technical equivalents known to a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows in axonometry in a simplified way the system according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows schematically in axonometry with the use of hydraulic symbols the system according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a hydraulic diagram of the system according to the invention in operation.

Detailed description of the invention

The closed sanitary water system in one example of the embodiment according to the invention, as seen in figure 1, includes a shower tub 7 above which a shower head 6 is placed and a sink 17 with a tap 16 of the sink 17. From these elements of the system, the application of the system can be seen, i.e. closed sanitary water system is used for washing, washing hands and showering with sanitary water. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the construction of the entire system. The system can be divided into two subsystems, namely the hydraulic installation or hydraulic contour and the control subsystem. As can be seen from pictures 2 and 3, the system includes a water pump 1, which is connected to a three-stage water filter 3 through a pressure pipeline 2. The three-stage water filter 3 is then connected by a pipeline to the flow chamber 4 which has an ultraviolet lamp, and the chamber 4 is then connected to the water heater 18 by a pipeline. A pressure transmitter 27 connected to the control unit is placed in front of the three-stage filter 3. The water heater 18 has a suitable temperature sensor. The water heater 18 is connected by a pipeline to a three-way valve 15, which divides the supply pipeline into two drainage branches, one towards the faucet 16 of the sink 17, and

the other towards the shower head 6, depending on the user's needs. The faucet 16 of the sink 17 has a corresponding sensor 26 that allows water to be dispensed only when it detects the user's hands. The shower tub 7 has a sensor 23 of the weight load of the shower tub 7 which enables water to flow out of the shower head 6 only when the user is standing in the shower tub 7. Both of these elements, the sensor 26 of the faucet 16 and the sensor 23 of the weight load of the shower tub 7 are part of the control system, which will be described in more detail below. The shower tub 7 and the sink 17 have coarse mechanical filters for the water that flows out of them.

On the pipeline branch from the three-way valve 15 to the shower head 6, there is a three-way valve 5, which is connected to the return pipeline 13 that passes through the dispenser exchanger 9 and is then connected via the valve 5a to the suction pipeline 12 of the pump 1. In other words, the three-way valve 5a is connected by its inputs to the return pipeline 13 that passes through the dispenser exchanger 9, then to the dispenser 9 itself, and the outlet arm with suction pipe 12 of pump 1.

The shower tub 7 is connected to the dispenser 9 through the return pipeline 8. The return pipeline 19 from the sink 17 is connected to the return pipeline 8, so it is also connected to the dispenser 9. The dispenser 9 has a heat exchanger construction, i.e. it consists of a vessel in which the water is collected and a heating snake through which the water supplied by the pipeline 13 passes, which heats the water in the dispenser vessel 9.

In the previous part of the description, an example of an embodiment of the invention with one place for showering and one place for washing is given. It goes without saying that the invention can include several places for showering (shower head 6, shower tub 7) and places for washing (faucet 16, sink 17) with the multiplication of elements in a way that arises from the described example and is clear to an expert in this technical field. All the individual elements that are mentioned in the description of the hydraulic system are known by themselves, some are standard, can be obtained on the market and their construction and way of working are known to an expert in this field.

In addition to hydraulic installations, i.e. hydraulic subsystem, this system according to the invention also includes a control subsystem. The control subsystem is made of appropriate electronic or electrical elements and the pictures do not show how they are connected to each other because each of the control elements is connected directly to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 has two basic functions: starting the system as a whole and choosing how to use the system, i.e. use for showering or washing. The control unit 21 is connected to the electrical supply of the entire system, as well as to all individual components of the control subsystem, and has a sound and light signal. The individual components of the control subsystem are the unit 22 for selecting the desired shower temperature, various sensors or transmitters of the state in the system, such as the transmitter 23 of the load of the shower tub 7, the transmitters 24 of the maximum and the transmitter 25 of the minimum level in the dispenser 9 with the heat exchanger. The control unit is also connected to the corresponding electric valves 5, 5a, 10, 15. The control unit controls the operation of the pump 1 based on the signal from the pressure transmitter 27, the flow chamber 4 with an ultraviolet lamp, the heater 18 with a temperature sensor. All these elements of the control system are known by themselves to a specialist in this field and are connected to the control unit in a known way.

In the following, the operation of the closed sanitary water system according to the invention will be described in more detail.

The initial filling of the system must be done with microbiologically clean water. It is necessary to ensure regular maintenance and replacement of the filling of the three-stage filter 3. The closed sanitary water system according to the invention can work in two modes: showering and washing.

Operation in the shower mode starts with starting the system with the button on the control unit 21. This signal starts the operation of water pump 1. The desired shower temperature is limited in the range of 38°C to 41°C and is set on the temperature selection unit 22. In a short period of time (e.g. 3 minutes), the water is heated by circulation in the closed hydraulic circuit of the pressure pipeline 2 through a three-stage filter 3, a flow chamber 4 with an ultraviolet lamp and a heater 18. The flow of water through a three-stage filter 3 and a flow chamber 4 with an ultraviolet lamp leads to the purification of "grey water" (water that has already been used for washing and showering) and it can be used again for the same purpose, i.e. like sanitary water. Particles larger than 0.02 microns are removed from the water filtered in the three-stage filter 3 using a suitable UF membrane. In this way, the water is brought to the quality of dissolved minerals. Otherwise, filtering in the three-stage filter 3 leads to a pressure drop in the installation that is less than 5.5 bar. By passing the water through the flow chamber 4 with an ultraviolet lamp, bacteria that can enter the water from the body or by rinsing the user's mouth are destroyed. The speed of the flow through the chamber 4 with the ultraviolet lamp depends on the dimensions of the chamber 4 and other parameters of the pipeline, and the flow can be slowed down by expanding the diameter of the chamber 4, which enhances the antibacterial effect of the lamp. The three-way valve 5 prevents water from going through the shower head 6, but returns it through the return pipeline 13 through the three-way valve 5a into the suction pipeline 12. In this way, in several flow circuits, the water is heated to the desired shower temperature set on the temperature selection unit 22. The three-way valves 5, 5a work synchronously so that in the water heating mode, both the pressure pipeline 2 and the return pipeline 13 are under pressure. The return pipeline 13 passes through the exchanger of the dispenser 9, which heats the water in the dispenser 9 itself. After the shower water in the system is heated to the desired temperature, the temperature sensor of the heater 18 sends a signal to the control unit 21 that the system is ready for use, i.e. showering, which is registered by the appropriate sound and light signal on the control unit 21. The user's entry into the shower cabin, i.e. the load on the shower tub 7 is detected by the sensor 23 of the weight load in the shower tub 7, which sends a signal to the control unit 21 about a change of state, and it sends a control signal to the three-way valves 5, 5a, turning off and on the water supply. The three-way valve 15 passes water to the shower head 6, while the three-way valve 5 passes water from the dispenser 9 with the exchanger. After showering, the water is collected in the shower tub 7 with a coarse filter, where it is retained, and then large waste particles that may appear during the shower are removed. Through the return pipeline 8, the water flows into the dispenser 9 with the heat exchanger. The water level in the dispenser 9 with the exchanger is monitored using two water level sensors 24, 25, where sensor 24 detects the maximum water level, and sensor 25 detects the minimum water level. If the sensor 25 has registered the minimum water level, the control unit 21 sends a signal to the valve 10 of the dispenser 9, which adds water from the tank 11. In this way, water is added to the system if necessary. It is important to note that water losses are minimal (evaporation, wetting of system elements and retention on them, etc.), so only minimal amounts of water from tank 11 are possibly added.

When the user leaves the shower 7, the sensor 23 of the weight of the bathtub load detects the relief and sends a signal to the control unit 21, which then sends a control signal to the three-way valve 5, which interrupts the flow of water through the shower head 6 and directs it to the return pipe 13. In this way, the water temperature is maintained for the next user or the maximum time for water recirculation, i.e. idling.

1

The next operating mode of the closed sanitary water system is washing. On the control unit 21, after starting the system and setting the desired temperature on the faucet 16, the washing mode is selected. After that, by approaching the sensor 26 of the faucet 16 with the hand, a signal is sent that the sensor 26 has detected a change and the control unit 21 gives a control signal to the three-way valve 15 for selecting the operation of the sink 17, which passes water through the pipeline 14 of the sink 17 and the faucet 16. The water flows into the sink 17 and is directed to the pipeline 8 through the pipeline 19, and then flows into the dispenser 9.

Tests and calculations have shown that for a flow through the shower head of 6 to 120 ml/s and a temperature difference of 5°C to 7°C, a heater power of 18 to about 5 kW is required. The heating time in the heater 18 is then approximately 2 seconds. The control of heater 18 is pulse width and is provided by the control unit 21. According to the calculation, initial heating lasting 2 minutes for a temperature difference of maximum 35°C requires approximately 0.5 kW of engaged power. The entire device must be coated with appropriate thermal insulation coatings. The distances between the elements of the system, and thus the length of the pipeline, are reduced to a minimum.

The expected shower temperature is 41°C. Water losses depend on the user's skin type and hair density and are compensated by adding water to the system from dispenser 9, i.e. tank 11. Sufficient volume of dispenser 9 gives the final number of shower cycles, i.e. the total operating time of the system without refilling.

Maintenance of the shower tub 7 and sink 17 is performed by wiping with a wet cloth and collecting waste particles in a coarse filter on the tub 7 or sink 17 itself. Washing the tub 7 and sink 17 is done by closing their drains and removing (collecting) the water used for washing, in order to prevent its flow to the dispenser 9.

In the preceding text, an example of execution with one sink 17 and one shower tub 7 is shown, but it is obvious to an expert in this field that the system according to the invention can be performed on several tubs 7 and sinks 17 by providing elements of higher capacity and corresponding parallel pipeline connections. It can also be made without a sink 17 in the version with a shower only.

The elements from which the system is made are known on the market, a number of elements are standardized and their use, assembly and functioning are known to an expert in this field of technology.

A closed sanitary water system can be installed on smaller and larger residential or business buildings, other facilities for temporary or permanent residence of people, as well as on vehicles, without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is particularly attractive in climatic and hydrological areas with poor water sources or poorer water supply, as well as in places where it is necessary to conserve water from the water supply system.

It is noted once again that in this sense, the example of the embodiment of the invention with one shower tub 7 and sink 17 is given only as an illustration and does not in any way limit the invention defined below by the patent claims.

Claims (5)

Patent claims 1. A closed system of sanitary water, which includes at least one shower tub (7) with a coarse filter and a corresponding shower head (6), and possibly at least one sink (17) with a coarse filter and a corresponding faucet (16) with a sensor (26), indicated by the fact that it includes two subsystems: a hydraulic subsystem and a control subsystem, wherein the hydraulic subsystem includes a tank (11) connected to a dispenser (9) by a valve (10) into which it is directly it fills the pipeline (8) from the shower tub (7) and indirectly via it the pipeline (19) from the sink (17) if a sink (17) is provided, where the dispenser (9) is connected by a valve (5a) and a suction pipeline (12) to a pressure pump (1), which is further connected to a three-stage filter (3) by a pressure pipeline (2), then to a chamber (4) with ultraviolet radiation and a heater (18) which is via the three-way valve (15) connected to the faucet (16) of the sink (17) by the pipeline (14) when it is provided, and via the three-way valve (15) connected to the three-way valve (5) and through it to the shower head (6), where one outlet from the valve (5) is connected to the dispenser (9) via the return pipeline (13) and then after the dispenser exchanger (9) and via the valve (5a) is connected to the suction pipeline (12) pump (1) and that the control system includes a control unit (21) with a sound and light signal to which the other elements of the control system are directly connected: unit (22) for temperature selection, sensor (23) of the load of the shower tub (7), sensors (25, 24) and the minimum and maximum level in the dispenser (9), as well as the sensor (26) of the faucet (16) of the sink (17) if a sink (17) is provided, and the sensor (27) of pressure placed on the pipeline before the three-stage valve (3). 2. A closed system of sanitary water, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes several shower tubs (7) with a coarse filter and corresponding shower heads (6), as well as several sinks (17) with a coarse filter and corresponding faucets (16) with a sensor (26) connected by parallel hydraulic connections with corresponding valves with a pump (1), a three-stage filter (3), then with a chamber (4) with ultraviolet radiation and a heater (18) and dispenser (9) with tank (11), as well as control system elements connected directly to one or more control units (21). 3. Closed sanitary water system, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the elements of the hydraulic system are isolated by an insulating coating. 4. A closed system of sanitary water, according to any of the previous requirements, indicated by the fact that it is installed in a building for business and/or housing, or it is installed in a facility for temporary and/or permanent residence of people, especially in climatic and hydrological areas with poor water or in areas where the goal is to save water and energy. 5. A closed system of sanitary water, according to any of the requirements 1 to 3, indicated by the fact that it is installed in a vehicle, such as for example a road, railway, watercraft or some other vehicle.