"MOBILE SYSTEM FOR POTABILISATION VIA OSMOSIS".

Technical field

The present invention relates to a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis particularly indicated to be easily transported and to produce potable water through the utilisation of an osmosis process. Background art

As it is known, potabilisation systems are utilised in emergency situations such as floods or drought, in camps for refugees, or as equipment in provisional projects, or as stabile systems in villages, communities or missions, above all in Third World countries where the need for potable water is very important to prevent the spreading of illnesses or epidemics given that the populations' living conditions are often dramatic. At present, the systems which fulfil the task of rendering the water potable are essentially composed of separated units which must be mounted on site by specialised personnel and feature considerable overall dimensions since there is a filtering unit, an osmosis unit, a unit for storage and pressurisation of the potable water obtained, and a unit for the production of energy. The recurrent and cyclical natural catastrophes and the emergency situations that often recur have highlighted the need to have potable water at one's disposal in rapid times and therefore the systems utilised at present are unable to meet this necessity since, first of all, their reaching the site involves difficulties as they are of considerable dimensions, and next, the different units must be reciprocally connected, once on site, and therefore several hours pass before one can begin to have a production of potable water. In addition, with the current systems there is a possibility that not all the materials for the

connections between the various units are available: a situation which stops installation operations for some time with, consequently, delays in operations and in the supply of water.

A further drawback encountered with existing systems derives from the fact that the different units must be mounted and connected by specialised personnel and these operations are carried out in difficult conditions where, sometimes, it is even necessary to prepare the ground for installation of the system.

In addition, following their installation, the aforesaid systems must be checked and tested as some components may have been damaged during transportation and if this occurs, the spare parts are not always available.

A further drawback encountered with the systems utilised at present emerges from the fact that they require the use of chemical products in the potabilisation operations, therefore it happens that the system cannot function due to lack of these products, which are not always easily available in ravaged or remote zones.

Disclosure of Invention

The first aim of the present invention is essentially to solve the problems of the commonly known technique by overcoming the drawbacks described above by means of a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis, capable of being a potabilisation unit for emergency assistance, and with immediate activation in order to produce potable water in zones where there is only one source of water present, such as a well, river or lake.

A second aim of the present invention is to have a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis capable of executing a complete purification

treatment on the water, even where the quality characteristics of the water to treat are unknown.

A third aim of the present invention is to have a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis whose dimensions are such that it can be contained, in an optimal manner and without wasting space, in several modules, in a container of standard dimensions, and which permit it to be loaded onto rubber-tyred trolleys and easily transported.

A further aim of the present invention is to have a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis which is completely self-sufficient, as it is equipped with a generator, positioned directly inside it and dimensioned so as to be able to supply electrical energy for further uses too.

A still further aim of the present invention derives from the fact that the mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis eliminates the use of chemical products from the potabilisation cycle. A further and not final aim of the present invention is to realise a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis, which is simple to realise and functions well.

These aims and others beside, which will better emerge over the course of the present description, are essentially achieved by a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis, in compliance with the claims that follow.

Further characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly in the detailed description of a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis, according to the present invention, outlined below with reference to the tables enclosed, provided for illustrative, and thereof non-limiting, purposes only, wherein: - figure 1 shows, schematically and from a perspective view, the mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis in question in the present invention;

figure 2 shows, schematically, a further perspective view of the mobile system in figure 1 ; figure 3 shows schematically, in a perspective view and in an exploded view, the supporting structure of the system of figure 1 ; - figure 4 shows schematically and in a lateral section view, the support structure of the mobile system in question; figure 5 shows, schematically, the other lateral section view of the support structure of the mobile system ; figure 6 shows, schematically and in a frontal section view, the support structure of the mobile system according to the present invention; figure 7 shows, schematically, the components that constitute the system according to the present invention and the operation diagram; figure 8 shows, schematically, a detail of the system; figure 9 shows, schematically, a further detail of the system. With reference to the said figures, and in particular figure 1, 1 denotes a mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis as a whole, according to the present invention. The system 1 in question is suitable for potabilising waters from the most diverse places of origin, such as lakes, swamps, rivers or wells. In fact, the system 1 according to the present invention is designed to produce potable water through the utilisation of an osmosis-related process which is a procedure based on the use of semi-permeable membranes, a property of which is that the said membranes let the water filter through without the substances contained in solution.

The system 1 is essentially composed of a plurality of stations wherein the first station comprises a water pre-treatment unit, the second station a desalinisation unit and the third station a post-treatment unit.

The aforesaid plurality of stations are contained in a support structure 2 shown in detail in figure 3.

In particular, the support structure 2 is constituted of framework 20 which is sealed by a plurality of panels composed of a rear panel 21 , an upper panel 22, a front panel 23 and a couple of lateral panels 24 and 25.

In greater detail, the rear panel 21 is subdivided into diverse portions (21a, 21b, 21c and 2Id) wherein at least one portion (2Id) is equipped with a grill 2 Ie for aeration. The diverse portions are engaged to the framework by means of fastening means, such as screws or other equivalent means. The upper panel 22 is subdivided into diverse portions (22a, 22b and 22c) which are characterised by the fact that they are rainproof and are equipped with a sealing strip. Also in this case, the diverse portions are engaged to the framework by means of fastening means such as screws. The front panel 23 is also subdivided into portions (23a, 23b and 23c) which are hinged onto the framework 20 in order to constitute a first door (23a) and a second door composed of two panels (23b and 23c) as shown in figure 3. The lateral panel 24 features a grill 24a which constitutes an air intake for a generator and a hole 24b for the outlet of the exhaust gas, also from the generator. Furthermore, the lateral panel 24 is engaged to the framework by means of pegs 24c at the bottom and by means of rotary locks 24d at the top and is equipped with a central handle 24e which permits the easy removal or repositioning thereof. Finally, the lateral panel 25 is engaged to the framework by means of fastening means such as screws and features a case 25a equipped with a plurality of connections and envisaged for the attachment of flexible pipelines, as will be explained later. In addition to what is stated above, all

the panels are easily removable for easy and convenient access to the interior of the structure and are equipped with seals to prevent the water entering. In addition to what is stated above and as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6, the support structure 2 features a base 26 equipped, on one side, with casters 26a made of Teflon, and on the other side, with a couple of cavities 27, which permit the engagement of the structure 2 onto the forks of a lifting truck, so as to lift the said structure slightly in order to be able to move it by means of the casters 26a via the action of the said lifting truck. In particular, the system can be moved if it is lifted on one side by approx. 15 cm., otherwise, the particular configuration of the base prevents any movement.

In greater detail, the particular configuration of the base 26 and the position of the casters permit two systems to be loaded with ease into a container, one beside the other, and a further two to be loaded in front, by bringing the two reciprocal lateral surfaces together, in an optimal manner and without wasting space.

In particular, the dimensions of the support structure 2 allow the system to be loaded on a rubber-tyred trolley which permits its easy transportation using a pick-up van, even in zones which are inaccessible, for example, for a lorry. Furthermore, the support structure 2 is configured so as to be able to easily stack one structure on top of another in order to store the systems easily without wasting space: a situation not obtainable with the systems produced according to the commonly known technique. Finally, the support structure 2 is preferably realised with stainless steel as this proves lighter in weight than painted steel, in addition to the fact that, this way, over time, no maintenance operations are rendered necessary to keep the paintwork tidy.

Contained in the interior of the support structure 2 are the components which constitute the actual potabilisation system. As mentioned earlier, the system 1 is composed of the first station which comprises a pre-treatment unit. The pre- treatment unit is, in its turn, constituted of an adduction pump 3 for supplying the water to treat, a macro-filtration system 4 featuring a basket for filtering particles of up to 10 mm, a mechanical filtration station 5 with manual counter-current washing and a micro-filtration system 6 for filtering particles of up to 5 μ. The adduction pump 3, which is of the submersible type with a vortex impeller, also permits the passage of small solid bodies although it does feature a rough filter which allows insect, small fish, soil, leaves etc to be stopped. The pump 3 is provided with a floating system designed to prevent floating materials coming into contact with the pump. In greater detail, the floating system is composed of a floating ring 30 realised with a plastic material and filled with polyurethane foam, of the essentially known type, and it is provided with a base 31 with four hooks 32 which engage in holes provided in the ring. The floating system allows the pump 3 to draw the water from the sub-surface, which is usually less turbid, rather than the bottom, and to prevent elements such as leaves, twigs, insects or other floating elements coming into contact with the said pump. Via a flexible pipeline 50, the pump 3 is connected to the macro-filtration system 4, which is constituted of a basket filter realised with stainless steel and equipped with a quick-opening cover to be able to access the interior quickly for cleaning. The macro- filtration system 4 is envisaged to withhold all the coarse bodies (of up to 10 mm.) that may be taken in by the adduction pump 3. Connected to macro- filtration system 4, via a pipeline 51, is the mechanical filtration station 5 with manual counter-current washing that is envisaged for executing the main

pre-treatment, which is the most important as it allows the production of clean water with suspended solids below lmg/1. The said treatment is realised by means of a sand filter equipped with a multivalve 5a for operation and for counter-current washing. The filtering action is continuous and constantly renewed thanks to the counter-current washing, which occurs more frequently if the water is turbid. In greater detail, the water is distributed in a uniform manner over the filter bed by means of a distributor installed in the upper part of the said filter and located on top of a layer of inert filtering material, through which it passes and is then collected by a collection system installed in the lower part of the filtering mass and constituted of a crosspiece immersed in a layer of inert material and conveyed to the micro-filtration system 6. In particular, the sand filter is composed of a layer of gravel and, from the top downwards, of quartz and sand of uniform dimensions and increasing specific weight. In addition, located between the macro-filtration system 4 and the mechanical filtration station 5 is a pressure switch 40 for control and safety purposes, envisaged to start up the treatment when the water arrives from the pump 3 and to stop it in the event of a water supply shortage. As mentioned earlier, in the mechanical filtration station 5 there is a multivalve 5a present, which is controlled manually with a single lever which serves to control the various filtration phases. Furthermore, the station 5 comprises spill taps for sampling water, which serve for taking samples for verifying the operating conditions of the filter. Finally, in the mechanical filtration station 5 there is a counter-current washing system present which is activated by operating the multivalve 5a and inverting the flow of water (i.e. from the bottom upwards) to clear the interstices between the granules of sand

and gravel of impurities, which are then discharged with the counter-current washing water through a pipeline 5b and a flexible pipeline 5c. In fact, during the filtration process, the solids suspended in the water to treat reduce the flow of water to the filter and, consequently, there is a drop in pressure and, for this reason, the filters must be washed periodically (approx. every 24 hours) and this operation is carried out manually.

According to the present embodiment, a section of pipeline 52 connects the mechanical filtration station 5 to the micro-filtration system 6 assigned to filtering particles of up to 5 μ. This operation is a safety filtration and, as such, is aimed at eliminating, from the water to treat, any particles or foreign bodies which may have ended up in the circuit. In particular, the micro- filtration system 6 is constituted of a filter, made of stainless steel, equipped with disposable cartridges for filtering particles of up to 5 μ. The function of this filter is precautionary and serves as a protective barrier for the desalinisation unit on the second station.

The system in question 1, as mentioned earlier, comprises the second station constituted of a desalinisation unit. The desalinisation unit is essentially constituted of a pressurisation pump 7 and a low-pressure inverse osmosis unit 8. The pressurisation pump 7 which is connected to the micro-filtration system 6 by a pipeline 53, is of the vertical axis, multi-impeller type, with high operating equilibrium ensured by a double shaft support; furthermore, the body and all the parts in contact with the water are made of stainless steel. The electric motor is of the asynchronous, three-phase type with standardised dimensions, and is therefore easily replaced. The pump 7 is, in its turn, connected to the inverse osmosis unit 8 via a portion of pipeline 54, as shown in figure 7.

In particular, the inverse osmosis unit 8 is constituted of a unit of at least three osmotic membranes of the low-pressure and low-spoiling type, that is to say, more suitable for the potabilisation of waters of unknown composition. The configuration of the system of membranes is an essentially known type, i.e. the classic single-step, double-stage type, as shown in the diagram in figure 8. The water, when passing through the three membranes 8a, 8b and 8c, is cleared of all the substances in solution, with the removal of approx. 80- 90% of the salts present in the water and the total elimination of all the viruses and bacteria present. In greater detail, the water which arrives from the pipeline 54 supplies the couple of membranes 8a and 8b, the concentrate discharged from these two membranes is sent, through the conduit 80, to the membrane 8c while the permeate discharged from all three membranes is conveyed to the line 55. Finally, the system according to the present invention comprises a third station with the post-treatment unit, which is constituted of a sterilisation unit 9, a tank for the potable water 10, a distribution pump 11 for the potable water, a washing station 12 for periodic cleaning of the membranes and a control panel 13 equipped with starters for the motor and the process instrumentation. In particular, the sterilisation unit 9 is connected to the inverse osmosis unit 8 by means of the section of pipeline 55; it operates via UV rays and, although the water comes out the membranes absolutely sterile, it fulfils a bactericide action (a precautionary operation). The water that leaves the sterilisation unit 9 transits along a pipeline 56 and enters the tank 10. In greater detail, the tank for the potable water 10 is a collection tank equipped with an autoclave with a electronic system that measures pressure and flow rate and allows the output water to maintain a pressure of 4 bar at a

rate of 500-600 1/h; therefore, in the distribution phase, heights of up to 30 metres can be overcome. The system in question is capable of delivering water upwards, in an autonomous manner, unlike in the systems according to the commonly known technique, where the presence of an external pump is necessary to lift the water.

The distribution pump 1 1 for the potable water is an autonomous water distribution unit capable of starting up and stopping automatically according to the user's water requirement, with function keys on the motor housing, on the panel 13. In particular, the pump 11 is connected to the tank 10 by a pipeline 57 and the pump is the starting point for a pipeline 58 which is connected with a flexible pipeline 58a, at the opposite end of which there is at least one tap 70 envisaged for dispensing the water.

As shown in figure 7, the washing station 12 constitutes the membranes' internal cleaning system and consists in a collection tank 12a equipped with a circulator pump 12b which ensures, when the system is still, a diluted solution of specific chemical products is circulated through the membranes. Once the operation is complete, using valves 12c and 12d, the spent solution is sent to the drain 5b and the concentrate is also eliminated through the drain 5b and the flexible pipeline 5c. The cleaning of the membrane is executed periodically when the flow rate of the water produced diminishes and the permeation pressure increases. Furthermore, envisaging a certain period of a time during which a standstill of the system is possible, a preservative solution for the membrane is introduced via the washing station 12. In particular, when the system remains inactive for a certain period or is stored in a warehouse, a substance is introduced, by means of the washing station 12, which allows membrane maintenance, and, in fact, this solution is

composed of three elements, two of which serve for cleaning and the remaining one for preserving the membranes.

In agreement with the present invention, at each phase of the deactivation of the system, an automatic flushing phase is executed, which consists in a rinsing of the membranes with permeate to maintain them in perfect operating conditions and increase their working life, in addition to preventing non- potable water initially being produced upon resumption of the activity. According to the present invention, the system in question comprises an electric generator unit 14 shown in figures 2 and 6. The electric generator unit 14 is extractable by means of guides 14a, shown in figure 1, so that it can be more accessible for executing the oil and diesel top- ups and to be able to execute normal maintenance. The possibility of extracting the generator allows great maintenance ease and greater functioning safety as overheating can be prevented in the open air and likewise gas discharge can be eliminated more easily.

In addition to what is illustrated above, in the present embodiment, the generator zone is separated by an insulating wall, in any case, even if the generator is not extracted, to prevent the water contained in the tank 10 heating up. In addition to the description above, the system of potabilisation in question can comprise a dosing unit 15 for solid chlorine which is utilised if the system is used to supply an eventual existing tank 16 for further chlorine cover of the water when the real conditions of the tank are unknown. In addition to the description above, all the lines present in the system in question have been studied and realised in order to reduce fittings to the minimum so as not to incur the possibility of having leakage problems or movements during transportation which lead to leaks, or parts detaching in the

joint zones following jolts and movements due to the roughness of the land during the journey.

The fact that there are no fittings prevents the possibility, over time, of wear and tear of the threading and welding, and permits time not to be lost on checks, sometimes carried out on site, enabling, instead, the system to be put into function immediately.

A further characteristic of the system according to the present invention is that it does not comprise particularly sophisticated electronic components, instead it is built with components and automations which are easily available so that eventual spare parts can be easily found even in third world countries and the replacement interventions can even be executed by people who are not particularly expert.

In addition to the description above, all the supports of all the equipment present in the interior of the support structure are made so that they are slightly damped in order to withstand the jerks of the journey without the risk of causing problems or damage to the equipment.

As mentioned earlier, the system in question is utilised for potabilising non- seawaters but, by varying the type of membrane and increasing the head and the power of the pump, the system can also be employed with seawater and highly salty waters.

Normally, the potabilisation process is selected on the basis of the characteristics of the water to treat but the quality of the water for the system in question was, and remains, the greatest incognito as the system must be able to be utilised and to function independently of the water conditions. Since the characteristics of the water to treat are unknown, the system has been conceived and dimensioned for waters which are disagreeable to the palate and non potable and considered averagely salty, therefore if there is

scarcely salty water the system permits a better performance and allows the production of potable water to be increased, essentially by passing part of the concentrate through the membrane anew, thus obtaining a greater percentage of potable water and wasting less water by means of the recirculation function.

The recirculation function is useful if the supply source is scarce and improves the ratio between the water to treat and the water produced. According to the present invention, the system is supplied with a crate of accessories comprising the flexible pipelines 50, 58a and 5c, the tap unit 70, the floating ring 30 and the (optional) dosing unit 15, in addition to the spare cartridges for the micro-filtration system 6, the spare parts, and the consumable materials.

After this prevalently structural description, the functioning of the invention in question is described as follows. When one has to utilise the system of potabilisation in question, it is sufficient to start it up, as it is ready to be used once it has arrived on the place of operation, and does not have to be mounted, nor the individual components checked, as occurs with the systems according to the commonly known technique. The only operation which must be done to put the system into service is to fasten, to the respective connections in the case 25a, the three flexible pipelines 50, 58a and 5c, which feature diverse diameters so as not to run the risk of falling into errors.

At this point, a user, to be able produce potable water, simply has to place the pump 3 in the source of water and activate the generator 14 via the control panel 13. The water drawn from the source will arrive at the macro-filtration system 4 with the basket where the particles with dimensions of up to 10 mm will be withheld and continue towards the mechanical filtration station 5,

which will ensure all the turbidity that may be present is withheld, which will then be eliminated by the filter with the counter-current washing. At this point, the water arrives at the micro-filtration system 6 wherein the particles of up to 5 μ are withheld, then it continues, delivered by the pump 7, towards the osmosis unit 8. During its passage through this unit, through the three membranes, the water will be rendered potable as all the salts dissolved in it will be withheld, such as chlorides, sulphates and nitrates, in addition to the bacteria, viruses, etc. Once the passage through the osmosis unit is terminated, the water will undergo a further bacterial sterilisation by means of UV rays, then it arrives at the storage tank 10.

At this point, the water is ready to be utilised and a user, accessing the tap 70, can draw water, which will be delivered by the pump 11 and dispensed from the tap. In addition to what is illustrated above, no planned maintenance operations are envisaged except the cleaning of the macro-filtration system 4, the replacement of the cartridge in the micro-filtration system 6, which is executed upon termination of the periodic cleaning of the membranes with the washing system 12, and the replacement of the UV lamps, when indicated by the relative timer.

Thus the present invention achieves the aims set.

The mobile system for potabilisation via osmosis in question offers the possibility of potabilising any type of water, excluding, however, seawater, subject to replacement of the membranes, thus guaranteeing the removal of the organic, bacterial, and faecal pollutants, as well as anything else similar to the said bacterial strains.

Furthermore, the system according to the present invention is also capable of potabilising salty waters from layers which may have been polluted by seawater.

In addition to what is illustrated above, the mobile system in question is delivered ready for use, is simple to use and proves easy to put into service and quick to put into function.

Advantageously, the mobile system eliminates, as far as possible, the use of chemical products from the potabilisation cycle and offers the possibility of storing and distributing the potable water produced. A further advantage of the mobile system derives from the fact that its handling is carried out without special means and is realised by a simple trolley towed by various means or loaded onto a lorry, therefore it proves easy to transport to difficult places.

In addition, the system in question features dimensions that allow four systems to be loaded, positioned reciprocally abreast, without wasting space, in a container of standard dimensions, with the corresponding crate of accessories positioned on top.

A further advantage of the mobile system is that is proves impregnable to the atmospheric and/or external corrosive agents as the support structure is air/watertight and the diverse items of equipment and the components which constitute it are made of stainless steel. Furthermore, the fittings are reduced to a minimum to prevent wear and tear of the threading and welding or the risk of leaks and parts detaching, as occurs with the pipelines present in the systems according to the commonly known technique. Advantageously, with the mobile system for potabilisation in question it is not necessary to reciprocally assemble the components and no maintenance or checks need to be carried out upon the structure's arrival on site given that it

is a complete kit and ready to be put into use as the testing and other checks have already been done before despatch, therefore the equipment is guaranteed.

Advantageously, the mobile system features complete functional autonomy given that it is not dependent on the availability of electrical energy in the place where it operates.

In addition to what has been highlighted until now, the mobile system for potabilisation according to the present invention, if not needed to produce potable water, can easily be utilised as an additional energy generator in order to be able to illuminate a house or small hospital, or even both contemporaneously.

A further advantage of the present invention derives from the fact that the system proves very versatile and easy to use; in fact, it can also be equipped with a tank unit for the storage of the potabilised water or for bagging systems.

A further and not final advantage of the present invention is that it proves notably easy to use, simple to realise, and functions well.

Naturally, further modifications or variants may be applied to the present invention while remaining within the scope of invention as characterised in the claims below.