The present invention relates to an oxygen generation device, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use.

Background Art

Devices for generation of oxygen, also known as oxygen reactors, decompose a given volume percentage of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by the injection of liquid salts of permanganate, such as potassium permanganate (KMn0 ₄ ).

This type of reactor was used in the past as a means of propulsion for aircraft in the 1930s and, during World War II, in the reactors of the propulsion of the V-2 rockets.

The principle of operation of these devices primarily consists of the heterogeneous decomposition of the peroxide when it is in contact with insoluble solids.

The turbo V-2 rockets were provided with a chamber of contact between the hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate in liquid form. Those gases were contained in two separate tanks. The decomposition reaction of the peroxide into molecular oxygen and water vapor:

is exothermic and occurs at a temperature of 100° C. As soon as the reaction was activated, a third tank of kerosene was introduced in the contact chamber. This third tank was used to burn, in an excess of oxygen condition, in a very hot environment (therefore steamed). This system provided actual propulsion. This such oxygen generation device, however, cannot be applied in sanitary and environmental use, by virtue of the fact that, during the decomposition reaction, the injection of permanganate salts in liquid form as a precipitate gives manganese which, at high temperatures, mixing with water, provides as a reaction product manganese dioxide (MnC ), which is very toxic to humans.

Moreover, given the fact that the permanganate is an oxidizer, the water becomes an unnatural reddish color that precludes not only civil use, but also the use in swimming pools, fountains, etc...

Another problem related to this kind of oxygen reactors, is linked to the fact that the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is influenced mainly by:

- presence of contaminants;

- heat input (accelerator);

- PH level (a variation of the degree of acidity of the peroxide, for example as a result of a mixing with alkali increases the rate of decomposition).

In this sense, considering the fact that the hydrogen peroxide, which in itself is an unstable compound that it is exothermically decomposed, it is evident that if the heat released is not disposed of in an appropriate manner, the rate of the above reaction increases. Consequently, the decomposition temperature increases thereby triggering a reaction of self-accelerating decomposition.

Therefore, it will be expected that such devices for generation of oxygen are made of material highly resistant to temperature and corrosion, for example stainless steel, which is very expensive and therefore not economically convenient in many applications. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks noted above in known types of oxygen generation devices, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use, which allows to avoid the use of permanganate salts in liquid form so as to have no toxic elements for humans in the products of the reaction.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an oxygen generation device, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use, with no toxic residues in the water purified by ozone plants, so that the products are both safe for drinking and do not assume unusual colors.

Another object of the invention is to avoid altering the flavor or coloring of the water, so as not to hinder civil application, including the use in swimming pools, fountains, etc...

Another object of the invention is to allow the control of the parameters of decomposition, preventing the triggering of the reaction of self-accelerating decomposition and then to be able to achieve oxygen generators safely, without the need for material with specific resistance to heat.

Another object of the invention is to provide an oxygen generation device, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use, with means easily found on sale as well as using common materials, so that the device is economically competitive.

This aim and these and others objectives which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an oxygen generation device, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises, on a supporting structure, a tubular element which has at least one contact region between hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst element for the decomposition of said hydrogen peroxide into oxygen, said tubular element carrying said oxygen to a cylindrical body connected to a first end thereof. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the oxygen generation device, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagram of operation of the device to generate oxygen;

Figure 2 shows a diagram of operation of the device of disinfection of water used for sanitary purposes connected to the apparatus in operating condition;

Figure 3 shows a diagram of operation of the device in the inactive condition.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the oxygen generation device, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use, which is identified in its entirety with reference numeral 1, according to the invention, comprises, placement on a supporting structure 2, a tubular element 3 having at least one contact region 6 between hydrogen peroxide 9, and a catalyst element 8 for the decomposition of the peroxide 9 in oxygen 10. The tubular element 3 is for the transportation of oxygen 10, generated by the decomposition, towards a cylindrical body 5 connected to a first end thereof.

Advantageously, the catalyst element 8 comprises a manganese dioxide mineral, known as pyrolusite.

Advantageously, the cylindrical body 5 comprises a perforated dome 7 for the outflow of the oxygen 10 and water vapor 11.

Preferably, there is provided a dome 16 for conveyance of the mixture 20 of oxygen 10 and water vapor 11 that exits from the perforated dome 7. The conveyance dome 16 is connected to the supporting structure 2.

In the solution which is presented here, the dome 16 comprises a connector 17 which is detachably connected to the first end of the tubular element 3, for example by means of a threaded portion, in order to permit inspections inside of the tubular element 3.

Advantageously, may be provided a duct 12 for cooling and condensing the mixture 20, which is connected downstream of the conveyance dome 16. The cooling and condensation duct 12 has a discharge channel 18 for the expulsion of the condensed water vapor 11.

With reference to figure 1, it is possible to provide means for injecting the peroxide 9 in the tubular element 3.

These injection means comprise a metering pump 4 which is connected to the second end of the element 3, on the opposite side with respect to said first end. The pump 4 is a membrane and has a metering variable in extent.

The injection means may comprise a connecting element for connection between the tubular element 3 and the pump 4.

It is possible to provide means for inspecting the inside of the tubular element 3, for visual monitoring the decomposition of the peroxide 9 and, consequently, the generation of oxygen 10.

In the embodiment presented here, the means of inspection provide that the tubular element 3 has at least a portion of a material optically transparent. Advantageously means are provided for cooling the region 6 in order to control the rate of the decomposition of peroxide 9.

Preferably the cooling means comprise an immersion tank 13, which contains continuously replaced water. The water flows from a cold water filler 14 that enters in the tank 13 at a temperature Tu lower than the boiling temperature (=100 °C under standard conditions) towards an outlet 15 of heated water (at a temperature Tis > Ti ₄ ).

Further, the filler 14 is defined on a portion of the supporting structure 2 so that the cold water goes immediately in contact with the hot parts of the element 3 and it submerges the device almost entirely.

The tank 13 can be used for conveying the water vapor 11 that escapes from the conduit 12, so that it is carried away by the water current in the tank 13 itself.

Inside the tubular element 3 a predetermined amount of hydrogen peroxide 9 is fed by means of the injection of the pump 4, which works for example at 5 atm..

The peroxide 9, in contact with the pyrolusite 8 in the region 6, decomposes into oxygen 10 and goes back towards the exit of the pipe where there is atmospheric pressure, carrying with it the water in the form of vapor 11 (as a byproduct of reaction) that is ejected after the crossing of the cooling and condensation duct 12.

In this embodiment, the channel 18 faces the tank 13 and therefore the condensation water coming from the vapor 11, which is cooled, falls into the tank 13 and returns into circulation.

The decomposition of the peroxide 9 in oxygen is very exothermic but also strongly influenced by heat. Consequently, a ripple effect is grafted which tends to accelerate the decomposition and to increase the temperature. Thanks to the fact that the device 1 is immersed in the tank 13 containing cooling water, the temperature of the contact region is controllable (by calibrating the temperature of the water itself depending on the size of the reactor).

The cooling water level is continuously kept constant by the filler 14 from where the water enters at a temperature (Tu) lower than the temperature of the outlet 15 (Tis), so that the amount of heat rejected, proportional to the difference of water temperature ΔΤ between the output and input of the water tank 13, will be substantially the amount of heat produced by the decomposition of peroxide 9.

Advantageously, connection means are provided for linking the device with the input of a ozonation apparatus 103. The ozonation apparatus 103 is for the treatment of a mixture of fluids 110, that are substantially made from water vapor and oxygen, for treating and conditioning primary and waste water and water for tanks, swimming pools and the like.

As it can be seen from figures 2 and 3, these connection means may consist of a pipeline 113.

Preferably, the mixture of fluid 110 moves within the ozonation apparatus 103 in the operating condition of the device.

Preferably, the apparatus 103 comprises at least an expansion vessel

107 for the mixture of fluids 110, which is interconnected to the ozonation apparatus 103 itself, for the cooling of at least one of the fluids of the mixture 110.

In the embodiment that is being described, the connection means comprise at least one pre-ionization lamp 104 for breaking down the oxygen that exits from the device itself and that is connected upstream of the expansion vessel 107.

The lamp 104, which emits ultraviolet light, may consist for example of a medium pressure mercury lamp, known per se.

With reference to figure 2, the expansion vessel 107 has an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 of the mixture of fluids 110.

This vessel 107 can be also provided with one, or more, electric valve 5 117 for venting the cooling condensation of the mixture of fluids 110 (which is formed as a result of cooling caused by the expansion of the fluids of the mixture 110, in particular of water vapor which condenses into liquid water), inside the vessel 107.

In the solution which is presented here, there is provided a first ozone0 breakdown lamp 105 which is connected to the expansion vessel 107 proximate to the outlet 112 of the mixture 110. The mixture of fluids 110 at this point is predominantly composed of ozone by ozonation, i.e. ozone obtained by the process of decomposition of oxygen.

Advantageously, the ozonation apparatus 103 comprises a micro-5 boiler 108 for mixing water to be mixed 131, per se already known, and the mixture of fluids 110. The micro-boiler 108 is connected downstream of the apparatus 103 itself by means of a nozzle 115 and has a duct 109 for the outflow of the mixed water 132 toward a storage unit 130 for water to be disinfected.

0 The duct 109 can provide for a first non-return valve which blocks the flow in countercurrent, upstream of the unit 130.

The micro-boiler 108 may also comprise a supplying duct 114 for feeding the water to be mixed 131, which is connected to a circuit 120 for distributing ordinary water, for example the water that comes from a well or5 just rainwater.

Input of the circuit 120 may be provided means for pumping ordinary water within the duct 114 and a second non-return valve, downstream of the pumping means 134, which blocks the flow of water 131 in countercurrent. The micro-boiler 108 may also include a cannula 118 which has an outlet end 119 for the penetration of ozone within the water to be mixed 131.

In practice, the mixture 110, which is basically only composed of ozone, enters the micro-boiler 108 through the nozzle 115, passes through the entire length of the micro-boiler 108 into the cannula 118 and penetrates inside the water to be mixed 131, coming from the outlet end 119. In this way, the ozone, which in itself is not very soluble in water, increases its solubility creating an intimate contact with the water 131 through the circuitous path that it is needed to perform.

The connecting means 113 (see fig. 2 and 3) may also comprise one second ozone breakdown lamp 106.

Advantageously, in order to cool the system, the device comprises means for flooding the ozonation apparatus 103 in the inactive condition.

Further, may be provided means for the initial setting of the pressure of the cooling water 133 that consist of a water column 125, which is internal to the micro-boiler 108 and whose height is adjustable by virtue of a control valve 123 for adjustment and contrast with the pressure inside the device 1. The adjustment valve 123 is provided with an emptying tap 116, normally used during maintenance, and is interconnected to the outlet duct 109.

Through the valve 123, which in practice regulates the flow of water into the device, it is possible to size the column of water 125 which - in the example described here - is defined internally to the micro-boiler 108, that is, the same water to be mixed 131. Nothing prevents, in another configuration fully equivalent to what is described, to provide for a vessel of calibration instead using the valve 123.

The pressure exerted by this column of water 125 has an absolute value lower than the operating pressure of the device. When the device is off, the pump 124 stops, the cooling water 133 reaches inside the apparatus 103 by a manifold 121 and floods very quickly all the parts of the device that are located below the level of buoyancy 135. This buoyancy level is equal to maximum height of the tubes that make up the circuit 120, according to the principle of communicating vessels.

The operation of these means of calibration, is based in practice on the principle of the tube of Torricelli, and therefore the height of the column 125 establishes a pressure of cooling water 133 antagonist to the working pressure of the device: in normal operating conditions the pressure if the cooling water 133 must be higher than the pressure of the column 125; in our case the column 125 has a height of about one meter and exerts a pressure of 0.5 atm., while the operating pressure supplied by the pump 24 is about 6 atmospheres.

Referring to fig. 2, in operating condition, the device produces oxygen which undergoes an ozonation prior passing from the lamp 104, before entering into the expansion vessel 107. In our case, the oxygen is given by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) introduced in the apparatus 103 by means of the metering pump 124.

The pressure inside the expansion vessel 107 can be controlled by a pressure gauge 126 connected to the upper portion 107 of the vessel itself.

At the same time, the lamps 104, 105 and 106 are lit. At this point, the fluids 110 that go towards the ozonation apparatus 103 almost exclusively consist of oxygen and ozone.

At the end of ozonation, the fluids 110 enters the micro-boiler 108 where, permeating within the column of water 125, after the circuitous path that is made to perform, allows the ozone to increase its solubility in water. In practice, the fluids is reduced in micro-bubbles and gurgled in column 125 of contact and desaturation, allowing the oxygen still present in the fluids mixture 110 to convert to more quickly and in greater quantity in ozone due to increased pressure and then making possible a further increase of the solubility of ozone in water.

The water so mixed 132 escapes through the conduit 109.

In the inactive condition (fig. 3), the device is switched off, the pump 124 is stopped and the pressure inside the reactor itself is obviously zero. In this condition, the cooling water 133 which enters from the manifold 121 floods practically the whole device going to cool tubes, lamps and a micro- boiler.

By means of the vent valve 117, it is possible to drain the cooling water 133 from the apparatus 103 during the condition of the restore operation.

When the machine comes back into operation, i.e. when the pump 124 starts over, the flooded parts of the device by the water cooling 133 are at low temperatures, which inhibit the device 1.

In fact, the hydrogen peroxide requires high temperatures to go quickly to scheme.

Furthermore, the pressure that is formed by the decomposition of the peroxide is not able to overcome the pressure of the water column 125 with the result that the oxygen that is produced, which is unable to exit the device and to go towards the expansion chamber 107, tends to escape from the distribution circuit 120, dragged from the water 133, passing from the coupling 129 and by means of the valve 123.

To solve this problem, there are provided actuation means for opening and closing the electric vent valve 117.

These actuation means comprise - for example - time-controlled opening means and sensor means for closing the valve 117. The means of timed opening may consist of a simple timer interconnected to a switch of the solenoid, the sensor means of closure comprise a maximum level sensor 127 and a minimum level sensor 128 of closure of the electric valve 117.

In practice, with the opening of the electric vent valve 117, the water level in the vessel 107 drops reaching the level of the sensor 127 which controls the closing of the valve 117 itself and at that point the leak of cooling water 133 is interrupted.

Simultaneously, the lamps 104, 105 and 106 are turned on over again and the pump 124 continues in the metering of hydrogen peroxide, by triggering the decomposition reaction and developing oxygen in the device.

Therefore the pressure inside the apparatus 103 increases closer and closer to the working pressure, as can occur, the operator controlling the pressure gauge 126.

After a certain predetermined time interval from the closure of the electric vent valve 117 by sensor 127, the timer activates the re-opening of the valve 117 and the level in the expansion vessel 107 again begins to fall slowly.

On the other hand, in the device 1, the pressure of the mixture 110 continues to increase.

The water level of the vessel 107 arrives at the sensor 128 and from the valve 117 comes out only oxygen under pressure, but no water.

For this reason, the sensor provides the closing command to the valve 117 and the operating condition is re-established.

All the phases described above, including the conclusion of the process, can be programmed through a programmable logic controller (PLC).

A variant of this system provides for the use of a regulator of flow exiting the ozone, such as a Gigler screw, positioned upstream of the micro- boiler 108.

In this second configuration, when the device 1 is off, the cooling water level is stabilized once that it reaches the atmospheric pressure and the device (and the apparatus 103) is not flooded by speeding up the recovery of the operation and simplifies the work of the PLC.

In using the device in swimming pools, since the operating time is limited (substantially an hour a day) and cooling problems are easier to handle, this variant is more advantageous from the economic point of view.

From what has been described above, it is therefore evident that the invention achieves the proposed aim and objectives, and in particular the fact is stressed that an oxygen generation device is provided, particularly for civil, industrial, sanitary and environmental use, which allows to avoid the use of permanganate salts in liquid form, so as not to have as reaction products elements toxic to humans.

In particular, the realization of this device allows to get, if applied in ozone plants, water and purified drinking water without toxic residues, without even unusual colors.

Another advantage of the invention is due to the fact that it is possible to control the parameters of decomposition, preventing the triggering of the reaction of self-accelerating decomposition because of the cooling means, and therefore can achieve oxygen generators safely, without the need for specific material to withstand the heat.

Another advantage of the invention consists in the fact that, through the use of the metering pump, it is possible to produce oxygen in a modular manner and also to shock, deciding a priori a certain amount of hydrogen peroxide to be entered (and thus the predetermined amount of oxygen to produce), without the need for a continuous production process.

Another advantage of the invention is given by the fact that, thanks to control of the parameters of decomposition, in particular the speed and temperature, it is possible to realize the tubular elements with simple materials such as plastic or PVC, allowing considerable savings in the production and transportation of the device.

Another advantage of the invention is provided by the fact that it ensures a real and effective disinfection on most of the pathogens and on the most common organic pollutants, without the formation of by-products with adverse effects on human health. Therefore it is particularly suited for disinfection of water for domestic use, in particular for the treatment of primary water and discharge water for tanks, swimming pools and the like.

In particular, through the use of the metering power pump of the reactor of oxygen, it is possible to produce ozone in a modular manner and also to shock based on the amount of hydrogen peroxide fed into the pump 124, i.e. by establishing a priori the amount of oxygen to produce and decompose, without the need for a continuous production as happens in the known devices, thus allowing to carry out the process of production of ozone during the night hours, i.e. the period during which no bather is present in the pool, without the use of ozone abatement systems required by law if disinfecting private and public swimming pools.

Another advantage of the invention is due to the fact that, thanks to the cooling system for flooding, it is economically very convenient, and therefore allows its use in all types of public facilities, such as in treatment and disinfection plants of primary and waste water, in tanks as well as in private facilities for the treatment of swimming pools.

Another advantage of the invention is that the positioning of the micro-boiler inside the disinfecting system avoids the ozone dosage being in direct contact with the water to be treated. Thus, the ozone dosage does not reach the water contained inside the swimming pool, as required by law. Another advantage of the device is that it is very convenient as the cooling of the flooding device allows the use of pipes, expansion tanks and mixers all made of plastic.

In particular having positioned the inlet nozzle of ozone by ozonation in the micro-boiler as far as possible from the outlet conduit of the water, allows the realization of a system of turbulence and shredding of the bubbles of ozone that allows an intimate contact with water/gas (and consequently a high solubilization of ozone in water to be disinfected) in a space extremely compact, eliminating any problem of encumbrance.

Another advantage of the invention consists in the fact that the completion of the expansion tank increases the contact time between the oxygen and ultraviolet and therefore allows for an increase of the conversion of oxygen into ozone. To enhance this effect, there has been positioned another UV lamp for conversion to the ozone just inside of the vessel itself.

Another advantage of the device of generation of oxygen is that it can be combined with other disinfection systems even without ozone, such as chlorine, avoiding the use of massive doses, and then by-products with a lesser concentration.

Not least, the use of means readily available on the market, besides the use of common materials, makes the device economically competitive.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

The disclosure in Italian Patent Applications No. AR2011A000012 and No. AR2011A000013 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical featured mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified in way of example by such reference signs.