The present invention relates to a water treatment device that produces pure water depending on the number of active dialysis machines in places such as hospitals, clinics or dialysis rooms, where a large number of dialysis machines are used.

Prior Art

Water treatment systems are used in places where use of a large number of dialysis machines are required, such as hospitals, clinics or dialysis rooms, depending on the number of dialysis machines in that place. For current uses, water treatment systems for pure water are manufactured for generating pure water to be consumed by all of the dialysis machines according to the number of dialysis machines in the relevant place. For example, in case that the place has 50 dialysis machines, then pure water to be consumed by 50 machines will be generated.

However, today, the increase in environmental awareness and least likelihood for all dialysis machines to be run simultaneously located in the place reveal that need for pure water production for all machines is not due. As an example, in general, out of 50 dialysis machines available in a place, usually 30 to 50 of them operate actively. At present however, constant production of pure water and pumping the same via a pump is required. This requires the pump to operate at full capacity and draw the rated current at all times. Therefore, today, in places, such as hospitals, clinics, or dialysis rooms, where a large number of dialysis machines are required to be used, solutions to calculate the number of active dialysis machines, to perform a measurement process, to monitor the pressure checks, and to provide instant data tracking as well as a hydraulic system tracking are required. Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to achieve a water treatment device which generates as much pure water as needed for the active machines in an environment where there are a large number of dialysis machines.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve a water treatment device which generates pure water depending on the number of active dialysis machines.

A further object of the present invention is to achieve a water treatment device which detects how much pure water will be generated by sensors, adjusts the pump speed depending on the determined quantity, and automatically performs the speed control.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve a water treatment device which provides energy savings as well as water savings as the pump operates depending on the pure water requirement and enables the pumps to work with less energy by reducing the amount of current consumed by the pumps.

Detailed Description of the Invention

"A Water Treatment Device" provided to achieve the object of the present invention is shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure-1 is a right side perspective view of a water treatment device according to the invention.

Figure-2 is a left side perspective view of a water treatment device according to the invention.

The parts in the figures are numbered individually, and the equivalents of these numbers are given below. 1. Water Treatment device

2. Body

3. Distribution block

4. Buffer tank

5. Membrane filter

6. Pump

7. Sensor

8. Electronic flow meter

9. Electronic pressure gauge

10. Manometer

11. Control panel

12. Processor

A water treatment device (1) of the invention which generates pure water for the dialysis machines comprises: at least one body (2), at least one distribution block (3) located over the body (2) and to which the mains water enters, at least one buffer tank (4) located over the body (2) and in which water from the distribution block (3) is collected, wherein the buffer tank has at least one thermometer to measure the temperature of water, at least one membrane filter (5) located over the body (2) and to which water in the buffer tank (4) is transferred to be purified using a reverse osmosis technique in order to generate pure water, at least one pump (6) located over the body (2), which pumps the water to the membrane filter (5) and dialysis machines to which the purified water will be transferred, under a high pressure, at least three sensors (7) which measure the conductivity values of water before and after entering the membrane filter (5), i.e. after the pure water is generated, and the conductivity value of unused pure water returning from the dialysis machine, at least three electronic flow meters (8) which are used to identify, electronically, the quantity of pure water after production thereof, of pure water after being used in the dialysis machines, and of the unused pure water, at least one electronic pressure gauge (9) in order to monitor the input/output pressure of the membrane filter (5) electronically and to process data, more than one manometer (10) used to measure and monitor the hydraulic pressure, wherein the manometer monitors the input/output pressure of the membrane filter (5), the pressure of mains water, and the pressure of water from the dialysis machine, at least one control panel (11) which is in communication with the pump (6), sensors (7), electronic flow meters (8), electronic pressure gauges (9) and manometers (10), wherein the control panel is used to control and visually monitor the conductivity values and flow and pressure information of the water, and at least one processor (12) which calculates the number of dialysis machines to which water is provided actively using the quantity of pure water generated, or taken from the electronic flow meters (8) and the quantity of the unconsumed water from the dialysis machines, and/or using the value of pressure loss obtained from the electronic pressure gauges (9), and calculates the quantity of pure water required for the calculated number of dialysis machines, wherein the processor enables the pump (6) to generate pure water sufficient for the calculated quantity via the membrane filter (5) depending on the calculated quantity, is in communication with the control panel (11), and shares the required quantity of pure water to be generated with the control panel (11).

In the water treatment device (1) of the invention, the body (2) comprises multiple wheels which are located in the lower part thereof and provide mobility to the body (2). The body (2) preferably comprises two covers which may be opened and closed, and which enables access to the inner volume. A control panel (11) is located on one of the covers over the body (2). Thus, the users of the water treatment device (1) may both access instant values and perform the necessary controls.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a distribution block (3) is a unit to which the mains water to be converted to pure water by a purification process enters. Before the distribution block (3), there is at least one inlet valve which controls the flow of water that comes from the water main and preferably is pre treated. The distribution block (3) does not allow water to pass into the buffer tank

(4) by closing the inlet valve when water is not needed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, waste water, pure water and water from the return line are also collected in the buffer tank (4). The buffer tank (4) comprises at least one temperature sensor which is used to measure the temperature of the water and communicates with the control panel (11). The temperature of the water in the buffer tank (4) is continuously monitored by the temperature sensor, and a warning is given via the control panel (11) when the predetermined values are exceeded. The buffer tank (4) further comprises at least two level controlling switches used to control the level. According to the status of the level controlling switches, water is taken from the water main, and the water is delivered to the membrane filter (5) under a high pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the inlet valves located at the inlet of the distribution block (3) operate in an open and closed manner between the lower and upper positions of the level switches.

In the water treatment device (1) of the present invention, the membrane filter (5) has reverse osmosis membranes located around the pipe and pipe-type filter, and the membranes are spirally wounded and in the form of rolls. The membrane filter

(5) collects the water urged to pass through the layers thereof inside the pipe and discharge it as dialysis water. In this way, the dialysis water to be used in the dialysis machines is generated. The pump (6) is a high pressure pump and consists of two parts, preferably as a pump and a motor. The pump (6) conveys water to the membrane filter (5) under a high pressure. The pressure of the water may be adjusted by means of an adapter and a valve, which are located in front of the pump (6). There is also an air discharge plug on the pump (6). Thus, the required air discharge may be performed in the first start-up of the pump (6).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a conductivity sensor (7) measures the conductivity values of the inlet water, dialysis water and dialysis return water and transmits them to the control panel (11). The water treatment device (1) of the invention further comprises at least one high conductivity valve which enables the water to be returned back to the buffer tank (4) when the conductivity value measured using the conductivity sensor (7) is higher than the value defined via the control panel (11), wherein the high conductivity valve is in communication with the processor (12) and is triggered by the processor (12).

In the water treatment device (1) of the invention, the electronic flow meter (8) is used to electronically define the amount of pure water generated, pure water returned from the dialysis machines, waste water and water returned to the buffer tank (4) as gain. By means of the electronic flow meter (8), the information about how many active dialysis machines are running in the places where the dialysis machines are used may be obtained, and pure water is generated depending on the number of active devices.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic pressure gauge (9) enables the water pressure for entering the membrane filter (5) and the water pressure for exiting the membrane filter (5) to be monitored electronically, and thus the data obtained to be processed. In this way, the pressure values may be monitored instantly via the control panel (11). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the manometer (10) allows the hydraulic pressure in the lines where the water circulates to be measured and monitored. The inlet/outlet pressure of the membrane filter (5), mains water pressure and return pressure of the dialysis machine are monitored using the manometers (10).

In the water treatment device (1) of the present invention, the control panel (11) is a touch screen by means of which the device is controlled. The inlet and outlet conductivity values of the water may be continuously monitored by the control panel (11). The control panel (11) also shares the information received from the sensors (7) which read the conductivity value, the mechanical flow information and the electronic/mechanical pressure information with a user so as to be monitored in updated manner. In addition, information on the membrane filter (5) and the electricity and water savings may be monitored on the control panel (11).

Limit identifying processes for the conductivity values of the water are executed via the control panel (11). The control panel (11) gives an alarm when the values from the conductivity sensors (7) are not within the limit depending on the limit values introduced.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processor (12) enables the pump (6) to be driven to generate the required quantity of pure water depending on the number of active dialysis machines, and thus, pure water is generated in a quantity sufficient for the active dialysis machine. In order to calculate the quantity of the pure water needed by the active dialysis machines, the processor (12) first obtains from the electronic flow meters (8) the quantity of water coming from the dialysis machines, but not used, and after determining the quantity of pure water used, calculates how many dialysis machine is active according to the mean quantity of pure water used by the dialysis machines over time. The processor (12) estimates how much pure water is needed to be generated depending on the number of active dialysis machines. The processor (12) transmits the number of active dialysis machines and the quantity of pure water to be generated to the control panel (11) in order to enable the water required for the production of the water needed to be pumped to the membrane filters (5) by adjusting the speed of the pump (6). Thus, the pump (6) pumps the water required to generate the necessary pure water to the membrane filter (5) under a high pressure.

In another preferred embodiment, the processor (12) calculates the number of active dialysis machines and the required quantity of pure water depending on the number of active dialysis machines according to the amount of loss in the pressure values from the electronic pressure gauges (9). The processor (12) calculates the number of dialysis machines from the pressure loss caused by the start-up of the dialysis machine or machines using the values obtained from the electronic pressure gauges (9) and the value of pressure loss caused by the operation of each dialysis machine.

In the preferred embodiment, the processor (12) compares the number of active dialysis machines calculated according to the values obtained from the electronic flow meters (8) and the values obtained from the electronic pressure gauges (9), and performs a crosscheck by performing a control process.

The water treatment device (1) of the present invention also comprises at least one flush valve used to discharge the particles deposited on the membrane filter (5) through a waste line under a high flow rate. In the preferred embodiment, after the pure water is started to be generated via the control panel (11) the flush valve remains open for a while to wash and clean the membrane filter (5).

The water treatment device (1) also includes check valves which are positioned on the production, waste and return lines and prevent the backflow of water.

The water treatment device (1) comprises at least one water leak detector which is placed inside the body (2) or outside the body (2) and provides an alarm through the control panel (11) in case of detecting water. In the preferred embodiment, the water treatment device (1) continues to operate during an alarm.

The water treatment device (1) further comprises at least one regulator (shut off) which is used for adjusting the water pressure in the production line and is in communication with the control panel (11) and processor (12). Thus, an adjustment process performed via the water treatment device (1) may well be monitored.

In the water treatment device (1) of the present invention, the water which is preferably subjected to a pre-treatment process and reaches the distribution block (3), reaches the buffer tank (4) by passing through a solenoid valve. In addition to the adjusted follow rate of the waste water, water and unused pure water from the dialysis machines are also collected in the buffer tank (4). The temperature of the water in the buffer tank (4) is measured by means of the temperature sensors, but is measured by means of the conductivity sensor (7) before being pumped to the membrane filter (5). The water in the buffer tank (4) is controlled by means of level switches, and water is taken through a solenoid valve if water is needed. Water in the buffer tank (4) is conveyed to the membrane filter (5) by the pump (6) under a high pressure in order to generate pure water. Water generated is fed to the dialysis line to be sent to the dialysis machines after being passed through the water conductivity sensor (7) and then, the electronic flow meter (8). By means of electronic flow meters (8), the production quantity and the quantity of pure water returned from the dialysis machines without being used are calculated, and these values are used to operate the pump (6) according to the quantity of pure water needed. In the water treatment device (1) of the invention, a high conductivity valve is opened and the water is allowed to return back to the buffer tank (4), when the conductivity value of the dialysis water is higher than the conductivity value entered through the control panel (11). The water treatment device (1) of the invention has also a sampling tap for the dialysis water. In the water treatment device (1) of the invention, the pressure of waste water with a high density from the membrane filter (5) is adjusted using a waste valve and an electronic flow meter (8). The water treatment device (1) monitors the change by using the manometer (10) and the electronic pressure gauge (9). Water, the pressure of which is adjusted, is fed to the drainage by means of a waste line connecting adapter located preferably behind the device (1) using the electronic flow meter (8) and a check valve. The quantities recovered from the waste water may be set by means of a valve on the waste line in the water treatment device (1). Furthermore, the recovered portion of the water may be monitored by the flow meter and the electronic flow meter (8) and is returned back to the buffer tank (4).

The unused portion of pure water generated in the water treatment device (1) of the invention and sent to the dialysis devices is preferably returned to the buffer tank (4) through a return port and a check valve (SO-shut off). The pressure of the water in the dialysis line may be set through the check valve. The conductivity of the dialysis water circulating in the water treatment device (1) is measured preferably during a disinfection phase using the conductivity sensor (7). The quantity of unused water is measured by means of the electronic flow meter (8) located in this line.

Within the scope of these basic concepts, a wide variety of embodiments related to a water treatment device (1) of the invention is possible to be developed, and the invention is not limited to the examples described herein and essentially is as set forth in the claims.