[001] The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis (RO) based point-of-use
5 (POU) water purifier that provides high recovery of permeate (≥50%) by employing
two reverse osmosis (RO) membranes in series and increase the recovery of
permeate (≥75%) by additionally employing a recirculation mechanism. The
present invention in particular relates to a water purification system and method for
high water recovery.
10 BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Water Pollution level is increasing tremendously with rapid
industrialization, increasing use of auxiliary means in agriculture sector and evergrowing population centres. Harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides,
fertilizers disinfection byproducts (THMs), a large numbers of heavy metal ions
15 like lead, copper, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and chromium are carried by water as it
passes through these sectors. A number of heavy metal ions such as Arsenic, Iron
and fluoride from geological formations complicates the issue further.
[003] Different contaminants in the water will have different impact on the
functioning of human body e.g. presence of heavy metals like Hg, Pb can cause
20 damage to nervous system and kidneys, as can cause severe damage to skin, liver,
eyes and may also cause cancer. In order to prevent ourselves from these hazardous
contaminants water needs to be treated before drinking. There are many
technologies available for water purification such as filtration, flocculation
chemical adsorption, distillation, chlorination, UV radiation disinfection, Reverse
25 Osmosis etc.
[004] The most efficient among all is Reverse Osmosis technology. Now a days,
it is most extensively used for water treatment purpose.at point of use. In RO, water
molecules are forced to pass from higher concentration solution to lower
concentration solution or from water with higher dissolved solids to water with
3
lower dissolved solids through a semi permeable membrane leaving the large
portion of contaminants behind.
[005] Referring to Figure 1 illustrating a block diagram of the conventional
reverse osmosis based water purifying system. In the conventional reverse osmosis
5 based water purifying system 100, unpurified water from a source is passed through
a pre-filter 101 for removing the suspended particles from water. A solenoid valve
102 is provided for controlling the flow of water and a pressure booster pump 103
operatively connected to the solenoid valve 102 is provided to boost the pressure of
the water coming from the pre-filter 101. The water from the pre-filter 101 is then
10 processed through an adsorber 104 having an inlet operatively connected to the
pressure booster pump 103 for receiving a supply of high pressure water from the
pressure booster pump 103, for removing residual chlorine or dissolved organic
impurities from the water. The water from the adsorber 104 is passed through a
purification membrane chamber 105 having an inlet operatively connected to the
15 adsorber 104 for receiving a supply water from the adsorber 104. The purification
membrane chamber 105 has a first outlet 106 for discharging water purified in the
purification membrane chamber 105 and a second outlet 107 for discharging high
pressure reject water from the purification membrane chamber 105. The purified
water from the first outlet 106 is then processed through post carbon and/or
20 mineralizer 108 for removing VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from purified
water and/or adding minerals to purified water which may get lost during RO
treatment followed by UV radiation disinfection column 109 before storing the
purified water in the storage tank.
[006] Publication No. US8241503 discloses an economical process for the
25 purification of water containing soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic compounds
using single-stage or two-stage membrane processes that integrate membrane water
purification with chemical precipitation softening and residual hardness and silica
removal from the membrane concentrates using ion exchange resins and silica
sequestering media, respectively.
4
[007] Publication No. CA2186963C discloses an a two-stage high pressure high
recovery process utilizing two reverse osmosis membrane systems intended to
provide very high overall water recoveries from contaminated inorganic scalecontaining water in an economical manner while preventing scale formation on the
5 membrane and prolonging the useful life of the membrane. The first stage of the
process involves using a low pressure membrane system to pre concentrate scale
compounds while purifying the bulk volume of the scale-containing water (using
anti scalants with pH control) and combining the influent water with a recycle
stream of concentrate from the second stage membrane process in order to prevent
10 scale formation. This is combining the influent water with the recycle stream of
concentrate to prevent scale formation. In the present invention the concentrate is
not diluted at any point.
[008] Publication No. KR100954427B1 discloses an advanced water treatment
apparatus for mixing treated water using a plurality of filtration membranes, and an
15 advanced water treatment method using the same, in particular, an inlet tank for
storing raw water required for treatment; A first filtration membrane for filtering
the raw water discharged from the inflow tank to produce primary filtered water; A
first filtration membrane treatment tank into which primary filtration treatment
water discharged from the first filtration membrane is introduced and stored; A
20 second filtration membrane for filtering the primary filtration water discharged
from the first filtration membrane treatment tank to produce a secondary filtration
water; A second filtration membrane treatment tank into which primary filtration
treatment water discharged from the first filtration membrane treatment tank and
secondary filtration treatment water discharged from the second filtration
25 membrane are respectively introduced and stored. This is for advanced water
treatment plant whereas present invention is for domestic. They are storing the
reject water from first membrane and then introducing it to second membrane.
[009] Publication No. WO2019164462A1 discloses a system and process that
enables product recovery from aqueous solutions containing salts or low molecular
30 weight solutes such as ethanol at high recovery ratio, low osmotic pressure
5
differential (OPD) and low energy consumption compared to current methods.
Particular applications of the invention include production of potable water from
water sources with high salt content such as sea water, brackish water or
wastewater. The system and process related to the present reduced-pressure reverse
5 osmosis (REPRO) invention described here achieves the reduction in the SEC, a
reduction in the OPD, and an increase in the potable water recovery via a novel
multistage hybrid RO-NF process technology.
[0010] Publication No. CN208906020 discloses a sealing-ring-free water-saving
RO membrane filter element. The water purifier comprises a hollow filter cylinder,
10 an upper end cover, a water inlet, a purified water port, a waste water port, a water
retaining piece, an RO membrane, an RO membrane concentrated water net, an RO
membrane belt, a lower end cover and a water pipe, water is fed and discharged at
the same end through a water inlet and a water outlet at one inlet and two outlets of
the RO membrane under the guide action of a water retaining plate and drainage of
15 a non-standard central pipe, the structure is concentrated and easy to operate; Water
flow is guided through the flow limiting end cover to limit a concentrated water
path from entering from the inner ring of the RO membrane concentration net and
flowing out through the outer ring in a spiral mode, the effects of increasing the
flow speed and reducing pollution blockage are achieved, the flow speed in the
20 membrane body is high, blockage is not likely to happen, and the recovery rate is
high.
[0011] Publication No. CN206318788 discloses an a water -saving reverse osmosis
purifier, including the main part, the main part has raw water inlet and pure water
delivery port, sets up preliminary treatment filter core, water pump, reverse osmosis
25 membrane modulus spare and connect gradually through the pipeline between raw
water inlet and pure water delivery port, and the concentrated water outlet of reverse
osmosis membrane modulus spare sets up waste water discharge valve and waste
water recovery valve door respectively, waste water discharge valve is used for
discharge section waste water, and waste water recovery valve door is connected to
30 the water pump front end and is used for recycle section waste water, the proportion
6
in the circulation aperture of waste water discharge valve and the circulation
aperture of waste water recovery valve door is 1: 2~4.
[0012] Publication No. CN204569564 discloses an a commercial purifier of
multistage self-interacting counter-infiltration, it includes multistage preliminary
5 treatment clean system and multistage reverse osmosis membrane modulus, its
characterized in that, multistage preliminary treatment clean system's export divides
two the tunnel, and the first via is connected with clean water tap as domestic water
is direct, the second sweetgum fruit is crossed water inlet solenoid valve and is
connected with the water inlet of booster pump, and the delivery port of booster
10 pump is connected with multistage reverse osmosis membrane modulus's water
inlet, multistage reverse osmosis membrane modulus adopts the series connection,
and reverse osmosis membrane modulus's at different levels pure water pipeline
passes through check valve, high-voltage switch and clean water tap
intercommunication, higher level reverse osmosis membrane modulus's
15 concentrated water pipe way and the reverse osmosis membrane modulus's of
subordinate water inlet are connected, last one-level reverse osmosis membrane
modulus's concentrated water pipe sweetgum fruit is crossed intelligent solenoid
valve and is externally discharged.
[0013] Publication No. US8691095 discloses a process to recover a portion of the
20 concentrate wastewater associated with the reverse osmosis unit is provided that
reduces the overall volume of concentrate wastewater requiring discharge/disposal
by reusing the purified concentrate of a concentrate recovery units as RO feed
water. The initial feed water inlet (anticipated as being from a municipal water
source, industrial water source or tertiary water source) is pre-treated in an
25 otherwise conventional manner as would be done for any RO operation (by filtering
and otherwise removing materials known to be detrimental to RO membrane
operation). The feed water inlet is then pressurized and passed through an RO
membrane, and separated into a permeate flow and a concentrate flow. After
passing through the membrane, the permeate is generally at a very lower pressure,
30 while the concentrate remains at a much higher pressure. A portion of the higher
7
pressure concentrate is then directed to an additional set of thin film composite
membranes (concentrate recovery membranes). The concentrate is drawn from the
primary RO unit upstream of a concentrate flow control valve where the pressure
is typically 100-600 psig.
5 [0014] Patent No. US5006234 discloses a water purification system embodying the
invention utilizes a section of a water line (a feed line) which supplies water through
the section to utilization equipment such as faucets, toilets, washing machines and
the like. The purification system includes a reverse osmosis system, which is
referred to hereinafter as a filtration unit or R.O. unit. The reverse osmosis system
10 has a feed water inlet, a reject water outlet and a product water outlet. Means are
provided in the line section for establishing differential pressure the reacross when
water flows through the line, when demanded by the utilization equipment. Means
are also provided for connecting the reverse osmosis system to the line so that water
supplied by the line flows from the feed water inlet to the reject water outlet thereof
15 in response to the differential pressure across the line section. Product water is also
then produced at the product water outlet. The reject water is recovered by returning
it to the feed line downstream of the section. In other words the reverse osmosis
system between its feed water inlet and reject water outlet is connected in parallel
with the line section wherein the differential pressure is developed.
20 [0015] Publication No. EP0592372 discloses an easily transportable unit
comprising a container having a base adapted to be picked up and loaded onto or
into transport means for transporting the unit, as well as adapted to be unloaded
from the transport means, without a requirement of due care. The container is
packed with equipment which provides pure water as "permeate" from reverse
25 osmosis ("RO") modules which separate potable water from contaminated water
unfit for human use. The specific requirement of the unit is that the RO modules
deliver permeate in a relatively small volume/unit time, irrespective of how isolated
the environment in which only contaminated fresh water, brackish water, or sea
water is to be found.
8
[0016] Publication No. CN20812083 discloses providing two sets of reverse
osmosis membrane filters, the filtration efficiency can be improved, and at the same
time, a flushing valve and a first pressure gauge are arranged on the waste water
pipe, so that the backflow of the wastewater can be adjusted according to the
5 wastewater concentration, and the waste water is prevented. Salt is precipitated on
the reverse osmosis membrane to extend the life of the equipment.
[0017] Publication No. US2014110339 discloses a method for the treatment of
water in membrane based water treatment, purification, and concentration systems,
and to apparatus for carrying out the method. In one embodiment, my invention
10 relates to methods for feed water pretreatment and for operation of reverse osmosis
(“RO”) equipment, which achieve increased solute rejection, thereby producing
very high purity (low solute containing) product water, while significantly
increasing on the on-stream availability of the water treatment equipment.
[0018] Publication No. US2006043008 discloses a preferred embodiment thereof,
15 by providing a pressure vessel in which there is a semipermeable membrane having
a central cavity. A perforated product water tube is provided in the central cavity of
the semipermeable membrane. A carbon filter stage in the form of an activated
carbon cake is provided to treat the water. Depending upon the location of the
carbon cake, it can be utilized to treat all the water introduced into the
20 semipermeable membrane or to treat the purified water coming out of the outlet
tube.
[0019] Publication No. WO2016049504 discloses an embodiment, includes: (a) at
least one container; (b) at least one inflow port fluidly connected to the at least one
container, wherein the at least one inflow port is configured to receive retentate or
25 reject water from a retentate line of a membrane -based filtration device; (c) at least
one outflow port configured to fluidly connect the at least one container to an
apparatus other than the membrane-based filtration device, wherein the apparatus
has a function other than membrane-based water filtration; and (d) at least one pump
operable to move the retentate from the at least one container, through the outflow
9
port, to the apparatus. The apparatus is operable with the retentate to perform such
function.
[0020] Publication No. US2017129795 discloses a reverse osmosis (RO) water
purifier that monitors total dissolved solids (TDS), and provides a barrier for
5 microbiological contaminants. Specifically, the present invention relates to a RO
system having an input and output, total dissolved solids (TDS) probes that use
conductivity of the water as the monitored parameter at inlet of the device and outlet
of filtration train, and a microbiological filter in the filtered water egress path.
[0021] Publication No. CN201962148 discloses the basis of the ordinary waste
10 water discharge type water purifier, adding a bypass pipe, a circulation pump, a
return pipe and a check valve, a bypass pipe, a circulation pump, a return pipe, and
a first stage filter. The cylinder, the second-stage filter cartridge, the third-stage
filter cartridge, and the fourth-stage filter cartridge constitute a pipeline circulation
system.
15 [0022] Publication No. CN108996737 discloses a novel pure water supply system,
including a raw water tank, a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, a pure
water tank and a concentrated water tank, and a raw water-oriented reverse osmosis
membrane treatment device in the raw water tank After treatment, pure water and
concentrated water are produced and stored separately to the pure water tank and
20 the concentrated water tank. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device
comprises at least two stages of reverse osmosis membrane processor, and each
stage of reverse osmosis membrane processor is arranged in parallel by a plurality
of stages.
[0023] Publication No. CN109019776 discloses the reverse osmosis membranes
25 passes from a side of the corresponding inlet pipe, through a gap between the center
piece and the inlet pipe, and then exits from the other side of the inlet pipe
Thereafter, the second side of the reverse osmosis membrane is folded in two, and
a water inlet passage communicating with the inlet pipe is formed between the front
surface of the reverse osmosis membrane, and the back surfaces of the two reverse
30 osmosis membranes are adjacent to each other. Forming the water producing flow
10
path by glue line bonding; the reverse osmosis membrane module further includes
a water inlet grid disposed in the water inlet flow passage, and/or a pure water guide
cloth disposed in the water production passage.
[0024] Publication No. CN108993152 discloses reverse osmosis filter element
5 assembly for the above-mentioned axial over-water has a low water intake, a short
water production passage, a short residence time of the contact between the raw
water and the surface of the membrane element, and a water-side side membrane of
the side-flow reverse osmosis filter element assembly with water inlet at both ends.
The utility model provides a side flow type reverse osmosis filter element,
10 comprising a mounting head, an outer casing and a reverse osmosis filter element
located in the outer casing, the reverse osmosis filter element and the outer casing,
which are not utilized efficiently, and the water resistance inside the filter element
assembly is large.
[0025] Publication No. WO2007125526 discloses a reverse osmosis (R.O.) water
15 purifier system was disclosed that collects and stores pure water at low pressure and
dispenses it at higher pressure. Impurities left behind when the water passes through
a R.O. module are disposed of by two methods: the fast flush method and the slow
flush method. In the fast flush method, water entering a R.O. module may take two
paths to escape there from. The first path constrains it to travel through a semi20 permeable membrane in the module which filters out un-dissolved solids and which
restrains the passage of dissolved liquids. The second path allows it to travel
through the R.O. module, without passing through the membrane, thereby carrying
out those impurities left behind by the water that has passed through the membrane.
[0026] Publication No. CN108996614 discloses the reverse osmosis membrane
25 module includes a reverse osmosis membrane, a first side of the reverse osmosis
membrane from a side of the corresponding inlet pipe, a gap between the central
axis and the inlet pipe, and then After being passed out from the other side of the
inlet pipe, the second side of the reverse osmosis membrane is folded and folded,
and a water inlet passage communicating with the inlet pipe is formed between the
11
front faces of the reverse osmosis membrane. The water producing flow path is
formed between the back sides of two adjacent reverse osmosis membrane sheets.
[0027] The article entitled “A. O. smith puritee™ 100% RO + minerals + SCMT”
by A. O. Smith India talks about the 7S purification technology in which the water
5 passes through the unique patented side stream RO membrane and is further
purified by Silver Charged Membrane Technology (SCMT). Mineralizer
Technology restores essential minerals to water, making your water healthy and
tasty.
[0028] One of the drawback of RO technology is its low recovery. Almost all the
10 basic RO based systems provides a recovery of around 25% which means a huge
amount of water (approx. 75%) gets rejected. For every one glass of purified water,
three glasses of water get wasted. Thus it is strictly needed to purify the water with
least possible wastage. Therefore, purification system is required that gives us
purified, healthy, and safe for drinking water without wasting much of it.
15 [0029] In order to overcome the limitations listed in above prior arts, the present
invention aims to provide a reverse osmosis based water purifier to purify the water
with least possible wastage. The invention provides point-of-use (POU) water
purification system that results into higher % recovery of reverse osmosis permeate
water with higher energy efficiency.
20 [0030] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is
only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention
and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this
information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
25 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0031] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a water
purification system for high water recovery.
[0032] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a water purification
method for high water recovery.
12
[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide a water purification
system and method which uses 2 RO membranes of modified formulations working
in synergy and driven by a single pressure booster pump.
[0034] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water purification
5 system and method which delivers significantly higher % recovery of permeate
water.
[0035] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a system and
method which is ecofriendly and energy efficient.
[0036] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a water purification
10 system and method to deliver permeate/purified water at a significantly higher flow
rate.
[0037] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a water
purification system and method having a recirculation mechanism to increase the
water recovery further where the concentration of dissolved solid is relatively low
15 in raw water.
[0038] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a water
purification system and method having a recirculation mechanism working in batch
manner.
[0039] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be
20 apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed
description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which
preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0040] Answers to one or more drawbacks of conventional water purifier and
25 methods, and additional advantages are provided through the water purification
system and method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and
advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other
embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are
considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
30 [0041] In accordance with the said objectives, the present invention provides a
water purification system and method for higher water recovery.
13
[0042] The water purification system for high water recovery according to the
present invention comprises of an inlet for the water to be purified, a pre-filter for
removing the suspended particles from water, a solenoid valve being operatively
connected to a pressure booster pump. The pump boost the pressure of the water
5 coming from the pre-filter, an adsorber having an inlet operatively connected to the
pressure booster pump for receiving a supply of high pressure feed water from the
pressure booster pump, for removing residual chlorine or dissolved organic
impurities from the water, a first purification membrane chamber having an inlet
operatively connected to the adsorber for receiving a supply water from the
10 adsorber, the first purification membrane chamber having a first outlet for
discharging water purified in the first purification membrane chamber, the first
purification membrane chamber having a second outlet for discharging high
pressure reject water from the first purification membrane chamber, a second
purification membrane chamber having an inlet operatively connected to the second
15 outlet of the first purification membrane chamber for receiving the reject water from
the second outlet of the first purification membrane chamber, the second
purification membrane chamber having a first outlet for discharging water purified
in the second purification membrane chamber, and a second outlet for discharging
reject water from the second purification membrane chamber, the second outlet
20 discharge opening being operatively connected to a flow restrictor, and a unifier for
merging the purified water from the first outlet, of the first purification membrane
chamber, and the purified water from the first outlet, of the second purification
membrane chamber and sending the combined purified water stream to post
carbon/mineralizer filter followed by a UV column for disinfection.
25 [0043] In an aspect, the purified water stream is passed through a post carbon/
mineralizer filter, for removing VOCs from water and balancing pH and improving
taste of purified water. The resultant water is subjected to UV radiations for
disinfection before storing the water in the storage tank.
[0044] In an aspect, the pre-filter is a sediment filter which removes suspended
30 impurities from the water.
14
[0045] In an aspect, the first purification membrane chamber and the second
purification membrane chamber uses similar type of RO membranes but with
modified sheet formulation.
[0046] In an aspect, the first purification membrane chamber and the second
5 purification membrane chamber uses different type of RO membranes with two
different sheet with modified formulations.
[0047] In an aspect, the water pressure in the first purification membrane chamber
and the second purification membrane chamber is same.
[0048] In an aspect, the unifier is a T-shaped connector.
10 [0049] In second embodiment of present water purification system, a water
conditioning cartridge is placed between the second outlet of the first purification
membrane chamber and the inlet of the second purification membrane chamber to
prevent scale formation in the second membrane.
[0050] The present subject matter further relates to a water purification method for
15 high water recovery. Steps of method includes: removing suspended impurities,
residual chlorine or dissolved organic impurities from the pre-filtered raw water
through a micron filter and an adsorber; boosting pressure and flow of water
through pressure booster pump which further directs the water towards a first
reverse osmosis membrane chamber which discharges purified water from a first
20 outlet and discharges reject water from a second outlet; passing the water, from the
first purification membrane chamber, through a second purification membrane
chamber which discharges purified water from a first outlet and discharges reject
water from a second outlet; maintaining the pressure in the second purification
membrane chamber by introducing a flow restrictor subsequent to second outlet;
25 merging. The purified water from first outlet of the first purification membrane
chamber and purified water from the first outlet of the second purification
membrane chamber by using a unifier and storing the purified water in a storage
tank.
[0051] In an aspect, purified water from the first outlet of the first purification
30 membrane chamber and purified water from the first outlet of the second
purification membrane chamber, after merging, is passed through a post
15
carbon/mineralizer filter for removing VOCs and balancing pH by adding essential
minerals followed by UV column for disinfection before storing the water in the
storage tank.
[0052] In an aspect, the purified water stream is sent to the storage tank at a
5 purification rate between 350 - 600 ml/min.
[0053] In second embodiment of the present water purification method, water from
the second outlet of the first purification membrane chamber is passed through a
water conditioning cartridge before passing through the second purification
membrane chamber.
10 [0054] The water purification system for high water recovery according to the third
embodiment of present water purification system, the water purification system
comprises of an inlet for water to be purified, a pre-filter for removing the
suspended particles from water, a solenoid valve being operatively connected to a
pressure boosting pump wherein the pressure booster pump boosts the pressure of
15 the water coming from the pre-filter, an adsorber having an inlet operatively
connected to the pressure booster pump for receiving a supply of high pressure
water from the pressure booster pump, for removing residual chlorine or dissolved
organic impurities from the water, a first purification membrane chamber having an
inlet operatively connected to the adsorber for receiving a supply water from the
20 adsorber, the first purification membrane chamber having a first outlet for
discharging water purified in the first purification membrane chamber, the first
membrane chamber having a second outlet for discharging high pressure reject
water from the first purification membrane chamber, a second purification
membrane chamber having an inlet operatively connected to the second outlet of
25 the first purification membrane chamber for receiving the reject water from the
second outlet of the first purification membrane chamber, the second purification
membrane chamber having a first outlet for discharging water purified in the second
purification membrane chamber, and a second outlet for discharging reject water
from the second purification membrane chamber, the second outlet discharge
30 opening being operatively connected to a flow restrictor and a unifier for merging
the purified water from the first outlet, of the first purification membrane chamber,
16
and the purified water from the first outlet, of the second purification membrane
chamber and sending the combined purified water stream to post
carbon/mineralizer filter followed by a UV column for disinfection. The discharged
reject water from the second purification membrane chamber is recirculated in the
5 water purifier system through a recirculation mechanism when TDS of the reject
water is below a predetermined value.
In an aspect, the recirculation mechanism comprises a reservoir to collect reject
water, a TDS sensor to determine TDS of reject water from the second purification
membrane chamber, a high pressure switch (HPS) to monitor the pressure in the
10 reservoir, a dual solenoid valve to drain reject water when TDS of reject water is
above a predetermined value or the reservoir is full to its capacity and direct reject
water to the reservoir when TDS of reject water is below the predetermined value
or the reservoir is not full to its capacity, a non-return valve (NRV1) to maintain a
unidirectional flow of reject water, a low pressure switch (LPS) to monitor the
15 pressure of the reservoir and a solenoid valve to stop the recirculation of reservoir
water when the volume of water in the reservoir is at minimum level, an another
non return valve (NRV2) to maintain the unidirectional flow of water.
[0055] In an aspect, the high pressure switch directs the flow of reject water,
towards the drain, when the pressure of the reservoir reached a predetermined
20 maximum limit.
[0056] In an aspect, the high pressure switch directs the flow of reject water,
towards the reservoir, when the pressure of the reservoir is below the predetermined
limit.
[0057] In the aspect, the high pressure switch de-actuates the main SV on the water
25 inlet line.
[0058] In the aspect, the high pressure switch actuates the SV on reservoir draining
side to start the recirculation.
[0059] In an aspect, the low pressure switch de-actuates the solenoid valve on
drawing side of reservoir and actuates the main solenoid valve on water inlet line
30 when pressure of the reservoir decreases to the predetermined limit to stop the
recirculation process.
17
[0060] In an aspect, the recirculation mechanism performs recirculation in batch
manner.
[0061] In fourth embodiment of the present water purification system, water from
the second outlet of the first purification membrane chamber is passed through a
5 water conditioning cartridge before passing through the second purification
membrane chamber.
[0062] In an aspect, a non-return valve is provided between the dual solenoid valve
and the high pressure switch to restrict the backflow of unpurified water from the
reservoir and another non-retune valve provided between solenoid valve on
10 drawing side of reservoir and Tee connection following main solenoid valve to
restrict flow of unpurified water from main line to reservoir.
[0063] The water purification method according to third embodiment of the present
water purification method for high water recovery. Steps of method includes:
removing residual chlorine or dissolved organic impurities from the pre-filtered
15 water through adsorption by an adsorber; passing the water, after pre-filtering,
through a solenoid valve; boosting pressure of the water coming from pre-filter after
pre-filteration with the help of pressure booster pump; passing the water, from the
adsorber, through a first purification membrane chamber which discharges purified
water from a first outlet and discharges reject water from a second outlet; passing
20 the water, from the first purification membrane chamber, through a second
purification membrane chamber which discharges purified water from a first outlet
and discharges reject water from a second outlet; maintaining the pressure in the
second purification membrane chamber by introducing a flow restrictor subsequent
to second outlet; merging the purified water from first outlet of the first purification
25 membrane chamber and purified water from the first outlet of the second
purification membrane chamber by using a unifier; storing the purified water in a
storage tank; and recirculating the reject water from the second outlet, in the water
purification system, when TDS of the reject water is below predetermined value. In
an aspect, the recirculation of reject water in the water purification system
30 comprises the steps of: determining the TDS of reject water from the second
purification membrane chamber; monitoring the pressure in the reservoir through
18
the high pressure switch; diverting, through a dual solenoid valve, the flow of reject
water towards drain when the pressure of the reservoir reached a predetermined
upper limit and towards the reservoir when the pressure of the reservoir is below
the predetermined limit; simultaneously the high pressure switch actuating the
5 solenoid valve and de-actuating the main line solenoid valve when pressure of the
reservoir attain the predetermined upper limit; monitoring the pressure in the
reservoir through the low pressure switch de-actuating the solenoid valve and
actuating the main line solenoid valve when pressure of the reservoir is below the
predetermined limit.
10 [0064] In an aspect the entire mechanism of purification and recirculation is
determined and controlled by an electronic circuit.
[0065] In an aspect, purified water from first outlet of the first purification
membrane chamber and purified water from the first outlet of the second
purification membrane chamber, after merging, is passed through a post
15 carbon/mineralizer filter for removing VOCs and balancing pH by addition of
essential minerals. followed by UV column for disinfecting the purified water
before storing the water in the storage tank.
[0066] In fourth embodiment of the present water purification method, water from
the second outlet of the first purification membrane chamber is passed through a
20 water conditioning cartridge before passing through the second purification
membrane chamber.
[0067] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure
described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the
aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the
25 disclosure.
[0068] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any
way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features
described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent
by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
19
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0069] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical
embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered
for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
5 embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers
are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some
embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present
10 subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the
accompanying figures, in which:
[0070] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the existing reverse osmosis based
water purifying system;
[0071] Figure 2a illustrates a block diagram of water purification system for high
15 water recovery according to first embodiment of the present invention;
[0072] Figure 2b illustrates a block diagram of water purification system for high
water recovery according to second embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] Figure 3a illustrates the isometric view of the UV Column, according to one
of the embodiment of present invention;
20 [0074] Fig. 3b illustrates the section view of the UV Column, according to one of
the embodiment of present invention;
[0075] Fig 3c illustrates the top view of the UV Column, according to one of the
embodiment of present invention;
[0076] Fig. 3d illustrates the working of the UV Column from the top, according to
25 one of the embodiment of present invention;
[0077] Fig. 4a illustrates the flow chart of a water purification method for high
water recovery, according to first embodiment of present invention;
[0078] Fig. 4b illustrates the flow chart of a water purification method for high
water recovery, according to second embodiment of present invention;
20
[0079] Fig. 5a illustrates a block diagram of water purification system, with
recirculation mechanism, for high water recovery according to third embodiment of
the present invention
[0080] Fig. 5b illustrates a block diagram of water purification system, with water
5 conditioning cartridge and recirculation mechanism, for high water recovery
according to fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0081] Fig. 6a illustrates the flow chart of a water purification method for high
water recovery, according to third embodiment of present invention.
[0082] Figure 7 illustrates flow chart of recirculation method of the water
10 purification method, according to one of the embodiment of present invention.
[0083] Figure 8 illustrates the block diagram of PCB with connections to various
components.
[0084] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the
purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from
15 the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0085] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various
20 modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown
by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be
understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular
forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
25 [0086] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used
in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device,
system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those
components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to
such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a
30 system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints,
21
preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or
device.
[0087] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the
principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in
5 the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized
as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same
purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly
described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter.
10 Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be
for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the
present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering
the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically
recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be
15 characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method
of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood
from the following description when considered in connection with the
accompanying figures.
[0088] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described
20 in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the
description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus
be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various
arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles
of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
25 [0089] Accordingly, the present invention provides a water purifying system and
method for high water recovery.
[0090] Referring to Fig. 2a, illustrating a block diagram of water purification
system 200a for high water recovery according to first embodiment of the present
invention. The water purification system 200a comprises of an inlet for the source
30 of water to be purified, a pre-filter 201 for removing the suspended particles from
water, a pressure booster pump 203 being operatively connected to a solenoid valve
22
202. The pump boosts the pressure and flow of the water coming from the pre-filter
201, an adsorber 204 having an inlet operatively connected to the pressure booster
pump 203 for receiving a supply of high pressure raw water from the pressure
booster pump 203, for removing residual chlorine or dissolved organic impurities
5 from the water, a first purification membrane chamber 205 having an inlet
operatively connected to the adsorber 204 for receiving a supply water from the
adsorber 204, the first purification membrane chamber 205 having a first outlet 206
for discharging water purified in the first purification membrane chamber 205, the
first purification membrane chamber 205 having a second outlet 207 for discharging
10 high pressure reject water from the first purification membrane chamber 205, a
second purification membrane chamber 208 having an inlet operatively connected
to the second outlet 207 of the first purification membrane chamber 205 for
receiving the reject water from the second outlet 207 of the first purification
membrane chamber 205, the second purification membrane chamber 208 having a
15 first outlet 209 for discharging purified water in the second purification membrane
chamber 208, and a second outlet 210 for discharging reject water from the second
purification membrane chamber 208, the second outlet 210 discharge opening being
operatively connected to a flow restrictor tube 211; and a unifier 212 for merging
the first outlet 206, of the first purification membrane chamber 205, and the first
20 outlet 209, of the second purification membrane chamber 208 and sending a
purified water stream 213 after passing through mineralizer followed by UV
disinfection column to a storage tank.
[0091] Referring to Fig. 2b illustrating a block diagram of water purification system
200b for high water recovery according to second embodiment of the present
25 invention. In this embodiment, the system 200b comprises of a water conditioning
cartridge 216 which is placed between the second outlet 207 of the first purification
membrane chamber 205 and the inlet of the second purification membrane chamber
208. The reject water of first purification chamber 205 is first passed through the
water conditioning cartridge 216 and then is sent to the inlet of the second
30 purification membrane chamber 208.
23
[0092] The water purification system (200a, 200b), according to the present
invention, is a point-of-use water purification system which comprises of two
Reverse Osmosis membranes chamber 205, 208 of identical or differentiated
specifications driven by single pressure booster pump 203 of required water flow
5 & pressure. The reject of first RO Membrane chamber 205 is the feed water for
second RO membrane chamber 208. Both RO Membrane chambers 205, 208
operates on equivalent working pressure and higher recovery is fetched without
compromising in purification of water. The present invention also provides faster
filtration rate thus making it energy efficient.
10 [0093] The purified water stream is passed through a post carbon/mineralizer filter
214, for adsorbing VOCs improving taste of water by balancing its pH followed by
a UV column 215 for disinfecting the purified water before storing it in the storage
tank.
[0094] Further, the pre-filter 201 is a sediment filter which removes suspended
15 impurities from the water
[0095] In an aspect, the first purification membrane chamber 205 and the second
purification membrane chamber 208 uses similar type of RO membranes.
[0096] In another aspect, the first purification membrane chamber 205 and the
second purification membrane chamber 208 uses different type of RO membranes.
20 [0097] In an aspect, the first purification membrane chamber 205 has a membrane
of versatile sheet with surface modified polyamide formulation which generates a
higher variable flux with varying water pressure and the second purification
chamber 208 has a membrane of polyamide sheet infused with multiwalled carbon
nanotubes which provides higher water flux and higher % of salt rejection.
25 [0098] The water pressure in the first purification membrane chamber 205 and the
second purification membrane chamber 208 is same.
[0099] The unifier 212 is a T-shaped connector.
[00100] Fig. 3a-3d illustrates the UV Column (215) which comprises
primarily of a Quartz Glass Tube (301) for the purified water and a UV lamp (302)
30 for emitting UV rays to disinfect the purified water in the quartz glass tube (301).
24
Further, the inner wall (303) of the UV column (215) is made from reflective type
of material to reflect the UV rays.
[00101] In UV column (215), water flows in to the quartz glass tube 301 with
a transmittance of > 85% at 254 nm wavelength. Quartz glass tube 301 is exposed
5 to direct UV radiation from a UV ‘C’ lamp 302 with a peak at 254 nm. UV lamp
302 is placed adjacent to the quartz glass tube 301 at an optimal distance for best
disinfection results. Both quartz glass tube 301 and UV lamp 302 are placed in a
reflector cylindrical jacket having 86% reflective index. Direct UV radiations from
the lamp 302 and reflected radiations in the column works in synergy for the
10 optimum disinfection efficacy of the column. The column is optimized for a flow
rate of 600 ml/min with 6 log reduction efficacy against known bacterial strains.
[00102] Figure 4a illustrates a water purification method 400 for high water
recovery, according to the first embodiment of present subject matter.
[00103] In step 401, water from a source is pre-filtered in a pre-filter 201.
15 Suspended particles in the water are removed during pre-filtration and the water is
further processed.
[00104] In step 402, the pre-filtered water, from the pre-filter 201, is passed
through a solenoid valve (202).
[00105] In step 403, the pressure of the water from the pre-filter 201 is
20 boosted for further processing. The boosting of the pressure is done through a
pressure booster pump (203).
[00106] In step 404, the pressurized water from the pressure booster pump
(203) is processed through an adsorber 204. The adsorber 204 use the principle of
adsorption to remove residual chlorine or dissolved organic impurities from the
25 pressurized pre-filtered water.
[00107] In step 405, the water from the adsorber 204 is passed through a first
purification membrane chamber 205. The first purification membrane chamber 205
purifies the water from the adsorber 204 by using RO membrane. The purified water
from the first purification membrane chamber 205 is discharged from a first outlet
30 206 and discharges reject water from a second outlet 207.
25
[00108] In step 406, water from the second outlet 207 of the first purification
membrane chamber 205 is passed through a second purification membrane chamber
208. The second purification membrane chamber 208 purifies the water from the
second outlet 207 by using RO membrane. The purified water from the second
5 purification membrane chamber 208 is discharged from a first outlet 209 and
discharges reject water from a second outlet 210.
[00109] In step 407, the pressure in the second purification membrane
chamber 208 is maintained equivalent to the pressure in the first purification
membrane chamber 205 by introducing a flow restrictor tube 211 subsequent to
10 second outlet 210 of the second purification membrane chamber 208.
[00110] In step 408, the purified water from first outlet 206 of the first
purification membrane chamber 205 and purified water from the first outlet 209 of
the second purification membrane chamber 208 is merged together by using a
unifier 212.
15 [00111] In step 409, the purified water is stored in the storage tank for use.
Before storing the water in the storage tank and after merging in step 308, purified
water from first outlet 206 of the first purification membrane chamber 205 and
purified water from the first outlet 209 of the second purification membrane
chamber 208 is passed through a post carbon/mineralizer filter 214 for removing
20 VOCs and balancing the pH of water and thereby improving its taste followed by a
UV column 215 for disinfecting the purified water before storing it in the storage
tank.
[00112] Referring to figure 4b illustrating the flow chart of a water
purification method 400a for high water recovery, according to second embodiment
25 of present invention. In this embodiment, in step 406a, from the second outlet (207)
of the first purification membrane chamber (205) passes through a water
conditioning cartridge (216) and subsequently through a second purification
membrane chamber (208) which discharges water purified water from a first outlet
(209) and discharges unpurified water from a second outlet (210).
30 [00113] Referring to Fig. 5a illustrating a block diagram of water purification
system 500a, with recirculation mechanism, for high water recovery according to
26
third embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the water purification
system 200 of first embodiment, a recirculation mechanism is incorporated to
increase the recovery of water. The reject water from the second outlet 210 is
recirculated in the water purification system when TDS of the reject water is below
5 a predetermined value. The recirculation mechanism comprises a reservoir 507, a
TDS sensor 501, a high pressure switch 506, a dual solenoid valve 502, a low
pressure switch 510 and a solenoid valve 511. The predetermined value of TDS is
based on the specification of second RO membrane of the second RO membrane
chamber.
10 [00114] TDS of the reject water stream from the second outlet 210 is
determined. The dual solenoid valve 502 divert the flow of reject water towards the
reservoir 507 when the TDS of the reject water is below a predetermined value. The
high pressure switch 506 monitors the pressure inside the reservoir 507 and divert
the flow of reject water towards drain when the pressure inside the reservoir 507
15 cross a predetermined limit. The high pressure switch 506 diverts the flow of water
towards drain through the dual solenoid valve 502.
[00115] The low pressure switch 510 de-actuates the solenoid valve 511 and
actuates the solenoid valve 202 when pressure of the reservoir 507 is below the
predetermined limit. Actuation of solenoid valve 202 and de-actuation of solenoid
20 valve 510 results in circulation of only water from the source in the water
purification system. Thus, the recirculation mechanism works in a batch manner.
[00116] A non-return valve (NRV1) 505 is provided between the dual
solenoid valve 502 and the high pressure switch 506 to restrict the backflow of
unpurified water from the reservoir 507.
25 [00117] Referring to fig. 5b illustrating a block diagram of water purification
system 500b, with water conditioning cartridge 216 and recirculation mechanism,
for high water recovery according to fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[00118] In addition to the water purification system 200b of second
embodiment a water recirculation mechanism is provided to increase the water
30 recovery. The recirculation mechanism is similar to the recirculation mechanism as
disclosed for third embodiment.
27
[00119] Referring to fig. 6a and 6b illustrating flow chart of a water
purification methods 600, 600a for high water recovery, according to third and
fourth embodiment of present invention. The third and fourth embodiment of water
purification method corresponds to the third and fourth embodiment of water
5 purification systems 500a, 500b with an additional step of recirculation of the
unpurified water from the second outlet 210, in the water purification system, when
TDS of the reject water is below predetermined value.
[00120] Referring to figure 7 illustrating flow chart of recirculation
mechanism of the water purification system, according to one of the embodiment
10 of present invention. At step 701, TDS of reject water from the second purification
membrane chamber 208 is determined. Only the reject water having TDS below a
predetermined value is recirculated through recirculation mechanism in to the water
purification system.
[00121] At step 702, the high pressure switch 506 monitors the pressure
15 inside the reservoir 507. The reject water from the second purification membrane
chamber 208 is only sent to the reservoir 507 when the pressure inside the reservoir
507 is less than a predetermined limit. When the pressure is above or equal to the
predetermined limit, the reject water is directed towards drain.
[00122] At step 703, the dual solenoid valve 502 diverts the flow of reject
20 water towards drain when the pressure of the reservoir 507 reached a predetermined
limit and towards the reservoir 507 when the pressure of the reservoir is below the
predetermined limit.
[00123] At step 704, the low pressure switch 510 monitors the pressure
inside the reservoir 507. The reject water from the reservoir 507 is only recirculated
25 in the water purification system when the pressure inside the reservoir 507 is more
than a predetermined limit. When the pressure is below or equal to the
predetermined limit, then water from the source is circulated in the water
purification system.
[00124] At step 705, the solenoid valve 511 is actuated and the solenoid
30 valve 202 is de-actuated when pressure of the reservoir 507 attain the predetermined
limit. With actuation of solenoid valve 511 and de-actuation of solenoid valve 202,
28
the reject water is recirculated in the water purification system. The solenoid valve
511 is de-actuated and the solenoid valve 202 is actuated when pressure of the
reservoir 507 is below the predetermined limit. With de-actuation of solenoid valve
511 and actuation of solenoid valve 202, the water from the source is circulated in
5 the water purification system. The recirculation mechanism works in batch manner.
[00125] Referring to Fig.8, all the electrical components are governed by
various signals from a main control PCB. The PCB sends and receives various
signals from all the components and the water purification system (200a, 200b) for
high water recovery works,
10 Examples of third and fourth embodiments working:
Case 1.) If input water has lower TDS may be around 500 ppm, then after fetching
50% recovery and 90% salts reduction the system will generate the reject stream,
having TDS around 900 ppm which still lies within the range of RO membrane
specifications so whenever this water is available, the system will store it and reuse
15 it i.e. storable reject water streamline (404) will be opened.
Case 2.) If input water has TDS for example around 800 ppm, then after fetching
the mentioned recovery and salts reduction, the reject stream, will have the TDS of
around 1500 ppm, it still lies in the scope of RO membrane specifications therefore
it can be re used again.
20 [00126] Case 3.) If input water TDS has 1000 ppm, in that case reject water
stream will have TDS of 1900 ppm, which is quite close to the upper limits of RO
membranes therefore in order to have some safety margins (of 20%), the system
reject the unpurified water towards drain.
[00127] Advantages of water purification system and method, according to
25 the present invention, includes:
a. high water recovery to the range of at least 50%;
b. using a single pump to maintain equal pressure in 2 different RO
membranes;
c. eco-friendly and energy efficient;
30 d. high flow rate of the purified water.
29
[00128] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms
used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended
claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should
be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be
5 interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as
“includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within
the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such
an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation
no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following
10 appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and
“one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the
indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced
claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the
15 same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and
indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be
interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use
of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the
20 art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least
the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A,
B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
25 having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at
least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous
to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended
30 in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a
system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems
30
that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those
within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or
more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be
5 understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of
the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to
include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[00129] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a
plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step,
10 or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural
steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations.
Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures
depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other
dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present
15 invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated
embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of
other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the
above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof
also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present
20 invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the
practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also
contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited
feature.
[00130] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been
25 described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the
present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described.
Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the
present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the
system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
30 art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications
and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

WE CLAIM:

1. A water purification system (200a, 200b) for high water recovery, the
water purification system (200a, 200b) comprising:
An inlet for source of the water to be purified;
5 a pre-filter (201) for removing the suspended particles from water;
a solenoid valve (202) being operatively connected to a pressure booster
pump (203) wherein the pressure booster pump (203) boosts the pressure
of the water coming from the pre-filter (201);
an adsorber (204) having an inlet operatively connected to the pressure
10 booster pump (203) for receiving a supply of high pressure feed water from
the pressure booster pump (203), for removing residual chlorine or
dissolved organic impurities from the water;
a first purification membrane chamber (205) having an inlet operatively
connected to the adsorber (204) for receiving a supply water from the
15 adsorber (204), the first purification membrane chamber (205) having a first
outlet (206) for discharging water purified in the first purification membrane
chamber (205), the first purification membrane chamber (205) having a
second outlet (2072) for discharging high pressure reject water from the first
purification membrane chamber (205);
20 a second purification membrane chamber (208) having an inlet operatively
connected to the second outlet (207) of the first purification membrane
chamber (205) for receiving the reject water from the second outlet (207) of
the first purification membrane chamber (205), the second purification
membrane chamber (208) having a first outlet (209) for discharging water
25 purified in the second purification membrane chamber (208), and a second
outlet (210) for discharging reject water from the second purification
32
membrane chamber (208), the second outlet (210) discharge opening being
operatively connected to a flow restrictor tube (211); and
a unifier (212) for merging the purified water from the first outlet (206), of
the first purification membrane chamber (205), and the purified water from
5 the first outlet (209), of the second purification membrane chamber (208)
and sending a purified water stream (213) to a storage tank.
2. The system (200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the purified water
stream (213) is passed through a post carbon/mineralizer filter (214), for
adsorbing VOCs, balancing its pH and improves the taste of water followed
10 by UV column (215) for disinfecting the purified water before storing it in
the storage tank.
3. The system (200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-filter (201)
is a sediment filter which removes suspended impurities from the water
4. The system (200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first purification
15 membrane chamber (205) and the second purification membrane chamber
(208) uses similar type of RO membranes.
5. The system (200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first purification
membrane chamber (205) and the second purification membrane chamber
(208) uses different type of RO membranes.
20 6. The system (200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water pressure
in the first purification membrane chamber (205) and the second
purification membrane chamber (206) is same.
7. The system (200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unifier (212) is
a T-shaped connector.
33
8. The system (200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a water conditioning
cartridge (216) is placed between the second outlet (207) of the first
membrane chamber (208).
9. The system (200a, 200b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the purified water
5 stream (213) is sent to the storage tank at a purification. The system has
higher purification rate for example -600 ml/min.
10. A water purification method (400, 400a) for high water recovery, the
method (400) comprises:
pre-filtering (401) water, from a source to remove suspended
10 particles from the water, in a pre-filter (201);
passing (402) the water, after pre-filtering, through a solenoid valve
(202);
boosting (403) pressure of the water coming from pre-filter (201)
after pre-filtration;
15 removing (404) residual chlorine or dissolved organic impurities
from the pressurized pre-filtered water through adsorption by an adsorber (204);
passing (405) the water, from the adsorber (204), through a first
purification membrane chamber (205) which discharges purified water from a first
outlet (206) and discharges reject water from a second outlet (207);
20 passing (406) the water, from the second outlet (207) of the first
purification membrane chamber (205), through a second purification membrane
chamber (208) which discharges water purified water from a first outlet (209) and
discharges reject water from a second outlet (210);
maintaining (407) the pressure in the second purification membrane
25 chamber (208) by introducing a flow restrictor tube (211) subsequent to second
outlet (210);
merging (408) the purified water from first outlet (206) of the first
purification membrane chamber (205) and purified water from the first outlet (209)
of the second purification membrane chamber (208) by using a unifier (212); and
34
passing the merged purified water through a post carbon/mineralizer filter
(214) and UV column (215) and storing the purified water in a storage tank.
5 11. The water purification method (400, 400a) as claimed in claim 10, wherein
purified water from first outlet (206) of the first purification membrane chamber
(205) and purified water from the first outlet (209) of the second purification
membrane chamber (208), after merging, is passed through a post
carbon/mineralizer filter (214) for adsorbing VOCs balancing pH of water thereby
10 increasing its taste, followed by UV column (215) for disinfecting the purified water
before storing the water in the storage tank.
12. The water purification method (400b) as claimed in claim 10, wherein water
from the second outlet (207) of the first purification membrane chamber (205) is
passed through a water conditioning cartridge (216) before passing through the
15 second membrane chamber (208).
13. A water purification system (500a, 500b) for high water recovery, the water
purification system (500a, 500b) comprising:
An inlet for the source of the water;
a pre-filter (201) for removing the suspended particles from water;
20 a solenoid valve (202) being operatively connected to a pressure booster
pump (203) wherein the pressure booster pump (203) boosts the pressure of
the water coming from the pre-filter (201);
an adsorber (204) having an inlet operatively connected to the pressure
booster pump (203) for receiving a supply of high pressure unpurified water
25 from the pressure booster pump (203), for removing residual chlorine or
dissolved organic impurities from the water;
35
a membrane chamber (205) having an inlet operatively connected to the
adsorber (204) for receiving a supply water from the adsorber (204), the first
purification membrane chamber (205) having a first outlet (206) for
discharging water purified in the membrane chamber (205), the first
5 purification membrane chamber (205) having a second outlet (207) for
discharging high pressure reject water from the first purification membrane
chamber (205);
a second purification membrane chamber (208) having an inlet operatively
connected to the second outlet (207) of the membrane chamber (205) for
10 receiving the reject water from the second outlet (207) of the first
purification membrane chamber (205), the membrane chamber (208) having
a first outlet (209) for discharging water purified in the second purification
membrane chamber (208), and a second outlet (210) for discharging reject
water from the second purification membrane chamber (208), the second
15 outlet (210) discharge opening being operatively connected to a flow
restrictor tube (211); and
a unifier (212) for merging the purified water from the first outlet (206), of
the first purification membrane chamber (205), and the purified water from
the first outlet (209), of the membrane chamber (208) and sending a purified
20 water stream (213) to a storage tank; and
a recirculation mechanism to recirculate the reject water from the second
outlet (210) in the water purification system (500a, 500b) when TDS of the
reject water is below predetermined value.
14. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 13, wherein
25 the recirculation mechanism comprises:
a reservoir (507) to collect reject water;
36
a TDS sensor (501) to determine TDS of reject water from the
membrane chamber (208);
a high pressure switch (506) to monitor the pressure in the reservoir
(507);
5 a dual solenoid valve (502) to drain reject water when TDS of reject
water is above a predetermined value or the reservoir (507) is full to its
capacity and direct reject water to the reservoir (507) when TDS of reject
water is below the predetermined value or the reservoir (507) is not full to
its capacity;
10 a low pressure switch (510) to monitor the pressure of the reservoir
(507);
a solenoid valve (511) to stop the recirculation of reject water when
the volume of water in the reservoir is at minimum level.
15. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 14, wherein
15 the high pressure switch (506) directs the flow of reject water, towards the drain,
when the pressure of the reservoir (507) reached a predetermined limit.
16. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the high pressure switch (506) directs the flow of reject water, towards the reservoir
(507), when the pressure of the reservoir (507) is below the predetermined limit.
20 17. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the high pressure switch (506) once attains the predetermined maximum limit will
actuate the Solenoid valve (511) and will deactuate the main line solenoid valve
(202) after which the reservoir water will be recirculated in the water purification
system
25 18. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the low pressure switch (510) de-actuate the solenoid valve (511) and actuates the
37
solenoid valve (202) when pressure of the reservoir is below the predetermined
limit.
19. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 13, wherein
the recirculation mechanism perform recirculation in batch manner.
5 20. The water purification system (500b) as claimed in claim 13, wherein water
from the second outlet (207) of the first purification membrane chamber (205) is
passed through a water conditioning cartridge (216) before passing through the
second purification membrane chamber (208).
21. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 14, wherein
10 a non-return valve (505) is provided between the dual solenoid valve (502) and the
high pressure switch (506) to restrict the backflow of reject water from the reservoir
(507).
22. A water purification method (600, 600a) for high water recovery, the
method (600, 600a) comprises:
15 pre-filtering (401) water, from a source to remove suspended
particles from the water, in a pre-filter (201);
passing (402) the water, after pre-filtering, through a solenoid valve
(202);
boosting (403) pressure of the water coming from pre-filter (201)
20 after pre-filtration;
removing (404) residual chlorine or dissolved organic impurities
from the pressurized pre-filtered water through adsorption by an adsorber (204);
passing (405) the water, from the adsorber (204), through a first
purification membrane chamber (205) which discharges purified water from a first
25 outlet (206) and discharges reject water from a second outlet (207);
passing (406) the water, from the second outlet (207) of the first
purification membrane chamber (208) which discharges water purified water from
a first outlet (209) and discharges reject water from a second outlet (210);
38
maintaining (407) the pressure in the second purification membrane
chamber (208) by introducing a flow restrictor tube (211) subsequent to second
outlet (210);
merging (408) the purified water from first outlet (206) of the first
5 purification membrane chamber (208) by using a unifier (212); and
storing the purified water in a storage tank; and
recirculating the reject water from the second outlet (210), in the water
purification system, when TDS of the reject water is below predetermined value.
23. The water purification method (600, 600a) as claimed in claim 22, wherein
10 the recirculation of reject water in the water purification system comprises the steps
of:
Determining (701) the TDS of reject water from the second purification
membrane chamber (208);
monitoring (702) the pressure in the reservoir (507) through the high
15 pressure switch (506);
diverting (703), through a dual solenoid valve (502), the flow of reject water
towards drain when the pressure of the reservoir (507) reached a
predetermined limit and towards the reservoir (507) when the pressure of
the reservoir (507) is below the predetermined limit
20 monitoring (704) the pressure in the reservoir (507) through the low
pressure switch (510);
de-actuating the solenoid valve (511) and actuating the solenoid valve (202)
when pressure of the reservoir (507) is below the predetermined limit.
24. The water purification method (600, 600a) as claimed in claim 22, wherein
25 purified water from first outlet (206) of the membrane chamber (208), after
merging, is passed through a post carbon/mineralizer filter (214) for removing
39
VOCs and, balancing the pH of water followed by UV column (215) for disinfecting
the purified water before storing the water in the storage tank.
25. The water purification method (600a) as claimed in claim 22, wherein water
from the second outlet (207) of the first purification membrane chamber (205) is
5 passed through a water conditioning cartridge (216) before passing through the
second purification membrane chamber (208).