Description:DESCRIPTION
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to a reverse osmosis (RO) based point-of-use (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.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Water Pollution level is increasing tremendously with rapid industrialization, increasing use of auxiliary means in agriculture sector and ever-growing population centres. Harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers disinfection byproducts (THMs), a large numbers of heavy metal ions 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
[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 scale-containing water in an economical manner while preventing scale formation on the 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 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 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 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 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 weight solutes such as ethanol at high recovery ratio, low osmotic pressure 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 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, 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 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 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 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 the water pump front end and is used for recycle section waste water, the proportion 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 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 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 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 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 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, while the concentrate remains at a much higher pressure. A portion of the higher 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.
[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 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 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.
[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 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.
[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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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.
[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 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 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 osmosis membranes are adjacent to each other. Forming the water producing flow 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 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, 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 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 semi-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 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 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 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 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.
[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.
[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.

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.
[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 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 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 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 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 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.
[0041] In accordance with the said objectives, the present invention provides a water purification system and method for higher water recovery.
[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 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 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 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 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.
[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 impurities from the water.
[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 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.
[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 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 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; 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 membrane chamber and purified water from the first outlet of the second purification membrane chamber, after merging, is passed through a post 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 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.
[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 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 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 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 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. The discharged reject water from the second purification membrane chamber is recirculated in the 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 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 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 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 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 when pressure of the reservoir decreases to the predetermined limit to stop the recirculation process.
[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 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 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 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 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 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 comprises the steps of: determining the TDS of reject water from the second purification membrane chamber; monitoring the pressure in the reservoir through 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 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.
[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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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;
[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 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;
[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 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 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 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 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.
[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 system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, 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 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. 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 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 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.
[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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 purification membrane chamber 208.
[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 & 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.
[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 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.
[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.
[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) for emitting UV rays to disinfect the purified water in the quartz glass tube (301). 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 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 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. 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 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 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 206 and discharges reject water from a second outlet 207.
[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 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 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.
[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 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 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).
[00113] Referring to Fig. 5a illustrating a block diagram of water purification system 500a, with recirculation mechanism, for high water recovery according to 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 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.
[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 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 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.
[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 recovery. The recirculation mechanism is similar to the recirculation mechanism as disclosed for third embodiment.
[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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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,
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 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.
[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 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;
d. high flow rate of the purified water.
[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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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.
, C , Claims:We Claim:

1. 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;
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 from the pressure booster pump (203), for removing residual chlorine or dissolved organic impurities from the water;
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 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 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 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 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.
2. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recirculation mechanism comprises:
a reservoir (507) to collect reject water;
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);
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;
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.
3. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein 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.
4. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 2, 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.
5. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 2, 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
6. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the low pressure switch (510) de-actuate the solenoid valve (511) and actuates the solenoid valve (202) when pressure of the reservoir is below the predetermined limit.
7. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recirculation mechanism perform recirculation in batch manner.
8. The water purification system (500b) as claimed in claim 1, 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).
9. The water purification system (500a, 500b) as claimed in claim 1, wherein 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).
10. A water purification method (600, 600a) for high water recovery, the method (600, 600a) comprises:
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) 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 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);
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 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.
11. The water purification method (600, 600a) as claimed in claim 10, wherein 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 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
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.
12. The water purification method (600, 600a) as claimed in claim 10, wherein purified water from first outlet (206) of the membrane chamber (208), after merging, is passed through a post carbon/mineralizer filter (214) for removing 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.
13. The water purification method (600a) 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 second purification membrane chamber (208).