CLIAMS:1. A hybrid carbon block filter cartridge for use in purification of water, comprising a powdered activated carbon media, a pesticide removal media and a heavy metal removal media.
2. The powdered activated carbon media as claimed in claim 1, comprises activated carbon particles mixed with binder
3. The binder as claimed in claim 2, is selected from polymer binders suitable for drinking water purpose or food grade.
4. The pesticide removal media as claimed in claim 1, comprises nano silver or nano gold compounds supported by activated nano alumina granules and/or fibres and/or cloth
5. The heavy metal removal media as claimed in claim 1, comprises mixture of a manganese dioxide compound mixed with nano alumina fibres and/or granules and/or cloth.
6. A method of purification of water via hybrid carbon block cartridge comprising
a. allowing input water to be passed through powdered activated carbon media for removal of organic contaminants, including the chlorine and chlorination by products.
b. Water as in step (a) in contact with the pesticide removal media for removal of pesticides
c. Water as in step (a) and step (b) in contact with the heavy metal removal media for removal of heavy metals
d. optionally allowing water from step (c) for further treatment prior to dispensing for use ,TagSPECI:TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“Hybrid carbon block cartridge for filtration”
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a carbon block cartridge for use in water purification system, more particularly to remove toxic contaminants for safe and effective water treatment.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention, to provide a new and improved filter cartridge composition comprising carbon block for effective treatment of input water in a water purification apparatus
It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a simple method of removal of pesticides and toxic heavy metals contaminated in water and making it safe and effective for drinking.
It is yet another important embodiment to provide a cartridge block that can be fitted in any of the existing water purification apparatus and/ or in portable water purifiers.
RELEVANT PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION
The use of home water treatment systems to treat tap water continues to grow because of heightened public awareness of the health concerns associated with the consumption of untreated tap water. The most cost-effective conventional home water treatment systems typically use a carbon block filter to remove particulate matter and adsorb organic contaminants from a water stream. A conventional carbon block filter includes a mass of densely packed activated carbon particles that are bonded together to form a block through which untreated water can be filtered.
Particulate matter generally larger than 3 microns is filtered using the bed of activated carbon or clay which has been molded into a block. Carbon and clay additionally have the advantage of being highly porous materials which also facilitates the removal of soluble impurities by adsorption e.g. dissolved organic compounds, compounds that make the water have an offensive odour and taste, pesticide and pesticide residues etc. As untreated water passes through this dense brick a combination of mechanical filtration and adsorption operate to remove a high percentage of particulate matter and organic contaminants from the water stream.
Carbon block filter manufacture can be complicated and typically involves a careful balance of various competing interests. It has been known that smaller carbon particles provide improved filtration. This is due in large part to the fact that smaller particles provide increased surface area and create a denser block that traps smaller particulate matter. Unfortunately, smaller carbon particle sizes create several problems. First, water flow rates through the filter are dramatically affected. The dense block not only traps smaller particulate matter but can also greatly restrict the flow of water, significantly reducing the amount of water that can be treated in a given amount of time. Second, a high percentage of smaller carbon particles make it difficult to manufacture the carbon block using conventional manufacturing techniques. More specifically, higher levels of fine particles interfere with the binder's ability to make a solid carbon block. This causes cracking, crumbling and other defects in the carbon block, which in turn lead to low production yields.
One of the most commonly used carbon block includes, acid washed coconut shell carbon block cartridges that are highly effective at removing chlorine, chloramines, tastes, odours and many volatile chemicals from potable drinking water supplies. The carbon block filter cartridges are made from NSF approved Acid washed coconut shell carbon. The carbon removes chlorine, chloramines, tastes, odours and most volatile chemicals. They are an excellent choice for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
However, there still exists a need in the art to provide a hybrid carbon block cartridge that aids in removal of toxic metals and removal of pesticides along with removal of other contaminants. The hybrid carbon block of the present invention, provides better and efficient filtration when used in any purification apparatus.
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new particulate filter or filter media that satisfies the need for a high efficiency and high capacity carbon filtration cartridge that intercepts pathogens and other particulate matter during water purification. The composite media of the present invention comprises a powdered activated carbon media (PAC), pesticide removal nano silver media, and a heavy metal removal media to provide complete removal of all toxic contaminants when water is allowed to pass through the said filtration cartridge. The said filter media is used for purifying drinking water that removes soluble and particulate contaminants from the input water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a general block diagram of a hybrid carbon block cartridge mechanism, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
DETAILED SPECIFICATION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a carbon block filter composition from a unique mixture of media composition that provides the carbon block filter with improved performance, flow rates, removal of toxic heavy metals and contaminants. The media composition of the present invention comprises powdered activated carbon block, pesticide removal media and heavy metal removal media. The said media composition is appropriately added with binder composition to form effective carbon block based filter cartridge for water purification.
In one embodiment, the carbon block media composition comprises of powdered activated carbon, of suitable powdered size. The activated carbon is mixed with binder of same size to form the binding that holds the activated carbon. The size of the granules of both carbon and binder is critical such that, water when allowed to pass through the block removes organic and inorganic impurities.
In one embodiment the binder as said above mixed with the powdered activated carbon is a polymer binder.
In one embodiment, a pesticide removal media as disclosed in the present invention comprises nano particles of gold/silver supported on a preselected media. The said media adsorb pesticides like endosulphur , chlorpyrifos, malathion or other organo halogen/ sulphur.
In yet another embodiment, gold and silver nano particles are synthesized by methods known in the art such as diluting silver nitrate in water followed by adding sodium citrate solution and heating at predetermined temperature to form silver nano particles.
In one embodiment the binder as said above mixed with the nano silver or nano gold composition is a substrate such as activated nano alumina. The term "nano alumina" as used herein is defined as fibers having an aspect ratio in excess of about 5, where the smallest dimension is less than about 50 nm. The cross section of the fiber may be either circular (cylindrical fiber) or rectangular (platelet) in shape that supports the nano silver or nano gold such that when water is passed through the said media, any pesticide in it is removed.
In one embodiment, the heavy metal removal media comprises a mixture of manganese dioxide. The said compound is mixed with nano alumina fibers as support.
The said heavy metal removal media removes heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, mercury, lead, cadmium, and oxides or ions thereof.
In one embodiment, the hybrid carbon block media cartridge comprises a powdered activated carbon media block, a pesticide removal media and a heavy metal removal media. The combined hybrid carbon block cartridge when incorporated in any of the water purification apparatus aids in the removal of contaminants, both organic and inorganic for effective purification.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of purification of water via hybrid carbon block cartridge comprising
a. allowing input water to be passed through powdered activated carbon media for removal of organic contaminants, including the chlorine and chlorination by products.
b. Water as in step (a) in contact with the pesticide removal media for removal of pesticides
c. Water as in step (a) and step (b) in contact with the heavy metal removal media for removal of heavy metals
d. optionally allowing water from step (c) for further treatment prior to dispensing for use
The present invention provides a carbon block filter that provides a reduced mean particle diameter and hence enhanced filtering performance over time. The carbon mixture also provides improved production yields. Further, the present invention provides a harder carbon block that is less susceptible to damage. Additionally, the present invention provides significantly improved flow rates over conventional carbon block filters with similar mean particle size.