FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM
BLUE STAR LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS KASTURI BUILDINGS, MOHAN T. ADVANI CHOWK, JAMSHETJI TATA ROAD, MUMBAI – 400 020, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water purification system and more particularly to an ultraviolet (UV) water purification system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water is the most essential commodity required for human beings, animals 5 and other living beings to sustain life. However, the need is not only for water but for the pure water. The growing technology also brings the inevitable challenges with itself. The most common challenge before the world is to provide pure water which is safe for human consumption.
Generally, water purifiers were introduced to filter the water and enable it 10 fit for the purpose of drinking where the water purifiers have filter components and means for directing water through the filtering components so that the impurities in the water may be removed during the passage of the water throughout the water purifier unit.
With the growing technology, an ultraviolet technology was adopted to 15 treat the water for disinfection by exposing the ultraviolet light to the water for disinfecting the germs or contaminants present in the water by using the mercury based vapor lamps for producing ultraviolet light whose wavelength falls under UV-C band and is considered as highly germicidal. Whenever the ultraviolet (UV) light is exposed to the water, the UV light 20 deactivates the genetic material of a micro-organism and therefore destroys the ability of the micro-organism to multiply and cause disease.
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Presently, mercury lamps are used to generate UV light rays. However, these mercury lamps takes time to warm up, therefore the water which passes through the UV lamp in the mean time may not get exposed uniformly to germicidal UV and therefore may re-contaminate if the water is stored in the storage tank of the water purifier after exposure to UV light 5 rays. Moreover, though presently UV water purifier are traded as point of use, but due to said problem for point of use manual of substantially all water purifier mentions to throw some quantity of water before the use of water for drinking purpose, causing wastage of water, if in case the purifiers does not have the electro-mechanical mechanism and energy 10 thereof. Further, it is observed that in cases where high turbidity contents are present in the water, the UV lamp based water purifiers are found ineffective and unsuccessful. Furthermore, it is also observed that mercury light requires high voltage AC power to generate UV rays and is also bulky due to its complex design. Further, frequent replacement of mercury lamp 15 makes the system more expensive.
It has also been observed that the conventional water purifier which contains UV lamp are heavy and bulky in size and require more space to install and work and, after the use, the UV lamps of the water purifiers are disposed in the environment where the mercury of the UV lamp makes the 20 environment more hazardous.
Hence there is a need of an efficient and ultraviolet (UV) water purification system which resolves one or more aforementioned issues.
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SUMMARY
The present invention provides an ultra-violet water purification system, the ultra-violet water purification system comprising: a filter unit connected with a water source for filtering the water; an ultraviolet chamber adapted at dispense point of the water filtration system, the ultraviolet chamber 5 having (i) a connector (ii) an inlet port connected with the connector for entering the water (iii) an ultra violet light emitting diode device adapted inside the ultraviolet chamber; and (iv) an outlet port for dispensing the ultraviolet treated water; wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the 10 ultraviolet chamber in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber.
In accordance with the present invention the ultraviolet chamber comprises an internal housing has (i) a top section, (ii) flow guiding units 15 connected with the top section through which the water flows; (iii) a treatment unit where the water is treated with the ultra violet light produced by the ultra violet light emitting device, the treatment unit is having an inlet section at bottom through which the water enters into the treatment unit and an outlet section at bottom connected with the outlet port for 20 dispensing the ultraviolet treated water.
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In accordance with another embodiment, the water purification system of the present invention may comprise a storage tank placed between the filtering unit and the dispensing unit where the filtered water may be stored and disinfected only while discharging the same via. dispensing unit of the water purification system. 5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention which may be illustrated in the accompanying figure(s). These figure(s) are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood 10 that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows the ultraviolet water purification system comprising ultraviolet light emitting device in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an ultraviolet water purification system comprising filter 15 units in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows an ultraviolet water purification system comprising a Microfiltration (MF) unit in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows an ultraviolet water purification system comprising an 20 Ultrafiltration (UF) unit in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
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Figure 5 shows an external sediment filter unit connected with an ultraviolet water purification system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 6 shows an external sediment filter unit connected between the diverter valve and the filtering unit and a Microfiltration (MF) unit 5 connected between the filtering unit and solenoid valve in an ultraviolet water purification system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows an external sediment filter unit connected between diverter valve and the filtering unit and an Ultrafiltration (UF) unit connected 10 between the filtering unit and solenoid valve in an ultraviolet water purification system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 8 shows an ultraviolet water purification system comprising a low-pressure switch, a booster pump and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 15
Figure 9 & 10 shows the shows an ultraviolet water purification system comprising a storage tank unit placed between the filtering unit and dispensing unit in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is 20 provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary
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embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be 5 made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the 10 inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 15
It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
The subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, 20 wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation,
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numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter. It may be evident however, that such matter can be practiced with these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures as shown in diagram form in order to facilitate describing the invention. 5
Figure 1 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (100) comprising: an ultraviolet chamber (120) adapted at dispense point of the water filtration system, the ultraviolet chamber (120) having (i) a connector (110); (ii) an inlet port (112) connected with the connector for entering the water; 10 (iii) an ultra violet light emitting diode device (125) adapted inside the ultraviolet chamber (120) and (iv) an outlet port (140) for dispensing the ultraviolet treated water; wherein the ultraviolet chamber (120) is configured to produce the ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide 15 disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system (100) without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120). The ultraviolet chamber (120) comprises an internal housing placed in an outer housing forming a gap between them for water flow. The internal housing has (i) a top section (122), (ii) flow guiding units (124a, 124b) connected 20 with the top section (122) through which the water flows; (iii) a treatment unit (130) where the water is treated with the ultra violet light produced by the ultra violet light emitting device (125), the treatment unit (130) is
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having an inlet section (126) at bottom through which the water enters into the treatment unit (130) and an outlet section (128) at bottom connected with the outlet port (140) for dispensing the treated water. As shown in the Figure 1, gap formed between the outer wall of the internal housing and internal wall of the outer housing act as a flow guiding units. 5
In accordance with the present invention, the water flows through the flow guiding units (124a, 124b) within the ultraviolet chamber (120) under the effect of the gravity.
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In accordance with the present invention, the ultra violet light emitting device (125) is disposed at the flow guiding unit (124a) of the internal housing in such a manner that a large extent of the water is uniformly exposed to the ultraviolet light in the treatment unit (130) of the ultraviolet chamber (120). 15
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a control valve is connected to the connector of the ultraviolet chamber to control flow of the water passing through the ultraviolet chamber. The control valve is a solenoid valve which is connected with a power unit and is operated to 20 control the flow of the input water fed to the inlet port (112). The ultraviolet chamber is adapted at dispense point of the water filtration system via. connector.
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Figure 2 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (200) in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the system (200) comprising a diverter valve (210) connected with the water source; a sediment filter (220) connected with the diverter valve (210); a pre carbon 5 filter (230) connected with the outlet side of the sediment filter (220); a flush valve (240) connected with the outlet of the pre-carbon filter (230) for manual flushing of the water; a solenoid valve (250) connected with the flush valve (240); an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the solenoid valve (250). A connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is 10 connected with the solenoid valve (250). The filtered water received from the solenoid valve (250) is fed to the ultraviolet chamber (120) wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system 15 without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120).
Figure 3 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (300) in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system (300) comprising a diverter valve (310) connected with the water source; a sediment filter (320) connected with the outlet side of the diverter valve 20 (310); a pre carbon filter (330) connected with the outlet side of the sediment filter (320); a microfilter membrane (MF) (340) connected with the outlet of the pre-carbon filter (330); a flush valve (350) connected with
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the outlet of the microfilter membrane (340) for flushing the water; a solenoid valve (360) connected with the flush valve (350); an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the solenoid valve (360). A connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with the solenoid valve (360). The filtered water from solenoid valve (360) is fed to the ultraviolet 5 chamber (120) wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120). 10
Figure 4 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (400) in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system (400) comprising a diverter valve (410) connected with the water source; a sediment filter (420) connected with the outlet side of the diverter valve (410); a pre carbon filter (430) connected with the outlet side of the 15 sediment filter (420); an ultrafilter membrane (440) connected with the outlet of the pre-carbon filter (430) for ultra filtration of the water; a flush valve (450) connected with the outlet of the ultrafilter membrane (440) for flushing the water; a solenoid valve (460) connected with the flush valve (450); an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the solenoid valve 20 (460). A connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with the solenoid valve (460). The filtered water received from solenoid valve (460) is fed to the ultraviolet chamber (120) via. inlet port (112), wherein
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the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120). 5
Figure 5 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (500) in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system (500) comprising a diverter valve (510) connected with the water source; an external sediment filter (520) connected with the outlet side of the diverter valve (510) for filtering the water; a pre carbon filter (530) connected with 10 the outlet side of the external sediment filter (520); a sediment filter (540) connected with the outlet side of the pre carbon filter (530); a flush valve (550) connected with the outlet of the sediment filter (540) for flushing the water; a solenoid valve (560) connected with the flush valve (550); an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the solenoid valve (560). A 15 connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with the solenoid valve (560). The filtered water received from the solenoid valve (560) is fed to the ultraviolet chamber (120) via. connector (110), wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) 20 in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120).
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Figure 6 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (600) in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system (600) comprising a diverter valve (610) connected with the water source; an external sediment filter (620) connected with the outlet side of the diverter valve (610) for filtering the water; a pre carbon filter (630) connected with 5 the outlet side of the external sediment filter (620); a sediment filter (640) connected with the outlet side of the pre carbon filter (630); a microfilter membrane (650) connected with the outlet of the sediment filter (640) for micro filtering the water; a flush valve (660) connected with the outlet of the micro filter membrane (650) for flushing the water; a solenoid valve 10 (670) connected with the flush valve (660); an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the solenoid valve (660). A connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with the solenoid valve (660). The filtered water received from the solenoid valve (660) is fed to the ultraviolet chamber (120) via. connector (110), wherein the ultraviolet chamber is 15 configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120).
Figure 7 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (700) in 20 accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system (700) comprising a diverter valve (710) connected with the water source; an external sediment filter (720) connected with the outlet side of the diverter
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valve (710) for filtering the water; a pre carbon filter (730) connected with the outlet side of the external sediment filter (720); a sediment filter (740) connected with the outlet side of the pre carbon filter (730); an ultra filter membrane (750) connected with the outlet of the sediment filter (740) for ultra filtering the water; a flush valve (760) connected with the outlet of the 5 ultra filter membrane (750) for flushing of the water; a solenoid valve (770) connected with the flush valve (760); an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the solenoid valve (770). A connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with the solenoid valve (760). The filtered water received from the solenoid valve (770) is fed to the ultraviolet 10 chamber (120) via. connector (110), wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120). 15
Figure 8 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (800) in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system (800) comprising a diverter valve (810) connected with the water source; an external sediment filter (820) connected with the outlet side of the diverter valve (810) for filtering the water; a low pressure switch (830) connected 20 with the outlet of the external sediment filter (820); a pre carbon filter (840) connected with the low pressure switch (830); an inline sediment filter (850) connected with the outlet side of the pre carbon filter (840); a
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solenoid valve (860) connected with the outlet of the inline sediment filter (850); a booster pump (870) connected with the solenoid valve (860), the booster pump (870) increases the pressure of the water received from the solenoid valve (860); a reverse osmosis membrane (880) connected with the outlet of the booster pump (870), the reverse osmosis membrane 5 having a flow restrictor unit (885) for bypassing the rejected water; an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane (880). A connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with the outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane (880). The reverse osmosis water is fed to the ultraviolet chamber (120) via. 10 connector (110), wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120). 15
Figure 9 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (900) in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system (900) comprising a diverter valve (910) connected with the water source; an external sediment filter (920) connected with the outlet side of the diverter valve (910) for filtering the water; a low pressure switch (930) connected 20 with the outlet of the external sediment filter (920); a pre carbon filter (940) connected with the low pressure switch (930); an inline sediment filter (950) connected with the outlet side of the pre carbon filter(940); a
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solenoid valve (960) connected with the outlet of the inline sediment filter (950); a booster pump (970) connected with the solenoid valve (960), the booster pump (970) increases the pressure of the water received from the solenoid valve (960); a reverse osmosis membrane (980) connected with the outlet of the booster pump (970), the reverse osmosis membrane 5 (980) having a flow restrictor unit (985) for bypassing the rejected water; a storage tank (990) connected with the outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane (980) for storing the filtered reverse osmosis water; an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the outlet of the storage tank (990). A connector (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with 10 the outlet of the storage tank (990). The stored water is fed to the ultraviolet chamber (120) via. connector (110), wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without 15 storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120). In accordance with the present invention, the stored water is disinfected only at the time of dispensing the water through the outlet port (140).
Figure 10 shows an ultra-violet water purification system (1000) in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the system 20 (1000) comprising a diverter valve (1010) connected with the water source for filtering the water; an external sediment filter (1020) connected with the outlet side of the diverter valve (1010) for filtering the water; a low
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pressure switch (1030) connected with the outlet of the external sediment filter (1020); a pre carbon filter (1040) connected with the low pressure switch (1030); an inline sediment filter (1050) connected with the outlet side of the pre carbon filter(1040); a solenoid valve (1060) connected with the outlet of the inline sediment filter (1050); a booster pump (1070) 5 connected with the solenoid valve (1060), the booster pump (1070) increases the pressure of the water received from the solenoid valve (1060); a reverse osmosis membrane (1080) connected with the outlet of the booster pump (1070), the reverse osmosis membrane (1080) having a flow restrictor unit (1085) for bypassing the rejected water; an ultrafilter 10 membrane (1090) connected with the outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane (1080) for ultra filtering the reverse osmosis water; a storage tank (1100) connected with the outlet of the ultraviolet membrane (1090) for storing the ultra filtered reverse osmosis water; an ultraviolet chamber (120) connected with the outlet of the storage tank (1100). A connector 15 (110) of the ultraviolet chamber (120) is connected with the outlet of the storage tank (1100). The stored water is fed to the ultraviolet chamber (120) via. connector (110), wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber (120) in order to provide disinfected water at the point 20 of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber (120). In accordance with the present invention, the
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stored ultrafiltered reverse osmosis water is disinfected only at the time of dispensing the water through the outlet port (140).
According to the present invention, the UV LED device produces UV-C range of wavelength which is highly germicidal and works instantly to disinfect the water directly at the dispense unit of the water purification 5 system.
According to a non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the filtering unit includes sediment filter, carbon filter, reverse osmosis (RO), Microfilter, Ultra filter alone or in combination to provide filtered water having turbidity less than 1 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) and chlorine content less 10 than 0.2 Parts Per Million (PPM) to the ultraviolet chamber for treating with ultraviolet rays.
In accordance with another embodiment, the water purification system of the present invention may comprise an ambient tank / storage tank placed between the filtering unit and the dispensing unit where the filtered water 15 may be stored and disinfected only while discharging the same via. dispensing unit of the water purification system.
In accordance with the present invention, the UV transmittance of the water purification system ranges more than ninety five percent.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the system of the 20 present invention is installed on the faucet i.e. point of use of the conventional or existing water filtration systems wherein the ultraviolet
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water purification system of the present invention purifies the water instantly and do not store the ultraviolet treated water into the storage tank and hence eliminates the risk of re-contamination of the water.
Following are further advantages of the present invention:
1. The present invention provides a system for instant water purification 5 by replacing the conventional UV lamp by LED based UV light which purifies the water instantly and does not require warm-up period for disinfecting the water.
2. The present invention provides an effective, and energy efficient water 10 purification system.
3. The present invention provides an effective solution to the treatment of the water containing high turbidity contents.
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4. The present invention provides a water purification system which requires less space, consumes less energy and reduces the weight.
Many modifications may be made without departing from the basic spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced other than that has been 20 specifically described herein.
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WE CLAIM:
1. An ultra-violet water purification system comprising:
a filter unit connected with a water source for filtering the water;
an ultraviolet chamber adapted at dispense point of a water 5 filtration system, the ultraviolet chamber having (i) a connector (ii) an inlet port connected with the connector for entering the water (iii) an ultra violet light emitting diode device adapted inside the ultraviolet chamber; and (iv) an outlet port for dispensing the ultraviolet treated water; 10
wherein the ultraviolet chamber is configured to produce ultra violet light to disinfect instantly the water flowing through the ultraviolet chamber in order to provide disinfected water at the point of use of the water filtration system without storing the water inside the ultraviolet chamber. 15
2. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet chamber comprises an internal housing adapted in an outer housing creating a gap between them for flow of water.
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3. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 2, wherein, said internal housing has (i) a top section, (ii) flow guiding units connected with the top section through which the water flows; (iii) a
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treatment unit where the water is treated with the ultra violet light produced by the ultra violet light emitting device, the treatment unit is having an inlet section at bottom through which the water enters into the treatment unit and an outlet section at bottom connected with the outlet port for dispensing the treated water. 5
4. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water flows through the flow guiding units within the ultraviolet chamber under the effect of the gravity.
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5. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control valve is connected to the connector of the ultraviolet chamber to control flow of the water passing through the ultraviolet chamber.
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6. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter unit connected between the water source and the ultraviolet chamber includes sediment filter, carbon filter, reverse osmosis filter, micro filter, ultra filter alone or in combination to provide filtered water to the inlet port of the ultraviolet chamber 20 having turbidity less than 1 Nephelo-metric Turbidity Unit (NTU).
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7. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 6, wherein the filter unit provides filtered water to the inlet port of the ultraviolet chamber having chlorine content less than 0.2 Parts Per Million (PPM) to the inlet port of chamber for treating with Ultra Violet light. 5
8. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water purification system comprises a storage tank disposed between the filter unit and the ultraviolet chamber such that the filtered water is stored inside the storage tank and disinfected only 10 at the time of dispensing the water through the outlet port of the ultra violet chamber.
9. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultra violet light emitting device is disposed at the top section of 15 the internal housing of the ultraviolet chamber in such a manner that a large extent of the water is uniformly exposed to the ultraviolet light in the treatment unit of the ultraviolet chamber.
10. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein 20 the ultraviolet chamber is adapted at dispense point of the water filtration system via. the connector.
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11. The ultra violet purification system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control valve is a solenoid valve connected with a power unit and is operated to control the flow of the input water fed to the inlet port of the ultraviolet chamber.