[0001] The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for
purifying and cooling water, and, more particularly, to a portable water
purification and cooling system for purifying and cooling water using
Hydrophilic Hollow Fiber filter membrane along with silver nanoparticle
coated earthen water container .
Background of Invention
[0002] Water meant for drinking purpose must be Clear, Safe and Free from
pathogenic Microorganisms. But, still billions of people across the world lack access
to clean and Safe drinking water especially in developing countries like India. Water
related diseases continue to be major cause of Health problems globally and people
suffer from Diarrhoeral diseases due to consumption of contaminated water. 3 million
Children below the age of 5 years from developing countries die every year by
drinking polluted water ( as per W.H.O ) . The Water gets polluted with Human&
Animal faeces containing highly infectious Microorganisms .
[0003] Awareness about importance of pure and Healthy drinking water has existed
for thousands of years, being mentioned even in Vedas of Ancient India. In Rig Veda,
the properties of good drinking water were described as follows : Sheetham ( Cold to
touch), Sushihi ( Clear ), Sivam ( should have nutritive value, requisite minerals &
trace elements), Istham ( transparent), Vimalam Lahu Sadgunam ( its Acid Base
balance should be within normal limits). .
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[0004] Now a days awareness that Water should contain all these above mentioned
desirable parameters/ substances along with being microbiologically safe is receiving
the attention of Scientific and regulatory authorities.
[0005] Currently there are many water purifiers and water purification techniques
available Globally. But, something which is really cost effective & yet tries to meet
the above mentioned qualities of water is probably not yet available .
[0006] Further with regard to bottled water, it has been observed that bottled water is
mostly available in plastic bottles. It has been observed and also supported by
research that ubiquitous plastic is an enormous source of landfill waste as plastic is
non biodegradable and as such plastic destroys the natural fragile ecosystem .
[0007 ] Also, in terms of health hazards, researchers have shown that chemicals
leached from plastic used in storage of food and drinks are harmful to Human health
especially for children . Low grade plastic bottles used for storage of water contain
toxic chemicals such as Bisphenol A ( BPA), phthalates and styrene . BPA is a
hormone ( endocrine) disrupter and is believed to simulate the growth of cancer cells
and exposure to BPA at a young age can cause genetic damage. BPA has been linked
to reproductive problems, early onset of puberty, liver and thyroid damage, and
testicular cancer, Further, styrene has been medically suspected to carcinogen and a
suspected toxin harmful for gastro intestinal track, kidney respiratory system,and the
like. More than 1.5 million children die each year from diarrheal diseases. According
to the WHO, the mortality of water associated diseases exceeds 5 million people per
year. From these, more that 50% are microbial intestinal infections, with cholera
standing out in the first place. The main bacterial diseases transmitted through
drinking water are Cholera, Gastroenteritis, Typhoid fever and other serious
salmonellosis, Bacillary dysentery or shigellosis, Acute diarrheas and gastroenteritis
In India, the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur
and Chhattisgarh are reported to be most affected by arsenic contamination of
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groundwater above the permissible level. According to WHO, arsenic is naturally
present at high levels in the groundwater of a number of countries. Arsenic is highly
toxic in its inorganic form. Contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation
and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic.
Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and
skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In
utero and early childhood exposure has been linked to negative impacts on cognitive
development and increased deaths in young adults. The most important action in
affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic by provision of
a safe water supply.
[0008] Considering the fact that 65.97% of Indias population lives in rural areas,
where income and infrastructure is poor, it is highly desirable to have an water
purification system which is affordable and not dependent on power. Accordingly,
there persists a need for a water purification system which saves humans from above
mentioned risks, is simple in configuration, easy to operate, portable and which even
cools water and that too without requiring electricity or battery source .
Summary of the Invention
[0009]In view of the foregoing disadvantages in the prior art, the general purpose of
the present invention is to obviate above and other disadvantages from existing art
and to provide a water purification system for purifying and cooling water, which is
environment friendly, simple to maintain, non-toxic, and having low production cost
[0010]Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide aportable water
purification system which decontaminates water from water born pathogens, does not
release toxic chemicals as found in ordinary plastic containers and as such avoids
endangering the human lives especially those of infants and children.
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[0011] In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present invention, a portable
water purification system for purifying and cooling water is provided.
The present Invention relates to ensuring high quality safe drinking water with all the
qualities like being Safe( microbiologically safe), Clear ( no cloudiness/haziness),
With Minerals, Right Acid-Base balance( pH), with ability to cool without using any
external source of power ( Electricity / batteries) or Chemicalsto vast majority of
people at a very affordable cost .
[0012] The present invention includes a container assembly including a purification
assembly for purifying and cooling water.
[0013] This together with other aspects of present invention, along with the various
features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this invention . For a
better understanding of present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific
objects attained by its uses, references should be made to the accompanying drawings
and descriptive matter in which there are illustrative embodiments of the present
invention.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0014] The advantages and features of present invention will become better
understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in
conjunction with accompanying drawings :
[0015] The FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a portable water purification
cum cooling system, in accordance with an embodiment of present invention;
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[0016] FIG 2 illustrates a view of the inner side of bottom part of portable water
purification system .
[0017] FIG 3 illustrates a perspective front view of a portable water purification
system, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention .
[0018] like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several
views of the drawings.
Detailed Description of The Invention
[0019] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes
are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized,
however, that the present invention is not limited to a portable water purification cum
cooling ,system, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalent are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render
expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also it is
understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0020] The terms “a” and “an” herein do not donate a limitation of quantity, but
rather denote the presence of at least one of the refenced item.
[0021] The present invention provides a portable water purification cum cooling
system using Hydrophilic Hollow Fiber membrane (HFM) filter and internally coated
Natural clay based Earthen Water container / pot .
[0022] The FIG 1 to 2 illustrate a portable water purification system 100, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . The Portable
water purification cum cooling system 100 is hereinafter referred to as ‘system 100’.
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[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2, the system 100 comprises a container assembly 10 .
The container assembly 10 may include a body member 11. The body member 11
may include a base portion 12, a cylindrical wall 14 and an open-end portion 18
configuring a space 29 therein. To the body member 11 is attached a tap member 15.
To the tap member 15 is attached purification assembly 16. An example of the body
member 11 is Earthen (clay) water container / pot. Further, the container assembly
may include a lid member 19 capable of being removably attached to the body
member 11. The open-end portion 18 may be configured with a pre-filter 20.
[0024] Further, the system may include a purification assembly 16. In an embodiment
of the present invention, the purification assembly 16 may be removably attached to
tap member 15 as shown in FIG 1.
[0025] The purification assembly 16 may include Hydrophilic Hollow fiber
membrane filter. The Hydrophilic Hollow Fiber membrane filter is made up of PES (
Poly ether sulfone), PVDF ( Poly vinylidene difluoride), PS( Polysulfone}
material,and like. This Hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane has Silver particle /
Nanosilver-coating using silver nanoparticles ( AgNPs) to mitigate membrane
biofouling . These Silver particles / coating of AgNPs also increases antimicrobial
properties of the membrane, This helps to increase the useable life of the membrane
as well as the quality of the output water.
[0026] In an embodiment of present invention, the purification assembly 16 may also
be embedded in a mixture having equal ratios of activated carbon granules, Iron
filings and Sand in 8-10% w/v concentrationto adsorb natural organic compounds,
improve taste and remove odor compounds, synthetic organic chemicals, from water
. Iron-Oxide at the purification stage will increase Virus removal due to adsorption .
Since the IEP ( Isoelectric Point) of almost all the virion ( Viral particles) is below
6.5 , the virus will be negatively charged in water with pH values of 7 & above .
These negatively charged virus will be readily absorbed by positively charged Iron-
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oxide layer/ media . This iron oxide layer can be easily created by adding Zerovalent
Iron particles / iron fillings / iron mesh mixed evenly in Activated carbon and/or with
a sand bed. 1 Kg each of iron, Activated Carbon granules and sand particles (0.4-
0.6mm) for 8-10 litre of water was found to be optimal. Iron oxide will also help to
significantly remove Arsenic from water. This is really important as Arsenic is linked
to cancer of bladder, lungs, skin, kidney and has non carcinogenic cardiovascular
pulmonary, neurological and endocrine effects .
This Ironoxide-sandbed-Activated carbon may be contained / enclosed in a mesh bag
or in a proper covering in such a manner that water flows to purification assembly 16
Hydrophilic Hollow fiber filter membrane after passing through this Ironoxidesandbed-Activated carbon stage ( This way we will be able to remove Turbidity &
Bacteria using Hollow Fiber Membrane and Virus with positively charged Iron
Oxide -Sand bed- Activated carbon )
[0027] Further, in an embodiment of present invention the base member 12 may have
Silver nanoparticles coated to it. These silver will help to inhibit growth of
pathogenic microorganisms in water because of its antimicrobial properties.
[0028} Further, in an embodiment of present invention, inner part of body member
11 may have silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) coated on it to inhibit the growth of
pathogenic microorganisms in water because of its anti microbial properties .
[0029] The prefilter 20 configured with open-end portion 18 helps to remove
suspended particulate matter and sediments from raw water and also improve quality
of the water entering the body memberm11. Glass wool or similar material is used in
the prefilter 20 campartment.
[0030] In The present invention [ Fig. 1 ] body member 11 and an additional
purification membrane 16, prefilter 20, Activated carbon 17 along with Iron-oxide
and Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) coated on body member work in tandem to achieve
the desired quality of drinking water.
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[0031] In the present invention body member 11 beingmade up of clay {Earthen pots
/ containers to store the raw water (from taps ,ponds, rivers, wells ,ground water
etc)}.These Earthen pots will Cool the water in accordance with the climate This is
one quality which no other container has. Since clay is alkaline in nature, it helps to
maintain PH balance in our bodies, since human body is known to the acidic and
gastronomic pain to relieve. Storing water in Earthen pots will boost metabolism
without dangerous chemicals like BPA which are found in plastic containers. The
clay being rich in various minerals will also help to improve digestive health,
promote bone strength regulate blood circulation, lower the risk of cardiovascular
diseases .This is really important as commonly popular water purification techniques
like R.O remove even the essential minerals from water making it ‘Dead water’. As
far as microbiological load (Total Hetrotrophic bacteria) in water is concerned,the
clay containers on their own may decreases the total Hetrotrophic bacteria drastically
( upto 97%) .
To make water clean, the present invention is carried out using activated carbon to
improve the colour of water and also to absorb harmful chemicals. The iron-oxide
will also drastically reduce the viral particles and make water safe. This way by
simply using simple AgNPs / silver coated earthen pots as a container ( body
member 11) for our purifiers the present invention improves the Water Quality
Index of the water which is even superior to containers like brass, copper (which also
have good water quality index) and much more superior to steel (medium water
quality index)/plastic(which has poor water quality index .
[0032] In the present invention, Purifier has got a highly superior Hydrophilic
Hollow fiber ( made up of PS/ PES/ PVDF material ) membrane filter 16 with
average pore size of 0.2 micron or smaller to ensure that the turbidity of water is
within the IS 10500:2012 prescribed standards .The pore size of this Hollow fiber
membrane is so small that It will not the let the disease causing microorganism
to pass through it ensuring purified water (microbiologically safe)as per
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IS:10500:2012 standards for total coliform and E coli ( indicator for
Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water). Therefore being hydrophilic, this
membrane ensures that the purified water flows through the membrane at a good
enough rate without using electricity or power source by simply taking benefit of the
gravity /of the pressure exerted by water stored in the container and still removing
Bacteria and physical impurities present in the Raw Water.
[0033] The outlet point of this hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane filter 16 is fixed
to the tap inlet which is fixed at the lower end of body member 11 (Earthen pot
container ) . By simply turning On the Tap member 15, the water from the Earthen
pot container starts flowing through the Hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane filter 16
( made up of PS, PES /PVDF or any other suitable material ) and can be collected
through the tap outlet ..
[0034] The present invention incorporates Hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane
16 because is that it is much superior to ceramic candle filters used in prior art
since these membrane filters 16 have a uniform and small pore size and even better
flow rate .
[0035] This Hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane 16 is also superior to the widely
used Reverse osmosis (R.O) membranes as unlike R.O membranes these
Hydrophilic Hollow Fiber Membrane allows essential minerals to be retained in
drinking water. Further, Hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane is Nanosilver-coated
using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to mitigate membrane biofouling . This coating
of AgNPs also increases antimicrobial properties of the membrane. This further helps
to increase the useable life of the membrane as well as the quality of the output water.
As far as Silver coating, a diluted solution of AgNO3 will be coated ( brushed or
sprayed) on the inside surface of the Earthen clay pot . When dried (exposed to air
and light), the Silver ions/particles will be absorbed / deposited in the pores ( and
surface) of the Earthen Clay pot creating an antimicrobial surface /media . This
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antimicrobial coating will inhibit the growth of not only biofilms, but also reduce the
microbial load in the stored water by releasing Silver ions .
[0036] In the present invention has the purification system 100 in this format as it
ensures that one drinks the Freshly purified/ filtered water as it has been found that in
most of the earlier water purifiers which have some sort of facility to store water, the
purified water again becomes contaminated with microbial load ( due to presence of
biofilms in storage tanks or even due to reactivation of certain microorganisms after
some time ) .
This way by presenting the purifier in this format we are able to ensure that the
drinking water is Free from harmful microorganism ( Bacteria, Virus, Protozoa etc),
tastes much better because retention of essential minerals, cools the water , has
balanced pH, free from harmful chemicals leached in normal water purifiers and
overall Healthy to drink with very high W.Q.I ( Water Quality Index) .
[0037] In an another embodiment of this present invention as shown in FIG 3 the
Hydrophilic Hollow fiber Membrane 25 is attached to sipper cap 23 . This sipper cap
23 alongwith the attached Hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane 25 can be tightened/
fixed on to the top opening end 26 of the body member 27 ( Water bottle) . This
Hydrophilic Hollow fiber membrane is Nanosilver-coated using silver nanoparticles
( AgNPs) to mitigate membrane biofouling . This coating of AgNPs also increases
antimicrobial properties of the membrane, This helps to increasing the useable life of
the membrane as well as the quality of the output water.
This body member 27 has also got Silver granules 28 attached/coated on it . The
sipper cap 23 has got an Air valve/vent hole 24 which helps in smooth flow of water
when one sips the water through sipper cap.
The test for the presence of fecal coliform bacteria was done using the standard MPN
assay. It was found that the claimed system is able to block 100% of Fecal coliform
bacteria. The ability of the said filter to effectively concentrate each of the viruses
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studied was calculated by comparing the total number of viruses measured in the
effluent samples by the total number present in the influent samples using the
standard assays, the method efficiency was calculated to be more than 95% for
different strains of virus. [0038] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments
of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention
to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described
in order to best explain the principles of present invention and its practical
application, and thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present
invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions
of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient,
but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing
from the spirit or scope of claims of present invention.

WE CLAIM

1. A portable water purification system for Purifying and cooling water,
comprising :
- a container assembly having a body member with a tap;
- a purification assembly coupled to the tap.
2. The portable water purification system of claim 1, wherein the container
assembly comprises a silver impregnated inner part of the body member to
inhibit growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
3. The portable water purification system of claim 1, has a glass-wool pre-filter
configured to the water input port of the body member to remove
suspended particulate matter in water.
4. The portable water purification system of claim 1, wherein purification
assembly comprises of a Hydrophilic hollow fiber membrane filter embedded
in a mixture comprising activated carbon granules, Iron filings and Sand in 8-
10% w/v concentration to neutralize virus, remove organic compounds and
heavy metal impurities.
5. The portable water purification system of claim 1, wherein the mixture
embedding the Hydrophilic hollow fiber membrane filter is encased in a
mesh so that the water entering the Hydrophilic hollow fiber membrane
filter passes through the mixture
6. The portable water purification system of claim 4, wherein the Hydrophilic
Hollow fiber membrane prefilter is coated with silver nanoparticles and may
be made up of PES ( Polyehersulfone), PVDF( Polyvinylidene), PS (
Polysulfone) material, and like or mixtures thereof.
7. A portable water purification system for Purifying water, the system
comprising :
a container assembly with a sipper cap member;
a purification assembly coupled to the sipper cap;
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the sipper cap attached to Hydrophilic Hollow fiber Membrane embedded in
a mixture comprising in equal ratios: activated carbon granules, Iron filings
and Sand in 8-10% w/v concentration.
8. The portable water purification system of claim 1&7, Wherein the body
member is made up of clay or plastic .
9. The portable water purification system of claim 1&7, wherein the body
member has a provision for air to enter or escape when water is poured in or
withdrawn.
10. The portable Water purification system of claim 1&7 Wherein the body
member and the purification assembly both have silver nanoparticles coated
on their inner surface to mitigate biofouling and to increase the useable life
of the system.