WO2008140267A1

WO2008140267A1 - Apparatus for circulation of purified water

Info

Publication number: WO2008140267A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002704
Authority: WO
Inventors: Soon-Se Lee
Original assignee: Chungho Nais Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-05-15
Filing date: 2008-05-15
Publication date: 2008-11-20
Also published as: KR20080005465U; KR200442884Y1

Abstract

An apparatus for circulation of purified water includes a purified water tank for storing purified water and selectively supplying the purified water through a water supply port; a circulation pump for moving the purified water stored in the purified water tank; and a circulation filter having activated carbon so as to absorb and remove contaminants in the purified water moved by the circulation pump, wherein the purified water from which contaminants are removed by the circulation filter is flowed again into the purified water tank by the pressing of the circulation pump.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CIRCULATION OF PURIFIED WATER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for circulation of purified water, and more particularly to an apparatus for circulation of purified water, which may efficiently remove ingredients causing abnormal smell or taste of the purified water stored in a long time. Background Art

[2] Generally, a water purifier is used for removing harmful substances such as impurities and bacteria by filtration of source water such as tap water, and there have been developed and used various kinds of water purifiers with various structures such as natural filtration purifiers, filter purifiers, ion exchange resin purifiers, and inversed osmotic pressure purifiers.

[3] The water purifier has a filter unit for purifying source water and a water tank for storing purified water.

[4] The purified water obtained through a purification process is stored as it was before a user takes the purified water and thus a water level of the purified water is lowered to a certain level for reactivation.

[5] If a user takes the purified water instantly after the water is purified, there is no serious problem. However, if the water purifier is not used for a long time, parts (made of plastic or silicon) of the water purifier, contacting with water, may cause generation of odorous substances, propagation of bacteria or secondary contamination from surrounding abnormal odor (e.g., smell by cooking) due to erroneous production, treatment or custody, which may also cause abnormal odor or taste in the purified water. Thus, a user may take a contaminated water.

[6] In order to solve this problem, Korean Patent Registration No. 105585 discloses a method for discharging a purified water through a membrane filter and a membrane by flowing back the purified water below a water tank when the purified water stored in the water tank is not used for a long time. According to this document, the purified water stored in the water tank is flowed back to the membrane filter and the membrane such that impurities in the purified water are stuck to the membrane and thus removed before being discharged to a drainage path. That is to say, the above method prevents decay of the purified water and corrosion of a water purifying system, and also allows to keep the self-purification function of the membrane continuously for a long time.

[7] However, the above method has a limit in completely removing ingredients causing abnormal smell or taste of the water since the purified water containing harmful substances is not completely discharged, but a part of the purified water is discharged and then new purified water is supplied.

[8] In addition, the above method has a problem of water waste and energy waste since the purified water is flowed back and then discharged to the drainage path. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for circulation of purified water, which may remove ingredients causing abnormal smell or taste of the purified water stored for a long time. Technical Solution

[10] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for circulation of purified water, which includes a purified water tank for storing purified water and selectively supplying the purified water through a water supply port; a circulation pump for moving the purified water stored in the purified water tank; and a circulation filter having activated carbon so as to absorb and remove contaminants in the purified water moved by the circulation pump, wherein the purified water from which contaminants are removed by the circulation filter is flowed again into the purified water tank by the pressing of the circulation pump.

[11] The circulation pump is preferably automatically operated when the purified water stored in the purified water tank is not used for a predetermined time or when a predetermined time passes after the purified water reaches a full level.

[12] Preferably, the apparatus for circulation of purified water according to the present invention further includes a filtration unit employing MF (Micro Filtration) or UF (Ultra Filtration), provided at a discharge portion of the circulation filter so as to remove a fine activated carbon particle emitted from the circulation filter, wherein the purified water from which a fine activated carbon particle is removed by the filtration unit is flowed again into the purified water tank.

[13] In addition, silver is preferably added to the activated carbon used in the circulation filter so as to give a sterilizing function.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] Other objects and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

[15] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for circulation of purified water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the apparatus for circulation of purified water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a circulation structure of the apparatus for circulation of purified water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[18] FIG. 4 is an expanded sectional view showing a circulation filter of the apparatus for circulation of purified water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[19] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present invention on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the invention, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[20] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for circulation of purified water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the apparatus for circulation of purified water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[21] Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the apparatus 100 for circulation of purified water includes a purified water tank 10 for storing purified water, a circulation pump 150 for circulating the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10, and a circulation filter 151 for filtration of the purified water moved by the circulation pump 150.

[22] The purified water tank 10 stores purified water and supplies the purified water to a user if necessary. The purified water can be purified and supplied by a filter unit 101, but it may also be stored in a purified water reservoir (not shown) and then supplied to the purified water tank 10. The purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 is discharged through a water supply port 65.

[23] The filter unit 101 purifies source water introduced through a source water introduction pipe 53 such that the source water is purified before being supplied to the purified water tank 10. A pressure pump 50 may be installed so as to facilitate easy movement of the source water introduced through the source water introduction pipe 53.

[24] Preferably, the filter unit 101 may be composed of a sediment filter 11, a pre-carbon filter 21, a membrane filter 31 and a post-carbon filter 41, but the filter unit 101 may have suitably changed configurations as required. The source water is moved to the pre-carbon filter 21 through the sediment filter 11 by the pressure pump 50, and then moved to the membrane filter 31 through the pre-carbon filter 21. Here, impurities contained in the source water are discharged to a removal water pipe 54 by the membrane filter 31, and the filtered source water is moved to the post-carbon filter 41. As mentioned above, the source water is changed into purified water by filtration of the filter unit 101, and then moved along a purified water supply pipe 63 to the purified water tank 10 and then stored in the purified water tank 10.

[25] Meanwhile, a water level sensor 60 is installed to the purified water tank 10 such that purified water is stored to a predetermined level in the purified water tank 10. If purified water is filled to a full level, the purification process is automatically stopped. Here, the water level sensor 60 may adopt a common one, and it is not described in detail here.

[26] In case a user takes the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 through the water supply port 65 connected to a purified water discharge pipe 64, when the water level in the purified water tank 10 is lowered to a predetermined level, the pressure pump 50 is operated such that purified water is stored again to the full level in the purified water tank 10.

[27] Additionally, a controller 170 controls a source water valve 52 installed at one side of the pressure pump 50, a removal water discharge valve 62 installed to the removal water pipe 54, and the circulation pump 150.

[28] Meanwhile, though it is illustrated that the filter unit 101 is provided to the purified water circulation apparatus 100 of the present invention to supply purified water, it is just an example, and there may be used various alternatives. For example, purified water may be directly supplied to the purified water tank 10 from outside, without using the filter unit 101.

[29] The circulation pump 150 plays a role of pressing the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 such that the purified water is moved. That is to say, the circulation pump 150 allows the purified water to be introduced again into the purified water tank 10 through the circulation filter 151. In addition, the circulation pump 150 is operated according to predetermined data values, preferably by the controller 170. For example, the circulation pump 150 is operated according to predetermined data values when the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 is not used for a predetermined time or at regular time intervals. That is to say, the operation period and frequency of the circulation pump 150 are determined according to the predetermined data set in the controller 170.

[30] Meanwhile, though it is illustrated that the circulation pump 150 is connected to the purified water discharge pipe 64 and moves the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 to the circulation filter 151, the present invention is not limited thereto. Namely, the present invention may adopt any structure if purified water can be introduced into the purified water tank 10 via the circulation filter 151. For example, the circulation filter 151 may be not connected to the purified water discharge pipe 64 but directly connected to the purified water tank 10 such that the purified water may be circulated by the circulation pump 150.

[31] The circulation filter 151 plays a role of filtering ingredients causing abnormal smell or taste contained in the purified water not used for a long time. Thus, the circulation filter 151 is provided with activated carbon 156. The activated carbon 156 is preferably formed by carbonizing coconut shell or coal, for example. These materials are advantageous in removing chlorine components, trihalomethane (THM), organic chemicals, gas components, and odor ingredients. Thus, contaminants occurring in the purified water stored for a long time are removed by means of absorption of the activated carbon 156, which is a representative self -purification effect. The filtered water circulated by the circulation filter 151 is flowed again into the purified water tank by the pressing of the circulation pump 150.

[32] In addition, the activated carbon 156 used in the circulation filter 151 preferably contains silver, and it is referred to as silver activated carbon. The silver activated carbon 156 has a sterilizing effect due to the silver (Ag) components, so it removes not only abnormal smell or taste but also bacteria cultivated due to secondary contamination.

[33] Conventionally, a filter using such a silver activated carbon was mounted to a filter unit. However, in this case, the purified water to be stored in the purified water tank passed through the silver activated carbon filter, so it was impossible to control concentration of silver emitted from the silver activated carbon filter. Thus, an excessive amount of silver over a suitable concentration necessary for sterilization was emitted when the silver activated carbon filter was initially installed, so silver ions were not efficiently used, so the silver activated carbon filter should be exchanged frequently. However, in case of the silver activated carbon 156 applied to the circulation filter 151 of the present invention, an amount of emitted silver can be efficiently controlled according to the operation period and frequency of the circulation pump 150, so the silver activated carbon 156 may be used for a longer time.

[34] The purified water circulation apparatus 100 configured as mentioned above absorbs and removes contaminants from the purified water contained in the purified water tank 10 and then stores the purified water in the purified water tank 10 again, so the purified water is not unnecessarily wasted but circulated, thereby preventing waste of water.

[35] Meanwhile, the purified water circulation apparatus 100 may further include a filtration unit 180. Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the filtration unit 180 is installed to a lower end inside the circulation filter 151. The filtration unit 180 employs MF (Micro Filtration) or UF (Ultra Filtration) as a means for removing fine activated carbon particles discharged from the circulation filter 151. In more detail, fine activated carbon particles included in the purified water passing through the activated carbon 156 are removed while passing through a filtration material 186 of the filtration unit 180. The purified water from which fine activated carbon particles are removed is introduced again into the purified water tank 10 through a water collecting pipe 183 of the circulation filter 151. Thus, it is possible to prevent fine activated carbon particles contained in the purified water discharged out of the circulation filter 151 from being flown into the purified water tank 10.

[36] Reference numeral 153 designates a purified water introduction hole through which purified water is introduced into the circulation filter 151 by the circulation pump 150.

[37] Now, operations of the purified water circulation apparatus configured as mentioned above will be explained with reference to FIG. 4.

[38] First, source water introduced through the source water introduction pipe 53 is moved to the sediment filter 11 of the filter unit 101, and the source water is converted into purified water while passing through the pre-carbon filter 21, the membrane filter 31 and the post-carbon filter 41 in order by the pressing of the pressure pump 50 and then stored in the purified water tank 10. At this time, the purified water is stored to a predetermined level determined by the water level sensor 60 installed at the purified water tank 10. If the purified water is stored to a full level of the purified water tank 10, the controller 170 controls the source water valve 52, the removal water discharge valve 62 and the pressure pump 50 such that the purified water is not supplied further.

[39] Then, the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 is discharged through the water supply port 65 along the purified water discharge pipe 64 for usage. If the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 is discharged and thus the water level is lowered to a predetermined reactivation level, the pressure pump 50 is operated again such that purified water is filled in the purified water tank 10 again to the full level.

[40] Meanwhile, if the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 is kept for a long time, parts (made of plastic or silicon) of the water purifier, contacting with water, may cause generation of odorous substances, propagation of bacteria or secondary contamination from surrounding abnormal odor (e.g., smell by cooking) due to erroneous production, treatment or custody, which may also cause abnormal odor or taste in the purified water. In this reason, the purified water circulation apparatus 100 is operated to remove contaminants in the purified water. At this time, the controller 170 controls the operations of the purified water circulation apparatus 100. That is to say, pre- determined data is designated in the controller 170, and then the circulation pump 150 is operated according to the data set in the controller 170.

[41] For example, assuming that a data value of 10 hours is preset in the controller 170, in case the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 is not used for 10 hours, or in case 10 hours have passed after the purified water reaches a full level, the circulation pump 150 provided to the purified water circulation apparatus 100 is operated according to the command of the controller 170 such that the purified water stored in the purified water tank 10 is moved to the circulation filter 151. If the purified water is moved to the circulation filter 151, ingredients causing abnormal taste or smell are removed from the purified water by the activated carbon 156 provided to the circulation filter 151, and then the purified water is stored again in the purified water tank 10 by the pressing of the circulation pump 150. At this time, operation period and frequency of the circulation pump 150 may be selectively designated by the controller 170.

[42] Additionally, the filtration unit 180 is further installed to the lower end inside the circulation filter 151 so as to prevent fine activated carbon particles from moving into the purified water tank 10 along with the purified water. That is to say, since fine activated carbon particles contained in the circulation filter 151 may be discharged along with purified water while the purified water passes through the circulation filter 151, the filtration filter 180 is provided at the rear of the activated carbon 156 to remove fine activated carbon particles.

[43] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Industrial Applicability

[44] As described above, the apparatus for circulation of purified water according to the present invention may remove ingredients causing abnormal smell or taste, which may happen in purified water stored in a purified water tank for a long time, without waste of water or energy. In addition, since silver activated carbon obtained by adding silver (Ag) to activated carbon is used, harmful substances included in the purified water such as bacteria may be removed. Also, since an amount of emitted silver can be efficiently controlled according to operation period and frequency of the circulation pump, the silver activated carbon may be used for a longer time.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for circulation of purified water, comprising: a purified water tank for storing purified water and selectively supplying the purified water through a water supply port; a circulation pump for moving the purified water stored in the purified water tank; and a circulation filter having activated carbon so as to absorb and remove contaminants in the purified water moved by the circulation pump, wherein the purified water from which contaminants are removed by the circulation filter is flowed again into the purified water tank by the pressing of the circulation pump.

[2] The apparatus for circulation of purified water according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is automatically operated when the purified water stored in the purified water tank is not used for a predetermined time or when a predetermined time passes after the purified water reaches a full level.

[3] The apparatus for circulation of purified water according to claim 1, further comprising a filtration unit employing MF (Micro Filtration) or UF (Ultra Filtration), provided at a discharge portion of the circulation filter so as to remove a fine activated carbon particle emitted from the circulation filter, wherein the purified water from which a fine activated carbon particle is removed by the filtration unit is flowed again into the purified water tank.

[4] The apparatus for circulation of purified water according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein silver is added to the activated carbon used in the circulation filter so as to give a sterilizing function.