Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Invention Field
The invented apparatus represents the type of the self-contained apparatus which is designed to
embody the combined process of the filtration, disinfection and oxidation to produce the high quality
drinking water. The invention provides the advanced development of the point-of-use water
cooler/dispenser combined with the water conditioning ozonation system.
On contrary to the bottled water cooler /dispenser (s) the present invention is configured for use in
conjunction with the cold water dispenser whereby water should be supplied through the municipal tap
directly to the water storage tank inside the cold water dispenser. The tap water is pushed through the
carbon filter and enters the storage tank where it further is treated by ozone that introduced into the
storage tank through the diffuser. The treated water is free of chlorine, bacteria, viruses that is assured
by the periodical in time infusion of ozone into the storage tank.
GENERAL BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
The water cooler has become a common backdrop in the American life providing quality drinking
water for people at the office and home. But conventional bottled water coolers are not without
drawbacks: the physical concerns of handling the water boffles themselves.
One area where people and industry attention has focused is the self-contained point-of-use water
cooler market. With the world demand for quality drinking water increasing, the point-of- use water
treatment industry is addressing new ways to meet both quality and logistical ~lem~n~lc for water
cooler solution.
Perhaps the most compelling reasons for consumers to switch to the point-of-use coolers involve the
physical demands of the traditional bottled drinking water cooler.
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Bottled-water distribution requires heavy equipment, competent staffing and detailed route strategy.
Trucks are loaded at the p]ants with fifty-pound bottles of water, each truck holding an average three
hundred and twenty bottles, or more than seven and a half tons. At each stop, the driver must make
sure that protective stress gear is in place before moving several hundred pounds of bottles to the
customer's office. They also collect the empties, adjust refill orders and so]ve the billing problems.
Physical and logistical concerns do not end with the driver. Once in the customer's office, there is the
problem of sorting and replacing empties and physically lifting a boffle into place when the bott]e on
the cooler is empty.
There are several attempts to provide continuous water supply without boffle-change i~ ~lion, and
incorporate specialized treatment systems to ensure the best water possible.
In US Patents No. 5,125,044; 5,405,526; 5,114,042 to Carl M. Sutera the idea of elimin~ting the
bottled water services for conventional water cooler/dispensers is applied to inventing the specially
designed self-filled bottle water purifying and dispensing system. US Patent No. 5,405,526 describes
the bottle water disinfection system and specially designed water bottle to use iodine, chlorine or the
like disinfectants. It is "comparatively effective and reliable, while being relatively inexpensive to
maintain and easy to operate" is become doubtful in a view of the latest movements against chlorine
and ineffective and expansive in case of ozone application for water disinfection.
In fact, many municipal water systems use chlorine to sterilize water. Chlorine reacts with by-products
of organic material to form a group of chemicals called trihalomethanes. One such trihalomethane,
chloroform, is a suspected carcinogen, cancer causing agent.
Details of Health Canada study were included in a report presented to a Great Lakes conference
organized by Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This study have
shown that drinking water treated with chlorine could be causing more than 500 cases of cancer and
~out 140 deaths in Ontario each year.
21 ~1 4~3 4
Other study have shown some domestic filtering systems can create bacteria problem in drinking
water.
"Unless they are properly m~int~ined, water coolers and water filters may thus actually worsen the
microbial and chemical quality of tap water," said the Health Canada report.
The Clinton A-lmini~tration's Clean Water plan and the US Senate's Water Bill would both broaden
the US EPA's powers to ban or restrict releases of the most persistent toxins. Water toxins, in
particular chlorine and chlorinated compounds, are being targeted. A chlorine ban could be, in fact be
written into the Bill.
In many chlorine based application, ozone has been conclusively shown to be a functional, cost-
effective alternative that does not result in toxic discharges.
In a view of using US Patent No. 5,114,042 it seems not economically and practically feasible to use
the specially designed self-filled bottle for iodine, chlorine or ozone infusion.
US patent 5,266,215 November 30, 1993, "Water Purification Unit" to Engelhard; Rolf, US patent
5,547,590, August,20,1996, "UV-based Water Decont~min~tion System with Dimmer-Control" to
Szabo; Louis and US patent 4,230,570, October,28,1980 "Ozone / Ultrovilet Water Purification" to
Dadd; Robert C. are related to the water purification process by the Ultroviolet Radiation that could
be incorporated with ozone generation system to enhance killing of any microorganisms present and to
oxidize any undesirable compounds in water. The above mentioned patented systems work on "the
inflowing water" that meens they can not protect water against cont~min~tion during storage time
inside the cooler or other dispensing equipment where the treated water is free of the disinfectant
agents including chlirine and is vulnerable to the col-t;1"~ ion during storage time.
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SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
The main objective of the present invention is to provide the filtration and continuous ozone-
disinfection water treatment system which is effective, reliable, easy to operate and maintain. The
invented concept and ~~ lus are designed to use specific quantities of ozone in conjunction with
conventional filtration system that embodied into the well-recognized shape of the point-of use
cooler/dispenser which is utilized to treat the municipal or well water sources to get high quality
drinking water free of bacteria, odour, colour, chlorine and ~ hl the high quality of disinfection
inside the cooler tank during storage time.
Ozone is much more powerful, than chlorine, oxidizing and viricidial agent used in drinking water
treatment. Its effects of elimination of organics, taste, odour and colour have been described widely.
But it has to be produced on site and introduced into the water for the disinfection purposes.
The invented ~pa,~lus which comprises the processes of ozone production from the clean ambient
air, ozone introduction into the water storage tank with water dispensing means, incoming water
prefiltration and exhaust filter.
The prototype of the apparatus has been built to study the specific operating and m~int~n~nce
conditions. The municipal chlorinated water supply was the prime subject of study. The corona
discharge ozone generator has constantly produced the calculated amount of ozone that introduced
into the storage tank of the cooler filled with chlorinated municipal water. The introduction of ozone
into the water containing residual of chlorine caused the drop in chlorine content, resulting from
following chemical reaction:
2CL02 +03 = 2CL03 +02
The action kinetics of ozone with chlorine dioxide are very fast. The resulting products of this
oxidation reaction is chlorate which is easily filtered out of the water at the next treatment stage.
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The best results have been achieved during the experiments when ozone was introduced into the cold
water with temperature about 41 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Cent. At this conditions ozone was
desolved faster inside the water, confilms the data, see Table 1, and stayed composed longer, about
one hour, providing the best conditions for disinfection and interaction with chlorine.
TABLE 1
Temperature Solubility of Ozone
(degrees Cent.) (liter/liter Water)
0 0.64
4 0.58
11.8 05
l 5 0.456
19 0.381
27 0.27
0.112
0.031
~
After ten minutes of ozone injection into the water, ozone residual value is reached to 0.32 parts per
million or 0.32 milligrams per liter.. The evaluation criteria for the water treatment equipment
selection is "CT", where "C" is residual of ozone in water or ozone concentration and "T" is the time
required to m~int~in the concentration to obtain drinking water of high microbiological quality. The
Govermnent Clean Water regulations require to m~int~in a dissolved ozone residual of 0.4 milligrams
per liter for a IlllnilJ~ ll of four minutes to get high quality drinking water. The value of "CT" criteria
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is recomm~nded in a range of 1.5 ~ ll.ll to 5 and up. For example. CT = 0.4x4 = 1.6 or in our case
CT = 0.32x] 0= 3.2. which is in a range of the recommended "CT" value. The water analysis have
shown no bacteria, no impurities halmful for human body, no color or odor. The taste of treated water
was fresh, crisp and pleasant.
After the study at the laboratory the prototype has been installed at the household for on site testing.
For the more then one year of testing apparatus has provided pure, free of chlorine, high quality
drinking water. No complains have been registered from any of the member of the designated
household.
DESCRIPTION AND PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The flow diagrams of possible equipment arrangement of the apparatus are shown in Figures 1,2,3
The general view of the apparatus is shown in Figure-4.
Figure 1 shows small capacity apparatus that could be installed in any kitchen to provide the high
quality drinking water at the rate of 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour of 50 degrees Fahrenheit
water.
Water from the municipal supply 12 comes through the tap 9, passes the filtration stage 6, containing
carbon carlridge 15, solenoid valve 8 and enters the cooling tank 1. The water level inside the cooling
tank 1 is controlled by the level control switch 7 which closes solenoid valve 8 to stop the water flow.
The ozone generating unit 2 constantly produces controlled amount of ozone which is introduced into
the cooling tank 1 through a diffuser 3. The clean ambient air for the ozone production is supplied by
the air pump 4 and enter the ozone generator through the filter 5. Check valve 16 stops the water
entering ozone generator 2. The low water temperature is m~int:~ined at the point of 41-50 degrees
Fahrenheit with a help of the conventional refrigeration system 11 with a fixed setting thermostat. The
refrigerant 18 is circulated through the coil ]4 around the tank I and coo]s down water 17 to the
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conhrolled temperature. Treated water is dispensed through the sediment filter 27 and faucet 10. The
excess of ozone is exhausted through the top of the cooling tank I equipped with the specially
designed ozone filhration system which consists of filter 19 filled with actuated granular carbon 22,
that could be periodically changed by removing the filter housing 20 from the sealed cover 21 and
undoing screw 24 from the filter housing bottom 23. The top cover 13 is equipped with the carbon
filhation media, felt, 25, and 0.125 inch hole on the top of the cover 13. The exhaust filhation system
is specially designed to increase the rate of ozone solubility in cold water by slightly elevated partial
pressure above the water level as per Henry's law. The s~isf~tory results have been achieved when
the pressure inside the water storage tank was registered at about 1.5 pounds per square inch.
The present invention proposes the cooling system that is more efficient in comparison with
convenhonal coolers. It has been known for a long time the problem of the ineffective method of
cooling down the water in the storage cooling tank of the convenhonal coolers.
US Patent No. 4,061,184 "Heat Fxch~nger for a refrigerahion water cooler" to Richard J. Radcliffk,
describes the heat exchanger that can handle the lower refrigerant temperature without freezing the
water inside the cooling tank.
He has used the heat exchanger design with the intermediate coolant along with freon that helps to
find the proper rate of heat exchange between water and intermediate coolant. The result is a more
effective process of cooling but less practical because of the higher price involved.
Another US Patent No 5,072,590, "Bottled water chilling system", to Bruce P. Burrows, describes the
heat exchanger with " closed loop circulation network connected between said heat exchanger and
module hot side." It increases the overall heat hransfer coefficient and accelerate the cooling down
process. But it requires addihional equipment, such as a pump, elechic motor, piping, exhra
maintenance and seems not price-practical.
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The proposed invention solves the problem naturally. The ozone is introduced into the cooling storage
tank through diffuser 3, Figure 1. The dispersed ozone/air bubbles create "boiling" like conditions and
furiously agitate the water inside the tank 1. In turn, the constant water movement near the heat
transfer wall that wrapped with refrigeration coil 14, provides excellent heat transfer conditions. The
water motion prevents freezing that keep the heat transfer surfaces clean, m;~ g effective water
cooling. The result is a better capacity water cooler. The study confirmed that the proposed water
cooler produces approximately from 20 to 65 three ounce cups per hour of 50 degrees Fahrenheit
water in comparison to 17 to 59 of the same cups from conventional cooler. No additional devices,
such as, pumps, coils, cylinders aside of that serving the water conditioning purpose are required.
Figure 2 shows the flow diagram of the apparatus that suits the commercial offices, ~ u~ , bars,
hotels, medical or dental offices, etc. This apparatus produces the ozonated cooking ambient
temperature water 17, cold 50 degrees Fahrenheit water 28, and as an option hot water, that is not
shown in the diagram.
The water from the municipal supply 12 comes through the tap 9, passes the filtration stage 6,
containing carbon filter cartridge 15, solenoid valve 8 and enter the 5 gallon water storage tank 1, The
water level inside the storage tank 1 is controlled by the control level switch 7 which closes solenoid
valve 8 to stop the water flow. The ozone generating unit 2 produces controlled amount of ozone
which is introduced into the storage tank 1 through difffiser 3. The ozonated water 17 then comes to
the cooling storage tank 26 through the sediment or carbon filter 27. The clean ambient air for the
ozone production is supplied by the air pump 4 and enter the ozone generator through the filter 5.
Check valve 16 stops the water entering ozone generator 2. The low water temperature is m~int~ined
inside the cooling storage tank 26 at the point of 41-50 degrees Fahrenheit with help of the
conventional refrigeration system 11 equipped with a fixed setting thermostat. The refrigerant 18 is
circulated through the coil 14 attached to the outside wall of the tank 26 and cools down the water 28
to the controlled temperature. Treated, ambient temperature ozonated water 17 that is used for cooking
21 9 1 493 lo
purposes is dispensed through the faucet 10, cold drinking water 28 is dispensed through the faucet
29. The excess of ozone is exhausted through the top of the storage tank 1 that equipped with the
specially designed ozone destroying system which consists of the filter 19, comprising filter housing
20, actuated granular carbon 22 that could be periodically changed by removing the filter housing 20
from the sealed cover 2l and undoing screw 24 from the filter housing bottom 23. The top cover 13
has the 0.125 inches hole on the upper face and equipped with the carbon filtration felt 25. The
exhaust filtration system is specially designed to increase the rate of ozone solubility in water by the
rn~hll~inillg the slightly elevated pressure inside the storage tank which dives the increased partial
pressure above the level of the water based on Henry's law and its fundamental relationship goveming
the solubility of ozone in water. The pressure inside the water storage tank is registered at the range of
one to two pounds per square inch; the residual of ozone in the air around the Water Oxidozer at the
operating conditions was at the level of 0.03 milligrams of ozone per one liter of the air.
The specifically dirrt;.~." flow diagram of the apparatus, in respect of the ozone inffision into the
water storage tank, is shown in Figure 3. Ozone is produced by the ozonator 3 and introduced into the
ambient temperature water storage tank 1 with a help of the Venturi type of injector 3. The water 17 is
circulated through the closed loop by means of the water pump 4, piping and the valve system 30, 31,
32, 33. The clean air is sucked into the ozone generator 2 through the filter 5 by vacuum that created
inside the injector 3 when the storage water flow is pumped through the piping system. Ozone then
picked up by the water flow, thoroughly mixed inside the piping system and enter the water storage
tank 1 as shown in Figure 3. The valves 30, 31, 32, 33 are provided to set up the back wash operation
for the filter 6 to reduce the frequency of the cartridge 15 replacement.
The apparatus has the innovative features of the m~i"~ g the required level of the ozone residual in
water resulting of the proper level of disinfection. It is done by periodically switching "on'~ and "off"
the ozone generator at the rate of about fifteen minutes each hour for twenty four hours a day. The
desired results are achieved with help of the refrigeration system thermostat. The ozone generator 2. is
21 91 493 ll
switched "on" and "off" along with the refrigeration compressor. The signal to stop the ozone
generator comes from the temperature controller installed in refrigeration system when the water
temperature reaches about 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The average operating time of the ozone generator is
established at the rate of about fifteen minutes each hour for twenty four hours a day. The presented
innovation is more economically and practically feasible in comparison with time control systems that
required additional electrical circuit and usually expensive timers.
The general view of the invented apparatus is shown in Figure 4. The apparatus consists of the point-
of-use cooler I dispenser 35, which embodies the corona discharge ozone generation system 2 that
produces ozone and introduces it into the water storage tank 1 through the diffuser 3. The ozonated
water is dispensed through the faucets 10, 29, 36. The check valve 16 prevents water entering the
ozone generation system 2.
