Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Sump Reactor Hub for Aquarium Filtration
SPECIFICATION:
Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to an aquarium filtration system, and
more
particularly to an aquarium sump specifically designed to accommodate a
multitude of
specialty purposed; readily removable and replaceable reactor vessels,
hereafter
referred to as 'reactors' of varied design and function to facilitate
disparate forms of
water filtration within a single unit or multiple thereof. The present
invention forms an
aggregative solution which provides an evolution based, interchangeable
alternative to
aquarium filtration strategies.
Background of Invention
Filters are required for fresh and saltwater aquariums to facilitate
mechanical removal of
unwanted particulates; biological transformation of toxic residuals; and
chemical
neutralization of organic compounds; all of which are produced by aquarium
inhabitants. Further specialized aquarium habitats such as those heavily
stocked with
plants; or those which require oligotrophic conditions with the provision of
specific trace
elements such as in coral reefs, require purpose focused reactors of various
function to
facilitate additional tasks within the entire water processing or filtration
system.
Aquarium sumps, and sump based filters are employed when an increased capacity
for
water purification and/or augmentation is required. The early sump filters
were designed
to accommodate large volumes of elevated media upon which aquarium water is
percolated in a manner to expedite the conversion of harmful nitrogenous
compounds
via the process of aerobic biological filtration. Water percolated through
such media
would then collect within a larger sump container prior to its recycling
through the
aquarium environment. Early sump filters provided numerous advantages
including but
not limited to: increased bio-filtration capacity; increased access to filter
media;
increased oxygen saturation levels; as well as an increased opportunity for
purpose
driven filtration refinement.
The increase of scientific and practical knowledge within the realm of
aquarium
husbandry has lead to a demand for many individually purposed types of
equipment,
hereafter referred to as 'reactors'. The various reactors have been designed
to function
either inside and/or outside of the aquarium sump container and serve to
augment
aquarium water conditions in a manner toward the natural environments from
which the
subject inhabitants originate. A few examples of such reactors are foam
fractionators;
calcium reactors; carbon dioxide reactors; phosphate reactors; kalkwasser
reactors;
denitrification reactors; sulphur reactors; etc. In-sump reactors often serve
as the
favourable option for several reasons relating to spatial constraints;
minimized leak risks;
or even for purposes of consolidating hydrological access and flow-through.
It has also been found that several types of reactors are optional based on
the adopted
strategy and particular style of husbandry chosen by any given aquarist.
Although
equipment such as foam fractionators (more commonly known as protein skimmers)
are
considered a fundamental necessity for the creation of a healthy marine
environment,
this particular piece of equipment is not typically employed in any such
freshwater
system. As well, a piece of equipment used for dissolving carbon dioxide (CO2)
into
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aquarium water is referred to as a CO2 reactor and is of fundamental necessity
to
achieve success in a freshwater planted aquarium, but is no longer used with
any
dominance within salt water aquarium environments.
Additionally, in saltwater aquariums, the difference between 'fish-only' and
reef
environments is also fundamentally reflected in the types of equipment
employed to filter
and augment the quality of water. The invertebrates found in reef environments
for
example, require such a high level of water purity that phosphate reactors are
used to
maintain the lowest possible phosphate levels; trickle type biological filters
are often
foregone to limit nitrate production; and denitrification reactors provide an
option to
further eliminate any residual nitrates produced by the metabolic activities
of the
contained livestock. Such strategies are seldom employed for fish-only
marine
aquariums.
Still of consideration is the availability of a variety of reactor types to
achieve a similar
purpose. Maintaining optimum levels of calcium for example can be obtained
without
the use of a reactor by dosing any one of many available liquid or dry-form
additives.
However there are currently two primary types of commercially available
reactors to
achieve the same purpose via a more economical strategy. Calcium reactors
utilize
CO2 to dissolve calcium ions from a chosen calcareous media. The subsequent
calcium
rich solution then flows into the aquarium to maintain optimum calcium levels
tuned
between 400 ¨ 500 mg/L (ppm). As a consequence of the same process, carbonate
hardness is also maintained at optimal levels between 9 ¨ 12 dKH.
Alternatively, the use
of a limewater or 'kalkwasser reactor directs aquarium top-off water through a
saturated solution of calcium hydroxide (kalkwasser), located within a vessel
equipped
with an automated agitation mechanism, prior to its destination within the
aquarium
environment. The positive consequence introduced by the use of kalkwasser is
the
precipitation of phosphate. Aquarists have the option of using any one or
combination
of the aforementioned strategies for calcium ion supplementation.
It is also recognized that dedicated aquarists are committed to maintaining
the best
possible equipment available so long as budget allows. This can be a markedly
difficult
task as much of the core reactors are subject to regular design and
improvement
iterations which include the latest improvements to their operational
effectiveness. Such
a reality can be unfortunately costly and intimidating to many dedicated
hobbyists who
do not have the benefit of an inexhaustible income nor the type of hobby
budget that
would allow them to replace entire functional reactors, complete with
dedicated
circulation and/or recirculation equipment to match the availability of new
upgrades or
improvements provided by an ever-evolving industry. It is further recognized
that many
aquarist evolve their philosophical approach to aquarium husbandry several
times
through their accumulations of industry-wide knowledge and empirical
experience.
As can be seen there are disparate needs for the various reactors available to
the
aquarium industry. It can also be reckoned that there exists a need for a
system which
provides a significant measure of flexibility, and affords the best possible
efficiency to
aquarist still evolving their approach to aquarium husbandry.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a system in which
aquarium
reactors are readily replaceable and interchangeable with minimal effort and
expense
in a manner to afford all aquarists an economical option of equipment exchange
as
they evolve personal philosophies toward aquarium husbandry.
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It is a further object of this invention to standardize a hydrological
delivery system while
providing a mechanism of simplified interchange ability and reuse of those
resources
fundamental to the various types of reactors independently of each upgrade.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a practical
solution of flexibility
to afford aquarists the ability to share sump real estate between multiple
reactors, based
on calculated strategy or prescribed necessity. A bio-tower, for instance, can
be
replaced by a denitrification reactor or an additional skimmer simply and
practically
synchronized with the evolution of one's philosophical methodology.
It is a further object of the present invention to mitigate the total cost of
process evolution
by means of standardizing provisions of hydrological supply such that
equipment
upgrades can be isolated to individual components such as the actual reactor,
or
pump(s) as opposed to the reactor and pump(s).
Description of Prior Arts
The concepts and approaches to aquarium filtration have been in a constant
state of
evolution over the past several decades. Canadian Patent No. 2,249,553
entitled
"Aquarium Undergravel Filter" describes one of the earliest methods of
facilitating the
phenomenon of aerobic biological filtration. Through this design, a perforated
plate
supports the aquarium's gravel bed in a position slightly elevated above the
actual
aquarium bottom. A modest but consistent flow of water is then induced through
provided lift tubes which are in turn connected to the underside of the
aforementioned
perforated plate. The result is a constant flow of water navigated through the
aquarium's gravel bed, at which point biological waste created by the aquarium
inhabitants are consumed by a population of nitrifying bacteria established
throughout
the gravel bed. The Undergravel filter has served as one of the simplest life
support
systems the aquarium trade has ever benefited from.
Canadian Patent No. 1,086,580 entitled "Aquarium Filtration Apparatus"
describes one of
several iterations of the hang-on type power filter. A hang-on filter employs
a
magnetically driven impeller to siphon water over the rim of a subject
aquarium into its
external rim-mounted filtration housing. Within such an external housing,
waste laden
water is navigated through a variety of filter media prior to overflowing back
into the
subject aquarium. The hang-on type power filter provided several benefits with
its
simplistic design. Its external mount simplified access to clean and exchange
clogged or
spent media. It also increased the ease at which mechanical and chemical forms
of
filtration can be used to enhance and augment aquarium water quality.
A further development to the external power filter can be seen in the canister
type filter
which can be located away from the aquarium's area of focus. The canister
filter adds
benefits of increased size and filtration capacity to the prior successes of
the hang-on
type power filter. Canadian Patent No. 2,145,151 entitled "Filter for
Aquariums" presents
an advanced iteration of the canister type filter. This design adds a
mechanism of
aerobic enhancement to the canister concept by allowing its filtration volume
to
alternate between a variable supply of air and aquarium water. The net result
of such an
implementation is a greater capacity for biological filtration, neatly
contained within the
confines of a media filled canister.
Canadian Patent No. 2,579,565 entitled "Modular Aquarium Filter" presents a
solution of
flexibility within a neatly contained filtration apparatus. This particular
patent utilizes a
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series of media compartments which connect in series to facilitate a
utilitarian and
expandable filtration strategy. The design allows for any number of
compartments to be
assembled in a manner to facilitate all forms of mechanical, biological and
chemical
filtration, as determined by the bio-load of a subject aquarium. The design
also intends
for any single media compartment to be removed from the complete system
without risk
of leakage or disturbance to the remaining cartridges. Although this modular
filter
excludes a self contained pump conveyance system, it does successfully add the
concept of modular flexibility to the aforementioned strategies of external
filtration.
United States Patent No. 6,436,295 B2 entitled "Protein Skimmer" represents a
solution to
facilitate the phenomenon known to aquarists as foam fractionation. Foam
fractionation
utilizes processes of positive and negative ionic attractions to facilitate
aquarium waste
removal in the form of 'protein' prior to its degradation into toxic
nitrogenous compounds
within the aquarium system. A Protein Skimmer can be simplified in concept to
an
apparatus which facilitates the production of foam, and accommodates the
interaction
between such foam and waste-laden aquarium water as a means to disassociate
the
waste/protein from the aquarium water and bind the same to an abundant supply
of air
bubbles which subsequently rise to a protein collection cup as a measure to
permanently remove polluting organics from the aquarium water. The most
successful
protein skimmers provide a turbulent mix of aquarium water infused with
infinitely fine and
numerous bubbles; prolong the reaction time between waste-laden aquarium water
and
bubbles; and provide a zone for dry, dirty foam liberation from the aquarium
water prior
to the latter's return as a waste-diminished product. Protein skimmers are
considered of
fundamental necessity to the success of all marine aquarium environments, and
represent a history of constant refinement within the aquarium trade.
Yet another design which represents a combination of filtration mechanisms is
detailed in
United States Patent No. 7,094,335 52 entitled "Aquarium Filtration System".
This particular
design has formalized a filtration strategy which combines the common elements
utilized
within a marine aquarium system. In particular it utilizes a sump container
which houses a
mechanical pre-filter, which in turn serves as the precursor to individual
steps of foam
fractionation and aerobic biological filtration in the form of a trickle-type,
or wet/dry bio-
tower. The design identifies several strategies that have been used either
individually or
in numerous combinations in many saltwater aquariums around the world.
However,
what is noteworthy of such a system is the use of a common sump which
consolidates
filtration hydrology within a single container that is gravity fed from the
aquarium above,
and utilizes at least one return pump to complete the hydrological connection
between
the aquarium and its respective filtration system.
The current invention focuses on the utility of combining multiple filtration
strategies within
a shared sump. Its enhancement to the art of aquarium husbandry is found in
its modular
approach to filtration expandability and convenient modification.
Summary of the Invention
A sump reactor hub comprising of a reservoir container, complete with a zoned
plenum
divided in a manner to accommodate any combination of a single or series of
interchangeable reactors, wherein each individual reactor can be connected in
a
water-sealed manner to the sub-plenum zone in order to access hydrological
supply;
drain; or recirculation facilities.
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The said reactor hub is to contain a strategic pattern of dimensionally
standard holes
which provide interchangeable reactors access to the sub-plenum level, while
appropriately installed seals disallow fluid leakage between super and sub-
plenum zones
of the said hub.
The sub-plenum level is strategically divided by a pattern of full; semi-top;
and semi-
bottom barriers to purposefully direct the passage of fluid between each
reactor; its
respective plenum zone; and the shared sump.
A foam reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner to
facilitate
receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through said plenum
system. The
foam reactor will operate as a conventional foam fractionator (also known as a
protein
skimmer) to facilitate the removal of aquarium waste products (protein) via
the
interaction of aquarium water and foam.
A mechanical reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner
to
facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through
said plenum
system. The mechanical reactor will utilize media such as filter floss or
engineering foam
and the like, appropriate for the physical removal of solid waste from
aquarium water.
An aerobic bio-reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner
to
facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through
said plenum
system. The aerobic bio-reactor will operate as a conventional biological
filter to
expedite the conversion of toxic nitrogenous compounds to less toxic nitrates.
A chemical reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner to
facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through
said plenum
system. The chemical reactor will accommodate media such as activated carbon
or
other such chemically absorptive material commonly used to remove undesirable
organic compounds from aquarium water.
A denitrification bio-reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a
manner to
facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through
said plenum
system. The denitrification bio-reactor will accommodate inert and/or
chemically active
media within an anaerobic or anoxic micro environment purposed to
destructively
remove; neutralize; or assimilate nitrates from aquarium water.
A phosphate reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner to
facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through
said plenum
system. The phosphate reactor will accommodate conventional media such as
ferrous-
oxide or aluminum hydroxide known to absorb phosphates dissolved in aquarium
water.
A carbon dioxide (CO2) reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in
a
manner to facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services
through the
said plenum system. The CO2 reactor will use appropriate media and
hydrological
recirculation to dissolve supplied CO2 into aquarium water.
A calcium reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner to
facilitate
receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through the said
plenum system.
The calcium reactor will use conventional media as well as an external carbon
dioxide
supply system to facilitate the supply of calcium ions to the aquarium system.
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A kalkwasser reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner
to
facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through the
said plenum
system or auto top-off mechanism. The kalkwasser reactor will use appropriate
media/reagents as well as an automated agitation mechanism to facilitate the
supply of
calcium ions to the aquarium system.
A Refugium reactor designed to connect to the said reactor hub in a manner to
facilitate receipt of supply; drain; and/or recirculation services through the
said plenum
system. The refugium reactor will be used to propagate algae and/or micro-
fauna within
a controlled environment free of predation in order to provide a natural means
of algae-
feeding nutrient reduction; and live food production in service to the greater
aquarium
environment.
In method form the present invention comprises a method of connecting
separately
purposed reactors and respective circulation mechanisms to a single sump via a
zoned
plenum system whereby each zone organizes hydrological flow into categories of
reactor supply, reactor drain, and reactor recirculation, and each access
point is
appropriately sealed to prevent undesirable transmission of fluid between
plenum zones
and the shared sump container.
The present invention further comprises a method of adding individual reactors
to a
single sump to afford aquarists ease of expansion within an existing sump
filtration system.
Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
become
more apparent from the following description and claims considered in
conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, where like reference numbers indicate identical or
functionally similar elements.
FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of the present invention with the leading
side and
front panels removed to disclose its interior composition and three sample
reactors with
indication of suggested hydrological services;
FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded isometric view of the embodied layout
represented in
FIG. 1, indicating the primary relationships between sub-plenum zones;
hydrological
connections; and sample reactors also indicated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 depicts a long sectional view of a sample layout, taken through the
midpoint of
the represented embodiment;
FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of a sample layout, taken just beyond
the midpoint
of the represented embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a schematic section isometric taken along the midpoint of the
represented
embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an exploded section isometric indicating the internal
representations of the
exploded isometric depicted in FIG. 2.
Detailed Description of the Invention
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The present invention utilizes a zoned plenum system and strategically
arranged access
points to add new efficiencies to the problem of aquarium filtration and
strategic
modification by addition and/or subtraction of a wide variety of reactors
useful to the art
of aquarium husbandry. A detailed description of a suggested embodiment is
provided
below. While the invention is described in conjunction with that embodiment,
it should
be understood that the invention is not limited to any one embodiment. Rather,
the
scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims, and the
invention
encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Specific
details are
set forth in the following description for the purpose of example, in order to
provide a
thorough understanding of the invention. The invention may be practiced
according to
the claims without some or all of the presented specific details.
As shown in FIG. 1, the aquarium filtration system 25 of the present invention
comprises a
plurality of reactor vessels 4, 5, 6 connected through plenum boundary 2 to
access sub-
plenum zone 3 of sump container 1. Undesirable communication of fluid between
sub-
plenum zone 3 and general sump volume 26 is controlled by the use of self-
sealing
gaskets 9 and plug assemblies 10.
It is to be understood that any number and combination of reactor types can be
employed within the scope of the present invention, however for the purpose of
thorough conveyance of this particular embodiment, reactor vessel 4 is
depicted as a
foam fractionator hereafter referred to as a Foam Reactor; reactor vessel 5
will be
depicted as a sulphur based denitrator hereafter referred to as a Nitrate
Reactor; and
reactor vessel 6 will be depicted as a calcium reactor hereafter referred to
as a Cala
Reactor.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, all reactors 4, 5, 6; circulation and recirculation
pumps 8;
optional external supply feeds 7; and reactor drainage assemblies 11 are each
connected to the filtration system through the plenum boundary 2, into the sub-
plenum
zone 3, and completed by self-sealing gaskets 9.
Stacking of the primary components of the present invention is depicted in
FIG. 2. The
exposed sub-plenum zone 3 is comprised of a strategic arrangement of
reactor/zone
isolation barriers 12; partial lower flow partitions 13; partial upper flow
partitions 14; and
full internal partitions 15. It is further clarified that fluid routed through
each individual
reactor shall not interact undesirably at the sub-plenum level prior to its
wilful dispatch
into the greater sump volume 26 by means of controlled exit provisions as
exemplified by
reactor drainage assembly 11; or separate reactor specific outlets 27 and 28.
In order to standardize the present invention with the inherent flexibility to
accommodate
a disparate array of purpose specific reactor vessels, a predetermined pattern
of access
points 29 is designed to purposefully relate to the various sub-plenum areas
and divisions
described above. Nominally sized plug assemblies 10, are provided for
discretionary
employment to decommission any access points which become redundant to the
operation of any given reactor.
Circulation/recirculation pumps 8 also bypass plenum boundary 2, via provided
access
points 29 to connect into sub-plenum zone 3. A wide variety of available pumps
can be
fitted to mate with this invention, as determined by size and flow
requirements of each
desired reactor. In addition, it can be arranged that any such reactor be
provided with
an additional circulation/recirculation pump 8' to boost a respective
reactor's efficiency
as in the case of Foam Reactor 4.
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A deliberate pattern of full partitions 15; partial lower flow partitions 13;
and partial upper
flow partitions 14, allows for all reactor circulation and feed requirements
to occur
through plenum boundary 2, and sub-plenum zone 3. Per the discretion of the
aquarist,
this can be achieved either via induction by circulation/recirculation pump 8,
or by
means of installing an optional external supply feed 7. The external supply
feed 7 may in
turn serve as the conduit of a separately dedicated circulation pump; or may
in fact be
gravity fed from the main display aquarium located above the level of the
present
filtration system. In such instances supply control valves 16 are provided to
refine the rate
of aquarium water to be fed through each respective reactor vessel.
A group of access points typically exemplified as 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, and 29e,
normally
but not exclusively located central to each reactor's spatial allocation,
serve as
attachment facilities for a given reactor vessel. Each reactor vessel 4, 5,
and 6 is mated
with its respective group of access points in a manner of stable connection to
its portion
of the sub-plenum zone 3.
The long sectional view depicted by FIG. 3 illustrates some of the many
potential
functionalities and connections between a given reactor and the sub-plenum
hydrological system resolved by the present invention. In the current
embodiment, Foam
Reactor 4, Nitrate Reactor 5, and Calc Reactor 6 are each provided with a
stable
plenum/reactor connector 20. Such a connection is steadfastly secured to the
reactor
vessel, however employs the same frictional means of connection through plenum
boundary 2 via self sealing gasket 9 typical with all other vessel and service
connections
to the present filtration system. This stable connection 20 can be achieved by
several
means, most typical of which would be a mechanical method through the use of a
standard bulkhead; or by a chemical bonding process made possible by an
appropriately selected adhesive.
Nitrate Reactor 5, and Calc Reactor 6 are operationally similar in their
design as 'media
reactors'. Each media reactor utilizes a group of access points previously
described by
29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, and 29e (FIG. 2) to facilitate mechanics of reactor feed,
and reactor
recirculation. Though any given reactor, by manipulation of its respective
pump and
plenum connections, can be arranged to readily accommodate either upwardly or
downwardly directed hydrological flow through its volume of media, many
skilled
aquarists are aware that both calcium reactors and sulphur denitrators have
been found
to operate with greater efficiency when aquarium water is circulated upwardly
through
their respective medias. To this end, and for the purposes of clearly
conveying the intent
of this particular embodiment, the mechanics of Nitrate Reactor 5 and Calc
Reactor 6
are similarly described as follows:
Aquarium water enters the media reactor by controlled feed into the suction
side of the
recirculation pump 8, where it is mixed with water already in circulation
through the
subject reactor prior to being directed into its respective portion of sub-
plenum zone 3.
From the sub-plenum zone, the described mix of fresh and recirculated aquarium
water
enters the reactor vessel through an appropriate number of connectors 17 as
well as
stable connector 20, below a bottom diffuser plate 19. Connectors 17 and 20
may be
equipped with angled outlets as required to evenly mix and disperse aquarium
water
below the aforementioned diffuser plate 19. Each diffuser plate 19 is prepared
with a
number of appropriately sized perforations purposed to adequately temper
overly
aggressive turbulence prior to aquarium water entering the reactor's
interactive zone 30.
The tamed mix of aquarium water upwardly commutes through the selected media
or
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mix thereof contained within the reactor's interactive zone 30. In the case of
Nitrate
Reactor 5, interactive zone 30 may contain both elemental sulphur, and a
supply of
porous media which combine to accommodate the type of bacteria that reduce
nitrate
to nitrogen gas. In the case of Calc Reactor 6, interactive zone 30 will
contain a
prescribed type of calcareous media which when fed by acidified aquarium water
will
liberate calcium ions for subsequent delivery into the greater aquarium
system. Following
the activities designed to occur within each vessel's interactive zone 30, the
treated
aquarium water will continue through a second diffuser plate 19', into
exit/recirculation
zone 31. Within this zone 31, a portion of water equal to the amount entering
into the
reactor, will exit the reactor vessel via reactor outlets 27/28, to be
directed either toward
another reactor system for subsequent augmentation, or back into the greater
aquarium
system. The remaining portion of water within zone 31 will be redrafted for
circulation via
media by-pass/plenum connection 18 and its respective plenum zone 3, where it
will be
accessed by recirculation pump 8; mixed with incoming aquarium water; and
recycled
through the feed side of the same reactor apparatus.
Foam Reactor 4, bears many characteristics similar to the media type reactors
5 and 6.
A primary difference with regard to the function of reactor 4 is the desire
for a downward
water flow through interactive zone 30'. It is conventional knowledge within
the realm of
protein skimmer design, that counter-current hydrodynamics within a skimmer's
reaction
chamber serves as a more efficient means to facilitate the process of protein
to bubble
ionic attachment. To this end, aquarium water is fed into Foam Reactor 4, at
an
elevated point within interactive zone 30' via the mid-reactor supply/plenum
connector
21. Connector 21 also possesses an angled outlet to achieve favourable
dispersion
within interactive zone 30'. As a result of this particular reactor's
employment of a
drainage assembly identified as item 11 on FIG. 1, also connected to sub-
plenum zone 3
and bound by the appropriate zone partitions, exit-flow of aquarium water may
be
directed downwardly from interactive zone 30' through the lower diffuser plate
19 and
into the sub-plenum zone 3 via an appropriate connector 17. While in its
downward flow
through interactive zone 30', aquarium water is stripped of undesirable
dissolved organic
compounds and proteins by process of ionic attraction to a controlled mix of
bubbles,
produced by recirculation pumps 8 and 8' which are delivered upwardly through
the
lower diffuser plate 19 in a manner similar to that described for the
aforementioned
media reactors 5 and 6.
Another difference made evident by the illustration of Foam Reactor 4 is the
upper
portion, representative of a means of protein export commonly referred to as a
skimmer
collection cup. A well functioning collection cup provides an uninhibited
means of
exhaust to relieve the volume of air intrinsic to the production of foam; it
provides an
inner riser 32 where dirty, protein laden foam can emerge; and a protein
collection area
24 where dirty skimmate may be staged prior to its disposal by the aquarist.
It can also
be noted that dry protein laden foam is most efficiently separated from a wet
bubble
mix in the presence of a concentric cylindrical reduction. To this effect, it
is an inherent
benefit that the inner riser area 32 is diametrically smaller than interactive
zone 30'.
The cross section illustrated in FIG. 4 provides an alternate view of some
primary
relationships resolved by the present invention. A typical media reactor is
mounted onto
plenum boundary 2. Reactor/plenum connectors 17, 18, and 20 stemming from sub-
plenum zone 3 enter through sealed reactor base 23. A typical media reactor's
interactive zone 30 is bound by perforated diffuser plates 19 and 19', between
which any
selection of purpose-specific media may be employed to achieve a desired form
of
aquarium water filtration/augmentation. Of the provided reactor/plenum
connectors, a
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media by-pass 18 is used as desired to accomplish the required flow direction
necessary
for the operation of each reactor type. Within the bounds of sub-plenum zone
3, each
connector (17, 18, and 20) is detailed for hydrological access 22, to readily
accommodate the passage of aquarium wafer in and out of each respective
reactor.
The optional external supply feed 7 when employed is designed to access any
subject
reactor via its respective sub-plenum zone 3 according to the typical means of
connection to plenum boundary 2. In such instances where an external feed 7 is
desired
for certain but not all reactors in a given filtration system, a supply
control valve 16 may
be employed to isolate any given reactor from this particular supply
mechanism. It is also
clear that plug assemblies 10 can also be used to decommission access points
considered obsolete or redundant to the operation of any given reactor.
Access points 29 adjacent to each reactor are allocated to accommodate any of
the
required functions of reactor supply, drain, and/or recirculation. In
instances where a
dedicated or external feed 7 is not employed, aquarium water may be induced
into a
given reactor by feed/recirculation pump 8. The egression of aquarium water
may be
accomplished through reactor outlets (27/28) or drainage assemblies (11).
Furthermore,
where there can be benefits from increased circulation within a given reactor,
such as in
the case of Foam Reactor 4, a second recirculation pump 8' can be readily
added
within the standard pattern of access points 29 provided within the scope of
the present
invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional isometric depiction of the embodied filtration
system. The
primary relationships between each reactor; its modes of circulation; and most
importantly, its particular plenum zone are representative of the fundamental
resolution
of the present invention. In addition, it has been a specific goal of the
present invention
to practically afford the widest breadth of flexibility within any given
strategy of aquarium
filtration. To this end, the following process flow can be considered for the
sample
assembly of reactors already described for this particular embodiment of the
present
invention:
In an application to sustain a sample saltwater reef environment, the present
invention
will combine Foam Reactor 4, Nitrate Reactor 5, and Calc Reactor 6 as a
primary
strategy for aquarium water filtration/augmentation. Aquarium water will be
induced
into sulphur based Nitrate Reactor 5 via a feed/recirculation pump 8 through a
valve-
controlled inlet. Within this particular reactor, aquarium water will flow
upwardly through
two distinctly stacked media types: an inert, high porosity media will rest
directly on top
of diffuser plate 19; and a relatively thin layer of elemental sulphur will
rest directly on top
of the aforementioned media. The porous media is intended to provide an
abundance
of real estate for denitrifying bacteria, while the sulphur is provided as a
food source for
the same bacteria. Within this particular reactor system, the hydrology will
be subject to
dominant recirculation, with a relatively small flow-rate of water exiting
through reactor
outlet 27.
It is known that the effluent of any denitrification system has an extremely
acidic
characteristic. For this reason the outlet from Nitrate Reactor 5 leads
directly to the feed
inlet of Calc Reactor 6. Calcium reactors in general use a carbon dioxide
(002) supply
system to dissolve calcium and calcium carbonate from a selected type of
calcareous
media. Because such media has a tendency to compact and channel as a
consequence of its degradation, an upward flow of circulation is also opted
for within
Calc Reactor 6. In a similar manner to that of Nitrate reactor 5, aquarium
water is
CA 2673319 2018-07-19
induced into this reactor through the sub-plenum zone 3 where it is
predominantly
recirculated, with a relatively small flow rate of calcium rich effluent
exiting through
reactor outlet 28. In addition to the acidic effluent received from reactor 5,
Cale
Reactor 6 will also receive CO2 from a separate supply system.
Yet again, the effluent of Cale Reactor 6 will be routed directly into Foam
Reactor 4.
Although reactor 4 will also be supplied with aquarium water drafted directly
from the
surrounding sump area, the extreme process of aeration intrinsic to the
operation of any
properly functioning protein skimmer provides a valuable degassing service
which will
relieve aquarium water from unwanted compounds present in the effluents of
both
reactors 5 and 6. Latent hydrogen sulphide; nitrogen gas; and carbon dioxide
may all
be present in the effluents of reactors 5 and 6, and will be substantially
reduced, and
even eliminated following adequate aeration within Foam Reactor 4.
FIG. 6 uses an exploded section isometric to further illustrate the
connections of each
reactor (4,5, and 6) to the plenum boundary 2, and overall sump container 1.
It is again
made clear that the core functionality of the present invention is derived
from its
strategic use of a zoned plenum system 3 and self-sealing gaskets 9 to execute
sound
hydrodynamics in a manner to completely organize the services of each employed
reactor type. All possible circulation and recirculation facilities (7
and/or 8) are
separately attached to any portion of the plenum zone 3 so that required
manipulations
to any given reactor can be executed separately from its particular
hydrological
provisions based on the needs and desired strategies employed by the aquarist.
While the invention has been described in complete detail and graphically
illustrated in
the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many
changes
and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the
spirit and
the scope thereof. While the above detailed description has shown, described,
and
pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the
presented
embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and
changes
in the form and details of the system illustrated may be made by those skilled
in the art,
without departing from the intent of the invention. The present invention is
intended to
employ a strategy of 'plug n play', in a manner to accommodate a comprehensive
variety of reactor types hereafter described in the following claims.
11
CA 2673319 2018-07-19
