Water purification system and process for treating potable water for at source use

Abstract

An innovative application for the purification of potable water for at source use, specifically focusing on disinfection of water using an electrolytic process. The process uses the discharge of electrical energy between electrodes to create reactive species in water, which then react with pathogens to provide the disinfected water. The invention includes a novel and unique controller system to assure that the reaction process and reactor will function reliably to produce treated water. The controller may respond to flow or pressure conditions, reactor status, treatment effectiveness, or other parameters monitored by various sensing devices. Specific examples of the application are for use in beverage dispensing machines, ice-making machines, tap water purification for domestic and commercial potable water use, water dispenser machines that use tap water, and similar uses for potable water. The invention can also be used with central or alternative at-source power supplies for small-scale applications, such as for purifying water when engaged in outdoor activities, e.g. hiking and camping, or in portable units for travelers who wish to treat water supplies for pathogen destruction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for the purification of water, said system comprising: 
 a treatment reactor having an inlet for receiving water and an outlet for dispensing water, said treatment reactor housing at least two electrodes;    an outlet valve in fluid communication with said outlet of said treatment reactor; and    a controller in electronic communication with said at least two electrodes and said outlet valve, said controller adapted to control the power supplied to said at least two electrodes, said controller further adapted to control the power supplied to said outlet valve for opening and closing said outlet valve.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an inlet valve in fluid communication with said inlet of said treatment reactor;  
 wherein said controller is in electronic communication with said inlet valve, said controller further adapted to control the power supplied to said inlet valve for opening and closing said inlet valve.  
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said controller is adapted to close said inlet valve after determining that there is an undesirable amount of at least one contaminant in the water.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to close said outlet valve after determining that there is an undesirable amount of at least one contaminant in the water.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to stop the flow of water through said treatment reactor after determining that at least one of the conditions is satisfied selected from the group consisting of: no electric power to said at least two electrodes, at least one of said at least two electrodes is not in place, water flow rate is outside of a desired range, and water supply pressure is outside of a desired range.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a water quality sensor in electronic communication with said controller, said water quality sensor adapted to detect the presence of at least one contaminant in the water.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said controller is adapted to adjust the power to said at least two electrodes as a function of the presence of said at least one contaminant in the water.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to periodically provide power to said at least two electrodes when said outlet valve is closed.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to delay opening said outlet valve for a predetermined period of time after providing power to said at least two electrodes.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a counter in electronic communication with said controller, said counter adapted to monitor the amount of use of the system.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a service indicator in electronic communication with said controller, said service indicator adapted to indicate that service is needed in response to input from said controller.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said service indicator is adapted to indicate that service is needed when at least one of the conditions is satisfied selected from the group consisting of: at least one of said at least two electrodes is not in place, an insufficient amount of water is in said treatment reactor, water flow rate is outside of a desired range, and water supply pressure is outside of a desired range.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a water pressure sensor in electronic communication with said controller, said water pressure sensor adapted to measure the water pressure.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a water flow sensor in electronic communication with said controller, said water flow sensor adapted to measure the flow of water through the system.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said controller is adapted to shut off the power to said at least two electrodes when at least one of the conditions is satisfied selected from the group consisting of: at least one of said at least two electrodes is not in place, and an insufficient amount of water is in said treatment reactor.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  1  wherein: 
 said controller is adapted to receive AC or DC power from a power source; and  
 said controller is adapted to provide DC power to said treatment reactor.  
 
     
     
         17 . A control system for an electrolytic water purification system, said control system comprising: 
 a controller adapted to control the power provided to electrodes of said electrolytic water purification system, said controller further adapted to control the flow of water through said electrolytic water purification system.    
     
     
         18 . The control system of  claim 17  wherein said controller is adapted to control the power to said electrodes and the flow of water through said electrolytic water purification system to ensure desired treatment of contaminants in the water.  
     
     
         19 . A treatment reactor for an electrolytic water purification system having a control system, said treatment reactor comprising: 
 a reaction chamber having an inlet and an outlet for transferring a flow of water;    a plurality of electrodes in said reaction chamber, said electrodes in electronic communication with said control system; and    at least one sensor in said reaction chamber, said at least one sensor in electronic communication with said control system, said at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a biological sensor, an oxygen-reduction potential sensor, a pH sensor, a turbidimeter, and a chlorine sensor;    wherein, based on communication from said at least one sensor, said control system is adapted to perform at least one function selected from the group consisting of: controlling the power to said electrodes, and controlling the flow of water through said reaction chamber.    
     
     
         20 . The treatment reactor of  claim 19  wherein said electrodes are arranged parallel to the flow of water through said reaction chamber.