Recirculating Shower System

Abstract

The invention provides a recirculating shower system comprising a showerhead and shower tray, a circuit configured to collect used water from the shower tray and to recirculate at least part of the used water to the showerhead for further use, the circuit including at least one heat pump to exchange heat between relatively hot water and relatively cold water.

1 . A recirculating shower system comprising:
 a showerhead and shower tray,
 a circuit configured to collect used water from the shower tray and to recirculate at least part of the used water to the showerhead for further use, the circuit including at least one heat pump to exchange heat between relatively hot water and relatively cold water. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shower system of  claim 1  further including a hydrocyclone separator to separate waste water for discard from clean water for recirculation. 
     
     
         3 . The shower system of  claim 2 , further including a fresh water inlet, wherein the at least one heat pump transfers energy from the fresh water and the waste water to a heating unit in the circuit, the heating unit heating water therein to a temperature sufficient to pasteurize the water. 
     
     
         4 . The shower system of  claim 3 , further including a filter for filtering recirculating water. 
     
     
         5 . The shower system of  claim 1 , further including a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         6 . The shower system of  claim 5  wherein the heat exchanger is downstream of the filter, wherein the heat exchanger increases the temperature of water from the filter to the heating unit, and decreases the temperature of water from the heating unit to the showerhead. 
     
     
         7 . The shower system of  claim 6  wherein the filter is upstream of the heating unit and the hydrocyclone separator is upstream of the filter. 
     
     
         8 . The shower system of  claim 7  further comprising a valve associated with the fresh water inlet, the valve enabling switching between a position in which fresh water is directed to the showerhead, and a position in which fresh water is directed into the recirculation circuit. 
     
     
         9 . The shower system of  claim 8  further comprising a mixer arranged upstream of the showerhead and downstream of the heating unit for mixing fresh water with recirculated water. 
     
     
         10 . The shower system of  claim 9  further including a heating element in the heating unit. 
     
     
         11 . A recirculating shower system comprising:
 a showerhead and shower tray, a circuit configured to collect used water from the shower tray and to recirculate at least part of the used water to the showerhead for further use, the circuit including:   a hydrocyclone separator; a filter downstream of the separator; a heat exchanger downstream of the filter; at least one heat pump to exchange heat between relatively hot water and relatively cold water;   a heating unit for holding the recirculating water when heated to a pasteurizing temperature; and   a mixing tank for mixing relatively hot and relatively cold water upstream of the showerhead.   
     
     
         12 . The recirculating shower system of  claim 11  further including a fresh water inlet, wherein the at least one heat pump transfers energy from the fresh water and the waste water to the heating unit. 
     
     
         13 . The recirculating shower system of  claim 12  further including a heating element in the heating unit. 
     
     
         14 . The shower system of  claim 2 , further including heat exchanger. 
     
     
         15 . The shower system of  claim 14  wherein the heat exchanger is downstream of the filter, wherein the heat exchanger increases the temperature of water from the filter to the heating unit, and decreases the temperature of water from the heating unit to the showerhead. 
     
     
         16 . The shower system of  claim 15  wherein the filter is upstream of the heating unit and the hydrocyclone separator is upstream of the filter. 
     
     
         17 . The shower system of  claim 16  further comprising a valve associated with the fresh water inlet, the valve enabling switching between a position in which fresh water is directed to the showerhead, and a position in which fresh water is directed into the recirculation circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The shower system of  claim 17  further comprising a mixer arranged upstream of the showerhead and downstream of the heating unit for mixing fresh water with recirculated water. 
     
     
         19 . The shower system of  claim 18  further including a heating element in the heating unit.