Personal advanced oxidation water treatment system

Abstract

A portable, personal advanced-oxidation water treatment system based on ozone and a catalyst such as titanium dioxide that can cycle and purify water to make it potable by removing organic contaminants. The unit can be used for long periods of time without having to replenish the active portions. The unit can be carried in a backpack or in a vehicle. Fresh water is typically loaded into the unit, and the unit is cycled until the water is pure enough to drink. A battery is used to produce ozone and to cycle the water through a reaction vessel and can optionally be charged with a small solar panel The unit can also be powered directly from a vehicle.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A portable personal water purification system adapted to be carried in a backpack by one person, the system comprising:
 a backpack;   a tank adapted to hold water, said tank fluid-connected to a reaction vessel through a venturi, said reaction vessel containing a reacting surface coated with a catalyst, said tank and reaction vessel configured to be contained within said backpack;   an ozone generator configured to produce ozone gas gas-connected to said venturi, wherein said ozone transfers into the water though said venturi, said ozone generator also configured to be contained within said backpack;   wherein the system is configured to circulate water from said tank to said reaction vessel and upon leaving said reaction vessel return to said tank until said water is potable.   
     
     
         2 . The portable water purification system of  claim 1  further comprising a pump that causes said water to circulate through the system, said pump also configured to be contained within said backpack. 
     
     
         3 . The portable water purification system of  claim 1  further comprising a battery powering at least the ozone generator, said battery also configured to be contained within the backpack. 
     
     
         4 . The portable water purification system of  claim 3  further comprising a solar panel to recharge said battery. 
     
     
         5 . The portable water purification system of  claim 1  wherein said catalyst is titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         6 . The portable water purification system of  claim 1  wherein said system is adapted to be removable from the backpack and mounted on skids. 
     
     
         7 . A portable water purification system comprising:
 a backpack or housing small enough to be worn or carried by a single person;   a tank adapted to hold water, said tank fluid-connected to a reaction vessel;   an ozone generator producing ozone gas from air configured to inject ozone gas into the water;   said reaction vessel containing a reacting surface coated with titanium dioxide, wherein the water upon leaving said reaction vessel returns to said tank;   a pump that causes said water to circulate through the system until the water is potable;   a battery powering at least said ozone generator and said pump;   wherein the tank, ozone generator, reaction vessel, pump and battery are all configured to be contained and carried in the backpack or housing;   whereby the titanium dioxide-ozone combination removes organic contaminants from said water as water cycles through the system.   
     
     
         8 . The portable water purification system of  claim 7  wherein said system is contained in a backpack. 
     
     
         9 . The portable water purification system of  claim 7  wherein the system is removable from the backpack or housing and mountable on skids. 
     
     
         10 . A portable method of purifying water comprising:
 providing a portable housing configured to be carried by a single person;   providing a tank adapted to be contained in said housing for holding water;   providing a reaction chamber adapted to be contained in the housing, the reaction chamber containing titanium dioxide;   providing an ozone generator adapted to be contained in the housing;   introducing gaseous ozone into the water from the ozone generator;   causing the water to circulate from the tank through the reaction chamber and back to the tank until said water is potable.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein a pump causes the water to circulate the pump also configured to be contained in said housing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein a battery powers the pump and the ozone generator, the battery also configured to be contained in the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a solar panel charges the battery. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the pump and the ozone generator are powered from a vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the battery can be charged from a vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the titanium dioxide is contained in a high-surface area matrix. 
     
     
         17 . A portable water purification system of  claim 10  further comprising a valve or port on the backpack adapted to allow dispensing of fresh water from the system. 
     
     
         18 . The portable water purification system of  claim 7  further comprising a valve or port on the backpack or housing adapted to allow recovery of fresh water from the system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising a valve or port on the housing adapted to allow dispensing of fresh water from the system.