Title: System and method of water treatment
Abstract: The present invention generally offers a system and a method that allows a vessel to treat water while providing corrosion inhibition. An oxygen stripping gas source produces oxygen stripping gas that may be pumped directly to, preferably but optionally, a venturi injector, or may first be pumped into an empty tank and then delivered to the injector means. Water being pumped through the injector via a transfer piping means comes into contact with the oxygen stripping gas, and dissolved oxygen in the water transfers to micro-fine stripping gas bubbles generated by the injector. The water and the micro-fine bubbles are pumped from the injector and into the tank, where the micro-fine bubbles float to the surface, and the oxygen is released into the tank's headspace. The deoxygenated water may be re-circulated through the system for additional deoxygenation or released from the tank into the surrounding waterways.
Patent Number: 6,840,983 Issued on 01/11/2005 to McNulty
| Inventors:
|
McNulty; Peter Drummond (Los Angeles, CA)
|
| Assignee:
|
NEI Treatment Systems, LLC (Los Angeles, CA)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
164344 |
| Filed:
|
June 7, 2002 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
95/263; 95/265; 96/202 |
| Intern'l Class: |
B01D 019/00 |
| Field of Search: |
95/245,263,264,265
96/202
210/750
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 1725925 | Aug., 1929 | Kent.
| |
| 3132013 | May., 1964 | Kumamoto et al.
| |
| 3676983 | Jul., 1972 | Wold.
| |
| 4017276 | Apr., 1977 | Bloem.
| |
| 4246111 | Jan., 1981 | Savard.
| |
| 4259360 | Mar., 1981 | Venetucci et al.
| |
| 4612021 | Sep., 1986 | Bland et al.
| |
| 4613347 | Sep., 1986 | Ranchet et al.
| |
| 4752306 | Jun., 1988 | Henriksen.
| |
| 4931225 | Jun., 1990 | Cheng.
| |
| 5112357 | May., 1992 | Bjerklund et al.
| |
| 5192451 | Mar., 1993 | Gill.
| |
| 5264025 | Nov., 1993 | Asai et al.
| |
| 5376282 | Dec., 1994 | Chang.
| |
| 5565108 | Oct., 1996 | Dimesky et al.
| |
| 5578116 | Nov., 1996 | Chang.
| |
| 5674312 | Oct., 1997 | Mazzei.
| |
| 6125778 | Oct., 2000 | Bodden.
| |
| 6126842 | Oct., 2000 | Decker.
| |
| 6171508 | Jan., 2001 | Browning.
| |
| 6193893 | Feb., 2001 | Mazzei.
| |
| 6274052 | Aug., 2001 | Hartwig.
| |
| 2002/0144598 | Oct., 2002 | Stacy et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0323646 | Jul., 1989 | EP.
| |
Other References
Hoggan, J. et al., "A Simple Production System for the Deoxigenation of
Water," European Brewery Convention, Berlin, DE 1979. p. 245, XP000123224.
Mario N. Tamburri, et al. "Ballast Water Deoxygenation Can Prevent Aquatic
Introductions While Reducing Slip Corrossion", Biological Conservation,
(2002) 103:331-341(see original filing date Apr. 26,2002).
|
Primary Examiner: Smith; Duane S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tope McKay & Associates
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This continuation-in-part application claims the benefit of priority to
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/136,627, filed in the United States on May 2,
2002, entitled "System and Method of Water Treatment."
Claims
I claim:
1. A system for water treatment comprising:
an injector means having an inlet port adapted to receive water, an
injector port adapted to receive oxygen stripping gas and an outlet port
adapted to expel said water;
a ballast tank;
wherein said water passes through said injector means thereby contacting
said oxygen stripping gas being received through said injector port; and
wherein said water is expelled from said outlet port to said ballast tank.
2. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising an oxygen
stripping gas source, a first stripping gas delivery means, and a second
gas delivery means, wherein said first stripping gas delivery means
connects said stripping gas source to said ballast tank and said second
stripping gas delivery means connects said ballast tank to said injector
port of said injector means.
3. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising an oxygen
stripping gas source and a third stripping gas delivery means wherein said
third stripping gas delivery means connects said stripping gas source to
said injector port of said injector means.
4. A system for water treatment of claim 2 further comprising a third
oxygen stripping gas delivery means wherein said third stripping gas
delivery means connects said stripping gas source to said injector port of
said injector means.
5. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a transfer
piping means wherein said injector means is connected in series to said
transfer piping means, wherein said inlet port receives said water from
said transfer piping means and said outlet port expels said water to
receptacle through said transfer piping means.
6. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising booster
blower adapted to regulate said oxygen stripping gas received by said
injector port.
7. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a pump means
adapted to receive water from an external water source.
8. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a regulator
adapted to regulate said oxygen stripping gas received by said injector
port.
9. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a sensors
means attached within said ballast tank wherein said sensor means are
controlled by a control panel means.
10. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a
re-circulation means wherein a re-circulation piping means extends from
said ballast tank, where in said water is received by said inlet port on
said injector means.
11. A method for deoxygenating water comprising the following steps:
utilizing an injector means having an inlet port adapted to receive water,
an injector port adapted to receive oxygen stripping gas, and an outer
port adapted to expel said water;
supplying into said inlet port said water to be treated;
supplying oxygen stripping gas to said injector port, thereby providing
said water with a myriad of micro-fine bubbles wherein oxygen in said
water diffuses from an aqueous phase to a gaseous phase within said
micro-fine bubbles; and
expelling said water and said micro-fine bubbles from said outlet port to a
ballast tank wherein said micro-fine bubbles are released from said water,
thereby diffusing said oxygen from said water.
12. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 11 wherein removing said
oxygen from said water is for the purpose of inhibiting survival of
organisms in said water.
13. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 11 wherein removing said
oxygen from said water is for the purpose of corrosion inhibition.
14. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 12 wherein said organisms are
common in ballast water.
15. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 11 further comprising
supplying oxygen stripping gas to said ballast tank for the purpose of
inhibiting corrosion in said ballast tank.
16. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 11 further comprising
re-circulating said water through said injector means for the purpose of
providing further deoxygenation.
17. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 11 further comprising
re-oxygenating said water before releasing water from said ballast tank
into surrounding waterways.
18. A system for water treatment comprising:
a venturi injector having an inlet port adapted to receive water, an
injector port adapted to receive oxygen stripping gas and an outlet port
adapted to expel said water;
a receptacle;
wherein said water passes through said venturi injector thereby contacting
said oxygen stripping gas being received through said injector port; and
wherein said water is expelled from said outlet port to said receptacle.
19. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising an oxygen
stripping gas source, a first stripping gas delivery means, and a second
gas delivery means, wherein said first stripping gas delivery means
connects said stripping gas source to said receptacle and said second
stripping gas delivery means connects said receptacle to said injector
port of said venturi injector.
20. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising an oxygen
stripping gas source and a third stripping gas delivery means wherein said
third stripping gas delivery means connects said stripping gas source to
said injector port of said venturi injector.
21. A system for water treatment of claim 19 further comprising a third
oxygen stripping gas delivery means wherein said third stripping gas
delivery means connects said stripping gas source to said injector port of
said venturi injector.
22. A system for water treatment of claim 18 wherein said receptacle is a
member of a group consisting of: a body of water and a ballast tank on a
vessel.
23. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising a transfer
piping means wherein said venturi injector is connected in series to said
transfer piping means, wherein said inlet port receives said water from
said transfer piping means and said outlet port expels said water to
receptacle through said transfer piping means.
24. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising booster
blower adapted to regulate said oxygen stripping gas received by said
injector port.
25. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising a pump
means adapted to receive water from an external water source.
26. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising a regulator
adapted to regulate said oxygen stripping gas received by said injector
port.
27. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising a sensor
means attached within said receptacle wherein said sensor means are
controlled by a control panel means.
28. A system for water treatment of claim 18 further comprising a
re-circulation means wherein a re-circulation piping means extends from
said receptacle, where in said water is received by said inlet port on
said venturi injector.
29. A method for deoxygenating water comprising the following steps:
utilizing a venturi injector having an inlet port adapted to receive water,
an injector port adapted to receive oxygen stripping gas, and an outer
port adapted to expel said water;
supplying into said inlet port said water to be treated;
supplying oxygen stripping gas to said injector port, thereby providing
said water with a myriad of micro-fine bubbles wherein oxygen in said
water diffuses from an aqueous phase to a gaseous phase within said
micro-fine bubbles; and
expelling said water and said micro-fine bubbles from said outlet port to a
receptacle wherein said micro-fine bubbles are released from said water,
thereby diffusing said oxygen from said water.
30. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 29 wherein removing said
oxygen from said water is for the purpose of inhibiting survival of
organisms in said water.
31. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 29 wherein removing said
oxygen from said water is for the purpose of corrosion inhibition.
32. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 30 wherein said receptacle is
a ballast tank and said organisms are common in ballast water.
33. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 29 further comprising
supplying oxygen stripping gas to said receptacle for the purpose of
inhibiting corrosion in said receptacle.
34. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 29 further comprising
re-circulating said water through said venturi injector for the purpose of
providing further deoxygenation.
35. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 29 further comprising
re-oxygenating said water before releasing water from said receptacle into
surrounding waterways.
36. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 29 wherein said receptacle is
a body of water.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
A system and method of water treatment using a venturi injector facilitates
the removal of dissolved oxygen from water thereby reducing the population
of undesirable aquatic organism present in the water while inhibiting
corrosion. The system and method of water treatment has particular utility
for use in connection with a vessel by allowing the vessel to treat
ballast water that is being transported from one port area to another,
thereby limiting environmentally adverse effects, while inhibiting
corrosion. The system and method of water treatment may have other uses,
such as in oil production.
For instance, before a ship leaves a port empty, or partially loaded, it
takes on water into ballast tanks to maintain stability and adjust
buoyancy. In virtually every case, this ballast water will contain living
organisms which are affected by levels of dissolved oxygen in the water.
When the ship reaches its destination and prepares to load its cargo, it
discharges this ballast water, thus introducing potentially invasive
species to the aquatic environment of the destination port. Approximately
40,000 major cargo vessels c billions of tons of ballast water around the
world annually and are thus believed to be responsible for the
introduction of hundreds of marine invasive species to non-native
environments. The total cost of these invasions is indeterminate, but
several estimates put it in the billions of dollars.
To address this issue, many national governments and state governments in
the United States have passed regulations governing vessel last water
management. The International Maritime Organization has proposed draft
guidelines recommending treatment of ballast water. The United States
Coast Guard is presently developing guidelines for potential future
ballast water treatment requirements for vessels trading into ports in the
United States.
The vast majority of the world's fleet of ships, including naval as well as
commercial vessels are constructed of steel. Steel corrodes when exposed
to oxygen and water. Corroded steel structures on a vessel decrease
seaworthiness, and extensive measures are taken to avoid it, and to repair
it. Estimates of the cost to protect against and repair corrosion on
vessels runs into the billions of dollars annually worldwide.
One area in a ship where corrosion is of particular concern is in the
ballast water tanks. For example, the largest oil tankers may have up to
15,000,000 gallons (57,000 tons) of ballast water capacity. Prolonged
exposure of the ballast tank structure to water (often salt water) creates
a condition conducive to rapid corrosion. At the time of this writing, the
cost to paint ballast tanks is typically $5.00 to $10.00 per square foot
while other estimates suggest that the cost to repair corroded areas are
approximately $500 per square foot.
Thus, systems that treat water in order to eliminate aquatic organisms
while providing corrosion inhibition in a time and cost-efficient manner
are desirable. One form of eliminating aquatic organisms in ballast water
is through the deoxygenation of the water as the water is taken from the
surrounding waterways. The concentration of a solute gas in solution is
directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the
solution. (This physical phenomenon is governed by Henry's Law, and the
dissolved concentration can be calculated using the Henry's Law constant
for that solute.) As such, when exposed to a stripping gas (such as
nitrogen or other low-oxygen gas mixture), oxygen readily diffuses out of
water, which contains between 6 to 10 parts per million (0.001 percent) of
dissolved oxygen, in an effort to return to the mixture found in air,
which is approximately 79 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. The use
of nitrogen gas to remove the dissolved oxygen present in ballast water
has been documented as offering an efficient and economically desirable
means of treating ballast water while also providing corrosion inhibition
effects. See MARIO N. TAMBURRI et al.: Ballast water deoxygenation can
prevent aquatic introductions while reducing ship corrosion. Biolog.
Conserv. (2002) 103: 331-341. The Henry's Law constants for a variety of
potential stripping gases and mixtures thereof show that a variety of
gases can be used to deoxygenate water.
Aboard a vessel, an efficient way to expose the dissolved oxygen in water
to a stripping is to create micro-fine bubbles of gas in the water.
Micro-fine stripping gas bubbles created in water have the capability of
transferring dissolved oxygen from the water as the micro-fine bubbles
float from the bottom to the top of a tank. A commonly recognized
efficient, safe, and reliable way to create micro-fine bubbles is through
the use of a venturi injector.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Water treatment, and more particularly, ballast water treatment,
apparatuses and methods are desirable for allowing vessels to treat water
that is being transported from one port area to another. Such treatment
limits the environmentally hazardous effects that may result when the
water is later released into an environment that is ecologically different
from that in which the water was originally obtained.
The use of water treatment apparatuses and methods are known in the prior
art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,508 to Browning discloses a method
and apparatus for killing microorganisms in ship ballast water. However,
the Browning '508 patent does not use stripping gas to deoxygenate the
ballast water and consequently fails to disclose any corrosion inhibition
properties, and has further drawbacks of using a less efficient vacuum
mechanism to remove the dissolved oxygen from the ballast water.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,778 to Rodden discloses ballast water treatment that
treats ballast water using ozone. However, the Rodden '778 patent does not
provide for corrosion, and fails to use the more efficient
venturi-injector facilitated means of to treat the ballast water.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,451 to Gill discloses a method for
controlling zebra mussels in ship ballast tanks that treats ballast water
with a water-soluble dialkyl diallyl quaternary ammonium polymer. However,
the Gill '451 patent does not allow for water treatment without the
occurrence of a chemical reaction, and does not provide for any corrosion
inhibition properties.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,376,282 and 5,578,116 to Chang both disclose
the use of a vacuum and agitation to remove dissolved oxygen from water in
order to inhibit the survival of zebra mussels. However, neither the '282
nor the '116 patent provides for a more efficient venturi
injector-facilitated delivery of stripping gas to deoxygenate the ballast
water and have the further disadvantages of failing to provide for
corrosion inhibition effects during the removal of dissolved oxygen from
the water.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,842 to Decker discloses a method of low-concentration
ozone wastewater treatment that injects a gas mixture of a
low-concentration of ozone gas in oxygen into a wastewater stream while
mixing to provide a reduction in the wastewater pollutants. However, the
Decker '842 patent, although providing an efficient ozone-based treatment
system using a venturi injector, does not disclose the treatment of
ballast water on a vessel nor does the '842 patent offer the even greater
advantages obtained using an oxygen stripping gas such as increased
efficiency and corrosion inhibition.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,052 to Hartwig discloses the ozonation of pool water
that uses a series of venturi injectors for ozone delivery. However, the
Hartwig '052 patent does not disclose the injection of an oxygen stripping
gas into the water through venturi injectors in order to deoxygenate the
water, and has the additional deficiency of failing to provide for any
corrosion inhibition effects during the process described.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,111 to Savard discloses an apparatus is provided for
treating wastewater biologically and clarifying the biologically treated
water. However, the Savard '111 patent does not use an oxygen stripping
gas for the deoxygenation of water, preferably but optionally ballast
water, further fails to provide for corrosion inhibition.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,983, to Nold discloses an apparatus and method
for degassing a liquid using a vacuum chamber and agitation. However, the
Nold '983 patent requires cavitation of the liquid and does not use a
venturi injector to more efficiently enhance the degassing of the liquid,
While the above-described inventions fulfill their particular objectives
and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a system and
method for water treatment which allows a vessel to treat ballast water
that is being transported from one port area to another while providing
corrosion inhibition.
The aforementioned patents and other water treatment systems and methods
currently known in the art make no provisions for the treatment of water
using an injector means to facilitate stripping gas deoygenation while
also providing corrosion inhibition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of water
treatment systems and methods now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides an improved system and method to treat water using an
oxygen stripping gas that is injected though an injector means, preferably
but optionally a venturi injector, to facilitate deoxygenation of the
water and overcomes the disadvantages and drawbacks noted in the prior
art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved
system and method for water treatment which has all the advantages of the
prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a
system and method for water treatment which is not anticipated, rendered
obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in
any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention comprises a system for water
treatment having a receptacle and an injector means, which is optionally
but preferably a venturi injector, that has an inlet port that is adapted
to receive water, an injector port that is adapted to receive oxygen
stripping gas, and an outlet port that is adapted to expel water. Water
enters the inlet port and passes through the injector wherein the water
contacts the stripping gas being received through the injector port of the
injector means. Water is then expelled from the outlet port to the
receptacle. The stripping gas being received by the injector means is from
a gas generation source. The gas may be delivered to the injector means by
a first gas delivery means that connects the gas source to the receptacle,
which may preferably but optionally be a ballast tank, and a second gas
delivery means that connects the receptacle to the injector port of the
injector means. As an alternative, the receptacle may optionally be a
water conduit where the water passes directly form the injector means to a
surrounding waterway. In combination with the first and second gas
delivery means, or in the alternative, there may be a third gas delivery
means that connects the gas source to the injector port of said injector
means and thus delivers the stripping gas directly from the source to the
injector port. Preferably but optionally, the injector means is connected
in series to a transfer piping means such that the inlet port receives
said water passing through the transfer piping means and the outlet port
expels the water back into the transfer piping means which may be
connected to the receptacle. Additionally, a booster blower and/or a
regulator, which is optionally but preferably a demand valve, may be
attached in series with the second stripping gas delivery means between
the receptacle and the injector means m order to control the flow of
stripping gas into the injector means. A pump means, preferably but
optionally a ballast pump as found on many vessels, is adapted to receive
water from an external water source and may pump water through the
injector means.
The system may also include a re-circulation means that takes water in the
receptacle and re-circulates the water from the receptacle via a
re-circulation piping means and re-pumps the water through the injector
means back into the receptacle. This re-circulation means, optionally but
preferably, is monitored by sensors which may be activated by a control
panel means, where the sensors are preferably but optionally gaseous
oxygen and dissolved oxygen sensors that monitor the level of oxygen
present in the treated water. The invention may also have a re-oxygenating
means and step that occurs prior to the release of the deoxygenated water.
This re-oxygenation serves to reduce negative environmental effects that
may occur when releasing large amounts of deoxygenated water into
surrounding waterways. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the
subject matter of the claims attached.
Numerous objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the
following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless
illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that
the invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the
following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should
not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved system and method for water treatment that has the advantages of
the prior art water treatment apparatuses and methods plus additional
advantages and benefits.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new system
and method of water treatment that provides in the systems and methods of
the prior art some of the advantages thereof while simultaneously
overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still yet another object of the present invention is a system that provides
for the use of oxygen stripping gas and thus offers more efficient
stripping gas delivery than other traditional sparging or bubble diffusion
gas delivery methods. This allows for an economically favorable and
efficient manner by which to limit the environmentally adverse effects
that may result when the untreated water is released into an environment
that is ecologically different from that in which the water was originally
obtained.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a system
and method of water treatment for allowing a vessel to treat water with
oxygen stripping gas that is injected into a stream of the water,
preferably but optionally, by a venturi injector. This makes it possible
to efficiently treat water, preferably but optionally ballast water, while
providing corrosion inhibition, thereby decreasing the overall maintenance
and costs associated with the water treatment.
Additionally, the present invention also provides for a system and method
for water treatment using stripping gas-facilitated deoxygenation in which
oxygen is stripped from the water. This oxygen-stripping system and method
allows for the treatment of the water with increased efficiency and
without the use of chemicals.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved method for deoxygenating water, preferably but not limited to the
purposes of inhibiting the survival of aquatic organisms and/or corrosion
inhibition. The method comprises utilizing an injector means, preferably
but optionally a venturi injector, having an inlet port that is adapted to
receive water, an injector port that is adapted to receive the stripping
gas, and an outlet port that is adapted to expel the water where water to
be treated is supplied to the inlet port and stripping gas is supplied to
the injector port, thereby inducing within the water a myriad of
micro-fine bubbles wherein oxygen in the water diffuses from an aqueous
phase to a gaseous phase within said micro-fine bubbles. The method
further involves expelling the water and the micro-fine bubbles from the
outlet port of the injector means to a receptacle, which is preferably but
optionally a ballast tank, wherein the micro-fine bubbles are released
from the water and the oxygen is thereby diffused from the water. The
method for deoxygenating water may further comprise re-circulating said
water through the injector means to provide further deoxygenation, and may
also include re-oxygenating the water before releasing the water to the
surrounding waterways from the receptacle, which is preferably but
optionally a ballast tank, or alternatively, but not exclusively, a closed
tank or a water conduit connecting to surrounding waterways.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved
system and method for water treatment that may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved system and method for water treatment that has a relatively low
cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which
accordingly is then capable of relatively low prices of sale to the
consuming public and industries.
There thus has been outlined broadly the more important features of the
invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may
be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art
may be better appreciated.
The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty
that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the
claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific
objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated current
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set
forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the
following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference
to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of the current embodiment of the system
and method of water treatment constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the system and method of water
treatment of the present invention as situated in a vessel
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the vessel with the present invention system
and method of water treatment included therein
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the system and method of water
treatment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the venturi injector component of the
system and method of water treatment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a closed re-circulation system of the
invention as present in a receptacle.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various
figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5, a current
embodiment of the system and method of water treatment of the present
invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
In FIG. 1, basic flow diagram of a new and improved system for water
treatment using stripping gas deoxygenation 10, which allows a vessel to
treat water that is being transported from one port area to another while
providing for corrosion inhibition is illustrated and will be described.
More particularly, the system for water treatment using stripping gas
deoxygenation 10 has a water intake means 12 though which water enters
from outside a vessel. The water is then pumped through a pump means, such
as, but not limited to, a ballast pump 14, into an inlet port on an
injector means 16, such as a venturi injector. Oxygen stripping gas that
is obtained from a stripping gas source 18 is delivered to the inlet port
of the injector means 16 which is facilitated by a booster blower 20, and
may be further controlled by a regulator 22, which is preferably but
optionally a demand valve. Additionally, stripping gas may be pumped from
the stripping gas source 18 into a receptacle 24, which is preferably but
optionally a vessel's ballast tank. The stripping gas being delivered to
the injector means 16 contacts the water within the injector means 16, and
the mixture of the oxygen stripping gas and water is pumped from the
injector means 16 to the receptacle 24, or a vessel's ballast tank. Once
the mixture is inside the receptacle 24, dissolved oxygen from the water
and the stripping gas that have combined within micro-fine bubbles
generated by the injector means 16, float to the headspace 26 of the
receptacle 24. A series of sensors, which are preferably but optionally
gaseous oxygen sensors 28, dissolved oxygen sensors 30, may be present in
the receptacle 24 to monitor the amount of dissolved oxygen remaining in
the water. There may also be a control panel means 32 present to provide
for further regulation and control of the sensors and the system as a
whole. A pressure valve and/or series of pressure valves 34, typically
positioned on the top portion of the receptacle 24, passively release gas
in order to regulate the pressure within the receptacle. If necessary, a
portion of the water in the receptacle 24 may be re-circulated to a
re-circulation intake point 36 and re-pumped through the ballast pump 14,
the injector means 16, and back into the receptacle 24 as preferably but
optionally determined by and/or controlled by the series of sensors which
may in turn be controlled by the control panel means 32.
FIG. 2 depicts the system for water treatment, as the invention would be
situated in a vessel, ship or other seafaring liner. As shown, water,
preferably but optionally ballast water, is brought onboard the vessel by
a water intake means 12, which generally is located at the vessel's stern.
The water is then pumped through a pump means, such as a ballast pump 14,
into an injector means 16, such as a venturi injector. Oxygen stripping
gas that is being obtained from a stripping gas source 18, may then be
pumped through a booster blower 20 and into the injector means 16. The
booster blower 20 may also serve to control the amount of stripping gas
introduced into the water so as to keep up with the displacement of
stripping gas by the water in the vessel's receptacle 24. Stripping gas is
also pumped from the stripping gas source 18 into the receptacle 24 or
ballast tank in order to provide further corrosion inhibition in the empty
receptacle 24. The stripping gas being delivered to the injector means 16
contacts the water within the injector means 16, and the mixture of the
two is pumped from the injector means 16 to the vessel's receptacle 24,
which is optionally but preferably a ballast tank. Once inside the
receptacle 24, the dissolved oxygen from the water and the stripping gas
that have combined within micro-fine bubbles generated by the injector
means 16, float to the headspace, or other area above the water, in the
receptacle 24. A series of pressure valves 34, preferably but optionally,
positioned on the top of the receptacle 24, and extending through to the
vessel's deck, control the level of the pressure inside the receptacle 24
at any given time.
FIG. 3, shows the vessel from above so as to depict the location of the
system for water treatment when in a vessel. As shown, the system for
water treatment 10 will be situated, preferably but optionally, at or near
the stern of the vessel and pump the water to receptacles, that are
preferably ballast tanks 24 located in the vessel.
In FIG. 4 the invention is shown such that water from surrounding waterways
enters a vessel through transfer piping means 38. The water is then pumped
through a pump means, such as a ballast pump 14, into an inlet port on an
injector means 16, optionally but preferably a venturi injector which is
connected in series with the transfer piping means 38, which may,
preferably but optionally, incorporate a network of jet nozzles for
delivery to the receptacle. Oxygen stripping gas, preferably but
optionally comprised of at least 90% nitrogen, that is obtained from a gas
source 18, is delivered via a first stripping gas delivery means 40 to the
empty receptacle 24 which is preferably but optionally a blast tank. This
stripping gas is then delivered to the inlet port of the injector means 16
from the receptacle 24 by a second stripping gas delivery means 42. The
delivery of the stripping gas to the injector means 16 may be facilitated
by a booster blower 20 which may also function to increase the amount of
stripping gas introduced to the water in order to accommodate the
displacement of stripping gas by the water within the receptacle 24, which
may be, but is not limited to, a ballast tank, a body of water, or a water
conduit. The stripping gas being delivered to the injector means 16
contacts the water within the injector means 16, and the mixture of the
stripping gas and water is pumped from the injector means 16 through the
transfer piping means 38 to the receptacle 24. The space between the
receptacle(s) 24 represents what is preferably but not limited to the
cargo hold area 44 that is commonly configured as such on vessels. A
series of sensors, preferably gaseous oxygen sensors 28 and dissolved
oxygen sensors 30, may be present in the receptacle(s) 24 to monitor the
amount of dissolved oxygen released and remaining in the water, and
optionally, a control panel means may also be present to activate and
control the system.
In FIG. 5, a venturi injector 46 attached in series with the transfer
piping means 36 is displayed. In this instance, the venturi injector is a
Model 12050-SS Mazzei injector, manufactured by Mazzei Injector
Corporation in Bakersfield, Calif. The structure and operation of this
Mazzei injector is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,128,
which issued on Jan. 26, 1999, to Angelo L. Mazzei, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if filly
set forth herein. The water from the pump means enters the inlet port 48
of the venturi injector 46. Oxygen stripping gas is delivered to the
venturi injector 44 though the injector port 50 and the water and
stripping gas contact in the constricting portion 52 of the venturi
injector 46. The water and stripping gas are then pumped from the
constricting portion 52, and the dissolved oxygen once present in the
water and the stripping gas are now passed through the outlet port 54 of
venturi injector 46 in micro-fine bubbles 56 generated by the pumping of
the stripping gas and water through the venturi injector 46. The
micro-fine bubbles 56 and the now partially deoxygenated water travel from
the outlet port 54 to the transfer piping means 38 which eventually
carries the deoxygenated water and the micro-fine bubbles to a receptacle
wherein the additional deoxygenation may occur.
FIG. 6 shows a closed re-circulation system in a receptacle. Untreated
water enters a receptacle 24, which is optionally but preferably a
sealable tank, through a transfer piping means 38. Once inside the
receptacle 24, a pump means 14 is present to pump the water through
additional transfer piping 38. The water then enters an inlet port 48 of
an injector means 16, which is optionally but preferably, a venturi
injector. Within a constricting portion 52 of the injector means 16, the
water contacts oxygen stripping gas that is being received by the injector
port 50 of the injector means 16. A stripping gas source 18, that is
optionally but preferably located outside of and adjacent to the
receptacle 24, generates the stripping gas that is delivered by a gas
delivery means to the injector port 50. A majority of the dissolved oxygen
present in the water and the stripping gas are then passed from the
constricting portion 52 through outlet port 54 of the injector means 16 in
micro-fine bubbles generated by the pumping of the stripping gas and water
through the injector means 16. Transfer piping 38 connected to the outlet
port 54 transfers the micro-fine bubbles and the now partially
deoxygenated water from the injector means through a jet nozzle 58 and
into the receptacle 24, wherein the micro-fine bubbles travel to the
headspace 26 within the receptacle, thereby releasing the oxygen from the
water. A pressure valve 34, or series of pressure valves, may be present
on the top portion of the receptacle 24 in order to prevent pressure
build-up within the receptacle 24. The water within the receptacle 24 may
be continually re-circulated, and a series of sensors and/or control panel
means may be present to monitor the levels of dissolved oxygen and
stripping gas so as to determine the rate of re-circulation and/or the
rate by which the treated water is expelled from the receptacle 24,
optionally but preferably, through additional transfer piping.
The water treatment herein described preferably though not exclusively
occurs such that as the vessel pumps water on the vessel through an
injector means, which is preferably but not limited to a venturi injector,
the water contacts oxygen stripping gas introduced into the injector
means. Generally, the pump means, which may be one or a series of pumps,
draws water from waterways surrounding the vessel into the transfer piping
means. The oxygen stripping gas source on the vessel may be a standard
source or method known in the art, such as a permeable membrane nitrogen
generator, vessel flue gas, inert gas generator, or other. Control of the
stripping gas delivery may be through a booster blower and/or a regulator
connected in series with the stripping gas delivery means that is
connected to the injector means. The stripping gas source is connected to
both a receptacle or, optionally receptacles, which is preferably but
optionally a ballast tank(s), and the injector means by stripping gas
delivery means. Stripping gas may be delivered into and Rill the
receptacle, by a stripping gas delivery means. Another stripping gas
delivery means allows stripping gas to flow through the injector means.
This stripping gas delivery means may be connected to and deliver
stripping gas from the receptacle or may be connected to and deliver
stripping gas directly from the stripping gas source. When stripping gas
is delivered to the injector means, which is preferably a venturi
injector, the water pumping through the injector means contacts the
stripping gas, and dissolved oxygen present in the water is transferred
from the water to the micro-fine bubbles generated by the injector means.
These micro-fine gas bubbles contain a mixture of stripping gas and oxygen
that, along with the water, is pumped from the injector means into the
receptacle. When the water is pumped into the receptacle, the stripping
gas that may be present in the receptacle is exchanged preferably, but not
exclusively, in a 1:1 volume ratio. This stripping gas may be re-directed
to the injector means to provide for greater efficiency in the use of
stripping gas.
Once inside the receptacle, the micro-fine bubbles float to the surface of
the water in the receptacle whereupon the stripping gas-oxygen mixture is
released within the receptacle's headspace or area above the water. The
invention may also include a stripping gas delivery means that delivers
stripping gas to the empty receptacle in order to prevent the
reintroduction of oxygen to the deoxygenated water as the treated water
enters the receptacle. The overall preferable but optional effect of this
oxygen-stripping is to hinder the survival of aquatic organisms, such as
but not limited to those commonly present in the beast water, while also
or alternatively providing corrosion inhibition.
The water treatment's start-up and shut down will coincide with the
vessel's water intake. A re-circulation mechanism may be employed to
further treat water and the need for such may be determined by a series of
sensors, including but not limited to gaseous oxygen and dissolved oxygen
sensors, present in the receptacles which record the dissolved oxygen
concentration in the water so as to optionally verify disinfection. If a
re-circulation mechanism needs to be activated, the shutdown operation,
preferably although optionally, may be controlled by a control panel means
that is connected to the sensors and valves.
In use, it can now be understood the system and method of water treatment
may be used for a non-chemical, efficient treatment of water while serving
as a corrosion inhibitor.
While a current embodiment of the system and method of water treatment has
been described in detail it should be apparent that modifications and
variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit
and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it
is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily
apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For
example, any suitable cylindrical conduit made of a wide variety of
metals, plastic, or other sturdy mad may be used for the transfer piping
means and/or re-circulation piping means described. And, although the
treatment of water using stripping gas induced deoxygenation having both
aquatic species disinfection and corrosion inhibition properties,
preferably but optionally on vessels, has been described, it should be
appreciated that the system and method of water treatment herein described
may also be suitable for a wide variety of water treatment applications
including but not limited to wastewater management, agricultural
applications, pool and spa applications, oil and gas applications, and
various disinfectant applications. Additionally, a wide variety of holds
or tanks of many shapes and sizes, as well as an open body of water, also
may be used instead of the basic receptacle or ballast tank described.
Furthermore, the method, configuration, size, shape and pressure and
volume requirements may be adapted to conform to a wide variety of vessels
of a variety of shapes and sizes, and a closed recirculation system and
method described may be transferable from one receptacle to another. The
invention may also be adapted for use with a wide variety of pumps,
receptacles, stripping gas generators or sources, pressure valves and
other components that are required by the invention but already present in
a vessel or other treatment location.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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