Water-conserving pressure-maintaining reverse osmosis system
US5639374A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D61/12
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A reverse osmosis water purification system in which the concentrate water normally produced by the process is not disposed of by routing it to a drain line or otherwise, but is redirected to the main water supply. The system includes the well-known components of a reverse osmosis membrane, pre-filters which are installed ahead of the reverse osmosis membrane, and an appropriate tank to store the purified water. In addition, the system includes a pump and associated pressure sensing device for increasing the pressure of the incoming non-processed water to the reverse osmosis unit, and a pipe to carry the concentrate water from the reverse osmosis unit to the incoming main water supply, be it either a cold or hot water line. Additionally included is a one-way check valve in the concentrate water line, and a sensing device in the purified water storage tank to turn the pump off whenever the quantity of water in the tank exceeds a predetermined amount.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.