Water softener system using nanofiltration to reclaim a portion of the regenerating sodium chloride
US8580118B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2010 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2303/16
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A water softening system includes apparatus and process that recycles a substantial percentage of the brine. This system conventionally includes a brine tank and a softening tank through which hard water from a source passes during normal operation. During the regeneration cycle, the brine solution in the brine tank passes through the softening tank acquiring hardness ions, and then through a nanofilter that passes a much higher proportion of the brine ions than the hardness ions. The hardness ions flow from the upstream end of the nanofilter into a drain. The liquid passing through the nanofilter contains salt that returns to the brine tank for reuse. A preferred embodiment includes a pump to force the brine solution through the nanofilter and a throttling valve connecting the upstream side of the nanofilter to a drain, and through which the hardness ions flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.