WO1996025366A1

WO1996025366A1 - Water delivery apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1996025366A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/000334
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew David Worthington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-14
Filing date: 1996-02-13
Publication date: 1996-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1997-08-14
Also published as: EP0809610A1; AU4671296A

Abstract

A water delivery apparatus comprising a chamber (22) to which, in use, water is delivered, comprising a medium for the treatment of the water, in particular for the treatment of dissolved materials, at least one side of the chamber comprising a porous member. The porous member allows water within the chamber to pass through the chamber wall, and allows dissolved gases to pass to and from the water. There may additionally be provided containers (26) on the outer side (20) of the chamber within which a growing medium containing plants may be located. Roots of the plants may pass through the member such that dissolved compounds such as nitrates and ammonia compounds may provide the plants with nutrients, such compounds thus being simultaneously removed from the water, thereby purifying the water.

Description

Title: Water Delivery Apparatus Description of Invention

This invention is concerned with improvements relating to water delivery apparatus, and provides, on the one hand, an apparatus for the delivery of a supply of water (e.g. to a fish pond) from which certain impurifications have been removed, and on the other hand a water delivery apparatus to an assembly for the growing of plants.

A problem occurs in water delivery apparatus, in the separation of suspended solids from the water in a first stage purification operation, and in the subsequent delivery of the water to a second stage purification operation, in which materials dissolved in the water are treated.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a water delivery apparatus comprising a chamber to which in use water is delivered, and comprising, located in the chamber, a medium for the treatment of the water, in particular for the treatment of dissolved materials, wherein at least one side of the chamber comprises a porous member.

The porous member may permit gases to pass to and/or from the chamber, and further or alternatively the porous member may permit liquids to pass to and/or from the chamber.

The medium for the treatment of the water may be in any convenient form, but is conveniently afforded by a material having a high surface area, whereby bacteria or other micro-organisms may attach themselves to the surface, to treat materials within the water by a biological process.

For example the medium may be in the form of ribbons of plastics material, over which the water trickles, increasing the oxygen content of the water, and exposing the water to a large surface area of treatment medium.

Alternatively the medium may be in the form of clay crocks, ceramic or plastics rings, stones or the like. Further alternatively, the medium may comprise barley straw, the decomposition products of which inhibit the growth of undesired "blanket weed" filamentous algae. 2

The water delivery apparatus may also comprise a second chamber, generally upstream of the first said chamber.

Preferably, the second chamber is located generally within the first chamber, and conveniently is concentric therewith.

In the case where the water delivery apparatus comprises a second chamber, water may flow generally upwardly within the second chamber, and from an upper part of the second chamber generally downwardly into the first chamber.

Preferably, solid content in the water moves generally downwardly within the second chamber, and water with a lower solid content flows generally upwardly within the second chamber.

There may be provided a filter means generally upstream of the first chamber.

Additionally, the second chamber may comprise a conical section to which the water is delivered, there being provided an inlet means for tangential flow of the water into the conical section.

Accordingly, when in use, solid material in suspension falls to a lower region of the conical section, for discharge.

The lower region of the second chamber preferably extends to a discharge outlet for the discharge of the solid material, conveniently in suspension at a relatively high concentration in the water.

Preferably the second chamber also comprises an upper section which is conveniently cylindrical, from which water passes to the first chamber.

The first chamber is preferably located outwardly of the second chamber, the space between an outer wall of the first chamber and an outer wall of the second chamber constituting the first chamber.

Preferably, at a lower zone of the first chamber, an outlet is provided, from which water may be conducted as is required.

The water delivery apparatus above described is particularly suitable for use in the purification of water from a fish pond, water being pumped into the second chamber and flowing from the first chamber back into the pond. In preferred aspects, solid materials (such as faecal matter) within the second chamber will fall to the bottom, to be discharged, whilst dissolved materials, particularly nitrogenous compounds such as ammonia and the like, may be converted by the bacterial action into nitrites and nitrates within the first chamber.

Conveniently the apparatus comprises one or more containers such as pockets within which a growing medium such as compost may be located, and within which flowers or plants may be grown, to provide a decorative appearance to the apparatus. Conveniently the water for the growing medium may be derived from the water flowing through the first chamber, which being high in nutrient content provides efficacious conditions for such flowers or plants.

Conveniently therefore, water may permeate from the first chamber into the growing medium in the pockets through the porous member, through which roots for the flowers or plants may also pass to obtain water from the first chamber. In the case where the medium for the treatment of water comprises barley straw, or plastic ribbon, such a medium may also provide a root supporting medium for the flowers or plants.

Preferably, the first chamber is defined on its outer side by louvre type members, i.e. a plurality of inclined slats or similar formations extending generally downwardly and inwardly from the outer side. Such an arrangement is particularly effective to bring water flowing downwardly within the first chamber into intimate contact with the containing members within which the growing medium is located, thus providing efficient watering of the growing medium.

However, the louvre design reduces direct contact of the water with the growing medium, which may cause water logging by capillary action, which can occur when the first chamber is defined on its outer side by a porous member alone, such as a mesh.

Preferably, the containers are attached to or integral with the outer side of the first chamber, and conveniently are provided at generally spaced positions, such that portions of the outer side of the first chamber are in contact with air around the container, thus enabling atmospheric oxygen to be dissolved into the downwardly flowing water, and also to enable carbon dioxide dissolved in the water to be gassed off. The louvre arrangement is particularly suitable for both these purposes, since the inwardly and downwardly depending slats prevents leakage of water to the outside of the container, whilst freely permitting the gas exchange described above.

Water containing solids may flow through filter means prior to entering said second chamber.

Preferably however, in a second more specific aspect water containing solids may flow upwardly within the second chamber through filter means prior to flowing from said upper part of the second chamber.

Preferably the second chamber comprises a lower section to which water is delivered for flow in a generally upward direction.

In this aspect the second chamber may comprise a lower section of relatively small height into which water is initially admitted and through which water flows generally upwardly and a section of relatively great height containing said filter means. The filter means may comprise layers of different porosity, and preferably the porosity decreases towards upper layers of the filter means.

The second chamber may be generally cylindrical.

The water may enter the second chamber at the lower end thereof through an inlet port in a generally vertically upwardly direction.

The inlet port may be disposed generally centrally of the lower section.

A problem also occurs in the delivery of water to an assembly upon which flowers or plants may be grown, of the kind conveniently known as a "flower tower" or planter, and in accordance with the second aspect of this invention there is provided a planter comprising a container, means to cause water to flow through the container, a plurality of pockets on the outside of the container in which a growing medium may be contained, the pockets being in moisture transfer relationship with the interior of the container to assist the growing of plants in said growing medium within the pockets. Preferably the container is in cylindrical form, means being provided to cause water to flow downwardly through the container, preferably through a medium on which bacteria may grow, such as plastics ribbons, clay crocks, packing rings, stones, barley straw or the like, such bacteria conveniently being utilised to convert impurities in the water, such as dissolved nitrogenous compounds such as ammonia and ammonia compounds, which in turn, together with trace elements, promote growth of the plants in the pockets.

Conveniently the container is defined by a peripheral wall, which at least in the vicinity of the pockets is perforate, to allow moisture to pass outwardly of the container for the growing of plants within the pockets, either directly, or by being drawn therethrough by roots passing into the container.

The perforate peripheral wall portions may be provided by porous members, but preferably are provided by louvre arrangements comprising a plurality of generally downwardly and inwardly inclined slats, as detailed above in relation to the first aspect of this invention.

Preferably the container is provided with a drainage outlet extending from a lowermost part thereof, and a water outlet extending from the container at a height above the drainage outlet. In this manner solid contaminants within the water delivered to the container may be carried to the lowermost part of the container, to be removed by the drainage outlet, whilst water, having been subjected to some purification, may be returned from the water outlet to such location as may be desired.

The planter which is the second embodiment of the invention is similarly suitable for use in the treatment of water from a fish pond, wherein the bacteria contained on the surfaces of the elements within the container remove certain dissolved compounds from the water, such as ammonia, converting the ammonia to nitrites and nitrates, which in turn are absorbed by the roots of the plants, to assist in the growing of the plants, to provide a highly decorative effect. Additionally, the solids material contained within the water drawn from the pond may be collected together at the bottom of the tank, and drained and disposed of as necessary, water from the water outlet being returned to the fish pond, conveniently via a straining operation.

There will now be given detailed descriptions, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of two embodiments which have been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a water delivery apparatus which is the first embodiment of this invention; and

Figure 2 is a view illustrating the water delivery apparatus which is the second embodiment of this invention.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of an alternative water delivery apparatus.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a water delivery apparatus which is the second embodiment of this invention, and

Figure 5 is a partial side elevational view of a water delivery apparatus, showing an outer side of the first chamber.

The water delivery apparatus which is the first embodiment of this invention primarily constitutes part of a water purification plant, for cleaning the water of a fish pond, and in particular the withdrawal of water from the fish pond, the removal from such water of solid (e.g. faecal) matter and compounds of ammonia dissolved within the water, prior to returning the water to the fish pond, and secondly a container for the growing of plants, the treated water conveniently being utilised to assist the growing of flowers or plants on and around the apparatus, to provide a pleasing appearance.

The apparatus comprises an inner chamber 6 defined by an inner wall member 8, comprising an upper cylindrical section 10 and a lower frusto-conical section 12, said lower section 12 being connected to a sludge discharge pipe 14. Provided adjacent to the junction between the upper and lower sections is an inlet pipe 16, which extends generally tangentially into the chamber 6, causing water entering the chamber to undergo a swirling action, solid materials within the water being constrained by the lower velocity boundary layer and tending to fall downwardly toward the outlet pipe 14, whilst water containing a relatively lower concentration of suspended solids flows upwardly within the chamber 6 towards the open top thereof.

Located at the top part of the upper cylindrical section 10 is a filter assembly, conveniently afforded by open cell foam material, and conveniently comprising layers of different porosity. In the preferred embodiment a lower layer 18a. comprises coarse foam, a medium layer 18b. foam of medium porosity, and an upper layer 18c. comprising foam of fine pore structure, the assembly being retained in position by a removable, perforate lid 19.

The filter assembly serves to prevent buoyant or non-settleable contaminant from exiting from the first chamber, and may be removed for the purposes of washing.

Disposed generally coaxially outwardly of the cylindrical inner wall 8 is a cylindrical outer wall 20, the space between the inner wall 8 and the outer wall 20 defining an outer chamber 22 in which is contained a water purification medium. In the preferred embodiment the water purification medium is in the form of ribbons of plastics material on which bacteria grow, and which break down compounds of ammonia dissolved in the water, producing nitrites and nitrates. Reference may be made to the specification of my GB patent serial No. 2248231 for details of the construction and arrangement of the purification medium. It is, however, to be understood that other forms of water purification within the outer chamber 22 may be utilised, and in particular other water purification media may be utilised, such as plastics or ceramic packing means, broken crockery, stones or the like.

At the bottom of the outer chamber 22 an outlet 24 is provided, from which relatively purified water may be returned to the fish pond.

Mounted on the outer wall 20 are a plurality of dished containing members 26, being upwardly open and within which, as is shown, a growing medium such as soil or compost may be located. At least in the areas adjacent to the containing members the outer wall 20 is perforate, providing a supply of water to the growing medium, and assisting in the growing of plants or flowers within the containing members and conveniently the outer wall 20 is provided by high density polyethylene mesh. This is particularly efficacious, in view of the relatively high nitrate content of the water passing downwardly through the outer chamber 22.

Preferably however, the outer wall is provided by a louvre type arrangement as shown in Figure 5, possibly also of high density polyethylene. Such an arrangement permits of more efficient gassing off of carbon dioxide from the water and prevents water logging of the growing medium which may occur with a mesh, due to capillary action.

The water delivery apparatus which is the second embodiment of this invention primarily constitutes a container for the growing of plants, and secondly a water purification plant for the cleaning of water from a fish pond, the apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical container 42 afforded by perforated high density polythene or an arrangement comprising louvres as previously described, upwardly within which a delivery pipe 44 extends, through a perforate lid 46 disposed just below the lip of the container 42, which serves to distribute water over the entire top surface of the tank. Water delivered through the pipe 44 flows onto the lid 46, being prevented from overflowing by a splash-retaining ring 48, the water flowing downwardly through the container 42.

Located within the container 42 is a material providing a high surface area upon which bacteria may grow, to remove impurities contained within the water, particularly ammonia or ammonia compounds, as hereinbefore described.

In moisture transfer communication with the interior of the container 42 are a plurality of pockets 50, within which a growing medium such as compost may be located, within which plants may be grown, as shown. As is to be expected, whilst some moisture passes outwardly through the perforate wall of the container 42, additionally roots from the plants will pass through the perforations, to obtain water directly from the interior of the container 42. As previously described, the higher nitrate content of the water greatly assists the growing of the plants, and simultaneously the removal of the nitrates from the water by the plants assists in the purification of the water to be returned through outlet 52 to (for example) the fish pond. This can have the effect of starving unsightly algae ("green water" and "blanket weed") which normally grow in fish ponds.

Solid material contained within the water falls to the bottom of the tank, and may be withdrawn in the form of a slurry through sludge outlet 54.

In a modification of the first embodiment the apparatus comprises an inner chamber 6a. defined by an inner wall member 8a. of cylindrical configuration.

An inlet port 16a. is provided in a base wall 17a. of the chamber 6a_ which is connected through a 90° bend to an inlet pipe 16b_ so as to cause water entering the chamber to flow generally upwardly so that water containing suspended solids flows into a filter assembly 18, conveniently afforded by open cell foam material, and conveniently comprising layers of different porosity. In this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, there are three layers, of coarse, medium and fine porosity 18a. - c_ respectively, the assembly being retained in position by a removable perforate member 19a.. Disposed generally co-axially outwardly of the cylindrical wall 8a. is a cylindrical outer wall 20a.. In this embodiment most or all of the solid materials are trapped by the filters and relatively little or no solid materials tend to fall downwardly towards the outlet pipe 14a, Although the lower section has been described hereinbefore as being cylindrical, it may be of other configuration.

The remaining details of this embodiment are as described in connection with the first embodiment and the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding parts.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a perspective view of the water filter in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The generally cylindrical container 42, conveniently afforded by high density polythene comprises an outer wall 42a comprising louvre portions 60 which provide a plurality of inwardly and downwardly extending slats, two of which are shown by 61 and 62, there being provided ventilation slits 63 and 64 to enable oxygen to be absorbed by the downwardly trickling water and to enable carbon dioxide to be gassed off from the water.

The arrangement shown in Figure 4 is modular, to the extent that a plurality of modules, two of which are shown by 65 and 66 may be provided on top of each other, the modules in turn being seated on a base portion 67 comprising a water inlet 68 and a water outlet 69.

Referring finally to Figure 5, there is shown a side view of the outer wall 42a. of the container which comprises a louvre arrangement provided by a plurality of downwardly and inwardly extending slats 70 which permit water trickling down through the medium for the treatment of water, in this case plastics ribbons 71, to be brought into intimate contact with roots of flowers or plants provided in the growing medium 72, the roots of which extend through apertures 73 between the slats 70.

Further ventilation slits 74 are provided between the pockets 26 to enable atmospheric oxygen to be dissolved in the water, and to allow carbon dioxide to be gassed off to the atmosphere from the water.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A water delivery apparatus comprising a chamber to which in use water is delivered, and comprising, located in the chamber, a medium for the treatment of the water, in particular for the treatment of dissolved materials, wherein at least one side of the chamber comprises a porous member.

2. A water delivery apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the porous member permits gases to pass to and/or from the chamber.

3. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the porous member permits liquids to pass to and/or from the chamber.

4. A water delivery apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the medium for the treatment of the water is afforded by a material having a high surface area, whereby bacteria or other micro-organisms may attach themselves to the surface of the medium to treat material within the water by a biological process.

5. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the medium comprises one or more of the following: plastics ribbons, clay crocks, ceramic or plastics rings, stones or the like or barley straw over which the water passing downwardly through the chamber, trickles.

6. A water delivery apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a second chamber, generally upstream of the first said chamber.

7. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the second chamber is located generally within the first chamber, preferably generally concentric therewith.

8. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 wherein water flows generally upwardly within the second chamber, and from an upper part of the second chamber generally downwardly into the first chamber.

9. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 8 wherein solid content in the water moves generally downwardly within the second chamber, and water with a lower solid content flows generally upwardly within the second chamber.

10. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a filter means generally upstream of the first chamber.

11. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the second chamber comprises a conical section to which the water is delivered, there being provided an inlet means for tangential flow of the water into the conical section.

12. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 11 whereby when in use, solid material in suspension falls to a lower region of the conical section, for discharge.

13. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the lower region of the second chamber extends to a discharge outlet for the discharge of solid material.

14. A water delivery apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 13, wherein the second chamber comprises a cylindrical upper section, from which water passes to the first chamber.

15. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 14 wherein the first chamber is located outwardly of the second chamber, the space between an outer wall of the first chamber and an outer wall of the second chamber constituting the first chamber.

16. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a water outlet is provided at a lower zone of the first chamber.

17. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a container within which a growing medium may be located.

18. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the container is provided by a pocket.

19. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the growing medium comprises compost or the like.

20. A water delivery apparatus according to claims 17 to 19 wherein the container is provided on an outer side of the first chamber.

21. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 20 wherein water for the growing medium is derived from the water flowing through the first chamber.

22. A water delivery apparatus according to claims 17 to 21 wherein water may permeate through the porous member into the growing medium in the container.

23. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein roots of flowers or plants growing in the container may pass through the porous member to obtain water from the first chamber.

24. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are provided a plurality of porous members, and/or a plurality of containers.

25. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the porous member comprises louvre type members and/or wire mesh and/or a semi permeable membrane.

26. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 24 or 25 wherein the containers are provided at spaced positions on the outer side of the first chamber.

27. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the porous members are located between the containers.

28. A water delivery apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, and claims 15 to 26 when dependent on claims 6 to 11, wherein water containing solid content flows upwardly within the second chamber through filter means prior to flowing to the first chamber.

29. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the second chamber comprises a lower section to which water is delivered for flow in a generally upward direction.

30. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the lower section is of relatively small height and there is provided a section of relatively large height containing said filter means.

31. A water delivery apparatus according to claims 28 to 30 wherein the filter means comprises layers of different porosity, the porosity decreasing towards upper layers of the filter means.

32. A water delivery apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims when used as a planter for a display of plants.

33. A Water delivery apparatus comprising a first chamber to which in use water is delivered, comprising a medium for the treatment of water, in particular for the treatment of dissolved materials, and a second chamber, water flowing from an upper part of the second chamber into the first chamber, water with lower solid content flowing upwardly within the second chamber and solid content moving downwardly within the second chamber.

34. A water delivery apparatus according to claim 33 having one or more of the features specified in any of the preceding claims.

35. A water delivery apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.