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WO2025165354A1 - Dispositifs, systèmes et procédés de filtration des eaux grises - Google Patents

Dispositifs, systèmes et procédés de filtration des eaux grises

Info

Publication number
WO2025165354A1
WO2025165354A1 PCT/US2024/013778 US2024013778W WO2025165354A1 WO 2025165354 A1 WO2025165354 A1 WO 2025165354A1 US 2024013778 W US2024013778 W US 2024013778W WO 2025165354 A1 WO2025165354 A1 WO 2025165354A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
container
bed media
water
greywater
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2024/013778
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Noemi Helena FLOREA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Laero LLC
Original Assignee
Laero LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Laero LLC filed Critical Laero LLC
Priority to PCT/US2024/013778 priority Critical patent/WO2025165354A1/fr
Publication of WO2025165354A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025165354A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/58—Multistep processes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/02—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
    • B01D61/08—Apparatus therefor
    • B01D61/081—Apparatus therefor used at home, e.g. kitchen
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F9/00—Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F9/20—Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2311/00—Details relating to membrane separation process operations and control
    • B01D2311/06—Specific process operations in the permeate stream
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2311/00—Details relating to membrane separation process operations and control
    • B01D2311/26—Further operations combined with membrane separation processes
    • B01D2311/2611—Irradiation
    • B01D2311/2619—UV-irradiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/02—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
    • B01D61/025—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
    • B01D61/145—Ultrafiltration
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
    • C02F1/283—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/30—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation
    • C02F1/32—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/44—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
    • C02F1/441—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis by reverse osmosis
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/44—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
    • C02F1/444—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00—Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/10—Inorganic compounds
    • C02F2101/16—Nitrogen compounds, e.g. ammonia
    • C02F2101/163—Nitrates
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00—Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/10—Inorganic compounds
    • C02F2101/20—Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/002—Grey water, e.g. from clothes washers, showers or dishwashers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/06—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment pH
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/10—Solids, e.g. total solids [TS], total suspended solids [TSS] or volatile solids [VS]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/11—Turbidity
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/40—Liquid flow rate

Definitions

  • the disclosed subject matter relates to an apparatus, system and method for water filtration and purification.
  • greywater can be recycled to reduce the wastewater footprint of residential and commercial properties.
  • the presently disclosed subject matter satisfies these and other needs for an efficient and economic system for decentralized greywater processing.
  • the disclosed subject matter includes a greywater filtration system comprising a compact housing configured to be installed to an existing household unit that receives water from municipal water supply, such as under a sink, bathtub, shower, or laundry unit, and coupled with a water supply line and grey water inlet coupled to a preexisting water outlet, such as sink drain tailpipe or other water outlet pipeline from a shower or laundry unit.
  • the housing contains, at least, a control box, a bed media filter container, a membrane filter, and an ultraviolet container.
  • the control box comprises at least a pressure pump for moving fluid through the system.
  • the bed media filter container is configured to receive municipal water from the supply line and/or greywater from the greywater inlet and houses a bed media filter configured to filter impurities from the blend of received fluids, as well as an ultrasonic sensor configured to detect when the blended fluid reaches a predetermined volume level and to activate the pressure pump to transfer filtered blended fluid out of the bed media container.
  • the membrane filter container receives the filtered blended fluid from the bed media container and comprises a membrane filter configured to remove impurities from the blended fluid and separate processed fluid, received by a first outlet, from rejected fluid, discharged from a discharge outlet.
  • the discharge outlet is configured to couple to a preexisting wastewater outlet arm or other suitable outlet piping.
  • the ultraviolet container receives the processed fluid and contains an ultraviolet light source to disinfect the processed fluid to create approved fluid, wherein the approved fluid may include up to approximately 30 percent of its volume from the filtered blended fluid.
  • the approved fluid exits the housing to a preexisting faucet.
  • the membrane filter comprises an ultrafilter and a reverse osmosis filter. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the membrane filter comprises an ultrafilter and a reverse osmosis filter.
  • the ultrafilter comprises a pore size of 0.02-0.05 microns.
  • the approved fluid includes up to approximately 30 percent of its volume from the grey water.
  • the bed media filter comprises one or more layers comprising at least one of activated carbon material, sand, and gravel.
  • the one or more layers comprise: a first layer including an activated carbon material; a second layer including sand; a third layer including gravel; and there is an internal fluid flow channel through the bed media filter between the one or more layers, wherein an internal fluid flow direction comprises flow consecutively through the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer.
  • the internal fluid flow direction is the same direction as gravity.
  • control box further includes a microcontroller and a relay configured to facilitate fluid flow through the system.
  • the housing has a volume of approximately 1.65 ft 3 to 2.65 ft 3 .
  • the ultraviolet light source comprises an ultraviolet light bulb.
  • the membrane filter is enclosed in a plastic membrane housing and mounted on a stand.
  • the housing further comprises a collection tank in fluid communication with the ultraviolet container, wherein the collection tank is configured to receive the approved fluid from the ultraviolet container and output the approved fluid to the faucet.
  • the collection tank may further comprise at least one water quality sensor configured to analyze a quality metric of the approved fluid.
  • the quality metric may include data relating to at least one of total dissolved solids, pH level, and turbidity.
  • the system is configured to compare the quality metric to a predetermined threshold value.
  • the system further comprises at least one indicator configured to indicate that the quality metric does not meet a predetermined threshold value.
  • the bed media container may include an ultrasonic overflow sensor configured to activate the pressure pump.
  • the system may also include a bypass outlet to output approved fluid from the collection tank to the discharge outlet based upon a determination that the quality metric does not meet a predetermined threshold.
  • the system filters out at least one of lead, copper, nitrate, total coliform, cryptosporidium, legionella, and Giardia lamblia.
  • a method of processing greywater comprises: providing a compact housing configured to couple with a unit coupled with a municipal water supply; a bed media container receiving at least one of municipal water from a supply line and greywater from a greywater inlet; forming a blended fluid from at least one of the municipal water and the grey water and filtering impurities from the blended fluid; detecting, with the ultrasonic sensor, when the blended fluid reaches a predetermined volume level of the bed media container; pumping filtered blended fluid with a pressure pump out of the bed media container to a membrane filter container; removing impurities from the filtered blended fluid with the membrane filter and separating processed fluid from rejected fluid; transferring the processed fluid or rejected fluid to at least one of the first outlet or the discharge outlet; receiving the processed fluid by the ultraviolet container; creating approved fluid by disinfecting the processed fluid with the ultraviolet source, wherein the approved fluid includes up to approximately 30 percent of its volume from the filtered blended fluid, wherein the housing is configured to couple to the preexisting supply line
  • This housing may include: a control box having a pressure pump configured to pump fluid through the greywater filtration system, a bed media container configured to form a blended fluid, wherein the bed media container houses a bed media filter configured to filter impurities from the blended fluid and the bed media container has an ultrasonic sensor, a membrane filter container in fluid communication with the bed media container, wherein the membrane filter container is configured to receive the filtered blended fluid from the bed media container and includes a membrane filter configured to remove impurities from the blended fluid and separate processed fluid from rejected fluid, a first outlet to receive the processed fluid, and a discharge outlet to receive the rejected fluid, and an ultraviolet container in fluid communication with the membrane filter container, the ultraviolet container including an ultraviolet light source to disinfect the processed fluid to create approved fluid.
  • a method comprising outputting the approved fluid through a sink tap.
  • a method comprising processing the blended fluid with at least one of an ultrafilter and a reverse osmosis filter of the housing to create approved fluid.
  • a method comprising transferring the approved fluid to a collection tank in fluid communication with the ultraviolet container and outputting the approved fluid to a sink tap.
  • a method comprising analyzing a quality metric of the approved fluid with at least one water quality sensor.
  • a greywater filtration system may comprise a municipal water sensor to detect a quality of municipal water from a supply line, wherein the municipal water sensor compares the quality to a predetermined municipal value and selectively channels the municipal water to at least one of a sink tap or to a housing, the housing configured to be installed with a unit coupled with a municipal water supply such as a sink, wherein the housing is configured to couple to a supply line, including a preexisting supply line, the greywater inlet is configured to couple to a drain, including a preexisting sink drain, the discharge outlet is configured to couple to a preexisting wastewater piping, and the approved fluid is configured to exit the housing to an outlet or a faucet, including a preexisting faucet.
  • the housing may include: a control box having a pressure pump configured to pump fluid through the greywater filtration system; a bed media container configured to receive at least one of municipal water from the supply line and greywater from a greywater inlet and configured to form a blended fluid from at least one of the municipal water and greywater, wherein the bed media container houses a bed media filter configured to filter impurities from the blended fluid, the bed media container having an ultrasonic sensor that is configured to detect when the blended fluid reaches a predetermined volume level of the bed media container and configured to activate the pressure pump to transfer filtered blended fluid out of the bed media container; a membrane filter container in fluid communication with the bed media container, wherein the membrane filter container is configured to receive the filtered blended fluid from the bed media container, and an ultraviolet container in fluid communication with the membrane filter container and configured to receive the processed fluid from the membrane filter container.
  • the membrane filter container may include: a membrane filter configured to remove impurities from the blended fluid and separate processed fluid from rejected fluid, a first outlet to receive the processed fluid, and a discharge outlet to receive the rejected fluid.
  • the ultraviolet container may include an ultraviolet light source to disinfect the processed fluid to create approved fluid, wherein the approved fluid includes up to 30 percent of its volume from the filtered blended fluid.
  • FIG. l is a drawing of a greywater filtration system according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
  • FIG. 2 is a drawing of a greywater filtration system according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, comprising a housing, control box, bed media filter container, membrane filter container, and ultraviolet filter container.
  • FIG. 3 is a drawing depicting the greywater filtration system under a sink according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting the prior art of standard under-the-sink plumbing according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting the greywater filtration system retrofitted under a sink according to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting a process for filtering greywater.
  • FIG. 7 is a drawing depicting the prior art household greywater system.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram depicting locations of installation for the greywater filtration system according to embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.
  • a low-cost, accessible water treatment system for households is needed. By having water treated within the household right before it is used — at the point of use, instead of the point of source — residents can be protected against poor quality water that may be impacted by underfunded water distribution infrastructure. Integrating a point-of-use water treatment system may treat incoming municipal water for any dangerous contaminants including lead, copper, nitrate, total coliform, cryptosporidium, legionella, and Giardia lamblia, among many others.
  • Portable water filters and household water treatment devices have previously been deployed in cities to provide what would be a “band-aid” solution to a systemic crisis of water contamination.
  • the disclosed subject matter contemplates a retrofitted installation process and a compact equipment size to reduce costs. For example, connecting water supply lines and drain pipes below the sink, shower, or laundry machine may effectively redirect water flows into a compact treatment system without affecting any part of the building’s structural integrity. As shown in FIG.
  • the disclosed subject matter 800 includes a compact enclosure with the appropriate fittings to connect an existing structure such as the supply lines and drain pipes which remain in close proximity below or adjacent to sinks (802a), bathtubs (802b), showers (802c), and laundry units (802d) and integrates the appropriate water treatment system to enable recirculating wastewater supplies between the drain pipe and supply line of a sink, shower, or laundry unit by passing them through a four-stage water treatment process that treats grey water to drinking water standards.
  • the disclosed subject matter integrates into a household’s preexisting water infrastructure, with connections available for supply lines and drain pipes that may already be in use, such as the examples shown in FIG. 8.
  • the disclosed subject matter captures and treats greywater and as such, provides a household appliance for treating used water to a potable standard. This alone allows households across the U.S. to immediately reduce their water footprint by making grey water systems accessible, cost-effective, and easy to install.
  • Filter are also available and typically used in households which directly rely on untreated groundwater sourced from property wells. While portable filters can be sold for $30 - $50, these filters can break down and must be replaced frequently, and often do not address the total scope of contaminants that users are concerned about. Whole-home water filters can alternatively cost as much as $2500, not including maintenance costs. Neither portable nor whole-house filters offer any reuse functions which can enable users to directly reduce their water consumption rates, and hence water costs.
  • greywater systems have become the first commercial technology capable of recycling water within users’ homes to reduce levels of water consumption and wastewater discharge.
  • greywater systems are often considered too expensive to retrofit into pre-existing structures, as they require re-piping large parts of a building.
  • Greywater systems on average cost $2500 to install, though can range from $700 to $20,000. Because of this high cost, they have not scaled to dominate the total addressable market in need of water treatment solutions, a significant proportion of which is classified as low-income and vulnerable to systemic issues of water contamination.
  • greywater systems on the market today which offer potable water reuse, wherein greywater is treated to drinking water standards and recycled for re-consumption within households.
  • the disclosed subject matter is capable of serving the more than 4 billion people who live in urban areas globally, and who may be impacted by a combination of drinking water contamination and/or local waterway pollution.
  • the disclosed subject matter aims to remove a minimum of 92 contaminants from drinking water, and to treat as many as the 268 chemicals that have presently been identified in public water supplies.
  • As the disclosed subject matter is designed to recycle up to 20% of greywater produced per person per day, up to 288 billion gallons of wastewater may be recycled on a daily basis when the technology is deployed to its full scale. Ultimately, this supports not only global efforts for water conservation, but can significantly reduce the rates of untreated wastewater that enter natural waterways as well as the impacts this currently has on human health.
  • the disclosed subject matter combines the protective functions of a water filter with the preventative functions of a greywater system.
  • the disclosed subject matter also improves on qualities of accessibility, affordability, and durability compared to other market products.
  • Many household water filters are perceived by users to be temporary substitutions to infrastructural upgrades, which can cost millions of dollars and take years to complete.
  • existing greywater systems are cost-prohibitive to most homeowners due to their high installation costs.
  • the disclosed subject matter consequently diversifies the means of treating and recycling water through a low-cost, point-of-use intervention that costs under $500 or costs over 80% less than current whole-home greywater reuse systems.
  • the compact size and retrofitted installation process of the disclosed subject matter enable reduced installation costs by approximately 93% and maintenance costs by approximately 80% when compared to whole-home greywater systems. It is capable of being retrofitted where supply lines and drain pipes are close in proximity within a building, which is typically below sinks, bathtubs, showers, and laundry machines.
  • the enclosure and recommended maintenance practices enable the system to last over 20 years with proper care, which increases its durability and life span significantly compared to standard water filters.
  • Its functions for drinking water treatment, wastewater recycling, and greywater treatment enable the disclosed subject matter to address a trifold of systemic water management challenges concerning drinking water contamination, sewage pollution, and water scarcity in a single function, thereby distinguishing it from existing products which at most only address up to two of these challenges at once.
  • the devices and systems 100, 300, 500 presented herein can be used for filtration of water.
  • the devices 100 are compact and can be used for filtration of grey water.
  • the greywater filtration system 100 can including a compact housing 100a such as a housing configured to be installed under a sink 200 as depicted in FIG. 3, or as configured to be installed with units such as a laundry system or a bath system as further described herein.
  • the housing 100a can include a control box 101, a bed media container 102, a membrane filter container 103, and an ultraviolet container 104.
  • the housing 101a can be configured to be retrofitted under a sink 200 using preexisting plumbing connections 401-408.
  • the housing 100a can include a supply line inlet to couple to preexisting water supply line 402, a greywater inlet to a preexisting sink drain 403, a discharge outlet 506 to a wastewater outlet arm 404, and an approved fluid outlet 507 to faucet 408.
  • devices and systems 100, 300, 500 may be installed with any suitable existing household plumbing, including bathtub, shower, or laundry units as shown in FIG. 8.
  • retrofitted adaptors may be used to couple a supply line inlet to couple to preexisting water supply line 402, a greywater inlet to a preexisting drain tailpipe 403, such as a sink, a discharge outlet 506 to a wastewater outlet arm 404, and an approved fluid outlet 507 to a supply line 408, such as a faucet supply line.
  • the retrofitted adaptors may be adaptable to a range of diameter sizes to facilitate attachment to different pipe fittings and sizes. In one embodiment, the range of diameter sizes may be approximately 1 inch to 3 inches.
  • the housing 100a can have a volume of approximately 1.5 cubic feet, 1.64 cubic feet, 2.65 cubic feet, 3 cubic feet, or any value therebetween.
  • control box 101 can include a pressure pump 504 configured to pump fluid through the greywater filtration system.
  • control box 101 can contain a microcontroller and a relay configured to facilitate fluid flow through the system.
  • bed media container 102 can be configured to receive at least one of municipal water 502 from water supply line 402 and greywater 501 from preexisting sink drain 403.
  • the bed media container 102 can be configured to form a blended fluid 503 from the received municipal water 502 and the received grey water 501.
  • the bed media container 102 can house a bed media filter configured to filter impurities from the blended fluid 503 to create a filtered blended fluid.
  • the blended fluid 503 and filtered blended fluid can include, approximately 20% by volume, approximately 30% by volume, approximately 40% by volume, approximately 50% by volume, approximately 60% by volume, approximately 70% by volume, or any percentage value therebetween of greywater 501 with the remaining volume being made up by municipal water 502. At initial use, the volume would be 100% municipal water and over time with use, the percentage of grey water would increase.
  • the blended fluid 503 and filtered blended fluid can comprise up to around 60% by volume of greywater 501 and at least around 40% municipal water 502 by volume.
  • the bed media filter can filter a variety of impurities.
  • particulate matter may be treated by bed media (or sediment) filters, chemical and heavy metal contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals, may be treated by membrane filters, and organic pollutants including bacteria and viruses may be treated by a UV filter.
  • impurities include Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, Legionella, Total Coliforms (including fecal coliform and E.
  • HAA5 Total Trihalom ethanes
  • TTHMs Total Trihalom ethanes
  • Chloramines Chlorine, Chlorine dioxide, Antimony, Arsenic, Asbestos, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Cyanide, Fluoride, Lead, Mercury, Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium, Thallium, Acryliamide, Alachlor, Atrazine, Benzene, Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs), Carbofuran, , Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chlorobenzene, 2,4-D, Dalapon, l,2-Dibromo-3 -chloropropane (DBCP), o-Di chlorobenzene, p-Di chlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,1 -Di chloroethylene, cis-l,2-Dichloroethylene
  • the bed media filter can include an ultrasonic sensor configured to detect when the blended fluid 503 reaches a predetermined volume level of the bed media container 102.
  • predetermined volume level of the bed media container 102 can include approximately 70% by volume, approximately 80% by volume, approximately 90% by volume, approximately 100% by volume, or any percentage value therebetween.
  • the pressure pump 504 housed within control box 101 can be activated to pump fluid through the filtration system.
  • the control box 101 is configured to automatically activate the pressure pump 504 in response to receiving a signal from the ultrasonic sensor corresponding to the blended fluid 503 reaching a predetermined volume level.
  • the pressure pump 504 is configured to pump a filtered blended fluid out of the bed media container 102.
  • the bed media container 102 includes an ultrasonic overflow sensor configured to activate the pressure pump 504.
  • the ultrasonic sensor measures water levels and activates the pressure pump 504 when the bed media filter is full.
  • an overflow outlet may be in place in the event the ultrasonic sensor fails for the blended fluid to flow out.
  • the bed media filter can include one or more layers comprised of at least one of an activated carbon material, sand, gravel, or any other particle size therebetween.
  • the bed media filter can comprise a first layer including an activated carbon material; a second layer including sand; and a third layer including gravel.
  • the one or more layers can be connected by an internal fluid flow channel through the bed media filter which comprises flow consecutively through the one or more layers.
  • this internal fluid flow direction can be the same as gravity.
  • the membrane filter container 103 is configured to receive the filtered blended fluid from the bed media container 102.
  • the membrane filter container 103 contains at least a membrane filter, a first outlet 505, and a discharge outlet 506.
  • the membrane filter is configured to remove impurities from the blended fluid 503 and separate processed fluid from rejected fluid.
  • the membrane filter comprises an ultrafilter and a reverse osmosis filter.
  • the ultrafilter may comprise a pore size range of 0.01-0.03 microns, 0.02-0.04 microns, 0.020.05 microns, 0.03-0.1 microns, or any pore size range between 0.01-0.1 microns.
  • the membrane filter is enclosed in a plastic membrane housing and mounted on a stand. The ultrafilter may act as a prefilter to remove larger particles before the reverse osmosis filter.
  • the first outlet 505 receives the processed fluid
  • the discharge outlet 506 receives the rejected fluid from the membrane filter
  • the ultraviolet container 104 is in fluid communication with the membrane filter container 103 and configured to receive the processed fluid from the membrane filter container’s first outlet 505.
  • the ultraviolet container 104 contains an ultraviolet light source to disinfect the processed fluid to create approved fluid.
  • the ultraviolet light source can comprise an ultraviolet lightbulb.
  • the approved fluid can be comprised of approximately 10% by volume, approximately 20% by volume, approximately 30% by volume, approximately
  • housing 100a may comprise a collection tank in fluid communication with the ultraviolet container 104, wherein the collection tank is configured to receive the approved fluid from the ultraviolet container 104 and output the approved fluid via an approved fluid outlet 507 to the faucet 408.
  • the collection tank may comprise at least one water quality sensor configured to analyze a quality metric of the approved fluid.
  • the quality metric may include data relating to at least one of total dissolved solids, pH level, and/or turbidity.
  • the system is configured to compare the quality metric to a predetermined threshold value.
  • the system may include at least one indicator configured to indicate that the quality metric does not meet the predetermined threshold value.
  • the system may include a bypass outlet to output approved fluid from the collection tank to the discharge outlet 506 based upon a determination that the quality metric does not meet the predetermined threshold.
  • the system may be tankless.
  • fluid would flow straight from ultraviolet container 104 to supply line or faucet 408.
  • FIGS. 1-3, and 5 Solely for purpose of illustration, an exemplary embodiment of a greywater filtration system, is shown schematically in FIGS. 1-3, and 5.
  • the examples herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter in any manner.
  • the placement of the bed media filter container, vertically on the left of the housing, and the placement of the other components, is not intended to be limiting.
  • a person of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of the multitude of ways each component could be organized inside of the housing.
  • FIG. 4 depicts prior art sink plumbing 400.
  • all municipal supply water is sent directly to the faucet 408 via pre-existing supply line 402 through piping 401, 405, 407 and all greywater is discharged as wastewater from the system via sink drain 403 and pre-existing wastewater piping 406, 404.
  • the prior art can be retrofitted with the disclosed subject matter in order to enable the reuse of grey water, and to lessen the amount of municipal supply water used.
  • the components of the housing and each container can be made out of a plurality of suitable materials.
  • metal, wood, or plastic could be used to make any of the components, such as a housing made of metal, with plastic filter containers.
  • step 602 at least one of municipal water and greywater are received.
  • greywater may enter the system through sink drain 403 and supply line water (or municipal water/groundwater) may enter the system through an attached supply line.
  • the supply line may be detached and retrofitted from a pre-existing original hookup to sink faucet 408.
  • a blended fluid is formed from the received municipal water and the received greywater in step 604.
  • the blended fluid of step 604 may be formed in and pass through bed media container 102.
  • impurities are filtered from the blended fluid.
  • Step 606 may include at least one of the filtering mechanisms described within membrane container 103 herein.
  • blend fluid may pass through pressure pump into membrane filters.
  • processed fluid is separated from rejected fluid.
  • the processed fluid is received at an outlet, such as first outlet 505 of membrane container 104, at step 610.
  • processed (or treated) fluid which passed through the membrane filters may enter ultraviolet container 104.
  • Rejected fluid may include fluid that is rejected by the membrane filters and may be discharged from the system and exit the building through existing wastewater/drainage piping.
  • the processed fluid is disinfected, such as by ultraviolet container 104, to create approved fluid.
  • the approved fluid is output to a faucet, such as faucet 408 in a household, or other attached supply line.
  • a greywater filtration system comprising: a compact housing configured to be coupled with a water supply line, the housing including: a control box having a pressure pump configured to pump fluid through the greywater filtration system; a bed media container configured to receive at least one of municipal water from the supply line and greywater from a greywater inlet and configured to form a blended fluid from the municipal water and greywater, wherein the bed media container houses a bed media filter configured to filter impurities from the blended fluid, the bed media container having an ultrasonic sensor that is configured to detect when the blended fluid reaches a predetermined volume level of the bed media container and configured to activate the pressure pump to transfer filtered blended fluid out of the bed media container; a membrane filter container in fluid communication with the bed media container, wherein the membrane filter container is configured to receive the filtered blended fluid from the bed media container, the membrane filter container including a membrane filter configured to remove impurities from the blended fluid and separate processed fluid from rejected fluid, a first outlet to receive the processed fluid, and a discharge outlet to receive the rejected fluid; and
  • a method of processing greywater comprising: providing a housing configured to fit under a sink; receiving, by the bed media container, at least one of municipal water from a supply line and greywater from a greywater inlet; forming a blended fluid from at least one of the municipal water and the greywater and filtering impurities from the blended fluid; detecting, with the ultrasonic sensor, when the blended fluid reaches a predetermined volume level of the bed media container; pumping filtered blended fluid with the pressure pump out of the bed media container to the membrane filter container; removing impurities from the filtered blended fluid with the membrane filter and separating processed fluid from rejected fluid; transferring the processed fluid or rejected fluid to at least one of the first outlet or the discharge outlet; receiving the processed fluid by the ultraviolet container; creating approved fluid by disinfecting the processed fluid with the ultraviolet source, wherein the approved fluid includes up to 30 percent of its volume from the filtered blended fluid.
  • the housing including: a control box having a pressure pump configured to pump fluid through the greywater filtration system, a bed media container configured to form a blended fluid, wherein the bed media container houses a bed media filter configured to filter impurities from the blended fluid and the bed media container has an ultrasonic sensor, a membrane filter container in fluid communication with the bed media container, wherein the membrane filter container is configured to receive the filtered blended fluid from the bed media container, and an ultraviolet container in fluid communication with the membrane filter container, the ultraviolet container including an ultraviolet light source to disinfect the processed fluid to create approved fluid.
  • the membrane filter container including a membrane filter configured to remove impurities from the blended fluid and separate processed fluid from rejected fluid, a first outlet to receive the processed fluid, and a discharge outlet to receive the rejected fluid.
  • Element Al wherein the membrane filter comprises an ultrafilter and a reverse osmosis filter.
  • Element A2 wherein the ultrafilter comprises a pore size of 0.02-0.05 microns.
  • pore size is smaller than 0.02 microns.
  • the pore size is greater than 0.05 microns.
  • Element A3 wherein the blended fluid comprises up to around 60% greywater by volume and at least around 40% municipal water by volume. Optionally, wherein the blended fluid comprises greater than around 60% greywater by volume. Optionally, wherein the blended fluid comprises less than around 40% municipal water by volume.
  • Element A4 wherein the approved fluid includes up to 30% of its volume from the grey water. Optionally, wherein the approved fluid includes greater than around 30% percent of its volume from the grey water.
  • Element A5 wherein the one or more layers comprise: a first layer including an activated carbon material; a second layer including sand; a third layer including gravel; and an internal fluid flow channel through the bed media filter between the one or more layers, wherein an internal fluid flow direction comprises flow consecutively through the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer.
  • Element A6 wherein the control box further includes a microcontroller and a relay configured to facilitate fluid flow through the system.
  • Element A8 wherein the membrane filter is enclosed in a plastic membrane and mounted on a stand.
  • the housing further comprises: a collection tank in fluid communication with the ultraviolet container, wherein the collection tank is configured to receive the approved fluid from the ultraviolet container and output the approved fluid to a faucet of the sink.
  • Element A10 wherein the collection tank further comprises at least one water quality sensor configured to analyze a quality metric of the approved fluid.
  • Element Al l wherein the quality metric includes data relating to at least one of total dissolved solids, pH level, and turbidity.
  • Element A12 wherein the system is configured to compare the quality metric to a predetermined threshold value.
  • Element Al 3 further comprising at least one indicator configured to indicate that the quality metric does not meet a predetermined threshold value.
  • Element A14 wherein the bed media container includes an ultrasonic overflow sensor configured to activate the pressure pump.
  • Element A15 further comprising a bypass outlet to output approved fluid from the collection tank to the discharge outlet based upon a determination that the quality metric does not meet a predetermined threshold.
  • Element A16 wherein the system filters out at least one of lead, copper, nitrate, total coliform, cryptosporidium, legionella, and Giardia lamblia.
  • exemplary combinations applicable to A include, but are not limited to: A with any one or more or all of Al -Al 6, in any combination.
  • Element B 1 wherein creating approved fluid from the filtered blended fluid includes processing the blended fluid with at least one of an ultrafilter and a reverse osmosis filter of the housing.
  • Element B2 further comprising transferring the approved fluid to a collection tank in fluid communication with the ultraviolet container and outputting the approved fluid to a sink tap.
  • exemplary combinations applicable to B include, but are not limited to: B with any one or more or all of A1-A2, in any combination.
  • a greywater filtration system including a housing configured to be installed under a sink and coupled with a supply line and grey water inlet coupled to a preexisting sink drain.
  • the housing contains, at least, a control box, a bed media container, a membrane filter, and an ultraviolet container.
  • the control box comprises at least a pressure pump for moving fluid through the system.
  • the bed media container is configured to receive municipal water from the supply line and/or greywater from the greywater inlet and houses a bed media filter configured to filter impurities from the blend of received fluids, an ultrasonic sensor configured to detect when the blended fluid reaches a predetermined volume level and to activate the pressure pump to transfer filtered blended fluid out of the bed media container.
  • the membrane filter container receives the filtered blended fluid from the bed media container and comprises a membrane filter configured to remove impurities from the blended fluid and separate processed fluid, received by a first outlet, from rejected fluid, discharged from a discharge outlet.
  • the discharge outlet is configured to couple to a preexisting wastewater piping.
  • the ultraviolet container receives the processed fluid and contains an ultraviolet light source to disinfect the processed fluid to create approved fluid, wherein the approved fluid may include up to approximately 30 percent of its volume from the filtered blended fluid.
  • the approved fluid exits the housing to a preexisting faucet.
  • the phrase “at least one of’ preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item).
  • the phrase “at least one of’ allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items.
  • phrases “at least one of A, B, C, and D” or “at least one of A, B, C, or D” each refer to only A, only B, or only C, or only D; any combination of A, B, C, and D; and/or at least one of each of A, B, C, and D.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Nanotechnology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des dispositifs électroniques, des systèmes et des procédés de filtration des eaux grises, et peut comprendre un boîtier conçu pour être raccordé à une conduite d'alimentation. Le boîtier peut comprendre une pompe d'alimentation pour pomper un fluide à travers le système et un récipient de milieu de filtration pour recevoir de l'eau municipale provenant de la conduite d'alimentation et/ou les eaux grises pour former un fluide mélangé. Le récipient de milieu de filtration loge un filtre de milieu de filtration pour filtrer les impuretés du fluide mélangé. Le boîtier peut également comprendre un récipient de filtre à membrane en communication fluidique avec le récipient de milieu de filtration, qui reçoit le fluide mélangé filtré provenant du récipient de milieu de filtration, et comprend un filtre à membrane pour éliminer les impuretés du fluide mélangé. Le boîtier peut en outre comprendre un récipient à ultraviolets destiné à recevoir le fluide traité provenant du récipient de filtre à membrane, comprenant une source de lumière ultraviolette pour désinfecter le fluide traité.
PCT/US2024/013778 2024-01-31 2024-01-31 Dispositifs, systèmes et procédés de filtration des eaux grises Pending WO2025165354A1 (fr)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100155328A1 (en) * 2007-05-10 2010-06-24 O'regan Jr Patrick T Systems, methods and components for water treatment and remediation
EP3009408A1 (fr) * 2014-10-17 2016-04-20 FCC Aqualia, S.A. Dispositif d'injection et de mélange des eaux usées à impulsions et procédé d'injection des eaux usées pour les réacteurs d'anaérobie
WO2017184006A1 (fr) * 2016-04-21 2017-10-26 Lalošević Milan Système fermé d'eaux grises
US20230132622A1 (en) * 2021-10-21 2023-05-04 Wahaso - Water Harvesting Solutions Greywater treatment system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100155328A1 (en) * 2007-05-10 2010-06-24 O'regan Jr Patrick T Systems, methods and components for water treatment and remediation
EP3009408A1 (fr) * 2014-10-17 2016-04-20 FCC Aqualia, S.A. Dispositif d'injection et de mélange des eaux usées à impulsions et procédé d'injection des eaux usées pour les réacteurs d'anaérobie
WO2017184006A1 (fr) * 2016-04-21 2017-10-26 Lalošević Milan Système fermé d'eaux grises
US20230132622A1 (en) * 2021-10-21 2023-05-04 Wahaso - Water Harvesting Solutions Greywater treatment system

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