U.S. patent application number 10/136627 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-06 for system and method of water treatment.
Invention is credited to McNulty, Peter Drummond.
Application Number | 20030205136 10/136627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29268982 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030205136 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McNulty, Peter Drummond |
November 6, 2003 |
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. A nitrogen source produces nitrogen 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 nitrogen, and
dissolved oxygen in the water transfers to micro-fine nitrogen
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.
Inventors: |
McNulty, Peter Drummond;
(Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STACY R. KINCAID
2534 7TH STREET, APT. 2
SANTA MONICA
CA
90405
US
|
Family ID: |
29268982 |
Appl. No.: |
10/136627 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
95/265 ;
96/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 1/20 20130101; C02F
2303/08 20130101; C02F 2303/04 20130101; B01D 19/0005 20130101;
C02F 2103/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
95/265 ;
96/202 |
International
Class: |
B01D 019/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A system for water treatment comprising: an injector means
having a inlet port adapted to receive water, an injector port
adapted to receive nitrogen gas and an outlet port adapted to expel
said water; a receptacle; wherein said water passes through said
injector means thereby contacting said nitrogen gas being received
through said injector port; wherein said water is expelled from
said outlet port to said receptacle.
2. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a
nitrogen source, a first nitrogen delivery means, and a second
nitrogen delivery means, wherein said first nitrogen delivery means
connects said nitrogen source to said receptacle and said second
nitrogen delivery means connects said receptacle to said injector
port of said injector means.
3. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a
nitrogen source and a third nitrogen delivery means wherein said
third nitrogen delivery means connects said nitrogen source to said
injector port of said injector means.
4. A system for water treatment of claim 2 further comprising a
third nitrogen delivery means wherein said third nitrogen delivery
means connects said nitrogen source to said injector port of said
injector means.
5. A system for water treatment of claim 1 wherein said receptacle
is a body of water.
6. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a
transfer piping means wherein said 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.
7. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising
booster blower adapted to regulate said nitrogen gas received by
said injector port.
8. A system for water treatment of claim 1 wherein said receptacle
is a ballast tank on a vessel.
9. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a
pump means adapted to receive water from an external water
source.
10. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a
regulator adapted to regulate said nitrogen gas received by said
injector port.
11. A system for water treatment of claim 1 further comprising a
sensors means attached within said receptacle wherein said sensor
are controlled by a control panel means.
12. A system for water treatment of claim 1 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 injector means.
13. 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 nitrogen gas,
and an outer port adapted to expel said water; supplying into said
inlet port said water to be treated; supplying nitrogen 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;
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.
14. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 13 wherein removing
said oxygen from said water is for the purpose of inhibiting
survival of organisms in said water.
15. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 13 wherein removing
said oxygen from said water is for the purpose of corrosion
inhibition.
16. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 14 wherein said
receptacle is a ballast tank and said organisms are common in
ballast water.
17. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 13 further comprising
supplying nitrogen gas to said receptacle for the purpose of
inhibiting corrosion in said receptacle.
18. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 13 further comprising
re-circulating said water through said injector means for the
purpose of providing further deoxygenation.
19. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 13 further comprising
re-oxygenating said water before releasing said water from said
receptacle into surrounding waterways.
20. A method for deoxygenating water of claim 13 wherein said
receptacle is a body of water.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] 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 organisms
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.
[0003] 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 carry 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.
[0004] To address this issue, many national governments and state
governments in the United States have passed regulations governing
vessel ballast 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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. As such,
when exposed to nitrogen gas, 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.
[0008] Aboard a vessel, an efficient way to expose the dissolved
oxygen in water to nitrogen gas is to create micro-fine bubbles of
gas in the water. Micro-fine nitrogen 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.
[0009] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0010] 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.
[0011] The use of water treatment apparatuses and methods are known
in the prior art.
[0012] 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 nitrogen 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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 nitrogen 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.
[0016] 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 nitrogen such as increased efficiency and corrosion
inhibition.
[0017] 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 nitrogen 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.
[0018] 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 nitrogen for the deoxygenation of water, preferably but
optionally ballast water, further fails to provide for corrosion
inhibition.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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 nitrogen
gas deoygenation while also providing corrosion inhibition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] 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 nitrogen 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.
[0023] 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 nitrogen 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 nitrogen gas being received
through the injector port of the injector means. Water is then
expelled from the outlet port to the receptacle. The nitrogen gas
being received by the injector means is from a nitrogen source,
which is optionally but preferably a permeable membrane-type
nitrogen generator. The nitrogen gas may be delivered to the
injector means by a first nitrogen delivery means that connects the
nitrogen source to the receptacle, which may preferably but
optionally be a ballast tank, and a second nitrogen 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
nitrogen delivery means, or in the alternative, there may be a
third nitrogen delivery means that connects the nitrogen source to
the injector port of said injector means and thus delivers nitrogen
gas directly from the nitrogen 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 nitrogen delivery
means between the receptacle and the injector means in order to
control the flow of nitrogen 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] Still yet another object of the present invention is a
system that provides for the use of nitrogen and thus offers more
efficient nitrogen delivery than other traditional sparging or
bubble diffusion nitrogen 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.
[0030] 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 nitrogen 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.
[0031] Additionally, the present invention also provides for a
system and method for water treatment using nitrogen
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.
[0032] 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 nitrogen gas, and an
outlet port that is adapted to expel the water where water to be
treated is supplied to the inlet port and nitrogen gas, preferably
but optionally comprised of at least 90% nitrogen, 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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
[0037] 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:
[0038] 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.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the system and method
of water treatment of the present invention as situated in a
vessel.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the vessel with the present
invention system and method of water treatment included
therein.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the system and method
of water treatment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the venturi injector
component of the system and method of water treatment of the
present invention.
[0043] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a closed
re-circulation system of the invention as present in a
receptacle.
[0044] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0045] 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.
[0046] In FIG. 1, basic flow diagram of a new and improved system
for water treatment using nitrogen 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 nitrogen 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. Nitrogen gas that is obtained
from a nitrogen 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, nitrogen gas may be
pumped from the nitrogen gas source 18 into a receptacle 24, which
is preferably but optionally a vessel's ballast tank. The nitrogen
gas being delivered to the injector means 16 contacts the water
within the injector means 16, and the mixture of the nitrogen 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 nitrogen 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.
[0047] 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 stem. 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. Nitrogen gas that is being
obtained from a nitrogen 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 nitrogen
introduced into the water so as to keep up with the displacement of
nitrogen by the water in the vessel's receptacle 24. Nitrogen gas
is also pumped from the nitrogen gas source 18 into the receptacle
24 or ballast tank in order to provide further corrosion inhibition
in the empty receptacle 24. The nitrogen 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 nitrogen 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.
[0048] 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 stem of the vessel and
pump the water to receptacles, that are preferably ballast tanks 24
located in the vessel.
[0049] 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. Nitrogen gas, preferably but optionally comprised
of at least 90% nitrogen, that is obtained from a nitrogen gas
source 18, is delivered via a first nitrogen gas delivery means 40
to the empty receptacle 24 which is preferably but optionally a
ballast tank. This nitrogen gas is then delivered to the inlet port
of the injector means 16 from the receptacle 24 by a second
nitrogen delivery means 42. The delivery of the nitrogen to the
injector means 16 may be facilitated by a booster blower 20 which
may also function to increase the amount of nitrogen introduced to
the water in order to accommodate the displacement of nitrogen 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 nitrogen gas being delivered to the injector means 16 contacts
the water within the injector means 16, and the mixture of the
nitrogen 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.
[0050] 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 fully set forth herein. The
water from the pump means enters the inlet port 48 of the venturi
injector 46. Nitrogen gas is delivered to the venturi injector 44
though the injector port 50 and the water and nitrogen gas contact
in the constricting portion 52 of the venturi injector 46. The
water and nitrogen gas are then pumped from the constricting
portion 52, and the dissolved oxygen once present in the water and
the nitrogen gas are now passed through the outlet port 54 of
venturi injector 46 in micro-fine bubbles 56 generated by the
pumping of the nitrogen 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.
[0051] 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 nitrogen gas that is being received by the injector port
50 of the injector means 16. A nitrogen source 18, that is
optionally but preferably located outside of and adjacent to the
receptacle 24, generates the nitrogen gas that is delivered by a
nitrogen delivery means to the injector port 50. A majority of the
dissolved oxygen present in the water and the nitrogen 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 nitrogen 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 nitrogen 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.
[0052] 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 nitrogen 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 nitrogen
source on the vessel may be a standard source or method known in
the art. Control of the nitrogen delivery may be through a booster
blower and/or a regulator connected in series with the nitrogen
delivery means that is connected to the injector means. The
nitrogen source is connected to both a receptacle or, optionally
receptacles, which is preferably but optionally a ballast tank(s),
and the injector means by nitrogen delivery means. Nitrogen may be
delivered into and fill the receptacle, by a nitrogen delivery
means. Another nitrogen delivery means allows nitrogen to flow
through the injector means. This nitrogen delivery means may be
connected to and deliver nitrogen from the receptacle or may be
connected to and deliver nitrogen directly from the nitrogen
source. When nitrogen is delivered to the injector means, which is
preferably a venturi injector, the water pumping through the
injector means contacts the nitrogen, 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 nitrogen
bubbles contain a mixture of nitrogen 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 nitrogen that may
be present in the receptacle is exchanged preferably, but not
exclusively, in a 1:1 volume ratio. This nitrogen may be redirected
to the injector means to provide for greater efficiency in the use
of nitrogen.
[0053] Once inside the receptacle, the micro-fine bubbles float to
the surface of the water in the receptacle whereupon the
nitrogen-oxygen mixture is released within the receptacle's
headspace or area above the water. The invention may also include a
nitrogen delivery means that delivers nitrogen 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 ballast water, while also
or alternatively providing corrosion inhibition.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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
material may be used for the transfer piping means and/or
re-circulation piping means described. And, although the treatment
of water using nitrogen 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 re-circulation
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, nitrogen generators or sources,
pressure valves and other components that are required by the
invention but already present in a vessel.
[0057] 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.
* * * * *