Process to obtain (implement and maintain) water bodies larger than 15,000 m3 for recreational use with color, transparency and cleanness characteristics similar to swimming pools or tropical seas at low cost
17 claims: 4 independent, 13 dependent
- 1Zastrzeżenia patentowe 1. Sposób realizacji i utrzymania sztucznych jezior i sztucznych lagun do rekreacyjnego wykorzystania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , o barwie, przezroczystości i czystości podobnych do basenów lub mórz tropikalnych, przy niskich kosztach, przy czym ten sposób obejmuje:a. - zapewnienie struktury z odgarniakami [42] szczelin powierzchniowych, zdolnej do pomieszczenia zbiornika wodnego [41] większego niż 15 000 m 3 ;b. - dostarczanie struktury z etapu (a) z ujęciem wody, mającym poziomy żelaza i manganu niższe niż 1,5 ppm i zmętnienie mniejsze niż 5 NTU;c. - pomiar pH wody;d. - dodanie środka utleniającego do wody zawartej w strukturze z etapu (a), za pomocą którego kontroluje się minimalny ORP dla 600 mV w wodzie przez minimalny okres 4 godzin i w maksymalnych cyklach po 48 godzin, przy czym środek utleniający jest wybrany spośród ozonu, nadsiarczanu sodu lub potasu, pochodnych chloru, nadtlenku wodoru, pochodnych bromu lub chloru wytwarzanego metodą elektrochlorowania;e. - dodanie środka flokującego o stężeniach w zakresie od 0,02 do 1 ppm z maksymalnymi częstotliwościami 6 dni i oczyszczenie dna struktury z etapu (a) za pomocą urządzenia ssącego dla usunięcia wytrąconych zanieczyszczeń z dna tej struktury, razem z dodatkowymi flokulantami i;f. - generowanie przemieszczenia wody powierzchniowej, zawierającej zanieczyszczenia i oleje powierzchniowe przez wtryskiwanie z ujęcia wody według etapu (b), który powoduje to przemieszczenie dla usunięcia tej wody powierzchniowej przez układ dla usuwania zanieczyszczeń i olejów powierzchniowych, rozmieszczonych w strukturze z etapu (a), co wraz z etapem (e) zastępuje tradycyjne filtrowanie.
- 2Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 1, znamienny tym, że ta woda zasilająca w etapie (b) jest wodą morską, wodą studzienną lub wodą źródlaną.
- 3Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 1, znamienny tym, że w przypadku, gdy pH wody jest większe niż 7,8, dodaje się sól bromu, a stężenia bromu utrzymuje się na poziomie wyższym niż 0,6 ppm.
- 4Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 3, znamienny tym, że ta sól bromu jest bromkiem sodu.
- 5Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 1, znamienny tym, że środek utleniający -28dodaje się dla uzyskania minimalnego ORP dla 600 mV przez minimalny okres 4 godzin, w cyklach 24-godzinnych.
- 6Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 1, znamienny tym, że dodatkowo w etapie (d) dodaje się algicydy, w tym czwartorzędowe amoniowe (polikwoty) i/lub związki miedzi, utrzymując poziomy miedzi między 1 ppb a 1,5 ppm.
- 7Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 6, znamienny tym, że algicydy dodaje się w zakresie od 0,3 do 1,5 ppm miedzi w zakresie temperatur odpowiednio od 10°C do 30°C.
- 8Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 1, znamienny tym, że w etapie (e) środkiem flokującym jest kationowy polimer dodany w stężeniach zawartych między 0,02 i 1 ppm, w maksymalnych okresach 6 dni.
- 9Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 1, znamienny tym, że środek flokujący dodaje się w stężeniu 0,05 ppm, co 24 godziny.
- 10Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według dowolnego z powyższych zastrzeżeń, znamienny tym, że minimalny całkowity wskaźnik odnowienia wody wynosi 150 dni.
- 11Sposób realizacji i utrzymania zbiorników wodnych [41] większych niż 15 000 m 3 , do wykorzystania rekreacyjnego według zastrz. 10, znamienny tym, że szybkość wymiany wody wynosi 60 dni.
- 12Sposób według dowolnego z zastrz. 1 do 11, znamienny tym, że to urządzenie ssące z etapu (e) działa poprzez odsysanie brudu przez układ pompujący o tej strukturze, przy czym to urządzenie zawiera ramę strukturyzującą [10], obudowę osłaniającą [6] ze środkami łączącymi, które mają być połączone z układem pompującym, środkami rolkowymi do ciągłego przemieszczania się nad czyszczoną powierzchnią oraz środkami czyszczącymi, składającymi się z linii ssącej i linii szczotki [16], do usuwania materiału do oczyszczenia.
- 13Sposób według zastrz. 12, znamienny tym, że obudowa osłaniająca [6] zawiera korpus z żywicy laminarnej, który zakrywa ramę strukturyzującą [10], środki rolkowe i środki czyszczące;a w górnej części ma płyty wsporcze [1] do sprzęgania z tensorami naprężeniowymi, uchwyty [5] do ciągnięcia, przenoszenia i podnoszenia urządzenia oraz serię kołnierzy, z których wystaje płaszcz i boczna klapa membranowa [7], tworzące korpus obudowy. -2914. Sposób według zastrz. 13, znamienny tym, że rura ssąca [8] jest połączona z tymi kołnierzami obudowy osłaniającej, która jest połączona poprzez swoją sekcję górną z układem pompującym i poprzez sekcję dolną ze środkami czyszczącymi urządzenia.
- 1415. Sposób według zastrz. 12, znamienny tym, że rama strukturyzująca [10] jest stalową ramą, która ma w swojej dolnej sekcji wyrównaną serię płyt wsporczych [19a] do wspierania osi [19b] środków rolkowych, perforowaną lub szczelinowaną stalową płytę [21] do wspierania za pomocą śrub ciągłej linii szczotek [16] mających podstawę z tworzywa sztucznego i szczeciny [20] z syntetycznego polietylenu, podczas gdy płyty wsporcze [1] dla tensorów naprężeniowych, które pojawiają się w górnej sekcji obudowy osłaniającej [6], są przymocowane do jej górnej części.
- 1516. Sposób według zastrz. 12, znamienny tym, że środki rolkowe zawierają rolki poliuretanowe [11] o dużej gęstości i samosmarujące koła [12] z tworzywa sztucznego.
- 1617. Sposób według zastrz. 12, znamienny tym, że środki czyszczące zawierają linię ssącą [8] utworzoną przez pionowe rurki PVC, odpowiadające rurom ssącym wystającym do góry z obudowy osłaniającej [6], do której przymocowane są rury PVC w kształcie litery T [9] w ich dolnej części, które są sprzężone z kolei z poziomymi rurami wyposażonymi w otwory ssące [14] w ich dolnej części, przez które usuwany materiał ma zostać zassany i usunięty ze zbiornika wodnego [41].
- 1718. Sposób według zastrz. 17, znamienny tym, że poziome rury, które mają otwory ssące, unoszą na ich końcach zatyczki zamykające [17]. FIG. 3B FIG. 5A FIG. 5B FIG. 11
Independent claims17
274 paragraphs, as filed
[0001] The invention discloses a method of obtaining (i.e. implementing and maintaining) large water reservoirs or volumes for recreational purposes, greater than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup>, such as lakes or ponds with excellent color, high transparency and cleanliness characteristics similar to swimming pools or tropical seas at a low cost. A device was provided for extracting decanted, shredded material from water. Further disclosed is a structure comprising large tanks or volumes of water that is specifically designed to implement this method. The decanting process together with a device for extracting decanted material from water, as well as the distribution of a large volume structure together with its functional properties of water surface displacement, allow to replace the traditional filtration used in conventional pools, which would be very onerous and inefficient in systems having large tanks or volumes .
Background of the Invention [0002] When a nutrient enters water, aerobic organisms consume dissolved oxygen as a result of induced metabolic activity. Thus, the nutrient has a demand for the availability of dissolved oxygen, which is called biological oxygen demand (BOD). If the amount of organic material in the substrate is very large, this can lead to a decrease in the concentration of dissolved oxygen. At low oxygen levels, the aquatic environment promotes the growth of anaerobic species.
[0003] Anaerobic metabolism is much slower than aerobic processes (usually more than one order of magnitude), has lower efficiency, and produces various intermediate organic compounds (e.g., organic acids, alcohols, methane). As a result of slower consumption of dissolved organic matter, it will accumulate in the aquatic environment.
[0004] If dissolved oxygen is consumed faster than can be replenished, the water will start consuming oxygen. No aerobic organism, from microorganisms to fish, will survive in water. In this way, organic impurities will accumulate and further create anaerobic conditions that produce halitosis (e.g., sulfides and volatile amines) and partially oxidized organic compounds.
[0005] In addition to unpleasant odors, anaerobic conditions can cause health problems because many anaerobic bacteria are pathogenic (e.g. tetanus and venom)
-2kiełbasiany). When water contains dissolved sulfates, the reduction of anaerobic bacteria produces H2S (corrosive and toxic).
[0006] Increasing the amount of nutrients needed to live in a water reservoir is called eutrophication. Eutrophication is defined as the enrichment of nutrients in water. This phenomenon occurs naturally during the aging of ponds and lakes (eutrophic lakes). On the contrary, a young water reservoir, poor in nutrients necessary for life, is called oligotrophic. Increasing the amount of nutrients in the pond promotes greater production of aquatic plants and animals. The increase in the amount of organic matter, in turn, generates an increase in the organic content of sludge. Eutrophication can cause serious problems in surface water bodies.
[0007] Photosynthesis results in the formation of organic matter from inorganic materials, and thus the production of large amounts of organic matter, which only small amounts previously existed. When algae / plants die, their components are converted into organic nutrients that produce oxygen demand.
[0008] During photosynthesis, CO2 is easily consumed, resulting in an increase in pH, which can reach a value above 10. At night, the reverse reaction occurs, oxygen consumption and CO2 production, at which the pH tends to decrease. Photosynthesis activity has a significant effect on the pH level of water because it affects the reversible reaction.
HCO<sup>3-</sup> + H + ------ CO2 + H2O [0009] Finally, the algae masses deposited on the edge die and rot, thus creating anaerobic conditions that pose a health risk (e.g. formation of Clostridium botulinum, a strictly anaerobic pathogenic microorganism). On the other hand, the branches of aquatic plants retain organic solids that break down, which causes a concentrated demand for oxygen.
[0010] In general, nitrogen N and phosphorus P are limiting factors. In the growth of microorganisms, P is consumed as phosphate, while the majority of bacteria assimilates N in the form of NH3, and only some of them assimilate N as NO3<sup>-</sup>. Conversely, algae assimilate N as NO3<sup>-</sup> and very few of them use NH3. There are more bacteria that can use nitric oxide as the source of oxygen instead of the source of nitrogen. According to the approximate stoichiometry of photosynthesis in algae, the N: P ratio is on the order of 7: 1. According to Liebig's minimum law, a N: P ratio much greater than 7 in the water body indicates that P is a limiting nutrient; on the other hand, a ratio of N: P significantly less than 7 means a limit N. Some authors suggest that P and N concentrations greater than 0.015 and 0.3 mg / L, respectively, are sufficient to produce excessive algae growth in lake waters.
[0011] The main sources of organic N are proteins, amino acids and urea; on the other hand, inorganic N is in the form NH3, NO3<sup>-</sup>, NO2<sup>-</sup>. Ammonia is a characteristic product
-Decomposition of organic matter and can be microbiologically oxidized to nitrite and nitrate as a result of nitrifying bacteria. These methods occur naturally in water and are a major contribution to the biological demand for oxygen.
[0012] When artificial water reservoirs, such as lakes or ponds are created, the deterioration of water quality progresses gradually. Depending on the input of nutrients, a balance can be achieved in which algae, aquatic plants, bacteria, insects and fish survive in stable conditions to eutrophication methods, in which the excessive share of nutrients causes high proliferation of algae and aquatic plants. When they die, they are broken down by bacteria in oxygen methods that absorb oxygen. When the amount of oxygen decreases, many organic residues remain embedded in the bottom, which increases sediments and generates methods that increase turbidity, produce unpleasant odors, and reduce the physicochemical and sanitary quality of water, which limits recreational use.
[0013] To mitigate these effects, various techniques are used, such as aeration systems that increase oxygen levels, algicides and herbicides, to control excessive proliferation of algae and aquatic plants, use of biological filters to reduce the share of nutrients, fish and zooplankton to reduce the amount of algae, nutrient capture with chemicals, inoculation of bacteria for digesting organic matter, the use of dyes to improve the aesthetic appearance, mechanical removal of algae and aquatic plants, using drag to reduce the amount of sediment, clarifying agents to reduce turbidity etc.
[0014] The characteristics and quality of the water in these ponds are very different from those in the pools. In the first case, ecological balance should be achieved between different species, while in the second case the goal is to remove organisms and pollutants. That is why very different standards regarding turbidity, color and physicochemical properties are accepted.
[0015] In order for the pool water to be transparent and suitable for bathing, filtration systems, mainly sand, diatomaceous earth and cartridge filtration systems are used. All water should be filtered every 4 to 12 hours, depending on the type of pool.
[0016] In addition, to maintain aesthetics and sanitation, organic oxidants, disinfectants, algicides, and optionally pH regulators and clarifying agents should be used. Depending on the country's legal regulations, swimming pools are required to maintain minimum residual concentrations of disinfectant or solid redox (ORP) between 650 mV and 750 mV.
[0017] The use of pool technologies for large water reservoirs to obtain optimal water quality is not possible due to the high cost of installation and the associated operating costs.
[0018] To illustrate this situation, it should be recalled that if the filtration water tank is the one described below in the example of application 250,000 m<sup>3</sup>, according to the minimum
- 4 Chilean swimming pool regulations (T = 2 in NCh 209, example country of application), filter 2,983 liters per second, which corresponds to the volume of water treated by the city's drinking water treatment plant. The Olympic pool is 2500 m<sup>3</sup> (50 * 25 * 2 m), which corresponds to 1% of the volume considered in the application example of this patent application.
[0019] The same is true when pool chemicals are to be used for these volumes. The volume of water in the example of application of this invention corresponds to 4,000 10 meter pools.
[0020] Measurement (ORP) control of disinfectants in swimming pools and spas has been used for many years with good results. ORP measures the oxidative power of a disinfectant or, in other words, its actual concentration-independent chemical activity. Direct measurement of the disinfectant concentration can lead to error, because its activity can be reduced depending on the pH and the presence of impurities, even at high concentrations. In fact, research has shown that bacterial life in water is more dependent on ORP than on oxidant concentration. To remove unwanted microorganisms in swimming pools, normally the ORP value between 650 mV and 750 mV is constantly maintained (regulations for public swimming pools in developed countries require that the values above 700 mV be kept constant) at a normal pH between 7.2 and 7.6. This is not possible for large water bodies due to high supposed costs.
[0021] The facts presented earlier cause that the maintenance of large water reservoirs (over 15,000 m<sup>3</sup>) using pool-like filtration and disinfection technologies for recreational use is largely unprofitable.
[0022] Therefore, there are no large artificial ponds or water dams with the aesthetic and sanitary properties of swimming pools or tropical seas that have levels of transparency higher than 25 or even 40 meters.
[0023] The technical problem solved by the invention consists in obtaining these properties in large water bodies at low costs.
Background Art [0024] At a global level, patents exist to protect methods for treating large amounts of water, such as ponds and dams. The following is an analysis of the most important documents and their relationship to the technology to be protected.
[0025] Patent applications JP4115008 and JP7310311 protect artificial ponds connected to the sea, the purpose of which is to purify sea water. The system allows water to enter the pond, where it follows a path specially designed to remove impurities or is led to a treatment plant, and then returned to the sea. Clearly, the Japanese invention is not related to the type of joint that is desired for protection in this application.
[0026] Patent application FR2740493 protects a swimming pool or artificial lake constructed with a flexible bottom containing textile mesh and concrete. The invention includes a drainage system and injectors around the boundary that allow liquid to diffuse into the drainage system. The invention being investigated has nothing to do with the artificial pond or method to be protected.
[0027] Patent application JP59222294 protects a method of purifying water in rivers and lakes to remove N, P, BOD (biological oxygen demand) etc., which means pumping water through a bed filled with some mineral. The Japanese invention allows pond water to be cleaned, but based on pumping water through a packed bed, which is equivalent to filtering liquids. Therefore, the Japanese invention has nothing to do with the technology to be protected.
[0028] The patent application of the invention CN1256250 protects a water purification process that involves microfloculation with an inorganic high molecular weight flocculant and direct depth filtration. The analyzed method corresponds to assisted flocculation with faster and more efficient results, but in no case affects the novelty or inventive level of the method according to the invention.
[0029] US 5,143,623 discloses a method of capturing decreasing particles in a water reservoir. The method requires the use of a set of funnel-shaped chambers that receive decreasing particles, followed by a pipe system that allows the collection of decreasing particles. The invention requires the use of a suction device that moves along the bottom of the structure containing water. The use of a device such as that described in US 5,143,623 in this invention would not be suitable because the recreational end of the water reservoir would not be maintained. In addition, US 5,143,623 requires "several hours" to allow decreasing particles, which is not comparable to the high speed at which the suction device of the invention operates.
[0030] US 3,470,091 discloses a system and method for reducing pollution of streams, rivers or canals by applying aeration and flocculants to water. The aeration system includes gassing with oxygen or air of water and provides various zones for the use of flocculants. The invention uses oxidizing agents such as ozone, sodium or potassium persulfate, chlorine derivatives, hydrogen peroxide, bromine derivatives or chlorine produced by electrochlorination which is applied to the artificial lagoon. None of the chemicals used in the invention are considered or suggested in this publication.
[0031] EP 1420130 regarding the construction of the pool boundary and the placement of the liner on commonly used pools is not related to the construction of the entire structure, not to mention the walls and bottom of the pool, but only the profile of the border. In addition, the publication mentions that "the invention generally relates to pool tile profiles, especially pool tile profiling, constituting the peripheral boundary of a pool" (page 2, paragraph 1). What's more, it's gone
There are suggestions for a method similar to the method according to the invention. Furthermore, there is no suggestion that the pool should include a "water intake line and water intake chambers through which water is extracted to feed the structure" as defined in this invention.
[0032] FR 2544005 is particularly associated with "a pool construction method characterized by the use of a single-use mold filled with concrete in situ". This document relates to a method of pool structure but does not provide any indication or suggestion in constructing a structure suitable for the method described in this invention. Furthermore, the resulting pool constructed according to the method disclosed in this publication need not correspond to the need to achieve the method described in this invention. Furthermore, there is no suggestion that the pool should include a "water intake line and water intake chambers through which water is extracted to feed the structure" as defined in this invention.
[0033] DE 2141460 discloses "a method of laying a pool of concrete, cement, masonry with strained, soft PVC films". This document relates to a method of laying a pool, but does not provide any indication or suggestion for constructing a structure suitable for the method described in this invention. Furthermore, the resulting pool constructed according to the method of DE 2141460 need not correspond to the need to achieve the method of the invention. Furthermore, there is no suggestion that the pool should include a "water intake line and water intake chambers through which water is extracted to feed the structure" as defined in this invention.
[0034] All of these EP 1420130, FR 2544005 and DE 2141460 disclose several alternatives for the structure of pools based on concrete, masonry or cement. The invention uses materials that are not typical of the pool structure, such as bentonite or clay.
[0035] EP 0468876 defines "a hydraulic sweeping device for a pool and the like, in which a suction pump is provided for sucking pool water through a pipe containing an open housing at the bottom, the housing being divided into two chambers with a partition defining the turbine entrance, and the rotors drive a shaft connected by a reduction and drive mechanism to support the wheels. This device cannot be used in the method according to the invention, since a great modification of the device would be necessary. The device should be modified to remove the turbine that drives the support wheels so that it can move at the bottom of the structure at the required speed to cover the structure of the invention. As will be disclosed in the description of the invention, the cleaning is carried out in such a way that each sector of the lake is cleaned at intervals of not more than 7 days, preferably every 4 days. At this stage, along with the use of a scraper, traditional filtering processes used in swimming pools are replaced. Since the device disclosed in the publication requires major modification to obtain the method of claim 1 of the invention, it should not be considered as prior art for the suction device described in this invention.
[0036] US 2,923,954 defines an undersea suction washer having a body adapted to be submerged under a liquid in a tank for cleaning the bottom surface of the tank, which includes
-7 among other things a continuous suction pump on this body. This device cannot be used in this invention because a great modification would be required to allow it to move along the bottom of the structure at the required speed to cover the structure according to the invention.
[0037] EP 0352487 defines an automatic, self-propelled pool cleaning device that includes a hydraulic turbine motor for unidirectional driving of two opposing wheel drive members and at least one cam drive by means of a motor and associated with one of the drive members for temporary lifting it, while when another drive member is occupied. This device cannot operate according to the invention, since major modification is needed to remove the hydraulic turbine motor driving this device to allow it to slide along the bottom of the structure at the required speed to cover the structure according to the invention. In addition, the device described in EP 0352954 does not have suitable cleaning brushes which, when operating at high speed, would pick up the deposited particles.
[0038] US 4,304,022 defines a device for cleaning an underwater surface, in particular the bottom of a pool, including, inter alia, a frame connection, means for sliding the frame over the surface to be cleaned, a rotating cleaning brush arranged on this frame at its end, for contacting the surface being cleaned ; a filter and a suction pump carried through this frame to cause water and dirt to flow through this filter. This device includes a filter and a suction pump in the device itself, which prevents it from traveling along the bottom of the structure at the required speed to cover the structure according to the invention.
[0039] FR 2,685,374 defines a pool cleaning robot, suitable for all types of pools, but above all designed to clean a medium or small pool, characterized by the connection of a suction robot with a pump driven by a low voltage electric motor, this pump sucks water through a pipe leading to the front of the device and supplies one part to the propulsion turbine operating on the known propeller system, and the other part to the Venturi pipe or receiving turbine, producing a stream of water to suck in the leftovers. On the one hand, the device is intended for swimming in a medium or small size pool (abstract, page 1, paragraph 2 and reservation 1). Therefore, this device is not appropriate when considering a large water reservoir, as in the case of the invention in which the smallest water reservoir considered is larger than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup>. On the other hand, this device includes a propeller turbine and propeller system that must be removed to allow it to travel along the bottom of the structure at the required speed to cover the structure of the invention.
[0040] EP 0483470 defines a device for cleaning underwater substrates, including, inter alia, a housing; driving means for moving said housing; an engine mounted to this housing for the reversible movement of these propulsion means; a pump connected to this
-8silnikiem. The presence of a motor and pump coupled to the motor makes the device unsuitable for covering the size of the structure as described in the invention. This device will not be able to move along the bottom of the structure at the required speed to cover the structure of the invention.
[0041] US 5,337,434 discloses, inter alia, directional control means for an automatic pool cleaning device having a housing, with front and rear ends and two sides, a pair of motorized cylindrical brushes, pivotally mounted on the front and rear ends of the housing, respectively, for driving the device to cleaning along the bottom surface of the pool. This device is not suitable for use in the invention because the presence of the motor would not allow its use to move along the bottom of the structure at the required speed to cover the structure according to the invention.
[0042] From the analysis of previous documents it can be concluded that there are no methods or artificial ponds similar to those to be protected, which allow obtaining water objects with a capacity greater than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup> for recreational purposes, with features like color, transparency and purity, similar to the features of swimming pools or tropical seas, at low cost, because in the method of the invention the traditional filtration step has been replaced by the flocculation step of stable suspensions, and then cleaning with a suction device, intended for this function, along with the generation of surface water displacement containing impurities and surface oils by means of injection from the water intake and removal of this water through scrapers (surface gaps and folds) contained in the structure, and disinfection was achieved by using controlled oxidation pulses.
[0043] The invention relates to a method for obtaining large tanks or volumes of water (the term obtaining being understood as implementation and maintenance), in which a structure is provided (having the elements required for water treatment and features, which give the desired results) for water retention and the processes of separation and flocculation (maintenance) of particles causing turbidity and water pollution, that the flocculation material is sucked through the suction device after flocculation, and oily materials are removed by scrapers (crevices or surface folds) of the structure according to the invention, and this structure has pipes, which provide fresh water, to achieve the desired goal.
Drawing description
Brief description of the figures [0044]
Fig. 1 shows a side view of the suction device.
Fig. 2 shows a top view of the structure of the suction device.
Fig. 3a shows a front view of the structure of the suction device.
-9Fig. 3b shows a front view of the structure of the suction device.
Fig. 4a shows a right side view of the suction device.
Fig. 4b shows a left side view of the suction device.
Fig. 4c shows a rear view of the suction device.
Fig. 5a shows a top view of the structure of the suction device.
Fig. 5b shows a top view of the suction device.
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the cleaning system by means of a suction device.
Fig. 7 shows a detailed schematic view of the cleaning system with the suction device.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the suction device.
Fig. 9 is a schematic view of the structure of the suction device;
Fig. 10 shows a top view of the structure of a water tank according to the invention.
Detailed description of the figures [0045] Fig. 1 presents the following components: direction of movement (2) of the suction device, PVC pipe for suction connection (8), bottom hole (14) in the PVC pipe (27) for bottom suction, sanitary pipe T (9), steel frame (10), self-lubricating plastic wheels (12), support plate (19a) for wheel and roller axles (19b), plastic brushes with synthetic bristles (20) of polyethylene or similar material, steel plate with perforations or slots (21) for attaching brushes (20) in a solid line.
[0046] Fig. 2 represents the direction of movement (2); the frame (10), to which support plates (19a) are attached to support the wheels and axle (19b) of rollers for high density polyurethane rollers (11), that work with wheels (12), which are arranged and supported by support plates (19a); a brush line (16) attached to the perforated plate (21) provided with the structure; and the suction pipe (27) can be observed in the central zone of the device, formed by a PVC pipe with five rectangular bottom holes on the wall (14), the cap (17) made of the same material closed at both ends.
[0047] Fig. 3a and 3b show the structure of the device, while the support plate (1) for tension strain gauges can be observed, welded to the frame (10), resin cover reinforced with fiberglass on a galvanized iron network (6), plastic side flap (7), rollers (11), PVC wheels (12) and sanitary pipes (8) having T-sanitary pipes (9) at the bottom and a PVC suction pipe (27) attached to the open ends of these T-pipes, wherein the suction pipe or line (27) has holes, and the hole area will be proportional to the suction capacity entered.
[0048] Fig. 4a shows the side view from the right of the device with the direction of movement (2), the support plate (1) for tension strain gauges, while from the inside a PVC suction pipe (8) with a resin fiber flange attached at the base and a fiber flange emerges resin is formed with fiberglass reinforcements (4) for fixing and sealing suction pipes, handles (5) for pulling, operating and lifting the device, resin housing (6) and side diaphragm flap (7). FIG. 4b is a view from the left of the device showing the direction of movement (2) and the cover (6) of the device. FIG. 4c shows the rear view of the device, showing the cover (6) of the device.
[0049] Fig. 5a is a top view of the structure of the device indicating the direction of movement (2), and Fig. 5b is a top view of the device indicating the direction of movement (2).
[0050] Fig. 6 shows a cleaning system with a suction device, placed in a water reservoir (41), in which there is a pipe to the drainage chamber (28), plastic buoys (29) for lifting a hose (36) on water, platforms (30) for the helmsman and operator on board the boat (31) for pulling by means of a built-in, four-stroke engine and secured propeller, pulling tubular marked connecting rod (32) made of galvanized steel behind the stern, suction device (33), connecting hose (34) from the boat (31) to the device (33), connecting part (35) of connecting hose (34) with suction hose (36) and suction hose (36), which connects the mobile electric suction pump (37) on the lake shore with the boat (31).
[0051] Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal section of the suction device, which shows a partial configuration of the structuring frame (10), a rod (32) that connects the device (33) (not shown in this figure) to the pulling boat, a set of symmetrical suction parts (38 ), which connect the suction pipes (27) of the trolley with the hose (34) connecting the device with the boat. In this figure, there are also projections of wheels (12) and rollers (11).
[0052] Fig. 8 shows a side view of a pulling boat (31), a suction device (33) located in the bottom of a lake water reservoir (41), a place of a roofed platform (30) for a boat operator, pull rods (32) between the device (33) and the boat (31), symmetrical suction elements (38) and connecting hose (34) with the coupling pipe in the boat (35).
[0053] Fig. 9 shows the rear view of the system, indicating the connecting hose (34), pull rods (32), a set of coupling elements (38) for symmetrical suction from all four inlets of the device towards the connecting hose (34), hose (36 ) with floats (29) that connects the boat connector (35) to the land suction pump (37) and a pipe that leads to drainage (28).
[0054] In Fig. 10, the following structural elements can be observed: a recycling pipe (39) on which the injectors are located; injectors (40) arranged along the entire perimeter of the water tank; water reservoir (41) contained in the structure; scrapers (42) for removing floating impurities such as water with oils; the water intake line and the chamber (43), where water is taken to supply the lagoon; restricted natural circulation zone (44); Fresh water supply point (45) to the lagoon.
Description of the invention [0055] The invention includes a method of implementing and maintaining artificial lakes and artificial lagoons for the recreational use of water reservoirs [41] larger than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup>, with color, transparency and purity similar to swimming pools or tropical seas, at a low cost, this method includes:
a.- providing a structure with scrapers [42] surface gaps, able to contain a water reservoir [41] larger than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup>;
b.- providing the structure of step (a) with a water intake having iron and manganese levels lower than 1.5 ppm and turbidity less than 5 NTU;
c.- water pH measurement, ideally it should be in the range less than 7.8;
d.- adding an oxidizing agent to the water contained in the structure of step (a), by means of which the minimum ORP for 600 mV in water is controlled for a minimum period of 4 hours and in maximum cycles of 48 hours, with the oxidizing agent selected from ozone, sodium or potassium persulphate, chlorine derivatives, hydrogen peroxide, bromine derivatives or chlorine produced by electrochlorination,
e.- addition of flocking agent in concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 1 ppm with a maximum frequency of 6 days and cleaning the bottom of the structure from step (a) by means of a suction device to remove precipitated impurities from the bottom of this structure, together with additional flocculants and;
f.- generating displacement of surface water containing impurities and surface oils by injection from the water intake according to stage (b), which causes this displacement to remove this surface water through the system for removing impurities and surface oils, distributed in the structure of stage (a) , which together with step (e) replaces traditional filtering.
[0056] This method has a great advantage over the prior art because the desired properties are obtained without the need for a filtration system or the addition of large amounts of chemicals, which opens the possibility of using and maintaining large crystalline water bodies without limiting their size.
[0057] It is worth mentioning that the cleaning method is carried out so that each sector of the structure is cleaned at intervals of not more than 7 days.
[0058] In a preferred aspect, the disclosed structure or lake in step (a) maintains a minimum total water renewal rate of 150 days, preferably 60 days, to avoid accumulation of oxidation products (aging).
[0059] Each step of the method for implementing and maintaining large water bodies is described in detail below in preferred aspects. In step (a) a structure or pond is provided
-12 rooms of a large water reservoir, larger than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup>, with elements that allow water treatment and functions required to achieve the desired aesthetic and sanitary effects, having "color, transparency and purity similar to swimming pools or tropical seas at low cost". The properties of the structure intended to carry out steps (b) to (f) according to the invention will be noticed when the structure specially designed for this invention is described in detail.
[0060] In step (b) and only when required, pre-filtering of the water and treatment of the water introduced into the lake may be carried out, in the case where the water contains hard-shell forming micro-molluscs or turbidity levels above 5 NTU. Nevertheless, the water intake should not include micro-molluscs and metals such as iron or magnesium to maintain the above ranges. In other words, low-turbidity water is preferable because the method of the invention does not contain traditional filtration, and the suction device and scrapers would be ineffective when receiving large amounts of suspended particles, including both organic and inorganic impurities.
[0061] If in step (c) the pH is greater than 7.8, it is necessary to add a bromine salt, such as sodium bromide, always maintaining a minimum bromide concentration of 0.6 ppm. It is worth mentioning that in the case of sea water, although it has pH values greater than 7.8, it naturally contains high levels of bromide, and therefore it is not necessary to add this element if the artificial pond or lake is filled with sea water.
[0062] In step (d) the preferred maximum cycles are 24 hours. The amount of oxidant used is controlled by continuous ORP measurement during application in such a way that it meets the minimum set requirements, i.e. an oxidant is added to reach a minimum of 600 mV over a period of 4 hours.
[0063] The type of oxidant chosen depends, among other things, on the cost. The hypochlorite produced by electrochlorination and ozone are economical because they are produced on site, but require large investments in equipment.
[0064] The amount used depends on many factors that change daily, such as for example: temperature, solar radiation, pollution, rain, storms, levels of use etc. in short, the necessary amount of oxidant is determined by ORP measurement.
[0065] Notwithstanding the above and without limiting the invention, it can be concluded that the usual concentrations and ranges of use of the oxidant are given in Table 1:
-13 Table 1: Use of an oxidiser
<td>oxidizer</td><td>TYPICAL CONCENTRATION *</td><td>MIN-MAX RANGE</td>
<td>Ozone</td><td>0.05 ppm</td><td>0.01 - 0.58 ppm</td>
<td>Hydrogen peroxide</td><td>0.04 ppm</td><td>0.01 - 0.46 ppm</td>
<td>Sodium hypochlorite</td><td>0.16 ppm</td><td>0.04 - 1.50 ppm</td>
<td>persulfate</td><td>0.28 ppm</td><td>0.07 - 3.30 ppm</td>
<td>bromides</td><td>0.22 ppm</td><td>0.05 - 1.80 ppm</td>
<td colspan="3">* The total amount added to reach and maintain a minimum ORP of 600 mV for 4 hours divided by the total volume of water.</td>
[0066] Step (e) includes adding a flocking agent and cleaning the bottom of the structure of step (a) with a suction device to remove precipitated contaminants from the bottom of the lake, together with flocking agents.
[0067] Cleaning is carried out so that each sector of the lake is cleaned at intervals of not more than 7 days, preferably every 4 days. At this stage, along with the use of scrapers, traditional filtering processes used in swimming pools are replaced.
[0068] Among the flocculants that can be added in this step, a cationic polymer is preferred, e.g. HICAT-1 ™ which is a biodegradable cationic polyelectrolyte with a solids content of 25%, manufactured by Buckman Laboratories in the United States (it is accepted by the National Health Service Chile and recommended for use in swimming pools in concentrations 100 times higher) in a concentration ranging from 0.02 to 1 ppm with a maximum frequency of 6 days, preferably 0.05 ppm every 24 hours; or Crystal Clear ™, which is a biodegradable cationic polyelectrolyte produced by AP Aquarium Products in the United States (used in aquariums at 100 times higher concentrations) at concentrations of 0.16 ppm every 24 hours.
[0069] Additionally, in another preferred aspect, this step includes the addition of algicides such as quaternary ammoniums (e.g., polyacids) and / or copper compounds (e.g., CuSO4 · H2O or copper chelates), maintaining a copper level between 1 ppb and 1, 5 ppm, depending on temperature and sunlight; between 0.3 to 1.5 ppm copper in the temperature range from 10 ° C to 30 ° C.
[0070] It is important to remember that the purpose of the suction device is not only to clean the bottom in the manner described, as is the case with traditional pool vacuum devices, but this suction device completely replaces the traditional pool filtering system by using flocculants. In addition, the fact that the method provides for displacement and removal of surface water with impurities towards the cracks in the structure completes the operation of the suction device.
[0071] In other words, the suction device not only removes the material naturally applied to the bottom (leaves, branches, soil, etc.), but also all suspended particles that are removed by filtration in the case of pools and which are transformed into flocculents (large particles) and are sucked out by the device in this invention, thus reducing the costs of their removal by two orders of magnitude.
[0072] In step (f) it is necessary to control the fresh water injection levels to ensure correct displacement and removal of surface water with impurities and oils through the scrapers of the structure provided in step (a) of the method according to the invention.
[0073] As mentioned above, to carry out the implementation and maintenance of large water tanks with a capacity greater than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup> according to the invention, it is necessary to provide such a construction as shown in Fig. 10.
[0074] A structure or joint suitable for the method of the invention comprises bottoms and walls constructed of materials with low permeability, such as clay and bentonite, coated with non-porous material, such as a polyvinyl chloride membrane, low density linear polyethylene or high density polyethylene, with a depth of at least 0.5 m, a system for removing impurities and surface oils using scrapers, arrangement of guide wires, which enables water exchange through the fresh water inlet and feed water intake system.
[0075] In a preferred aspect, this feed water is seawater, well water or spring water; in the case of sea water, the water intake system may be led through walkways or wells located at a depth of more than 6 meters.
[0076] The structure has scrapers for removing surface oils and particles, because otherwise they accumulate and deteriorate water quality, even after all chemical treatment steps have been carried out, since they do not remove floating oils or solids. The displacement of surface water towards the scrapers caused by the entry of fresh water together with the flocculation-suction system replaces the traditional pool filtering system.
[0077] The structure may have fresh water supply pipes that generate surface water movement, whereby the scrapers remove floating impurities and oils. These pipes also provide fresh water needed to refresh the water in the amounts described, otherwise the by-products of oxidation accumulate, which make chemical treatment ineffective and degrades water quality.
[0078] The structure may have a network of pipelines with injectors that allow efficient product application and water homogeneity. It does not matter in swimming pools, but in large water reservoirs the existence of isolated stagnant water zones creates pollution centers that make disinfection ineffective and thus deteriorate water quality.
[0079] The plastic liner may have special non-porous properties. In swimming pools this may not be relevant, but in large water bodies cleaning would be unrealistic, causing clinging to the floor coverings and creating a dark layer.
[0080] Bottoms and walls may be constructed of materials with low permeability, such as clay and bentonite, lined with a non-porous material, such as a polyvinyl chloride membrane, etc. This is an economical way of constructing large water bodies.
[0081] The water intake can be made to avoid micro mollusks, because in addition to blocking the recycling pipes, these micro molluscs adhere to the surface, producing a dark color.
[0082] Water intakes may not include water with metals such as iron and manganese, because this pond does not include traditional filtration, and flocculation treatment and suction device are ineffective at removing inorganic impurities, including metallic impurities.
[0083] Crystalline structures or ponds may have water intakes that allow the use of cheap water because, unlike pools that recycle water through filters, in this case the water from the scrapers and the trolley or suction device is removed.
[0084] The structure provided in step (a) for the method according to the invention may additionally have:
1) the bottom is light blue, white or light yellow (liner), so that the water takes on the color of tropical seas. This is obvious for swimming pools, but large ponds use dark plastic due to their durability and lower costs; this is the reason why there are no large water reservoirs with the colors described. For example, if the plastic were black (usually in the joints), the desired color would not be obtained, even if the water had high quality and transparency.
2) depth greater than 0.5 meters, preferably between 2 and 5 meters; depth is important to achieve the desired color "similar to tropical seas" because if the tank is too shallow, the water does not reach turquoise shades and resembles light water. In addition, due to the high water transparency in these ponds, if the depth is too small, the penetration of UV light quickly damages the liner.
3) a recycling system using pipes with injectors that allow maintaining water homogeneity and avoiding stagnation zones. This arrangement can be avoided in windy areas.
4) the structure can be built to avoid dragging organic matter, such as leaves and soil, due to wind, watering, etc.
5) optionally it can be made of cement with coatings such as painted, polyurethane or fiberglass.
[0085] Therefore, in this structure, it is also possible to carry out the step of moving surface water containing impurities and oils by means of a current generated by injecting fresh water through the piping systems, thereby ensuring removal of impurities and oils through these scrapers.
[0086] The optional suction device according to the invention is described in detail below:
Suction device for cleaning the bottom of the structure, which is carried out in step (e) of the method according to the invention, may contain: support plate, resin collar reinforced with fiberglass, pull handles, resin cover side membrane flap, steel frame high density polyurethane rollers, self-lubricating plastic wheels, hole in the PVC pipe for bottom suction, a brush line containing plastic brushes with synthetic bristles and a steel plate with perforations or gaps to fix the brush in a continuous line, support plates for wheel and roller axles and suction PVC line with holes (for more details refer to the description of the figures) [0087] The suction device works by suctioning dirt through the connecting hoses, using a pumping system, while this device is pulled by the system, which includes a drive device for moving the suction device, like a boat e.g, drainage chamber plastic buoys to help lift the hose on the water, platform for helmsman and operator on board the boat in the case, when the boat is used as a propulsion device, pulling a tubular marked connecting rod of galvanized steel behind the stern, connecting hose between the boat and the trolley, connecting element between the connecting hose and suction hose, which connects the pump located on the edge of the structure. In any case, the drive device of the suction device can also be formed by a remote mechanical traction system located outside the structure or any other drive device useful for moving the suction device.
[0088] The suction device is mainly formed of a structuring frame [10], a shielding housing [6] with connecting means to be connected to the pumping system, roller means for continuous movement over the cleaned surface and cleaning agents consisting of the suction line and brush lines [16] to remove material to be cleaned by suction from the pumping system via a suction device.
[0089] The screening housing comprises a laminar resin body that covers the structuring frame [10] and roller and suction means. From the upper section of the shielding casing, load plates for stress tensors from the boat emerge, which are internally connected to the structuring frame; in its upper part this casing also has PVC suction pipes, which form coupling means with the pumping system and are attached by means of their base section to the housing flange, molded from molded resin fiber with fiberglass reinforcements to support and seal these suction pipes; while the housing flange forms a resin jacket and side membrane flap, would
- create a housing body. Also its upper part has handles for pulling, carrying and lifting the device.
[0090] The structuring frame is a steel frame to which are aligned rows of steel plates to support roller means, which contain high density polyurethane roller axles and self-lubricating plastic wheels, is firmly connected and a perforated or slotted steel plate is also attached to the brackets with bolts a continuous line of brushes having a plastic base and bristles of synthetic polyethylene or the like, which help to remove material for suction. The abovementioned support plates for tension strain gauges are attached to the rear section.
[0091] The cleaning agents comprise a suction line formed by vertical PVC pipes corresponding to the suction pipes protruding upwards from the screening housing to which the T-shaped PVC pipes in their lower part are attached, which are connected in turn with the horizontal pipes, which have suction holes in the lower part through which the removed material enters for suction and removal from the pond.
[0092] It is important to note that the purpose of the suction device (suction cart) is not only to clean the bottom in the manner described, as is the case with vacuum devices for swimming pools, but this suction device completely replaces the traditional pool filtering system by using flocculants and a system odgarniaka.
Application example [0093] On the central Chilean shore, a structure similar to an artificial lagoon 1 km long, 80,000 m long, was built<sup>2</sup> and a volume of 250,000 m<sup>3</sup> (33 "20'59.91" S; 71 "39'10.10" W). The bottom was built of clay and bentonite and lined with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) in white and yellow. The walls were built of cement and clay and lined with LLDPE and HDPE membranes.
[0094] The minimum and maximum depths were 1.2 and 3.5 meters, which is 2.8 meters of average depth.
[0095] A pipe system with a diameter of 100 to 250 mm was installed around the lagoon boundaries to facilitate recycling. The system has uniformly spaced injectors every 10 meters around the entire lagoon, which are located in the bottom to inject products and maintain water homogeneity. Dirt and superficial oil removal systems were installed with scrapers.
[0096] Water intake for this structure was achieved through the heads. The inlet water contained 0.08 ppm iron and 0.15 ppm manganese and had a turbidity of 1.4 NTU. The water had a pH of 7.93 and a natural bromine concentration of 48 ppm was required and therefore no need for bromine addition. The water was held through the sidewalks at a depth of 8 m on the sea shore. Collection was carried out at this depth to avoid the formation of a hard sediment coating
-18 by micro-mollusks. The presence of micro-molluscs in sea water causes problems through growth, development and adhesion to the walls of pipelines and lagoon structures. Another possible way to avoid the formation of a hard sediment coating by micro-molluscs is to use water pre-filtration.
[0097] The ORP value was maintained at over 600 millivolts (mV) for 4 hours in 24-hour cycles. This was achieved by the use of oxidants such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, potassium persulphate, electrochlorination or sodium hypochlorite. All have been tested with good results.
[0098] On a normal September day with an air temperature between 10 and 16 ° C and a water temperature of 17 ° C, 0.11 ppm of sodium hypochlorite produced by electrochlorination was used, which was sufficient to maintain an ORP value above 600 mV for more than 4 hours . This system is advantageous when using salt water because the electrolytic process converts chloride in seawater into hypochlorite, without the need for additional chemicals.
[0099] Established pool regulations in other countries indicate constant higher ORP values (between 650 and 750 mV), but this is not economically viable for large amounts of water, and in this invention it has been shown that maintaining ORP values above 600 mV for 4 hours in 24-hour cycles is enough to reduce the growth of microalgae and microbes in large water bodies, thus generating low contamination conditions that may be created.
[0100] Escherichia coli, a bacterial pathogen marker, dies after 100 seconds when exposed to an ORP value of 600 mV, and therefore 4-hour treatments have high disinfecting power.
[0101] The volume of the water reservoir in this example is equal to the volume of 6000 known 8-meter pools and is constructed so that it does not absorb visible pollution from the surroundings (leaves, soil, watercourses), and as a consequence the pollution from the environment is relatively very small compared to the pool . Proportionally, human pollution is also negligible, given the high dilution strength (for example, 4 floats in a regular pool equals 24,000 floats in a lagoon).
[0102] In addition, flocculation and flushing by means of a suction cart and removal of fat and surface impurities by means of scrapers allows to keep the level of organic matter low, which reduces the use of oxidants.
[0103] The action of the algicide was achieved by maintaining an average copper level in water of about 0.3 ppm, and the application was carried out using copper salts (copper sulfate pentahydrate) in closed bags used in chambers through which water from the recycling system passes, in such a way that the salts dissolve slowly, and also by ionization with a copper electrode, in which electric current is supplied to these electrodes and the ions
19 copper is released into the medium in a controlled manner. The measured copper levels ranged between 0.1 ppm at 10 ° C and 1.5 ppm at 30 ° C (a level of 2 ppm is acceptable in drinking water, see Table 4).
[0104] A cationic flocking polymer was added. The flocculant used was HICAT-1 ™ in everyday applications at 0.04 ppm through the recycling system.
[0105] With the help of a suction cart or device, the plastic bottom of the lagoon is cleaned by decanting. The device has a system of suction chambers, thanks to which it removes all precipitated impurities together with the polymer, which allows observation of the bottom of the lagoon (membrane). The device that was cleaning the plastic membrane was pulled out by the boat and left no residue because the cleaning was gentle, not deepening. This method of cleaning and suction was durable and the bottom of the lagoon was cleaned daily so that the suction system would flow through each membrane sector every four days.
[0106] The water was kept in motion by a recycling system that operated 8 hours a day during periods of low wind, thus maintaining water homogeneity. Injectors around the structure throw water over long distances and are placed every 10 meters. It should be mentioned that the water contained in the structure also has a large circulation as a result of wind activity and it should be possible to reduce the requirements for artificial recirculation through the appropriate structure design, thus saving energy.
[0107] This recycling system was used for the use of chemicals. The water in the structure has been completely renewed within 30 to 150 days. The purpose of renewal was to avoid "water aging", that is, the formation of secondary compounds resulting from the oxidation reaction. The renewal was carried out by drawing new water through the supply pipes, regardless of the recycling pipes that end at the injectors.
[0108] The surface stream of water outflow was maintained by means of scrapers that remove oils and surface contaminants.
[0109] The amount of added chemicals mainly depends on the temperature and is an order of magnitude smaller than required in pools.
[0110] The total comparative cost of living per cubic meter was about 3% of the cost of ordinary swimming pools.
[0111] In this application example, it was found that the physicochemical conditions of the water not only comply with the regulations for recreational waters with direct contact (see Table 2) that are used in this case, but also with the provisions for drinking water (see Table 4) , except for sea water related properties and pool regulations (see Table 3), except for a constant level of residual chlorine, which are not applicable due to the technology used.
-20 Table 2: Comparison of treated water according to the invention and recreational water regulations with direct contact (NCh 1333 *)
<td>PARAMETERS</td><td>VALUE MEASURING IN LAGUNA</td><td>NCh 1333</td>
<td rowspan="2">pH</td><td rowspan="2">7.96</td><td>6.5 to 8.3</td>
<td>except where the natural conditions of the water have different values but in no case are less than 5,0 or more than 9.0</td>
<td>Temperature, ° C maximal</td><td>17.7</td><td>thirty</td>
<td>Transparency, minimal *</td><td>35 meters</td><td>Visualization of Secchi discs at a depth of 1.20 meters</td>
<td>Visible, floating solids and unnatural foams</td><td>Lack</td><td>Lack</td>
<td>Floating oils and fats, mg / l, maximum *</td><td><5</td><td>5</td>
<td>Emulsified oils and greases, mg / l, maximum <sub>*</sub></td><td><5</td><td>10</td>
<td rowspan="2">Color, Pc-Co scale unit, maximum *</td><td>10</td><td>100</td>
<td>Lack</td><td>No artificial colors</td>
<td>Turbidity, silica units, maximum *</td><td>0.55</td><td>50</td>
<td>Fecal coliforms / 100 ml, maximum *</td><td><2.0</td><td>1,000</td>
<td>Causing substances bad smell or taste</td><td>Lack</td><td>Lack</td>
<td colspan="3">* Official Chilean regulations were applied (Chile was a country of application), Chilean standard NCh 1333</td>
-21 Table 3: Comparison of water treated according to the invention and regulations for swimming pools (NCh 209 *)
<td>PARAMETERS</td><td>MEASURING VALUE IN LAGUNA</td><td>NCh 209</td>
<td>pH</td><td>7.96</td><td>7.2-8.2</td>
<td>Free residual chlorine</td><td>+</td><td>0.5 - 1.5 (ppm)</td>
<td>Copper (algicides) mg / l</td><td>0.38</td><td>1.5 maximum</td>
<td>Bromine (disinfectant) mg / l</td><td>+</td><td>1-3</td>
<td>Foam, fat and suspended particles</td><td>Lack</td><td>Lack</td>
<td>Aerobic colonies / ml</td><td>2</td><td><200</td>
<td>Fecal coliforms</td><td>Lack</td><td>Lack</td>
<td>Total colonies / 100 ml</td><td><2</td><td><20</td>
<td>Algae, larvae or other living organisms</td><td>Lack</td><td>Lack</td>
<td>Clarity</td><td>35 meters</td><td>1.4 meters</td>
<td colspan="3">* Official Chilean rules applied (Chile was the country of application), Chilean rule NCh 209 + Not applicable due to the technology used</td>
Table 4: Comparison of water treated according to the invention and drinking water regulations (NCh 409 *)
<td>PARAMETERS</td><td>UNIT</td><td>WAY RESEARCH</td><td>VALUE MEASURING IN LAGUNA</td><td>Official standard 2005 NCh 409</td>
<td>pH</td><td>-</td><td>(AND)</td><td>7.96</td><td>6.5 <pH <8.5</td>
<td>Turbidity</td><td>NTU</td><td>(AND)</td><td>0.55</td><td>2.0</td>
<td>Real color at pH = 7.71</td><td>Pt-Co</td><td>(AND)</td><td>10</td><td>20</td>
<td>Smell</td><td>-</td><td>(AND)</td><td>Odorless</td><td>Odorless</td>
<td>Taste</td><td>-</td><td>(AND)</td><td>+</td><td>Tasteless</td>
<td>Ammonia</td><td>mg / l NH3</td><td>(AND)</td><td>0.12</td><td>1,5</td>
<td>Total arsenic</td><td>mg / l As</td><td>(AND)</td><td><0.005</td><td>0.01<sup>(1)</sup></td>
<td>Cadmium</td><td>mg / l Cd</td><td>(AND)</td><td><0.002</td><td>0.01</td>
<td>Zinc</td><td>mg / l Zn</td><td>(AND)</td><td><0.05</td><td>3.0</td>
<td>Total Cyanide</td><td>mg / l CN</td><td>(AND)</td><td><0.05</td><td>0.05</td>
<td>chloride</td><td>mg / l Cl</td><td>(AND)</td><td>18 914</td><td>400 <sup>(2)</sup></td>
<td>Copper</td><td>mg / l Cu</td><td>(AND)</td><td>0.38</td><td>2.0</td>
<td>Phenolic compounds</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(AND)</td><td><2</td><td>2</td>
<td>Total chrome</td><td>mg / l Cr +<sup>6</sup></td><td>(III)</td><td><0.05</td><td>0.05</td>
<td>Fluorine</td><td>mg / l F</td><td>(AND)</td><td><0.10</td><td>1,5</td>
<td>Iron</td><td>mg / l Fe</td><td>(AND)</td><td>0.08</td><td>0.3</td>
<td>Magnesium</td><td>mg / l Mg</td><td>(AND)</td><td>1,030+</td><td>125</td>
<td>Manganese</td><td>mg / l Mn</td><td>(AND)</td><td><0.01</td><td>0.10</td>
<td>Mercury</td><td>mg / l Hg</td><td>(AND)</td><td>0.001</td><td>0.001</td>
<td>nitrates</td><td>mg / l NO3</td><td>(AND)</td><td>4.54</td><td>50</td>
<td>nitrite</td><td>mg / l NO2</td><td>(AND)</td><td>0.04</td><td>3</td>
<td>Lead</td><td>mg / l Pb</td><td>(AND)</td><td><0.02</td><td>0.05</td>
<td>Total soluble solids at 105 ° C</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(AND)</td><td>34,310+</td><td>1 500</td>
<td>Selenium</td><td>mg / l Se</td><td>(AND)</td><td>0.001</td><td>0.01</td>
<td>Sulfur</td><td>mg / L SO4</td><td>(AND)</td><td>2 494+</td><td>500<sup>(2)</sup></td>
<td>Free residual chlorine in the laboratory</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(III)</td><td><0.05</td><td>0.2-2.0</td>
<td>Nitrate-nitrite ratio</td><td>-</td><td>(AND)</td><td><1</td><td>1</td>
<td colspan="5">Organic Substances</td>
<td>Perchlorethylene</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>40</td>
<td>Benzene</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>10</td>
<td>Toluene</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>0.01</td><td>700</td>
<td>xylene</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>500</td>
<td colspan="5">pesticides</td>
<td>DDT + DDD + DDE</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>2</td>
<td>2.4 D</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>thirty</td>
<td>lindane</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>2</td>
<td>methoxychlor</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>20</td>
<td>pentachlorophenol</td><td>Hg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>9</td>
<td colspan="5">Secondary disinfection products</td>
<td>monochloramine</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td><0.1</td><td>3</td>
<td>dibromochloromethane</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td><0.005</td><td>0.1</td>
<td>Dichlorobromometan</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>0.06</td>
<td>tribomomethane</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>0.037</td><td>0.1</td>
<td>trichloromethane</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(*)</td><td>nd</td><td>0.2</td>
<td>trihalomethanes</td><td>mg / l</td><td>(AND)</td><td><1</td><td>1</td>
<td colspan="5">MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING</td>
<td>PARAMETERS</td><td>expressed AS</td><td>WAY RESEARCH</td><td>VALUE MEASURED IN THE POND</td><td>Official standard 2005 NCh 409</td>
<td>Total faecal coliforms</td><td>MPN / 100 ml</td><td>(V)</td><td><2.0</td><td><2.0</td>
<td>Escherichia coli</td><td>MPN / 100 ml</td><td>(V) - (*)</td><td>LACK</td><td>LACK</td>
<td colspan="5">na Indicates that it has not been detected * Official Chilean regulations have been applied (Chile was a country of application), Chilean standard NCh 409 + Inherent seawater values.</td>
[0112] In this example, it has been shown that it is possible to maintain a water reservoir or a similar volume to a large size (250,000 m<sup>3</sup>) an artificial pond with sea water with a water quality similar to conventional pools and tropical seas, both in terms of aesthetics, as well as physicochemical and bacteriological properties. The achieved features were not found in any existing artificial lagoon in the world (see Google Earth) and this can be demonstrated by satellite comparison of the transparency and color of the lagoon to be protected (33 "20'59.91" S; 71 "39'10.10" W) with tens of thousands existing in the world, such as golf courses and public lagoons, recreational dams, real estate and tourist lagoons, and even dams over 15,000 m<sup>3</sup> built as swimming pools (e.g. Piscina do Ramos in Brazil, Darwin Pool in Australia, Orthlieb Pool in Casablanca, Morocco).
[0113] No artificial water reservoir in the world larger than 15,000 m was found<sup>3</sup> with crystal water of this quality, except for the construction of an artificial lagoon that is protected and which has 250,000 m<sup>3</sup>.
[0114] Google Earth ™ (Internet software for satellite photography from around the world) has been searching for the largest pool in the world that can be seen from the air for two years. To sum up, when reviewing the results, the lagoon from the application example is by far the largest reservoir with crystalline water found.
[0115] The largest known pool in the world that uses traditional filtering and recycling systems is the Sunlite pool at Coney Island in the United States, with 11,350 cubic meters of water. In the remaining tens of thousands of large artificial water bodies existing in the world, water is not filtered or is only partially filtered. As already mentioned, the water features of these reservoirs differ significantly from swimming pools and tropical seas, and their use is limited.
[0116] Filtering large volumes of water is technically complicated and very costly, thus it is a barrier to increasing the size of crystalline water bodies. The process according to the invention removes suspended solids (turbidity) which flocculate together with the polymer in an efficient and economical manner, thus replacing filtering.
[0117] In addition to the high costs, the traditional filter system does not solve the problem of cleaning the lagoon bottom.
[0118] The technology described in the invention makes it possible to break the barrier that hinders the construction of crystalline lagoons of unlimited sizes and volumes, thus opening up a new field of tourist applications.
[0119] The main advantage of the implemented method is the comparison of recreational water regulations with the results obtained in the artificial lagoon from the example. In addition, the level of transparency obtained in the water is very important, ensuring transparency equal to or greater than 35 meters, which is not possible for water bodies with a capacity of more than 15,000 m<sup>3</sup> or in most pools; in fact, pool regulations only require transparency at a depth of 1.4 meters (see Table 3).
[0120] Other advantages of the disclosed method of the invention are:
• Low maintenance costs.
• The regulations for recreational waters with direct contact are widely observed (see Table 2) and comparable parameters of the pool and drinking water regulations (see Tables 3 and 4) are met.
• The water in the lagoon is always absolutely transparent, without turbidity, with the characteristic turquoise color of swimming pools or tropical seas and with a clean bottom, which are optimal visual features for the user's acceptance.
• The concentrations of oxidant, algicide and disinfection used are up to 100 times lower than those recommended in conventional pools; this advantage is beneficial to users and is more environmentally friendly.
• Because these water bodies are disconnected from the sea or are not near natural lakes, they are not affected by temperature fluctuations produced by oceanographic currents, ice thawing, etc., only environmental variables (temperature, solar radiation, wind) are affected. In practice, in the lagoon from the example of summer use, temperatures are over 10 ° C higher than in the sea.
-25 • Flocculation and bottom cleaning through scrapers replace the filter system of conventional pools, thus creating high transparency conditions at very low costs. Removal of deposits prevents the deposits from consuming oxidants and generating anaerobic zones, and also allows the bottom membrane to provide attractive tonality of water in the lagoon.
• Water reservoirs can be built without any size limitations, ensuring optimal aesthetic, physicochemical and sanitary conditions, which ensures large numbers of tourists.
[0121] To illustrate the surprising effect of the method disclosed in accordance with the invention, Table 5 is presented, which shows the costs of both methods of cleaning in a water reservoir in an example of application (250,000 m<sup>3</sup>).
Table 5: Comparison of the traditional filter method * and the suction device
<td></td><td>Description</td><td>Volume circling through pump</td><td>costs installations</td><td>monthly costs operating</td>
<td rowspan="9">Traditional filter</td><td>• 120 15 HP Three-phase pumps Aral-C 3000 (code 01206 Astral)</td><td rowspan="9">2 893 l / sec.</td><td rowspan="9">US $ 2 686 648<sup>+</sup></td><td rowspan="9">US $ 119 246</td>
<td>• Filters 60 Prague 3000 (code 15781 Astral)</td>
<td>• 714,000 kilograms of sand (code 905000 Astral)</td>
<td>• 60 batteries with valves 250 mm (code 19133 Astral)</td>
<td>• Installation works</td>
<td>• Port hangar 2500 m<sup>2</sup></td>
<td>• Total monthly required energy, 24 hours * 30 days * 1,343.28 kW / hour (967 164 18 kW / hour)</td>
<td>• Operators</td>
<td>• Maintenance</td>
<td rowspan="3">Device suction</td><td>• Łódź Windglider</td><td rowspan="3"></td><td rowspan="3"></td><td rowspan="3"></td>
<td>• 9.5 HP outboard motor protected</td>
<td>• Suction device</td>
<td rowspan="6"></td><td>• 7.5 HP suction pump</td><td rowspan="6">10 l / sec.</td><td rowspan="6">US $ 25,166</td><td rowspan="6">US $ 2,242</td>
<td>• Hoses, accessories</td>
<td>• Fuel</td>
<td>• Flocculant</td>
<td>• Operator</td>
<td>• Maintenance</td>
<td colspan="5">* Consider T = 2 (minimum rate for pool filtration) in accordance with NCh 209 + Regulation. Does not include land costs for a plot of 2500 m<sup>2</sup>.</td>
[0122] It is important to note that to achieve the desired end result for "color, transparency and purity characteristics similar to those of swimming pools or tropical seas at low cost," a water-containing structure that contains the required water treatment components and is preferred functions to achieve the desired results. An isolated application of the physicochemical method for water treatment would not be possible or would not have the desired results.
9 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9
103 members in 38 offices
Priority claims7
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006003225 | Chile | A | |
| 2006003225 | Chile | A | |
| 07075995 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 070759956 | – | – | – |
| 200603225 | – | – | – |
| CL20060003225 | – | – | – |
| EP20070075995 | – | – | – |
Members103
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UY30184A1 | Uruguay | A1 | |
| IL187370D0 | Israel | D0 | |
| CA2610542A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2737013A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| NO20075880L | Norway | L | |
| NO20111057L | Norway | L | |
| US2008116142A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| KR20080046131A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| AR060106A1 | Argentina | A1 | |
| CN101186403A | China | A | |
| EP1925593A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| AU2007203016A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| CO5930073A1 | Colombia | A1 | |
| SG143192A1 | Singapore | A1 | |
| EA200702291A2 | Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) | A2 | |
| ECSP077916A | Ecuador | A | |
| MA29589B1 | Morocco | B1 | |
| BRPI0705498A | Brazil | A | |
| TW200831168A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| JP2008194676A | Japan | A | |
| EA200702291A3 | Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) | A3 | |
| ZA200710014B | South Africa | B | |
| CR9535A | Costa Rica | A | |
| PE20081640A1 | Peru | A1 | |
| MX2007014361A | Mexico | A | |
| HK1120253A1 | Hong Kong, China | A1 | |
| AU2007203016B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| HRP20070521A2 | Croatia | A2 | |
| NZ563512A | New Zealand | A | |
| EP1925593A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| EA013383B1 | Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) | B1 | |
| US7820055B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| TWI335833B | Taiwan Province of China | B | |
| PE20100823A1 | Peru | A1 | |
| PE20100843A1 | Peru | A1 | |
| KR101015449B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| US2011061194A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2011062067A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CA2610542C | Canada | C | |
| SG172611A1 | Singapore | A1 | |
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| US2011210076A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JO2621B1 | Jordan | B1 | |
| US8062514B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| IL187370A | Israel | A | |
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| AP2346A | African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) | A | |
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| AR079637A2 | Argentina | A2 | |
| AR079638A2 | Argentina | A2 | |
| JP2012066247A | Japan | A | |
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| UY34424A | Uruguay | A | |
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| JP5129386B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| EG26151A | Egypt | A | |
| EG26227A | Egypt | A | |
| CN101186403B | China | B | |
| CN103435177A | China | A | |
| CN103437573A | China | A | |
| CA2737013C | Canada | C | |
| PY0738869A | Paraguay | A | |
| US8790518B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| HK1191928A1 | Hong Kong, China | A1 | |
| NO335000B1 | Norway | B1 | |
| EG26773A | Egypt | A | |
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| JO3033B1 | Jordan | B1 | |
| JO3038B1 | Jordan | B1 | |
| BRPI0705498A8 | Brazil | A8 | |
| US9708822B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP1925593B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| PT1925593T | Portugal | T | |
| DK1925593T3 | Denmark | T3 | |
| EP3263530A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP3266750A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| LT1925593T | Lithuania | T | |
| ES2651351T3 | Spain | T3 | |
| HUE034893T2 | Hungary | T2 | |
| SI1925593T1 | Slovenia | T1 | |
| PL1925593T3This record | Poland | T3 | |
| CY1120043T1 | Cyprus | T1 | |
| BRPI0705498B1 | Brazil | B1 | |
| HRP20180980A2 | Croatia | A2 | |
| BR122018013221B1 | Brazil | B1 | |
| BR122018013226B1 | Brazil | B1 | |
| HRP20180981A2 | Croatia | A2 | |
| HRP20070521B1 | Croatia | B1 | |
| HRPK20180981B3 | Croatia | B3 | |
| EP3263530B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| PT3263530T | Portugal | T | |
| DK3263530T3 | Denmark | T3 | |
| SI3263530T1 | Slovenia | T1 | |
| HRP20180980B1 | Croatia | B1 | |
| LT3263530T | Lithuania | T | |
| PL3263530T3 | Poland | T3 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 1925593
- Publication, DOCDB
- 1925593
- Publication, EPODOC
- PL1925593T
- Application
- 7075995
- Application, DOCDB
- 07075995
- Application, EPODOC
- PL20070075995T
Titles2
- English
- Process to obtain (implement and maintain) water bodies larger than 15,000 m3 for recreational use with color, transparency and cleanness characteristics similar to swimming pools or tropical seas at low cost
- Polish
- Sposób uzyskiwania (realizacji i utrzymania) zbiorników wodnych większych niż 15 000 m<sup>3</sup> do użytku rekreacyjnego, z cechami barwy, przezroczystości i czystości, podobnymi do basenów lub mórz tropikalnych, przy niskich kosztach
Classification
- CPC, 25
- C02F1/56
- C02F9/00
- E04H4/00
- C02F1/40
- C02F1/46
- C02F1/505
- C02F1/72
- C02F1/722
- C02F1/76
- C02F1/78
- C02F7/00
- E02F3/885
- E02F3/8866
- E02F3/9243
- E02B1/003
- E02B3/00
- C02F2103/007
- C02F2209/04
- C02F2209/06
- C02F2209/11
- Y02W10/37
- C02F1/766
- C02F2103/42
- Y02W10/10
- C02F1/00
- IPC, 6
- C02F1 56
- C02F1 72
- C02F103 42
- E02B15 04
- E04H4 00
- E04H4 16
