Fluid purification methods, devices, and systems

Abstract

A fluid purification system has cells whose purifying capability can be regenerated. Some of the cells are arranged in series to reach a high level of purification. An automatic valve network is controlled to cycle the cells in a way that levels the loads on each, thereby maximizing the service interval for replacing expired cells, enabling all of the cells to be replaced at the same time after having each contributing approximately equally to the purification load, and operated such that at any one time, at least one cell is regenerated so as to enable continuous up-time.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . An installation for a fluid purification system that is operable after the attachment of cells adapted for purifying fluid, comprising:
 a fluid transport network with fluid channels, a controller, and valves operable by the controller;   the fluid transport network including cell connectors adapted to receive cells adapted for purifying fluid and to direct forward and reverse flows through connected cells;   the fluid transport network having connections for source fluid, purified product fluid, and waste fluid;   the fluid transport network and controller being configured such that the controller operates the valves so that, at a first time, fluid is directed from the source through connected first cells in a forward direction, in series, such that multiple purifications stages are defined, the first cells forming a series with a first series cell being in a first position of the series and receiving the source fluid, a last series cell being in a last position of the series outputting product fluid, and intermediate series cells;   the fluid transport network and controller being configured such that the controller operates the valves so that at said first time, fluid is directed in a reverse direction through a connected second cell whereby simultaneous multi-stage purification and cell regeneration may be achieved;   the fluid transport network and controller being configured to operate the valves to rearrange the connected first cells and the second cell by replacing the last series cell with the second cell and replacing the second cell with the first series cell;   the fluid transport network and controller being configured such that the controller operates the valves so that at said second time, fluid is directed in a reverse direction through second cell, which was the first series cell at the first time;   wherein the rearrangement of cells in the series is accomplished without disconnecting any of the cells from any of the respective cell connectors.   
     
     
         34 . The installation of  claim 33 , wherein the controller is configured to apply a reverse a voltage of the second cell and apply a forward voltage to the first cells. 
     
     
         35 . The installation of  claim 33 , wherein the fluid is water. 
     
     
         36 . The installation of  claim 33 , wherein the fluid transport network has water channels. 
     
     
         37 . The installation of  claim 33 , wherein the connectors are adapted for receiving electronic deionization cells. 
     
     
         38 . The installation of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the first cells, at the first time, are at least three in number having the first series cell, the last series cell and intermediate cells ordered by rank in the series;   the intermediate cells, at the second time, are moved forward in rank so that the first series cell is replaced by the intermediate cell of a lowest rank.   
     
     
         39 . The installation of  claim 38 , further comprising cells connected to said cell connectors. 
     
     
         40 . The installation of  claim 38 , wherein the controller is adapted to operate the valves such that each of the cells is repositioned successively through the series, taking a turn at each rank at respective times and taking a turn as the second cell to be regenerated. 
     
     
         41 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A method of purifying fluid, comprising:
 using a controller and a fluid management system, directing fluid through a series of cells to purify the fluid in multiple stages while regenerating at least another cell such that fluid can be purified continuously without interruption for the regenerating;   using the controller and fluid management system, changing the flow paths of the fluid management system so that the directing and regenerating are effective to subject each cell to an equal load so that each cell is exhausted at the same time, after being subjected to multiple instances of said regenerating.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the changing the flow path includes flowing fluid in a reverse direction through a respective cell during said regenerating and flowing fluid in a forward direction through respective cells during said directing. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the fluid is water. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the cells are electronic deionization cells. 
     
     
         53 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A water purification system, comprising:
 multiple cells interconnected by an valving network, wherein each of the cells includes a purification element;   a controller configured to control the valves of the valving network;   a source of water connected to the valving network;   a drain connected to the valving network;   the controller being configured to, at a first time, generate a reverse flow of water through a first subset of the cells while simultaneously flowing water in a forward direction through two or more cells in a second subset, while connecting the two or more cells in the second in series;   the controller further being configured to direct a flow of water from the first subset of the cells to a drain while directing a flow from a last one of the two or more cells connected in series to a product water outlet;   wherein the cells in the first subset and the cells in the second subset are mutually exclusive,   wherein the controller is further configured to, at a second time, generate a reverse flow of water through a third subset of the cells while simultaneously flowing water in a forward direction through two or more cells in a fourth subset, while connecting the two or more cells in the fourth subset in series, and   wherein the cells in the third subset and the cells in the fourth subset are mutually exclusive and wherein the cells in the first set and the third set are mutually exclusive.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the reverse flow of water is effective to regenerate the cells. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the cells are electronic deionization cells. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the controller is configured to apply a reverse voltage to the cells in the first and third subsets at said first and second times, respectively. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein, at the first time, the reverse flow of water is water from last cell of the second subset in the series of cells which is thereby purified water. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein, at the second time, the reverse flow of water is water from last cell of the fourth subset in the series of cells which is thereby purified water. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein cells in the second and fourth subsets are interconnected in series such as to produce a 99.9% reduction in total dissolved solids.