초록 ▼

Water treatment systems or assemblies are normally tested after construction, at least for leaks, prior to shipping or storage. Pressure testing with a gas is hazardous, so testing with water is a standard method. After testing, the water is displaced from the system by draining or gas phase flushin

Water treatment systems or assemblies are normally tested after construction, at least for leaks, prior to shipping or storage. Pressure testing with a gas is hazardous, so testing with water is a standard method. After testing, the water is displaced from the system by draining or gas phase flushing. It is nearly impossible to remove all of the water from the system or assembly. This remaining water provides an environment for biological growth which contaminates the system or assembly over time. The purpose of this invention is to eliminate or minimize this biological contamination by adding a biocidal agent to the system or assembly before sealing it for shipment or storage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In a method of hydrostatic pressure-testing a transportable-sized water treatment module by flowing a test fluid into, through, and out of said module, optionally followed by passing a flushing liquid into, through, and out of said module to flush remaining test fluid from the module, and of prep

1. In a method of hydrostatic pressure-testing a transportable-sized water treatment module by flowing a test fluid into, through, and out of said module, optionally followed by passing a flushing liquid into, through, and out of said module to flush remaining test fluid from the module, and of preparing the hydrostatic pressure-tested module for storage and/or shipping, the improvement comprising the steps of:(a) introducing a biocidal agent into at least a portion of the test fluid being fed to the module to hydrostatic pressure-test the module or into at least a portion of the flushing liquid being fed to the module to flush test fluid from the module to prepare a hydrostatic pressure-tested and biocidally-treated module;(b) displacing at least a portion of the liquid containing said biocidal agent from the hydrostatic pressure-tested and biocidally-treated module by using a gas which has been passed through sterilizing filters; and,(c) thereafter sealing the hydrostatic pressure-tested and biocidally-treated module against biological ingress so as to maintain an aseptic condition during storage and/or shipping. 2. In a method of hydrostatic pressure-testing a transportable-sized water treatment module by flowing a test liquid into, through, and out of said module, optionally followed by passing a flushing liquid into, through, and out of said module to flush remaining test liquid from the module, and of preparing the hydrostatic pressure-tested module for storage and/or shipping, the improvement comprising the steps of:(a) displacing a at least a portion of any liquid remaining in the module;(b) introducing a biocidal agent comprising a mixture of gas or vapor and a biocidal gas or vapor into the module; and,(c) sealing the module against biological ingress so as to maintain an aseptic condition during storage and/or shipping. 3. A method of according to claim 1, wherein the module includes a sterile valve or drain through which the liquid or gas passes, and the step of sealing includes closing a valve or drain to seal the module against biological ingress. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of introducing a biocidal agent includes heating said portion of the test fluid or said portion of the flushing liquid to a temperature of about 50 to 100 degrees Centigrade for a period of time sufficient for the heated liquid to act as a biocidal agent to achieve an effective level of kill of any biological species that might normally be present. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the biocidal agent is an agent that leaves no residual contaminants in the module. 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from the group consisting of water containing ozone at a concentration ranging from about 0.0001 mg/L to 12 mg/L; ozone at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 micrograms/L to 2 weight percent of the liquid; hydrogen peroxide at a concentration ranging from about 10 mg/L to 10 weight percent of the liquid; peracetic acid at a concentration ranging from about 10 micrograms/L to 10 weight percent of the liquid; and an alkali hypochlorite at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 mg/L to 10 weight percent of the liquid. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, pyrrolidone-iodine, and similar iodine-organic complexes, an oligodynamic metal such as silver, copper, or zinc, and mixtures thereof. 8. A method according to claim 2, wherein the biocidal agent comprises a gas or vapor heated to a temperature of 50 to 100 degrees Centigrade and is present in the module for a period of time sufficient to effect a substantially 100% kill of any biological species that might normally be present. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from among the group of biocidal agents consisting of ozone at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mi xture used to sterilize the system or assembly; ethylene oxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; chlorine at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; chlorine dioxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; bromine at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; chlorine monoxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; bromine chloride at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; sulfur dioxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; and mixtures or combinations thereof. 10. In a method of providing treated water, which method comprises seriatim the steps of:(a) providing a pre-assembled apparatus comprising:at least one transportable-sized water treatment unit for carrying out at least one water treatment unit operation, said unit having an interior portion for passing and heating treating water;at least one water inlet conduit in fluid communication with at least one fluid entrance to said water treatment unit, said inlet conduit having an interior portion for passing water; andat least one water outlet conduit in fluid communication with at least one fluid exit from said treatment unit, said outlet conduit having an interior portion for passing water;(b) testing the water treatment unit for leaks by passing a test fluid into said unit;(c) transporting said water treatment unit during a transport time period in a transport temperature range;(d) providing a first stream of water to said water inlet conduit;(e) passing said first stream of water seriatim through said interior portion of said water inlet conduit, through said interior portion of said water treatment units and through said interior portion of said water outlet conduit thereby providing treated water; and,(f) recovering treated water from said apparatus;the improvement comprising the further step of: prior to carrying out step (c), passing a second fluid into the interior of said water treatment unit to flush test fluid, wherein at least a portion of said second fluid contains a biocidal agent, or has been treated or selected to be essentially free of viable micro-organisms, or both. 11. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, wherein said second fluid is passed through said interior portion of said inlet conduit and/or through said interior portion of said outlet conduit into said interior portion of said treatment unit. 12. A method of providing treated water according to claim 11, wherein said second fluid is essentially free of viable micro-organisms. 13. A method of providing treated water according to claim 11, wherein said second fluid is essentially free of organic compounds other than biocidal and/or biostatic agents. 14. A method of providing treated water according to claim 11, wherein said second fluid contains at least one biocidal and/or biostatic agent, and at least a portion of said second fluid remains in said interior portion of said water treatment unit for at least a predetermined time period within a predetermined temperature range such that said portion contains at least one biocidal and/or biostatic agent at a concentration effective to achieve biocide and/or biostasis in said interior portion. 15. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, wherein said water treatment unit is a member of the group including: filtration, activated carbon filtration, ultraviolet irradiation, absorption, adsorption, ion exchange, electrodialysis, electrodialysis reversal, filled cell electrodialysis, electrodeionization reversal, electrodiaresis, microfiltration, membrane filtration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, hyperfiltration and their equivalents. 16. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, further including, between steps (b) and (c), the step of storing said water treatment unit for a first storage time in a first predetermined storage temperature range selected to inhibit growth of microorganisms during said first storage or transport time. 17. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, wherein said improvement comprises a biocidal and/or biostatic process. 18. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, wherein said water treatment unit includes a component for aseptically isolating said interior portion, said component comprising a gas-permeable component selected from among the group of elements including microporous diaphragms, sterile vents, sterile valves and their equivalents. 19. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, wherein said transport temperature range of step (c) is selected to inhibit growth of microorganisms during said transport time period. 20. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, wherein said water treatment unit comprises a module and wherein said method comprises displacing test fluid from said module, introducing a biocidal and/or biostatic agent comprising a mixture of gas and/or vapor with at least one biocidal and/or biostatic gas and/or vapor into said module, and sealing the module against biological ingress. 21. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, wherein said water treatment unit comprises a module and wherein said method comprises introducing a biocidal and/or biostatic agent into the test fluid and/or into the second fluid used to flush said test fluid from said module, displacing said test fluid or said flush fluid from said module by a sterile fluid, and sealing said module against biological ingress. 22. A method according to claim 20 wherein said module includes a sterile valve or drain through which fluid passes, said method further comprising the step of sealing said module against biological ingress by closing said valve or drain. 23. A method of providing treated water according to claim 10, further comprising the step of maintaining the apparatus at a temperature of from about 50 degrees Centigrade to about 100 degrees Centigrade for a period of time sufficient to achieve an effective level of kill of any biological species that might normally be present in the apparatus. 24. A method according to claim 2, wherein the module includes a sterile valve or drain through which the liquid or gas passes, and the step of sealing includes closing a valve or drain to seal the module against biological ingress. 25. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of introducing a biocidal agent includes heating said liquid to a temperature of about 50 to 100 degrees Centigrade for a period of time sufficient for the heated liquid to act as a biocidal agent to achieve an effective level of kill of any biological species that might normally be present. 26. A method according to claim 2, wherein the biocidal agent is an agent that leaves no residual contaminants in the module. 27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from the group consisting of water containing ozone at a concentration ranging from about 0.000 1 mg/L to 12 mg/L; ozone at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 micrograms/L to 2 weight percent of the liquid; hydrogen peroxide at a concentration ranging from about 10 mg/L to 10 weight percent of the liquid; peracetic acid at a concentration ranging from about 10 micrograms/L to 10 weight percent of the liquid; and an alkali hypochlorite at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 mg/L to 10 weight percent of the liquid. 28. A method according to claim 2, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from the group consisting of iodine, pyrrolidone-iodine, and similar iodine-organic complexes, an oligodynamic metal such as silver, copper, or zinc, and mixtures thereof. 29. A method according to claim 1, wherein the biocidal agent comprises a gas or vapor heated to a temperature of 50 to 100 degrees Centigrade and is present in the module for a period of time sufficient to effect a substantially 100% kill of any biological species that might normally be present. 30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the biocidal agent is selected from among the group of biocidal agents consisting of ozone at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; ethylene oxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; chlorine at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; chlorine dioxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; bromine at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; chlorine monoxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; bromine chloride at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; sulfur dioxide at a concentration ranging from about 1 part per trillion to 10 volume percent of the gas or vapor mixture used to sterilize the system or assembly; and mixtures or combinations thereof. 31. A transportable-sized water treatment apparatus which has been hydrostatic pressure-tested and aseptically prepared for storage and/or transport according to the following steps:(a) flowing a test fluid into, through, and out of said apparatus, optionally followed by passing a flushing liquid into, through and out of said module to flush remaining test fluid from the apparatus;(b) introducing a biocidal agent into at least a portion of the test fluid being fed to the apparatus to hydrostatic pressure-test the apparatus or into at least a portion of the flushing liquid being fed to the apparatus to flush test fluid from the apparatus;(c) displacing at least a portion of the liquid containing said biocidal agent from the apparatus by using a gas which has been passed through sterilizing filters; and,(d) thereafter sealing the hydrostatic pressure-tested and biocidally-treated apparatus against biological ingress so as to maintain aseptic condition during storage and transport. 32. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the preparation of said apparatus for the storage and/or transport has included a step of passing a flushing liquid through an interior portion of the apparatus. 33. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said flushing liquid is essentially free of viable micro-organisms. 34. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said flushing liquid is essentially free of organic compounds other than biocidal and/or biostatic agents. 35. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said portion of said flushing liquid contains at least one biocidal and/or biostatic agent, and at least a portion of said flushing liquid containing a biocidal and/or biostatic agent remains in said interior portion of said apparatus for at least a predetermined time period within a predetermined temperature range such that said flushing liquid portion cont ains or acts as at least one biocidal and/or biostatic agent at a concentration effective to achieve biocide and/or biostasis in said interior portion. 36. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said water treatment apparatus is a member of the group including: filtration apparatus, activated carbon filtration apparatus, ultraviolet irradiation apparatus, absorption apparatus, adsorption apparatus, ion exchange apparatus, electrodialysis apparatus, electrodialysis reversal apparatus, filled cell electrodialysis apparatus, electrodeionization reversal apparatus, electrodiaresis apparatus, microfiltration apparatus, membrane filtration apparatus, ultrafiltration apparatus, nanofiltration apparatus, reverse osmosis apparatus, hyperfiltration apparatus or their equivalents. 37. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the preparation of said apparatus for storage and/or transport has included a step of storing said apparatus prior to transport for a first storage time in a first predetermined storage temperature range selected to inhibit growth of microorganisms during said first storage or transport time. 38. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the preparation of said apparatus for storage and/or transport has included a biocidal and/or biostatic process. 39. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said water treatment apparatus includes a component for aseptically isolating an interior portion of said apparatus, said component comprising a gas-permeable component selected from among the group of elements including microporous diaphragms, sterile vents, sterile valves and their equivalents. 40. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said apparatus has been transported at a temperature selected to inhibit growth of microorganisms during transport.