Hollow-fiber filtering module and water purification device utilizing it

A water purification device comprising:

• (a) a container having at its lower portion an inlet for a water to be treated and an outlet for the water at its upper portion;
• (b) an absorbent module accommodated within said container and comprising a tubular body containing activated carbon, said absorbent module having an outlet and having an inlet which is disposed at a level higher than said inlet of said container and in communication therewith, said tubular body having a central recess;
• and
• (c) a hollow-fiber filtering module comprising (i) a casing having an upper open end and an inlet in communication with said outlet of said absorbent module, (ii) a bundle of hollow fibers mounted within said casing, each of said hollow fibers having an open end, part of said hollow fibers being made of a microporous membrane having a portion of a hydrophobic nature, and the other hollow fibers being hydrophilic microporous membranes;
• and (iii) a fastening member sealingly joining said open ends of said hollow fibers to said open end of said casing in sealing relation thereto, said open ends of said hollow fibers opening to the exterior of said casing, said upper open end of said casing being sealingly connected to said outlet of said container, said casing of said filtering module being sealingly fitted in said central recess, wherein said absorbent module is spaced from said container to leave an annular space therebetween, said absorbent module inlet being positioned at a top thereof and above said activated carbon, a portion of said container above said absorbent module inlet being sealed and defining an air chamber, said air chamber and a top of said absorbent module separating water in said annular space from said activated carbon when a flow of water to be treated is stopped, whereby diffusion of chlorine from said water in said annular space into said activated carbon is prevented.