# US 5,348,663 A · Control of bromination of drinking water

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- Number: US 5,348,663 A
- Document ID: US5348663A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/110,566
- Filed: 1993-08-23
- Granted: 1994-09-20
- Earliest claimed: 1993-08-23
- Assignees: Howell Laboratories, Inc.
- Inventors: Gary L. Miers; David G. Allen; Bruce G. Merrill
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348663A

## CPC

- G05D 21/02: characterised by the use of electric means
- C02F 1/008: {Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F}
- C02F 1/766: {by means of halogens other than chlorine or of halogenated compounds containing halogen other than chlorine}
- G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)

## Abstract

A process of and apparatus for determining when the effective bromine contained in a polybromide impregnated resin cartridge used in a water disinfection system is depleted. The bromine content of the supply water is measured. When the bromine content falls below a desired level, a comparative circuit is actuated to initiate flow of the supply water through a bromine cartridge assembly. At the same time, a timing cycle is initiated. The bromine content is continuously monitored and if it does not rise above the desired level during the life of the timing cycle then an signal is output to indicate that the bromine cartridge is depleted.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for determining completion of a life cycle of at least one cartridge containing a polybromide impregnated resin used for introducing bromine into water for disinfection of the water comprising:
placing a cartridge containing a polybromide impregnated resin in fluid flow communication with a supply of water to be disinfected;
measuring the content of bromine in the water;
initiating a timing cycle when the bromine content in the water is below a desired level;
measuring the bromine content of the water during the duration of the timing cycle,
discontinuing the timing cycle if the bromine content rises above the desired level; and
outputting an alarm signal if the bromine content remains below the desired level during the timing cycle, said alarm signal indicating that the life cycle of the cartridge containing the polybromide impregnated resin is completed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 comprising housings containing at least two cartridges containing polybromide impregnated resin.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein the housing walls are clear such that the interface between a bromine depleted portion of the cartridge and a bromine rich portion of the cartridge can be visually observed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3 which includes:
means to place said housings in communication with the supply of water when the timing cycle is initiated.