System for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid

{
  "publication_number": "US2011030730A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "System for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid",
  "abstract": "A system for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid is described. The system includes a tank for a fluid. A skid is in fluidic communication with the tank to receive the fluid from the tank. The skid includes an ozone generator to generate ozone gas and an injector to inject the fluid with the ozone gas to produce an ozonated fluid. A distribution network distributes the ozonated fluid for application. The distribution network is in fluid communication with the tank to return unapplied ozonated fluid to the tank.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid, comprising: a tank for a fluid; a skid in fluidic communication with the tank to receive the fluid from the tank; the skid comprising an ozone generator to generate ozone gas, an injector to inject the fluid with the ozone gas to produce an ozonated fluid, a skid output line in fluidic communication with the skid and a distribution network to supply the distribution network with the ozonated fluid, and the skid output line in fluidic communication with the skid and the tank to supply the tank with the ozonated fluid; the distribution network distributes the ozonated fluid for application; and, the distribution network is in fluid communication with the tank to return unapplied ozonated fluid to the tank. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the skid selectively supplies ozonated fluid to both the distribution network and the tank. 3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising the skid output line in fluidic communication with a tank fill line and a distribution network supply line, wherein the tank fill line fills the tank with ozonated fluid from the skid, and wherein the distribution network supply line supplies the distribution network with the ozonated fluid. 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the tank fill line includes a tank valve to open and close the tank fill line, and wherein the distribution network supply line includes a distribution network valve to open and close the distribution network supply line. 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein adjusting the tank valve and the distribution network valve controls the amount of fluid passed to the tank fill line and the distribution network supply line. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution network comprises one or more applicators in fluidic communication with the distribution network to apply the ozonated fluid. 7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an inlet pump to supply the skid with fluid and an injector pump to supply the injector with the fluid. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein an application pump pumps ozonated fluid directly from the tank to an applicator. 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the tank receives water from a municipal water supply, the tank receives the ozonated fluid from the skid output line of the skid, and the tank receives ozonated fluid from a distribution network return line. 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system produces and distributes up to approximately 50 gallons per minute of the ozonated fluid, wherein the ozonated fluid has an ozone concentration of approximately 5 parts per million. 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein an injector pump line supplies the injector with the fluid, a skid return line is in fluidic communication with the injector pump line, and the skid return lines supplies the injector pump line with ozonated fluid that does not enter the skid output line. 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the injector receives the ozone gas from the ozone generator, wherein the injector is in fluidic communication with the injector pump, the injector pumps supplies fluid to the injector, and the injector injects the ozone gas into the fluid via pressure caused by the injector pump. 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is modular and moveable about a facility. 14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a dissolved ozone monitoring system, comprising: a local sensor positioned to measure dissolved ozone levels in the ozonated fluid produced by the skid while the fluid is proximate the skid; a remote sensor positioned in the distribution network at point of application of the ozonated fluid; the local sensor in electrical communication with a local monitor; and the remote sensor in electrical communication with a remote monitor. 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the local monitor and the remote monitor are housed at the skid. 16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the producing and distributing system comprises a control processor to operate the producing and distributing system, wherein the local monitor and the remote monitor are in electrical communication with the control processor, wherein the control processor modulates the concentration of ozone in the ozonated fluid produced by the producing and distributing system based on the measurements of ozone concentration from the remote sensor in the ozonated fluid at the point of application. 17. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a monitoring assembly to monitor ozone gas levels at a point of application of the ozonated fluid, the monitoring assembly comprising: hosing, the hosing comprising a collection opening to receive sample air; an ozone sensor to measure ozone levels in the sample air; and a pump in fluidic communication with the hosing to transfer the sample air to from the collection opening to the ozone sensor, wherein the ozone sensor measures the ozone levels in the sample air. 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the monitoring assembly is in electrical communication with a control processor of the system, and the control processor stops the system from distributing the ozonated fluid if the monitoring assembly measures designated levels of ozone gas in the sample air. 19. A system for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid, comprising: a tank to store a fluid, the tank in fluidic communication with a source of fluid; a skid to produce ozonated fluid; a skid supply line fluidly connecting the tank with the skid to supply the skid with the fluid; the skid comprising an ozone generator to generate ozone gas and an injector to inject the fluid with the ozone gas to produce an ozonated fluid from the fluid; a skid output line to output the ozonated fluid from the skid; one or more fluid lines connecting to the skid output line that receive the ozonated fluid from the skid and supply one or more applicators with the ozonated fluid for application, the one or more fluid lines comprising a first valve to open or close the one or more fluid lines; and, a tank fill line fluidly connecting the tank and to the skid output line to supply the tank with ozonated fluid, the tank fill line comprising a second valve to open or close the tank fill line. 20. A system for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid, comprising: a reservoir for a fluid; a skid in fluidic communication with the reservoir to receive the fluid from the reservoir; an inlet pump to supply the skid with the fluid; the skid comprising an oxygen concentrator to produce oxygen gas, the oxygen concentrator in supply communication with an ozone generator to generate ozone gas from the oxygen gas, an injector pump to supply an injector with the fluid from the inlet pump, the injector injects the fluid with the ozone gas from the ozone generator to produce an ozonated fluid, a degassing system to remove excess ozone gas from the ozonated fluid, an ozone destruct unit to destroy the excess ozone gas, a reaction vessel to process the ozonated fluid, a skid output line comprising valves for selectively supplying the ozonated fluid to a distribution network or to the reservoir; and, the distribution network distributes the ozonated fluid to one or more applicators that spray or apply the ozonated fluid. 21. A method for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid, comprising, providing a reservoir for a fluid; a skid in fluidic communication with the reservoir to receive the fluid from the reservoir; the skid comprising an ozone generator to generate ozone gas and an injector to inject the fluid with ozone gas to produce an ozonated fluid; a distribution network to distribute the ozonated fluid for application; and the distribution network in fluid communication with the reservoir to return ozonated fluid to the reservoir; providing fluid to the reservoir; pumping the fluid from the reservoir to the skid; ozonating the fluid at the skid to produce an ozonated fluid; modulating the concentration of ozone in the ozonated fluid; distributing the ozonated fluid via the distribution network; applying a first portion of the ozonated fluid; and, returning a second portion of the ozonated fluid to the reservoir. 22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising pumping a mixture of the ozonated fluid and the fluid from the reservoir to the skid, and injecting the mixture with additional ozone. 23. The method according to claim 21, further comprising monitoring ozone gas levels in the ambient air at a point of application of the ozonated fluid, and stopping distribution of the ozonated fluid if ozone gas levels exceed designated levels. 24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising measuring dissolved ozone levels in the ozonated fluid at the application point, and modulating the concentration of ozone in the ozonated fluid at the skid based on the measured dissolved ozone levels at the application point. 25. The method according to claim 21, further comprising filling the reservoir with a batch of ozonated fluid produced by the skid, and pumping the batch of ozonated fluid from the tank by an application pump. 26. A system to monitor ozone levels of an ozonated fluid applied by ozonated fluid producing and dispensing equipment, comprising: a local sensor positioned to measure dissolved ozone levels in ozonated fluid produced by equipment for producing and dispensing ozonated fluid; a remote sensor positioned at point of application of the ozonated fluid to measure dissolved ozone levels at the application point; the local sensor in electrical communication with a local monitor; and, the remote sensor in electrical communication with a remote monitor. 27. The system to monitor ozone levels according to claim 26, wherein the system communicates the measurements from the remote sensor and the local sensor to a control processor of ozonated fluid producing and dispensing equipment. 28. A system to measure ozone gas levels in ambient air for use with ozonated fluid dispensing equipment, comprising: hosing, the hosing comprising a collection opening to receive sample air; an ozone sensor to measure ozone levels in the sample air; and, a pump in fluidic communication with the hosing to transfer the sample air to from the collection opening to the ozone sensor, wherein the ozone sensor measures the ozone levels in the sample air. 29. The system to measure ozone gas levels according to claim 28, further comprising an electrical controller that signals or initiates a shut-down of ozonated fluid dispensing equipment based on the ozone levels measured by the ozone sensor. 30. The system to measure ozone gas levels according to claim 29, wherein the electrical controller is programmed with a threshold level, and the electrical controller signals or initiates the shut-down of the ozonated fluid dispensing equipment when the ozone levels measured by the ozone sensor exceed the threshold level."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a system for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid for use in cleaning and sanitation.\n\nOzone in a solution has been previously used for cleaning and sanitizing. Maintaining a solution with a consistent ozone concentration has proven difficult. Producing large quantities of ozone solution has also proven difficult. Ozone is unstable, which provides for it cleaning and sanitizing capabilities, but also makes consistent ozone levels difficult to maintain in a solution. If the ozone solution has too much ozone or large gas bubbles of ozone, then off-gassing problems may occur, as the excess ozone is released into the work facility creating environmental problems and possibly violating workplace safety regulations. If the solution has too little ozone, then the cleaning and sterilizing may not be as effective as desired. Ozone solutions have proven difficult to consistently and uniformly prepare in sufficient quantities required for industrial cleaning applications. Ozone gas cannot be packaged or stored and must be generated on site.\n\nA system for producing and distributing an ozonated fluid is described herein. The system prepares ozonated fluid for use in cleaning and sanitation. The system supplies the ozonated fluid to a distribution network and/or a tank. The distribution network supplies applicators with the ozonated fluid for application. The distribution network further returns unapplied ozonated fluid back to the tank. As such, the ozonated fluid is reused or recycled by the system.",
  "cpc": [
    "B01F 23/23211",
    "A61L 2/183",
    "A61L 2202/11",
    "B01F 2215/0468",
    "B01F 23/2323",
    "B01F 23/237613",
    "B01F 23/29",
    "B01F 25/104",
    "B01F 25/3121",
    "B01F 33/71",
    "B08B 2203/005",
    "C02F 1/78",
    "C11D 2111/20",
    "C11D 3/3947"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61L 2/16",
    "B01F 3/04",
    "B08B 3/04"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Daniel W. Lynn"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2010-06-16",
  "publication_date": "2011-02-10",
  "priority_date": "2008-03-13",
  "application_number": "US-81686110-A",
  "family_id": "43533849",
  "cited_by_count": 16,
  "citations": [
    "US3810480A",
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    "US5625915A",
    "US5816498A",
    "US6132629A",
    "US20050160791A1",
    "US20070068552A1"
  ]
}