Device for distributing and channeling liquid within a water treatment

Abstract

A water softening device includes a cylindrical housing with an inlet formed at one end for admitting water to be treated. A filtering material is located in an upstream zone adjacent the inlet. A plate is positioned in relative spaced relation to an opposite end of the housing. A downstream zone, free of filtering material, is located between the plate and the opposite end. Openings are formed in the plate to allow passage of softened water to flow between the upstream and downstream zones. A conduit is axially located in the housing and has a first open end communicating with the downstream zone. A second end of the conduit forms an outlet of the device. A check valve is located at the first end of the conduit for allowing unidirectional flow of water undergoing softening from the downstream zone to the conduit, the check valve restricting flow between the zones during brine regeneration. Channels are formed in the plate and have inlets communicating with the conduit and outlets communicating with the upstream zone for creating a separate flow path, in the absence of water undergoing softening, for a regenerative brine wash directly between the conduit and the filtering material, in a direction opposite that of water undergoing softening.