AU2003205046A1 - Waste Water Processing System - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO:

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

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RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTOR(S): ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: GODDARD CORPORATION PTY LTD EARL FENTON GODDARD LORD

COMPANY,

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, of 4 Douro Place, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, AUSTRALIA.

Waste Water Processing System DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO'S: AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NUMBERS PS3326 FILED JULY 2, 2002 AND 2003902347 FILED MAY 15, 2003 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

TITLE

"WASTE WATER PROCESSING

SYSTEM"

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a waste water processing system, and in particular, to a system for processing waste water discharged from a parts washing machine.

Background of the Invention The present Applicant is the owner of a water evaporation apparatus described in International Publication No. WO 98/57891. The waste water apparatus evaporates water contained in a tank and includes a thermally insulated float assembly for floating in the water. The float assembly defines a space which is in fluid communication with the water via a hole formed through a bottom wall of the float assembly. A volume of water from the tank flows into the space through the hole. A heater located within the space acts to evaporate the water with steam and other vapours being discharged through a stack which forms part of the float assembly. As the water is evaporated from within the space, it is replenished by more water from the tank. In this way, the water within the tank is progressively evaporated. When the water level within the tank drops to a predetermined low limit, a switch operates to cut off power to the heater.

The water evaporation apparatus has been in commercial use for some time and has functioned adequately. Nevertheless, in reviewing the operation of the water evaporation apparatus and in striving to increase operational efficiency, the Applicant has devised the following invention.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste water processing system comprising: a floating evaporator assembly for floating in water contained within a tank, the floating evaporator assembly defining a space in fluid communication with the tank so that a volume of water in the tank can flow into said space to be evaporated; a feed conduit through which water entering the tank flows; and a spray means provided within the space; wherein the spray means is in fluid communication with the feed conduit such that water entering the tank is sprayed into the space.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a waste water processing system including: a tank having a first chamber and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber; a floating evaporator assembly for floating in water contained within the first chamber, the floating evaporator assembly defining a space in fluid communication with the first chamber so that a volume of water in said first chamber can flow into the space to be evaporated; and an incoming water distribution system for selectively distributing water entering the tank into either the space or the second chamber as a function of a total volume of a batch of water entering the tank so that an initial volume of the batch of water is directed into the space and a remaining volume of the batch of water is directed into the second chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the present invention; and, Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a water distribution system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the waste water processing system includes a tank 12 having a first chamber 14 and a second chamber 16 in fluid communication with each other. A floating evaporator assembly 20 floats in water 22 contained within the first chamber 14. The evaporator assembly 20 defines a space 24 in fluid communication with the first chamber 14 so that a volume of the water 22 held in the chamber 14 can flow into the space 24 to be evaporated. An incoming water distribution system 26 selectively distributes water entering the tank 12 into either the space 24 or the second chamber 16 as a function of the total volume of a batch of water entering the tank 12. The distribution is effected so that an initial volume of the batch of water is directed into the space 24 and a remaining volume of the batch of water is directed into the second chamber 16.

The floating evaporator assembly 20 is of similar construction to that described in Applicant's International application No. WO 98/57891, the contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference. In this regard, the assembly 20 includes a bulbous base portion 28 which defines the space 24 and a contiguous exhaust stack 30, both being made of heat insulating material. A hole 32 is formed in the base 28 to allow a volume of the water 22 held in the chamber 14 to flow into the space 24. A heater 34 is supported within the space 24 to cause heating and subsequent evaporation of the water within the space 24. Steam and vapours caused by the evaporation of the water is discharged through the stack A lower surface 36 of the space 24 slopes downwardly in a conical manner and together with the hole 32 forms a funnel shaped structure. Accordingly, suspended particles settling from the volume of water within the space 24 can roll, slide or otherwise move down the surface 36 through the hole 32 back into the chamber 14 to finally settle at the bottom of the tank 12. This settling process may be optimised by forming the surface 36 to have an included angle of between 100'-140' and forming the hole 32 with a diameter of between 5mm-10mm.

A cover 38 is provided across an upper end of the tank 12. The cover 38 is formed with a central aperture 40 through which the exhaust stack 30 can slide. The cover 38 is also formed in a shape complimentary to an exterior shape of the base 28 so as to accommodate the base 28 when the level of water 22 in the tank 12 is at a maximum level.

The water distribution system 26 includes a feed conduit 42 through which all water entering the tank 132 must flow, a valve 44, a first conduit 46 which provides fluid communication between the valve 44 and the space 24, and a second conduit 48 which provides fluid communication between the valve 44 and the second chamber 16. A float 50 is also provided in the system 26 for actuating the valve 44.

A spray means in the form of a nozzle 52 is coupled to an end of the first conduit 46 remote from the valve 44 so as to spray the water entering the evaporator 10 into the space 24. Preferably, at least some of the water entering the space is sprayed onto the heater 34. The spraying of the water entering the evaporator 10 into the space 24 acts to dislodge dirt which has built up on the inner walls of the space 24 and the heater 34. Further, it serves to flush out oil that may have built up on the surface of the water within the space 24 during a previous evaporation process.

The valve 44 is a two-way valve operable to selectively place either conduit 46 or conduit 48 into fluid communication with the conduit 42. When the level of water 22 in the tank 12 is at or below a first level L1 the float 50 moves or otherwise operates a gate or valve member within the valve 44 to shut off the conduit 48 but allow fluid communication between the conduit 46 and conduit 42. Accordingly, water flowing into the tank 12 through the conduit 42 is directed to flow through the conduit 46 and into the space 24.

As water continues to flow into the tank 12, naturally the water level rises. When the water level rises beyond level L1, the float 50 moves the gate or valve member within the valve 44 to a position where it shuts off the conduit 46 but allows fluid communication between the conduits 42 and 48. Accordingly water flowing into the tank 12 via the feed conduit 42 is now directed to flow into the chamber 16. This flow continues until the water level within the tank rises to the level L2 at which time the float 50 operates to move the gate or valve member to a position where fluid communication between the feed conduit 42 and both conduits 46 and 48 is shut off.

This then prevents any further water flowing into the tank 12.

It is envisaged that the system 10 would be used in conjunction with a parts washing machine of a type often used in engineering workshops and motor mechanic garages for cleaning grease, grime and oil from metallic components. Such parts washing machines typically contain a storage tank for containing dirty water arising from the washing process. This water will contain solid particles, grease and oil. This water is typically discharged from around the bottom of the parts washing machine.

Accordingly, as the oil and grease will float on the water, the initial volume of water discharged is relatively free of grease and oil. As an initial volume of this water is passed into the system 10 through the water distribution system 26, it is directed into the space 24. This relatively clean water is then used to clean and flush the internals of the evaporator assembly 20 including the heater 34 and the hole 32.

Eventually, the last portion of the volume of water discharged from the parts washing machine will enter the tank 12 through the feed conduit 42. The levels L1 and L2 are set for a particular batch size of water so that when the portion of the water containing oil is fed into the tank 12 via conduit 42, the valve 44 is operated by the float 50 so as to place conduits 42 and 48 in fluid communication with each other. Accordingly, oil and other floating particles contained in the waste water are directed to flow into the second chamber 16 with a float on the water within the chamber 16. Therefore oil and other floating particles are substantially prevented from entering the space 24.

As a result of the above described arrangements, the relatively clean water discharged from the parts washing machine flushes and cleans the internals for the floating evaporator assembly 20 preventing substantial build-up of dirt and sludge.

Accordingly, less service and maintenance is required to maintain the required level of cleanliness of the space 24 and therefore electrical efficiency is improved. Further, as very little free oil enters the space 24 the rate of evaporation of the water within the space 24 is improved and there is a reduction of airborne pollutants which may otherwise arise from the evaporation of such oils. Further, a collection of free oil for removal is greatly simplified as it substantially accumulates only in the chamber 16.

Typically the chamber 16 is formed by disposing a baffle 54 within the tank 12 in order to divide the tank 12 into the first and second chambers 14 and 16. The baffle 54 does not extend for the whole depth of the tank 12 so that the chambers 14 and 16 are in fluid communication beneath the baffle 54.

The system 10 may be included with extraction fans and an ozone generator (neither of which are shown) as described in Applicant's application WO 98/57891.

The water distribution system 26 is adjustable to the batch size of waste water to be delivered into the tank 12. The adjustability of the system can be provided by providing a simple mechanical link or a slide arrangement to allow variation in the location of a coupling point 56 where the float 50 is coupled to the valve 44.

Figure 2 illustrates in part, a further possible form of the water distribution system 26'. In this embodiment, like reference numbers are used to denote like features. The system 26' differs from the system 26 in that the feed conduit 42 is coupled directly to both conduits 46 and 48 and that respective valves 44a and 44b are provided in the conduits 46 and 48 respectively. Valve 44a is operated by a float 50a while valve 44b is operated by float 50b. The valves and floats are arranged so that when the level of water within tank 12 is at or below level L1 the float 50a operates to open valve 44a while float 50b operates to close valve 44b so that water flowing into the tank 12 via feed conduit 42 is directed to flow through the conduit 46 and spray nozzle 52 into the space 24. When the level of water in the tank 12 is between levels L1 and L2, the float 50a operates valve 44a so as to close the conduit 46 while float 50b operates the valve 44b to open conduit 48 so that water flowing into the tank 12 through the feed conduit 42 is directed through the conduit 48 into the chamber 16.

When the water level within tank 12 is above level L2, the float 50b operates the valve 44b to shut off the conduit 48 thereby preventing further flow of water into the tank 12.

The levels L1 and L2 can be changed in accordance with the volume of the batch of water to be processed by the system 10 by any known means, for example providing the floats 50a, 50b on telescopic arms.

Modifications and variations to the above described embodiments that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the above description.

Claims (14)

1. A waste water processing system comprising: a floating evaporator assembly for floating in water contained within a tank, the floating evaporator assembly defining a space in fluid communication with the tank so that a volume of water in the tank can flow into said space to be evaporated; a feed conduit through which water entering the tank flows; and a spray means provided within the space; wherein the spray means is in fluid communication with the feed conduit such that water entering the tank is sprayed into the space.

2. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spray means is disposed so as to spray at least a portion of said water onto a heater contained in said space for evaporation of water in said space.

3. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the tank has a first chamber in which the floating evaporator assembly is located, a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber and an incoming water distribution system for selectively distributing water entering the tank into either the space or the second chamber as a function of a total volume of a batch of water entering the tank so that an initial volume of the batch of water is directed into the space and a remaining volume of the batch of water is directed into the second chamber.

4. A waste water processing system in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the floating evaporator assembly includes a heater for heating the volume of water in the space to cause evaporation thereof.

A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 3 or 4, wherein the water distribution system includes a two-way valve, a first conduit in fluid communication with the two-way valve and said space, a second conduit in fluid communication with the two-way valve and the second chamber, and a float for actuating the two-way valve to direct the water entering the tank through the first conduit when the level of water in the tank is less than a first level, and to direct the water entering the tank through the conduit when the water level in the tank is below a second level, said second level being above said first level.

6. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the two-way valve and the float may further co-operate so that the two-way valve prohibits water entering the tank when the water level is above the second level.

7. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the float is adjustably coupled to the two-way valve to allow variation in location of a coupling point where the float is coupled to the valve whereby the first and second levels can be adjusted.

8. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the water distribution system includes a first conduit in fluid communication with the space; a second conduit in fluid communication with the second chamber; a feed conduit in fluid communication with both the first and the second conduits and for carrying water entering the tank; a first valve disposed in the first conduit; a second valve disposed in the second conduit; a first float for actuation of the first valve to open the first conduit allowing water flowing in the feed conduit to flow through the first conduit and into the space when water level in the tank is less than a first level, and to close the first conduit when the water level is above the first level; and, a second float for actuation of the second valve to close the second valve when the water level is below the first level or above a second level, the second level being above the first level, and to open the second conduit allowing water flowing in the feed conduit to flow into the second chamber when the water level to between the first and second levels.

9. A waste water processing system including: a tank having a first chamber and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber; a floating evaporator assembly for floating in water contained within the first chamber, the floating evaporator assembly defining a space in fluid communication with the first chamber so that a volume of water in said first chamber can flow into the space to be evaporated; and an incoming water distribution system for selectively distributing water entering the tank into either the space or the second chamber as a function of a total volume of a batch of water entering the tank so that an initial volume of the batch of water is directed into the space and a remaining volume of the batch of water is directed into the second chamber.

A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the floating evaporator assembly includes a heater for heating the volume of water in said space to cause evaporation thereof.

11. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 9 or 10, wherein the water distribution system includes a two-way valve, a first conduit in fluid communication with the two-way valve and said space, a second conduit in fluid communication with the two-way valve and the second chamber, and a float for actuating the two-way valve to direct the water entering the tank through the first conduit when the level of water in the tank is less than a first level, and to direct the water entering the tank through the conduit when the water level in the tank is below a second level, said second level being above said first level.

12. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the two- way valve and the float may further co-operate so that the two-way valve prohibits water entering the tank when the water level is above the second level.

13. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the float is adjustably coupled to the two-way valve to allow variation in location of a coupling point where the float is coupled to the valve whereby the first and second levels can be adjusted.

14. A waste water processing system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the water distribution system includes a first conduit in fluid communication with said space; a second conduit in fluid communication with the second chamber; a feed conduit in fluid communication with both the first and the second conduits and for carrying water entering the tank; a first valve disposed in the first conduit; a second valve disposed in the second conduit; a first float for actuation of the first valve to open the first conduit allowing water flowing in the feed conduit to flow through the first conduit and into the space when water level in the tank is less than a first level, and to close the first conduit when the water level is above the first level; and, a second float for actuation of the second valve to close the second valve when the water level is below the first level or above a second level, the second level being above the first level, and to open the second conduit allowing water flowing in the feed conduit to flow into the second chamber when the water level to between the first and second levels. A waste water processing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 1 ST DAY OF JULY 2003. GODDARD CORPORATION PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys LORD COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.