AU2006252081B2 - Portable waste water treatment plant - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable waste water treatment plant comprising at least one treatment chamber for treating waste water, the at least one treatment chamber having an inlet to 5 enable the at least one treatment chamber to receive waste water, and a frame which supports the treatment chamber. H:\Isabe1H\Speci\63064.doc 15/12/06 C-4

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: Neatport Pty Ltd Invention Title: PORTABLE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to uS: - 2 PORTABLE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable waste 5 water treatment plant. Background of the Invention Human waste water, in particular raw sewerage, requires treatment in order to minimise its impact on both 10 the environment and to human health. Generally, sewerage is treated using urban infrastructure, whereby sewerage is collected and piped to bulk treatment facilities. However, there are many situations where waste water, in particular sewerage, is produced at a remote 15 location where access to the aforementioned infrastructure is not really available, or the infrastructure available is insufficient to deal with the volume of waste water being produced. Furthermore, such situations may arise only on a temporary basis, meaning that it is not 20 economically viable to extend or alter the existing infrastructure in order to collect and/or treat the waste water. An example of this situation is where maintenance, upgrading or construction is conducted in relation to rural infrastructure such as roads, which may occur many 25 kilometres from adequate infrastructure for dealing with waste water. Another example, is where large gatherings of people occur such as at a music festival, where temporary facilities for dealing with the waste water need to be provided because the permanent facilities are not 30 adequate in scale. In both of these situations, one option is to collect the waste water and transport it in bulk to a location where it can be adequately dealt with. However, there are significant risks associated with transporting 35 waste water, particularly in the case of a leak. Furthermore, a significant cost is associated with transporting the waste water. H:\IsabelH\Speci\63064.doc 12/12/06 - 3 Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided portable waste water treatment plant comprising a container having one or more walls and an 5 internal wall that defines with at least one of the walls of the container a treatment chamber for aerobically treating waste water, the treatment chamber having an inlet to enable the treatment chamber to receive waste water; 10 the plant also comprising an operating means for operating the plant, the operating means housed within the container including during operation of the plant, the operating means comprising at least one air blower for providing air to the treatment chamber to aerobically 15 treat the waste water. Preferably, the container is a shipping container. Preferably, the internal wall divides the container transversely. 20 Preferably, on one side of the internal wall is the at least one treatment chamber. Preferably, on the other side of the internal wall, access is provided to the operation means. 25 Preferably, in an embodiment a portable waste water treatment plant wherein the internal wall defines, on the other side of the internal wall to the treatment chamber, an access chamber within the container for access to at least some of the elements of the operation means. 30 Preferably, the plant further comprises a control means for controlling the operation of the plant. Preferably, the control means comprises a control panel for user input to the control means. Preferably, the control panel is supported within the 35 container. 3222951 _1 (GHMatters) P59066.AU. 26103/12 Preferably, ready access to the control panel is provided on the other side of the internal wall to the at least one treatment chamber. Preferably, the container comprises a door. s Preferably, the door is openable for access to elements of the operation means and the control means. Preferably, the door is closable to seal off and prevent damage to elements of the operation means and the control means. 10 Preferably, the door is located at one end of the container. Preferably, the plant also comprises an effluent storage chamber for storing treated effluent from the at least one treatment chamber. 15 Preferably, the plant further comprises a floating decanter for transferring treated effluent from the at least one treatment chamber to the effluent storage chamber. Preferably, the effluent storage chamber is 20 located within the at least one treatment chamber. Alternatively, the effluent storage chamber is external to the at least one treatment chamber. In one embodiment, the plant may comprise a further internal wall internal to the container, the further internal wall 25 dividing the at least one treatment chamber from the effluent storage chamber. In another embodiment, the plant may comprise a second container which supports the effluent storage chamber. The second container may be in the form of a 30 further standard shipping container. Preferably, the walls of the further standard shipping container define at least in part the effluent storage chamber. 322295 I_ 1 (GHMatters) P59066.AU. 126/03/12 - 5 Preferably, the effluent storage chamber supported in the second container is readily connectable and disconnectable to the at least one chamber. Preferably, the inlet of the at least one treatment 5 chamber is positioned at the end of the at least one treatment chamber which is furtherest away from the effluent storage chamber. The plant may further comprise a stilling well inside the at least one chamber for receiving waste water 10 entering the at least one chamber through its inlet. Preferably, the stilling well is in the form of either a stilling tank or a baffle. Preferably, the stilling well, if in the form of a stilling tank, has a pump for pumping waste water from 1 the bottom of the stilling tank to exit the stilling tank at its top. Preferably, the plant further comprises a plurality of internal walls internal to the container, the internal walls defining a plurality of treatment chambers 20 for batch treatment of the waste water. Preferably, the plant further comprises a plurality of air diffusers for blowing air through the waste water in the at least one treatment chamber. The air blower(s) may provide air to the air diffusers. 25 Preferably, the air diffusers are positioned on the bottom of the at least one chamber. Preferably, the plant further comprises an outlet from the plant. Preferably, the plant outlet is an outlet from the 30 effluent storage chamber. Preferably, the operating means further comprises a filtration system between the at least one treatment chamber and the outlet for removing solids from the 322295 1_1 (GHMatters) P59066.AU.1 2a03/12 -6 treated effluent exiting through the outlet. Preferably, the operating means further comprises a UV system between the at least one treatment chamber and the outlet for removing bacteria from the treated effluent 5 exiting through the outlet. Preferably, the plant further comprises at least one manhole for access to the inside of the at least one chamber. Preferably, the plant further comprises at least 10 one lifting lug connected to the container for enabling the plant to be lifted. Preferably, the lifting lug is connected to the top of the container. 15 Preferably, the at least one air blower is mounted on the internal wall. Preferably, the operation means also comprises an outlet pump for pumping treated waste water to the plant's outlet. 20 Preferably, the outlet pump is mounted on the internal wall. Preferably, the outlet pump is reversible for periodic cleaning of the filters in the filter system. Preferably, the operation means also comprises a 25 treated effluent pump, for pumping treated waste water out of the effluent storage chamber. Preferably, the effluent pump is located at the 30 3222951_1 (GHMatters) P59066.AU.I 26a03a12 - 7 bottom of the effluent storage chamber. Preferably, the control means further comprises a flow control system for controlling the level of treated waste water in the effluent storage chamber. 5 Preferably, the flow control system comprises a float switch located towards the top of the effluent storage chamber for providing a high water control on the effluent storage chamber. Preferably, the flow control system also 10 comprises a control box for processing and executing signals used in the flow control system. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable waste water treatment plant comprising; a shipping container, at least 15 some of the walls of the container defining a treatment chamber for treating waste water, the treatment chamber having an inlet to enable the treatment chamber to receive waste water. 20 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a 25 portable waste water treatment plant according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, a portable waste water 30 treatment plant 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame 11 in the form of a container. The frame 11' supports a treatment chamber 12 for treating waste water, the treatment chamber 12 defined, by at least one of the walls of the frame 11. 35 Whilst the frame 11 need not be a container, it is preferable so that the treatment chamber 12 may be simply formed from at least one of the walls of the container. H:\Isabe1H\Speci\63064.doc 12/12/06 -8 Alternatively, the treatment chamber 12 may comprise a cylindrical tank (or any other shaped tank), and the frame 11 comprises a plurality of struts which form a rectangular support structure in which the tank of the 5 treatment chamber 12 is mounted. Even more preferably, the frame 11 is in the form of a shipping container which has been modified to form the waste water treatment plant 10. In this form, the frame 11 can be readily placed on a truck or train or with 10 the cargo of a ship for moving the frame 11 from a first position to a second position in order for the plant 10 to treat waste water from first and second conduits at the first and second positions, respectively. The treatment chamber 12 has an inlet 15 which is 15 connectable to the first conduit at the first position and to the second conduit at the second position to receive waste water from the first and second conduits. When the inlet 15 is connected to the first or second conduits, waste water from the first and second conduits flows into 20 the treatment chamber 12 for treatment. The treatment chamber 12 is preferably for aerobic treatment of waste water. However, other methods of treatment of waste water in the treatment chamber 12 are within the scope of the present invention. 25 The plant 10 comprises an operation means 13 for operating the plant 10. The operation means 13 is supported by the frame 11. Alternatively, it may be external to the frame 13 as a separate module, connectable to other elements of the plant 10. 30 The plant 10 also comprises an internal wall 14, internal to the frame 11. The internal wall 14 divides the frame 11 transversely. The internal wall 14 defines one wall of the treatment chamber 12 so that on one side of the internal wall 14 is the treatment chamber 12. On 35 the other side of the internal wall 14 is a "dry" area which provides access to elements of the operation means 13 and also access to a control panel (not shown) which is H:\I9abeH\Speci\63064.doc 12/12/06 - 9 part of a control means (not shown) for controlling operation of the plant 10. As shown in Figure 1, the internal wall 14 is positioned towards one end of the frame 11. However, the position of the internal wall may 5 be adjusted to change the volume of the treatment chamber 12 according to the application of the plant 10. The frame 11, particularly when in the form of a container, may also be provided with a door (not shown) at the end of the frame 11 towards which the operation means 10 13 and control means are located. The door may be opened for access to elements of the operation means and the control means and is closable to seal off and prevent damage to elements of the operation means and the control means, particularly when the frame 11 is being moved from 15 the first position to the second position. The frame 11 may also comprise lifting lugs (not shown) for lifting and moving the plant 10 from the first position to the second position. Generally, the lifting lugs are located on the top of the frame 11, but may be 20 located on the sides. In the case of the frame 11 being in the form of a shipping container, the container may be modified to have lifting lugs, by welding the lifting lugs on the top surface of the container. The plant 10 also comprises an effluent storage 25 chamber 16 located within the treatment chamber 12. Treated effluent from the treatment chamber 12 is transferred to the effluent storage chamber 16 via a floating decanter (not shown). The floating decanter operates similarly to the decanter described in the 30 Applicant's own patent AU 674511. In an alternative embodiment, the effluent storage chamber 16 is external to the treatment chamber 12 either by providing the plant 10 with a further internal wall internal to the frame 11 to divide the treatment 35 chamber 12 from the effluent storage chamber 16, or by supporting the effluent storage chamber 16 on a second frame. The second frame could be for example a further H:\IsabelH\Speci\63064.dOC 12/12/06 - 10 shipping container, whose walls at least in part would define the effluent storage chamber 16. Thus, the effluent storage chamber 16 and the treatment chamber 12 could form separate modules which are readily connectable 5 and disconnectable to one another. The inlet 15 to the treatment chamber 12 is positioned at the end of the treatment chamber 12 which is furthest away from the effluent storage chamber 16. This is to minimise any interference by the incoming waste 10 water from the first or second conduits with the decanting process to the effluent storage chamber 16 because the inflowing waste water may stir up some settled solids on the bottom of the treatment chamber 12. In an alternative embodiment, the plant 10 15 further comprises a stilling well (not shown) inside the treatment chamber 12 in the form of either a stilling tank or a baffle. Inflowing waste water from the inlet 15 would first flow into the stilling well where, in the case of the baffle, the waste water would exit the stilling 20 well around the sides of the baffle and in case of the stilling tank, a pump would pump waste water from the bottom of the stilling tank to exit the stilling tank at its top. The stilling well further minimizes any interference by the incoming waste water with the 25 treatment process. In another alternative embodiment, the plant 10 comprises a plurality of internal walls internal to the frame 11 which define a plurality of treatment chambers for batch treatment of waste water. Batch treatment 30 minimises any interference from incoming waste water because as one treatment chamber is filling with waste water, another chamber(s) may be operating at a different stage in the treatment process including decanting to the effluent storage chamber 16. 35 The plant 10 further comprises a plurality of air diffusers 17. Although eight air diffusers 17 are shown in Figure 1, more or less air diffusers may be used H:\IabeH\Speci\63064.doc 12/12/06 - 11 depending on the size of the treatment chamber 12. During operation of the plant 10 in an aerobic process, the air diffusers periodically blow air through the waste water in the treatment chamber 12. The air diffusers 17 are 5 positioned on the bottom of the treatment chamber 12 so that the air is blown upwardly through the waste water in the treatment chamber 12. Thus, the air diffusers 17 provide the source of oxygen for the aerobic treatment process of the waste water. During operation of the air 10 diffuser 17, decanting from the treatment chamber 12 to the effluent storage chamber 16 does not occur as operation of the air diffusers 17 may cause settled solids in the treatment chamber 12 to be stirred up. The plant 10 also comprises a filtration system 15 18 and a UV system 19 downstream from the treatment chamber 12. The filter system 18 and the UV system 19 remove any solids and bacteria, respectively, from the treated effluent exiting the plant 10 through an outlet 20. 20 The plant 10 also comprises at least one man hole 21 for access to the inside of the treatment chamber 12. The operation means 13 comprises at least one air blower 30 and an outlet pump 31, mounted on the internal wall 14 so that the air blowers 30 and the outlet pump 31 25 are readily accessible for control and/or maintenance. The air blowers 30 provide air to the air diffuser 17. .The outlet pump 31 helps draw treated waste water to the outlet 20 through the filter system 18 and the UV system 19. The outlet pump 31 is reversible so that 30 periodically, treated waste water can be forced back through the filter system 18 to clean the filters therein. The operation means 13 also comprises a treated effluent pump 32 located at the bottom of the effluent storage chamber 16. The treated effluent pump 32 pumps 35 treated waste water from the bottom of the effluent storage chamber 16 to exit at the top of the effluent storage chamber 16, at which point the exiting treated H:\IsabelH\Speci\63064.doc 12/12/06 - 12 effluent passes through the filter system 18 and the UV system 19 to the outlet 20 of the plant 10. The control means (not shown) controls the operation of the operation means 13. The control panel 5 can be used by an operator to input controls to the operations means 13. The control means may comprise a flow control system for controlling the level of treated waste water in the effluent storage chamber 16. The flow control system comprises a control box for processing and 10 executing signals used in the flow control system. The flow control system also comprises a float switch located towards the top of the effluent storage chamber 16 for providing a high water control on the effluent storage chamber 16. The float switch operates such that when it 15 rises to a specified level in the effluent storage chamber 16, it signals the control box that the level of treated effluent in the chamber 16 is too high. The control box therefore in turn signals the treated effluent pump 32 to discharge treated effluent'to the outlet 20 via the filter 20 system 18 and the UV system 19. The process of treating waste water in the portable waste water treatment plant 10 begins by placing the plant 10 at the first position whereby the inlet 15 can be connected to the first conduit for the delivery of 25 waste water from the first conduit to the treatment chamber 12. Once the treatment chamber 12 has been sufficiently filled with waste water, a process of aerobic digestion of the waste water may occur. The process of aerobic digestion is stimulated by bubbling a source of 30 oxygen, typically air, through the waste water in the treatment chamber 12 using the air diffusers 17, supplied with air by the air blowers 30. The delivery of air occurs on a periodic basis, whereafter the waste water in the aerobic treatment chamber 12 is allowed to settle and 35 an upper layer of relatively clear effluent is discharged via the decanter into the effluent storage chamber 16. This process operates on a continuous cycle of aeration H:\IsabelH\Speci\63064.doc 12/12/06 - 13 and subsequent decanting for as long as is necessary. Once the need for the waste water plant 10 at the first position ceases, the inlet 15 may be disconnected from the first conduit and the plant 10 moved to the 5 second position. Movement from the first position to the second position may occur by any appropriate means. However, conveniently in the case of the frame 11 being in the form of a standard shipping container, the plant 10 may be simply lifted (by alcrane for example) and placed 10 on a truck, train, ship or any other suitable vehicle. The vehicle can readily move the plant 10 to the second position. Once the plant 10 has been moved to the second position, the inlet 15 may be connected to the second conduit and the process of treating the waste water from 15 the second conduit commenced in the same manner as described above. In the precedingdescription of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or 20 variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. H:\IsabelH\Speci\63064.doc 12/12/06

Claims (20)

1. A portable waste water treatment plant comprising a container having one or more walls and an internal wall 5 that defines with at least one of the walls of the container a treatment chamber for aerobically treating waste water, the treatment chamber having an inlet to enable the treatment chamber to receive waste water; the plant also comprising an operating means for 10 operating the plant, the operating means housed within the container including during operation of the plant, the operating means comprising at least one air blower for providing air to the treatment chamber to aerobically treat the waste water. 15

2. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is in the form of a shipping container. 20

3. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein the internal wall defines, on the other side of the internal wall to the treatment chamber, an access chamber within the container for access to at least some of the elements of the operation means. 25

4. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in claim 3, the container comprising a door on the access chamber which is openable for access to at least some of the elements of the operation means and the control means. 30

5. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating means comprises one or more pumps for moving waste water and/or treated effluent through the plant. 35

6. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in claim 5, wherein the operation means comprises an 322295 1_1 (GHMatters) P59066.AU.1 26/0312 - 15 outlet pump for pumping treated effluent to an outlet from the plant.

7. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed 5 in claim 6, wherein the outlet pump is mounted on the internal wall.

8. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least 10 one air blower is mounted on the internal wall.

9. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the plant also comprising an effluent storage chamber for storing treated is effluent from the at least one treatment chamber.

10. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in claim 9, wherein the effluent storage chamber is located within the treatment chamber. 20

11. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in claim 9, the container having a further internal wall dividing the treatment chamber from the effluent storage chamber. 25

12. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of claim 9 to 11, the plant also comprising a floating decanter for transferring treated effluent from the treatment chamber to the effluent storage chamber. 30

13. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the inlet of the treatment chamber is positioned at the end of the treatment chamber which is furthest away from the effluent 35 storage chamber.

14. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed 322295 1_1 (GHMatters) P59066.AU.1 2610312 - 16 in any one of the preceding claims, the plant further comprising a stilling well inside the treatment chamber for receiving waste water entering the treatment chamber through its inlet. 5

15. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the plant further comprising a plurality of air diffusers through which the at least one air blower blows air through the waste water 1o in the treatment chamber.

16. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the operating means further comprising a filtration system between the 15 treatment chamber and an outlet from the plant, the filtration system being for the removal of solids from the treated effluent exiting the plant through its outlet.

17. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed 20 in any one of the preceding claims, the operating means further comprising a UV system located between the treatment chamber and an outlet from the plant, the UV system being for the removal of bacteria from the treated effluent exiting the plant through its outlet. 25

18. A portable waste water treatment plant as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the plant also comprising a control means for controlling operation of the plant, wherein the control means comprises a control 30 panel for user input to the control means.

19. A portable waste water treatment plant, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control panel is mounted to the internal wall. 35

20. A portable waste water treatment plant as substantially described herein, with reference to the 3222951_1 (GIH Matters) P59066.AU. 1 26/0312 - 17 accompanying drawings. 322295 1_1 (GHMatters) P59066.AU.1 260312