AU463588B2 - Apparatus and method for waste disposal - Google Patents

Description

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This invention relates generally to improvements in vaste disposal systems and, more particularly, to a system specially designed for the disposal of human waste as well as other like disposable waste products. Although not limited thereto, the waste disposal system of this invention has particular utility in connect- ion with marine engines of the type used in marine craft. The system may also be employed to advantage in other types of vehicular units such as buses, trucks, house trailers, mobile homes and various other classes of vehicles utilized for human transportation. In addition, the waste disposal system of this invention may find utility in domestic housing installations or the like where a conventional sewage system such as those presently in use in most large municipalities is not available. There is disclosed in our prior U. S. Patent No. 3,342,337 an improved waste disposal system which is -2 88 2,58

23,04 3 particularly applicable for use with land type vehicles. The system which is the subject of that prior patent

overcomes many of the shortcomings in the prior art, in

that it is operable over extended periods of time without

any evidence of accumulation of waste materials which would

limit the period of use of the vehicle with which it is

associated. Moreover, the waste disposal system disclosed

in that patent is completely self-contained so that its

operation prevents contaminants from being discharged into

the atmosphere and also provides for the disposal of human

waste products and/or the like, while the vehicle is in

transit.

Although the system disclosed in the aforesaid patent operates entirely satisfactorily when utilized on

land type vehicles, such a unit is not adapted for use

with water-borne craft such as power boats. There are several reasons for this, foremost of which is the space

limitation imposed on the marine craft and engines

associated therewith. Also, the system of our prior patent contemplated that the vehicle would be operated for

extended periods of time, thereby permitting the disposal of the collected waste material while the vehicle was in

operation. However, marine craft, such as a pleasure boat,

normally are operated only intermittently for relatively

short periods of time although the boat may be occupied for

hours at a time. Accordingly, it is desirable to employ a waste disposal system which can dispose of substantial

quantities of waste materials in a relatively short period.

It has been found that extensive use of the such

systems may result in formation of a caked deposit of -3-63,588

23,043 170

organic solids in the boiler. This caked deposit can ifl-

sulate portions of the boiler a gainst optimum heat transfer

and greatly reduces the efficiency of the unit. In addi- tiorn, flow of liquid waste to a hot and dry boiler having a caked deposit often causes the deposit to break up into

large chunks. These chunks may block the boiler outlet.

It is desirable to eliminate this caked deposit of organic

material should it form in the boiler.

The present invention contemplates a new and improv-

ed waste disposal system which eliminates the afore-mention-

ed drawbacks, and provides a system which is readily

adapted for use with the existing types of marine engines

as well as other types of' engines and which is compact in

construction but which is efficient in operation.

In accordance with the principals of this invention,

there is provided an improved waste disposal system for

use with a power source such as an engine which generates wa'3te heated gases and which has an exhaust system includ-

Ing an exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe for disposing of

tne heated .:ases. Th e system contemplates a boiler unit

whf.ch is positioned between the engine block and the ex-

haust manifold with the boiler including a chamber in which

liquified waste materials may be introduced. Passages in the boiler provIde a means by which the heated waste Cases

of the engine arc passed from the engine tc the exhaust manifold with the heated gases vaporizing, and thereby purl-

fyin, the liquid waste materials in the boiler. In -ccordancc .,ith a econdary aspect of the Invention,

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inlet means is provided in the boiler for admitting ambient

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23,0 43/'70 air thereto. Such air-*provides excess free oxygen within the boiler so that organic solids will be burned and consumed to preventl buildup of a caked deposit. The air also flows through the boiler to provide a cooling effect in the absence of liquid, and to sweep ash from the boiler. A more specific aspect of the improved system is the use of the boiler unit as an integral part of the exhaust system of the engine thereby to minimize the space required for the waste disposal system and to maximize the efficiency of the disposal system. Another specific aspect of the system is the use of the liquid waste material as a cooling medium for the boiler in the exhaust system with alternate means provided for cooling the boiler when liquid waste is not being vaporized in the boiler. It is one of the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved waste disposal system which is applicable for use with marine type vehicles or other vehicles in which limited space is available to accommodate such a system. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved waste disposal system which utilizes the waste heated gases of the engine before the gases have been discharged into the exhaust manifold and, hence, are at a maximum heated condition. Still another object of the invention is to provide a compact boiler unit for use in a waste disposal system, which unit when installed becomes an integral part

of the exhaust system of the engine with the liquid waste

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material serving as a cooling medium for the boiler.

It is a more specific object of the invention to pre-

vent the possible buildup of a caked deposit of organic

solids in a waste disposal system of the.type described. It is another object of the present invention to supply ambient air to a waste disposal system of the type

described in order to provide excess free oxygen for burn-

ing organic material. It is also an object of the Invention to supply air

to a waste disposal system of the tyre described for cool--

Ing the system and sweepJn_ ash therefrom.

Other objects and features of the invention will

become more apparert upon a complete reading of the follow-

Ing description which, together with the attached drawings,

describes but one preferred embodimient of the invention. Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference

numerals indicate like parts in the various views:

FIGURE 1 is a schenatic perspective view of the improv-

ed waste disposal system installed on an engine. FIGURE 2 is a tcp plan view illustrating the relation-

ship between the boiler unit of the improved waste disposal

system and the exhaust manifold.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3of Figur2 2. FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4

of Figure 2. Figure 5 is the same view as Figure 3 and further includ-

ing air supplying conduits connected with the waste

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23,0 43 di-'sposal system. FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of an exhaust conduit and connection with the outlet from the boiler of Figure FIGURE 7 is the samie view as Figure 5 and further including-an air pump and control connected with the waste disposal system. Referring now to Figure 1, the waste disposal system of the present invention is illustrated as adapted for use with a source of power such as an internal combustion engine schematically illustrated at 10. The engine 10 may be of any conventional construction and may be a marine engine or other type of engine suitable for powering a vehicle. Typically, a marine engine includes an exhaust manifold 12 which is normally secured directly to the block of the engine and to which one end of an exhaust pipe 14,is connected. As is conventional, the exhaust manifold 12 includes a plurality of exhaust ports 16 formed in one wall of the manifold with the ports being in communication with the exhaust ports 11 in the block leading from the cylinder chambers. The products of combustion in the engine are discharged into the exhaust manifold chamber 18 and then through the exhaust pipe 14 to the atmosphere. Ancooling jacket 20 normally surrounds at least a portion of the manifold chamber 18 and cooling water is circulated through the jacket 20 by an inlet tube 22 and an outlet tube 24. It will be appreciated that in engines such as a V1-8 engine in which there are two banks of cylinders, two exhaust manifolds will be provided with one manifold on

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23,043 no either side of the engine block.

As stated, the hot exhaust gases which normally .emerge from the engine 10 pass through the exhaust ports

16 into the manifold chamber 18 and then to the exhaust

pipe 14 where the gases are discharged. These exhaust gases are normally at very high temperatures as they

emerge from the engine 10 and it is these gases which this

invention utilizes as the means to vaporize the liquid

waste material present in the waste disposal system

described hereinafter.

The waste disposal system includes a conventional source of waste products such as a water closet, sink or shower, all of which are a source of waste products which must be disposed of in a sanitary fashion. Typically the disposal of such waste products has been accomplished through the use of a septic tank 26 which is conveniently located, in the case of a vehicle, in a place readily available for cleaning, maintenance and the like. A drain 26 a may be provided on the waste tank, preferably adjacent to the bottom thereof, to facilitate cleaning of the tank. The tank 26 is connected to the source of waste products and is constructed to function as a conventional septic tank whereby, in a manner well knorm, solid materials are digestively attacked by anaerobic organisms and are

thereby turned with the fluid into a partially purified

solution. Obviously, various constructions of tanks may be employed without departing from the principals of

this invention.

An outlet conduit assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, is connected at one end to the

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2.3,043 170 waste tank 26 and includes a suitable filter 31 which is located inside the tank. The filter 31 defines a liquid level wherein a substantially complete anaerobic process may be performed on the solid waste materials and also functions to prevent the escape of any solids from the tank 26. The outlet conduit assembly may also include a suitable shut-off valve 32 and an inline liquid metering Pump 33 of suitable construction. Connected to the discharge port of the pump 33 is a line 34+which connects the pump with a boiler unit, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.0. The boiler unit comprises a housing 1+2 which may be of any suitable material such as cast aluminum. The housing 4.2 may be made up either as a single integral unit or may be com- prised of a plurality of sectional units which, when assembled form a complete unit. The housing 4f2 includes a fluid chamber 1.4 in the interior thereof and a steam chambe r 1.6 which. s defined by a raised portion 1.8 of the housing 1.2. The housing 4.2 further includes a plurality of passages 50 which extend transversely through the housing. The passages 50 are equal in-number and size to the exhaust ports of the engine with which the boiler unit is to be employed. Thus, if the unit is to be used with a V-8 engine, a pair of boiler units 1.0 will be used with each unit including four passages 50.which are adapted to cooperate with the exhaust ports associated with each bank of cylinders. The boiler unit 1.0 includes a pair of liquid level sensing electrodes or probes 52, 51.. The probe 52 extends into the liquid chamber 1.4. to a depth adjacent the bottom of

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23,0413 no the passages 50. The probe 51+ is disposed in a probe housing 56 which is interconnected by a conduit 58 with the liquid chamber in the housing 1+2. The inner end of the probe 51+ is positioned at approximately the level of the juncture between the liquid chamber 441and the steam chamber 4+6. Both of these probes are interconnected by appropriate electrical leads to the pump 33. Both probes are of the type commercially available from companies such as B. W. Controller Corporation, Birmingham, Michigan. An outlet conduit 60 is in communication at one end with the steam chamber 4.6 and at the other end with the exhaust pipe 11+. The flui d chamber 441in the boiler 4.0 is also connected by line 62 with the inlet line 22 leading into the water jacket 20. A control valve 64 is located in the line 62 whereby the liquid chamber 44~ may be selectively placed in communication with the line 22 for a purpose hereinafter described. The boiler unit 4.0 is employed by assembling it between the-exhaust manifold 12 and the block of the engine This is illustrated in Figure 4.wherein the boiler is secured to the block of the engine where the exhaust manifold is normally located with the exhaust manifold 12 beiiig connected to the boiler instead of directly to the block.- As is apparent from Figure the passages 50 in the boiler 4.0 are aligned with the exhaust ports 11 in the block and with the exhaust ports 16 leading into the exhaust chamber 18 in the manifold 12. In this manner, the hot exhaust gases passing from the engine cylinders are dis- charged directly into the passages 50 in the boiler 4+0 and

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23,04370 subsequently into the "exhaust manifold where. they are. discharged to the exhaust pipe. The above described waste disposal system operates in the following manner. The waste material is deposited in the waste tank 26 where it is converted into a partially purified solution. When the level of liquid waste in the tank has risen to the level of the filter 31' and it is desired to dispose of this liquid material, the fluid is pumped by the Pump 33 through the line 34ito the boiler unit 40 where it is deposited in the fluid chamber 44. The operation of the Pump 33 is controlled by the probes 52, 514.o Thus, the Pump 33 will be actuated when the level of the liquid in the fluid chamber 144 is below the end of the probe 52 and operation of the Pump 33 will be discontinued when the level of liquid in the fluid chamber 44 reaches the end of probe 54i. In this manner, flooding of the boiler unit 144 is prevented. With the engine 10 running, the hot exhaust gases are discharged directly into the passages 50. Because of the elevated temperatures of these exhaust gases, the boiler unit and the liquid disposed therein is raised to a temperature where the liquid commences to vaporize, with the vapors collecting in the steam chamber 46. As the liquid is vaporized, the liqaid level in the fluid chamber 144 decreases until it reaches a level where the probe 52 again actuates the pump 33 and the liquid level is brought back up to the level governed by the probe 514. Meanwhile, the vapors collecting in the steam chamber 4+6 pass out of the boiler unit 1i0 through the discharge line 60- and are then discharged into the exhaus t pipe where it is mixed

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23,043/0 with the exhaust gases and discharged into the atmosphere. Some of the vapors in the tube.60 may become cooled and revert partially or substantially to a liquid form prior to being discharged into the exhaust pipe 14i; however, since both the vapors and the condensed liquid in the tube have been subjected to the elevated temperatures present in the steam chamber 46 they are in a purified condition so that the resultant gases or liquid discharged from the exhaust pipe do not create any health hazardsw* It is apparent that the liquid waste material in the liquid chamber 414 acts as a coolant for the boiler unit 40 and prevents the unit from reaching excessive temperatures. However, in the-event the level of the liquid in the tank 26 falls below the filter 31, it will be apparent that the Pump 33 will be ineffective to supply liquid to the boiler unit 40. In such circumostances, the boiler unit may tend to reach excessive temperatures once the liquid in the chamber has been dissipated. To prevent this, the control valve 64imay then be actuated by appropriate means to place the cooling water inlet 22 in communication with the liquid chamber W4.and thereby supply a cooling liquid-to the boiler unit 40. As will be readily understood, the fluid introduced in this manner will be dissipated through vaporization in the same manne .ras the liquid waste material. Once the liquid in tank 26 has reached a sufficiently high level, the control valve 6'i will be oper"ated to discontinue the flow of coolant from line 22 and the Pump 33 will again supply liqjuid waste material to the boiler. Several advantages of the boiler unit and the

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23,0 43 waste disposal system described hereinabove should be noted. The boiler unit provides a completely closed chamber into which the liquid waste products may be introduced and vaporized with no portion of the exhaust-gases being mixed with the liquid waste material until after purification has been completed. In this manner, problems of corrosion are kept to a minimum. Moreover, because of the position- ing of the boiler unit between the exhaust manifold and the block of the engine the boiler unit becomes, in effect, an integral part of the exhaust system and is subjected to very high temperatures which results-in a highly effective conversion of the liquid wast e material into a purified vaporized form. In addition, the compact construction of the boiler unit itself makes the system particularly well suited for applications in which only a limited space is available. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, means is provided for feeding air to the vaporizing means defined by boiler unit 40. In accordance with one arrange- ment, as shown in Figure 59 conduits 70 and 72 are connected to boiler unit 40 by suitable fittings 74 and 76. Conduits and 72 have open inlet ends 78 and 80 which are open to atmosphere end positioned at least abov e chamber 44i. Conduits 70 and 72 have outlets 82 and 84+opening into chamber 4.4. In this arrangement, conduit 62 of Figures 3 and 4+is eliminated so that cooling water is not supplied of boiler unit 40 at any time. to chamber 441 With the arrangement of Figure 5, outlet conduit 60 from boiler -unit is connected. by a suitable fitting 86 to a venturi nozzle 88 which in turn is connected to exhaust conduit 14+by a

463,588

23, 043 no suitable .fitting 90.. As showrn in Figure 6, exhaust

conduit 14* includes a smoothly curved reduced diameter internal portion 92 within which nozzle end of venturi

88 is positioned. Operation of the embodiment of Figure to vaporize effluent from tank 26 is the same as-that described with reference to Figures 1-4 However, once

the level of liquid waste in chamber k44 falls below to conduits 70 and 72, exhaust flowing openings 82 and 81i- through reduced diameter portion 92 of exhaust conduit 42 draws a vacuum through venturi 88 and line 60 so that air Such is drawn into chamber 44 through conduits 70 and 72. air sweeps through chamber 441and is drawn through outlet conduit 60 to exhaust conduit 11i.. This flow of ambient

air through conduit 70 and 72 into chamber 441prevents the temperature of boiler unit 1*0 from becoming too high when there is no liquid waste in chamber 44+. In addition,

solid organic material which is deposited on the interior of boiler unit 40O upon complete vaporization of aUl of the liquid waste will be burned and consumed by the excess free oxygen provided through conduit 70 and 72. In previous

arrangements, in which a closed boiler unit was used, solid organic material would not be completely burned and consumed because there was no oxygen present within the boiler unit. Solid organic material was simply dehydrated and formed a coating in the form of a caked deposit within the boiler unit. This caked deposit of dehydrated solid organic material formed a heat insulation which reduced the efficiency of the boiler unit and impaired heat transfer from the exhaust gases to liquid waste material within chamber +44. With the arrangement of Figure 5, solid 1.5.463,5 88

23, 043n/7 organic material remaining within chamber 1*4Iis

completely burned and consumed once aUl of the moisture is vaporized by the presence of excess free oxygen provided through conduit 70 and 72. Such solid organic material is completely burned to a fine ash which is then swept*out Of chamber 4*1* by air flowing through conduit 70 and 72 through chamber 441and out outlet conduit 60 to exhaust conduit 14*. It will be recognized that additional conduits such as 70 and 72 may be connected at other locations to boiler unit 40 so that the entire interior defined by chamber 44 is completely swept by a flow of air., Such air inlets may also be connected to the upper portion of boiler unit or to steam chamber 4*6 if so desired. Connection of an air inlet to steam chamber 4*6 is often desirable so that the vapor drawn through outlet conduit 60 due to venturi action will also have air therein to provide excess free oxygen which will further breakdown odor producing compounds. in the vapor while flowing through the hot gases in exhaust conduit 14i. In accordance with another arrangement, as shown in Figure 7, air conduits 70 and 72 are connected by suitable fittings 96 and 98 with outlet conduit 102 of electrically driven air pump 104. The universal electric motor of air pump 101+ is connected with the electrical system of the vehicle engine as schematically illustrated in Figure 7. Electrical line 106 leads from battery 108 to thermocouple 110 attached to boiler unit 40. Electrical line 112 ,connects thermocouple 110 with the motor of air pump 104. With waste liquid in boiler unit 40, the temperature of boiler unit 4C will not rise substantially above 2120]?.

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23,0 43 no lihfen no waste liquid is present in boiler unit .4o, its temperature will rise and thermocouple 110 will close, at any desirable setting such as around 250 0 to start air motor 104 which then blows air through chamber 4~4 and out outlet pipe 60.. With this arrangement, a venturi nozzle as described with re ference to Figure 6 is not necessary and outlet conduit 60 may simply be -connected with exhaust conduit 14+ or discharged to atmosphere. Air supplied to chamber 44iby pipe 1014 will cool boiler unit and also supply excess free oxygen so that solid organic material within boiler unit 240 will be burned and consumed, and reduced to ash which is blown out through outlet conduit 6o. With the arrangement of Figure 7, it will be recog- nized that it is also possible to provide air inlets at different points to chamber 44 such as at the top of boiler unit 1,0 or to steam chamber 1+6. In addition, it will be recognized that thermocouple 110 may be omitted if so desired so that air is constantly supplied to chamber .44 or to steam chamber 46. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, obvious alterations and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon. reading and understanding the specification. The present invention covers all such obvious alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

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Claims (1)

1. 23,043 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

   1. A waste disposal system comprising a fuel burning

   engine having an exhaust system including exhaust port means and exhaust manifold means for discharging hot gases produced

   by combustion of fuel in said engine, waste tank means for

   receiving waste material, flow means for feeding waste

   material from said waste tank means to vaporizing means, said

   vaporizing means being positioned between said engine and

   said exhaust manifold so that said vaporizing means is heated

   by hot gases passing from said exhaust port means to said ex-

   haust manifold means, and air feed means for feeding air to

   said vaporizing means so that waste material in said vapor-

   izing means is exposed to heat produced by said engine in the

   presence of air so that the waste material is vaporized and

   burned.

   2. The system of claim 1 wherein said air feed means

   is connected for feeding air to said vaporizing means only

   when said vaporizing means is substantially free of liquid waste material.

   3. The system of claim 1 wherein said flow means

   includes conduit means for feeding waste material from said

   waste tank to said vaporizing means and said air feed means

   comprising air inlet opening means in said vaporizing means

   for feeding air to said vaporizing means.

   4. The system of claim 3 wherein said vaporizing means

   has vapor outlet conduit means for discharging vapor therefrom,

   said outlet conduit being connected with said exhaust system

   for producing a pressure less than atmospheric in said

   vaporizing means by flow of gases through said exhaust system

   from said engine whereby air is drawn through said air inlet

   opening means.

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   23,0 4 3 no The system of claim 1 wherein said flow means

   includes conduit means for feeding waste material from said

   waste tank to said vaporizing means and said air feed means

   comprising air pump means for feeding air to said vaporizing means.

   6. The system of claim 5 and further including

   control means responsive to the absence of liquid waste

   material in said vaporizing means for operating said air pump

   means.

   7. The system of claim 6 wherein said control means

   includes temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature

   of said vaporizing means.

   DATED this NINTH day of JULY, 1975. THE STANDARD PRODUCTS COMPANY

   Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON

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