CA2179135A1 - Treatment system - Google Patents

Abstract

A treatment system capable of treating either or both waste water and effluent, including multiple separate treatment vessels capable of holding either or both waste water and effluent and wherein each vessel is joined to at least one other vessel via interconnecting apparatus.

Description

- . 2~79t~5 p~TR:r~TS Fo~ NO- 5 Fee No. 4: $260.00 p~ TS A(~T 19~3 ~QMPr.h'.T~3 SPh:Cl~ICATION
.Aft.f1r Proviqinn No: 2~
32a~lq~.1l1nP 1Slq6 .rslnn~ Rr W~ R~f 1 11~'3fi/8 Rr(~
TREATMENT S~STE~i W~ Darren Bruce Moffitt, Bn Australiarl citizen of Owaikurn Ro~d, R D 3, Otorohan~a, New Zealand and Neil Murray Pratt, a Ncw Zealand citizen of Owaikura Road, F~ D 3, Ot~rohAn~a, Nev~
Zsal~nd hcrcl~y declare the illvention for which We pray tllat ~ patent ~llay bo grarted to us, ~nd the me~hod by which it is to bc perforlr~cd ~o b~
particularly described in and by the follo~ving st~t~m~rlt , : ,. .

` ~ 2~7~35 T~F,~TMENT S~STEM
TP~ t~AT, F~F~r~n Thi~ invention relDtes to ~ treatment ~y~tern.
In p~rticular it is envifiaged thst t~e tr~atment system will 11~09t 5 commonly be llsed for treating either or both waete wAter and ~MI~e~lt from d~lnestic. rural, ~nd commcrcial ~ources. The treatmellt syfite will be located on ~ite and is ~apable of prod~cing a final product whicl~
~ay be safely discharged OlltO paddockc, into drains, for r~us~ n~
flushing ~vater in toilets and/or urinals, and 90 forth, ~rithout posil~g l~
10 health risk to humans or other animals. In addition, t~le l)resent invention may ~180 be capable of being tran~ported in modular ~lnit~ to cRrnp sites, holiday bat~hes, aml 80 rorth.
IIo~vever, the present in~ ention could have applicatioll outside tllifi fiel-3.
E~ACI~ R~ Nn ~RT
~1; A wide range of effluent or ~aste water treatment sy~tems are ¢urrontl~
available.
Some of these cffluent treatment 3y~tems are incvl~v~ ,d into u ~ingl~
tank, such as the sceptic tank of Patent No. 231q11. Such syste~ns mn~
include a number of separate ¢hambers required to f~llfîl particulal 20 l~roc~sses in the treatrnent of the waste water or ei~luent. For ~xample, th~ ~ceptic tank of Patent No. 231711 include~ foul chambers allOwi anRerobic, aerobic, clarification and disinfection treatment of t~ st~
to occur.

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Yet othors may rely on a two-sta~e ~vat~r purification process s~lcll ~t8 Ih(:
~naerobic And ae~obiG treatment in E'atent No. 221828; or m~roly Qoroi~ic degr~dation of organic material~ a~ in P~tent No. 19799~; or m~r~ly snaerobic conv~rsion of organic wastes such a~ occurs in tlle anaerol~ic ~i digester o~ PRtcnt No. 141603. Some systems utilise a series o~ sopnrato tanks during the treAtment of the waste water or effluent, such n8 tllC
scries of annerobic tanks in Patent No. 206172.
~ot all systems incorporate a ~ rifir~f;rn or settling cha~nber. H~w~vel.
othcrs such as described in Pa~ent No. 1~2~58 inCOrE~Ornte rnolc thall OI~C
10 cl~rirlcation chamber follo-ving primary treatmel~t and socondary trcatment of the wastes.
I~owever, mAny of tlle above mentioned systems do not incolpol-n~
fien~ory apparatus and timing r~echanisms capable of controlli~lg th~
activation and dcactivation of pumpillg apparatus to ensure a tillled lfi intermittent transfer of a desired quantity of ehe contonts of ono tl~atltlcl~t chamber to the next. gome system6 merely rely on an overflow mot~-od for t~ansf6rring th~ corltents of one chamber to the ne:~t ch~mber in tllc proccss. Others may ~imply incorporatc pumps to deliver the COlltCllts o~
one chamb~r to the ne~t ~}h mber in the process.
~0 Accordingly, overflow method~ ~nd ~lnmoni~red p~l~npiug rnetllods ~ y result in a shock loading effect on the system as a whole, and may alfio result in the contents of somQ of tlle charnbers being inndeSu~tely treat~d prior to their transfer to the next treatr~lent cllambcr~
By incorporation of sen~ory apparatu6 in conjunction witll timill~
26 apparAtUS and pumping apparat~s, the proble~s of shock loadill~ d overflowin~ ~vould bc reduced or etren eliminated. ~ccordi~ y, ~

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` . 2~7q~35 predetelmined amount o~ pro~ucts frorn one tank would p~ss to tllc ncxt t~nk, llt n pr~d~ rTrlined time ufter An equivalent ~mourlt o~ ercnt product had pas~ed out of the ~ystom W31~re shock loading of thQ system results, it may reqllire a sigrlificant 6 amount of time before microbi~l popul~tiol~s or cI-emicRI concentlntio required t~ treat the w~ste water andtor omuent, has b~oll rc r~t~
Wh~re overflo~v occurs, the procelses in the ne~ct treatmellt ch~ cr Illay n3t bo able to adQ~uat~ly treat the in-fiowing product because the r~qui3qd initial stage~ of treatrnent have not been l~omrle~l 10 ~o~t OXistil~g treat~ent systQms (such a~ t3lose dqscrlbed in 3'at~nt No~.
a21828, 197CJ~2, 206172 and 198237! rely 601ely on lllicrobi~ aciiviliy to degrsde the organic materialY in waste watsr and effluent. ~yl~ically, anaerobic and/or aerobic bacteria ar6 used. Vario~s composition~ which contain a product micro-organiims are discllssed in Patent ~o. 24'7972.
15 l~thqr trqatment sy~te~ 6 may r~l~ solely on chemical or bioc~lomic:ll treatment of waste wE~ter. Patent No. 211037 describes a syston~ ~vbic~l relies on a three stage chemical in~3ecticn treatment prior to separation of wator and 61udge; while Patent No. 200142 relatq~ to the biocllqmicn3 treatment of ~vaste wat~r.
20 IIowever, treatment 6yste~s w31ich rely solely on microbial ac~ivi~y ~o de~rads orb~anic materi~ls in waste w~ter and effluent, mny Inck adequate facilities to lemove the micro organisms from the fil~nl E)lO~lCt.
~ccordingly, the final p~odtlct may include micro-organisrns w~ posq a risl~ to both human and animal heàlth, 8uch as Ffcoli bacteriAI ~rai~

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` ~ 2~79135 On tl~c other hArld, system~ which rely ~olely ~n b;rl~hr~m;r~l or cllclllicn tro~tment of waste water and effluent may Inck a separatc trent~llent phas~ for rQmoVing chemical residues or hjorh~mb~ot b~r-products fro the system.
Most of the ~ystems previously descri~ed, do not illcol~orAte a lloldil~g tank for tho final treated p~od~lct. Such a holding tank could ~ lblo the dis6ipAtion of any ga~ses fo~med from the breakdown of chell~icnl6 used d~lring tre~3tment, or enable further brellk down of coJnpounds ~J ~ re innocuous forms.
10 Yet other systerns ~se a combination of m;crobial a~1d thQn c~lelllic~l treatmerlt~. Fol exqrnple, Patent No. 2~1711 relies on microbial dcgradation cf w~ste~ follo~ed by chcmical disinfection of t~10 fil1nl treated product. On the other hnndt Patent No. 123639 re~ies on che~nicnl oxidAtiorl of the waste~ initiAlly, follo~lved by biologic~l treR~mer~t Wit~
16 micro-orgalliSms to 6eparate out sludge.
In treatm~nt sy~ten1~ which inGorporate an ael obic stage il~tO thc treatment process, thera is a reliance on the introduction of oxygell-~nt.nining gag to maintain the rowth of aero'oic micro-or~ani6~ Qnd the oxidati~n of compounde in the ~roduct being treated.
Sorne 6ystems rely on surflce aeration, ~uch as in Patent No. 1~1220; or the upp~r region~ of tllc treatmerlt tank may be aerAted, such as ill Patellt No. 2l5eo~.. Other eystems may rely on the intro~uction of edr illtO tllc bottom of an aerobic treatmerlt chamber or tank, such ~s ill P~tent No.
231711.

2 1z 7~13~
Introcluetion of air or other g#6se~ into t~e botto~n of a treatmont el~iqmb~
n~ay bo Aehieved by the u6e of porou~ bloek~ ueh a!a in P~tent No. 142:~66) olaqto~erie tubes witll perforations (~uch as in Patent No. lG0170) vr relQa~i~ of air t'qrough filter beds (sueh as in Patellt No. 243~00).
5 ~n both the porou6 bloek of Patent No. 142266 and the olastoll~orie tuhe of Patont ~o. 1~0170, pores in the material ~re capabla- of oponin~ anll elosing on intQrmittel1t ~upply and witlldrz~al of pfessi~ d i~ir ~lr j~ai~.
The ability of the pore3 to elo~e after tha !~ uised air ol g#5 i6 l e~lloved prevents the pore~ being clogged by micro-crga~ii3ms andlor ~u6j~ended 10 s~dinnent within the ehamber. ~Iowever, ~o~ne systQms may ineolporate a foamed pla3tic material ~sueh as in Patent No. 156741) which e~1zlbles air to pas6 through ~vhen air is 6upplied tmder presziuro, i~lt t~lC
perforationi-~ irq tbe foqm are not eapable of elosing when tlle ples6u~e is redueed. Consequently, the perforatio~qs in the foam m~y baoome clogged lv with sedimer~t, and so forth. over time, reducing the av2i~ability of t,lle ~ir or o~cygen rnnrainin~ ga6.
Generially, the air or o~ygen ~ont~ining fSas i9 provided frorn all ei~torllal 60urce And delivered into the treatment chamber urlder pressure.
However, ir, PAtent No. 166338 bubbles of oxygen and hydro~el~ ~qle 20 produeed by ar~ el~,L~vlyL;c scree~q plaeed in the bottom of the cl~m'ver.
'~he amount of time that the treated product may remain in #n aerol~ic 6tage of the treatmellt proees6 i~ rlaran~l~n~ upon the supply of o~ygi~rq ~Ieeded for effective grovvth of t!le micro-organi6ms, and for tho oxid~tion of the eont~llts clf the aerobie chambe~-. Accordingly, wlIere z~ir ~lon~ is ~6 vsed, the retention time in the aerobic stage n~ay need ~o ~ve incroils~cl (n6 : :, .. ...

21 79~35 air contain3 only 17% of oxygen). Therefore, thc systom3 relyillg o alone Tnay bc ~lower than l~y8tCm6 which ~lse oxygen ~lone, Ol~ u. I~icl inject oxygen into the ~yatem periodically.
In addition, optimum growth of micro-orgRniems and oxidation Or th~
~i contents of the aerobic chsmber i9 achieved if the conte~lts nro ~lixcd. Il~
tl:~o3e 3ystem6 which rely on 3urface aoration, or where aeration occllrs in the upp~r rGgions of the treatment tank, the ptocesses witl~ tl ae~obic cha]nbers may be les~ ~fficient.
On the other hand, in tho3e ~ystems which rely on the introd~lctioll of ni~
10 or o:~yger~ at thc bottom of the treatment chamber, care must be l(l~cll to en3ure that the bubblirlg effect of air or oxygerA throu~h the systcm doe3 nol~ dislodge microbial gro-qth within the chamber. Di~lodged Illicro-organi~ms may be then carri~d out of the aerobic c}~amber a~ld killcd by the proce3ses in thc neig~bo~rir~g chambcr to whic~l tlley ~rc 16 transferred. Each tirn~ a portiO~ of the aerobic microbial populn~ion is removed fro~ the aerobic chamber, there i3 a lAg tilne in ~r~tmcl~t prod~lctiv~t~ tmtil t~e popul~tion of the Tnicro-v.gal~;6.lls b~lild3 up ~gnin to a level which ensures efflcient tre~tment of tlle contents of thc ~crobic chamber.
20 The activity of many Tnicro-organisms within any lL~dtl~LCII~ sy~tem, i3 also effected by the temperature of that systcm. ~one of the ~bove mentioned patents (other thsn Patent No. 1222J8) illcol t,u~ ut~:. any ~cili~v for int~odncing heat to rlaintain a controllcd envirolmlent suil,nblc for optimum bacterial grc~th and activity. ~ccortingly, the crficiency )f 20 treatment systems opcrating in colder ~ n~te~, or i~ colder lllonths ~
bo reduc~. Therefore, in order to ensure that the waste watel- an~ tr efil~-ent i3 adequately treated, the waste wat~r and~or effAuent n~ay llavc to : . ' ' : .

` ' ' 217q~3~
bo ~etAined within the sy~tem for e longer period of time. ~8 a rcsult, tl~c ~ility of the treatment system to treat a continuous source of ~vaetc wa~cr And/or efflllent ~vill be ~eriously affected.
Wher~ micro-organi6ms are used in ~he treatmel~t proc~ss, a ll~ellia 1116y 5 bc acded to t]lo particular chamber~ to ~s~i~t bacteri~l ~rowt~). I<'or examplc, the system describQd in Patent No. 122a98 rclic3 on ad~litio~lnl nutlients for optimum activity of the bacteria used within th~ systc~
In ~ddition, media panQls m~y b~ incu~ ed a6 growth elementa ~r t~le micro-organisms. Some of th~e medial pane~s or baffl~s nt~ ~oli(l plstes (such as in Patent No. 2a1262), pla~tic 3trips (buch ~B in PAtcnt N-i.
222~50) or are vertical disks ~vhich may or may not be perforat~d (s~ch A8 in Patent No~. 211766 and 2~1008).
Whi]c the6e media pQn~31s or baffle~ contribute to the growt~l of mlcro-u~ s within the cha~ber~, tllese alone do not improve the cfficic~lty 1~ of the chamber. ~laximum efficiency and effectiveness of trent!llellt is acl~ieved lar3ely by the retention time of the waste within t~e cl~n~bc~.
~n optimum retention time allow6 the micro-organisms sufficicnt timc to act on, And convert the wastes within the chamber as reqllired by tl~e t.reatment proce~s. Where the retention time is short. the trc~tmcl~t 20 procebs will not be as effQctive. VVhere the ret~ntion ti3ne i8 too lo~, thc efficiency of the treatme~t process will b~ nndermined. The ~nedi~ pAncl baffles of the treatment chamberc of most present systen~s do littlc to contribute to the retention ar~d effectivene~s of treatr~ent of wastcs witllin the c~ambcrs.

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` ~ 2~19135 Some treatmer~t sy~tcm~ incorportltc solid baffles. Elowever, thc~ rr typi~lly il~coxporated irlto t~le clarification or ~ettling chambcrY of n ~ys~om a~d not in a treatltnen~ chamber - such ~ a~ anat3robic cl~arllber.
Botlt~ vcrtical and horizontal baf~les are curlently used.
G Ho~vt~ver ~omc systems use vertical baffles mele]y to deftne tlle ~D~)aratt3 compartmQnta (such as in Patent No. 211765). Other systen~s may i~corporate only two vertical baffltas ~suc~ as ill Patent No. 220674). Yet othQr~ ~such ~s in Patent No. 221767) incorporate a ~iugl~ b~ctt~ri~tl scrcon/b~Mt~ in each soparatQ chamber of a clarification tsnk.
10 Agai~ th~ nurAIber and plscemtant of baMes within thta above melltiont d ~ystems doet~ not contribute cienitlr~ntl~r to the ~etention time of tllta wnslcwithil~ the chamber. In3tead the baff~es DppeAr to be prillci~illly designed to reduc~ turbulence (such as irl Patent No. 220674) illcloase contact with bacterial populations (3uch as i.n Patent No 2217~?) 15 maintain the vertical flow tircuit for sewage and rccirculated sludgc entt~ring the tank or t~elay the escape of aerAting gas bubbles to the ~urft~ce of the tank (stlch as the horizontal baffle 8ystert~ of ~atent Nt~.
2156~1).
~urther, mQny of the above mentionod sy6tems are desi~ned to treat 20 w~te water and/or efilue~t by roducing tht~ amount of orgallic matcrid ~vithin that waste water ~nt~lor effluent. Some sy~tems in Eact rcquire the rcmoval from the gystt~m t~f ADrr~ rls~ri materinl harmless solids ~r gas~es (such as in Patent Nos. lg8237 and 206172).
However the finsl treated product of mAny systems is high in ug~llo~ atld pho~phoroug ~ tll~ nt~

2 ~ 79 ~ 35 A number of syaterïis ll~ve been de~i~ned to reduce these co~ titu~n~s from wasts water and/or effluent. Scme (such a~ Patent No. 17~64~) u~e mirrD-or~ani~l:lS lo ~cl~ieve tllis reductiou. Otllers tsuch 1l~ Pu~nt N~.
241236) uac chemi&als to remo~re r~itrate ions from water being treated.
Y~t oth~rs (~;uch A~. Patent ~o. 2~78~2~ use a colllbil-ation of micro-org~ ms nnd chemicQls to bling about aerobic l~iological dcllitliricnLi~
of ~itrogenous wa~tcs. l~ypically, ammor~iu~l nitrogen, nilrate llitr~ge and nitrite nitroger~ ~.re converted to llitrogen (sucil as ill rat~llt ~io.
200142).
10 Howover, the processes di~cu6sed are not typically directed tu redllcillg the levels of phosphorou~ con~tituent~ within wast~ ~ater en~d/~r of fluent.
A m~thod of obt~illing desire phr~sphorous and/or ni~ate levels is ~lescribed in Patr~nt No. 233~9a. Howcv~r, this systems leq~lires ~ c1:3lihcd ~6 product to be forrned before the treated produot is supplied to ~n ~r tivat~rl sludge treatmsnt pla2l~ where phosphorotls snd~or nitrRte levels ~re thc controlled via formentation.
TllU~, two sepsrate ~ nt systsrns ar~ rQquired to obtnin dosilod levcls of nitrogenous ~nd phoi~t~h~vul~ n-~ Iu~
~0 None of the abo~e mcntioned ~yst~ms irl~o,~ e a treAtlnel~t cllamber, within t~leir existing troatment ~ystem, for achieving reduced levels of both nitrogenous an~ phosphorous constituents. Accordingly, tho fin~l product of ~uch tre~tment sy3tems may be high in such col~stit~lol~t3.
Thes~ rr~net~ nts may h~ve a deletorious effect on the envirol-lnent, 25 whoth~r they are dispos~d of through water courses or sprayed olltO lalld as pnrt of an irrigation sy~ter~.

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It i2 l~oticeable that none of the ~bove - 1 syst~m~ UL~/eL.l~t3 Qll of eenl30ry apparatu~, timing appsrat~ls and pumping npp~r~tu~;
biolcgical, chemical and phy~iGal treatment proce~ses, and ~parnte trea~ment vessels for multipl~ treatrnent of eitller or botl~ wast~ wat~r 5 and effluent to remove s~lids, s~lspendet ~edi~nent3, organic m~tclial, micro-ûrganisms, nitro~enous and phosphorous constitucnts .
p~lri~ying chemicals.
It i~ ~qn ûbject of the present inventiûn to addre~s the foregoing l~oblcms or at loa~t to provide the public with a useful choice 10 Further aspccts and advantages of the pFe~ent invention will bcco7ne apparcnt from the ensuing ùescription which ib given by way of l~xample or~y.
l?T~r,OæURF. OF ¦NVENTt()N
According to one aspect of the prese~t irlvention there i8 providcd n 16 treatment systern capable of treating either or both waste wnter Rnd effiuent, includin~ rrlultiple separate treatrnont ves~els capablc of holding either or both wa3te w~ter and effluent and wherein ~ach res~el ;~ joined to at least one other vessQl via interrnnnPr~;n~ apparatus.
According t~ anothe~ a3pect of the present inventioll there i8 plûvidod a 20 trcatment system sl~h~t~ lly as described above wl-erein eitl~er or bot~
waat~ water snd efflu~nt in any one treatment ve3sel is treated hy ~nc or co~binatioll of phy3ical, biologicA1 and chemical processes.
Accordin~ to anot~er aspect of the present invQntion t~ere is provido~l ~
tro~tmont sy~tern substQrltially as described sbove whcrcin thc ~r-ul~iplc 20 ~parate treatment vessels i~lclude:

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a) A fir~t vessel capable o~ receiving either or both unt~c#ted waste wflter a~d ~u~treAt~d e~luent; ~nd b~ ~ separate secolld vessel capable of rcceiving partia~ly trcated waste ws~ter and Qfflu~nt from the fir6t ve~sel, and wl~erein tha o 3econd ~epArRtc vessel irlcludes mulliiple SeparAte trcatm~nt chambQrs as rQquired, and c) A separate third vessel capable of rQc~iving substantially tr~ated w~ste water and effluent from the secorld ve3sol; and d) A separate fourth ve6sel capable of receiving tl~e product of the third vegsel; and e) A fifth ve~sel capable of receiving and storing a fully ~reale~
product frorrl the fourth vessel.
According to another Aspect of the present invention th~rc i~ l~rovide(l n treatment sy6tem sllhst~l~ti~l~y AS described ~bove whereill ~hc fourtb 1~ treatrnent ve3sel i9 capable of bein~ incorporated into th0 third treatn~cl~t vessel.
Accordillg to another Aspect of the present invention there is pro~idcd a treatment system substantially as described abuve whereill the tllird, aad fourth ve~sals nrQ ne~tQd within the socond vessel to divide thc sccol~d ~30 vessel into three sub-space~ including:
a) a first s~b-space incorporating the first and second chamber~ of I hc second vessel; and b) u second sub-space incorporating the third challlber of tllc s~cond vessel; .~n~l 26 c) ~ third ~u~-spac~ incorporating each of the third Alld ~urtl vessels.

2 ~ 79 ~ ~5 It qllould be appr~cial;od that ~he pr~sent invention has ~ nulllbcr of ve~cls which have various runction~ stlch as balAIlcing~ an~lel ~hic, aeratio~, Ano~ic, clanfic~tion, irri~tion ~nd wnter retontioll ~ref~t~n~3rlt~.
SepA~ate vessels CQn b0 incorporated into the pl~cser,t inventi~ll nR
o requir~d :~nd ther~ can be various cornbination~ of vessels with cac~
other.
Accordillg to another aspQCt of the presQnt invcntion thcro i~ p~vi~e~ a mcthod of treating either or both waste w~ter and ~ffluont usin~ a treatment systern sllh~t~ntially as described Above whel-ein the ~ t~ d includes:
~) trQnYf~rring int~rmitt~ntly, via an inlet duct, either ~r both ulltreated wnste water or ùntreated cfilucnt fr~m a sourcc to n fir:3t ve6sel tor storage :~lld plimary treatraent; and h) trarlsferring intermitt~ntly, via first corlveying ap~arat~l3 1~ oporating in ~onjunction with sensory apparatu3 and pllmpill~
apparatus, a portion of the contents o~ the ~Irst ve3~el t3 A first chamber of a separste second vessel for primary ~ nd c) trarl~ferring intermittently, via second conveying apparatus opQr~ting in conjunction with sensory ~pparatus alld l)umpil~g ao appRratU~, i portion of the contents of thc fir3t c~lambor of th~
sgcolld ves~ol to a seoond chamber 3f the second ves~el f(Jr secondary trelatm~nt ~effected by both anae~obic treAtment interrupted by illtermittent inj0ction of aerated fluid t~ lowcr ~amoniura, nitrate, nitrite, and phe~rh~t~ levels): and 2~ d) transferrin~ intormittently, via third conveying Qpl)arat~ls operating in conjunction with sen30ry apparatu3 and l:~ulllpillg ; : .: : .

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, n portion of the conter~ts of the sccond cll~mbor of thc aeaond ve~el to ~ third chamb~r of the aecond vc~l for sec~l~dury treatment; and c) a~ratinX the contents of the third chambQr of the ~econd vc~sol by use of aerating appar~tus including conduits di3poscd t~n t~e bottom of th~ thil d chamb~r cf thQ second vQs~l, capnblc ~f supplying a source of osy~en un;formly to the contel~ts of tll~ tllird cham'oer; L~nd f) trallsfe~ring intermittently, via fifth convayi~g Al~p~ tus operating in conjtmction with sen~ory apl~aratu~ d pUlllpiDg npparatus, a portion of the content~ of the third ch~mbcr of thc sQcond vessel to a thild ve~sel for tertialy treatmollt; alld ~) transferring intermittcl~tly, via sixth conveyillg Appnratus operating in cor,Junction with sen~ory apparatu5 n~ pUlllpillg appnr:.tus, a portion of the sediment fio~ the bottom of tilC third vessel to the first chAmber of the second ves~el; and l~) transferring int~rmittently, via a sev~nth conveying apl~aratu~
op~ratin~ in con,iunction with ~ensory app~r~tu6 and pul~lping apparatus, a portion of the co~tents of tlle third v~ssel to ~I f~ul th ~0 vessel for tertialy treatm~nt; and i) di6pensing a purifying agent into thc fourth vessel via op~l ntioll f ~ispensin~ apparatus or passing :~ portion of thc follrtll vessnl throù~l a p~lrification davic~; and j) mixillg of the contcnts of the fourth vessel via a l~ g dcvi~c; a 25 k~ tran~ferring intermittently, via eighth conveying apparat , .. ;.
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2 1 ~ 9 ~
op~:rating in Gonjlmction wibh ~en~ory Rpp~rQtus Emd p~mpil g apparAtu~l, A portion of Lhe co~tents of thc fo~lrth ve~el to a flft~3 vessel for sior~o prior to dischAr~o; ~nd 1) discharging intermittent~y, via a ninth conveying aupar~t~
oper~ting in conjunction vvith sensory apparatu~ and pllm~)i apparatus, R portion of tlle conte~ts of the fifth chal~bcr; alld m ) increasing retention time and re~ucing convection c~lrrcllts ol conte~ts of the aeration chamber of the thild vessel and the ~o~lrt}
ves6el, via incorporation of multiple baffling apparatus ~ u~r~
alternately from each internal side wall of th~ third chamber of both the second vessei alld the third vessel; and n~ heatillg the contents of the ve3sel~, Yia thermostatically col~trolletl heating appAratus. to maintai~l a controlled cnviro~m~--t lor optimum growth and activity of micro-organisms and o 1~ chemical activity throughout the treatment syste~; and o) feedin~ of the firgt chamber of thQ second vessel ~i~h Anaerobi~
micro~ to optimise primary troatrnent; and . p) fcedirlg of the tbird charnber of the 3eco~d vessel with aerobic micro-o.~ to optimise gecondary treAtment.
According to another a~pect o~ the present invention there i~ l~rovi~led a troatment system s~lh~t~nr-~lly as de~cribed above ~herein untro~ted w~ste watcr i6 capable of being conveyed directly from a so~lce to a clarirlcation ves3el.
~ccor~ling to another aapect of the preserLt invention tllere is provided a 25 tre~tment system suh~t~nt~ ly as described Above whercill tl~ affli~g ~ppar~tus ~f th~ third ch~ber of the ~ecolld ve~sel ~rc capabl~ l)f oparatin~ a~ media growth panelq for micro-o~gani~m~ colltained withi the third chnn b~r.
According to anothel ~spect of th~ pre~ent inventiorl there ifi l~rovided ~1 5 modul~r system for a treatmellt ~ystem substantially as dcscribe~l abovc who~oin thc s~paratQ tre~tmQnt vess~ls ~re located ~vitllin ~ sin~le contnillor capable of beir~ connect~d to other single containers.
In pre~erred embodimellts of tlle present invention the tre~trnent systcm is able to tre It either or both waste water and effluent. T~lc abiliLy of Llle 10 tre~tment ~ystem to treat either or both w~ste water nnd cftlucnt, contributes to the ver~atility of the treatment syste1n; may n~si~t in preventing the dischar~e of ~vaste water directly illtO watel cour~s; al~d obviatQs the necessity ~o install t~ro separat¢ treatment syst~ms.
However, in otller Pmhr~Aima7;~t6 o~ the plese2~t inventiol~ thc trcél~3ent 15 systQ~n nlay bs ~ hli~had to treat only waste ~ater or only cfflucllt, to irnprove the effectivQn~ nd efficienc~r of trcatmcnt of the p~rtic~ r waste, in a particuls~r manner, and tc obtain a particular by~product.
Accordingly, each system could operate totally in~lrrrnr1rntly; operntQindepondently, but side-by-side at the 6ame site; ar operate ini~inlly ~8 20 i~rlPr~nr1Pn~. systerns part of the treatment procQ6s, then joined togcther at a ~pecific step in the trestment process.
In preferred Pml~ of the present invention the treAtmont systeltl is capablo of b~ing installed at the site of a commercial, rur~l or domestic l~ropcrty. Tnqtc~ t~ on site obviotes problems encountered l)y l~ ly 25 ~)roperties which ar~ not connected to an urban sewag~ troatm~llt ~lld ltormwater drainage system. Further, it m~y reduce the costs of ' ': ~ ' i ""' ' 2 ~ Y~ ~ 35 alternat~ trcntmcnt plant?3 r~quired by somc co~mercial propcrties for troating theil- wsste products prior to di.3chnr~e into the urban ?~CW:lg~ or r?to~tweter ~y~ter~.
I~l addition, having the tr~atment ~ystems on site enablo~ thQ innoCUOUd ~; product produced from thQ treatment system to be reu6ed - such ns il~
hQat exchat~ge cooling systems, fol irrigation, or be rouscd ~s ~lu~hin~
water for toilets ~nd urin~ls, ~nd 80 forth.
In proforred om'oodirnents o~ the preeent inventlon the trentntont systo may ~Q installed within the ground or above the ground.
10 Whcr~ spQce is re6tricted, for aesthetic reasons, and so forth, i~ ul~d jrletallation may be preferable. In addition, in-ground illstall~tio ena~lcs the s~lrroundin?~ earth to act as insulation, which as~ists ill maintaining the troatment 3ystem at An ~ptimum temperature req~ ed for oF?timum sctivity of biological and chemical processQ6.
15 Ho~ever, wh6re spac~ i9 not a restriction, or where access to a t~ ~ntmcllt tank i9 rcquired for reeular mnnitoring of the tre~tment proce6~tcs, ~tt~d ~o forth, surface installation of t~t~ tr~tm~r t system may be preferred.
In preferred ~tnhor1;n~ant~ of tha present invention tlle tr~atm~nl, sysLclll c~pnble of trQating r~ nti~l, cornmercial? or rulal wa3te wntcr alld/or 20 Qffluent includes a number of sepsrate t~nks incorporatillg vnl io-ls 3eparatc treatment proce~6~s. ~Iaving a treatrner~t syst3m Whlc~l Utili??~
separnte tanks in which waste water and efiluent ~mdergoes ~;~par~lte tr3atrnent proc6sses provides more opportunity for th~? wast~s to l~e ~reated efficiently a~d effectivelr to produce a product W~liC~I is l~s llarmful to humans and othQr animals, and which may bc disposcd of Witl1 mininnal ~dverse effects on the environment.

. ~, ~: , : . :
.... .

23;~35 cient treatment i8 achi~ved by expo~ing the waslt~ to E~Artic~llnr processe~ in R particular .~ uence for a particulAr pericd3 to Cll~urc tb~lt tr~tment at n~y OIIC :-tage i3 rlob h}ndered by inadequate treatlllel~t nt earli~r stagl~.
5 In preforred emhcrlim~n~cl of t~le present irlvention the treatment ~yst~m c~pablo of treatillg domestic ~aste watcr and effluel~t iB Znole comp~lct tllan the syster~ for trcating commercial and rural wastcs. TyE~ic~lly~ t~,~
volume of domestic w~ste i3 Aig~ ntly le86 tl~an thst produced frol1~
rural or corllmercial situation3. Further, the typcs oE wa~te3 originnting 10 from domestic 6ituations i8 also sigrlificantly difEerQIlt than tllnt frolll r~rAl or commercial ~itll~tinn~. Domestic situations typically ~roducc less org~nic wastes than rural ~it1~ti^l~c> and less c~emical w~lstes lh~
rnany commercial situation3.
Conseqllently, th~ cApacity of the troatment talll~6 and chalbers ~vit~
16 the ~lea~ ,t tanks aro not required to be a~ large as thosc of t!le commQrcial arld rural treEltment tanks and chambers. Large qu~llltities of liquid and solid wastes are not required to be proces~ed P9 q~lic1~1y, llor ns often, a6 rnay be required for rural or commercial trcatmerlt system~;.
1 Iowever, e~ectivo treatment of the wastes i~ 6till a prio~ ity.
20 ~ccor<Lingly, in preferred ~Imh~ im~nt~ of the presel~ ventioll the tre~tment sy~tem capable of treatirlE~ dome~tic wa6te3 include6 al~ the treatment processe~ and separate treatment tanks within ~ sill~lc unit.
~[owovor, in other embodiments o~ the pre~rt inv~ntion the tl~o~LIncllt sy3tem for treating dor~estic waste~ r~ay cor~ t oE small but clltiroly 2~o separ~te treRtment process, visually similar l:o the commorcial alld rulnl ~ystem8.
. . . ", . ! ' ' In preferred embodim~nts of th~ preser~t inverition tlle trc~tlllent ~ystcms ie ac}~ieved by sever~l proce~ o~curring in seps~rnte chaml~or~ l~nd in n defined order. Having the processes occul~ri~lg in ~eparate cllAmbc~
in a def~ned order er~ab~e~ more easy detection 3rld remedy uf fnult6 ar inetïciencics wit~lin thQ s~stom. In addition, ~ singlQ pr~co~ lg 5tngt~, or a separ~te chamber may be mnintair~ed, and ~30 fortll without th~
remaining procQsses having to caase, or tne chambQrs emptied.
Tn plelQrred eml~odimellte of the present invention the ~izos of thc ve~:elY
~ndlor chambers of the treatment eystem ar~ determined ly ~cvcrl~l 10 fa~tors, irlcludi~g the cxpect~d flow ratQ loadings into the systcll1 frol~
80urco, the particular needs of the individual co~su.mer operatill~ thc ~y~tem, and local g~vermnent regulations.
In preferrod embodiments of the prosent i~ventio~ the acc~ptable treatment parameters . tl~t~rmit\~d f~om a random samplc of tllc fin;ll 1~ product of the treatmellt system includQ - a suspended solids of l Ot~Vc 30 milligram per litre of produet (or less), and no more tharl 60 mill;~rl~m por litre of product; E;,~QIi bacteria population concentration of llo Inol e than 30 parts per 1~)0 milligrams o~ product, a bioloédcal oxygen del~laDd vAlue (over A O day monitoring period) ie. o~ BOI) 6 of 20 milligram pcl 20 litre (or les6~ of product and no greater than 40 milligram l~er litre of produot; and a chlorine concentration of less tharl 0.5 rllilligrAm pcr litl c of product and no mOrQ than 2 milligrarns per litre of product.
Howcvcr, in other embodiments of thc prQsent inv~ntion tlle BOI~ 5 ~nd tho suspendèd solid, E~_coli bacteria and chlorine in the Einal prod~lct msy, 25 be lowor tllan the maximum and~or r~inimum v~luos of tllo prcsclltly ~ceptable treatment p~rameterr.
3g In pr~fcrred embodiment6 of the prerent invention the troatmont ~y~to~ ~
iB preferably r aintained at a temperature of no leHs tllal~ 20-C.
T~int.Ai~1in~ th~ t~mperature Rt no leas~ than 20'C Qnsures Optillt~tll~
enYironrl~ental ~.O~ ;O~lS within the ~ystem for optimllr~l growtll Rnd 6 ~ctivity of micro.org~isms, and for efficient complQtion of chclllicnl atl~l biochemical processe~. Wllero the ter~pQrature i~ lower tllall 20 ~', microbial, chemical ~nd biorh~ni~l activity i8 reduced and proceHsill~
time of waste treatment iH increased; where the tomyerature is groater than 20^C, there may be an initial increase in microbial. chemical ~l~d 10 bioc~lemical activity foLlowQd by a rapid decline in th~t ~ctivity a8 l.~lC
ternporat~r~ continucs to ri~e, to a point wherc cffectivq IJ~.JC.,~ g o~ tlle w~Hte cea~;es.
11l preferred embodimcllt,s of tlle present inventioll the treat~ent syatem i8 nlointain/~d at the pr~ferred temperature of no le~q t~lan 20'C
15 (pArticularly in colder condition~), by incorporation of electrollically ccntrollQd henting apparatus u~sd in cor~ nction with l3ell80ly appflratUs.
rrl prefQrrcd arnh~rlin~nte of the present invention t~le ~lectrullically controlled heating apparatu3 includes thern~cstatically col~txolled ~0 heating probes. However, any suitable heatine system capable of boeing co~trolled by Hensory equipmellt may be adapted for usc with th~
treatment syHtem; for example - a heat exchange unit rnonitored ~ h~at Hen~itive p~olbe~ may AlSO be usQd.
In preferred embodimentq of the present invention re~ulatcd interlr ittent 26 ilow rates of eithQr or both wa~t~ ~ater and ~f~luent throug~l tho .qystc i~ monitored by olectronic 6ensory apparatu~ opexating in COnjunCti with l;iminlr apparat~s, pumping apparatus~ and ala~ pparatus.
ao . .
,~: i ' ' -7 ~ 3 ~
Accordingly, the ~en~ory apparatu~, timing appar~tus or nl~r~n apparatus Op~ratQ to control the treAtment aystem ill a numbe~ of w:~y~,.
Such control includes, but i~ nc~t limited to:
monitorin~ treatment 6tage~;
; senain~ the varioua rcg~llatory appAratu8 (pUI~pillg nlld tleating for ~xample) on and off;
mon;toring liquid levels;
monitoring pre3sures;
rnonitoring quality of treatment ~at each) of the stage~;
10 monito~s faults in the system, and re~ponds by activAting ~Ar 6ystems;
activate3 back-up byatem6;
se~ y/~ per prc!of ~nnnitnrir~
Intermittent transfer of a portion of the contenta of each vessel an~Uor 16 chamber to the ne~t ve~scl andlor charnber obviates problemg n~.~Q~jnt~
with shock lo~ding Qny pArt of the systom by an influx of a large q~lalltity of waate from a previous chamb6r. Such a shock lo~din~ ~ould op~ratc ~o pot~ntially r~duce the population of rnicro G,~ s per litrc of wn.stc.
Accordingly, int~rmittent trsnsfer of a portion of the wabte enable~ the 20 microbial and chemical activity to ther~fore be m~in~r~ acl at a conbtAnt level ~o ensurP efficiel~t and eff~ctive treatment of the wastes tllrou~,ril allproceg~ing ~tages of the heatment ~ystem.

2~ ~91~
In preferred G~bo~ nt~ of the preael~t in~cntion an electrol~ic ~scllAory system may be used, which has been sRec~fically de~igllcd to opel~nt~ nn~
monitor the tleatrne~t fiysterrl~
E~owever, in other embodiments of the present invention Rny ~lital~le 5 olectronic sensor~r appar~tus capable of operating in co~ljunction with timing, purnping and alarm app~ratus may be adapted for us~ witll t~c treatrnent syYtem~
In prcferrc(l embodiments of the present invention either ol bot~ wasLcw~ter al~d effluent from an external source enters the first or ~alallc~
lV vessel of the treat~nent sy~tern.
~Iowever, ir, some omhodim~tlt~ of the present invenLion the wnste watl~r may~ pass directly into a later vessel of t~e t~eatment sy.ster,l, dcl~endillg upon the types of waatos carried into the water. Fol ~2amplo, di.sh wnst~ g water, and so forth, from do~estic 60urces contain littlc, if ally, lo organic material or solid rnattcr. Ac~v~di~l~sly~ efficiency of treatment ~f this w~ste water iB increased by short ci~cuitin~ the l~aL~ rocc~s and introducing this form of wa6t~ water directly into the Apl~-opriate processing t~nk where eE~ective treatment of th~ waste ~nny occtlr.
For easa of referencQ, the first or bRlance vessel ~hRII now bc rcf~rrcd to 20 rAs the balancing tank, elthou~h it ehould be ~pprociated tll~t use of this tcrm i~ not intended to be slaQn as lirniting.
In profcrred embodiments of the present invontion wRste wRt~r Rnd emu~nt are stored in the balancing chambcr for a pcriod rcq~liro~l to enal~le solid r~aterial to settle out at the bottom of the chambcr, and to 20 onablo primary treatmcnt of the wastos to begiin.
~.
: .' ' ,: ,. : ' -- 2~;79 ~
In preferred embodimerlts of the present inv~rtion prim~rily trc;~tmcrt of the wllstes in the i~alarcing tnrk i8 achieved n~a~ .cc,lly Ill preferred embodiments of the present invention plimary anni3robic treatment in the balancin~ tank is ~ 1,td biologically by micro S or6~nisms preserlt in and carned into the sy3tem by eithcr or botll -h~
wasto water and ef~1uent, and/or by micro-organism0 inie~ted int~ t1~e sys ti?m In pre~errecl ~ni- h~lim~ntq of the pre~ellt inve-ltion the b~lancing tanl~ i~
~p~cif~cally inoculatcd with general fscultative anaero~c bnctolin ~
10 rangi~ of etrains of facultative anaerobic bacteria e~i~t, for i3xal1lplC ~QIi bacti~ria ThesH bacti3ria are able to survive in, and ~iacn~r~ orgallic ~at-3ri~1 occurrirg in 3ituations in which there i0 no free oxygen A gel~eral i~oi~ inn of sevi3ral or mori3 strains of facultative bacti~ri~
enAble6 tho~e which are able to survive the e~i3ting oonditions widliJI tlle Ie~ balancing tank to fio~ris11 and bei~n the breakdown of the waStes ~owi~ver, in other embodi~ents of the present invenLisn it l-~a~ bi3 pr~ferable to inoculate the balancing t~nl~ with specific facultativc anaerobos which ~re known to have the capacity to breakdown ~pi3cific wastes (sucll as to~ic chernicals, etc) to known by-prcducts. T~u~, tlle 20 deti3rmin~ti~n of the 3trAin of the bacteria be3e suited for USi3 ill ~pocific ~ituatiolls with specific wastes, ensures the efficiency of tlle trc~tmellt systi3m i~ maintailled In preferreil rmhol~irnrrlt~3 of the present invention the primaly ~llnorobic tre~t1nent in the balancini~ chamber contributes to the reductiorl i~r 21; susponded solid~ and BOD 5 of thi3 waste. r ti ~lly~ tl~o majcrity of tha solid matter from the wa~tes remains in the balancing cham'oer ~ld is : . ~ : ..: . .
: :

deconlposed o~er a period of time by the rnicro-orga~ ns Witllill t~lC
~lancing chambar. As d~ n of the 301id ~At~rial ih ~hc l~tt~J~t of the h~ nri~g cllarnber occ~lrs, th~ b~lk of the Aolid matorial is reduced. ~owever, bec~use of tllo influx o~ frc~h r~at~ri~ to tlle 5 b~llnnring tank, the Yolume of solid material at ~ny point il- tilllC, rorn:~in3 s--bs~lnti ~11y unchang~d.
In prorerr~d rrnhr~ nt~ of ~he yresent inver~tion ~ portioll of thc Lrca~cd fluid from the balancing tAnk is ~ b~ (i intt,lluiLL~l~Lly to tllo fir~t chamber of the treatment vessel cf the treQtment sy~tem.
I0 For e~se of reference th~ second or treatment vessel o~ the tr~ntlllont~ystem shall now be rcferred to as the treatment tank, altllo~lg~ s~lould bo appreoiat~d that ~19C of this term i~ not intendsd to be sesn a.~ limiti~
In pref'orred ~mboAiment~ of tho pre6ent invention i~ LL~I~t tl~allsf~rof the liquid from the balancing tank to tho treatment tank is acl~ieved via 1~ first conveyillg apparatug operatin~ in cor,~iu~lctioll Wit~
a---Lus, s~n~or~ app~ratus and pumping apparatus.
In prererred embodiments of tlle present in~ention wher~ thc b~ cing tanl~ i~ locat~d ~t ~ height ~bovQ the treatment tank, tho pumping appatatus rnay merely be Q gravity fed system However, in othor 2D ernho~lin~n~ of tho plesent invention the pumping apps.ratus s~ Qd Wit~l the balancing tank (and any other tanks within th~ troat~nollt ~ystem), incl~de9 any apparatus which is cap~ble of romoving tlle lluid f`ror~ one tank ~nd pumpirl~ the fluid to the ne~t tank ~f thQ tr~ntmol~t tallk.
26 In pl~eferred embodiment~ of th~ presont invention the fLrst collvoying ~pparatu~ i~ ronn~t~ at one cnd to the upper portio~l of thc ba~allci 7{~,7~135 tnnk, al~d nt the other end to the upper portion of the first ~halllbcr of tl~.3 trestment tsnk.
Ilowever, in other embodimer t~ of thc pre~ent invsrttio~l thc fir~t convcying apparatus may be rnn~ te(l to th~ bal~llcing t~l~k and thQ
o treatment tank at arly other suitable location capAblc of Q~l~uril~g ~t;cfart~ny transfer of a portiorl of the cl~ntents of tlle b~ lcillg t tnk LO
the rlrst chamber of the treatlll~llt tank.
I~aving tlle first convQying apparatus comlectQd to the upper uortioll of both the balancing tank snd the firat chambcr of thc trcatme~lt te!nk 10 avoids solid msterial being ~rried thr~ugh the first conveying ~tpp~rat~ls and into the tr~atment tank. Accordingly, the portioll of the contolltsm~f the balancing t~tllk, which is tran3ferred, will be comprised ~ t:3~ 11y of n fluid, which may incorporat~ some ~ led 601ids.
In pref~rled embodiments of the p~esent illventil~n the fluid frolll th~
16 balancing tank is transferred to the fir~t char~ber of the trcatmcnt t~tl~k for secondary sl1aerobic treatment.
For ease of rGference, the first chamber of the trQatment tank sh~ 11 no~v bc roferred to 8~ the anaerobic cl~amber, althougll it should bc nppreciAted that usG of this terr~ is not to be ~een as limiting.
2) In preferred eml~otl;mPntQ of the preserlt inventio~ condary a--ae~obic tr~E~tment in the a~lacrobic chamber is again ~r~m~r~ ed by micro-;JIIIS carried into the system initially by cither thc waste ~vatcr l)reffluent, and/or by micro-organismY i~uected into tlle syst~rn. A;~ailt, gencral .~aaultative anaerobic rnicro-organisms ar~ u~ed to of~ct t~tc 25 ~econdar~ anaerobic i.~ of the wsstes.

. : . , ., ..: .
. . .'' :. :

Secalldary anaerobic treatr~ent of the wa~te in the an~erobic cl~a~llb~t~
ellables Further reduction of tlle ~u~y6lld~l eolids ~nd BOD 6 uf tl~ wn~t~!
prior to a portion of the wastes being intermittently L~ l to th(~
second chamber of tlle treatmer~t tanl~.
For e~se of reference, third ~econd chamber of the trQatment tAnk ~
now be referred to as the anoxic chambel, althougll it ~ho~lld b~:
approciAtQd that ~l~e of this term i~ not intended to be limiti~
In l)rcfcrred embodiments of tl~e present invention ~ portion of tll.:
contents oF the aeration cham'oer of the treatment tank is il~tern~itt~ntl~
10 tr~nsforred, ViA second conveying appnratus, operating ill conj~llctioll with hen~ory apparatus, timing apparatua ~I~d pumpi~ yp~r~tus, tO
the al~oxic chamber of tlle treatrnent tank.
In pl~eferrQd embodimenta of the present inve~ltion the seco~ld col~voying apparatus i9 located within the upper regiol~ of thc illtcrnal pArtition of 15 the treatmQnt tank ~vhich divides the a~ration chamber fron~ tl~e alloxic chambcr. Removsl of tl~e fluid from the top of the aQratiol~ challlber ensures that ~olid mat~ri~l which h~a ~ottled out ill tlle aerAtion ~hamber, is not transferred througb to the anoxic char~ber, but is lcit within the Geretion chamber to Further degrade.
20 However, in other embodiments of t~le present illvelltion tlle second conveying apparatus may be at~ached to any other ~uitable locatio~l in tl~c partition between the anaerobic chamber and the ano~cic chambel .
In prQferred embodimenta oF the present illventiun waates ar~
transferred from thQ ~naerobic chamber ef the treatment tank to the 2~ anoxic chamber oF the treatment ta~k for anoxic treatmel~t. E~selltially, aaoxic treatment i~ affected by both anaerobic trQatment of t~la w~:3te ,.. .

3~5 which i~ L~u~uL~:v intermittently ~vy ir~ection of aeratet fluid ~o lowcr ~mmonium, nitrat~, nitrite ~nd pho~phate lev~ls within the fluid contained in the arloxic chamber.
Th~ rcduction of ammoniur~, and nitrates to ~litrites, nitrous oxid~ or.S nitro~en is cat21~sed bg facult~tive ~erobic b~ct~ris ~nder c~scntinlly anaerobic rAn~litiAn~ Phosphçlte levels are al~o lowered by tll~ ~ctioll of similPr micro-organiams.
Redu~tion in t~e levels of ammonium, nitrate, ~litrite and pllo#phatc il~
thc w~ste fluid jG ~n i~ v~Lal-t consideration where the treated product 10 from the treatmsnt ~ystem is vischarged into the enviromnent.
Il~ Addition, micro-organism~ carried into the anoxic ch~unbor witll tLI~
fluid from the balallcing tank and the anAerobic cl~Amber of tl~c trcatment t~nk ~re reducQ~ by the intermittent irS~ection of acratcd fluid irlto the anoxic ch~mber.
I~i rntroduction of the aerated fluid into the anoxic chamber al~o rcsults in intermitteDt aeit~tion vf the fluid in th~ ~noxic cl~amber, thereby m~ inin~ the micro-organiams in suspension to cnable morc Ci~lCiC~lt rcdllction o~ the .~ v~loV~ aDd ph~ hv~u~ constituents rAAtnil~r.d i the iluid, 20 How~ver, in othc~r ~rnhn~im~nt~ of the pre~nt invention reductioll of nitrogenous and phoaphorouR ~iv ' '~ ' withill t~e fluid of th~l Anoxlc cl~amber mny be achieved ViA chemical or biochemicnl rDealla.
In preferrcd PmhA~linn~nt~ of the prea~nt invc~ltion a portiol~ of th~ fluid from the anaerobic chamber o~ the treatment tank is illtcrmittcntly 25 I.cm~rlo~le~l via third conveyin~ UeU~ operatinlz in corJunction with 2~7 ,:

7~ 3 35 timillg apparat~l~, 6ensory ~ u~ ar~d pumping apparatu~i, lo tho third chamber of th~ keat2nent tank.
For ea~e of reference, the third chamber of the ~ t~_.lL tank s~lall IIOW
be referred to as the aerobic chamber, althou~h it should bc appreciatcd 5 that use of this term i3 not intended to be seen a8 limitinEF
In preferred Pmh~;me~t6 of the presel~t invention a pol tion of tllc fluid from thû anaerobic cha~ber is intelmittently tran~fcrred via thild corlveying apparat-ls into the a~robic chamber of the treRtmont t~ k, For Aerobic treatment.
1~ In prof~rred embodiment3 of the pre~ellt invention aerobic treatlllcllt ill the aerobic chamber of tlls treatment tank is nr~nrnrli~h~d l)in~ y by acrobic micro-Organi6nt6 which haYo been iniected into thc tl~nt-nc~-t syl3tcm. Aerobic n~icro-organiqms u6e the orePIniC material witl~ill thc fl~id as a ~ource of food for their r~ udu~tior~ ~nd growth. Accordi~gly, 11~ the action of the micro-organisms reduces the volume of org~Jlic ~aterial in the waste.
In prcferred embodiments of the pre~ent invention the cor~tent6 o~ the aerobic chumber ~re ~erated by a source of oxyger~ ~Iniformly ~upplicd ~o the contents of th~ aerobic chamber. Oxygen is needed for cffective 20 growtl~ ûf the micrû-~ .ni~ s7 and for the oxidation of orgar~ic m~tcri;~l withill the wa~tH.
Air i~ commonly used 8g a source of o~y~en. EIowev~r, air col~tnini~ ollly 179~ o~yge~. In addition of this 17~o, only approximately 3.~ o thc oxy~on in ~ir may be transfcrred into thc fluid within tl~e acrobic 20 chamber. Au~u~1iLl~sly, e~ccess oxygen may be injccted intc t~le .~ tion chamber to increase the aeration treatm~nt a~ the fluid Wit~ tl~t ..
.,' :' ' ' 2 ~ 7q~35 chamber.
ïn prefe,rr~ll o~nbodiments of the preQent in~ention tlle cont,e~lt~ ~f tllo aeration chambQr ~r~ aerate~ by ucc of aerating apparatu~ cludin~
conduit~ located in the aoration chamber.
5 ~'or ca_o of re~erence, the ~terating apparatus shall l~ow be refell-ed to a~;dif~u~er~Q,, althouglt it should be appreciated that use of this tcrm i~3 not intended ~o be limitin~.
In pre~erred cmbodimellts of the prescnt invention thc diff~lsers ~le made of el.l_tomeric material incorporating perforations which 3emnir ~0 closod until a ~Ic3_u~;o~td gal jQ applied to thr: internsl c~tvity of thc l~o~e theleby f'orcirtg the perforation6 tO open. When the ~s~uli~;od ~It!S is ns longer app~ied to the }loYe, the perforatioll6 close~thoreby prevelltil~g water, sodiment, or micro-v~ s from entering th~ hase.
How~ver, in oth~r P~bc~ m~nt~ of tlle present invention any euitablo ~; diffuflirlg apparatu6 may be used to introduce oxygQn into tllo aeratio chamber.
In preferred ~Qrnl~cAim^~ltQ of th~ pres4nt invention the dif~u:3crs a~e locnted at thc bottom of the Qerobic chamber arld in betwocn bAfflil1g apparatus of the aerobic chamber. Having the diffuser3 at tho bottorn of ~0 t~le aerooic cll~mber And between tho baf~ t~ apparatu~t onOnres t~ t oxygen i~ ~ently bubbled tltrough the entirc aerobic cha~lbor, ~lOt ollly ~upplyin~ oxygen to promote the growth of the micro-oreallis~ll, but ~ o as a forrll of' golltle miYirtg wllich allow~ both the n~icro.organi6ms nlld organic material in the fluid to interact to enable greater oxidatioll of th~
2~ or~nic material to ocCIlr.
. .
: . . :~.

-~3 ~ 3 ~; ~
~I~wever, in ~thcr embodiments of the present il~ve~l,icn the dimlscr:i raay be ot}l~rwiJe suitably arran~ed, ~ucll a~3 being vertic~ll c)rien~.ed throt~ghout the ~erobic chamber, as opposed to th~ hol izon~
arr~llg~mc~lt of the tiffusers or~ t~le bottom o~ the ~er~bic cllambcr.
5 Aera~ion 3nay al~o be c~u~ed by high pre~ure liquid illjCCtiOI~.
~or ~3nse of refel~ence, the multiple baf.'lillg appPratus of tlle ~erobic chAl~lb6r ShAII no-v be referred to as media baffle pancls, ~Ithougll it should be appreciated that u~e of this tel ra i9 not illtended to bc li~itillg.
In pref~rred embodiment~ of the present invention the Illedia baf~l~3 0 palteld proVidQ Q source of bacterial growth m~3dia for baGterin witl~ the nerobic ch6mber. Accordinaly. growt}l of raicro-ol{~ani~lll p~ tiO
ar3 agsi~ted by the introduction of growth media ~3nd app IrAtU6 oll whicl~
the micro-orgarism populations become attached.
In preferred elnbodiments o~ the pre~Qnt invention the Illedia b~3f~1e lo pAn~s oxt~nd alternatively from eac~l internal aidc wall of the n~3ratio~1 chsmber. This arrange~nent of the media baffle panel6 opelatcs to incre:~se the retention time of fluid within thQ aQration cllamber to onsure m~riml~m treatnent of the fluid.
Thia ;B aohieved by requiring fluid which elltorb th~ ~crobic ch~m~3r 20 from the previoas chamber, having to flow around tlle medin b~filc pmlels before bcing able to be ~ Lsr~lL~I to the n~xt trcatmcllt tn~llc.
Ac~ gly, the media bafflQ parlels he~p to reduce short-circuitillg of thc wastc flui~l through the aer~bic chamber, thereby cll~uring cffici~ t treatment of the wastt3.
25 In preferred ~mbodimQnt~ of thQ prQ~ent inY~3~1tion tlle medi~ baF'le .
-,i ~ panel~ are arrAnged s~hEtnnt;~ly .~ ~ ln~ to the interl1~1 V~all9 0 the aerobic ch~mber. Thie ~rrargemerlt enable~ a numbor of mcdia baffle panel~ t~ be illcoll.oLatel into the Aer~bic chamb~r as is necesaary fnr roducing the ilow of the ~vaste nnid through the aerobic cl~an~bcr.
I; E~OWQYOr, in oth~r ernbol~ c.~(~ of the prcsent i~1vet~tion the mcdia bam~panol~ may be s-lh~n~ y arl~led with re~pect to t~le illternal sidQ walls of the a~robic chamber7 or be ~uitable confiEFurcd to ensure maxilt~t~n retention of tho fluid within the aerobic chamber nlld m1xil-tulr opportunity for the fluid to flo~v around the media bafflo pallcl6 tllcreb~
10 onsuring tl-e fl~tid i9 maximally a:~posed ~o trQatment by tllc ~nicro-org~nisms.
However, in othcr embodtments of the prescnt inventioll the aeral;e~ fluid directQd into the anoxic charnber may be obtsinQd from an cxtel~lla}
nerated water ~ourcQ; or the anoxic treatlnent of fluid wit~lin thc allox;c 1~ chRinber may be achieved through the 6ide action of aerobic bacteria acting ltnder aerobic ~o~ iti~mq This latter proce6s i8 utilised in ~ C
sillgle llt<~ ...L tank of the dor~estic treatment 6y6tcm.
In preferred ~hoA~m~mt~ of the present invention a portion of tllc Eluid cf the previott~ chalr~bel is in~J~ e.ll,ly transferred via fi~th COllVQyiDg 20 ~pparatu6 operating in conjunction with serlsory apparatus and pumping apparatll~, to the third ve63el of the trQntmcnt ~ystcll-, fer clarificatioll treatrnent.
For ea6Q o~ reference, the tbird ves~el sh~ll now be referred to as tllc clarificati~ll tank, although it should bc appreciated thst u6e of t~ tcr 25 is not int~nded to be soen a8 limiting.
In preferrcd l~mhodi~~ t~ of the present invention the fifth collveying . ~ , , : .

-~ . 2 ~
-d ", ~ appnr~tus i8 attach~d to the upper portion of the aerobic cll~mbcl alld to th~ upper portion of the cl~rifica~ion tank. Again, havinl3 th~ COnveyil~
appnratus located ill the upper regiOlI of the previous chamber nnd thQ
cleLrification tank, en~ure~ that sny au~pended rnaterial wllich 1l;18 5 dropped out of the flu;d during the previou~ treatm~nt pro~c~, is l etcined il~ the previous chamber and not transfcrred throu~ll t~le convcying app~ra~us to the clarification tanl~.
Howev~r, in otl~er ~rnho~ nt~ of t~le present illv~ntion tllc fiflh conv~ying apparatus may bo attach~t to other locations Wit~ the 10 previou~ chamber and clarification tanls, as required.
In preferred Gmho~ t~ of the present invention the clari~lcatioll t~nk incorporates b~ffling apparatus.
r ea~e of reference the baffling apparatu~ shall now be refcrr~l~ to ns baffles, altllough it should be ~ppreciated thAt uso of thi6 torn1 i5 l~ot 16 intel-dQd to be lirniting.
In pr~ferred embodiments of the pregent inv~ntion the baffles il~ thc clarification t~nk contribute to reducin~ convection curr~ntfi througll thc fluid of the clarification tank, as well as to i~l~,LC~ the retelltion tin~c of tlle fluid within the clarification tank, which thereby cn~bles tlle 20 majority of suspended so1ids to s~ttle onto the bottom of the clnril;cation tank, and also COILI~ibU~ further to the reduction of the BOD ~.
In preferred ~mbodimerlts of the present inv~ntion tlle ba~les cxtclld alternatsly from each internal Yide w~ll of the clarific~tion tank, SQ~I
that the baffles are ~lh^~ t:-lly perFshrli~ to the internal sid~ wall ~
2,5 the clarification tank.
æ
, . .. l .. :
.

33~
-- Accordingly, i:luid entering the clarificatiorl tank i3 requirod to flow around the b3~10~, thereby illCrea~ing thc retentiol~ till~e of ~c fluid within the clarificet;on tank.
Howevor, in other Prnho~lim~ntl~ of thQ pre*ent invclltion th~ baf~les m~ly o b~ otherwisc configured, 3uch a8 being ~ ho~nr;~lly n~ ed witll reBp~c~
to the ~ide WAII~ of th~ clarification tank.
In preferred cmbodiment3 of the present irlvention suspendc~l ~e~iimentwhich has 3ettlcd on the bottor~ of the clArification tAnk i6 tr~ ferlcd baclc to the anaerobic chamber of the treetment tank fol fur~h~r 10 treatment In prcf~rred omb~ ments of the pre~erlt inventio~ termi~tellt re~l~rn c~
~usp~nd~d sedim~nt from the clarificatiorl tank to th~ snaerobic clIlmbcr of the treatmcnt tank i8 effected by a sixth conveying ~pp~ratus ol~rati~g irl conjunction with sellsory apparatu~ ~nd pumpi~g app~ratu~.
15 In pref~rrQd ~mbodiments of th2 pre~ent invertion the 3ixtll conveyil~g app~r~tu3 i~ connected to the upper portion of tlle clal;r~ tn~k And th~ upper portion of the ~nRerobic tank re~pectivelg. AccordinglY, ~edimenL tr~nsferred via thQ ~ cth collveying ~ us iB depo6itod il~
tho top of the anaerobic chamber of the treatrnent t~nk, thereby ol~suring 30 that the s~l~p~ncl~rl sedim2nt mixes with th~ content3 of th~ Anncrobic chamber.
Tran~fer of the su6p~nded sediment from the clarification chamb~- to tllc anacrobic chamber of the treatrne~t tsLnk enables the tleAtn~cnt 6ystcl~l to cp~rate continually without ths iull~d~l~,lioll of any l~ew organic l~lateri~l 25 to tho ~naQrobic chamber, from an external sourc~, for long ~criod6 of tir~e.
,, , :.: ' .

~ ~ ~ 7 ~ 3~
~Iowever, in other ~mh~lir~qn~ of the present inventiol~ t~lC :3iX~II
conv~yin~ app~r~tu~ may be ~tt~ched to t~lo clarification t~nk n~ the - anaerobic charnber of the treatmerLt tank at other location6, As roquircd.
In prefcrred embodimcnts of the pressnt invention the pllmping ~p~ L1A capablc of removing e~1~p~n.l~t ssdimont from thc bott(>m of the clarificntion tank is a venturi Ug~ of a velLturi enable~ rnultiple piok up point~ of the scdimerlt frolll tllc bottom of, or at specific locations withil1, the clarification ea~1k. ~owevcr, ill other cmbodimentq of the present invention the pumping apt~aratl1s 10 may be any suitAble pump capable of being adapted for uso witl~ tlle treAtmsnt ey~tem.
In preferred Pn7ho~ D1lt~ of the prosQnt inv~ntion a portiori of thc contents of tho clArificstion chRn~1~er is intermittently transfcrrod via ~
s~venth conveying appRratus operating in conj~lnc~ion ~vith ~onsory 16 App~rRtUs and pumping appAr~tU3, to th0 ~ourtl~ ve~cl of the treQtlll~llt system, for purification treatment.
For o~se of refersncs, the fourth ves~el shall now be referred Lo R~1 the purification tRnl~, Although it should b~ apprsciAted that use of tllis tcrm is not intendod to be seen as limiting.
ZO In pr~ferred ernbodiment~ of the p~esent invention the seventh conveyin~
apparatu~ i~ cnnn~rter~ to tho upper portion cf th~ clarifi~ation tank ~nA
the ~Ipper portion of the purificRtion tank. Agnin, attachr~ent of the convcying ~pp~ratus to the upper portion of the clalification t~llk and pulifi~~h,~l tank on~bles trqnsf~r of fluid from ono tnnk to tllo IlCXt, 2~ wit~Lout suspented sediment. or solid materi~l being transferr~d into thc purification tank.
.

2 3 ~g ~ .~5 Howcver, the sev~rlth conveying ~pparatus Irlay be ~ttachcd tl) oth~r loc~tions on the clarific~tion tAnk nnd/or the ptlrific~tion t-~nk, ns required.
Ill preferred Annb~lim~n~ of the present i~veIltion purificAtio~ tr~atmel~t 5 of thc waste, within the purification tallk ig achie~red by a puri~ g agcl~t which is dispensed into the purification tank.
In preferred embodiments of tl~e presellt invention the p~lrifying ~Kcnt i8 chlorinc. Chlorine is a well-known disinfectant which i9 ~blc to ~ssel~tially eliminate many micro-organis~ns carried into tllo 10 purification tsnk with the waste fluid. The pllrlfi~stio~ tr~a~me-li ifi Ilccessal~y to climinate potentially h~rmful. diseases c~rryillg micro-organi3ms from the final treated product.
However, in other ~n~ho~limPnt~ of the presellt in~ention thc p~rif~ingngent may be ozone bromine, or any other suitable purifyin~ ag~l~t, 1~ including irradiation, such as via ultrR violet irradiatiol~ for ~xAml~lc.
In preferred ~n~hcrlimcnh of the present invention tlle purifying agcnt is ,liapQn~e.l into the purification tank via the operntion of diaponsing appar~tus. The dispen~ing Apparatus i~ capable of dispensing polletcd rorm~ of chlorine into the pul;rl~l;ul. tank. Dispensing of poll~tod for~
20 of ohlorine provides ~ bettor purification treatmellt re~ult. Cl)lorinc typically needs a sub3tQntial retention time to be efficient. Pclletcd chlorine takes longer to dissolve and be incorpo~ated tl~roughout tt-e fl~lid etained in the purificatiûn tank, therefore enabling more efficiel~t treatment of the fluid.
21i H~w~v~r, in other ~mbodi~nents of thQ prQS~nt inventio~l tho ~ pl~n~in~
apparatus may dispcnso liquid chlorinc, or other purifying agents ~Ei .. , . . -. : ' :."
., 2 ~
rcq~lired In prcferred embodiments of the pres~rt invention the chlorillc i~ mixcd irlto the fluid co~taine<l in the p~r;fi~ n tAnk via a mixing devic~ y suitable mixing devicc may be adapted for use with t~s treatment ~yst~m.
5 In preforred ~mbodiments of the prcgent invention the col~tents of tlle puri~ication tallk are intermittently l~u-~,r~..d1 via an eiglltll COllvCyi~g apparatus operatin~ in conjunctioi~ with sensory app~l Atus and pumping apparatus, to the ~lfth v~rsel of thQ treAtmcnt systcn~, for storage prior to di~char~e. However, in other embodimcnts of tl~e pro~nt 10 i~vention the conterlts of the p-lrific~t;~ n tauk may bo directly trans~rrcd to a point of disGhar~e.
Fcr eas~ of r~rer~nc*, the fift~l vess~l of the trcatrnent systcm 81 all IIOW bcl~eferred to as a wct weather tank, althou~h use of tllis terlll i.~ t intended to b~ ~een as limiting.
15 In prefcrre~ embodiments of the present inv~ntion the colltQnt~ of oithcr the wot wenther tanl~ or of t~e pllri~lcAtion tank are int~rmittently discharged~ via ninth conveying appar~t~ls operating in conj-~nctioll with ~ensory appnratu~ and pumping npparatus, to n pOil~t of disc~lar~e.
Accordinl~ly, the contents of the tanks may be pump~d o~lt onto pnddocks 2:) for irri6ation purposQ~, mny be reused ns flushing water for toi~cts nlld urinals, r~ay be 1Ised as a coolant in heat-excllang~ systelrls, o~ Inny be trnnsport~d from tlle sit~ a~ required in e~[tremoly wct w~ntller conditions, and 30 forth.
In prefcrrcd Qrclbodiments ot` th.e pre3cnt in~e~tion discharg~ oF tllc 25 contents from the tanks to a point o~ discl~arge activa~cs sel~so~y app~r~tus in conjunction with timill~ apparAtus And pun~l~in~

~ppar3tus, wbich in turn activ~t~s the first pumping nppnrat~ls Iccnted ~,vithi~ the bAlAnCin~ ohnmber, thereby mnintnin;ne contin~lnl flow of waste thruugh the treatment ~yDtom.
In pref~rr~d ~mbodimer~tD~ of the preD~ent invention the tanks of the treat.Tnent ~y~tem are mado of ~Ibreglass with illcorporated ~netal rnds ~o provide Qdcled strength.
~ibreglQss is durable, eapable of being mould~d to tho required sllape, is oarDily repaired~ A~d is light. However, in other embodimerlt~ of t,~l~
prosent invention the tankD of tlle treatme~t sy~te~n mRy be mnde of otllor 10 suitable nnrtarirl~, which are ~1180 durable anà cQpable of l~olc~ing quantities of WAste watel andlor eff~uent, sueh as th~ uplaD~ic n~atc!rial, ~etal, and rDo forth.
It sho~lld be appreciated tl~e presont il~ven~ion allow~ Q nutnber of eomhit~tion~ of different typesD of tanks aDd treatments. Pos!Dible eonarioD~ of thes6 combinations are given below.
~anslrin 1 balancing tQnk anaerobic chA~ber clarification aeration ctarification 20 anoxic clarificAtion irrigQtion.
~n ~rtCI 2 balance tank aerQtiOn ~ .

- 2 ~ 3 5 Rnoxic cl~rification irrigntion r~`~nnriO 3 -t two balance tanl~s annerobic anoxic aeration 6 anoxic clarification irrigation It m.~y also be provided a nu7nber of alarm~ and control m~r~7nni~7n.
~ssociated wit'~ the present invention. Some of t~le rul~ctiol~s of U~
AlarJns may be a~ follows:
10 ~hey monitor apparatu3 I'iley switchJcontrol the apRaratus Monitor liquid levels Monitor pressures Monitor treatment 3tages and quaiity RQcords information about the system Controls apparatlls back-~lp ~etermilles specific operations and fault conditiorls Provides power saving operations Siglla~s fa~llt conditions via lights, 3iren3, radio wav~s ol~ otl~er med~

. " . ... .

. ~a~35 Reduces tampering Allow~ for PLC operAtion ~RII~ ~rPTION ()F n~WING~
Furtller aspcc:la of tho pres~nt inverltion will become appF.rellt fiom the 6 ensu;ng description which iv eiven by way of exampl¢ only and wit~
roferenee to tlle accompanyi~g drawings in whicll:
Eig.~.l is ~ diagramrnatic perspective view of the treatm~nt systemin accordanee with ona PmhnrlimPnt. of the present inYclliion, ~nd 10 Fi~ure 2 ;s a di~ ",~;c p~ G view showing ~ sectio~l of tl~e illterior of the first ves~el ~ ttle troatment systG~
aecordance with one ~ o~ nt, of tlle pre~ent inV~I~tion, and ~~iFUre 3 iB a dingrammatic p~ QCtiV~s view of the second vessel o~ tlle 1~ treatment ~ystem in aecordance with one embodiment of the present in-~ention, and Fi~ure 4 is A diagramm~tie top plan vi~w of the arrangen ent of tlle baffling apparatll~ within thQ third ehnmber of ttle ~ocont vessel of the treatment SystQm in accord~nce with one embodiment of the pre~ent invention, and FigurG ~ is ~ dingrammatic perspective viev~ o~ diffu~ing Ap~)Aratus and conduits of the third chamber oE the secolld vessc~ of tho treatment sy~tem in aecordanee with one flm~lo~inl~ of t}le preserlt invention, and 3g ; .

~ 2~ i~9~
=1 Fieure 6 is a diagr~n~n~atic ~.~. r c~ n~l P<.A~ ."V~: view o~ i~lC
~i third and fourth veO~I of thc tre~tment ~y~to~n in accordance with one n hor7imDnt of the pre~cnt inventiol~, ~nd i Fi~ur~ 7 i~ a diagrammatic p_~o~_C~ view of pun~ping apparat~ls o~
the third ve~6el of the treAtment systQ!n in accordnnco witl~
one embodiment of tlle pre~ent inv~ntion, and Eie~Q ~ is a dia~rammatic perspectivc ViQW of thQ sLn~lo treL~tmollt system in accordance with another embodilllcllt of the pre~ent invention, and Fig~ is a diagrammatic perO~ ;v~ view of the ~ingle tre~trccllt systert~ ill accordance wit~l another embodimellt of thc pre~ient invention, and ~iUll*~ is a diagrammatic perspective YieW of the mo~lulQr lEi Arran~eraent of the treatment systern ill L~ccordanc~ with another embodimerlt of the pre~ent inventioll, and Fi~ure 11 illustrates a high pressure liquit injectio~ devico in accordancc with Qnother embodimont of the prcs~l~t invention.
20 ~E~Ir rlO~--~ EiO~ f~APl~TN~ OUT I~ NV~.NTT~-N
With reference to the figurQs, there i~ ;llustratcd a tr¢atracllt ~ystc~
~netnlly inticated by arrow 1, capable of treating either or both wa~to wAter And efi^luent, including multiple separate tr~Atlllcnt vcOsc~
gencrally illdicated by arrows 2 to ff inclusive and whereill a partio~A of thc 2~ contents of eac~ vesseL 2 to 6 is capable of b¢ing transfcrrcd to nt IcL~st onc :,: :,, .
.... :

2 ~ 5 other Yossel via conveying apparatus 7 to 14 inclusive fl~ conjurActioll wi~h sen~ory ap~r~tu~, timing app~lRtu~ and punAping ZlppAAatU~.
13ither ur both the wn~te water and efYluent ir any one trc~tment vc~el 2 to 6 inclu~ive i~ treatod by at least OI~C, or a con~Abination, of physical, 5 biolo~ical ~nd chemical pIocesses.
l~igure 1 is a p~A a!~e~l,;v~ view of one ...I.o~ FA,t of thc prQsent involltioll.
Wa~te wAter and effl~lcnt frorn a domestic, rural, or commercial so~lrco, i9 carriod to the ~Irst vesscl 2 for stora~e and primsry AnAolo~ic trcatment by facultative ~naerobes and other rnicrobial orgfini~ms. Tlli~
10 treatmert reduc~s the s~perded solida ~nd the BOD r3 (biological OXygc demand mea~ured over a ~ day period) before being tran~f~lrc~i to tl~
fir~t chamber 16 of the second ve.~_13 l~y the firAlt collveying appnrntlls 7, in co~ nction Witll the Operation of sensory apparatus locsted in t.l~c fir~it chambf~r 16 of the Recond vcs8~1 3, and in the fourth ves~el 6, nlld lo pumping ~ppdl~UB l!a located i~ the firstvessel 2.
By ir~nsferring th~ liquid i~ iL~e~tly 13etween the balallcing t~Ank 2 Alld the anaerobic chamber 16 of the trcatmcnt tank ~ the sl~ock lond;llg effect on the ile~ A _A~t. system 1 as a whole is s..h. ~ .rA1~y led~lcQd.
Accordingly, the height of the liquid i~ the balancirlg tank 2 nnd 20 a~laerobic chamber 1~; of the treatmerAt tank 3 can vnry betweell f~ ll n onê third of their re~pQctive .-~r ~iti^r Tran~fer of the fluid from thY balancing tank 2 to th~ enaerhbic ~lAlnl-er 16 of tlle tre~trlent tark 3 enables further Lulaerobic treatmcllt of tllc fluidby facultativc anaerobes and other micro-org~nisms. In addition, the retention time o~ the fluid within the annerobic chAml~er 1~; AIIOW~ ~or great~r rl3duction in 5~ A~I ~I solid~ and the BOD 6 of t~le fl~lid.
~1 , :,.: ..
,.' .: ., :, - 2 ~ 7 ~ 1 3 5 ~
.
Although tho anaerobic cll~mbor 16 may be in~ ed witll fac~lltal~vc onr .- bacteria, other microbial orgs~ ns will be cnrriod illtO tllo Lr. ' ~, sy~te~n 1 by the ~vsste wnter al~d effluent sources 'rhorefor~, the microbisl ~u~ ,~ of the b ~? ' ' syste~n 1 may vAry bctweell at~d 5 within treatment tanks and proc~sse,.
Tho partially treated fluid from the aQrobia char~ber 18 of tlle tr~Atmcnt tank 3 i~ then transferrcd by second conveying appnratu~ 9 in co~uunction wi~h sensory apparatu6, timing ~ppRr~tus, ~nd p~ pin~
u~ into the anoxit chs~nber 1~ of the tro~t2nont ts ck 3 Tho Anoxic 10 chambver 17 i~ separatcd frorn the aerobic chamber ~8 by a p~rtition 24 A~.
shown in Fi~ure S
The anoxic chamber 17 is designed to reducc the pop~lotion of m~ly of tho anaerobic micro-~rg~ln~ produced witllin both the bnlancil)g tnnk 16 and thc aerobic chamber 18 of tbQ treatluent tank 3 In nddition, the 15 ~no~ic chamber 17 of the tre~t~cnt tnnk 3 is de~i~net to rcduce the levclo o~a}nmonia, Ditrites, nitrates"~nd rh~ rhllt"l.
Th~ redvctivn of the levels of v o~ is~ns ~particularlv Facultntiva ~naorobic bacte~a) a~d ~ lV15. CO'''I~V~ a~ld p~ trt~ is achieved by the i,.~,ul..,~;oa of parti~lly treated aerated liquid into th~
20 ano~ic chnmbor 17 The partia]ly trQated a~rated li~uid ia fed into tha ano~ic chamb~r 17 via tho fo~rth conv~ying I~IJ~ at~ 9 from the aeration ch~mber 18 in conjunction with timing app~rnt~2, ~ansory appar~tu~ and pl~mpin~
~ppar~tu e 2li Tho addition vf th~ parti~lly treated eer~ted liquid into lhe ~noxic ohamb~r 17 al~o roJult~ in ~ ~gitation vf the ~ontent:~ of th~

~7~135 Qno~ic charnber 17, which in tu~ ~aintain6 thc micro-orgnnie~
~-~6pcn~ion ~enturii located in thi~ c~lamher AIYO help~ to ~git;lt~ the liquid contin~tously.
Flnid from the anaerobic chamber I~ of th~ treatment tank 3 is thc~
trAnsferred via third conveying apparatu~ 8, in corAjunctioll vith ~cll30ry apparatu~, timing Apparntus and pumping apparatus, into tl-~ ~erobic chamber 18 of the treat~n~nt tank 3 AQrobic micro-or~anisms Wit}lill the aerobic cllamb~r 18 usc the Fcwa~cnnd orgarlic materiAl in the fluid, A6 a food sourca for reprod~lc~ d 10 grow th The aer~ted environmcnt of the nerobic chamber 18 i~ m~ tnilled by tllcint~odllction o~ oxygen through diffusers 2~ conjunction witll COlldUi~l 2:3 The diffuser~ 22 ale Iccated on the oottom of the ~erobic chalrlber 1 and are placcd between eAch of the mQClia baffle panels 24 oll W}liC~
I6 n~robic micro-or~anism~ sre capable Or growing Placing the diffu6ars betwQen each media baffle pallel 24 ellable3 tlleo~ygen to b~ distributed tl~ uuL thQ aerobic chAmber I~ withollt micro-ûrganism~ growing on the panel6 24 beir~g dislodgcd by thc flow of o~ygon diffusing throu~h the aerobic chamber 18 ao The mediA bafflQ pan~ls 24 are ~pecifically arranged to incrcn~e tl~e retention time of the fluid within the aerobic chamb~r I~
Fig~re 1 i6 a plan diagram of the arrangement of the media baffle pnncls 24 v~ithin the aerobic chamber 18 of the treatment tallk 3 Eacll bafile p~llel 24 projects alternAtely from the intarior sur~ace of the out~;idc ~v;~ll 2ti 25 of t}~c trentment taIIk 3 arld the interior pnrtition whicll dividc6 tlle ," ' ' :' ~ ',';.'':. .

2~ ,~9~
aorobia chamber l~ from t~e ~n~erobic ch~ lff ~nd anoxic cllaml~c 17.
Tho arrRng~ment of the medi3 baffle panel~ ~4 re9luire5 tl~e ll~id bcing treated in the aerobic chamber 18 to flow sround e~ch m~dia br~ffl4 J~n(~l 6 24, t~ereby cnsuring maxim~l~ r~tention of tho fluid within tlle norobic chambcr 18 and reduci~g ehort circuitillg of the fluid throu~ll thc acrobic chamber.
In addition, the medis bsme panels 24 Illaintain an ~dequate grou~h ~lrc~
fol~ thc micro-or6anisms arld enable m~xint~lm treatme~lt of the nui~i ~)y 10 ~hose micro-or~ani3m~ ' The o~ygen releQsed into the aerobiG chamber 18 by thc dil`fuscls ~2 causas a mi~ing of botll the organi6ms and tlle organic sub6t~nces within the tluid to en6ure that oxidation alld treatmcnt of tilC orgallic ~ubstances can occu}.
~o The difFusers 22 are rr.~dc of olas~omeric material witll a hollow cnvity ~nd i6 perforatcd ti7roughout its length. The perforation~ ailow tile pa6~a~e of pre6guri6ed gas to pass through from the intQ~ior ca~i~y o~ thl3 diffuser ~2 and out into tlle aerobic char,lber 1~.
~ he~l the pressurc i9 cut off, the perforation~ 6eal themselve6, thoreby 20 pr~vcnting fluid ~nd su~pended sediment passing from the ~lerobic chslmb~r 18 into the interior of the dif~u3er 22.
I~ftor the auid h4s been retained in t~c aerobic ch~n~ber 18 fl~r nppro~cimately two days, the aerobic treatm~ t of the fluid is almout completed. ~ ~m~ll amo~mt of suspellded 3edim~nt Illay llowovcr, 20 remain.

.
.

Tllis in-noW of p~rtially treatocl aerated fluid into tho a~loxic c~ mbot~ 17 provido~ int~r~nittent n~tation for n~l~in~;nin~ the ll~icro-orga~ 3 o~
th~ ano~ic chambe~ 17 in sll~pAn~01~ Qnd causos a rcductio~ tlle population of the rniCro-OrganiAms produccd in the aeration cl~nn~bcr 18 5 and the snaerobic chambQr 16 of the treatment tallk 3. Amm~ n, ~qitrites, nitrate~ and rhnqph~tP~ producQd by tllc pre~rious nnael~bic a~ld aerobic processes, or present initially in either or bot~ thc wastc w~cr and tho ~ffluont illtroduced into the treatment system 1, i3 also assi~tcd !~y the in-flow of partial}y treated a~rated fluid from thc acl obic cl~;nbcr l8 10 into ths anoxic chamber 17 vi~ dQvice g.
The remaining, partially treat~d, anoxic fluid in the fillal section of tlle anoxia chal;qber 17 is transferred ~rom th~ treatrllc~lt tallk 3 to t~lo clarificalion tank 4 by tha fiftll col~veying apparatus 10 il~ col~jul~ctia with sQnsory apparatu~, timing apparatus and pnmpin~ apll~ratl~
~'ig~re 6 is a ~,~, L~;onal perspective Vi&W of ths ciarificatiol~ t.qllk 4 of this invention.
scrics of baff!&s 2~ ~re fixedly comlected acros~ t~c il~telior of ti~e olarification tank 4. Tlle baf~es 2~ ar~ ~onnected to tl~e ~ide walls 2~i o~ theclarifilcation tanl~ 4, such that cach alternat~ baffie 26 i9 colmected ~o a 20 gido wall 26 opposite to th~ side wall to which the p~evious b~l~lo 25 is ~ttached.
'rhe b~mos ~5 contribute to a roductioAq in convection of tha fl~ l t~l ou~ll tlle clarification tank 4. ln addition, the bafl~e~ 25 illcro~so th& r~tell~illll tim~ of tho fluid within Lho c~alification tank 4 snablill~ al~y ~uspcndcd 2~ sodimellt withln the fluid to fi~ttle on the bottom 27 of the clari~;cati~
tank 4, a~ well a~ contrib~tinE~ to a reduction in the BOD 6 wiil~ t~e 2~7q~5 el~rirlcation tank 4.
The sixth eonveying apparatus i4, loeated within the elarifieatiolt talllc 4, i~ ac~ivnted by a ve~turi ~as show~ in Figure 7) to intel n1itte~ltly ~rnll~fer ~ I)ortion of both th~ sQdiment alld suspended matter frol~l th~
o clarifieQtion tank ~, baek to the anaerobie ellamber 16 o~ t~lo treat~ llt tank 3. ~c~Jldil~gl~, ~he treatrllellt sy~tem 1 is able to continuQlly o~rAtc for long periods of tirne wiehOut requirirlg frequent input l~f either or bot~
waste water and effiuent from an exterllal soure~.
PQr~ially treated fluid i8 tran6ferred from the Clarirlcaiio~l ta~lk ~ to tl~c 10 purirleation tank 5 ViA seventh convoying apRaratus 11 opernli~l~ in conjunctiorl with senaory, tinning and pul~ping apparatus. T~
puri~ieation ta!lk ~ may be a sepsrate vessel; or may be ad,lacellt to tlle clarificQtion tank 4 ~a~ ~hown ill Fi6ure 6).
Ii'luid witllin the pt~rif~ t.ia~l tank 5 is ~ lnf~7rtr~J by the illtroducl:io~ of Q
1~ purjfieation agent, sueh as ehlorine. This purification agent uperilt~s Lo e~iminate potontially ~L~rmful, dis~sse inducing, organisms.
Tlle purificQtion a~ent is introduced by d;~l.e,.~ g app~ratus. TIIQ
nctivatioll o~the ~ Olllg ~pp~r~tus and the addition of the puririeL~
Qgent i8 aet vat~d ar~d rclonitored by aensory QpparatUs, tir~ing app~rn~us 20 and pumpiLg ~ a~u~ and W ~ight.
Tho final treated produet n:~y then be trnnsforred by eighth eol~v~yingapparatu6, n conjunetion with ~ensory l~ uD, timing apparat~ls fmd l)umpin~ aFp~ratus, to a final irrigatioll tanl~ 6 (6hown in Fi~ure ]). 'rhe final ~I~Qat~d produet may be stored in the irrigation tQIlk 6 prior to 26 ~liscllar~e cnto paddoeks, into drains, a6 fl~lshing water for t~ ets or urinals, an~ so forth.

: '; . ' .'.;:

2 ~ 7 9 ~ ~ 5 The Fmal trented fluid product i~ .. srl.~d ~ron~ the irrigution tnl-k B to th~ point of di~charge vi~ the nintl~ co~veyin0 appAratUs 15, ill conJI~nction with sensory apparatu6, timing apRaratus and pumpille apparatus.
5 ~s thc tr~Rted fluid product i~ intermittently l.QIIuf~ldd from ~itllcr or both thc pllrifir~tinn ~ank o or tllo ilrigation tank 6, clcctronic sollsors nnd timing devices mollitor tl~e lower levels in these tmlks 5 ~l~d G
respectively The pumpirg apparatus 19 in the bal~ncing tal~k 2 i8 activatcd in response to the lower levels in the purification t~llk 6 a~d~r 10 tho irrigntion tank G, to transfer the paltially, a~a~robicQlly treated W:3}tC
wstcr alld ~ffluent ~rom th6 balancing ~ank 2 to the ~naerol~i~ chnmo~r lG
of the treatment tank 3 The int~ 'L' t regulation of flow rates betweell the treatment t~nks ~ ~o o alld between thQ chambers 16 to 18 within the treatlllent t~llk 3, is 15 achieved via electronic sensory apparatus, including timillg ap~nr~tus, uGed in cor,Junctioll with pumping apparatu3 which is a~sociatod v~itll tllc treatment system l An alarm systern incorporated illtO the treatment system 1 enable~ early detection of faults withill the Ll u..~l,ie~
system l The ~liciency of tlle ~ system 1 i~ ~aintained b~ monitori~lg tlle flow rates ~nd the te~nperature of the treatmont sy~tem 1 Ol~tilllul~l activity of both biological and cher~ical procei~ses ~vithin thc tre~tmel~t ~ygtem 1 i8 a~hieved by n ain~ining the treatmcnt system 1 at ~bov~ 20^(~
According}y, thermo~tatically colltrolled heating apparnt-ls i9 corporatod into the treatment system 1, for use ill cold~r clilll~tes ~r during colder months 2 ~
Fig~llc 8 is ~ per~pecti~u view of ~ dolrlestic treatment systclll 1 in whicl~
th~ sep~r~t~ ve:~s~l~ 2 to 5 ~re inclu~d within n sl~lgle col~tainer 29 ~o creatc specific treatmont regions 30 to 52.
Tlle first treatment re~ion 30 includQs an anaerobic tre~tn~Qnt chall11~1!r 5 1~ and an .moxic treatment chArnber 17. The second trcatment rcgion 31 incl~des tl~e aQrobic chamber 18 and an anoxic treatmont ch~tmbcr l,.
The third treatmcnt region 32 incltldes a clarificntion chnll~lmr ~L~
puriftcatior~ chamber ~.
Thc variou6 regions incorporate thc same biological. physic~ nd 10 chcmical proces6es as presellt in the larger treatmellt syst~lt~ 1 whele the tanks Z to 5 wer~ 6eparate.
Thc arrangemellt o~ the baffles 24 ~nd 25 within the aerobic c~lAml~cr 1~
and t~lc clnrification chamber 4, re~pectively, is thc sam~ ns tlle arrangement o~ these baffles 24 and 2~ within the aorobic ch t~nb~ sf 15 th~ sopAretc treat~nent tanl~ 3 and the separate clali~lcation tRnk 4.
In addition, the fluid being tr~tated within the treatment systQm I i~
similarly tral~sf~rred thr~ugh the treatment system l, by con~reyil~g ~ppAratus 7 to 16 opcr~tin~ in cor~unction with sen~ory App~.lrntu.~, timing apparatus and pumpin~ apparatu~ t~imila~ to thase of tho ZO ~eparate tanks 2 to 5.
Where th~ der~and for tre:~tment of either or both w~ste water cr efflucl~t exceeds the capacity of a single treatment system 1 as ill~tstr~tcd ill Figure 8 separAte sin~ulAr treatment systems 1 may he affi~ed to~ctllur ns a modular system as illustrat~d in Fi~ure 10.
2~ Whcrc tll~ source required to be treated includes w~ste water only, ~r 4~

2~9~5 where the wa~te w~tor ~cturc~ i~ difforont *om th~t ~fFiuent ROurc~, th~
wa~ta w~tyr m-~ b~ ~r '` ~s,l dirocbly to the ` ~n ~ ~ aharuber 2~i of t~e treatm0nt t~tn}c 4.
Figtu~e 11 illu~trate~ po~Jible h;gh pre~ure liquill aeratio~ ~y~,ert~ in 5 nccor~lancs with one PrnhoriiTn~nt~ of t~ pregent invention. This prislciple U6eY }Ltgla pros4ure liclnid i~ection into anotl~er liquid. Contained il~ a v03~1 the liq-lid p~se~ thro~h conv~ysncing co~dllit~ ~uch as piping or ~itnilar manifold4 to p~L~S high proc!t~rs liquid throu~h injQctOr nippl~
of vnrying ~izes. ThQ ~nni~old and nipple~ are sitll~ted nt 1I distance ~D s.bove tho fluid being ~rated. This di~tanc~ will var~ acccrdin~ t~ the aeration ~ uls~ Lx, P3 will injector size. ThQ pr~ncipl~ is that high preqsttre injected liquid whsn forced into another liquid cl eatex inri t of o~cygen into that liq~id caubin~ aeration ir. the Yys~c~n~
AspectY of tlle pre3ent invention ha~e beon describ~d b~ ~ay of exmnplc IS only ?Lnd it 4hould be appr~ciat~d th~t r~ Linn- ~nd additions nlhy b~
mado th~reto witho~t depnrtirlg i~om bhe scope th~rcof ~8 defined il~ the appended cleAAras.

: ,.; , :. ::

Claims (56)

1. A treatment system capable of treating either or both waste water and effluent, including multiple separate treatment vessels capable of holding either or both waste water and effluent and wherein each vessel is joined to at least one other vessel via interconnecting apparatus.

2. A treatment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein either or both waste water and effluent in any one treatment vessel is treated by one or a combination of physical, biological and chemical processes.

3. A treatment system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the treatment system is capable of treating domestic, commercial and rural waste, waste water, and effluent.

4. A treatment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the multiple separate treatment vessels include:
a) A first vessel capable of receiving either or both untreated waste water and untreated effluent; and b) a separate second vessel capable of receiving partially treated waste water and effluent from the first vessel, and wherein the second separate vessel includes multiple separate treatment chambers as required; and c) a separate third vessel capable of receiving substantially treated waste water and effluent from the second vessel; and d) a separate fourth vessel capable of receiving the product of the third vessel; and c) a fifth vessel capable of receiving and storing a fully treated product from the fourth vessel.

5. A treatment system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fourth treatment vessel is capable of being incorporated into the third treatment vessel.

6. A treatment system claimed in claim 4 wherein the third and fourth vessels are nested within the second vessel to divide the second into three sub-spaces including:
a) A first sub-space incorporating the first and second chambers of the second vessel; and b) a second sub-space incorporating the third chamber of the second vessel; and c) a third sub-space incorporating each of the third and fourth vessels.

7. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the number, order and sizes of the vessels or the chambers within the vessels of the treatment system are determined by factors, including the expected flow rate loadings into the system from source, the particular needs of the individual consumer operating the system, and local Government regulations.

8. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein of the third chamber of a second vessel includes baffling apparatus capable of operating as media growth panels for micro-organisms contained within the third chamber.

9. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the intermittent transfer of contents from one vessel to the next, or one chamber to the next, is achieved via conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with timing apparatus, sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus.

10. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the vessel in which aeration occurs includes aerating apparatus located in the vessel.

11. A treatment system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the aerating apparatus is made of elastomeric material incorporating perforations which remain closed until a pressurised gas is applied thereby forcing the perforations to open.

12. A treatment system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the aerating apparatus is disposed on the bottom of the chamber or tank in which aeration occurs.

13. A treatment system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the aerating apparatus includes apertures through which liquid is passed at high pressure.

14. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the aerobic treatment tank includes multiple baffling apparatus.

15. A treatment system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the multiple baffling apparatus provides a source of growth media for the micro-organisms within the aerobic treatment tank.

16. A treatment system as claimed in any one of claims 14 and 15 wherein the multiple baffling apparatus are arranged to increase retention time of fluid within the aerobic treatment tank to ensure maximum treatment of the fluid.

17. A treatment system as claimed in claim 16 wherein arrangement of the multiple baffling apparatus results in fluid entering the aerobic treatment tank flowing around the multiple baffling apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of orientation of the multiple baffling apparatus.

18. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7 wherein the multiple baffling apparatus are incorporated into the tank(s) in which clarification occurs, to assist retention time of the fluid for clarification.

19. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is continual flow of water through the treatment system.

20. A treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the treatment system may be installed within the ground.
or above the ground.

21. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent using a treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the method includes:
a) transferring intermittently via an inlet duct, either or both untreated waste water or untreated effluent from a source to a first vessel for storage and primary treatment; and b) transferring intermittently, via first conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the contents of the first vessel to a first chamber of a separate second vessel for primary treatment; and c) transferring intermittently, via second conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the contents of the first chamber of the second vessel to a second chamber of the second vessel for secondary treatment (effected by both anaerobic treatment interrupted by intermittent injection of aerated fluid to lower ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate levels); and d) transferring intermittently, via third conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the contents of the second chamber of the second vessel to a third chamber of the second vessel for secondary treatment; and e) aerating the contents of the third chamber of the second vessel by use of aerating apparatus including conduits disposed on the bottom of the third chamber of the second vessel, capable of supplying a source of oxygen uniformly to the contents of the third chamber; and f) transferring intermittently, via fifth conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the contents of the third chamber of the second vessel to a third vessel for tertiary treatment; and g) transferring intermittently, via sixth conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the sediment from the bottom of the third vessel to the first chamber of the second vessel; and h) transferring intermittently, via a seventh conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the contents of the third vessel to a fourth vessel for tertiary treatment; and i) dispensing a purifying agent into the fourth vessel via operation of dispensing apparatus; and j) mixing of the contents of the fourth vessel via a mixing device or passing a portion of the fourth vessel through a purification device; and k) transferring intermittently, via eighth conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the contents of the fourth vessel to a fifth vessel for storage prior to discharge; and l) discharging intermittently, via a ninth conveying apparatus operating in conjunction with sensory apparatus and pumping apparatus, a portion of the contents of the fifth chamber; and m) increasing retention time and reducing convection currents of contents of the aeration chamber of the third vessel and the fourth vessel, via incorporation of multiple baffling apparatus extending alternately from each internal side wall of the third chamber of both the second vessel and the third vessel; and n) heating the contents of the vessels, via thermostatically controlled heating apparatus, to maintain a controlled environment for optimum growth and activity of micro-organisms and optimum chemical activity throughout the treatment system; and o) feeding of the first chamber of the second vessel with anaerobic micro-organisms to optimise, primary treatment;
and p) feeding of the third chamber of the second vessel with aerobic micro-organisms to optimise secondary treatment.

22. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 21 wherein untreated waste water is capable of being conveyed directly from a source to the third chamber of a second treatment vessel for anaerobic treatment.

23. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of claims 21 and 22 wherein the acceptable treatment perimeters, as determined from a random sample of the final product of the treatment system include, suspended solid of between 30 milligram per litre of product (or less), and no more than 60 milligram per litre of product; Ecoli bacterial population concentration of no more than 30 parts per 100 milligrams of product; BOD 5 (Biological Oxygen Demand Value over a five day monitoring period) of 20 milligram per litre (or less) of product and no greater than 40 milligram per litre of product; and a chlorine concentration of less than 0.6 milligram per litre of product and no more than a milligram per litre of product.

24. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the treatment system is preferably maintained at a temperature of no less than 20°C.

25. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the temperature of the treatment system is maintained at no less than 20°C, by incorporation of electronically controlled heating apparatus used in conjunction with sensory apparatus.

26. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein regulated intermittent flow rates of either or both waste water and effluent through the treatment system is monitored by electronic sensory apparatus operating in conjunction with timing apparatus, pumping apparatus and alarm apparatus.

27. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26 wherein waste water and effluent entering the treatment system are stored in the first vessel for a period required to enable solid material to settled out, and enable primary treatment of the waste to begin.

28. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 27 wherein treatment of the waste in the first vessel is achieved anaerobically.

29. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 28 wherein primary anaerobic treatment is accomplished biologically via micro-organisms present in the system

30. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 28 wherein the primary anaerobic treatment in the balancing tank is accomplished biologically by micro-organisms injected into the system from an outside source.

31. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 30 wherein the micro-organisms injected into the treatment system are facultative and anaerobic bacteria.

32. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein secondary anaerobic treatment of the waste water or effluent in the treatment system is accomplished by use of facultative anaerobic micro-organisms.

33. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an anoxic treatment of the contents of the treatment system is effected by both an anaerobic treatment of the waste and intermittent injection of aerated fluid such that facultative aerobic micro-organisms are utilised in essentially anaerobic conditions.

34. A treatment system as claimed in claim 33 wherein introduction of aerated fluid into the anoxic treatment contributes to intermittent agitation, maintaining the micro-organisms in suspension.

35. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a portion of the fluid treated anoxically is introduced intermittently for aerobic treatment via aerobic micro-organism.

36. A method of treating either or both waste water and affluent as claimed in claim 35 wherein the aerobic micro-organisms are injected into the treatment system.

37. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein oxygen is provided to maintain the viability of aerobic micro-organisms.

38. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 37 wherein oxygen is introduced via the use of aerating apparatus.

39. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a portion of aerobically treated fluid from the aerobic treatment tank is intermittently transferred to the anoxic treatment tank to assist the anoxic treatment of the fluid within the anoxic treatment tank.

40. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 39 wherein aerated fluid from an external aerated water source is directed into the anoxic treatment tank.

41. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein clarification of the treated fluids is achieved by intermittent transfer into a treatment tank wherein retention time of the fluid within the tank enable suspended solids to settle on the bottom of the tank.

42. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein deposited suspended solids which result from clarification of the fluid are transferred via conveying apparatus to an anaerobic treatment tank for further anaerobic treatment.

43. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 42 wherein transfer of deposited suspended solids for further anaerobic treatment enables the treatment system to operate continually without the introduction of new organic material from an external source.

44. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 43 wherein transfer of deposited suspended solids for further anaerobic treatment is achieved via pumping apparatus.

45. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a portion of clarified fluid is subjected to purification.

46. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 45 wherein purification is achieved via a purifying agent for elimination of potentially harmful, disease carrying micro-organisms from the final treated product.

47. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 46 wherein the purifying agent may be any one of chlorine, ozone, bromine. and UV light

48. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claims 45 and 46 wherein purification of clarified fluid is achieved via irradiation.

49. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 48 wherein the purifying agent is introduced to the treatment system via dispensing apparatus.

50. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the purifying agent is mixed into the fluid to be purified via mixing device.

51. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in any one of claims 45 to 50 wherein the purified fluid is transferred to a storage vessel prior to discharge.

52. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent as claimed in claim 45 to 50 wherein the purified fluid is directly discharged.

53. A method of creating a modular system of the treatment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the separate treatment vessels are located within a single container capable of being connected to other single containers.

54. A treatment systems as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34 wherein the operation of the treatment system is controlled via sensory apparatus, timing apparatus and alarm apparatus.

55. A method of treating either or both waste water and effluent substantially as claimed herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

56. A treatment system substantially claimed herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.