CA2652143A1 - Grey water recycling system - Google Patents
Grey water recycling system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2652143A1 CA2652143A1 CA002652143A CA2652143A CA2652143A1 CA 2652143 A1 CA2652143 A1 CA 2652143A1 CA 002652143 A CA002652143 A CA 002652143A CA 2652143 A CA2652143 A CA 2652143A CA 2652143 A1 CA2652143 A1 CA 2652143A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- gray water
- gray
- plumbing
- pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
- E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
- E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
- E03B1/042—Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
- E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
- E03B2001/045—Greywater supply systems using household water
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
- E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
- E03B2001/047—Greywater supply systems using rainwater
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/108—Rainwater harvesting
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/146—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use using grey water
- Y02A20/148—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use using grey water using household water from wash basins or showers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/30—Relating to industrial water supply, e.g. used for cooling
Abstract
The invention as presently conceived discloses a system and method by which waste (gray) water from bathtubs and showers can be stored,filtered, and reused for irrigation, washing of vehicles and can also be redirected for use by toilet and similar applications.
The system utilizes a separate drainpipe from the bathtub and shower and gravity routes the gray water through a filtration and treatment system that is connected to a storage tank. The treated gray water is stored in the tank until needed. When needed, a separate supply system powered through a pump delivers the water for non-drinking or cooking uses. The pump is controlled by pressure switch that would automatically activate when a valve in the supply system is opened.
The system utilizes a separate drainpipe from the bathtub and shower and gravity routes the gray water through a filtration and treatment system that is connected to a storage tank. The treated gray water is stored in the tank until needed. When needed, a separate supply system powered through a pump delivers the water for non-drinking or cooking uses. The pump is controlled by pressure switch that would automatically activate when a valve in the supply system is opened.
Description
Gre.y Water Recycle The original idea was to filter bath water so it could be used for a secondaty purpose.
Potential to pay for itself matxy times over With an extra large holding tank one could enjoy outdoor summer water activities when water restrictions would be in effect Lessen the load on Water Treatment plants An ideal solution to dry regions of the country Could used developed for irrigation Have not seen any product like this on the market Water being a natural resource, Environmental Protection Could be design as another potable source of water The idea t2ere is to keep the desig'n as simple as poss~bi.e A f ltemtion unit holding tank and a pump.
. . u Nuam ~
nuuauv ~enfde 034 0 CenOde ~
1 59?
1111 ~4 11~
OPIG
CIPO
Docket No. VI'Z'-122607SAI-7 IlvVENTUR BRUCE DA,NGEItFZELD
GRAY WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM
=ATED APPLICATIQUS
The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of i o Invention ftle+d at the ojMces of Montgomery Patent and Design in Washitxgton, Pennsylvania on November 28, 2006. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications attywhere in the world.
1, Field Qf the I. ention -Me presettt invention relates generally to a water recycling system and, moro particularly, to gray water recycling system.
II. Motivation for theInvention Globally, potable water is becoming increasingly searce. Many areas of the world do not have an adequatc or reliable source of potable water. As the world's population increases and the available sources of potable water become increasxrtgly limited, conservation becomes more important. Current water treatment practice consists of routing all wastewater to a wastewater trpatrnent system. Wastewater which contai,tL9 human waste requires high levels of ftatment in isolation befo.re It can be reused. Waste water &om bathtubs andlor showers (also known as "gray water") requires little treatment. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which lightly contaminated gray water can be immediately recycled for reuse. The development of the invention RRV: 29 daneary 2008 herein described fulfills this need.
The invention as presently conceived discloses a system and method by which waste (gray) water ftm bathtubs and showers catt be stor.edõ filtered, and ttiv,rted for irrigation, washing of vehicles and similar applications. The system utilizes a separate drainpipe from the bathtub and shower and gravity routes the gray water through a filtration and t,reatment system that is connected to a storage tank. The treated gray water is stored in the tank until needed. When needed, a separate supply system powered through a pump delivers the water for non-drinking or cooking uses. The pump is coattx'olled by pressure switch that would automatically activate when a valve in the supply system is opened.
The advantages and features of the present invention will becotne better tmderstood wlth, mference to the following more detailed descriptiort and claims taken in con,junction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
FIG. I is a cut-away view of a gray vtratet' recycli.ng system 10, according to a.
pref+erred embodiment of the present invention; and, FIG. 2 is a clos-eup cut-away view oa gray water recycling system 10, according to a prc.fened embodiment of the premt invention.
DESCRiPTIVE KE'Y
10 gray water recycling system 34 pressure gauge 20 gray water accumulation 35 power cord system 40 collection plumbing REV: 29 January 2008 `31 21 holding tank 41 outlet plumbing 22 control valves 42 bypass plumbing 23 floor drain 43 treated water plumbing 24 Erst filter 45 spigot valve 30 gray watar treatment system 50 wger source 31 mounting panel 60 building structure 32 pump 65 grade level 33 second filtcr 80 gray water I_Vy,.,Descr,iption of the Invention The best mode fbr carrying out the invention is presented in temts of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within Figures I and 2.
1. Detailed Descr. iption of e Figures The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in teraas of its prefer+ed embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person sldIled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic cottcept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this ixavention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuaation shall be shown and described for purposes of, eXarxty and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
The terrns "a" and "an herein do not denote a liznittation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of s.t least one of the rEferenced items.
The present invention describes a systezn and method for a gray water recycling system (herein described as the i'system,")10, which provides a means for a system and metltod by which gray water 80 from bathtubs and showers can be treated 30 and reused for non-potable water applications. The gray water 80 is envisioned to be used for icrigation, wasbing of vehicles, and similar uses. The system 10 utilizes collection REv: 29 January 2008 .4_ plumbi;ng 40 from gray water sources 50 such as bathtubs and showers, and routes the gray water 80 to a storage tank 21 in a basement area of a building stnlctLue 60. Witen needed, the gray water 80 is then routed via outlet plumbing 41 through a pump 32 and a second filtcr 33 delivetkg the gray water 80 via treated water plumbing 43 for non-potable water uses.
Referring now to FIG. l, a cut-away view of the system 10, according to the prefen-rd embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system 10 as shown. here eomprises a gray water accumulation system 20, a gray water treatment systzm 30, various plutnbing components 40, 41, 42, 43 and an exter,aal spigot valve 45.
The gray water accumulation system 20 is depicted here utilizing various gray water sources 50 such as a bathtub drain and an eve spout drain for illusiratxon sake; however, other sources of gray water 50 may be utilized such as, but not limited to, sinks, showers, sump pumps, ponds, or the like whicb may be used seperately or in any combination thereof based upon local gray water 80 availability as well as a user's preference.
The gray water treatment system 30 comprises a plurality of mounted and plumbed water processing components capable of filtering and pumping said gray water 80, thereby conditioning and pressurizing said gray water 80 for subsequent uses such as, but not limited to, irrigation, watering gardens, watering lawns, washing cars, and the like (see FIG. 2).
The system 10 is envisioned to include all plumbing 40, 41, 42, 43 required to complete an Installation including all piping, fittings, control valves, and mounting laardware and fixtures. The system 10 is shown here installed in a normal 13iiildt#T"
structure 60; however, applaoation of thc system 10 may lnclude commercial or public dwellings with equal benefit and as such should not be interpi+eted as a limiting factor of the system 10, A spigot valve 45 is depicted here being located thereupon an outer wall of a building structure 60 providing a poiDt-of-use for a user to consume said gray water 80. It Rgv: 29.{aneary 24pS
is understood that the system 10 is not limited to a single outdoor spigot 45, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of plumbed spigots 45 located ittternal or external to the building stnicture 60 may be utilized without devxaiang from the basic.
concept and as such should not be interpreted as a lim.itang factor of the system 10. The spigot 45 is envisioned to be a standard commerciatly available wall-mountable valve fixture providing attaohment thereto a common garden hose using a three-quarter ('/4) inch wale tlueaded nozzle thereott. It is further envisioned that appropriate warnings and securing means may be provided and/or incorporated therein said spigot(s) 45 indicating and/or controlling intended liunited usage of the gray water supply 80 for "NON-POTABLE USE ONLY". The spigot 45 is connected thereto the treated_water plumbing 43 portion of the system 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a close-up cut-away view of the system 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system 10 comprises a gray water accumulation system 20, a gray wate.r treatment system 30, and various pluznbing 40, 41, 42, 43.
The M water a.ccumulation system 20 fu:rther comprises a holding tank 21, bypass plumbing 42, outlet plumbing 41, a plurality of control valves 22, and a first filter 24. The gray water accunaulation system 30 provides an acctanuiating and ttiservoir means to gray water 80 collected from paray water sources 50 via gravity drainage therethrough collection plumbing 40 over a period of time. The gray water accumulation system 20 also comprises bypass plumbing 42 and an over-flow fluid path thereto an existing floor drain 23. The holding tank 21 comprises a round bottom, plastic, closed-top, oornmercially available vessel. having a capacity betweett two thousand (2000) and four thousand (4000) gallons. The holding tank 21 is depicted here upon a basement floor in a normal building structure 60, thereby taking advantage of gravity flow of gray water 80 and discrete st,orage thereof said holding tanlc 21; however, said holding tattilc 21 may be located in any number of locations within a building structure 60 as well as outdoor 1tEV: 29 Janu9ry 2008 locations, depending on climate conditions, with=equal benefit to the user and as such should not be interpreEed as a limiting fa,ctor of the system 10. The holding tank 21 is envisioned to be made preferably usiug rugged and impact resistarrt polyethylene or equivalent material. The holding tank 21 further coinprises conventional ,plumbing attacbaxteats thereto collection plumbiug 40, bypass plutttbiztg 42, and outlet pIumbing 41 which acts as a conduit in fluid conununication with a gray water treatment system 30.
The ittter.connecting plumbing 40, 41, 42 comprises standard metal or plastic piping oomponents further comprising standard fittings such as, but not limited to, elbows, unions, tees, "Y"-fitkings, and the like being configured to carry gray water 80. Said interconnecting plumbing 40 also comprises a plurality of controi valves 22 providing a directing and isolating ttteans to a flow of gray water 90 as it is delivered to the holding tank 21 and subsequently to the gray water treatment system 30 therethrough outlet plumbing 41. A pair of control valves 22 is depicted here providing a directing means to ssid gray water 80 thereto the holding tank 21 or.through bypass plunzbing 42 such that the holding tank 21 is bypassed and said gray watar 80 is directed tlxerreto an existing floor drain 23 sucb as in the case of a full holding tank 2 1. Said interoonnectirtg plumbing 40 tiuther comprises a first filter 24 which provides filtration of suspended particulate material therefrom the gray water 80 using preferably a replaceable mechanical cartridge fllter; however, may provide a rough straining dev'ce, thereby separating out large pPUticulate from said gray water flow 80 before it enters the holding tank 21.
The first filter 33 is also envisioned to provide additional standard features such as an intenzal flow bypass circuit enabling filter cartrLdge replacement, an integral bleed valve, a pressure gauge 34, and panel mounting fixtures in an expected manner. The control valves 22, ftt'st filter 24, and the intet+oannecting plumbing 40, 41, 42 are envisioned to pxovide any number of plumbing functions based upon particular installed conflgurations of the system 10 and varxous plumbing schcmes and as suoh should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system 10.
REV: 29 Janaary 2008 The gray water treatment system 30 further compxises a mounting pane131, a pump 32, a power cord 35, a second filter 33, and a pressure gauge 34. The gray water treatmettt system 30 provides a pumping and filtration ndeans to the gmy water 80 to retnove suspended particulate matter from said gray water 80 so as to prepare said gtay water 80 for use in a variety of non-potable applioations such as, but not limited to, inripation, watering gardens, watering lawns, washing cars, and the like. The mounting panel 31 provides an attachment means to the gray water treatment system 30 thereto. The mounting pane131 is envisioned to be mounted preferably thereto an adjacent basement wall; however, said mounting panel 31 may be mounted thereto any number of locations within a buildinig structure 60 providing acaess and maintenance opportunities such as a floor-mounted stand, an adjacert laundry room wall, or the like. The mounting pane131 is envisioned to be made using sturdy wood or metal materials in a vertical orientabton providiug various common attachment hardware and fixtures suitable to mount the pump 32 and the second filter 33. The pump inlet 32 is connected thereto the outlet plumbing portion 41 of the accumulation system 20 and the pump oul;let 32 is connected thereto the second filter 33. The pump 32 is envisioned to be a miniature panel roounted 1 I0-volt impeller or jet pump capable of a nainitnum of sixty (60) PSIG pressttre and a minimum pumping capacity of 10 gallons per minute. The pump 32 is envisioned to provide standard features such as; but not limited to, a pressure relay switch, an ON/OPF switch, and a power cord 35 to supply and energize the pump 32 using I], 0-volt AC
power from an available household receptacle in an expected manner. The second filter 33 provides filtration of suspended particulate material there$om the gray water 80 using preferably one (1) or more replaceable mechanical filter cartridges. It is furtber envisioned that the second filter 33 may be configured with multiple filter cartridges, thereby providing a progressive filtering meatts envisioned to result ip water purity ranging from 20 microns to one (1) micron particle filtration. The second filter 33 is also envisioned to provide additional standard features such as an-intexnal flow bypass circuit enabling filter xtE'V: 29 JAnuary 2008 .$_ cartri.dge replacement, an integral bleed valve, a pressure gauge 34, and pauel mounting fixtures in an expected manner. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the mounting panel 31 may provide a convenient location for vaxious system indicators and insttwments to aid in maintaining and tnonitoring the system 10. The mounting pat~,el 31 may provide instruments such as; but not li.mited to, display iustrmcntation indicating volume or level of gray water 80 therein the holding tank 21, a counter indicating accumulative gallons of filtered water to aid in periodic ,filter cartridge replacement, and the like.
After passing through the gray water treatment system 30 said gray water 80 subsequcntly passes therethrough the treated water plumbing 43 to one (1) or more point-of-use spigots 45 as previously described.
It is envisioned tlaat other stylcs and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configun3tiozt sb.all be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
2. Qparation of the Freeml Embodimetat The preferr i embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in, a simple and eflortless manner with little or no traitxing. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system 10, it would be instaIled as indicated in FIG. 1.
The method of installing and utilizing the systepu 10 may be achieved by performing the foIlowing steps:liiaaing the holding tank 21 in an appropriate location preferably a basenaent area of a building structure 60 being in convenient proximity to intended water source 50 drain plarnbing; mounting the mounting panel portion 31 of the gray water treatment system 30 thereto a vertical wall preferably adjacent to the holding tank 21; selecting particular gray water sources 50 from which to collect spent gray water 80 therefrom; modi$ring and re-routing existing collection plumbing 40 associated with selected gray water sources 50 within a building sbructure 60 thereto an inlet connection i2EV; 29 January 2008 thereupon the holding tank 21; fabricating and instailing outlet plumbing 41, bypass plumbing 42, and overflow sub-systems using common fittings and control valves based upon a desired plumbing scheme; mount3ng the pump 32 and second filter thereto the mounting panel 31; installing and routing outlet pluaabing 41 from the holding tank outlet connection thereto the inlet connection of the gray water treatment system 30;
installing and routing treated water plumbing 43 from the outlet connection of the gr$y water treatment system 30 thereto the spigot(s) 45 as required; connecting the pump 32 to a a 10-volt power source using the power cord 35; collecting and accumulating gray water 80 in the holding tank 21 therefrc-m water sources 50 witblia the building structure 60 over a period of time; dispensing and consuming treated gray water 80 themfrom the spigot(s) 45 as needed for irrigation, washing cars, and the like; and, beneflting from reduced water costs as well as improved vvater conservation using the present invention 10.
An alternative embodiment of the present system 10 comprises solenoid powared conttol valves 22 within a plumbing scheme 40 which work in conjunction with a liquid level sensor therewithin the holding tank 21, thereby providittg automatic gray water 80 redirection from said holding tank 21 to an existing floor drain 23 once the holding tank 21 isfull.
Another alternative embodiment of the system 10 comprises a holding tank 21 installation at an above grade 65 location comprising a secondary pump, associated controls, and plumbing con}ponents ttecossary to propel gray water 80 from gray water sources 50 below said holding tank 21 such as a basement shower or floor dtWn to the holding tatik 21 above.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for puxposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be ry' exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments REv: 29 Jenuary 2008 were chosen and described in order to bcst explain the imiracxples of the inventiou =d Its practlcal afflicationo4o^thereby ettable others skilled in the ert to best utilize the invention and various embodunents with vmioas modifications as nre suited to the particular use costtmaplated.
REV: 29 January 2M
Potential to pay for itself matxy times over With an extra large holding tank one could enjoy outdoor summer water activities when water restrictions would be in effect Lessen the load on Water Treatment plants An ideal solution to dry regions of the country Could used developed for irrigation Have not seen any product like this on the market Water being a natural resource, Environmental Protection Could be design as another potable source of water The idea t2ere is to keep the desig'n as simple as poss~bi.e A f ltemtion unit holding tank and a pump.
. . u Nuam ~
nuuauv ~enfde 034 0 CenOde ~
1 59?
1111 ~4 11~
OPIG
CIPO
Docket No. VI'Z'-122607SAI-7 IlvVENTUR BRUCE DA,NGEItFZELD
GRAY WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM
=ATED APPLICATIQUS
The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of i o Invention ftle+d at the ojMces of Montgomery Patent and Design in Washitxgton, Pennsylvania on November 28, 2006. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications attywhere in the world.
1, Field Qf the I. ention -Me presettt invention relates generally to a water recycling system and, moro particularly, to gray water recycling system.
II. Motivation for theInvention Globally, potable water is becoming increasingly searce. Many areas of the world do not have an adequatc or reliable source of potable water. As the world's population increases and the available sources of potable water become increasxrtgly limited, conservation becomes more important. Current water treatment practice consists of routing all wastewater to a wastewater trpatrnent system. Wastewater which contai,tL9 human waste requires high levels of ftatment in isolation befo.re It can be reused. Waste water &om bathtubs andlor showers (also known as "gray water") requires little treatment. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which lightly contaminated gray water can be immediately recycled for reuse. The development of the invention RRV: 29 daneary 2008 herein described fulfills this need.
The invention as presently conceived discloses a system and method by which waste (gray) water ftm bathtubs and showers catt be stor.edõ filtered, and ttiv,rted for irrigation, washing of vehicles and similar applications. The system utilizes a separate drainpipe from the bathtub and shower and gravity routes the gray water through a filtration and t,reatment system that is connected to a storage tank. The treated gray water is stored in the tank until needed. When needed, a separate supply system powered through a pump delivers the water for non-drinking or cooking uses. The pump is coattx'olled by pressure switch that would automatically activate when a valve in the supply system is opened.
The advantages and features of the present invention will becotne better tmderstood wlth, mference to the following more detailed descriptiort and claims taken in con,junction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
FIG. I is a cut-away view of a gray vtratet' recycli.ng system 10, according to a.
pref+erred embodiment of the present invention; and, FIG. 2 is a clos-eup cut-away view oa gray water recycling system 10, according to a prc.fened embodiment of the premt invention.
DESCRiPTIVE KE'Y
10 gray water recycling system 34 pressure gauge 20 gray water accumulation 35 power cord system 40 collection plumbing REV: 29 January 2008 `31 21 holding tank 41 outlet plumbing 22 control valves 42 bypass plumbing 23 floor drain 43 treated water plumbing 24 Erst filter 45 spigot valve 30 gray watar treatment system 50 wger source 31 mounting panel 60 building structure 32 pump 65 grade level 33 second filtcr 80 gray water I_Vy,.,Descr,iption of the Invention The best mode fbr carrying out the invention is presented in temts of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within Figures I and 2.
1. Detailed Descr. iption of e Figures The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in teraas of its prefer+ed embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person sldIled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic cottcept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this ixavention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuaation shall be shown and described for purposes of, eXarxty and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
The terrns "a" and "an herein do not denote a liznittation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of s.t least one of the rEferenced items.
The present invention describes a systezn and method for a gray water recycling system (herein described as the i'system,")10, which provides a means for a system and metltod by which gray water 80 from bathtubs and showers can be treated 30 and reused for non-potable water applications. The gray water 80 is envisioned to be used for icrigation, wasbing of vehicles, and similar uses. The system 10 utilizes collection REv: 29 January 2008 .4_ plumbi;ng 40 from gray water sources 50 such as bathtubs and showers, and routes the gray water 80 to a storage tank 21 in a basement area of a building stnlctLue 60. Witen needed, the gray water 80 is then routed via outlet plumbing 41 through a pump 32 and a second filtcr 33 delivetkg the gray water 80 via treated water plumbing 43 for non-potable water uses.
Referring now to FIG. l, a cut-away view of the system 10, according to the prefen-rd embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system 10 as shown. here eomprises a gray water accumulation system 20, a gray water treatment systzm 30, various plutnbing components 40, 41, 42, 43 and an exter,aal spigot valve 45.
The gray water accumulation system 20 is depicted here utilizing various gray water sources 50 such as a bathtub drain and an eve spout drain for illusiratxon sake; however, other sources of gray water 50 may be utilized such as, but not limited to, sinks, showers, sump pumps, ponds, or the like whicb may be used seperately or in any combination thereof based upon local gray water 80 availability as well as a user's preference.
The gray water treatment system 30 comprises a plurality of mounted and plumbed water processing components capable of filtering and pumping said gray water 80, thereby conditioning and pressurizing said gray water 80 for subsequent uses such as, but not limited to, irrigation, watering gardens, watering lawns, washing cars, and the like (see FIG. 2).
The system 10 is envisioned to include all plumbing 40, 41, 42, 43 required to complete an Installation including all piping, fittings, control valves, and mounting laardware and fixtures. The system 10 is shown here installed in a normal 13iiildt#T"
structure 60; however, applaoation of thc system 10 may lnclude commercial or public dwellings with equal benefit and as such should not be interpi+eted as a limiting factor of the system 10, A spigot valve 45 is depicted here being located thereupon an outer wall of a building structure 60 providing a poiDt-of-use for a user to consume said gray water 80. It Rgv: 29.{aneary 24pS
is understood that the system 10 is not limited to a single outdoor spigot 45, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of plumbed spigots 45 located ittternal or external to the building stnicture 60 may be utilized without devxaiang from the basic.
concept and as such should not be interpreted as a lim.itang factor of the system 10. The spigot 45 is envisioned to be a standard commerciatly available wall-mountable valve fixture providing attaohment thereto a common garden hose using a three-quarter ('/4) inch wale tlueaded nozzle thereott. It is further envisioned that appropriate warnings and securing means may be provided and/or incorporated therein said spigot(s) 45 indicating and/or controlling intended liunited usage of the gray water supply 80 for "NON-POTABLE USE ONLY". The spigot 45 is connected thereto the treated_water plumbing 43 portion of the system 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a close-up cut-away view of the system 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system 10 comprises a gray water accumulation system 20, a gray wate.r treatment system 30, and various pluznbing 40, 41, 42, 43.
The M water a.ccumulation system 20 fu:rther comprises a holding tank 21, bypass plumbing 42, outlet plumbing 41, a plurality of control valves 22, and a first filter 24. The gray water accunaulation system 30 provides an acctanuiating and ttiservoir means to gray water 80 collected from paray water sources 50 via gravity drainage therethrough collection plumbing 40 over a period of time. The gray water accumulation system 20 also comprises bypass plumbing 42 and an over-flow fluid path thereto an existing floor drain 23. The holding tank 21 comprises a round bottom, plastic, closed-top, oornmercially available vessel. having a capacity betweett two thousand (2000) and four thousand (4000) gallons. The holding tank 21 is depicted here upon a basement floor in a normal building structure 60, thereby taking advantage of gravity flow of gray water 80 and discrete st,orage thereof said holding tanlc 21; however, said holding tattilc 21 may be located in any number of locations within a building structure 60 as well as outdoor 1tEV: 29 Janu9ry 2008 locations, depending on climate conditions, with=equal benefit to the user and as such should not be interpreEed as a limiting fa,ctor of the system 10. The holding tank 21 is envisioned to be made preferably usiug rugged and impact resistarrt polyethylene or equivalent material. The holding tank 21 further coinprises conventional ,plumbing attacbaxteats thereto collection plumbiug 40, bypass plutttbiztg 42, and outlet pIumbing 41 which acts as a conduit in fluid conununication with a gray water treatment system 30.
The ittter.connecting plumbing 40, 41, 42 comprises standard metal or plastic piping oomponents further comprising standard fittings such as, but not limited to, elbows, unions, tees, "Y"-fitkings, and the like being configured to carry gray water 80. Said interconnecting plumbing 40 also comprises a plurality of controi valves 22 providing a directing and isolating ttteans to a flow of gray water 90 as it is delivered to the holding tank 21 and subsequently to the gray water treatment system 30 therethrough outlet plumbing 41. A pair of control valves 22 is depicted here providing a directing means to ssid gray water 80 thereto the holding tank 21 or.through bypass plunzbing 42 such that the holding tank 21 is bypassed and said gray watar 80 is directed tlxerreto an existing floor drain 23 sucb as in the case of a full holding tank 2 1. Said interoonnectirtg plumbing 40 tiuther comprises a first filter 24 which provides filtration of suspended particulate material therefrom the gray water 80 using preferably a replaceable mechanical cartridge fllter; however, may provide a rough straining dev'ce, thereby separating out large pPUticulate from said gray water flow 80 before it enters the holding tank 21.
The first filter 33 is also envisioned to provide additional standard features such as an intenzal flow bypass circuit enabling filter cartrLdge replacement, an integral bleed valve, a pressure gauge 34, and panel mounting fixtures in an expected manner. The control valves 22, ftt'st filter 24, and the intet+oannecting plumbing 40, 41, 42 are envisioned to pxovide any number of plumbing functions based upon particular installed conflgurations of the system 10 and varxous plumbing schcmes and as suoh should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system 10.
REV: 29 Janaary 2008 The gray water treatment system 30 further compxises a mounting pane131, a pump 32, a power cord 35, a second filter 33, and a pressure gauge 34. The gray water treatmettt system 30 provides a pumping and filtration ndeans to the gmy water 80 to retnove suspended particulate matter from said gray water 80 so as to prepare said gtay water 80 for use in a variety of non-potable applioations such as, but not limited to, inripation, watering gardens, watering lawns, washing cars, and the like. The mounting panel 31 provides an attachment means to the gray water treatment system 30 thereto. The mounting pane131 is envisioned to be mounted preferably thereto an adjacent basement wall; however, said mounting panel 31 may be mounted thereto any number of locations within a buildinig structure 60 providing acaess and maintenance opportunities such as a floor-mounted stand, an adjacert laundry room wall, or the like. The mounting pane131 is envisioned to be made using sturdy wood or metal materials in a vertical orientabton providiug various common attachment hardware and fixtures suitable to mount the pump 32 and the second filter 33. The pump inlet 32 is connected thereto the outlet plumbing portion 41 of the accumulation system 20 and the pump oul;let 32 is connected thereto the second filter 33. The pump 32 is envisioned to be a miniature panel roounted 1 I0-volt impeller or jet pump capable of a nainitnum of sixty (60) PSIG pressttre and a minimum pumping capacity of 10 gallons per minute. The pump 32 is envisioned to provide standard features such as; but not limited to, a pressure relay switch, an ON/OPF switch, and a power cord 35 to supply and energize the pump 32 using I], 0-volt AC
power from an available household receptacle in an expected manner. The second filter 33 provides filtration of suspended particulate material there$om the gray water 80 using preferably one (1) or more replaceable mechanical filter cartridges. It is furtber envisioned that the second filter 33 may be configured with multiple filter cartridges, thereby providing a progressive filtering meatts envisioned to result ip water purity ranging from 20 microns to one (1) micron particle filtration. The second filter 33 is also envisioned to provide additional standard features such as an-intexnal flow bypass circuit enabling filter xtE'V: 29 JAnuary 2008 .$_ cartri.dge replacement, an integral bleed valve, a pressure gauge 34, and pauel mounting fixtures in an expected manner. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the mounting panel 31 may provide a convenient location for vaxious system indicators and insttwments to aid in maintaining and tnonitoring the system 10. The mounting pat~,el 31 may provide instruments such as; but not li.mited to, display iustrmcntation indicating volume or level of gray water 80 therein the holding tank 21, a counter indicating accumulative gallons of filtered water to aid in periodic ,filter cartridge replacement, and the like.
After passing through the gray water treatment system 30 said gray water 80 subsequcntly passes therethrough the treated water plumbing 43 to one (1) or more point-of-use spigots 45 as previously described.
It is envisioned tlaat other stylcs and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configun3tiozt sb.all be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.
2. Qparation of the Freeml Embodimetat The preferr i embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in, a simple and eflortless manner with little or no traitxing. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system 10, it would be instaIled as indicated in FIG. 1.
The method of installing and utilizing the systepu 10 may be achieved by performing the foIlowing steps:liiaaing the holding tank 21 in an appropriate location preferably a basenaent area of a building structure 60 being in convenient proximity to intended water source 50 drain plarnbing; mounting the mounting panel portion 31 of the gray water treatment system 30 thereto a vertical wall preferably adjacent to the holding tank 21; selecting particular gray water sources 50 from which to collect spent gray water 80 therefrom; modi$ring and re-routing existing collection plumbing 40 associated with selected gray water sources 50 within a building sbructure 60 thereto an inlet connection i2EV; 29 January 2008 thereupon the holding tank 21; fabricating and instailing outlet plumbing 41, bypass plumbing 42, and overflow sub-systems using common fittings and control valves based upon a desired plumbing scheme; mount3ng the pump 32 and second filter thereto the mounting panel 31; installing and routing outlet pluaabing 41 from the holding tank outlet connection thereto the inlet connection of the gray water treatment system 30;
installing and routing treated water plumbing 43 from the outlet connection of the gr$y water treatment system 30 thereto the spigot(s) 45 as required; connecting the pump 32 to a a 10-volt power source using the power cord 35; collecting and accumulating gray water 80 in the holding tank 21 therefrc-m water sources 50 witblia the building structure 60 over a period of time; dispensing and consuming treated gray water 80 themfrom the spigot(s) 45 as needed for irrigation, washing cars, and the like; and, beneflting from reduced water costs as well as improved vvater conservation using the present invention 10.
An alternative embodiment of the present system 10 comprises solenoid powared conttol valves 22 within a plumbing scheme 40 which work in conjunction with a liquid level sensor therewithin the holding tank 21, thereby providittg automatic gray water 80 redirection from said holding tank 21 to an existing floor drain 23 once the holding tank 21 isfull.
Another alternative embodiment of the system 10 comprises a holding tank 21 installation at an above grade 65 location comprising a secondary pump, associated controls, and plumbing con}ponents ttecossary to propel gray water 80 from gray water sources 50 below said holding tank 21 such as a basement shower or floor dtWn to the holding tatik 21 above.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for puxposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be ry' exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments REv: 29 Jenuary 2008 were chosen and described in order to bcst explain the imiracxples of the inventiou =d Its practlcal afflicationo4o^thereby ettable others skilled in the ert to best utilize the invention and various embodunents with vmioas modifications as nre suited to the particular use costtmaplated.
REV: 29 January 2M
Claims (2)
1. A gray water recycling system comprising: a holding tank, a plurality of control valves, a first and a second filter, a mounting panel, a pump, a pressure gauge, a power cord, collection plumbing, outlet plumbing, bypass plumbing, treated water plumbing, and a spigot valve.
2. A method of collecting, recycling and reusing gray water within a structure.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US6726908P | 2008-02-28 | 2008-02-28 | |
| US61/067,269 | 2008-02-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2652143A1 true CA2652143A1 (en) | 2009-08-28 |
Family
ID=41010659
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002652143A Abandoned CA2652143A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2009-02-19 | Grey water recycling system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2652143A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103953100A (en) * | 2014-04-11 | 2014-07-30 | 温州旭升装饰有限公司 | Water recycling device for shower in bathroom |
| CN105386488A (en) * | 2015-11-30 | 2016-03-09 | 王凡业 | Toilet bowl and hand washbasin integrated water saving device |
| CN109235557A (en) * | 2018-10-29 | 2019-01-18 | 吴联凯 | A kind of Sewage treatment energy conserving system becoming caliber |
| US11104586B2 (en) | 2016-07-25 | 2021-08-31 | Guillaume Bertrand | Water recycling system and method |
-
2009
- 2009-02-19 CA CA002652143A patent/CA2652143A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103953100A (en) * | 2014-04-11 | 2014-07-30 | 温州旭升装饰有限公司 | Water recycling device for shower in bathroom |
| CN105386488A (en) * | 2015-11-30 | 2016-03-09 | 王凡业 | Toilet bowl and hand washbasin integrated water saving device |
| US11104586B2 (en) | 2016-07-25 | 2021-08-31 | Guillaume Bertrand | Water recycling system and method |
| CN109235557A (en) * | 2018-10-29 | 2019-01-18 | 吴联凯 | A kind of Sewage treatment energy conserving system becoming caliber |
| CN109235557B (en) * | 2018-10-29 | 2020-12-22 | 吴联凯 | Waste water recycling energy-saving system with variable pipe diameter |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US8377291B2 (en) | Graywater systems | |
| US20040168992A1 (en) | Device, system and method for gray water recycling | |
| US8696897B2 (en) | Gray water recycling system | |
| US6887375B2 (en) | System to save and recycle domestic water | |
| US20140262998A1 (en) | Water System | |
| US10138138B2 (en) | System and method of greywater recovery and reuse | |
| CA2652143A1 (en) | Grey water recycling system | |
| WO1994005866A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for waste water recycling | |
| CN106315893A (en) | Water purifier system capable of storing non-drinking water in reverse-osmosis water purifier and storage application method thereof | |
| JP5558621B1 (en) | Circulating water utilization system | |
| GB2278388A (en) | Water conservation/recovery system | |
| TWI522514B (en) | Rainwater collection and dispensation system | |
| HRP20161394T1 (en) | Small installation for biological wastewater treatment with improved efficiency | |
| GB2524715A (en) | Integrated washbasin and shower gray water recycling system for flushing the toilet | |
| JP2011220016A (en) | Snow melting and sprinkling system utilizing rainwater | |
| EP2048291A1 (en) | Recovery of water used in existing buildings | |
| GB2436851A (en) | Water recycling system | |
| AU2004100410A4 (en) | Grey water interception & reuse system | |
| US20230399243A1 (en) | Fats, oil and grease collection | |
| GB2331323A (en) | Domestic water supply system | |
| CN103541423A (en) | Self-cleaning type sewage lifting device | |
| JP2002129605A (en) | Water supply system for house | |
| AU2021102095A4 (en) | Simple Shower Water Diversion Device | |
| KR20150070555A (en) | Rainwater recycling system | |
| CN218091152U (en) | Bury formula integration rainwater treatment facility |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20130219 |