EP1797014A1 - System und verfahren zur behandlung von abwasser - Google Patents

System und verfahren zur behandlung von abwasser

Info

Publication number
EP1797014A1
EP1797014A1 EP05764460A EP05764460A EP1797014A1 EP 1797014 A1 EP1797014 A1 EP 1797014A1 EP 05764460 A EP05764460 A EP 05764460A EP 05764460 A EP05764460 A EP 05764460A EP 1797014 A1 EP1797014 A1 EP 1797014A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wastewater
operational area
area
batch
volume
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05764460A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1797014A4 (de
Inventor
Rocky R. White
Lawrence J. Bradford
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Njun LLC
Original Assignee
Njun LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/900,979 external-priority patent/US7294254B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/098,762 external-priority patent/US7303678B2/en
Application filed by Njun LLC filed Critical Njun LLC
Publication of EP1797014A1 publication Critical patent/EP1797014A1/de
Publication of EP1797014A4 publication Critical patent/EP1797014A4/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
    • C02F3/12—Activated sludge processes
    • C02F3/1236—Particular type of activated sludge installations
    • C02F3/1242—Small compact installations for use in homes, apartment blocks, hotels or the like
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/006—Regulation methods for biological treatment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
    • C02F3/12—Activated sludge processes
    • C02F3/1236—Particular type of activated sludge installations
    • C02F3/1263—Sequencing batch reactors [SBR]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/005—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/005—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
    • C02F2209/008—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC] comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/36—Biological material, e.g. enzymes or ATP
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/42—Liquid level
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/44—Time
    • 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
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
    • Y02W10/10—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage

Definitions

  • Untreated wastewater contains bacteria that consume high quantities of dissolved oxygen, which is commonly measured as the level of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the water.
  • BOD biochemical oxygen demand
  • the level of dissolved oxygen in the water of the streams and aquifers begins to deplete, which endangers the water bodies themselves and the resident plant and aquatic life.
  • the bacteria of the untreated wastewater will deplete the dissolved oxygen in the water to a level that will not support plant and aquatic life.
  • Untreated wastewater also contains a number of disease pathogens that are extremely harmful to humans.
  • untreated wastewater is one of the leading causes of dysentery, which can be life threatening if not properly treated.
  • the treatment plant processes the larger-than-normal amounts of untreated wastewater, instead of diverting a portion into a body of water, the influx of untreated wastewater would wash away the bacteria populations used by the plant to treat the untreated wastewater, which would disrupt the entire biological treatment process of the plant.
  • septic systems are usually utilized to treat wastewater.
  • a septic tank is typically a large tank located underground on an owner's property. Septic tanks are categorized as continuous flow systems because wastewater flows into the septic tank at one end, and the same amount of wastewater that entered will exit the tank at the other end. The purpose of a septic tank is to retain any solids in the wastewater and to allow the liquid wastewater to pass through to prevent field lines leading from the septic tank to a drain field from becoming clogged.
  • drain fields covering a certain minimum area of soil are required to filter the wastewater. That minimum area is influenced by factors including the amount of wastewater produced by the household and the soil percolation rate. Different kinds of soil have different percolation rates, and a larger or smaller drain field will be required depending on the characteristics of the soil. Because the percolation rate of soil determines the minimum lot size in a subdivision using septic tanks, the requirement for larger minimum lots where percolation is relatively poor reduces the maximum number of lots available in that subdivision, and the resulting increase in the cost of those lots is passed on to the home buyers.
  • a number of the commercially available on-site wastewater treatment systems utilize the continuous flow system discussed above with regard to septic tanks, hi a continuous flow system, no wastewater leaves the system unless wastewater enters the system, and unlike at a centralized wastewater treatment plant, there is no operator available at these on-site treatment systems to determine and adjust to changes in flow rate of wastewater entering the systems. Therefore, if a residence or business does not generate any new wastewater for a period of time, 005/023397
  • the current on-site alternative treatment systems use the same process every day to treat wastewater. For instance, while the wastewater is within these on-site treatment systems, it is either continuously aerated, or aerated at set periodic times, such as every four, eight, or twelve hours, without taking into consideration the amount of wastewater in the system or the population of microorganisms in the system. Therefore, wastewater leaving these on-site alternative systems is typically not sufficiently treated either because it was not aerated for a long enough time, or because it was aerated for too long, which causes the microorganisms in the systems to remain suspended in the wastewater discharged from the systems.
  • the on-site alternative wastewater treatment systems that utilize the continuous-flow method to treat wastewater fail to maintain the correct biological balance needed to properly treat wastewater because the process utilized by the systems is not capable of changing to accommodate the variable characteristics of wastewater treatment including different wastewater flows, different times of wastewater generation, and different wastewater concentration.
  • the present invention comprises an improved localized wastewater treatment system positioned at the site of raw wastewater generation.
  • the system includes areas to receive and treat a continuous inflow of wastewater, and a treatment area to which batches of the wastewater are periodically transferred for treatment separately from the inflow to the system.
  • AU functions of the system including movement of the influent through the system, are carried out either by gravity flow or by selective application of compressed air, eliminating the expense and maintenance requirements of mechanical pumps and valves in the wastewater flow streams.
  • wastewater, or influent flows from a residence or business into a first operational area according to the present invention.
  • Most solid material in the wastewater received by a first operational area separates out of the wastewater down to a solids settling area located below the first operational area.
  • the wastewater overflows from the first operational area to a second operational area.
  • a batch of the wastewater is transferred from the second operational area to a third 005/023397
  • the batch of wastewater transferred to the third operational chamber undergoes an anoxic period for a predetermined amount of time during which nutrients are removed from the wastewater.
  • the batch of wastewater undergoes an aerobic period for a predetermined amount of time, during which principal aerobic treatment of the wastewater occurs.
  • a population of microorganisms contained within a solids area located beneath the third operational area mixes with the wastewater, during the aerobic period, and biologically treats the wastewater.
  • the wastewater undergoes a clarification period for a predetermined amount of time, during which the population of microorganisms settle out of the wastewater and down to the solids area, leaving a layer of treated wastewater above the settled population of microorganisms.
  • the treated wastewater is then removed from the third operational area for dispersal, and a predetermined portion of the population of microorganisms may be removed from the solids area to control the length of time the microorganisms remain in the system.
  • no new wastewater enters the third operational area.
  • the present system initially receives wastewater from a residence or business into a first chamber, known as the receiving chamber.
  • the receiving chamber comprises a solids settling area for receiving solid material settling out of the wastewater, a first operational area located above the solids area for receiving wastewater to be processed, and a holding area located above the first operational area for receiving an amount of wastewater above the average amount of flow historically received from a particular residence or business within a predetermined period of time.
  • the majority of solid material in the wastewater sinks to the solids settling area, and the majority of the scum floats to the surface of the wastewater in the receiving chamber.
  • the flow of wastewater into the receiving chamber displaces and mixes with wastewater already located in the receiving chamber.
  • the receiving chamber is sized to retain the incoming wastewater for a predetermined amount of time to allow solid material in the wastewater to separate out, without allowing the wastewater to become septic. If the capacity of the receiving chamber is too small relative to the expected maximum inflow of wastewater from a residence or business, then solids in the wastewater will not have time to settle out and, thus, will be transferred with the wastewater through the wastewater treatment system. On the other hand, if the capacity of the receiving chamber is too large, the wastewater will remain in the receiving chamber too long, allowing growth of bacteria which slows the entire biological treatment process.
  • the wastewater located within the first operational area flows into a second chamber, known as the intermediate or equalization chamber. That flow may take place through an outlet opening, disposed at a level below the first operational area, connecting the receiving chamber to the equalization chamber.
  • the receiving chamber may also include a filter passage including a first baffle and a second baffle arranged around the outlet opening to prevent settleable and floatable solid material from flowing over to the equalization chamber with the wastewater and to divert the wastewater from the first operational area to the outlet opening.
  • the equalization chamber comprises a second operational area for receiving wastewater transferred over from the receiving chamber and two solids settling areas located below the second operational area for receiving any solid material that may settle out of the wastewater transferred from the receiving chamber.
  • Solid material that either settles down to the solids settling areas of the equalization chamber or floats to the surface of the wastewater may be removed and transferred, via an airlift system, to the receiving chamber.
  • the airlift system is an air-driven transfer system that utilizes compressed air to transfer solid material from the equalization chamber and return the solid material to the receiving chamber.
  • the reaction chamber comprises a third operational area for receiving a batch of wastewater to process and an activated sludge area located below the third operational area for holding a population of microorganisms used in the biological treatment of the wastewater.
  • the wastewater undergoes an anoxic period for a predetermined amount of time, during which nutrient removal takes place.
  • the population of microorganisms in the activated sludge area of the reaction chamber initially mixes with the incoming wastewater and biologically removes nutrients from the wastewater due to the introduction of a carbon source, namely, the new US2005/023397
  • an aerobic period begins in the reaction chamber.
  • wastewater is aerated for a predetermined amount of time based on the volume of the batch of wastewater.
  • This aeration causes the wastewater within the operational area of the reaction chamber to mix with the population of microorganisms contained in the activated sludge area.
  • the shape of the reaction chamber also promotes mixing.
  • Aeration is terminated at the end of an aerobic period, and the population of microorganisms is allowed to settle out of the liquid for a predetermined period of time, known as the clarification period.
  • the clarification period By the end of the clarification period, the population of microorganisms has almost completely separated from the liquid contained in the reaction chamber.
  • the resulting liquid, or effluent thus is biologically treated and is safe to be discharged into the environment through any suitable manner such as drain fields, spraying, direct discharge, municipal sewer lines, or the like.
  • the localized wastewater treatment system includes a processor capable of controlling when and how much wastewater is transferred to the third operational area for biological treatment.
  • the processor is also capable of controlling the length of times of the anoxic period, aerobic period, and clarification period.
  • the processor monitors and stores the daily flow activity of the system to identify and accommodate trends in the flow activity.
  • a central control and monitoring system located offsite from the localized wastewater treatment system communicates with the localized system to reprogram the processor at the localized system with updated information and to receive from the localized system any reports of malfunction or other abnormal events associated with the system.
  • the present invention also comprises a variable process for treating wastewater at a localized sewage treatment system positioned at the site of the wastewater generation.
  • wastewater flows from a first operational area to a second operational area, where the volume of the wastewater is monitored.
  • a batch of wastewater is transferred from the second operational area to a third operational area for treatment.
  • the transfer volume is determined based on the volume of wastewater received in the second operational area over a period of time.
  • transfer time is determined based on when the volume of wastewater is received in the second operational area. If, at the transfer time, the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area is at least equal to the transfer volume, then a batch of wastewater having a volume equal to the transfer volume is 2005/023397
  • a third operational area for treatment If, at the transfer time, the volume of wastewater in the second operational area is less than the transfer volume, then wastewater continues to accumulate in the second operational area until the volume of the wastewater is at least equal to the transfer volume. In another embodiment, if, at the transfer time, the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area is less than the transfer volume, then a batch of wastewater having a volume less than the transfer volume is transferred to the third operational area for treatment.
  • the batch of wastewater is transferred to the third operational area, certain nutrients are removed from the wastewater during an anoxic period.
  • the batch of wastewater is aerated for predetermined amount of time based on the volume of the batch of wastewater and the population of microorganisms in the third operational area.
  • the batch of wastewater is clarified for a predetermined amount of time to allow the population of microorganisms to settle out of the wastewater.
  • the treated wastewater is then removed from the third operational area for dispersal.
  • a predetermined volume of wastewater is reserved in the second operational area.
  • the reserved volume of wastewater is transferred to the third operational area for treatment. If, after the reserved volume of wastewater is treated, no wastewater has accumulated in the second operational area, then the reserved volume of wastewater is transferred to the first operational area, where the reserved wastewater flows over to the second operational area. If, at the transfer time, no additional wastewater has accumulated in the second operational area, then the reserved volume of wastewater is transferred from the second operational area to the third operational area for further treatment to maintain the population of microorganisms in the third operational area.
  • the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area is determined. If the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area is at least equal to the transfer volume, then aeration of the batch of wastewater is stopped prior to the expiration of the predetermined amount of aeration time. The batch of wastewater is then clarified for an amount of time shorter than the predetermined amount of clarification time.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wastewater treatment system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wastewater treatment system shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wastewater treatment system taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 3 A is a cross-sectional view of the wastewater treatment system as in FIG. 3 with arrows showing exemplary liquid flow throughout the system;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wastewater treatment system taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wastewater treatment system taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an airlift system of the wastewater treatment system shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a float assembly taken at inset 6A in FIG. 6
  • FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion of the airlift system taken at inset 6B in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the airlift system taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 6B but showing an alternate pipe layout in which the liquid pipes are in a separate plane from the air pipes;
  • FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation view of a reaction chamber and the float assembly of the wastewater treatment system in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation view of the reaction chamber and a splatter plate of the wastewater treatment system in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIGS. 1 OA-I OM are longitudinal cross-sectional elevation views of the wastewater treatment system in FIG. 1 showing exemplary liquid flow through the system;
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the association between a system processor, a multi-port valve, an air compressor, sensors, airlift pumps, and air diffusers for the present invention.
  • FIGS. 12A-12D are flow diagrams showing an illustrative start-up process for treating wastewater according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 13A-13G are flow diagrams showing an illustrative operational process for treating wastewater according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • the first is inorganic solids, which do not break down or decompose by biological treatment.
  • the inorganic content in wastewater is typically very small.
  • the second type of solids typically present in wastewater is organic solids. Aerobic biological treatment processes, such as those used by certain embodiments of the present invention, rely on a population of microorganisms to break down the organic solids.
  • a wastewater treatment system according to the present invention must, therefore, grow and maintain a population of bacteria in order to consume the organic waste. Under aerobic conditions, the reduced organic compounds are oxidized to end products of carbon dioxide and water.
  • FIGS. 1-5 An embodiment of a wastewater treatment system according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5.
  • Wastewater in the form of raw sewage is supplied as influent to a localized wastewater treatment system 10 comprising a tank 20 through an inlet opening 30 at one end of the tank.
  • the tank 20 has a plurality of chambers, each chamber having a plurality of areas for treating wastewater.
  • the influent typically flows through a series of pipes leading from a building or residence to the localized treatment system.
  • the wastewater After passing through the inlet opening 30, the wastewater enters a receiving chamber 50 having a first side wall 52 curving downwardly toward a bottom 78, a second side wall 54 opposing the first side wall, a front wall, a rear wall opposing the front wall, and a top 76 opposing the bottom.
  • the entering wastewater encounters a baffle 32 just inside the inlet opening 30, which slows the flow rate velocity of the arriving wastewater entering the receiving chamber 50 and directs the wastewater downwardly toward the curved first side wall 52 and the bottom 78 of the receiving chamber, as indicated by the directional arrows in FIG. 3 A.
  • the wastewater begins naturally separating into wastewater constituents, including solid and liquid material.
  • a first operational area 84 at an intermediate elevation within the receiving chamber for receiving the flow of wastewater entering the system
  • a holding area 88 above the first operational area for accommodating occasional peak- flow demands
  • a first solids settling area 86 at the lowermost portion of the receiving chamber for receiving solid material settling out of the wastewater.
  • Solid material in the wastewater will either float to the surface of the wastewater or settle to the first solids settling area 86, depending on the density of the solid material, as illustrated in FIG. 1OA.
  • the second side wall 54 of the receiving chamber 50 defines an outlet opening 56 at a level below the first operational area 84, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for transferring the wastewater from the first operational area to an equalization chamber 90 at an intermediate location within the tank 20.
  • a filter passage 58 comprising a lower baffle 60 and an upper baffle 70 for inhibiting settleable and floatable solid material in the receiving chamber 50 from flowing over into the equalization chamber 90 with the wastewater and for diverting the wastewater from the first operational area 84 to the outlet open.
  • the lower baffle 60 includes a first inclined wall portion 62 extending upwardly at an acute angle from the second side wall 54 to a distal edge 62a spaced apart from the second side wall, and a vertical wall portion 64 extending upwardly from the distal edge 62a to an upper edge joining a second incline wall portion 66 extending downwardly at an acute angle from the upper edge of the vertical wall portion to a lower edge 66a.
  • the vertical wall portion 64 and the second incline wall portion 66 thus intersect at an apex 68 that defines the interface between the first solids settling area 86 and the first operational area 84 located immediately above the first solids settling area.
  • the upper baffle 70 includes an incline wall portion 72 extending downwardly at an acute angle from the second side wall 54 to a distal edge 72a, and a vertical portion 74 extending downwardly from the distal edge of the incline wall portion to a lower edge 74a.
  • the lower edge 74a of the vertical wall portion 74 preferably extends below the apex 68 of the lower baffle 60 and is spaced apart from that apex.
  • the open area 67, between the lower edge 74a of the vertical wall portion 74 for the upper baffle 70 and the second inclined wall portion 66 of the lower baffle 60, thus defines the flow passageway from the first operational area 84 to the outlet opening 56 leading to the equalization chamber 90.
  • the upper baffle 70 ensures that any solid material settling out of wastewater above the upper baffle in the receiving chamber 50 will continue moving downwardly and settle into the first solids settling area 86.
  • the wastewater begins to enter the open area 67 and contact the second incline wall portion 66 of the lower baffle 60.
  • the second incline wall portion 66 ensures that any solid material settling in that open area 67 is urged downwardly into the first solids settling area 86.
  • floating material that might rise from the first solids settling area 86 is trapped under the second incline wall portion 66 or passes by the open area 67 on ascent to the surface of wastewater rising to the first operational area 84, rather than transferring over to the equalization chamber 90 with the wastewater from the first operational area 84.
  • All floating material in the receiving chamber 50 thus will remain in the first operational area 84 or in the holding area 88, as the water level can never fall below the level of the apex 68, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-M. Accordingly, the wastewater level in the receiving chamber 50 can go no lower than approximately the lower edge 74a of the vertical portion 74, trapping the floating material in areas 84 and 88. As the wastewater rises above the level defined by the apex 68, the wastewater begins flowing through the open area 67, down the vertical wall portion 64 and the first incline wall portion 62 of the lower baffle 60, and into the equalization chamber 90 through the outlet opening 56 at the lower end of the lower baffle, as indicated by the directional arrows in FIG. 3 A.
  • the equalization chamber 90 is separated from the receiving chamber 50 by the second side wall 54 and includes a third side wall 92 opposing the second side wall, a front wall, a rear wall opposing the front wall, a top 98, and a bottom 100 opposing the top.
  • the equalization chamber 90 comprises a second operational area 102 for receiving the flow of wastewater from the first operational area 84 of the receiving chamber 50, and a second solids settling area 118 and a third solids settling areas 120 below the second operational area for receiving any remaining solid material settling out of the wastewater in the equalization chamber.
  • the equalization chamber 90 may also include a funnel assembly 108 located toward the upper end of the equalization chamber for urging any floating solid material at the surface of the wastewater in the equalization chamber to a third airlift pump, as further described below.
  • a funnel assembly 108 located toward the upper end of the equalization chamber for urging any floating solid material at the surface of the wastewater in the equalization chamber to a third airlift pump, as further described below.
  • the partition 122 includes an incline 124 extending from the bottom 100 of the equalization chamber 90 to an apex 126, and a complementary incline 128 extending from the apex to the bottom 100 of the equalization chamber.
  • the first incline portion 62 of the lower baffle 60 and the incline 124 of the equalization chamber 90 cause solid material settling out of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 to move towards the second solids settling area 118 located at the bottom of the first valley region 104, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 1OA.
  • the solid material settling in the second solids settling area 118 may periodically be removed to the receiving chamber 50 by a first airlift pump comprising a pipe 130 (FIG. 6) connected to a common trunk line 40 located above the first and second operational areas and extending from the equalization chamber 90 to the receiving chamber.
  • This second solids settling area 118 is sized relative to the low-to-medium head pressure strength of the airlift to ensure that all the solids will be removed from this area.
  • the basic design and operation of airlift pumps are known to those skilled in the art and need not be repeated herein.
  • the pipe 130 preferably comprises an inlet end 132 located in the second solids settling area 118, which allows solid material that has accumulated in the second solids settling area to enter the pipe, and an outlet end 134 connected to the common trunk line 40, which allows the solid material to be received by the common trunk line.
  • an air intake opening 136 of the pipe 130 When air is supplied to an air intake opening 136 of the pipe 130, the solid material is moved by the first airlift pump through the pipe and the common trunk line 40 and is discharged into the receiving chamber 50 through an outlet end 42 of the common trunk line located adjacent the baffle 32, as illustrated in FIG. 1OB.
  • the transferred solid material will settle into the first solids settling area 86 and remain in that area until broken down and anaerobically digested.
  • the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 flows over the apex 126, and into the second valley region 106 of the second operational area 102.
  • the complementary incline 128 and the third side wall 92 of the equalization chamber 90 form the second valley region 106. Any solid material that may remain in the wastewater within the equalization chamber 90 will tend to move downwardly to the third solids settling area 120 located below the second valley region 106. Solid material accumulating in the third solids settling area 120 may be returned to the receiving chamber 50 via airlift through a second airlift pump (FIG. 6) comprising a pipe 138, which extends upwardly and connects to the common trunk line 40.
  • a second airlift pump (FIG. 6) comprising a pipe 138, which extends upwardly and connects to the common trunk line 40.
  • This solids area 120 is also sized to the low-to-medium head pressure strength of the airlift 138.
  • the pipe 138 preferably comprises an inlet end 140 located in the third solids settling area 120 for allowing solid material that has accumulated in the third solids settling area to enter 97
  • the level of wastewater in the equalization chamber and receiving chamber will rise together.
  • the wastewater in the receiving chamber 50 fills the first operational area 84 and contacts the upper baffle 70 located above and spaced apart from the lower baffle 60, as shown by FIG. 1OA.
  • the upper baffle 70 ensures that any solid material settling out of the wastewater in the first operational area 84 and the holding area 88 will continue moving downwardly and settle in the first solids settling area 86 instead of flowing into the equalization chamber 90.
  • the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 contacts the funnel assembly 108 having a first triangular-shaped baffle 109 extending upwardly at an acute angle from the front wall of the equalization chamber to an upper point located adjacent the second side wall 54, a second triangular-shaped baffle 111 extending upwardly at an acute angle from the rear wall of the equalization chamber to an upper point located adjacent the second side wall, and a third triangular-shaped baffle 113 extending upwardly at an acute angle from the third side wall 92 to an upper point joining the first and second triangular-shaped baffles, as best illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the first triangular-shaped baffle 109, second triangular-shaped baffle 111, and third triangular-shaped baffle 113 thus intersect at an apex 115 (FIG. 3) such that as the level of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 rises to completely contact the funnel assembly 108, any solid material floating on the surface of the wastewater will be urged to the apex and transferred to the receiving chamber 50 via the third airlift pump.
  • the third airlift pump comprises a pipe 148 having an inlet end 150 located at or just below the apex 115 of the funnel assembly 108 for receiving the floatable solid material in the pipe, and an outlet end 152 connected to the common trunk line 40, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.
  • the reaction chamber 166 is separated from the equalization chamber 90 by the third side wall 92 and comprises a fourth side wall 170 opposing the third side wall, a front wall, a rear wall opposing the front wall, a top 176, and a bottom 178 opposing the top.
  • the reaction chamber 166 preferably includes a third operational area 180 for receiving the batch of wastewater transferred from the equalization chamber 90, and an activated sludge area 182 below the third operational area for receiving a population of microorganisms. Wastewater transferred from the equalization chamber 90 to the third operational area 180 mixes with the population of microorganisms in the activated sludge area 182. The population of microorganisms is capable of consuming the organic material remaining in the wastewater.
  • the activated sludge area 182 is preferably sized to hold a population of microorganisms sufficient to biologically process the largest batch of wastewater the treatment system 10 is designed to process within a 24-hour period.
  • the reaction chamber 166 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is sized so that the third operational area 180 can hold and biologically treat the largest volume of wastewater anticipated in a predetermined interval within a 24-hour period.
  • the period of time to process and transfer a batch of wastewater in the reaction chamber 166 is one hour for anoxic treatment, 2.5 hours of aerobic treatment by aeration, followed by 2.5 hours for clarification, and approximately 22 minutes to transfer the clarified liquid from the reaction chamber. Accordingly, six hours of processing time is required for each batch of wastewater transferred into the reaction chamber.
  • the volume of the third operational area 180 should be 950 liters.
  • the volume of the second operational area 102 (including the first and second valley regions 104, 106), the second and third solids settling areas 118, 120, and the open space 67 should be at least 950 liters.
  • the volume of the first operational area 84 should also be at least 950 liters to replace the wastewater periodically transferred from the equalization chamber to the reaction chamber. It should be understood that the capacities in the foregoing example may be scaled up or down to treat different maximum volumes of wastewater anticipated over predetermined periods of time.
  • the localized wastewater treatment system 10 may transfer wastewater from the equalization chamber 90 to the reaction chamber 166 according to the amount of time the wastewater has spent in the equalization chamber 90 or according to the volume of the wastewater in the equalization chamber.
  • the localized treatment system 10 over time, may determine that, for that particular residence or business, 455 liters of wastewater need to be processed every eight hours.
  • batches of wastewater will typically be transferred to the reaction chamber 166 based on whether the wastewater has been held in the equalization chamber 90 for the predetermined amount of time, eight hours in the present. If, however, in a given eight-hour period only a lesser amount, e.g., 285 liters, of wastewater has collected in the equalization chamber 90, the treatment system will preferably opt to transfer the entire 285 liters to the reaction chamber 166 and process a smaller-than-normal batch to maintain a routine processing schedule.
  • the treatment system may preferably determine to shorten the treatment of the previous batch and transfer the 760 liters to the reaction chamber 166 and process the larger-than-normal batch because when the wastewater reaches a predetermined volume, the system decides to process the wastewater instead of waiting for the predetermined amount of time to expire. Therefore, the localized wastewater treatment system, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, is capable of changing the way the system processes wastewater to accommodate the variations in the flow of wastewater from a residence or business.
  • the system of the present invention continually monitors the volume of wastewater accumulating in the equalization chamber 90.
  • a first ultrasonic sensor 156 monitors the volume of the wastewater in the equalization chamber by emitting and receiving sound waves through a stilling tube 157 extending through an opening in the third triangular-shaped baffle 113 of the funnel assembly 108. Once emitted from the first ultrasonic sensor 156, the sound waves reflect off the surface of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 and are received back by the first ultrasonic sensor. The time that elapses between sending and receiving the sound wave is used by the system processor 248 to determine the level of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90, and that level is a function of the volume of the wastewater in the chamber.
  • each chamber in the tank 20 of the disclosed embodiment is irregular, the relation between the liquid level in each predetermined vertical fraction measured by the sensor 156 and the volume of liquid corresponding to that measured vertical fraction is initially determined by measuring the actual volume of liquid in each vertical fraction within that chamber.
  • Those fractional volumes are stored as a lookup table in a system processor 248 (FIG. 11), described below, from which the system determines the volume of liquid in the equalization chamber 90 corresponding to any vertical height measured by the ultrasonic sensor 156.
  • a batch of the wastewater is transferred from the equalization chamber to the reaction chamber 166 by a fourth airlift pump comprising a pipe 158 having an inlet end 160 located in the second valley region 106 for receiving the wastewater into the pipe, and having an outlet end 162 located near the top of the reaction chamber for discharging the batch of wastewater into the reaction chamber, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • the upper end of pipe 158 is curved to locate the outlet end 162 above and directed downwardly toward the maximum intended level of liquid in the reaction chamber 166, so that the wastewater from the second operational area 102 is discharged above the upper surface of the wastewater accumulating in the reaction chamber.
  • the wastewater is moved through the pipe and is discharged into the reaction chamber 166 through the outlet end 162, as shown in FIG. 1OC.
  • the wastewater level in the equalization chamber 90 begins to fall, and any wastewater in the first operational area 84 of the receiving chamber 50 flows into the second operational area of the equalization chamber, as illustrated in FIGS lOC-G.
  • the siphon conduit 139 includes an inlet end located near the bottom of the second solids settling area 118 for receiving the wastewater in the second solids settling area, an outlet end located near the bottom of the third solids settling area 120, and an intermediate point located at a level above the inlet and outlet ends of the siphon conduit.
  • the wastewater in the second solids settling area 118 is transferred through the siphon conduit and is discharged into the third solids settling area 120 through the outlet end of the siphon conduit, thereby maintaining the level of liquid in the first valley region 104 substantially the same as in the second valley region 106.
  • the system through a second ultrasonic sensor 168 preferably located near the top of the reaction chamber 166, monitors the volume of wastewater transferred to the reaction chamber from the equalization chamber 90.
  • the second ultrasonic sensor 168 emits and receives sound waves similar to the first ultrasonic sensor 156 described above, to determine the volume of the wastewater in the reaction chamber 166 as a function of the measured vertical height of liquid in the reaction chamber. Once the volume of wastewater in the reaction chamber 166 reaches the volume the system determined to transfer from the equalization chamber 90 to the reaction chamber 166, the transfer of the wastewater is stopped.
  • the system can establish if the sensors 156, 168 are working properly based on the volume of the wastewater determined by the sensors and the transfer rate of the fourth airlift pump. If the sensors 156, 168 are determined not to be working properly, then an alarm may be signaled indicating that one of the sensors malfunctioned or that the airflow through one of the airlift pumps is inadequate, possibly due to an air leak.
  • the sensors 156, 168 allow the system to control changes in the flow of wastewater without the need for manual on-site adjustments.
  • the wastewater mixes with the microbe biomass (activated sludge) remaining in the activated sludge area 182 from treatment of the previous batch, as illustrated in FIG. 1OC.
  • Those microbes having just been through clarification for, e.g., 2.5 hours followed by approximately 25 minutes for transfer of the previously treated batch of wastewater from the reaction chamber, are now oxygen-starved.
  • the microbes in the activated sludge area 182 of the reaction chamber initially mix with the incoming wastewater and biologically remove nutrients from the wastewater through a process known as denitrification due to the introduction of a carbon source, namely, the new batch of wastewater, and the lack of dissolved oxygen available in the reaction chamber after processing a previous batch of wastewater.
  • a carbon source namely, the new batch of wastewater
  • the lack of dissolved oxygen available in the reaction chamber after processing a previous batch of wastewater.
  • the wastewater undergoes an anoxic period during which certain nutrients are removed from the wastewater.
  • the batch of wastewater is aerated for a predetermined amount of time.
  • At least one air diffuser 184 is situated near the bottom of the reaction chamber 166.
  • the air diffuser 184 is connected to a source of air, such as an air compressor, and produces streams of relatively fine air bubbles rising from the bottom of the third operational area 180, mixing the population of microorganisms in the activated sludge area 182 with the batch of wastewater, as illustrated in FIG. 1OD.
  • the introduction of air to the reaction chamber 166 causes the population of microorganisms to multiply and consume the organic material remaining in the wastewater.
  • the aeration continues for a period of time determined by the system 10 based on the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 and the volume of the batch of wastewater.
  • the air to the diffuser 184 is turned off.
  • the density of the wastewater in the reaction chamber 166 may be measured using a density sensor 186 located within the third operational area 180.
  • the density sensor 186 emits and receives back a signal. Based on the elapsed time between the emission and receipt of the signal, the system processor determines the amount, or population, of microorganisms present in the reaction chamber 166. The system processor stores this value to use when determining the amount of aeration time needed to process the following batch of wastewater.
  • the wastewater undergoes a clarification phase for a predetermined amount of time.
  • the microorganisms in the wastewater of the reaction chamber 166 settle down to the activated sludge area 182 of the reaction chamber, leaving a layer of treated wastewater above the activated sludge area, as illustrated in FIGS. 10E-G.
  • the microorganisms are allowed to settle out of the treated wastewater for approximately 2.5 hours.
  • the microorganisms encounter an incline 188 (FIG. 3) connecting the fourth side wall 170 of the reaction chamber 166 to the bottom 178. The incline 188 urges the microorganisms to move towards the activated sludge area 182 at the bottom of the reaction chamber 166.
  • the microorganisms are preferably transferred by a fifth airlift pump shown in FIG. 6 comprising a pipe 190 having an inlet end 192 in the activated sludge area 182 for receiving the microorganisms in the pipe, and an outlet end 194 connected to the common trunk line 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • a fifth airlift pump shown in FIG. 6 comprising a pipe 190 having an inlet end 192 in the activated sludge area 182 for receiving the microorganisms in the pipe, and an outlet end 194 connected to the common trunk line 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the microorganisms When air is supplied through an air intake opening 196 of the pipe 190, the microorganisms are moved through the pipe and the common trunk line 40 and are discharged into the receiving chamber 50 through the outlet end 42 of the common trunk line.
  • the microorganisms are preferably transferred from the reaction chamber 166 to the receiving chamber 50 prior to transferring the batch of wastewater from the reaction chamber in order to provide maximum transfer rate of
  • the microorganisms discharged to the receiving chamber 50 eventually settle to the first solids settling area 86.
  • the wasting of microorganisms from the reaction chamber 166 to the receiving chamber 50 prevents filamentous microorganisms from forming in the reaction chamber due to aging of the microorganisms and prevent overpopulation of the microorganisms.
  • the microorganisms that are transferred to the receiving chamber 50 will attach themselves to organic matter in the receiving chamber, consuming the air as well as the food. Because there is no external airflow into the receiving chamber 50 other than the oxygen in the incoming wastewater, the wasted microorganisms will soon die due to the lack of dissolved oxygen in the receiving chamber.
  • an upper layer of the liquid in the reaction chamber 166 is now substantially clear and devoid of foreign matter, as shown in FIG. 1OG.
  • This treated wastewater, or supernatant, in the reaction chamber 166 may be discharged from the reaction chamber to any suitable destination such as a conventional drain field, as described below. Because the population of microorganisms has been allowed to settle to the activated sludge area 182 located below the third operational area 180, the supernatant is preferably removed from just below the surface of the treated wastewater and not from the surface itself, where there might be some remaining floating material. Moreover, as the liquid level drops in the reaction chamber 166, there may be microbes left on the walls that fall onto the surface of the liquid. However, those microbes will remain on the surface due to the surface tension of that liquid and the absence of disturbance at the surface and thus will not be withdrawn with the liquid being removed from just below the surface.
  • a float assembly 198 is employed as best seen in FIGS. 6-6A.
  • the float assembly 198 preferably comprises a buoyant member 200 and a conduit 206 having an inlet end 208 attached to the buoyant member by a pin 201 and an outlet end 210 (FIG. 6) connected to a pipe 214 having an inlet end 216 and an outlet end 218, as further explained below.
  • the buoyant member 200 includes a U-shaped notch 203 which allows liquid from just below the surface of the treated wastewater to enter the inlet end 208 of the conduit 206 and which allows the conduit to pivot around the horizontal axis of the pin 201 as the buoyant member 200 travels downwardly with the surface level of the liquid in the reaction chamber during the removal of the treated wastewater.
  • the weight of the float assembly 198 is selected so that the inlet end 208 of the conduit 206 is suspended slightly below the surface of the treated wastewater, allowing the treated wastewater from just below the surface to enter the inlet end of the conduit.
  • the outlet end 210 of the conduit 206 is connected to the inlet end 216 of the pipe 214.
  • the outlet end 210 of the conduit 206 is connected to the inlet end 216 of the pipe 214 by a connector made of a flexible material to allow the conduit to pivot as the buoyant member 200 travels downwardly with the surface level of the liquid in the reaction chamber 166 during the removal of the treated wastewater.
  • the conduit 206 may be made of a flexible material to permit the conduit to pivot as the surface level of the liquid in the reaction chamber 166 falls due to removal of the treated wastewater, allowing the outlet end 210 of the conduit 206 to be directly connected to the inlet end 216 of the pipe 214 without requiring a connector.
  • the outlet end 218 of the pipe 214 is connected to a first opening of a connector conduit 229, as further described below.
  • the treated wastewater is transferred from the reaction chamber 166 to a drain field or other destination such as for example, an irrigation system, by a sixth airlift pump (FIG. 6) comprising a pipe 220 having an inlet end 222 connected to a second opening of the connector conduit 229, an outlet 224 for discharging the treated wastewater to the drain field or other destination, and an air intake 226.
  • a sixth airlift pump (FIG. 6) comprising a pipe 220 having an inlet end 222 connected to a second opening of the connector conduit 229, an outlet 224 for discharging the treated wastewater to the drain field or other destination, and an air intake 226.
  • the withdrawn supernatant then enters the inlet opening 216 of the pipe 214 and proceeds downwardly to the outlet end 218 of the pipe, near the bottom of the tank 20.
  • the supernatant passes through the connector conduit 229 and makes a substantial U-turn upwardly into the pipe 220 through the inlet opening 222 toward a curved portion 223 of the pipe 220, located above the highest expected liquid level in the reaction chamber 166.
  • the apex of the curved portion 223 represents the maximum lifting force required by the sixth airlift pump to withdraw the supernatant from the third operational area 180; after liquid passes over that apex, gravity and siphoning effect will pull the supernatant from the third operational area.
  • a drain field to which the supernatant is discharged may be a conventional subsurface drain field of the kind commonly used with conventional septic tanks utilizing perforated pipes buried in a bed of gravel, or may include a subsurface irrigation system.
  • the drain field functions to dissipate the treated wastewater, which is not harmful to the surrounding environment and thus may be discharged without the drain-field area requirements associated with conventional septic tanks.
  • the treated wastewater Prior to discharging to a drain field or other destination, the treated wastewater may be exposed to an ultraviolet light source to kill any remaining bacteria in the treated wastewater.
  • a portion of the treated wastewater may be transferred from the reaction chamber 166 back to the reaction chamber to wash the walls of the chamber and disturb the surface of the treated wastewater to cause any microorganisms on the surface to settle to the activated sludge area 182.
  • the portion of the treated wastewater is transferred from the reaction chamber 166 to the reaction chamber by a seventh airlift pump (FIG. 6) comprising a pipe 228 having an inlet end 230 connected to a third opening of the connector conduit 229 and an outlet end 232 located near the top of the reaction chamber for discharging the portion of treated wastewater into the reaction chamber.
  • the upper end of the pipe 228 is curved to locate the outlet end 232 above and directed downwardly toward the maximum intended level of liquid in the reaction chamber 166, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9.
  • the treated wastewater is drawn into the conduit 206 through the inlet opening 208 by gravity and by suction from the seventh airlift pump, as indicated by the directional arrows of FIG. 9.
  • the withdrawn treated wastewater then enters the inlet opening 216 of the pipe 214 and proceeds downwardly to the outlet end 218 of the pipe, near the bottom of the tank 20.
  • the treated wastewater passes through the connector conduit 229 and makes a substantial U-turn upwardly into the pipe 228 through the inlet opening 230 toward the curved upper end of the pipe, located above the highest expected liquid level in the reaction chamber 166.
  • the apex of the curved upper end of the pipe 228 represents the maximum lifting force required by the seventh airlift pump to withdraw the supernatant from the third operational area 180; after liquid passes over that apex, gravity and siphoning effect will pull the supernatant from the third operational area.
  • a splatter plate 236 is positioned below the outlet end 232 of the pipe 228 so that the treated wastewater discharged from the pipe hits the splatter plate and sprays onto the walls of the reaction chamber 166 and the surface of the treated wastewater to remove any microbes that may be remaining on those surfaces, as best shown in FIG. 9.
  • the treated wastewater in the reaction chamber 166 may be transferred to the receiving chamber 50 via an eighth airlift pump to maintain the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 during times of low or no flow of new wastewater into the system 10. Similar to the airlift processes described above, the treated wastewater is transferred from the reaction chamber 166 to the receiving chamber 50 by the eighth airlift pump (FIG.
  • each of the pipes of the respective airlift pumps may be molded within the walls of the system 10.
  • Patent Application No. 10/227,712 which disclosure is incorporated herein, maybe used to control the distribution of air from the air compressor 260 to the airlift pumps and air diffusers in the system 10.
  • the multi-port valve 246 is preferably in communication with a system processor 248 associated with the treatment system 10, as illustrated in.
  • the multi-port valve 246 is preferably located within the tank 20, in a compartment above the third side wall 92, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be understood that the positioning of the multi-port valve 246 within the tank 20 and above the third side wall 92, although preferred, is not a critical feature of the embodiment and that other suitable locations, such as outside the tank, may be substituted.
  • the multi-port valve 246 includes a plurality of ports each connected to an airlift pump within the localized treatment system 10 to facilitate transfer of solid material and wastewater via airlift. Other ports of the multi-port valve 246 are connected to air diffusers within the system 10 to control the distribution of air to the air diffusers.
  • An exemplary operating environment for implementing the present invention includes the system processor 248 having a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus that couples the system memory to the processing unit.
  • the system memory contains the programmed instructions for operating the system 10.
  • An interface connects to the system bus and sends and receives signals from the various sensors monitoring the operation of the wastewater treatment apparatus. Those sensors include the first and second ultrasonic sensors 156, 168 monitoring the volume of wastewater in the equalization and reaction chambers 90, 166, respectively, and the density sensor 186 monitoring the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber.
  • the interface also connects with a drive motor and sensors associated with the multi-port valve 246 to communicate with the multi-port valve.
  • system processor 248 may also send and receive signals through an external data link 258 (FIG. 11) from sources external to the components of the localized wastewater treatment system.
  • the system processor 248 also can be connected over any data or telecommunications network, such as the Internet, with an offsite central monitoring system as well as with other localized wastewater treatment systems embodied by the present invention.
  • the system processor 248 can communicate any malfunctions or component failure to the central monitoring system and receive program updates and other information from the central monitoring system. This allows an operator at the central monitoring system to routinely monitor each localized wastewater treatment system in communication with the centralized monitoring system.
  • municipalities may require new commercial and residential developments to install such localized treatment systems, rather than adding sewer lines and load to the existing centralized treatment facility. It should be understood that such localized sewage treatment systems may be owned by the individual property owner, by the municipality which may charge the property owner a fee for sewage treatment, or by an individual contractor which may also charge a sewage treatment fee.
  • localized wastewater treatment systems offer substantial flexibility in treating wastewater. Although a particular treatment process is described herein, modified or different treatment processes may be substituted with little or no modification of the localized treatment apparatus.
  • FIGS. 12A-12D and 13A-13F provide a preferred operating process of the present invention used by the localized wastewater treatment system 10.
  • a start-up process 1200 and an operational process 1300 are described herein with reference to the system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3-4.
  • the system controller 248 of the system 10 Prior to receiving the first flow of wastewater, the system controller 248 of the system 10 is programmed with a set of default parameters which is used to process the initial batches of wastewater until a sufficient population of microorganisms is established to treat the wastewater.
  • each of the chambers is empty. As wastewater begins flowing into the receiving chamber 50, the system 10 enters into a start-up period as illustrated by the start-up process 1200.
  • the start-up process 1200 begins at block 1202, where wastewater first entering the system 10 is received in the first solids settling area 86 of the receiving chamber 50.
  • the process 1200 continues to block 1204, where a determination is made whether the wastewater has begun flowing into the first operational area 84. If the wastewater has begun flowing into the first operational area 84, then the process 1200 proceeds to block 1206, where the wastewater is transferred from the first operational area to the second operational area 102 of the equalization chamber 90. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wastewater is transferred to the second operational area 102 by flowing over the apex 68 of the lower baffle 60 and into the second operational area through the outlet opening 46. As previously mentioned, solid material in the wastewater entering the receiving chamber 90 will settle to the first solids area 86 and float to the surface of the wastewater.
  • the solid material is inhibited from flowing over to the equalization chamber 90 with the wastewater by the upper baffle 70 and the lower baffle 60 of the filter passage 58. If the wastewater has not begun flowing into the first operational area 86, then the process proceeds back to block 1202, where wastewater is continually received in the solids settling area 86 of the receiving chamber 50.
  • the wastewater flowing over into the equalization chamber 90 begins filling the first valley region 104 of the second operational area 102.
  • the second solids area 118 receives any settleable solid material remaining in the wastewater flowing over from the receiving chamber 50. Any remaining floatable solid material is received by the second filter system 108 installed near the top of the first valley region 104 in the second operational area 102.
  • the wastewater fills the first valley region 104 until the wastewater reaches the apex 126 and begins flowing over to the second valley region 106 of the second operational area 102.
  • the raw wastewater begins filling the portion of the second operational area 102 not divided by the partition 122.
  • the level of wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 reaches the level of the apex 68 of the lower baffle 60 in the receiving chamber 50, the level of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 and the level of the raw wastewater in the receiving chamber 50 begin rising as one because of the open connection between the two chambers.
  • the wastewater in the receiving chamber 90 rises above the apex 68, the wastewater fills the first operational area 84 of the receiving chamber 50.
  • the volume of the first operational area 84 is substantially similar to the volume of the second operational area 102 so that when a batch of wastewater is transferred from the equalization chamber 90 to the reaction chamber 166 for aerobic treatment, all of the wastewater in the first operational area flows over to the second operational area. If the receiving chamber 50 continues to receive a flow of wastewater after the first operational area 84 is completely filled, the additional wastewater is received by the holding area 88 of the receiving chamber.
  • any wastewater in the holding area 88 flows into the first operational area where it is held until a batch of wastewater is transferred from the second operational area to the third operational area 180 of the reaction chamber 166.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1208, where the volume of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 is determined.
  • the volume of wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 is measured using the first US2005/023397
  • the ultrasonic sensor 156 located near the top of the equalization chamber 90.
  • the first ultrasonic sensor 156 emits a sound wave and receives the sound wave back after the sound wave reflects off the surface of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90.
  • the sensor sends a signal to the system controller 248 indicating that a sound wave has been emitted.
  • the system controller starts a timer.
  • the first ultrasonic sensor 156 receives the reflected sound wave back, the sensor sends another signal to the system controller 248 indicating that the reflected sound wave has been received.
  • the system controller stops the timer and determines the timer reading.
  • the amount of time that elapses between sending and receiving the sound wave indicates the level of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90.
  • the system controller 248 retrieves a volume look-up table saved in the system memory 252 and compares the elapsed time with the entries in the look-up table, which contains a list of predefined volumes and the corresponding elapsed times associated with the predefined volumes.
  • the system controller 248 is able to determine the volume of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 based on the level of the wastewater in the chamber.
  • the available capacity of the equalization chamber 90 is also determinable since the total volume of the equalization chamber and the volume of the wastewater in the equalization chamber are known.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1210, where a determination is made whether the volume of wastewater in the second operational area 102 equals a default transfer volume.
  • the system controller 248 of the wastewater treatment system 10 is initially programmed with a set of default parameters that is used to process the initial batches of wastewater received by the system.
  • One of the parameters included in the set of default parameters is the default transfer volume.
  • This default transfer volume in an actual embodiment of the present invention, is about 380 liters.
  • the system utilizes the data stored in the system memory 252 regarding the flow of wastewater for that particular residence or business to determine, on a daily basis, the particular number of batches of wastewater and the volume of each of those batches that need to be processed in a twenty-four hour period. If, at block 1210 the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is less than the default transfer volume, then the process 1200 proceeds back to block 1208, where the volume of wastewater in the second operational area is determined. On the other hand, if the volume of wastewater in the second operational area 102 is at least equal to the default transfer volume, then the process 1200 proceeds to block 1212.
  • the amount of time to transfer the batch of wastewater from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180 is determined based on the volume of the batch of wastewater in the second operational area and the transfer rate of the fourth airlift pump. From block 1212, the process 1200 proceeds to block 1214, where the batch of wastewater is transferred from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180.
  • the system controller 248 determines that the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 has reached the default volume parameter, the system controller sends a signal to the multi-port valve 246 indicating to supply air to the pipe 158 of the fourth airlift pump.
  • the multi-port valve 246 rotates to the port position that connects the air intake opening 164 of the pipe 158 to the air source, causing air to flow through the pipe.
  • the wastewater received by the inlet end 160 of the pipe 158 is lifted, by the force of the air, through the pipe and into the reaction chamber 166 through the outlet end 162 of the pipe.
  • a determination is made whether the transfer time determined at block 1212 has elapsed. If the transfer time has not elapsed, then the process 1200 proceeds back to block 1214, where the batch of wastewater continues to be transferred from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1218, where the transfer of the wastewater to the third operational area 180 is stopped. Once the entire batch of wastewater is transferred to the third operational area 180, no additional wastewater will be added to that chamber until treatment of the batch of wastewater is complete. Moreover, no liquid is removed from the reaction chamber 166 during treatment of the batch. While the batch of wastewater is treated in the reaction chamber 166, wastewater continues to flow into the receiving chamber 50 and over to the equalization chamber 90.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1220, where the volume of wastewater in the third operational area is determined.
  • the volume of the wastewater in the third operational area 180 is determined through the use of the second ultrasonic sensor 168 preferably located near the top of the reaction chamber 166.
  • the second ultrasonic sensor 168 emits and receives sound waves similar to the first ultrasonic sensor 156 described above, to determine the volume of the wastewater in the third operational area 180 as a function of the measured vertical height of liquid in the reaction chamber.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1222.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1228, where the wastewater in the third operational area 180 is aerated for an extended period of time beyond a default aeration period, which is included in the programmed set of default parameters.
  • a default aeration period which is included in the programmed set of default parameters.
  • the aeration period decreases based on the increased population of microorganisms, as discussed further below.
  • the introduction of air to the reaction chamber 166 causes the population of microorganisms to multiply and consume the organic material remaining in the wastewater.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1230, where a determination is made whether the extended aeration period has elapsed. If a determination is made that the extended aeration period has not elapsed, then the process 1200 proceeds back to block 1228. If, however, a determination is made that the extended aeration period has elapsed, then the process 1200 proceeds to block 1232, where a determination is made whether the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is equivalent to the default transfer volume. If a determination is made that the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is equivalent to the default transfer volume, then the process 1200 proceeds to block 1236, where the aeration of the batch of wastewater in the third operational 23397
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1234, where the batch of wastewater in the third operational area 180 continues to be aerated. If the wastewater in the second operational area 102 has not reached the default transfer volume, then the aeration of the batch of wastewater in the third operational area 180 is prolonged to continue growing the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166. From block 1234, the process 1200 proceeds back to block 1232, where a determination is made whether the volume in the second operational area 102 is equivalent to the default transfer volume. Again, if the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is equivalent to the default transfer volume, then the process 1200 proceeds to block 1236.
  • the aeration of the batch of wastewater is stopped, and the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 is determined using the density sensor 186 located within the third operational area 180.
  • the density sensor 186 emits and receives back a signal.
  • the system controller 248 determines the amount, or population, of microorganisms present in the reaction chamber 166.
  • the system controller 248 stores this value in the system memory 252 to use to determine when to end the start-up period, as further discussed below.
  • the process 1200 proceeds to block 1238, where the batch of wastewater in the third operational area 180 is clarified for a period of time less than a default clarification period, which is included in the programmed set of default parameters.
  • a default clarification period which is included in the programmed set of default parameters.
  • the microorganisms in the wastewater of the reaction chamber 166 settle down to the activated sludge area 182 of the reaction chamber, leaving a layer of treated wastewater above the activated sludge area. Since, during the start-up period, the population of microorganisms is small relative to the population of microorganisms established during the operational process 1300, the period of time for clarification of the batch of wastewater can be shortened. In an actual embodiment of the present invention, during the first weeks of the start-up period, the batch of wastewater is clarified for 45 minutes .
  • the process proceeds to block 1240, where a determination is made whether the shortened clarification period has elapsed. If 5 at block 1240, a determination is made that the shortened clarification period has not elapsed, then the process 1200 proceeds back to block 1238. If, however, at block 1240, a determination is made that the shortened clarification period has elapsed, then the process 1200 proceeds to block 1242, where the batch of treated wastewater is removed from just below the surface of the treated wastewater in the third operational area 180 for dispersal, as described above. After the batch of treated wastewater is removed from the third operational area 180, the process 1200 proceeds to block 1244.
  • the aeration period decreases such that by the end of the start-up period, the aeration period of the batches of wastewater is approximately equal to the default aeration period because, by the end of the start-up process, the established population of microorganisms is capable of aerobically treating the batches of wastewater in less time.
  • the clarification period is also affected by the increased population of microorganisms established by the end of the start-up process.
  • the clarification period increases such that by the end of the start-up period, the clarification period of the batches of wastewater is approximately equal to the default clarification period because as the population of microorganisms increases, the time needed for allowing the microorganisms in the wastewater of the reaction chamber 166 to settle down to the activated sludge area 182 of that chamber increases.
  • the system controller 248 modifies the aeration, clarification, and anoxic periods accordingly.
  • the system controller 248 determines that approximately 29,800 liters of wastewater have been treated by the wastewater treatment system, which in an embodiments takes approximately three weeks, the system controller decreases the amount of time the batches of wastewater are aerated in the reaction chamber 166 from five hours to four hours and increases the amount of time the batches of wastewater are clarified from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
  • the process of the system 10 moves from the start-up period to an operational period illustrated by the operational process 1300.
  • the controller utilizes data stored in the system memory 252 regarding the volume of the wastewater flowing into the equalization chamber 90 over the start-up period to determine how much wastewater typically flows into the wastewater treatment system 10 within a twenty-four hour period and when, during that twenty- four hour period, the system receives the flows of wastewater for the particular residence or business.
  • the system controller 248 analyzes the stored data for that particular residence or business and determines an optimal volume of a batch of wastewater to be treated in order to process three batches of wastewater, each having approximately the same volume, every twenty-four hours so that the time between transfers of the batches of wastewater is approximately equal. Therefore, how the wastewater is processed depends on how much wastewater a particular residence or business generates and when the wastewater is generated during a twenty- four hour period, instead of a constant value used to process wastewater for every residence and business.
  • the system controller 248 determines that the family typically generates around 1700 liters of wastewater in a twenty- four hour period. The system controller 248 also determines from the data that 1,135 liters of wastewater accumulate in the second operational area 102 between 6:30 am and 9:00 am and that 570 liters accumulate in that area between 6:30 pm and 11 :00 pm. Using this information, the system controller 248 may determine that the optimal schedule for treating the wastewater generated by this family is to transfer a batch of wastewater having 570 liters of the wastewater accumulated between 3:1 am and 9:00 am over to the reaction chamber 166 for processing at 9:00 am.
  • the system controller 248 determines that the optimal transfer volume for the family of five is 570 liters of wastewater and that the optimal transfer time is eight hours after the previous batch of wastewater was transferred for treatment.
  • the system controller 248 determines that batches of wastewater having 570 liters of wastewater should be transferred to the reaction chamber for treatment based on the volume of wastewater accumulated in the second operational area 102 within a twenty- four hour period and that a batch should be transferred to the reaction chamber approximately eight hours after the previous batch of wastewater was transferred to the reaction chamber for treatment.
  • the system controller 248 may determine, based on the stored data for that particular residence or business, a retention time to hold the wastewater in the second operational area until the volume of the wastewater is at least equal to the optimal transfer volume.
  • the stored data for a residence or business illustrates how much wastewater flows into the system 10 during a twenty-four-hour period and when the wastewater flows into the system during that twenty-four-hour period.
  • the system controller 248 determines that only 380 liters of wastewater, instead of the typical 1,135 liters of wastewater, have accumulated in the second operational area 102, then the system controller may determine to hold the 380 liters of wastewater in the second operational area 102 for fourteen hours until 11:00 pm, when 570 liters of wastewater typically accumulate in the second operational area.
  • the system controller may determine to hold the 380 liters of wastewater in the second operational area 102 for fourteen hours until 11:00 pm, when 570 liters of wastewater typically accumulate in the second operational area.
  • a batch of wastewater having a volume of 570 liters is transferred to the reaction chamber 166 for processing.
  • the system controller 248 determines that by 9:00 am, 1,135 liters of wastewater typically accumulate in the second operational area 102 and holds the 380 liters of wastewater until 190 more liters of wastewater flow into the second operational area before transferring a batch of wastewater to the reaction chamber 166 for treatment. Although the system controller 248 prefers to transfer a batch of wastewater to the reaction chamber 166 for treatment every eight hours, the controller will extend the amount of time between transfers to maintain a batch volume consistent with the determined transfer volume for that residence or business.
  • the system controller 248 may decide to process a batch of wastewater having a volume of 380 liters so that three batches of wastewater, although of different volumes, are transferred to the reaction chamber 166 in a twenty-four hour period.
  • the controller 248 may determine, based on the optimal transfer volume and time, to accelerate the time of treatment of the batch of wastewater currently in the reaction chamber 166 so that a batch of the wastewater accumulated in the second operational area prior to the transfer time can be transferred to the reaction chamber for treatment to decrease the likelihood that a larger-than-normal batch of wastewater will need to be processed, which may disturb the population of microorganisms.
  • the system controller 248 may determine to expedite the treatment of the batch of wastewater in the reaction chamber 166 from eight hours to four hours so that a batch of wastewater having a volume of 570 liters may be transferred from the second operational area to the reaction chamber for treatment at 1:00 pm, instead of at 5:00 pm. by reducing the aeration and clarification periods, as further discussed below.
  • the system controller 248 may determine to abbreviate the treatment of one or more batches of wastewater in situations as described above in order to accommodate volumes of wastewater above what typically accumulates in the second operational area 102 within a twenty-four hour period for a particular residence or business.
  • the system controller 248 may determine to continue processing the batch of wastewater transferred to the reaction chamber for the entire processing time, typically 8 hours, and then transfer a batch of wastewater having a volume of 1,135 liters to the reaction chamber at 5:00 pm when treatment of the previous batch of wastewater is complete.
  • the operational process 1300 begins at block 1302, where the receiving chamber 50 receives an inflow of wastewater. From block 1302, the process 1300 proceeds to block 1304, where the wastewater in the first operational area 84 of the receiving chamber 50 is transferred to the second operational area 102 of the equalization chamber 90, as described above and illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • a portion of the wastewater accumulating in the second operational area may be periodically transferred back to the receiving chamber 50 to move and blend the wastewater within the two chambers.
  • Moving the wastewater from the equalization chamber 90 to the receiving chamber 50 causes displacement of the wastewater in the receiving chamber 50 and the equalization chamber 90, which prevents the wastewater in areas of both chambers from becoming septic.
  • blending the wastewater causes certain characteristics of the wastewater within the two chambers 50, 90, including the amount of total suspended solids and the biochemical oxygen demand, to become substantially uniform and determinable within a range.
  • the amount of total suspended solids in the wastewater of the two chambers typically is between 80mg/L and 120mg/L, and the amount of biochemical oxygen demand in the wastewater of the two chambers typically is between 75mg/L and 100mg/L.
  • the system 10 of the present invention uses theses values to determine the length of the anoxic period and the aeration period to accommodate the inherent variations in the flow of wastewater.
  • the system controller 248 determines how frequently to transfer a portion of the wastewater back to the receiving chamber 50 and how much of the wastewater to transfer based on the volume of the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90.
  • the solid material that settles to the second solids area 118 may also periodically be transferred over to the receiving chamber 50. Similar to the transfer process mentioned above, the system controller 248 sends a signal to the multi-port valve 246 indicating to supply air to the pipe 130 of the first airlift pump.
  • the multi-port valve 246 rotates to the port position that connects the air intake opening 136 of the pipe 130 with the source of air, causing air to flow through the pipe.
  • the solid material received by the inlet end 132 of the pipe 130 is lifted, by the force of the air, through the pipe and into the receiving chamber 50 through the outlet end 42 of the common trunk 40.
  • the system controller 248 sends a second signal to the multi-port valve 246 indicating to cease the supply of air to the pipe 130.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1308, where the amount of time since the last batch of wastewater was transferred from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180 is determined.
  • the system controller 248 starts a timer to track the amount of time elapsing from the transfer of the last batch of wastewater.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1310, where a determination is made whether the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is at least equivalent to the determined transfer volume for that particular residence or business. If the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is at least equal to the determined transfer volume, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1311, where a determination is made whether the transfer time since the previous batch of wastewater was transferred to the third operational area 180 for treatment has elapsed. If the transfer time has elapsed, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1320, where an amount of time to transfer the batch of wastewater from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180 is determined.
  • the process 1300 proceeds back to block 1306, where the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area is determined using the first ultrasonic sensor 156. If, however, back at block 1310, the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is not at least equal to the transfer volume, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1312, where a determination is made whether the amount of time since the last batch of wastewater was transferred to the third operational area 180 has elapsed. As discussed above, based on the historic data for a particular residence or business, the system controller 248 may determine that the optimal schedule for treating the wastewater is to process three batches, each batch containing 570 liters of wastewater, every eight hours.
  • the process 1300 proceeds back to block 1306, where the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is determined.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1314, where the amount of time to retain the wastewater in the second operational area 102 until the volume of the wastewater in that area is at least equal to the determined transfer volume is determined based on the stored data for that particular residence or business.
  • the stored data for a residence or business illustrates how much wastewater flows into the system 10 during a twenty-four-hour period and when the wastewater flows into the system during that twenty-four-hour period.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1316, where the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is held for the determined retention time.
  • a determination is made whether the retention time has expired. If the retention time has expired, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1320. If, at block 1318, a determination is made that the retention time has not expired, then the process 1300 proceeds back to block 1316, where the wastewater in the second operational area 102 remains held.
  • an amount of time to transfer the batch of wastewater from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180 is determined.
  • the amount of time to transfer the batch of wastewater from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180 is determined based on the volume of the batch of wastewater in the second operational area and the transfer rate of the fourth airlift pump. From block 1320, the process 1300 proceeds to block 1322, where the batch of wastewater is transferred from the second operational area 102 to the third operational area 180.
  • the system controller 248 determines that the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 has reached the determined transfer volume or that the determined transfer time has elapsed, the system controller sends a signal to the multi-port valve 246 indicating to supply air to the pipe 158 of the fourth airlift pump.
  • the multi-port valve 246 rotates to the port position that connects the air intake opening 164 of the pipe 158 to the air source, causing air to flow through the pipe.
  • the wastewater received by the inlet end 160 of the pipe 158 is lifted, by the force of the air, through the pipe and into the reaction chamber 166 through the outlet end 162 of the pipe.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1328, where the volume of the wastewater in the third operational area 180 is determined.
  • the second ultrasonic sensor 168 emits and receives sound waves similar to the first ultrasonic sensor 156 described above, to determine the volume of the wastewater in the third operational area 180 as a function of the measured vertical height of liquid in the area.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1330, where a determination is made whether the volume of the batch of wastewater in the third. operational area 180 is valid.
  • the system controller 248 can establish if the ultrasonic sensors 156, 168 are working properly by comparing the volume of the wastewater in the third operational area 180 with the volume of wastewater calculated as being transferred from the second operational area 102. If the volumes are determined not to be approximately equivalent, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1332, where a transfer alarm flag is set to indicate that at least one of the sensors 156, 168 is not working properly or that airflow through one of the airlifts is not adequate, possibly due to an air leak. From block 1332, the process 1300 proceeds to block 1334, where the operational process 1300 ends.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1336, where the amount of time for the anoxic period is determined.
  • the operational period when a batch of wastewater is transferred from the equalization chamber 90 to the reaction chamber 166, the batch undergoes an anoxic period for a predetermined amount of time during which certain nutrients are removed from the wastewater.
  • the population of microorganisms in the activated sludge area 182 of the reaction chamber initially mixes with the incoming wastewater and biologically removes nutrients from the wastewater due to the introduction of a carbon source, the new wastewater, and the lack of dissolved oxygen available in the reaction chamber after processing of a previous batch of wastewater.
  • the system controller 248 determines the amount of time to allow removal of nutrients based on the volume of the batch of wastewater and the total suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand values obtained by blending the wastewater in the equalization chamber 90 and the receiving chamber 50, as discussed above.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1338, where nutrients in the batch of wastewater are removed during the anoxic period.
  • a new batch of wastewater is transferred into the third operational area 180, nutrient removal of the wastewater begins, and the system controller 248 sets a timer.
  • a determination is made whether the time for the anoxic period has elapsed. If the timer set by the system controller 248 has not reached the predetermined amount of time for the anoxic period, then the process 1300 proceeds back to block 1338, where the anoxic period continues. If 5 on the other hand, the timer has reached the predetermined amount of time for the anoxic period, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1342.
  • the system controller 248 determines the amount of time the batch of wastewater needs to be aerated.
  • the system controller 248 uses the determined volume of the batch of wastewater, the population of microorganisms in the activated sludge area 182 determined after the aeration of the previous batch of wastewater, and the total suspended solids and biochemical demand oxygen values achieved by blending the raw wastewater in the receiving and equalization chambers 50, 90 to determine the amount of time to aerate the batch of wastewater.
  • the batch of wastewater is aerated, and the system controller 248 sets a timer to monitor when the predetermined amount of time for the aeration period elapses. Therefore, a batch of wastewater having a particular volume will require less aeration in comparison to a batch of wastewater having a larger particular volume, if the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 is substantially similar for both batches. From block 1344, the process 1300 proceeds to block 1346, where a determination is made whether the volume of wastewater in the second operational area 102 is equal to or greater than the determined transfer volume.
  • the process proceeds to block 1348, where the system controller 248 may determine, based on the volume of the batch of wastewater, the population of the microorganisms in the reaction chamber, and the amount of time the batch has already been aerated, if the aeration can be stopped before the aeration period is complete to expedite processing of the batch so the wastewater in the second operational area 102 having a volume at least equal to the transfer volume can be processed more quickly.
  • the process proceeds to block 1352, where the system controller 248 sends a signal to the multi-port valve 246 indicating to stop the supply of air to the air diffusers 184. If, however, at block 1348, the system controller determines that the aeration of the batch of wastewater should not be stopped prior to completion of the aeration period, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1350. Similar, if, back at block 1346, a determination is made that the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined transfer volume, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1350.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1354, where the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 is determined.
  • the density sensor 186 in the reaction chamber 166 sends and receives a signal back in order to determine the population, or amount, of microorganisms within the reaction chamber.
  • the density sensor 186 sends the signal
  • the density sensor sends another signal to the system controller 248 indicating that the signal has been emitted.
  • the system controller 248 starts a timer.
  • the density sensor 186 receives the reflected signal
  • the density sensor sends another signal to the system controller 248 indicating receipt of the reflected sensor.
  • the system controller 248 stops the timer and determines the elapsed time based on the timer reading.
  • the system controller 248 retrieves a density look-up table saved in the system memory 252 and compares the elapsed time with the entries in the look ⁇ up table, which contains a list of predefined populations of microorganisms, the corresponding density levels, and the corresponding elapsed times associated with the density levels. Thus, the system controller 248 is able to determine the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 based on the density of the microorganisms in the batch of wastewater being processed in the reaction chamber.
  • the system controller 248 stores the determined population of microorganisms value in the system memory 252 to use during later batch processes to determine the amount of time of aeration for the next batch of wastewater as well as to determine if the population of microorganisms needs to be reduced, as explained in greater detail below.
  • the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 after aeration may be determined by the system controller 248 based on the volume of the batch of wastewater transferred from the second operational area 102 to the reaction chamber 166, the amount of time of aeration, and the reproduction rate of the microorganisms.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1356, where the amount of time for the clarification period is determined.
  • the batch enters the clarification period.
  • the batch of wastewater is allowed to stand undisturbed for a predetermined amount of time so that the population of microorganisms can settle by gravity to the activated sludge area 182 of the reaction chamber 166.
  • the system controller 248 determines the amount of time for the clarification period based on the amount of time the population of microorganisms can survive without aeration, hi an embodiment of the present invention, the batch of wastewater is clarified for approximately 2.5 - 3 hours. Once the amount of time for the clarification period is determined, the process 1300 proceeds to block 1358.
  • the batch of wastewater is clarified, and the system controller 248 starts a timer as the population of microorganisms begins settling out of the wastewater. This settling activity leaves a layer of treated wastewater above the settled population of microorganisms in the activated sludge area 182.
  • a determination is made whether the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is at least equal to the determined transfer volume.
  • the process 1300 proceeds from block 1360 to block 1362, where the system controller 248 determines if transfer of the treated wastewater from the reaction chamber 166 can commence even though the population of microorganisms has not completely settled out of the wastewater.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1366, where the system controller sends a signal to the multi-port valve 246 indicating to supply air to the pipe 220 of the sixth airlift pump, as discussed above, to remove the treated wastewater from the reaction chamber 166 for dispersal. If, on the other hand, at block 1362, a determination is made that the transfer of the treated wastewater should not commence before the completion of the clarification period, then the process 1300 proceeds to block 1364. Similarly, if, back at block 1360, a determination is made that the volume of the wastewater in the second operational area 102 is not at least equal to the determined transfer volume, then the process 1300 proceed to block 1364.
  • the layer of treated wastewater may be removed from the reaction chamber 166 and dispersed to a drain field, where that treated wastewater undergoes subterranean dispersion in the usual manner. Because the population of microorganisms has been allowed to settle to the activated sludge area 182, the treated wastewater from just below the surface of the treated wastewater in the reaction chamber 166 is preferably discharged.
  • the system controller sends a signal to the multi-port valve 246 indicating to supply air to the pipe 220 of the sixth airlift pump connected to the conduit 214, which is connected to the flexible hose 206 of the float 198.
  • the multi-port valve 246 Upon receipt of the signal, the multi-port valve 246 rotates to the port position that connects the air intake opening 226 of the pipe 220 to the air source, causing air to flow through the seventh pipe.
  • the treated wastewater received by the pipe 220 from the conduit 214 is lifted, by the force of the air, through the pipe and to the drain field, as indicated by step 652.
  • the treated wastewater may be passed by an ultraviolet light source to eliminate any bacteria remaining in the treated wastewater.
  • the reaction chamber is available to receive a new batch of wastewater from the equalization chamber 90 for treatment.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1368, where a determination is made whether the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 is greater than a predetermined amount indicating that a portion of the population should be removed from the reaction chamber, and a determination is made whether a portion of the microorganisms should be removed from the reaction chamber due to the age of the microorganisms.
  • the system 10 may remove a portion of the population of microorganisms from the activated sludge area 182 of the reaction 005/023397
  • the system controller 248 determines what portion of the population of microorganisms, if any, needs to be removed from the reaction chamber 166.
  • the process 1300 proceeds to block 1370, where a portion of the population of microorganisms is removed from the reaction chamber 166.
  • the system controller 248 will signal the multi-port valve 246 to provide air to the pipe 190 of the fifth airlift pump to transfer the portion of the population of microorganisms above 2000 mg/L from the reaction chamber 166 to the receiving chamber 50 using a similar process as described above.
  • a portion of the population of microorganisms is removed from the reaction chamber 166 weekly so that the population of microorganisms is replaced with a new population within a thirty to forty day period. If, on the other hand, at block 1368, a determination is made that the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166 is not greater than the predetermined amount or the predetermined age, then the process 1300 proceeds back to block 1310, and the operational process 1300 continues.
  • a process capable of handling smaller-than-normal flows of wastewater into the system 10 is included in the operating process of the present invention.
  • the system controller 248 uses stored historical data about the flow of wastewater into the wastewater treatment system 10 for a particular residence or business to calculate how often to transfer batches of wastewater to the third operational area 180 and the volume of the wastewater to be included in each of those batches for that particular residence or business. If, after a period of time, the system 10 determines that smaller-than-normal amounts of wastewater are flowing into the system, a portion of the population of microorganisms will be transferred to the receiving chamber 50, as described above, to reduce the population of microorganisms in the reaction chamber 166.
  • a process capable of handling times when no new flow of wastewater is received by a system 10 of the present invention may also be included in the operating process of the present invention.
  • a system 10 including a process capable of handling times when no new flow of wastewater is received maintains a reserve of wastewater in the second operational area 102.
  • the reserve of wastewater has a volume of 380 liters. If no new wastewater has accumulated in the second operational area 102 by the determined transfer time, then the reserve of wastewater is transferred from the second operational area to the third operational area 180 for treatment to maintain the population of microorganisms even though a new flow of wastewater has not accumulated in the second operational area.
  • the system controller 248 may determine to reduce the population of microorganisms and transfer the treated reserve wastewater back to the receiving chamber 50, instead of dispersing the treated reserved wastewater.
  • the treated reserve wastewater will flow over to the second operational area 102 and be transferred to the reaction chamber 166 to undergo treatment again in order to maintain the reduced population of microorganisms. Once a new flow of wastewater enters the system 10, the treated reserve wastewater will be transferred from the reaction chamber 166 for dispersal.
  • the reduced population of microorganisms in the activated sludge area 182 of the reaction chamber 166 will be removed to the receiving chamber 50 because of the lack of wastewater to maintain the reduced population of microorganisms.
  • the start-up process 1200 is utilized by the system to re-establish a sufficient population of microorganisms to aerobically process the flow of wastewater for the particular residence or business.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biological Treatment Of Waste Water (AREA)
EP05764460A 2004-07-28 2005-06-29 System und verfahren zur behandlung von abwasser Withdrawn EP1797014A4 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/900,979 US7294254B2 (en) 2004-07-28 2004-07-28 Wastewater treatment system
US11/098,762 US7303678B2 (en) 2005-04-04 2005-04-04 Method for treating wastewater
PCT/US2005/023397 WO2006023094A1 (en) 2004-07-28 2005-06-29 System and method for treating wastewater

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EP1797014A1 true EP1797014A1 (de) 2007-06-20
EP1797014A4 EP1797014A4 (de) 2007-11-07

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AU (1) AU2005277956B2 (de)
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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4225967A1 (de) * 1992-08-06 1994-02-10 Dyckerhoff & Widmann Ag Verfahren zur Behandlung von Öl-Wasser-Emulsionen, insbesondere aus Autowaschanlagen
DE4332815A1 (de) * 1993-09-27 1995-04-13 Uta Ges Fuer Umwelttechnik Und Kläranlage nach dem SBR-Prinzip
WO1996016909A1 (en) * 1994-12-02 1996-06-06 Fowl Systems, Inc. Apparatus and process for distributed treatment of wastewater
WO1997037940A1 (en) * 1996-04-04 1997-10-16 Jeremy Wickins Waste water treatment apparatus
EP1428800A1 (de) * 2002-12-12 2004-06-16 Reinhard Boller Verfahren und Vorrichtung zu Überwachung und Steuerung eines Abwasserreinigungsprozesses

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5895566A (en) * 1997-10-15 1999-04-20 Tittlebaum; Marty E. Aerobic wastewater treatment system for small flows

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4225967A1 (de) * 1992-08-06 1994-02-10 Dyckerhoff & Widmann Ag Verfahren zur Behandlung von Öl-Wasser-Emulsionen, insbesondere aus Autowaschanlagen
DE4332815A1 (de) * 1993-09-27 1995-04-13 Uta Ges Fuer Umwelttechnik Und Kläranlage nach dem SBR-Prinzip
WO1996016909A1 (en) * 1994-12-02 1996-06-06 Fowl Systems, Inc. Apparatus and process for distributed treatment of wastewater
WO1997037940A1 (en) * 1996-04-04 1997-10-16 Jeremy Wickins Waste water treatment apparatus
EP1428800A1 (de) * 2002-12-12 2004-06-16 Reinhard Boller Verfahren und Vorrichtung zu Überwachung und Steuerung eines Abwasserreinigungsprozesses

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2006023094A1 *

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EP1797014A4 (de) 2007-11-07
AU2005277956A1 (en) 2006-03-02
WO2006023094A1 (en) 2006-03-02
NZ553403A (en) 2010-12-24
AU2005277956B2 (en) 2010-12-09

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