EP3810554A1 - Water treatment system and method for a wheel washing arrangement - Google Patents

Water treatment system and method for a wheel washing arrangement

Info

Publication number
EP3810554A1
EP3810554A1 EP19762843.1A EP19762843A EP3810554A1 EP 3810554 A1 EP3810554 A1 EP 3810554A1 EP 19762843 A EP19762843 A EP 19762843A EP 3810554 A1 EP3810554 A1 EP 3810554A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
flocculation
flocculation chamber
contaminated water
chamber
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP19762843.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Anders Klemedtson
Tommie BERGH
Fredrik Johansson
Christian JONEBRANDT
Christian Norman
Michael SKOG
Östra KARANFILOVSKI
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.)
Hedson Technologies AB
Original Assignee
Hedson Technologies AB
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
Application filed by Hedson Technologies AB filed Critical Hedson Technologies AB
Publication of EP3810554A1 publication Critical patent/EP3810554A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/52Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities
    • C02F1/5209Regulation methods for flocculation or precipitation
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60SSERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S3/00Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles
    • B60S3/04Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for exteriors of land vehicles
    • B60S3/042Wheel cleaning devices
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60SSERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S3/00Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles
    • B60S3/04Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for exteriors of land vehicles
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/52Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/52Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities
    • C02F1/5281Installations for water purification using chemical agents
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/001Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance
    • C02F1/004Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance using large scale industrial sized filters
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/10Inorganic compounds
    • C02F2101/20Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/10Inorganic compounds
    • C02F2101/20Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
    • C02F2101/203Iron or iron compound
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2101/00Nature of the contaminant
    • C02F2101/10Inorganic compounds
    • C02F2101/20Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
    • C02F2101/22Chromium or chromium compounds, e.g. chromates
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/44Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from vehicle washing facilities
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/002Construction details of the apparatus
    • C02F2201/005Valves
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/003Downstream control, i.e. outlet monitoring, e.g. to check the treating agents, such as halogens or ozone, leaving the process
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/42Liquid level
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/44Time
    • C02F2209/445Filter life
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2303/00Specific treatment goals
    • C02F2303/14Maintenance of water treatment installations
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2303/00Specific treatment goals
    • C02F2303/24Separation of coarse particles, e.g. by using sieves or screens
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • Y02A20/152Water filtration

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to systems that employ water recycling when in operation. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a water treatment system that removes contaminants from contaminated water when in operation. Moreover, the present disclosure also relates to a method f o r ( of) treating contaminated water to remove contaminants therefrom.
  • wheel cleaning devices are employed in automobile washing facilities such as motor vehicle laundries. Wheels of a given vehicle are commonly washed and cleaned for (i) ensuring reliable functioning of the g iven vehicle, and (ii) for reducing a risk of corrosion occurring during a period in which the wheels are stored for future use, such as fo r winter wheels that are in storage during a summer period, wherein the winter wheels are replaced with summer wheels for a summer period.
  • the wheels are washed using water (including various types of granules such as plastics material granules) or using a water spray for flushing out the contaminants (such as particles from the car brakes, sand and salt that have accumulated on the vehicle from the road, particles released from the road surfacing and the like that have accumulated on the vehicle).
  • water including various types of granules such as plastics material granules
  • a water spray for flushing out the contaminants (such as particles from the car brakes, sand and salt that have accumulated on the vehicle from the road, particles released from the road surfacing and the like that have accumulated on the vehicle).
  • the present disclosure seeks to provide an improved water treatment system that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water.
  • the present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method for (of) removing contaminants from contaminated water.
  • the present disclosure provides a water treatment system that removes, when in operation, contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the system comprises:
  • the water treatment arrangement removes contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
  • the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet
  • a flocculation powder regulation device that is coupled to the flocculation chamber that, when in operation, introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber;
  • a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber, wherein the filtration tank, when in operation, filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet;
  • a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank, wherein the drainage unit, when in operation, discharges water filtered by the filtration tank,
  • system further includes:
  • - a second sensor arrangement to monitor an opening and a closing of valves employed to control flows occurring during operation within the system.
  • the present disclosure is of the advantage that it provides at least a partial solution to a problem of cleaning contaminated water, wherein the at least partial solution to cleaning contaminated water includes automatically introducing flocculating powder, generating clean reusable water from the contaminated water, and thereafter draining the clean reusable water, or using the generated clean reusable water for various purposes, such as recycling within the system to clean wheels of a vehicle.
  • the system further comprises a liquid pumping device that pumps, when in operation, contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
  • the system further comprises a vacuum ejector that forces, when in operation, a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
  • the flocculation chamber further comprises a lid that is removably arranged on top of the flocculation chamber, wherein the lid when removed releases air from the flocculation chamber.
  • the system further comprises a water level sensor arranged within the flocculation chamber, wherein the water level sensor, when in operation, senses an amount of the contaminated water included within the flocculation chamber.
  • the water level sensor is slidably coupled to an inside wall of the flocculation chamber.
  • the water treatment system further comprises a substantially vertical pipe included within the water treating arrangement, wherein the vertical pipe has a water level sensor arranged therein.
  • substantially vertical is meant an elongate pipe whose elongate axis is disposed at an angle that is less than +/- 30° relative to true vertical, optionally at an angle that is less than +/- 15° relative to true vertical.
  • the system further comprises at least one nozzle arranged within the flocculation chamber and directed at the water level sensor, wherein the at least one nozzle, when in operation, blows air for drying the water level sensor.
  • the system further comprises a mixer that, when in operation, mixes the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water.
  • the system further comprises at least a first set of nozzles and a second set of nozzles, wherein each nozzle of the first set of nozzles is operable to blow air to mix the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water, and wherein each nozzle of the second set of nozzles is operable to spray water to clean the flocculation chamber.
  • the flocculation chamber further comprises a valve arranged in the water outlet of the flocculation chamber, wherein the valve comprises a piston having a cylinder arranged on top of the flocculation chamber, a rod extending substantially vertically downwards from the cylinder and a conical body coupled to a free end of the rod, wherein the piston moves substantially vertically downwards and vertically upwards in the water outlet to loosen clogged slurry in the flocculation chamber.
  • the system further comprises a plurality of valves that regulate the flow of contaminated water.
  • the system further comprises a water level sensor in the filtration tank to determine a level of filtrated water in the filtration tank.
  • the water level sensor is a conductivity sensor that measures changes in the level of filtrated water by measuring changes in conductivity sensed at the water level sensor.
  • the filtration tank includes at least one filter, wherein the at least one filter is user-accessible to be replaceable after a replacement period.
  • the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined by (namely, i s based on) at least one of:
  • ( i i ) a weight sensed by a weight a weighing device coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the weighing device provides an alert when a predefined weight of the at least one filter is reached, a nd a level indicator coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the level indicator provides an alert when a predefined level of sludge has accumulated at the filter.
  • the filtration tank includes a filter placed within a perforated cylinder, and a perforated plate arranged to provide a base to the perforated cylinder filter.
  • the drainage unit comprises an inline filter.
  • the present disclosure provides a water treating arrangement that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the water treating arrangement is operable to receive the contaminated water discharged from washing wheels of a vehicle, and wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
  • the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet
  • a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber that introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber
  • a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet;
  • a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank that discharges water filtered by the filtration tank.
  • the present disclosure provides a method f o r ( of) removing contaminants from contaminated water, the method comprising :
  • removing the contaminants from the contaminated water comprises:
  • the method includes a mixer to mix the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the water treatment system of FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system (namely an alternative implementation of the water treatment system of FIG. 1), in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a filtration tank and a drainage unit of FIG.l, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system ( n a m ely a n a lte rnative i m p lementatio n of the water treatment system of FIG. 1), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the water treatment system such as water treatment system of FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the filtration tank and the drainage unit of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system ( n a m ely a n a lte rnative i m p lementatio n of the water treatment system of FIG. 5), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 9 is an illustration of steps of a method of treating water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is an illustration of steps of a method of removing contaminants from contaminated water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent.
  • a non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non- underlined number to the item.
  • the non- underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
  • the present disclosure provides a water treatment system that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the system comprises:
  • a water treating arrangement that is operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treating arrangement removes contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
  • the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet
  • a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber that introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber
  • a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet;
  • a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank that discharges water filtered by the filtration tank
  • system is further operable to:
  • the present disclosure provides a water treating arrangement that removes contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the water treating arrangement is operable to receive the contaminated water discharged from washing wheels of a vehicle, wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
  • flocculation chamber that removes the contaminants from contaminated water by flocculation, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
  • a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber that introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber
  • a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber to filter the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet; and - a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank for discharging water filtered by the filtration tank.
  • the present disclosure provides a method f o r ( of) removing contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the method comprises:
  • flocculation chamber includes a water outlet
  • the present disclosure provides the water treatment system that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water.
  • the present disclosure provides a reliable and efficient water treatment system for removing contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement using a water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement is circulated to the flocculation chamber and is then subjected to a flocculation process. Subsequently, during the flocculation process, flocculation powder is mixed with the contaminated water to form flocks of suspended particles of the contaminated water and the flocculation powder.
  • the present disclosure provides an efficient water treatment system that automatically processes the contaminated water and drains out filtered water. It will be appreciated that a process of washing the wheels runs continuously concurrently with the method of removing contaminants from contaminated water. In other words, water output of the wheel washing arrangement acts as a water input for the water treating arrangement, and therefore the process of washing the wheels runs continuously and subsequently.
  • the present disclosure provides the water treatment system for removing contaminants from contaminated water.
  • the water treatment system includes one or more components that are operatively coupled to each other to remove, when in operation, contaminants from contaminated water.
  • the water treatment system is implemented in a wheel cleaning environment, such as automobile washing facilities that operate as motor vehicle laundries.
  • the one or more components of the water treatment system are operable to clean the wheels of a vehicle, such as wheels of a car (automobile), wheels of a truck, wheels of a bus and the like.
  • the water treatment system is operable to remove contaminants from the contaminated water produced due to the cleaning of the wheel, as aforementioned.
  • contaminated water as used herein relates to polluted water that drains out from wheels of the vehicles d u r i n g w a s h i n g o f t h e w h e e l s , o r after the wheels have been washed, or both.
  • the contaminated water is an aqueous liquid, for example water, having solids from industrial waste and/or cleaning process such as, discharged water from a motor vehicle laundry where a vehicle along with its wheels are washed. Furthermore, the contaminated water contains contaminates suspended therein.
  • the term " contaminants " as used herein relates to any undesired solid particles accompanying the contaminated water that drains out from wheels of vehicles during washing of its wheels, o r after the wheels have been washed, or both.
  • the contaminates are sludge that are generally accumulated in the wheels, and which is swilled from wheels of the vehicles by the water treatment system.
  • the sludge may include heavy metals such as at least one of: copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zirconium (Zi).
  • the water treatment system comprises the wheel washing arrangement that cleans, when in use, wheels of vehicles, wherein the treatment system uses water for cleaning purposes.
  • the term " washing arrangement" as used herein relates to a combination of a plurality of mechanical and/or electronic components that are coupled in a manner to perform a specific task, namely a task of cleaning vehicle wheels.
  • the wheel washing arrangement is a housing, wherein wheels of a vehicle are placed for cleaning.
  • the housing includes one or more components for cleaning wheels.
  • the one or more components include devices such as a water sprinkler (which sprays a cleaning fluid namely, water or a mix of water and plastic granules onto the wheels), a frame, a wheel cleaning brush, a drive belt assembly, a drive system, a wheel retainer, a hoist assembly and the like.
  • a water sprinkler which sprays a cleaning fluid namely, water or a mix of water and plastic granules onto the wheels
  • a frame a wheel cleaning brush
  • a drive belt assembly a drive system
  • a wheel retainer a hoist assembly and the like.
  • the wheel washing arrangement includes a channel to drain out the contaminated water that is accumulated upon cleaning wheels of the vehicles. Furthermore, the channel to drain out the contaminated water is positioned at a bottom portion of the washing arrangement.
  • the system further comprises a liquid pumping device that provides, when in operation, a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
  • the liquid pumping device is operatively coupled to the channel used to drain out the contaminated water accumulated upon cleaning wheels of the vehicles.
  • the liquid pumping device is operable to pump out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement and circulate the contaminated water into the water treating arrangement.
  • liquid pumping device includes general components of a liquid pump that is used to flush out liquid from one position to another.
  • the liquid pump includes a casing, a feed pipe, a pump mechanism, a suction hole, a n outlet pipe and the like.
  • the liquid pumping device extracts (namely “pulls out”) the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement and pumps the contaminated water into the water treating arrangement (explained hereinafter in a greater detail).
  • the liquid pumping device is operable to pump out the contaminated water th at comprises hard sediments of waste particles lying on a bottom of the wheel washing arrangement and a mixture of particles and water above the hard sediment of waste particles.
  • the system further comprises a vacuum ejector for forcing a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
  • the vacuum ejector is operable to create a vacuum to pull out the contaminated water comprising hard sediment of waste particles lying on the bottom of the wheel washing arrangement, and a mixture of particles and water above the hard sediment of waste particles, and subsequently pump the contaminated water into the water treating arrangement.
  • the vacuum ejector includes the general components used for pulling out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the water treatment system comprises the water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement that removes, when in operation, contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the term " water treating arrangement" as used herein relates to a combination of a plurality of mechanical and/or electronic components that are coupled in a manner to perform a specific task, namely removing contaminants from contaminated water.
  • the water treating arrangement is a housing wherein the contaminated water generated from cleaning the wheels of a vehicle is treated to generate contaminant-free water that is re-useable.
  • the housing includes one or more components that remove contaminants from the contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the contaminants include the hard sediment of waste particles, and a mixture of particles and water above the hard sediment of waste particles.
  • the water treating arrangement comprises a water level sensor that monitors a water level in the wheel washing arrangement, wherein an output signal from the water level sensor is used as an input for a feedback control module to control the water level at a particular target water level.
  • the wheel washing arrangement operates for a predefined/ fixed amount of water, i.e. the amount of water that can be contained by the wheel washing arrangement, such as 80 litres, 90 litres, 100 litress (US English: "liters").
  • the water treatment arrangement may operate for draining out a predefined water volume from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the volume is determined by a maximum and a minimum water level in the wheel washer arrangement.
  • the at least one sensor is implemented as a conductivity sensor, wherein a conductivity measured by the at least one sensor is a function of a water level relative to substantially vertically-orientated elongate electrodes in contact with the water.
  • the water treating arrangement comprises a substantially vertical pipe arranged with such a water level sensor for monitoring and regulating a water level in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the substantially vertical pipe of the water treating arrangement is connected to the channel, that drains out the contaminated water from the water washing arrangement.
  • the substantially vertical pipe is arranged on the channel prior to a liquid pumping device t h a t i s arranged on the channel.
  • the water level sensor is operable to sense a maximum level of water that is permitted in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the water level sensor arranged on the vertical pipe is flu id ically or operatively coupled to the contaminated water to be received in the substantially vertical pipe for sensing a water level (namely the level of contaminated water) inside the vertical pipe, and thereby the water level sensor is susceptible to being used to monitor and regulate the water level in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the water level sensor determining the maximum water level in the substantially vertical pipe is operable to identify an event wherein the washing arrangement discharges contaminated water that is accumulated upon cleaning of wheels of the vehicles.
  • the water treating arrangement includes an additional water level sensor, arranged on the substantially vertical pipe, to measure a minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the additional water level sensor is arranged on the substantially vertical pipe at a lower level or height as compared to the at least one water level sensor, and is operable to sense the maximum water level in the substantially vertical pipe.
  • the at least one water level sensor and the additional water level sensor are positioned at two different positions t h a t a re suitable locations when determining the maximum and the minimum water level in the substantially vertical pipe, (i.e. in the wheel washing arrangement).
  • the additional water level sensor is operable to identify an event wherein a n amount of the contaminated water is minimum, ( i.e. the washing arrangement contains a negligible amount of contaminated water to be discharged).
  • the substantially vertical pipe is arranged to be in fluidic communication with the wheel washing arrangement, such that when the wheel washing arrangement fills up with water, the vertical pipe being in fluidic communication with the wheel washing arrangement fills up with water up to a same water level as the water level within the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the water level sensor can be arranged within the substantially vertical pipe that is in fluidic communication with the wheel washing arrangement.
  • Such an arrangement of the water level sensor enclosed within the water treating arrangement assists to try to prevents potential damage to the water level sensor in contrast to when arranged within the wheel washing arrangement, such as, due to repeated spraying of water thereon (used for washing wheels) or due to contact of the wheels being cleaned with the water level sensor.
  • the water level sensor and the additional water level sensor for monitoring the maximum and minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement can be arranged within the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the least one water level sensor and the additional water level sensor can be positioned in any part of the wheel washing arrangement that is suitable for determining the maximum and minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the at least one water level sensor and the additional water level sensor are positioned at two mutually different positions suitable for determining the maximum and the minimum water level in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the at least one water level sensor may be positioned at a higher position than the additional water level sensor to determine the maximum and minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the water level sensor that is operable to determine the maximum level of water accumulated in the wheel washing arrangement, can be operatively coupled to the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector to force a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
  • the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector can regulate or cease the operation of providing flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement based on the sensory signal received from the water level sensor.
  • the sensory signal from the water level sensor indicates that the contaminated water accumulated in the wheel washing arrangement has reached a maximum level.
  • the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector regulates the operation of providing flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
  • the sensory signal from the additional water level sensor indicates that the washing arrangement contains a negligible amount of contaminated water (i.e. minimum level).
  • the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector ceases the operation of providing t h e flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
  • the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector is operable to pump out the volume of contaminated water that is between the maximum and minimum level in the wheel washing arrangement.
  • the water treating arrangement comprises the flocculation chamber that is used to remove the contaminants from contaminated water by flocculation.
  • the flocculation chamber is an enclosed space or cavity wherein contaminated water is flocculated.
  • the flocculation chamber is a tank and/or a cabinet that allows for flocculation of the contaminants in the contaminated water.
  • the flocculation chamber includes an inlet connected to the channel that allows for the flow of contaminated water into the flocculation chamber.
  • the inlet connected to the channel is positioned at an upper portion of the flocculation chamber, so that when the contaminated water is pumped into the flocculation chamber the accumulation of the contaminated water starts from the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber.
  • the contaminated water can be sucked (namely forced) into the flocculation chamber using the vacuum ejector.
  • the vacuum ejector is operable to generate a vacuum pressure in the flocculation chamber to initiate a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement to the flocculation chamber.
  • the channel positioned at the bottom portion of the washing arrangement drains out the contaminated water to flow through the inlet formed at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber.
  • the flocculation chamber further comprises a lid arranged on top of the flocculation chamber.
  • the lid serves as a non-return valve for the flocculation chamber, and prevents a flow of air into the flocculation chamber.
  • non-return valve refers to a unidirectional valve (i.e. it only allows a flow of matter (in this case, air) in one direction).
  • the vacuum ejector when the vacuum ejector is in operation, the air from inside the flocculation chamber is sucked out in order to create vacuum in the flocculation chamber. In such a case, the lid prevents the flow of air from the outside environment into the flocculation chamber.
  • the lid arranged on top of the flocculation chamber also serves as in inspection lid.
  • the lid is removably arranged on the flocculation chamber, such that the lid can be removed to enable manual inspection of an inside volume of the flocculation chamber.
  • a removable arrangement of the lid on top of the flocculation chamber enables convenient servicing thereof, such as, when flocks get lodged on walls of the flocculation chamber, or when a need arises to replace one or more parts (such as nozzles, mixers, sensor and other functional parts) in the flocculation chamber.
  • the lid is fabricated from a transparent material such as glass or plastics material enhancing the usability of the lid as an inspection lid.
  • the lid may be liftable upwards in order to release an excess pressure arising inside the flocculation chamber, and subsequently removed for cleaning the flocculation chamber.
  • flocculation refers to the addition of a flocculant, such as a chemical agent (e.g., a n acid treatment), to a solution (such as the contaminated water) to remove one or more suspended insoluble or soluble impurities therein.
  • a flocculant such as a chemical agent (e.g., a n acid treatment)
  • a solution such as the contaminated water
  • the chemical agent is beneficially added to the solution at a concentration that results in a spontaneous formation of insoluble aggregates which can be removed from the contaminated water using various solid- liquid separation methods, as will be described in greater detail below.
  • the water treating arrangement comprises the flocculation powder regulation device that is coupled to the flocculation chamber; wherein the flocculation powder regulation device is used to introduce a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber.
  • the flocculation powder regulation device is a unit that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that holds a supply of flocculation powder to be discharged in a controlled amount into the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber.
  • the flocculation powder regulation device is beneficially an autonomous electronic device that is configured to release a specific amount of flocculation powder into the contaminated water. The specific amount of flocculation powder to be released is beneficially preprogramed into the flocculation powder regulation device.
  • the controlled amount of flocculation powder is released into the flocculation chamber by the flocculation powder regulation device, and thereafter, the flocculation chamber is filled with the contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement. Subsequently, the flocks form in the contaminated water.
  • the specific amount of flocculation powder to be discharged into the flocculation chamber before the contaminated water fills the flocculation chamber is preprogramed into the flocculation powder regulation device corresponds to the amount of contaminated water that can be accommodated (namely, housed) in the flocculation chamber.
  • the flocculation chamber includes a water level sensor to sense (namely determine) the level of contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the water level sensor is positioned in a suitable position within the flocculation chamber to determine appropriately a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber. For example, the water level sensor is positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the water level sensor positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber can send a sensory signal to the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector to stop their operation (i.e. to suspend the flow of contaminated water into the flocculation chamber).
  • the flocculation chamber comprises two water level sensors, each of which is operable to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber, can be communicatively connected to the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector.
  • the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector is configured to regulate or cease the operation of providing flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement, based on the sensory signal received from the water level sensors that is operable to determine the maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber.
  • the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector is configured to pump out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement and discharge the contaminated water into the flocculation chamber of the water treating arrangement, in an event wherein one of the two water level sensors provides the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector a sensory signal indicating that the contaminated water level in the wheel washing arrangement has reached a maximum level and another water level sensor configured to determine the maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber provides the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector a sensory signal indicating that the contaminated water level in the flocculation chamber has not reached maximum level therein. Therefore, the amount of water to be discharged from the wheel washing arrangement may be controlled by two water level sensors that are operable to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber.
  • the water level sensor configured to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber is slidably coupled to one of the walls of the flocculation chamber.
  • the water level sensor may be moved along the wall of the flocculation chamber to adapt to different water levels in the flocculation chamber (such as, based on a change in amount of contaminated water flowing into the flocculation chamber from the wheel washing arrangement).
  • the water level sensor that is operable to be moved along the wall of the flocculation chamber is operable to determine a range of maximum levels of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber.
  • the water level sensor can be slid upwards to adapt to an increase in the volume of contaminated water to be determined as the maximum level.
  • the mixer may be an electronically operated autonomous device that can blend (by moving the rotating handle in a predefined path using an electronically controlled actuator) the contaminated water including contaminants and the flocculation powder based on sensory signals received from one or more sensor.
  • the mixer may be configured to initiate and/or cease functioning based on received sensory signals.
  • the mixer may initiate the function of blending the contaminated water and the flocculation powder, in an event wherein the water level sensors positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber identifies that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached the maximum level.
  • the flocculation powder regulation device may release the controlled amount of flocculation powder into the contaminated water.
  • the mixer may cease the function of blending the contaminated water and the flocculation powder, in an event wherein the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber identify that an amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level.
  • the water treating arrangement further includes a agitating arrangement, namely means for agitating the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water.
  • the agitating arrangement may be implemented as a blower device that is operable to blow air into the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water.
  • the agitating arrangement namely the blower, is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber.
  • the blower may be a n autonomous electronic device that is configured to initiate and/or cease functioning based on received sensory signals.
  • the blower may cease blowing of air into the contaminated water upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level.
  • the blower includes a timer that can determine the initiation and/or cessation of the function of the blower, i.e. the blower may be operable to blow air into the contaminated water for blending the flocculation powder for a predefine period of time and/or blow air into the contaminated water for blending repeatedly for a predefined time period.
  • the agitating arrangement provides f o r a n efficient blend of the flocculation powder and the contaminated water.
  • the flocculation chamber includes a first set of nozzles and a second set of nozzles coupled to the walls of the flocculation chamber, wherein the first set of nozzles is operable to function in a mixing mode of the system and the second set of nozzles is operable to function in a cleaning mode of the system.
  • mixing mode refers to an operation of the system when the flocculation powder discharged from the flocculation powder regulation device into the flocculation chamber is to be mixed with the contaminated water received into the flocculation chamber from the water treating arrangement.
  • an air pressure of the first set of nozzles may be controlled via an electronic control unit depending upon the volume of water in the flocculation chamber and the corresponding amount of flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber.
  • the operation of the first set of nozzles of blowing air into the contaminated water may be ceased upon receiving another sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber, with the another sensory signal corresponding to the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber having reached a minimum level.
  • the term "cleaning mode" as used herein refers to an operation of the system when the contaminated water mixed with the flocculation power is discharged completely from the flocculation chamber and the flocculation chamber is empty. Consequently, walls of the flocculation chamber are cleaned by spraying clean (or uncontaminated) water thereon.
  • the second set of nozzles initiate spraying of clean water onto the walls of the flocculation chamber upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the lower portion of the flocculation chamber that identifies the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level (corresponding to the flocculation chamber being empty).
  • the cleaning mode may start after a timer set draining of the flocculation chamber.
  • the second set of nozzles spray clean water onto the walls of the flocculation chamber after the contaminated water has been drained from the flocculation chamber into the filtration tank.
  • the second set of nozzles spray clean water onto the walls of the flocculation chamber to remove the insoluble aggregates and/or flock in the contaminated water that may have got deposited on the walls of the flocculation chamber after the contaminated water has been drained from the flocculation chamber.
  • the valve arranged in the water outlet is opened in order to provide sufficient passage for the flock to pass out of the flocculation chamber along with the clean water released from the second set of nozzles.
  • the operation of the second set of nozzles of spraying water on the walls of the flocculation chamber may be ceased upon receiving another sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the top portion of the flocculation chamber which indicates that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached more than a minimum level.
  • the first set of sensors may automatically switch to the cleaning mode of operation upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber, indicating that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level.
  • the flocculation chamber includes an additional nozzle arranged proximal to the water level sensor and directed to blow air thereon.
  • the additional nozzle is operable to blow air onto the water level sensor after a cessation of the cleaning mode of operation of the system and prior to commencement of mixing mode of operation of the system, to ensure that the water level sensor is dry and does not malfunction due to presence of moisture thereon.
  • the additional nozzle may be operatively coupled to the electronic control unit, such that the electronic control unit is configured automatically to initiate and/or cease functioning of the additional nozzle based on received sensory signals from the water level sensor.
  • the lid is opened in order to accelerate the process of evaporation of water from the water level sensor.
  • the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet.
  • the water outlet of the flocculation chamber provides an opening for the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water to flow out of the flocculation chamber.
  • the system further comprises a plurality of valves for regulating the flow of contaminated water.
  • the water outlet of the flocculation chamber includes a valve of the plurality of valves for regulating the flow of contaminated water.
  • the valve is operatively coupled to the water outlet and can control the flow of contaminated water out of the flocculation chamber.
  • the valve may be connected to an electronic control unit.
  • the electronic control unit is operable to monitor and control the opening and closing of the valve.
  • the electronic control unit is operable to control the opening and closing of the valve based on the sensory signals received from the water level sensors positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber.
  • the water outlet in the flocculation chamber is controlled by a timer.
  • the opening period of the valve of the water outlet in the flocculation chamber is time-controlled and set to a predetermined drain period corresponding to a time period required for emptying liquids from the flocculation chamber. It will be appreciated that, under normal circumstances, the flocculation chamber attains any empty state when the drain period is over. Flowever, if the water level sensor is still active after the drain period is over, the water level sensor may generate an alarm indicating and alerting that the water outlet of the flocculation chamber may be clogged; in an event of such a clogging situation occurring, an inspection by a human operator is often necessary.
  • the piston is moved substantially vertically downwards and upwards once or a few times (for example, twice), such that the contaminants deposited in the water outlet are loosened to allow a clear passage to the contaminated water to be passed therefrom.
  • the system is further operable to monitor opening and closing of i t s valves when in operation, to control flows of fluids within the system.
  • the electronic control unit i s connected to the valve that is further operatively coupled to the water outlet, wherein the electronic control unit is operable to monitor the opening and a closing of the valve that control flows of fluids within the system, when in operation.
  • the electronic control unit is operable to monitor the time periods associated with the opening and closing of the valves. For example, the electronic control unit may monitor the time period for which the valve is open, the time period after which the valve opens after being closed, the time period for which the valve has not opened (caused by a contaminant obstructing the functioning of the valve) and the like.
  • the water treating arrangement comprises the filtration tank t h a t i s operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber for filtering the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet.
  • the term "filtration tank” as used herein relates to chamber that is operable to filter out the contaminants from flocculation powder mixed contaminated water. Furthermore, the filtration tank is configured to filter out the contaminants to produce clean reusable water. The filtration tank is operable to house the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet of the flocculation chamber.
  • the filtration tank is positioned below the flocculation chamber, therefore flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet of the flocculation chamber flows into the filtration tank without the use of any external force.
  • the filtration tank includes at least one filter, wherein the filter is user-accessible for periodic replacement, namely at replacement period intervals.
  • the at least one filter includes a porous material that is operable to filter out the flocculated contaminants from the contaminated water mixed with flocculation powder.
  • the at least one filter can filter out the flocculated contaminants for a specific period of time before the filter becomes degraded, for example blocked with debris, i.e.
  • the at least one filter has a replacement period or a usefu l lifetime, before it needs to be replaced.
  • the filtration tank can include one or more additional filters that are operable to perform a secondary filtration of the clean reusable water generated from the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water.
  • the filter is placed in a perforated cylinder or tube.
  • the perforated cylinder has a curved body with an open end and a closed base.
  • the perforated plate and the tube form a perforated cylinder.
  • the filter is placed in a perforated cylinder, to provide the filter with mechanical support.
  • the perforated cylinder has a curved body with an open end and a closed base; the filter is placed inside the perforated cylinder via the open end and rests on the closed base of the perforated cylinder. It will be appreciated that the base of the cylinder is optionally also perforated.
  • a perforated plate is horizontally arranged to be in continuation with the perforated cylinder filter such that the perforated plate is in contact with the closed base of the perforated cylinder.
  • the perforated plate acts as the base of the cylinder.
  • the perforated cylinder and the perforated plate provide support to the filter for providing a filter arrangement in the filtration tank.
  • the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water that enters the filtration tank is first passed through the filter to remove all contaminates therefrom, and seeps out through the holes in the perforated filter cylinder and down through the perforated plate.
  • the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined based on a predetermined number of counts for the opening and the closing of the valves that control flows occurring in operation in the system.
  • the electronic control unit is configured to generate an alert that there is a requirement to replace the at least one filter based on the number of times a given valve coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber is opened and closed. It will be appreciated that the opening and closing of the valve coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber determines the number of times the contaminated water is flowed into the filtration tank for filtering, thereby determining the number of times the at least one filter is used. For example, the electronic control unit is configured to generate an alert after the valve coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber opens and closes 50 times.
  • the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined based on a weighing device coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the weighing device provides an alert on reaching a predefined weight of the at least one filter; an increase of weight of the at least one filter is indicative of an increase in debris accumulating on the at least one filter.
  • the weighing device is provided by way of a surface stress gauge that measure strain in the perforated cylinder, caused by weight strain arising from debris in the at least one filter.
  • the weighing device is implemented as a sensor attached to the at least one filter that is operable to determine the amount of add itiona l weight formed in the at least one filter as debris (namely, sludge) collects thereon.
  • the weight formed in the at least one filter is caused by the accumulation of the flocculated contaminates filtered out from the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet.
  • the weighing device may be connected to an alarm system that generates an alert in the form an alarming sound, light or a combination of both (an alarming sound accompanied with a flickering light) when the weight of the flocculated contaminates reaches a predefined weight of the at least one filter.
  • the weighing device may generate an alert upon determining that the amount of flocculated contaminates is 50kg in weight (namely, circa 500 Newtons strain stress force).
  • the flocculation chamber and the filtration tank of the water treatment system can be placed at a mutua l ly same height.
  • an additional pumping device may be coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber such that the additional pumping device pumps out the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber to the filtration tank.
  • the water treating arrangement comprises a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank for discharging water filtered by the filtration tank.
  • drainage unit as used herein relates to a channel that is attached to an outlet formed at a bottom portion of the filtration tank. The outlet enables the passage of the cleaned and reusable liquid after the contaminated water has been filtered. Furthermore, the cleaned and reusable liquid is passed through the outlet of the filtration tank into the channel of the drainage unit.
  • the channel is a pipeline made of rigid or flexible solid material having a first o p e n i n g and a second opening.
  • the first opening of the channel is coupled to the outlet in the filtration tank and the second opening is coupled to the public sewage system.
  • the second opening of the channel is connected to the device (such as a water sprinkler) which sprays the cleaning fluid (namely, water) onto the wheels.
  • the filtration tank and the drainage unit may be located farther (further) away from each other (namely, spatially remotely from one another).
  • a pumping device may be coupled to the outlet in the filtration tank such that the pumping device pumps out the filtrated water from the filtration tank and into the drainage unit.
  • a water level sensor is arranged close to the bottom of the filtration tank, such that the water level sensor determines a level of filtrated water in the filtration tank.
  • the water level sensor is implemented, for example, as a conductivity sensor. The water level sensor is operatively coupled to the pumping device.
  • the drainage unit (.e. the channel) comprises an inline filter.
  • the inline filter is operable to filter out microparticles in the clean reusable water.
  • the inline filter is configured to filter the microparticles, such as microplastics materials particles, that may have passed through the at least one filter and the one or more additional filters attached to the filtration tank.
  • the inline filter is positioned between the first and the second opening of the channel of the drainage unit.
  • the water treatment system 100 includes a wheel washing arrangement 102 for cleaning wheels of vehicles, and a water treating arrangement 116. Furthermore, the wheel washing arrangement 102 includes a device 104 (such as water sprinkler) for spraying clean water onto the wheel of the vehicles and an outlet 106. Furthermore, the water treatment system 100 includes a channel 108 that is operatively connected to the outlet 106 and to the water treating arrangement 116. The water treating arrangement 116 includes a pipe 109 that is connected to the channel 108, and is arranged with a water level sensor 110. Moreover, the water treatment system 100 includes a liquid pumping device 114 that is operatively coupled to the channel 108.
  • the water treating arrangement 116 includes a flocculation chamber 118, a filtration tank 134 and a drainage unit 144.
  • the flocculation chamber 118 includes an inlet 120 t h a t i s operatively coupled to the channel 108, a water level sensor 122, a flocculation powder regulation device 126, a mixer 128 coupled with a rotating handle 130 (electronically operated), and a water outlet 132.
  • the filtration tank 134 includes at least one filter 136, a level indicator 138 and a weighing device 140 that are operatively coupled to the at least one filter 136, and an outlet 142 formed at a bottom portion of the filtration tank 134.
  • the drainage unit 144 is operatively coupled to the filtration tank 134 via the outlet 142.
  • the water treatment system 100 comprising the wheel washing arrangement 102 for cleaning wheels of vehicles (not shown) uses the device 104 (such as water sprinkler) for spraying clean water.
  • the water level sensor 110 is operable to determine the maximum level of contaminated water accumulated with the wheel washing arrangement 102.
  • the water level sensor 110 (used to determine the maximum level of contaminated water accumulated within the wheel washing arrangement 102), is capable of (namely operable to) generating an alarm signal, wherein the alarm signal may indicate that the cleaning wheels of vehicles is to be stopped.
  • the alarm signal may be an audio-visual signal, such as an alarming sound accompanied with a flickering or blinking light.
  • the channel 108 of the water treatment system 100 is connected to the outlet 106 to drain out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement 102.
  • the channel 108 includes the liquid pumping device 114 th at i s operatively coupled therein. The liquid pumping device 114 is operable to pump out the contaminated water accumulated in the wheel washing arrangement 102 through the channel 108.
  • the electronic control unit upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors 122 (used to determine the maximum level of contaminated water accumulated within the flocculation chamber 118), may instruct the valve to open and allow for the discharge of the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118. It will be appreciated that the upon determining a maximum level of contaminated water accumulated within the flocculation chamber 118 the flocculation powder regulation device 126 releases flocculation powder into the contaminated water and the mixer 128 mixes the flocculation powder with the contaminated water.
  • the filtration tank 134 is connected to the flocculation chamber 118 via the water outlet 132.
  • the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118 is discharged into the filtration tank 134 to be filtered.
  • the filtration tank 134 includes at least one filter 136 that is operable to filter out the contaminants from the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118.
  • the level indicator 138 and the weighing device 140 is operatively couple to the at least one filter 136 to determine the level and the weight of the contaminates accumulated in the at least one filter 136 and thereby determine the replacement of the at least one filter 136.
  • the replacement of the at least one filter 136 is determined based on a count of the opening and closing of the valve for discharging the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water via the water outlet 132 into the filtration tank 134.
  • the at least one filter 136 is replaced upon encountering that the valve has been opened and closed for 50 times.
  • the water treating arrangement 116 includes the drainage unit 144 that i s operatively coupled to the filtration tank 134 via the outlet 142 formed in a bottom portion of the filtration tank 134.
  • the drainage unit 144 is operable to drain out the cleaned and reusable liquid after the contaminated water that had been filtered by the at least one filter 136.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a schematic illustration of the filtration tank 134 and the drainage unit 144 of FIG.l, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a water outlet (such as the water outlet 132) connects with the filtration tank 134 that includes the at least one filter 136 and the outlet 142.
  • the filtration tank 134 includes an additional filter 400 to perform a supplementary filtration of the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water provided by a flocculation chamber (such as the flocculation chamber 118 of FIG. 1), and thereby t o increase the filtering efficiency of a water treatment system (such as the water treatment system 100 of FIG. 1).
  • the water treatment system 600 comprises the wheel washing arrangement 102, the device 104 for spraying clean water, the at least one water level sensors 110, the outlet 106, the channel 108, the water treating arrangement 116, a flocculation chamber 118, the inlet 120, a water level sensor 122, flocculation powder regulation device 126, the water outlet 132, the filtration tank 134, the at least one filter 136, the level indicator 138, the weighing device 140, the outlet 142, and the drainage unit 144.
  • the water treatment system 600 comprises a first set of nozzles 502 and a second set of nozzles 504. Furthermore, the water treatment system 600 comprises one nozzle 602 that is arranged within the flocculation chamber 118 and directed at the water level sensor 122. Flerein, the nozzle 602 is operable to blow air for drying the water level sensor 122. Furthermore, the water treatment system 600 comprises a valve in the outlet 132 of the flocculation chamber 118. The valve comprises a piston 606 including a cylinder 608, a rod 610 and a conical body 612. The rod 610 extends substantially vertically downwards from a base of the cylinder 608. Furthermore, the conical body 612 is coupled to a free end of the rod 610.
  • the piston 606 is configured to be moved substantially vertically downwards and substantially vertically upwards in the water outlet 132 during the cleaning of the flocculation chamber 118 to loosen clogged slurry in the flocculation chamber 118, in order to clear the passage of the contaminated water.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown a schematic illustration of the filtration tank 134 and the drainage unit 144 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a water outlet such as the water outlet 132 connects with the filtration tank 134 that includes a filter 702, a perforated cylinder 704 and a perforated plate 706.
  • the perforated plate 706 is arranged to be in continuation with the perforated cylinder 704.
  • the filter 702 is placed inside the perforated cylinder 704. The contaminants of the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water are filtered out and contained in the filter 702.
  • the filtration tank 134 comprises a level indicator 708 arranged in contact with the perforated cylinder 702 to determine a level of the flocculated contaminates accumulated in the filter 702.
  • the level indicator 708 is a conductivity sensor.
  • the drainage unit 144 includes a liquid pumping device 402 that is operatively coupled to the drainage unit 144.
  • the liquid pumping device 402 is operable to pump out the clean reusable water for the filtration tank 134 and to flush the clean reusable water though the drainage unit 144 into an inline filter 404 that further filters the clean reusable water for microparticles, and thereafter re drains the microparticles clean reusable water into the drainage unit 144 for discharging or reusing the microparticles clean reusable water.
  • the water treatment system 800 comprises the wheel washing arrangement 102, the device 104 for spraying clean water, the water level sensor 110, the outlet 106, the channel 108, the water treating arrangement 116, a flocculation chamber 118, the inlet 120, one or more water level sensors 122, a flocculation powder regulation device 126, the water outlet 132, the filtration tank 134, the at least one filter 136, the level indicator 138, the weighing device 140, the outlet 142, and the drainage unit 144, a first set of nozzles 502 and a second set of nozzles 504.
  • the vacuum ejector 302 enables the flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement 102 into the water treating arrangement 116 by pulling or drawing out air from the flocculation chamber 118 and creating an at least partial vacuum pressure therein.
  • the lid 804 When air is pulled out from the flocculation chamber 118, the lid 804 is pressed against the top of the flocculation chamber 118 thereby sealing the flocculation chamber 118. Furthermore, during the cleaning process of the flocculation chamber, the lid can be opened to allow a circulation of the air blown by the second set of nozzles 504.
  • the lid 804 also serves as an inspection lid for monitoring the operation in the flocculation chamber 118 and/or for use when replacing one or more functional components in the flocculation chamber 118.
  • steps of a method 900 of removing contaminants from contaminated water in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • wheels of vehicles are cleaned using water in a wheel washing arrangement.
  • contaminants are removed from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement using a water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Separation Of Suspended Particles By Flocculating Agents (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed is a water treatment system for removing contaminants from contaminated water. The system comprises a wheel washing arrangement for cleaning wheels of vehicles using water, and a water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement for removing contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement. The water treating arrangement comprises a flocculation chamber for allowing removal of the contaminants from contaminated water by flocculation, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet, a flocculation powder regulation device for introducing a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber, a filtration tank operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber for filtering the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet, and a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank for discharging water filtered by the filtration tank.

Description

WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A WHEEL
WASHING ARRANGEMENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to systems that employ water recycling when in operation. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a water treatment system that removes contaminants from contaminated water when in operation. Moreover, the present disclosure also relates to a method f o r ( of) treating contaminated water to remove contaminants therefrom.
BACKGROUND
Generally, wheel cleaning devices are employed in automobile washing facilities such as motor vehicle laundries. Wheels of a given vehicle are commonly washed and cleaned for (i) ensuring reliable functioning of the g iven vehicle, and (ii) for reducing a risk of corrosion occurring during a period in which the wheels are stored for future use, such as fo r winter wheels that are in storage during a summer period, wherein the winter wheels are replaced with summer wheels for a summer period. Usually, in the conventional wheel cleaning devices, the wheels are washed using water (including various types of granules such as plastics material granules) or using a water spray for flushing out the contaminants (such as particles from the car brakes, sand and salt that have accumulated on the vehicle from the road, particles released from the road surfacing and the like that have accumulated on the vehicle).
However, such conventional wheel cleaning devices encounter multiple technical problems when in operation. One such problem with the conventional wheel cleaning devices is that after a given wheel is cleaned, contaminated water arising from such cleaning is discharged into a drainage system coupled to the wheel cleaning devices. The contaminants in the discharged contaminated water often contain harmful trace materials that cause pollution, namely water pollution, in a natural environment. Furthermore, with contemporarily stringent rules to curb pollution, it is highly desirable to avoid discharges of contaminated water in a public sewerage system. Currently, known conventional wheel cleaning devices have been evolved to refrain from discharging contaminated water. In such wheel cleaning devices, contaminants i n the contaminated water are made to sediment at a bottom of a vessel that holds water-containing contaminants. In such wheel cleaning devices, the contaminants that sediment at the bottom of the vessel need to be removed manually after draining out a water content of the contaminated water. However, such a process can be cumbersome because the process is usually performed manually. Moreover, since the process is performed manually, executing the process can be time consuming and can be prone to human error (resulting in unintended release of contaminants into the environment).
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome aforementioned drawbacks associated with known types of wheel cleaning devices.
In a published patent application DE19914289A1 (DRESTER AB; "New Process and Assembly to Clean Vehicle Wheels"), there is described a process of cleaning a cleaning liquid for cleaning vehicle wheels, in a cleaning device in which the liquid is recirculated. The cleaning liquid has granules and these granules are separated from the liquid. The cleaning liquid is then introduced into a flocculation tank together with a flocculating agent and liberating particulate matter, and the cleaning liquid is filtered and re-used in the process of cleaning. Flocculation is performed in the flocculation tank until small impurities and dissolved impurities present in the cleaning liquid are flocculated to form aggregates. The cleaning liquid with these aggregates is passed through a filter device in which the aggregates are separated from the cleaning liquid and the cleaning liquid cleaned by the aggregates is passed to a drain system or back to the cleaning device.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved water treatment system that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water.
The present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method for (of) removing contaminants from contaminated water.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a water treatment system that removes, when in operation, contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the system comprises:
- a wheel washing arrangement that uses water to clean wheels of vehicles; and
- a water treating arrangement that is operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treatment arrangement removes contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
- a flocculation chamber that, when in operation, removes the contaminants from the contaminated water by flocculation, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
- a flocculation powder regulation device that is coupled to the flocculation chamber that, when in operation, introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber;
- a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber, wherein the filtration tank, when in operation, filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet; and
- a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank, wherein the drainage unit, when in operation, discharges water filtered by the filtration tank,
wherein the system further includes:
- a first sensor arrangement to monitor functioning of the flocculation chamber; and
- a second sensor arrangement to monitor an opening and a closing of valves employed to control flows occurring during operation within the system.
The present disclosure is of the advantage that it provides at least a partial solution to a problem of cleaning contaminated water, wherein the at least partial solution to cleaning contaminated water includes automatically introducing flocculating powder, generating clean reusable water from the contaminated water, and thereafter draining the clean reusable water, or using the generated clean reusable water for various purposes, such as recycling within the system to clean wheels of a vehicle.
Optionally, the system further comprises a liquid pumping device that pumps, when in operation, contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
Optionally, the system further comprises a vacuum ejector that forces, when in operation, a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
Optionally, the flocculation chamber further comprises a lid that is removably arranged on top of the flocculation chamber, wherein the lid when removed releases air from the flocculation chamber.
Optionally, the system further comprises a water level sensor arranged within the flocculation chamber, wherein the water level sensor, when in operation, senses an amount of the contaminated water included within the flocculation chamber. Optionally, the water level sensor is slidably coupled to an inside wall of the flocculation chamber.
Optionally, the water treatment system further comprises a substantially vertical pipe included within the water treating arrangement, wherein the vertical pipe has a water level sensor arranged therein. By "substantially vertical" is meant an elongate pipe whose elongate axis is disposed at an angle that is less than +/- 30° relative to true vertical, optionally at an angle that is less than +/- 15° relative to true vertical.
Optionally, the system further comprises at least one nozzle arranged within the flocculation chamber and directed at the water level sensor, wherein the at least one nozzle, when in operation, blows air for drying the water level sensor.
Optionally, the system further comprises a mixer that, when in operation, mixes the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water.
Optionally, the system further comprises at least a first set of nozzles and a second set of nozzles, wherein each nozzle of the first set of nozzles is operable to blow air to mix the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water, and wherein each nozzle of the second set of nozzles is operable to spray water to clean the flocculation chamber.
Optionally, the flocculation chamber further comprises a valve arranged in the water outlet of the flocculation chamber, wherein the valve comprises a piston having a cylinder arranged on top of the flocculation chamber, a rod extending substantially vertically downwards from the cylinder and a conical body coupled to a free end of the rod, wherein the piston moves substantially vertically downwards and vertically upwards in the water outlet to loosen clogged slurry in the flocculation chamber. " Substantially vertically" is to be construed as elucidated above. Optionally, the system further comprises a plurality of valves that regulate the flow of contaminated water.
Optionally, the system further comprises a water level sensor in the filtration tank to determine a level of filtrated water in the filtration tank. Optionally, the water level sensor is a conductivity sensor that measures changes in the level of filtrated water by measuring changes in conductivity sensed at the water level sensor.
Optionally, the filtration tank includes at least one filter, wherein the at least one filter is user-accessible to be replaceable after a replacement period.
Optionally, the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined by (namely, i s based on) at least one of:
( i ) a predetermined number of counts for opening and closing o p e ra t i o n s of the valves,
( i i ) a weight sensed by a weight a weighing device coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the weighing device provides an alert when a predefined weight of the at least one filter is reached, a nd a level indicator coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the level indicator provides an alert when a predefined level of sludge has accumulated at the filter.
Optionally, the filtration tank includes a filter placed within a perforated cylinder, and a perforated plate arranged to provide a base to the perforated cylinder filter.
Optionally, the drainage unit comprises an inline filter.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a water treating arrangement that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the water treating arrangement is operable to receive the contaminated water discharged from washing wheels of a vehicle, and wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
- a flocculation chamber that uses flocculation to remove the contaminants from the contaminated water, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
- a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber that introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber;
- a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet; and
- a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank that discharges water filtered by the filtration tank.
In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a method f o r ( of) removing contaminants from contaminated water, the method comprising :
- cleaning wheels of vehicles using water in a wheel washing arrangement;
- removing contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement using a water treating arrangement that is operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement, wherein removing the contaminants from the contaminated water comprises:
- removing the contaminants from the contaminated water by flocculation using a flocculation chamber, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
- introducing a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber using a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber;
- mixing the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water to provide a mixture;
- filtering the mixture, using a filtration tank t h a t i s operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber discharging the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water through the water outlet; and
- discharging water filtered by the filtration tank using a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank, and
- monitoring a functioning of the flocculation chamber and an opening and a closing of valves to control filtering of the mixture.
Optionally, the method includes a mixer to mix the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water.
Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the water treatment system of FIG.
1 in a used state, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system (namely an alternative implementation of the water treatment system of FIG. 1), in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a filtration tank and a drainage unit of FIG.l, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system ( n a m ely a n a lte rnative i m p lementatio n of the water treatment system of FIG. 1), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the water treatment system such as water treatment system of FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the filtration tank and the drainage unit of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a water treatment system ( n a m ely a n a lte rnative i m p lementatio n of the water treatment system of FIG. 5), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 is an illustration of steps of a method of treating water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 10 is an illustration of steps of a method of removing contaminants from contaminated water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non- underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non- underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a water treatment system that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the system comprises:
- a wheel washing arrangement that, when in operation, uses water to clean wheels of vehicles; and
- a water treating arrangement that is operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treating arrangement removes contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
- a flocculation chamber that removes the contaminants from the contaminated water by flocculation, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
- a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber that introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber;
- a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet; and
- a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank that discharges water filtered by the filtration tank,
wherein the system is further operable to:
- monitor functioning of the flocculation chamber; and
- monitor an opening and a closing of valves that control flows occurring within the system.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a water treating arrangement that removes contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the water treating arrangement is operable to receive the contaminated water discharged from washing wheels of a vehicle, wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
- a flocculation chamber that removes the contaminants from contaminated water by flocculation, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
- a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber that introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber;
- a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber to filter the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet; and - a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank for discharging water filtered by the filtration tank.
In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a method f o r ( of) removing contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the method comprises:
- cleaning wheels of vehicles using water in a wheel washing arrangement;
- removing contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement using a water treating arrangement that is operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement, wherein removing the contaminants from t h e contaminated water comprises:
- u s i n g flocculation in a flocculation chamber to remove the contaminants from t h e contaminated water, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
- introducing a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber using a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber;
- mixing the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water;
- filtering using a filtration tank operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber discharging the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water through the water outlet; and
- discharging water filtered by the filtration tank using a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank, and
- monitoring functioning of the flocculation chamber and an opening and a closing of valves that control flows occurring within the water treating arrangement.
The present disclosure provides the water treatment system that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water. Specifically, the present disclosure provides a reliable and efficient water treatment system for removing contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement using a water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement. The contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement is circulated to the flocculation chamber and is then subjected to a flocculation process. Subsequently, during the flocculation process, flocculation powder is mixed with the contaminated water to form flocks of suspended particles of the contaminated water and the flocculation powder. Furthermore, o n a cco u nt of the flocks being heavier than water, the flocks flow down to a bottom region of the flocculation chamber. Subsequently, a flocculated mixture thereby obtained is passed to the filtration tank where a sludge is settled within pores of a filter whilst the filtered water is drained out through the drainage unit. Thus, the present disclosure provides an efficient water treatment system that automatically processes the contaminated water and drains out filtered water. It will be appreciated that a process of washing the wheels runs continuously concurrently with the method of removing contaminants from contaminated water. In other words, water output of the wheel washing arrangement acts as a water input for the water treating arrangement, and therefore the process of washing the wheels runs continuously and subsequently.
The present disclosure provides the water treatment system for removing contaminants from contaminated water. The water treatment system includes one or more components that are operatively coupled to each other to remove, when in operation, contaminants from contaminated water. In an example, the water treatment system is implemented in a wheel cleaning environment, such as automobile washing facilities that operate as motor vehicle laundries. Furthermore, the one or more components of the water treatment system are operable to clean the wheels of a vehicle, such as wheels of a car (automobile), wheels of a truck, wheels of a bus and the like. Moreover, the water treatment system is operable to remove contaminants from the contaminated water produced due to the cleaning of the wheel, as aforementioned.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term " contaminated water " as used herein relates to polluted water that drains out from wheels of the vehicles d u r i n g w a s h i n g o f t h e w h e e l s , o r after the wheels have been washed, or both. The contaminated water is an aqueous liquid, for example water, having solids from industrial waste and/or cleaning process such as, discharged water from a motor vehicle laundry where a vehicle along with its wheels are washed. Furthermore, the contaminated water contains contaminates suspended therein. Throughout the present disclosure, the term " contaminants " as used herein relates to any undesired solid particles accompanying the contaminated water that drains out from wheels of vehicles during washing of its wheels, o r after the wheels have been washed, or both. Optionally, the contaminates are sludge that are generally accumulated in the wheels, and which is swilled from wheels of the vehicles by the water treatment system. In an example, the sludge may include heavy metals such as at least one of: copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zirconium (Zi).
The water treatment system comprises the wheel washing arrangement that cleans, when in use, wheels of vehicles, wherein the treatment system uses water for cleaning purposes. Throughout the present disclosure, the term " washing arrangement" as used herein relates to a combination of a plurality of mechanical and/or electronic components that are coupled in a manner to perform a specific task, namely a task of cleaning vehicle wheels. Specifically, the wheel washing arrangement is a housing, wherein wheels of a vehicle are placed for cleaning. Optionally, the housing includes one or more components for cleaning wheels. The one or more components include devices such as a water sprinkler (which sprays a cleaning fluid namely, water or a mix of water and plastic granules onto the wheels), a frame, a wheel cleaning brush, a drive belt assembly, a drive system, a wheel retainer, a hoist assembly and the like.
Optionally, the wheel washing arrangement includes a channel to drain out the contaminated water that is accumulated upon cleaning wheels of the vehicles. Furthermore, the channel to drain out the contaminated water is positioned at a bottom portion of the washing arrangement.
Optionally, the system further comprises a liquid pumping device that provides, when in operation, a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement. Specifically, the liquid pumping device is operatively coupled to the channel used to drain out the contaminated water accumulated upon cleaning wheels of the vehicles. Optionally, the liquid pumping device is operable to pump out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement and circulate the contaminated water into the water treating arrangement. Optionally, liquid pumping device includes general components of a liquid pump that is used to flush out liquid from one position to another. In an example, the liquid pump includes a casing, a feed pipe, a pump mechanism, a suction hole, a n outlet pipe and the like. The liquid pumping device extracts (namely "pulls out") the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement and pumps the contaminated water into the water treating arrangement (explained hereinafter in a greater detail). Beneficially, the liquid pumping device is operable to pump out the contaminated water th at comprises hard sediments of waste particles lying on a bottom of the wheel washing arrangement and a mixture of particles and water above the hard sediment of waste particles.
Optionally, the system further comprises a vacuum ejector for forcing a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement. Specifically, the vacuum ejector is operable to create a vacuum to pull out the contaminated water comprising hard sediment of waste particles lying on the bottom of the wheel washing arrangement, and a mixture of particles and water above the hard sediment of waste particles, and subsequently pump the contaminated water into the water treating arrangement. Optionally, the vacuum ejector includes the general components used for pulling out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement.
The water treatment system comprises the water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement that removes, when in operation, contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement. Throughout the present disclosure, the term " water treating arrangement " as used herein relates to a combination of a plurality of mechanical and/or electronic components that are coupled in a manner to perform a specific task, namely removing contaminants from contaminated water. Specifically, the water treating arrangement is a housing wherein the contaminated water generated from cleaning the wheels of a vehicle is treated to generate contaminant-free water that is re-useable. Optionally, the housing includes one or more components that remove contaminants from the contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the contaminants include the hard sediment of waste particles, and a mixture of particles and water above the hard sediment of waste particles.
Optionally, the water treating arrangement comprises a water level sensor that monitors a water level in the wheel washing arrangement, wherein an output signal from the water level sensor is used as an input for a feedback control module to control the water level at a particular target water level. For example, the wheel washing arrangement operates for a predefined/ fixed amount of water, i.e. the amount of water that can be contained by the wheel washing arrangement, such as 80 litres, 90 litres, 100 litress (US English: "liters"). Beneficially, the water treatment arrangement may operate for draining out a predefined water volume from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the volume is determined by a maximum and a minimum water level in the wheel washer arrangement. Optionally, the at least one sensor is implemented as a conductivity sensor, wherein a conductivity measured by the at least one sensor is a function of a water level relative to substantially vertically-orientated elongate electrodes in contact with the water.
Furthermore, the water treating arrangement comprises a substantially vertical pipe arranged with such a water level sensor for monitoring and regulating a water level in the wheel washing arrangement. Specifically, the substantially vertical pipe of the water treating arrangement is connected to the channel, that drains out the contaminated water from the water washing arrangement. Moreover, the substantially vertical pipe is arranged on the channel prior to a liquid pumping device t h a t i s arranged on the channel.
Optionally, the water level sensor is operable to sense a maximum level of water that is permitted in the wheel washing arrangement. It will be appreciated that the water level sensor arranged on the vertical pipe is flu id ically or operatively coupled to the contaminated water to be received in the substantially vertical pipe for sensing a water level (namely the level of contaminated water) inside the vertical pipe, and thereby the water level sensor is susceptible to being used to monitor and regulate the water level in the wheel washing arrangement. Beneficially, the water level sensor determining the maximum water level in the substantially vertical pipe is operable to identify an event wherein the washing arrangement discharges contaminated water that is accumulated upon cleaning of wheels of the vehicles. Optionally, the water treating arrangement includes an additional water level sensor, arranged on the substantially vertical pipe, to measure a minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement. It will be appreciated that the additional water level sensor is arranged on the substantially vertical pipe at a lower level or height as compared to the at least one water level sensor, and is operable to sense the maximum water level in the substantially vertical pipe. In other words, the at least one water level sensor and the additional water level sensor are positioned at two different positions t h a t a re suitable locations when determining the maximum and the minimum water level in the substantially vertical pipe, (i.e. in the wheel washing arrangement). Moreover, the additional water level sensor is operable to identify an event wherein a n amount of the contaminated water is minimum, ( i.e. the washing arrangement contains a negligible amount of contaminated water to be discharged).
Notably, the substantially vertical pipe is arranged to be in fluidic communication with the wheel washing arrangement, such that when the wheel washing arrangement fills up with water, the vertical pipe being in fluidic communication with the wheel washing arrangement fills up with water up to a same water level as the water level within the wheel washing arrangement. In such an example, the water level sensor can be arranged within the substantially vertical pipe that is in fluidic communication with the wheel washing arrangement. Such an arrangement of the water level sensor enclosed within the water treating arrangement assists to try to prevents potential damage to the water level sensor in contrast to when arranged within the wheel washing arrangement, such as, due to repeated spraying of water thereon (used for washing wheels) or due to contact of the wheels being cleaned with the water level sensor.
Alternatively, the water level sensor and the additional water level sensor for monitoring the maximum and minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement can be arranged within the wheel washing arrangement. Optionally, the least one water level sensor and the additional water level sensor can be positioned in any part of the wheel washing arrangement that is suitable for determining the maximum and minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement. Furthermore, beneficially, the at least one water level sensor and the additional water level sensor are positioned at two mutually different positions suitable for determining the maximum and the minimum water level in the wheel washing arrangement. In an example, the at least one water level sensor may be positioned at a higher position than the additional water level sensor to determine the maximum and minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement.
Optionally, the water level sensor, that is operable to determine the maximum level of water accumulated in the wheel washing arrangement, can be operatively coupled to the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector to force a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement. Optionally, the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector can regulate or cease the operation of providing flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement based on the sensory signal received from the water level sensor. In an example, the sensory signal from the water level sensor indicates that the contaminated water accumulated in the wheel washing arrangement has reached a maximum level. In such a n event, the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector regulates the operation of providing flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement. In an example, the sensory signal from the additional water level sensor indicates that the washing arrangement contains a negligible amount of contaminated water (i.e. minimum level). In such an event, the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector ceases the operation of providing t h e flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement. Optionally, the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector is operable to pump out the volume of contaminated water that is between the maximum and minimum level in the wheel washing arrangement. It will be appreciated that the minimum level of contaminated water refers to a quantity of the contaminated water that is comparatively less than the maximum level of contaminated water sensed by the at least one water level sensor. Therefore, the at least one water level sensor enables a continuous discharge of contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement. Beneficially, the continuous discharge of contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement enables the wheel washing arrangement to operate ceaselessly for cleaning the wheels.
The water treating arrangement comprises the flocculation chamber that is used to remove the contaminants from contaminated water by flocculation. The flocculation chamber is an enclosed space or cavity wherein contaminated water is flocculated. Specifically, the flocculation chamber is a tank and/or a cabinet that allows for flocculation of the contaminants in the contaminated water. Furthermore, the flocculation chamber includes an inlet connected to the channel that allows for the flow of contaminated water into the flocculation chamber. Moreover, the inlet connected to the channel is positioned at an upper portion of the flocculation chamber, so that when the contaminated water is pumped into the flocculation chamber the accumulation of the contaminated water starts from the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber. Alternatively, the contaminated water can be sucked (namely forced) into the flocculation chamber using the vacuum ejector. Optionally, the vacuum ejector is operable to generate a vacuum pressure in the flocculation chamber to initiate a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement to the flocculation chamber. In such an event, the channel positioned at the bottom portion of the washing arrangement drains out the contaminated water to flow through the inlet formed at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber.
Optionally, the flocculation chamber further comprises a lid arranged on top of the flocculation chamber. The lid serves as a non-return valve for the flocculation chamber, and prevents a flow of air into the flocculation chamber. The term " non-return valve " as used herein refers to a unidirectional valve (i.e. it only allows a flow of matter (in this case, air) in one direction). Notably, when the vacuum ejector is in operation, the air from inside the flocculation chamber is sucked out in order to create vacuum in the flocculation chamber. In such a case, the lid prevents the flow of air from the outside environment into the flocculation chamber. Such a lid functioning as a non-return valve ensures a complete vacuum inside the flocculation chamber desired to pull the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement. It will be appreciated that the lid is pressed against the flocculation chamber when a vacuum is created in the flocculation chamber by the vacuum ejector, thereby completely sealing the flocculation chamber.
In an example, the lid arranged on top of the flocculation chamber also serves as in inspection lid. Herein, the lid is removably arranged on the flocculation chamber, such that the lid can be removed to enable manual inspection of an inside volume of the flocculation chamber. It will be appreciated that such a removable arrangement of the lid on top of the flocculation chamber enables convenient servicing thereof, such as, when flocks get lodged on walls of the flocculation chamber, or when a need arises to replace one or more parts (such as nozzles, mixers, sensor and other functional parts) in the flocculation chamber. Optionally, the lid is fabricated from a transparent material such as glass or plastics material enhancing the usability of the lid as an inspection lid. In one or more examples, the lid may be liftable upwards in order to release an excess pressure arising inside the flocculation chamber, and subsequently removed for cleaning the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the term " flocculation " as used herein, refers to the addition of a flocculant, such as a chemical agent (e.g., a n acid treatment), to a solution (such as the contaminated water) to remove one or more suspended insoluble or soluble impurities therein. The chemical agent is beneficially added to the solution at a concentration that results in a spontaneous formation of insoluble aggregates which can be removed from the contaminated water using various solid- liquid separation methods, as will be described in greater detail below.
The water treating arrangement comprises the flocculation powder regulation device that is coupled to the flocculation chamber; wherein the flocculation powder regulation device is used to introduce a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber. The flocculation powder regulation device is a unit that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that holds a supply of flocculation powder to be discharged in a controlled amount into the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the flocculation powder regulation device is beneficially an autonomous electronic device that is configured to release a specific amount of flocculation powder into the contaminated water. The specific amount of flocculation powder to be released is beneficially preprogramed into the flocculation powder regulation device. It will be appreciated that the specific amount of flocculation powder released into the contaminated water corresponds to an amount of contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber. The amount of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber is determined using sensors, for example as aforementioned. Optionally, the sensors may be connected to the flocculation powder regulation device. Furthermore, the flocculation powder regulation device may be configured to release the specific amount of flocculation powder based on sensory signals provided by the sensors to the flocculation powder regulation device. Alternatively, the flocculation powder regulation device can be configured to release a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber before the contaminated water fills the flocculation chamber. In an example, the controlled amount of flocculation powder is released into the flocculation chamber by the flocculation powder regulation device, and thereafter, the flocculation chamber is filled with the contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement. Subsequently, the flocks form in the contaminated water. Optionally, the specific amount of flocculation powder to be discharged into the flocculation chamber before the contaminated water fills the flocculation chamber is preprogramed into the flocculation powder regulation device corresponds to the amount of contaminated water that can be accommodated (namely, housed) in the flocculation chamber.
Optionally, the flocculation chamber includes a water level sensor to sense (namely determine) the level of contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the water level sensor is positioned in a suitable position within the flocculation chamber to determine appropriately a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber. For example, the water level sensor is positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the water level sensor positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber can send a sensory signal to the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector to stop their operation (i.e. to suspend the flow of contaminated water into the flocculation chamber). Flerein, the position of the water level sensor in the flocculation chamber corresponds to a water level between the maximum and minimum levels of the volume of water that occur in the wheel washing arrangement. Thereafter, in such a n example, the water level sensor (positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber) may send another sensory signal to the flocculation powder regulation device. Furthermore, the sensory signal to the flocculation powder regulation device may instruct the flocculation powder regulation device to release the specific amount of flocculation powder onto the contaminated water. Optionally, the flocculation chamber comprises an additional water level sensor positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber to determine a minimum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber. Moreover, in such event wherein the minimum level of contaminated water is determined in the flocculation chamber, a sensory signal may be sent by the sensor (positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber) to the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector to resume operation therein (i.e. the recommence the flow of contaminated water into the flocculation chamber).
Optionally, the flocculation chamber comprises two water level sensors, each of which is operable to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber, can be communicatively connected to the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector. Furthermore, the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector is configured to regulate or cease the operation of providing flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement, based on the sensory signal received from the water level sensors that is operable to determine the maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber. Optionally, the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector is configured to pump out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement and discharge the contaminated water into the flocculation chamber of the water treating arrangement, in an event wherein one of the two water level sensors provides the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector a sensory signal indicating that the contaminated water level in the wheel washing arrangement has reached a maximum level and another water level sensor configured to determine the maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber provides the liquid pumping device or the vacuum ejector a sensory signal indicating that the contaminated water level in the flocculation chamber has not reached maximum level therein. Therefore, the amount of water to be discharged from the wheel washing arrangement may be controlled by two water level sensors that are operable to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber.
Optionally, the water level sensor configured to determine a maximum level of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber is slidably coupled to one of the walls of the flocculation chamber. Herein, the water level sensor may be moved along the wall of the flocculation chamber to adapt to different water levels in the flocculation chamber (such as, based on a change in amount of contaminated water flowing into the flocculation chamber from the wheel washing arrangement). Notably, the water level sensor that is operable to be moved along the wall of the flocculation chamber is operable to determine a range of maximum levels of contaminated water in the flocculation chamber. In an example, the water level sensor can be slid upwards to adapt to an increase in the volume of contaminated water to be determined as the maximum level. In another example, the water level sensor can be slid downwards to adapt to a decrease in the volume of contaminated water to be determined as the maximum level. Such a slidable arrangement of the water level sensor provides for convenient adjustment of the volume of the contaminated water in the flocculation chamber, as the water level sensor may be moved to adapt to adjust a corresponding increase or decrease in the maximum level of the contaminated water within the flocculation chamber; for example, the water level sensor may be implemented using a sliding floatation sensor. It will be appreciated that a highest position of the water level sensor in the flocculation chamber corresponds to a maximum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement and a lowest position of the water level sensor in the flocculation chamber corresponds to a minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement. Furthermore, the water level sensor in the flocculation chamber can be slid along the walls of the flocculation chamber, for example as aforementioned, and set at a position corresponding to different volumes of water between the maximum and the minimum level of water in the wheel washing arrangement. That is, the position of the water level sensor is set so that the water volume pumped or otherwise forced into the flocculation chamber corresponds to the volume of water in the wheel washing arrangement between an allowed maximum and an allowed minimum water level in the wheel washing arrangement. The position of the water level sensor can be slid to adapt according to the maximum level and the minimum level in the wheel washing arrangement. Notably, such a regulation of the volume of the contaminated water in the flocculation chamber ensures that the flocculation chamber can be adapted according to different types of wheel washing arrangements configured to hold different volumes of water. These two levels in the tank define a volume which can be set in the filtration tank. Optionally, such a slidable water level sensor is communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit.
Optionally, the water treating arrangement comprises the mixer for mixing the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "mixer" as used herein relates to any type of mixing device, for example known in the art, for blending solid and liquid components. Furthermore, the mixer includes one or more components that enables blending solid and liquid components, namely the contaminated water including contaminants and the flocculation powder. In an example, the mixer may include mixing blades, a rotor, a stand, a rotating handle, a motor and the like. In an example, the mixer may be a manually operated device, wherein the rotating handle may be moved in a predefined path for blending the contaminated water including contaminants and the flocculation powder. In another example, the mixer may be an electronically operated autonomous device that can blend (by moving the rotating handle in a predefined path using an electronically controlled actuator) the contaminated water including contaminants and the flocculation powder based on sensory signals received from one or more sensor. In such a n example, the mixer may be configured to initiate and/or cease functioning based on received sensory signals. Furthermore, in such a n example, the mixer may initiate the function of blending the contaminated water and the flocculation powder, in an event wherein the water level sensors positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber identifies that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached the maximum level. It will be appreciated that, in such a n event, the flocculation powder regulation device may release the controlled amount of flocculation powder into the contaminated water. Furthermore, in such example, the mixer may cease the function of blending the contaminated water and the flocculation powder, in an event wherein the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber identify that an amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level.
Additionally, the water treating arrangement further includes a agitating arrangement, namely means for agitating the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water. In an example, the agitating arrangement may be implemented as a blower device that is operable to blow air into the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water. Optionally, the agitating arrangement, namely the blower, is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the blower may be a n autonomous electronic device that is configured to initiate and/or cease functioning based on received sensory signals. For example, the blower may initiate blowing of air into the contaminated water upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber that identifies the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a maximum level. It may be appreciated that the blower-initiated blowing of air into the contaminated water o c c u rs in the event wherein the mixer initiates the function of blending the contaminated water and the flocculation powder. In another example, the blower may cease blowing of air into the contaminated water upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level. Optionally, the blower includes a timer that can determine the initiation and/or cessation of the function of the blower, i.e. the blower may be operable to blow air into the contaminated water for blending the flocculation powder for a predefine period of time and/or blow air into the contaminated water for blending repeatedly for a predefined time period. Beneficially, the agitating arrangement provides f o r a n efficient blend of the flocculation powder and the contaminated water.
Optionally, the flocculation chamber includes a first set of nozzles and a second set of nozzles coupled to the walls of the flocculation chamber, wherein the first set of nozzles is operable to function in a mixing mode of the system and the second set of nozzles is operable to function in a cleaning mode of the system. Throughout the present disclosure, the term " mixing mode " as used herein refers to an operation of the system when the flocculation powder discharged from the flocculation powder regulation device into the flocculation chamber is to be mixed with the contaminated water received into the flocculation chamber from the water treating arrangement. In such a mixing mode, the first set of nozzles initiates operation by blowing air into the contaminated water upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber, such that the water level sensors sense the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber and whether or not the same has reached a maximum level. In the mixing mode, the first set of nozzles blow air into the contaminated water in order to create a turbulence in the contaminated water, thereby mixing/blending the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water. The first set of nozzles are arranged on a bottom surface of the flocculation chamber, such that the flocculation powder is effectively mixed with the contaminated water. Optionally, an air pressure of the first set of nozzles may be controlled via an electronic control unit depending upon the volume of water in the flocculation chamber and the corresponding amount of flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber. Notably, the operation of the first set of nozzles of blowing air into the contaminated water may be ceased upon receiving another sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber, with the another sensory signal corresponding to the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber having reached a minimum level.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term "cleaning mode" as used herein refers to an operation of the system when the contaminated water mixed with the flocculation power is discharged completely from the flocculation chamber and the flocculation chamber is empty. Consequently, walls of the flocculation chamber are cleaned by spraying clean (or uncontaminated) water thereon. In the cleaning mode of operation of the system, the second set of nozzles initiate spraying of clean water onto the walls of the flocculation chamber upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the lower portion of the flocculation chamber that identifies the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level (corresponding to the flocculation chamber being empty). Alternatively, the cleaning mode may start after a timer set draining of the flocculation chamber. In the cleaning mode, the second set of nozzles spray clean water onto the walls of the flocculation chamber after the contaminated water has been drained from the flocculation chamber into the filtration tank. The second set of nozzles spray clean water onto the walls of the flocculation chamber to remove the insoluble aggregates and/or flock in the contaminated water that may have got deposited on the walls of the flocculation chamber after the contaminated water has been drained from the flocculation chamber. Notably, the clean water is sprayed onto the walls of the flocculation chamber with a predetermined pressure such that the flock deposited on the walls of the flocculation chamber may be effectively removed from the flocculation chamber. The second set of nozzles are arranged near a top of the flocculation chamber (or proximal to the inspection lid arranged on the flocculation chamber), such that the clean water sprayed on the walls effectively remove the deposited flock, thereby cleaning the flocculation chamber, in order to make the flocculation chamber ready to receive another volume of the contaminated water to be pumped from the wheel washing arrangement. It will be appreciated that during the cleaning mode of operation of the system, the valve arranged in the water outlet is opened in order to provide sufficient passage for the flock to pass out of the flocculation chamber along with the clean water released from the second set of nozzles. Notably, the operation of the second set of nozzles of spraying water on the walls of the flocculation chamber may be ceased upon receiving another sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the top portion of the flocculation chamber which indicates that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached more than a minimum level.
Optionally, the first set of sensors may automatically switch to the cleaning mode of operation upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors positioned at the bottom portion of the flocculation chamber, indicating that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level.
Optionally, the flocculation chamber includes an additional nozzle arranged proximal to the water level sensor and directed to blow air thereon. It will be appreciated that the water level sensor is desired to be in a dry state for a reliable functioning thereof. The additional nozzle is operable to blow air onto the water level sensor after a cessation of the cleaning mode of operation of the system and prior to commencement of mixing mode of operation of the system, to ensure that the water level sensor is dry and does not malfunction due to presence of moisture thereon. The additional nozzle may be operatively coupled to the electronic control unit, such that the electronic control unit is configured automatically to initiate and/or cease functioning of the additional nozzle based on received sensory signals from the water level sensor. For example, the additional nozzle is configured to initiate the blowing of air onto the water level sensor upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensor which identifies that the amount of the contaminated water accumulated in the flocculation chamber has reached a minimum level. Alternatively, the additional nozzle is configured to initiate the blowing of air onto the water level sensor after a cessation of the cleaning mode of operation of the system. Notably, the additional nozzle is configured to blow air onto the water level sensor such that the blown air accelerates a process of evaporation of water from the water level sensor, thereby rapidly drying the water level sensor.
As aforementioned, the lid is arranged on top of the flocculation chamber for sealing the flocculation chamber when the vacuum ejector is in operation. However, during the cleaning process when the second set of nozzles spray air on the walls of the flocculation chamber, the lid is configured to release the blown air from inside the flocculation chamber. It will be appreciated that during the cleaning process, when the second set of nozzles are activated, the flocculation chamber gets filled with air, dust and other unrequired or undesirable particles. Such unrequired or undesirable particles are allowed to escape the flocculation chamber by opening the lid, acting as a non-return valve herein. Furthermore, when the additional nozzle blows air onto the water level sensor after a cessation of the cleaning mode of operation of the system and prior to commencement of mixing mode of operation of the system, the lid is opened in order to accelerate the process of evaporation of water from the water level sensor.
Furthermore, the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet. The water outlet of the flocculation chamber provides an opening for the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water to flow out of the flocculation chamber. Optionally, the system further comprises a plurality of valves for regulating the flow of contaminated water. The water outlet of the flocculation chamber includes a valve of the plurality of valves for regulating the flow of contaminated water. The valve is operatively coupled to the water outlet and can control the flow of contaminated water out of the flocculation chamber. Optionally, the valve may be connected to an electronic control unit. Furthermore, the electronic control unit is operable to monitor and control the opening and closing of the valve. Furthermore, the electronic control unit is operable to control the opening and closing of the valve based on the sensory signals received from the water level sensors positioned at the upper portion of the flocculation chamber.
Optionally, the water outlet in the flocculation chamber is controlled by a timer. In particular, the opening period of the valve of the water outlet in the flocculation chamber is time-controlled and set to a predetermined drain period corresponding to a time period required for emptying liquids from the flocculation chamber. It will be appreciated that, under normal circumstances, the flocculation chamber attains any empty state when the drain period is over. Flowever, if the water level sensor is still active after the drain period is over, the water level sensor may generate an alarm indicating and alerting that the water outlet of the flocculation chamber may be clogged; in an event of such a clogging situation occurring, an inspection by a human operator is often necessary.
Optionally, the valve in the water outlet of the flocculation chamber includes an actuator that configured to regulate the flow of water through the water outlet; the actuator is conveniently implemented as a piston that is housed within a cylinder, wherein excess fluid pressure applied within the cylinder on one face of the piston results in an actuating force being generated by the piston. The piston incudes its cylinder placed on top of the flocculation chamber. In an example, the cylinder may be placed outside the flocculation chamber, on top of the lid of the flocculation chamber. Further, the piston comprises a force-transmitting rod coupled to the piston and extending substantially vertically downwards into the flocculation chamber. Notably, the rod is cylindrical, and has two ends, one end of the rod is coupled to the piston and the other end is a free end that can be coupled to a valve, for example. Furthermore, the piston comprises a conical body arranged to be in contact with the free end of the rod. Notably, the conical body has a flat base and a pointed vertex. Flerein, the flat base of the conical body is coupled to the free end of the rod and the pointed vertex of the conical body is directed towards the water outlet at the bottom of the flocculation chamber. Alternatively, the conical body is integral to the rod, and the free end of the rod is fabricated to be conical in shape having a pointed vertex that is directed towards the water outlet in the flocculation chamber. Notably, the conical end of the rod fits precisely in the water outlet. Flerein, a rim of the flat base of the conical body is configured to be fitted in a rim of the water outlet. The piston is configured to move substantially vertically upwards and vertically downwards in order to regulate an opening and a closing of the water outlet.
In an example, when the valve is in a closed state, the rim of the flat base of the conical body is fitted in the rim of the water outlet, thereby restricting the flow of contaminated water into the filtration tank. Furthermore, when the contaminated water is to be drained into the filtration tank, the valve is set to be in an open state, by moving the piston vertically upwards such that the rim of the conical body moves away from the rim of the water outlet. In order to further close the water outlet after the contaminated water is drained into the filtration tank, the piston is moved substantially vertically downwards in order to close the valve for another cycle of contaminated water to be pumped into the flocculation chamber. It will be appreciated that the cylinder of the piston is communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit. The cylinder is configured to move vertically upwards and vertically downwards upon receiving a sensory signal from the electronic control unit.
Further, during the cleaning process of the flocculation chamber as mentioned, water is sprayed on the walls of the flocculation chamber by the second set of nozzles in order to remove the deposited flock via the water outlet in the flocculation chamber. Flowever, it is potentially possible that the water outlet may get clogged by the flock and other flocculated particle that may have been deposited in the water outlet. Therefore, in order to clear the clogged water outlet in the flocculation chamber, the piston is moved substantially vertically downwards and upwards once or a few times (for example, twice), such that the contaminants deposited in the water outlet are loosened to allow a clear passage to the contaminated water to be passed therefrom.
Optionally, the system is further operable to monitor opening and closing of i t s valves when in operation, to control flows of fluids within the system. Specifically, the electronic control unit i s connected to the valve that is further operatively coupled to the water outlet, wherein the electronic control unit is operable to monitor the opening and a closing of the valve that control flows of fluids within the system, when in operation. Furthermore, the electronic control unit is operable to monitor the time periods associated with the opening and closing of the valves. For example, the electronic control unit may monitor the time period for which the valve is open, the time period after which the valve opens after being closed, the time period for which the valve has not opened (caused by a contaminant obstructing the functioning of the valve) and the like. Optionally, the system further is operable to monitor functioning of the flocculation chamber. The electronic control unit monitors the functioning of the flocculation chamber based on the opening and a closing of valve. For example, in an event wherein the opening and closing of the valve associated to the water outlet is irregular (i.e. the time period for which the valve is open and/or the time period after which the valve opens after being closed is not regular), the electronic control unit may consider the flocculation chamber is not working properly. In such example, the electronic control unit may be operable to generate an alert in the form an alarming sound, light or a combination of both (an alarming sound accompanied with a flickering light). In another example, in an event wherein the opening and closing of the valve associated to the water outlet is regular (i.e. the time period for which the valve is open and/or the time period after which the valve opens after being closed is regular), the electronic control unit may consider the flocculation chamber is working properly.
The water treating arrangement comprises the filtration tank t h a t i s operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber for filtering the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "filtration tank" as used herein relates to chamber that is operable to filter out the contaminants from flocculation powder mixed contaminated water. Furthermore, the filtration tank is configured to filter out the contaminants to produce clean reusable water. The filtration tank is operable to house the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet of the flocculation chamber. Furthermore, the filtration tank is positioned below the flocculation chamber, therefore flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet of the flocculation chamber flows into the filtration tank without the use of any external force. Optionally, the filtration tank includes at least one filter, wherein the filter is user-accessible for periodic replacement, namely at replacement period intervals. Furthermore, the at least one filter includes a porous material that is operable to filter out the flocculated contaminants from the contaminated water mixed with flocculation powder. Moreover, the at least one filter can filter out the flocculated contaminants for a specific period of time before the filter becomes degraded, for example blocked with debris, i.e. the at least one filter has a replacement period or a usefu l lifetime, before it needs to be replaced. Optionally, the filtration tank can include one or more additional filters that are operable to perform a secondary filtration of the clean reusable water generated from the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water.
Optionally, the filter is placed in a perforated cylinder or tube. The perforated cylinder has a curved body with an open end and a closed base. When a tube is used, the perforated plate and the tube form a perforated cylinder. Optionally, the filter is placed in a perforated cylinder, to provide the filter with mechanical support. The perforated cylinder has a curved body with an open end and a closed base; the filter is placed inside the perforated cylinder via the open end and rests on the closed base of the perforated cylinder. It will be appreciated that the base of the cylinder is optionally also perforated. Furthermore, a perforated plate is horizontally arranged to be in continuation with the perforated cylinder filter such that the perforated plate is in contact with the closed base of the perforated cylinder. In some examples, the perforated plate acts as the base of the cylinder. The perforated cylinder and the perforated plate provide support to the filter for providing a filter arrangement in the filtration tank. The flocculation powder mixed contaminated water that enters the filtration tank is first passed through the filter to remove all contaminates therefrom, and seeps out through the holes in the perforated filter cylinder and down through the perforated plate.
Optionally, the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined based on a predetermined number of counts for the opening and the closing of the valves that control flows occurring in operation in the system. The electronic control unit is configured to generate an alert that there is a requirement to replace the at least one filter based on the number of times a given valve coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber is opened and closed. It will be appreciated that the opening and closing of the valve coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber determines the number of times the contaminated water is flowed into the filtration tank for filtering, thereby determining the number of times the at least one filter is used. For example, the electronic control unit is configured to generate an alert after the valve coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber opens and closes 50 times.
Optionally, the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined based on a weighing device coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the weighing device provides an alert on reaching a predefined weight of the at least one filter; an increase of weight of the at least one filter is indicative of an increase in debris accumulating on the at least one filter. For example, the weighing device is provided by way of a surface stress gauge that measure strain in the perforated cylinder, caused by weight strain arising from debris in the at least one filter.
Optionally, the weighing device is implemented as a sensor attached to the at least one filter that is operable to determine the amount of add itiona l weight formed in the at least one filter as debris (namely, sludge) collects thereon. It will be appreciated that the weight formed in the at least one filter is caused by the accumulation of the flocculated contaminates filtered out from the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet. Furthermore, the weighing device may be connected to an alarm system that generates an alert in the form an alarming sound, light or a combination of both (an alarming sound accompanied with a flickering light) when the weight of the flocculated contaminates reaches a predefined weight of the at least one filter. For example, the weighing device may generate an alert upon determining that the amount of flocculated contaminates is 50kg in weight (namely, circa 500 Newtons strain stress force).
Optionally, the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined based on a level indicator coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the level indicator provides an alert for a predefined level of debris (namely, sludge) accumulated on the filter. Optionally, the level indicator coupled to the at least one filter may be a sensor that is operable to determine a level of the flocculated contaminates accumulated on the at least one filter. It will be appreciated that the amount of contaminates accumulated on the at least one filter forms a height (level) within the at least one filter. Therefore, the level indicator is operable to measure the height of the accumulated flocculated contaminates. Subsequently, the level indicator may generate an alarming sound, light or a combination of both (an alarming sound accompanied with a flickering light) when the height of the flocculated contaminates reaches a predefined level of the at least one filter. For example, the level indicator may generate an alert upon determining that the level of flocculated contaminates accumulated at the at least one filter is 30 centimetres (cm).
Optionally, the flocculation chamber and the filtration tank of the water treatment system can be placed at a mutua l ly same height. Furthermore, in such a scenario, an additional pumping device may be coupled to the water outlet of the flocculation chamber such that the additional pumping device pumps out the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber to the filtration tank.
The water treating arrangement comprises a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank for discharging water filtered by the filtration tank. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "drainage unit" as used herein relates to a channel that is attached to an outlet formed at a bottom portion of the filtration tank. The outlet enables the passage of the cleaned and reusable liquid after the contaminated water has been filtered. Furthermore, the cleaned and reusable liquid is passed through the outlet of the filtration tank into the channel of the drainage unit. Specifically, the channel is a pipeline made of rigid or flexible solid material having a first o p e n i n g and a second opening. Furthermore, the first opening of the channel is coupled to the outlet in the filtration tank and the second opening is coupled to the public sewage system. Optionally, the second opening of the channel is connected to the device (such as a water sprinkler) which sprays the cleaning fluid (namely, water) onto the wheels.
Optionally, the filtration tank and the drainage unit may be located farther (further) away from each other (namely, spatially remotely from one another). In such a scenario, a pumping device may be coupled to the outlet in the filtration tank such that the pumping device pumps out the filtrated water from the filtration tank and into the drainage unit. Optionally, a water level sensor is arranged close to the bottom of the filtration tank, such that the water level sensor determines a level of filtrated water in the filtration tank. In embodiments of the disclosure described in the foregoing, the water level sensor is implemented, for example, as a conductivity sensor. The water level sensor is operatively coupled to the pumping device. Flerein, when the filtrated water reaches the bottom of the tank, the water level sensor is configured to detect the filtrated water and activate the pumping device to pump out the filtrated water from the filtration tank and into the drainage unit. Alternatively, the pumping device is activated after fixed durations. For example, the pumping device is connected to the electronic control unit and the electronic control unit is configured to activate automatically the pumping device after fixed durations in a range of 5 to 15 minutes each, more optionally substantially 10 minutes each. In such an example, the electronic control unit is configured to activate the pumping device once the filtrated water reaches the bottom of the tank. Consequently, the electronic control unit is connected to the water level sensor, such that the water level sensor provides a signal to the electronic control unit corresponding to detection of the filtrated water within the filtration tank.
Optionally, the drainage unit (.e. the channel) comprises an inline filter. The inline filter is operable to filter out microparticles in the clean reusable water. Furthermore, the inline filter is configured to filter the microparticles, such as microplastics materials particles, that may have passed through the at least one filter and the one or more additional filters attached to the filtration tank. Optionally, the inline filter is positioned between the first and the second opening of the channel of the drainage unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic illustration of a water treatment system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the water treatment system 100 includes a wheel washing arrangement 102 for cleaning wheels of vehicles, and a water treating arrangement 116. Furthermore, the wheel washing arrangement 102 includes a device 104 (such as water sprinkler) for spraying clean water onto the wheel of the vehicles and an outlet 106. Furthermore, the water treatment system 100 includes a channel 108 that is operatively connected to the outlet 106 and to the water treating arrangement 116. The water treating arrangement 116 includes a pipe 109 that is connected to the channel 108, and is arranged with a water level sensor 110. Moreover, the water treatment system 100 includes a liquid pumping device 114 that is operatively coupled to the channel 108.
As shown, the water treating arrangement 116 includes a flocculation chamber 118, a filtration tank 134 and a drainage unit 144. Additionally, the flocculation chamber 118 includes an inlet 120 t h a t i s operatively coupled to the channel 108, a water level sensor 122, a flocculation powder regulation device 126, a mixer 128 coupled with a rotating handle 130 (electronically operated), and a water outlet 132. Moreover, the filtration tank 134 includes at least one filter 136, a level indicator 138 and a weighing device 140 that are operatively coupled to the at least one filter 136, and an outlet 142 formed at a bottom portion of the filtration tank 134. Furthermore, the drainage unit 144 is operatively coupled to the filtration tank 134 via the outlet 142.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic illustration of the water treatment system 100 of FIG. 1 in a used state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the water treatment system 100 comprising the wheel washing arrangement 102 for cleaning wheels of vehicles (not shown) uses the device 104 (such as water sprinkler) for spraying clean water. Furthermore, the water level sensor 110 is operable to determine the maximum level of contaminated water accumulated with the wheel washing arrangement 102. Furthermore, the water level sensor 110 (used to determine the maximum level of contaminated water accumulated within the wheel washing arrangement 102), is capable of (namely operable to) generating an alarm signal, wherein the alarm signal may indicate that the cleaning wheels of vehicles is to be stopped. Furthermore, in such a n example, the alarm signal may be an audio-visual signal, such as an alarming sound accompanied with a flickering or blinking light. Moreover, the channel 108 of the water treatment system 100 is connected to the outlet 106 to drain out the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement 102. Furthermore, the channel 108 includes the liquid pumping device 114 th at i s operatively coupled therein. The liquid pumping device 114 is operable to pump out the contaminated water accumulated in the wheel washing arrangement 102 through the channel 108.
As shown, the inlet 120 is connected to the other end of the channel 108, that allows for the contaminated water, that is pumped out from the wheel washing arrangement 102 using the liquid pumping device 114, to be discharged into the flocculation chamber 118. The water level sensor 122 is operable to determine a maximum level of contaminated water accumulated within the flocculation chamber 118. Furthermore, the flocculation powder regulation device 126 introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the contaminated water accumulated within the flocculation chamber 118. Moreover, the mixer 128 of the flocculation chamber 118 mixes the flocculation powder introduced by the flocculation powder regulation device 126 into the flocculation chamber 118 with the contaminated water. The rotating handle 130 is moved in a predefined path for blending the contaminated water and the flocculation powder supplied by the flocculation powder regulation device 126.
The water outlet 132 of the flocculation chamber 118 is operable to discharge the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118. Furthermore, the flocculation chamber 118 includes a valve (not shown) that is operable to control the discharge the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118 via the water outlet 132. Moreover, the operation of the valve is controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown). The electronic control unit is operatively connected to the water level sensor 122. The electronic control unit is operable to control the operation of the valve based on the sensory signal provided by the water level sensor 122. For example, the electronic control unit upon receiving a sensory signal from the water level sensors 122 (used to determine the maximum level of contaminated water accumulated within the flocculation chamber 118), may instruct the valve to open and allow for the discharge of the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118. It will be appreciated that the upon determining a maximum level of contaminated water accumulated within the flocculation chamber 118 the flocculation powder regulation device 126 releases flocculation powder into the contaminated water and the mixer 128 mixes the flocculation powder with the contaminated water.
As shown, the filtration tank 134 is connected to the flocculation chamber 118 via the water outlet 132. The flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118 is discharged into the filtration tank 134 to be filtered. The filtration tank 134 includes at least one filter 136 that is operable to filter out the contaminants from the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water from the flocculation chamber 118. Furthermore, the level indicator 138 and the weighing device 140 is operatively couple to the at least one filter 136 to determine the level and the weight of the contaminates accumulated in the at least one filter 136 and thereby determine the replacement of the at least one filter 136. Optionally, the replacement of the at least one filter 136 is determined based on a count of the opening and closing of the valve for discharging the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water via the water outlet 132 into the filtration tank 134. For example, the at least one filter 136 is replaced upon encountering that the valve has been opened and closed for 50 times. Furthermore, the water treating arrangement 116 includes the drainage unit 144 that i s operatively coupled to the filtration tank 134 via the outlet 142 formed in a bottom portion of the filtration tank 134. The drainage unit 144 is operable to drain out the cleaned and reusable liquid after the contaminated water that had been filtered by the at least one filter 136.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic illustration of a water treatment system 300 (such as water treatment system 100 of FIG. 1), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the water treatment system 300 comprises the wheel washing arrangement 102, the device 104 for spraying clean water, the water level sensor 110, the outlet 106, the channel 108, the water treating arrangement 116, a flocculation chamber 118, the inlet 120, one or more water level sensor 122, a flocculation powder regulation device 126, a mixer 128, the rotating handle 130, the water outlet 132, the filtration tank 134, the at least one filter 136, the level indicator 138, the weighing device 140, the outlet 142, and the drainage unit 144. Furthermore, the water treatment system 300 includes a vacuum ejector 302 for providing the flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement 102 into the water treating arrangement 116.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic illustration of the filtration tank 134 and the drainage unit 144 of FIG.l, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, a water outlet (such as the water outlet 132) connects with the filtration tank 134 that includes the at least one filter 136 and the outlet 142. Furthermore, the filtration tank 134 includes an additional filter 400 to perform a supplementary filtration of the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water provided by a flocculation chamber (such as the flocculation chamber 118 of FIG. 1), and thereby t o increase the filtering efficiency of a water treatment system (such as the water treatment system 100 of FIG. 1). Moreover, the drainage unit 144 includes a liquid pumping device 402 that is operatively coupled to the drainage unit 144. The liquid pumping device 402 is operable to pump out the clean reusable water for the filtration tank 134 and flush the clean reusable water though the drainage unit 144 into an inline filter 404 that further filters the clean reusable water for microparticles, and thereafter re-drains the microparticles clean reusable water into the drainage unit 144 for discharging or reusing the microparticles clean reusable water.
Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic illustration of the water treatment system 500 (such as water treatment system 100 of FIG. 1), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the water treatment system 500 comprises the wheel washing arrangement 102, the device 104 for spraying clean water, the water level sensor 110, the outlet 106, the channel 108, the water treating arrangement 116, a flocculation chamber 118, the inlet 120, water level sensor 122, a flocculation powder regulation device 126, the water outlet 132, the filtration tank 134, the at least one filter 136, the level indicator 138, the weighing device 140, the outlet 142, and the drainage unit 144. Furthermore, the water treatment system 500 comprises a first set of nozzles 502 and a second set of nozzles 504. Flerein, each nozzle of the first set of nozzles 502 is operable to blow air for mixing the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber 118 with the contaminated water. Each nozzle of the second set of nozzles 504 is operable to spray water for cleaning the flocculation chamber 118.
Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic illustration of the water treatment system 600 (such as water treatment system 500 of FIG. 5), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the water treatment system 600 comprises the wheel washing arrangement 102, the device 104 for spraying clean water, the at least one water level sensors 110, the outlet 106, the channel 108, the water treating arrangement 116, a flocculation chamber 118, the inlet 120, a water level sensor 122, flocculation powder regulation device 126, the water outlet 132, the filtration tank 134, the at least one filter 136, the level indicator 138, the weighing device 140, the outlet 142, and the drainage unit 144. Furthermore, the water treatment system 600 comprises a first set of nozzles 502 and a second set of nozzles 504. Furthermore, the water treatment system 600 comprises one nozzle 602 that is arranged within the flocculation chamber 118 and directed at the water level sensor 122. Flerein, the nozzle 602 is operable to blow air for drying the water level sensor 122. Furthermore, the water treatment system 600 comprises a valve in the outlet 132 of the flocculation chamber 118. The valve comprises a piston 606 including a cylinder 608, a rod 610 and a conical body 612. The rod 610 extends substantially vertically downwards from a base of the cylinder 608. Furthermore, the conical body 612 is coupled to a free end of the rod 610. Flerein, the piston 606 is configured to be moved substantially vertically downwards and substantially vertically upwards in the water outlet 132 during the cleaning of the flocculation chamber 118 to loosen clogged slurry in the flocculation chamber 118, in order to clear the passage of the contaminated water.
Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a schematic illustration of the filtration tank 134 and the drainage unit 144 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, a water outlet (such as the water outlet 132) connects with the filtration tank 134 that includes a filter 702, a perforated cylinder 704 and a perforated plate 706. The perforated plate 706 is arranged to be in continuation with the perforated cylinder 704. Furthermore, the filter 702 is placed inside the perforated cylinder 704. The contaminants of the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water are filtered out and contained in the filter 702. Furthermore, the filtration tank 134 comprises a level indicator 708 arranged in contact with the perforated cylinder 702 to determine a level of the flocculated contaminates accumulated in the filter 702. The level indicator 708 is a conductivity sensor. Moreover, the drainage unit 144 includes a liquid pumping device 402 that is operatively coupled to the drainage unit 144. The liquid pumping device 402 is operable to pump out the clean reusable water for the filtration tank 134 and to flush the clean reusable water though the drainage unit 144 into an inline filter 404 that further filters the clean reusable water for microparticles, and thereafter re drains the microparticles clean reusable water into the drainage unit 144 for discharging or reusing the microparticles clean reusable water.
Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic illustration of the water treatment system 800 (such as water treatment system 500 of FIG. 5), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the water treatment system 800 comprises the wheel washing arrangement 102, the device 104 for spraying clean water, the water level sensor 110, the outlet 106, the channel 108, the water treating arrangement 116, a flocculation chamber 118, the inlet 120, one or more water level sensors 122, a flocculation powder regulation device 126, the water outlet 132, the filtration tank 134, the at least one filter 136, the level indicator 138, the weighing device 140, the outlet 142, and the drainage unit 144, a first set of nozzles 502 and a second set of nozzles 504. Furthermore, the water treatment system 800 comprises a substantially vertical pipe 802 operatively/fluidically arranged with the wheel washing arrangement 102. Flerein, the water level sensor 110 is arranged within the vertical pipe 802. As shown, the vertical pipe 802 is arranged within the water treating arrangement 116. The substantially vertical pipe 802 is arranged in the same level as the wheel washing arrangement 102, thereby a same level of water is maintained in the vertical pipe 802 as in the wheel washing arrangement 102. The water level sensor 110 senses a maximum level of contaminated water in the wheel washing arrangement 102. Furthermore, the flocculation chamber 118 comprises a vacuum ejector 302, and a lid 804 functioning as a non-return valve. Herein, the vacuum ejector 302 enables the flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement 102 into the water treating arrangement 116 by pulling or drawing out air from the flocculation chamber 118 and creating an at least partial vacuum pressure therein. When air is pulled out from the flocculation chamber 118, the lid 804 is pressed against the top of the flocculation chamber 118 thereby sealing the flocculation chamber 118. Furthermore, during the cleaning process of the flocculation chamber, the lid can be opened to allow a circulation of the air blown by the second set of nozzles 504. Furthermore, the lid 804 also serves as an inspection lid for monitoring the operation in the flocculation chamber 118 and/or for use when replacing one or more functional components in the flocculation chamber 118.
Referring to FIG. 9, there are shown steps of a method 900 of removing contaminants from contaminated water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At a step 902, wheels of vehicles are cleaned using water in a wheel washing arrangement. At a step 904, contaminants are removed from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement using a water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement.
Referring to FIG. 10, there are shown steps of a method 1000 of removing contaminants from contaminated water, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At a step 1002, the contaminants are removed from contaminated water by flocculation using a flocculation chamber. At a step 1004, a controlled amount of flocculation powder is introduced into the flocculation chamber using a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber. At a step 1006, the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water is mixed using a mixer. At a step 1008, using a filtration tank operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber discharging the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water through the water outlet is filtered. At a step 1010, water filtered by the filtration tank is discharged using a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank.
Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims

1. A water treatment system that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the system comprises:
- a wheel washing arrangement that, when in operation, uses water to clean wheels of vehicles; and
- a water treating arrangement operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement that, when in operation, removes contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement, wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
- a flocculation chamber that removes the contaminants from the contaminated water by flocculation, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet;
- a flocculation powder regulation device that is coupled to the flocculation chamber, wherein the flocculation powder regulation device introduces a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber;
- a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that, when in operation, filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet; and
- a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank that, when in operation, discharges water filtered by the filtration tank,
wherein the system is further operable to:
- monitor functioning of the flocculation chamber; and
- monitor an opening and a closing of valves that control flows within the system.
2. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a liquid pumping device that provides flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
3. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a vacuum ejector that provides a flow of the contaminated water from the wheel washing arrangement into the water treating arrangement.
4. The water treatment system of claim 3, wherein the flocculation chamber further comprises a lid that is removably arranged on top of the flocculation chamber to release air from the flocculation chamber.
5. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a water level sensor that is arranged within the flocculation chamber that senses an amount of the contaminated water within the flocculation chamber.
6. The water treatment system of claim 5, wherein the water level sensor is slidably coupled to a wall in the flocculation chamber.
7. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a vertical pipe that is arranged within the water treating arrangement having a water level sensor arranged therein.
8. The water treatment system of claim 4, wherein the system further comprises at least one nozzle that is arranged within the flocculation chamber, wherein the at least one nozzle is directed at the water level sensor, wherein the at least one nozzle is operable to blow air for drying the water level sensor.
9. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a mixer that mixes the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water.
10. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises at least a first set of nozzles and a second set of nozzles, wherein each nozzle of the first set of nozzles is operable to blow air for mixing the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water and each nozzle of the second set of nozzles is operable to spray water for cleaning the flocculation chamber.
11. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the flocculation chamber further comprises a valve arranged in the water outlet of the flocculation chamber, and wherein the valve comprises a piston having a cylinder arranged on top of the flocculation chamber, a rod extending vertically downwards from the cylinder and a conical body coupled to a free end of the rod, and wherein the piston is configured to move vertically downwards and vertically upwards in the water outlet to loosen clogged slurry in the flocculation chamber.
12. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a plurality of valves that regulate the flow of contaminated water.
13. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a water level sensor in the filtration tank that determines a level of filtrated water in the filtration tank.
14. The water treatment system of claim 13, wherein the water level sensor is a conductivity sensor.
15. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the filtration tank includes at least one filter having a replacement period associated therein.
16. The water treatment system of claim 15, wherein the replacement period of the at least one filter is determined based on at least one of:
- a predetermined number of counts for the opening and the closing of the valves;
- a weighing device coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the weighing device provides an alert on reaching a predefined weight of the at least one filter; and
- a level indicator coupled to the at least one filter, wherein the level indicator provides an alert for a predefined level of sludge accumulated at the filter.
17. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the filtration tank includes a filter placed within a perforated cylinder, and a perforated plate arranged in continuation with the perforated cylinder filter.
18. The water treatment system of claim 1, wherein the drainage unit comprises an inline filter.
19. A water treating arrangement that removes, when in operation, contaminants from contaminated water, wherein the water treating arrangement is operable to receive the contaminated water discharged from washing wheels of a vehicle, and wherein the water treating arrangement comprises:
- a flocculation chamber that, when in operation, removes the contaminants from contaminated water by flocculation, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet; - a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber for introducing a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber;
- a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber that filters the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water discharged through the water outlet; and
- a drainage unit that is operatively coupled to the filtration tank that discharges water filtered by the filtration tank.
20. A method for (of) treating water, wherein the method comprises:
- cleaning wheels of vehicles using water in a wheel washing arrangement;
- removing contaminants from contaminated water discharged from the wheel washing arrangement using a water treating arrangement that is operatively coupled to the wheel washing arrangement, wherein removing contaminants from contaminated water comprises:
- removing the contaminants from contaminated water by flocculation using a flocculation chamber, wherein the flocculation chamber includes a water outlet,
- introducing a controlled amount of flocculation powder into the flocculation chamber using a flocculation powder regulation device coupled to the flocculation chamber;
- mixing the flocculation powder introduced into the flocculation chamber with the contaminated water;
- filtering using a filtration tank that is operatively coupled to the flocculation chamber discharging the flocculation powder mixed contaminated water through the water outlet, and
- discharging water filtered by the filtration tank using a drainage unit operatively coupled to the filtration tank, and
- monitoring functioning of the flocculation chamber and an opening and a closing of valves that control flows within the system.
EP19762843.1A 2018-06-20 2019-06-19 Water treatment system and method for a wheel washing arrangement Pending EP3810554A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1830200A SE542654C2 (en) 2018-06-20 2018-06-20 Water treatment system and method thereof
PCT/IB2019/055159 WO2020021355A1 (en) 2018-06-20 2019-06-19 Water treatment system and method for a wheel washing arrangement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3810554A1 true EP3810554A1 (en) 2021-04-28

Family

ID=67308964

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19762843.1A Pending EP3810554A1 (en) 2018-06-20 2019-06-19 Water treatment system and method for a wheel washing arrangement

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3810554A1 (en)
DE (1) DE202019103420U1 (en)
RU (1) RU2757934C1 (en)
SE (1) SE542654C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2020021355A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114590934B (en) * 2022-01-24 2022-11-18 鹏鹞环保股份有限公司 Electrocatalytic oxidation sewage treatment system and application method thereof

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1460733A (en) * 1973-03-06 1977-01-06 Morris B G Washing machines and to the recirculation of the washing li quid
DE4315408C2 (en) * 1993-05-08 1995-08-17 Kaercher Gmbh & Co Alfred Wastewater treatment plant, in particular for vehicle washing plants
JPH10305762A (en) * 1997-05-06 1998-11-17 Nippon Yuka Kogyo Kk Treating method for car washing drainage and device therefor
SE9801144L (en) * 1998-04-01 1999-10-02 Drester Ab Method and apparatus for cleaning washing liquid for washing vehicle wheels in a washing device
WO2004096407A1 (en) * 2003-05-01 2004-11-11 Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. Flocculant for treating cleaning wastewater and cleaning wastewater treatment equipment
ITMI20031998A1 (en) * 2003-10-16 2005-04-17 Rosauto Srl WASHING TANK IN PARTICULAR FOR BRAKES OF INDUSTRIAL AND SIMILAR VEHICLES
RU2523802C1 (en) * 2012-12-10 2014-07-27 Олег Савельевич Кочетов Recycling water system for auto washing
CN203715308U (en) * 2014-01-27 2014-07-16 安徽江淮汽车股份有限公司 Scraping machine and waste paint removal device
DE202018102369U1 (en) * 2018-04-27 2018-05-04 Wassertechnik Wertheim Gmbh & Co. Kg Device for the treatment of bathing water with a pressure filter system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2020021355A1 (en) 2020-01-30
SE542654C2 (en) 2020-06-23
RU2757934C1 (en) 2021-10-25
SE1830200A1 (en) 2019-12-21
DE202019103420U1 (en) 2019-07-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101770412B1 (en) Water tank for wastewater disposal
CA1180828A (en) Solids separation and liquid clarification system
JP4632939B2 (en) Water purification device, water purification method, purification device for exhaust gas treatment device, and purification system for exhaust gas treatment device
JPH11216435A (en) Closed loop pressure washing system and method
KR101476868B1 (en) External device for cleaning filtration material and adapted for application to filtration device
RU2014151764A (en) SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RESTORING AND RE-USING WASTE WATER
KR20110126304A (en) Automatic washing system of the calcium chloride dissolution manufacture courage for road snow removal
US9422181B1 (en) Vehicle wash water reclaim system
KR101651081B1 (en) Water treatment system
EP3810554A1 (en) Water treatment system and method for a wheel washing arrangement
JP2005211822A (en) Waste liquid treatment system
WO2018065630A1 (en) Filtering unit for waste collecting and treating equipment, waste collecting and treating equipment and process for collecting and treating waste
US20180193774A1 (en) Floating chopper sludge weir
KR101283394B1 (en) A dredging method including spim-dry and precipition for Vacuum tanck
KR101968738B1 (en) Screen and filtration complex non point pollutants treatments
US5908549A (en) Filtration and regeneration system
KR200419211Y1 (en) Sedimentation Apparatus
KR101913415B1 (en) Multiple stage purifier of water
KR100761457B1 (en) Sedimentation apparatus
JPS5829122B2 (en) Wastewater treatment equipment
RU2347751C2 (en) Device for purifying sewage water
WO2016040798A1 (en) Filter system
JP2007090291A (en) Water filtration apparatus
KR100783820B1 (en) Diatomite feeder of specie system that use filler aids
KR102408252B1 (en) Purifier Apparatus of Continuous Wastewater and Purifier Method of Manhole Wastewater Using the Same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20210119

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20230712