EP4150166A1 - Système de recyclage d'eaux usées en tant qu'eau de chasse de toilettes - Google Patents

Système de recyclage d'eaux usées en tant qu'eau de chasse de toilettes

Info

Publication number
EP4150166A1
EP4150166A1 EP21733718.7A EP21733718A EP4150166A1 EP 4150166 A1 EP4150166 A1 EP 4150166A1 EP 21733718 A EP21733718 A EP 21733718A EP 4150166 A1 EP4150166 A1 EP 4150166A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
pipe section
wastewater
sensor unit
transparent pipe
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
EP21733718.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Morten Fløe VESTERGAARD
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.)
Gws Grey Water Solutions Aps
Original Assignee
Gws Grey Water Solutions Aps
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 Gws Grey Water Solutions Aps filed Critical Gws Grey Water Solutions Aps
Publication of EP4150166A1 publication Critical patent/EP4150166A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
    • E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
    • E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
    • E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
    • E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
    • E03B1/042—Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
    • E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
    • E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
    • E03B1/042—Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
    • E03B1/044—Switch valves in waste pipes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/003—Grey water flushing systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/18—Water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
    • E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
    • E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
    • E03B2001/045—Greywater supply systems using household water

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device intended for recycling of water or discarding of water not suitable to recycle for toilet flushing and wherein the device comprises a sensor system for measurement of water quality so that a decision of recycling or discarding can be performed by a control unit.
  • the detected usable water is stored in a tank, for later use flushing the toilet.
  • WO 2019/164436 discloses a device intended for collecting or discarding wastewater and recirculating the collected fractions for another purpose, such as for flushing in a toilet.
  • the device comprises a sensor system with an IR source and an IR receiver.
  • the sensor system is connected to a control unit, which decides if water should be recycled or discarded in the point of separation based on the measurement of the water quality.
  • a control unit which decides if water should be recycled or discarded in the point of separation based on the measurement of the water quality.
  • US2010043129 discloses a method for processing greywater, comprising the following steps: a) supplying water to a reservoir of a greywater device; b) collecting the supplied water in the reservoir; c) conducting water out of the reservoir to at least one reservoir of a water consumer; d) monitoring the water quality; and e) flushing the water from the reservoir of the greywater device and/or the reservoir of the water consumer into a sewer drain when the water quality drops below an acceptable level.
  • One aspect relates to the use of wastewater collected downstream from a water drain as toilet flush water; wherein the collected wastewater is stored in a separate water tank prior to delivery to the toilet flush water tank.
  • the toilet may be used at times where there is no access to recycled wastewater, it is problematic if the toilet is solely dependent of such a resource, as flushing of the toilet would otherwise only be possible at certain periods of the day where wastewater is generated. Furthermore, the amount of collected water may not be enough to fill the toilet cistern. Hence, the inventor of the present invention provides a system where wastewater may always be collected and saved until the cistern needs refilling.
  • a second aspect relates to a system for recycling drained water as toilet flush water, the system comprising:
  • a sensor unit positioned between said water drain and said pump well and adapted for continuously detecting the quality of said wastewater passing between said water drain and said pump well;
  • - a water tank adapted for receiving water; wherein said pump is adapted for pumping wastewater into said water tank; and -a control unit configured for activating or deactivating said pump in response to data received from said sensor unit about the quality of said wastewater and preset threshold values of said wastewater quality.
  • water quality should be understood as a quality of wastewater suitable for use in flushing a toilet without leaving a bad odor from the water in the toilet's water trap, but also suitable for storage for later use for flushing without too much growth of bacteria.
  • a third aspect relates to a system for recycling drained water as toilet flush water, the system comprising:
  • a sensor unit positioned between said water drain and said pump well and adapted for continuously detecting the quality of said wastewater passing between said water drain and said pump well;
  • control unit operably connected to said sensor unit and said pump and configured for activating or deactivating said pump in response to data received from said sensor unit about the quality of said wastewater and preset threshold values of said wastewater quality.
  • the wastewater is preferably collected from a shower or bathtub water drain but could also be collected from a sink or pool drain.
  • the collected wastewater is separated from a wastewater stream of varying water quality.
  • the water tank comprises a stirring system adapted for stirring wastewater within said water tank.
  • the stirring system prevents the formation of biofilm on the inner surface sides of the tank and may be in the form of a rotating blade, vibration, aeration (preferably injection through jet nozzles) and/or water injection through jet nozzles.
  • a rotating blade is combined with fluid injection through jet nozzles.
  • the quality of said wastewater passing between said water drain and said pump well is presented by the sensor unit as data representing the turbidity and/or pH of said wastewater at a given time or time period.
  • Any suitable type of turbidity sensor system may be used, but a particular type is preferred that operates by performing e.g., turbidity measurements through a transparent pipe section through which the wastewater flows.
  • the term “transparent” should be understood as being transparent to the sensor, e.g., transparent to the wavelength of the energy wave transmitted and received by the sensor of the sensor unit.
  • the part of the transparent pipe section facing the sensor is transparent to the sensor, while the opposite side of the pipe section is opaque to the sensor. This embodiment reduces potential reflections from the surroundings.
  • the sensor unit comprises a transparent pipe section with:
  • the transparent pipe section is mounted declining towards the pump well to avoid that wastewater stays within the transparent pipe, thereby minimizing biofilm formation.
  • the sensor unit comprises a transparent pipe section with: - a first end adapted for being coupled to said water drain or to a pipe section downstream to said water drain;
  • the sensor may preferably be a traditional light sensor, but could also be an IR sensor, or a sensor transmitting at a different wavelength.
  • the sensor unit further comprises:
  • a sensor positioned on a second opposing side of said transparent pipe section and adapted for quantifying the amount of light from said light source that is passed through said transparent pipe section at a given time or time period.
  • the sensor unit further comprises:
  • a light source positioned on a first side of said transparent pipe section and adapted for transmitting light through said transparent pipe section;
  • a sensor positioned on said first side of said transparent pipe section and adapted for quantifying the amount of light from said light source that is reflected back through said transparent pipe section at a given time or time period.
  • system further comprises a water flow and/or level indicator configured for: - activating said sensor unit when registering a water flow and/or level above a preset threshold; and
  • the sensor unit is preferably recalibrated each time it is activated.
  • a baseline representing wastewater having the highest quality as possible may be generated from the wastewater passing through the sensor unit during the first minute after its activation.
  • the baseline generated in this way accounts for the change in transparency over time of the transparent pipe section, e.g., due to the formation of biofilm.
  • the data used for generating the baseline may be collected until a rapid change in the water quality is registered by the control unit.
  • the water tank comprises an inlet adapted for receiving water from another source, i.e., tap water.
  • the wastewater is subjected to UV (ultraviolet) light radiation prior to entering the water tank to neutralize organisms, such as bacteria or the like.
  • UV light radiating means could be installed in the conduit between the pump and the water tank.
  • the wastewater is subjected to UV (ultraviolet) light radiation within the water tank to neutralize organisms, such as bacteria or the like.
  • the UV light radiating means is obviously placed in the tank.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a pump well in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of how a control unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention may be programmed.
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a pump well in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 the general scheme of the invention is shown.
  • the system is exemplified collecting wastewater from a water drain 12 in a shower 10 but could also be used connected to other types of drains, such as a bathtub water drain, a sink or pool drain or the like.
  • the principle is to collect suitable fractions of the wastewater for storage and later use as toilet flush water.
  • the system comprises a pump well 200 (as exemplified in Figures 2 and 4) in wastewater communication with the water drain 12 at one end and in wastewater communication with a sewer 300 at the other end.
  • a pump (not shown) is positioned within the pump well 200 and is adapted for pumping wastewater into a water tank 400.
  • the pump well 200 may be configured with a cavity adapted for receiving a part of the pump, as exemplified in Figures 1 and 2, or it may simply be configured as a branch pipe, as exemplified in Figure 4.
  • a control unit 700 is needed to activate or deactivate the pump in response to received data about the quality of the wastewater and preset threshold values of said wastewater quality.
  • the control unit 700 can receive such data from a sensor unit 100 positioned between said water drain 12 and said pump well 200.
  • the sensor unit 100 is adapted for continuously detecting the quality of the wastewater passing between said water drain 12 and said pump well 200.
  • a preferred example of such a sensor unit 100 is here shown embodied with a transparent pipe section with a) a first end adapted for being coupled to a pipe section downstream to the water drain 12, and b) a second opposing end adapted for being coupled to the pump well 200.
  • the system may be provided a water flow and/or level indicator (not shown).
  • the water flow and/or level indicator is configured for activating the sensor unit 100 when registering a water flow and/or level above a preset threshold; and for deactivating said sensor unit 100 when registering a water flow and/or level below a preset threshold.
  • the sensor unit 100 is only active when there is enough wastewater flow present to collect from.
  • the wastewater from the shower enters the drain 12 and activates the level indicator (not shown).
  • the water flow and/or level indicator activates the sensor unit 100.
  • the sensor unit 100 may be configured with a light source (not shown) positioned on a first side of said transparent pipe section and adapted for transmitting light through said transparent pipe section.
  • a mirror (not shown) may be positioned on a second opposite side of said transparent pipe section and adapted for reflecting received light from said light source back through said transparent pipe section.
  • a sensor (not shown) positioned on said first side of said transparent pipe section and adapted for quantifying the amount of light from said light source that is reflected back through said transparent pipe section at a given time or time period. The received quantity of light is proportional to the turbidity of the passing wastewater.
  • the control unit 700 can activate the pump to collect suitable fractions of the wastewater flow for storage and later use as toilet flush water.
  • the sensor unit 100 is preferably recalibrated each time it is activated.
  • the recalibration process may be initiated by the sensor unit 100 itself or by the control unit 700.
  • a baseline representing wastewater having the highest quality as possible may be generated from the wastewater passing through the sensor unit 100 during the first minute after its activation. However, the first seconds may be subtracted due to large fluctuations in the dataset.
  • the baseline generated in this way accounts for the change in transparency over time of the transparent pipe section, e.g., due to the formation of biofilm.
  • the data used for generating the baseline may be collected until a rapid change in the water quality is registered by the control unit 700.
  • the sensor unit 200 may comprise a timer configured for such use.
  • the water flow and/or level indicator may also be configured to activate the pump and control unit 700, and further timers may therefore be necessary.
  • the sensor unit 100 may be configured, during its calibration process, to take into account that the turbidity increases the during the first face of a shower, when a person is waiting to enter the shower (e.g., waiting for the water to temper). In this situation, the water comprises more air bubbles which affects its turbidity. When a person is taking the shower, the path that the water travels reduces the amount of air bubbles. Thus, a higher turbidity may be accepted during the first minutes, e.g., until the data fluctuations stabilize. Once the baseline/setpoint value is set, the system is ready to collect suitable wastewater fractions from the flow of wastewater.
  • the control unit may be configured with programs of varying sensitivity, e.g., low, medium, and high, relative to one another.
  • the pump may also be configured to stop the pump if large fluctuations occur.
  • a non-limiting example of how the control unit 700 may be programmed is shown as a flow diagram in Figure 3.
  • the pump is only active when the wastewater is accepted by the control unit 700. Hence, fractions with large amounts of soap are discarded.
  • the wastewater will simply pass the pump well 200 and run through the sewer 300.
  • An accepted wastewater fraction will be transported through the transport conduit 500 to the water tank 400.
  • the transport conduit may be a pipe section, a hose or similar, suitable for transporting wastewater.
  • the accepted wastewater fractions may be treated with ultraviolet light during its transport in the transport conduit 500.
  • the water tank 400 may comprise means adapted for treating the collected wastewater with ultraviolet light within the tank water 400. This treatment aids in reducing the level of microorganisms in the wastewater.
  • the water tank 400 may comprise a stirring system adapted for stirring the wastewater within said water tank.
  • the tank may also comprise a water level indicator configured to inform the control unit about its water level status. If the water tank 400 is full, the control unit 700 may be configured not to activate the pump in the pump well 200. Alternatively, provided that the water tank 400 comprises an overflow conduit 505 in water communication with the sewer 300, excess water will simply leave the water tank via the overflow conduit 505 and into the sewer 300. This embodiment secures that the water in the tank is exchanged or diluted with freshly collected wastewater fraction, thereby reducing the risk of bad odor, i.e., bacterial growth.
  • the tank 400 may also comprise an inlet 510 for tap water.
  • the tap water may be used when there is a lack of wastewater in the tank 400 or for cleaning the tank 400 or to dilute the collected wastewater.
  • the water tank 400 may also comprise a recirculation conduit 525 and a pump 520 adapted for recirculating the wastewater in the tank through the recirculation conduit 525. This embodiment may also be a means for stirring the wastewater within the tank.
  • the pump 520 may also be adapted for actively pumping wastewater from the tank into the toilet cistern 600.
  • the pump 520 may be controlled by the control unit 700 in response to a level indicator (not shown) positioned within the toilet cistern 600.
  • the recirculation conduit 525 may in some embodiments be in water communication with the toilet cistern 600, thereby being able to clean both tanks at the same time.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)

Abstract

Système de recyclage d'eaux usées en tant qu'eau de chasse d'eau de toilettes, le système comprenant : - un écoulement d'eau (12); - un puits de pompe (200) en communication d'eaux usées avec ledit écoulement d'eau (12); - une pompe positionnée dans ledit puits de pompe (200); - une unité de capteur (100) positionnée entre ledit écoulement d'eau (12) et ledit puits de pompe (200) et adaptée pour détecter en continu la qualité desdites eaux usées passant entre ledit écoulement d'eau (12) et ledit puits de pompe (200); - un réservoir d'eau (400) conçu pour recevoir de l'eau; ladite pompe étant conçue pour pomper des eaux usées dans ledit réservoir d'eau (400); et -une unité de commande (700) connectée fonctionnellement à ladite unité de capteur et à ladite pompe et configurée pour activer ou désactiver ladite pompe en réponse à des données reçues de ladite unité de capteur (100) concernant la qualité desdites eaux usées et des valeurs de seuil prédéfinies de ladite qualité d'eaux usées.
EP21733718.7A 2020-05-14 2021-05-12 Système de recyclage d'eaux usées en tant qu'eau de chasse de toilettes Pending EP4150166A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA202000579A DK180926B1 (en) 2020-05-14 2020-05-14 System for recycling drained water as toilet flush water
PCT/EP2021/062581 WO2021228918A1 (fr) 2020-05-14 2021-05-12 Système de recyclage d'eaux usées en tant qu'eau de chasse de toilettes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4150166A1 true EP4150166A1 (fr) 2023-03-22

Family

ID=76532160

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21733718.7A Pending EP4150166A1 (fr) 2020-05-14 2021-05-12 Système de recyclage d'eaux usées en tant qu'eau de chasse de toilettes

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4150166A1 (fr)
DK (1) DK180926B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021228918A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1741844A1 (fr) * 2005-07-05 2007-01-10 Véronique Aldanese Dispositif de recyclage des eaux usées pour leur réutilisation par un élément de consommation
NL1033373C2 (nl) 2007-02-12 2008-08-13 Ecoplay Int Bv Werkwijze en besturingssysteem voor het verwerken van grijswater.
EP2297407B1 (fr) * 2008-06-05 2018-10-10 Orbital Systems AB Système de douche recirculant et méthode correspondante
CN111655942A (zh) * 2018-02-23 2020-09-11 轨道系统公司 允许水净化和回收利用或多重分离的水再循环装置
EP3755847A4 (fr) 2018-02-23 2021-11-10 Orbital Systems AB Dispositif destiné au recyclage de l'eau ou au rejet de l'eau non adaptée au recyclage
WO2020020455A1 (fr) * 2018-07-25 2020-01-30 Graytec Ab Système d'eaux grises

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK202000579A1 (en) 2022-01-04
WO2021228918A1 (fr) 2021-11-18
DK180926B1 (en) 2022-06-29

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