FI118154B - Apparatus for treatment of waste water comprises closed casing containing compost and a plate-like filter of decomposable material in an inclined position, with the compost and filter having mutual heat-exchanging communication - Google Patents

Abstract

A waste water treatment apparatus (1) comprises a closed casing (2) having a waste water inlet (12), a waste water outlet (13) and a waste water path arranged between the inlet and outlet. The casing includes a plate-like waste water filter (11) of decomposable material, arranged in an inclined position in the waste water path; and a compost (7) arranged entirely separated from waste water path. The filter and compost have heat-exchanging communication with each other. The casing has at least one maintenance hatch (3). An independent claim is included for a decomposable heat-insulating panel useful as a filter material in the apparatus.

Description

118154 WASTEWATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT AND METHOD AND USE OF COMPOSABLE MATERIAL

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to the following independent claims:

wastewater treatment plant and method as described in the danto parts, and a new way of using a geothermal thermal insulation board. The invention relates in particular to a wastewater treatment method for sparsely populated areas, which uses compostable filter material.

10 ^ STATE OF THE ART> ·; ϊ

The use of biodegradable filters in wastewater treatment is known, for example, from DE 4105605 and US 4137062. The known methods and devices are complex and require a great deal of maintenance. They are not suitable for water purification in sparsely populated areas, where good cleaning results are required with low maintenance. State-of-the-art solutions require special expensive equipment f • s *

such as cranes and conveyors, and factory-made filters. The prior art A

: s solutions only use composting as a way to get rid of waste, not as part of the f wastewater treatment process. Functionality of prior art devices, at least not efficient ♦.

* · · # -I · *> · 20 cold, cold season without separate heating is unlikely. ? OBJECTS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION • · * · · 3 ··· * :::

The main object of the present invention is to reduce or even eliminate: the foregoing problems which occur in the prior art.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a wastewater purification apparatus and method which is simple, inexpensive, reliable and efficient.

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It is an object of the invention to use compost in a novel way as part of a waste water treatment system.

118154 2

Among other things, the wastewater treatment apparatus and method of the invention for carrying out the above purposes is characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing parts of the appended independent claims. . ·, '' .Tl The application examples and advantages mentioned herein apply, mutatis mutandis, to the wastewater treatment plant and method of the invention, although not always specifically mentioned.

A typical waste water treatment device according to the invention comprises essentially a closed? · F a cover with at least one access door. A wastewater inlet and a wastewater outlet are provided through the shell. Between said inlet and outlet connection is a waste water passage, i.e. a route through which the waste water in a normal driveway passes through the shell. In addition, at least substantially: a waste water filter made of compostable material is provided within the shell, through which the waste water from the inlet is arranged to pass through before it leaves the outlet. • · * ♦ • · 9 ** 'is imprinted inside the same housing with the filter. compost, where the used filter can be composted. The unit typically has a separate filter section and compost section. The compost section and the ·· ♦ · 20 compost kept there are, at least mainly, preferably completely separated from the m / l · waste water path. This prevents the compost from getting wet from the waste water and works efficiently.

• · · The filter and compost used are in heat exchange with each other,.

so that the heat generated by the compost can, for example, pass through the open air space in the top of the shell to heat the filter. This allows the unit to keep the outside heating • · * # 25 operational even during the cold season. Mainly • ·. a closed envelope means that the envelope is at least somewhat airtight, whereby · · ·. the heat smells will remain inside the unit. Compost requires oxygen to function, so ♦ ·· * must be brought into the unit through, for example, properly sized air vents • ♦ • · ·. Preferably the at least part of the shell for treating waste water is also liquid-tight. The shell may also be particularly insulated. The device according to the invention may also be provided with additional heating, such as an electrical resistor, to prevent freezing, such as an electrical resistor, for example, if the device is to be used in extremely cold conditions. A typical filter according to the invention is a plate-like material, for example an insulating plate. This makes it easy to trace the filter up to one piece. Replacing such a disc is easy. The plate-like filter is also easy to seal with waterproof edges.

In a typical wastewater treatment method according to the invention, the wastewater is filtered with a plate filter and further the composted filter is composted with a filter which is mainly used in a closed space, thereby transferring heat energy between the filtration process and the composting process. In a typical method, the used filter that is compostable is kept at least substantially separate from the main wastewater passage in the device. This way the compost does not get wet and cools down, but can continue to function effectively.

A major advantage of the invention is that the heat generated by the compost is recovered

use. This prevents the waste water and filter in the unit from freezing easily even when the outdoor temperature is low.

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Another important advantage of the invention is that the filter used is easy to move V

* «·» · 20 from filter unit to compost unit. No separate waste treatment is required.

It is an advantage of the invention that all compostable household waste can be treated in the same compost.

It is an advantage of the invention that the filtration process is easy to follow so that the water to be treated is automatically aerated, thereby reducing the oxygen consumption values of the water.

• · • · · TT. An advantage of the invention is that the filter generally produces spontaneous microbes which function as part of the purification process, reducing the biological oxygen demand of the effluent. The heat generated by the compost helps the microbial growth to survive and make it cool in cold weather. ':' 4

The substantially or fully compostable heat crystal plate is well suited for use as a filter according to the invention. Thermal insulation board is available ready for this J

in a form appropriate to the purpose. Experiments have found, for example, in the market; linen insulation board is well suited for the purpose of the invention.

Other materials suitable for use in the filters of the invention include various organic fibers such as hemp, various fibreboards made of wood or peat, and paper or board in various forms. The plate-like structure of the sheet metal plate has been found to withstand the use according to the invention. Another advantage of flax is that composting does not usually start too quickly. With some compostable materials, composting may begin as early as a few hours, such as staying dry for over one night. Flax has also been found to keep its plate-like, 15-hollow structure quite intact after clogging, and even after long periods under sewage.

4 *. . -. ϊ: In the method and apparatus of the invention, the incoming waste water can be directed to the upper surface of the filter plate. In this case, the effluent is filtered through gravity: • · · .. · '' ** ** ··· * 20.

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The filter plate according to the invention can be arranged in an oblique position. For example, the skew can be tracked so that the second edge of the predominantly straight plate is lower | like its opposite edge. In this case, waste water collects on the lower edge ·· «25 of the disc and tends to pass the filter from this lower edge. Such a system - *: · has many advantages, including: ··· '' .ϊ ;, · ... · - The filter first becomes clogged at the lower end and as the water level rises along the surface of the filter, new unused filter in place. The unused filter surface can easily handle even large, momentary pulses of incoming water.

5 118154: 'ί - A simple and reliable overflow opening is easy to follow at the top of the filter.

- The upper edge overflow opening allows the unit to serve as a clarification basin even when the filter is clogged, as the overflow occurs over the edge.

5 - Looking at the service hatch, you immediately see the limit to which the waste water level has reached. The height of this line and the color of the filter serve as a good indicator of how much filter life is left on the filter.

The board may also be angled, for example, so that the center of the board is higher than the edges. The plate can also be arranged curved.

10th In one embodiment of the method of the invention, a phosphorus precipitating chemical is metered prior to filtration of the effluent. The wastewater treatment device of the invention may comprise means for dispensing a coagulant chemical into incoming wastewater. As such a chemical can be used, for example, ferric sulfate, or aluminum? 15 Minesulphates. If the precipitating chemical is dosed in or just before the device of the invention, most of the phosphorus may be precipitated into the filter of the invention. The dosing of the coagulant chemical may also be provided earlier in the process, and the waste water may have its own coagulant vessel before being introduced into the apparatus of the invention. To improve the efficiency of the device, at least some, sometimes all, of the waste water that has passed through the filter can be recycled to the phosphorus *: · coagulant dosing and further to the filter. With the help of a coagulant · ·, it is possible to remove most of the unpleasant odor from the waste water, allowing the device to be located, for example, close to residential buildings. Any other chemicals used in the purification and precipitation of wastewater, such as aluminum or ferric chloride, sodium aluminate, calcium *, can of course be used with the invention. hydroxide or polyelecrolytes.

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The wastewater treatment device according to the invention may have a pump connected to its wastewater inlet. The device according to the invention can then be placed adjacent to a manhole or the like. 118154 f: 6 of the device according to the invention is then pumped with water from this septic tank. The filtered water can then be at least partially recycled back to the septic tank. Typically, the device also has a} • ^ timer to start the pump periodically. Of course, the pump can also be simulated for manual operation, or it can be set to start according to the level of the water-5 in the septic tank. If water is returned to the septic tank, aeration to the sludge can be achieved. This enhances biological purification. For example, with a timer, the process becomes as if it were continuous.

The waste water to be discharged from the device according to the invention, or at least a part thereof, can be directed to an absorption field in which willows or similar plants have been planted. In experiments, such further purification has been found to greatly enhance purification.

Very preferably, household compost or other such compost that is used frequently, preferably up to 15 days, is kept in the same housing as the waste water filter. This makes monitoring the device easy and frequent. For example, the user can easily check the following: whether or not the precipitating chemicals or other chemicals are running out, whether the temperature of the device is appropriate, whether the device smells, whether the filter is working or should be replaced.

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20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic; *.

• · · *: for drawing with

The figure shows one sewage treatment plant according to the invention, Figure 2 shows one possible waste water treatment plant according to the invention. The figure 3 shows another sewage treatment plant according to the invention. · * * • *. Figure 4 shows a third sewage treatment device according to the invention,

Figure 5 shows a fourth sewage treatment device according to the invention, and

Figure 6 shows a fifth sewage treatment device according to the invention.

30 '7; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The like reference numerals are used for like parts.

Fig. 1 shows a sewage treatment device 1 according to the invention with a substantially sealed cover 2 made of plastic. The upper surface of the device has a dashed service door 3 which can be opened and closed tightly. The partition 4 divides the inner part of the device 1 into a compost part 5 and a filter part 6. A compost 7 is drawn on the compost part, which is maintained through the service door 3. A filter support surface 9 having a plurality of holes 10 is disposed obliquely in the filter section 6, between the partition wall 4 and the end wall 8, with a filter plate 11 made entirely or at least almost entirely of compostable material. -wool insulation board. At the top of the filter section 6, above the filter plate 11 ~, there is a waste water inlet connection 12. At the bottom of the filter section 6, the filter plate 11! 15, there is a drainage outlet 13. The bottom 14 of the filter section and the partition 4 are liquid-tight so that the wastewater in the filter section 6 cannot enter the compost section 5. ^ An overflow opening has been left between the top 4 does not extend up to ceiling 16 of device 1, but has an air gap 17 between them. Air vents or «·· • ^ **“ to supply the oxygen required by compost 7. 20 are not shown in the figure.

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Device 1 works as follows. The wastewater entering from the inlet 12 into the device is filtered through the filter 11 and flows from the openings 10 in the support surface 9 to the bottom 14 of the device, and • · * ···: further out of the outlet 13 The oblique filter 11 obstructs the filter , that gradually the water level above the filter 11 rises towards the upper edge of the filter 11. If wastewater enters unit 1 extremely. or if the filter 11 is already completely clogged, water will flow over the upper: 4 4 · edge of the filter 11 through the overflow opening 15 into the space below the filter. Once the filter 11 * 4 *** has been used up, it can be moved to the other side of the septum 4 for composting. Other biodegradable waste can also be placed in compost 7 from service hatch 3 8 118154

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s. The heat generated by compost 7 keeps the entire interior of the device 1 warm even in winter. Warm air can enter the compost space 5 into the filter space 6 through the air space 17 between the partition wall 4 and the roof 16 of the device. In very cold conditions, it is of course possible to install an additional heater, such as an electrical resistor, in the device 1 to keep the filter 5 melted.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates one possible domestic wastewater treatment system for a sparsely populated area according to the invention. From the house sewer pipe 20 leads to two conventional septic tank 21 to a septic tank 22. The tube 21 continues to pump into the well 10 to 23, wherein the waste water is pumped by a pump indicated by the arrow

according to my sewage treatment plant according to the invention. The device 1 comprises T

a dosing device for a phosphorus precipitation chemical such as iron sulfate, through which waste water is first pumped to mix iron sulfate with water. Further, the apparatus 1 comprises, as shown in the example of Figure 1, completely or at least substantially compostable;

15, the precipitate formed by the ferrous sulphate remains at least mainly in the filter 11. In the composter 5, both

• · vi filters 11 and that household 20 is bio-waste. The treated wastewater 7 from the device 1 can be recycled back to the pump well 23 or further treated to a suction field 24, which may be planted with, for example, willows or sage 25. In the suction field 24, nitrogen compounds bind to soil and willow - or cavernous growth 25. The infiltration chamber ··· Here, 24 treated wastewater is eventually channeled through drainage channels 26 to the open ditch27.

m * • · ·

The pump contained in the pump well 23 can also be installed directly in the sump 22, whereby a separate pump well is not required.

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Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate two alternative designs for a wastewater treatment device 1. In the examples of Figures 3 and 4, clarity * is used. For the same reference numeral as in the example of Figure 1. The example of Figure 3 shows

Ml * "! 1, a wastewater treatment device closely resembling the device of Figure 1. The difference is the shape of the filter plate 11 and its support surface 10. The support surface 10 and the filter plate 11 are folded 30 such that there is one point 30 below the edges of the filter. At 9,118,154; For example, the advantage is obtained that the liquid on top of the filter 11 stays away from the edges of the filter 11 during normal operation. In this case, there is no need to seal the space between the plate 11 and the walls of the device, but overflow can occur! across many or even all of the edges of the filter 11.

5

In the device 1 of Fig. 4, the filter part 6 is arranged at least mainly on the compost part 5 by folding the top part 4b of the partition wall almost horizontally. A space 40 is provided between the support surface 10 and the partition wall 4b where the liquid that has passed through the filter 11 can drain into the waste water outlet 13. The overflow 15 is tracked to the 10 outlet 13, away from the compost section 5. In this example,

the heat produced effectively heats the filter 11. f

The device 1 of Figure 6 differs from the device of Figure 4 in that the top part 4b of the partition wall is at least substantially horizontal. For example, the upper part of the partition 4b, the supporting surface 10 and the filter 11 placed on it, have a horizontal inclination of, for example, less than 5 degrees or less than two degrees or even less than one degree. With such an arrangement, the filter 11 becomes uniformly and efficiently used over the entire surface area of the filter.

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***. even with the waste water flows into the unit.

* · · * · .- "· * · * 20 Figure 5 shows a device 1 having two horizontal filter support surfaces 9 and 9b arranged at different heights, two filter plates set at different heights • · *. 11 and 11 b. The waste from the inlet is led mainly to the lower filter plate 11. The lower filter plate 11 | ·: · is intended as the main filter for the device. If * * • * ·,% '>; <! • ^ 25 flow is exceptional mouth or if lower filter 11 is clogged may «« * ··., • ·

. on top of the lower filter 11 and below the upper surface of the upper filter 11b

• * 6 T1 • # space 6b filled with waste water. In this case, the effluent also begins to drain onto the upper filter 1 Ib. Since the upper filter 1 Ib is relatively unused, it effectively permeates the wastewater. Due to the high permeability of the upper filter plate 11b, FIG. such a stepped device 1 does not necessarily require a separate overflow outlet, however, it is easy to arrange for example between the filter plate 11b and the partition 4 to drain excess waste water under the filter support surfaces 9 and - 9b, to the bottom 14.

In Figure 5, the filter plates 11 and 11b are drawn in different widths. If the two filter plates are the same size, the device 1 can be operated so that, when the lower filter plate 11 becomes clogged, it is moved to compost part 5 and the upper, cleaner filter plate is moved to a lower location, a support surface 9.

A new unused filter plate is then placed on the upper support surface 9b.

10 ', ¾ The device 1 according to the invention having a plurality of separate filter surfaces, as in the example of Fig. 5, can be automated, for example, so that the bulk water from one filter plate is no longer fed to the clogged filter but to another clean filter. In other words, the device 1 would then comprise means for detecting clogging of the lower filter plate 15 and means for conducting water to the upper filter plate 11b. Such means for detecting clogging of the lower filter plate 11 could be, for example, a water level sensor mounted in space 6b. When such a sensor detects that the water level has risen a certain distance above the top surface of the filter plate 11, it gives a specific signal. Based on this signal ··· · 20, the means for conducting water to the upper filter 1 Ib would be activated.

These means for conducting water to the upper filter 1 Ib may be, for example, reversing means or transfer means for the water inlet 12 to transfer the wastewater 12 from the inlet to the upper I filter plate 11b. This automatic water control would also work well on devices other than the one shown in Figure 5 with two or more filter plates. '• · · · «

For example, different filter plates may be adjacent to one another in the same plane. There is also mah- • ♦. It is important that the positions of the filter plates are interchangeable, for example, with the rails attached to the filter plates, · · · * ”* and the device 1, with suitable wheels and with the electric motor, · · · ·. If water is no longer fed to the clogged sudita, it gradually dries and, when properly dried, can be transferred to compost. >

Only homogeneous filter plates made of material of relatively uniform quality are shown in the accompanying figures. The filter according to the invention could consist of a plurality of overlapping or at different levels. The different layers could be, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Thus, for example, the upper sheet layers could be of coarser material and the lower layers of finer material. The water would thus pass through several layers of filters.

10

Only preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples set forth above, but that the invention may vary within the scope of the following claims. The dependent claims disclose some possible embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as such.

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♦ ·· .- ··· * · • * ·· «· * ·· Λ ··· ♦» • · * · ♦ '4 ΐ.

Claims (11)

118154 I 12 PATENT CLAIMS i k A wastewater treatment device (1), comprising: "1 - a substantially sealed shell (2) having at least one service door (3), 5. leading through a shell (2) to a waste water inlet (12) and a waste water outlet (13) ) and wastewater passage between said inlet and outlet, - tracked within the same shell (2) for heat exchange with each other, - between wastewater passage (at least essentially compostable material 10) and wastewater (11), a compost (7), which is at least substantially separated from the waste water passage, characterized in that the waste water filter is of plate-like material and the filter plate is oblique or curved. Waste water treatment device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the waste water entering the device (1) is preferably directed to the upper surface of the filter plate (11). • · · * ♦ ··. ·· ··· • _ Waste water treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a pump connected to the waste water inlet (12) and means for operating it, for example a timer to start the pump. periodically. Waste water treatment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for dispensing a coagulant chemical into the incoming waste water. • · • · • · · · ··· '. A process for treating waste water, comprising: - filtering the waste water by means of a filter (11), 118154: f 13 - composting the used filter in the same essentially closed state (2) as the filter (11) used, at least essentially and 5. transfer heat energy between the filtration process and the composting process, characterized in that the filter is plate-like and is oblique or curved. ϊ Use of the method according to claim 5, characterized in that the method 10 is used during the cold season and that the filter is kept in operation and its freezing is prevented by the heat generated by the compost. 7. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that a phosphorus precipitation chemical is dosed before the effluent is filtered. 15 A method according to claim 7, characterized in that after filtration, at least a part of the waste water is recycled for the dosage of the phosphorus precipitating chemical. through back filtration. • * · * · · M · • · Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that, after filtration, "at least a part of the waste water is led to an absorption field (24) planted with willows or similar plants (25). • · • «* · *. . ·. 10. Use as a filter of material that is mainly or wholly compostable (11) • »• · ·. ***. 25 in a sewage treatment plant (1) or in a wastewater treatment process, characterized by ··· ·: v. that the material is plate-like and is oblique or curved. • * • »• · · · · · ··· Use according to claim 10, characterized in that the sheet-like material is a heat-insulating sheet. 14 118154