GB2271372A

GB2271372A - Waste water process recovery system

Info

Publication number: GB2271372A
Application number: GB9320581A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Charles Sales
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-10-06
Filing date: 1993-10-06
Publication date: 1994-04-13
Also published as: GB9320581D0; GB9220954D0

Abstract

A waste water process recovery system which is specifically intended to collect and recycle waste water discharged from various sanitary appliances (3, 4, 6) for flushing the proverbial w.c., comprises low level collection tank (1) which collects the waste water at which point it is filtered and sterilized within a hopper (8). A submersible pump (10) pumps the recycled waste water out to a w.c. cistern/s (11). Automatic control of the system is accomplished through a float switch (20), solenoid shut-off valve (21) and control unit (22). A generated pumped supply (19) can also be used externally as required. At times of high recovery rates any surplus water is directed by gravity to a secondary storage vessel or water butt (16). Conversely, at times of low recovery rates a mains water make-up (14) comes into operation. In the event of a system failure a mains water back-up supply (23) is manually introduced thus maintaining the w.c. cistern (11). <IMAGE>

Description

WASTE WATER RECOVERY PROCESS SYSTEM FOR BUILDINGS This invention relates to a waste water recovery process system devised to conserve water utilisation within buildings be they domestic, commercial or industrial in nature.

Various water saving ideas/products have been developed over the years in paralell with the growing importance of water conservation.

Despite cries from the discerning public for more reserves and that of the Water Authorities to consume less, vast quantities of precious "recoverable" water are still being discharged from buildings as effluent only to be lost via the nation's sewer network.

According to the present invention there is provided a waste water recovery process system comprising a low level storage tank with a means of pumping the recovered waste water out to proverbial w.c. cistern/s via ranges of copper/upvc pipework.

The various components are thus interconnected to provide a fully working system aimed specifically at recovering waste water from buildings.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 represents the composition of the recovery system in diagrammatic form.

Referring to the drawing, the waste water recovery process system comprises a low level storage tank (1) which collects the waste water from the building's rainwater gutter (2), bath/shower (3), wash-hand basin (4) and washing-machine (6) via a range of interconnecting pipework (5). An in-line water check meter (7) is provided to monitor and record the quantity of waste water consumed. On entry into the low level collection tank (1) the recovered waste water is filtered by means of a strainer basket (9) accomodated within a hopper (8) through which chemicals are added on a routine basis in order to kill-off any harmful bacteria. Within the the low level collection tank (1) is housed a submersible pump (10) which transfers the recovered waste water to the w.c. cistern/s (11) via a range of interconnecting pipework (12).In the event of a pump failure an overflow pipe (13) is provided to take any overspill to a water butt (16) and then to drain or soakaway if necessary. Once pumped out to the w.c. cistern/s (11) the recovered waste water is then utilised for flushing purposes. At times of low recovery rates a mains water make-up supply (14) is introduced into the low level tank (1) through a ball valve (15). Conversely, at times of high recovery rates, such as experienced during a rainstorm, an overflow pipe (13) once again conveys any overspill by gravity to a water butt (16). In the event of the water butt (16) becoming overloaded another overflow pipe (17) takes any overspill safely to drain or soakaway. The contents of the water butt (16) is then beneficially utilised for perhaps land irrigation as required through a supply pipe (18).Alternatively, a bib-tap with hose union (19) is provided for general use when the benefit of a pumped supply is required. Should the pump (1) or control system fail then another mains water make-up supply (25) is manually intorduced to maintain the w.c. cistern/s (11) until a repair can be effected.

Automatic control of the submersible pump is achieved through 240/24 volt electrical switchgear comprising a miniature float switch (20), solenoid valve (21) and control unit (22). When the w.c. cistern is emptied or flushed the contacts of the float switch (20) make to open the solenoid valve (21) and bring on the submersible pump (10) all via the control unit (22). This action then initiates the refilling of the w.c. cistern (11) which when complete closes the float switch (20), shuts the solenoid valve (21) and stops the pump (10) all via the control unit (22) As a precaution in Wintertime against freezing, the low level storage tank (1) is thermally insulated In the interests of maintenance, the system is fitted with service stopcocks (23) and (24). The mains water make-up supplies to both the low level storage tank (1) and w.c. cistern/s (11) are similarly fitted with service stopcocks as standard.

Claims

1. A waste water process recovery system comprising a thermally insulated low level collection tank housing a submersible pump thus providing a means of lifting, on demand, recycled waste water out to a w.c. cistern or range thereof for flushing purposes.

2. A waste water process recovery system-as claimed in Claim 1 wherein means of automatic control of the submersible pump is provided by way of a low level switching unit, solenoid shut-off valve and float switch, the latter two components being situate at the w.c. cistern/s and so enabling control of the water level therein.

3. A waste water process recovery system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein a pumped external water supply is provided for general use.

4. A waste water process recovery system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein means of filtering and sterilizing the collected waste water is provided within a hopper situate on top of the low level collection tank.

5. A waste water process recovery system as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein at times of high recovery rates any surplus water is directed to a secondary storage vessel or water butt.

6. A waste water process recovery system as claimed in Claim 5 wherein at times of low recovery rates mains water make-up supplies are provided at the positions of the low level collection tank and w.c. cistern/s, the latter acting as a back-up supply to the w.c. cistern/s in the event of a system failure.

7. A waste water process recovery system as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein means of recording/monitoring the amount of recycled waste water consumed is provided by way of a water check meter situate at low level downstream of the collection tank.

8. A waste water process recovery system as substantially described herein with reference to Figure 1 on the accompanying drawing.