GB2552800A - Leachate draw-off apparatus - Google Patents
Leachate draw-off apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2552800A GB2552800A GB1613686.3A GB201613686A GB2552800A GB 2552800 A GB2552800 A GB 2552800A GB 201613686 A GB201613686 A GB 201613686A GB 2552800 A GB2552800 A GB 2552800A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- conduit
- leachate
- vent
- storage tank
- outlet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M29/00—Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
- C12M29/02—Percolation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09B—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
- B09B1/00—Dumping solid waste
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B17/00—Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for
- B63B17/06—Refuse discharge, e.g. for ash
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
- E03F1/00—Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
Abstract
A leachate draw-off apparatus 20 comprises a storage tank 22 for storing leachate, a conduit 24 extending between a conduit inlet 30 and a conduit outlet 32 wherein the conduit inlet 30 is operatively connected to the storage tank 22 so that leachate may flow via the conduit 24 from the storage tank 22 to the conduit outlet 32 which is connectable to a cargo tank, and a venting device 26 including at least one vent provided in the conduit 24 between the conduit inlet 30 and the conduit outlet 32 and a vent valve operable to selectively open and close the or each vent to control the ingress of air via the or each vent into an internal volume of the conduit 24. The storage tank may be held in a bund 28. The conduit may have a u-shaped section and flow control valves may be positioned on the conduit inlet and conduit outlet. The conduit outlet is ideally connected to a suction hose of a tanker.
Description
(71) Applicant(s):
Robell Engineering Limited
Shelton Lodge Farm, Shelton, Newark,
Nottinghamshire, NG23 5JJ, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:
WO 2013/178976 A1 CN 203049774 U CN 104368178 A JPH09100559 (58) Field of Search:
CN 204385336 U CN 201771050 U CN 101748913 A (72) Inventor(s):
William Devereux
INT CL B09B, B09C, B63J, E03F Other: WPI and EPODOC (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
Potter Clarkson LLP
The Beigrave Centre, Talbot Street, NOTTINGHAM, NG1 5GG, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Leachate draw-off apparatus Abstract Title: Leachate draw-off apparatus (57) A leachate draw-off apparatus 20 comprises a storage tank 22 for storing leachate, a conduit 24 extending between a conduit inlet 30 and a conduit outlet 32 wherein the conduit inlet 30 is operatively connected to the storage tank 22 so that leachate may flow via the conduit 24 from the storage tank 22 to the conduit outlet 32 which is connectable to a cargo tank, and a venting device 26 including at least one vent provided in the conduit 24 between the conduit inlet 30 and the conduit outlet 32 and a vent valve operable to selectively open and close the or each vent to control the ingress of air via the or each vent into an internal volume of the conduit 24. The storage tank may be held in a bund 28. The conduit may have a “u-shaped” section and flow control valves may be positioned on the conduit inlet and conduit outlet. The conduit outlet is ideally connected to a suction hose of a tanker.
26,37
30
CM
CM
26,37
1/1
Figure 1
LEACHATE DRAW-OFF APPARATUS
This invention relates to leachate draw-off apparatuses, and to a method of operating a leachate draw-off apparatus.
Leachate is a liquid effluent formed as a result of precipitation, such as rainwater, percolating through a landfill mass. Such percolation results in the extraction of solid constituents from the landfill mass, and the resulting leachate tends to be in the form of a mild acidic liquid due to the composition of the landfill mass. Leachate typically has a brown or blackish appearance with a variable viscosity and a higher density than water. The quantity of leachate formed varies with the amount of precipitation.
Pumps are used to constantly pump the leachate through pipes connecting underground wells to storage tanks. The leachates stored in the storage tanks are then subsequently transferred from the storage tanks to cargo tanks, which are then transported by tankers to a chemical purification plant.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a leachate draw-off apparatus comprising;
a storage tank for storing leachate;
a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank; and a venting device including; at least one vent provided in the conduit between the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet; and a vent valve operable to selectively open and close the or each vent to control the ingress of air via the or each vent into an internal volume of the conduit.
It will be appreciated that, in the context of the invention, the conduit outlet may be directly connectable to a cargo tank, or indirectly connectable to a cargo tank via another component, such as a hose.
In use, when the conduit outlet is connected to a cargo tank, a pump is used to draw leachate from the storage tank, through the conduit, and into the cargo tank. When the leachate is being pumped via the conduit from the storage tank to the cargo tank, the pumping causes the pressure inside the conduit to be reduced in comparison to ambient pressure (which in some embodiments is atmospheric pressure). In some cases, the pumping may cause the pressure inside the conduit to be reduced to vacuum level.
After the conduit inlet is closed off from the storage tank, leachate residue may be present within the conduit. The provision of a venting device in the leachate draw-off apparatus of the invention permits the selective introduction of air into the internal volume of the conduit to flush the leachate residue from the conduit into the cargo tank. Otherwise, without flushing the leachate residue from the conduit into the cargo tank, the leachate residue may spill out of the conduit outlet after the conduit outlet is disconnected from the cargo tank. Such spillage of leachate residue is not only harmful to the environment, but also may be costly due to clean-up costs and penalty fines for breaking environmental laws.
In contrast, the conventional leachate draw-off apparatus comprises a pipe that connects the storage tank to the cargo tank, with the flow of leachate in the pipe being controlled by a hand-operated open-close valve, but the conventional leachate draw-off apparatus omits the venting device. Consequently the conventional leachate draw-off apparatus is incapable of flushing the leachate residue from the pipe into the cargo tank, which could lead to undesirable spillage of the leachate residue out of the pipe after the pipe is disconnected from the cargo tank.
In embodiments of the invention, the conduit may include a conduit section arranged to be elevated above ground at a height that is towards, at or above the height of the storage tank. In such embodiments, the conduit section may be elevated at a height that is above the heights of the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet.
In the conventional leachate draw-off apparatus, the pipe is positioned height-wise near or at the lowest point of the storage tank. As a result, due to the low height of the pipe, the pressure head of the leachate stored in the storage tank causes leachate to uncontrollably spill out of the pipe in the event of the pipe being disconnected from the cargo tank.
On the other hand the provision of an elevated conduit section in the conduit reduces or obviates the effect of the pressure head of the leachate stored in the storage tank in the event of the conduit outlet being disconnected from the cargo tank, and thereby minimises or prevents uncontrolled spillage of leachate out of the conduit outlet.
As mentioned above, when the leachate is being pumped via the conduit from the storage tank to the cargo tank, the pumping causes the pressure inside the conduit to be reduced in comparison to ambient pressure. In the event of the conduit outlet being disconnected from the cargo tank, the reduced pressure in the elevated conduit section could result in a siphoning effect that causes accidental spillage of leachate out of the conduit outlet.
The provision of the venting device in the leachate draw-off apparatus of the invention however enables equalisation between the pressure inside the elevated conduit section and the ambient pressure, thus minimising or preventing the aforementioned siphoning effect.
The conduit section may be or may include a horizontal section of an inverted U-shape segment of the conduit.
When the storage tank is located inside a bund (which may be an open top bund), the conduit may extend vertically upwards inside the bund, then extend horizontally over a wall of the bund, and then extend vertically downwards outside the bund in order to form the inverted U-shape segment. The combination of locating the storage tank inside the bund and having an elevated conduit section in the conduit provides a reliable way of containing any unintended leakage or discharge of leachate from the storage tank.
In such embodiments, the vent or at least one of the vents may be provided near or adjacent to the conduit section, or the vent or at least one of the vents may be provided in the conduit section.
Providing the vent or at least one of the vents near, adjacent to or at the conduit section improves the ability of the venting device to minimise or prevent the siphoning of leachate through the conduit.
In further embodiments of the invention, the leachate draw-off apparatus may further include a flow valve operatively connected between the storage tank and the conduit outlet, the flow valve operable to control the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet. For example, the flow valve may be connected in the conduit, or in some embodiments the flow valve may be connected near, adjacent to, or in the conduit section.
The vent valve and the flow valve may be coupled so that the vent valve is configured to close the or each vent to block the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when the flow valve is operated to permit the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
Coupling the vent valve and the flow valve in this manner enables the automatic blocking of ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when the flow valve is operated to permit the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet. Such configuration advantageously not only improves the response time of the venting device in closing the or each vent, but also ensures that the venting device operates as intended without requiring manual intervention.
The vent valve and the flow valve may be coupled so that the vent valve may be configured to open the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when the flow valve is operated to block the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
Coupling the vent valve and the flow valve in this manner enables the automatic ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when the flow valve is operated to block the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet. Such configuration advantageously not only improves the response time of the venting device in opening the or each vent, but also ensures that the venting device operates as intended without requiring manual intervention.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a leachate draw-off apparatus, the leachate draw-off apparatus comprising a storage tank for storing leachate, the leachate draw-off apparatus further including a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing at least one vent in the conduit between the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet; and selectively opening and closing the or each vent to control the ingress of air via the or each vent into an internal volume of the conduit.
The advantages of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the first aspect of the invention and its embodiments apply mutatis mutandis to the method of the second aspect of the invention and its embodiments.
The method of the invention may further include the step of opening the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit so as to flush the conduit.
In the method of the invention, the conduit may include a conduit section arranged to be elevated above ground at a height that is towards, at or above the height of the storage tank. In such embodiments, the conduit section may be elevated at a height that is above the heights of the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet.
The conduit section may be or may include a horizontal section of an inverted U-shape segment of the conduit.
When the storage tank is located inside a bund (which may be an open top bund), the conduit may extend vertically upwards inside the bund, then extend horizontally over a wall of the bund, and then extend vertically downwards outside the bund in order to form the inverted U-shape segment.
Optionally the vent or at least one of the vents may be provided near or adjacent to the conduit section, or the vent or at least one of the vents may be provided in the conduit section.
Further optionally the method of the invention may further include the step of opening the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit so as to inhibit or prevent siphoning in the conduit.
The method of the invention may further include the step of controlling the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
The method of the invention may further include the step of closing the or each vent to block the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when leachate is permitted to flow from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
The method of the invention may further include the step of opening the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when leachate is blocked from flowing from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a leachate draw-off apparatus comprising:
a storage tank for storing leachate;
a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank; and a coupler operatively connected to the conduit outlet, the coupler configured for coupling a hose to the conduit outlet, the coupler further configured to decouple the hose from the conduit outlet when the coupler is exposed to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit.
In use, a hose can be used to connect the conduit outlet to the cargo tank.
During or after the transfer of leachate via the conduit from the storage tank to the cargo tank, there is a possibility that the tanker carrying the cargo tank may be driven away from the conduit outlet without decoupling the hose from the conduit outlet. Driving the tanker away from the conduit outlet under such circumstances may result in the application of a tensile load to the hose that is strong enough to result in damage to the conduit outlet and/or bursting of the hose, thereby causing environmentally unfriendly and costly spillage of leachate from the conduit outlet.
The provision of the coupler in the leachate draw-off apparatus of the invention enables the safe decoupling of the hose from the conduit outlet in the event that the coupler is exposed to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit, as may happen when the tanker is driven away while the hose is still coupled to the conduit outlet. Hence, the coupler is able to minimise or prevent the undesirable spillage of leachate from the conduit outlet.
The coupler may include a mechanical member arranged to break on exposure to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit, the breaking of the mechanical member triggering the decoupling of the hose from the conduit outlet.
The provision of the mechanical member in the coupler provides a reliable means of triggering the decoupling of the hose from the conduit outlet.
The mechanical member may be or may include, but is not limited to, a shear pin. The shear pin may be configured to shear on exposure to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a leachate draw-off apparatus comprising:
a storage tank for storing leachate;
a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank; and a collector arranged to receive and collect any leachate spilled from the conduit outlet.
The provision of the collector in the leachate draw-off apparatus provides a reliable and straightforward means of minimising or preventing the negative environmental and cost impact of the spillage of leachate from the conduit outlet, which may for example occur due to a damaged conduit outlet or a bursting of a hose coupled to the conduit outlet. In addition the provision of the collector in the leachate draw-off apparatus allows a hose to be arranged, e.g. folded or wound, such that any leachate residue in the hose flows into the collector.
The collector may be or may include a drip tray.
The collector may include a collector drain valve that is operable to selectively drain collected leachate from the collector. This permits removal of leachate from the collector when it is close to or at full capacity.
The conduit may include a conduit drain valve that is operable to selectively drain leachate from the conduit into the collector. This provides a reliable means of removing leachate residue from the conduit, especially when it is not possible to flush the leachate residue from the conduit into a cargo tank.
It will be appreciated that at least one embodiment of a given aspect of the invention may also be used in combination with at least one embodiment of the other aspects of the invention.
At least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the first aspect of the invention may be used in combination with at least one embodiment of the method of the second aspect of the invention.
In addition, at least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the first aspect of the invention may be used in combination with: at least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the third aspect of the invention; and/or at least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention. At least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the third aspect of the invention may be used in combination with at least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention.
Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the method of the second aspect of the invention may be used in combination with: at least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the third aspect of the invention; and/or at least one embodiment of the leachate draw-off apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 schematically shows a leachate draw-off apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention,
A leachate draw-off apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1 and is designated generally by the reference numeral 20.
The leachate draw-off apparatus 20 comprises a storage tank 22, a conduit in the form of a pipe 24, and a venting device 26.
In use, the storage tank 22 is used to store leachate. The storage tank 22 may be in the form of a cylindrical tank with a capacity of, for example, 55,000 litres. The storage tank 22 is located inside an open top bund 28 to help contain any unintended leakage or discharge of leachate from the storage tank 22.
The pipe 24 extends between a pipe inlet 30 and a pipe outlet 32.
The pipe inlet 30 is operatively connected to an outlet 34 of the storage tank 22. A tank valve 36 is connected between the pipe inlet 30 and the storage tank outlet 34. In use, the tank valve 36 can be operated to open the storage tank outlet 34 to allow leachate to flow from the storage tank 22 to the pipe inlet 30, and to close the storage tank outlet 34 to block leachate from flowing from the storage tank 22 to the pipe inlet 30. The storage tank outlet 34 is located towards the lowest point of the storage tank 22 and inside the open top bund 28. The pipe inlet 30 and tank valve 36 are therefore also located inside the open top bund 28.
Continuing from the pipe inlet 30, the pipe 24 then extends vertically upwards inside the bund 28, then extends horizontally over a wall of the open top bund 28, and then extends vertically downwards outside the open top bund 28 in order to form an inverted U-shape segment. The horizontal pipe section 38 of the inverted U-shape segment is elevated above ground to be at the same height as the height of the storage tank 22, and is shown in Figure 1 to be supported by a pillar. Without the inverted U-shape segment, it would be necessary to either extend the pipe 24 horizontally through a hole in the wall of the open top bund 28, which reduces the effectiveness of the open top bund 28, or to omit the open top bund 28 altogether, which is undesirable for safety and environmental reasons.
Following on from the vertical pipe section of the inverted U-shape segment located outside the open top bund 28, the pipe 24 then extends horizontally to form another horizontal pipe section that ends at the pipe outlet 32.
A flow valve 37 is connected in the horizontal pipe section 38 of the inverted U-shape segment. In the embodiment shown, the flow valve 37 is in the form of a disc, which is pivotally mounted so that it can rotate between first and second positions. In the first position of the flow valve 37, the flow valve 37 blocks the flow of leachate through the horizontal pipe section 38. In the second position of the flow valve 37, the flow valve 37 bisects the horizontal pipe section 38 and thereby allows leachate to flow through the horizontal pipe section 38.
The connection of the pipe inlet 30 to the outlet 34 of the storage tank 22 allows the tank and flow valves 36, 37 to be operated to enable leachate to flow from the storage tank 22, into the pipe inlet 30, via the pipe 24, and out of the pipe outlet 32.
The venting device 26 includes a vent in the form of an opening provided in the horizontal pipe section 38 of the inverted U-shape segment. It will be appreciated that the vent may be provided elsewhere in the pipe 24 between the pipe inlet 30 and the pipe outlet 32, such as in the vertical pipe sections of the inverted U-shape segment.
The venting device 26 further includes a vent valve that is operable to selectively open and close the vent to control the ingress of air via the vent into the horizontal pipe section 38 of the inverted U-shape segment, and therefore into an internal volume of the pipe 24. In the embodiment shown, the operation of the vent valve can be initiated by a lever 40 mounted on a wall of the pillar. The lever 40 is movable between first and second positions to control the operation of the vent valve.
The vent valve and flow valve 36 are coupled so that the operation of the lever 40 to operate the vent valve also results in the simultaneous operation of the flow valve 37.
In a first position of the lever 40, the vent valve is operated to close the vent to block the ingress of air via the vent into the internal volume of the pipe 24 while the flow valve 37 is operated to permit the flow of leachate from the storage tank 22 to the pipe outlet 32.
In a second position of the lever 40, the vent valve is operated to open the vent to permit the ingress of air via the vent into the internal volume of the pipe 24 when the flow valve 37 is operated to block the flow of leachate from the storage tank 22 to the pipe outlet 32.
The leachate draw-off apparatus 20 further includes a coupler 42 operatively connected to the pipe outlet 32. The coupler 42 includes a gripper member to couple a hose to the pipe outlet 32, and a shear pin that is configured to shear on exposure to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit being applied to the coupler 42. In this case, the predetermined limit of the tensile load corresponds to the shear strength of the shear pin. The shearing of the shear pin triggers the gripper to release the hose so as to decouple the hose from the pipe outlet 32.
The leachate draw-off apparatus 20 further includes a collector, which in the embodiment shown is in the form of a drip tray 44. The drip tray 44 is positioned underneath the pipe outlet 32 so that the drip tray 44 will receive and collect any leachate spilled from the pipe outlet 32. This is particularly useful in circumstances when the pipe outlet 32 is leaking (e.g. due to damage) or when the hose has burst.
The drip tray 44 includes a collector drain valve 46 that is operable to drain collected leachate from the drip tray 44 when it is close to or at full capacity. The pipe 24 also includes a pipe drain valve 48 that is operable to drain leachate from the pipe 24 into the drip tray 44.
The operation of the leachate draw-off apparatus 20 to transfer leachate from the storage tank 22 to a cargo tank is described as follows.
Initially the storage tank 22 is determined to be at full capacity. This may be done through use of high/low level liquid gauges.
A tanker carrying a cargo tank is brought on site. An operator (who may be the tanker driver) configures the coupler 42 to couple a suction hose 50 to the pipe outlet 32 in order to interconnect the pipe outlet 32 and the cargo tank. The operator then starts a suction pump on the tanker, which causes the pressure inside the pipe 24 to be reduced in comparison to ambient pressure (which in this case is atmospheric pressure). In some cases, the pumping may cause the pressure inside the pipe 24 to be reduced to vacuum level.
The tank valve 36 is then opened. At this stage the lever 40 is in its second position so that the flow valve 37 is blocking the flow of leachate from the storage tank 22 to the pipe outlet 32 while the vent is open to permit the ingress of air via the vent into the internal volume of the pipe 24.
Thereafter, the operator moves the lever 40 to its first position so that the flow valve 37 now permits the flow of leachate from the storage tank 22 to the pipe outlet 32 while the vent is automatically closed to block the ingress of air via the vent into the internal volume of the pipe 24. The pumping by the suction pump causes the leachate to flow via the pipe 24 from the storage tank 22 to the cargo tank.
After the cargo tank is fully loaded with leachate, the operator moves the lever 40 back to its second position so that the flow valve 37 is once again blocking the flow of leachate from the storage tank 22 to the pipe outlet 32. At this stage, if there is any leachate residue present in the pipe 24, the automatic opening of the vent introduces air into the internal volume of the pipe 24 to flush most, if not all, of the leachate residue from the pipe 24 into the cargo tank. The flushing of the leachate residue from the pipe 24 into the cargo tank is aided by the pumping of the suction pump.
Once the flushing procedure is complete, the operator stops the suction pump and decouples the suction hose 50 from the pipe outlet 32 in order to disconnect the pipe outlet 32 from the cargo tank. The suction hose 50 may be arranged 52, e.g. folded or wound, above the drip tray such that any leachate residue in the suction hose 50 drips into the drip tray.
When the pipe outlet 32 is disconnected from the cargo tank, an improperly closed or malfunctioning flow valve 37 may result in the continuation ofthe flow of leachate from the storage tank 22 to the pipe outlet 32, thus potentially resulting in accidental spillage of leachate out of the pipe outlet 32.
The elevation of the horizontal pipe section 38 of the inverted U-shape segment to be at the same height as the height of the storage tank 22 reduces or obviates the effect of the pressure head of the leachate stored in the storage tank 22 so as to minimise or prevent uncontrolled spillage of leachate out ofthe pipe outlet 32 when it is disconnected from the cargo tank.
In addition, when the pipe outlet 32 is disconnected from the cargo tank, the reduced pressure in the elevated horizontal pipe section 38 could result in a siphoning effect that causes accidental spillage of leachate out of the pipe outlet 32. However, the previous opening of the vent has already resulted in the equalisation between the pressure inside the elevated horizontal pipe section 38 and the ambient pressure, thus minimising or preventing the aforementioned siphoning effect.
During or after the transfer of leachate via the pipe 24 from the storage tank 22 to the cargo tank, the provision of the coupler 42 in the leachate draw-off apparatus 20 enables the safe decoupling of the hose 50 from the pipe outlet 32 in the event that the coupler 42 is exposed to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit, as may happen when the tanker is driven away while the hose 50 is still coupled to the pipe outlet 32. The safe decoupling ofthe hose 50 from the pipe outlet 32 prevents damage to the pipe outlet 32 and/or bursting of the hose 50 that could cause undesirable spillage of leachate from the pipe outlet 32.
The aforementioned features of the leachate draw-off apparatus 20 of the invention therefore minimises or prevents the amount of leachate spillage during normal and abnormal conditions, and hence results in a more environmentally and cost-effective leachate draw-off apparatus 20 for drawing leachate from a storage tank 22. In addition the various functions ofthe leachate draw-off apparatus 20 ofthe invention (i.e. controlling the flow of leachate through the pipe 24, flushing the pipe 24, minimising or preventing the siphoning effect, and so on) can be performed through a simple operation of a single lever 40.
Claims (29)
1. A leachate draw-off apparatus comprising: a storage tank for storing leachate;
a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank; and a venting device including: at least one vent provided in the conduit between the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet; and a vent valve operable to selectively open and close the vent to control the ingress of air via the or each vent into an internal volume of the conduit.
2. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the conduit includes a conduit section arranged to be elevated above ground at a height that is towards, at or above the height of the storage tank.
3. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the conduit section is elevated at a height that is above the heights of the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet.
4. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the conduit section is or includes a horizontal section of an inverted U-shape segment of the conduit.
5. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the storage tank is located inside a bund, and wherein the conduit extends vertically upwards inside the bund, then extends horizontally over a wall of the bund, and then extends vertically downwards outside the bund in order to form the inverted U-shape segment.
6. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the vent or at least one of the vents is provided near or adjacent to the conduit section, or the vent or at least one of the vents is provided in the conduit section.
7. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further including a flow valve operatively connected between the storage tank and the conduit outlet, the flow valve operable to control the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
8. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the vent valve and the flow valve are coupled so that the vent valve is configured to close the or each vent to block the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when the flow valve is operated to permit the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
9. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the vent valve and the flow valve are coupled so that the vent valve is configured to open the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when the flow valve is operated to block the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
10. A method of operating a leachate draw-off apparatus, the leachate draw-off apparatus comprising a storage tank for storing leachate, the leachate draw-off apparatus further including a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing at least one vent in the conduit between the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet; and selectively opening and closing the or each vent to control the ingress of air via the or each vent into an internal volume of the conduit.
11. A method according to Claim 10 further including the step of opening the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit so as to flush the conduit.
12. A method according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the conduit includes a conduit section arranged to be elevated above ground at a height that is towards, at or above the height of the storage tank.
13. A method according to Claim 12 wherein the conduit section is elevated at a height that is above the heights of the conduit inlet and the conduit outlet.
14. A method according to Claim 12 or Claim 13 wherein the conduit section is or includes a horizontal section of an inverted U-shape segment of the conduit.
15. A method according to Claim 14 wherein the storage tank is located inside a bund, and wherein the conduit extends vertically upwards inside the bund, then extends horizontally over a wall of the bund, and then extends vertically downwards outside the bund in order to form the inverted U-shape segment.
16. A method according to any one of Claims 12 to 15 wherein the vent or at least one of the vents is provided near or adjacent to the conduit section, or the vent or at least one of the vents is provided in the conduit section.
17. A method according to any one of Claims 12 to 16 further including the step of opening the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit so as to inhibit or prevent siphoning in the conduit.
18. A method according to any one of Claims 10 to 17 further including the step of controlling the flow of leachate from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
19. A method according to Claim 18 further including the step of closing the or each vent to block the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when leachate is permitted to flow from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
20. A method according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 further including the step of opening the or each vent to permit the ingress of air via the or each vent into the internal volume of the conduit when leachate is blocked from flowing from the storage tank to the conduit outlet.
21. A leachate draw-off apparatus comprising: a storage tank for storing leachate;
a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank; and a coupler operatively connected to the conduit outlet, the coupler configured for coupling a hose to the conduit outlet, the coupler further configured to decouple the hose from the conduit outlet when the coupler is exposed to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit.
22. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein the coupler includes a mechanical member arranged to break on exposure to a tensile load exceeding a predetermined limit, the breaking of the mechanical member triggering the decoupling of the hose from the conduit outlet.
23. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 22 wherein the mechanical 5 member is or includes a shear pin.
24. A leachate draw-off apparatus comprising: a storage tank for storing leachate;
a conduit extending between a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, the conduit inlet 10 operatively connected to the storage tank so that leachate may flow via the conduit from the storage tank to the conduit outlet, the conduit outlet connectable to a cargo tank; and a collector arranged to receive and collect any leachate spilled from the conduit outlet.
15
25. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein the collector is or includes a drip tray.
26. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 wherein the collector includes a collector drain valve that is operable to selectively drain collected
20 leachate from the collector.
27. A leachate draw-off apparatus according to any one of Claims 24 to 26 wherein the conduit includes a conduit drain valve that is operable to selectively drain leachate from the conduit into the collector.
28. A leachate draw-off apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figure.
29. A method of operating a leachate draw-off apparatus substantially as herein 30 described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figure.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1613686.3 Examiner: Miss Elizabeth Price
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1613686.3A GB2552800A (en) | 2016-08-09 | 2016-08-09 | Leachate draw-off apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1613686.3A GB2552800A (en) | 2016-08-09 | 2016-08-09 | Leachate draw-off apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2552800A true GB2552800A (en) | 2018-02-14 |
Family
ID=60989385
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1613686.3A Withdrawn GB2552800A (en) | 2016-08-09 | 2016-08-09 | Leachate draw-off apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2552800A (en) |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH09100559A (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 1997-04-15 | Oobayashi Doro Kk | Liquid storage tank |
| CN101748913A (en) * | 2009-12-30 | 2010-06-23 | 安阳钢铁股份有限公司 | Automatic sewage disposal method of pool and sewage disposal system thereof |
| CN201771050U (en) * | 2010-06-13 | 2011-03-23 | 钟惠明 | Antifreeze siphoning drainage device |
| CN203049774U (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2013-07-10 | 中国瑞林工程技术有限公司 | Backwater device of tailing pond |
| WO2013178976A1 (en) * | 2012-05-28 | 2013-12-05 | Mcalpine & Co Limited | Valve device for waste pipe |
| CN104368178A (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2015-02-25 | 扬州大学 | Flushing water flow control device of buried filter |
| CN204385336U (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2015-06-10 | 厦门市高辉宏工贸有限公司 | For depositing the oil groove of spinning oil in a kind of PET production |
-
2016
- 2016-08-09 GB GB1613686.3A patent/GB2552800A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH09100559A (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 1997-04-15 | Oobayashi Doro Kk | Liquid storage tank |
| CN101748913A (en) * | 2009-12-30 | 2010-06-23 | 安阳钢铁股份有限公司 | Automatic sewage disposal method of pool and sewage disposal system thereof |
| CN201771050U (en) * | 2010-06-13 | 2011-03-23 | 钟惠明 | Antifreeze siphoning drainage device |
| WO2013178976A1 (en) * | 2012-05-28 | 2013-12-05 | Mcalpine & Co Limited | Valve device for waste pipe |
| CN203049774U (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2013-07-10 | 中国瑞林工程技术有限公司 | Backwater device of tailing pond |
| CN204385336U (en) * | 2014-10-22 | 2015-06-10 | 厦门市高辉宏工贸有限公司 | For depositing the oil groove of spinning oil in a kind of PET production |
| CN104368178A (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2015-02-25 | 扬州大学 | Flushing water flow control device of buried filter |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| MX2011000055A (en) | Ecologically sensitive mud-gas containment system. | |
| DE102007052396A1 (en) | Electrically controlled shutdown of steam venting during refueling | |
| NZ574099A (en) | Fuel overflow prevention device whose exit port of the nozzle is arranged to establish a flow restricting fit | |
| CZ20012960A3 (en) | Method of testing volatile liquid vapor sampling systems | |
| US8464764B1 (en) | Fuel system ullage float assembly | |
| JP6347253B2 (en) | Vapor collection device | |
| US20130211159A1 (en) | Method for degassing a storage tank for liquid products containing volatile organic compounds, in particular petroleum products | |
| US8152911B1 (en) | Ventless tank system | |
| GB2552800A (en) | Leachate draw-off apparatus | |
| US4997003A (en) | Liquid waste evacuation and transfer system | |
| KR101222756B1 (en) | Fuel nozzle for collecting oil vapor | |
| EP1400388A1 (en) | Filler tube mounted fuel tank refueling valve | |
| CA2956828A1 (en) | Breather check valve | |
| WO2013087387A1 (en) | Water lifting system and method having such a system | |
| DE102006033524A1 (en) | System protecting e.g. oil tanks from flotation by high water, comprises one-way filling valve at base of tank and vent valve high on tank | |
| JP2002220032A (en) | Water collecting device for window washer liquid | |
| EP1927555B1 (en) | Load limiting device for tanks used for storing liquid fuels | |
| US9399571B2 (en) | Overflow valve prevention system | |
| CN207004715U (en) | A kind of water turbine set seepage-proof oil pipe-line system | |
| CN107228041A (en) | Water turbine set seepage-proof oil pipe-line system | |
| CN107585473A (en) | Rail tanker sweeps bottom method | |
| EP2964830B1 (en) | Suction system for flammable or polluting liquids | |
| KR101254221B1 (en) | Overflow breaking system for the tank truck | |
| CN207568970U (en) | A kind of bull-dozer hydraulic oil container | |
| DE10050333A1 (en) | Decanting station for fuel filling plants with a tank and at least valve and at least line from tank to valve also hose line from valve to tanker vehicle |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |