IE70734B1

IE70734B1 - Waste matter treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: IE70734B1
Application number: IE922654A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Ronald Arthur Maine Robins
Original assignee: Ronald Arthur Maine Robins
Priority date: 1992-09-11
Filing date: 1992-09-11
Publication date: 1996-12-11
Also published as: GB2270520A; GB9318557D0; GB2270520B; IE922654A1

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for the on-site treatment of animal excrement, especially dog excrement, comprises a fermentation chamber (11) filled with a water-sealed S-bend (15) for receiving amounts of excrement in water and delivering same below the microbial crust (18) of the fermentation medium (19). The fermentation chamber (11) is filled with a connecting pipe (26) for delivering partially purified liquid to a settling tank (12) in which further fermentation may occur. Following settling, the further partially purified liquid is transferred by means of a connecting pipe (31) to a conduit (13) for delivery to a foul drain or other discharge site. The fermentation chamber (11) can be agitated by means of water flushed through a perforated tube (23). The end product is a substantially odourless, innocuous liquid.

Description

WASTE MATTER TREATMENT APPARATUS This invention relates to apparatus for the treatment of animal excrement on-site, more particularly excrement produced by domestic pets, especially by dogs.

The production of excrement by pets, especially dogs, is a growing problem, especially for persons with small gardens or persons living in apartments. The disposal of excrement is a problem for most pet owners. Additionally, the disposal of excrement is a problem in public places, such as parks, where pet owners exercise their pets.

Apart from fouling the environment, animal excrement also creates pollution problems and problems of disease. Excrement as it decomposes can cause pollution and the transmission of infectious microorganisms and parasites. The latter are a particular problem in the case of young children who play where pets are allowed to exercise. Furthermore, excrement as long as it is discharged into streams and rivers, without being purified, can cause outbreaks of disease.

One method of dealing with the problem of animal excrement is a chemical treatment unit wherein the excrement is digested and from which the treated excrement is subsequently discharged. The disposal of sludge from the chemical treatment unit can give rise to pollution problems by virtue of the nature of the chemical used in the unit, which can contaminate the environment or, if the treated sludge is discharged into a foul drain or a storm water drain, can ultimately cause pollution elsewhere.

Thus, there is a need for apparatus which can treat excrement, so that an innocuous end product results from said treatment or, alternatively, a product which can be safely discharged into a foul drain.

Accordingly, the invention provides apparatus for the treatment of excrement, substantially uncontaminated by other debris, comprising a fermentation chamber fitted with means, including a fluid trap, for , receiving the excrement externally of the chamber and delivering the excrement below the microbial crust, and a take-off connection for transferring liquid from below the microbial crust to a settling tank and subsequent disposal.

The apparatus according to the invention can result in the production of a liquid end-product which can be safely discharged into the ground or into a foul drain or other drain as hereinafter described.

The fermentation chamber, in use, will contain the excrement in varying stages of decomposition in suspension in water under substantially anaerobic conditions. The presence of the excrement gives rise to a microbial, substantially a bacterial, crust or skin at the surface of the fermentation medium contained in the fermentation chamber.

The microorganisms breed naturally in the presence of excrement as a source of carbon and other nutrients.

Settling tank herein is synonymous with sedimentation tank and such tanks will be referred to hereinafter collectively as settling tanks. Furthermore, in general, further fermentation will occur in the settling tank such that a microbial crust will form at the surface of the liquid contained therein.

Preferably, the means for receiving the excrement externally of the chamber and delivering said excrement below the microbial crust is a water-sealed S-bend. The introduction of the excrement will be followed by a flushing quantity of water.

Further, preferably, the connection to the settling tank is a hollow T-piece which allows for simultaneous venting of gases above * the microbial crust and transfer of liquid to the settling tank, which liquid transfer occurs automatically. «.

In one embodiment, the settling tank is provided with a take-off connection connectible to a conduit for conveying supernatant liquid to a foul drain or other disposal site.

Preferably, the conduit is provided with a solids filter 5 downstream of the connection to the settling tank, so that the supernatant liquid can be safely discharged into a storm water drain.

The solids filter is suitably a conventional solids filter containing inter alia a source of activated carbon, such as activated charcoal and fibrous vegetable matter such as peat. Such solids filters can be purchased through hardware outlets and other retail outlets. However, such solids filters can be readily constructed in a manner known per se by suitable layering of activated carbon and fibrous vegetable matter. The solids filter also suitably contains an effective amount of an antibacterial agent in granular form and which has a bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect on any bacteria, such as E. coli., present in the partially purified liquid discharged from the apparatus.

Preferably, the conduit is provided with a foul air filter upstream of the connection to the settling tank.

The foul air filters include means for deodorising gases venting from the apparatus.

Such foul air filters are available through hardware and other retail outlets and typically contain activated carbon.

In a preferred embodiment, the fermentation chamber is provided with means for agitating the fermentation medium.

A suitable agitation means comprises a perforated tubing caused to pass through the fermentation chamber and to be periodically flushed with water.

The settling tank is also suitably provided with agitating means of the type hereinbefore described.

In a preferred embodiment, the fermentation chamber and the settling tank each has a take-off for the periodic removal of sludge.

The fermentation chamber and/or the settling tank can each be provided with wheels so that the apparatus can be relocated at will.

In one embodiment, the fermentation chamber, the settling tank and the conduit, if present, are accommodated in a single unit. This embodiment is particularly suitable for persons with limited space, such as persons with small gardens or persons living in apartments.

The fermentation chamber will in most embodiments be fitted with one or more foul air filter(s) for the venting of fermentation gases, e.g. methane. Such foul air filters are as hereinabove described.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention for the treatment of animal excrement; and Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a housing for accommodating apparatus according to the invention as depicted in Fig. 1 in a single unit.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is indicated, generally at 10, apparatus for the on-site treatment of excrement from pets, such as dogs, which excrement is substantially uncontaminated by debris of the type encountered in the case of human excrement, such as paper tissues and the like. However, the excrement may be contaminated with organic matter such as grass, if collected in a garden.

The apparatus 10 consists of an interconnected fermentation chamber 11, a settling tank 12 and a conduit 13 for conveying partially purified liquid in the apparatus 10 to a foul drain (not shown) or other discharge site.

The fermentation chamber 11, has a lid 14 fitted with a watersealed S-bend 15 having an integral excrement receiving funnel 16 at one end, the other end 17 being disposed below the level of the microbial crust 18 for discharge of the excrement and flushing water into the fermentation medium 19. The fermentation chamber 11 is also fitted with a disposable foul air filter 20 which is replaced, as required, in use.

The fermentation chamber 11, has a perforated tube 21 (shown in dotted outline) passing therethrough and which is periodically flushed with water, thereby, causing agitation of the contents of the fermentation chamber 11, assisting in the decomposition of the excrement. The tube 21 has an inlet 22 for receiving a conventional hosepipe and an outlet 23 fitted with a tap 24. Alternatively, the outlet 23 can be fitted with a nozzle to which a hosepipe can be connected, if required.

Sludge, which is no longer foul-smelling, is periodically drawn off via the tap 24 by means of a hosepipe and can be disposed of or, alternatively, spread as manure. The fermentation chamber 11 is also fitted with wheels 25 so that the apparatus 10 can be relocated as desired.

The fermentation chamber 11 is also provided with a connecting pipe 26 which conveys partially purified liquid from below the microbial crust 18 to the settling tank 12. The pipe 26 is provided with a hollow T-piece 27 which conveys liquid through the pipe 26 and gases above the microbial crust 18 for discharge through the foul air filter 20. A stopcock 28 is provided for emptying the fermentation chamber 11 and the removal of any solids.

The settling tank 12 is a closed vessel provided with wheels 29 and a stopcock 30 for emptying thereof and the removal of any solids. The settling tank 12 is fitted with a pipe 31 provided with a hollow Tpiece 32 similar to the T-piece 27 of the fermentation chamber 11 and serving the same function. The settling tank 12 is optionally fitted with a foul air filter.

The pipe 31 conveys supernatant liquid from the settling tank 12 to the conduit 13 which is provided at its upper end 33 with a foul air filter 34 and downstream of the entry of liquid from the pipe 31 with a disposable solids filter 35 which binds any remaining solids in the partially purified liquid prior to discharge through the foul drain or other discharge site.

The liquid by the time it is discharged into the foul drain or other drain is an innocuous, substantially odourless end product.

It will be appreciated that the conduit 13 can be omitted and the liquid from the settling tank 12 discharged directly into a foul drain. The apparatus 10 is particularly suited to occupants of apartments who could discharge the liquid-end product directly into a storm water drain or gulley.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the Drawings, there is indicated, in outline, the construction of a unit 40 for accommodating the fermentation chamber, settling tank and optional conduit of the apparatus according to the invention, each of the three elements being accommodated in one of the three sections 41,42 and 43. The unit 40 will generally be provided with wheels.

Claims

1. j 1. Apparatus for the treatment of excrement, substantially uncontaminated by other debris, comprising a fermentation chamber fitted with means, including a fluid trap, for receiving the excrement 5 externally of the chamber and delivering the excrement below the microbial crust, and a take-off connection for transferring liquid from below the microbial crust to a settling tank and subsequent disposal.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said means is a water-sealed S-bend. 10

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection to the settling tank is a hollow T-piece which allows for simultaneous venting of gases above the microbial crust and transfer of liquid to the settling tank.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the 15 settling tank is provided with a take-off connection connectible to a conduit for conveying supernatant liquid to a foul drain or other disposal site.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the conduit is provided with a solids filter downstream of the connection to the 20 settling tank.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the conduit is provided with a foul air filter upstream of the connection to the settling tank. *

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the 25 fermentation chamber is provided with means for agitating the sludge. n

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the agitation means comprises a perforated tubing caused to pass through the fermentation chamber and to be periodically flushed with water.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fermentation chamber and settling tank each has a take-off for the periodic removal of sludge.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the 5 fermentation chamber and/or the settling tank are each provided with wheels so that the apparatus can be relocated at will.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fermentation chamber is fitted with a foul air filter.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the 10 fermentation chamber, the settling tank and optionally the conduit are accommodated in a single unit.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying Drawings.