An Apparatus And Method For Delivery Of A Flocculant To A
Liquid Stream
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing containments from waste water. In particular, the invention relates to the removal of concrete sediment from contaminated waste water flowing from a concrete cutting, sawing and/or drilling operation by delivering a flocculant to the waste stream.
Background of he Invention
After a concrete cutting, sawing and/or drilling operation a large amount of contaminated waste water (or liquid) congregates in pools or flows into ran-offs away from the site of the operation (contamination source). This is caused by large amounts of water or other liquid being used with the concrete cutting, sawing and/or drilling machines to reduce the temperature of the cutting edge, lubricate the cutting surface and/or remove displaced particles of concrete or sediment away from the operation site. Thus, the water leaving the operation site becomes contaminated.
In an attempt to be environmentally friendly it is known to place a polyacrylamide flocculant in the form of a solid "gel block" into pools of contaminated waste water. These "flock blocks" slowly dissolve and remove the suspended solids from the water. They can also be placed in the path of a water stream, where the flock block is either placed inside an open net type cage or open weave bag which is secured to the ground. The flock block is placed therefore in a zone where the water flows freely around it. The block slowly dissolves and the polymer chains are released into the water attaching themselves to any suspended particles. These suspended solids then settle to the bottom where they can be removed as sludge. Flock blocks are non-toxic to fish and aquatic life allowing the treated water to be discharged to rivers or streams.
The disadvantage of known apparatus and processes are that the flock block is randomly placed and may not be in all streams of waste water leading from the contamination source and thus the block will not dissolve into all of the contaminated waste water. Further, the known apparatus are easily lost or damaged and it is not easy to replace the flock block within.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method to ensure that substantially all contaminated waste water contains at least some flocculant to ensure that substantially all contaminates are removed.
Object of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.
Summary of the Invention
There is firstly disclosed herein an apparatus for delivery of a flocculant to a liquid stream, said apparatus including: a container enclosing a chamber; a baffle extending across the chamber so as to divide the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, the baffle including passages providing for the flow of said liquid from said first sub-chamber to said second sub-chamber; an inlet in said container extending to said first sub-chamber for the delivery of said liquid thereto; an outlet in said container extending from said second sub-chamber; and wherein said container is adapted to enable replenishment of a block of flocculant in said first sub- chamber so that the liquid passing from said inlet to said outlet via said first sub-chamber and then said second sub-chamber dissolves the flocculant.
Preferably, said container includes a lid securable to a body enclosing said chamber and through which said flocculant can be placed in said first sub-chamber.
Preferably, a portion of said inlet and said outlet are located within said lid.
Preferably, said inlet includes a tube between said lid and said baffle such that said liquid is deliverable to said first sub-chamber.
Preferably, said tube and said baffle are integrally formed.
Preferably, said container includes a pressure relief valve.
Preferably, said apparatus is attached to a concrete cutting, sawing or drilling machine.
A method for delivery of a flocculant to a liquid stream, said method including the steps of: placing an apparatus upstream of a contamination source so that the liquid stream passes through said apparatus to flow to said source; said apparatus including: a
container enclosing a chamber; a baffle extending across the chamber so as to divide the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, the baffle including passages providing for the flow of said liquid from said first sub-chamber to said second sub- chamber; an inlet in said container extending to said first sub-chamber for the delivery of said liquid thereto; an outlet in said container extending from said second sub-chamber; and wherein said container is adapted to enable replenishment of a block of flocculant in said first sub-chamber so that the liquid passing from said inlet to said outlet via said first sub-chamber and then said second sub-chamber dissolves the flocculant; placing a block of flocculant within said first sub-chamber; connecting a liquid source to the inlet of said apparatus; connecting the outlet of said apparatus into fluid communication with said contamination source; and delivering liquid through said apparatus such that liquid passing from said inlet to said outlet via said first sub-chamber and then said second sub-chamber dissolves the flocculant into said liquid.
Preferably, said apparatus is attached to a concrete cutting, sawing or drilling machine.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:
Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus for delivery of a flocculant according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
In the figure, there is disclosed an apparatus for delivery of a flocculant to a liquid stream. The apparatus 1 includes a container 5 enclosing a chamber 10. A baffle 15 extends across the chamber 10 so as to divide the chamber into a first sub-chamber 10a and a second sub-chamber 10b. The baffle 15 includes passages 20 providing for the flow of liquid from the first sub-chamber 10a to the second sub-chamber 10b. An inlet 25 in the container 5 extends to the first sub-chamber 10a for the delivery of liquid thereto. An outlet 30 in the container 5 extends from the second sub-chamber 10b. The container 5 includes a lid 35 securable to a body 40 enclosing the first and second sub-chambers 10a and 10b. The inlet 25 is preferably partially located within the lid 35 and includes a
tube 45 extending between the lid 35 and the baffle 15 such that the liquid is delivered to the first sub-chamber 10a. In the preferred form, the tube 45 is integrally formed with the baffle 20 and removable from the container 5 such that access can be gained to the first sub-chamber 10a.
In use, the apparatus 1 is utilised for the delivery of a flocculant to a liquid stream. The apparatus 1 as discussed above, is upstream of a contamination source such as a concrete cutting, sawing and/or drilling machine (not shown) so that the liquid stream passes through the apparatus 1 to flow to the source. In a preferred form, the apparatus 1. is attached to the machine by use of a bracket or any other common attachment means. The lid 35 is unscrewed from the body 40 of the container 5 and the tube 45 and baffle 20 are removed. A block of flocculant (not shown) is then placed at the bottom of the container 5 in the first chamber 10a and the baffle 15 and tube 45 are placed back into the container 5 and the lid 35 secured in place. A liquid source (not shown) such as a hose is connected to the inlet 25 of the apparatus 1 and the outlet 30 of the apparatus 1 is placed in fluid communication with a contamination source. The liquid source can now be turned on such that the liquid is delivered through the apparatus 1 such that liquid passing from the inlet 25 to the outlet 30 via the first sub-chamber 10a and then through the baffle 20 to the second sub-chamber 10b and to the outlet 30 dissolves the flocculant within the liquid. The mixture of the liquid and flocculant flows to the contamination source upstream of the operation site. Accordingly, all liquid flowing from the operation site will include at least some dissolved flocculant when the block of flocculant is substantially dissolved, the liquid source can be turned off, the lid 35 removed from the body 40, the baffle 20 and hose 45 removed and a new block of flocculant placed in the first sub-chamber 10a. The process can be repeated as many times as necessary.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.