WO2010096872A1 - Système de traitement d'eaux usées - Google Patents

Système de traitement d'eaux usées Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010096872A1
WO2010096872A1 PCT/AU2010/000218 AU2010000218W WO2010096872A1 WO 2010096872 A1 WO2010096872 A1 WO 2010096872A1 AU 2010000218 W AU2010000218 W AU 2010000218W WO 2010096872 A1 WO2010096872 A1 WO 2010096872A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
treatment
waste water
water
chamber
treatment chamber
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2010/000218
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
James Dunstone Townsend
Original Assignee
Newtreat Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2009900815A external-priority patent/AU2009900815A0/en
Application filed by Newtreat Pty Ltd filed Critical Newtreat Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2010096872A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010096872A1/fr

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/52—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities
    • C02F1/5209—Regulation methods for flocculation or precipitation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/46—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods
    • C02F1/461—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
    • C02F1/463—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis by electrocoagulation
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/30—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation
    • C02F1/32—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/002—Grey water, e.g. from clothes washers, showers or dishwashers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
    • Y02W10/30—Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies
    • Y02W10/37—Wastewater or sewage treatment systems using renewable energies using solar energy

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to waste water treatment systems. In some aspects, the present invention relates particularly to waste water treatment systems for boats.
  • Waste water may be generated by domestic residences, commercial properties, in industry, in agriculture or by transport vehicles. Efficient and effective processing of waste water has both an environmental and economical impact. Waste water, if improperly treated and released into the environment can have detrimental effects to the environment. For example, waste water including soap scum or detergents released into inland water bodies has the potential to damage ecosystems in and around the water bodies, poses health risks to humans and can result in algal blooms.
  • the present invention provides a waste water treatment system comprising: a holding chamber for receiving waste water; a treatment chamber comprising a flocculation treatment means; and a control system; wherein the control system controls transfer of waste water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber and batch treatment of the waste water in the treatment chamber.
  • the "waste water” contemplated for treatment using the system of the invention may include, for example: grey water (i.e. waste water generated from laundries, kitchens or showers which does not include sewage), black water (i.e. waste-water which contains sewage) or water including one or more contaminants such as chemicals, dyes, heavy metals, or the like.
  • grey water i.e. waste water generated from laundries, kitchens or showers which does not include sewage
  • black water i.e. waste-water which contains sewage
  • water including one or more contaminants such as chemicals, dyes, heavy metals, or the like.
  • the waste water is grey water.
  • a "chamber”, as referred to herein, includes a structure that is capable of holding water and typically comprises at least one inlet and one outlet.
  • the inlets and outlets may connect chambers of the waste water treatment system or may connect a chamber to the outside of the waste water treatment system.
  • water may be held in a chamber and transferred from one chamber to another (such as from a holding chamber to a treatment chamber).
  • the chambers may be substantially enclosed to minimise exposure of the chambers to the environment (i.e. sunlight, rain etc.) and to minimise release of odours.
  • the chambers of the system may be attached to, or located adjacent to, one another or may be separated. However, when separated, the chambers may be in fluid connection such that water may be transferred from one chamber to another.
  • the holding chamber typically includes a waste water inlet that is connectable to a waste water source.
  • the inlet or holding chamber may include a filter, such as a screen, to filter large solid particles prior to entry to the holding chamber.
  • the holding chamber may comprise an activity switch, which is activated once a predetermined level of waste water in the holding chamber is reached and inactivated once the waste water falls below the predetermined level, wherein activation of the activity switch signals to the control system to effect transfer of waste water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber.
  • an activity switch which is activated once a predetermined level of waste water in the holding chamber is reached and inactivated once the waste water falls below the predetermined level, wherein activation of the activity switch signals to the control system to effect transfer of waste water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber.
  • switches that may be used as an activity switch would be evident to a skilled addressee, and may include, for example: float switches; conductivity switches; magnetic switches; vibration switches; hydrostatic switches; pressure switches; ultrasonic switches; laser switches; and microwave level switches.
  • the switch may be as simple as an aperture which is sealed by a valve, which allows water to be transferred from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber once the predetermined level of waste water is reached in the holding - A -
  • the activity switch should be understood as any switch which is sensitive to the level, volume and/or mass of water in the holding chamber.
  • the predetermined level in the holding chamber may be varied to suit particular systems with different holding chamber and treatment chamber volumes.
  • the activity switch may be activated by a relative low volume of water in the holding chamber such that only a low volume of water is retained in the holding chamber.
  • the holding chamber may also comprise a high water level warning switch which is activated once the level of water in the holding chamber reaches a predetermined volume. Activation of the high water level warning switch may signal to the control system to produce an alarm condition which would alert a user of the system to reduce the rate of waste water generation.
  • activation of the activity switch may signal to the control system to effect transfer of waste water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber.
  • waste water may be transferred from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber by a transfer pump which is activated by the control system in response to a signal from the activity switch.
  • the transfer pump once activated in response to a signal from the activity switch, the transfer pump will transfer water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber until the transfer pump is deactivated.
  • activation of the treatment switch may also signal to the control system to deactivate the transfer pump.
  • the transfer pump may be set up to run for a predetermined period of time after activation, thus controlling the volume of waste water pumped from the holding chamber into the treatment chamber.
  • the control system may comprise a timer which deactivates the transfer pump off once the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
  • Different types of pumps may be used for the transfer pump including, for example, impellor pumps, peristaltic pumps, submersible sump pumps, centrifugal pumps, metering pump gear pumps, helical pumps, magnetic drive pumps and the like.
  • the transfer pump may be located within the holding chamber, external to the holding chamber or in the treatment chamber.
  • the waste water treatment system includes a treatment chamber comprising a flocculation treatment means.
  • Flocculation may be used to treat waste water prior to release of the water into the environment.
  • Flocculation is a process whereby a solute comes out of a solution to form floe.
  • Floe may be produced by using flocculating agents.
  • Flocculating agents are often multivalent (including trivalent) cations including, for example, aluminium or ferric cations.
  • the flocculation treatment means comprises an electroflocculation means.
  • An "electroflocculation means" should be understood to include any means which incorporates at least an anode and a cathode each located within the reaction chamber wherein cations which can effect flocculation (eg. multivalent or trivalent cations) are released from the anode when a voltage is applied.
  • the materials used in the electrodes (i.e. the anode and cathode) of the electroflocculation means may be any suitable material. Examples include conductive materials, metals and alloys. In addition, the electrodes should also be as resistant to chemical reaction with the subject waste water as is possible.
  • Typical anode materials include: metals which release trivalent cations which act as coagulating agents when a voltage is applied to the anode, such as iron or aluminium; antimony-lead; platinum; conductive oxide coatings on tantalum or titanium; and the like. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the anode may include a metal that releases cations which act as coagulating agents when a voltage is applied to the anode. In some embodiments, the cations are trivalent cations. In some embodiments, the anode includes iron or aluminium. Cathode materials used may include, for example, cathodic metals such as stainless steel and aluminium.
  • Suitable electroflocculation means include those disclosed in WO 2008/058315, WO 2003/003003 or Australian provisional patent application 2009904897, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the electroflocculation means contemplated by the present invention comprises one or more anodes which may be readily removed from and replaced in the electroflocculation means.
  • one or more anodes may be replaced in the electroflocculation means (once they have been consumed) without requiring replacement of the entire electroflocculation means.
  • the voltage applied to the anode may be adjusted in response to the resistance of the waste water being treated in order to maintain a constant current in the electroflocculation means. In some embodiments, adjustment of the voltage applied to the electroflocculation means is controlled by the control system.
  • the flocculation treatment means may comprise a chemical flocculant which can be added to waste water in the treatment chamber.
  • chemical flocculants include alum, aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium sulfate, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, iron(II) sulfate, iron(III) chloride, polyacrylamide, polyDADMAC, sodium aluminate, sodium silicate, and natural products such as chitosan, isinglass, Mo ⁇ nga oleifera seeds, gelatin, Strychnos potatorum seeds, guar gum, alginates and the like.
  • the treatment chamber may also comprise a treatment switch which is activated once a predetermined level of waste water in the treatment chamber is reached.
  • the activated treatment switch signals to the control system to initiate the flocculation treatment means to treat a batch of waste water in the treatment chamber.
  • activation of the treatment switch may also signal to the control system to deactivate the transfer pump which transfers waste water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber.
  • treatment of the water using the flocculation treatment means should not commence until there is a sufficient volume of water in the treatment chamber. This can be important for allowing efficient operation of the system, as it can be undesirable to run a treatment cycle without an optimal level of waste water in the treatment chamber, as operation of some flocculation treatment means with low water levels can lead to damage to the flocculation treatment means and/or inefficient or ineffective operation.
  • the flocculation treatment means may run for a period of time determined by the control system, which may be adjusted depending on the type of waste water being treated.
  • a timer in the control system deactivates the flocculation treatment means after a set period of time.
  • the treatment chamber may also include one or more sensors to assess the level of one or more contaminants in the waste water and/or the level of floe produced. The sensors may therefore detect when the waste water is treated and thus signal to the control system to deactivate the flocculation treatment means.
  • the flocculation means comprises a chemical flocculation treatment means
  • activation of the treatment switch may signal to the control system to add a chemical flocculant to the waste water in the treatment chamber.
  • the waste water treatment system may further comprise a discharge pump which discharges treated water from the treatment chamber after a batch of waste water has been treated.
  • the water may be discharged from the treatment chamber into the environment, may be discharged into a storage container for further treatment or for reuse, or may be discharged into a further chamber of the waste water treatment system (as described hereafter).
  • the types of pumps used for the discharge pump may be any suitable water pump and may include, for example, the types of pumps listed above in relation to the transfer pump.
  • the discharge pump may be located in the treatment chamber, external to the treatment chamber or in another chamber of the control system (such as the settling chamber as described hereafter).
  • the discharge pump may be activated by the control system at the completion of the flocculation treatment step and, optionally, a post-treatment settling period.
  • a post- treatment settling period refers to a period of time in which water is retained in the treatment chamber after the flocculation treatment step is completed.
  • the post- treatment settling period may allow some or all of the floe suspended in the water in the treatment chamber to sediment out and accumulate on the floor of the treatment chamber, prior to discharge of the treated water from the treatment chamber.
  • the discharge pump is inactivated once the water level in the treatment chamber has dropped below a predetermined level.
  • the treatment chamber may comprise a low water level switch which is activated once the level of water in the treatment chamber drops below a predetermined level, wherein activation of the low water level switch signals to the control system to deactivate the transfer pump.
  • the transfer pump may run for a predetermined period of time after activation and thus control the volume of waste water pumped from the holding chamber into the treatment chamber.
  • the control system may comprise a timer which deactivates the transfer pump once a predetermined period of time has elapsed.
  • Water discharged from the treatment chamber may be discharged into the environment, optionally via one or more filters (as described below). In some embodiments, however, water is discharged from the treatment chamber into a settling chamber in the waste-water treatment system as described hereafter.
  • floe During treatment of waste water in the treatment chamber floe will be generated.
  • floe should be understood to include any coagulated material produced as a result of a flocculation treatment process.
  • the generated floe may be less dense than the waste water being treated and thus float on the surface (referred to as "buoyant floe").
  • Floe may become buoyant by association with a gas.
  • the gas may be a gas produced at the cathode of an electroflocculation apparatus.
  • floe may become buoyant by association with air which may occur during agitation of waste water.
  • the generated floe may be denser than the waste water being treated and thus form sediment.
  • buoyant floe may be disrupted.
  • buoyant floe may be disrupted by the introduction of water (eg. waste water or clean water) into the reaction chamber via an inlet positioned above a high water level in the reaction chamber.
  • water eg. waste water or clean water
  • the "high water level” may mark a maximum water level at which the electroflocculation apparatus may operate or the "high water level” may mark a desired water level in the treatment chamber. In some embodiments, the "high water level” in the treatment chamber is the level of water in the chamber sufficient to activate the treatment switch.
  • Liquid introduced into the chamber via the inlet may disrupt at least a portion of buoyant floe generated during electroflocculation.
  • Buoyant floe present in the treatment chamber when water is introduced via the inlet will usually include buoyant floe remaining from a previous flocculation treatment. However, water may also be introduced via the inlet during flocculation to disrupt buoyant floe as it is produced.
  • Buoyant floe may be disrupted by dissociating a gas from the floe. Dissociation of a gas from the floe increases the density of the floe and increases the likelihood of the floe sedimenting to the bottom of the reaction chamber. Buoyant floe may also be disrupted by breaking up clumps of floe on the surface or the compaction of floe.
  • disrupted floe is of greater density than buoyant floe.
  • the density of the disrupted floe should be sufficient for it to become non-buoyant and therefore sediment on the floor of the treatment chamber.
  • the inlet may be any type of inlet that allows the introduction of liquid into the chamber in a manner to disrupt at least a portion of buoyant floe generated during electroflocculation.
  • the inlet may comprise one or more jets, nozzles or sprayers.
  • the one or more jets, nozzles or sprayers may be arranged so that liquid is applied to substantially the entire surface of liquid in the reaction chamber.
  • the inlet may be positioned anywhere above the high water level including, for example, on the ceiling of the reaction chamber, on one or more walls of the reaction chamber above the high water level, or in a headspace of the treatment chamber above the high water level.
  • Sedimented floe may accumulate in the treatment chamber.
  • the waste water treatment system may also further comprise a scour pump for pumping sedimented floe out of the treatment chamber.
  • removal of sedimented floe may be advantageously performed during cleaning of the system and/or prior to shutting down the system.
  • Sedimented floe may be pumped to a dedicated floe holding cell or to other waste receptacle.
  • the scour pump may be any suitable type of pump, including those hereinbefore described with reference to the transfer pump, with the proviso that the pump used should be able to pump water containing sedimented floe.
  • the scour pump may be located within the treatment chamber, external to the treatment chamber or in another chamber of the waste water treatment system.
  • the system of the present invention may also include chambers in addition to the holding chamber and treatment chamber as hereinbefore described.
  • the system may further comprise a settling chamber into which treated water is transferred after treatment in the treatment chamber.
  • the waste water treatment system further comprises a settling chamber which receives treated water discharged from the treatment chamber.
  • Water may be held in the settling chamber after treatment in the treatment chamber to allow further time for any insoluble floe or other material in the treated water to sediment or settle out. Such insoluble material will then accumulate on the floor of the settling chamber. Water may then be pumped out of the settling chamber from above the level of the settled out material in the settling chamber. In some embodiments, water is pumped out from the settling chamber through one or more filters and/or sanitisation steps before being released into the environment.
  • the duration that water is held in the settling chamber is determined by the rate that water is being transferred into and/or treated in the treatment chamber. For example, in some embodiments, water is discharged from the settling chamber before, and in some embodiments immediately before, water from the treatment chamber is to be discharged into the settling chamber. This may be effected by the control system controlling the activity of the discharge pump and the second discharge pump described hereafter.
  • the volume of the settling chamber is typically at least equal to or greater than the volume of the treatment chamber such that a full volume of the treatment chamber may be discharged into the settling chamber. In some embodiments, however, the settling chamber may have a larger volume than the treatment chamber such that one or more volumes of the treatment chamber may be held in the settling chamber.
  • the waste water treatment system may further comprise one or more additional treatment phases.
  • the waste water treatment system may further comprise a filtration phase through which water is passed before being expelled from the waste water treatment system.
  • the types of filters used to filter water after treatment include any filter that is able to remove impurities from the water.
  • the impurities may be impurities that were already in the waste water (including those previously mentioned herein) and not removed by the flocculation means or may be residual floe remaining in the treated water. Accordingly, as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, different filters may be used depending on the expected impurities and the desired level of purity of water discharged from the system (i.e. if the water is to be reused, a higher level of purity may be desired than if the water is to be released into the environment).
  • Filters may include, for example, sieves, activated carbon filters, metallic alloy filters, microporous ceramic filters, and ultrafiltration membranes.
  • the filtration phase comprises activated carbon filtration.
  • the waste water treatment system further comprises a sanitization phase through which water is passed before being expelled from the waste water treatment system.
  • sanitisation should be understood as any method used for the disinfection or sterilisation of the water.
  • the sanitisation phase in the system of the present invention generally reduces the number and/or concentration of viable microorganisms in waste water before release into the environment. Methods for the sanitisation of water are known in the art, and any such processes may be used in the system. Examples of suitable sanitization methods include UV treatment, ozonation, chlorination and the like.
  • Water may be discharged from the settling chamber using a second discharge pump which may be a pump as hereinbefore described.
  • the waste water treatment system also includes a control system which, among other things, controls transfer of waste water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber and the treatment of batches of waste water in the treatment chamber, as previously described.
  • the control system may be a simple control system or a complex control system.
  • “Simple” control systems include mechanical, hydraulic or electrical linkages between two or more components of the system, for example between a switch and a pump.
  • “Complex” control systems may include, for example, electronic controls which are programmable and/or programmable computer-based control systems.
  • control system receives input data from one or more of the switches in the waste water system and, in response to these inputs, can output instructions to one or more of the pumps in the waste water treatment system and/or output instructions to the flocculation means, as hereinbefore described.
  • control system is a programmable control system
  • control system may also perform a number of additional functions.
  • waste water may be retained in the holding chamber for significant periods of time and may become septic if left untreated.
  • Septic water being retained in the holding chamber is undesirable as it can result in the production of odours and/or can make the treatment of the waste water more difficult.
  • sepsis of waste water can be prevented by chemical means, this can be undesirable given that the chemicals may need to be removed later during the treatment of the waste water.
  • potential problems associated with storage of water in the holding chamber may be ameliorated by setting the activity switch such that it is activated by a relatively low volume of water in the holding chamber. Thus, large volumes of water are not retained in the holding chamber for extended periods of time.
  • the control system may initiate the topping up of waste water in the holding chamber with water to a level sufficient to activate the activity switch and, optionally, to a level sufficient to initiate the treatment of one or more batches of water in the treatment chamber as hereinbefore described.
  • the waste water in the holding chamber may be topped up with waste water or non- waste water (i.e. mains water, rainwater, bore water, river water, sea water, etc).
  • the predetermined period of time is typically set to be less than that which is required for the waste water to turn septic.
  • the period of time that is required for waste water to turn septic depends on a number of factors including, for example, the temperature, volume of waste water, volume of the chamber, pH of the waste water, and the level of microorganisms initially in the waste water.
  • the time taken for waste water in waste water treatment systems to turn septic may be readily determined by those of skill in the art.
  • control system may further comprise a timer which is started by the activity switch becoming inactive. Once the timer reaches a preset value, the timer may initiate the topping up of waste water in the holding chamber with water to activate the activity switch. In some embodiments, the preset value is between one hour and 48 hours.
  • control system may initiate a top up of the water in the holding chamber by displaying an alarm condition to prompt a user of the system to add water, such as additional waste water, to the holding chamber.
  • the waste water treatment system may further comprise a top-up pump to top up the level of the waste water in the holding chamber with water.
  • the top-up pump may be connected to a source of water suitable for topping up the holding chamber such as, for example, mains water, a rainwater storage container, a bore water supply or storage container, river water, sea water or the like.
  • a top up pump may also be used to introduce water into the treatment chamber via an inlet above the high water level in order to disrupt buoyant floe present in the treatment chamber.
  • the control system may also perform a shut down procedure.
  • the shut down procedure may comprise filling the holding chamber with 'clean' water (or non-waste water) to a level sufficient to activate the activity switch and allow a final batch of clean water to be treated in the treatment system. In this regard, the chance of septic conditions developing in the holding chamber during periods of inactivity is reduced.
  • waste water will continue to be transferred from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber and treated until the activity switch is deactivated, before the shut down procedure will be performed. This allows any waste water in the system to be treated and expelled before the shut down procedure is performed and thus reduces the potential for septic conditions to develop.
  • the shut down procedure further involves pumping all water from the holding chamber to the treatment chamber, thereby emptying the holding chamber.
  • the treatment chamber may continue to process the transferred water and, if required, the water level in the treatment chamber may be topped up with water from an external source.
  • the shut down procedure may treat and remove substantially all the waste water from the waste water treatment system and thereby allow the waste water treatment system to be stored in an empty state.
  • the system may also allow a periodic maintenance protocol to be performed, wherein the protocol comprises treating a batch of 'clean' water through the waste-water treatment system and discharging sedimented floe in the treatment chamber and/or settling chamber via the scour pump(s).
  • the periodic maintenance protocol may be used to clean the waste water treatment system.
  • the periodic maintenance protocol may be used in conjunction with the shut down procedure.
  • the waste water treatment system of the present invention may be adapted for use with a boat to treat waste water produced on the boat.
  • the system may be located within the boat or may be adapted to be towed by the boat.
  • the holding chamber may comprise an existing waste water or grey water storage chamber on the boat.
  • the treatment chamber and, optionally, the settling chamber may be located separately.
  • the holding chamber may be located below the deck of the boat, while the treatment chamber and, optionally, the settling chamber may be located on or above the deck of the boat.
  • the waste water treatment system may be connectable to a boat such that, when the boat is floating in the water, the weight of the waste water treatment system is substantially supported by the buoyancy of the waste water treatment system in the water.
  • substantially supported in reference to the weight of the water treatment system is to be understood to mean that the combined weight of the water treatment system (including the housing), any water within the treatment system, and any other component associated with the water treatment system, is substantially counteracted by the upward buoyant force acting on the water treatment system when located in the water.
  • a boat capable of benefiting from the waste water treatment system of the present invention may be any watercraft that has on board facilities for the generation of waste water, including houseboats, motorboats, and sailboats.
  • the boat may further be a single hulled or a multi-hulled boat, including a pontoon style boat.
  • the waste water treatment system of the present invention may also be used for land- based waste water treatment including, for example, industrial, mining, agricultural, commercial or domestic use.
  • the waste water treatment system of the present invention may also be adapted for use in land-based vehicles including, for example, cars, buses, trucks, trains and the like.
  • the present invention also provides a method for treating waste water to remove one or more contaminants, the method comprising treating the waste water with a waste water treatment system according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the waste water is grey water.
  • Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional drawing of a waste water treatment system, according to an embodiment of the invention, for use with a boat.
  • Figure 2 shows a drawing of the waste water treatment system illustrated in Figure 1, viewed from above.
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-section drawing of the waste water treatment system illustrated in Figure 1, the cross-section taken from plane a ( Figure 1).
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a waste water treatment system for a boat.
  • Waste water treatment system 10 comprises two holding chambers 12 in fluid connection through balance tube 18. Waste water 13 from a boat (not illustrated) connected to the waste water treatment system 10, enters holding chambers 12 through waste water inlet 16. Balance tube 18 allows the level of water 13 in each chamber 12 to equilibrate to the same level, thus providing balance to the waste water treatment system in the water.
  • the housing of the waste water treatment system 10 is a hull, comprising a tapered bow. The arrangement of holding chambers 12 exerts minimal effect on the boat or waste water treatment system 10 trim as holding chambers 12 fill and empty.
  • treatment chamber 14 is located intermediate holding chambers 12.
  • activity switch 24 is activated and initiates the transfer of a batch of waste water 13 from holding chamber 12 to treatment chamber 14 via transfer pump 20.
  • Transfer pump 20 transfers a batch of waste water 13 to treatment chamber 14, such that the level of waste water transferred reaches and activates treatment switch 26.
  • treatment switch 26 activates flocculation treatment means 34 (illustrated in Figure 3) to treat the batch of waste water 13 in treatment chamber 14.
  • activated treatment switch 26 also inactivates transfer pump 20 to halt the transfer of waste water 13 into treatment chamber 14.
  • transfer pump 20 may be set to run for a predetermined period, so as to allow a predetermined volume of waste water 13 to be transferred to treatment chamber 14 to activate treatment switch 26.
  • treatment chamber 14 comprises two treatment portions 15 separated by floe holding cell 38. Waste water 13 may be pumped into one or both treatment portions 15, as each treatment portion 15 is capable of independent operation.
  • flocculation treatment means 34 begins treating waste water 13. Impurities in waste water 13 form buoyant floe 40 which rises to the top of waste water 13 or non-buoyant floe (not illustrated) which sediments at the bottom of treatment chamber 14. Buoyant floe 40 rises in treatment chamber 14 and enters floe holding cell 38 as indicated by arrow b. Buoyant floe 40 is thus substantially separated from waste water 13 and floe 40 settles in floe holding cell 38.
  • the batch is pumped from treatment chamber 14 by water discharge pump 28. The water pumped from treatment chamber 14 is passed through a filter (not illustrated) and may then be stored or released into the environment.
  • Figure 1 illustrates activity switch 24 in an active state, as the level of waste water 13 is above the switch.
  • Activity switch 24 will remain activated until the level of waste water 13 falls below the level of activity switch 24. Accordingly, transfer of waste water 13 from holding chamber 12 to treatment chamber 14, and treatment of the batches of waste water, will continue until the level of waste water 13 drops below activity switch 24, thereby inactivating activity switch 24.
  • the control system further comprises a timer (not shown), which is started by activity switch 24 becoming inactive. Once the timer reaches a preset value, the timer initiates the topping up of waste water 13 in holding chamber 12, using top-up pump 22, to activate activity switch 24.
  • the preset value may be modified to suit. In some embodiments, the preset value is between one hour and 48 hours. Topping up waste water 13, therefore initiates the batch transfer and treatment of waste water 13 that has resided in holding chamber 12 for longer than a predetermined period of time.
  • waste water treatment system 10 When waste water treatment system 10 is shut down, waste water treatment system 10 performs a shut down procedure comprising filling holding chamber 12 with water to a level sufficient to activate activity switch 24 to allow a final batch of water to be run through system 10. If activity switch 24 is already activated when the shut down procedure begins (i.e. there is already a high level of waste water 13 in holding chamber 12), batches of waste water 13 will continue to be transferred from holding chamber 12 to treatment chamber 14 and treated until activity switch 24 is deactivated, before the shut down procedure will be performed. Once the final batch of water is run through system 10, the system shuts down and the battery (not illustrated) is isolated.
  • Cleaning sprayers 36 may be used to clean holding chambers 12 and/or treatment chamber 14, thereby enabling waste water treatment system 10 to be easily cleaned. Cleaning sprayers 36 are connected to an external pressure water source. In some embodiments, cleaning sprayers 36 may be used to disrupt buoyant floe 40 and promote sedimentation of the floe to the floor of treatment chamber 14.
  • Treatment chamber 14 also comprises scour pump 30, which pumps liquids from treatment chamber 14 to floe holding cell 38. Scour pump 30 is used during shut down and periodic maintenance to substantially remove all liquid and sedimented floe from treatment chamber 14.
  • Floe holding cell 38 is connected to floe disposal pipe 32.
  • Floe disposal pipe 32 includes floe disposal pipe connector 33 which may be connected to a vacuum (not illustrated) to remove floe 40 from waste water treatment system 10.
  • Waste water treatment system 10 allows a periodic maintenance protocol to be performed.
  • the protocol comprises activating one or more chamber cleaning sprayers 36, filling holding chamber 12 with water to a level sufficient to activate activity switch 24. Water 13 is then transferred from holding chamber 12 to treatment chamber 14 by transfer pump 20, and treated. After the treated water is pumped from treatment chamber 14 by discharge pump 28, residual liquids from treatment chamber 14 are pumped to floe holding cell 38 by scour pump 30 and the contents of floe holding cell 38 (i.e. floe 40 and any liquid) are removed through floe disposal pipe 32.
  • Waste water treatment system 10 requires minimal attention from the boat operator. Once turned on and connected to the boat, waste water treatment system 10 will treat waste water 13 produced from the boat in a batch fashion before releasing the treated water into the environment. Waste water treatment system 10 automatically responds to periods of low waste water production to prevent septic conditions developing in holding chambers 12 and treatment chamber 14. The system is also easy to clean and maintain.
  • Waste water treatment system for use with a boat - II
  • FIG. 4 A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a waste water treatment system in accordance with the present invention for use with a boat, particularly a houseboat, is illustrated in Figure 4.
  • holding chamber 120 is a grey water receiving vessel on the boat
  • treatment chamber 140 and settling chamber 180 are located adjacent to each other on the deck of the boat.
  • transfer pump 160 may be a submersible pump located in the holding chamber
  • discharge pump 162 and second discharge pump 164 may also be submersible pumps located in the treatment chamber and settling chamber, respectively.
  • Scour pumps 162 and 164 may also be submersible pumps located in the treatment chamber and settling chamber, respectively
  • the waste water treatment system comprises a holding chamber 120.
  • the holding chamber 120 may be an existing waste water receiving container of the boat and this container may be located below the deck of the boat.
  • Activity switch 122 is set such that it is activated by a relatively low volume of water 130 in holding chamber 120. In this way, a large volume of water 130 is not retained in holding chamber 120 for extended periods of time and thus reducing the chances of septic conditions developing in the holding chamber 120.
  • the holding chamber may also comprise a high water level warning switch 124 which is activated when the holding chamber is full or close to full with waste water.
  • High water level warning switch 124 signals to the control system 150 to display an alarm condition 170 which signals to a user of the waste water treatment system to slow or cease waste water production.
  • the waste water treatment system will continue to treat waste water 130 and reduce the level of waste water 130 in the holding chamber 120 (described in detail below). Once the level of waste water 130 in the holding chamber
  • a treatment chamber 140 may be located on the deck of the boat.
  • a signal is sent to the control system 150 to transfer waste water 130 from holding chamber 120 to treatment chamber 140 via transfer pump 160.
  • Transfer pump 160 transfers a waste water 130 to treatment chamber 140 while the water level in the holding chamber 120 is sufficient to activate the activity switch 122. Transfer of water by transfer pump 160 is deactivated once the level of water in treatment chamber 140 is sufficient to activate treatment switch 142. Activation of treatment switch 142 signals to the control system 150 to deactivate transfer pump 160.
  • treatment switch 142 also signals to the control system 150 to activate electroflocculation means 144 to treat the batch of waste water 130 in treatment chamber 140.
  • the electroflocculation means 144 comprises one or more iron or aluminium anodes.
  • Fe 3+ or Al 3+ cations are produced at the anode, while hydrogen gas is produced at cathode.
  • the cations react with contaminants in the waste water 130 to produce floe, which may or may not associate with the hydrogen gas produced at cathode of the electroflocculation means 144.
  • Floe which associates with the hydrogen gas will have a low density and may float to the top surface of waste water 130 as buoyant floe (as described above). Floe that does not associate with enough hydrogen gas to make it less dense than waste water 130 is non-buoyant floe.
  • Non-buoyant floe sediments to the bottom of treatment chamber 140 to form sedimented floe or sludge.
  • Waste water is introduced into treatment chamber 140 via inlet jets 146 which are located above the treatment switch 142. Waste water 130 is introduced into treatment chamber 140 via inlet jets 146 in order to disrupt any buoyant floe remaining in treatment chamber 140 (typically from an earlier batch treatment). The disruption may compact buoyant floe and/or remove gas bubbles or pockets between buoyant floe particles. Disruption of buoyant floe generally promotes sedimentation of the floe where it becomes amenable to removal via a scour pump (see later).
  • treated water is removed from the treatment chamber via discharge pump 162. Discharge of treated water via discharge pump 162 continues until the water level in treatment chamber 140 is low enough to activate low water level switch 148.
  • Water is discharged from treatment chamber 140 to settling chamber 180 via discharge pump 162. Water remains in settling chamber 180 until a further batch of water is due to be pumped into settling chamber 180.
  • water is pumped out of settling chamber 180 by second discharge pump 164 and this process is initiated by control system 150 at a time before completion of electroflocculation in treatment chamber 140 such that settling chamber 180 is empty before a later batch of water is water is pumped from treatment chamber 140 into settling chamber 180 by discharge pump 162. While standing in the settling chamber 180, further floe and/or other insoluble material may settle out of the water and sediment on the floor of settling chamber 180.
  • second discharge pump 164 is activated by control system 150. Water is then pumped out of the settling chamber until low water level switch 182 signals to the control system 150 to deactivate second discharge pump 164.
  • Second discharge pump 164 pumps water through a filtration phase 190 and a UV sanitisation phase 192 before the treated water is released into the environment.
  • Treatment chamber 140 also comprises scour pump 166, which pumps liquids from treatment chamber 140 to a waste receptacle (not shown).
  • a second scour pump 168 may also be present to remove liquids and sedimented material from settling chamber 180.
  • the waste receptacle may be a black water receptacle on a boat.
  • Scour pumps 166, 168 may be used during shut down and periodic maintenance to substantially remove all liquid, including liquid containing sedimented floe, from treatment chamber 140 and settling chamber 180.
  • the treatment chamber 140 and settling chamber 180 may also include switches 149, 183 to detect potential failure of the scour pumps 166, 168. These scour pump failure switches 149, 183 signal to the control system 150 when the water level of the treatment chamber 140 or settling chamber 180 has dropped below the level signalled by the respective low water level switches 148, 182.
  • control system 150 is programmed such that a signal should be received from scour pump failure switch 149 or 183 after activation of scour pump 166 or 168, respectively. If a signal is not received after a set period of time, control system 150 will generate an error condition 185 that signals to a user of the system that an error has occurred with scour pump 166 and/or 168.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Separation Of Suspended Particles By Flocculating Agents (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des systèmes de traitement d'eaux usées. Dans certains aspects, la présente invention concerne en particulier des systèmes de traitement d'eaux usées destinés à des bateaux.
PCT/AU2010/000218 2009-02-25 2010-02-25 Système de traitement d'eaux usées WO2010096872A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009900815A AU2009900815A0 (en) 2009-02-25 Waste water treatment system
AU2009900815 2009-02-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010096872A1 true WO2010096872A1 (fr) 2010-09-02

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108249648A (zh) * 2018-03-27 2018-07-06 上海工程技术大学 一种多级污水电絮凝处理系统

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3844946A (en) * 1970-03-11 1974-10-29 Environment One Corp Aerobic wastewater treatment system with partial reuse and infrequent dosing to soil
US3920550A (en) * 1972-09-21 1975-11-18 Environment One Corp Process and equipment for automatic chemical-biological wastewater treatment with provisions for recycle and reuse
US5938918A (en) * 1997-08-07 1999-08-17 Kidd; William J. Domestic water clarifier
US20070158276A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-12 Navalis Environmental Systems, Llc Method and Apparatus for Sequenced Batch Advanced Oxidation Wastewater Treatment

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3844946A (en) * 1970-03-11 1974-10-29 Environment One Corp Aerobic wastewater treatment system with partial reuse and infrequent dosing to soil
US3920550A (en) * 1972-09-21 1975-11-18 Environment One Corp Process and equipment for automatic chemical-biological wastewater treatment with provisions for recycle and reuse
US5938918A (en) * 1997-08-07 1999-08-17 Kidd; William J. Domestic water clarifier
US20070158276A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-12 Navalis Environmental Systems, Llc Method and Apparatus for Sequenced Batch Advanced Oxidation Wastewater Treatment

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108249648A (zh) * 2018-03-27 2018-07-06 上海工程技术大学 一种多级污水电絮凝处理系统
CN108249648B (zh) * 2018-03-27 2023-09-26 上海工程技术大学 一种多级污水电絮凝处理系统

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