WO2017216666A1

WO2017216666A1 - Process and system for sewage water treatment and dispersal

Info

Publication number: WO2017216666A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/053192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Eligio LOBO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-17
Filing date: 2017-05-31
Publication date: 2017-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-17

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a process for sewage water treatment and dispersal and a system for the same. The process for sewage treatment and dispersal comprises receiving the sewage water in a tank. The sewage water is periodically circulated and aerated using the recirculated water. Further, the circulated and aerated sewage in the tank is selectively dozed by using effective micro-organisms to obtain dozed sewage water. The so obtained dozed sewage water is settled to obtain compost sewage water. The first portion of the compost sewage water is recirculated to the tank and the second portion of the compost sewage water is dispersed to the rootlets of plants. The sewage treatment and dispersal system of the present disclosure comprise two parts, first part receiving sewage in a bio-reaction tank, and treating the same by re-circulation, dozing and aeration and the second part of dispersing this treated compost sewage water through a conduit to multiple dispersal outlets situated next to the rootlets of trees and plants.

Description

PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR SEWAGE WATER TREATMENT AND DISPERSAL

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a process and system for sewage water treatment & dispersal.

DEFINITIONS As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.

The expression 'STADS' for the purpose of the present disclosure refers to a "sewage treatment and dispersal system". The expression 'EM' for the purpose of the present disclosure refers to "effective microorganisms".

The expression 'CFU' for the purpose of the present disclosure refers to "colony forming units".

The expression 'STP' for the purpose of the present disclosure refers to "sewage treatment plants".

The expression ΈΤΡ' for the purpose of the present disclosure refers to "effluent treatment plants".

The expression "Eco-toxicity' refers to the potential for biological, chemical, or physical stressors to affect ecosystems. BACKGROUND

Sewage is water-carried waste, in solution or suspension that is intended to be removed. It consists mostly of greywater (from sinks, tubs, showers, dishwashers, and clothes washers); black water (the water used to flush toilets, combined with the human waste); soaps and detergents; and toilet paper. Sewage water contains a complex mixture of chemicals, and pathogens that can transmit diseases to humans and animals. Sewage water also contains organic matter that can cause odor and attract flies. Further, sewage contains nutrients that may cause eutrophication of the receiving water bodies; and can lead to eco-toxicity.

Worldwide, a huge quantity of sewage water is generated daily, which has to be treated before being discharged into water bodies. Sewage treatment is carried out to remove the contaminants from sewage water and produce liquid and solid (sludge), suitable for discharging into the environment or for reuse. Sewage treatment plants treat the sewage before being discharged into the environment. However, these treatment plants use large amounts of chemicals, which are detrimental to the environment.

Currently, the treated sewage water from STPs and ETPs is discharged into the sea or the nearest river. However, such water is chlorinated and devoid of beneficial micro-organisms and therefore, has a detrimental effect on aquatic life. Further, statistics and various audits from reliable groups show that there is an endemic failure of these STP/ETP plants due to various reasons.

Because of this various alternative approaches were devised for treating sewage, such as, reed absorption, soil bio-technology, use of earthworms, and the like. However, these approaches require a large space, are expensive to build, and are labor intensive.

Therefore, there is felt a need to provide a system and a process for sewage treatment and dispersal that overcomes the drawbacks mentioned herein above.

OBJECTS Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Another object of the present disclosure is to treat sewage water as a valuable resource that can be used effectively and in totality, to ameliorate the huge scarcity of water and also recycle the huge amounts of nutrients available in the sewage water for reviving the greening of the world, which will then impact global warming favorably.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a process and a system for sewage treatment. Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a process and a system for sewage water dispersal which is simple, environmentally friendly and cost effective.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a process for sewage treatment & dispersal and a system for the same.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a process for sewage water treatment and dispersal is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of receiving sewage water in a tank, allowing natural settling of sediments/entrained material, dispersed in the sewage water, in the tank to obtain substantially sediment free sewage water, screening the substantially sediment free sewage water by filtering means to obtain a substantially clean sewage water, periodically pumping the substantially clean sewage water through a connecting means, wherein the substantially clean sewage water is selectively dozed with effective micro-organisms, wherein the amount of the effective micro-organisms dozed is in the range of 500 ml to 1000 ml per person per month for a time period in the range of 1 hour to 2 hours and at time intervals in the range of 4 hours to 5 hours, to obtain dozed sewage water; aerating the dozed sewage water, preferably by air, to obtain aerated dozed sewage water, and re-circulating the aerated dozed sewage water back to the tank, allowing natural mixing of the aerated dozed sewage water with the sewage water contained within the tank to obtain mixed sewage water, repeating step settling to obtain mixed treated sewage water, screening the mixed treated sewage water by filtering means to obtain clear compost sewage water, recirculating a first/one portion of the clear compost sewage water into the tank by repeating the steps periodically pumping substantially clear sewage water and dozing it, aerating and circulating the aerated dozed sewage water to tank; and dispersing a second/another portion of the clear compost sewage water at a predetermined flow rate, into a plurality of dispersal pits for a predetermined time period and at predetermined time intervals, for absorption of the clear compost treated sewage water by the rootlets of plants, wherein the plants are adapted to absorb the clear compost treated sewage water; wherein the clear compost sewage water comprises beneficial nutrients and micro-nutrients and wherein the soil also receives a host of beneficial bacteria that further helps in breakdown of nutrients in the localized area around the rootlets, specific to the demands of that location to make the nutrients and micro-nutrients more adaptable to be absorbed by the plants.

The plurality of dispersal pits is disposed proximal to the rootlets of plants and are filled with rough, porous stones for facilitating the proliferation the effective micro-organisms and maintaining the space for the clear compost treated sewage water to pass therethrough. Further, the plurality of pits can be covered with a plastic sheet to ensure that mud does not fill the spaces, over which top soil is disposed to blend with the environment.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the effective micro-organism is at least one selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus lactis, Rhodopseudomonas palustrus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis, Streptomyces albus, and Streptomyces griseus.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a sewage treatment and dispersal system to carry out the process mentioned hereinabove is provided. The system comprises a tank for receiving and storing the sewage water, the at least one tank having a first inlet configured thereon for receiving the sewage water therethrough, a second inlet configured thereon for receiving recirculated, aerated dozed sewage water therethrough, a dozer in fluid communication through the connecting means with the tank via the second inlet, the dozer configured to selectively doze effective micro-organisms into the substantially clean sewage water to obtain dozed sewage water, at least one first pump configured to pump a first/one portion of the clear compost sewage water from the filtering means, from a first operative end portion of the tank to a second operative end portion of the tank through the second inlet, at least one second pump configured to pump a second portion of the clear compost sewage water to the plurality of dispersal pits via connecting means, a venturi configured to aerate the first portion of the dozed sewage water by drawing air via a conduit to obtain the aerated dozed sewage water, which is circulated back to the tank, a dispersing unit in fluid communication with the at least one second pump via at least one conduit, the dispersing unit configured to selectively disperse the second portion of clear compost sewage water into at least one of the plurality of dispersal pits at a predetermined rate.

Further, a first partition and a second partition can be disposed in the tank to configure a collection chamber between a first side wall of the tank and the first partition, the collection chamber adapted to receive the sewage water via the first inlet, a settling chamber between the first partition and the second partition, the settling chamber adapted to receive the aerated dozed sewage water from the collection chamber via a first passage and facilitate treating of the sewage water and settling of entrained material in the sewage to obtain mixed treated sewage water and a storage chamber between a second side wall and the second partition, the storage chamber adapted to receive the clear compost sewage water from the settling chamber via a second passage.

In an alternative embodiment, the collection chamber, the settling chamber and the storage chamber can be spaced apart from each other, thereby configuring separate tanks.

Further, at least one float switch can be operatively disposed in the tank for measuring and controlling the level of the clear compost sewage water in the tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A process and system for sewage treatment and dispersal will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic layout of a sewage water treatment system, using the present setup of septic tank and dispersal / soak pit in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic layout of a sewage water treatment system, using the present set up of an STP plant in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic layout of a sewage water treatment system in accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a dispersal system in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional sewage water treatment system known in the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Human waste is as fertile as animal dung. Almost 120 liters of water is used to flush one kg of human waste, whether urine, excreta or wash water from the kitchen. This means that approximately 1% waste created by humans use 99% of water to dispose of the same. Conventionally, sewage treatment plants (STP) and/or effluent treatment plants (ETP) are used for cleaning the contaminants from sewage to obtain clean water; however, these processes are very expensive. Conventional processes result in the formation of sludge during the treatment process, which has to be disposed of and is an additional source pollution as the same is inert waste, not even fit for plants.

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional sewage water treatment system known in the prior art. The conventional sewage treatment system comprises a collection tank A, an aeration tank B, a settling tank C, a pre-filtration tank D, at least one filter E and a final product tank F. The sewage water to be treated is received in the collection tank A. From the tank A, the collected sewage water is pumped to aeration tank B where it is aerated to obtain aerated sewage water. Thereafter, the aerated sewage water is allowed to overflow into the settling tank C. In the settling tank C, chemicals are added to the aerated sewage water and the chemical added sewage water is allowed to stand so that the sediments present in the chemical added sewage water settle to obtain substantially sediment free water in the upper portion of the tank C. The substantially sediment free water (or the clean water) is allowed to flow into the pre-filtration tank D. From then tank D, the substantially sediment free water is pumped into the product tank F, wherein one or more filters E are disposed such that the substantially sediment free water flows through the filters E thereby further cleaning the substantially sediment free water to obtain clean water. The clean water can be used for a utility such as for watering plants.

The above-mentioned conventional sewage water treatment plant has certain drawbacks as such as being expensive to build and maintain.

Therefore, the present disclosure envisages a simple process for sewage treatment & dispersal and a system for the same.

In one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a process for sewage treatment and dispersal. The process is described in detail as given below:

The process for sewage treatment comprises receiving sewage in a 'reactor' tank for sewage treatment. The sewage can be human waste such as urine, excreta, bathing water and, wash water from the kitchen. The sewage can be in the form of soiled water, solid mass and combinations thereof. The sewage in the reactor tank is periodically circulated, aerated and selectively dozed with effective micro-organisms. In one embodiment the sewage produced per day is collected in the reactor tank and is periodically circulated, dozed and aerated. More specifically, the circulation, dosing and aeration are done during peak hours of human toilet and kitchen use, i.e., 7-8am, 12noon to 1pm, 3-4pm and 7-8pm. It is done by using the water from the product tank, already rich in beneficial bacteria and re-circulating this water with a specially designated pump, controlled by a timer and set for the peak hours of use, as stated above. The EM is added by the dozer into this recirculated water, at a controlled rate, depending on the volume of sewage generated and by the formula stated earlier. The force of this water at a flow rate of 6000 liters per hour and a pressure of 2 kgs and above is forced through a Venturi that draws air into the water at a rate of 24 cubic meters per hour. This water/air is further made to mix by a method called rifling to enhance mixing efficiency. This air contains 20% oxygen that greatly enhances the growth of cfu of EM to help break down the organics.

The effective micro-organisms used in the process of the present disclosure can be selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, streptococcus lactis, Rhodopseudomonas palustrus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis, Streptomyces albus, and Streptomyces griseus. The effective microorganisms when added to sewage consume the organics and double their count every 20 minutes. The source of effective micro-organisms is Maple Orgtech India Ltd. The effective micro-organisms, by their sheer numbers, neutralize the effects of harmful pathogens present in the sewage. The effective-microorganisms (EM) have microbial strength ranging from 1x10 9 to 1x1012 CFU (Colony Forming Units) / ml after 1000 times dilution with water, which when added to the sewage/waste-water, consumes the organics present in the sewage. The effective micro-organisms also capture gases like carbon dioxide, methane from sewage and convert it into compost which prevents global warming.

After addition of effective microorganisms in the product tank, the effective microorganisms are allowed to grow in the settling tank and the product tank for a predetermined time to obtain treated sewage. The so obtained treated sewage water is blackish in color, without smell and is rich in nutrients, ideally suited for plants. In one embodiment, the treated sewage flows into the settling chamber wherein the treated sewage is allowed to settle. This step helps in obtaining treated water that is substantially clear as the entrained material settles down at the bottom of the settling chamber. This treated water gently flows into the 'product tank' where it remains till level rises sufficiently for the level controller to activate the distribution pump and the product is automatically distributed to the plants. A suitable screen filter houses both pumps to further ensure that no solids that may have got pass the process described earlier, can choke the pump. The first pump, controlled by the timer, set for the peak hours of sewage generation from the complex residence, i.e. ; 8-9 am, 12 noon to 1 pm, 3-4 pm and 7-8 pm, re-circulates the sewage water from the product tank to the reactor tank. During this recirculation, EM is added at a controlled rate, depending on the number of residents and at 0.5 to 1 liter per month per resident. Further, this water that is circulated at 6000 liters per hour and a pressure of 2kgs and above, is forced through a 'Venturi' that draws air into the circulating water at a rate of around 24 cubic meters per hour, of which 20% is oxygen or 4.8 cubic meters. This water is further mixed through a process called rifling, allowing for better absorption of oxygen into the water. Oxygenated water greatly enhances cfu of beneficial micro-organisms.

The second pump is the distribution pump for the product of treated compost sewage water. This pump is controlled by the level controller. When the level in the product tank rises to pre-determined level, the level controller activates the second pump, which then begins the task of distributing the composted, treated, nutrient rich water to the selected strategically placed outlets.

Here, strategically placed dispersal pits are dug close to the 'tendrils rootlets' of trees and plants that does most of the absorption of nutrients and water (See figure of the 'tree'). The capacity of these dispersal outlets is such that it can contain more than fifteen liters of water. These outlets are filled with rocks of two inches in size to prevent the sides from collapsing into the hole. It also acts as a deterrent to prevent the roots from choking the outlet of the feed pipe. This hole is then covered with a plastic sheet to prevent mud from filling the hole. The plastic sheet is then covered with a layer of mud that not only seals the hole, but allows it to merge with the environment. It is in this dispersal hole that a poly-pipe of 16mm in diameter is introduced, to serve as the 'last mile connectivity' for the treated sewage water. The number of dispersal holes depends on the amount of sewage production per day, divided by twelve hours, the usual time for production of sewage water by humans during the day, divided by 10 liters to give the number of dispersal holes. The following table makes it clear. Flats Persons Total Sewage Total Per hr. Pump Time Discharge No. per unit no. of discharge WW discharg discharge. in rate per of persons per e lph for 2 nos. min hole outlet person 12 hrs

130 4 520 120 62400 5200 12000 26 10 520

The area required and the number of plant and trees depends on the quantum of sewage dispersed every hour. For the above example at least 800 running meters of plant beds of half meter wide, placed around the housing complex wall, will suffice. Number of plants and shrubs required will be about 520 nos. (100 liters per plant per day). If trees are present, their absorption rate is higher (1000 to 2500 liters per tree depending on their bio-mass) and lesser plant numbers are required. This treated and composted water when transferred to the plants provides nutrients to the plants and also enriches the soil.

The filtered water obtained by the process of the present disclosure can be used to irrigate a new forest, and on expanded highways, where all the old tree cover has been destroyed. The nutrient rich water can be used for growing local varieties of fruit trees, flowering shrubs, medicinal trees and plants. Thus, the water that was earlier disposed into water bodies can now be entirely used by the new vegetation. The new vegetation (trees and plants) can absorb the so obtained treated water, and assimilate all the nutrients present in the treated water. The trees and plants are capable of converting the nutrients into bio-mass and bio-energy. This bio-energy is reflected in more oxygen released to the atmosphere, more humidity through transpiration of the tree leaves, a coolness to the air temperature, a wind barrier to cross winds, so that when the air rises, it cools and bring welcome showers to the region (Eiskel effect). Further, this bio-energy creates fruits on which humans and birds feed, bio-mass in the form of trees shedding their leaves to enrich the soil around it. The roots allow storage of rain water and also enhance rainwater to percolate into the ground water, raising the water table. And finally, greenery, a sight to sore eyes when travelling through long distances.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a process for sewage water treatment and dispersal is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of receiving sewage water in a tank, allowing natural settling of sediments/entrained material, dispersed in the sewage water, in the tank to obtain substantially sediment free sewage water, screening the substantially sediment free sewage water by filtering means to obtain a substantially clean sewage water, periodically pumping the substantially clean sewage water through a connecting means, wherein the substantially clean sewage water is selectively dozed with effective micro-organisms, wherein the amount of the effective micro-organisms dozed is in the range of 500 ml to 1000 ml per person per month for a time period in the range of 1 hour to 2 hours and at time intervals in the range of 4 hours to 5 hours, to obtain dozed sewage water, aerating the dozed sewage water, preferably by air, to obtain aerated dozed sewage water; and recirculating the aerated dozed sewage water back to the tank, allowing natural mixing of the aerated dozed sewage water with the sewage water contained within the tank to obtain mixed sewage water, repeating the steps periodically pumping the substantially clear sewage water and dozing it, aerating and circulating the aerated dozed sewage water to the tank and dispersing a second/another portion of the clear compost sewage water at a predetermined flow rate, into a plurality of dispersal pits for a predetermined time period and at predetermined time intervals, for absorption of the clear compost treated sewage water by the rootlets of plants, wherein the plants are adapted to absorb the clear compost treated sewage water; wherein the clear compost sewage water comprises beneficial nutrients and micro-nutrients; and wherein the soil also receives a host of beneficial bacteria that further helps in breakdown of nutrients in the localized area around the rootlets, specific to the demands of that location to make the nutrients and micro-nutrients more adaptable to be absorbed by the plants.

The plurality of dispersal pits can be disposed proximal to the rootlets of plants and can be filled with rough, porous stones for facilitating the proliferation the effective microorganisms and maintaining the space for the clear compost treated sewage water to pass therethrough, covered with a plastic sheet to ensure that mud does not fill the spaces, over which top soil is disposed to blend with the environment.

Further, the aeration is carried out through the Venturi at a predetermined speed in the range of 20 m 3^J to 30 m 3^J of air of which 18% to 20% is pure oxygen, preferably 20 % of pure oxygen. Still further, in an exemplary embodiment the microbial strength of the effective micro- organism is in the range of 1x10 9' CFU/ml to lxlO 1¹2" CFU/ml.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the effective micro-organism is at least one selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus lactis, Rhodopseudomonas palustrus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis, Streptomyces albus, and Streptomyces griseus. The plurality of dispersal pits can be calculated such that the total sewage water production per day is divided by twelve hours, and the resulting figure/number is divided by ten liters per dispersal pit per day.

Further, the number of plants is calculated by the absorption capacity of each plant that are planted across or nearby the plurality of dispersal pits; wherein the minimum distance from the plant central root to one of the plurality of dispersal pit is in the range of 2 feet to 6 feet, preferably 4 feet.

Still further, the connecting means includes conduits, pipes, pump(s), and Venturi, and the filtering means includes a box having mesh or screen surfaces made of metal, non-metal materials or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, a system for the treatment of the sewage water is disclosed which is described herein below in detail with reference to figures 1 through 4.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic layout of a sewage treatment system 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The sewage treatment system 100 comprises at least one tank 100A for receiving and storing sewage (S). The tank 100A having a first side wall 101a, a second side wall 101b, a top cover or ceiling 101c, a bottom lOld, a proximal wall and a distal wall (not shown in figure) defining an enclosure lOle within the tank 100 A. The at least one tank 100A is provided with a first inlet 108 configured thereon for receiving the sewage there through. Further, the at least one tank 100A is provided with a second inlet 110 configured thereon for receiving recirculated aerated and filtered treated sewage water there through. The tank 100A can be a sewage tank or bioreactor that is made of concrete or any other suitable material for holding the sewage received from various sources including toilet, kitchen, and the like. The at least one tank 100A may include a separator S-1 disposed therein to keep the incoming sewage water and the substantially sediment free sewage water separate, wherein the separator is disposed such a passage is formed at top and bottom. The sewage enters from the right via the first inlet 108, goes under the separator and exits from the left into the pit P via the outlet, where it drains into the ground. In this case effective micro-organisms can be added manually or through the dozer. Aeration is done depending on the state of the sediments in the tank. Further, a dozer 114 is provided that is in fluid communication with the tank 100A via the second inlet 110. The dozer 114 is configured to selectively doze effective micro-organisms into the sewage (S) that is contained in the tank 100A. The dozer 114 can be provided with a timer 112 that is configured to facilitate the selective dozing of the effective micro-organisms into the sewage (S). More specifically, the timer 112 can be an electronic circuit that cooperates with the dozer 114 such that a specific amount of the effective micro-organisms are injected into the sewage (S) via the second inlet 110. Still more specifically, the dozer 114 is in fluid communication with the tank 100A via a conduit C, wherein the a first end of the conduit C is in fluid communication with at least one first pump 116 and the second end of the conduit C is passed into the tank 100A via the second inlet 110. The conduit C facilitates re-circulation of filtered, treated, aerated and dozed sewage water from a first operative end portion lOOA-1 of the tank 100A to a second operative end portion 100A-2 of the tank 100A.

The at least one first pump 116 is configured to pump a first portion of treated sewage water via a filter 122 from the first operative end portion lOOA-1 to a second operative end portion 100A-2 via the conduit C through the second inlet 110.

The system 100 is further provided with at least one second pump 118 that is configured to pump a second portion of the filtered, treated compost sewage water to a utility through one or more dispersal pits P. The utility can be plants, which are supplied with the filtered, treated compost sewage water. The filtered, treated compost sewage water via the second pump 118 is dispersed to at least one dispersal pit of a plurality of dispersal pits for absorption by the rootlets of plants. Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a dispersal system 400 in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The system 100 is further provided with a Venturi 124 that is configured to aerate the portion of filtered, treated compost sewage water being re-circulated via the conduit C, wherein the Venturi 124 draws air, via a conduit 126. This air drawn into the Venturi 124 mixes with the filtered, treated sewage water to obtain aerated filtered treated sewage water. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic layout of a sewage treatment plant (STP)/ system 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the sewage treatment system is similar to that described with reference to figure 1 except that instead of a single enclosure/chamber 201e, the enclosure 201e is divided into three chambers by providing a first partition 20 If and a second partition 20 lg that are disposed within the tank 200A. The tank 200A having a first side wall 201a, a second side wall 201b, a top cover or ceiling 201c, a bottom 20 Id, a proximal wall and a distal wall (not shown in figure) defining an enclosure 20 le within the tank 200A The first partition 20 If is disposed within the tank 200 A such that a collection chamber 202 is configured between a first side wall 201a of the tank 200 A and the first partition 201f. The collection chamber 202 adapted to receive the sewage via the first inlet 208. Further, a settling chamber 204 is defined between the first partition 20 If and the second partition 20 lg, wherein the settling chamber (204) is adapted to receive aerated/dozed sewage water from the collection chamber 202 via a first passage 201h and facilitate settling of entrained material in the sewage (S) to obtain treated sewage water. Still further, a storage chamber 206 is configured between a second side wall 201b and the second partition 20 lg, wherein the storage chamber 206 is adapted to receive to the treated sewage water from the settling chamber 204 via a second passage 20 li.

More particularly, the height of the second partition 201g is such that the top operative end 201gl and a top cover or ceiling 201c of the tank 200 A are spaced apart configuring the second passage 201i. The treated aerated sewage from the collection chamber 202 passes into the settling chamber 204 via the first passage 201h (that is configured on the first partition 201f). The treated aerated sewage is allowed to stand in the settling chamber 204, wherein the entrained material in the treated aerated sewage settles down at the operative bottom of the settling chamber 204 to obtain substantially clear treated aerated sewage water in the top portion of the settling chamber 204. The clear treated aerated sewage then overflows over the operative top end 201gl of the second partition 20 lg into the storage chamber 206, where it is collected and then a portion of it is re -circulated to the collection chamber 202 using the first pump 216 and a second portion is supplied to the utility by using a second pump 218.

The first and second pumps (216, 218) are disposed in a filter basket (indicated by numeral 222), wherein the filtering basket 222 facilitates in the removal of any entrained material in the clear treated aerated sewage that is received in the storage chamber 206 from the settling chamber 204. In an alternative arrangement (not shown in figure), the first and second pumps can itself be provided with suitable filters instead of the filtering basket 222 to prevent ingress of any entrained material in the clear treated aerated sewage. The provision of the filter basket/filter aids in prevention of choking of the pumps and conduits due to the ingress of the entrained material in the clear treated aerated sewage, if any. Figure 3 illustrates a schematic layout of a sewage treatment system 300 in accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure. The system is specially designed for STADS. It takes into account all the parameters that are required for efficient working of STADS. 300 is similar to that of the system 200 described herein above. The only difference in the system 300 and that of the system 200 is that the system 300 is provided with three separate chambers, namely, the collection chamber 302, the settling chamber 304 and the storage chamber 306 that are spaced apart from each other. Thus, instead of providing partitions (201f and 201g), in the present embodiment, three chambers or tanks are provided that are in fluid communication with each other (via one or more passages 301h and 301i). Alternatively, in accordance with this embodiment, instead of providing three partitions in a single enclosure, three different tanks are provided that are in fluid communication with each other. This particular configuration can be of great utility in areas/societies where there is little space available to accommodate big tanks similar to 100A/200A. So instead of one big tank, three small tanks can be provided and these can be in different locations connected via connecting means including conduits, pipes, pump(s), & or Venturi etc.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, the systems (100, 200 and 300) each can be provided with at least one float switch (120, 220, 320). The float switch can be operatively disposed in storage chamber and is configured to measure the level of the clear treated aerated sewage water contained in the storage chamber in case of systems 200 and 300 and level of the clear treated aerated sewage water in the enclosure lOle in case of the system 100. The clear treated aerated sewage water level measured can be fed to a controller (not shown in the figures), wherein the controller can be configured to switch on, or switch off the first, and second pumps depending on the level of the clear treated aerated sewage water.

One pump's function is to aerate the sewage and is controlled by a timer set to switch the pumps during peak hours; i.e. 8-9am 12-lpm, 3-4pm and 8-9pm. The other pump or distribution pump is controlled by the float switch that starts when the level reaches a particular height and switches off when the level lowers to a set level.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a dispersal system 400 in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. The dispersal system 400 comprises a plurality of dispersal pits (402), the dispersal pits being disposed proximal to the rootlets of plants and at least one conduit (406), coupled at one end to the second pump (118, 218, 318) of the tank, and the other end being coupled to a dispersal outlet (410) disposed in the dispersal pit; the conduit being configured to disperse the treated sewage water into the dispersal pits at a predetermined rate. The depth of dispersal pit ranges from 1 foot to 2 feet and the diameter of the dispersal pit ranges from 1 foot to 2 feet. The dispersing unit (404) comprises a valve (408) and a plurality of dispersing holes (410) adapted to control the flow rate of treated compost sewage water into the dispersal pits.

The system of the present disclosure can treat sewage as a resource and after dozing with EM (effective micro-organisms); can be automatically distributed to the roots of trees and plants within the vicinity and many kilometers away, if required, through specially designed distribution systems, to water new saplings along highways. When this treated water is used for plants, additional fertilizers are not required, as the treated water comprises nutrients, which can be used and beneficial for the plants. Since, the treated water is directly dispersed to the plants; labor for watering plants can be avoided. The distribution of filtered water is below the surface, which does not allow dampness on the surface, thereby reducing environment conducive for mosquitoes. Each tree can consume about 1000 to 2500 liters of water and each plant about 100 liters of water per day, sufficient to take care of all sewage.

The sewage treatment and dispersal system of the present disclosure can be operated at different places such as Societies, Bungalows, Mini Township, Town planners, new highway forestation and the like. In the conventional system like STP, the treated water is chlorinated and devoid of any beneficial bacteria, and when disposed in the rivers are harmful to the environment. Further, since it is a system depending on human methods and control, and mechanical devises, prone to failure due to wear and tear, corrosion, aging and human lethargy as various surveys and the UN report have proved. Whereas STADS is a dry system of disposal that does not need water bodies to dispose the sewage, but trees and plants. And whereas the treated water produced by the sewage treatment and dispersal system (STADS) is environmentally friendly, rich in nutrients and beneficial bacteria and is not disposed into any water body but entirely absorbed by plants. Further, because of the above, the yields of crop products are higher. The system of the present disclosure, helps in the increase vegetation, and because of it, helps in increasing the levels of the water table.

The system as disclosed in the present disclosure provides 100% recycling of all waste water produced in housing complexes, townships and cities, thereby increasing the availability of irrigation water to that extent and reducing the need for potable water to that extent for irrigation. The system also eliminates bad odors and noise that emanate from the conventional system. Further, the system does not require any civil work and special spaces. STADS of the present disclosure result in significant saving of electricity and hence is energy efficient.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the STP's that treat waste water of cities, can use STADS of the present disclosure by converting the process of treatment from chemical based to EM based and through a system of pressure pumps, solenoid valves and remote control switches, and a virtual control room, which can direct this water to a significant distance, typically 40 Km of highway length to irrigate the saplings.

Another advantage of the STAD system of the present disclosure is that the treated water can be used for highway forestation and for providing relief to farmers who are in need of this water for horticultural processes. The process of the present disclosure uses commonly available and inexpensive microorganisms.

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying experiments, which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration. The laboratory scale experiments provided herein can be scaled up to industrial or commercial scale.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS

Comparative example: Sewage treatment using the conventional method of STP;

A housing society of 314 large units had the state of art Sewage Treatment Plant to treat and dispose 100,000 liters of sewage water a day, to the gardens. Over the years as the evaluation reports on STP functioning predicted, the machinery has aged and corroded, and the society had no team with conviction to deal with it, no technical backup, or the means to evaluate or renew the damages and because of the high expenses. The water quality got worse and became a nuisance to dispose. Further, the samples failed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) tests and the society got a notice, not only for the failed test results, but also for the discharge into the fields nearby.

Sewage treatment using STADS in accordance with the present disclosure:

A residential building of 30 apartments of Aditya Meadows, Dhuler, and Goa was considered for the study. The number of persons per flat was 4 and the total number of persons was 120. Total 14400 liters of sewage were collected per day. The sewage was aerated and circulated in the peak hours such as morning peak time 8am to 10am; afternoon peak time 12pm to 2pm; evening peak time 4pm to 6pm and night peak time 8pm to 10pm.

A quantity of EM determined by the number of residents; i.e. 0.5 to 1 liter per person per month of effective microorganisms was dozed into this aerated and recirculated water during this peak hour with simultaneous aeration and circulation. The so obtained treated water was settled in the settling chamber. The settled treated water was overflowed to the storage product chamber from where the sewage treated water was dispersed to the rootlets of plants.

The so obtained treated clear compost sewage water can be dispersed to the rootlets of the plants. Based on the total sewage, the inventor suggested planting the garden accordingly. Aditya meadows, based on the sewage require 180 to 240 meters of garden space of half meter wide. This space is usually available along the wall, which otherwise would be bare has now a potential for creating more greenery and coolness in the complex

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of:

• simple, environment friendly and cost effective system and process;

• minimum space required to install the system;

• minimum consumption of electricity; and

• Low maintenance of the system. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A process for sewage water treatment and dispersal, said process comprising the following steps: a. receiving sewage water in a tank; b. allowing natural settling of sediments/ entrained material, dispersed in said sewage water, in said tank to obtain substantially sediment free sewage water; c. screening said substantially sediment free sewage water by filtering means to obtain a substantially clean sewage water; d. periodically pumping said substantially clean sewage water through a connecting means, wherein said substantially clean sewage water is selectively dozed with effective micro-organisms, wherein the amount of said effective micro-organisms dozed is in the range of 500 ml to 1000 ml per person per month for a time period in the range of 1 hour to 2 hours and at time intervals in the range of 4 hours to 5 hours, to obtain dozed sewage water; e. aerating said dozed sewage water, preferably by air, to obtain aerated dozed sewage water; and f. re-circulating said aerated dozed sewage water back to said tank; g. allowing natural mixing of said aerated dozed sewage water with the sewage water contained within said tank to obtain mixed sewage water; h. repeating step (b) to obtain mixed treated sewage water; i. screening said mixed treated sewage water by filtering means to obtain clear compost sewage water; j. recirculating a first/one portion of said clear compost sewage water into said tank by repeating the steps (d), (e), and (f); and k. dispersing a second/another portion of said clear compost sewage water at a predetermined flow rate, into a plurality of dispersal pits for a predetermined time period and at predetermined time intervals, for absorption of said clear compost treated sewage water by the rootlets of plants; wherein said plants are adapted to absorb said clear compost treated sewage water; wherein said clear compost sewage water comprises beneficial nutrients and micro-nutrients; and wherein the soil also receives a host of beneficial bacteria that further helps in breakdown of nutrients in the localized area around the rootlets, specific to the demands of that location to make the nutrients and micro-nutrients more adaptable to be absorbed by the plants.

2. The process for sewage water treatment and dispersal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of dispersal pits are disposed proximal to the rootlets of plants and are filled with rough, porous stones for facilitating the proliferation the effective microorganisms and maintaining the space for the clear compost treated sewage water to pass therethrough, covered with a plastic sheet to ensure that mud does not fill said spaces, over which top soil is disposed to blend with the environment.

3. The process for sewage water treatment and dispersal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said aeration is carried out through a Venturi at a predetermined speed in the range of

3 3

20 m to 30 m of air of which 18% to 20% is pure oxygen.

4. The process for sewage water treatment and dispersal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microbial strength of said effective micro-organism is in the range of lxlO⁹ CFU/ml to lxl0¹² CFU/ml.

5. The process for sewage water treatment and dispersal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said effective micro-organism is at least one selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus lactis, Rhodopseudomonas palustrus, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis, Streptomyces albus, and Streptomyces griseus.

6. The process for sewage water treatment and dispersal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of dispersal pits are calculated such that the total sewage water production per day is divided by twelve hours, and the resulting figure/number is divided by ten liters per dispersal pit per day.

The process for sewage water treatment and dispersal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clear compost sewage water is absorbed by one or more plants through roots; wherein the number of plants is calculated by the absorption capacity of each plant that are planted across or nearby said plurality of dispersal pits; wherein the minimum distance of the plant central root to one of said plurality of dispersal pit is in the range of 2 feet to 6 feet, preferably 4 feet.

The process for sewage water treatment and dispersal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes conduits, pipes, pump(s), and Venturi, and said filtering means includes a box having mesh or screen surfaces made of metal, non- metal materials or combinations thereof.

A sewage treatment and dispersal system (100, 200, 300, 400) to carry out the process as claimed in claim 1, said system comprising: said tank (100A, 200A, 300A) for receiving and storing said sewage water (S), said at least one tank (100A, 200A, 300A) having: a first inlet (108, 208, 308) configured thereon for receiving said sewage water (S) therethrough; and a second inlet (110, 210, 310) configured thereon for receiving recirculated, aerated dozed sewage water therethrough; a dozer (114, 214, 314) in fluid communication through said connecting means with said tank (100A, 200A, 300A) via said second inlet (110, 210, 310), said dozer (114, 214, 314) configured to selectively doze effective micro-organisms into said substantially clean sewage water to obtain dozed sewage water; at least one first pump (116, 216, 316) configured to pump a first/one portion of said clear compost sewage water from said filtering means (122, 222, 322), from a first operative end portion (lOOA-1, 200A-1, 300A-1) of said tank (100A, 200A, 300A) to a second operative end portion (100A-2, 200A-2, 300A-2) of said tank (100A, 200A, 300A) through said second inlet (110, 210, 310); at least one second pump (118, 218, 318) configured to pump a second portion of said clear compost sewage water to said plurality of dispersal pits via connecting means; a Venturi (124, 224, 324) configured to aerate said first portion of said dozed sewage water by drawing air via a conduit (126, 226, 326) to obtain said aerated dozed sewage water, which is circulated back to said tank; and a dispersing unit (404) in fluid communication with said at least one second pump (118,218,318) via at least one conduit (406), said dispersing unit (404) configured to selectively disperse said second portion of clear compost sewage water into at least one of said plurality of dispersal pits at a predetermined rate.

10. The sewage treatment and dispersal system (100, 200, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a first partition (201f) and a second partition (201g) are disposed in said tank (100A, 200A) to configure: a collection chamber (202) between a first side wall (101a,201a) of said tank (100A, 200A) and said first partition (201f), said collection chamber (202) adapted to receive said sewage water via said first inlet (108, 208); a settling chamber (204) between said first partition (20 If) and said second partition (201g), said settling chamber (204) adapted to receive said aerated dozed sewage water from said collection chamber (202) via a first passage (201h) and facilitate treating of said sewage water (S) and settling of entrained material in said sewage (S) to obtain mixed treated sewage water; and a storage chamber (206) between a second side wall (101b, 201b) and said second partition (201g), said storage chamber (206) adapted to receive said clear compost sewage water from said settling chamber (204) via a second passage (201i).

11. The sewage treatment and dispersal system (200, 300) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said collection chamber (202, 302), said settling chamber (204, 304) and said storage chamber (206, 306) are spaced apart from each other, thereby configuring separate tanks.

12. The sewage treatment and dispersal system (100, 200, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 9, further comprises at least one float switch (120,220,320), operatively disposed in said tank (100A, 200A, 300 A) for measuring and controlling the level of said clear compost sewage water in said tank.

13. The sewage treatment system and dispersal (100, 200, 300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said tank (110A, 200A, 300 A) is a sewage tank or a bioreactor.

14. The sewage treatment system and dispersal (100, 200, 300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a timer (112, 212, 312) is cooperatively coupled with said dozer (114, 214, 314) to facilitate selective dozing of said clean sewage water.

15. The sewage treatment and dispersal system (100, 200, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the depth of said plurality of dispersal pits is in the range of 1 feet to 2 feet and the diameter of said plurality of dispersal pit is in the range of 1 feet to 2 feet.

16. The sewage treatment and dispersal system (100, 200, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said dispersing unit comprises a valve (408) and a plurality of dispersal holes (410), adapted to control the flow rate of said clear compost sewage water into said plurality of dispersal pits.