WO2020219077A1

WO2020219077A1 - Method for cleaning wastewater treatment systems via a micro-abrading cationic clay composition

Info

Publication number: WO2020219077A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/029424
Authority: WO
Inventors: Billy Ray WHITE; William J. Cox
Original assignee: White Billy Ray; Cox William J
Priority date: 2019-04-26
Filing date: 2019-04-26
Publication date: 2020-10-29

Abstract

A method for cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses is provided. The method uses a micro-abrading cationic mineral composition abrade away built up fat, oil, and grease from the wastewater collection apparatuses. The micro-abrading cationic clay composition may be mixed with the wastewater of the lift station prior to being pumped to the wastewater treatment plant. Alternatively, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition may be added to the wastewater collection apparatuses at various injection sites. Mixing the cationic clay composition with wastewater may provide other benefits, such as reducing biomass load on wastewater treatment plant infrastructure.

Description

METHOD FOR CLEANING WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS VIA A MICRO

ABRADING CATIONIC CLAY COMPOSITION

by

Billy Ray White

William J. Cox

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to a process for cleaning wastewater treatment systems.

BACKGROUND

[0002] As wastewater is collected and pumped into the preliminary treatment devices of

wastewater treatment plants, fat, oil, grease, and other matter builds up in the various wastewater collection apparatuses. The major problem is that solids stick in fats and pipes slowly become blocked. Once the fat hardens, chunks break off, flow down the pipe and jam in the machinery of underground pumps. Further, the chunks of of fat, oil, grease, and other matter coat and envelope pumps in sewer lines, causing overheating and eventual burn out. Even when not directly affecting pumps, this buildup can greatly restrict the flow of wastewater from the wastewater collection apparatuses to the preliminary treatment apparatuses of wastewater treatment plants, which can be particularly difficult on pumps and pipes since it increases degradation over time dur to increased water pressure. Repairs to main sewers may be required as a result of serious blockages and the cost of repairing major items like pumping equipment that fails due to an ingress of fat can be very costly to a municipality. Additionally, this buildup is a major cause of wastewater spills which are both costly to clean up and damaging to the environment.

[0003] Clearly the cost of grease, fat, and oil related issues, above ground and in the sewer

network, is hard to quantify, but a look at the effects demonstrates that substantial savings can be made from professional pipeline and drain line management. Current methods of cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses include physically removing the buildup of fat, oil, grease, and other matter via manual labor and/or using caustic chemicals that dissolve the buildup but may cause other problems further downstream. For instance, conventional degreasers are currently used to remove the buildup of grease from wastewater collections apparatuses; however, conventional“oil based” degreasers essentially act as a“coagulant” (instead of a“flocculant”), which eventually causes excessive rag buildup on plant equipment and associated infrastructure. This only moves the cost of dealing with grease, fat, and oil buildup from the sewer systems to the wastewater treatment plants since the excessive rag buildup ultimately causes equipment to break and plant infrastructure to quickly degrade.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a process to treat wastewater using micro

abrading cationic clay compounds that may reduce labor costs and eliminate chemicals typically used to clean wastewater treatment plants today.

DESCRIPTION

[0005] A process for cleaning wastewater treatment plants is provided. In one aspect, the process reduces or removes utilization of enzymes, baking soda, acetic acid, and other chemicals currently used to clean wastewater treatment plants that degrade effluent quality and pollute receiving waters. Generally, the process of the present disclosure is designed to clean wastewater treatment plants using a cationic clay composition that abrades away built up grime, grease, and other matter and then flocculating out the abraded matter such that it is carried downstream to the preliminary treatment apparatus. The systems in which the various methods herein are carried out comprise various wastewater collection apparatuses, lift stations, and a preliminary treatment apparatuses. The wastewater treatment apparatuses herein generally refer to municipal sewer systems and pump stations that move wastewater from residential and industrial sites to wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater is collected by the various wastewater collection apparatuses and a micro-abrading cationic clay composition is added to the wastewater at numerous injection sites, which causes grease, oil, and fats within the wastewater to flocculate out.

[0006] Wastewater may be defined as water having pollution suspend throughout. Domestic wastewater and industrial wastewater can contain a large amount of organic waste, which is pollution that mainly comes from animal or plant sources. Bacteria and other microorganisms can consume this organic waste; however, organic matter such as grease, fat, and oil can coagulate and collect on surfaces faster than bacteria can break the organic matter down. Further, domestic wastewater and industrial wastewater also contain inorganic materials such as sand, salt, heavy metals (chromium, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, etc.), gravel, and grit. This inorganic matter is only slightly affected by the actions of microorganisms and can become embedded within coagulated organic matter and form large blockages within the wastewater collection apparatuses that are not easily removed. These blockages then create overflow issues that can damage the environment and promote the transmission of diseases amongst the general population.

[0007] Wastewater is collected by the wastewater collection apparatus of the system. The wastewater collection apparatus may comprise lateral lines, main lines, manholes, gravity sewer lines, lift stations, and force mains. All of these systems work together to provide wastewater treatment plants the wastewater produced by residential, commercial, and industrial areas within the plant’s jurisdiction. Some wastewater collection apparatuses may also carry storm runoff. Lateral lines may be defined as pipes or open channels that carry waste from residential areas and businesses. Main lines may be defined as large pipes or open channels that collect the sewage from the lateral lines. Manholes may be defined as junctions of intersecting main lines that have entry ports that allow for inspection of the wastewater collection apparatus. Gravity sewer lines may be defined as pipes or open channels that carry wastewater collected by main lines to a lower elevation via gravity. Lift stations may be defined as wastewater collection facilities that use pumps to lift the wastewater to a higher elevation or a treatment plant. Force mains may be defined as pipes or open channels used to carry wastewater from a lift station to a treatment plant.

[0008] Once the wastewater has been collected, the preliminary treatment apparatus is designed to screen out large, entrained, suspended, and floating solids. These solids may include wood, cloth, paper, plastics, garbage, and fecal matter, or any combination thereof. Solids may be screened out of the wastewater by passing the wastewater through coarse screens and fine screens. Solids removed from the influent wastewater are called screenings, which may be disposed of via incinerated or burial. In some embodiments, comminutors and grinders may be used to grind and shred solids into a smaller size. The preliminary treatment apparatus may also be designed to screen out heavy inorganic matter called grit. Removal of grit may be accomplished via aerated grit chambers, vortex removal, detritus tanks, horizontal flow grit chambers, and cyclonic inertial separation. [0009] It is important that the wastewater is received by a wastewater treatment plant from the wastewater’s point of origin quickly to prevent septic conditions. The various pipes and open channels of the wastewater collection apparatus are preferably constructed of concrete, vitrified clay, brick, metals, and polymers. The preferred designed flows of a wastewater collection apparatus vary greatly depending on factors ranging from population, topography of the area, rainfall, etc. Generally, the hydraulic design of the wastewater collection apparatus has peak flow velocities great enough to prevent sedimentation and small enough to prevent erosion. However, because flow velocities can vary greatly throughout the day depending on changes in human activity and because many wastewater treatment apparatuses in use today were designed for populations much smaller than what the wastewater treatment apparatuses currently support, sedimentation can and often does occur. Further, fluctuations in temperature can cause certain kinds of biosolids to coagulate and buildup faster than what a system may otherwise be designed to withstand. When human activity is slow and temperatures are conducive for biosolids to coagulate at a quicker than normal pace, the flow of wastewater throughout the system may slow, thus causing septic conditions to occur.

[00010] Wastewater having grease, fat, and oil within can be treated by adding a flocculating compound that causes biosolids suspended throughout wastewater to floe out to create sludge that can then be removed before coagulation occurs. Further, some clay minerals can break down blockages that are a result of coagulated grease, fat, and oil via abrasion. This means coagulated organic matter buildup may be removed from infrastructure concurrently as wastewater is treated to create an influent that is easier to treat. In a preferred embodiment, the flocculating compound mixed with the wastewater to create sludge and breakdown blockages formed by coagulated grease, fat and oil is a cationic clay composition. The micro-abrading cationic clay composition may comprise cationic clay minerals, titanium dioxide, and activated carbon. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition comes in a powder form because powders have a very high surface area to volume ratio; however, in some preferred

embodiments, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition may come in a slurry form to allow for a more even distribution of the micro-abrading cationic clay composition within the wastewater.

[00011] The method of using a cationic clay composition to clean wastewater collection

apparatuses using the various injection sites first requires a user to obtain a cationic clay composition. Wastewater may then be collected by the wastewater collection apparatuses, and the user may determine whether there is a buildup of organic matter on the one of the wastewater collection apparatus, lift station, or preliminary treatment apparatus. The user may take an action based on this determination, and if the user determines that it is not necessary to add the micro abrading cationic clay composition to the wastewater, the user may terminate the method. If the user determines it is necessary to add the cationic clay composition to the wastewater, the may determine how much of the cationic clay composition must be added to the wastewater in order to clean the wastewater collection apparatuses. The user may then add the cationic clay composition to the wastewater. Once the cationic clay composition has been added to the wastewater, the wastewater may proceed through the wastewater collection apparatuses to the lift station. As the wastewater and micro-abrading cationic clay composition proceed through the various wastewater collection apparatuses, built up grease, fat, and oils are abraded away and subsequently flocculated out of the wastewater along with other organic matter within the wastewater. Any resulting flocculant may then be removed, and the method may proceed to the terminate method step. [00012] The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system and method of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features that form the subject of the claims will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing or modifying other methods for carrying out the same purpose of the methods disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent modifications do not depart from the scope of the methods of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. l is a schematic of a wastewater treatment apparatus in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a lift station in which techniques described herein may be implemented. FIG. 3 is a schematic of a preliminary treatment apparatus in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating certain method steps of a method embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating certain method steps of a method embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating certain method steps of a method embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00013] In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including process steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. Where reference is made herein to a process comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the process can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

[00014] The term“comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system“comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components. As used herein, the term “suspended” and grammatical equivalents thereof may refer to all pollutants in wastewater 102 regardless of form. For instance, dissolved, suspended, and colloidal biosolids may be suspended in wastewater 102.

[00015] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate embodiments of various wastewater collection apparatuses 100

having a buildup of organic matter and various methods for removing the buildup of organic matter using a mineral composition that micro-abrades the buildup and floes out any organic matter in the wastewater 102. In a preferred embodiment, the mineral composition is a cationic clay composition 142. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, grease, oils, and fats within wastewater 102 may build up on the components of wastewater collection apparatuses 100, lift stations 125, and preliminary treatment apparatuses 300 in which the various methods herein are carried out. This grease, oil, and fat buildup may be treated using a cationic clay composition 142 that abrades away the built-up organic matter and then flocculates out this abraded organic matter in a way such that it does not cause blockages in other wastewater collection apparatuses 100. For instance, by flocculating out grease, fat, and oil that has been abraded away from the wastewater collection apparatuses 100, you ensure that said grease, oil, and fat does not buildup on wastewater collection apparatuses 100 downstream of the site in which the coagulated grease, oil, and fat was originally deposited.

[00016] Generally, wastewater 102 is collected by the wastewater collection apparatuses 100, and the cationic clay composition 142 is added to the wastewater 102 at various injection sites 140. Brownian motion causes the micro sized cationic clays within the cationic clay composition 142 to abrade away built up grease, oil, and fats and subsequently flocculate these coagulated biosolids out of the wastewater 102. Additionally, uncoagulated biosolids suspended within the wastewater 102 may also be flocculated out by the cationic clay composition 142, thus creating a cleaner influent that requires fewer chemicals to treat to get the same quality effluent at the end of the water treatment process. It is understood that the various method steps associated with the methods of the present disclosure may be carried out by a user using the systems shown in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of wastewater collection apparatuses 100 that collect and transport wastewater 102 as well as the various injection sites 140 in which the cationic clay composition 142 may be injected into said wastewater 102. FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a lift station 125 and the injection site 140 in which the cationic clay composition 142 may be injected into the lift well 127 of said lift station 140. FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a primary treatment apparatus 300 and the injection site 140 in which the cationic clay

composition 142 may be injected in order to treat said wastewater 102 and clean the various components of said primary treatment apparatus 300 via micro-abrasion. FIGS. 4-6 illustrate various methods that may be carried out by a user to treat wastewater 102 within the systems depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

[00017] Wastewater 102 may be defined as water having pollution suspend throughout. There are typically four types of pollution that may be in wastewater 102: organic, inorganic, thermal, and radioactive. Domestic wastewater 102 contains a large amount of organic waste, which is pollution that mainly comes from animal or plant sources. Some organic waste from industrial areas 108 comes from vegetable and fruit packing, dairy processing, meatpacking, tanning, poultry oil, paper mills, wood, etc. Bacteria and other microorganisms can consume organic waste from both industrial and residential sources; however, organic matter such as grease, fat, and oil can coagulate within wastewater collection apparatuses 100 faster than it can be broken down. Further, wastewater 102 coming from both residential areas 105and industrial areas often contain inorganic materials such as sand, salt, iron, calcium, heavy metals (chromium, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, etc.), and grit 310. This inorganic matter is only slightly affected by the actions of microorganisms and can become embedded within coagulated organic matter to form large blockages within the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 that are not easily removed. These blockages can create overflow issues that end up polluting the environment. If this overflowed wastewater 102 containing organic matter makes its way to rivers, lakes, streams, etc., the microorganisms breaking down the organic solids may deplete oxygen supplies, which could cause fish kills and become a source of unpleasant odors. Further, these wastewater overflows (102) could promote the transmission of diseases amongst the general population.

[00018] Wastewater 102 having grease, fat, and oil within can be treated by adding a flocculating compound that causes biosolids suspended throughout wastewater 102 to flocculate out to create sludge before coagulation occurs. Some clay minerals can break down blockages that are a result of coagulated grease, fat, and oil via abrasion. This means coagulated matter may be removed from infrastructure and wastewater 102 may be treated to create an influent that is easier to treat simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, the flocculating compound mixed with the wastewater 102 to create sludge and breakdown blockages formed by coagulated grease, fat and oil is a cationic clay composition 142 Preferably, the cationic clay composition 142 comprises up to sixty (60) weight percent cationic minerals, up to fifty (50) weight percent titanium dioxide, and up to twenty -five (25) weight percent activated carbon when in powdered form, wherein the cationic minerals abrade coagulated grease, fat, and oil as well as flocculate out organic matter. The activated carbon can capture sulfur containing compounds and with the process of abrading away built up grease, oil, and fat. Titanium dioxide may also assist with the process of abrading away built up organic matter as well as act as a photocatalyst that degrades organic matter via photocatalytic degradation. For instance, the cationic clay composition 142 may comprise sixty (60) weight percent aluminum phyllosilicates and forty (40) weight percent titanium dioxide. For instance, the cationic clay composition 142 may comprise up to twenty- five (25) weight percent aluminum phyllosilicates, up to fifty (50) weight percent titanium dioxide, and five (5) weight percent activated carbon. For instance, the cationic clay composition 142 may comprise (50) weight percent aluminum phyllosilicates, twenty-five (25) weight percent titanium dioxide, and twenty-five (25) weight percent activated carbon.

[00019] Wastewater 102 is collected by the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 of the system.

It is important that the wastewater 102 is received by a wastewater treatment plant 135 from the wastewater 102’ s point of origin quickly to prevent septic conditions. The various pipes and open channels of the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 are preferably constructed of concrete, vitrified clay, brick, metals, and polymers. The preferred designed flows of wastewater collection apparatuses 100 vary greatly depending on factors ranging from population, topography of the area, rainfall, etc. Generally, the hydraulic design of the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 have peak flow velocities great enough to prevent sedimentation and small enough to prevent erosion. However, because flow velocities can vary greatly throughout the day depending on changes in human activity, sedimentation can and often does occur. Further, fluctuations in temperature can cause certain kinds of biosolids to coagulate and buildup faster than what a system may otherwise be designed to withstand. When this happens, the flow of wastewater 102 throughout the system may slow, thus causing septic conditions to occur. In a preferred embodiment, wastewater collection apparatuses 100 may comprise lateral lines 109, main lines 110, trunk sewers 115, manholes 120, lift stations 125, and force mains 130. All of these systems work together to provide wastewater treatment plants 135 the wastewater 102 produced by residential areas 105, commercial areas, and industrial areas 108 within the plant’s jurisdiction. Some wastewater collection apparatuses 100 may also carry storm runoff, which may contain a large amount of grit as well as organic matter such as sticks and leaves.

[00020] Lateral lines 109 may be defined as pipes or open channels that carry waste from

residential areas 105 and commercial areas to the main lines 110. Main lines 110 may be defined as large pipes or open channels that collect the sewage from the lateral lines 109 and transport said wastewater 102 to trunk sewers 115 or lift stations 125. In some preferred embodiments, main lines 110 may be gravity sewer lines, which may be defined as pipes or open channels that carry wastewater 102 to a lower elevation via gravity. Gravity sewer lines are the most common kind of main line in the united states, and because of the variation of water flow that may result due to variances in human activity during the day may be highly susceptible to buildup of organic matter such as grease, oil, and fat. Mainlines 110 may carry the wastewater 102 to intersections of main lines 110 called trunk sewers 115, which may collect wastewater 102 from multiple outlets and allow wastewater collection apparatuses 100 to form networks of pipes for more efficient disposal of said wastewater 102. Manholes 120 may be defined as entry ports that allow for inspection of the wastewater collection apparatuses 100. Built up grease, fat, and oil that has coagulated at various points of the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 may be more easily accessed at these points. In a preferred embodiment, manholes may be used as injection sites 140 for the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142. Lift stations 125 may be defined as wastewater collection facilities that use pumps 205 to transfer the wastewater 102 to a higher elevation or a wastewater treatment plant 135 via force mains 130. Lift stations 125 may comprise a lift well 127, which is fed by the network of pipes formed by lateral lines 109, main lines 110, and trunk sewers 115. In a preferred embodiment, the pumps 205 of the lift stations 125 sit within the lift wells 127 and pump water directly into the force mains 130. Force mains 130 may be defined as pipes used to carry wastewater 102 from the lift well 127 to a higher elevation or wastewater treatment plant 135. These pipes are typically under higher pressure than other parts of the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 and is therefore more sensitive to blockages that may increase the pressure within. In a preferred embodiment, wastewater 102 within force mains 130 is emptied into force main wells 210, which then transfer the wastewater 102 via mainlines 110 to other wastewater collection apparatuses 100.

[00021] Once the wastewater 102 has been collected, the preliminary treatment apparatus 300 may filter out large, entrained, suspended, and floating solids via screens 305. These solids may include wood, cloth, paper, plastics, garbage, and fecal matter, or any combination thereof. Screens 305 that may be used to filter out solids from the wastewater 102 include coarse screens and fine screens, as illustrated in FIG. 3. A course screen may be defined as a mechanical filter comprising a series of parallel steel bars spaced between 1 and 3 inches apart. The bars are typically placed in a vertical position relative the flow; however, the bars may be placed at other angles. Coarse screens may be cleaned manually or may comprise automatic cleaning mechanisms. Fine screens may be defined as a mechanical filter comprising wire cloth, wedge wire elements, or perforated plates having openings generally no larger than 0.25 inches. Fine screens may be static, rotatory drum, or step, and are used to screen out solid particulates. Solids removed from the influent wastewater 102 are called screenings, which may be disposed of via incinerated or burial. In some embodiments, comminutors 315 and grinders may be used to grind and shred solids into a smaller size. A comminutor 315 may be defined as a slotted rotating cylinder comprising a plurality of blades that cuts up solids suspended within the wastewater 102 too large to pass through the slots. Grinders may be defined as a plurality of counterrotating intermeshing cutters that trap and shear wastewater 102 solids into a consistent particle size.

[00022] The preliminary treatment apparatus 300 may also be designed to screen out heavy

inorganic matter called grit 310. Inorganic material that may be categorized as grit 310 includes, but is not limited to, sand, gravel, metal, and glass, or any combination thereof. Removal of grit 310 may be accomplished via grit chambers 307, vortex removal, detritus tanks, horizontal flow grit chambers 307, and cyclonic inertial separation. A grit chamber 307 may be defined as an apparatus that causes wastewater 102 to flow in a spiral pattern by introducing air into one side of the chamber. Heavier grit 310 particles diverge from the spiral streamline and settle at the bottom of the chamber, which may be collected at a later time. Vortex removal may be defined as a system that introduces wastewater 102 to a tank in a tangential fashion such that a vortex is created. Gravity causes the grit 310 to settle at the bottom of the tank and the wastewater 102 exits at the top, thus removing the grit 310 from the wastewater 102 A detritus tank may be defined as a short-term settling tank. The wastewater 102 in the tank is kept at a constant level, and grit 310 is removed from the bottom of the tank periodically where it is subsequently washed to remove organic matter. A horizontal flow grit chamber 307 may be defined as a channel that allows grit 310 to settle at the bottom and lighter particles to remain suspended in the wastewater 102 Preferably, a constant upstream velocity of approximately 1 ft/sec is used to allow settling while keeping the lighter biosolids suspended. Flow rate in a horizontal flow grit chamber 307 may be controlled via weirs or control sections. A hydrocyclone may be defined as a centrifuge designed to separate heavier grit 310 from the lighter organic solids. Grit 310 collects on the sides of the hydrocyclone, whereas lighter biosolids may be removed from the center.

[00023] A micro-abrading cationic clay 142 composition may be added to the wastewater 102 within the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 and the primary treatment apparatus 300 to help clean coagulated grease, oil, and fat from the various components of the wastewater treatment apparatuses 100 and the primary treatment apparatus 300. Additionally, the micro abrading cation clay composition 142 may remove grease, oil, and fat from wastewater 102 via flocculation before it may further buildup on the various components of the wastewater treatment apparatuses 100 and primary treatment apparatus 300. When the cationic clay composition 142 is injected into wastewater 102 during wastewater collection, it may be added in either powder form or in slurry form depending on the injection site. In a preferred embodiment, the powdered form of the cationic clay composition 142 is added to large quantities of wastewater or wastewater that has a high flow rate. This may prevent the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 from clumping and forming blockages with the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 For instance, adding the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 to wastewater 102 within trunk wells 115 and lift wells 127 filled with wastewater 102 may allow the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 to disperse within said wastewater 102 prior to being transported via Brownian motion further downstream. In a preferred embodiment, the cationic clay composition may be added to lateral lines and main lines in a slurry form, wherein the slurry is made up of water and the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 Also, injecting the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 into wastewater via a slurry form allows the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 to be injected into smaller pipes that may otherwise become blocked if the powder form of the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 was injected.

[00024] As mentioned previously, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 may

comprise cationic clay minerals, titanium dioxide, and activated carbon. In a preferred embodiment, the cationic clay minerals comprise kaolin, calcite, and micronized dolomite, but one with skill in the art may recognize that other cationic clay minerals may be used without departing from the inventive concepts as described herein. Calcite is a mineral consisting largely of calcium carbonate (CaCCb) and may be used to neutralize more acidic wastewater 102. This can greatly reduce the amount of erosion that wastewater treatment infrastructure may incur from more acid wastewater 102 sources. Micronized dolomite is a mineral consisting largely of calcium magnesium carbonate (CaMg(CC>3)2) and may also be used to neutralize acidic wastewater 102 In a preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 comprises between twenty-five and fifty percent cationic phyllosilicates. The titanium dioxide contained within the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 preferably comprises a mixture of anatase and rutile, which can assist in the breaking down organic matter via oxidation. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 comprises between twenty-five and fifty percent titanium dioxide. Activated Carbon is useful for treating wastewater 102 because it removes organic chemicals and reduces toxicity in some wastewater 102, allowing safe discharge into either surface or receiving waters. Activated carbon is may be used to treat wastewater 102 by removing organic matter, chlorine, and many other impurities in wastewater 102 It is particularly useful at removing hydrogen sulfide from wastewater 102 In a preferred embodiment, an activated carbon coming from coconut or coal is preferable due to the higher apparent density and hardness exhibited by activated carbon from these sources. The micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 may contain granular activated carbon (GAC) and/or powdered activated carbon (PAC). In a preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 comprises between five (5) and twenty-five (25) weight percent activated carbon.

[00025] In a preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 comes in a powder form due to the lighter weight and very high surface area to volume ratio; however, in some preferred embodiments, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 may come in a slurry form to allow for a more even distribution of the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 within the wastewater 102 as well as the prevention of clumping that may otherwise occur in areas with lower wastewater 102 flow rates. Surface area is measured by considering the combined surface area of all the particles and relating that to the volume or mass of powder. A higher surface area is desirable due to a higher reactive activity, thus resulting in faster flocculation rates. Though smaller particle sizes can result in higher rates of“agglomeration,” or the sticking together of powder particles, this may be counteracted by creating a slurry using an agglomerated micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 prior to injection into the wastewater 102.

[00026] In a preferred embodiment, kaolin is the primary phyllosilicate used to create the micro abrading cationic clay composition 142. Kaolin may create wastewater 102 environments having superior pH levels (systems treated with kaolin maintained a pH between 6.8 - 7.1) than wastewater treatment systems treated with aluminum sulfate, which is notorious for creating environments having pHs that may not be conducive for microbial lifeforms throughout the wastewater treatment process if special attention is not paid to the pH of the wastewater 102. Kaolin also flocculates out organic matter from wastewater 102, whereas aluminum sulfate is known to“coagulate” organic matter out of wastewater 102. Not only does flocculating out organic matter instead of coagulating out organic matter reduce the amount of loading on the infrastructure of the wastewater treatment plant 135, it also reduces the amount of straggler, colloidal, or pin-flocs that remain in suspension after primary treatment and secondary treatment, thus creating a cleaner and clearer effluent water. For instance, when kaolin was used in wastewater 102 ahead of the wastewater treatment plant, it was found that the reduction of organic matter resulted in a reduction in loading on the plant by as much as sixty -five (65) percent in four minutes. Further, kaolin captures over ninety-five (95) percent of suspended particles within ten (10) minutes, meaning that kaolin clay is able to overcome the Brownian motion and electrostatic forces that prevent some biomass from settling, which is something aluminum sulfate has proven unable to do. Further, because aluminum sulfate does not fully react due to the dilution factor, residual aluminum sulfate may be left in the system and may be cycled back through the plant via return activated sludge, which could potentially reduce the effectiveness of the microbes within the system that break down any waste suspended or dissolved in the wastewater 102 due to decreased pH levels.

[00027] In a preferred embodiment, plants that process 1.5 million gallons per day (MGD) or greater may have micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 injected as a powder into the influent flow stream to capture grease, oil, fat, and other organic compounds at a dosing rate to be determined by the operator based on pipe size and flow rate. The powdered form of the micro abrading cationic clay composition 142 has the ability to abstract ammonia compounds and organic material at a rapid rate. Capture rates as high as fifty (50) percent within five (5) minutes have been measured using an Imhoff Cone. This is likely due to the positive charge on the face and edges of the cationic phyllosilicates (in particular kaolin) attracting negatively charged particles within the wastewater 102 The attraction is facilitated by Brownian motion, which causes the cationic phyllosilicates to quickly attract negatively charged organic material suspended throughout the wastewater 102 The reduction in organic load resulting from this high capture rate allows for a more adequate denitrification process later on in the wastewater treatment process. It also results in the release of“entrapped” gases that cause sludge in wastewater treatment plants 135 to not to settle properly. Therefore, by adding the micro abrading cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 prior to undergoing primary treatment, secondary treatment (such as treatment via oxidation ditch, batch reactor, etc.) is improved.

[00028] Additionally, the turbidity of the water prior to undergoing disinfection is greatly reduced when the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 is added. NTU’s as low as 0.4 were observed and documented in the supernatant. This information implies that any and all colloidal and straggler particles left over in suspension due to“Brownian Motion” are captured and brought down into the sludge blanket by the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142, leaving wastewater 102 on the surface of a clarifier with very low levels of contaminates. This reduces the amount of chlorine needed for disinfection. Further, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 is useful in capturing toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide, thus greatly reducing the noxious odors associated with wastewater 102 and preventing the formation of sulfuric acid that might otherwise erode away wastewater treatment plant 135 infrastructure. Because these results are applicable to wastewater 102 coming from residential areas 105 and industrial areas 108, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 can be used to reduce loading at a wastewater treatment plant 135 regardless of the source of the influent wastewater 102

[00029] It has been mentioned that aluminum sulfate is widely used because of its ability to

coagulate organic matter within wastewater 102, which creates an extremely clean effluent in the final disinfection process. However, the ability of aluminum sulfate to coagulate organic matter within wastewater 102 and form larger masses of said organic matter proliferates risk to both the microorganisms used to break down organic matter during the wastewater treatment process and to plant infrastructure. For instance, aluminum sulfate is acidic (pH of 2-2.8) and is extremely corrosive. It is particularly corrosive to soft steel, which causes it to become brittle and prone to failure over time. Further, by promoting organic matter to coagulate, aluminum sulfate may actually increase the buildup of organic matter on wastewater treatment plant 135 infrastructure whereas the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 1442 actually reduces the amount of buildup by abrading away built-up organic matter. Additionally, when aluminum sulfate is added to raw wastewater 102, it forms a gelatinous mass, which puts excessive strain a plant infrastructure that has already been weakened by the corrosive nature of aluminum sulfate. In contrast, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 reduces the amount strain on a wastewater treatment plant by flocculating out material form the wastewater 102. Further, aluminum sulfate requires constant mixing to ensure it fully reacts with the organic matter within the wastewater 102. This means that plants using aluminum sulfate as a coagulant require more moving parts are therefore more prone to failure than plants that do not have the kinetic requirements of aluminum sulfate. The dilution factor of aluminum sulfate presents another problem in that if aluminum sulfate is not diluted at a rate of fifty-two percent product and forty- eight percent water, it will not fully react, resulting in wasted aluminum sulfate. For all these reasons, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 is superior to aluminum sulfate for the treatment of wastewater 102.

[00030] The amount of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 to be added to wastewater 102 entering a wastewater treatment plant 135 is based on the flowrate of wastewater 102 through the wastewater treatment plant 135. Approximately fifty (50) pounds of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 should be added to wastewater 102 entering a wastewater treatment plant 135 for every one million gallons per day (MGD) that wastewater treatment plant 135 processes. Additionally, approximately fifty (50) pounds of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 should be added to wastewater 102 pumped to a wastewater treatment plant 135 via the force main 130 for every one million gallons per day (MGD) delivered to a wastewater treatment plant 135 by said force main 130. In a preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 should be added in powder form to wastewater 102 within the lift well 127. In another preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 should be added in powder form to wastewater 102 undergoing primary treatment. In yet another preferred embodiment, the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 should be added to wastewater 102 within the various wastewater collection apparatuses 100 in slurry form. For instance, a slurry containing the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 may be added to lateral lines 109 via flushing it down a flush toilet.

[00031] Because flow rates of wastewater 102 being pumped to wastewater treatment plants 135 via force mains 130 can easily be determined by the velocity of the wastewater 102 within the pipes and the pipe diameter, one can estimate the amount of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 that should be added to the wastewater 102 within the lift well 127 of the lift station 125. Further, if one knows the flow rate in terms of gallons per minute (GPM) that a force main 130 is transporting wastewater 102, one may simply divide that flow rate by 694 GPM to estimate the flow rate of wastewater 102 in terms of MGD. For instance, a six-inch force main 130 having a maximum flow rate of eight hundred (800) GPM and a flow velocity of 8.9 feet per second (FPS) may pump approximately 1.15 MGD and require approximately 57.7 pounds of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 for treatment. For instance, an eight-inch force main 130 having a maximum flow rate of sixteen hundred (1600) GPM and a flow velocity of 10.3 FPS may pump approximately 2.31 MGD and require approximately 115.3 pounds of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 for treatment. For instance, a ten-inch force main 130 having a maximum flow rate of three thousand (3000) GPM and a flow velocity of 12.2 FPS may pump approximately 4.32 MGD and require approximately 216.1 pounds of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 for treatment. For instance, a twelve-inch force main 130 having a maximum flow rate of forty-seven hundred (4700) GPM and a flow velocity of 13.4 FPS may pump approximately 6.77 MGD and require approximately 338.6 pounds of micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 for treatment.

[00032] FIG. 4 provides a flow chart 400 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the process using a cationic clay composition 142 to clean wastewater collection apparatuses 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1, using the various injection sites 140. Step 405 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 410, a user may obtain a cationic clay composition 142 that may be used to create a flocculant 320 with wastewater 102 as well as micro-abrade the wastewater collection apparatuses 100. Wastewater 102 may then be collected by the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 during step 415, and the user may decide whether it is necessary to add the cationic clay composition 142 to wastewater 102 within the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 during step 420. The user may take an action based on this determination during step 425. If the user determines that it is not necessary to add the micro abrading cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 within the wastewater collection apparatuses 100, the user may proceed to terminate method step 450. If the user determines it is necessary to add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 within the wastewater collection apparatuses 100, the user may proceed to step 430, wherein the user may determine how much of the cationic clay composition 142 must be added to the wastewater 102 in order to clean the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 based on flow rate of wastewater 102 through the various wastewater collection apparatuses 100.

[00033] Once the proper amount of cationic clay composition 142 has been determined, the user may add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 within the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 during step 435. Once the cationic clay composition 142 has been added to the wastewater 102, the method may proceed to step 440, wherein the wastewater 102 may proceed through the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 to the lift station 125. As the wastewater 102 and micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 proceed through the various wastewater collection apparatuses 100, built up grease, fat, and oils are abraded away and subsequently flocculated out of the wastewater 102 along with grease, fat, and oils already within the wastewater 102. Once the water has proceeded to the lift station 125, the user may remove any resulting flocculant 320 during step 445. After the flocculant 320 has been removed, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 450.

[00034] FIG. 5 provides a flow chart 500 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the process using a cationic clay composition 142 to clean wastewater 102 lift stations 125, as illustrated in FIG. 2, using the injection sites 140 as indicated. Step 505 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 510, a user may obtain a cationic clay composition 142 that may be used to create a flocculant 320 with wastewater 102 as well as micro-abrade the wastewater collection apparatuses 100. Wastewater 102 may then be collected by the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 during step 515, wherein the wastewater 102 may be collected in the lift well 127 of the lift station 125. The user may decide whether it is necessary to add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 in order to clean the lift station 125 during step 520. The user may take an action based on this determination during step 525. If the user determines that it is not necessary to add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 to clean the lift station 125, the user may proceed to the terminate method step 550. If the user determines it is necessary to add the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 to clean the lift station 125, the user may proceed to step 530, wherein the user may determine how much of the cationic clay composition 142 must be added to the wastewater 102 within the lift well 127 based on flow rate of wastewater 102 through the force main 130.

[00035] Once the proper amount of cationic clay composition 142 has been determined, the user may add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 during step 535. In an alternative embodiment, the user may add the micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 directly to the force main 130. Once the cationic clay composition 142 has been added to the wastewater 102, the method may proceed to step 540, wherein the wastewater 102 and cationic clay composition 142 mixture may be pumped into the wastewater treatment plant 135 by the lift station 125. As the wastewater 102 and micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 proceed from the lift station 125 to the wastewater treatment plant, built up grease, fat, and oils within the force main 130 are abraded away and subsequently flocculated out of the wastewater 102 along with the grease, fat, and oils already within the wastewater 102. Once the wastewater 102 and micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 has cycled through the lift station 125, the user may remove any resulting flocculant 320 that has formed during step 540. Additionally, any grease, fat, and oil flocculated out within the lift well 127 of the lift station 125 may be removed by the user. After the flocculant 320 has been removed, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 545.

[00036] FIG. 6 provides a flow chart 600 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the process using a cationic clay composition 142 to clean the primary treatment apparatus, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Step 605 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 610, a user may obtain a cationic clay composition 142 that may be used to create a flocculant 320 with wastewater 102 as well as micro-abrade the primary treatment apparatus. Wastewater 102 may then be collected by the wastewater collection apparatuses 100 during step 615, and the wastewater 102 may then be pumped into the wastewater treatment plant 135 by the lift station 125 during step 620. Before the wastewater 102 has entered the primary treatment apparatus, the user may decide whether it is necessary to add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102 during step 625. The user may take an action based on this determination during step 630. If the user determines that it is not necessary to add the cationic clay

composition 142 to the wastewater 102, the user may proceed to terminate method step 655. If the user determines it is necessary to add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102, the user may proceed to step 635, wherein the user may determine how much of the cationic clay composition 142 must be added to the wastewater 102 based on flow rate of wastewater 102 into the wastewater treatment plant 135.

[00037] The user may then add the determined amount of micro-abrading cationic clay

composition 142 to the wastewater 102 during step 640. Once the proper amount of cationic clay composition 142 has been determined, the user may add the cationic clay composition 142 to the wastewater 102. Once the cationic clay composition 142 has been added to the wastewater 102, the method may proceed to step 645, wherein the wastewater 102 and cationic clay composition 142 mixture may be processed by the primary treatment apparatus. As the wastewater 102 and micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 proceed through the primary treatment apparatus, built up grease, fat, and oils are abraded away and subsequently flocculated out of the wastewater 102 along with the grease, fat, and oils already within the wastewater 102. Once the wastewater 102 and micro-abrading cationic clay composition 142 has cycled through the primary treatment apparatus, the user may remove any resulting flocculant 320 that has formed during step 650. After the flocculant 320 has been removed, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 655.

[00038] Although the systems and processes of the present disclosure have been discussed for use within the wastewater treatment field, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be utilized in other fields or for other applications in which wastewater treatment is needed. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and process stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter.

What is claimed is:

[00039] A process for cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses, wherein said process

comprises the steps of:

obtaining a micro-abrading cationic clay composition that acts as a flocculant,

wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition micro-abrades

wastewater collection apparatuses.

collecting wastewater having grease, oil, and fat,

creating a slurry of micro-abrading cationic clay composition and water, adding said slurry to said wastewater to promote micro-abrasion of said wastewater collection apparatuses,

pumping said wastewater to said wastewater treatment plant, and

removing said flocculant from said wastewater.

[00040] The process of claim 1, wherein slurry is added to said wastewater in at least one of a lateral line, main line, and trunk sewer.

[00041] The process of claim 2, wherein said mainline is a gravity sewer line.

[00042] The process of claim 1, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition comprises between forty-five and sixty weight percent cationic phyllosilicates, between twenty-five and fifty weight percent titanium dioxide, and between five and twenty -five percent activated carbon.

[00043] The process of claim 3, wherein said cationic phyllosilicates comprise kaolin and

micronized dolomite.

[00044] The process of claim 4, wherein said kaolin has a particle size between 0.001 and 75 microns.

[00045] The process of claim 4, wherein said kaolin has a pH of about 4.5 along the edge of its particles and a pH of about 6.5 on the face of said particles.

[00046] The process of claim 14, wherein said slurry comprises at least eighty weight percent micro-abrading cationic clay composition and up to twenty weight percent water.

[00047] A process for cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses, wherein said process

comprises the steps of:

obtaining a micro-abrading cationic clay composition that acts as a flocculant,

wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition micro-abrades lift stations, collecting wastewater having grease, oil, and fat,

determining how much micro-abrading cationic clay composition must be added to said wastewater to clean said lift station,

adding said micro-abrading cationic clay composition to said wastewater at said lift station,

pumping said wastewater and said micro-abrading cationic clay composition using said lift station, and

removing said flocculant from said wastewater.

[00048] The process of claim 9, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition is added to said wastewater in the wet well of said lift station.

[00049] The process of claim 9, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition is added to said wastewater in the main line of said lift station.

[00050] The process of claim 1, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition comprises between forty-five and sixty weight percent cationic phyllosilicates, between twenty-five and fifty weight percent titanium dioxide, and between five and twenty -five percent activated carbon.

[00051] The process of claim 3, wherein said cationic phyllosilicates comprise kaolin and

micronized dolomite.

[00052] The process of claim 4, wherein said kaolin has a particle size between 0.001 and 75 microns.

[00053] The process of claim 4, wherein said kaolin has a pH of about 4.5 along the edge of its particles and a pH of about 6.5 on the face of said particles.

[00054] The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

making a slurry comprising said micro-abrading cationic clay composition and water, and

adding said slurry to said wastewater.

[00055] The process of claim 14, wherein said slurry comprises at least eighty weight percent micro-abrading cationic clay composition and up to twenty weight percent water.

[00056] A process for cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses, wherein said process

comprises the steps of:

obtaining a micro-abrading cationic clay composition that acts as a flocculant,

wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition micro-abrades a

preliminary treatment apparatus,

collecting wastewater having grease, oil, and fat,

determining how much micro-abrading cationic clay composition must be added to said wastewater to clean said preliminary treatment apparatus, pumping said wastewater to said preliminary treatment apparatus,

adding said micro-abrading cationic clay composition to said wastewater at said

preliminary treatment apparatus, and

removing said flocculant from said wastewater.

[00057] The process of claim 1, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition comprises between forty-five and sixty weight percent cationic phyllosilicates, between twenty-five and fifty weight percent titanium dioxide, and between five and twenty -five percent activated carbon.

[00058] The process of claim 3, wherein said cationic phyllosilicates comprise kaolin and

micronized dolomite.

[00059] The process of claim 4, wherein said kaolin has a particle size between 0.001 and 75 microns. [00060] The process of claim 4, wherein said kaolin has a pH of about 4.5 along the edge of its particles and a pH of about 6.5 on the face of said particles.

[00061] The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

adding said slurry to said wastewater.

[00062] The process of claim 14, wherein said slurry comprises at least eighty weight percent micro-abrading cationic clay composition and up to twenty weight percent water.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A process for cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses, wherein said process comprises the steps of:

obtaining a micro-abrading cationic clay composition that acts as a flocculant,

wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition micro-abrades

wastewater collection apparatuses

collecting wastewater having grease, oil, and fat,

pumping said wastewater to said wastewater treatment plant, and

removing said flocculant from said wastewater.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said slurry comprises at least eighty weight percent micro-abrading cationic clay composition and up to twenty weight percent water.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein slurry is added to said wastewater in at least one of a lateral line, main line, and trunk sewer.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein said mainline is a gravity sewer line.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition comprises between forty-five and sixty weight percent cationic phyllosilicates, between twenty-five and fifty weight percent titanium dioxide, and between five and twenty -five percent activated carbon.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein said cationic phyllosilicates comprise kaolin and micronized dolomite.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein said kaolin has a particle size between 0.001 and 75 microns.

8. The process of claim 6, wherein said kaolin has a pH of about 4.5 along the edge of its particles and a pH of about 6.5 on the face of said particles.

9. A process for cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses, wherein said process comprises the steps of:

obtaining a micro-abrading cationic clay composition that acts as a flocculant,

wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition micro-abrades lift stations,

collecting wastewater having grease, oil, and fat,

removing said flocculant from said wastewater.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition is added to said wastewater in the wet well of said lift station.

11. The process of claim 9, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition is added to said wastewater in the main line of said lift station.

12. The process of claim 9, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition comprises between forty-five and sixty weight percent cationic phyllosilicates, between twenty-five and fifty weight percent titanium dioxide, and between five and twenty -five percent activated carbon.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein said cationic phyllosilicates comprise kaolin and

micronized dolomite.

14. The process of claim 13, wherein said kaolin has a particle size between 0.001 and 75 microns.

15. The process of claim 13, wherein said kaolin has a pH of about 4.5 along the edge of its particles and a pH of about 6.5 on the face of said particles.

16. The process of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

adding said slurry to said wastewater.

17. The process of claim 16, wherein said slurry comprises at least eighty weight percent micro-abrading cationic clay composition and up to twenty weight percent water.

18. A process for cleaning wastewater collection apparatuses, wherein said process comprises the steps of:

obtaining a micro-abrading cationic clay composition that acts as a flocculant,

wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition micro-abrades a

preliminary treatment apparatus,

collecting wastewater having grease, oil, and fat,

adding said micro-abrading cationic clay composition to said wastewater at said

preliminary treatment apparatus, and

removing said flocculant from said wastewater.

19. The process of claim 18, wherein said micro-abrading cationic clay composition

comprises between forty-five and sixty weight percent cationic phyllosilicates, between twenty -five and fifty weight percent titanium dioxide, and between five and twenty -five percent activated carbon.

20. The process of claim 19, wherein said cationic phyllosilicates comprise kaolin and

micronized dolomite.

21. The process of claim 20, wherein said kaolin has a particle size between 0.001 and 75 microns.

22. The process of claim 20, wherein said kaolin has a pH of about 4.5 along the edge of its particles and a pH of about 6.5 on the face of said particles.

23. The process of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

adding said slurry to said wastewater.

24. The process of claim 23, wherein said slurry comprises at least eighty weight percent micro-abrading cationic clay composition and up to twenty weight percent water.