WO2023041147A1 - Separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater, with a self-cleaning ability - Google Patents
Separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater, with a self-cleaning ability Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2023041147A1 WO2023041147A1 PCT/EP2021/075280 EP2021075280W WO2023041147A1 WO 2023041147 A1 WO2023041147 A1 WO 2023041147A1 EP 2021075280 W EP2021075280 W EP 2021075280W WO 2023041147 A1 WO2023041147 A1 WO 2023041147A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- waste
- cleaning
- plate
- discharge mechanism
- outlet
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 121
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 61
- 239000002920 hazardous waste Substances 0.000 title claims description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims description 20
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 92
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 7
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 239000013056 hazardous product Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 208000002925 dental caries Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004321 preservation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000010865 sewage Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001875 Ebonite Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010349 pulsation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010802 sludge Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004065 wastewater treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/001—Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance
- C02F1/004—Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance using large scale industrial sized filters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D29/00—Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D27/00; Filtering elements therefor
- B01D29/44—Edge filtering elements, i.e. using contiguous impervious surfaces
- B01D29/445—Bar screens
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D29/00—Filters with filtering elements stationary during filtration, e.g. pressure or suction filters, not covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D27/00; Filtering elements therefor
- B01D29/62—Regenerating the filter material in the filter
- B01D29/64—Regenerating the filter material in the filter by scrapers, brushes, nozzles, or the like, acting on the cake side of the filtering element
- B01D29/6469—Regenerating the filter material in the filter by scrapers, brushes, nozzles, or the like, acting on the cake side of the filtering element scrapers
- B01D29/6484—Regenerating the filter material in the filter by scrapers, brushes, nozzles, or the like, acting on the cake side of the filtering element scrapers with a translatory movement with respect to the filtering element
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/002—Construction details of the apparatus
- C02F2201/004—Seals, connections
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/008—Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
- C02F2209/03—Pressure
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
- C02F2303/14—Maintenance of water treatment installations
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
- C02F2303/16—Regeneration of sorbents, filters
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
- C02F2303/24—Separation of coarse particles, e.g. by using sieves or screens
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
- E03F1/00—Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
- E03F1/006—Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a separator for waste material from sanitary wastewater , with a self -cleaning ability, for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships .
- the primary technical field belongs to arrangements of installations for treating ballast water, wastewater, sewage , sludge , or refuse on vessels , more specifically, to arrangements for treating wastewater or sewage .
- the secondary technical filed belongs to a bar screens , where the cleaning process , i . e . , the strainer' s regeneration, is performed via scrapers that are movable over the said bars .
- the first and most common cause of any pump failure is a waste material that is not intended for processing and grinding by the pump macerator . These are primarily all obj ects that could potentially block, damage , or destroy the macerator , pump' s screws or pump ' s impellers .
- the specific threats to the sanitary systems are all types of fabrics and insoluble papers , i . e . , the cellulose obj ects , which become entangled around the rotating parts of the pump , and simply block it . Then, the pump is out of the operation, and disassembly, cleaning and ( or ) service is necessary . This may be difficult to perform in si tu, i . e . , in the middle of the voyage and usually in cramped spaces where each inch is counted .
- the devices for separation and treatment of hazardous waste on ships are rather simple to allow easy maintenance .
- they have the form of portable containers that are installed in the vacuum line j ust before the vacuum pump .
- the inner construction of the said devices is made as a bar screen, with bars mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the said container .
- Said bar screens are dimensioned to stop fabrics , papers , and larger rigid bodies , before the entrance to the pump .
- the problem with existing solutions is that they are cleaned manually up to several times a day, which is extremely hygienically inadequate .
- the vacuum must be redirected by a bypass around the said device during the cleaning process .
- the main technical problem is therefore the construction of separator of hazardous waste materials from the sanitary wastewater , which can automatically ej ect said material : without direct human contact with feces , without losing vacuum in the system, without spilling water on the engine room, and which is sufficiently compact for use in the limited space of an engine room.
- Utility model JP S51119051U discloses the device for filter cleaning by scraping, where the scraping mechanism is externally powered, by hand, and adequately sealed within the casing.
- the invention is directed to cleaning of an oil strainer in a refrigerator, where the cake removed from the filter is gravitationally collected at the bottom of the casing, however, without ability of automatic discharge of the waste.
- Document CN111804026A for the invention FILTER PLATE CLEANING DEVICE FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND USE METHOD, filed in the name of Shaoxing Shengtu Environmental Protection Tech. Co. Ltd., teaches about the cleaning of a flat filter by a mechanical scraper in an automate manner. The collected waste from the filter is collected again at the bottom of the device using the gravity force . The document is silent regarding any vacuum preservation in the system, because the vacuum is not needed for proper functioning of the said invention .
- the present disclosure relates to a separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater , with a self -cleaning ability, and for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships .
- the said separator consists of components listed below .
- a casing with an inlet and an outlet for sanitary wastewater circulation across the working chamber , that is situated within the said casing .
- the said separator has a closing means for closing the wastewater inlet and a waste discharge mechanism that is situated at the bottom of the said hollow casing , sealed with the seal to the said casing .
- the working chamber is optionally equipped with a pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure from vacuum pressure to the pressure that is greater than a working pressure in the inlet or the filtered waste water outlet .
- a separation of hazardous waste material is performed by plurality of bars mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the working chamber .
- the said bars are distributed within the working chamber in one or more rows , with a density that forms an effective strainer for blocking a passage of the said waste material through the outlet .
- the waste material is being accumulated around the said bars during the wastewater flow .
- the bars are firmly fixed with one side to a fixation plate , which is placed oppositely to the waste discharge mechanism, and above the inlet and outlet level .
- the fixation plate forms the top of the working chamber, and the bars are extended towards the discharge mechanism, but are not connected with
- the fixation plate bears a drive that moves a cleaning plate , situated within the working chamber, capable to travel from the fixation plate to the waste discharge mechanism, powered by the said drive ' s rod .
- the cleaning plate has plurality of cleaning holes through which all the said bars protrude .
- the cleaning holes are designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars and to push the said waste towards the waste discharge mechanism during the cleaning plate movements .
- the said cleaning holes seal the bars within the said plate , during the cleaning plate movements .
- the cleaning plate has a drain system for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process .
- the said wastewater together with the scraped waste are accumulated beneath the cleaning plate and above the waste discharge mechanism .
- the drain system has a drain valve and a drain seal dimensioned to fit the outlet .
- the drain valve operation and the closing means for closing the inlet operation enable the waste discharge mechanism to be opened via a discharge drive , without a need to deteriorate the vacuum inside the inlet and the outlet conduits .
- the closing means for closing the inlet is formed as a flap that acts as a non-return valve and allows the wastewater to circulate in the working chamber only .
- the cleaning plate has a recess to prevent striking of the said flap during the cleaning plate movements .
- the cleaning of the separator is starting with the cleaning plate positioned in its default position beneath the fixation plate , and, firstly, the cleaning plate starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism and scrapes the accumulated waste from the bars , then the pressure regulating means pressurises the working chamber, the flap seals the inlet , the drain valve is opened, and the drain seal is pushed by the generated pressure to the outlet mouth, while the generated pressure inside the working chamber removes a wastewater excess through the drain system towards the outlet , and after discharging the waste via the discharge mechanism, the pressure regulating means vacuumizes the working chamber , the drain valve is then closed and the drain seal de-seals the outlet mouth, and the cleaning plate is returned to its default position close to the fixation plate .
- the closing means for closing the inlet is formed as a sliding wall that fits inside the casing , and which is firmly connected to the cleaning plate . Furthermore, each cleaning hole seals the corresponding bar in a way to prevent the passage of the residual wastewater below the cleaning plate to flow towards the fixation plate .
- the cleaning of the separator is starting with the cleaning plate positioned in its default position beneath the fixation plate , and without any pressure regulating means needed for the working chamber operation, and when the cleaning plate starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism, the sliding wall seals the inlet , and the generated pressure beneath the cleaning plate removes a wastewater excess through the drain system towards the outlet , where the drain valve is opened and the drain seal fits the outlet mouth, and after discharging the waste via the discharge mechanism, the cleaning plate is returned to its default position close to the fixation plate , and the vacuum in the working chamber is re established by the outlet , where the vacuum is present .
- the waste discharge mechanism consists of the plate that seals the bottom of the casing via the seal , and where the said plate is removable from the bottom of the casing, preferably horizontally, via one or more drives .
- the previously scraped waste material from the bars simply drops down by the gravity in the waste collector attached to the said discharge mechanism.
- the discharge collector is a bag attached via the means for attaching the discharge collector to the discharge me chanism .
- the drive for movable plate and the discharge drives are pneumatically controlled power cylinders .
- the said drives and, optionally, the pressure regulating means for the working chamber are controlled via dedicated programmable logic controller ( PLC ) .
- Figure 1 depicts the transparent perspective view across the separator according to the variant one , and where the said separator is in the operational status .
- Figure 2 depicts the transparent perspective view across the separator according to the variant one , and in the moment when the cleaning plate scraped all the hazardous waste material towards the discharge mechanism.
- Figure 3 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap closed, and with the cleaning plate in its default position .
- Figure 4 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap opened for the wastewater circulation towards the working chamber , and with the cleaning plate in its default position that renders separator operational .
- Figure 5 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap closed, and with the cleaning plate in its lowest position after finished scraping procedure , with the drain valve opened and with a pressurised working chamber .
- Figure 6 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap closed, with the cleaning plate in its lowest position after finished scraping procedure , and with the drain valve closed after vacuum restoration within the working chamber .
- Figure 7 shows the perspective view of the separator according to the variant two .
- Figure 8 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant two , with the cleaning plate in its default position and when the separator is in its operational condition .
- Figure 9 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant two , with the cleaning plate in its lowest position, after the performed cleaning procedure .
- Figure 10 shows the same situation as depicted on Figure 8 , but in different , i . e . , A-A cross section .
- Figure 11 shows the same situation as depicted on Figure 9 , but in different , i . e . , A-A cross section .
- Figure 12 depicts the separator' s side view, with the waste discharge mechanism closed .
- Figure 13 depicts the cross section shown on Figure 11 , but with the waste discharge mechanism now opened .
- the main technical problem solved by the present disclosure is the construction and installation of separator of hazardous waste materials from the sanitary wastewater , which can automatically ej ect said material : without direct human contact with feces , without losing vacuum in the system, without spilling water on the engine room, and which is sufficiently compact for use in the limited space of an engine room.
- Figures 1-6 depict the variant 1 of separator, for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater and with a self-cleaning ability, for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships .
- the casing (10) is formed as the hollow cylinder, but other geometries are also acceptable, which should be easy to understand for the person skilled in the art.
- the casing (10) is equipped with the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) for sanitary wastewater circulation across the casing (10) .
- the working chamber (11) is in contact with the inlet interior (21) and the outlet interior (31) once the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is opened.
- the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is formed as the flap (22) .
- This flap (22) is preferably made of rubber that allows a flap's bending as depicted on Figure 4, where the fluid circulation across the working chamber (11) is established, from the inlet interior (21) towards the outlet interior (31) only.
- the casing (10) is additionally fixed with the bottom plate (15) , as depicted in Figure 1. Said bottom plate (15) caries the waste discharge mechanism (60) and other elements as well.
- the waste discharge mechanism (60) that is situated at the bottom of the said hollow casing (10) , see Figures 2 and 3.
- the waste discharge mechanism is a movable plate (60) , that seals the bottom of the cylindrical casing (10) , with the seal (65) . This sealing is performed in a way to prevent any fluid leakage out of the separator in its normal operation. Furthermore, it should sustain the vacuum generated in the working chamber (11) .
- the working chamber (11) is optionally equipped with a pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure from very small pressure, i.e., the vacuum, to the pressure that is greater than a working pressure in the inlet (20) or the outlet (30) .
- a pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure from very small pressure, i.e., the vacuum, to the pressure that is greater than a working pressure in the inlet (20) or the outlet (30) .
- PLC programmable logic controller
- the vacuum can be "borrowed” also from the vacuum pump needed for the proper operation of the separator.
- the separation of hazardous waste material is performed by a plurality of bars (50) mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the working chamber (11) , as depicted on Figures 1 and 2.
- the bars (50) are distributed within the working chamber (11) in one or more rows, with a density that forms an effective strainer, or bars screen, for blocking a passage of the said waste material through the outlet (30) . It is well known in the art that the hazardous waste material is being accumulated around the said bars (50) during the wastewater flow, and that should be removed when the flow across the working chamber become reduced.
- the bars (50) are firmly fixed with their one side to a fixation plate (19) , as visible on Figures 3 and 4.
- the fixation plate (19) in this variant forms a top of the casing (10) , and it is placed oppositely to the waste discharge mechanism (60) .
- the fixation plate (19) is positioned above the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) level, and the said bars (50) are extended from the fixation plate (19) towards the said discharge mechanism (60) but are not connected with the later.
- the fixation plate (19) bears a drive (90) that are designed to move the cleaning plate (40) .
- the drive (90) consists of the piston (92) and the rod (93) , and is operable by changing the cylinder interior (91) volume actuated by the suitable fluid, preferably with the compressed air.
- the said cleaning plate (40) is situated within the working chamber (11) and is capable to travel from the fixation plate (19) , see Figure 3, to the waste discharge mechanism (60) , see Figure 5, powered by the rod (93) of the said drive (90) .
- the drive (90) is a pneumatic cylinder capable to be controlled externally via PLC od similar device.
- other drives can be equally applied, i.e., hydraulic, electrical actuators, etc. , rendering the same technical effect to the said cleaning plate (40) .
- the cleaning plate (40) has plurality of cleaning holes (42) , through which all of the said bars (50) protrude, as depicted on Figure 6.
- the cleaning holes (42) are designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars (50) and to push the said waste towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) during the cleaning plate (40) movements, in the manner that is known in the art. In this variant of disclosure, it is not necessary to have additional sealing between the cleaning holes (42) and the bars (50) .
- the geometry of the used cleaning holes (42) should coincide with the geometry of used bars (50) , with necessary clearance for unobstructed movements of the cleaning plate (40) while the bars (50) are passing through it.
- the cleaning plate (40) is further equipped with the drain system (70) designed for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process.
- the drain system (70) designed for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process.
- the above-mentioned drain system (70) has a drain valve (71) and a drain seal (72) dimensioned to fit the outlet (30) , as depicted on Figures 3 and 5.
- the drain system is initially situated within the housing (79) , formed as a part of the fixation plate (19) as depicted on Figures 1-6, and sealed to the fixation plate (19) .
- Drain system may consist of some standard adjustable relief water valve, or it can be specially manufactured for better fit, with respect to standard designs of above-mentioned relief valves .
- the drain valve (71) can be separately fixed anywhere on the casing (10) , independently of the drain seal (72) and independently of the cleaning plate (40) . It is also evident that, according to the said variant, the drain seal (72) can be lowered and retracted by a separate pneumatic cylinder controlled by the PLC, independently of cleaning plate (40) , if needed so.
- the drain valve (71) and the closing means for closing the inlet (20) i.e. , the flap (21) , operations enable the waste discharge mechanism (60) to be opened via a discharge drive (61) , without a need to deteriorate the vacuum inside the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) conduits .
- the method of operation is described via Figures 3-6.
- the separator in the absence of fluid circulation, is depicted on Figure 3.
- the cleaning plate (40) is situated beneath the fixation plate (19) , and the drain system (70) is parked in the housing (79) and it is firmly attached to the cleaning plate (40) .
- the flap (22) is partially opened, as depicted on Figure 4, the flow is established between the inlet interior (21) and the outlet interior (31) , through the working chamber (11) .
- the hazardous material retains on the bars (50) . It is evident that the nominal pressure within the working chamber (11) is equal to this of the outlet (30) during the standard operation.
- the separator After predetermined amount of time, usually measured in hours or days, the separator has to be cleaned from the hazardous waste material accumulated all over the bars.
- This procedure is depicted via Figures 5 and 6.
- the cleaning plate (40) starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) and scrapes the accumulated waste in the volume between the cleaning plate (40) and the waste discharge mechanism (60) .
- the pressure regulating means pressurises the working chamber (11)
- the flap (22) seals the inlet (20) and the drain seal (72) is pushed by the generated pressure to the outlet (30) mouth sealing the drain system (70) to the inlet (30) , see Figure 5.
- the generated pressure inside the working chamber (11) removes a wastewater excess through the drain system (70) towards the outlet (30) across the drain valve (71) that is now opened.
- the discharging of the waste is performed by removing the bottom plate of the discharge mechanism (60) , see Figures 12 and 13.
- the waste discharge mechanism (60) consists of the plate that seals the bottom of the casing (10) via the seal (65) .
- the said plate is removable from the bottom of the casing (10) , preferably horizontally, via one or more drives (61) . So, previously scraped waste material from the bars (50) simply drops down by the gravity in the waste collector attached to the waste discharge mechanism (60) .
- the discharge collector is a simple bag attached via the means for attaching the discharge collector (63) to the discharge mechanism (60) . It is worth to note that mainly solid and wet waste is present in the discharge collector, having in mind that the excess wastewater is previously removed during the above-described process from the working chamber.
- the pressure regulating means vacuumizes the working chamber (11) .
- This action brings the drain valve (71) in closed position, as indicated in Figure 6, the drain seal (72) de-seals the outlet (30) , and the cleaning plate (40) is finally returned to its default position close to the fixation plate (19) .
- the separator is then in position to start to function again, clean and ready for the new hazardous waste.
- the drive (90) and the discharge drives (61) are pneumatic cylinders, wherein the drives (90, 61) and the pressure regulating means for the working chamber (11) are controlled via the programmable logic controller (PLC) .
- PLC programmable logic controller
- Figures 7-13 depict variant 2 of separator, for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater and with a self-cleaning ability, for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships .
- the casing (10) is again formed as the hollow cylinder.
- the casing (10) is equipped with the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) for sanitary wastewater circulation across the casing
- the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is formed as a sliding wall (41) that fits inside the casing (10) , as depicted on Figures 8 and 9.
- the casing (10) is additionally fixed with the bottom plate (15) , via the external casing holders (16) which reinforce structure, as shown on Figure 7.
- Said bottom plate (15) caries the waste discharge mechanism (60) and the corresponding drives (61) , as well, as depicted on Figure 8, which is equal to variant 1.
- the waste discharge mechanism (60) is situated at the bottom of the said hollow casing (10) and has the same properties as one in variant 1.
- the waste discharge mechanism is a movable plate (60) , that seals the bottom of the cylindrical casing (10) , with the seal (65) . This sealing is performed in a way to prevent any fluid leakage out of the separator in its normal operation. Furthermore, it should sustain the vacuum generated in the working chamber (11) .
- the working chamber pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure inside the working chamber (11) is not present and not needed for the operation.
- the separation of hazardous waste material is again performed by plurality of bars (50) mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the working chamber
- the bars (50) are distributed within the working chamber (11) in one or more rows, with a density that forms an effective strainer, or bars screen, for blocking a passage of the said waste material through the outlet (30) . Said waste should be removed when the flow across the working chamber (11) become reduced, identically as in variant 1.
- the bars (50) are firmly fixed with their one side to a fixation plate (19) , as visible on Figures 8 and 9.
- the fixation plate (19) in this variant forms a top of the working chamber (11) , and it is placed oppositely to the waste discharge mechanism (60) and approximately in the middle of the casing (10) .
- the fixation plate (19) is positioned above the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) level, and the said bars (50) are extended from the fixation plate (19) towards the said discharge mechanism (60) but are not connected with the later.
- the fixation plate (19) again bears a drive (90) that are designed to move the cleaning plate (40) with its rode (93) attached to the piston (92) of the said, preferably, pneumatic mechanism that acts on the said piston (92) via the pneumatic line (94) , and moves it inside the cylinder interior (91) .
- the fixation plate (19) is connected with the casing (10) by the drive (90) casing, as depicted on Figures 8 and 9, creating the casing interior (12) around the drive (90) .
- This cleaning plate (40) is situated within the working chamber (11) and is capable to travel from the fixation plate (19) , see Figure 8, to the waste discharge mechanism (60) , as shown on Figure 9, powered by the drive (90) .
- the cleaning plate (40) has plurality of cleaning holes (42) , through which all the said bars (50) protrude, Figure 9.
- the cleaning holes (42) are designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars (50) and to push the said waste towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) during the cleaning plate (40) movements, in the manner that is known in the art.
- it is necessary to have additional sealing between the cleaning holes (42) and the bars (50) performed in a usual manner, preferably as the sealing rings made of hard rubber, This detail will be explained in the rest of the text.
- the geometry of the used cleaning holes (42) has to coincide with the geometry of used bars (50) , with necessary clearance for mounting the sealing rings, and where the said holes (42) allow unobstructed movements of the cleaning plate (40) while the bars (50) are passing through it.
- the cleaning plate (40) is further equipped with the drain system (70) designed for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process .
- the drain system (70) designed for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process .
- the said drain system (70) has a drain valve (71) and a drain seal (72) with the nozzles (73) , dimensioned to fit the outlet (30) , as depicted on Figures 9 and 12.
- drain seal (72) is effectively a part of the sliding wall (41) .
- the drain valve (71) and the closing means for closing the inlet (20) i.e. , the part of the sliding wall (41) , operations enable the waste discharge mechanism (60) to be opened via a discharge drive (61) , without a need to deteriorate the vacuum inside the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) conduits .
- the separator in absence of the fluid circulation, is depicted on Figure 8.
- the cleaning plate (40) is situated beneath the fixation plate (19) , and the drain system (70) is parked in the casing interior (12) .
- the flow is established between the inlet interior (21) and the outlet interior (31) , across the working chamber (11) and the bars (50) start to accumulate the hazardous waste.
- the separator has to be cleaned from the hazardous waste material accumulated all over the bars (50) .
- the drive (90) starts to move the cleaning plate (40) down, i.e. , towards the waste discharging mechanism (60) .
- the cleaning plate (40) position is denoted with letter "P".
- the sliding wall (41) attached to the cleaning plate (40) firstly seals the inlet (20) , and the generated pressure beneath the cleaning plate (40) removes a wastewater excess through the drain system (70) towards the outlet (30) .
- the drain valve (71) is opened and the drain seal (72) , that is basically a part of the sliding wall (41) , fits the outlet (30) mouth and injects the wastewater excess through the nozzles (73) , as depicted on Figure 12.
- the cleaning plate (40) is returned to its default position, powered by the drive (90) , close to the fixation plate (19) .
- the vacuum in the working chamber (11) is re-established by the outlet (30) , where the vacuum, or a low pressure, is already present.
- the separator is now again ready to its service.
- the industrial applicability of the present disclosure is evident.
- the present disclosure offers a novel construction and installation of separator of hazardous waste materials from the sanitary wastewater, which can automatically eject said material: without direct human contact with feces, without losing vacuum in the system, without spilling water on the engine room, and which is sufficiently compact for use in the limited space of an engine room.
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Abstract
The separator for waste material from sanitary wastewater, with a self-cleaning ability, for use in vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships is disclosed. The casing (10) has an inlet (20) and an outlet (30) for sanitary wastewater circulation and a waste discharge mechanism (60) powered by the drives (61). A separation of waste material is performed by bars (50) mounted perpendicularly to the wastewater flow and distributed with a density that forms an effective strainer for blocking a passage of the waste material through the outlet (30). The fixation plate (19) bears a drive (90) that powers a cleaning plate (40) to travel from the fixation plate (19) to the discharge mechanism (60). The plate (40) is designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars (50). The scraped waste is discharged via discharge mechanism (60), without losing a vacuum in the conduits (20, 30).
Description
SEPARATOR FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE MATERIAL FROM SANITARY WASTEWATER,
WITH A SELF-CLEANING ABILITY
DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a separator for waste material from sanitary wastewater , with a self -cleaning ability, for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships . The primary technical field belongs to arrangements of installations for treating ballast water, wastewater, sewage , sludge , or refuse on vessels , more specifically, to arrangements for treating wastewater or sewage . Regarding the nature of the separation, the secondary technical filed belongs to a bar screens , where the cleaning process , i . e . , the strainer' s regeneration, is performed via scrapers that are movable over the said bars .
Technical Problem
The handling of the ship' s sanitary wastewater is a huge problem having in mind that the fluid circulation is established mainly with the aid of one or more vacuum pumps . So , the proper vacuum pump functionality is a key factor for the normal functioning of all ship' s sanitary facilities . If the vacuum pump is out of the operation, it is impossible to empty or flush contents of the toilet bowl , urinal and sink in the toilet , which has an extremely negative impact on the cabin' s hygienic conditions .
The first and most common cause of any pump failure is a waste material that is not intended for processing and grinding by the pump macerator . These are primarily all obj ects that could potentially block, damage , or destroy the macerator , pump' s screws or pump ' s impellers . The
specific threats to the sanitary systems are all types of fabrics and insoluble papers , i . e . , the cellulose obj ects , which become entangled around the rotating parts of the pump , and simply block it . Then, the pump is out of the operation, and disassembly, cleaning and ( or ) service is necessary . This may be difficult to perform in si tu, i . e . , in the middle of the voyage and usually in cramped spaces where each inch is counted .
It is well-known in the art that the devices for separation and treatment of hazardous waste on ships are rather simple to allow easy maintenance . Usually, they have the form of portable containers that are installed in the vacuum line j ust before the vacuum pump . The inner construction of the said devices is made as a bar screen, with bars mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the said container . Said bar screens are dimensioned to stop fabrics , papers , and larger rigid bodies , before the entrance to the pump . The problem with existing solutions is that they are cleaned manually up to several times a day, which is extremely hygienically inadequate . At the same time , for the proper operation of the vacuum system, the vacuum must be redirected by a bypass around the said device during the cleaning process .
The main technical problem is therefore the construction of separator of hazardous waste materials from the sanitary wastewater , which can automatically ej ect said material : without direct human contact with feces , without losing vacuum in the system, without spilling water on the engine room, and which is sufficiently compact for use in the limited space of an engine room.
State of the Art
As mentioned in the paragraph above , rather simple bar screens are used for the separation purposes . However , the state of art has some
interesting self-cleaning solutions accompanied with the bar screen filters / separators.
Document US 5,437,789 for the invention WASHING MACHINE LINT STRAINER, filed in the name of D. K. Sabo, discloses a strainer, capable to be cleaned by scraping the strainers bars/rods by moving the entire strainers within the casing for cleaning purpose. This document discloses a general principle of strainer cleaning by scraping, without mentioning further issues, such as discharging, or a vacuum preservation, that are out of scope in washing machines.
Document US 3,567,032 for the invention FILTER AND PUMP FOR A RECIRCULATING SANITARY SYSTEM, filed in the name of Monogram Ind. Inc. discloses a diaphragm pump, used in sanitary systems, with selfcleaning of the inlet strainer or sieve by mechanical means, i.e., by the set of spikes which protrude through the sieve and are pulled out together with the diaphragm pump pulsation. The description mentions that such recirculating sanitary systems are utilized in mobile vehicles such as aircraft, trailers and mobile homes, buses, campers and boats.
Utility model JP S51119051U discloses the device for filter cleaning by scraping, where the scraping mechanism is externally powered, by hand, and adequately sealed within the casing. The invention is directed to cleaning of an oil strainer in a refrigerator, where the cake removed from the filter is gravitationally collected at the bottom of the casing, however, without ability of automatic discharge of the waste.
Document CN111804026A for the invention FILTER PLATE CLEANING DEVICE FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND USE METHOD, filed in the name of Shaoxing Shengtu Environmental Protection Tech. Co. Ltd., teaches about the cleaning of a flat filter by a mechanical scraper in an automate manner. The collected waste from the filter is collected again at the bottom of the device using the gravity force . The document is silent
regarding any vacuum preservation in the system, because the vacuum is not needed for proper functioning of the said invention .
All of the above listed technical solutions teach about the general knowledge of filter / strainer / rods screen cleaning by scraping that are not suitable to be used in vacuumized ship' s sanitary wastewater drains .
Summary of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater , with a self -cleaning ability, and for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships . The said separator consists of components listed below .
A casing , with an inlet and an outlet for sanitary wastewater circulation across the working chamber , that is situated within the said casing . The said separator has a closing means for closing the wastewater inlet and a waste discharge mechanism that is situated at the bottom of the said hollow casing , sealed with the seal to the said casing . The working chamber is optionally equipped with a pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure from vacuum pressure to the pressure that is greater than a working pressure in the inlet or the filtered waste water outlet .
A separation of hazardous waste material is performed by plurality of bars mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the working chamber . The said bars are distributed within the working chamber in one or more rows , with a density that forms an effective strainer for blocking a passage of the said waste material through the outlet . The waste material is being accumulated around the said bars during the wastewater flow . The bars are firmly fixed with one side to a fixation plate , which is placed oppositely to the waste discharge mechanism, and above the inlet and outlet level . The fixation plate forms the top of the working chamber, and the bars are
extended towards the discharge mechanism, but are not connected with
The fixation plate bears a drive that moves a cleaning plate , situated within the working chamber, capable to travel from the fixation plate to the waste discharge mechanism, powered by the said drive ' s rod .
The cleaning plate has plurality of cleaning holes through which all the said bars protrude . The cleaning holes are designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars and to push the said waste towards the waste discharge mechanism during the cleaning plate movements . Optionally, the said cleaning holes seal the bars within the said plate , during the cleaning plate movements .
The cleaning plate has a drain system for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process . The said wastewater together with the scraped waste are accumulated beneath the cleaning plate and above the waste discharge mechanism . The drain system has a drain valve and a drain seal dimensioned to fit the outlet . The drain valve operation and the closing means for closing the inlet operation enable the waste discharge mechanism to be opened via a discharge drive , without a need to deteriorate the vacuum inside the inlet and the outlet conduits .
In one variant of the disclosure , the closing means for closing the inlet is formed as a flap that acts as a non-return valve and allows the wastewater to circulate in the working chamber only . Furthermore , the cleaning plate has a recess to prevent striking of the said flap during the cleaning plate movements . In this variant , the cleaning of the separator is starting with the cleaning plate positioned in its default position beneath the fixation plate , and, firstly, the cleaning plate starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism and scrapes the accumulated waste from the bars , then the pressure regulating means pressurises the working chamber, the flap seals the inlet , the drain valve is opened, and the drain seal is pushed by the generated pressure to the outlet
mouth, while the generated pressure inside the working chamber removes a wastewater excess through the drain system towards the outlet , and after discharging the waste via the discharge mechanism, the pressure regulating means vacuumizes the working chamber , the drain valve is then closed and the drain seal de-seals the outlet mouth, and the cleaning plate is returned to its default position close to the fixation plate .
In another variant of the disclosure , the closing means for closing the inlet is formed as a sliding wall that fits inside the casing , and which is firmly connected to the cleaning plate . Furthermore , each cleaning hole seals the corresponding bar in a way to prevent the passage of the residual wastewater below the cleaning plate to flow towards the fixation plate . In this variant , the cleaning of the separator is starting with the cleaning plate positioned in its default position beneath the fixation plate , and without any pressure regulating means needed for the working chamber operation, and when the cleaning plate starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism, the sliding wall seals the inlet , and the generated pressure beneath the cleaning plate removes a wastewater excess through the drain system towards the outlet , where the drain valve is opened and the drain seal fits the outlet mouth, and after discharging the waste via the discharge mechanism, the cleaning plate is returned to its default position close to the fixation plate , and the vacuum in the working chamber is re established by the outlet , where the vacuum is present .
In all variants , the waste discharge mechanism consists of the plate that seals the bottom of the casing via the seal , and where the said plate is removable from the bottom of the casing, preferably horizontally, via one or more drives . The previously scraped waste material from the bars simply drops down by the gravity in the waste collector attached to the said discharge mechanism. Preferably, the discharge collector is a bag attached via the means for attaching the discharge collector to the discharge me chanism .
In all variants , the drive for movable plate and the discharge drives are pneumatically controlled power cylinders . The said drives and, optionally, the pressure regulating means for the working chamber , are controlled via dedicated programmable logic controller ( PLC ) .
It is possible to use two or more separators connected in parallel to ensure continuous operation of the ship' s sanitary system .
Description of Figures
Figure 1 depicts the transparent perspective view across the separator according to the variant one , and where the said separator is in the operational status . Figure 2 depicts the transparent perspective view across the separator according to the variant one , and in the moment when the cleaning plate scraped all the hazardous waste material towards the discharge mechanism.
Figure 3 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap closed, and with the cleaning plate in its default position . Figure 4 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap opened for the wastewater circulation towards the working chamber , and with the cleaning plate in its default position that renders separator operational .
Figure 5 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap closed, and with the cleaning plate in its lowest position after finished scraping procedure , with the drain valve opened and with a pressurised working chamber . Figure 6 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant one , with the flap closed, with the cleaning plate in its lowest position after finished scraping procedure , and with the drain valve closed after vacuum restoration within the working chamber .
Figure 7 shows the perspective view of the separator according to the variant two .
Figure 8 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant two , with the cleaning plate in its default position and when the separator is in its operational condition . Figure 9 shows the cross section of the separator according to the variant two , with the cleaning plate in its lowest position, after the performed cleaning procedure .
Figure 10 shows the same situation as depicted on Figure 8 , but in different , i . e . , A-A cross section . Figure 11 shows the same situation as depicted on Figure 9 , but in different , i . e . , A-A cross section .
Figure 12 depicts the separator' s side view, with the waste discharge mechanism closed . Figure 13 depicts the cross section shown on Figure 11 , but with the waste discharge mechanism now opened .
Detailed Description of the Disclosure
As mentioned before , the main technical problem solved by the present disclosure is the construction and installation of separator of hazardous waste materials from the sanitary wastewater , which can automatically ej ect said material : without direct human contact with feces , without losing vacuum in the system, without spilling water on the engine room, and which is sufficiently compact for use in the limited space of an engine room.
Furthermore , this separator is intended to use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships . Two variants of disclosure will be described in more details below .
Variant 1
Figures 1-6 depict the variant 1 of separator, for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater and with a self-cleaning ability, for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships .
In the present variant, the casing (10) is formed as the hollow cylinder, but other geometries are also acceptable, which should be easy to understand for the person skilled in the art. The casing (10) is equipped with the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) for sanitary wastewater circulation across the casing (10) . Effectively, the working chamber (11) is in contact with the inlet interior (21) and the outlet interior (31) once the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is opened. In this variant, the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is formed as the flap (22) . This flap (22) is preferably made of rubber that allows a flap's bending as depicted on Figure 4, where the fluid circulation across the working chamber (11) is established, from the inlet interior (21) towards the outlet interior (31) only. The casing (10) is additionally fixed with the bottom plate (15) , as depicted in Figure 1. Said bottom plate (15) caries the waste discharge mechanism (60) and other elements as well.
The waste discharge mechanism (60) that is situated at the bottom of the said hollow casing (10) , see Figures 2 and 3. In practice, the waste discharge mechanism is a movable plate (60) , that seals the bottom of the cylindrical casing (10) , with the seal (65) . This sealing is performed in a way to prevent any fluid leakage out of the separator in its normal operation. Furthermore, it should sustain the vacuum generated in the working chamber (11) .
In this variant, the working chamber (11) is optionally equipped with a pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure from very small pressure, i.e., the vacuum, to the pressure that is greater than a working pressure in the inlet (20) or the outlet (30) . Such pressure regulating means are well known in the art and can be simply formed with the vacuum pump and micro compressor and one pressure gauge,
where all devices are controlled via programmable logic controller (PLC) in order to establish the desired pressure within the chamber. The vacuum can be "borrowed" also from the vacuum pump needed for the proper operation of the separator.
The separation of hazardous waste material is performed by a plurality of bars (50) mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the working chamber (11) , as depicted on Figures 1 and 2. The bars (50) are distributed within the working chamber (11) in one or more rows, with a density that forms an effective strainer, or bars screen, for blocking a passage of the said waste material through the outlet (30) . It is well known in the art that the hazardous waste material is being accumulated around the said bars (50) during the wastewater flow, and that should be removed when the flow across the working chamber become reduced.
According to the disclosure, the bars (50) are firmly fixed with their one side to a fixation plate (19) , as visible on Figures 3 and 4. The fixation plate (19) in this variant forms a top of the casing (10) , and it is placed oppositely to the waste discharge mechanism (60) . Furthermore, the fixation plate (19) is positioned above the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) level, and the said bars (50) are extended from the fixation plate (19) towards the said discharge mechanism (60) but are not connected with the later.
The fixation plate (19) bears a drive (90) that are designed to move the cleaning plate (40) . Preferably, the drive (90) consists of the piston (92) and the rod (93) , and is operable by changing the cylinder interior (91) volume actuated by the suitable fluid, preferably with the compressed air. The said cleaning plate (40) is situated within the working chamber (11) and is capable to travel from the fixation plate (19) , see Figure 3, to the waste discharge mechanism (60) , see Figure 5, powered by the rod (93) of the said drive (90) . According to the preferred embodiment, the drive (90) is a pneumatic cylinder capable to be controlled externally via PLC od similar device. The person skilled in the art will immediately understand that other
drives can be equally applied, i.e., hydraulic, electrical actuators, etc. , rendering the same technical effect to the said cleaning plate (40) .
The cleaning plate (40) has plurality of cleaning holes (42) , through which all of the said bars (50) protrude, as depicted on Figure 6. The cleaning holes (42) are designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars (50) and to push the said waste towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) during the cleaning plate (40) movements, in the manner that is known in the art. In this variant of disclosure, it is not necessary to have additional sealing between the cleaning holes (42) and the bars (50) . For the person skilled in the art, it is evident that the geometry of the used cleaning holes (42) should coincide with the geometry of used bars (50) , with necessary clearance for unobstructed movements of the cleaning plate (40) while the bars (50) are passing through it.
The cleaning plate (40) is further equipped with the drain system (70) designed for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process. By comparison of Figure 1 and Figure 2, it is evident that the wastewater and the scraped waste are accumulated beneath the cleaning plate (40) and above the waste discharge mechanism (60) , in a sort of compression executed by the cleaning plate (40) while traveling across the working chamber (11) . This is also evident by comparison of Figures 4 and 6.
The above-mentioned drain system (70) has a drain valve (71) and a drain seal (72) dimensioned to fit the outlet (30) , as depicted on Figures 3 and 5. In the present variant, the drain system is initially situated within the housing (79) , formed as a part of the fixation plate (19) as depicted on Figures 1-6, and sealed to the fixation plate (19) . Drain system may consist of some standard adjustable relief water valve, or it can be specially manufactured for better fit, with respect to standard designs of above-mentioned relief valves .
For the person skilled in the art, it is evident that, according to yet another sub-variant, the drain valve (71) can be separately fixed anywhere on the casing (10) , independently of the drain seal (72) and independently of the cleaning plate (40) . It is also evident that, according to the said variant, the drain seal (72) can be lowered and retracted by a separate pneumatic cylinder controlled by the PLC, independently of cleaning plate (40) , if needed so.
The drain valve (71) and the closing means for closing the inlet (20) , i.e. , the flap (21) , operations enable the waste discharge mechanism (60) to be opened via a discharge drive (61) , without a need to deteriorate the vacuum inside the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) conduits .
The method of operation is described via Figures 3-6. The separator, in the absence of fluid circulation, is depicted on Figure 3. The cleaning plate (40) is situated beneath the fixation plate (19) , and the drain system (70) is parked in the housing (79) and it is firmly attached to the cleaning plate (40) . When the wastewater with hazardous material starts to flow across the separator, the flap (22) is partially opened, as depicted on Figure 4, the flow is established between the inlet interior (21) and the outlet interior (31) , through the working chamber (11) . The hazardous material retains on the bars (50) . It is evident that the nominal pressure within the working chamber (11) is equal to this of the outlet (30) during the standard operation. After predetermined amount of time, usually measured in hours or days, the separator has to be cleaned from the hazardous waste material accumulated all over the bars. This procedure is depicted via Figures 5 and 6. Firstly, the cleaning plate (40) starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) and scrapes the accumulated waste in the volume between the cleaning plate (40) and the waste discharge mechanism (60) . Then, the pressure regulating means pressurises the working chamber (11) , the flap (22) seals the inlet (20) and the drain seal (72) is pushed by the generated pressure to the outlet (30) mouth sealing the drain system (70) to the inlet (30) , see Figure 5. The generated pressure inside the working chamber
(11) removes a wastewater excess through the drain system (70) towards the outlet (30) across the drain valve (71) that is now opened.
The discharging of the waste, in both variants of the disclosure, is performed by removing the bottom plate of the discharge mechanism (60) , see Figures 12 and 13. The waste discharge mechanism (60) consists of the plate that seals the bottom of the casing (10) via the seal (65) . In the preferred variant, the said plate is removable from the bottom of the casing (10) , preferably horizontally, via one or more drives (61) . So, previously scraped waste material from the bars (50) simply drops down by the gravity in the waste collector attached to the waste discharge mechanism (60) . Usually, the discharge collector is a simple bag attached via the means for attaching the discharge collector (63) to the discharge mechanism (60) . It is worth to note that mainly solid and wet waste is present in the discharge collector, having in mind that the excess wastewater is previously removed during the above-described process from the working chamber.
After discharging of the waste and closing and sealing of the discharge mechanism (60) to the casing (10) , the pressure regulating means vacuumizes the working chamber (11) . This action brings the drain valve (71) in closed position, as indicated in Figure 6, the drain seal (72) de-seals the outlet (30) , and the cleaning plate (40) is finally returned to its default position close to the fixation plate (19) . The separator is then in position to start to function again, clean and ready for the new hazardous waste.
In the preferred embodiment, the drive (90) and the discharge drives (61) are pneumatic cylinders, wherein the drives (90, 61) and the pressure regulating means for the working chamber (11) are controlled via the programmable logic controller (PLC) .
The person skilled in the art will immediately recognize the fact that two or more separators can be connected in parallel to ensure continuous operation of the ship' s sanitary system and to provide sanitary redundancy system, if necessary.
Variant 2
Figures 7-13 depict variant 2 of separator, for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater and with a self-cleaning ability, for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships .
In the present variant, the casing (10) is again formed as the hollow cylinder. The casing (10) is equipped with the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) for sanitary wastewater circulation across the casing
(10) . Effectively, the working chamber (11) is in contact with the inlet interior (21) and outlet interior (31) once the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is opened. In this variant, the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is formed as a sliding wall (41) that fits inside the casing (10) , as depicted on Figures 8 and 9. The casing (10) is additionally fixed with the bottom plate (15) , via the external casing holders (16) which reinforce structure, as shown on Figure 7. Said bottom plate (15) caries the waste discharge mechanism (60) and the corresponding drives (61) , as well, as depicted on Figure 8, which is equal to variant 1.
The waste discharge mechanism (60) is situated at the bottom of the said hollow casing (10) and has the same properties as one in variant 1. In practice, the waste discharge mechanism is a movable plate (60) , that seals the bottom of the cylindrical casing (10) , with the seal (65) . This sealing is performed in a way to prevent any fluid leakage out of the separator in its normal operation. Furthermore, it should sustain the vacuum generated in the working chamber (11) .
In variant 2, the working chamber pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure inside the working chamber (11) is not present and not needed for the operation. The separation of hazardous waste material is again performed by plurality of bars (50) mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the working chamber
(11) , as depicted on Figures 8 and 9. The bars (50) are distributed
within the working chamber (11) in one or more rows, with a density that forms an effective strainer, or bars screen, for blocking a passage of the said waste material through the outlet (30) . Said waste should be removed when the flow across the working chamber (11) become reduced, identically as in variant 1.
As in variant 1, the bars (50) are firmly fixed with their one side to a fixation plate (19) , as visible on Figures 8 and 9. The fixation plate (19) in this variant forms a top of the working chamber (11) , and it is placed oppositely to the waste discharge mechanism (60) and approximately in the middle of the casing (10) . Furthermore, the fixation plate (19) is positioned above the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) level, and the said bars (50) are extended from the fixation plate (19) towards the said discharge mechanism (60) but are not connected with the later.
The fixation plate (19) again bears a drive (90) that are designed to move the cleaning plate (40) with its rode (93) attached to the piston (92) of the said, preferably, pneumatic mechanism that acts on the said piston (92) via the pneumatic line (94) , and moves it inside the cylinder interior (91) . In this variant, the fixation plate (19) is connected with the casing (10) by the drive (90) casing, as depicted on Figures 8 and 9, creating the casing interior (12) around the drive (90) .
This cleaning plate (40) is situated within the working chamber (11) and is capable to travel from the fixation plate (19) , see Figure 8, to the waste discharge mechanism (60) , as shown on Figure 9, powered by the drive (90) .
Similarly with variant 1, the cleaning plate (40) has plurality of cleaning holes (42) , through which all the said bars (50) protrude, Figure 9. The cleaning holes (42) are designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars (50) and to push the said waste towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) during the cleaning plate (40) movements, in the manner that is known in the art. However, in contrast
to variant 1, in variant 2, it is necessary to have additional sealing between the cleaning holes (42) and the bars (50) , performed in a usual manner, preferably as the sealing rings made of hard rubber, This detail will be explained in the rest of the text.
For the person skilled in the art, it is evident that the geometry of the used cleaning holes (42) has to coincide with the geometry of used bars (50) , with necessary clearance for mounting the sealing rings, and where the said holes (42) allow unobstructed movements of the cleaning plate (40) while the bars (50) are passing through it.
As in variant 1, the cleaning plate (40) is further equipped with the drain system (70) designed for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process . When one compares Figure 8 and Figure 9, it is evident that the wastewater and the scraped waste are accumulated beneath the cleaning plate (40) and above the waste discharge mechanism (60) , in a compression executed by the cleaning plate (40) while traveling across the working chamber (11) . It is worth to note that afore mentioned sealing rings around the holes (42) prevent the flow back of the water accumulated beneath the movable cleaning plate (40) towards the fixation plate (19) , and sustain the pressure created beneath the cleaning plate (40) .
The said drain system (70) has a drain valve (71) and a drain seal (72) with the nozzles (73) , dimensioned to fit the outlet (30) , as depicted on Figures 9 and 12. In the present variant 2, drain seal (72) is effectively a part of the sliding wall (41) . The drain valve (71) and the closing means for closing the inlet (20) , i.e. , the part of the sliding wall (41) , operations enable the waste discharge mechanism (60) to be opened via a discharge drive (61) , without a need to deteriorate the vacuum inside the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) conduits .
The method of operation of variant 2 is described via Figures 8-12.
The separator, in absence of the fluid circulation, is depicted on Figure 8. The cleaning plate (40) is situated beneath the fixation
plate (19) , and the drain system (70) is parked in the casing interior (12) . When the wastewater with hazardous material start to flow across the separator nothing happens, the flow is established between the inlet interior (21) and the outlet interior (31) , across the working chamber (11) and the bars (50) start to accumulate the hazardous waste. Again, after predetermined amount of time, usually measured in hours or days, the separator has to be cleaned from the hazardous waste material accumulated all over the bars (50) . Then, the drive (90) starts to move the cleaning plate (40) down, i.e. , towards the waste discharging mechanism (60) . The cleaning plate (40) position is denoted with letter "P". The sliding wall (41) attached to the cleaning plate (40) firstly seals the inlet (20) , and the generated pressure beneath the cleaning plate (40) removes a wastewater excess through the drain system (70) towards the outlet (30) . The drain valve (71) is opened and the drain seal (72) , that is basically a part of the sliding wall (41) , fits the outlet (30) mouth and injects the wastewater excess through the nozzles (73) , as depicted on Figure 12.
The discharging of the waste via the discharge mechanism (60) is performed in the same manner as described in variant 1 and depicted in Figures 12 and 13.
Finally, the cleaning plate (40) is returned to its default position, powered by the drive (90) , close to the fixation plate (19) . The vacuum in the working chamber (11) is re-established by the outlet (30) , where the vacuum, or a low pressure, is already present. The separator is now again ready to its service.
Industrial Applicability
The industrial applicability of the present disclosure is evident. The present disclosure offers a novel construction and installation of separator of hazardous waste materials from the sanitary wastewater, which can automatically eject said material: without direct human contact with feces,
without losing vacuum in the system, without spilling water on the engine room, and which is sufficiently compact for use in the limited space of an engine room.
Reference numbers
10 Casing
11 Working chamber
12 Casing interior
15 Bottom plate
16 Casing holder
19 Fixation Plate
20 Inlet
21 Inlet interior
22 Flap
30 Outlet
31 Outlet interior
40 Cleaning plate
41 Sliding wall
42 Cleaning hole
50 Strainer ' s bar
60 Waste discharge mechanism
61 Discharge drive
63 Means for attaching discharge collector
65 Seal
70 Drain system
71 Drain valve
72 Drain seal
73 Nozzle
79 Housing for the drain system
90 Pneumatic drive
91 Cylinder interior
92 Piston
93 Rod
94 Pneumatic line
P Cleaning plate position
A-A Cross section
Claims
CLAIMS A separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater, with a self-cleaning ability, for use in a vacuum powered sanitary wastewater drains on ships, wherein the said separator consists of : a casing (10) having an inlet (20) and an outlet (30) for sanitary wastewater circulation across the working chamber (11) situated within the casing (10) , where the said separator has a closing means for closing the inlet (20) and a waste discharge mechanism (60) that is situated at the bottom of the said hollow casing (10) and sealed with the seal (65) to the said casing (10) , where the working chamber (11) is optionally equipped with a pressure regulating means capable to change the pressure from vacuum to the pressure that is greater than a working pressure in the inlet (20) or the outlet (30) , where a separation of hazardous waste material is performed by plurality of bars (50) mounted mainly perpendicularly to the wastewater flow through the working chamber (11) , where the said bars (50) are distributed within the said chamber (11) in one or more rows with a density that forms an effective strainer for blocking a passage of the said waste material through the outlet (30) , and where the waste material is being accumulated around the said bars (50) during the wastewater flow, where the said bars (50) are firmly fixed with one side to a fixation plate (19) which is placed oppositely to the waste discharge mechanism (60) , above the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) level, forming the top of the working chamber (11) , and where the said bars (50) are extended towards the said discharge mechanism (60) but are not connected with it, where the said fixation plate (19) bears a drive (90) that moves a cleaning plate (40) , situated within the working chamber (11) , to travel from the fixation plate (19) to the
waste discharge mechanism (60) , powered by the rod (93) of the said drive (90) , where the cleaning plate (40) has plurality of cleaning holes (42) , through which all the said bars (50) protrude, where the said cleaning holes (42) are designed to scrape the waste accumulated around the bars (50) and to push the said waste towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) during the cleaning plate (40) movements, and optionally, the said cleaning holes (42) seal the bars (50) within the said plate (40) during the cleaning plate (40) movements, where the said cleaning plate (40) has a drain system (70) for removing a wastewater excess from the scraped waste during cleaning process, where the said wastewater and the scraped waste are accumulated beneath the cleaning plate (40) and above the waste discharge mechanism (60) , where the said drain system (70) has a drain valve (71) and a drain seal (72) dimensioned to fit the outlet (30) , where the drain valve (71) and the closing means for closing the inlet (20) operations enable the waste discharge mechanism (60) to be opened via a discharge drive (61) , without a need to deteriorate the vacuum inside the inlet (20) and the outlet (30) conduits. The separator according to claim 1, wherein: the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is formed as a flap (22) that acts as a non-return valve and allows the wastewater to circulate towards the working chamber (11) only, and, where the cleaning plate (40) has a recess to prevent striking of the said flap (22) during the cleaning plate (40) movements . The separator according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning of the separator is starting with the cleaning plate (40) positioned in its default position beneath the fixation plate (19) ,
firstly, the cleaning plate (40) starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) and scrapes the accumulated waste from the bars (50) , then the pressure regulating means pressurises the working chamber (11) , the flap (22) seals the inlet (20) , the drain valve (71) is opened and the drain seal (72) is pushed by the generated pressure to the outlet (30) mouth, while the generated pressure inside the working chamber (11) removes a wastewater excess through the drain system (70) towards the outlet (30) , and after discharging the waste via the discharge mechanism (60) , the pressure regulating means vacuumizes the working chamber (11) , the drain valve (71) is then closed and the drain seal (72) de-seals the outlet (30) mouth, and the cleaning plate (40) is returned to its default position close to the fixation plate (19) . The separator according to claim 1, wherein: the closing means for closing the inlet (20) is formed as a sliding wall (41) that fits inside the casing (10) , that is firmly connected to the cleaning plate (40) , and each cleaning hole (42) seals the corresponding bar (50) in a way to prevent the passage of the residual wastewater below the cleaning plate (40) to flow towards the fixation plate (19) . The separator according to claim 4, wherein the cleaning of the separator is starting with the cleaning plate (40) positioned in its default position beneath the fixation plate (19) , without any pressure regulating means needed for the working chamber (11) , when the cleaning plate (40) starts to move towards the waste discharge mechanism (60) , the sliding wall (41) seals the inlet (20) , and the generated pressure beneath the cleaning plate (40) removes a wastewater excess through the drain system (70) towards the outlet (30) , where the drain valve (71) is opened and the drain seal (72) fits the outlet (30) mouth, and
after discharging the waste via the discharge mechanism (60) , the cleaning plate (40) is returned to its default position close to the fixation plate (19) , and the vacuum in the working chamber (11) is re-established by the outlet (30) , where the vacuum is present. The separator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the waste discharge mechanism (60) consists of the plate that seals the bottom of the casing (10) via the seal (65) , and where the said plate is removable from the bottom of the casing (10) , preferably horizontally, via one or more drives (61) , and where previously scraped waste material from the bars (50) simply drops down by the gravity in the waste collector attached to the said discharge mechanism (60) . The separator according to claim 6, where the discharge collector is a bag attached via the means for attaching the discharge collector (63) to the discharge mechanism (60) . The separator according to any of the preceding claims, where the drive (90) and the discharge drives (61) are pneumatic cylinders. The separator according to claim 8, wherein the drives (90, 61) and, optionally, the pressure regulating means for the working chamber (11) are controlled via programmable logic controller (PLC) . Use two or more separators according to any of claims 1-9, connected in parallel to ensure continuous operation of the ship' s sanitary system.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/EP2021/075280 WO2023041147A1 (en) | 2021-09-15 | 2021-09-15 | Separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater, with a self-cleaning ability |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/EP2021/075280 WO2023041147A1 (en) | 2021-09-15 | 2021-09-15 | Separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater, with a self-cleaning ability |
Publications (1)
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WO2023041147A1 true WO2023041147A1 (en) | 2023-03-23 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/EP2021/075280 WO2023041147A1 (en) | 2021-09-15 | 2021-09-15 | Separator for hazardous waste material from sanitary wastewater, with a self-cleaning ability |
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Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3567032A (en) | 1968-06-14 | 1971-03-02 | Monogram Ind Inc | Filter and pump for a recirculating sanitary system |
JPS51119051U (en) | 1975-03-24 | 1976-09-27 | ||
US5437789A (en) | 1993-08-20 | 1995-08-01 | Sabo; Darrick K. | Washing machine lint strainer |
US5527462A (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1996-06-18 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Filter with axially movable wiper |
EP2092129A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2009-08-26 | Evac International Oy | Vacuum sewage system |
US20150174513A1 (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2015-06-25 | Eaton Corporation | Self purge filtration apparatus for discharge to subatmospheric conditions |
US20190085550A1 (en) * | 2016-02-23 | 2019-03-21 | Huber Se | Screening device |
CN111804026A (en) | 2020-08-11 | 2020-10-23 | 绍兴市晟途环保科技有限公司 | Filter plate cleaning device for wastewater treatment and using method |
-
2021
- 2021-09-15 WO PCT/EP2021/075280 patent/WO2023041147A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3567032A (en) | 1968-06-14 | 1971-03-02 | Monogram Ind Inc | Filter and pump for a recirculating sanitary system |
JPS51119051U (en) | 1975-03-24 | 1976-09-27 | ||
US5437789A (en) | 1993-08-20 | 1995-08-01 | Sabo; Darrick K. | Washing machine lint strainer |
US5527462A (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1996-06-18 | Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. | Filter with axially movable wiper |
EP2092129A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2009-08-26 | Evac International Oy | Vacuum sewage system |
US20150174513A1 (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2015-06-25 | Eaton Corporation | Self purge filtration apparatus for discharge to subatmospheric conditions |
US20190085550A1 (en) * | 2016-02-23 | 2019-03-21 | Huber Se | Screening device |
CN111804026A (en) | 2020-08-11 | 2020-10-23 | 绍兴市晟途环保科技有限公司 | Filter plate cleaning device for wastewater treatment and using method |
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