AU635497B2

AU635497B2 - Waste and rain water recycling system

Info

Publication number: AU635497B2
Application number: AU39206/89A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Otto Braun
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-03
Filing date: 1989-08-02
Publication date: 1993-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-02
Also published as: AU3920689A

Description

635497 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT t* S: Name of Applicant: S. Address of Applicant: Address for Service: Otto Braun Karolinenstrasse 133, D 6780, Pirmasens, Germany ARTHUR S. CAVE CO.

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level Barrack Street SYDNEY N.S.W. 2000 AUSTRALIA 8 Complete Specification for the invention entitled WASTE AND RAIN WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM.

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1 ASC 49 SOO9220 1013U/PP 0718k/ifg -2- WASTE AND RAIN WATER RECYCLING SYSTEM Today mains water is used for many applications where the need for absolute purity is not essential and it is possible to use water of lower quality without detrimental effects. Examples of such uses are watering gardens, washing cars or even flushing toilets.

The present invention concerns a system which enables reuse of waste water from relatively clean sources such as bathtubs, showers, wash basins or washing machines as a source for uses where absolute purity is not essential and thereby reduce consumption of fresh water.

In one broad form the invention provides a waste water recycling system comprising: a water reservoir including a roof; at least one inlet pipe connecting said reservoir to at least one waste water supply such that the reservoir may receive waste water; e at least one outlet pipe connected to at least one water using device; a water pump to supply water from the reservoir to the outlet pipe; and limit means to limit the maximum amount of water in the reservoir and maintain an air gap between the water and the roof.

In another broad form the invention provides a waste water recycling method comprising the steps of: providing a substantially closed waste water reservoir, said reservoir including a roof; collecting waste water from at least one source of waste water; and directing the waste water collected into the rrervoir; controlling the maximum quantity of water in the reservoir to maintain an air gap between tte WAter and the roof; selectively supplying water in the reservoiF to at least one water using device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of the present c 0718k/lfg -3invention.

Fig. 2 shows a cross section of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a partial cross-section through the embodiment of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a corrosion free waste water reservoir 1. The reservoir 1 is provided with two drain pipes. A first drain 3 allows the reservoir to be drained for maintenance or cleaning while a second drain 7 acts as an overflow to allow excess water to discharge to a sewer or such like.

Preferably the drain 7 is at a position to ensure an airspace 16 between the maximum waterlevel 17 and the mains water inlet. This ensures the mains water is not contaminated by the waste water. Preferably the airspace is 4o** about 150mm.

S. 46 The reservoir 1 is provided with an inspection hatch 2, 5E allowing access to the reservoir interior for maintenance C0 and cleaning.

Water is provided to the reservoir from three inlets.

The first inlet 6 provides waste water from water using devices, such as washing machines, baths, or such like, the second inlet 4 provides rainwater collected from a suitable runoff area, while a third inlet 8 is connected to the mains water supply. Water entering the resevoir from inlets 4 and 6 passes through a filter 5. The mains inlet is controlled *oolso: by an inlet float valve 13 to maintain a minimum level of water in the reservoir 1 when the supply of waste and rain water is less than that removed. The inlet valve 13 is controlled by a float 15 connected to the valve 13 by an arm 14.

An electrically driven water pump 9 is situated on the top of the reservoir 1 and draws water in the reservoir 1 through a filter 11 into a suction pipe 10 and thence to the pump 9. The water is then supplied under pressure to a supply line 12 which in turn is connected to a water using device, such as a toilet cistern, car wash, or such like.

The pump is provided with a one-way valve such that once pressurised, the supply line 12 maintains pressure. A pressure sensing device and control unit (not shown) are provided to monitor the pressure in the supply line 12 and control the pump. When a device connected to the supply line 12 demands water, the pressure in the line drops and the control unit turns the pump onto supply water. When demand for water ceases pressure in the line increases and the controller turns the 0 pump off.

It will be recognised by the person skilled in the art o* S that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as herein defined.

so S -4- 1555k/AT

Claims

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 including a mains be water supply to the reservoir.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 including a water inlet to supply rainwater collected from a run off area.
4. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 A, O wherein at least one waste water supply is a domestic appliance. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 S' wherein at least one water using device is a toilet. SSS.*. S6. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 and wherein the limit means is an overflow outlet.
7. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the reservoir has an access hatch.
8. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the reservoir has a drainage outlet.
9. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 including filter means to at least partially purify water drawn from the reservoir and supplied to the at least one water using device. The system of any one of claims 1 to 9 further including a second filter means to filter water supplied to the reservoir by the at least one inlet.
11. A waste water recycling method comprising the steps of 071 8k/lfg -6- providing a substantially closed waste water reservoir, said reservoir including a roof; collecting waste water from at least one source of waste water; and directing the waste water collected into the reservoir; controlling the maximum quantity of water in the reservoir to maintain an air gap between the water and the roof; selectively supplying water in the reservoir to at least one water using device.
12. The method of claim 11 including the step of filtering the water supplied to and/or from the waste water reservoir.
13. The method of claim 11 or claim 12 including selectively supplying mains water via a mains water supply to selectively maintain a substantially constant amount of water in the reservoir.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein step includes maintaining an air gap between the water in the reservoir and an inlet for the mains water supply. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14 including collecting rainwater in the reservoir.
16. A waste water recycling system, substantially as herein described. ee~o
17. A method of recycling waste water, substantially as herein described. DATED this 17th day of December, 1992. OTTO BRAUN By His Patent Attorneys, S"DAVIES COLLISON CAVE 0o00e0