AU708129B2 - Recycling system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to improvements in the recycling of waste water.

In drought situations or where water supply is limited optimum usage of water is desirable.

Toilet cisterns have been identified as using a high volume of water in many households and to reduce this water usage, dual flush systems have been developed.

Potable water however is not essential for the operation of toilet systems and thus there is a potential for further savings in water usage by using recycled water from other household sources such as washing machines, baths and showers.

During summer when water restrictions can be in effect, 4 4* domestic gardens and the like often suffer from lack of 15 water. There is also an opportunity here for the *44 application of recycled water as a substitute for the main town supply.

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The object of the present invention is thus to provide apparatus for the automatic collection and processing of waste water from household appliances such as the bath/shower and laundry for subsequent use in further applications.

Broadly the invention consists of an apparatus for waste water recycling comprised of at least one holding/settling container, separation means for collecting particles from the waste water, overflow means for the overflow of waste water upon the container(s) being filled and bypass means for bypass of some incoming waste water, there being pumping means for pumping processed water out of the container(s) for further use.

In the preferred form of the invention control means is provided whereby the pumping means will cease operation when the volume of waste water in the container has 9* reached a pre-determined minimum level. Means can be included to connect a cistern or the like back to the mains supply of water until the volume in the container is above said minimum level.

15 In the following more detailed description of the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view of the 9 container and pumping means of the apparatus according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a typical setup of the apparatus according to the present invention when plumbed into a domestic dwelling.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a further embodiment of the invention where a plurality of tanks are provided, Figure 4 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, including a toilet system schematic, Figure 5 is a cutaway view of the tank inlet pipe from Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a detailed view of the separation method of the embodiment according to the invention.

9 9 9 9 15 As illustrated in Figure 1 the waste water recycling apparatus of the invention comprises a container 10 into which waste water can flow. The size and shape of the waste water container 10 is such that it can be conveniently located within the plumbing system of a dwelling and also the physical building constraints (eg under floor) of the dwelling.

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99 9 9 The outlet pipes from a bath B and/or shower S are connectable via an inlet connection 11 to the container 20 10. Preferably a filter arrangement 12 is provided to filter out any solid material and/or soap residues.

Also an arrangement could be incorporated to separate out any soap residues, eg a trap, skimmer or the like.

An overflow pipe 13 extends from the container. Thus water issuing from the bath and/or shower routinely Scollects within the container 10 until such time as the container is full or has filled to a pre-determined volume whereupon any additional incoming waste water will automatically flow via the overflow pipe to the normal sump 23 to which waste water from the bath/shower normally flows.

As a consequence container 10 simply operates as a holding tank with the volume of water within the tank at any given time being determined by the amount of inflowing water from the bath and/or shower and the number of flushings of a toilet cistern coupled thereto as will hereinafter be described.

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A lift pump 14 is provided and mounted with the container 10. A conduit 15 is connected to the lift pump 14 and is coupled via a suitable connection 18 to r the supply pipe 16 leading from the mains water supply to the cistern 17 of a toilet T. Conduit 15 preferably S *couples with water supply pipe 16 via connection 18 Swhich includes a controllable two-way valve.

Located within the cistern 17 is a switching means such as a micro switch 19. This is electrically coupled to the lift pump 14 which in the preferred form of the invention is driven by a low voltage electric motor wired through a step-down transformer to the main power supply of the dwelling. In the arrangement of the micro switch 19 the switch is activated upon the float means 21 in the cistern 17 lowering upon the toilet T being flushed. As a consequence lift pump 14 becomes active thereby drawing waste water from the container 10 via outlet 22 such that waste water passes along the conduit into pipe 16 to thereby replenish the water within the cistern 17.

It will be appreciated that the two-way valve of connection 18 is controlled such that the main water supply to inlet pipe 17 is shut off while the conduit is in communication with the inlet pipe 17. Upon the cistern being fully replenished the micro switch is tripped thereby turning off the lift pump 14.

Provided that there is sufficient waste water within the container 10 the cistern can be replenished from the S holding tank 10 upon each flushing of toilet T. Sensing S 15 means are provided, however, so that upon the volume of water within the container 10 reaching a pre-determined minimum the two-way valve is automatically switched over

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9..*such that the mains supply is once again re-connected to the cistern.

r In a further form of the invention the waste water container 10 can be formed by at least a pair of tanks one of which functions as a separating system while the other(s) receive the processed water and act as holding/settling tanks. The water can then be pumped to the toilet cistern. In such an arrangement the tanks can be installed in the ground with their central longitudinal axis substantially vertical *and the top portions of the tanks exposed and projecting above ground level.

Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 3 and 4 (the details of the separation system being shown in Figure 6) and comprises a first tank 10a to which is coupled the inlet pipe 23 from the bath, shower, washing machine, etc. Transfer pipe(s) 30 connect tank 10a to subsequent receiving tanks in series 10b, 10c, 10d from which water can be pumped by pump 14. As shown tanks lOa-d are installed in the ground with upper portions thereof projecting above ground level L.

Figure 5 shows the detail of inlet (overflow/bypass) pipe 23. Waste water from the selected source appliance travels into pipe 23 and is diverted out at the first pipe outlet 24. The water encounters several agitator baffles 40 and a weir means (semicircular block 41) which allows excess (overflow) water and soap suds etc to flow over the top and bypass the recycling system out 99 to the normal drain means or gulley trap.

Agitator baffles 40 encourage the soap suds to foam up and block 41 skims off the suds so they (and any hair or solid particles adhering to them) are washed down the normal drain means without ever having entered the system. The remaining water, now in a controlled amount, enters the first pipe outlet 24 leading to the filtering tank The piping arrangement shown in Figure 4 includes an exhaust vent 23a for the escape of any fumes from the tank system.

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a 9 The water source is preferably not from wash basin or kitchen waste as beard trimmings or high fat bulky foods may cause undesirable blockage in the filter system.

Selected water sources such as those previously described are connected to pipe 23 by standard plumbing fittings.

*999 a 9 a ar 9 5 The separation details are described in Figure 6. The water entering tank 10a begins to fill the top section 25 until it reaches the entry 26 at the first substantially conical shroud 27 where it begins vortexing into entry 26. A general downward motion flow path is defined by the arrows (in Figure 6) between the shroud 27 and an inner conical component 28. During its flow through the entries 26 and 28a (and influenced by the centrifugal forces created by the vortex) the heavy impurities in the water are trapped in the sharp bends of the conical pieces (becoming saturated and hence traveling no further).

This embodiment features four such conical pairs in series to define a longer fluid flow path for waste water and allow plenty of opportunity for heavy particles to be trapped in the separation means. The cones 27 and 28 are moulded so they connect together with an interference fit within the walls of the first filter drum 29 (the top edge of which forms the floor of top section 25). Conical components 28 interconnect to S'i form a shaft 31 extending through the center of the first filter drum 29, the use of which will be hereinafter described.

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When the substantially cleaner waste water has passed through the last conical component 28 at exit hole 28a it is free to fall through the holes 29a formed in the filter drum 29 into a second drum 30 at which point the water level continues to rise until it can leave at exit holes 30a in the top part of the wall of drum substantially above holes 29a. Water then collects in the base of tank lOa until it can exit through transfer pipe 30. The entry to pipe 30 is regulated by a filter pipe 32 containing a plurality of holes 32a to catch lint and other particles. Heavy particles and dirt will build up on the base of tank 10a over time.

Under normal use conditions the tanks as provided will need emptying of their built-up particles every few months. This is easily achievable through the lid of tank 10a and subsequent removal of each cone component 27 and 28 and drums 29 and 10 The water level in settling/holding containers 10a, 10c and 10d will continue to rise until the water reaches the level of the top of shaft 31 at which point the floatable scum and excess soaps/fats can discharge through outlet pipe 13 and into the normal drainage system 13a. This will continue until the level is reduced once again through use of the recycled water.

It will be noted from Figure 6 that the top of shaft 31 is marginally higher than the entry 26 to the cone filter system.

Settling tank lOb is provided with a quick access screwtop port 10p through which a chlorine table is /eJ i* l iu periodically added to destroy bacteria in the water.

The tablets are of a standard type used in swimming pools and the like.

The pumping unit 14 is provided in tank 10d and is of a type which supplies a flow rate comparable with mains pressure. The pump 14 retrieves water via pipe 22 from a minimum level located above the surface of any sediment collected at the base of tank 10d. A gauze filter (not illustrated) is provided within the pump unit 14 as a final barrier to any particles in the .9 .water.

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*e The water flows through pipe 15 to a conventional toilet 9* separate to that of the mains supply M which should be 15 fitted with a non-return valve N to prevent any possibility of recycled water coming into direct contact with the mains supply (conceivably leading to health 9o micro switch 19 which activates the pump via a relay switch 19a to supply water to the cistern.17 between a specified range of water levels.

As seen in Figure 3, coupled to pump tank 10d is an optional holding tank 10e which also includes a pump unit 14. The purpose of this tank is to provide gardening water to supply a garden hose or irrigation system. A float and micro switch arrangement 33 is provided to prevent the pump 14 running dry. The inlet pipe 30a to tank 10e is located substantially toward the top of tank 10e so it will only fill after the other *o tanks thereby not depriving water from the cistern supply.

The pump tank lOd could be designed with an additional *hose fitting for the use outlined above but the separate tank is provided with an independent pump to ensure there is no conflict in the duties of the pump (which may not be capable of supplying a sufficient flow rate for two jobs at once).

The additional water supply provided by optional tank lOe can be used for any number of applications involving non-drinking water.

The water recycling system as outlined in this embodiment complies with the safety standards required by local body authorities regarding the use of nonpotable water. The device will be labeled appropriately with warnings at the outlets and the non-return valve and standard design of a toilet cistern ensures there is no direct contact of the two water grades to eliminate risk to town water supplies. The zero-pressure conditions (when pump is turned off) existing in the system also ensure grey water and potable water do not *C S contact.

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:In situations of high toilet use and hence excessive S. water demand such as parties, the option remains to shut off the recycled water valve and revert back to a mains

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a i 15 supply. The pump power supply can be configured to automatically cut with this shut-off to prevent the micro switch from triggering further pumping.

For extra capacity further receiving tanks can be added.

The apparatus according to the present invention is a mostly self contained unit which can simply be plumbed water demvia suitable convention fittings into the exising pipe

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1 via suitable convention fittings into the existing pipe 14 layout of the dwelling. Thus a minimum of plumbing work is required. The tank(s) can be automatically replenished by waste water draining from the bath, laundry and/or shower such that the waste water can be automatically used for filling of the toilet cistern.

However, at times where the supply of waste water is such that container 10 reaches a minimum volume the cistern can be switched back onto the main water supply.

The invention therefore provides a relatively low cost yet effective means of recycling waste water to thereby save on the demands for drinking quality water.

oB a Ba a Ba THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. An apparatus for waste water recycling comprised of at least one holding/settling container, separation means for collecting particles from the waste water, overflow means for the overflow of waste water upon the container(s) being filled and bypass means for bypass of some incoming waste water, there being pumping means for pumping processed water out of the container(s) for further use.

0 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the separation means is comprised of a series of modular 9" e substantially cone shaped units which fit together within a separation drum to form a plurality of surfaces onto which particles can settle.

.9 15 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the modular cone shaped units are enclosed in a corresponding substantially cone-shaped shroud to create a longer water flow path, said shrouds also being modular units.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the modular cone shaped units when fitted together form a conduit

Claims (8)

1. 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein processed water exits at a lower, end of a first container having said separation means into a second container with exit points substantially above those of the first container.
2. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein bridging pipes between a plurality of holding/settling containers are located at the lower ends thereof whereby all containers have a substantially equal water level at any given time.
3. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bypass means at the first or the first of a series of containers is provided by a conduit having a plurality of internal agitator baffles and a weir means in said conduit located beyond the entry point into the m container to allow excess water flow and/or floatable suds and solids to continue into a conventional drainage system. 60 0 "00:6, 0 G* 0 Se 0 .0 0 00 S 0000 00 SO S. *006r S. 0 SO *0 00 0S S 00. 0
4. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein beyond the weir means is an outlet from the first container to enable overflow water and lighter particles to exit to drainage. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims in combination with a toilet cistern being fitted with a means to shut-off the pumping means when the water level in the cistern reaches a maximum.
5. 11. The arrangement of claim 10 wherein connecting pipework between the pumping means and the cistern includes a shut-off valve. OS 0 00 0 5S 00
6. 12. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein a mains water supply to the cistern is fitted with a non-return valve. 18
7. 13. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein the shut-off valve includes a means to automatically disable the pumping means.
8. 14. The arrangement of claim 10 wherein the shut-off means is in the form of a float and micro-switch arrangement. The apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 26th day of May 1999 DONALD JAMES SORENSEN By his Patent Attorneys COLLISON CO ABSTRACT "RECYCLING SYSTEM" An apparatus for waste water recycling. The apparatus includes a series of at least one holding/settling container filtration means (12) for collecting particles from the waste water, and overflow means (13) S, for the overflow of waste water upon the container(s) being filled by incoming waste water to a predetermined 0 volume, there being pumping means (14) for pumping 10 processed water out of the container(s) for further use. (Figure 1) CC *00 go. CC,. 0000 0O C 0* S *0 S C