CA2100496A1 - Mobile waste treatment apparatus - Google Patents
Mobile waste treatment apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2100496A1 CA2100496A1 CA 2100496 CA2100496A CA2100496A1 CA 2100496 A1 CA2100496 A1 CA 2100496A1 CA 2100496 CA2100496 CA 2100496 CA 2100496 A CA2100496 A CA 2100496A CA 2100496 A1 CA2100496 A1 CA 2100496A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- waste
- treatment
- bacteria
- receiving
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
- C02F3/12—Activated sludge processes
- C02F3/1236—Particular type of activated sludge installations
- C02F3/1263—Sequencing batch reactors [SBR]
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F3/02—Aerobic processes
- C02F3/12—Activated sludge processes
- C02F3/14—Activated sludge processes using surface aeration
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2203/00—Apparatus and plants for the biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2203/008—Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W10/00—Technologies for wastewater treatment
- Y02W10/10—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A sequencing batch waste treatment facility with pretreatment mixing and equalization by mixing with bacteria to achieve a selected waste to bacteria ratio includes selective bacteria breeding through a waste feedback loop, wherein waste is treated and reduced to acceptable biological oxygen demand levels for municipal type waste treatment or general discharge per regulatory permit.
Activated sludge from treatment is transferred to feed and breed new bacteria which are mixed with new waste and used to treat the new waste, which in turn provides activated sludge for feeding and breeding additional bacteria.
A sequencing batch waste treatment facility with pretreatment mixing and equalization by mixing with bacteria to achieve a selected waste to bacteria ratio includes selective bacteria breeding through a waste feedback loop, wherein waste is treated and reduced to acceptable biological oxygen demand levels for municipal type waste treatment or general discharge per regulatory permit.
Activated sludge from treatment is transferred to feed and breed new bacteria which are mixed with new waste and used to treat the new waste, which in turn provides activated sludge for feeding and breeding additional bacteria.
Description
2 ~ 3 ~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to sewage treatment and specifically to high concentration waste which cannot be accommodated by common municipal-type waste treatment facilities or to situations requiring immediate waste treatment until municipal-type waste treatment can be provided.
Discharge 6tandards for waste treatment facilities are closely regulated by various governmental agencies. A
standard unit of measure is the biological oxygen demand loading concentration (BOD) given in parts per million (ppm). In the state of Michigan, for example, the BOD for common, secondary municipal-type waste treatment facility discharge is limit~d to 20-30 ppm. This typically mandates a BOD less than 250 ppm in the sanitary sewer supplying the municipal-type waste treatment facility in order to avoid overloading and shocking the treatment facility system.
Waste treatment facilities are typically designed to accommodate specified volumes of waste as a specific BOD.
The mandated BOD maximum typically accommodates residential sanitary sewer systems at volumes which do not exceed design capacities of the specific municipal-type waste treatment faility. However, the situation commonly occurs wherein the capacity of a municipal-type waste treatment facility is met and surpassed by a growing, surrounding community.
Thus, the situation of a municipal waste treatment facility only marginally accommodating the treatment requirements of the community or actually operating outside of specification is becoming a common occurrence. Further, with such community demand, the municipal facility cannot further 2~a~
1 accommodate sources of high concentration waste, including, but not limited to, landfill leachate, septage, and holding tank waste, for example.
Leachate typically has a BOD of about 5,000 ppm with septage typically having about a 3,500 ppm BOD. Each of leachate and septage ars too concentrated for the typical municipal-type waste treatment maximum of about 250 ppm.
Further, holding tank waste presents a different problem, namely excessive amounts of solid waste which may typically account for up to 40 percent of holding tank content.
Another waste treatment problem occurs when municipal waste treatment connection is simply not available and the alternative use of a holding tank and drainage field is inappropriate. One solution to the unavailability of municipal treatment is to truck the waste from the sight of origin to a treatment facility. However, this may be a costly proposition.
A common method of disposal for each of the above identified sources of waste, including high concentration waste, is to simply spread the waste over an open field, such as a farm field. This presents further problems.
First, nitrates, commonly found in this waste, quickly filter through the ground and settle into ground water tables, presenting a potential ground water pollution problem. Second, even if buried or cultivated into the soil through normal farming activity, solid wastes have a tendency to float up through and surface above the ground.
Finally, monitoring and regulating the disposal of heavy metal and toxic waste is particularly difficult in such surface dispersion programs wi~h significant ground and water pollution problems resulting.
(2) 2~0~
The aforementioned problems and concerns are addressed and effectively resolved by the present invention which presents a modular approach to process high BOD waste.
Rather than merely discarding high BOD waste across the land or burying it under ground, the waste treatment apparatus of the present invention processes and treats high BOD waste for acceptance by a typical municipal-type waste treatment facility or for general discharge after complete treatment.
The present apparatus may be not only portable, but mobile for rapid deployment and operation to accommodate circumstances wherein proper permanent waste treatment is not available or may be inappropriate. Further, this invention provides selective bacteria breeding to shorten start-up procedures and to enhance subsequent treatment with bacteria specifically adapted to decompose the particular waste being treated.
The waste treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a tank for receiving a batch o~ waste and a mixer in the receiving tank for mixing solid and liquid components of the waste together. A batch of mixed waste is traneferred from the receiving tank to a treatment tank for bacterial decomposition of the batch of waste. A bacteria tank for reactivating and/or selectively breeding bacteria to decompose the waste is also included. A portion of the waste treated in the treatment tank is transferred to the bacteria tank and at least a portion of the bacteria are transferred to the receiving tank. A controller is also provided and operatively connected with a mixer and each of the transfer means for activating and deactivating the mixer and each transfer means according to a predetermined (3) 2~ ~ ~L~ ~
l schedule of treatment for each batch of waste received by the receiving tank.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing in perspective view of a waste treatment apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof; and Fig. 3 is a partial side elevational and longitudinal sectional view taken along section line III-III
of Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIMENT
Referring to the figures in greater detail, a preferred embodiment of a waste treatment apparatus lO
according to the present invention includes a receiving or equalization tank 12, a reactor or treatment tank 14, a bacteria tank 16, a digester or sludge tank 18, an oxygen injection system 20, and a treatment controller 22 (Fig. 1).
Preferabl~, apparatus 10 is a single, integrated unit which is transportable having the general form of a semitrailer type shipping container, or is mobile having the general form of a semitrailer as shown in Fig. 1.
Waste to be treated is preferably received by apparatus 10 in receiving tank 12 as a batch of waste which will then be transferred and treated as a batch in treatment tank 14 ~Figs. l and 2). A floating mixer 24 is provided in receiving tank 12 for mixing solid and liquid components of the waste to form a generally homogenized waste slurry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to sewage treatment and specifically to high concentration waste which cannot be accommodated by common municipal-type waste treatment facilities or to situations requiring immediate waste treatment until municipal-type waste treatment can be provided.
Discharge 6tandards for waste treatment facilities are closely regulated by various governmental agencies. A
standard unit of measure is the biological oxygen demand loading concentration (BOD) given in parts per million (ppm). In the state of Michigan, for example, the BOD for common, secondary municipal-type waste treatment facility discharge is limit~d to 20-30 ppm. This typically mandates a BOD less than 250 ppm in the sanitary sewer supplying the municipal-type waste treatment facility in order to avoid overloading and shocking the treatment facility system.
Waste treatment facilities are typically designed to accommodate specified volumes of waste as a specific BOD.
The mandated BOD maximum typically accommodates residential sanitary sewer systems at volumes which do not exceed design capacities of the specific municipal-type waste treatment faility. However, the situation commonly occurs wherein the capacity of a municipal-type waste treatment facility is met and surpassed by a growing, surrounding community.
Thus, the situation of a municipal waste treatment facility only marginally accommodating the treatment requirements of the community or actually operating outside of specification is becoming a common occurrence. Further, with such community demand, the municipal facility cannot further 2~a~
1 accommodate sources of high concentration waste, including, but not limited to, landfill leachate, septage, and holding tank waste, for example.
Leachate typically has a BOD of about 5,000 ppm with septage typically having about a 3,500 ppm BOD. Each of leachate and septage ars too concentrated for the typical municipal-type waste treatment maximum of about 250 ppm.
Further, holding tank waste presents a different problem, namely excessive amounts of solid waste which may typically account for up to 40 percent of holding tank content.
Another waste treatment problem occurs when municipal waste treatment connection is simply not available and the alternative use of a holding tank and drainage field is inappropriate. One solution to the unavailability of municipal treatment is to truck the waste from the sight of origin to a treatment facility. However, this may be a costly proposition.
A common method of disposal for each of the above identified sources of waste, including high concentration waste, is to simply spread the waste over an open field, such as a farm field. This presents further problems.
First, nitrates, commonly found in this waste, quickly filter through the ground and settle into ground water tables, presenting a potential ground water pollution problem. Second, even if buried or cultivated into the soil through normal farming activity, solid wastes have a tendency to float up through and surface above the ground.
Finally, monitoring and regulating the disposal of heavy metal and toxic waste is particularly difficult in such surface dispersion programs wi~h significant ground and water pollution problems resulting.
(2) 2~0~
The aforementioned problems and concerns are addressed and effectively resolved by the present invention which presents a modular approach to process high BOD waste.
Rather than merely discarding high BOD waste across the land or burying it under ground, the waste treatment apparatus of the present invention processes and treats high BOD waste for acceptance by a typical municipal-type waste treatment facility or for general discharge after complete treatment.
The present apparatus may be not only portable, but mobile for rapid deployment and operation to accommodate circumstances wherein proper permanent waste treatment is not available or may be inappropriate. Further, this invention provides selective bacteria breeding to shorten start-up procedures and to enhance subsequent treatment with bacteria specifically adapted to decompose the particular waste being treated.
The waste treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a tank for receiving a batch o~ waste and a mixer in the receiving tank for mixing solid and liquid components of the waste together. A batch of mixed waste is traneferred from the receiving tank to a treatment tank for bacterial decomposition of the batch of waste. A bacteria tank for reactivating and/or selectively breeding bacteria to decompose the waste is also included. A portion of the waste treated in the treatment tank is transferred to the bacteria tank and at least a portion of the bacteria are transferred to the receiving tank. A controller is also provided and operatively connected with a mixer and each of the transfer means for activating and deactivating the mixer and each transfer means according to a predetermined (3) 2~ ~ ~L~ ~
l schedule of treatment for each batch of waste received by the receiving tank.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing in perspective view of a waste treatment apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof; and Fig. 3 is a partial side elevational and longitudinal sectional view taken along section line III-III
of Fig. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM~ODIMENT
Referring to the figures in greater detail, a preferred embodiment of a waste treatment apparatus lO
according to the present invention includes a receiving or equalization tank 12, a reactor or treatment tank 14, a bacteria tank 16, a digester or sludge tank 18, an oxygen injection system 20, and a treatment controller 22 (Fig. 1).
Preferabl~, apparatus 10 is a single, integrated unit which is transportable having the general form of a semitrailer type shipping container, or is mobile having the general form of a semitrailer as shown in Fig. 1.
Waste to be treated is preferably received by apparatus 10 in receiving tank 12 as a batch of waste which will then be transferred and treated as a batch in treatment tank 14 ~Figs. l and 2). A floating mixer 24 is provided in receiving tank 12 for mixing solid and liquid components of the waste to form a generally homogenized waste slurry.
(4) 1 Mixer 24 is a standard component in the waste treatment field and is moored in a generally centered position in receiving tank 12 by a pole or stanchion 26. Mixer 24 is coupled with stanchion 26 in sliding engagement so that the mixer is free to float upon the surface of waste received in receiving tank 12. A course air bubbler or aerator 27 is also provided in receiving tank 12 for oxygen injection or aeration. Bubbler 27 is also a standard waste treatment industry component and is connected with air supply blowers 31 through a header system 29.
A standard submersible pump 28 is also located in receiving tank 12 for transferring a batch of mixed waste from receiving tank 12 to treatment tank 14. The mixed waste is pumped through a line or piping 30 and discharged from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14 near the top of the treatment tank 14 (Fig. 3). The mixed waste is received in treatment tank 14 through a baffle 32 which extends above transfer line 30 and extends downward to, but spaced from, the bottom of treatment tank 14.
A floating combination aeration, mixer, and decanter unit 34 is located in treatment tank 14 and slidingly engages three mooring posts 36 which anchor the position of unit 34 while allowing unit 34 to float upon the surface of a batch of waste transferred into treatment tank 14 (Figs. 1-3). Again, combination unit 34 is also a standard component readily available in the waste treatment field. Combination unit 34 provides mixing and oxygenation through air injection in treatment tank 14. Unit 34 also decants liquid effluent from treatment tank 14 for discharge from apparatus 10, through a hose 38. The liquid effluent discharged from treatment tank 14 may optionally be diverted (5) 2~ ~nRJ ~.~
l by a valve 40 and recirculated to the receiving tank 12 to dilute a subsequent batch of waste. A submersible pump 42 is provided in treatment tank 14 for transferring activated sludge from the treatment tank to bacteria tank 16 through piping 43 and baffle 45 (Fig. 2).
Bacteria tank 16 is preferably a twin to receiving tank 12, including a similar floating mixer 44 slidably engaging a mooring post or stanchion 46 and including oxygenation through course air bubbler or aerator 48 which is connected with blowers 31 through header 29 (Fig. 2).
Use of aerator 48 in bacteria tank 16 provides a supply of oxygen to bacteria in bacteria tank 16 both to stimulate the growth and breeding of the bacteria and to reactivate bacteria transferred into bacteria tank 16 from treatment tank 14. ~acteria tank 16 further includes a submersible pump 50 for transferring bacteria from bacteria tank 16 to receiving tank 12 through piping 52 which discharges into receiving tank 12 through a baffle 34.
Treatment tank 14 further includes a second submersible pump 56 for transferring sludge from the treatment tank through piping 58 to ~ludge tank 18. Sludge tank 18 receives sludge from treatment tank 14 for digesting and further reducing the sludge pr~or to ultimately discharging the sludge through a suction port 60 for appropriate disposal (Figs. 2 and 3). As with receiving tank 12 and bacteria tank 16, sludge tank 18 also includes oxygenation through course air bubbler or aerator 62 connected with blowers 31 through header 29. Further, a fine bubble diffuser or aerator 64, which is commonly known and available in the field, may also be located in sludge tank 18 and connected with blowers 31 through header 29.
A standard submersible pump 28 is also located in receiving tank 12 for transferring a batch of mixed waste from receiving tank 12 to treatment tank 14. The mixed waste is pumped through a line or piping 30 and discharged from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14 near the top of the treatment tank 14 (Fig. 3). The mixed waste is received in treatment tank 14 through a baffle 32 which extends above transfer line 30 and extends downward to, but spaced from, the bottom of treatment tank 14.
A floating combination aeration, mixer, and decanter unit 34 is located in treatment tank 14 and slidingly engages three mooring posts 36 which anchor the position of unit 34 while allowing unit 34 to float upon the surface of a batch of waste transferred into treatment tank 14 (Figs. 1-3). Again, combination unit 34 is also a standard component readily available in the waste treatment field. Combination unit 34 provides mixing and oxygenation through air injection in treatment tank 14. Unit 34 also decants liquid effluent from treatment tank 14 for discharge from apparatus 10, through a hose 38. The liquid effluent discharged from treatment tank 14 may optionally be diverted (5) 2~ ~nRJ ~.~
l by a valve 40 and recirculated to the receiving tank 12 to dilute a subsequent batch of waste. A submersible pump 42 is provided in treatment tank 14 for transferring activated sludge from the treatment tank to bacteria tank 16 through piping 43 and baffle 45 (Fig. 2).
Bacteria tank 16 is preferably a twin to receiving tank 12, including a similar floating mixer 44 slidably engaging a mooring post or stanchion 46 and including oxygenation through course air bubbler or aerator 48 which is connected with blowers 31 through header 29 (Fig. 2).
Use of aerator 48 in bacteria tank 16 provides a supply of oxygen to bacteria in bacteria tank 16 both to stimulate the growth and breeding of the bacteria and to reactivate bacteria transferred into bacteria tank 16 from treatment tank 14. ~acteria tank 16 further includes a submersible pump 50 for transferring bacteria from bacteria tank 16 to receiving tank 12 through piping 52 which discharges into receiving tank 12 through a baffle 34.
Treatment tank 14 further includes a second submersible pump 56 for transferring sludge from the treatment tank through piping 58 to ~ludge tank 18. Sludge tank 18 receives sludge from treatment tank 14 for digesting and further reducing the sludge pr~or to ultimately discharging the sludge through a suction port 60 for appropriate disposal (Figs. 2 and 3). As with receiving tank 12 and bacteria tank 16, sludge tank 18 also includes oxygenation through course air bubbler or aerator 62 connected with blowers 31 through header 29. Further, a fine bubble diffuser or aerator 64, which is commonly known and available in the field, may also be located in sludge tank 18 and connected with blowers 31 through header 29.
(6) 1 Diffuser 64 is most preferably a "retrievable" unit which may be elevated along stanchion 65 for maintenance.
Apparatus 10 is provided with controller 22 for automatic operation of the apparatus (Figs. 1-3).
Controller 22 is preferably a microprocessor device operatively connected with each mixer 24, 44, and 34: each transfer pump 28, 42, 50, and 66; each aerator 27, 34, 46, 62, and 64; and decanter 34 for activating and deactivating each of these devices in an appropriate sequence of events according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by treatment apparatus 10. Controller 22 may also be operatively connected with each tank 12, 14, 16, and 18 and adapted for monitoring the status of each stage of treatment in each tank so that controller 22 automatically activates and deactivates each device according to a preselected algorithm and set of boundary conditions in response to the status of each stage of treatment in each of the tanks, rather than according to a predetermined time schedule of treatment events for example. Conversely, a slmplified controller may also comprise a series of cascading timers to perform a series of specific tasXs for specific durations of time.
While sludge tank or digester 18 may be operated with course air bubbler 62 and fine bubble diffuser 64 in aerobic bacterial decomposition and reduction of sludge, digester 18 may also be operated in an anaerobic process with fine bubble diffuser 64 and course air bubbler 62 deactivated. In an anaerobic process, digester 18 is preferably a closed cell so that gaseous by-products of the anaerobic process may be collected and used to operate waste treatment apparatus 10.
Apparatus 10 is provided with controller 22 for automatic operation of the apparatus (Figs. 1-3).
Controller 22 is preferably a microprocessor device operatively connected with each mixer 24, 44, and 34: each transfer pump 28, 42, 50, and 66; each aerator 27, 34, 46, 62, and 64; and decanter 34 for activating and deactivating each of these devices in an appropriate sequence of events according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by treatment apparatus 10. Controller 22 may also be operatively connected with each tank 12, 14, 16, and 18 and adapted for monitoring the status of each stage of treatment in each tank so that controller 22 automatically activates and deactivates each device according to a preselected algorithm and set of boundary conditions in response to the status of each stage of treatment in each of the tanks, rather than according to a predetermined time schedule of treatment events for example. Conversely, a slmplified controller may also comprise a series of cascading timers to perform a series of specific tasXs for specific durations of time.
While sludge tank or digester 18 may be operated with course air bubbler 62 and fine bubble diffuser 64 in aerobic bacterial decomposition and reduction of sludge, digester 18 may also be operated in an anaerobic process with fine bubble diffuser 64 and course air bubbler 62 deactivated. In an anaerobic process, digester 18 is preferably a closed cell so that gaseous by-products of the anaerobic process may be collected and used to operate waste treatment apparatus 10.
(7) 2 ~
1 In its preferred, portable and mobile embodiments, waste treatment apparatus may be transported by a variety of modes, including various air, land, and sea transportatiQn modes. Apparatus 10 is preferably transported to a selected location in a dry condition wherein each of the tanks is generally dry. Once apparatus 10 is positioned at the selected location, waste treatment may commence virtually immediately.
Waste may be received in receiving tank 12 while seed bacteria or freeze-dried bacteria, water, and air are mixed in bacteria tank 16 to provide an initial colony of bacteria for the waste treatment process. The waste in receiving tank 12 is mixed by mixer 24 to mix solid and liquid components of the waste together, producing a generally homogenous waste slurry. The waste may also be aerated by bubbler 27. Waste in receiving tank 12 is mixed and aerated while bacteria from bacteria tank 16 is portioned through pump 50, piping 52, and baffle 54 (Fig. 2) into receiving tank 12 until a desired ratio of waste to bacteria is obtained. When the desired ratio is reached, the mixture is said to be "equalized."
As will be better understood from the below discussion of waste treatment in treatment tank 14, the point of equalization in receiving tank 12 is a variable which depends upon the quality of waste received and the condition of treatment tank 14 at the time the batch of waste is transferred from receiving tank 12 to treatment tank 14. If operation of apparatus 10 is just beginning and treatment tank 14 is therefore empty when a batch of waste is transferred from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14 for example, then a greater number of bacteria per a (8) 2~a~s~
1 quantity of waste will be required to reach the point of equalization in receiving tank 12. However, if a large quantity of activated sludge remains in treatment tank 14 after processing a batch of waste, then a smaller quantity of bacteria will be required per a unit of waste in receiving tank 12 to reach a point of equalization since bacteria are already resident in treatment tank 14 and will be added to the batch of waste from receiving tank 12 when that batch is transferred into treatment tank 14.
The equalized waste is transferred through pump 28, piping 30, and baffle 32 to treatment tank 14 (Figs. 2 and 3) for sequential batch reactor (SBR) treatment, described below. Aeration and mixing may be provided by combination unit 34 to stimulate bacterial decomposition.
After the egualized waste is transferred from receiving tank 12 to treatment tank 14, a subsequent batch of waste may be received $n receiving tank 12 for equalization as occurred with the prior batch.
The SBR process in treatment tank 14 operates on a fill and draw principle. Commonly, the process follows the basic steps or phases of fill, react, settle, and decant.
The actual time of each step of the SBR process will vary depending upon the quality of waste received and the final treatment results desired. If only BOD reduction is desired for example, a SBR cycle time as short as three hours may be realized. However, if further treatment to obtain nutrient control is reguired, then the cycle time can be extended according to the process requirements.
The SBR process is subject to a variety of controls which may be utilized according to particular operating strategies. The earliest mode of control begins (9) 2 ~
1 with the fill phase of the SBR process and is based on reactor liquid level or volume. Using this mode of control, the fill phase is terminated when a preselected volume or depth in treatment tank 14 is attained. This approach provides cycle times which are inversely related to flow rates.
Further, the fill phase may be composed of static fill, mixed fill, or react fill increments. Under static fill, influent flow of equalized waste from receiving tank 12 is introduced to treatment tank 14 in a non-mixed and non-aerated environment, unit 34 is inactive. Static fill i~ particularly appropriate for nutrient control and useful for minimizing energy consumption. Mixed fill may be selected to create either an anoxic or anaerobic environment wherein the mixer portion of combination unit 34 is activated to provide mixing in treatment tank 14 during filling. Finally, react fill adds aeration to mixed fill, thereby stimulating bacterial activity and shortening the subsequent react stop.
Under any combination of the fill modes, treatment tank 14 is filled to obtain a desired ratio of waste to bacteria. After filling, reaction or treatment proceeds with mixing and aeration by unit 34 until either a selected time has elapsed or meaaurement of the quality of the contents of treatment tank 14 indicate that a desired quality characteristic has been obtained.
The settling phase follows the reaction or treatment phaseO Settling is the quiescent phase of the SBR
process during which no aeration or mixing occurs.
Treatment tank 14 basically stagnates, allowing particles to precipitate out as activated sludge in the bottom of ( 10) 2 ~
1 treatment tank 14, leaving liquid effluent above. The settling phase is typically time dependent.
After settling, clarified effluent is decanted from treatment tank 14 by unit 34 during the decant phase, after the settling phase. Decanting time typically depends upon the decanter pumping capacity and the depth levels desired for treatment of the next batch. As a part of decanting, a portion of activated sludge collected in the bottom of treatment tank 14 may be transferred through pump 42, piping 43, and baffle 45 to bacteria tank 16.
Feeding the activated sludge from treatment tank 14 back to bacteria tank 16 provides waste-specific food to selectively breed waste-specific bacteria which are acclimated to the condition of and environment created by the particular waste being treated. This feedback of activated sludge provides a colony of waste-specific bacteria from treatment tank 14 which are already adapted for efflcient decomposition of the specific waste being treated. This colony of waste adapted bacteria from treatment tank 14 provides a basis for selectively breeding more bacteria which are specifically adapted to decompose the waste being treated. Thus, the overall colony of bacteria in apparatus 10 becomes particularly adapted or acclimated to treat the specific waste being treated since bacteria are portioned from bacteria tank 16 to receiving tank 12, equalized waste containing the bacteria is transferred from receiving tank 12 for treatment in treatment tank 14, and activated sludge is fed back from treatment tank 14 to bacteria tank 16. This feedback loop not only speeds up initial start-up of the treatment operation, but continues to enhance the effectiveness or efficiency of the process as it continues to run and the ( 11) 2~ O J~
1 characteristics of the waste received may fluctuate. Use of aerator 48 in bacteria tank 16 provides a supply of oxygen to bacteria in bacteria tank 16 both to stimulate the growth and breeding of the bacteria and to reactivate bacteria transferred into bacteria tank 16 from treatment tank 14.
Also as a part of the decant phase, a portion of the sludge from treatment tank 14 may be transferred through pump 66 and piping 68 to sludge tank or digester 18. The amounts of sludge transferred from treatment tank 14 to each of bacteria tank 16 and sludge tank 18 and the amount of liquid effluent decanted from treatment tank 14 are each dependent upon the amount and characteristics of the equalized waste which will be transferred from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14. One consideration is that sufficient activated sludge must remain in treatment tank 14 so that the desired ratio of waste to bacteria will be obtained aft~r the transfer of equalized waste from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14. Another consideration is that rather than recycle liquid effluent from treatment tank 14 into receiving tank 12 to dilute subsequent batches of waste, the liquid effluent preferably remains in treatment tank 14 for any required diluting of the subsequent batch of waste in treatment tank 14 upon transfer from receiving tank 12.
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention, including, but not limited to adapting the invention for non-transportable use for example, will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments (12) 21Q~ ~3~
1 shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.
(13)
1 In its preferred, portable and mobile embodiments, waste treatment apparatus may be transported by a variety of modes, including various air, land, and sea transportatiQn modes. Apparatus 10 is preferably transported to a selected location in a dry condition wherein each of the tanks is generally dry. Once apparatus 10 is positioned at the selected location, waste treatment may commence virtually immediately.
Waste may be received in receiving tank 12 while seed bacteria or freeze-dried bacteria, water, and air are mixed in bacteria tank 16 to provide an initial colony of bacteria for the waste treatment process. The waste in receiving tank 12 is mixed by mixer 24 to mix solid and liquid components of the waste together, producing a generally homogenous waste slurry. The waste may also be aerated by bubbler 27. Waste in receiving tank 12 is mixed and aerated while bacteria from bacteria tank 16 is portioned through pump 50, piping 52, and baffle 54 (Fig. 2) into receiving tank 12 until a desired ratio of waste to bacteria is obtained. When the desired ratio is reached, the mixture is said to be "equalized."
As will be better understood from the below discussion of waste treatment in treatment tank 14, the point of equalization in receiving tank 12 is a variable which depends upon the quality of waste received and the condition of treatment tank 14 at the time the batch of waste is transferred from receiving tank 12 to treatment tank 14. If operation of apparatus 10 is just beginning and treatment tank 14 is therefore empty when a batch of waste is transferred from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14 for example, then a greater number of bacteria per a (8) 2~a~s~
1 quantity of waste will be required to reach the point of equalization in receiving tank 12. However, if a large quantity of activated sludge remains in treatment tank 14 after processing a batch of waste, then a smaller quantity of bacteria will be required per a unit of waste in receiving tank 12 to reach a point of equalization since bacteria are already resident in treatment tank 14 and will be added to the batch of waste from receiving tank 12 when that batch is transferred into treatment tank 14.
The equalized waste is transferred through pump 28, piping 30, and baffle 32 to treatment tank 14 (Figs. 2 and 3) for sequential batch reactor (SBR) treatment, described below. Aeration and mixing may be provided by combination unit 34 to stimulate bacterial decomposition.
After the egualized waste is transferred from receiving tank 12 to treatment tank 14, a subsequent batch of waste may be received $n receiving tank 12 for equalization as occurred with the prior batch.
The SBR process in treatment tank 14 operates on a fill and draw principle. Commonly, the process follows the basic steps or phases of fill, react, settle, and decant.
The actual time of each step of the SBR process will vary depending upon the quality of waste received and the final treatment results desired. If only BOD reduction is desired for example, a SBR cycle time as short as three hours may be realized. However, if further treatment to obtain nutrient control is reguired, then the cycle time can be extended according to the process requirements.
The SBR process is subject to a variety of controls which may be utilized according to particular operating strategies. The earliest mode of control begins (9) 2 ~
1 with the fill phase of the SBR process and is based on reactor liquid level or volume. Using this mode of control, the fill phase is terminated when a preselected volume or depth in treatment tank 14 is attained. This approach provides cycle times which are inversely related to flow rates.
Further, the fill phase may be composed of static fill, mixed fill, or react fill increments. Under static fill, influent flow of equalized waste from receiving tank 12 is introduced to treatment tank 14 in a non-mixed and non-aerated environment, unit 34 is inactive. Static fill i~ particularly appropriate for nutrient control and useful for minimizing energy consumption. Mixed fill may be selected to create either an anoxic or anaerobic environment wherein the mixer portion of combination unit 34 is activated to provide mixing in treatment tank 14 during filling. Finally, react fill adds aeration to mixed fill, thereby stimulating bacterial activity and shortening the subsequent react stop.
Under any combination of the fill modes, treatment tank 14 is filled to obtain a desired ratio of waste to bacteria. After filling, reaction or treatment proceeds with mixing and aeration by unit 34 until either a selected time has elapsed or meaaurement of the quality of the contents of treatment tank 14 indicate that a desired quality characteristic has been obtained.
The settling phase follows the reaction or treatment phaseO Settling is the quiescent phase of the SBR
process during which no aeration or mixing occurs.
Treatment tank 14 basically stagnates, allowing particles to precipitate out as activated sludge in the bottom of ( 10) 2 ~
1 treatment tank 14, leaving liquid effluent above. The settling phase is typically time dependent.
After settling, clarified effluent is decanted from treatment tank 14 by unit 34 during the decant phase, after the settling phase. Decanting time typically depends upon the decanter pumping capacity and the depth levels desired for treatment of the next batch. As a part of decanting, a portion of activated sludge collected in the bottom of treatment tank 14 may be transferred through pump 42, piping 43, and baffle 45 to bacteria tank 16.
Feeding the activated sludge from treatment tank 14 back to bacteria tank 16 provides waste-specific food to selectively breed waste-specific bacteria which are acclimated to the condition of and environment created by the particular waste being treated. This feedback of activated sludge provides a colony of waste-specific bacteria from treatment tank 14 which are already adapted for efflcient decomposition of the specific waste being treated. This colony of waste adapted bacteria from treatment tank 14 provides a basis for selectively breeding more bacteria which are specifically adapted to decompose the waste being treated. Thus, the overall colony of bacteria in apparatus 10 becomes particularly adapted or acclimated to treat the specific waste being treated since bacteria are portioned from bacteria tank 16 to receiving tank 12, equalized waste containing the bacteria is transferred from receiving tank 12 for treatment in treatment tank 14, and activated sludge is fed back from treatment tank 14 to bacteria tank 16. This feedback loop not only speeds up initial start-up of the treatment operation, but continues to enhance the effectiveness or efficiency of the process as it continues to run and the ( 11) 2~ O J~
1 characteristics of the waste received may fluctuate. Use of aerator 48 in bacteria tank 16 provides a supply of oxygen to bacteria in bacteria tank 16 both to stimulate the growth and breeding of the bacteria and to reactivate bacteria transferred into bacteria tank 16 from treatment tank 14.
Also as a part of the decant phase, a portion of the sludge from treatment tank 14 may be transferred through pump 66 and piping 68 to sludge tank or digester 18. The amounts of sludge transferred from treatment tank 14 to each of bacteria tank 16 and sludge tank 18 and the amount of liquid effluent decanted from treatment tank 14 are each dependent upon the amount and characteristics of the equalized waste which will be transferred from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14. One consideration is that sufficient activated sludge must remain in treatment tank 14 so that the desired ratio of waste to bacteria will be obtained aft~r the transfer of equalized waste from receiving tank 12 into treatment tank 14. Another consideration is that rather than recycle liquid effluent from treatment tank 14 into receiving tank 12 to dilute subsequent batches of waste, the liquid effluent preferably remains in treatment tank 14 for any required diluting of the subsequent batch of waste in treatment tank 14 upon transfer from receiving tank 12.
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention, including, but not limited to adapting the invention for non-transportable use for example, will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments (12) 21Q~ ~3~
1 shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.
(13)
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
A waste treatment apparatus comprising:
a receiving tank for receiving a batch of waste;
a first mixer in said receiving tank for mixing solid and liquid components of the batch of waste together;
a treatment tank for receiving the mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank and for bacterial decomposition of the mixed batch of waste;
first transfer means for transferring the mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank to said treatment tank;
a bacteria tank for at least one of selectively breeding bacteria and reactivating bacteria to decompose the waste;
bacteria in said bacteria tank;
second transfer means for transferring at least a portion of the contents of said treatment tank to said bacteria tank;
bacteria transfer means for transferring at least a portion of said bacteria to said receiving tank; and a controller operatively connected with said mixer and each of said transfer means, said controller activating and deactivating said mixer and each of said transfer means according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by said receiving tank.
(14) The apparatus of claim 1 further including an oxygen supply operatively connected with each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks for selectively injecting oxygen into each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controller is operatively connected with said oxygen supply and selectively activates and deactivates the injection of oxygen into each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 3 further including third transfer means for discharging liquid effluent from said treatment tank.
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third transfer means includes a diverter for selectively transferring liquid effluent from said treatment tank to said receiving tank for diluting waste received in said receiving tank.
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said controller is operatively connected with said third transfer means, said controller activating and deactivating said third transfer means.
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a second mixer is positioned in said treatment tank and is activated and deactivated by said controller.
(15) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a combination mixer, aerator, and decanter unit is positioned in said treatment tank and said second mixer is the mixer portion of said combination unit.
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said controller is operatively connected with and selectively activates and deactivates each of the mixer, aerator, and decanter portion of said combination unit.
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
The apparatus of claim 9 further including a sludge tank for receiving sludge from said treatment tank and for bacterial decomposition of the sludge and sludge transfer means for transferring sludge from said treatment tank to said sludge tank.
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller is operatively connected with said sludge transfer means activates and deactivates said sludge transfer means.
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
A waste treatment apparatus comprising:
equalization means for receiving a batch of waste, for mixing bacteria with said batch of waste to obtain an (16) equalized batch of waste having a selected ratio of waste to bacteria, and for mixing solid and liquid components of the waste blended together to form a substantially homogeneous waste slurry;
treatment means for receiving the equalized batch of waste slurry and for treating said equalized batch of waste slurry with mixing, oxygenation, and bacterial decomposition;
first transfer means for transferring said equalized batch of waste slurry from said equalization means to said treatment means;
at least one of a means for selectively breeding bacteria which are particularly adapted to digest the waste being treated and a means for reactivating bacteria to digest the waste being treated;
bacteria transfer means for transferring at least a portion of said bacteria to said equalization means;
second transfer means for transferring a portion of the contents of said treatment means to said breeding means; and control means operatively connected with said equalization means, said treatment means, said breeding means, and each of said transfer means for activating and deactivating each of said means according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by said equalization means.
The apparatus defined in claim 14 further including third transfer means for discharging at least a portion of the contents of said treatment means from said apparatus.
(17) The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said third transfer means includes a diverter for selectively discharging liquid effluent from said treatment means and transferring liquid effluent from said treatment means to said equalization means for diluting waste received by said equalization means.
The apparatus defined in claim 15 further including a digester for receiving sludge from said treatment means and for bacterial decomposition of sludge.
A method of batch waste treatment, comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a batch of waste in a receiving receptacle;
(b) mixing solid and liquid components of the batch of waste together in said receiving receptacle to form a batch of generally homogenized waste slurry;
(c) mixing bacteria with said batch of waste slurry in said receiving receptacle;
(d) transferring said batch of waste slurry with said bacteria to a treatment receptacle;
(e) treating said batch of waste slurry in said treatment receptacle by mixing, oxygenation, and bacterial decomposition;
(f) discharging liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle;
(g) transferring a portion of the contents of said treatment receptacle to a breeding tank;
(18) (h) selectively breeding in said breeding tank, bacteria which are particularly adapted to digest the waste being treated;
(i) receiving a subsequent batch of waste in said receiving receptacle;
(j) mixing solid and liquid components of the subsequent batch of waste together in said receiving receptacle to form a subsequent batch of generally homogenized waste slurry;
(k) transferring a portion of bacteria from said breeding tank to said receiving receptacle and mixing said bacteria with said subsequent batch of waste slurry in said receiving receptacle;
(l) transferring said subsequent batch of waste slurry with said bacteria to said treatment receptacle;
(m) treating said subsequent batch of waste slurry in said treatment receptacle by mixing, oxygenation, and bacterial decomposition;
(n) discharging liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle;
(o) transferring a portion of the contents of said treatment receptacle to said breeding tank;
(p) selectively breeding in said breeding tank, bacteria which are particularly adapted to digest the waste being treated;
(q) repeating steps (h) through (p) until the desired waste treatment is completed.
The method defined in claim 18 further including providing a mechanized means for performing each of said steps (a) through (q) and providing a controller operatively (19) connected with each said mechanized means for automatically performing each of said steps according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received.
The method defined in claim 18 wherein each of said steps (e) and (m) includes separating liquid effluent and sludge in said treatment receptacle.
The method defined in claim 20 wherein each of said steps (f) and (n) includes providing a diverter to selectively discharge liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle and transfer liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle to said receiving receptacle.
The method defined in claim 21 wherein each of said steps (g) and (o) includes transferring at least a portion of sludge from said treatment receptacle to a sludge digester and further decomposing said sludge in said sludge digester.
The method defined in claim 22 further including providing a mechanized means for performing each of said steps (a) through (q) and providing a controller operatively connected with each said mechanized means for automatically performing each of said steps according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received.
The method defined in claim 18 wherein each of said steps (f) and (n) includes providing a diverter to selectively discharge liquid effluent from said treatment (20) receptacle and transfer liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle to said receiving receptacle.
A waste treatment apparatus comprising:
a vessel for receiving and treating waste;
a plurality of dividers in said vessel, said dividers defining a receiving tank in said vessel for receiving a batch of waste, said dividers defining a treatment tank in said vessel for receiving a mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank and for bacterial decomposition of the mixed batch of waste, and said dividers defining a bacteria tank in said vessel for selectively breeding bacteria to decompose the waste;
bacteria in said bacteria tank;
a first mixer in said receiving tank for mixing solid and liquid components of the batch of waste together;
a first pump operatively connected between said receiving tank and said treatment tank to transfer the mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank to said treatment tank;
a second pump operatively connected between said treatment tank and said bacteria tank to transfer at least a portion of the contents of said treatment tank to said bacteria tank;
a bacteria pump operatively connected between said bacteria tank and said receiving tank to transfer at least a portion of said bacteria from said bacteria tank to said receiving tank; and a controller operatively connected with said mixer and each of said pumps, said controller activating and deactivating said mixer and each of said pumps according to (21) a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by said receiving tank.
The apparatus of claim 25 further including an oxygen supply operatively connected with each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks for selectively injecting oxygen into each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said oxygen supply includes an air bubbler in each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 27 further including a second mixer in said bacteria tank.
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein:
each of said first and said second mixers is a floating mixer;
a first stanchion extends generally vertically upward from a bottom of said receiving tank;
said first mixer is coupled with said first stanchion in sliding engagement so that said first mixer is moored in said receiving tank by said first stanchion and floats upon the contents of said receiving tank;
a second stanchion extends generally vertically upward from a bottom of said bacteria tank; and said second mixer is coupled with said second stanchion in sliding engagement so that said second mixer is moored in said bacteria tank by said second stanchion and floats upon the contents of said bacteria tank.
(22) The apparatus of claim 28 further including each of a third mixer, an aerator, and a decanter in said treatment tank.
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein each of said third mixer, said aerator, and said decanter is a portion of a floating combination unit in said treatment tank;
a third stanchion extends generally vertically upward from a bottom of said treatment tank; and said combination unit is coupled with said third stanchion in sliding engagement so that said combination unit is moored in said treatment tank by said third stanchion and floats upon the contents of said treatment tank.
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said dividers further define a sludge tank in said vessel for receiving sludge from said treatment tank and for bacterial decomposition of sludge in said sludge tank, and wherein a sludge pump is operatively connected between said treatment tank and said sludge tank to transfer sludge from said treatment tank to said sludge tank.
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said controller is operatively connected with each of said oxygen supply, said second mixer, said third mixer, said aerator, and said decanter and wherein said controller selectively activates and deactivates each of said oxygen supply, said second mixer, said third mixer, said aerator, and said decanter.
(23) The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said apparatus includes wheels and a frame adapted for trailering said apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said dividers further define a sludge tank in said vessel for receiving sludge from said treatment tank and for bacterial decomposition of sludge in said sludge tank, and wherein a sludge pump is operatively connected between said treatment tank and said sludge tank to transfer sludge from said treatment tank to said sludge tank.
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
(24)
A waste treatment apparatus comprising:
a receiving tank for receiving a batch of waste;
a first mixer in said receiving tank for mixing solid and liquid components of the batch of waste together;
a treatment tank for receiving the mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank and for bacterial decomposition of the mixed batch of waste;
first transfer means for transferring the mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank to said treatment tank;
a bacteria tank for at least one of selectively breeding bacteria and reactivating bacteria to decompose the waste;
bacteria in said bacteria tank;
second transfer means for transferring at least a portion of the contents of said treatment tank to said bacteria tank;
bacteria transfer means for transferring at least a portion of said bacteria to said receiving tank; and a controller operatively connected with said mixer and each of said transfer means, said controller activating and deactivating said mixer and each of said transfer means according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by said receiving tank.
(14) The apparatus of claim 1 further including an oxygen supply operatively connected with each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks for selectively injecting oxygen into each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controller is operatively connected with said oxygen supply and selectively activates and deactivates the injection of oxygen into each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 3 further including third transfer means for discharging liquid effluent from said treatment tank.
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third transfer means includes a diverter for selectively transferring liquid effluent from said treatment tank to said receiving tank for diluting waste received in said receiving tank.
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said controller is operatively connected with said third transfer means, said controller activating and deactivating said third transfer means.
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a second mixer is positioned in said treatment tank and is activated and deactivated by said controller.
(15) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a combination mixer, aerator, and decanter unit is positioned in said treatment tank and said second mixer is the mixer portion of said combination unit.
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said controller is operatively connected with and selectively activates and deactivates each of the mixer, aerator, and decanter portion of said combination unit.
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
The apparatus of claim 9 further including a sludge tank for receiving sludge from said treatment tank and for bacterial decomposition of the sludge and sludge transfer means for transferring sludge from said treatment tank to said sludge tank.
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller is operatively connected with said sludge transfer means activates and deactivates said sludge transfer means.
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
A waste treatment apparatus comprising:
equalization means for receiving a batch of waste, for mixing bacteria with said batch of waste to obtain an (16) equalized batch of waste having a selected ratio of waste to bacteria, and for mixing solid and liquid components of the waste blended together to form a substantially homogeneous waste slurry;
treatment means for receiving the equalized batch of waste slurry and for treating said equalized batch of waste slurry with mixing, oxygenation, and bacterial decomposition;
first transfer means for transferring said equalized batch of waste slurry from said equalization means to said treatment means;
at least one of a means for selectively breeding bacteria which are particularly adapted to digest the waste being treated and a means for reactivating bacteria to digest the waste being treated;
bacteria transfer means for transferring at least a portion of said bacteria to said equalization means;
second transfer means for transferring a portion of the contents of said treatment means to said breeding means; and control means operatively connected with said equalization means, said treatment means, said breeding means, and each of said transfer means for activating and deactivating each of said means according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by said equalization means.
The apparatus defined in claim 14 further including third transfer means for discharging at least a portion of the contents of said treatment means from said apparatus.
(17) The apparatus defined in claim 15 wherein said third transfer means includes a diverter for selectively discharging liquid effluent from said treatment means and transferring liquid effluent from said treatment means to said equalization means for diluting waste received by said equalization means.
The apparatus defined in claim 15 further including a digester for receiving sludge from said treatment means and for bacterial decomposition of sludge.
A method of batch waste treatment, comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a batch of waste in a receiving receptacle;
(b) mixing solid and liquid components of the batch of waste together in said receiving receptacle to form a batch of generally homogenized waste slurry;
(c) mixing bacteria with said batch of waste slurry in said receiving receptacle;
(d) transferring said batch of waste slurry with said bacteria to a treatment receptacle;
(e) treating said batch of waste slurry in said treatment receptacle by mixing, oxygenation, and bacterial decomposition;
(f) discharging liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle;
(g) transferring a portion of the contents of said treatment receptacle to a breeding tank;
(18) (h) selectively breeding in said breeding tank, bacteria which are particularly adapted to digest the waste being treated;
(i) receiving a subsequent batch of waste in said receiving receptacle;
(j) mixing solid and liquid components of the subsequent batch of waste together in said receiving receptacle to form a subsequent batch of generally homogenized waste slurry;
(k) transferring a portion of bacteria from said breeding tank to said receiving receptacle and mixing said bacteria with said subsequent batch of waste slurry in said receiving receptacle;
(l) transferring said subsequent batch of waste slurry with said bacteria to said treatment receptacle;
(m) treating said subsequent batch of waste slurry in said treatment receptacle by mixing, oxygenation, and bacterial decomposition;
(n) discharging liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle;
(o) transferring a portion of the contents of said treatment receptacle to said breeding tank;
(p) selectively breeding in said breeding tank, bacteria which are particularly adapted to digest the waste being treated;
(q) repeating steps (h) through (p) until the desired waste treatment is completed.
The method defined in claim 18 further including providing a mechanized means for performing each of said steps (a) through (q) and providing a controller operatively (19) connected with each said mechanized means for automatically performing each of said steps according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received.
The method defined in claim 18 wherein each of said steps (e) and (m) includes separating liquid effluent and sludge in said treatment receptacle.
The method defined in claim 20 wherein each of said steps (f) and (n) includes providing a diverter to selectively discharge liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle and transfer liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle to said receiving receptacle.
The method defined in claim 21 wherein each of said steps (g) and (o) includes transferring at least a portion of sludge from said treatment receptacle to a sludge digester and further decomposing said sludge in said sludge digester.
The method defined in claim 22 further including providing a mechanized means for performing each of said steps (a) through (q) and providing a controller operatively connected with each said mechanized means for automatically performing each of said steps according to a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received.
The method defined in claim 18 wherein each of said steps (f) and (n) includes providing a diverter to selectively discharge liquid effluent from said treatment (20) receptacle and transfer liquid effluent from said treatment receptacle to said receiving receptacle.
A waste treatment apparatus comprising:
a vessel for receiving and treating waste;
a plurality of dividers in said vessel, said dividers defining a receiving tank in said vessel for receiving a batch of waste, said dividers defining a treatment tank in said vessel for receiving a mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank and for bacterial decomposition of the mixed batch of waste, and said dividers defining a bacteria tank in said vessel for selectively breeding bacteria to decompose the waste;
bacteria in said bacteria tank;
a first mixer in said receiving tank for mixing solid and liquid components of the batch of waste together;
a first pump operatively connected between said receiving tank and said treatment tank to transfer the mixed batch of waste from said receiving tank to said treatment tank;
a second pump operatively connected between said treatment tank and said bacteria tank to transfer at least a portion of the contents of said treatment tank to said bacteria tank;
a bacteria pump operatively connected between said bacteria tank and said receiving tank to transfer at least a portion of said bacteria from said bacteria tank to said receiving tank; and a controller operatively connected with said mixer and each of said pumps, said controller activating and deactivating said mixer and each of said pumps according to (21) a regime of treatment for each batch of waste received by said receiving tank.
The apparatus of claim 25 further including an oxygen supply operatively connected with each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks for selectively injecting oxygen into each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said oxygen supply includes an air bubbler in each of said receiving and said bacteria tanks.
The apparatus of claim 27 further including a second mixer in said bacteria tank.
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein:
each of said first and said second mixers is a floating mixer;
a first stanchion extends generally vertically upward from a bottom of said receiving tank;
said first mixer is coupled with said first stanchion in sliding engagement so that said first mixer is moored in said receiving tank by said first stanchion and floats upon the contents of said receiving tank;
a second stanchion extends generally vertically upward from a bottom of said bacteria tank; and said second mixer is coupled with said second stanchion in sliding engagement so that said second mixer is moored in said bacteria tank by said second stanchion and floats upon the contents of said bacteria tank.
(22) The apparatus of claim 28 further including each of a third mixer, an aerator, and a decanter in said treatment tank.
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein each of said third mixer, said aerator, and said decanter is a portion of a floating combination unit in said treatment tank;
a third stanchion extends generally vertically upward from a bottom of said treatment tank; and said combination unit is coupled with said third stanchion in sliding engagement so that said combination unit is moored in said treatment tank by said third stanchion and floats upon the contents of said treatment tank.
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said dividers further define a sludge tank in said vessel for receiving sludge from said treatment tank and for bacterial decomposition of sludge in said sludge tank, and wherein a sludge pump is operatively connected between said treatment tank and said sludge tank to transfer sludge from said treatment tank to said sludge tank.
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said controller is operatively connected with each of said oxygen supply, said second mixer, said third mixer, said aerator, and said decanter and wherein said controller selectively activates and deactivates each of said oxygen supply, said second mixer, said third mixer, said aerator, and said decanter.
(23) The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said apparatus includes wheels and a frame adapted for trailering said apparatus.
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said dividers further define a sludge tank in said vessel for receiving sludge from said treatment tank and for bacterial decomposition of sludge in said sludge tank, and wherein a sludge pump is operatively connected between said treatment tank and said sludge tank to transfer sludge from said treatment tank to said sludge tank.
The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said apparatus is a single, integrated unit adapted for transportation from one location to another location.
(24)
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| CA 2100496 Abandoned CA2100496A1 (en) | 1992-07-22 | 1993-07-14 | Mobile waste treatment apparatus |
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| CA (1) | CA2100496A1 (en) |
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| US4997557A (en) * | 1989-05-19 | 1991-03-05 | Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. | Floating, mixing, aerating and decanting unit |
| US5102548A (en) * | 1990-01-16 | 1992-04-07 | Richard C. Baxter | Septage pretreatment and treatment batch processing |
| US5110459A (en) * | 1990-08-03 | 1992-05-05 | B & B W/W, Inc. | Septage anaerobic treatment batch processing |
| US5227068A (en) * | 1991-10-25 | 1993-07-13 | Eco-Soil Systems, Inc. | Closed apparatus system for improving irrigation and method for its use |
| US5227067A (en) * | 1991-10-25 | 1993-07-13 | Eco-Soil Systems, Inc. | Apparatus for improving irrigation or cleaning water and method for its use |
-
1993
- 1993-07-09 MX MX9304141A patent/MX9304141A/en unknown
- 1993-07-14 CA CA 2100496 patent/CA2100496A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1994
- 1994-03-07 US US08/206,325 patent/US5441640A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5441640A (en) | 1995-08-15 |
| MX9304141A (en) | 1994-02-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |