SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURIFYING FAECAL-FREE AND SURFACTANT-CONTAINING DOMESTIC WASTEWATER

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and to a method for purifying faecal-free and surfactant-containing domestic wastewater, in particular grey water and kitchen wastewater. An electrochemical treatment unit (3) and a device for introducing gas (11, 12, 14) are provided. Furthermore, at least two dirty water tanks (1, 21) are present, wherein domestic wastewater to be purified is fed to the first dirty water tank (21) from at least one first consumer, and wherein domestic wastewater to be purified is fed to the second dirty water tank (1) from at least one second consumer. In addition, at least two clear water tanks are present, wherein the purified domestic wastewater originating from the first dirty water tank is fed to the first clear water tank (22), and wherein the purified domestic wastewater originating from the second dirty water tank is fed to the second clear water tank (6).

Claims

1. A system for purifying fecal-free and surfactant-containing domestic wastewater, in particular grey water and kitchen wastewater, in particular for installation in a mobile living unit, such as a mobile home or a camper, or in a watercraft, wherein the system has an electrochemical processing unit and a device for introducing gas, in particular air and/or ozone, wherein the system comprises the following: at least one dirty water container, in which the domestic wastewater to be purified is collected; at least one wastewater tank, in which components of the domestic wastewater, which are to be discarded, are collected; at least one clear water container, in which the purified domestic wastewater is collected, and pipes, which interconnect the above-mentioned, wherein at least two dirty water containers are present, wherein domestic wastewater to be purified from at least one first consumer, such as a sink, a hand washbasin, and/or a dishwashing machine, can be fed to a first dirty water container, and wherein domestic wastewater to be purified from at least one second consumer, such as a shower, a bathtub and/or a washing machine, can be fed to a second dirty water container, and that at least two clear water containers are present, wherein the domestic wastewater, which originates from the first dirty water container and which is purified, can be fed to a first clear water container, and wherein the domestic wastewater, which originates from the second dirty water container and which is purified, can be fed to a second clear water container.

2. The system according to patent claim 1, wherein the device for introducing gas is arranged upstream of or within the electrochemical processing unit.

3. The system according to patent claim 2, wherein the electrochemical processing unit has an overflow, via which foam can be discharged from the electrochemical processing unit, and foam resulting from the introduction of gas.

4. The system according to patent claim 1, wherein the device for introducing gas is arranged downstream from the electrochemical processing unit.

5. The system according to patent claim 1, wherein the device for introducing gas has a venting membrane, in particular a ceramic venting membrane.

6. The system according to patent claim 1, wherein a calming zone, through which electrochemically processed domestic wastewater can be guided prior to a discharging through a clear water drain, is arranged within the electrochemical processing unit or adjacent to the latter, wherein in particular the calming zone is located in a region of the electrochemical processing unit close to the floor, so that foam, which is present therein, does not reach into the clear water drain.

7. The system according to patent claim 1, wherein at least one of the following filtration units is present: a coarse filter, a pre-filter, a post-processing filter, in particular a fine filter, an activated carbon filter.

8. The system according to patent claim 7, wherein a means for backflushing the coarse filter, the pre-filter and/or the post-processing filter and/or the activated carbon filter is present, wherein in particular treated clear water from the second clear water tank can be used for the backflushing.

9. The system according to patent claim 1, wherein a plate-type reactor or a tubular reactor are provided as electrochemical processing unit.

10. The system according to patent claim 1, wherein the first clear water container is connected to a flusher of the toilet, and that the second clear water container is connected to the shower, the hand washbasin, the washing machine and/or the sink.

11. A method for purifying fecal-free and surfactant-containing domestic wastewater, in particular grey water and kitchen wastewater, wherein the domestic wastewater is fed to an electrochemical processing stage, and wherein a gas, in particular air and/or ozone, is introduced into the domestic wastewater to be purified, so that the contained surfactants are foamed and separated, wherein the domestic wastewater to be purified is processed separately, in that at least two dirty water containers are present, wherein domestic wastewater to be purified from at least one first consumer, such as a sink, a hand washbasin and/or a dishwashing machine, is fed to a first dirty water container, and wherein domestic wastewater to be purified from at least one second consumer, such as a shower, a bathtub and/or a washing machine is fed to a second dirty water container, and in that two clear water containers are present, wherein the domestic wastewater, which originates from the first dirty water container and which is purified, is fed to a first clear water container, and wherein the domestic wastewater, which originates from the second dirty water container and which is purified, is fed to a second clear water container.

12. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein foam and hydrogen resulting during the electrochemical processing stage are discharged via an overflow pipe, wherein the foam is in particular guided into a wastewater tank.

13. The method according to patent claim 12, wherein the resulting foam is destroyed prior to introduction into the wastewater tank, in particular by means of sonicating, with the help of a foam-destroying chemical, by means of guide-through through a foam-destroying woven fabric and/or by means of showering down by means of a liquid, wherein the destruction of the foam preferably takes place in the overflow pipe.

14. The method according to of patent claim 11, wherein the gas is introduced with the help of a compressor, a pump, a venting membrane, a stirrer, or a ceramic membrane, wherein in particular a fine-bubble gas is generated and introduced.

15. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein the gas is introduced within the electrochemical processing stage via a venting membrane located there, in particular a ceramic venting membrane.

16. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein the gas is introduced following the electrochemical processing stage in a relaxation container.

17. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein oxidizing agents are fed to the electrochemical processing stage.

18. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein the domestic wastewater treated by means of the electrochemical processing stage is guided via an activated carbon filter and/or another post-processing unit, such as, e.g., a fine filter, prior to the introduction into a clear water tank and/or prior to the renewed use, in particular for showering or for flushing a toilet, and is further purified, wherein it is in particular at least one of the following filter units: a sand filter, a microfiltration unit, a unit for nanofiltration, a unit for ultrafiltration, and a reverse osmosis unit.

19. The method according to patent claim 18, wherein the domestic wastewater is guided through a pre-filter or through a coarse filter, in particular for separating larger particles, such as dirt particles and hair, prior to the introduction into the electrochemical processing stage and/or prior to the introduction of gas.

20. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein chemicals for the water treatment and splitting agents are added, in particular prior to entry into the electrochemical processing stage or prior to entry into the relaxation container.

21. The method according to patent claim 19, wherein the activated carbon filter, the post-processing filter unit, the coarse filter and/or the pre-filter are backflushed, in particular by using the purified domestic wastewater.

22. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein clear water from the first clear water container is provided for flushing a toilet whereas clear water from the second clear water container is provided for showering, washing hands, cleaning laundry, and/or doing dishes.

23. The method according to patent claim 11, wherein the electrochemical processing stage comprises a direct current voltage source, the polarity of which can be reversed, and the polarity of which can be reversed in a time and/or state-controlled manner, in order to prevent attachments to cathodes and/or anodes of the electrochemical processing stage and/or to attain an even wear of the cathodes and/or anodes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] The invention will be explained and described in more detail below on the basis of the enclosed drawing, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a domestic wastewater recycling system according to the invention, and

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a domestic wastewater recycling system according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a wastewater purification system, which could be realized, for example, in a camper or a yacht. Two dirty water containers are present, one shower dirty water tank 1, and one general dirty water tank 21. Wastewater from the shower 25 reaches into the shower dirty water tank 1. Wastewater from a washbasin 15 and from a sink 13 are fed to the dirty water tank 21.

[0041] The dirty water from the two dirty water containers 1 and 21 can be fed to a pre-filter 2. The wastewater from the two dirty water containers 1 and 21 can thereby be fed to the pre-filter 2 in a combined manner or can be kept separate and can in each case be guided separately through the purification stages. Coarser dirt particles and other coarser substances in the wastewater, such as, e.g., hair, are separated in the pre-filter 2.

[0042] After the wastewater has passed through the pre-filter 2, it is fed to an electrochemical processing unit 3. On the way there, chemicals can also be added, if necessary, such as, for example, chemicals for the water treatment and splitting agents. The adding unit for chemicals is identified with reference numeral 19.

[0043] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the electrochemical processing unit 3 is equipped with plate electrodes 16. The plate electrodes are aligned parallel to one another.

[0044] In the electrochemical processing unit 3, gas in the form of fine bubbles is introduced via a venting membrane 14. For example ozone from an ozone ventilation 11 can be used as gas. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent, so that germs, which may be contained, are killed. For example iron, manganese, and organic substance is furthermore oxidized thereby. In the alternative or simultaneously, air can be used as gas for the introduction of gas, identified by reference numeral 12.

[0045] As can be seen, the unit for introducing gas is arranged within the electrochemical processing unit 3, namely the venting membrane 14, in the preferred embodiment. It is also possible, however, that the air is introduced in the form of fine bubbles in the pipe system, which leads directly into the electrochemical processing unit, i.e. between adding unit for chemicals 19 and electrochemical processing unit 3, or upstream of the adding unit for chemicals 19 in the feed pipe.

[0046] Foam is created in the electrochemical processing unit 3, both by means of the electro-flotation itself, and by means of the fine gas bubbles, as suggested in FIG. 1. The foam is compressed via a foam compression 17 and is discharged via an overflow pipe 7 and is fed to a wastewater tank 9.

[0047] A calming zone 18, in which the water is collected prior to the discharge from the electrochemical processing unit and can calm, so that gas, which may still be contained, escapes, and foam rises to the top, is likewise entered in FIG. 1. The calming zone 18 is separated from the remaining interior of the electrochemical processing unit 3 via a separation. Water thus enters into this calming zone 18 from the bottom, very close to the floor of the electrochemical processing unit 3.

[0048] An automatic level raise 27 serves for and improves the foam discharge.

[0049] Water purified in the electrochemical processing unit is finally fed to a fine filter 4, for example a sand filter, or to a microfiltration unit, and to an activated carbon filter 5. The purified water is finally fed to one of the two clear water containers or to both of them, namely to the clear water tank 6 or to the toilet clear water tank 22. For example, the shower 25 is fed from the clear water tank 6, or also a separate faucet 23 of the sink 13, in order to pre-clean dishes, for example. Water from the toilet clear water tank 22 is fed to the toilet flusher 24 with the help of a pressure cylinder 10.

[0050] It can be seen that the two dirty water containers 1 and 21 as well as the two clear water containers 6 and 22 can be processed separately. For example, the dirty water from the shower dirty water tank 1 can thus be guided through the purification stages and can be fed to the clear water tank 6 or to the toilet clear water tank 22. The same applies for wastewater from the second dirty water tank 22.

[0051] If necessary, fresh water can be used directly from a fresh water tank 20, for example also for showering or for doing dishes. If necessary, the clear water tanks 6 and 22 can furthermore also be replenished by fresh water from the fresh water tank 20.

[0052] Filtration systems can preferably be backflushed, in order to remove residues adhering during the filtration process, and in order to thus reestablish the filtration pipe. A backflushing pipe 8 is provided for this purpose, so that treated clear water can be used for backflushing, for example for backflushing the activated carbon filter 5. In the alternative, fresh water from the fresh water tank 20 can also be used for backflushing.

[0053] Foam from the overflow pipe 7 is collected in the wastewater tank 9. Wastewater collected in the dirty water tank 21, i.e. sink wastewater and hand washbasin wastewater, can furthermore also be transferred directly into the wastewater tank 9, when, for example, heavy dirt loads are contained temporarily.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, a showering process has two parts. First of all, water from the clear water tank 6 is used for showering, i.e. the body is moistened. After lathering, water from the clear water tank 6 is still used to rinse off the soap, and fresh water from the fresh water tank 22 is subsequently used to rinse again.

[0055] The toilet flusher 24 preferably has fine nozzles. It is supplied with clear water from the toilet clear water tank 22 with the help of a pressure cylinder 10, in particular by means of a high-pressure cylinder or by means of a water pump.

[0056] The electrochemical processing unit 3 comprises a direct current voltage source, the polarity of which can be reversed. The polarity of said direct current voltage source can be reversed in a time- or state-controlled manner, in order to prevent an attachment of hydroxides to the electrodes 16. A reversal of the polarity also serves the purpose of ensuring an even wear of the electrodes 16, thus of anodes and cathodes.

[0057] The electrochemical processing unit 3 is encapsulated in the upper region, i.e. provided with a cover 26.

[0058] The electro-flotation stage can also comprise oxidizing agents, by means of which free hydrogen molecules within the wastewater treatment are oxidized into water. It is also possible to use atmospheric oxygen to convert the released hydrogen via a catalytic converter into water, wherein the atmospheric oxygen reaches into the system via a ventilation, e.g. via the overflow pipe.

[0059] An alternative embodiment of a domestic wastewater purification system is illustrated schematically in FIG. 2.

[0060] Two dirty water tanks are present—a first dirty water tank 121, in which wastewater from a washbasin 115 and a sink 113 is collected, and a second dirty water tank 101, also referred to as shower dirty water tank, in which wastewater from the shower 125 is collected.

[0061] Yet a further wastewater tank is provided, the wastewater tank 109, in which the wastewater to be discarded is collected, e.g. toilet wastewater. Wastewater from the first dirty water tank 121 can be purified as well as discarded. In the latter case, it is fed to the wastewater tank 109.

[0062] Wastewater to be purified, e.g. from the second dirty water tank 101, is initially guided via a coarse filter 130. There, coarse pollutants, such as sand or hair, are removed. With the help of a pump P1, it subsequently reaches into the electrochemical processing unit 103, where the electro-flotation is performed.

[0063] The pump P1 is arranged in a container 131. The dirty water is temporarily stored therein and is fed to the first one of the two tubular electrochemical processing units 103 by means of the pump P1. The container 131 has a buffer function. If the system is turned off, too much dirty water arrives, or if the system produces too little power, this buffer flows over and dirt water reaches directly into the wastewater tank 109 without processing. For example in the case of failures in the system, it can thus be ensured that showering can continue without interferences.

[0064] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, tube assemblies are used as electrochemical processing units 103, which are in each case covered by means of a cover 126. Tubular electrodes 116 have the advantage that, compared to plate electrodes, they have a smaller space requirement with the same reaction surface, which is an advantage, which becomes noticeable in particular in the case of campers, mobile homes, aircrafts, or yachts. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, two tube assemblies are connected in series.

[0065] After passing through the electrochemical processing unit, the wastewater to be treated reaches into a relaxation container 128. A relaxation floatation is performed there. For this purpose, gas is introduced via a venting membrane 114. In the present case, ozone can be introduced via an ozone ventilation 111 and air can be introduced via a unit for introducing air 112. Ozone and air can in each case be introduced separately as well as combined. Which gas is to be used depends on the wastewater, which is to be treated, and can be easily determined by the expert by means of simple tests.

[0066] Chemicals can also be added in the relaxation container with the help of the adding unit for chemicals 119, if required.

[0067] During the relaxation floatation in the relaxation container 128, components of the wastewater, e.g. surfactants, which are precipitated in the electro-flotation or which are bound to small oxygen or hydrogen bubbles, which are generated, e.g. during the electro-flotation, are enriched and are collected via a foam compression 117. Flocks and particles carrying dirt loads accumulate in this way in the upper region of the container 128, because the flocks and particles rise up due to the attachment of gas bubbles in the water. Purified clear water thus remains in the lower region of the container, below the venting membrane 114, referred to as calming zone 118. The collected foam is removed via an overflow pipe 107 and is guided through a foam destroyer 129. The foam is destroyed there, e.g. by means of sonication or with the help of chemicals. The separated portion of the purified dirty water subsequently reaches into the wastewater tank 109.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the purified water, which is removed in the lower region of the relaxation container 128, is finally guided past three filtration systems, where the water is further purified. The individual filtration stages become increasingly finer thereby. First of all, the water purified in the two floatation stages reaches into a pre-filter 102, then into an activated carbon filter 105, and finally into a fine filter 104.

[0069] Instead of the further purification, the water, which was thoroughly purified in the two floatation stages, can also be discharged, in that it is pumped into the wastewater tank 109 via a corresponding valve, here V2, with the help of a pump P2.

[0070] The clear water, which has run through all purification stages, is either fed to the toilet clear water tank 122 after the last purification stage or is fed directly to the shower system—either in that it is stashed away in a clear water tank 106 or in that it is fed directly to the shower 125. Corresponding valves V7, V3, V4, and V5 ensure the desired feed.

[0071] A separate faucet 123, to which clear water purified in the system can be fed, is further provided at the sink 113. Recycled water can thus be used, e.g. for pre-rinsing dishes, cutlery, and pots, or it can be used as water for cleaning.

[0072] Water stashed away in the toilet clear water tank 122 is used to flush the toilet 124. In mobile systems, a pressure cylinder 110 is provided for this purpose, which sprays the water in the toilet 124 while saving water.

[0073] A fresh water tank 120 is furthermore also provided. If not enough recycled clear water is present or, e.g. when concluding a showering process, fresh water from the fresh water tank 120 can be fed to the shower 125.

[0074] Fresh water from the fresh water tank 120 or clear water from the clear water tank 106 can be used via a backflushing pipe 108, in order to backflush the system, in particular the three filtration stages 102, 104, and 105.

[0075] According to the invention, two dirty water tanks are present, provided with reference numerals 121 and 101. This makes it possible that different types of wastewater can be kept separate and can be treated separately. Two clear water tanks, reference numerals 106 and 122, are furthermore also present, whereby clear water of different origins can be kept separate and can be used separately. In a preferred embodiment, wastewater from the hand washbasin 115 and sink 113 is stored in the dirty water tank 121. After the treatment thereof with the help of the above-described system, the resulting clear water is typically stored in the toilet clear water tank 122 and will be used to flush the toilet 124. Wastewater from the sink and from the hand washbasin is possibly not completely clean, even after passing through all purification stages, so that it is unsuitable for showering or bathing. The same also applies, for example, for wastewater from the dishwasher. The situation is different for wastewater from the shower, collected in the dirty water tank 101. These types of wastewater can be treated well in this way because they are relatively lightly contaminated, so that they can subsequently be used again for showering. Shower wastewater, which has passed through the system, is thus collected in the clear water tank 106 and is then fed to the shower 125 again, or it is fed directly to the shower 125. The above also applies for bath water, which is generally dirty only very slightly.

[0076] Some valves and pumps are also entered in the schematic illustration, and are accordingly identified as P1, P2, etc., and V1, V2, etc.

[0077] An even larger independence on communal systems results in that in a further preferred embodiment, which is not graphically presented, however, sea or river water can be drawn in and can be guided through the wastewater purification. For example, a further separate dirty water container would be provided for this purpose. Rain water can also be treated in this way and can be used as industrial water, for example for showering or for flushing the toilet.

TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference Numerals Reference Numeral name 1, 101 shower dirty water tank 2, 102 pre-filter 3, 103 electrochemical processing unit 4, 104 fine filter 5, 105 activated carbon filter 6, 106 clear water tank 7, 107 overflow pipe 8, 108 backflushing pipe 9, 109 wastewater tank 10, 110 pressure cylinder 11, 111 ozone ventilation 12, 112 unit for introducing air 13, 113 sink 14, 114 venting membrane 15, 115 washbasin 16, 116 electrodes 17, 117 foam compression 18, 118 calming zone 19, 119 adding unit for chemicals 20, 120 fresh water tank 21, 121 dirty water tank 22, 122 toilet clear water tank 23, 123 separate faucet 24, 124 toilet flusher 25, 125 shower 26, 126 cover  27 level raise 128 relaxation container 129 foam destroyer 130 coarse filter 131 container