Automated Waste Water Treatment

Abstract

A waste water filtration system filters polluted waste water from various waste water sources including fire sprinkler systems and fire hydrants. The system may be connected by a pipe or hose to a fire sprinkle system riser or stand pipe. The filtering system includes a stainer to capture large particles, a fine particle filter to capture small particles, and may include a chemically selective sponge to capture, for example, oil, and destroy bacteria, when necessary. A switch senses the presence of liquid and turns on a pump when required to advances liquid through the fine particle filter. The filtering system preferably allows compliance with NFPA Standards, California State Fire Marshal's and the California Water Resources Board Best Management Practices (BMP) for maintaining fire sprinkler systems, and Federal Clean Water laws, Federal Coastal Zone laws, and local city ordinances for releasing liquids into storm drains.

Claims

1. A waste water filtering system comprising: a pipe or hose receiving a waste water flow; a sensor configured to sense the presence of liquid in the strained flow; a strainer for capturing large particles in the waste water flow to create a strained flow; a pump controlled by the sensor for advancing the strained flow; a filter for capturing fine particles remaining in the strained flow to create a filtered flow; and a drain hose connected to an outlet of the encased chemically selective polymer for carrying the clean flow to a drain site.

2. The waste water filtering system of claim 1, wherein the strainer includes a strainer element for capturing particles greater than between approximately 50 microns and approximately 100 microns.

3. The waste water filtering system of claim 2, wherein the strainer element comprises a removable, cleanable, and replaceable basket for capturing the particles greater than between approximately 50 microns and approximately 100 microns in size.

4. The waste water filtering system of claim 1, wherein the filter includes a filter element for capturing particles greater than between approximately 0.5 microns and approximately two microns in size.

5. The waste water filtering system of claim 1, further including an encased chemically selective polymer comprises an encased chemically selective polymer including an antimicrobial agent for destroying bacteria in the filtered flow.

6. The waste water filtering system of claim 5, wherein the encased chemically selective polymer comprises a chemically selective polymer encased in a pipe nipple.

7. The waste water filtering system of claim 5, wherein the encased chemically selective polymer additionally kills bacteria.

8. The waste water filtering system of claim 1, wherein the waste water flow is from a sprinkler system standpipe

9. The waste water filtering system of claim 1, wherein the waste water flow is from a Fire Department Connection (FDC).

10. The waste water filtering system of claim 9, further including a fitting for removably attaching a rod for entering the FDC to hold a clapper valve open to allow the waste waster to flow from the FDC.

11. The waste water filtering system of claim 9, further including a bypass and valve bypassing the strainer and fine practical filter, the bypass directly releasing the waste water flow with no filtering.

12. The waste water filtering system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a pressure switch.

13. The waste water filtering system of claim 12, wherein: when water enters into the normally dry pipe, the pressure switch senses a change in pressure and activates the pump; and. when the standpipe is fully drained, pressure in the pipe returns to normal and the pressure switch automatically shuts off the pump.

14. A waste water filtering system comprising: a pipe or hose connected to a standpipe for receiving a waste water flow; a sensor configured to sense the presence of liquid in the waste water flow; a strainer for capturing large particles greater than between approximately 50 microns and approximately 100 microns in size in the waste water flow to create a strained flow; a centrifugal pump controlled by the sensor for advancing the strained flow; a fine particle filter for capturing fine particles remaining in the strained flow to create a filtered flow; a drain hose connected to an outlet of the fine particle filter for releasing the filtered flow; and a bypass and valve bypassing the strainer and fine practical filter providing a direct release of the waste water flow without any filtering.

15. A waste water filtering system comprising: a pipe or hose connected to a standpipe for receiving a waste water flow; a pressure switch in fluid communication with the waste water flow to sense the presence of liquid in the pipe or hose, wherein: when water enters into the normally dry pipe, the pressure switch senses a change in pressure and activates the pump; and when the standpipe is fully drained, pressure in the pipe returns to normal and the pressure switch automatically shuts off the pump; a strainer for capturing large particles greater than between approximately 50 microns and approximately 100 microns in size in the waste water flow to create a strained flow; a centrifugal pump controlled by the pressure switch for advancing the strained flow; a fine particle filter for capturing fine particles remaining in the strained flow to create a filtered flow; a drain hose connected to an outlet of the fine particle filter for releasing the filtered flow; and a bypass and valve bypassing the strainer and fine practical filter providing a direct release of the waste water flow without any filtering.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0021] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts a waste water filtering system according to the present invention connected to a sprinkler system standpipe.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a side view of a strainer of a filtering suite according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the strainer taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view of a filter of a filtering suite according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the filter taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe nipple encasing a chemically selective polymer.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an encased chemically selective polymer taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

[0029] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the encased chemically selective polymer taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 7.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a side view of a media bag filter containing the chemically selective polymer.

[0031] FIG. 8A is cross-sectional view of the media bag of the media bag filter containing the chemically selective polymer taken along line 8A-8A of FIG. 8.

[0032] FIG. 9A is a front view of a second all thread rod adapter for positioning the all thread rod in the FDC to hold the clapper valve open.

[0033] FIG. 9B is a side view of the second all thread rod adapter for all thread positioning the rod in the FDC to hold the clapper valve open

[0034] FIG. 10 shows a side view of an all thread rod in the second all thread rod adapter.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a method according to the present invention for filtering waste water released from the FDC.

[0036] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.

[0038] A waste water filtering system 10 according to the present invention is shown connected to a sprinkler system standpipe 14 in FIG. 1. The waste water filtering system 10 includes a pipe or hose 16 connecting a manual valve to a filtering suite 10. The pipe or hose 16 is preferably a pipe. The pipe or hose 16 is preferably connected to the standpipe 14 through a manual valve 13. An example of a suitable hose is a two inch diameter non-kink hose. A suitable material is Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and an example of a suitable hose is Tufflex 101CL hose made by Gates Corporation in Denver, Colorado.

[0039] The filtering system 10 includes serially a sensor (e.g., pressure switch) 12, a strainer 18 , a pump 94, a fine particle filter 21, and optionally an encased chemically selective polymer 26. The strainer 18 receives a waste water flow from the standpipe 14 through the pressure switch 12 and strains the waste water flow to create a strained flow. The pump 94 is controlled by the pressure switch 12 and energized when the pressure switch 12 senses liquid from the pipe or hose 16. The filter 21 receives the strained flow from the strainer 18 and filters the strained flow to create a filtered flow. The encased chemically selective polymer 26 receives the filtered flow from the filter 21 and cleans the filtered flow to create a clean flow 30 in outlet plumbing 20c, suitable for draining into a storm drain or into landscaping. A by-pass 96 with a valve 98 is used if there is no power (power failure) and there is a need to drain the standpipe 14 manually.

[0040] A power switch 82 controls power to the pressure switch 12 and pump 94 and a light 80 is on when the power switch is ON. During automatic operation the switch 82 is left ON. Power is provided to a relay 84 through a Ground Fault Isolator 86. The power switch 82 controls the relay 84 through wiring 90 and the light 90 receives power through wiring 90. The pump 94 is preferably a centrifugal pump. An example of a suitable pressure switch 12 is the PS10-1 pressure switch made by Potter Electric Signal Company in St. Lewis Mo.

[0041] A side view of the strainer 18 of the filtering system 10 is shown in FIG. 2, and a cross-sectional view of the strainer taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. The strainer 18 preferably includes a removable, cleanable, and replaceable basket 48. A waste water flow 44 from the standpipe 14 enters the strainer 18, passed into the basket 48 through ports 46, and is strained as it flows through the basket walls 50. The basket walls 50 preferably include orifices to capture particles greater than between approximately 50 microns and approximately 100 microns in size, and more preferably include orifices to capture particles greater than approximately 100 microns in size. A strained flow 53 is created by the strainer 18. An example of a suitable strainer is an Eaton Model 72 made by Eaton in Eden Prairie, Minn. A strained flow 52 from the strainer 18 enters the pump 94.

[0042] A side view of the fine particle filter 21 of a filtering system 10 is shown in FIG. 4, and a cross-sectional view of the filter 21 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5. The fine particle filter 21 receives a pumped flow 64 from the pump 94. The fine particle filter 21 includes a filter bag 58 having a surface material 56 preferably selected to capture material greater than between approximately 0.5 microns and two microns in size, and more preferably selected to capture material greater than approximately one micron in size. A filtered flow 66 is created by the fine particle filter 21. An example of a suitable filter is a Flowline filter made by Eaton in Eden Prairie, Minn.

[0043] A cross-sectional view of the optional encased chemically selective polymer 26 encasing a chemically selective polymer is shown in FIG. 6. The encased chemically selective polymer 26 is included in systems filtering liquid including hydrocarbons, for example, oil. The chemically selective polymer is encased in a pipe nipple 25 having a length L and diameter D. The length L may be between approximately twelve inches and approximately 36 inches and is preferably approximately 12 inches. The diameter D may be between approximately two inches and approximately four inches and is preferably approximately three inches. Inlet and outlet reducers 22a and 22b respectively reside at each end of the pipe nipple 25 for attachment to the plumbing 20b and 20c (see FIG. 1).

[0044] A cross-sectional view of the encased chemically selective polymer 26 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7 and a cross-sectional view of the encased chemically selective polymer 26 taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 7A. A media bag filter 70 reside inside the pipe nipple 25 and contains the chemically selective polymer. The chemically selective polymer is preferably ground into a powder to improve the performance of the chemically selective polymer in capturing contaminants (is there a measure of how fine it is ground?) . The media bag filter 70 is retained in the pipe nipple 25 by a grating 28 fixed in the outlet reducer 22b. The grating 28 is preferably a wire mesh screen with approximately inch openings.

[0045] A side view of a media bag filter 70 is shown in FIG. 8 and a cross-sectional view of the media bag filter 70 taken along line 8A-8A of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 8A. The media bag filter 70 comprises a bag 74 containing the chemically selective polymer 76. The bag 74 is preferably an open woven mesh fabric polyester. Initially, the bag 74 is filled approximately 50 percent by volume with the chemically selective polymer 76. The chemically selective polymer 76 expands as it become saturated with oil, and eventually fills the interior of the media bag filter 70. The media bag filter 70 includes a pull 72 for extracting the media bag filter 70 from the encased chemically selective polymer 26. A suitable material for the bag 74 is product number 07/950/58 made by Sefar in Monterey Park, Calif. A suitable chemically selective polymer is a Smart Sponge material or a Smart Sponge Plus ACX10N/55-Plus4 material made by AbTech in Scottsdale, Ariz. Smart Sponge Plus material includes an antimicrobial agent permanently chemically bonded to the Smart Sponge polymer surface which antimicrobial agent destroys bacteria on contact. Due to the permanent bonding, the antimicrobial agent is active but does not leach or leak, avoiding downstream toxicity issues.

[0046] The Smart Sponge material and similar material are described in:

[0047] U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,823 for Methods of Making Dual-action Decontamination Media;

[0048] U.S. Pat. No. 6,541,569 for Polymer Alloys, Morphology and Materials for Environmental Remediation;

[0049] U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,519 for Systems for Ameliorating Aqueous Hydrocarbon Spills;

[0050] U.S. Pat. No. 6,143,172 for Methods for Ameliorating Hydrocarbon Spills in Marine and Inland Waters; and

[0051] U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,723 for Catchbasin Systems for Filtering Hydrocarbon Spills.

[0052] The '823, '569, '519, '172, and '723 patents' are herein incorporated in their entirely by reference.

[0053] In another embodiment the filtering system 10 may be connected to a Fire Department Connection (FDC) and a swivel connection may position a rod 27 to hold a clapper valve in the FDC open. A front view of a rod adapter 77 for positioning the rod 26 in the FDC 13 to hold the clapper valve open is shown in FIG. 9A, a side view of the rod adapter 77 is shown in FIG. 9B, and the rod 27 is shown attached to the rod adapter 77 in FIG. 10. The nut or coupling 79 is attached directly to a washer 73 which is positioned between fitting attached to the FDC 13 to hold the clapper valve open. The rod adapter 77 may be positioned between any hose or any other attachment connected to the FDC 13 and the FDC 13, and is preferably held in place between the hose end 16a and the FDC outlet 14. When in position, the rod 26 enters the FDC 13 and holds the clapper valve open. The rod 26 is preferably an all-thread rod.

[0054] A method according to the present invention for containing and transporting waste water is described in FIG. 11. The method includes: connecting a 1st end of a first pipe or hose to a stand pipe at step 80; connecting a second end of the pope or hose to a filter suite serially comprising a strainer, a filter, and an encased chemically selective polymer at step 82; positioning a filter system drain hose to empty into a storm drain and/or landscaping at step 84; turning a manual value releasing a flow of waste water from the standpipe through the pipe hose to the filter suite at step 86; measure pressure in the first pipe or hose to automatically actuate a pump when liquid is present at step 88; continuing to operate the pump while liquid is present at step 90; and automatically shutting off the pump when liquid is not longer present at step 92.

[0055] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.