GRANULAR FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION

Abstract

The present invention may provide a granular filtration system for filtering effluent water for agricultural operations. The system may comprise a granular media for filtering the effluent water, a vessel for holding the granular media, a filtration inlet, a filtration outlet, a backflush inlet, a backflush outlet, a plurality of filtration members, and a plurality of conduits, the conduits being in fluid communication with the plurality of filtration members, the filtration outlet, and the backflush inlet. The vessel may further comprise a plurality of access ports for accessing the interior of the vessel. The present system provides filtration members with sufficient size, shape, number, and placement to efficiently and evenly backflush the granular media, and a higher quality, hydrodynamically shaped tank which can be backflushed at a lower pressure, reducing water and energy use, leaks, and inconsistencies in the granular media.

Claims

1. A filtration system for filtering effluent water, the system comprising: a. granular media for filtering said effluent water; b. a vessel for holding said granular media, said vessel comprising a filtration inlet, a filtration outlet, a backflush inlet and a backflush outlet; and c. a plurality of filtration members mounted at evenly spaced intervals on at least one conduit having a radial member and at least one cross member, said conduit being in fluid communication with said water outlet, and said backflush inlet.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one conduit comprises a plurality of conduits extending from a hub.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of conduits are oriented radially at regular radial intervals about a circumference of said hub.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of conduits comprises a radial member and at least one cross member.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said plurality of filter members are mounted at evenly spaced intervals on each radial member and each cross member.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein a first conduit of said plurality of conduits comprises a distally positioned cross member and a second conduit of said plurality of conduits comprises a medially positioned cross member.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of conduits comprises a first plurality of conduits and a second plurality of conduits, each conduit of said first plurality of conduits comprising a distally positioned cross member, and each conduit of said second plurality of conduits comprising a medially positioned cross member.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said plurality of conduits comprises a pattern, the pattern alternating between a conduit of said first plurality of conduits and a conduit of said second plurality of conduits.

11. (canceled)

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of filtration members comprises a squared grid pattern.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. The system of claim 1, wherein each filter member of said plurality of filter members comprises a barrier having a plurality of openings.

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23. A method of using a filter system to filter effluent water, said filter system comprising: a backflushing a vessel comprising a granular media through a plurality of conduits, said plurality of conduits positioned within said granular media, wherein each conduit includes a radial member and at least one cross member, said plurality of filtration members are positioned on said radial member and said at least one cross member.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said filter system further comprises a hub, said plurality of conduits extending radially from said hub and comprising a pattern of cross members alternating between a medial position and a distal position.

25. (canceled)

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said plurality of filtration members are mounted at evenly spaced intervals on said radial member and said at least one cross member.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said plurality of conduits extend from a hub in a radial orientation at regular radial intervals about a circumference of said hub.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. The method of claim 27, wherein said plurality of conduits comprises a first plurality of conduits and a second plurality of conduits, each conduit of said first plurality of conduits comprising a distally positioned cross member, and each conduit of said second plurality of conduits comprising a medially positioned cross member.

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the plurality of filtration members comprises a squared grid pattern.

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71. A filtration system for filtering effluent water, the system comprising: a. a vessel for holding a granular media; b. a plurality of conduits mounted on a central hub and oriented radially about a circumference of said hub, each having a radial member and at least one cross member; and c. a plurality of filtration members mounted at evenly spaced intervals on said radial member and said at least one cross member of each of said plurality of conduits.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein said plurality of conduits are oriented radially at regular radial intervals about a circumference of said hub.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein said plurality of filter members are mounted at evenly spaced intervals on each radial member and each cross member.

74. The system of claim 71, wherein said plurality of conduits comprises a first plurality of conduits and a second plurality of conduits, each conduit of said first plurality of conduits comprising a distally positioned cross member, and each conduit of said second plurality of conduits comprising a medially positioned cross member.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein said plurality of conduits comprises a pattern, the pattern alternating between a conduit of said first plurality of conduits and a conduit of said second plurality of conduits.

76. The system of claim 74, wherein the plurality of filtration members comprises a squared grid pattern.

77. The system of claim 71, wherein each filter member of said plurality of filter members comprises a barrier having a plurality of openings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1A shows a front, bisected view of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 1B shows a side, bisected view of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a top, bisected view of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 3A shows a side, bisected view of conduits and filtration members of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 3B shows a side, bisected view of conduits and filtration members of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 4A shows a rear view of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIGS. 4B shows a top view of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 5A shows a side, sectional view of conduits and filtration members of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 5B shows a side, sectional view of conduits and filtration members of a granular filtration system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these figures and certain implementations and examples of the embodiments, it will be understood that such implementations and examples are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. References to various features of the present invention throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced features. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or features.

[0049] Reference will be made to the exemplary illustrations in the accompanying drawings, and like reference characters may be used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0050] As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present invention may provide a granular filtration system 100 for filtering effluent water for agricultural operations. The system 100 may comprise a granular media 105 for filtering the effluent water, a vessel 110 for holding the granular media 105, a filtration inlet 120, a filtration outlet 121, a backflush inlet 122, a backflush outlet 123, a plurality of filtration members 130, and a plurality of conduits 140, the conduits 140 being in fluid communication with the plurality of filtration members 130, the filtration outlet 121, and the backflush inlet 122. The vessel may further comprise a plurality of access ports 150 for accessing the interior of the vessel 110.

[0051] In some embodiments, the vessel 110 may comprise a shape having a cylindrical medial section 111 with substantially hemispherical upper 112 and lower 113 sections, providing a gently curving transition between the medial section 111 and each of the upper 112 and lower 113 sections. The vessel 110 may thus comprise a hydrodynamic shape, without sharp or acute angles to interrupt the flow of fresh water F (see FIG. 5B) from the bottom of the vessel 110 (e.g., from the filtration members 130) to the top of the vessel 110 (e.g., to the backflush outlet 123). The vessel 110 may also provide a hydrodynamic shape for the flow of effluent water E (see FIG. 5A) from the top of the vessel 110 (e.g., from the filtration inlet 120) to the bottom of the vessel 110 (e.g., to the granular media 105 and out through the filtration members 130).

[0052] As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the vessel 110 may comprise a material which is substantially impervious to rust (e.g., stainless steel) and a plurality of access ports 150, the plurality of access ports 150 being of sufficient size to allow for filling and draining of the granular media 105, and inspection and maintenance of the granular media 105, filtration members 130, and conduits 140 of the present system 100, which may be located inside the vessel 110. The vessel 110 may comprise a first port 151, a second port 152, a third port 153, and a fourth port 154. The first port 151 may be located in an upper wall 112 of the vessel 110 for pouring granular media into the vessel 110. The second port 152 may be located in a lower wall 113 of the vessel 110 for easily draining and sweeping the granular media 105 from the vessel 110. The third port 153 and the fourth port 154 may each be located in a medial wall 111 of the vessel 110 in substantially opposing positions (e.g., on opposite sides of the medial wall 111). The filtration members 130, conduits 140, and granular media 105 may thus be accessed from opposite sides of the vessel 110, allowing for more thorough inspection and maintenance.

[0053] The filtration inlet 120 may comprise a pipe or other channel providing a watertight connection between the vessel 110 and an effluent water source (not shown). The filtration inlet 120 may be connected to the vessel 110 at an apex thereof (e.g., at the highest point of the vessel 110). The filtration inlet 120 may connect to a first valve 124 at an apex of the vessel 110, the first valve 124 being operable to switch fluid communication with the vessel 110 from the filtration inlet 120 to the backflush outlet 123, and back to the filtration inlet 120. The first valve 124 may comprise a three-way ball valve well known in the art.

[0054] The filtration outlet 121 may comprise a pipe or other channel providing a watertight connection between the vessel and an agricultural irrigation device (e.g., drip tape; not shown). The filtration outlet 121 may connect to a second valve 125 at a low point of the vessel 110 (e.g., at the point where the plurality of conduits 140 converge and connect to the bottom of the vessel 110), the second valve 125 being operable to switch fluid communication with the vessel 110 from the filtration outlet 121 to the backflush inlet 122, and back to the filtration outlet 121. The second valve 125 may comprise a three-way ball valve well known in the art. The filtration outlet 121 may be in fluid communication with the vessel 110 only by way of the plurality of conduits 140 and the plurality of filtration members 130, thus preventing any effluent water from entering the filtration outlet 121 without first passing through the granular media and a filtration member 130.

[0055] The backflush inlet 122 may comprise a pipe or other channel providing a watertight connection between the vessel 110 and a fresh water source (not shown). The backflush inlet 122 may be connected to the vessel 110 at a low point thereof (e.g., at the point where the plurality of conduits 140 converge and connect to the bottom of the vessel 110). The backflush inlet 122 may connect to the vessel 110 via the second valve 125. The fresh water source (e.g., water under pressure from a municipal water source, or water from a well pressurized by a pump) may be under pressure sufficient to push water through the backflush inlet 122, through the plurality of conduits 140, out the plurality of filtration members 130, through the granular media 105, and out through the backflush outlet 123. In some embodiments, the flow of water from the fresh water source exiting the plurality of filtration members 130 may be sufficient to evenly disturb and wash the entirety of the granular media 105. The backflush inlet 122 may be in fluid communication with the vessel 110 only by way of the plurality of conduits 140 and the plurality of filtration members 130.

[0056] The backflush outlet 123 may comprise a pipe or other channel providing a watertight connection between the vessel and a wastewater exit (e.g., a pipe leading to a gathering pond or a wastewater drain). The backflush outlet 123 may connect to the vessel 110 via the first valve 124.

[0057] The system may comprise a central hub 126, and the plurality of conduits 140 may each comprise a radial member 141 and at least one cross-member 142, the radial member 141 extending substantially radially from the central hub 126 and the cross-member 142 extending substantially perpendicularly from the radial member 141. The hub 126 may comprise a short, cylindrical shape (e.g., a thick disc shape) and may be in fluid communication with an exit conduit 127 which extends from the hub 126 down through a low point of the vessel 110 and connects to the filtration outlet 121 and the backflush inlet 122 via the second valve 125. The plurality of conduits 140 may each extend horizontally from the hub 126.

[0058] The granular media 105 may comprise a volume of small granules (e.g., granules having a diameter greater than 0.3 millimeters. The granular media 105 may comprise fine rock and mineral particles, (e.g., silica-based sand).

[0059] As seen in FIG. 2, the plurality of conduits 140 may comprise a first plurality of conduits 143 and a second plurality of conduits 144, each conduit of the first plurality of conduits 143 comprising a cross-member 142 which is positioned distally on the radial member 141, and each conduit of the second plurality of conduits 144 each comprising a cross-member 142 which is positioned medially on the radial member 141.

[0060] The plurality of conduits 140 extending radially from the hub 126 may comprise a pattern, the pattern alternating between a conduit of the first plurality of conduits 143 and a conduit of the second plurality of conduits 144. The total number of the first plurality of conduits 143 may be equal to the total of the second plurality of conduits 144. Also, each conduit of the first plurality of conduits 143 may extend radially from the hub 126 opposite from another of the first plurality of conduits 143 (e.g, at a central angle about the hub 126 of approximately 180 degrees), and each conduit of the second plurality of conduits 144 may extend radially from the hub 126 opposite from another of the second plurality of conduits 144. Finally, the central angle between the radial members 141 of all adjacent conduits may be equal.

[0061] As best shown in FIG. 3A, each filtration member 130 of the present invention may comprise a pod having a cylindrical barrier 131 (e.g., a screen) with a first end 131a and a second end 131b, the first end 131a being mounted to an outer surface of a conduit 140, around the perimeter of a passage through the conduit 140, and the second end 131b being covered by a solid cap 132. The barrier 131 may comprise a diameter in a range of about 40 millimeters to about 75 millimeters, and preferably in a range of about 50 millimeters to about 55 millimeters, and may comprise a length (e.g., a height) in a range of about 40 millimeters to about 100 millimeters, and preferably in a range of about 55 millimeters to about 65 millimeters. In some embodiments, the cap 132 may comprise a greater diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical barrier 131 (e.g., in a range of about 55 millimeters to about 90 millimeters, and preferably in a range from about 70 millimeters to about 80 millimeters).

[0062] The barrier 131 may comprise a plurality of substantially parallel and horizontal slots 133 which are sized to selectively allow water to pass through but prevent any granular media 105 from passing. Each slot 133 may circumferentially span the cylindrical barrier 131, and may each comprise a width of about 0.3 millimeters.

[0063] Multiple filtration members of the plurality of filtration members 130 may be mounted to a single conduit of the plurality of conduits 140. Each conduit of the first plurality of conduits 143 may have five filtration members 130 mounted thereto, three filtration members being mounted along the length of the radial member 141 and two filtration members 130 being mounted on the cross-member 142, one on each side of the radial member 141. Each conduit of the second plurality of conduits 144 may have four filtration members 130 mounted thereto, two filtration members 130 being mounted to the radial member 141 and two filtration members 130 being mounted to the cross-member 142, one on each side of the radial member 141. One filter member 130 may also be mounted to a central position on the hub 126.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, adjacent filtration members 130 may be mounted at equal distances from each other. Of the three filtration members 130 mounted to the radial member 141 of a conduit of the first plurality of conduits 143, the distance A between the proximal filtration member 135 and the medial filtration member 136 is the same as the distance A between the medial filtration member 136 and the distal filtration member 137, and the same as the distance between the distal filtration member 137 and each of the filtration members 138, 139 mounted to the cross-member 142 of the conduit. Correspondingly, each conduit of the second plurality of conduits 144 may have a distance between the two filtration members 130 mounted to the radial member 141 of the conduit which is the same as the distance between the two filtration members 130 mounted to the cross-member 142 of the conduit. The overall pattern of the plurality of filtration members across the entire area of the vessel 110 may thus form a squared grid wherein each filtration member 130 is equidistant from each of the closest adjacent filtration members 130, whether the closest adjacent filtration members 130 are mounted to the same conduit or to a different conduit. The overall pattern of filtration members 130 may thus provide an even flow of fresh water to all areas within a horizontal cross-section of the vessel 110. The granular media 105 may thereby be disturbed and washed in an even and balanced manner during backflushing.

[0065] FIG. 3B shows an embodiment 200 of the present invention wherein a distance X between the filtration member 230 mounted to the hub 226 and a proximal filtration member 235 is greater than a distance Y between the proximal filtration member 235 and a medial filtration member 236, which may be greater than a distance Z between the medial filtration member 236 and a distal filtration member 237. In such embodiments, the overall pattern of filtration members 230 across a horizontal cross-section of the vessel may form a plurality of concentric rings centered on the hub 226.

[0066] It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.