Sewage Treatment Method

Abstract

A method for treating sewage to avoid sludge dumping. The sewage treatment method is a multistage process for sanitizing raw sewage and producing easily managed environmentally safe byproducts. Raw sewage or partially treated sewage is processed to remove and treat any liquids leaving sterilized solids that are compacted for limiting the environmental footprint. The method employs mechanical, thermal, radiation, and chemical treatments to the sewage to produce safe biodegradable materials. The treated final product may be used as fertilizer, fillers, aggregate, or compost.

Claims

1. A sewage treatment method comprising the following steps: processing an untreated sewage mixture mechanically and chemically; heating the mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture; applying radiation to the heated sewage mixture; and compressing the radiated sewage mixture into a compact solid for disposal.

2. The sewage treatment method of claim 1, wherein the untreated sewage mixture is mechanically pulverized.

3. The sewage treatment method of claim 2, wherein the mechanical pulverization oxygenates the untreated sewage mixture.

4. The sewage treatment method of claim 1, wherein the untreated sewage mixture is chemically processed with a base and an acid.

5. The sewage treatment method of claim 4, wherein the base is sodium bicarbonate and the acid is garden lime.

6. The sewage treatment method of claim 1, wherein the untreated sewage mixture is chemically processed with a saline solution.

7. The sewage treatment method of claim 1, wherein the mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture is heated to at least 300 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 minutes.

8. The sewage treatment method of claim 1, wherein the applied radiation is ultraviolet light.

9. The sewage treatment method of claim 8, wherein the ultraviolet light is applied via a combination of an artificial ultraviolet light source and a natural artificial ultraviolet light source.

10. The sewage treatment method of claim 8, wherein the ultraviolet light is applied for between six to fifteen minutes.

11. The sewage treatment method of claim 1, wherein the radiated sewage mixture is compressed at 3500 pounds of pressure.

12. A sewage treatment method for sanitizing and removing fluid from a sewage source, the sewage treatment method comprising the following steps: mechanically manipulating an initial sewage mixture; adding an acid and a base to the initial sewage mixture during the mechanical manipulation; heating the mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture; sanitizing the heated sewage mixture via an ultraviolet source; and compressing the sanitized sewage mixture into a compact solid for disposal.

13. The sewage treatment method of claim 12, wherein the initial sewage mixture has been pre-treated via a municipal sewage treatment system.

14. The sewage treatment method of claim 12, wherein the initial sewage mixture has not been pre-treated via a municipal sewage treatment system.

15. The sewage treatment method of claim 12 further comprising adding a thickening agent during the mechanical manipulation of the initial sewage mixture.

16. The sewage treatment method of claim 15, wherein the thickening agent is an organic material.

17. The sewage treatment method of claim 15, wherein the thickening agent is sand, pine straw, clay, or a combination thereof.

18. The sewage treatment method of claim 12 further comprising the step of bathing the mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture in a saline solution.

19. The sewage treatment method of claim 18, wherein the saline solution is 3.5 percent saline.

20. A method of treating sewage comprising the following steps: receiving sewage from a sewage source; mechanically pulverizing the received sewage to oxygenate the received sewage; adding an acid, a base, and at least one thickening agent to the received sewage during pulverizing; bathing the mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture in a saline solution; transporting the pulverized and chemically treated sewage to a heat source via a non-stick coated transport vessel; heating the pulverized and chemically treated sewage for at least 15 minutes. sanitizing the heated sewage with ultraviolet light for between six and fifteen minutes; compressing the sanitized sewage at 3500 pounds of pressure; disposing a treated sewage solid byproduct.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art sewage treatment system via an existing sewage system for use with the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a primary processing stage and a heat treatment stage of a sewage treatment method of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a radiation stage, a compacting stage, and a bathing stage of the sewage treatment method of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of the sewage treatment method of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0024] The method of the present invention is built off of existing sewage treatment systems for further sanitation during the primary clarifying process and to prevent “sludge dumping”. The stages may be as follows: First, the sewage mixture may be transported through a sanitizing silver-lined trough. Second, it is pulverized with electrically powered rotary blades. Next, it moves via sanitizing trays to a heat treatment chamber to kill off bacteria. The mixture is then further sanitized with a UV light, and the remaining effluent is pressed at 3500 lbs. for rapid composting. Finally, a methane/saltwater treatment with chemical additives may be used to create the easily managed byproducts.

[0025] The method is configured to avoid sludge dumping. The sewage treatment method is a multistage process for sanitizing raw sewage and producing easily managed byproducts. Raw sewage or partially treated sewage is processed to remove and treat any liquids leaving sterilized solids that are compacted for limiting environmental impact. The method employs mechanical, thermal, radiation, and chemical treatments to the sewage to produce safe biodegradable materials. The treated final product is useful as fertilizer, fillers, aggregate, or compost instead of requiring costly disposal at a landfill.

[0026] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art view of an existing municipal sewage system. Existing municipal sewage systems employ screening and clarifying processes prior to disinfection and aeration. The resulting sludge is difficult to deal with as it is still wet after traditional treatment. The wet sludge inhibits the destruction of pathogens. The wet sludge also takes up space and is not easy to dispose safely or economically. Individual septic systems face similar issues with final sludge disposition requiring removal or creating new leaching fields.

[0027] FIGS. 2-4 are used to schematically represent aspects of the present invention in the following exemplary embodiments. The present invention, in one embodiment, comprises a sewage treatment method. The method is useful for treating an initial sewage mixture. The sewage treatment method is configured for sanitizing and removing fluid from a sewage source, such as wastewater containing biosolids or sludge. The sewage treatment method is useful when the initial sewage mixture has been pre-treated via a municipal sewage treatment system such as illustrated in FIG. 1. The sewage treatment method is also useful when the initial sewage mixture has not been pre-treated via a municipal sewage treatment system.

[0028] The sewage treatment method begins by transporting the initial sewage mixture via conventional means, such as, but not limited to, pipes or transport vessels. The transport vessels may be lined with silver, copper, or other materials with antimicrobial properties. The transport vessels may be rail carts, tanks, barrels, or any similar mobile transport vessel. The sewage treatment method may be configured to treat small to large quantities of the initial sewage mixture ranging from fifty gallons and up.

[0029] The initial untreated or partially treated sewage mixture is both mechanically and chemically treated or processed during an initial processing stage, The initial processing stage mechanical manipulates the initial sewage mixture via pulverization. The initial sewage mixture is fed into a pulverizing apparatus via piping or other means and is pulverized via a plurality of electrically driven rotary blades. The purpose of the mechanical pulverization is to oxygenate the untreated sewage mixture and mix or blend in chemical agents simultaneously as discussed infra.

[0030] The initial processing stage further includes chemically treating the initial sewage mixture. A plurality of chemical agents are added to the initial sewage mixture during pulverization. The plurality of chemical agents typically include at least a base and an acid. The base is typically sodium bicarbonate, although it may be any other base usable for sewage treatment. The acid is typically garden lime, although it may be any other acid usable for sewage treatment. Mechanical mixing activates during the first stage of the process activates the acids turning the product into something else. The pulverizer oxygenates the mix affecting the boiling point and makes the product consistent.

[0031] At least one thickening agent may also be added during the mechanical manipulation of the initial sewage mixture. The thickening agent may include organic or inorganic materials. Local spoils may be a good source of thickening agents for economy. Examples of thickening agents in one embodiment include, but are not limited to, sand, pine straw, clay, or combinations thereof. The thickening agents are useful to thicken the mixture prior to the next step.

[0032] A saline solution may also be used to bathe the mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture during this step. Salt is only added depended on the salinity of the tanks of water. Polluted salt water from old sewage outlets may be used when mix saturated with sodium bicarbonate is empty to run through the mixture instead of or in conjunction with the base. This is only done as needed. The taller the mixing tank and the smaller the bubbles produced, the more efficient the process becomes. In one example, approximately 15% by volume of liquid waste salt is only added to the saltwater tank if the salinity is the way 3.5 volume until the water mixture is fully suspended. At approximately 3.5% salinization or greater the process is 20 minutes or less depending upon volume. The saline solution may be alternatively added at a later step in the method. The saline solution may further include the addition of methane or another polarizing chemical additive as well.

[0033] Once the initial processing stage is complete, the mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture is transported to the next stage. Transportation may be accomplished via a plurality of non-stick coated transport vessels, pipes, or other traditional transport containers. The mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture is then heated sufficiently to kill off unwanted bacteria. Heating is accomplished through conventional heat sources and may radiated heat. Heating is generally continued until the sewage mixture is mostly dry. In one example, the heating stage may be between approximately 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 minutes, although temperature and time will vary depending on the individual conditions of each mechanically and chemically treated sewage mixture.

[0034] Once heated, the heated sewage mixture is transported to the next stage of the process for sanitization by applying radiation to the heated sewage mixture. The radiation source is typically ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light may be generated via an artificial ultraviolet light source, a natural artificial ultraviolet light source, or a combination thereof. The ultraviolet light is applied for at least six minutes. Response to natural light plays a large factor in this step. On a bright day sanitization takes around six to twelve minutes on inclement weather using artificial sources, sanitization may take slightly longer, such as approximately fifteen minutes, as the light accelerates the rapid decomposition of the final product.

[0035] Once sanitized, the sanitized sewage mixture is transported to the next step for compaction. The sanitized sewage mixture is compressed at the compaction stage into a compact treated sewage solid byproduct. In one example, the radiated sewage mixture is compressed at approximately 3500 pounds of pressure, although the used pressure will vary depending on the individual conditions of each batch of the sanitized sewage mixture. Pressing the product is done in the last stage as the final treatment once all liquid is dried and the product sterilized by heat and ultraviolet treatment. Compression of the solids can be done on or off site. Pressing not only minimizes the space the final product takes up it also compounds elements for accelerated decomposition.

[0036] The compact treated sewage solid byproduct is then safely disposed at the final step of the process at a traditional landfill, for use as fertilizer products, or for use as in building or construction projects. The compact treated sewage solid byproduct is hygienic and odor free. In a nonexclusive list of examples, it can be used as filler for concrete, as an outstanding fertilizer, or it can be used as aggregate. It can also be laid under the line rock layer of new road construction. This application will compost even more rapidly.

[0037] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the sewage treatment method can be any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the configuration of the sewage treatment method and its various components, as show in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other configurations of the sewage treatment method are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the sewage treatment method and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the sewage treatment method and its various components may be any configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference. As such, the components of the sewage treatment method may be comprised of sizing/shaping that is appropriate and specific in regard to whatever the sewage treatment method is designed to be applied.

[0038] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.