Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02464384 2004-04-15
Title
Micro Bubble Low Turbulence Sewage Treatment Method and
Apparatus
Background
Prior art septic systems rely upon long periods of processing of the
sewage effluent in large multi-part holding or settling tanks. For
residential use a very popular solution has been a 2 part pre-cast concrete
tank having an inlet end, a 1 st settling partition, a baffle, a 2nd partition
1 o and an outlet. These are contained within a rectangular concrete
structure with a removable lid, the whole being installed in I piece,
preferably below ground level. Typically 2 access ports are provided,
one for each partition.
The inlet in such systems is arranged to be at a higher level than the outlet
level so that the outlet level determines the level of fluid in the tank when
in operation. The inlet stream pours into the I st partition causing
agitation of the fluids and some aeration.
During its stay in the 1 st partition the sewage undergoes settling of
suspended solids and the biological process of waste breakdown begins.
2o Early units provided for quiescent settling with little or no added motion.
Thus, lower areas of the tank were subject to anaerobic action while
surface areas provided more oxygen and, thus, an aerobic biological
breakdown.
Increasing inlet flows cause the sewage fluid to flow through the baffle
into the 2nd partition area typically by means of a connection port
arranged so as to be somewhat below the level of the fluid. In some
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plastic tanks the connection port is replaced with a subsurface baffle over
which the fluid flows. This provided a 2-part process.
Prior art efforts to improve the efficiency of such treatment systems
3o included the addition of mechanical agitators alone or combined with
aeration systems. These purport to increase mechanical breakdown of
particulate material and increased aeration throughout the tank volume
for a greater biological effect.
In one such prior art system a slowly rotating electric motor provides a
35 stirring effect in the first partition and also injects a stream of bubbles
into the fluid for aeration. The bubbles are driven somewhat downward
into the fluid. In such systems a replaceable filter is provided in the 2nd
partition.
Another prior art system is shown in US patent 5,484,524 to MacLaren
4.o and Tang. In this system a high speed rotating propeller is driven in
conjunction with a source of a high volume of air. Operating
embodiments show the combination of mechanical agitation and rising air
as driving a fluid flow while providing aeration. The biological media is
left to its own devices and is separated from the mechanical stirrer.
45 Another is shown in US patent 6,544,996 to Rebori. This is the same
type as shown in US 3,996,599, 3,966,608 and ~i,972,965 which provide
for a high-flow-rate surface-mounted impeller which draws fluid up an
tube for redistribution above a filtration media for downward flow return.
The Rebori system as shown in US 6,544,966 combines a collapsible
5o container having continuous vertical walls into which bundles of tubes
are inserted around a significantly larger central tube. A high volume
of air is injected downwards inside a further significantly small diameter
central air supply conduit within the central tube. The high volume
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rising air causes a pumping action within the central tube drawing fluid
55 from the lower portions tank to its surface on a continuous basis.
These prior art systems are effective to a point but are prone to
mechanical failure as costly electric components are required in a hostile
environment resulting in high maintenance requirements and related costs.
Failure to attend to regular electrical, mechanical and clean out
maintenance results in failure of the septic system, clogged effluent beds
and environmental contamination.
Such prior art systems require high amounts of electrical energy on a
continuous basis. Failure of the electric supply, by fiise failure or supply
failure, results in immediate cessation of the majority of the pumping and
65 aeration action in the tank immediately reducing the effectiveness of the
system below its design specifications and raising the risk of treatment
failure. The high air volume is problematic a.s the excess may driven
from the system and carry with it noxious proces sing and treatment odors.
Recycling the aar may assist but fresh oxygen must be supplied from.
7o some source. Additionally, high air volumes, especially outdoor air,
reduces fluid temperatures and increase evaporation within the treatment
area.
It has been found that overactive agitation in pursuit of particulate
breakdown and aeration throughout the fluid is to a large extent
75 counterproductive as the biology is sacrificed by highly turbulent motion
in the fluid caused by stirrers and the effect of large air bubbles {which
tend to rise quickly irrespective of fluid flow rather than drift for long
period). This loss of efficiency results in efforts at producing larger and
more complex systems in seeking to overcome 'the very nature of these
systems.
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Objects of the Invention
The present invention seeks to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art
sewage treatment facilities in a cost effective manner which is simple to
manufacture from preexisting components and which provides a long
s5 term treatment solution by both method and apparatus.
The present invention seeks to provide a treatment solution which uses
only small amounts of electrical energy and is highly tolerant to electrical
outages, even lengthy ones as may be common in some countries or areas.
The present invention seeks to provide sufficient aeration, without excess,
90 thereby reducing the possibility of noxious odors escaping from the
system and reducing the amount of evaporation from the tank area and,
thus, increasing and stabilizing the temperature of the fluid being
processed.
The invention provides a method of treatment of sewage effluent which
95 combines a drifting fluid motion within the processing tanks, a
predominance of micro bubbles suspended and entrained within the fluid
and 'sticking' to all available surfaces and a greatly extended biological
processing surface.
The predominance of'sricky' micro bubbles redu~:,es energy requirements,
1 o0 reduces temperature and evaporation losses i1i processing areas and
requires only low energy use while being highly tolerant to electrical
power failures. Thus, noxious odors are all bvt eliminated and in the
event of energy failure the fluid remains highly aerated due to the 'sticky'
bubbles which provide for continuous supply of biological processes as
1 os they adhere to biological surfaces. Over an extended perm the rising
action of the °sticky° bubbles maintains drifting motion in the
tank as
more fluid is added or not and maintains aeration.
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The present invention provides a sewage treatment product which may be
readily manufactured from standard components in a low cost and low
11o technology situation, is readily shipped without damage and may be
assembled by relatively unskilled labor almost error-free at either retro-fit
sites or at original installations. It does not require any alterations in
tank design or installation procedures.
The Invention
~ 15 A method of processing raw sewage wastes. includes the steps of
maintaining a non-turbulent drift-like state of fluid motion in a septic tank,
maintaining the drifting-like fluid motion in substantially all areas of the
tank, providing a high surface area for biological growth at least twice the
interior surface area of the tank, injecting air into the fluid so as to
120 produce a high volume of micro bubbles, and, ensuring that a
preponderance of the micro bubbles have a high tendency to drift
entrained with the moving fluid rather than rise through said fluid and
also a high tendency to stick to interior surfaces for extended periods.
The invention also provides a method wherein said drift-like fluid motion
125 and said micro bubbles are provided within one or more horizontally
confined and vertically oriented substantially tubular channels so as to
cause a slow vertical drift within said channels and production of a
maximum level of sticky micro bubbles.
The invention also provides a sewage treatmentt apparatus for use in a
130 septic tank system comprising a plurality of vertically oriented open
filter
arrays each comprising a restrained bundle of tubular thin-walled filter
elements extending substanrially the full length of a respective said array,
said filter elements having an irregular interior and exterior surface
exposed to the sewage fluid and arranged to abut one another within said
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135 bundle, means for restraining said bundle in both vertical and horizontal
directions which provides for substantially free drift-like motion of the
sewage fluid through said restraining means,
In another embodiment the invention provides a sewage treatment
apparatus wherein at least one of said arrays includes at least one air
I40 supply duct arranged within at least one of said. filter elements, said
air
supply duct occupying substantially all of the: interior diameter of a
respective one of said tubular filter elements, said air supply duct being
substantially shorter in length than said array and sand tubular element so
as to maintain air flow substantially within said. respective tubular
145 element, said air supply duct providing an air flow which does not
substantially escape said tubular element, adapted to provide a
preponderance of sticky micro bubbles entrained within the sewage fluid
and which remain entrained and adhered to biological surfaces for
extended periods.
150 In another embodiment the sewage treatment apparatus of the invenrion
includes an outlet tube centrally located within sad array and adapted for
fluid flow from the bottom of said outlet array to the exterior of said tank.
List of Drawings
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic drawing of a prior at~t concrete tank shown in
155 operating position.
Figure 1 a is a cross-section from Figure 1 a ti~ken along line A-A in
Figure 1 a.
Figure lb is a plan view of the tank of Figure la.
Figure 2a is an elevation of the preferred embodiment of the invention
ls0 within a concrete tank, as in Figures 1, which corresponds to Figure lb.
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Figure 2b is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of Figure 2a.
Figure 3 is a partial cross-section of the filter array of the preferred
embodiment.
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-section of the diiEfuser filter array of the
165 preferred embodiment.
Figure 5 is a further enlarged view of the micro bubbles of the preferred
embodiment.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the filter array of Figures Z.
Figure 7 is a cross-section of the filter array of Figure ~ taken along line
170 D-D.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the output filter array.
Figure 9 is a plan view of the output array of FigL~re ~.
Figure 14 is a cross-section of the output array of Figure 9 taken along
line E-E.
175 Figure 11 is a plan view of the hinge clip of the irmention.
Figure 12 is an end view of the clip of Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a partial end view of the clip with an array panel installed in
place.
Figure 14 is an end view of the clap in fully rotated position retaining a
18o pair of panels in position.
The Preferred Embodiments
A prior art concrete tank is generally indicated as at 1 in Figure 1a in
diagrammatic form. Inlet sewage fluids 2 are taken into the tank at inlet
pipe 3 generally arranged so as to be above the nominal fluid level 4.
185 Tank 1 is separated into a settling partition 1a and a outlet partition lb
by
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a mid-tank baffle 5. In the typical cancrete prior art tank baffle 5
extends above the fluid level as at 6 in Figure 1 a while in a plastic tank
typically baffle 5 is arranged as a weir over which the fluids flows.
Fluid flows as at 7 from partition 1 a to outlet partition 1 b through
19o connection port 8 all of which is typically below fluid level 4.
Outlet fluid 9 flows as by gravity out of outlet pipe 10 arranged to
determine the fluid level 4.
The cross-section of the tank 1 of Figure 1 a (taken. along line A-A shown
in Figure lb) shows the inlet fluid 2 cascading from inlet pipe 3 into
195 partition 1a, arriving at a level 4 and passing veto partition 1b through
port 8 as at 7.
Typically a larger proportion of suspended solids precipitate out of the
sewage fluid in partition 1 a leaving a higher residue level (as at 11 ) than
that in partition lb (as at level 12).
20o A plan view of Figure la is shown in Figure lc fc~r ease of reference.
The preferred embodiment of the sewage treatment method and apparatus
is shown in Figure 2 in relation to a 2-compartment concrete tank
installarion of the type depicted in Figures 1.
Generally rectangular filter arrays 20, 30 and 40 are secured into
2os partitions 1 a and/or lb so that the bulk of the active area of each such
filter array is below water level 4. Each filter array includes a high
surface area of material suitable to the growth. and maintenance of a
biological filtering medium which adheres to the surfaces of the filter
arrays and biologically processes the fluid from raw sewage to clear
21 o water effluent over a period of time.
When fabricated from suitable materials the individual arrays may be
permitted to float in the fluid but it is preferred that each be secured in
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position by any suitable means, not shown. Each such filter array 20, 30
and 40 is arranged so that it extends well into., but not entirely to the
215 bottom of the tank 1. Preferably each array is suspended in the top 2I3 of
the fluid.
In single partition situations (not shown) or when a reduced level of fluid
processing is required, such as in installations where access is limited, all
of the arrays may be placed in the 2nd partition or the outlet partition lb .
22o Most preferably an active filter array or diffiiser 30 is placed and
secured
in partition la adjacent connection port 8 so that fluid flow 7 is supplied
by fluid flows 31a, 31b and 13c through diffuser :30.
A plurality of passive filter arrays 20a, 20b ancL 20c is most preferably
suspended and secured in position within partition lb, the outlet partition.
225 Most preferably an outlet filter array 40 is suspended and secured
adjacent outlet 10 with its active area below surface 4.
Each filter array 20, 30 and 40 is a vertically oriented bundle of thin-
walled corrugated plastic tubes as in Figure 3, a partial cross-section.
Each such tube 50 is arranged to extend from upper array surface 58
23o substantially continuously to lower surface 57 in abutting engagement
with adjacent tubes throughout the array. Corrugations 50 provide for an
operative tube outer diameter 51 and an operative inner diameter 51 along
with a very high surface area per unit length.
Corrugations 53 comprise a series of annular valleys 54 and hills 55 are a
235 preferred continuous along the length of tube 50. Adjacent tubes 50 are
preferably arranged so that valleys 54 and hills S~i of adjacent tubes are in
corresponding vertical locations to provide for ready fluid flow between
the tubes.
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Although many different sizes of tubes 50 may be utilized in carrying out
24o the preferred embodiment of the invention an array of 9x9 tubes 50, with
each such tube having an outside diameter 51 of about 3.3 cm and an
inside diameter of 2.6 cm has been found effective for a typical multi-
bathroom house with a 2-partition tank as in Figure 1. Although tubes
of differing sizes may be used in any filter array, an array of fixed size
245 tubes aids in efficient and cost effective manufacttuning.
Smaller or larger tubes 50 may be effectively used but with reduced
efficiency as larger tubes dictate a reduced overall biological surface area
while smaller tubes have a higher tendency t~o become clogged with
sewage effluent particles and/or fragments of biological mats which
25o become dislodged.
Each filter array 50 is preferably confined within an open-mesh
rectangular structure as shown in Figure 8 for ease of manufacture and
shipping and for ease of placement in existing concrete tank 1 situations
adjacent port 8 and outlet 10.
255 Active filter array 20 includes a multiplicity o~ most preferably 4, air
supply ducts 21 each one of which is centrally located within a
corresponding tube 50 and sized for close fitment as at radial dimension
C in Figure 4. lVlost preferably a radial spacing C of about 4-5
millimeters has been found to be effective. In accordance with the
26o method of the invention a limited supply of air as at 59 is provided to
supply ducts 21 so as to exit duct 21 and rise predominantly vertically
and slowly within tube 50 in the form of a preponderance of sticky micro
bubbles. The limited spacing C and the com~gated interior surface of
tube 50 as at 53 provide for a breakup of most larger bubbles into the
265 effective sticky micro bubbles of the invention.
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lo~Iicro bubbles are shown greatly enhanced as .at 60 in Figure 4. Air
supply 59 is limited so that the lower limit of air in the fluid, shown as at
62 in Figure 4, is above the lower limit 57 of tube 50 by a distance A.
With tubes 50 about 75 cm long with an OD of 3.3 cm spacing A is
27o effective at 10 cm. Preferably little or no air escapes below lower limit
57 as it would then be free to rise in unrestricted areas in the form of
larger, fast rising bubbles thereby forming a degree of turbulent action
and flow. Rising air in the restricted and highly variable vertical
channel between duct 21 and tube 50 maintains and causes a high degree
275 of breakdown of air bubbles to the required micro bubble size which are
both highly prone to drifting within a sewage: treatment fluid and to
sticking to any available surface for extended periods of time.
Most preferably each of the 4 ducts 2 i may be ;supplied from a common
air source, not shown, which may external to the tank and either outside
280 or inside of any adjacent structures. A slow air flow rate has been found
most effective. In larger or smaller installations or where varying
degrees of effectiveness are specified the number and location of air ducts
21 may be adjusted accordingly and the diffuser placed within partition
la or 1b of tank 1.
2s5 Alternatively, tube 50 may be discontinuous in some aspect as by a
plurality of holes, not shown, provided the formation of suitable micro
bubbles is not adversely affected.
Figure 5 shows a typical micro bubble 60 is sht>wn in greatly expanded
size fox ease of reference. Reduction of diameter B results in a
29o substantial increase in bubble drifting {vs. rising) along with increased
stickiness. A cloud or mist of nucro bubbles is formed in the sewage
fluid in tank 1 and remains suspended or en~~rained or entrapped far
extended periods of as much as or more than several days without any
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intervention. As such, the micro bubbles 60 are allowed to drift with,
295 being entrained into, the fluid being treated into all areas of the tank
1,
including the lower areas, without mechanical assistance or undue
turbulence, and remain entrapped on all surf ~.ces. The result is a
quiescent and aerated state of the fluid which allows for both continuous
passage of fluid into and from all tank areas and f~r continuous passage
300 of fluid into and in contact with the biological filtration medium for
maximum effectiveness. Preferably all surfaces of the tank 1 and the
filter arrays 20, 30 and 40 are covered in micro bubbles which remain for
long periods thereby increasing exposure to drifting fluid and remaining
available to biological processes.
3o5 Figuxe 6 shows a plan view of the array 30 and diffuser array 20 which
includes the ducts 21 shown in Figure 6. Four air ducts 21 are drawn
form a single source along ductwork 65 for uniform pressure. Air is
driven down duct 21 as at 59 and a mist of micro bubbles rises along
restricted pathway 63.
310 Preferably the array of tubular filter elements in arrays 30, 20, and 40
is
contained in a rectangular enclosure formed by ~4 vertical side panels 66
joined at the corners by clips 67. Preferably panels 66 have sufficient
material to be structurally sound but include a maximum of open spaces
over their entire surface so as not to unduly restrict fluid flow in the form
31 s of a grid.
Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the array of Figure 6 taken along line
D-D. Upper and lower panels 67 are formed in a similar manner to
vertical side panels 66 and are preferably foamed in conjunction with
comers 68 into single end pieces.
32o In Figure 8 the standard filter array 20 of Figure :Zb is extended for use
as
an output array 40. Preferably side panels 66 are comprised of a
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A
smaller vertical dimension sub-panel 66a and a larger sub-panel 66b
which may be twice the height of sub-panel 66a.
Output array 40 includes an empty upper portion 40a and a lower portion
325 configured as a standard filter array but for the large central tube 71
and
an output tube 76. For ease of manufacture upper portion 40a may be
assembled using smaller sub-panel 66a.
Top and bottom panels 68 include a plurality of holes in their respective
vertical sides which are adapted to receive pressure-fit clips or other
33o mechanical fasteners. Structural strength may be increased with the
sub-panel assembly by a plurality of corner clips 69 which are adapted to
fold around a mating comer between panels 66 and clamp same in
position. Additional sub-panel clips may be added as at 75.
Array 40 may additionally be fitted with handles as at 70.
335 It can be readily seen in Figure 8 that fluid flow along any of the 3 main
directions, 73a, 73b and 73c, is not substantially impeded by the array
although vertical flow along 73b is isolated from horizontal flow
directions 73a and 73c by both the vertical tubes 50 and the horizontal
channels created by the matching corrugations.
34o Figure 9 shows an elevation of the output array 40 and its centrally
aligned flow tube 71 which passes through the array from top to bottom.
The array 40 is arranged so that the fluid level ~4 is at or just below the
level of output tube 72 so that increases in level ~4 are eventually allowed
to flow freely up tube 71 as at 78 and then transversely out tube 72 as
345 output flow 9. An additional filter element '77 may be suspended in
tube 71 as required. Preferred installation places output array 40 adjacent
the output tube 10 of tank 1 and tube 72 may be :integral with output tube
10.
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Figures 11 through 14 shown the hinge clip of the invention.
350 Figure 11 is a plan view of the hinge clip 100 which is preferably formed
of molded plastic which is flexible along hinge line 101 but which
becomes stronger upon flexion. Spaces 102 and extensions 103 are
adapted to match the bars and internal spaces of the grid of panel 66.
Figure 12 shows an end view of the hinge clip of Figure 11. From
355 central hinge line 101 the clip includes a pair of each of structural
restraints 106, spacing bars 105 and retention teeth 104 arranged
symmetrically outwards from line 101. Panel 66 has a flat surface as at
110 in Figure 13 and panel grids may be inclined as at 111 for ease of
production. Bar 105 and tooth 104 are spaced so as to selectively clip
360 panel 66 in place with minimal spacings as at 112 and 113 respectively.
Clip 100 may then be folded about line 101 as at 108 in Figure 13 into a
fully operational condition 108a as shown in Figure 14 where sloping
contact surfaces 107 of restraints 106 prevent further rotation and,
preferably panels 66 come into contact for further structural integrity.
365 The preferred method of the invention includes the steps of
1. maintaining a quiescent state of fluid motion in the tank 1, notably
by the absence of mechanical stirring apparatus,
2. maintaining a drifting-like motion in substantially all areas of the
tank,
3'70 3. providing a high surface area for biological growth, in the order of
2-3 times the interior surface area of the tank 1 below water level 4,
4. injecting air into the fluid so as to produce a high volume of micro
bubbles, and
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5. ensuring that a preponderance of the micro bubbles have a high
375 tendency to drift with the moving fluid rather than rise through said
fluid and also to stick to interior surfaces for extended periods.
Drifting motion and micro bubbles are most preferably provided within 1
or more horizontally confined and vertically oriented substantially tubular
channels so as to cause a slow vertical drift within said channels and
3 s0 production of a maximum Ievel of sticky micro bubbles.
While the preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the
invention have been described variations in the design may be made by
persons skilled in the art. Particularly and without limitation, tubes 50
may be of non-cylindrical configurations and may be lumpy rather than
385 fully corrugated. grays 20, 30 and 40 may be non-rectangular and may
contain a variety of shapes and sizes of tubular filter elements particularly
where fitment against non-planar surfaces is required.
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