Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VEHICLE-MOUNTED VACUUM SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SEPARATING LIQUID
AND SOLIDS FRACTIONS OF A SLUDGE-LIKE MIXTURE INSIDE A CONTAINER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The technical field relates generally to vehicle-mounted vacuum systems. It
also relates generally
to methods of separating liquid and solids fractions of sludge-like mixtures
located inside
containers using vehicle-mounted vacuum systems.
BACKGROUND
There are many situations where containers having sludge-like mixtures must be
cleaned by
removing the solids fraction therefrom. Examples of such containers are septic
tanks. Septic tanks
are generally cleaned using vacuum systems mounted on vehicles such as trucks.
These vehicles
can transport the vacuum systems were they are needed and then transport the
removed waste
content to appropriate waste disposal facilities or storage locations.
When cleaning a septic tank, it is generally desirable to return the liquid
fraction back into the
septic tank before the vehicle leaves the site. The liquid fraction contains
micro-organisms
promoting the decay of organic matters coming with the waste water into the
septic tank. This
way, the microflora then remains present inside the septic tank. Returning the
liquid fraction also
increases the number of sites a same vehicle can clean in a single run before
emptying the
accumulated waste content.
An example of a vehicle-mounted vacuum system is shown in U.S. Patent No.
6,790,368 issued
14 September 2004 to Vachon et al. Many other kinds of vacuum systems exist.
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Typically, a conventional vacuum system first removes the entire content of a
septic tank to be
cleaned and transfers this content into one or more tanks on the vehicle. The
solids and liquid
fractions are separated onto the vehicle and the liquid matter is then
returned back into the septic
tank. This procedure, however, requires a relatively complex and costly
dewatering arrangement
on each vehicle. The internal components of the dewatering arrangement will
not be available to
the operator during the cleaning procedure and also until the tank or tanks on
the vehicle are
emptied, for instance at the waste disposal facility. Moreover, the intense
intermixing of the
content resulting from the integral vacuum pumping of the sludge-like mixture
also makes the
solids and liquid fractions even more difficult to separate. This dewatering
procedure is thus not
optimum. It also leaves a relatively a high proportion of liquids within the
remaining waste
content to be transported by the vehicle When it leaves the site.
Accordingly, there is still room for many improvements in this area of
technology.
SUMMARY
The proposed concept provides a new approach in separating liquid and solids
fractions of a
sludge-like mixture inside a container using a vehicle-mounted vacuum system.
Briefly stated,
the concept involves dewatering the sludge-like mixture within the container
by separating the
liquid fraction from the solids fraction using a suction head immersed
directly into the sludge-like
mixture inside the container. The liquid fraction and the solids fraction are
also never mixed
together on the vehicle.
.. In one aspect, there is provided a vacuum system mounted on a vehicle for
dewatering a sludge-
like mixture within a container, removing dewatered solid matter from within
the container and
3
then returning liquid matter removed from the sludge-like mixture back inside
the container, the
system including: a vacuum tank dewatered solid matter compartment, the solid
matter
compartment having an upper portion and a bottom portion; a vacuum tank liquid
matter
compartment, the liquid matter compartment having an upper portion and a
bottom portion, the
upper portion of the liquid matter compartment being in direct fluid
communication with the
upper portion of the solid matter compartment to equalize pressure; a main
flexible hose having a
proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being selectively made in
fluid communication
with the solid matter compartment or the liquid matter compartment; and an
immersible suction
head connected to the distal end of the main flexible hose, the suction head
including a static
dewatering screen filter and a screen-washing arrangement cooperating with the
screen filter, the
screen-washing arrangement being in fluid communication with the liquid matter
compartment
through a high-pressure liquid circuit and using the liquid matter from the
liquid matter
compartment as a washing fluid.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of separating a liquid fraction
and a solids fraction
of a sludge-like mixture located inside a container using a vacuum system
mounted on a vehicle,
the method including: dewatering the sludge-like mixture within the container
by separating the
liquid fraction from the solids fraction using a suction head immersed
directly into the sludge-like
mixture inside the container, the liquid fraction being aspirated through a
screen filter mounted
on the suction head and being then temporarily stored onto the vehicle while
the solids fraction
remains inside the container; washing the screen filter at least once using a
portion of the liquid
fraction temporarily stored on the vehicle; aspirating the substantially
dewatered solids fraction
from within the container onto the vehicle, the liquid fraction and the solids
fraction being always
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maintained separate from one another while both are present onto the vehicle;
returning only the
liquid fraction back into the container; and then transporting the solids
fraction and the suction
head away from the container using the vehicle.
Details on these aspects as well as other aspects of the proposed concept will
be apparent from
the following detailed description and the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic view illustrating an example of a vacuum system as
proposed herein,
which system is mounted on an example of a generic vehicle and shown cleaning
an example
of a generic container;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating the suction head of the vacuum system
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the suction head without the
screen filter; and
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic view illustrating an example of a vacuum system 100
as proposed
herein. This system 100 is mounted on an example of a generic vehicle 102 and
is shown as it
would be when cleaning an example of a generic container 104. Although the
illustrated vehicle
102 is a truck, using other kinds of vehicles is also possible, depending on
the implementations.
Likewise, although the illustrated container 104 is a septic tank, having
other kinds of containers
is also possible, again depending on the implementations.
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The vehicle 102 includes a chassis 102a on which the vacuum system 100 is
transported from site
to site. The exact configuration and disposition of the components can vary
from one
implementation to another.
It should be noted that the word "clean", as well as other similar words and
expressions, are
5 always used in a generic manner. They broadly refer to the goal of
removing most of the solids
fraction from inside the septic tank 104. The required degree of cleanness can
vary from
implementation to another and may depend on how the operator is meticulous in
the tasks to
achieve.
The illustrated septic tank 104 is designed to receive waste water at an inlet
106 from a waste
water source, for example the sewage system of a house. Many other situations
exist. The interior
of the septic tank 104 is generally subdivided in two or more chambers 108,
110, as shown.
Variants are possible as well. The exact construction of the septic tank 104
does not form part of
the proposed concept and need not to be discussed in further details.
Waste water coming from the waste water source includes solid matter and
liquid matter. Surplus
of the liquid matter exits the septic tank 104 through an outlet 112 after
most solids in suspension
where decanted therefrom. Thus, over time, the solid matter accumulates within
the septic tank
104, especially at the bottom thereof, and must be removed from the septic
tank 104 from time to
time. While inside the septic tank 104, the solids fraction and the liquid
fraction form a sludge-
like mixture. Some solid matter and scum may also float on the surface of the
liquid matter
and/or be in suspension therein. The sludge-like mixture can thus have more
than one layer and
the liquid/solids proportions may vary from one layer to another. The sludge-
like mixture is thus
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not necessary homogenous and the expression "sludge-like mixture" is used
herein in a generic
manner. This also applies to other situations where the container is not a
septic tank. The solid
matter inside the septic tank 104 may contain debris and/or non-organic
matter, such as sand,
rocks, etc.
The interior of the illustrated septic tank 104 can be accessed using one or
more manholes 114,
116 that are normally closed by corresponding covers (not shown). The
illustrated septic tank 104
is also located underground. Variants are possible as well.
After positioning the vehicle 102 next to the septic tank 104 and opening the
manholes 114, 116,
the first actual step of the cleaning is the dewatering of the sludge-like
mixture. However, unlike
other vacuum systems, the dewatering made by the system 100 is entirely
carried out within the
septic tank 104 and not on the vehicle 102. This dewatering involves
separating the liquid
fraction from the solids fraction using a suction head 120 immersed directly
into the sludge-like
mixture inside the septic tank 104. The suction head 120 is attached to the
distal end of a main
flexible hose 130 carried on the vehicle 102, for instance mounted on a reel
132, as shown.
.. Variants are possible as well. In use, the main flexible hose 130 can be
extended to cover at least
the distance between the vehicle 102 and the interior of the septic tank 104.
The illustrated system 100 includes a single vacuum tank 140 in which is
provided a dewatered
solid matter compartment 142 and a liquid matter compartment 144. The contents
of both
compartments 142, 144 are always separated from one another using, for
instance, an intervening
.. partition wall 146. Variants of this configuration are also possible. For
instance, the liquid matter
compartment 144 can be provided on a separate vacuum tank (not shown) located
elsewhere on
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the chassis 102a of the vehicle 102. Other alternative configurations are also
possible. The
partition wall 146 is designed to withstand the inertia forces applied thereon
when the vehicle 102
is travelling.
The vacuum system 100 includes a vacuum pump arrangement 148 that is in fluid
communication with the solid matter compartment 142 and the liquid matter
compartment 144.
The vacuum pump arrangement 148 creates a negative pressure inside the vacuum
tank 140 that
is sufficient to pump the content of the septic tank 104 onto the vehicle 102,
for instance -15 psi
(about -103 kPa). Other values are possible. The vacuum pump arrangement 148
can be powered
using the engine of the vehicle 102, for instance directly through a
mechanical connection or
indirectly using a hydraulic circuit or the like. Variants are also possible.
One aspect of the proposed concept is to create a direct fluid communication
between the upper
portion of the solid matter compartment 142 and the upper portion of the
liquid matter
compartment 144 to equalize pressure under vacuum conditions. This
considerably reduces the
mechanical stress on the partition wall 146 when one is provided. In the
illustrated example, the
upper portion of the partition wall 146 includes a top opening 146a. Air and
other gases are thus
free to pass between the compaitinents 142, 144 to equilibrate the pressure,
as schematically
shown. Alternatively, one or more conduits can be provided inside and/or
outside the vacuum
tank 140 to achieve the goal of having a direct fluid communication. Other
variants are possible
as well.
Also in the illustrated example, the solid matter compartment 142 is made
significantly larger in
volume than the liquid matter compartment 144. This will maximize the number
of sites that the
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vehicle 102 can clean before the solid matter compartment 142 is full. When
full, or when
otherwise needed, the content of the solid matter compartment 142 is emptied
at a waste disposal
facility. Alternatively, the content can be transferred into a storage tank,
for instance a larger tank
on another vehicle, before the content is sent to the waste disposal facility.
The illustrated solid
matter compartment 142 is located at the rear of the vacuum tank 140 so as to
facilitate the
removal of the solids matter therefrom. Variants are also possible.
In use, to clean the illustrated septic tank 104, the suction head 120 is
introduced by the operator
through each manhole 114, 116 by holding the main flexible hose 130, generally
by hand.
Initially, the liquid fraction is aspirated without the solids fraction using
a static dewatering
screen filter 150 mounted on the suction head 120. This screen filter 150 is
said to be static since
it is not rotating using a rotation mechanism or the like. The screen filter
150 includes a multitude
of small holes or perforations to promote the separation. Before the liquid
matter enters the
suction head 120 These holes or perforations are generally between about 1 mm
and 7 mm. Other
values are also possible.
The illustrated screen filter 150 is substantially cylindrical. It includes an
outer screen surface and
an inner screen surface. The screen surface area, the diameter of the holes or
perforations and the
spacing between them are designed so as to significantly increase the total
inlet area compared to
that of the main flexible hose 130. The ratio can be instance 7:1 to 8:1,
other values being also
possible. This way, the flow velocity is considerably reduced at the outer
screen surface of the
screen filter 150. The liquid molecules will then be separated more easily
from the generally
heavier solid molecules.
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From the suction head 120, the liquid fraction is aspirated into the main
flexible hose 130 and
then goes into the liquid matter compartment 144 on the vehicle 102, where it
will be temporarily
stored while the solids fraction of the septic tank 104 is still therein.
While onto the vehicle 102,
the solids fraction and the liquid fraction never mix together. The operator
will move the suction
head 120 from time or time within the septic tank 104 to reach the entire
content thereof. This
generally takes a few minutes to be completed. The dewatering ends when the
operator sees that
no more liquid matter or no significant amount of liquid matter can be removed
from what is left
of the initial sludge-like mixture. This considerably denser substance is what
is referred to as the
dewatered solid matter in the context of the present concept.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating the suction head 120 of the vacuum
system 100. FIG. 3 is
a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the suction head 120 without the screen
filter 150 for the
purpose of illustration.
The screen filter 150 is removably mounted on a screen-receiving portion 152
of the suction head
120. The screen-receiving portion 152 includes two spaced-apart holding
members 154, 156 over
which the interior of the opposite ends of the screen filter 150 are engaged.
The screen filter 150
and the holding members 154, 156 are coaxially disposed with reference to a
main axis 158. The
screen filter 150 can be slid into position from the bottom end of the suction
head 120. Variants
are also possible.
The holding members 154, 156 are rigidly connected to one another through a
perforated
cylindrical core 160 that is coaxially disposed with reference to the main
axis 158. The
cylindrical core 160 is made very rigid and has a hollow interior. Its
perforations are significantly
CA 02799808 2012-12-21
wider than those of the screen filter 150. The role of the cylindrical core
160 is not to filter but
only to support the parts inside the suction head 120. The suction head 120
includes an annular
intervening space 162, defined between the cylindrical core 160 and the screen
filter 150, since
the outer diameter of the cylindrical core 160 is significantly smaller than
the inner diameter of
5 .. the screen filter 150. Variants in the constructions of the suction head
120 are also possible.
The vacuum system 100 further includes a screen-washing arrangement 170 to
wash the screen
filter 150 of the suction head 120 from time to time or even constantly while
liquid matter is
being aspirated. It is washed at least once. Washing the screen filter 150
prevents and/or removes
clogging caused by layers of solid matter accumulating on the outer screen
surface. It thus
10 ensures an optimal operation of the suction head 120. However, it is not
always necessary to
remove immediately any layer forming on the outer screen surface since the
layer itself becomes
a filtering element. Washing the screen filter 150 can also be done at the end
of the dewatering to
remove the layers in view of the storage of the suction head 120 back on the
vehicle 102.
In the illustrated example, the screen-washing arrangement 170 includes a
plurality of
substantially axisymmetric first tubes 172 provided within the annular space
162 between the
cylindrical core 160 and the screen filter 150. Each first tube 172 is
slightly curved and oriented
substantially towards the inner screen surface of the screen filter 150. Each
first tube 172 holds a
corresponding nozzle 176 from which the washing fluid will be sprayed as
liquid jets onto the
screen filter 150. Variants are possible as well.
The illustrated screen-washing arrangement 170 also includes a plurality of
substantially
axisymmetric and outwardly-extending second tubes 180 provided outside one of
the holding
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members 154, 156, more particularly the one at the top of the suction head
120. Each second tube
180 is curved at right angle and includes a corresponding liquid outlet 182
(FIG. 4) oriented
substantially towards the outer screen surface of the screen filter 150. In
the illustrated example,
each liquid outlet 182 holds a nozzle 184 from which the washing fluid will be
sprayed as liquid
.. jets onto the screen filter 150. Variants are possible as well, including
using only the first tubes
172 without the second tubes 180, or vice-versa. Other variants are also
possible.
The screen-washing arrangement 170 uses the liquid collected inside the liquid
matter
compartment 144 as a washing fluid. The liquid is supplied through a high-
pressure liquid circuit,
which includes a circuit subsection extending inside the suction head 120. The
high-pressure
liquid circuit of the illustrated example includes a liquid pump arrangement
200 mounted on the
vehicle 102 and that is in fluid communication with the bottom portion of the
liquid matter
compartment 144 using one or more conduits. It also includes a flexible
pressurized-liquid hose
202 extending between the vehicle 102 and the suction head 120. The flexible
pressurized-liquid
hose 202 can be provided outside the main flexible hose 130, as shown, or
inside the main
flexible hose 130.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated suction head 120 also includes
a curved-shaped
pipe 190 rigidly connected to the top end of the cylindrical core 160. The
curved-shaped pipe 190
receives the distal end of the main flexible hose 130 through a removable
connection. The
angular shape of the curved-shaped pipe 190 facilitates the handling of the
suction head 120 by
the operator. Variants are also possible.
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The subsection of the high-pressure liquid circuit inside the illustrated
suction head 120 includes
a pressurized-liquid inlet 210 rigidly connected to an outer surface of the
curved-shaped pipe 190.
The high-pressure liquid circuit subsection also includes an internal conduit
212 located inside
the suction head 120 and to which the first tubes 172 and the second tubes 180
are connected.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first tubes 172 of the illustrated example receive the
pressurized liquid
from a bottom manifold chamber 204 to which corresponding radially-disposed
intermediate
tubes 206 are connected. The outer end of a corresponding one of the
intermediate tubes 206 and
the bottom end of a corresponding one of the first tubes 172 are inserted
inside the opposite ends
of an internal channel of a corresponding intervening connecting member 208.
Variants are also
possible as well.
The inner side of the second tubes 180 is radially-disposed inside the suction
head 120 of the
illustrated example. They receive the liquid under pressure through an upper
manifold chamber
220 that is part of its high-pressure liquid circuit subsection.
.. In use, the screen filter 150 is washed by sending pressurized liquid
through the flexible
pressurized-liquid hose 202. This can be commanded, for instance, by the
operator through a
corresponding command device, for instance one including a lever or a button.
The washing fluid
then flows inside the high-pressure liquid circuit subsection of the suction
head 120. Some
washing fluid will go to the first tubes 172 and some washing fluid will go to
the second tubes
180. The liquid jets coming out of the nozzles 176 will impinge on the inner
screen surface of the
screen filter 150 to push the solid matter away from the outer screen surface.
These liquid jets are
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configured so as to be as wide as possible and also to overlap one another.
This will maximize the
area being washed. On the outside, the liquid jets coming out of the nozzles
184 will impinge the
outer screen surface of the screen filter 150, from the top end towards the
bottom, so as to sweep
the solid matter away from the outer screen surface. The nozzles 184 are
designed to form wide
jets that overlap one another to maximize the area being washed.
Once the solids fraction is substantially dewatered, it must be aspirated from
within the septic
tank 104 onto the vehicle 102, more particularly into the solid matter
compartment 142.
The illustrated suction head 120 includes a bottom portion 230 extending under
the bottom
holding member 156. This bottom portion 230 includes a pipe section in fluid
communication
with the bottom end of the hollow cylindrical core 160. However, the pipe
section is normally
closed, for instance by a cap. The bottom portion 230 can be used either as a
maintenance access
port and/or as an inlet when removing the dewatered solid matter from within
the septic tank 104.
Alternatively, to remove the dewatered solid matter, the operator can pull the
suction head 120
out of the septic tank 104, remove it from the distal end of the main flexible
hose 130, and then
use the open distal end of the main flexible hose 130 alone. The bottom
portion 230 can also be
omitted in some designs, if desired. Other variants are also possible.
The solids fraction will inevitably still contain a small amount of remaining
liquid matter since
the solid matter, although dewatered, will not be totally dry. However, the
amount of remaining
liquid matter will be significantly less than that of waste content treated
using existing vacuum
.. systems. The solids fraction is this considered as being dewatered in such
context. Tests showed
that the volume of the solid matter can be reduced by a factor of more than
two compared to that
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obtained using an existing vacuum system. In other words, a same vehicle can
clean about twice
more septic tanks 104 using the proposed vacuum system 100 compared to the
same vehicle
being equipped with an existing vacuum system.
Before the solid matter can be vacuum pumped into the solid matter compartment
142, the
proximal end of the main flexible hose 130 needs to be put in fluid
communication with the solid
matter compartment 142, for instance the bottom portion thereof. This can be
done different
ways. For instance, the operator can manually remove the proximal end of the
main flexible hose
130 from one port and connect it to another port. Alternatively, the system
100 can include a
valve arrangement (not shown) to achieve this goal using a selector, for
instance including a lever
or a button. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, there is one circuit on the
illustrated vacuum
system 100 than extends between the bottom of the solid matter compartment 142
to a port at the
rear of the vehicle 102, and another circuit than extends between the bottom
of the liquid matter
compartment 144 to a corresponding port at the rear of the vehicle 102.
Variants are possible as
well.
When all or substantially all the solid matter is removed from the septic tank
104, the operator
needs to put the proximal end of the main flexible hose 130 again in fluid
communication with
the bottom portion of the liquid matter compaitment 144. The liquid fraction
can then be returned
back into the septic tank 104. However, no dewatering needs to be done
beforehand inside the
vacuum tank 140 since the liquid matter was always maintained separate from
the solid matter.
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It should be noted that depending on the implementation, one can use another
flexible hose or the
like to transfer the liquid fraction back to the septic tank 104 instead of
using the main flexible
hose 130 for the task. Other variants are possible.
The liquid matter can be allowed to flow by gravity from the liquid matter
compartment 144
5 towards the septic tank 104. Beforehand, the vacuum pump arrangement 148
is stopped and the
pressure inside the vacuum tank 140 is increased to be at least that of the
atmospheric pressure.
The pressure inside the vacuum tank 140 can even be increased above the
atmospheric pressure
to urge the liquid matter out of the liquid matter compartment 144 more
quickly. Alternatively,
the liquid matter can be allowed to flow using only gravity and/or using a
drain pump for this
10 task. Other variants are possible as well.
Once the liquid matter is transferred back into the septic tank 104, the
manholes 114, 116 can be
closed. The main flexible hose 130 and the suction head 120 are then stored
away on the vehicle
102. The vehicle 102 can leave the site with all the equipment and also the
solids fraction
removed from the septic tank 104. From the previously-cleaned septic tank 104,
the vehicle 102
15 .. can be driven to another septic tank 104 to be cleaned. Thus, once in
position at the other
location, the vacuum system 100 will be used to dewater the sludge-like
mixture within this other
septic tank 104 using the same suction head 120. The solids fraction that will
be removed from
this other septic tank 104 will be mixed with the solids fraction from the
previously-cleaned
septic tank or tanks 104. This process can be repeated many times until the
solid matter
__ compat tment 142 is full.
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16
As can be appreciated, the proposed vacuum system 100 and method can
considerably increase
the effectiveness of the dewatered process while significantly decreasing the
complexity and
costs associated with existing vacuum systems. No dewatering occurs on the
vehicle 102 and the
suction head 120 is considerably simpler to maintain than a dewatering
arrangement inside a
vacuum tank. The absence of a dewatering arrangement on the vehicle 102 means
that more
space is available for storage of the waste content from the septic tanks 104.
The increased
effectiveness of the dewatering also reduces the volume of the remaining waste
from each septic
tank 104 and the vehicle 102 can then even clean more sites in a single run,
thereby saving time,
energy and costs. Still, savings are made as the costs at the waste disposal
facility will be divided
over more clients visited by the vehicle 102.
Many other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, upon
review of the present
disclose.
The vacuum system and method as proposed herein can be useful in many
different industries,
including for instance petroleum extraction and food processing. Many others
industries may
.. need such system and method as well.
The present detailed description and the appended figures are meant to be
exemplary only. A
skilled person will recognize that variants can be made in light of a review
of the present
disclosure without departing from the proposed concept.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 vacuum system
102 vehicle
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17
102a chassis
104 container (septic tank)
106 inlet
108 chamber
110 chamber
112 outlet
114 manhole
116 manhole
120 suction head
130 main flexible hose
132 reel
140 vacuum tank
142 solids matter compartment
144 liquid matter compartment
146 partition wall
146a top opening
148 vacuum pump arrangement
150 screen filter
152 screen-receiving portion
154 holding member
156 holding member
158 main axis
160 cylindrical core
162 annular intervening space
170 screen-washing arrangement
172 first tubes
174 outlets
176 nozzles
180 second tubes
182 outlets
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184 nozzles
190 curved-shaped pipe
200 liquid pump arrangement
202 flexible pressurized-liquid hose
204 bottom manifold chamber
206 radially-disposed intermediate tubes
208 intervening connecting members
210 inlet
212 internal conduit
220 upper manifold chamber
230 bottom portion
