Abstract:
The device and process is designed to treat sewage, food processing and other biologically contaminated wastewater without the addition of any chemical or physical agitation. It consists of a series of chambers in specific arrangement to achieve the required nutrient removal and disinfection which kills any bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The treated water can be safely discharged, injected into the groundwater or used for irrigation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The process and device of the present invention was developed and designed for the treatment and disinfection of sewage. However, it is also applicable for the treatment and disinfection of other biologically contaminated waste, such as food processing wastewater, etc. without the addition of chemicals or the use of reverse osmosis. This process and device reduces BOD loading, suspended solids to acceptable levels and kills bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites in a continuous flow-through process. It requires only the minimum of manpower and can be designed to treat any size flow volume. 
     The elimination of commonly used chemicals, such as chlorine, is important since such chemicals also pose an environmental hazard. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device of the present invention is designed in two versions, depending on the waste or wastewater volume to be treated and the specific space available. One version is of a single unit design housing all of the treatment chambers and therefore all treatment phases. The second version is basically identical in design and treatment chamber arrangement, however in this second version the chambers are separated and therefore can be arranged in two rows of four chambers each or even in a circular pattern. The device of the present invention can be designed to treat any size flow. 
     The process and device of the present invention is a series of biological processes in a specific arrangement to result in an enhanced reduction of nutrients and disinfection. 
     The treatment of the wastewater if achieved in a continuous flow-through process, the first chamber of which is a grinder pump chamber which houses one or more grinder pumps. In the case of larger flows in excess of approximately 30,000 gallons per day, an external grinder pump or comminutor is employed, thereby eliminating the grinder pump chamber. 
     The process and design of the present invention is of continuous flow-through design except for the buoyant material separator. The first chamber houses one or more grinder pumps for flows up to approximately 30,000 gallons per day. The grinder pump or pumps pump the waste into angled plate solids separators from which the solids settle into a solids collection trough at the bottom and the liquid or wastewater flows into a liquid or wastewater collection chamber. From the liquid or wastewater collection chamber the wastewater is pumped through a self cleaning filter such as, for example, manufactured by Orival, into an anaerobic treatment chamber. From the anaerobic treatment chamber the wastewater is again pumped through a self cleaning filter into the aerobic treatment chamber. The wastewater then flows under its own pressure into an anoxic treatment chamber. From the anoxic treatment chamber the wastewater is pumped through a self cleaning filter into a second aerobic treatment chamber from which it flows into a liquid or wastewater collection chamber under its own pressure. From the liquid or wastewater collection chamber the wastewater is pumped through another self cleaning filter into a pre-disinfection reservoir from which the wastewater is fed into the ultraviolet disinfection unit or units housed in the disinfection system housing. The self cleaning filters are of progressively finer pore size. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts the continuous flow waste water treatment system front panel being removed depicting the various chambers for treating, sanitizing, and disinfecting contaminated waste water. 
         FIG. 2  depicts the continuous flow waste water treatment system front and top panels being removed depicting the various chambers for treating, sanitizing, and disinfecting contaminated waste water. 
         FIG. 3  depicts the air blower system used with the continuous flow waste water treatment system. 
         FIG. 4  depicts the continuous flow waste water treatment system and drain system. 
         FIG. 5  depicts the continuous flow waste water treatment system rear view depicting the flow through the system. 
         FIG. 6  depicts the front view modular construction continuous flow waste water treatment system. 
         FIG. 7  depicts the top view modular construction continuous flow waste water treatment system. 
         FIG. 8  depicts the top view circular modular arrangement of the continuous flow waste water treatment system. 
     
    
    
     FIG.  1   
     
         
         
           
               1  Sewage treatment device with front panel removed 
               12  Buoyant material separator 
               13  Valve to buoyant material separator 
               14  Endplates 
               15  Chamber separations 
               16  Grinder pump or pumps chamber 
               17  Grinder pump or pumps 
               18  Angled solids separation plates 
               19  Angled solids separation plates support plate 
               20  Solids collection trough 
               23  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater treatment chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               30  Air diffusers 
               31  Disinfection system housing 
               32  Disinfection system housing side plates 
               35  Bottom plate 
               36  Top 
               37  Ultraviolet disinfection unit or units 
               38  Ultraviolet disinfection unit or units inlet line or pipe 
               39  Ultraviolet disinfection unit or units discharge line or pipe 
               40  Chamber rinse spray nozzles 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  2   
     
         
         
           
               2  Sewage treatment device with top and front panel removed 
               10  Sewage intake 
               11  Outlet to buoyant material separator 
               14  Endplates 
               15  Chamber separations 
               16  Grinder pump or pumps chamber 
               18  Angled solids separation plates 
               19  Angled solids separation plates support plate 
               20  Solids collection trough 
               21  Intake from grinder pump or pumps into angled separation plates 
               22  Liquid or wastewater flow-through into liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               23  Wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               30  Air diffusers 
               31  Disinfection system housing 
               32  Disinfection system housing side plates 
               33  Opening for ultraviolet disinfection unit or units inlet line or pipe 
               34  Opening for ultraviolet disinfection unit or units discharge line or pipe 
               35  Bottom plate 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  3   
     
         
         
           
               3  Front view of air blower system 
               16  Grinder pump or pumps chamber 
               18  Angled solids separation plates 
               23  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               41  Air blowers 
               42  Air supply line 
               43  Air flow control valves 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  4   
     
         
         
           
               4  Front view with chamber drain system 
               12  Buoyant material separator 
               13  Valve to buoyant material separator 
               16  Grinder pump or pumps chamber 
               18  Angled solids separation plates 
               23  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               31  Disinfection system housing 
               44  Door of disinfection system housing 
               45  Chamber drain pipe 
               46  Buoyant material separator and chamber discharge valves 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  5   
     
         
         
           
               5  Rear view illustrating flow-through 
               23  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               47  Transfer or pipe 
               48  Valves 
               49  High pressure pump 
               50  Self cleaning filter 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  6   
     
         
         
           
               6  Front view of modular sewage treatment device 
               12  Buoyant material separator 
               13  Valve to buoyant material separator 
               18  Angled solids separation plates 
               23  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               31  Disinfection system housing 
               38  Ultraviolet disinfection unit or units inlet line or pipe 
               39  Ultraviolet disinfection unit or units discharge line or pipe 
               45  Chamber drain pipe 
               47  Transfer or pipe 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  7   
     
         
         
           
               7  Top view of modular arrangement of sewage treatment device 
               12  Buoyant material separator 
               23  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               31  Disinfection system housing 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  8   
     
         
         
           
               8  Top view of circular arrangement of modular sewage treatment device 
               12  Buoyant material separator 
               23  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               24  Anaerobic treatment chamber 
               25  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               26  Anoxic treatment chamber 
               27  Aerobic treatment chamber 
               28  Liquid or wastewater collection chamber 
               29  Pre-disinfection reservoir 
               31  Disinfection system housing 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  9   
     
         
         
           
               9  Front view of sewage treatment device for marine or naval application 
               12  Buoyant material separator 
               31  Disinfection system housing 
               51  Upper support beam 
               52  Lower support beam 
               53  Shock absorbers 
           
         
       
    
     FIG.  10   
     
         
         
           
               11  Outlet to buoyant material separator 
               12  Buoyant material separator 
               54  Screen channels 
               55  Screen 
               56  High/low level control 
               57  Wastewater chamber 
               58  Cover 
               59  Cover fasteners 
               46  Drain value 
           
         
       
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The device and process of the present invention has been developed for the treatment and disinfection of sewage. It is also effective in the treatment of food processing wastewater and possibly other biologically contaminated water. It does not require any chemical addition or the use of reverse osmosis. These factors make the process extremely economical. The only continuing expenses are for electricity and periodic use of fresh water for the backwash of the self cleaning filters and periodic rinsing of the chambers. Treated water as it emanates from the ultraviolet or ozone disinfection may be used for these purposes. 
     The wastewater is entered into the grinder pump chamber  16 . Any larger items or particles are ground into small particles by the grinder pump or pumps  17  and pumped into the angled solids separation plates  18 . The solids slide down the angled solids separation plates  18  and settle in the solids collection trough  20 , from which they are periodically drained. Any buoyant material is periodically drained through a butterfly or ball valve  13  into the buoyant material separator  12 . The buoyant material settles on screen  55  and the water collects in the water chamber  57  from which it is drained through valve  46  when signaled by the high/low level control  56 . The screen  55  slides in two screen channels  54  to allow for the removal of screen  55  and the dumping of the buoyant solids. 
     The wastewater above the angled solids separation plates  18  flows through opening  22  into the wastewater collection chamber  23 . From the wastewater collection chamber the wastewater is pumped through valve  48  by the high pressure pump  49  into and through the self cleaning filter  50  into the anaerobic treatment chamber  24 . From the anaerobic treatment chamber  24  the wastewater is pumped through valve  48  by high pressure pump  49  into and through the self cleaning filter  50  into the aerobic treatment chamber  25 . 
     The air to the aerobic treatment chamber  25  is generated by an air blower  41  through air supply line  42  to the air diffusers  30 . The air flow can be regulated by air flow control valve  43 . From the aerobic treatment chamber  25  the wastewater flows under its own pressure through valve  48  and transfer pipe  47  into the anoxic treatment chamber  26 . From the anoxic treatment chamber  26  the wastewater is again pumped through valve  48  and transfer pipe  47  by high pressure pump  49  into and through a self cleaning filter  50  into the wastewater collection chamber  28 . From the wastewater collection chamber  28  the wastewater is pumped through transfer pipe  47 , by high pressure pump  49  into and through a self cleaning filter  50  into the pre-disinfection chamber  29 . The water then flows by gravity into the ultraviolet disinfection unit or units inlet line or pipe  38  and is discharged through ultraviolet disinfection unit or units discharge line or pipe  39 . 
     All valves in the device are preferably adjustable to the required per minute flow. The size and volume of the treatment chambers  24 ,  25 ,  26  and  27  are calculated according to the per minute flow and required retention time in above treatment chambers. If the required total retention time in the treatment chambers  24 ,  25 ,  26 , and  27  is only 120 minutes, the chamber volume and therefore the size would be less or larger if the required retention time is longer. 
     The per minute capacity of the ultraviolet disinfection unit or units have to be able to accommodate the per minute flow-through the device or devices. All transfer pipes  47 , valves  48 , high pressure pumps  49  and self cleaning filters  50  also have to be calculated to permit the per minute flow-through. The self cleaning filters  50  are of progressively finer pore size. The most downstream filter has to have a pore size of no greater than 10 since the water from pre-disinfection chamber  29  flows into the ultraviolet disinfection unit or units  37 . If multiple ultraviolet disinfection units  37  are required because of the per minute flow-through volume, same are connected with an intake manifold and discharge manifold (not illustrated). 
     Each of the chambers is equipped with chamber rinse nozzles  40 . The number of rinse nozzles  40  for each chamber has to be sufficient to allow thorough rinsing and cleaning of the total chamber. Prior to and after rinsing and cleaning of the chambers, the chambers are drained through chamber or drain pipe  45  and chambers drain valves  46 . 
     In the anaerobic treatment chamber  23  microorganisms absorb most of the BOD loading. Oxidation converts ammonia to nitrates in the aerobic treatment chamber  25  and the balance of BOD loading is removed. The air to the aerobic treatment chamber  24  is generated by air blower  41  and supplied to the air diffusers  30  through the air supply line  42  and the air flow control valve  43  to the air diffusers  30 . The number of air diffusers  30  required depends on the area and volume of the aerobic treatment chamber  25 . In the anoxic treatment chamber  26  the nitrates are converted to nitrogen by microbial organism absorption of the nitrogen and oxygen compounds. In the second aerated treatment chamber  27  the water is re-aerated and the oxidation completed. The air to the second aerobic treatment chamber  27  is generated by an air blower  41  and supplied to the air diffusers  30  through air supply line  42  and air flow control valve  43 . The number of required air diffusers  30  depends on the area and volume of the aerobic treatment chamber  27 . On smaller devices of the present invention one air blower  41  may be sufficient to supply air to the air diffusers  30  in both aerobic treatment chambers  25  and  27 . 
     In the ultraviolet or ozone disinfection unit or units  37  coliform,  e - coli  and other bacteria as well as viruses, fungi and parasites are killed. 
     The device of the present invention is equipped with hinged covers which are, on larger devices, hydraulically operated. This applies to both versions, the single and modular design. 
     It is to be understood that, depending on the application, all components may not have to be included in the device of the present invention. 
     It is also to be understood that on larger flows external grinder pump or pumps such as comminutors are used. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 RAW (UNTREATED) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 PARAMETER 
                 CONCENTRATION 
                 UNITS 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 TEST RESULTS OF THE TREATMENT OF SEWAGE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 240 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 216 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphorous 
                 8.27 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 57.9 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Fecal Coliform 
                 8,800,000 
                 MPM 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TREATED (Test 1) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 7 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 4 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphorous 
                 4.56 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 31.5 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Fecal Coliform 
                 110 
                 MPM 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TREATED (Test 2) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 6 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 4 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphorous 
                 4.54 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 30.8 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Fecal Coliform 
                 30 
                 MPM 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TREATED (Test 3) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 10 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 2 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphorous 
                 4.70 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 31.8 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Fecal Coliform 
                 10 
                 MPM 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TEST RESULTS OF FOOD PROCESSING WASTE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 1,650 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 760 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphates 
                 26.6 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 1.44 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 
                   E. Coli 
                 
                 7,700,000 
                 MPM 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TREATED (Test 1) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 178 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 8 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphates 
                 0.05 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 0.11 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 
                   E. Coli 
                 
                 840 
                 MPM 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TREATED (Test 2) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 707 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 4 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphates 
                 0.08 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 0.05 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 
                   E. Coli 
                 
                 30 
                 MPM 
               
             
          
           
               
                 TREATED (Test 3) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 BOD 
                 102 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total suspended solids 
                 36 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Total Phosphates 
                 0.18 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 Nitrogen 
                 0.05 
                 mg/l 
               
               
                 
                   E. Coli 
                 
                 30 
                 MPM