FLOWABLE WASTE SANITIZING PROCESS AND SYSTEM

Abstract: A process for treating flowable hazardous waste material to sanitize contaminants in the material includes the steps of exposing the flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least one thousand gauss; exposing the flowable material to ozone; neutralizing static electric charge within the flowable material; and exposing the flowable material to ultraviolet radiation.

Description: FLOWABLE WASTE SANITIZING PROCESS AND SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates generally to the field of hazardous waste treatment. More specifically the present invention relates to a pre-treatment process of and apparatus for treating dangerous biological waste, waste chemicals and other flowable waste to eliminate or render harmless, or inert, organic waste materials such as diseased human blood, cells and tissue, residual solvents used in cleaning human cells and tissue, and microorganisms for safe, charge neutralized and harborless release into conventional utility sewer systems, septic tanks and holding tanks, while meeting environmental standards established for these specific materials. This process and apparatus aid in achieving compliance with environmental statutes and regulations with maximum efficiency and at minimal cost. The process preferably includes the initial steps of drawing the flowable waste material, such as water containing contaminants, from a waste source into a chamber, and optionally delivering additional water into the chamber, and in such a way as to cause mixing of the waste material within itself and with the water for greater homogeneity and thus more uniform treatment. The process further includes the steps of exposing the waste material to ozone; and then of exposing the waste material to a magnetic field of a certain minimum strength, then of neutralizing any static electric charge accumulated in the waste material, to prevent the possible formation of a spark which could ignite organic solvents in the waste material, by exposing the waste material to contact with a sacrificial anode and thereby removing excess negative charge from the waste material by releasing small amounts of positive zinc ions into the waste material; then exposing the waste material to ultraviolet UV radiation; and then once again exposing the material to ozone, which is preferably recirculated ozone which has escaped from solution in the chamber; and twice exposing the material once again to UV radiation, and finally exposing the material to contact with another sacrificial anode. The system combines pre-existing system elements such as ultraviolet water purifiers with new and inventive elements, such as a relatively strong magnet contained within a flow constraining canister, and a zinc sacrificial anode contained within another such canister. An inventive pipe structure for delivering water into the waste material while promoting homogenizing mixing is also provided. 2. Description of the Prior Art; There have long been various methods and devices for sanitizing waste material. Municipal sewer systems traditionally have been used for treatment, removal, and processing of human waste products for various uses, including urine and fecal materials. Private and industrial users, however, have used the municipal sewer systems for disposing of all types of hazardous materials, including chemicals and contaminated organic materials, resulting in dangerous environmental pollution that cannot be handled by conventional sewer systems, municipalities cannot be expected to clean up or in any way remove hazardous pollutants from such discharges. The U.S. Government has begun environmental regulations to prevent the use of sewer systems for the transmission of very hazardous materials. Hospitals, for example, generate huge quantities of hazardous, contaminated, organic waste materials, such as diseased human blood, diseased human cells, and diseased human tissue, all of which is, and should be, specifically pre-treated under highly controlled environmental conditions to prevent this hazardous waste from being exposed to the public. Other institutions generate dangerous waste products as well. Embalming techniques performed by funeral homes often result in the discharge of waste materials from cadavers into municipal sewer systems. Film processing also often results in the discharge of hazardous chemicals into sewer systems. Various processes and mechanisms have been proposed to treat hazardous waste materials prior to their introduction into public and private sewer and sewage collection systems. These treatment processes, described below by example, have lacked efficiency and have permitted periodic, inevitable equipment failure to lead to the release of inadequately treated waste materials and thus have endangered the public. Lund, et al, U.S. Patent Number 4,028,246, discloses a sewage effluent treatment device. Lund, et al . , passes effluent through an ozone contact unit while simultaneously exposing the effluent to ultraviolet light. The effluent then flows through a carbon filter and is exposed to gamma radiation. Hellman, U.S. Patent Number 4,687,574, teaches a mobile water treatment device. Hellman includes a holding tank which feeds waste water through a screen to remove gross solids. The waste water is then chemically treated in a flocculator which coagulates or "gathers" solids from the liquid waste water. The flocculator chemically precipitates solids from the waste water. The waste water is then fed into a separator made of very small plates or laminates, to remove the precipitated solids and subsequently aerated with ozone. Stevens, et al., U.S. Patent Number 4,793,931, reveals a process for treatment of waste containing solid or liquid phase contaminants. Stevens discloses the process steps of passing contaminated waste through a perfluorinated solvent, a certain chemical such as a hydrophilic solvent, acetone, methanol or water, and then extracting the solvent from the waste. Finally, the remaining waste is aerated with ozone and exposed to UV radiation. Johnson, et al . , U.S. Patent Number 4,563,286, teaches an allotropic gas water purification system which simultaneously exposes waste water to ozone and to UV radiation. The Johnson system employs a treatment agent, an ionized oxygen allotropic gas in multiple or multivalent ion charge forms. Agueda, et al . , U.S. Patent Number 5,266,216, reveals a device which purifies water in a domestic water holding tank by bubbling ozone through the water. Beitzel, U.S. Patent Number 4,273,660, discloses a waste water purification device. Beitzel exposes the waste water to ozone and UV light, while the waste water is housed in a cylindrical chamber. The chamber contains an elongate tubular UV lamp. Feather, U.S. Patent Number 4,414,924, teaches a device for removing hydrogen sulfide and iron from well water. Feather includes an upper chamber which receives untreated water. The upper chamber is connected by dilution flow control orifices to a lower chamber to permit ozone and oxygen from the lower chamber to bubble upward into the upper chamber. The water then passes into the lower chamber where remaining traces of the hydrogen sulfide are removed by bubbling additional ozone through it. Effective ionization is assured by inducing a vortex that rotates the water in the lower chamber. Finally, the water is passed through a magnetic field to improve softness and remove iron. Thomas, Jr. et al . , U.S. Patent Number 4,915,846, discloses a device which precipitates dye particles from waste water with an electric field. Satoh, U.S. Patent Number 5,059,332, teaches a device for treating oil sludge and oily waste water. Satoh separates the oil sludge into oil-containing water and oily dust. The oily dust is substantially separated into oil- free dust, which is removed, and water containing oil and metals. Finally, the water is chemically treated to separate the oil. Satoh, U.S. Patent Number 5,092,998, reveals an electrolytic cell for treating aqueous solutions by exposure to a strong electromagnetic field. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and process for treating water containing hazardous waste materials such as viruses, bacteria, human cells and chemical solvents which renders the water safe enough, and in conformance with government regulations for, discharge into a conventional municipal sewer system. It is another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus and process which includes modules for performing a series of treatment steps including ozone mixing, and exposure to UV and relatively strong magnetic fields. It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus and process which are highly reliable, efficient and economical to respectively operate and perform. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification. A process is provided for treating flowable hazardous waste material to sanitize contaminants in the material, including the steps of exposing the flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least one thousand gauss; exposing the flowable material to ozone; neutralizing static electric charge within the flowable material; and exposing the flowable material to ultraviolet radiation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the complete, preferred waste material treatment system. FIGURE 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the mixing / processing chamber, showing the preferred baffle partitions and sparging structures. FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the inventive, perforated water pipe end delivering additional water into the chamber which draws waste material into the pipe end with a venturi effect through the perforations whereupon the waste material is expelled, to produce the mixing action within the chamber shown by the spiraled arrow. FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferred, inventive N-Cell structure, showing the magnetic cylinder within the perforated retaining tube and outer shell . FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferred, inventive sacrificial anode element, also showing the zinc cylinder within the perforated retaining tube and outer shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals. Preferred Process In practicing the invention, the following process may be used, as indicated generally in FIGURE 1. The process preferably includes the initial steps of drawing the flowable waste material, such as water containing contaminants, from a waste source into a chamber, and optionally delivering additional water into the chamber, and in such a way as to cause mixing of the waste material within itself and with the water for greater homogeneity and thus more uniform treatment. The process further includes the steps of exposing the waste material to ozone; and then of exposing the waste material to a magnetic field of a certain minimum strength, then of neutralizing any static electric charge accumulated in the waste material, to prevent the possible formation of a spark which could ignite organic solvents in the waste material, by exposing the waste material to contact with a sacrificial anode and thereby removing excess negative charge from the waste material by releasing small amounts of positive zinc ions into the waste material; then exposing the waste material to ultraviolet UV radiation; and then once again exposing the material to ozone, which is preferably recirculated ozone which has escaped from solution in the chamber; and twice exposing the material once again to UV radiation, and finally exposing the material to contact with another sacrificial anode. Redundant treatment steps are provided for enhanced public safety. Should the equipment performing any step fail, the redundant step continues to perform its function until the equipment failure is recognized by automated remote detection and is repaired. First Preferred Embodiment Referring to FIGURES 1-5, a system 10 for treating flowable waste materials such as waste water, waste chemicals and flowable biological waste is disclosed. As shown in the schematic diagram of FIGURE 1, system 10 preferably includes a waste receiving mixing/processing chamber 12 having at least one inlet 14 and an outlet 22, and optionally an open top for receiving waste, such as an aspirator gathering waste from a cadaver being dissected. A waste stream is pumped into receiving chamber 12 through inlet 14 for mixing with solid and semi-solid waste to become flowable through system 10. Additional water is delivered into chamber 12 through a water delivery pipe 16 having a discharge end 28. Water pipe discharge end 28 has a pipe side wall which is perforated in some fashion, preferably by multiple holes 20, which serve to reduce the stripping of the ozone, reduce the chances of pipe 16 backup, and to indirectly increase the effectiveness of the ozone by creating a venturi effect as the inlet water past perforations 20. See FIGURE 3. The venturi effect results in enhanced solution mixing and contact time with the ozone. Chamber 12 draws waste material into pipe discharge end 28 with a venturi effect through perforations 20, whereupon the waste material is expelled, to produce a mixing action within chamber 12. An ozone generator 50 delivers a stream of ozone into chamber 12 through an ozone delivery tube 56 which branches into four sparging structures 58, which are preferably elongate masses of porous material such as the porous stones, well known for use in bubbling gaseous material into liquids in other fields of art. A mechanical mixer/chopper 18 is optionally provided either separately above chamber 12 or in the flow line to inlet 14 to chop and blend the organic materials in the waste stream into a homogeneous state for uniform presentation to treatment means, to optimize sanitization of the stream. The level of waste material inside chamber 12 is controlled by a float switch (not shown) . When the amount of waste in chamber 12 reaches a predetermined volume, the float switch activates a valve, opening chamber outlet 22 and allowing the waste to flow out of chamber 12 through waste piping 30. See FIGURE 1. Piping 30 fluidly connects chamber outlet 22 with a pump 34, optionally through a check valve (not shown). Pump 34 has a discharge end 36 and first delivers the waste stream through treatment element series piping 38 to what are referred to hereinafter as first and second N-Cells 160 and 260, respectively, which each radiate a magnetic field through which the waste material flows. The strength of the field is a least 1000 gauss and preferably, although not necessarily, between 2050 and 9040 gauss. N-Cells 160 and 260 each preferably include a cylinder structure containing magnetic field radiating material. This magnetic field radiating material is preferably ceramic, rare earth neodymium, or ALNICO (combined aluminum, nickel and cobalt) . The magnetic cylinders 164 and 264 for N-Cells 160 and 260 are each retained within flow canisters 162 and 262, respectively, each comprising a perforated cylinder retaining tube 166 and 266 enclosed within an outer flow containing shell 168 and 268 through which the waste material flows from one segment of piping 38 and back into a further segment of piping 38. The preferred canisters 162 and 262 are a product of V-U FLOW FILTERS, INC., and identified as NT 150-100HP, with no mesh. The waste material flows into and out of the flow containing shells 168 and 268, and while it is within the flow containing shells 168 and 268, the waste material preferably makes contact with the retained cylinder 164 or 264 through the perforations in the retaining tube 166 or 266. See FIGURE 4. Pipe 38 carries the waste material from first N-Cell 160 to second N-Cell 260 and then to a sacrificial anode 140, preferably in the form of a zinc cylinder 142 retained within another flow canister 362 of the same type described above. See FIGURE 5. The zinc cylinder is preferably, although not necessarily, of 99.8 percent purity. A second sacrificial anode 240, of the same construction as the first, is optionally provided in flow series with the first sacrificial anode 140, and connected to first sacrificial anode 140 by a segment of pipe 38, as illustrated in FIGURE 1. A still further segment of pipe 38 receives the waste material exiting from anodes 140 or 240, and fluidly connects anode 240 to a first ultraviolet radiation (UV) chamber 80, through which the waste material flows. Ultraviolet chamber 80 functions in part as an ozone destructor. First ultraviolet radiation chamber 80 includes a UV radiation source contained within a waste material retaining flow tube. One preferred ultraviolet chamber 80 is the ultraviolet water purifier, part number 25-0600, manufactured by ATLANTIC ULTRAVIOLET CORP. The waste material exits first ultraviolet radiation chamber 80 into a bridge pipe 82 and passes from bridge pipe 82 into a second ultraviolet radiation chamber 100, of the same construction as the first chamber 80. The waste material exits second ultraviolet radiation chamber 100 and passes into a linking pipe 102 into, and then through, a fifth canister 562, of the same construction as the first four canisters, and forming the exterior of a third sacrificial anode 340. The waste material exits from the fifth canister 562, whereupon it is discharged as fully treated waste through a discharge fitting 84. In a few instances, depending on the nature of the contaminants involved, it is desirable to pass the treated waste material exiting the system 10 back through system 10 a second, third or more times. To accomplish this waste material recirculation, the discharge fitting 84 is connected to a reservoir tank 400 by a recirculation pipe 402. The initially treated waste material collects in reservoir tank 400 and its level is monitored by a float mechanism (not shown) . When the waste material reaches a pre-set level in reservoir tank 400, a release valve 404 is opened automatically to gravity feed a quantity of the waste material back into chamber 12 through pipe 402 to begin the treatment process again. The activation of release valve 404 might alternatively or additionally be controlled by monitoring of the level of waste material inside chamber 12. An ozone recovery line 300 is preferably provided which is connected at one end to the upper region of chamber 12, above the surface of the waste material, to gather ozone which has not dissolved and is escaping from solution and collecting in the space above the waste material inside chamber 12. Receiving line 300 is connected at its other end to an injector 302, preferably the polypropyl injectors, part number 978 and 1078 made by MAZZEI INJECTION CORP. entering bridge pipe 82, for once again delivering this ozone into the waste stream, as the stream passes through bridge pipe 82. A Ball-Cone check valve (not shown), such as part number 125-S 400 WOG, made by CONBRCO CO., is optionally provided in receiving line 300. The venturi effect produced by the waste material flow through pipe 82 can help draw the ozone into the stream. Chamber 12 is preferably a substantially cubical tank containing a series of baffle partitions 310 connected alternatingly to opposing sides of chamber 12. Baffle partitions 310 are arranged to cause the waste material to flow along a zig-zag or maze-like path through chamber 12, from inlet 14 to outlet 22. Baffle partitions 310 thus eliminate plug flow, and increase waste material residence time in chamber 12, for a prolonged exposure to the ozone discharged into chamber 12 and thus increased ozone entry into solution in the waste material. To reduce the incidence of stripping of ozone and thus to increase the effectiveness of the ozone, the ozone delivery tube discharge end 60 extends to the bottom of chamber 12, where sparging structures 58 rest between and separated by partitions 310. A hydrogen peroxide injector (not shown) is optionally provided in pipe 38 at any structurally convenient point upstream of ultraviolet radiation chamber 80 to deliver hydrogen peroxide into the waste material stream. The hydrogen peroxide enhances treatment because, when it is exposed to any residual ozone and ultraviolet radiation, massive amounts of hydroxyl radical ( OH) are generated. The OH is one of the most potent oxidizing compounds known, and this radical reacts non-selectively with organic contaminants and microorganisms. The main objectives of utilizing ozone in the treatment process are for color removal and for the inactivation of enteric viruses, enteric bacteria, and protozoans. A secondary benefit of ozone utilization is for the oxidation of specific types of organic contaminants, specifically those compounds delocalized pie electrons (i.e., double and triple bonds). All of these processes require extended ozone contact times. To maximize ozone contact time, ozone is sparged directly into chamber 12, by splitting the ozone flow through multiple, preferably the above-described four, sparging structures 58. As noted above, the contaminated waste material stream is exposed to a magnetic field radiated by each N-Cell 160 and 260, as the stream is passed through an N-Cell retaining canister 162 and 262, respectively. Extensive analysis of existing technical literature about the magnetic treatment of waste material has demonstrated its effectiveness in several areas, although very little is known on its mechanism of action. In this application, the magnetic field generated by an N-Cell alters the properties of the water by increasing its solvent capabilities. That is, aqueous streams exposed to an N-Cell are believed to have the ability to hold organic contaminants and dissolved materials in suspension at concentrations greater than normal for a given temperature. The N-Cell also allows accelerated ozone diffusion, or greater mass transfer of the ozone, into the waste material stream. With these two properties, i.e. enhanced contaminant suspension and greater mass transfer of the ozone, the N-Cell greatly enhances contaminant treatment. It is also believed that the use of the N-Cell also increases the bactericidal function of the ozone. The N-Cell magnetic field is also believed to align the dipole moments of individual chemical compounds, including those compounds that make up the cell membranes of microorganisms. This arrangement is believed to permit transport of the ozone through the cellular membrane where it can effectively destroy the microorganism. While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended .

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A process for treating flowable material to sanitize the material, comprising the steps of: exposing said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least one thousand gauss; exposing said flowable material to ozone; neutralizing static electric charge within said flowable material; and exposing said flowable material to ultraviolet radiation. 2. The process of claim 1, comprising the additional steps of: exposing said flowable material to ozone a second time; exposing said flowable material to ultraviolet radiation a second time; and exposing said flowable material to ozone destructor means. 3. A process for treating flowable material to sanitize the material, comprising the steps of: exposing said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least one thousand gauss; exposing said flowable material to ozone; exposing said flowable material to ultraviolet radiation; and exposing said flowable material to ozone destructor means. 4. A process for treating flowable material to sanitize the material, comprising the steps of: exposing said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least one thousand gauss. 5. A process for treating flowable material to sanitize the material, comprising the steps of: exposing said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least two thousand gauss. 6. A process for treating flowable material to sanitize the material, comprising the steps of: exposing said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least three thousand gauss. 7. A process for treating flowable material to sanitize the material, comprising the steps of: exposing said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least four thousand gauss. 8. A process for treating flowable material to sanitize the material, comprising the steps of: exposing said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least five thousand gauss. 9. A system for conditioning flowable matter, comprising: a magnetic field radiating means in proximity to said flowable material such that said magnetic field radiating means exposes said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least one thousand gauss. 10. A system for conditioning flowable matter, comprising: a magnetic field radiating means in proximity to said flowable material such that said magnetic field radiating means exposes said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least two thousand gauss. 11. A system for conditioning flowable matter, comprising: a magnetic field radiating means in proximity to said flowable material such that said magnetic field radiating means exposes said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least three thousand gauss. 12. A system for conditioning flowable matter, comprising: a magnetic field radiating means in proximity to said flowable material such that said magnetic field radiating means exposes said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least four thousand gauss. 13. A system for conditioning flowable matter, comprising: a magnetic field radiating means in proximity to said flowable material such that said magnetic field radiating means exposes said flowable material to a magnetic field having a field strength of at least five thousand gauss. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein said magnetic field radiating means comprises: a flow canister comprising a perforated cylinder retaining tube enclosed within an outer flow containing shell through which the waste material flows; a cylinder structure containing magnetic field radiating material, and retained within said retaining tube . 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said magnetic field radiating material comprises one of: ceramic, rare earth neodymium, and alnico. 16. A system for conditioning flowable matter, comprising: a flowable material receiving chamber comprising a flowable material input port, a flowable material output port, and a water input port, and a water delivery pipe connected to a water source and passing into said chamber through said water input port and having a delivery pipe discharge end within said chamber, wherein said delivery pipe discharge end comprises a pipe wall having at least one perforation, such that water flowing into said chamber through said delivery pipe flows across said at least one perforation, creating a venturi effect drawing a quantity of said flowable material within said chamber laterally into said pipe discharge end which is subsequently discharged by said discharge pipe together with said water, for mixing and thus homogenizing said flowable material within said chamber.

Inventors: GREEN LAWRENCE M, NICKELSEN MICHAEL G, GREEN, LAWRENCE, M., NICKELSEN, MICHAEL, G.
Applicants: SANITROL SYSTEMS INC, SANITROL SYSTEMS, INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61L2
IPC codes: A61L2, A61L11, B01J19, C02F1, C02F9