Abstract:
A wastewater treatment system comprising means of decontaminating wastewater; means of measuring control parameters of the wastewater; means for controlling said decontamination means; and a programmable logic controller. The user is able to receive control parameter data and control the various processes of the wastewater treatment system from a remote location.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to wastewater treatment systems and, more specifically, to wastewater treatment system having combined processes in order to minimize space requirements and maximize effluent quality without the use of chemical additives. An Energized Magnetic Media Filter (EMF) process utilizes electrolytic reactions and other electrical energy technologies to accomplish the processing steps of coagulation, oxidation, sterilization, and solids removal from the waste stream. Coagulants, oxidation species, and the killing of pathogens are accomplished using variations in electrical energy technology. The EMF process does not require the use of chemical additives in the purification process. As a result, the entire process from influent to effluent can be controlled, adjusted, monitored, and analyzed from any remote location. This results in lower operating costs and flexibility in waste streams to be treated. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Numerous other types of wastewater treatment systems exist in the prior art. While these wastewater treatment systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to wastewater treatment systems and, more specifically, to wastewater treatment system having combined processes in order to minimize space requirements and maximize effluent quality without the use of chemical additives. An Energized Magnetic Media Filter (EMF) process utilizes electrolytic reactions and other electrical energy technologies to accomplish the processing steps of coagulation, oxidation, sterilization, and solids removal from the waste stream. Coagulants, oxidation species, and the killing of pathogens are accomplished using variations in electrical energy technology. The EMF process does not require the use of chemical additives in the purification process. As a result, the entire process from influent to effluent can be controlled, adjusted, monitored, and analyzed from any remote location. This results in lower operating costs and flexibility in waste streams to be treated. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having a compact design. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having modular construction. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system capable of remote control. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system capable of automated maintenance and control. 
   Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having a low retention time. 
   Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system expandable to large flows quickly. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system wherein no chemical additives are required. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having automated anode placement. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system wherein the anode materials are low cost and 100% expendable. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system utilizing recycled filter media. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having an uninterrupted filter discharge. 
   Yet an even further object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having dry sludge discharge. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having 99.8% TSS removal and BOD reduction of &lt;0.01 mg/L. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having a high oxygen uptake. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system having odor and color control. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system that is simple and easy to use. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wastewater treatment system that is inexpensive to manufacture and use. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a wastewater treatment system having combined processes in order to minimize space requirements and maximize effluent quality without the use of chemical additives. An Energized Magnetic Media Filter (EMF) process utilizes electrolytic reactions and other electrical energy technologies to accomplish the processing steps of coagulation, oxidation, sterilization, and solids removal from the waste stream. Coagulants, oxidation species, and the killing of pathogens are accomplished using variations in electrical energy technology. The EMF process does not require the use of chemical additives in the purification process. As a result, the entire process from influent to effluent can be controlled, adjusted, monitored, and analyzed from any remote location. This results in lower operating costs and flexibility in waste streams to be treated. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the primary reactor of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view and block diagram of the primary reactor of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the energized magnetic media filter of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the energized magnetic media filter of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the energized magnetic media filter and solids concentrator of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention in use; and 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the mag/media dryer separator of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention in use. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of the present invention in use. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the wastewater treatment system of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.
           10  wastewater treatment system     11  influent     12  head works grit removal     13  effluent     14  primary reservoir     16  ion probes     18  primary reactor influent pump     19  grinder section     20  primary reactor     21  anode reserve hopper     22  energized media bed     23  perforated titanium plates     24  fixed anode     25  ultrasonic transducer     26  fixed cathode     27  bearings     28  power supply     29  brush holders     30  cell drive     31  drive motor     32  slide valve     33  actuator     34  programmable logic controller     35  mixer rods     36  monitor     37  rotor     38  intermediate reservoir     39  drip pan     40  analytical instrument     42  primary reactor return pump     44  overflow valve     46  EMF filter influent pump     48  EMF filter     50  air compressor     52  EMF filter effluent reservoir     54  EMF filter return pump     56  float valve     58  EMF reject filter concentrate     59  sludge and media handling stage     60  media separator     62  dryer separator     64  cyclone     66  dry sludge     68  filter reject drain     70  sludge handling monitor     72  UV system     74  final effluent     76  metallic anode media reserve     78  overflow     80  regeneration zone     81  energized treatment zone     82  filter zone     83  sterile zone     84  level control     85  air lift     86  mixed media anode     87  magnetic sand filter media     88  DC electrical contacts     89  solids effluent/filter reject     90  distribution cone     91  weir overflow     92  suspended solids     93  media recovery     94  clean mag/media     95  mag/media bed     96  solid and liquid intake     97  spout connector     98  screen basket     99  screw auger     100  drive motor     101  water discharge     102  contaminated mag/media     103  low density filtrate     104  blower     105  filtrate fines     106  filter reject conduit     107  magnetic separator     108  high density sludge     109  low density fines       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 12  illustrate an wastewater treatment system of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention. The wastewater treatment system  10  of the present invention receives influent  11  and converts it to a final effluent  74 . Influent  11  refers to wastewater received from upstream into any particular apparatus or process. The head works grit removal  12  pumps the influent  11  to a primary reservoir  14 . The wastewater is initially contained in the primary reservoir  14 . Several ion probes  16  are connected to the primary reservoir  14  for measuring certain control parameters such as flow, pH, TSS, and DO. These parameters determine the degree of treatment needed to reduce contaminants to acceptable levels. The wastewater is pumped by the primary reactor influent pump  18  into a primary reactor  20 . The wastewater is first passed through a grinder section  19  in the forward section of the primary reactor  20 . Wastewater enters the primary reactor  20  and travels horizontally through an energized media bed  22 . The energized media bed  22  consists of blended bipolar granular electrodes which cause the solids of the wastewater to coagulate. As wastewater travels through the media, the primary reactor  20  is rotated to keep the material loose and to fragment larger particles. The perforated titanium plates  23  contain a fixed anode  24  and a fixed cathode  26 . The fixed anode  24  and fixed cathode  26  decompose to produce metal hydroxyl ions. An ultrasonic transducer  25  is positioned within the primary reactor  20  to periodically loosen the media and remove deposits on the stationary contacts through vibrational means. Vibration may be pneumatic, hydraulic, ultrasound, or electromagnetic. The perforated titanium plates  23  are connected to a power supply  28  to supply an electrical current through the primary reactor  20 , thereby causing the wastewater to maintain positive contact with the energized media bed  22 . A cell drive  30  is connected to the primary reactor  20 . An anode reserve hopper  21  is connected to the primary reactor  20  via a slide valve  32 . The primary reactor  20  is automatically resupplied with anode mix as it is consumed. The slide valve  32  opens and closes as necessary for the replacement of the anode mix by the anode reserve hopper  21 . A programmable logic controller  34  collects data on the measured control parameters throughout the wastewater treatment system  10  and is connected to the DC drive  28 , which allows it to control current to the energized media bed  22 . A monitor  36  is connected to the programmable logic controller  34  to allow a user to read control parameter levels and control the processes of the wastewater treatment system  10  from a remote location. Wastewater moves from the primary reactor  20  to an intermediate reservoir  38 . Coagulated solids from the primary reactor  20  settle to the bottom of the intermediate reservoir  38  where they are sent to the EMF filter. An analytical instrument  40  is positioned within the intermediate reservoir  38  to measure control parameters such as flow, pH, TSS, and DO after the wastewater has been coagulated in the primary reservoir  20 . Wastewater that does not sink to the bottom of the intermediate reservoir  38  is returned to the primary reservoir  20  by a primary reactor return pump  42 . An overflow valve  44  prevents the intermediate reservoir  38  from overflowing by opening when the volume of wastewater cannot be contained. An energized magnetic media filtration (EMF) filter influent pump  46  pumps the coagulated solids to an EMF filter  48 . An EMF filter  48  receives the coagulated solids and separates water from the solid waste using energized filter media. An air compressor  50  continually moves filter media to the top of the EMF filter  48  where it is removed with the sludge. A EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  receives the wastewater. Ion probes  16  are positioned within the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  for measuring the control parameters of the wastewater. The control parameter measurements are received by the programmable logic controller  34 . Optionally, the wastewater contained in the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  may be returned to the intermediate reservoir  38  by an EMF filter return pump  54 . A float valve  56  is preferably positioned between the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  and the intermediate reservoir  38  for controlling the volume of wastewater pumped from the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52 . The EMF reject filter concentrate  58  is sent to sludge and media handling stage  59 . The sludge and media handling stage  59  includes a media separator  60 , a dryer/separator  62 , and a cyclone  64 . The media separator  59  removes the media from the wastewater and returns the filter liquor to the primary reactor  20 . Clean mag/media returns to the EMF filter  48  from the dryer/separator via a filter reject drain  68 . A dryer separator  62  receives the EMF reject filter concentrate  58  and uses hot air to dry the sludge and collect the dust in a hood. The dust is sent to the cyclone  64 . The cyclone  64  causes the dried dust to become dry sludge  66 . The sludge and media handling stage  59  disposes of the dry sludge  66  produced by the cyclone  64 . Preferably, a sludge handling monitor  70  is connected to the sludge and media handling stage  59 . The sludge handling monitor  70  collects data from the sludge and media handling stage  59  and sends the data to the programmable logic controller  34 . The clean water filtered from the EMF filter  48  travels to a UV system  72  for further decontamination. After the wastewater has been fully decontaminated, it becomes final effluent  74 . 
     FIG. 2  is a side view of the primary reactor of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention. Influent  11  refers to wastewater received from upstream into any particular apparatus or process. The wastewater is first passed through a grinder section  19  in the forward section of the primary reactor  20 . Wastewater enters the primary reactor  20  and travels horizontally through an energized media bed  22 . The energized media bed  22  consists of blended bipolar granular electrodes which cause the solids of the wastewater to coagulate. As wastewater travels through the media, the primary reactor  20  is rotated to keep the material loose and to fragment larger particles. Perforated titanium plates  23  are positioned on either end of the primary reactor  20 . An ultrasonic transducer  25  is positioned within the primary reactor  20  to periodically loosen the media and remove deposits on the stationary contacts through vibrational means. Vibration may be pneumatic, hydraulic, ultrasound, or electromagnetic. The perforated titanium plates  23  contain a fixed anode  24  and a fixed cathode  26 . The fixed anode  24  and fixed cathode  26  decompose to produce metal hydroxyl ions. The perforated titanium plates  23  are connected to a power supply  28  to supply an electrical current through the primary reactor  20 , thereby causing the wastewater to maintain positive contact with the energized media bed  22 . The power supply  28  is connected to the fixed anode  24  and fixed cathode  26  via brush holders  29 . The pipes transporting the influent  11  and effluent  13  are connected to the primary reactor  20  with bearings  27 . A drive motor  31  is connected to the primary reactor  20  for rotating the reactor to keep the media and wastewater loose. Effluent  13  refers to the wastewater after it has been treated and sent downstream from any particular apparatus or process. 
     FIG. 3  is a sectional view and block diagram of the primary reactor of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention. The wastewater treatment system  10  of the present invention receives influent  11  and converts it to a final effluent  74 . Influent  11  refers to wastewater received from upstream into any particular apparatus or process. The wastewater is initially contained in the primary reservoir  14 . The wastewater is pumped by the primary reactor influent pump  18  into a primary reactor  20 . Wastewater enters the primary reactor  20  and travels horizontally through an energized media bed  22 . The energized media bed  22  consists of blended bipolar granular electrodes which cause the solids of the wastewater to coagulate. As wastewater travels through the media, the primary reactor  20  is rotated to keep the material loose and to fragment larger particles. A programmable logic controller  34  collects data on the measured control parameters throughout the wastewater treatment system  10  and is connected to the DC drive  28 , which allows it to control current to the energized media bed  22 . Wastewater moves from the primary reactor  20  to an intermediate reservoir  38 . Coagulated solids from the primary reactor  20  settle to the bottom of the intermediate reservoir  38  where they are sent to the EMF filter. An EMF filter  48  receives the coagulated solids and separates water from the solid waste using energized filter media. The sludge and media handling stage  59  includes a media separator  60 , a dryer/separator  62 , and a cyclone  64 . The sludge and media handling stage  59  disposes of the dry sludge  66  produced by the cyclone  64 . The clean water filtered from the EMF filter  48  travels to a UV system  72  for further decontamination. Perforated titanium plates  23  are positioned on either end of the primary reactor  20 . The power supply  28  is connected to the fixed anode  24  and fixed cathode  26  via brush holders  29 . A rotor  37  connected to the primary reactor  20  causes the reactor to move in a rotational manner. Preferably, a drip pan  39  is positioned under the primary reactor  20 . 
     FIG. 4  is a side view of the energized magnetic media filter of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention. An EMF filter  48  receives the coagulated solids and separates water from the solid waste using energized filter media. Influent  11  refers to wastewater received from upstream into any particular apparatus or process. A metallic anode media reserve  76  is preferably positioned above the EMF filter  48  for replacing the lose anode media. Excess wastewater is expelled from the EMF filter  48  as overflow  78 . Nearest to the top of the EMF filter is the regeneration zone  80 . Directly below the regeneration zone  80  is the energized treatment zone  81 . Directly below the energized treatment zone  81  is the filter zone  82 . At the bottom of the EMF filter  48  is the sterile zone  83 . A level control  84  measures the volume of wastewater contained in the EMF filter  48 . An air lift  85  releases pressurized air up the interior of the EMF filter  48 . The energized treatment zone  81  contains mixed media anode  86  and magnetic sand filter media  87 . DC electrical contacts run through the energized treatment zone  81 . Positively charged electrical contacts are positioned on the outside and a negative electrical contact is positioned on the inside of the energized treatment zone  81 . Effluent  13  refers to the wastewater after it has been treated and sent downstream from any particular apparatus or process. 
     FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the energized magnetic media filter of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention in use. Influent  11  refers to wastewater received from upstream into any particular apparatus or process. An EMF filter  48  receives the coagulated solids and separates water from the solid waste using energized filter media. A metallic anode media reserve  76  is preferably positioned above the EMF filter  48  for replacing the lose anode media. Excess wastewater is expelled from the EMF filter  48  as overflow  78 . Nearest to the top of the EMF filter is the regeneration zone  80 . Directly below the regeneration zone  80  is the energized treatment zone  81 . Directly below the energized treatment zone  81  is the filter zone  82 . At the bottom of the EMF filter  48  is the sterile zone  83 . A level control  84  measures the volume of wastewater contained in the EMF filter  48 . An air lift  85  releases pressurized air up the interior of the EMF filter  48 . DC electrical contacts run through the energized treatment zone  81 . Positively charged electrical contacts are positioned on the outside and a negative electrical contact is positioned on the inside of the energized treatment zone  81 . A distribution cone  90  distributes oxidized wastewater across the surface of the EMF filter  48 . A weir overflow  91  is positioned on the top of the air lift  85  above the surface of the wastewater contained within the EMF filter  48 . Suspended solids  92  are separated by the weir overflow  91  and expelled as solids effluent/filter reject  89 . A media recovery  93  is connected to the side of the weir overflow  91 . Solids effluent/filter reject  89  is expelled from the EMF filter  48  via a filter reject conduit  106 . Clean mag/media  94  is collected by the media recovery  93 . 
     FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the energized magnetic media filter and solids concentrator of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention in use. An EMF filter  48  receives the coagulated solids and separates water from the solid waste using energized filter media. Influent  11  refers to wastewater received from upstream into any particular apparatus or process. A metallic anode media reserve  76  is preferably positioned above the EMF filter  48  for replacing the lose anode media. Excess wastewater is expelled from the EMF filter  48  as overflow  78 . Nearest to the top of the EMF filter is the regeneration zone  80 . Directly below the regeneration zone  80  is the energized treatment zone  81 . Directly below the energized treatment zone  81  is the filter zone  82 . At the bottom of the EMF filter  48  is the sterile zone  83 . A level control  84  measures the volume of wastewater contained in the EMF filter  48 . An air lift  85  releases pressurized air up the interior of the EMF filter  48 . The energized treatment zone  81  contains mixed media anode  86  and magnetic sand filter media  87 . DC electrical contacts run through the energized treatment zone  81 . Positively charged electrical contacts are positioned on the outside and a negative electrical contact is positioned on the inside of the energized treatment zone  81 . Effluent  13  refers to the wastewater after it has been treated and sent downstream from any particular apparatus or process. A EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  receives the wastewater. Ion probes  16  are positioned within the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  for measuring the control parameters of the wastewater. The control parameter measurements are received by the programmable logic controller  34 . Wastewater flows from the EMF filter  48  to the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  via a solid and liquid intake  96 . The mag/media bed  95  is separated on the top of the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52 . The mag/media bed  95  flows to a screw auger  99  via a spout connector  97 . A screen basket  98  covers the screw auger  99 . The screw auger  99  drains excess water and pushes the mag/media bed  97  to a chute leading to the dryer/separator  62 . A drive motor  100  causes the screw auger  99  to rotate, thereby pushing the mag/media bed  97  in an upwardly direction. Wastewater separates from the mag/media bed  97  in the EMF filter effluent reservoir  52  and is expelled as water discharge  101 . 
     FIG. 7  is a side view of the mag/media dryer separator of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention in use. The sludge and media handling stage  59  includes a media separator  60 , a dryer/separator  62 , and a cyclone  64 . A dryer separator  62  receives the EMF reject filter concentrate  58  and uses hot air to dry the sludge and collect the dust in a hood. The dust is sent to the cyclone  64 . Contaminated mag/media  102  is received by the dryer/separator  62 . A blower  104  expels hot air up through the contaminated mag/media  102 . A hot air from the blower  104  releases low density fines  109  from the contaminated mag/media  102 . The low density fines  109  are gathered by a hood and sent to the cyclone  64 . The cyclone  64  causes the dried dust to become dry sludge  66 . The cyclone  64  causes the low density fines  109  to become low density filtrate  103 . The low density filtrate  103  is eventually expelled as filtrate fines  105 . A magnetic separator  107  removes and recycles clean mag/media  94  from the contaminated mag/media  102 . After the low density fines  109  and clean mag/media  94  is removed from the contaminated mag/media  102 , the remainder is expelled as high density sludge  108 . Clean mag/media  94  is collected by the media recovery  93 . 
     FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of the present invention in use. Influent enters the primary reservoir. Control parameters such as flow, pH, TSS, and DO are measured and received and processed at a programmable logic controller. The wastewater is pumped from the primary reservoir to the primary reactor. The primary reactor coagulates the solids in the wastewater. The primary reactor is connected to a power supply. The wastewater is then sent to an intermediate reservoir. Control parameters are again measured and received and processed at the programmable logic controller. If the wastewater does not meet threshold levels, then the wastewater is pumped from the intermediate reservoir to the primary reservoir. If the wastewater meets the threshold levels, then it is pumped to the EMF filter and oxidation stage. The EMF filter is connected to a power supply in order to engage in the filtration and oxidation processes. When the EMF filtration and oxidation is complete, the wastewater is sent to an EMF filter reservoir, where control parameters are measured once again. The control parameters are received and processed at the programmable logic controller. If the influent meets the threshold levels, then it is sent to the UV sterilization system and expelled as clean effluent. If the influent does not meet threshold levels, then the wastewater is returned to the intermediate reservoir. Sludge reject from the EMF filter system is sent to a concentrate filter for further processing. Liquor is returned to the primary reservoir and the sludge reject is sent to the dryer/separator. Clean media is separated and recycled. A cyclone causes the sludge reject to become dry sludge discharge. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the to the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.