Patent Publication Number: US-2020290904-A1

Title: Blackwater Treatment

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to treatment of blackwater. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Blackwater is typically treated at a central facility in large quantities in most population centers. Treatment of small amounts of blackwater in remote locations, and thus in small quantities, is difficult and not often addressed. 
     One application where treatment of small amounts of blackwater would be especially beneficial would be for mobile applications, such as recreational vehicles (RV&#39;s). Currently, the typically RV merely has a tank for storing blackwater generated on the RV. Depending on its capacity and the amount of blackwater generated, this tank must be periodically emptied and flushed, sometimes as frequently as every few days. If, instead, there was a workable system for treating the Blackwater generated on an RV, that would avoid this unpleasant, inefficient or sometimes expensive process. Such a system on an RV would also allow the RV to travel more freely, unconstrained by the need to find dumping stations. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a system for treating blackwater. The system includes a storage tank, a tumbling kiln, a heat source, and a blackwater intake. The storage tank is configured to receive blackwater. The blackwater consists of a liquid component and a solid component. The tumbling kiln is charged with a solid media. The tumbling kiln includes an air circulation system consisting of an air intake and an exhaust. The heat source is configured to heat the tumbling kiln and the solid media. The blackwater intake is adapted to allow the blackwater into the tumbling kiln. The solid media and the heat source are configured to vaporize at least a portion of the liquid component to produce vapor and to combust at least a portion of the solid component to produce combustion gases. The air intake is configured to draw fresh air into the tumbling kiln. The exhaust is configured to draw the combustion gases and the vapor out of the tumbling kiln. 
     In a second aspect, the disclosure provides a method for treating blackwater. A storage tank and a tumbling kiln charged with a solid media are provided. Blackwater is passed into the storage tank. The blackwater contains a liquid component and a solid component. The solid media and the tumbling kiln are heated. The blackwater is passed from the storage tank to the tumbling kiln. A portion of the liquid component is vaporized as vapor. A portion of the solid component is combusted to produce combustion gases. Fresh air is circulated into the tumbling kiln. The vapor and the combustion gases are removed from the tumbling kiln. 
     In a third aspect, the disclosure provides a device for treating blackwater. The device includes a storage tank, a tumbling kiln, a heat source, and a blackwater intake. The blackwater is passed into the storage tank. The blackwater includes a liquid component and a solid component. The tumbling kiln is charged with a solid media. The tumbling kiln includes an air circulation system with an air intake and an exhaust. The heat source heats the tumbling kiln and the solid media. The blackwater intake allows the blackwater into the tumbling kiln. At least a portion of the liquid component is vaporized to produce vapors and at least a portion of the solid component is combusted to produce combustion gases. The combustion gases and vaporized liquid pass out of the tumbling kiln through the exhaust. Fresh air is drawn into the tumbling kiln through the air intake. 
     Further aspects and embodiments are provided in the foregoing drawings, detailed description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings are provided to illustrate certain embodiments described herein. The drawings are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of claimed inventions and are not intended to show every potential feature or embodiment of the claimed inventions. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; in some instances, certain elements of the drawing may be enlarged with respect to other elements of the drawing for purposes of illustration. 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a system for treating blackwater as per one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a top-left perspective isometric view of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a top-right perspective isometric view of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1D  is a cutaway top perspective isometric view of the tumbling kiln of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective isometric view of a device for treating blackwater as per one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a method for treating blackwater that may be used as per one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a method for treating blackwater that may be used as per one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the preferred application of the blackwater treatment system on a recreational vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description recites various aspects and embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein. No particular embodiment is intended to define the scope of the invention. Rather, the embodiments provide non-limiting examples of various compositions, and methods that are included within the scope of the claimed inventions. The description is to be read from the perspective of one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, information that is well known to the ordinarily skilled artisan is not necessarily included. 
     Definitions 
     The following terms and phrases have the meanings indicated below, unless otherwise provided herein. This disclosure may employ other terms and phrases not expressly defined herein. Such other terms and phrases shall have the meanings that they would possess within the context of this disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some instances, a term or phrase may be defined in the singular or plural. In such instances, it is understood that any term in the singular may include its plural counterpart and vice versa, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a substituent” encompasses a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, and the like. 
     As used herein, “for example,” “for instance,” “such as,” or “including” are meant to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, such examples are provided only as an aid for understanding embodiments illustrated in the present disclosure and are not meant to be limiting in any fashion. Nor do these phrases indicate any kind of preference for the disclosed embodiment. 
     As used herein, “charge” is meant to refer to the amount of material provided to the tumbling kiln. When a kiln is “charged,” the kiln is loaded with an appropriate amount of solid media. 
     As used herein, “blackwater” is meant to refer to waste consisting of solids and liquids, organic and/or inorganic. This may include water, urine, feces, paper products, or combinations thereof. 
     Blackwater treatment for small quantities and in remote locations is desirable. These include recreational vehicles, campsites, isolated villages, and industrial sites, among many others. Typically, small quantities are simply stored until storage capacity is full. At that point, the blackwater is either carried out and delivered to treatment centers (as in recreational vehicles) or is pumped into trucks and delivered to treatment centers (as in outhouses). Rather than carry out the waste, the present application discloses methods, devices, and systems for treatment of blackwater. Blackwater consists of a liquid component (mostly water) and a solid component (mostly fecal matter). A tumbling kiln is charged with a solid media. In a preferred embodiment, this solid media is volcanic rock. The tumbling kiln and solid media are heated. In some embodiments, the heating is accomplished by combustion of propane. Alternatively, other combustible gases, such as natural gas, or other heat sources can be used. Blackwater is placed in a storage tank. In some embodiments, the blackwater is macerated for homogenization. The blackwater is passed into the tumbling kiln where the liquid component is vaporized and the solid component is combusted. An air circulation system draws in fresh air for the combustion and draws the combustion gases and vapors out of the tumbling kiln. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  is an isometric elevation view of a recreational vehicle  500  that may use the methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the recreational vehicle  500  has had its original blackwater tank replaced by the system shown in  FIG. 1A . This retrofitting of the existing blackwater tank maintains all the important features of blackwater storage for recreational vehicles, with the added benefit of the ability to treat the blackwater, removing a need for dumping of the blackwater. The recreational vehicle  500  has had its old blackwater tank replaced with the system  100  for treating the blackwater, including a smaller blackwater tank  10 . The system  100  includes a slide valve for conventional disposal of waste in emergencies. The system  100  is integrated into the recreational vehicle  500  by electrical connections  38  and propane connection  27  and by toilet  60  with blackwater line  62 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1A-D ,  FIG. 1A  is a top view of a system  100  for treating blackwater as per one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  is a top-left perspective isometric view of the system  101  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1C  is a top-right perspective isometric view of the system  102  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1D  is a cutaway top perspective isometric view of the tumbling kiln  103  of  FIG. 1A . The tumbling kiln  14  contains a solid media  40 . As the tumbling kiln  14  is rotated by drive  13 , lifting vanes  42  tumble the solid media  40 . Propane is passed into the system by line  27 , through a propane regulator  28  and a propane solenoid valve  30  and into the tumbling kiln  14  via line  32 . A spark ignition control system  26 , fed power by an electrical control box  36 , ignites the propane as it enters the tumbling kiln  14 . In a preferred embodiment, the electrical control box  36  is connected by wires  38  to the power of a recreational vehicle, such as in  FIG. 5 . The tumbling kiln  14  and the solid media  40  are preheated by the combustion of the propane. 
     A storage tank  10  receives the blackwater from a blackwater source, such as a toilet. The blackwater consists of a liquid component and a solid component. A macerator pump  12  receives the blackwater, homogenizing the blackwater and recycling the blackwater to the storage tank  10 . Homogenization involves grinding of larger solids down to a finer size. A peristaltic pump  16  pumps the homogenized blackwater by a hose  15  into a hose  17  and into a tumbling kiln  14 . Fresh air is drawn into the tumbling kiln  14  through an inlet  18  by a blower  22 . The liquid component in the tumbling kiln  14  is vaporized to form a vapor. A portion of the solid component in the tumbling kiln  14  is combusted to form combustion gases. The pre-heating of the tumbling kiln  14  and the solid media  40  provides a portion of the heat required for the vaporization and the combustion. The propane combustion continues to supply any remaining heat required to finish the vaporization and the combustion. The vapor and the combustion gases are drawn by the blower  22  out of the tumbling kiln  14  through a catalytic converter  20 , through the blower  22 , and out the exhaust  24 . Preferably, the catalytic converter used conventional technology to convert toxic gases and pollutants into less-toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction (an oxidation and a reduction reaction). 
     In a preferred embodiment, a level sensor  44  is provided that detects the level of blackwater in the blackwater storage tank  10 . The sensor is connected to a controller via wires  46 . In a preferred embodiment, the level sensor  44  detects that the level in the storage tank  10  is above a threshold and starts the system to treat the blackwater. 
     In some embodiments, the combustion of the solid component is incomplete, leaving a portion of the solid component as an ash. This ash is added to the solid media  40  until it is built up. The solid media  40  is then removed from the tumbling kiln and cleared of ash. In some embodiments, this is done through a trap in a duct  50  between the tumbling kiln  14  and the catalytic converter  20 . 
     In some embodiments, the macerator  12  grinds the blackwater to a fine enough grind that the blackwater can be sprayed. In this embodiment, the blackwater is sprayed into the tumbling kiln  14 . 
     The blackwater may be discharged from the system in an emergency or otherwise as desired via a slide valve  34 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  is a top perspective isometric view  200  of a device for treating blackwater as per one embodiment of the present invention. The tumbling kiln  14  contains a solid media. As the tumbling kiln  14  is rotated by drive  13 , lifting vanes tumble the solid media. Propane  52  is passed into the tumbling kiln  14  by line  32  where it is combusted. The tumbling kiln  14  and the solid media  40  are preheated by the combustion of the propane. A storage tank  10  has blackwater  50  passed into it. The blackwater  50  is pumped by peristaltic pump  16  through inlet hose  15  and out outlet hose  17  into the tumbling kiln  14 . Fresh air is drawn into the tumbling kiln  14  through an inlet  18  by a blower  22 . The liquid component in the tumbling kiln  14  is vaporized to form a vapor. A portion of the solid component in the tumbling kiln  14  is combusted to form combustion gases. The pre-heating of the tumbling kiln  14  and the solid media provides a portion of the heat required for the vaporization and the combustion. The propane combustion continues to supply any remaining heat required to finish the vaporization and the combustion. The vapor and the combustion gases are drawn by the blower  22  out of the tumbling kiln  14  through a catalytic converter  20 , through the blower  22 , and out an exhaust filter  23  as exhaust gases  54 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  is a block diagram  300  showing a method for treating blackwater that may be used as per one embodiment of the present invention. At  301 , a storage tank and tumbling kiln charged with a solid media are provided. At  302 , blackwater, consisting of a liquid component and a solid component, is passed into the storage tank. At  303 , the solid media and the tumbling kiln are heated. At  304 , the blackwater is passed from the storage tank to the tumbling kiln. At  305 , a portion of the liquid component is vaporized as a vapor. At  306 , a portion of the solid component is combusted to produce combustion gases. At  307 , fresh air is circulated into the tumbling kiln. At  308 , the vapor and the combustion gases are removed from the tumbling kiln. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a block diagram  400  showing a method for treating blackwater that may be used as per one embodiment of the present invention. At  401 , a storage tank and tumbling kiln charged with a solid media are provided. At  402 , blackwater, consisting of a liquid component and a solid component, is passed into the storage tank. At  403 , the solid media and the tumbling kiln are heated. At  404 , the blackwater is recycled and homogenized through a macerator pump. At  405 , the blackwater is preheated against a vapor and combustion gases in a condensing indirect-contact heat exchanger as it is passed from the storage tank to the tumbling kiln, resulting in the blackwater becoming preheated and a portion of any steam being condensed out of the vapor and the combustion gases. At  406 , a portion of the liquid component is vaporized as the vapor. At  407 , a portion of the solid component is combusted to produce the combustion gases. At  408 , fresh air is circulated into the tumbling kiln. At  409 , the vapor and the combustion gases are removed from the tumbling kiln and passed to the condensing indirect-contact heat exchanger. At  410 , the vapor and the combustion gases are passed through a catalytic converter. At  411 , the vapor and the combustion gases are passed through a filter that removes bacteria, noxious gases, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the heat source is selected from the group consisting of a burner fed by a combustible compound, an electrical resistance heater, recycled combustion gases, recycled waste heat, and combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the blackwater is preheated by a heat exchanger. 
     In some embodiments, the solid media is volcanic rock, porous ceramics, 3D-printed metals, or combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, fuel is added to the blackwater during the homogenizing grind by the macerator pump. The fuel is selected from the group consisting of oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, wood pellets, coal dust, and combinations thereof. Adding fuel at this stage leads to faster and more complete combustion of the blackwater in the tumbling kiln. 
     The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. Nevertheless, it is understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.