Abstract:
A method of removing contaminate material from a flowable material, comprising the following steps. A first container defining a first chamber is provided. A second container defining a second chamber is arranged within the first chamber. A first removal material is arranged within the second chamber. A second removal material is arranged within the first chamber. The flowable material is caused to flow along a removal path through the first removal material to remove a first portion of the contaminate material and through the second removal material to remove a second portion of the contaminate material.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/910,660 filed Aug. 2, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,022,281, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/460,921, filed Jun. 13, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,221, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/431,297 filed May 6, 2003, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/994,510 filed Nov. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,449. The contents of all related applications listed above are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to contaminate removal systems and methods and, more specifically, to such systems adapted to remove a waste metal from a waste solution containing the waste metal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many situations, certain waste materials must be removed from waste solutions before the solution is allowed to flow into public sewer systems. Typically, the waste solutions are created by a processing facility located in a mall or other building connected to the public sewer system and arranged between the processing facility and the sewer system. 
     The present invention is of particular significance when used to remove metals from waste solutions destined to flow into a public sewer system. A common example would be a photograph processing facility employing a developing process using silver. Other examples would be fixers and other solutions for photographic, X-ray, and lithographic processes and the tailings from electrolytic plating processes. In all of these situations, environmental laws may require the removal of certain metals from the waste solution. And in some situations, such as when silver is used in a photographic process, the metal to be removed may have value. 
     Accordingly, a number of systems and methods have been developed for removing metal ions such as silver from a waste solution. The present invention relates to such removal systems that are connected between a drain in which the waste solution is disposed and the public sewer system. These systems typically comprise a two-stage filtration system using steel wool as the reaction media. Such removal systems typically employ two interchangeable containers containing steel wool. The waste solution is caused to flow first through one of containers and then through the other of the containers. Usually, the first container in series is removed and returned for processing, the second container in the series is placed first in the series, and a new container is placed second in the series. The returned containers are typically processed at a central location remote from the source of the waste solution to recover the precipitated metal. 
     Available metal ion removal systems that employ two stage treatment may be too complex for certain users. Such systems require at least a minimum level of expertise, and the potential exists for error in installation and operation of these systems. In addition, the use of two separate containers increases the possibility for leaks. 
     The need thus exists for improved systems and methods for the removal of contaminates from solutions that are simpler to operate than known contaminate removal systems. 
     RELATED ART 
     The Applicant is the named inventor of U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,644 for a silver recovery method. The &#39;644 patent discloses a single stage filtration process in which a waste solution is forced upwards through a reaction media that removes silver from the waste solution. 
     The following references were uncovered as part of a professional patentability search conducted on behalf of the Applicant: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,521 discloses a two-stage waste recovery system for removing silver from a waste solution; only one of the reaction stages is silver reactive. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,209 to O&#39;Brien et al. discloses a three media silver recovery apparatus in which the three media are arranged in series within a single container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,041 to Riviere et al. discloses a metal recovery system that intermingles a reactive media such as strands of steel wool with a support structure of an inert material to encourage non-channeling random flow paths. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,188 to Peterson discloses a silver recovery system employing a single silver reactive stage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,452 to Azzara discloses a silver recovery system having an outer container and a silver recovery cartridge formed by a liner containing a reactive material. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,890 to Fuller discloses a silver recovery device having a hollow core of reactive material arranged within a container. Fluid flows into the container and then laterally through the hollow core to an outlet pipe arranged at the center of the core. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,176 to Azzara discloses a silver recovery device employing an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The inner chamber contains a reactive media; the waste solution flows down through the reactive media and into the outer chamber and then up to an outlet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,024 to Schiller et al. discloses a silvery recovery system having a fiber pads arranged above and below a reactive media. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,629 to McGuckin et al. discloses a silver recover element in the form of a cylindrical flow-through cylinder having a hollow core and an external substrate layer containing physical development nuclei. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,170 to Woog discloses a device defining a chamber in which spent photographic developer and fixer is mixed and neutralized. The waste solution is passed through a vertical conduit containing iron and then across steel wool at the bottom of the device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,009 to Woog discloses a mixing chamber having a length of ribbon defining a tortuous flow path to encourage mixing of photographic developer and fixer as they flow through reactive material within the chamber. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,247 to Woog discloses a silver recovery device using plastic chips to stabilize scrap metal within a container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,390 to MacKay discloses a single stage silver recovery system having a replaceable core. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,552 discloses a silver recovery system employing steel wool in a vessel with a metal salt of copper or cadmium. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,613 to Woog discloses a reusable metal recovery cartridge having a housing that contains a spiral rolled exchange mass containing particles of the recovery media. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,993 to Farber discloses a silver recovery system comprising an outer vessel and a perforated inner vessel containing reactive media. The waste solution is poured into the inner vessel as the inner vessel is rotated to encourage desirable flow through the reactive media. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,697 to Peterson et al. discloses a silver recovery unit having an elongate core and an aperture in the side thereof. Inner and outer reactive media are arranged within the core on either side of a baffle to enhance the flow path through the unit. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,472 to King, Jr. discloses a metal removal apparatus and method employs buoyant elements comprising a substrate coated with a reaction media. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,732 to Woog discloses a silver recovery cartridge containing a rolled mat to which a silver reactive material is adhered. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,617 to MacKay discloses a cartridge for recovering silver comprising a spiral rolled iron window screen. The waste solution flows down through the screen and then up through an outlet tube extending down the middle of the rolled window screen. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,600 to Thompson, Jr. discloses a silver reclamation system comprising reactive and non-reactive layers arranged in successive layers within a housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,217 to MacKay discloses a silver recovery system employing a woven screen of a reactive material that is wound upon itself to form a reactive media that precipitates silver. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,995 to MacKay discloses a silver recovery system comprising a metallic core of window screen that allows transverse flow. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,175 to Zeleny et al. discloses a process for recovering metal from a solution in which the housing is disposed of during the recovery process. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,369,801 to Hartman discloses a silver recovery system that forces waste solution down through an inlet pipe, up through a reactive media, and then out through an annular chamber defined by an outlet pipe surrounding the inlet pipe. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,845 to Larson et al. discloses a silver recovery cartridge comprising an outer container having a drum, a lid, and a rim clamp that secures the lid on the drum. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,905,323 to Megesi discloses a silver recover system comprising a housing divided into upper, middle, and lower sections by two perforated plates. The recovery media is located within the middle sections. A pipe allows fluid to bypass the middle section when the recovery media becomes clogged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be embodied as a method of removing contaminate material from a flowable material, comprising the following steps. A first container defining a first chamber is provided. A second container defining a second chamber is arranged within the first chamber. A first removal material is arranged within the second chamber. A second removal material is arranged within the first chamber. The flowable material is caused to flow along a removal path through the first removal material to remove a first portion of the contaminate material and through the second removal material to remove a second portion of the contaminate material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a section view of a first embodiment of a metal removal system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of the inner container of the assembly of  FIG. 1  illustrating the compacting of the media within the container; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view showing the inner container of the assembly of  FIG. 1  with the media in place and positioned within the outer container and in which the media in the outer container is agitated; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view showing portions of the inner and outer containers in the assembly of  FIG. 1  in which one exemplary structure for supporting and positioning the inner container is illustrated; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan section view of the exemplary support structure illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a plot of silver concentration in a sample solution passed through the treatment assembly of this invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of a second embodiment of a metal removal system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be implemented in many different embodiments, and two of these embodiments will be described below. 
     Turning now to the drawing, depicted at  20  in  FIGS. 1-5  is a first embodiment of a removal system constructed in accord with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The exemplary removal system  20  described herein recovers silver from a waste solution, but the present invention may have application to other waste metals as well. The exemplary removal system  20  comprises a first container  22  defining a first chamber  24  and second container  26  defining a second chamber  28 . 
     A mass of a first reaction media  30  is arranged within the second chamber  26 . A mass of a second reaction media  32  is arranged within the first chamber  24 . The waste solution is forced through the first and second reaction media  30  and  32  such that the media  30  and  32  react with and thus remove the waste metal from the waste solution being processed. 
     The reaction media  30  and  32  both contain a metal above the waste metal in the electromotive force series. In the exemplary system  20 , the reaction media  30  and  32  both are or contain iron in a form capable of reacting and bonding with silver in the waste solution to precipitate the silver out of the waste solution. Other reaction media may be preferable for other waste metals. 
     The exemplary first and second containers  22  and  26  are cylindrical, but other shapes may be used. In addition, in the exemplary system  20  the second container  26  is disposed within the first chamber  24  of the first container  22  such that the longitudinal axis of the second container  26  is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first container  22 . Again, other arrangements may be employed, but the exemplary arrangement of coaxially aligned cylindrical containers  22  and  26  is preferred. With this arrangement, the first chamber  24  defines an effective available volume in the form of a hollow cylindrical space in which the second reaction media  32  is contained during normal use. 
     With the foregoing arrangement of the first and second containers  22  and  26 , the exemplary removal system  20  further comprises an inlet conduit  40 , an intermediate conduit  42 , and an outlet conduit  44 . The inlet conduit  40  allows fluid to flow from the exterior of the first container  22  to the second chamber  28 . The intermediate conduit  42  allows fluid to flow from the second chamber  28  into the first chamber  24 . The outlet conduit  44  allows fluid to flow from the first chamber  24  to the exterior of the first container  22 . The waste solution to be processed is thus forced along a removal path  50  extending through the inlet conduit  40 , the second chamber  28 , the intermediate conduit  42 , the first chamber  24 , and the outlet conduit  44 . 
     To improve fluid flow through the reaction media, in the exemplary removal system  20  the waste solution is forced into the bottom of the first and second chambers  24  and  28  and up through the reaction media  30  and  32 . This flow path creates a more even distribution of waste solution over the volume of the reaction media. 
     In particular, in the exemplary removal system  20  the first container  22  is an assembly comprising a container member  60  and a first cap member  62 . The container member  60  further defines an upper opening  64  a bottom wall  66  and a side wall  68 . The cap member  62  seals the upper opening  64  in the container member such that the first chamber  24  is substantially fluid tight. 
     The exemplary second container  26  is also an assembly and comprises a cylindrical body  70  and upper and lower second cap members  72  and  74 . The second cap members  72  and  74  are attached to the body  70  such that the second chamber  28  is also substantially fluid tight. 
     The exemplary inlet conduit  40  extends through the cap member  62  of the first container  22  and through the body  70  of the second container  26 . The inlet conduit  40  defines an inlet fitting  40   a  and a first diffuser  40   b . The inlet fitting is located outside of the first container  24 . The first diffuser  40   b  is arranged in a lower portion  28   a  of the second chamber  28 . 
     The exemplary intermediate conduit  42  defines an intermediate port  42   a  and a second diffuser  42   b . The intermediate conduit  42  is located in an upper portion  28   b  of the second chamber  28 . The second diffuser  42   b  is arranged in a lower portion  24   a  of the first chamber  24 . 
     The exemplary outlet conduit  44  defines an outlet port  44   a  and an outlet fitting  44   b . The outlet port  44   a  is located in an upper portion  24   b  of the first chamber  24 . The outlet conduit  44  extends through the first cap member  62  such that the outlet fitting  44   b  is arranged outside of the first container  22 . 
     Typically, the inlet fitting  40   a  is connected by conventional hose or pipe to a drain of an appliance or sink that is the source of the waste solution. The waste solution thus enters the system through the inlet fitting  40   a . The outlet fitting  44   b  is connected to a disposal point, typically a connection to the sewer system or the like, for disposal of processed waste solution. 
     The arrangement of the exemplary conduits  40 ,  42 , and  44  allows the waste solution to be forced into the system  20  through the inlet fitting  40   a , along the removal path  50  up through the first and second reaction media  30  and  32  in sequence, and then out to the disposal point. 
     Additional details of the construction and operation of the exemplary removal system  20  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 . For clarity and simplicity, the conduits  40 ,  42 , and  44  are not depicted in  FIGS. 2-5 . 
     A conventional reaction media used for removing silver from a waste solution is chopped steel wool. Chopped steel wool is very cost effective but must be packed into the container to optimize the amount of steel wool contained in a given volume. Additionally, chopped steel wool does not pack well using vibration; the packing process for chopped steel wool is normally performed using a ram to force the steel wool into a smaller volume. 
     In the context of the present invention, both the first and second reaction media may be formed of chopped steel wool. However, due to manufacturing considerations, in the exemplary system  20  only the first reaction media  30  is formed of chopped steel wool. The exemplary second reaction media  32  is preferably iron resin foam available from Capital Resin Corp of Columbus, Ohio, as CRC-IRF (MA). The Applicant understands that this product contains approximately 1.25 percent by weight of Manganese, 0.15 percent by weight of Silicon, and the balance by weight being Iron. 
     The preferred iron resin foam material contains a high percentage of iron, like the chopped steel wool, but is in an a granular or pelletized form that allows a desired amount of the second reaction media  32  to be packed into the effective available volume of the first chamber without the use of a ram. In contrast, the preferred iron resin foam may be vibrated into a desired volume or space. Other materials may be substituted for the preferred iron resin foam as long as the substitute material may be compacted easily and contains a high percentage of iron in a form that may react with the waste metal in the waste solution. In the context of the exemplary removal system  20  then, the preferred first reaction medial  30  is thus chopped steel wool and the preferred second filter material  32  is iron resin foam. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , depicted therein is the main body  70  of the second container  26  and the bottom second cap  74 .  FIG. 2  also shows that the second container  26  comprises an optional bottom grate  80  and grate support member  82 . The grate support member  82  supports the bottom grate  80  within the second chamber  28 . 
     The grate support  82  determines the relative sizes of the upper and lower compartments by spacing the bottom grate  80  a predetermined distance from the bottom second cap  74 . So supported, the bottom grate  80  divides the second chamber  28  into a filter portion  28   c  and the lower portion  28   a  described above; openings  84  in the bottom grate  80  allow fluid flow between the two portions  28   c  and  28   a  of the chamber  28 . 
     To construct the system  20 , the grate support  82  is first placed into the second chamber  28  onto the bottom second cap  74 . The bottom grate  80  is then placed into the second chamber  28  on the grate support member  82  to define the lower and filter portions  28   a  and  28   c  of the second chamber  28 . The first reaction media  30  is then placed into the second chamber  28  on top of the bottom grate  80 . A ram  86  is then forced against the chopped steel wool forming the first reaction media  30  to compact the steel wool into the filter portion  28   c  of the second chamber  28 . The openings  84  in the bottom grate  80  are sized and dimensioned substantially to prevent a majority, and preferably all, of the steel wool reaction media  30  from migrating from the filter portion  28   c  into the lower portion  28   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an optional inner fiber pad  88  is placed into the second chamber  28  on top of the compacted reaction media  30 . The inner fiber pad is conventionally made of a loosely matted or woven material that acts as a particle filter for the first reaction media  30  and thereby substantially prevents the reaction media  30  from entering the intermediate conduit  42 . The inner fiber pad  88  defines the upper portion  28   b  of the second chamber  28 . The upper second lid  72  is then secured to the main body  70  to form the second container  26 . 
       FIG. 3  also shows that the second container  26 , with the first reaction media  30  sealed inside as just described, is placed into the first chamber  24 . In particular, an optional lower outer fiber pad  90  is placed into the first chamber  24  to define the lower portion  24   a  thereof. The lower outer fiber pad  90  is also conventionally made of a loosely matted or woven material that acts as a particle filter for the second reaction media  32  and thereby substantially prevents the reaction media  32  from entering the intermediate conduit  42 . 
     The second container  26  may either rest on the lower outer fiber pad  90 , or, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a support stand  92  may be placed in the first chamber  24  to support the second container  26 . The optional support stand  92  comprises a plurality of foot portions  92   a  that extend through the lower outer fiber pad  90  to contact the bottom wall  66  of container  60 . The support stand  92  further defines a support surface  92   b  and alignment projections  92   c . The support surface  92   b  engages the bottom wall  74  of the container  26 , while the alignment projections  92   c  engage the main body  70  of the second container  26 . 
     The lower outer fiber pad  90  and second container  26  define the bottom and sides of a filter portion  24   c  of the first chamber  24 . The filter portion  24   c  of the chamber  24  is in the shape of a hollow cylindrical space that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axes of the containers  22  and  26 . 
     The iron resin foam forming the second reaction media  32  is then inserted into the filter portion  24   c  of the first chamber  24 . The first container  22 , as well as the contents thereof, are then vibrated along the longitudinal axes of the containers  22  and  26  to compact the second reaction media within the filter portion  24   c . An optional upper outer fiber pad  94  is then placed on top of the second container  26  and the second reaction media  32  to define the upper portion  24   b  of the first chamber  24 . The upper outer fiber pad  94  is also conventionally made of a loosely matted or woven material that acts as a particle filter for the second reaction media  32  and thereby substantially prevents the reaction media  32  from entering the outlet conduit  44 . 
     The first cap member  62  is then secured to the first container member  60  to seal the first chamber  24  and obtain the exemplary removal system  20 . 
     The inlet fitting  40   a  is then connected to the source of the waste solution. The waste solution thus passes through the inlet conduit  40 , the openings  84  in the grate  80 , the first reaction media  30 , the inner fiber pad  88 , the intermediate conduit  42 , the lower outer fiber pad  90 , the second reaction media  32 , the upper outer fiber pad  92 , and finally the outlet conduit  44 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , depicted therein is a graph illustrating the quantity of waste metal in a sample of waste solution that has been passed through a prototype of the removal system  20 . In the situation depicted in  FIG. 6 , the waste meal is silver and the waste solution is the byproduct of a photographic processing system. This graph illustrates that the processed waste fluid contains less than one part per million of silver after over 600 gallons of fluid processed. 
     The present invention is thus a two-stage filtration process that does not require the user to understand the filtration process. The iron resin foam used as the second reaction media is relatively expensive and thus is not used as the primary removal mechanism; instead, the first stage is implemented using the first reaction media as the primary removal mechanism, and the second stage is implemented using the second reaction media as a polisher to meet final discharge requirements. 
     The system  20  is very easy to operate even for a user that does not understand the filtration process. The user simply connects the system  20  inline between the source and destination of the waste solution. The user then replaces the removal system  20  when tests indicated that the system  20  is no longer meeting a certain minimum requirement or, more likely, after a predetermined time period, after a predetermined number of gallons of processed waste solution, or based on some characteristic of the source of the waste solution. 
     To operate effectively to remove silver from a waste solution, the Applicant has determined that the ratio by weight of the exemplary first reaction media  30  (chopped steel wool) to the exemplary second reaction media  32  (iron resin foam) is preferably approximately 1:2, is preferably within a first preferred range of approximately 1:1 to 1:5, and in any event should be within a second preferred range of approximately 1:0.5 to 1:10. The actual weights of the first and second reaction media should be calculated to avoid excessive changing out of the removal system  20  in a typical environment but not increase the size of the system  20  beyond what can reasonably be accommodated by typical common carriers. Of course, other ratios may be appropriate to different waste metals and reaction media. 
     Once the weights of the reaction media are determined, the volumes of the filter portions  24   c  and  28   c  of the first and second chambers  24  and  28  can be determined. The volumes of these filter portions  24   c  and  28   c  will in turn determine the overall size of a particular removal system  20 . All of these decisions will depend upon a specific implementation of the present invention, and the present invention may be embodied in many configurations depending upon the circumstances. 
     Turning now to the drawing, depicted at  120  in  FIG. 7  of the drawing is second embodiment of removal system constructed in accord with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The removal system  120  is similar to the removal system  20  described above in that both systems  20  and  120  recover silver from a waste solution and may have application to other waste metals as well. The removal system  120  operates in the same basic manner as the system  20  but has been slightly reconfigured. 
     The removal system  120  comprises a first container  122  defining a first chamber  124  and second container  126  defining a second chamber  128 . A mass of a first reaction media  130  is arranged within the second chamber  128 . A mass of a second reaction media  132  is arranged within the first chamber  124 . The waste solution is forced through the first and second reaction media  130  and  132  such that the media  130  and  132  react with and thus remove the waste metal from the waste solution being processed. 
     The exemplary reaction media  130  and  132  both contain a metal above the waste metal in the electromotive force series. In the exemplary system  120 , the reaction media  130  and  132  both are or contain iron in a form capable of reacting and bonding with silver in the waste solution to precipitate the silver out of the waste solution. Other reaction media may be preferable for other waste metals. 
     The exemplary first and second containers  122  and  126  are cylindrical, but other shapes may be used. In addition, in the exemplary system  120  the second container  126  is disposed within the first chamber  124  of the first container  122  such that the longitudinal axis of the second container  126  is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first container  122 . Again, other arrangements may be employed, but the exemplary arrangement of coaxially aligned cylindrical containers  122  and  126  is preferred. With this arrangement, the first chamber  124  defines an effective available volume in the form of a hollow cylindrical space in which the second reaction media  132  is contained during normal use. 
     With the foregoing arrangement of the first and second containers  122  and  126 , the exemplary removal system  120  further comprises an inlet conduit  140 , an intermediate conduit  142 , and an outlet conduit  144 . The inlet conduit  140  allows fluid to flow from the exterior of the first container  122  to the second chamber  128 . The intermediate conduit  142  allows fluid to flow from the second chamber  128  into the first chamber  124 . The outlet conduit  144  allows fluid to flow from the first chamber  124  to the exterior of the first container  122 . The waste solution to be processed is thus forced along a removal path  150  extending through the inlet conduit  140 , the second chamber  128 , the intermediate conduit  142 , the first chamber  124 , and the outlet conduit  144 . 
     To improve fluid flow through the reaction media, in the exemplary removal system  120  the waste solution is forced into the bottom of the first and second chambers  124  and  128  and up through the reaction media  130  and  132 . This flow path creates a more even distribution of waste solution over the volume of the reaction media. 
     In particular, in the exemplary removal system  120  the first container  122  is an assembly comprising a container member  160  and a first cap member  162 . The container member  160  further defines an upper opening  164  a bottom wall  166  and a side wall  168 . The cap member  162  seals the upper opening  164  in the container member such that the first chamber  124  is substantially fluid tight. 
     The exemplary second container  126  is also an assembly and comprises a cylindrical body  170  and upper and lower second cap members  172  and  174 . The second cap members  172  and  174  are attached to the body  170  to form annular upper and lower wall portions such that the second chamber  128  is also substantially fluid tight. 
     The exemplary inlet conduit  140  extends through the cap member  162  of the first container  122  and through the upper cap member  172 . In the exemplary removal system  120 , the inlet conduit  140  is substantially coaxially aligned with the axes of the containers  122  and  126 . 
     The inlet conduit  140  defines an inlet fitting  140   a  and a first diffuser  140   b . The inlet fitting is located outside of the first container  124 . The first diffuser  140   b  is arranged in a lower portion  128   a  of the second chamber  128 . 
     The exemplary intermediate conduit  142  defines an intermediate port  142   a  and a second diffuser  142   b . The intermediate conduit  142  connects to an upper portion  128   b  of the second chamber  128 . The second diffuser  142   b  is arranged in a lower portion  124   a  of the first chamber  124 . 
     The exemplary outlet conduit  144  defines an outlet port  144   a  and an outlet fitting  144   b . The outlet port  144   a  is located in an upper portion  124   b  of the first chamber  124 . The outlet conduit  144  extends through the first cap member  162  such that the outlet fitting  144   b  is arranged outside of the first container  122 . 
     Typically, the inlet fitting  140   a  is connected by conventional hose or pipe to a drain of an appliance or sink that is the source of the waste solution. The waste solution thus enters the system through the inlet fitting  140   a . The outlet fitting  144   b  is connected to a disposal point, typically a connection to the sewer system or the like, for disposal of processed waste solution. 
     The arrangement of the exemplary conduits  140 ,  142 , and  144  allows the waste solution to be forced into the system  120  through the inlet fitting  140   a , along the removal path  150  up through the first and second reaction media  130  and  132  in sequence, and then out to the disposal point. 
       FIG. 7  also shows that the second container  126  may comprise an optional bottom grate  180  and grate support member  182 . The grate support member  182  supports the bottom grate  180  within the second chamber  128 . The grate support  182  spaces the bottom grate  180  a predetermined distance from the bottom second cap  174  such that the bottom grate  180  divides the second chamber  128  into the lower portion  128   a  and a filter portion  128   c . Openings  184  in the bottom grate  180  allow fluid flow between the two portions  128   c  and  128   a  of the chamber  128 . An optional inner fiber pad  188  is placed into the second chamber  128  on top of the compacted reaction media  130  to define the upper portion  128   b  of the second chamber  128 . 
     An optional lower outer fiber pad  190  may be placed into the first chamber  124  to define a lower portion  124   a  thereof. The second container  126  may either rest on the lower outer fiber pad  190  or on a support stand (not shown) placed in the first chamber  124 . 
     The second container  126  defines an upper portion  124   b  and an annular side portion  124   c  of the first chamber  124 . An optional upper outer fiber pad  194  may be placed on top of the second container  126  and the second reaction media  132  in the upper portion  124   b  of the first chamber  124 . 
     The operation of the exemplary removal system  120  is substantially the same as that of the removal system  20  and will not be described again in detail. The construction of the exemplary removal system  120  is similar to that of the removal system  20  as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 . However, the compaction assembly step described with reference to  FIG. 2  is modified to accommodate the inlet conduit  140  that extends through the second chamber  128 . 
     From the foregoing, it should be clear that the present invention may be embodied in forms other than those described above. The above-described systems are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.