Facility for treating wastewater and building comprising such a facility

Abstract

The present invention relates to a facility (1) for treating wastewater (EM) from a building (2). This facility comprises means for collecting waste water (EM), a phyto-purification treatment module (6) which is positioned on the roof (21) of the building (2) and is configured to convert the wastewater (EM) into purified water, and means (10) for recirculating the purified water, preferably treated water (ET), in at least one interior or local circuit (B1) for the reuse of said treated water (ET) inside or in the vicinity of said building (2), and / or for discharging said treated water (ET), by default or due to an excess, into an external network (B) for sanitising or disposing of wastewater.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Wastewater treatment installation and building comprising such an installation

[0001] [The present invention falls within the field of water purification. It relates more particularly to an installation for treating wastewater from a building and a building comprising such an installation.

[0002] Today, with a constantly growing urban population, wastewater treatment is a priority and recurring health issue. Indeed, the rise in urban populations increases the volume of wastewater to be treated in the city's sanitation network. Added to this is the scarcity and increasing cost of the "water" resource.

[0003] In addition, the increase in the number of buildings in cities and their "concreting" leads to the waterproofing of the soil, which generates a rapid and voluminous influx of water arriving in the sanitation network, in particular in the event of intense rainfall, especially for combined networks.

[0004] These large volumes of wastewater flows from the urban population, as well as exceptional climatic events such as drought or heavy rainfall, impact the operation of urban infrastructures linked to the treatment and sanitation of wastewater, particularly treatment plants.

[0005] As a result, the collection, transport and treatment of wastewater, particularly household wastewater, in treatment plants, using these water treatment infrastructures is becoming increasingly complex. It has been noted that the risk of saturation of these infrastructures and the risk of overflowing sanitation networks is constantly increasing, particularly in urban areas.

[0006] Indeed, urban areas are growing, peri-urbanization is accelerating, and existing sanitation infrastructure is becoming undersized. Two solutions can be considered: either review their dimensions (generating billions of euros of investment), or seek to limit the volumes sent to shared central wastewater treatment plants.

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to find a simple solution, adapted to the urban environment, for the management and treatment of wastewater, limiting the disorder caused in the current wastewater treatment and sanitation infrastructure.

[0008] Furthermore, in an eco-responsible logic of sustainable development and preservation of planetary resources, the current trend is to try to revalue as much as possible the wastewater available, in particular for use in a context of adapted sanitary requirements, notably less strict, for example in the flushing of toilets in buildings or for watering crops or green spaces (for example for France: Order of 25 / 06 / 2014, modifying the order of 2 August 2010 relating to "the use of water from the treatment of urban wastewater for the irrigation of crops or green spaces").

[0009] "Wastewater" refers to "raw water" flowing directly from collective or individual buildings. Wastewater consists of household water known as "grey water" and black water known as "black water".

[0010] "Black water" comes from toilets and sanitary facilities in buildings. Black water consists of a mixture of solid compounds, particularly fecal matter, and liquid or liquid-dissolved compounds, particularly urine.

[0011] So-called "household" or "grey" water is primarily used in showers, sinks, washing machines, and dishwashers installed in these buildings. Household water is slightly polluted and, in particular, free of fecal or urine contamination. This results in a strong potential for reusing household water, particularly for use in flushing toilets or for irrigation or watering green spaces.

[0012] Thus, the treatment and revaluation, if possible locally, of wastewater, and in particular household wastewater, constitute major challenges for the preservation of water resources and the limitation of the negative impact of high-density human presence, in particular in urban areas where the volume of wastewater, in particular household wastewater, produced is significant.

[0013] There are already many household wastewater treatment systems that allow for their redistribution directly into urban buildings. These building wastewater treatment systems include at least one means of recovering the wastewater, followed by a means of treating the water and a means of redistributing it into the sanitary toilet network or irrigation or crop watering system.

[0014] However, these known wastewater treatment devices are generally: - of complex structure, with a multitude of conveyance pipes and storage or treatment tanks, resulting in complex management of transfer, supply and distribution of wastewater to be treated within the sanitation network; - bulky structure with a significant deployment on the ground or within the building, which generates a loss of availability of the spaces thus occupied in and near the building, for another use, - significant energy consumption for its operation, particularly for the operation of the supply valves, circulation through the treatment filters, transfer and storage of water, - high manufacturing and installation costs, - visually unsightly and devalue the exterior and / or interior of the building within the urban landscape.

[0015] In addition, the known wastewater treatment systems in a building require regular maintenance checks, in particular to take into account the effects of freezing / thawing phenomena on its operation, the risks of saturation or even blockage of the pipes or filters, when the inflow of wastewater is too high.

[0016] Known devices having at least some of the above limitations are for example disclosed by the following documents: CZ 306199, FR 3105208, US 7754079 and US 2009 / 001002.

[0017] There is therefore an unmet demand to date for an improved device for treating a building's wastewater, in particular its wastewater household or grey water, allowing the recovery of said water and its safe use for flushing building toilets or for watering green spaces, which is of simple structure, limited or even minimal space requirement, easy to maintain and manage, without negative impact on the environment and with an acceptable or even visually improving aesthetic appearance in the urban landscape.

[0018] The main aim of the present invention is to respond at least partially, and preferably substantially in full, to the aforementioned request.

[0019] To this end, the present invention relates to an installation for treating wastewater from a building, characterized in that it comprises: - means for collecting wastewater, a pre-treatment module configured to transform said wastewater into pre-treated water, - a phyto-purification treatment module, positioned at the roof level of the building and configured to transform pre-treated water into purified water, - a means for storing said purified water, advantageously equipped with a microbiological disinfection means configured to transform the purified water into treated water, and - means for recirculating purified water, or where appropriate treated water, in at least one internal or local circuit for reuse of said purified or treated water inside or around said building, and / or for discharging said purified or treated water, by default or excess, into an external sanitation or wastewater evacuation network, the treatment module comprising at least one planted filter with saturated-unsaturated flow.

[0020] The wastewater treatment installation of the invention has a simplified structure and requires little time and resources for management and maintenance by an operator, in particular for the phyto-purification treatment module which operates almost autonomously over time.

[0021] In addition, the space taken up by the installation of the invention within the building is limited, in particular due to the installation of the treatment module by rooftop phytoremediation and a limited number of storage means. Thus, the volume occupied by the installation of the invention within the building is optimized to limit its deployment in valuable areas of the building, favorably suited to another use.

[0022] In addition, the rooftop phyto-purification treatment module of the installation of the invention also makes it possible to directly and simply recover rainwater, in addition to the wastewater to be treated, to create a buffer zone, to improve the thermal and even acoustic insulation of the building and to enhance its aesthetics by giving it a "green" stamp and ecological marking, by setting up a planted area on the roof. This vegetated area in the form of a planted aquatic environment also gives the building specific thermal insulation and cooling properties at roof level. Due to its specificity, it also contributes to biodiversity in an urban environment.

[0023] In addition, the installation of the invention makes it possible to limit the energy consumption and costs of the building by recycling the majority of wastewater, particularly household wastewater. In particular, by limiting or avoiding the use of drinking water for uses without direct contact with people, it is possible to reduce the consumption of this resource, which is currently becoming more expensive and which should be preserved.

[0024] In this same eco-responsible logic, the installation of the invention contributes to decontamination, to the cooling of the atmosphere near the building and to the improvement of the urban landscape environment, in particular through the presence on the roof of the plants of the phyto-purification treatment module.

[0025] The installation of the invention therefore constitutes a simple and effective structural means for the treatment of wastewater from a building, favorably allowing its recycling and revalorization locally as water and hydraulic resources, by prioritizing a reuse of said treated water inside or around said building, in particular for example in the network of sanitary toilets of said building, in possible vehicle cleaning installations, of the building or its surroundings, or in an irrigation or watering network, possibly automated, of the surrounding green spaces or of plants installed on balconies for example.

[0026] Furthermore, the installation of the invention is environmentally friendly. The installation of the invention combines aesthetics and eco-responsible design and is part of a logic of preserving global water resources, without however compromising the safety, comfort and water usage needs of the population, particularly those in densely populated areas.

[0027] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments and variants, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig. 1] represents a schematic perspective view of a building equipped with a wastewater treatment installation according to the invention,

[0029] [Fig. 2] represents a functional schematic view of a domestic water treatment installation of the invention,

[0030] [Fig. 3] represents a schematic top view of an embodiment of the phytoremediation treatment module,

[0031] [Fig. 4] represents a schematic sectional view along AA of the phyto-purification water treatment module, shown in Figure 3,

[0032] Fig. 5] is a perspective view of an overflow means forming part of the module of Figures 3 and 4.

[0033] In this application, the term "building" mainly and preferably designates collective buildings, such as residential, tertiary or professional buildings, but can also designate individual buildings, such as individual houses.

[0034] Similarly, the term "household water" refers to slightly polluted water from showers, sinks, washing machines, dishwashers, without fecal or urinary contamination, in a generally liquid form but which may contain solid compounds, such as food or organic waste / residues, hair, fur, natural or synthetic fibers.

[0035] In this document, the term "pre-treated water" means water that has undergone pre-treatment aimed at eliminating, advantageously by mechanical filtration, coarse solid or viscous materials in flotation, in suspension, including also excess fats and oils. Such pretreatment may or may not be useful or necessary depending on the nature and quality of the wastewater to be treated.

[0036] Similarly, the term "purified water" refers to pre-treated water, after passing through the phyto-purification treatment module, which has undergone phyto-purification treatment. Phyto-purification is a water purification treatment involving water decontamination by adapted plants and by microorganisms associated with the root systems of these plants. Examples of implementation of phyto-purification are described in particular in documents US 6277274, FR 2942791 and WO 2021 / 018629.

[0037] The term "treated water" herein refers to the water purified within the storage means after application of the microbiological disinfection means. The treated water has, for application in France of the invention, a microbiological quality meeting the standard of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the Order of August 2, 2010 relating to the use of water from the treatment of urban wastewater for the irrigation of crops or green spaces and the French Order of January 11, 2007 relating to the quality limits and references of raw water and water intended for human consumption mentioned in Articles R. 1321-2, R. 1321-3, R. 1321-7 and R. 1321-38 of the French Public Health Code.In the context of an application of the invention in another country, the treated water ET will have a microbiological quality meeting the regulations and health criteria in force locally by a corresponding adaptation of the means of the invention, which is within the reach of those skilled in the art having knowledge of the present invention.

[0038] Generally speaking and regardless of the country in which the invention is implemented, the “treated water” obtained at the end of treatment by installation 1 has at least a concentration of pollutants and microorganisms acceptable for: - be discharged directly into nature (watering or irrigation), without risking polluting the environment, in particular the water table, and / or, - return to a residential network and supply toilet flushes, when local regulations allow it.

[0039] As visible in Figure 1 or Figure 2, the present invention relates to a treatment installation 1 for EM wastewater from a building 2, characterized in that it comprises: - means 3 for collecting EM wastewater, a pre-treatment module 4 configured to transform said EM wastewater into EP pre-treated water, - a phyto-purification treatment module 6, positioned at roof level 21 of building 2 and configured to transform pre-treated EP water into purified EE water, - a means 8 for storing said purified water EE, advantageously equipped with a microbiological disinfection means 9 configured to transform the purified water EE into treated water ET, and - means 10 for recirculating the purified water EE, or where appropriate the treated water ET, in at least one internal or local circuit B1 for reuse of said purified water EE or treated water ET inside or around said building 2, and / or for discharging said purified water EE or treated water ET, by default or by excess, into an external network B for sanitation or wastewater evacuation - the phytoremediation treatment module 6 comprising at least one planted filter 62 with saturated-unsaturated flow.

[0040] Treatment plant 1 has a simple structural configuration with a reduced number of means, but nevertheless allows the transformation of EM wastewater, in particular of the domestic wastewater type, at least into purified water EE, preferably into treated water ET of sufficient microbiological quality for use both internally in the building and in its surrounding space.

[0041] The phyto-purification treatment module 6, which is the component occupying the most ground surface, is installed on the roof 21. Thus, since the treatment installation 1 is preferably deployed mainly on the top of the building (flat roof 21), its deployment on the ground is thus limited, which favors the release of space and the possibilities for developing natural areas in the urban landscape near the building, in addition to providing a green space at roof level 21. Conversely, by installing only the phytoremediation treatment module 6 on the roof, the roof structure and the load-bearing elements of the building are not excessively stressed. In particular, the pretreatment module 4 (with its buffer storage tank 42) and the storage means 8, and possibly other constituent elements of the installation 1 (other than the module 6), can be arranged in a room or equivalent space T in the basement of the building 2 comprising the installation 1 (see figures 1 and 2).

[0042] The hydraulic operating principle of the or each planted filter 62 is of the unsaturated / saturated type. During the supply phases, the water flows vertically and by gravity into the porosity of the filter bed 622 planted with plants 623 of the planted filter 62 concerned, until the porosity of said bed is saturated over a variable height depending on the volume of water to be treated. Saturation associated with a hydraulic residence time contributes to the purification performance of the planted filter 62.

[0043] When the treatment is completed (by measuring a residence time), the planted filter 62 in question is completely or partially emptied, thus allowing its reoxygenation. The alternation of filling and emptying phases, preferably associated with a supply by tanks, makes it possible to vary the oxygenation conditions in said filter and therefore to establish aerobic / anaerobic conditions in the filter, favorable to the treatment. A more precise description of this mode of operation of a planted filter 62 implemented within the framework of the invention is presented below.

[0044] Treatment plant 1, in addition to preserving the environment by reusing available water resources, helps to guarantee the quality of treated water for the intended use. In addition, treatment plant 1 helps improve the quality of the atmosphere in the city and contributes to decontamination and improving the aesthetics of the urban landscape, particularly by allowing the development and growth of plants on the roofs of buildings.

[0045] Installation 1 integrates a pretreatment module 4 and a storage means 8. In addition, to ensure the circulation of water between the different components functionalities of the installation 1, the latter may include, in addition to the means 3 for collecting wastewater EM, also means 5 for transferring pre-treated water EP and / or means 7 for collecting and transporting purified water EE.

[0046] It can be noted that by using gravity pre-filtration and free-flow filtration through a planted filter, only limited energy consumption (lifting) is required for these two functions.

[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, also emerging from figures 1 and 2, the installation 1 comprises more precisely: - means 3 for collecting EM wastewater, in particular at least EM household wastewater, configured to supply the pre-treatment module 4, - means 5 for transferring the pre-treated EP water (from module 4) to the phyto-purification treatment module 6, these transfer means 5 advantageously comprising at least one self-cleaning lifting pump 51 associated with a lifting column 52, - means 7 for collecting the purified water EE and transporting it to the storage means 8 equipped with the means 9 for microbiological disinfection transforming the purified water EE into treated water ET, - means 10 for recirculating said treated water AND in at least one circuit B1 for supplying toilet flushes in building 2 and / or at least one device for watering or irrigating crops, for example plants, planters and / or cultivated or ornamental green spaces, located in or around said building 2, and / or for discharging the treated water AND into the external sanitation or wastewater evacuation network B, i.e. normally the public network.

[0048] Preferably, the means 5 for transferring the pre-treated water EP to the phyto-purification treatment module 6 are configured and controlled to provide a tank feed to the planted filter(s) 62 and the means 7 for collecting the purified water EE and conveying it to the storage means 8 are configured and controlled to provide, in a controlled manner or at regular intervals corresponding to a pre-programmed residence time, partial or total emptying of the purified water EE from the planted filter(s) 62, resulting in the aforementioned alternation of filling and emptying phases of the phyto-purification treatment module 6.

[0049] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, visible in figures 1 and 2, the pre-treatment module 4, preferably positioned within the lower part or the cellar of the building 2, for example in a technical room T in the basement together with the storage tank 8 and possibly at least part of their accessory equipment, comprises: - at least one separation means 41 configured to separate the EM wastewater from solid waste, in particular food or organic waste, for example a self-cleaning separator filter, possibly a swirl filter, and, - at least one means 42 for storing waste water EM, possibly equipped with a mechanical filtration means 43, such as a pre-filtration tank equipped with ventilation vents and overflows opening onto the sanitation network B, the evacuation of which is preferably directed by gravity towards the transfer means (5).

[0050] Positioned in the lower part of building 2, the pretreatment module 4 is easy to access for an operator, particularly in the event of an inspection, and allows the recovery of wastewater from the heights of building 2 by simple gravity effect, without the need for an additional energy-consuming movement device.

[0051] In addition, placing the pretreatment module 4 inside building 2 protects it against bad weather and climatic agents, and in particular freeze-thaw phenomena, and ensures its preservation over time.

[0052] Furthermore, the positioning in the lower part of building 2 of the pretreatment module 4 facilitates the discharge of solid waste, of the food type, directly into the evacuation network provided for this purpose, after the separation operation via the separation means 41.

[0053] According to the invention, the separation means 41 physically separates, by mechanical means, the solid waste from the liquid EM wastewater. Different means known to those skilled in the art for achieving this separation can be implemented.

[0054] According to an embodiment compatible with the previous example, the separation means 41 comprises at least one self-cleaning separator filter. The latter makes it possible to roughly separate the conveyed solid waste from the liquid fraction of the EM wastewater, in particular of the food waste type.

[0055] After separation by the separation means 41, the solid waste is directed into the sanitation network B by any known suitable means and the waste water EM is directed to at least one storage means 42 by any known means of the conduit or pipe type.

[0056] According to the invention, said at least one storage means 42 is intended for storing EM wastewater before its transfer to the phytoremediation treatment module 6. For example, the storage means may consist of a storage tank or vat.

[0057] According to a particular embodiment compatible with the previous examples, the storage means 42 is provided with a mechanical filtration means 43 allowing additional filtration of the EM wastewater and their separation from solid waste. In addition, this storage means 42 is constructively configured to prevent the development of flies, mosquitoes and other harmful insects.

[0058] As visible in Figure 2, the storage means 42 consists for example of a pre-filtration tank 42 provided with at least one mechanical separation filter 43 of the granular filter type making it possible to separate the EM wastewater from the solid food waste by vertical filtration through the granular material.

[0059] According to the invention, the mechanical separation filter 43 is configured to separate the EM wastewater from its solid waste more finely than the separation means 41.

[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment of the treatment installation 1 compatible with the previous examples, the installation 1 may comprise means for dispersing and distributing the pretreated water (PE) on the surface 61 at the level of the phyto-purification treatment module 6. In addition, it may be provided that the transfer means 5 comprise at least one self-cleaning lifting pump 51 associated with a lifting column 52, which opens onto said surface dispersion and distribution means 61 which preferably ensure a substantially homogeneous distribution over the entire surface area of ​​the module 6. These means 61 may, for example, in a non-limiting manner, consist of nozzles with extended angular spraying.

[0061] According to a particular embodiment, the lifting column 52 is configured and sized to allow the creation of a Venturi effect during the transfer of the EP pre-treated water to the phyto-purification treatment module 6, so as to create oxygenation of the EP pre-treated water within the lifting column 52. This oxygenation creates microbubbles in the EP pre-treated water and also makes it possible to homogenize its transfer and its distribution speed within the lifting column 52, so as to discharge this water according to a homogeneous distribution and flow through the dispersion means 61.

[0062] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the dispersion means 61 consist of at least one spreading system. For example and as visible in FIG. 3, the spreading system consists of a network of spreading booms opening onto dispersion nozzles arranged so as to cover the entire surface of the phytoremediation treatment module 6 with the pretreated water EP, and this in a homogeneous manner.

[0063] According to an example of the installation 1 compatible with the previous provisions, the phyto-purification treatment module 6, positioned on the roof 21 of the building 2, comprises: - at least one planted filter 62 with combined vertical + horizontal flow (or also referred to as unsaturated - saturated flow) the supply of pretreated water EP to this (these) filter(s) being for example carried out by means 61 of dispersion and surface distribution (means 61 = spray nozzles distributed over the surface of the planted filter(s) 62 and supplied by a suitable network of conduits - example figure 3), and - overflow means 63.

[0064] The planted filter 62 may comprise a single filter bed 622, or possibly at least two filter beds 622, for example arranged and supplied in parallel, or then arranged in series.

[0065] The phyto-purification treatment module 6 positioned on the roof 21 makes it possible to improve the aesthetics of the local urban landscape and to benefit from a functional green space that is easily accessible by an operator, and possibly by residents, without encroaching on spaces in the building that are useful for other purposes.

[0066] In addition, the rooftop phytoremediation treatment module 6 allows for the recovery and treatment of rainwater in addition to pre-treated EP water. Rainwater harvesting is a positive and environmentally responsible way of managing water available to humans and thus helps to preserve water resources.

[0067] As seen in Figure 3 or Figure 4, the treatment module 6 comprises at least one planted filter 62 with saturated-unsaturated flow allowing biological purification in fine granular media. The operating principle of the planted filter of the module 6 lies in hydraulic management (filling / emptying) of the basin containing it, which results in an alternation of saturation phases (anaerobic) and oxygenation phases (aerobic).

[0068] The planted filter 62 comprises either a single bed 622 as shown in Figures 3 and 4, or at least two filter beds 622 positioned in parallel and supplied in parallel, the whole being installed in a single compartmentalized basin thus forming a unitary module 6, or in several separate basins, thus constituting a planted filter with a modular structure, easily adaptable to variable needs. The filtration of the pretreated water EP is carried out through the filter bed(s) 622. The or each filter bed 622 is preferably made up of a filtration medium based on inert aggregates (for example based on carbon), of different particle sizes, in which helophyte plants 623 develop predominantly or exclusively, such as for example reeds.

[0069] The nature and choice of the filtration medium forming the or each filter bed 622, that is to say essentially inert aggregates, as well as the nature of the plants 623, can be defined by those skilled in the art depending on the quantity of water to be treated, the desired filtration capacities and the quality of the desired purified water EE.

[0070] The principle of water treatment by phytopurification is based on the development of a dense network of rhizomes of helophyte plants which provides the filter bed(s) 622 with a microbial growth support participating in the water purification process.

[0071] The presence of helophyte plants 623 plays a mechanical role in unclogging the surface of the filter bed and promotes the percolation of the pre-treated water EP from the dispersion means 61 into the inert granulate filtration media. The pre-treated water EP will be drained along the roots towards the base of the filter bed 622 concerned, while the suspended solids will be retained on the surface, then mineralized in aerobic conditions during the emptying phases of the bed in order to serve as a nutrient for the plants.

[0072] In addition to the physicochemical retention of pollutants in the pre-treated EP water on the surface of the filter bed 622 concerned, water purification is reinforced by the microbiological activity of the rhizome of the plants 623.

[0073] In fact, the microorganisms of the rhizosphere have a biological purification action, they: - consume or at least degrade the organic matter dissolved in the pre-treated EP water, and - participate in the degradation of nitrogen compounds, phosphates or other trace elements, as well as the development mechanism of plants, and where appropriate even heavy metals can be converted into less toxic forms.

[0074] Thus, the structure of the phyto-purification treatment module 6 through the planted filter 62 with its filter bed(s) 622 planted with plants 623 makes it possible to transform the pre-treated water EP into purified water EE.

[0075] According to the invention, in order to guarantee obtaining purified water EE at the outlet of the phyto-purification pre-treatment module 6, a planted filter 62 with saturated-unsaturated flow is chosen which is made up of either a single filter bed 622 planted with plants 623, or at least two filter beds 622 planted with hydraulically separated plants 623, arranged in parallel (forming two sub-modules arranged constructively and functionally in parallel and together corresponding to a stage) and operating alternately. Optionally at least two planted filters 62, forming two stages of the module 6 arranged in series, can be envisaged depending on the treatment and operation sought.

[0076] The implementation of the planted filter 62 with saturated-unsaturated flow is advantageously based on a supply of tarpaulins (sequentially alternating) and homogeneous on the surface of the filter bed 622, or of one or other of the two filter beds 622 arranged in parallel of the same stage of the planted filter 62 (which may possibly comprise at least two filtration stages in series).

[0077] Thus, in the event of the presence of two filter beds 62, the pre-treated water EP arrives via the dispersion means 61 alternately on one or the other of the filter beds 622. Consequently, with a planted filter with saturated-unsaturated flow, one of the filter beds 622 will be in the “rest phase” without discharge of pre-treated water EP, while the other will be in the “feed phase” with a continuous discharge of pre-treated water EP. For a planted filter 6 with a single filter bed 622, these two phases follow one another sequentially.

[0078] In the filter bed 622 in the "feed phase", the pretreated EP water percolates through the filter media of aggregates and rhizome for a predefined residence time to exit in the form of purified water EE. Simultaneously and in parallel, the other filter bed 622 is in the "rest phase", i.e. in draining, without supply of pretreated EP water.

[0079] The "resting phase" of a filter bed 622 allows suspended matter accumulated during a previous "feeding phase" to dry and mineralize. The resting phase is necessary to promote the regeneration process of its filtering properties by ensuring that the aerobic treatment conditions of the filter bed in question are maintained.

[0080] In the case of a single 622 filter bed, the two phases (feed and rest) necessarily follow one another sequentially.

[0081] In the phytoremediation treatment module 6, the "rest phases" and "feed phases" with a defined "residence time" are important for its proper functioning, reliability and durability over time, and result in an alternation of saturation phases (anaerobic) and oxygenation phases (aerobic).

[0082] For the purposes of the invention, the “residence time” corresponds to the time required to treat the pre-treated water EP and transform it into purified water EE, i.e. the time during which the pre-treated water EP is in contact with the filter bed 622 depending on its size and the content of the filter medium (granulate + plant rhizomes).

[0083] Of course, and although the present invention relates more particularly to a module 6 with a single planted filter 62, several planted filters 62 can be operated in parallel or in series according to other variant embodiments of the module 6 of the invention, not shown.

[0084] According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in the attached figures, the phyto-purification treatment module (6) comprises a single planted filter (62) which comprises a single filter bed (622) planted with plants (623) and subjected to alternating phases of filling and partial or total emptying.

[0085] According to a second embodiment of the invention, not specifically shown but which can be easily deduced from the attached figures, the phyto-purification treatment module (6) comprises at least two planted filters (62), either arranged in series and thus forming two successive filtration stages of the module (6), or arranged and supplied in parallel, the two planted filters (62) then being subjected alternately to successive phases of filling and partial or total emptying.

[0086] In the two aforementioned modes, it may be provided, as an alternative to the presence of a single filter bed, that the or each planted filter (62) of the phytoremediation treatment module (6) comprises at least two filter beds (622) planted with plants (623), which are positioned in parallel and supplied with parallel, these filter beds (622) being installed in a single compartmentalized basin thus forming a planted filter (62) with a unitary structure, or in several separate basins, thus constituting a planted filter (62) with a modular structure, the different filter beds being advantageously supplied and drained alternately between them.

[0087] As a practical example of the production of a phyto-purification treatment module 6, shown in Figures 3 and 4, the latter may comprise at least one phyto-purification basin with a total height or depth of approximately 30 cm which contains a planted filter 62 which constitutes the biological treatment system. The bottom of the filter bed 622 of said filter is preferably of zero slope.

[0088] The filter bed 622, also forming a growth substrate for the planted plants 623, has a height or depth of approximately 20 cm and incorporates added, inert, small-sized mineral aggregates. The planted filter 62 is supplied with pre-treated grey water EP via a specific irrigation system (dispersion means 61 supplied by the transfer means 5 over the entire surface of the planted filter 62. The maximum loading height in this example is 20 cm (maximum height of the water level in the filter bed). Beyond this height, an overflow system 63 allows the surplus water generated by an unusually high supply or intense rainfall events to be evacuated to the wastewater network (network B).

[0089] The filter bed 62 is planted with plants 623 belonging to rustic marsh species, called macrophytes of helophyte types, selected for example from Iris, Carex, Rushes, Common Loosestrife, Meadowsweet. These particular species, mainly emerged with their feet in the water, accept regular variations in water height.

[0090] The filter bed 62 is supplied intermittently to promote its reoxygenation, the residence time of the water in the filter bed 62 is advantageously at least 4 hours. The transfer by gravity of the purified water EE at the outlet of the filter bed 62 to the storage tank 8 can, for example, be controlled either actively by the intermittent opening of a controlled discharge 7, 71, or passively by means of a hydraulic device of the so-called “bell siphon” type.

[0091] As a practical example, the filter bed 62 may comprise plants 623 fixed aerobically on a fine support, for example 20 cm of pozzolan with a grain size of 3 / 6 mm. The flow is of the combined type, namely vertical (upper fraction of the filter bed 62) and horizontal (lower fraction of the filter bed 62). The supply of pre-treated grey water EP is carried out by controlled successive tanks, the emptying being controlled for example by means of a controlled or programmed solenoid valve 71. The alternating operation of the filter (in particular with the absence of supply during the night, associated with saturation and emptying phases) leads to the control of the development of the biomass of the planted filter 62.

[0092] According to the invention, the dispersion means 61 of the phyto-purification pre-treatment module 6 carry out the spreading (extended surface sprinkling) of the pre-treated EP water on the filter bed 622 in the “feed phase”. Advantageously, and in addition to the effect of alternating the covers, the spreading also contributes to the oxygenation of the filter medium, which promotes the growth of rhizosphere microorganisms and contributes to the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms and water pollutants.

[0093] According to the invention, the treatment installation 1 comprises means for managing and controlling the supply and spreading of the pre-treated water EP on the filter bed(s) 622 of the phyto-purification treatment module 6.

[0094] In order to compensate for a rainy episode and the accumulation of rainwater in the filter bed(s) 622, in addition to the pre-treated water EP, the phyto-purification treatment module 6 also comprises an overflow means 63, visible in Figure 4 and specifically represented in Figure 5.

[0095] This overflow means 63 allows passive management of the quantity of water volume present within the filter beds 622. Thus, in the event of excessive rain likely to hinder the purification process within the phyto-purification treatment module 6, in particular by saturation of the filter beds 622, the overflow means 63 allows either the excess water to be stored until the end of the rainy episode, or to be evacuated to the external sanitation network B.

[0096] According to a particular embodiment visible in figures 4 and 5, the overflow means 63 is in the form of a hollow sealed box (or chute) arranged in the module 6 and forming a retention dam at the outlet of said module 6. It is equipped with orifices located at one or more predefined and calibrated heights to regulate the evacuation and also prevent the penetration of residues, in particular of the leaf, substrate or root debris type, into the box.

[0097] According to another possible characteristic of the invention, compatible with the preceding examples and embodiments, the means for collecting and conveying 7 the purified water EE are present at the outlet of the at least two filter beds 622, preferably at the outlet of the overflow means 63 collecting the water having passed through said filter beds 622. These means for collecting and conveying 7 advantageously comprise means for managing the residence time 71 of the pretreated water EP within the phyto-purification treatment module 6.

[0098] For example, according to a particular embodiment visible in Figure 4, the collection and routing means 7 comprise collection drains with slots facing downwards of the phyto-purification treatment module 6, possibly connected to aeration chimneys 72 and a solenoid valve 71 controlled to manage the residence time of the pre-treated water EP in the filter bed 622.

[0099] Opening the solenoid valve 71 allows the purified water EE produced to be transferred from the phyto-purification treatment module 6 to the tank-type storage means 8. Closing the solenoid valve 71 allows the water to be kept within the phyto-purification treatment module 6 at least for the residence time necessary for the purification of the pre-treated water EP via the filter bed 622.

[0100] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the residence time management means 71, for example of the solenoid valve type 71, are associated with mechanical filtration means, for example of the screen filter type, so as to avoid the discharge into the storage means 8 of purified water EE comprising solid compounds originating in particular from the filter mass 622.

[0101] As visible in Figure 2, the storage means 8 comprises a storage tank which is arranged at the outlet of the phyto-purification treatment module 6 and which is equipped with a microbiological disinfection means 9 allowing the transformation of the purified water EE leaving the module 6 into treated water ET respecting the criteria of the health regulations in force locally, taking into account the intended use.

[0102] According to an exemplary embodiment of the storage means 8, compatible with the aforementioned examples, the latter comprises a means for managing the volume and regulating the water supply.

[0103] For example, the means for managing the volume and regulating the supply of the quantity of water comprises a pressure switch intended to manage the supply of the storage means 8 either by water purified EE by phyto-purification, or by water C from the city network. Indeed, the storage means 8 must comprise a sufficient volume of water for the actuation of the microbiological disinfection means 9, and therefore, in the event of insufficient volume, the pressure switch makes it possible to supplement the storage means 8 with water C from the public drinking water network, or even from another source, natural or not.

[0104] According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, compatible with the aforementioned examples visible in FIG. 2, the microbiological disinfection means 9 comprises a means 91 for injecting a disinfection solution and a means 92 for controlling the degree of disinfection 92 of the purified water EE.

[0105] According to a particular embodiment visible in Figure 2, the injection means 91 comprises a piston or pump for injecting a disinfection solution which consists, for example, of hydrogen peroxide in the form of a hydrogen peroxide solution. The oxygenation of the purified water EE contained in the storage means 8 allows its immediate disinfection so as to obtain treated water ET of microbiological quality meeting the standards of the ARS, for its use in the flushing of the toilets of the building 2 or in the watering network of the green spaces.

[0106] As seen in Figure 2, according to a particular variant embodiment, compatible with the previous examples, the means 92 for controlling the disinfection of purified water EE includes a means of continuously checking the operating status of the means 91 for injecting a disinfection solution.

[0107] For example, the means for continuously checking the operating state of the injection means 91 consists of a module for controlling the volume of disinfection solution injected into the storage means 8, which is equipped with a signaling device in the event of insufficient quantity of disinfection solution in the storage means 8.

[0108] Thus, the disinfection control means 91 makes it possible to guarantee adequate treatment of the purified water EE to obtain treated water ET of microbiological quality meeting the standards in force, for its revalorization in the B1 circuit for supplying toilet flushes or watering crops for example.

[0109] In the treatment installation 1 of the invention, the microbiological quality of the treated water ET is guaranteed by the proper functioning, preferably continuously, of the microbiological disinfection means 9. The permanent injection of a disinfection solution into the storage means 8 makes it possible to disinfect and treat the purified water EE to transform it into treated water ET. Consequently, the microbiological quality of the treated water ET is ensured by the disinfection control means 92 which continuously controls and verifies the proper functioning of the injection means 91 so as to adjust the volume of injection solution in the event of a failure.

[0110] Thus, according to the invention, the microbiological disinfection means 9 is configured to ensure a microbiological quality of the treated water (ET) in accordance with the criteria of the health regulations in force taking into account the intended use.

[0111] According to a possible optional characteristic of the treatment installation 1 of the invention, compatible with the aforementioned examples, the discharge and / or recirculation means 10 may comprise an additional means of verifying the microbiological quality of the treated water ET.

[0112] The presence of an additional means of verifying the microbiological quality of the treated water ET leaving the storage means 8 and circulating in the distribution means 10 is an additional guarantee that the treated water ET meets the standards or regulations in force at the place of use. implementation of the invention. In particular, it makes it possible to verify that microbiological contamination has not occurred during circulation in the distribution means 10.

[0113] For example, the additional means of verifying the microbiological quality of the treated water ET consists of at least one means of taking water samples, present on the distribution means 10. The sampling allows the microbiological analysis of the treated water to verify that it meets the standards. Advantageously, the sampling means is positioned upstream of a multi-way valve connected both to the external sanitation network B and to the circuit B1 supplying the toilet flushes or watering devices of the building 2, so as to be able to direct the water according to the sample result selectively towards the appropriate network, with of course a preference for circuit B1 if the standard conditions are respected.

[0114] If, after verification by taking a water sample, the water quality meets the microbiological standards in force, the water is directed to circuit B1 supplying the toilet flushes or watering devices of building 2 via a multi-way valve.

[0115] On the contrary, if after verification, the quality of the water does not meet the microbiological standards in force, for example following contamination having occurred in the distribution means 10, the water is directed towards the external sanitation network B by the multi-way valve.

[0116] According to another example of possible development of the treatment installation 1, compatible with the previous examples, the discharge and / or recirculation means 10 comprise a network of pipes configured to direct the treated water ET towards the supply circuit(s) B1 of the toilet flushes of the building 2 and / or of at least one device for watering plants and / or green spaces located in or around said building 2, and / or towards the external sanitation or wastewater evacuation network B.

[0117] According to another possible additional characteristic of the invention, the means 10 for discharging and / or recirculating further comprise at least upstream of the B1 circuit supplying flush toilets and / or local watering devices, additional mechanical filtration means 101.

[0118] According to a particular embodiment of the treatment installation 1, and in particular to guarantee the safety of people, the additional mechanical filtration means 101 are for example in the form of a sieve filter (for example filtration at 150 microns) and / or a zeolite filter (for example filtration at 50 microns), visible in figure 2.

[0119] In accordance with the invention, for use in the supply circuit B1 of the toilet flushes, it is necessary to install the additional mechanical filtration means 101 in order to comply with the water quality standards in force.

[0120] Preferably, the additional mechanical filtration means 101 are present at least upstream of said supply circuit B1 for the toilet flushes of the building 2 or the watering devices for the green spaces, so as to guarantee by an additional means the quality of the treated water AND intended for this use.

[0121] These additional means of mechanical filtration 101 therefore make it possible to filter the treated water ET one last time, ensuring the safety of the water purification and disinfection operation, in order to secure their use by guaranteeing their microbiological quality, before their transfer to the supply circuit B1.

[0122] According to another possible advantageous development of the treatment installation 1, the pre-treatment module 4, of which the or a storage means 42 of the waste water EM, and / or the storage means 8 of the purified water (EE) preferably forms part, comprise(s) at least one overflow evacuation system.

[0123] The overflow drainage system allows excess water to be discharged into the sanitation network B so as to avoid saturation or overflow of the storage means 42 or 8 and a malfunction of the treatment installation 1.

[0124] Treatment plant 1 therefore makes it possible to transform EM wastewater from a building into treated water AND of sufficient microbiological quality for its use in a B1 recirculation supply circuit, local equipment, such as toilet flushes in building 2 concerned or watering systems for green spaces, while minimally altering the environment outside the building, favoring eco-responsible means which contribute to the decontamination of the atmosphere in urban areas.

[0125] The invention also relates, as shown schematically in Figure 1, to a building 2, in particular a tertiary or residential building, catering or collective housing, characterized in that it comprises an installation 1 for treating EM wastewater, in particular or exclusively of the household wastewater type, produced by its occupants, as described above.

[0126] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation for treating (1) waste water (EM) from a building (2), characterized in that it comprises: - means (3) of collecting wastewater (EM), - a pre-treatment module (4) configured to transform said wastewater (EM) into pre-treated water (EP), - a phyto-purification treatment module (6), positioned at the roof level (21) of the building (2) and configured to transform pre-treated water (EP) into purified water (EE), - a means (8) for storing said purified water (EE), advantageously equipped with a microbiological disinfection means (9) configured to transform the purified water (EE) into treated water (ET), and - means (10) for recirculating the purified water (EE), or where appropriate the treated water (ET), in at least one internal or local circuit (B1) for reuse of said purified water (EE) or treated water (ET) inside or around said building (2), and / or for discharging said purified water (EE) or treated water (ET), by default or by excess, into an external network (B) for sanitation or wastewater evacuation, the treatment module (6) comprising at least one planted filter (62) with saturated-unsaturated flow.

2. Treatment installation (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises more precisely: - means (3) for collecting wastewater (WW), in particular at least household wastewater (WW), preferably by gravity effect, configured to feed the pre-treatment module (4), - means (5) for transferring pre-treated water (PE) to the phyto-purification treatment module (6), these transfer means (5) advantageously comprising at least one self-cleaning lifting pump (51) associated with a lifting column (52), - means (7) for collecting purified water (EE) and transporting it to the storage means (8) equipped with the microbiological disinfection means (9) transforming the purified water (EE) into treated water (ET), - means (10) for recirculating said treated water (ET) in at least one circuit (B1) supplying toilet flushes of the building (2) and / or at least one device for watering or irrigating crops, for example plants, planters and / or cultivated or ornamental green spaces, located in or around said building (2), and / or for discharging the treated water (ET) into the external sanitation or wastewater evacuation network (B). [Claim s] Treatment installation (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lifting column (52) is configured and sized so as to create a Venturi effect during the transfer of the pre-treated water (EP) to the phyto-purification treatment module (6), so as to create oxygenation of the pre-treated water (EP) within said lifting column (52).

4. Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pre-treatment module (4), positioned within the lower part or the cellar of the building (2), for example in a technical room (T) in the basement together with the storage tank (8) and possibly at least part of their accessory equipment, comprises: - at least one separation means (41) configured to separate wastewater (WW) from solid waste, in particular food or organic waste, and, - at least one means of storage (42) for waste water (EM), possibly equipped with a mechanical filtration means (43), the evacuation of which is preferably directed by gravity towards the transfer means (5). [Claim s] Treatment installation (1), according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the separation means (41) comprises at least one self-cleaning separator filter, for example of the swirl type. [Claim s] Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises, at the level of the phytopurification treatment module (6), means for dispersing and distributing the pretreated water (EP) on a surface (61).

7. Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the supply of the filter(s) planted (62), with combined flow [vertical + horizontal], is produced by means (61) of dispersion and surface distribution, the treatment module (6) also comprising overflow means (63). [Claim s] Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means (5) for transferring the pre-treated water (EP) to the phyto-purification treatment module (6) are configured and controlled to carry out a tank feed of the planted filter(s) (62) and in that the means (7) for collecting the purified water (EE) and conveying it to the storage means (8) are configured and controlled to carry out, in a controlled manner or at regular intervals corresponding to a pre-programmed residence time, a partial or total emptying of the purified water (EE) from the planted filter(s) (62), resulting in an alternation of phases of filling and emptying of the phyto-purification treatment module (6).

9. Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the phyto-purification treatment module (6) comprises a single planted filter (62) which comprises a single filter bed (622) planted with plants (623) and subjected to an alternation of filling and partial or total emptying phases.

10. Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the phyto-purification treatment module (6) comprises at least two planted filters (62), either arranged in series and thus forming two successive filtration stages of the module (6), or arranged and supplied in parallel, the two planted filters (62) then being subjected alternately to successive phases of filling and partial or total emptying. [Claim 1 1] Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the or each planted filter (62) of the phyto-purification treatment module (6) comprises at least two filter beds (622) planted with plants (623), which are positioned in parallel and supplied in parallel, these filter beds (622) being installed in a single compartmentalized basin thus forming a planted filter (62) with a unitary structure, or in several separate basins, thus constituting a planted filter (62) with a structure modular, the different filter beds being advantageously supplied and emptied alternately between them.

12. Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the or each filter bed (622) comprises a plant growth substrate (623) of the inert mineral aggregate type, of small size, for example a 20 cm layer of pozzolan or charcoal with a grain size of 3 / 6 mm, and is vegetated with plants (623) belonging to rustic marsh species, called macrophytes of helophyte type, selected for example from Iris, Carex, Rushes, Common Loosestrife, Meadowsweet.

13. Treatment installation (1), according to at least one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the means for collecting and conveying (7) the purified water (EE) present at the outlet of the at least two filter bed(s) (622) comprise means for managing the residence time (71) of the pre-treated water (EP) within the planted filter(s) (62) of the phyto-purification treatment module (6).

14. Treatment installation (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the storage means (8) comprises a means for managing the volume and regulating the water supply.

15. Treatment installation (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the microbiological disinfection means (9) comprises a means (91) for injecting a disinfection solution and a means (92) for controlling the degree of disinfection (92) of the purified water (EE).

16. Treatment installation (1), according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means (92) for controlling the disinfection of the purified water (EE) comprises a means for continuously checking the operating state of the means (91) for injecting a disinfection solution.

17. Treatment installation (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the microbiological disinfection means (9) is configured to ensure a microbiological quality of the treated water (ET) conforming to the criteria of the health regulations in force taking into account the intended use.

18. Treatment installation (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the means (10) for discharging and / or recirculating comprise an additional means for verifying the microbiological quality of the treated water (ET).

19. Treatment installation (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the discharge and / or recirculation means (10) comprise a network of pipes configured to direct the treated water (ET) towards the supply circuit(s) (B1) of the toilet flushes of the building (2) and / or of at least one device for watering plants and / or green spaces located in or around said building (2) and / or towards the external sanitation or wastewater evacuation network (B).

20. Treatment installation (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the means (10) for discharging and / or recirculating further comprise, upstream of said at least one circuit (B1) for supplying flushing toilets and / or local watering devices, additional mechanical filtration means (101) in the form of a sieve filter and / or a zeolite filter.

21. Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the pre-treatment module (4), which preferably includes a means of storing (42) waste water (EM), and / or the means of storing (8) purified water (EP), comprise(s)(d)(nt) at least one overflow evacuation system opening into the sanitation network (B).

22. Treatment installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that only the phyto-purification treatment module (6) is installed on the roof (21) of the building (2), the pre-treatment module (4) with its wastewater buffer storage tank (42) and the storage tank (8) for purified water (EP), and possibly other constituent elements of the installation (1), being arranged in a technical room or the like (T) in the basement of said building (2).

23. Building (2), in particular a tertiary or residential building, catering or collective housing, characterized in that it comprises an installation (1) for treating waste water (EM), in particular or exclusively of the household waste water type, produced by its occupants, according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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