Water treatment system and method

Abstract

Disclosed within is a water treatment system comprising a neutralisation tank 118, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) 114, a sludge drying tank 132 and a clean water tank 106 wherein a flow path suitable for

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to a water treatment system and method of treating gray water. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is desirable to reduce waste water. A significant amount of water is used for low-hazard tasks such as laundry, bathing, cleaning. Following the use of potable water for these tasks, often with detergents and other additives, gray water is produced. Gray water is water that has been used, but is not contaminated with fecal matter (such contaminated water is known as black water).

[0003] Gray water can still present a minor hazard due to having been used in tasks such as cleaning or in other domestic tasks. To maximize the usability of gray water some form of water treatment system is desirable to reduce the impact of the use of constituents of the gray water, such as detergents, when using the gray water for tasks like irrigation where plants or land may be contaminated by such detergents.

[0004] Water treatment is energy intensive and difficult, this makes such treatment uneconomical on a small scale (this could be per household or per group of houses in the case of a shared water treatment system).

[0005] Multiple water treatment systems may be managed by a single entity, however, if such systems are geographically distributed then management becomes increasingly difficult. SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a water treatment system comprising: a neutralisation tank, a membrane bioreactor, a sludge drying tank, a clean water tank, wherein a flow path suitable for water is provided through each of the neutralisation tank, membrane bioreactor, and clean water tank. The water treatment system reduces the amount of soluble compounds and suspended solids in the gray water, yielding cleaner water suitable for domestic reuse, such as for sanitation including toilet flushing and floor cleaning. The system is intended to be self-supporting, avoiding the need for additives to achieve cleaner water.

[0007] Suitably, the water treatment system further comprises an aeration tank, and optionally wherein the aeration tank is located between the neutralisation tank and the membrane bioreactor. The aeration tank passes O2 and / or O3 through the tank. Microbes already present in the gray water degrade the organic matter present. The increased oxygen levels in the tank due to the aerator maximizes the activity of the naturally present microbes, improving digestion. A flocculant and / or other nutrients may be added to the aeration tank to facilitate aggregation of suspended solids and encourage microbe proliferation. Such additives can include enzymes, such as lipase enzymes, protese enzymes, amylase enzymes, cellulase enzymes, xylanase enzymes, xylanase enzymes, ligninase enzymes, pectinase enzymes, sulfatase enzymes, phosphatase enzymes, esterase enzymes with ratio of 1 g / m3 of each of the eleven enzymes used.

[0008] Preferably, the water treatment system further comprises a sand filter tank, and optionally wherein the sand filter tank is located between the membrane bioreactor and the clean water tank. The sand filter tank removed turbidity from the water, increasing the clarity of the treated water. The sand filter tank also acts to reduce pathogenic organisms.

[0009] Appositely, the system further comprises an aerator optionally arranged to aerate one or more of the membrane bioreactor and an aeration tank.

[0010] Suitably, the water treatment system further comprises one or more sensors, and optionally wherein the sensors comprise any of a temperature probe, turbitiy sensor, liquid level sensor, sonar, an oxygen probe, a pH probe, a flow sensor, and further optionally wherein the one or more sensors are arranged in communication with a microcontroller. Sensors embedded within the water treatment system facilitate predictive maintenance by continuously monitoring equipment performance and detecting potential issues before they escalate, thereby minimizing downtime and reducing operational costs

[0011] Preferably, the water treatment system further comprises a screen adjacent an inlet of the water treatment system. The screen removes large solids particles like strips, pens, cane caps and rubble from wastewater that may create problems in operation and maintenance of the treatment plant. This screen may be cleaned manually day by day

[0012] Appositely, the water treatment system further comprises a sludge circulator arranged to extract a sludge from the membrane bioreactor and either return the sludge to the neutralisation tank or to pass the sludge to the sludge drying tank, and optionally or alternatively, wherein the sludge drying tank is arranged to return water to the neutralisation tank. Cycling the sludge through the system maximises the amount of water recovered rather than disposing of the water in the sludge at the sludge drying tank.

[0013] Suitably, the neutralisation tank further comprises an agitator arranged to agitate a contents of the neutralisation tank. The agitator maintains solids in suspension.

[0014] Preferably, the water treatment system comprises gray water to be treated.

[0015] In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating gray water comprising: passing gray water, via a flow path, through: a neutralisation tank a membrane bioreactor a clean water tank; sedimenting and separating a sludge from the gray water and depositing the sludge in a sludge drying tank.

[0016] Suitably, the method further comprises monitoring the method via one or more sensors, and optionally wherein the sensors comprise any of a temperature probe, an oxygen probe, a pH probe, a flow sensor, and further optionally wherein the one or more sensors are arranged in communication with an online network.

[0017] Preferably, the method further comprises bubbling O2 and / or O3 through the gray water, wherein optionally the bubbling occurs in the membrane bioreactor or in an aeration tank.

[0018] Appositely, the method further comprises screening the gray water and / or filtering the gray water in a sand filter tank.

[0019] Suitably, the method comprises circulating sludge, via a sludge circulator, from the membrane bioreactor to either the neutralisation tank or to the sludge drying tank, and optionally or alternatively, returning water from the sludge drying tank to the neutralisation tank.

[0020] Preferably, the one or more sensors are part of an online network, such as the Internet of Things in order to allow remote monitoring and control of the water treatment system. The following are monitored in particular: flow rates, water pressure, and membrane integrity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a water treatment system.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative water treatment system.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a further alternative water water treatment system.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a networked microcontroller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a water treatment system 102 for receiving gray water to be treated. The gray water, collected after use of the water in e.g. Domestic or industrial processes, enters via an inlet 112 and is initially screened to remove larger contaminants or debris such as like strips, pens, cane caps and rubble using a screen 124. Following the screen 124 the gray water passes through a flow sensor 110, which records pressure and / or volume of fluid entering the water treatment system 102. The flow sensor 110 is connected to a microcontroller 116 (discussed later).

[0027] Following the flow sensor 110, the gray water enters a neutralisation tank 118 equipped with an agitator 104 which maintains the contents of the neutralisation tank 118 in suspension in fluid (i.e. Solid particulate matter is not permitted to settle at the bottom of the neutralisation tank 118). Additional sensors 126, such as a temperature probe 134 and pH probe 122 monitor the contents of the neutralisation tank 118. The sensors 126 are connected to the microcontroller 116.

[0028] The neutralisation tank 118 is also adapted to receive fluid from a sludge drying tank 132 and / or other parts of the water treatment system 102, in case such fluid required further treatment.

[0029] Following the neutralisation tank 118 the gray water is pumped, via a pump, into a tank housing one or more membrane bioreactors 114. The pump is controllably connected to the microcontroller 116. The gray water may be detained within the neutralisation tank for around 4 hours.

[0030] The membrane bioreactors 114 uses microfiltration to remove soluble and insoluble compounds in the gray water without additives being introduced to this tank. The natural bacteria of the gray water is encourages to digest the matter available in the gray water. The gray water is detained in this tank for around 16 hours to allow this process to proceed sufficiently. A flow rate of lm3 / Hr is used.

[0031] An aerator may also be fitted with the membrane bioreactors 114 and O2 and / or O3 bubbled through the contents of the tank in order to encourage aerobic digestion.

[0032] Sensors 126 are fitted to the membrane bioreactor 114 tank, such as an oxygen probe 120, temperature probe 134, and pH probe 122. Each of these sensors 126 are connected to the microcontroller 116.

[0033] Following the 16 hour detention, the gray water is further pumped, via a pump, to a clean water tank 106 from the interior, or outlet of, the membrane bioreactors 114. The pump is controllably connected to the microcontroller 116. The clean water tank 106 comprises the treated water and stores the water ready for reuse. The clean water tank 106 is equipped with sensors 126 such as a temperature probe 134, oxygen probe 120, and / or a pH probe 122. The sensors 126 are connected with the microcontroller 116.

[0034] A pump is fluidly connected to the clean water tank so the clean contents of the tank may be pumped out and distributed. The pump is controllably connected to the microcontroller 116. Suitable uses for the treated water include gardening, floor washing, car washing, and toilet flushing / sanitation.

[0035] Residual gray water in the membrane bioreactor tank is further pumped out, via a pump, to a sludge drying tank 132, which allows sedimentation of the solid matter, which can then be disposed of appropriately. The pump is controllably connected to the microcontroller 116. The sludge drying tank 132 also comprises a fluid outlet, so any excess water can be returned to the neutralisation tank 118 for further treatment.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown a water treatment system 202 which shares many of the features of the water treatment system of FIG. 1, which are provided with like labelling. In addition, the water treatment system 202 further comprises a dedicated aeration tank 204. The membrane bioreactor 114 of the water treatment system 202 in FIG. 2 also comprises aerators as described in FIG. 1. The aeration tank 204 further encourages the digestion of the soluble and insoluble constituents of the gray water. The aeration tank 204 is situated between the neutralisation tank 118 and the membrane bioreactor 114, and the gray water is pumped at a rate of lm3 / Hr between the tanks of the water treatment system 202. The aeration tank 204 is equipped with aerators 206 which are connected to a gas input pump, and O2 and / or O3 is bubbled through the contents of the tank in order to encourage aerobic digestion. Mixed liquor suspended solids is maintained at 3500 mg / 1. Nutrients, flocculants, and / or polyelectrolytes are added to the aeration tank 204 to encourage action of the natural microbes and / or precipitation of solids from the gray water.

[0037] The aeration tank 204 is equipped with sensors 126, such as a temperature probe 134, pH probe 122, and oxygen probe 120. The sensors 126 are connected to the microcontroller 116. The gas input pump is controllably connected to the microcontroller 116, such that the rate of gas input may be moderated e.g. to a constant concentration as detected by the e.g. oxygen probe 120. The microcontroller 116 controls the amount of gas introduced to the aeration tank 204 by the gas input pump in response to an output from the sensors 126, such as the oxygen probe 120. Following treatment in the aeration tank 204 the gray water is transferred onwards to the membrane bioreactor 114 tank and the process continues as described above.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 3 there is shown a water treatment system 302 which shares many of the features of the water treatment systems shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which are provided with like labelling. In addition the water treatment system 302 further comprises a sand filter tank 304. The sand filter tank 304 is located between the membrane bioreactor 114 tank and the clean water tank 106. The sand filter tank 304 acts as a fine filter which improves the clarity of the treated water by removing turbidity. The sand filter tank 304 can comprise layers of sand, gravel, and charcoal. Following treatment in the sand filter tank 304 the water is transferred to the clean water tank 106.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 4 there is shown a microcontroller 116 which is in controllable communication with the elements of the water treatment systems shown in each of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3.

[0040] The microcontroller 116 is capable of responding from one or more signals received from the one or more sensors 126 and then controlling the pumps and / or other elements to maintain the water treatment system in an optimum working condition.

[0041] The microcontroller 116 is further connected to an online network 404, such as the internet, intranet, or other private or public network. The microcontroller 116 may upload and / or receive data to or from the online network 404 thereby allowing remote monitoring or control (via sending an appropriate control command to the microcontroller 116 via the online network 404).

[0042] Multiple water treatment systems may be in communication with the online network 404 thereby allowing a single party to monitor and control multiple water treatment systems remotely via the online network 404.

[0043] The microcontroller 116 may receive signals from the sensors 126 and compare the received signals to a threshold value. Deviation of the signal from the threshold value can prompt the microcontroller 116 to send a warning via the online network 404 that the water treatment system required attention or maintenance.

[0044] Furthermore the microcontroller 116 can collect the data from the sensors 126 and transmit that data via the online network 404 for analysis by a remote user or for record keeping. The microcontroller 116 also permits, via the online network 404, adaptive Process Control where operational parameters may be adjusted in response to changing influent characteristics or environmental conditions, ensuring consistent treatment performance under varying operating conditions.

[0045] The hardware item may consist of a data processing terminal.

[0046] The form such data processing terminal may take may be but not exclusively a personal computer, laptop device, netbook, tablet, smartphone or feature phone, radio frequency identification token, key or fob. Such devices containing means to authenticate with the remote device.

[0047] A typical hardware architecture may include by way of non-limitative example, a data processing unit, for instance a general purpose microprocessor, acting as the main controller of the data processing terminal and which is coupled with memory means comprising volatile random-access memory, non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) or a combination thereof.

[0048] The CPU, NVRAM and / or RAM are connected by a data input / output bus, over which they communicate and to which further components of the devices are similarly connected in order to provide functionality and receive user interrupts, inputs, to interface with other devices and receive configuration data.

[0049] User input may be received from a data input interface, which for example may be a keypad, keyboard, capacitive or resistive tough screen display unit.

[0050] Power is supplied to the above components by the electrical circuit of devices, which is interfaced with an internal battery module or a mains electricity power supply.

[0051] The battery module if equipped, may be recharged on an ad hoc basis by an electrical converter.

[0052] The remote devices may be computer terminals with a data processing unit, data outputting means such as a video display unit, universal serial bus (USB) or serial port (RS-232). It will be obvious to one skilled in the are data may be output from such a device by a host of means and that the examples listed here are just a few of such means. The device further comprises monitoring means pertinent to the system or phenomenon the device is devised to monitor. Such monitoring means may include flow meters, cameras, pH meters, volt meters, amp meters, spectrometers or any other such measuring device.

[0053] A user desirous of access to the remote device may interface their device to the remote device by means of a direct cable connection, USB, serial connection, Ethernet connection (network interface connection, NIC), near-field communication, Bluetooth, infrared or any other suitable connection means.

[0054] The memory means of the remote device also stores at least one database which comprises at least user access data. Depending on the specific architecture of the device and the storage requirements of the database, the database may remain stored in hard disk storage and only portions thereof transiently stored in memory.

[0055] The memory further serves to store the operating system of the terminal, which provides the remote device with basic functionality and connectivity.

[0056] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0057] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0058] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

15 04 251. A domestic gray waste water treatment system comprising:a neutralisation tank;a membrane bioreactor arranged to detain a quantity of domestic gray water in the membrane bioreactor for 16 hours;a sludge drying tank;a clean water tank, whereina flow path suitable for water is provided through each of the neutralisation tank, membrane bioreactor, and clean water tank and, whereinthe water treatment system further comprises a sludge circulator arranged to extract a sludge from the membrane bioreactor and return the sludge to the neutralisation tank.

2. The water treatment system of claim 1 further comprising an aeration tank.

3. The water treatment system of claim 2 wherein the aeration tank is located between the neutralisation tank and the membrane bioreactor.

4. The water treatment system of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a sand filter tank.

5. The water treatment system of claim 4, wherein the sand filter tank is located between the membrane bioreactor and the clean water tank.

6. The water treatment system of any one of claim 1 to claim 5 wherein the system further comprises an aerator.

7. The water treatment system of claim 6 wherein the aerator is arranged to aerate one or more of the membrane bioreactor and an aeration tank.

8. The water treatment system of any previous claim further comprising one or more sensors, and wherein the sensors comprise any of a temperature probe, an oxygen probe, a pH probe, a flow sensor.15 04 259. The water treatment system of claim 8, wherein the one or more sensors are arranged in communication with a microcontroller.

10. The water treatment system of any previous claim further comprising a screen adjacent an inlet of the water treatment system.

11. The water treatment system of any previous claim wherein the sludge circulator is further arranged to pass the sludge to the sludge drying tank.

12. The water treatment system of any previous claim wherein the sludge drying tank is arranged to return water to the neutralisation tank.

13. The water treatment system of any previous claim, wherein the neutralisation tank further comprises an agitator arranged to agitate a contents of the neutralisation tank.

14. A method of treating domestic gray water comprising:passing domestic gray water, via a flow path, through:a neutralisation tanka membrane bioreactora clean water tank;sedimenting and separating a sludge from the gray water and depositing the sludge in a sludge drying tank;circulating sludge, via a sludge circulator, from the membrane bioreactor to the neutralisation tank, and whereinthe domestic gray water is detained in the membrane bioreactor for 16 hours.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising monitoring the method via one or more sensors, and wherein the sensors comprise any of a temperature probe, an oxygen probe, a pH probe, a flow sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more sensors are arranged in communication with an online network.

17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16 further comprising bubbling O2 and / or O3 through the domestic gray water.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bubbling occurs in the membrane bioreactor or in an aeration tank.

19. The method of any one of claim 14 to claim 18 further comprising screening the gray water and / or filtering the gray water in a sand filter tank.

20. The method of any one of claim 14 to claim 19 further comprising circulating sludge, via the sludge circulator, from the membrane bioreactor to the sludge drying tank21. The method of any one of claim 14 to claim 20, further comprising returning water from the sludge drying tank to the neutralisation tank.

22. The method of any one of claim 15 to claim 21 wherein the one or more sensors are part of an online network.15 04 25

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