Installation for recovering effluent by suction and management method therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation (1) for recovering effluents by suction from at least one effluent-producing unit (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), such as a boat, a camper van or the like, comprising at least one suction station (2) equipped with pumping means (3); at least a main pipe (4) to which at least one effluent collection terminal (71, 72, 73, 74) is connected; the effluent collection terminal (71, 72, 73, 74) is connected to said main pipe (4) via a motorized valve (8) with which are associated control electronics (9), for controlling opening and closing, which are connected in a wired or wireless manner to at least a main management unit (10) comprising a data recording memory, said collection terminal (71, 72, 73, 74) comprising first connection means for receiving second connection means of an owner's pipe (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) comprised by an effluent-producing unit (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). The invention also relates to a method for managing this installation.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Installation for recovering effluent by suction and its management method

[0001] The present invention relates to an effluent recovery installation by suction and its management method.

[0002] It is particularly applicable to sites where several effluent production units are likely to be installed and which cannot be connected to a gravity-flow sewerage system. This is particularly the case for boats moored in ports or at campervan sites, or even on campsites.

[0003] There are already various solutions in ports for collecting wastewater from boats, particularly from pleasure craft of a certain size.

[0004] For example, there is a collective collection facility at a dedicated quay where boats dock each time they need to empty their effluent recovery tank. While some units rarely go out to sea, they need to start their engines to leave their mooring quay and dock at the collective effluent collection quay for each of these emptying operations.

[0005] An alternative solution to the previous one consists of a specific collection boat moving around the port and collecting, on demand, effluent from pleasure boats directly at their mooring quay.

[0006] Also known from document EP 1 728 933 A1 is an installation for collecting or emptying effluent for marinas, comprising, on the one hand, an effluent collection network formed by conduits running along the pontoons and along the edge of the quays and, on the other hand, at least one collection device in the form of a terminal connected to this emptying collection network and installed at the edge of the quays or pontoons. This terminal accommodates a suction pipe which a user grabs to connect its end to the mouth of the effluent tank of his boat. He then starts the pump that this collection device includes for sucking the effluents from the tank of this boat into said effluent collection network.

[0007] It is understood that such a solution consisting of pumping the effluents from the collection boat requires that the latter be able to ensure the evacuation of these effluents by gravity. Indeed, one can imagine the power required for a pump having to push the effluents taken from a boat into a network which would otherwise be saturated with effluents, not to mention that several pumps can simultaneously discharge the effluents taken from several boats.

[0008] In addition, each of these pumps installed at the edge of the quay or pontoon requires adequate electrical protection taking into account the proximity of the water, knowing also that the power supply of these pumps must in all cases be sufficient to allow them to suck up loaded effluents from the tank of a boat whose depth is generally proportional to the size of the latter.

[0009] Some ports have vacuum effluent recovery facilities comprising, essentially: - a recovery tank for these effluents maintained under negative pressure by means of a vacuum pump; - a main pipeline discharging, at its downstream end, into the recovery tank; - a network of connecting pipes linking several boats directly to the main pipe or via secondary pipes.

[0010] The operating principle of such installations consists of creating a relative vacuum in the effluent recovery tank with the aim of sucking the effluent into the various pipes each time effluent is added to a boat.

[0011] Thus, when an effluent supply occurs from a boat in the connection pipe to which it is connected, it is created, in this connecting pipe, but also in the main pipe a suction corresponding to the volume of effluent supplied.

[0012] Therefore, the effluents in each of the pipes progress according to the effluent supply upstream, at the level of a boat. This supply occurring discontinuously, the progression of these effluents in the various pipes itself takes place discontinuously.

[0013] It is understood that the level of vacuum created in the effluent recovery tank by means of the vacuum pump must be sufficient to ensure the suction of effluent from at least one boat to the effluent recovery tank.

[0014] In reality, given that the supply of effluent to several boats can occur simultaneously, it is necessary to oversize the vacuum pump and / or the vacuum volume in the recovery tank so as to be able to suck up almost instantly a volume of effluent much larger than that which a single boat can deliver.

[0015] Moreover, effluent inputs depend on the occupancy rate of the boats. This occupancy rate can be almost zero off-season and, conversely, very high during the season. While a low-power vacuum pump would be able to easily respond to all situations during periods of low occupancy, it must necessarily be sized to meet the constraints resulting from 100% occupancy.

[0016] In this context, it should be taken into account that by excessively increasing the negative pressure created by the vacuum pump, the pipes, often flexible, are likely to collapse.

[0017] Finally, although these vacuum effluent recovery installations are effective, they also have numerous disadvantages: - they do not have an automatic operating management system; - they do not have an advanced alert and monitoring system; - their processing capacity is defined by the manufacturer and cannot evolve without modifying or changing the performance of the vacuum pumps; - they are sensitive to variations in hourly flows and can quickly be limited in capacity.

[0018] Some ports are completely devoid of any means of recovering the effluent from these pleasure boats, which then have no other solution than to empty into the sea in accordance with the regulations.

[0019] Despite the monitoring measures implemented, the trend toward dumping at shorter distances along the coastline remains strong. In any case, dumping waste at sea, even in regulated areas, is a source of pollution and runs counter to the current commitment to environmental protection.

[0020] In view of the above, there is a need for an effluent collection point at each boat mooring point along a quay or floating pontoon, with the possibility of routing this effluent to a dedicated wastewater treatment plant or an urban collective sanitation network.

[0021] Furthermore, once a boat is connected to a collection point, the emptying of the contents of its effluent storage tank must take place automatically by following a determined emptying sequence at the various collection points or, alternatively, at will, by following this sequence in a controlled manner.

[0022] To this end, the invention relates to an installation for recovering effluent by suction from at least one effluent production unit, such as a boat, a camper van or the like, comprising at least one suction station equipped with pumping means and connected to at least one main pipe connected, directly or indirectly via a secondary pipe, to at least one effluent collection terminal, characterized in that the effluent collection terminal is connected directly or indirectly to said main pipe through a motorized valve with which is associated an opening and closing control electronics connected wired or wirelessly to at least one effluent production unit. main management comprising a data recording memory, said collection terminal comprising first connection means for receiving second connection means of a proprietary pipeline that comprises an effluent production unit

[0023] According to the invention, this installation also includes emptying control means associated with each of the collection terminals.

[0024] Advantageously, each collection terminal comprises retractable closure means comprising second connection means capable of cooperating with the first connection means.

[0025] The invention also relates to a method for managing such an installation, comprising N collection terminals, characterized in that: - the N collection terminals are recorded in a specific order in the memory of the main management unit; - a draining sequence is controlled through the main management unit by executing a draining cycle, successively and in the order of recording, at each of the collection terminals consisting, through the control electronics of the motorized valve of each collection terminal, of controlling the opening of the motorized valve, followed by the effluent draining phase by the pumping means and the closing of said motorized valve.

[0026] The process also optionally provides: - to record in the memory of the main management unit a frequency of execution of the emptying sequence over a specific time slot; - to measure the flow rate of effluent sucked during a drain cycle; - to measure the pressure continuously or discontinuously at least in the main pipeline; - to detect the absence of second means of connection of a proprietary pipeline or of a shutter on the first means of connection of a collection terminal before a drainage cycle; - to detect the absence of effluent flow or an effluent flow below a threshold value during a drain cycle; - to define the frequency of the emptying sequences according to the occupancy rate of the effluent production units connected to the installation; - to interrupt a draining sequence in the event of an automatic and / or manual emergency stop command.

[0027] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will emerge on reading the detailed description below, this description being supplemented by Figure 1 [Fig. 1] which is a schematic diagram of the installation according to the invention.

[0028] The installation 1 for recovering effluents by suction essentially comprises a suction station 2 equipped with pumping means 3. These can take the form of one or more vacuum pumps defined according to the needs, in particular the size of the installation.

[0029] At least one main pipe 4 is connected to this suction station 2, to which at least one collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is connected, in particular through a connection T 5, either directly or through a secondary pipe 6. More precisely, the latter is connected to this secondary pipe 6 or, as the case may be, directly to the main pipe 4 through a motorized valve 8. The latter is associated with an opening and closing control electronics 9 in connection with a main management unit 10.

[0030] If on each secondary pipe 6 of the attached single figure only one collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is connected, the invention is not limited to such a configuration and a secondary pipe 6 is able to connect several of these collection terminals to the main pipe 4.

[0031] A collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 further comprises first connection means for receiving second connection means which comprise a proprietary pipeline which comprises an effluent production unit 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d.

[0032] In the example described below, these effluent production units 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are considered to be boats moored along a quay, a floating or fixed pontoon, etc. Thus, at each location provided on this quay or pontoon a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is installed. A boat, in this case its effluent recovery tank, can be connected to the first connection means of such a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 by means of second connection means fitted to a proprietary pipeline 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d.

[0033] These first and second connection means can take different forms, for example that of fire brigade connectors, also called symmetrical or Guillemin connectors. They can also be in the form of screw connectors, quick-fit connectors, cam connectors, etc.

[0034] Advantageously, each collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is equipped with a shutter capable of replacing the second means of connection of a proprietary pipeline 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d when the latter is disconnected from the collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74. Preferably, this shutter is made integral with a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 by means of flexible connection means, such as a cable or a chain, preventing it from falling into the water inadvertently or being lost in another way once removed from the first means of connection of said terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74. This systematic presence of the shutter on the collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 also serves as a reminder of the obligation to close this terminal. collection 7i, 72, 73, 74 via this shutter once the proprietary pipeline 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d is disconnected.

[0035] By ensuring, in this way, the systematic sealing of a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74, whether through such a seal or a proprietary pipe 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, any risk of accident or suction of any object likely to obstruct the pipes downstream is avoided.

[0036] Optionally, a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 may be provided with means for detecting the absence of a shutter and / or second means for connecting a proprietary pipeline 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d to the first connection means of said collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74. These detection means are advantageously designed to activate means of visual and / or audible signaling and / or to send information to the main management unit 10 preventing the control of an emptying cycle through the collection terminal concerned 7i, 72, 73, 74, as will be explained in more detail in the description which follows.

[0037] Such detection means may take different forms of embodiment, for example that of a switch placed on or near the first connection means of a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74, switch which is activated as long as the second connection means of the shutter are not positioned on these first connection means. This switch may itself be of the mechanical or electronic type.

[0038] Thus, through a proprietary pipeline 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, or even a secondary pipeline 6 and a main pipeline 4 passing through a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 and a motorized valve 8 connecting the latter directly or indirectly to the main pipeline 4, the effluents from a production unit 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, in this case a boat, are likely to be pumped by suction by the pumping means 3 towards the suction station 2.

[0039] These effluents can then be discharged through this same pumping station 2, depending on the case, into a collective sanitation network 13 or into a dedicated treatment station.

[0040] The pumping means 3 of the suction station 2 can also send these effluents into a discharge buffer tank 14 from which they are then taken to be evacuated into this collective sanitation network 13 or towards this dedicated treatment station. The advantage of this second solution consists of a controlled supply of these effluents to the level of this collective sanitation network 13 or even to the level of this dedicated treatment station. Another advantage consists in the fact that polluted effluents, for example by hydrocarbons, can be treated before joining the collective sanitation network 13 or the dedicated treatment station.

[0041] According to the method of implementing this installation 1 for recovering effluents by suction, the suction of effluents from the production units 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d is selectively controlled one after the other according to a determined sequence.

[0042] More precisely, in a first step, a draining cycle is controlled via the main management unit 10 and the control electronics 9 of the motorized valve 8 of a first collection terminal 7i of a set of N collection terminals, corresponding to the opening of the motorized valve 8 of this first terminal 7i, followed by the effluent suction phase by the pumping means 3, then the closing of said motorized valve 8 of said first terminal 7i.

[0043] In particular, it can be determined in different ways that all of the effluent has been sucked up, for example by means of a flow sensor associated with each of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 and / or placed on the secondary pipe 6 to which this terminal is connected and / or on the main pipe 4 and / or at the height of the suction station 2. Another solution consists of detecting a variation in the suction pressure, in this case a reduction in this suction pressure over a determined period of time.

[0044] In a following step, a draining cycle corresponding, again, to the opening of the motorized valve 8 of this second collection terminal 72, followed by the suction phase of the effluents by the pumping means 3, then the closing of said motorized valve 8 of said second terminal 72, is reproduced through the main management unit 10 and the control electronics 9 of the motorized valve 8 of the second collection terminal 72.

[0045] In an installation comprising N collection terminals, a cycle of emptying each of the following collection terminals up to the Nth terminal is carried out in the following steps and successively in a predefined order, via the main management unit 10 and the control electronics 9 of the motorized valve 8 of these collection terminals 73 to 7N.

[0046] Advantageously, the order of the collection terminals (from the first to the Nth) in which the emptying cycles are carried out successively is recorded in the form of an emptying sequence in a memory of the main management unit 10.

[0047] Thus, during the execution of a draining sequence, a draining cycle is successively controlled through each of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 in this predefined order. This sequence can then be repeated according to a frequency and / or in one or more predefined time slots and recorded, for example in a memory of the main management unit 10. However, this frequency and / or this or these time slots are preferably adjustable using a control screen that this central management unit 10 includes or by means of a USB key or equivalent or even by means of a remote processing unit 15 to which this main management unit 10 is connected by means of suitable intercommunication means.

[0048] In particular, the frequency of the emptying sequences can be determined based on the occupancy rate of the effluent production units 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d.

[0049] To return to the order in which the emptying cycles are carried out through the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74, this order may correspond to a numbering of these terminals and / or to an order of installation along quays or pontoons and / or to a decreasing or increasing volume of the effluent tanks of the production units 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and / or to an order of connection of these production units 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d to their respective collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74, etc.

[0050] The order of the emptying cycles during a emptying sequence can also be determined based on the volumes of effluent collected at each of the collection terminals during one or more previous sequences. To the extent that the emptyings occur sequentially and successively, this volume of effluent collected at a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 can be measured directly by a means of suitable measurement, such as a flow sensor. As already explained, such a flow sensor can be placed at each of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 and / or on the secondary pipe 6 and / or on the main pipe 4 connecting such a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 to the suction station 2 and / or at the height of this suction station 2.

[0051] Thus, if zero or almost zero effluent suction is detected through a given collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 during one or more previous sequences, this terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is excluded from one or more subsequent emptying sequences, or even until the identification of a manual command of an emptying cycle, as explained further in this description.

[0052] Note that a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 can be excluded from a drain cycle by programming and / or in the event of detection of a failure of the motorized valve 8 and / or of its control electronics 9 for example and / or in the event of detection of the absence of the second connection means corresponding to a shutter and / or of a proprietary pipe 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d on the first connection means of said collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74.

[0053] According to the invention, the installation 1 also comprises emergency stop control means 15 of the automatic and / or manual type. In particular, this emergency stop control 15 may be in the form of at least one punch-type switch, placed on or near the suction station 2 and / or on all or part of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 and / or near the latter, for example on a quay or a pontoon.

[0054] Such emergency stop control means 15 may also take the form of hydrocarbon detection means equipping each of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 and / or one of the pipes 4, 6 connecting the latter to the suction station 2 and / or on the pipe possibly connecting the suction station 2 to a discharge buffer tank 14 into which the effluents from the emptying cycles are discharged.

[0055] Here again, to the extent that, during a draining sequence, the draining cycles are carried out successively and sequentially, the collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 from which these detected hydrocarbons originate can be identified by the appropriate means. This collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 can then be excluded from the following draining sequences until manual reprogramming at the level of the main management unit 10 or the remote processing unit 15.

[0056] According to the invention, this installation 1 also comprises manual emptying control means 16 associated with each of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74. Such manual emptying control means 16 may take the form of a simple control button placed on a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74, for example on the housing housing the control electronics 9 of the motorized valve 8. These control means 16 may also be in the form of a key switch, a code keypad, an optical reader, a magnetic card reader, or even an RFID card reader.

[0057] The advantage of manual emptying control means 16 of the secure type, with a key, code or other reader, consists in that only the holder of the key, code or a suitable card is able to manually trigger an emptying cycle of the effluent production unit 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d connected to the collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 from which the emptying command is issued.

[0058] This manually controlled emptying cycle can occur immediately after receipt, by the main management unit 10, of said manual emptying command, just as it can be recorded to occur as a priority at the start of a new upcoming emptying sequence and / or, if this command is issued outside of a pre-programmed time slot authorizing the execution of the emptying cycles, at the start of the next dedicated time slot.

[0059] If the manual drain command is generated during a drain sequence, the drain sequence can be interrupted to prioritize the cycle drain corresponding to the collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 from which this manual drain command was issued. Once this drain cycle is completed, the drain sequence is resumed from the collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 following the one where this sequence stopped, according to the predefined order of execution of this drain sequence.

[0060] According to a possible variant, when a manual emptying command is issued from a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 during an emptying sequence during which the emptying cycle of the collection terminal in question must necessarily be included, the emptying cycle of the latter occurs in the order of execution of the emptying sequence.

[0061] According to the invention, the main management unit 10 is also connected, wired or wireless, in particular via an Internet network, to a remote data processing unit 15. For example, all information relating to the emptying sequences carried out by the main management unit 10 can be sent to this remote processing unit 15, in particular all operating failures of a motorized valve 8 or associated control electronics 9 in correspondence with a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74, where appropriate, the collection flow rates, information (date and time) of manual emptying commands, etc. A smartphone application can be provided to supervise the entire installation 1.

[0062] It may be provided that the programming of the main management unit 10 can be carried out through this remote processing unit 15, in particular with regard to the frequencies of the emptying sequences and / or the time slots during which these emptying sequences and / or a manual emptying command can be executed.

[0063] Please note on this subject that the frequency of the emptying sequences depends on: - suctioned effluent flows; - and / or the order of the emptying cycles through the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74; - and / or the occupancy rate taking into account, as the case may be, the history of the previous sequences and / or the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 detected as blocked; can be determined by this remote processing unit 15, then sent to the main management unit 10 for the execution of the following sequences.

[0064] As already indicated above, using this remote processing unit 15 it can be made possible to program the time slot, or even the time slots during which the emptying sequences or quite simply a manually controlled emptying cycle from a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 can take place. For example, these time slots can be chosen during the day so that the noise possibly generated during the emptying cycles disturbs the occupants of the effluent production units 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, in this case boats, as little as possible.

[0065] It is possible that one or other pipe 4, 6 becomes blocked, which can be detected by emptying the effluent tank of at least one of the production units 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d which no longer takes place. In this case, the method, according to the invention, can provide for carrying out a specific emptying sequence for detecting pipe blockage. Such a specific sequence can be launched manually, depending on the case from the main management unit 10 or from the remote processing unit 15 by an authorized person.Such a specific sequence successively controls, in a sequential manner, a draining cycle through each of the N collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74, in a predefined order so as to detect, in particular using at least one flow sensor, the collection terminal(s) 7i, 72, 73, 74 and / or the pipe(s) 4, 6 through which no effluent is collected or at a flow rate lower than a threshold value below which it is considered that there is a flow problem. This information makes it possible to isolate, for a maintenance or repair intervention, the pipe(s) 4, 6, or even the collection terminal(s) 7i, 72, 73, 74 concerned.

[0066] In summary, the installation management method according to the invention provides for the following steps taken individually or in combination: - the N collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 are recorded in a specific order in the memory of the main management unit 10; - a draining sequence is controlled through the main management unit 10 by executing a draining cycle, successively and in the order of recording, at each of the collection terminals consisting, via the control electronics 9 of the motorized valve 8 of each of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74, in controlling the opening of the motorized valve 8, followed by the suction phase of the effluents by the pumping means 3 and the closing of said motorized valve 8, of each of these collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74; - a frequency of execution of the emptying sequences is recorded in the memory of the main management unit 10 over one or more determined time slots; - during a drain cycle the flow rate of effluent sucked up is measured; - before a drain cycle, the absence of second means of connection of a proprietary pipeline or of a shutter on the first means of connection of a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is detected; - during a draining cycle, the absence of effluent flow or an effluent flow below a threshold value is detected; - a draining cycle of a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is interrupted if the absence of second means of connection of a proprietary pipe 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d or of a shutter on the first connection means and / or the absence of effluent flow or an effluent flow lower than a threshold value is detected and / or a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is excluded from the draining sequence on which the absence of second means of connection of a proprietary pipe 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d or of a shutter on the first connection means and / or the absence of effluent flow or an effluent flow lower than a threshold value is detected or during the previous sequence; - the frequency of the emptying sequences is defined according to the occupancy rate of the effluent production units 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d connected to the installation; - after at least one or more emptying sequences, the main management unit 10 determines the order of the emptying cycles during a following emptying sequence as a function of the volumes of effluent collected at each of the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 during one or more previous emptying sequences; - one or more collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 are excluded by programming from one or more of the following emptying sequences in the event of detection of a failure of a motorized valve 8 and / or of the control electronics 9 corresponding to this or these collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74; - a draining sequence is interrupted in the event of an automatic and / or manual emergency stop command; - the pressure is measured continuously or discontinuously at least in the main pipe 4; - a draining sequence is interrupted if the pressure measured at a given time and / or over a given time range in the main pipe 4 is greater than a threshold value; - a manual emptying command issued from the manual control means of a collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74 is recorded at the level of the main management unit 10 and a emptying cycle of said collection terminal 7i, 72, 73, 74c is given priority either immediately, or after interruption of an emptying sequence, or immediately at the start of an emptying sequence occurring during the next pre-programmed time slot authorizing the execution of the emptying cycles, or at the start of this pre-programmed time slot authorizing the execution of the emptying cycles; - the main management unit 10 transmits in the form of data to the remote processing unit 15 all or part of the information relating to the emptying sequences and / or the emptying cycles. - the main management unit 10 is programmed from the remote processing unit 15.

[0067] Electrical connection cabinets are usually already installed along the quays or boat mooring pontoons. Often, such a cabinet is positioned between two locations allowing the connection of two boats. If the collection terminals 7i, 72, 73, 74 can be individualized along these quays and pontoons, we can imagine that, similar to the electrical connection cabinets, two collection terminals are housed in the same box for the connection of two boats on adjoining locations.

[0068] If this box can be designed to accommodate the control electronics 9 of each of the motorized valves 8 of these two joint collection terminals, this control electronics 9 of these motorized valves 8 advantageously takes a position in a dedicated box in the electrical connection cabinet.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation (1) for recovering effluents by suction from at least one effluent production unit (11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d), such as a boat, a camper van or the like, comprising at least one suction station (2) equipped with pumping means (3) and connected to at least one main pipe (4) connected, directly or indirectly via a secondary pipe (6), to at least one effluent collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74), characterized in that the effluent collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) is connected directly or indirectly to said main pipe (4) through a motorized valve (8) with which is associated an opening and closing control electronics (9) connected wired or wirelessly to at least one main management unit (10) comprising a data recording memory, said collection terminal (7i, 72, 73,74) comprising first connection means for receiving second connection means of a proprietary pipeline (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) which an effluent production unit (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) comprises.,

2. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pumping station (2) is connected directly or via a discharge buffer tank (14) into which the pumped effluents are discharged, as the case may be, into a collective sanitation network (13) or into a dedicated treatment station.

3. Installation (1 according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) is equipped with a shutter comprising second connection means designed to cooperate with the first connection means of said collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74).

4. Installation (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) is provided with means for detecting the absence of the second connection means of the shutter and / or a proprietary pipeline (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) on the first connection means of said collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74)

5. Installation (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection means are designed to activate visual and / or audible signaling means and / or to address information to the main management unit (10).

6. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one flow sensor associated with each collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) and / or placed on the secondary pipe (6) to which at least one collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) is connected and / or on the main pipe (4) and / or at the height of the suction station (2).

7. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises emergency stop control means (15) of the automatic and / or manual type.

8. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises hydrocarbon detection means.

9. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises manual emptying control means (16) associated with each of the collection terminals. (7i, 72, 73, 74).

10. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main management unit 10 is connected, in a wired and / or wireless manner, in particular via an Internet network, to a remote data processing unit 15.

11. Method for implementing the installation according to claims 1 to 10, comprising N collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74), characterized in that: - the N collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74) are recorded in a determined order in the memory of the main management unit (10); - a draining sequence is controlled through the main management unit (10) by executing a draining cycle, successively and in the order of recording, at each of the collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74) consisting, through the control electronics (9) of the motorized valve 8 of each collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74), in controlling the opening of the motorized valve (8), followed by the suction phase of the effluents by the pumping means (3) and the closing of said motorized valve (8), of each of these collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that a frequency of execution of the emptying sequences is recorded in the memory of the main management unit (10) over one or more determined time slots.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that during a draining cycle the flow rate of effluent sucked up is measured.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that before a draining cycle the absence of second means of connection of a proprietary pipe (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) or of a shutter on the first means of connection of a collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) is detected.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 14, characterized in that during a draining cycle, the absence of effluent flow or an effluent flow lower than a threshold value is detected.

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a cycle of emptying a collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) is interrupted if the absence of second means of connection of a proprietary pipe (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) or of a shutter on the first connection means and / or the absence of effluent flow or an effluent flow lower than a threshold value is detected and / or a collection terminal is excluded from the emptying sequence collection (7i, 72, 73, 74) on which the absence of second means of connection of a proprietary pipeline (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) or of a shutter on the first means of connection and / or the absence of effluent flow or an effluent flow lower than a threshold value or during the previous sequence is detected.

17. Method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the frequency of the emptying sequences is defined as a function of the occupancy rate of the effluent production units (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) connected to the installation.

18. Method according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that, after at least one or more emptying sequences, the main management unit (10) determines the order of the emptying cycles during a following emptying sequence as a function of the volumes of effluent collected at each of the collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74) during one or more previous emptying sequences.

19. Method according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that one or more collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74) are excluded by programming from the following emptying sequence(s) in the event of detection of a failure of a motorized valve (8) and / or of the control electronics (9) corresponding to this or these collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74).

20. Method according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that a draining sequence is interrupted in the event of an emergency stop command (15) of the automatic and / or manual type.

21. Method according to one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that a manual emptying command issued from the manual control means of a collection terminal (7i, 72, 73, 74) is recorded at the main management unit (10) and a emptying cycle of said collection terminals (7i, 72, 73, 74) is given priority, either immediately, or after interruption of an emptying sequence, or immediately at the start of an emptying sequence occurring during the next pre-programmed time slot authorizing the execution of the drain cycles, or at the start of this next pre-programmed time slot authorizing the execution of the drain cycles.

22. Method according to one of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that the main management unit (10) transmits in the form of data to the remote processing unit (15) all or part of the information relating to the emptying sequences and / or the emptying cycles.

23. Method according to one of claims 11 to 22, characterized in that the main management unit (10) is programmed from the remote processing unit (15).

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