Toilet having wastewater treatment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet having a wastewater treatment system, comprising: a separating toilet (1) with a bowl (2), a main discharge line (3) for wastewater streams contaminated with faecal matter, and a secondary discharge line (4) for urine wastewater streams; and a biogas tank (5), which is connected to the main discharge line (3), wherein: the inlet opening (6) of the secondary discharge line (4) is situated in a substantially vertical side wall on a discharge pipe portion downstream of the bowl (2); the transition region (7) between the side wall of the pipe portion and the inlet opening (6) of the secondary discharge line (4) is rounded at the top in order to passively conduct the urine wastewater streams into the secondary discharge line (4) by way of the teapot effect; and a vacuum pump device (8) for suctioning the wastewater streams out of the main discharge line (3) is provided downstream of the main discharge line (3) and upstream of the biogas tank (5). A siphon (9) is provided between the pipe portion with the inlet opening (6) of the secondary discharge line (4) and the vacuum pump device (8), the collecting edge (10), located inside the pipe diameter, of the siphon (9) lying higher than the inlet opening (6) of the secondary discharge line (4).

Description

TOILET WITH WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a toilet with a wastewater treatment system comprising a separating toilet with a shell, a main drain line for wastewater streams contaminated with faeces and a secondary drain for urine wastewater streams, as well as a biogas tank which is connected to the main drain line, wherein the inlet opening of the secondary drain for the urine wastewater streams is arranged on a substantially vertical side wall on a drain pipe section downstream of the shell, wherein the transition region between the side wall of the pipe section and the inlet opening of the secondary drain is rounded at the top in order to passively guide the urine wastewater streams into the secondary drain via the teapot effect, and wherein a vacuum pump device for sucking the wastewater streams out of the main drain line is provided downstream of the main drain line and upstream of the biogas tank. State of the art

[0002] In regions without a continuous sewer system, there is a need for toilets equipped with a local wastewater treatment system. One wastewater treatment option that is particularly advantageous for developing countries is to feed the wastewater stream into a biogas tank. The resulting biogas can then be used to generate energy or for heating.

[0003] One problem is that the wastewater stream from toilets is detrimental to the biological processes in the biogas tank due to the ammonia it contains in urine. For this reason, it is advantageous to achieve a separation between urine wastewater streams and wastewater streams contaminated with feces right in the toilet.

[0004] A highly efficient, non-returnable toilet for this purpose, which can be used without additional valve technology, is disclosed, for example, in WO 2019178622 A1. This toilet separates a large portion of the urine wastewater stream into a secondary drain via the teapot effect.

[0005] To keep water consumption low, vacuum toilets are used, among other things, which require low flushing water volumes. However, these often have the disadvantage that the necessary technology, such as the vacuum pump, vacuum tank, and valves, is complex and difficult to maintain, which is why they are less commonly used in developing countries. Since a low flushing water volume is also advantageous for a downstream biogas tank, there is a need for better solutions to create a vacuum pump device for these applications.

[0006] In many parts of the world, including most developing countries, toilet paper is not used for toileting. Instead, for personal hygiene, the affected body parts are washed directly with water on the toilet. In addition to flushing water, this regularly generates large quantities of water, which are also carried away via the toilet drain. These quantities of water also pose a problem for a downstream biogas tank, as they dilute the bacteria necessary for degrading the fecal-contaminated wastewater streams and thus also hinder the biological degradation processes.

[0007] To date, only complex control systems are available to separate the water flows from washing processes from those from rinsing processes, which are practically impossible to use, especially in developing countries, since the necessary infrastructure is usually not available. Description of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to create a toilet with a wastewater treatment system in which the downstream biogas tank is not burdened or impaired in its function by excessive water ingress or urine wastewater streams. The device should be as simply constructed as possible so that it can also be used in developing countries with inadequate local infrastructure. The aim of the invention is also to create a corresponding separation toilet that enables the separation of urine wastewater stream, wastewater stream contaminated with feces, and wash water stream as passively as possible without complex control technology. A vacuum pump device provided for the toilet should be as simply constructed as possible, thus making maintenance easy even with limited technical resources.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in that a siphon is provided between the pipe section with the inlet opening of the secondary drain and the vacuum pump device, wherein the retaining edge of the siphon located inside the pipe diameter is higher than the inlet opening of the secondary drain. Primarily, a large portion of the urine wastewater flow is separated via the secondary drain directly during toilet use, preventing it from entering the main drain line and thus the biogas tank. The wastewater flows contaminated with feces are transported via the flushing process via a vacuum pump device into the main drain line and fed to the biogas tank.If a washing process follows the flushing process and a large amount of water enters the toilet, this water is backed up in front of the siphon and a large part of the water is also passively drained via the secondary drain without the need for an additional valve, as the inlet opening of the secondary drain is lower than the backflow edge within the siphon. The additional water introduced by the washing process, which usually enters the toilet via a separate water supply such as a container or hose, is therefore not fed into the biogas tank, with the separation taking place independently of a flush control and without an additional valve. Even after the washing process, no further flushing process is required, as only the water remains in the siphon.

[0010] A further preferred feature is that the secondary drain is connected downstream to a plant bed or several constructed wetlands, possibly connected in a cascade. The urine water streams can be used for downstream constructed wetlands, and the wastewater generated from the washing processes is also fed to the constructed wetlands for nitrogen removal. Depending on the amount of wash water and urine wastewater generated, several constructed wetlands can be connected in a cascade to the secondary drain. The cascade-like design also eliminates the need for additional pumps, and the resulting wastewater streams are passively distributed through the constructed wetland. The overflow from the biogas tank can also be fed to the constructed wetland.The water thus treated also meets the ISO 30500 standard for sanitary facilities not connected to a sewer system and can also be used for irrigation, for example, without contaminating the soil and groundwater with pollutants.

[0011] According to a further preferred feature, the vacuum pump device is constructed from interconnectable modules, wherein the device comprises a suction module containing the pump motor, a tank module with an inlet opening for the main discharge line, and an end module for connection to a downstream discharge to the biogas tank, wherein the modules are preferably arranged one above the other in a tower-like manner and are interconnectable. This modular structure allows the vacuum pump device to be installed as a tower in a space-saving manner, with each module being easy to remove and maintain. The modules can, for example, be made of plastic, or the base housings of the modules can also be made of ceramic, which facilitates local production of the components in developing countries.

[0012] A further preferred feature is that the suction module has a downward-facing connection for attachment to the top of the tank module. The suction module has a pump motor, by means of which a negative pressure can be generated at the connection to the tank module. In this arrangement, a conventional vacuum cleaner motor, for example, can be used as the pump motor. Due to the configuration of the suction module, motors from any manufacturer can be used. This significantly improves the availability of spare parts and ease of maintenance.

[0013] It is a further preferred feature that the tank module has a connection on the top side for connection to the suction module and an outlet opening on the bottom side, which can be coupled to an end module that can be arranged underneath, wherein the tank module, together with the suction module and end module, creates a space designed as a vacuum tank, wherein the tank module has an inlet opening arranged on a side wall of the tank, which can be coupled to the main drain line, and wherein the vacuum tank has a horizontal separating element approximately at the height of the inlet opening, and wherein furthermore the separating element, optionally together with a side wall section of the vacuum tank, forms a preferably helically shaped, downwardly open groove running along the circumference of the tank, which, starting from the inlet opening, runs at least once around the substantially horizontal circumference to the lower volume,and wherein a passage opening is arranged centrally in the separating element between the upper and lower volumes of the vacuum tank.,

[0014] The special design of the vacuum tank makes it possible to use particularly small amounts of flush water while simultaneously ensuring efficient onward transport of wastewater streams contaminated with feces. The entire volume of the tank is available to create the vacuum. However, the wastewater streams contaminated with feces only reach the lower part of the tank, meaning less flush water is required for onward transport. Since small quantities need to be transported, the pump motor located at the top of the suction module does not need to be as powerful as is the case with conventional vacuum toilets. Due to the composting toilet itself, apart from wastewater streams contaminated with feces and the small amount of flush water, no other wastewater streams reach the vacuum tank and therefore also not the downstream biogas tank.

[0015] According to a further preferred feature, the end module is connectable on the inlet side to the outlet opening of the tank module and on the outlet side to the downstream biogas tank. A pivotable valve flap is provided in the end module, which tightly closes the vacuum tank when negative pressure is generated and otherwise releases it for the removal of the wastewater stream contaminated with feces. A closable opening is also provided in the end module, through which a user can manually feed organic waste into the discharge line toward the biogas tank downstream of the valve flap. Due to the pivotable valve flap, which is essentially also controlled by the negative pressure generated in the tank, no further control technology is required, and the end module is thus a purely mechanical component that is easy to maintain.The additional opening allows the user to add additional organic waste to the biogas tank, increasing its efficiency. The additional opening also allows maintenance of the pivoting valve flap without having to disassemble the entire vacuum pump assembly.

[0016] It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a separation toilet for a toilet with a wastewater treatment plant according to the above-mentioned features, in which the separation toilet has a shell, a main drain line for wastewater streams contaminated with faeces and a secondary drain for urine wastewater streams, wherein the inlet opening of the secondary drain for the urine wastewater streams is arranged on a substantially vertical side wall on a drain pipe section downstream of the shell, and wherein the transition region between the side wall of the pipe section and the inlet opening of the secondary drain is rounded at the top in order to passively guide the urine wastewater streams into the secondary drain via the teapot effect.An advantageous feature is that a siphon is provided between the pipe section with the inlet opening of the secondary drain and the other main drain line. The siphon's retaining edge, located inside the pipe diameter, is higher than the inlet opening of the secondary drain. A separating toilet with the special siphon design is particularly suitable for use with a wastewater treatment plant of the type described above, as the wash water can be effectively and passively drained via the secondary drain.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vacuum pump device for a toilet with a wastewater treatment system as described above is to be provided, which is constructed from interconnectable modules. The device comprises a suction module containing the pump motor, a tank module with an inlet opening for the main drain line, and an end module for connection to a downstream drain. The modules are preferably arranged one above the other in a tower-like manner and are interconnectable. Such a vacuum pump device can be advantageous for all vacuum toilets, particularly in developing countries, due to its simplified design and the associated lower manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0018] In particular, however, it is particularly suitable for a toilet with a water treatment system as described above. The individual modules exhibit the preferred features already mentioned above. Short description of the drawings

[0019] The invention will now be described in more detail using an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of the accompanying figures. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a toilet according to the invention with a wastewater treatment system; Figure 2 shows a perspective schematic sectional view of a separation toilet with a vacuum pump device; and Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a separation toilet. Way(s) of carrying out the invention

[0020] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the arrangement of a toilet with a wastewater treatment system according to the invention. The starting point is a separating toilet 1 with a bowl 2, a main drain line 3, and a secondary drain line 4. Urine wastewater streams are passively drained into the secondary drain line 4 via the teapot effect, without any additional valve device.

[0021] A siphon 9 is located between the shell 1 and the main drain line 3. The retaining edge 10 within the siphon is higher than the inlet opening 6 of the secondary drain 4. If additional water is introduced into the shell 2 during washing processes, this is drained via the secondary drain 4 without additional valves.

[0022] The secondary drain 4 is fed directly into cascaded constructed wetlands 11, which are fertilized and irrigated. The main drain 3 is connected to a vacuum pump device 8. During a flushing process, this pump transports wastewater streams contaminated with feces via the main drain 3 to a downstream biogas tank 5.

[0023] In the biogas tank 5, the organic components of the wastewater streams contaminated with feces, as well as any organic waste added via the opening 26 in the end module 16 of the vacuum pump device 8, are broken down by appropriate microorganisms to generate biogas 27. For the biogas tank 5 to operate effectively, it is necessary to keep the wastewater streams as free of urine as possible. Furthermore, only the smallest possible amount of rinse water should be introduced to avoid further diluting the microorganisms in the biogas tank 5. The produced biogas 27 can subsequently be used for various applications 28, such as heating, cooking, or generating electricity. The overflow from the biogas tank is also fed to the constructed wetland system 11, so that all of the produced wastewater is treated there and subsequently available for further applications.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of the composting toilet 1 with the vacuum pump device 8 arranged thereon. The vacuum pump device 8 is only activated during a flushing process in order to transport wastewater streams via the main drain line 3. The vacuum pump device 8 is constructed from three modules 12, 14, 16 arranged one above the other in a tower-like manner, which facilitates the maintenance and replacement of individual components. Located on top of the vacuum pump device 8 is the suction module 12, which is connected via a lower connection 17 to the upper connection 18 of a tank module 14. The suction module 12 houses the pump motor 13, which generates a negative pressure in the tank module 14. Since only small quantities of flush water need to be transported, motors from vacuum cleaners from different manufacturers, for example, can be used here.

[0025] The tank module 14 is connected to the end module 16 at its outlet opening 19 and to the suction module 12 at its upper connection 18. Together, the three modules 12, 14, 16 thus form a vacuum tank. On a side wall of the tank module 14 there is an inlet opening 15, to which the main drain line 3 is connected. The tank module 14 also contains a separating element 20, which divides the vacuum tank into an upper volume 23 and a lower volume 24. The separating element 20 is located approximately at the level of the inlet opening 15 and, together with the side wall, forms a downwardly open channel 21 which runs spirally around the circumference of the tank module 14. In the center of the separating element 20 there is a funnel-shaped passage opening 22. This allows the entire tank volume to be used to build up the negative pressure.However, during the suction process, the wastewater streams are only transported to the lower volume 24 and decelerated via the channel 21, so that the upper volume 23 is not contaminated. This measure also significantly reduces the amount of rinse water required, since only the lower volume 24 no longer needs to be rinsed.

[0026] The end module 16 houses the lower end of the vacuum tank, which can be closed by a pivoting valve flap 25. The pivoting valve flap 25 requires no drive or control, but automatically closes the vacuum tank when negative pressure builds up. When a wastewater stream to be transported further encounters the flap and the negative pressure is released, the valve flap 25 opens automatically due to the weight of the wastewater stream.

[0027] The end module also has a closable opening 26 through which further organic waste, such as kitchen waste, can be manually fed towards the biogas tank 5.

[0028] Finally, Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a separation toilet 1. The secondary drain 4 has a rounded transition area 7 at the inlet opening 6 on the top side, which ensures that, during use, the urine wastewater flow is directed into the secondary drain 4 via the teapot effect.

[0029] The siphon 9, located between the shell 2 and the main drain line 3, has a retaining edge 10 that is higher than the inlet opening 6 of the secondary drain line 4. This means that the retaining edge 10 is at least higher than the lower edge of the inlet opening 6, so that any additional water introduced, which, for example, enters the shell 2 through a separate water supply during a washing process, automatically drains away via the secondary drain line. During a flushing process via the main drain line 3, only the intended flushing water for removing wastewater contaminated with feces and the residual water in the siphon are transported towards the main drain line 3 and thus into the biogas tank 5. All other wastewater flows into the secondary drain line 4, thus improving the functionality of the biogas tank 5.

Claims

A toilet with a wastewater treatment system comprising a separation toilet (1) with a bowl (2), a main drain line (3) for wastewater streams contaminated with faeces, and a secondary drain line (4) for urine wastewater streams, as well as a biogas tank (5) connected to the main drain line (3), wherein the inlet opening (6) of the secondary drain line (4) for the urine wastewater streams is arranged on a substantially vertical side wall on a drain pipe section downstream of the bowl (2), wherein the transition region (7) between the side wall of the pipe section and the inlet opening (6) of the secondary drain line (4) is rounded at the top in order to passively guide the urine wastewater streams into the secondary drain line (4) via the teapot effect, and wherein a vacuum pump device (8) for sucking the wastewater streams out of the main drain line (3) is provided downstream of the main drain line (3) and upstream of the biogas tank (5), characterized in thatthat a siphon (9) is provided between the pipe section with the inlet opening (6) of the secondary discharge line (4) and the vacuum pump device (8), wherein the retaining edge (10) of the siphon (9) located inside the pipe diameter is higher than the inlet opening (6) of the secondary discharge line (4)., Toilet with wastewater treatment plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the secondary drain (4) is connected downstream to a plant bed (11) or several plant treatment plants (11) which may be connected in a cascade-like manner. Toilet with wastewater treatment plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vacuum pump device (8) is constructed from interconnectable modules (12, 14, 16), the device comprising a suction module (12) containing the pump motor (13), a tank module (14) with an inlet opening (15) for the main drain line (3) and an end module (16) for connection to a downstream drain to the biogas tank (5), the modules (12, 14, 16) preferably being arranged one above the other in a tower-like manner and interconnectable. Toilet with wastewater treatment system according to claim 3, characterized in that the suction module (12) has a downwardly directed connection (17) in order to be attachable to the upper side of the tank module (14), wherein the suction module (12) has a pump motor (13) by means of which a negative pressure can be generated at the connection to the tank module (14). Toilet with wastewater treatment system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the tank module (14) has a connection (18) on the top side for connection to the suction module (12) and an outlet opening (19) on the bottom side, which can be coupled to an end module (16) that can be arranged underneath, wherein the tank module (14), together with the suction module (12) and end module (16), creates a space designed as a vacuum tank, wherein the tank module has an inlet opening (15) arranged on a side wall of the tank, which can be coupled to the main drain line (3), and wherein the vacuum tank has a horizontal separating element (20) approximately at the level of the inlet opening (15), and wherein furthermore, the separating element (20), optionally together with a side wall section of the vacuum tank, forms a preferably helically shaped, downwardly open groove (21) running along the circumference of the tank.which, starting from the inlet opening (15), extends at least once around the substantially horizontal circumference to the lower volume (24), and wherein a passage opening (22) is arranged centrally in the separating element (20) between the upper (23) and lower volume (24) of the vacuum tank. Toilet with wastewater treatment plant according to claim 5, characterized in that the end module (16) is connectable on the inlet side to the outlet opening (19) of the tank module (14) and on the outlet side to the downstream biogas tank (5), wherein a pivotable valve flap (25) is provided in the end module (16) which, when a negative pressure is generated in the vacuum tank, tightly closes the latter and otherwise releases it for the removal of the wastewater stream contaminated with faeces, wherein a closable opening (26) is further provided in the end module (16), through which organic waste can be manually fed into the drain line in the direction of the biogas tank (5) downstream of the valve flap (15) by a user. A separating toilet (1) for a toilet with a wastewater treatment system according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the separating toilet (1) has a bowl (2), a main drain line (3) for wastewater streams contaminated with feces, and a secondary drain line (4) for urine wastewater streams, wherein the inlet opening (6) of the secondary drain line (4) for the urine wastewater streams is arranged on a substantially vertical side wall on a drain pipe section downstream of the bowl (1), and wherein the transition region (7) between the side wall of the pipe section and the inlet opening (6) of the secondary drain line (4) is rounded at the top in order to passively guide the urine wastewater streams into the secondary drain line (4) via the teapot effect, characterized in that a siphon (9) is provided between the pipe section with the inlet opening (6) of the secondary drain line (4) and the further main drain line (3).wherein the retaining edge (10) of the siphon (9) located inside the pipe diameter is higher than the inlet opening (6) of the secondary discharge line (4)., Vacuum pump device (8) for a toilet with wastewater treatment plant according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is constructed from interconnectable modules (12, 14, 16), wherein the device comprises a suction module (12) containing the pump motor (13), a tank module (14) with an inlet opening (15) for the main drain line (3) and an end module (16) for connection to a downstream drain, wherein the modules (12, 14, 16) are preferably arranged one above the other in a tower-like manner and are interconnectable. Vacuum pump device (8) according to claim 8, characterized in that the suction module (12) has a downwardly directed connection (17) in order to be attachable to the upper side of the tank module (14), wherein the suction module (12) has a pump motor (13) by means of which a negative pressure can be generated at the connection to the tank module (14). Vacuum pump device (8) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the tank module (14) has a connection (18) on the top side for connection to the suction module (12) and an outlet opening (19) on the bottom side, which can be coupled to an end module (16) that can be arranged underneath, wherein the tank module (14), together with the suction module (12) and the end module (16), creates a space designed as a vacuum tank, wherein the tank module has an inlet opening (15) arranged on a side wall of the tank, which can be coupled to a main drain line (3), and wherein the vacuum tank has a horizontal separating element (20) approximately at the level of the inlet opening (15), and wherein furthermore, the separating element (20), optionally together with a side wall section of the vacuum tank, forms a preferably helically shaped, downwardly open groove (21) running along the circumference of the tank.which, starting from the inlet opening (15), extends at least once around the substantially horizontal circumference to the lower volume (14), and wherein a passage opening (22) is arranged centrally in the separating element (20) between the upper (23) and lower volume (24) of the vacuum tank. Vacuum pump device (8) according to claim 10, characterized in that the end module (16) is connectable on the inlet side to the outlet opening (19) of the tank module (14) and on the outlet side to a continuing drain line, wherein a pivotable valve flap (15) is provided in the end module (16) which tightly closes the vacuum tank when a negative pressure is generated and otherwise releases it for the removal of the wastewater stream contaminated with faeces, wherein a closable opening (26) is further provided in the end module (16), via which organic waste can be manually fed into the drain line by a user downstream of the valve flap (15).

Images