Installation for recovering effluent by suction, and method for managing the installation

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation for recovering effluent by suction, comprising essentially: • an effluent recovery tank (2) maintained at negative pressure by a vacuum pump (3), • a main pipe (6) that discharges, at the downstream end (7) of same, into the tank (2); • at least one network (8; 8a) of connection pipes (9; 9a), each connecting at least one effluent collection point to the main pipe (6) directly or via a secondary pipe (11; 11a); more particularly, this installation comprises, in the upstream part of at least one of the pipes (6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a), means (12) for controlled supply of air. The invention also relates to a method for managing this installation.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Vacuum effluent recovery installation and its management method

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum effluent recovery plant and its management method.

[0002] This invention will find its application when a plurality of effluent production sites cannot be connected by gravity flow to a unit for recovering these effluents. Such a context is encountered, for example, in campsites in which several mobile homes are installed, permanently or seasonally, which must be connected to a wastewater treatment network. This context is also encountered in the case of boats moored in ports and floating dwellings where gravity connection to an effluent recovery unit proves impossible most of the time. Obviously, the applications of the invention are not limited to the contexts mentioned above.

[0003] There are already vacuum effluent recovery installations comprising, essentially: • a recovery tank for these effluents maintained under negative pressure by means of a vacuum pump, • a main pipe discharging, at its downstream end, into the recovery tank; • a network of connecting pipes linking several effluent collection points directly to the main pipe or via secondary pipes.

[0004] 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 supplied to a collection point.

[0005] Thus, when an effluent supply occurs from a collection point in the connection pipe to which it is connected, a suction corresponding to the volume of effluent supplied is created in this connection pipe, but also in the main pipe to which it is connected, where appropriate through a secondary pipe.

[0006] Therefore, the effluents in each of the pipes progress according to the supply of effluents upstream, at the collection points. Since this supply occurs discontinuously, the progression of these effluents in the various pipes itself occurs discontinuously.

[0007] 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 collection point to the effluent recovery tank.

[0008] In reality, given that the supply of effluent at several collection points can occur simultaneously, it is usually 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 collection point can deliver.

[0009] If we take the example of campsites where each mobile home represents a collection point, peaks in effluent supply occur during certain well-defined time slots over the 24 hours of a day and obviously depend on the occupancy rate of these mobile homes.

[0010] In this regard, this occupancy rate can be 100% in season and fall to a very low rate in the off-season. While a low-power vacuum pump would be able to easily respond to all situations during these low-occupancy periods, it must necessarily be sized to meet the constraints resulting from 100% occupancy.

[0011] In reality, this pump, due to the investment it would represent, is rarely capable of simultaneously sucking up trains of effluent from each of the connecting pipes, from the secondary pipe(s) and from the main pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, by excessively increasing the depression created by the vacuum pump, the pipes, often flexible, are likely to collapse.

[0013] Blockage situations are therefore frequently encountered when the pipeline network is heavily loaded and effluent inputs occur simultaneously at the various collection points. In such a situation, the network is unable to accept any new effluent input and must be manually unclogged.

[0014] Such a blockage can also occur when the frequency of effluent supply at the collection points exceeds a threshold level higher than the capacity of the vacuum pump to recreate the vacuum in the network.

[0015] It is within the framework of a l reinventive approach that a solution has been devised allowing the effluents to progress in the pipes or part of them independently of the supply of effluent at the collection points, so as to discharge this or these pipes, for example in proportion to the suction of the vacuum pump and / or in anticipation of future supplies of effluent through the collection points.

[0016] To this end, it was envisaged to equip the installation, preferably in the upstream part of at least one of the pipes, with means of controlled air supply, through which this or these pipes are likely to be discharged in whole or in part of the effluents which they contain.

[0017] By moving the effluents contained in a pipeline forward by supplying air upstream, a volume under negative pressure is created in the pipeline itself, increasing the effluent absorption capacity during supply through the collection points.

[0018] Advantageously, the management of the air supply in the pipe(s) to discharge them of the contained effluent can take into account not only the number of "active" collection points, i.e. through which effluent can be supplied, but also the variations in flow occurring during the day.

[0019] To this end, the invention relates to a vacuum effluent recovery installation comprising, essentially: • a recovery tank for these effluents maintained under negative pressure by means of a vacuum pump; • a main pipe discharging, at its downstream end, into the recovery tank; • at least one network of connecting pipes linking several effluent collection points directly to the main pipe or via a secondary pipe.

[0020] According to the invention, this installation comprises, in part upstream of at least one of the pipes, depending on the case, main and / or secondary and / or connecting, means for controlled air supply, as well as a unit for managing the latter.

[0021] Incidentally, at least one collection point may include means for detecting the supply of effluents connected wired or wirelessly to the unit for managing the controlled air supply means.

[0022] Advantageously, the controlled air supply means are defined by at least one solenoid valve connected to a pipe to, in the open position, put the latter in communication with the ambient air.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for managing such an installation. According to this method, over a period of time T, at least one air supply cycle is triggered, via the management means, at least one air supply cycle at at least one of the pipes by a cycle of controlling the opening and closing of controlled air supply means.

[0024] Advantageously, according to the management method, the management unit records, as an event, a pulse from the effluent supply detection means in combination with at least one of the following data: • the time of the event; • the date of the event; • the collection point whose means of detecting effluent input are the origin of the event; • the network of connecting pipes of which the collection point is part; • the secondary pipeline through which said collection point is connected to a main pipeline.

[0025] According to the method of the invention, at least one air supply cycle is controlled by the management means in at least one of the pipes via the controlled air supply means, when at least one of the following conditions is met: • the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means associated with a collection point is greater than a threshold value Vsl; • the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means associated with the collection points of the same network of connection pipes is greater than a threshold value Vs2; • the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means associated with the various collection points of the installation is greater than a threshold value of events Vs3; • the quantity of effluent supplied by a collection point is greater than a threshold value Qsl; • the quantity of effluent supplied by the collection points of the same network of connection pipes is greater than a threshold value Qs2; • the quantity of effluent supplied by the various collection points of the installation is greater than a threshold value of Qs3 events.

[0026] The method provides for a step of recording in the memory of the management unit the number of collection points considered active in each of the connection pipeline networks of the installation.

[0027] According to another feature of the management method, the management means control, in a predictive manner, based on the recorded data, at least one air supply cycle in at least one of the pipes via the controlled air supply means.

[0028] More particularly, the management method provides for pre-recording in the memory of the management unit the time slots for the majority of effluent supply via the collection points and for controlling, via said management means, at least one, preferably several cycles of air supply in at least one of the pipes.

[0029] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows relating to an exemplary embodiment and the understanding of which will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawing, in which:

[0030] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a diagram of a vacuum effluent recovery installation according to the invention;

[0031] The present invention relates to a vacuum effluent recovery installation 1 schematically represented in [Fig.1].

[0032] This installation 1 essentially comprises a tank 2 for recovering the effluents, which is maintained under negative pressure (or relative vacuum) by means of a vacuum pump 3.

[0033] In this regard, the expression "under vacuum" may be used in the following description, which should be understood as a relative vacuum, that is to say a negative pressure, lower, in particular, than atmospheric pressure.

[0034] This tank 2 is also advantageously connected, depending on the case, to a sanitation network or to a wastewater treatment unit 4 via a discharge pump 5 making it possible to evacuate the effluents recovered in the tank 2, for example when they reach a determined level in the latter.

[0035] The installation 1 also comprises at least one main pipe 6 discharging, at its downstream end 7, into the recovery tank 2.

[0036] It also comprises at least one network 8; 8a of connecting pipes 9; 9a connecting several effluent collection points 10; 10a, directly to the main pipe 6 or via a secondary pipe 11; 11a.

[0037] Advantageously, the network 8; 8a of connecting pipes 9; 9a is connected to a main pipe 6 or to a secondary pipe 11; 11a through a sealed collector or inspection chamber R; Ra.

[0038] Likewise, the secondary pipe(s) 11; 11a are preferably connected to a main pipe 6 through such a sealed inspection chamber R2 facilitating, if necessary, intervention on the pipe network of the installation 1. As illustrated in [Fig. 1], such sealed inspection chambers R2 can be installed along a main pipe 6 or secondary pipe 11; 1 la, for example at regular distance.

[0039] A collection point 10; 10a may take various forms. Thus, this collection point may be a toilet bowl, the flushing of which causes the effluent contained in this bowl to be sucked into the pipe network of the installation 1.

[0040] Very commonly, such a collection point 10; 10a takes the form of a level-controlled tank into which grey water generated, for example, by a mobile home, a boat or a floating dwelling is discharged. In this tank are usually installed level detection means designed to control the opening of a valve when the quantity of effluent contained in the tank reaches a determined level and, conversely, to close this valve once this effluent has been sucked up by the installation's pipe network and has reached a low level in the tank.

[0041] Such level detection means may be of the electrical and / or electronic type in association, for example, with a motorized valve, just as they may be mechanical and in the form of a float designed, depending on the water level in the tank, to actuate means for controlling the opening or closing of a suitable valve.

[0042] According to the invention, partially upstream of at least one of the main 6 and / or secondary 11; 11a and / or connecting 9; 9a pipes, the installation 1 comprises controlled air supply means 12. This installation 1 also comprises a management unit 13 for these controlled air supply means 12.

[0043] Advantageously, these are substantially defined by at least one solenoid valve connected to a pipe 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a and which, when in the open position, allows the latter to be put into communication with the ambient air.

[0044] Thus, the opening command of such a solenoid valve 12 in the upstream part of a main pipe 6 generates, under the effect of the suction linked to the vacuum in the tank 2 to which this main pipe 6 is connected, an advance of the effluent train that the latter contains in the direction of said tank 2, this, proportionally to the duration of the open maintenance of the solenoid valve 12.

[0045] This opening time of the solenoid valve, preceded by the opening command and followed by the closing command of said solenoid valve, corresponds to the stages of an air supply cycle.

[0046] In the same way, the opening command of a solenoid valve 12 in the upstream part of a secondary pipe 11; 11a generates, under the effect of the suction linked to the vacuum in the tank 2, an advance of the effluent train contained in this secondary pipe 11; 11a, at the same time as the effluent train contained in the main pipe 6 to which it is connected.

[0047] The advantage of such an air supply in one and / or the other pipe 6; 11, 1 la; 9, 9a consists of discharging all or part of this or its pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a, while guaranteeing a level of charge of the latter in relation to the effluent suction capacities of the installation 1 and, therefore, in relation to the power of the vacuum pump 3.

[0048] In particular, the optimal load level in pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a can be defined according to different parameters: • the level of vacuum, therefore of negative pressure, that the vacuum pump 3 can generate in the tank 2; • the empty volume in the network of pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a and in particular in the tank, a volume which depends, in particular, on the quantity of effluent in the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a and of course in this tank 2; • the time required for vacuum pump 3, after an air supply cycle, to return the installation to a determined negative pressure level.

[0049] Also, the invention further relates to a method for managing the operation of an installation 1 according to the invention.

[0050] According to a l revariant of this method, by means of the management means 13 making it possible to ensure the opening and closing control of the controlled air supply means 12, an operator can trigger an air supply cycle at the level of at least one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a over a determined period of time T.

[0051] Preferably, an air supply cycle is provided sequentially and not simultaneously in the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a. More particularly, an air supply cycle is controlled in one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a, before carrying out an air supply cycle in another of these pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a.

[0052] Preferably, again, these air supply cycles occur, successively, at the level of a main pipe 6, then in a secondary pipe 11; 11a and, finally, at the level of a connecting pipe 9; 9a if it is equipped with controlled air supply means 12.

[0053] It should also be noted that, beyond an air supply cycle at the level of a main pipe 6, air supply cycles are provided successively in each of the secondary pipes 11; 11a.

[0054] To manage these air supplies in the installation 1 according to the invention, the operator can call upon his experience by taking into account, for example, data such as the number of active collection points 10; 10a, i.e. likely to constitute effluent supply points in the installation 1.

[0055] In the example of application of the invention for the recovery of effluents from several mobile homes on a campsite, this operator can take into account the occupancy rate of these mobile homes.

[0056] According to a preferred configuration of the invention, at least one collection point 10; 10a, advantageously, each of the collection points 10; 10a is equipped with a means for detecting the supply of effluent 14 into the installation 1, in this case in the embodiment described, in a connection pipe 9; 9a to which the collection point 10; 10a is connected. This or each of these detection means 14 is connected, as the case may be, by wire or by remote intercommunication means, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio frequency or other, to the management means 13.

[0057] An effluent supply detection means 14 may take different embodiments. Thus, it may be defined by a sensor designed to detect the opening, or even a sequence of opening and closing, of a valve associated with a collection point 10; 10a through which the effluent is supplied to the installation 1.

[0058] Thus, each time the valve is opened, or even each sequence of opening and closing of the valve, the sensor 14 sends a pulse towards the management means 13. Advantageously, this comprises a memory associated with a clock for recording, in the form of an event, such a pulse according to a time scale. This management unit 13 comprises a data recording memory.

[0059] Preferably, these events are recorded with respect to an effluent supply detection means 14 and, therefore, a collection point 10; 10a. Alternatively or in combination, an event is also recorded taking into account, as the case may be, the network 8; 8a of connecting pipe 9; 9a of which the collection point 10; 10a is part, the effluent supply detection means 14 of which is the origin of the event and / or the secondary pipe 11; 11a to which this collection point 10; 10a is connected.

[0060] Thus, the management unit 13 records as an event a pulse coming from an effluent supply detection means 14, in combination with at least one of the following data: • the time of this event; • the date of the event; • the collection point 10; 10a therefore the effluent supply detection means 14 is at the origin of the event; • the network 8; 8a of connection pipes 9; 9a of which the collection point 10; 10a is part; • the secondary pipeline 11; 11a through which said collection point 10; 10a is connected to the main pipeline 6.

[0061] In a preceding configuration, it shall be considered as agreed or estimated the quantity of effluent input into installation 1 at each recorded event.

[0062] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, an effluent supply detection means 14 can be designed, substantially, in the form of a flow sensor or other technology which is capable of sending to the management unit 13 a pulse relating to an effluent supply in the installation 1 through the collection point 10; 10a to which this flow sensor is associated, but also information relating to the quantity of effluent supplied.

[0063] According to the method for managing the installation according to the invention, at least one air supply cycle is controlled by the management means 13 in at least one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a via the controlled air supply means 12, when one and / or other of the following conditions is met: • the number of events generated by an effluent supply detection means 14 associated with a collection point 10; 10a is greater than a threshold value Vsl; • the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means 14 associated with the collection points 10; 10a of the same network 8; 8a of connection pipes 9; 9a is greater than a threshold value Vs2; • the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means 14 associated with the different collection points 10; 10a of the installation 1 is greater than a threshold value of events Vs3; • the quantity of effluent brought by a collection point 10; 10a is greater than a threshold value Qsl; • the quantity of effluent supplied by the collection points 10; 10a of the same network 8; 8a of connecting pipes 9; 9a is greater than a threshold value Qs2; • the quantity of effluent supplied by the various collection points 10; 10a of installation 1 is greater than a threshold value Qs3;

[0064] The method according to the invention also provides for controlling by the management means 13 air supply cycles in at least one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a via the controlled air supply means 12, according to a frequency F which is a function of the rate of active collection points 10; 10a. For example, this frequency can be determined through a function of the type: F = ax Tx, a being a determined constant, in memory of the management unit 13, Tx corresponding to the occupancy rate which can be given manually entered by an operator in the management unit 13 or determined by the latter through the recorded events coming from the effluent supply detection means 14. Thus, a collection point 10; 10a can be considered active if the effluent supply detection means 14 associated with it generates at least one event over a determined period of time “te”, for example over a period of 24 hours (te = 24h).

[0065] According to another particularity of the management method according to the invention, the management means 13 predictively control at least one air supply cycle in at least one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a by means of the controlled air supply means 12.

[0066] Very often, in fact, the supply of effluents through collection points 10; 10a occurs at varying frequencies over a period of time depending on the area of ​​application of the installation 1. Most often this period of time extends over 24 hours, or even 48 hours in the most frequent applications mentioned above.

[0067] So, if we take the example of mobile homes on a campsite, these effluent inputs mainly occur during predictable time slots: in the morning, around midday and in the evening.

[0068] According to the method according to the invention, these time slots during which the collection points 10; 10a mainly generate effluent inputs can be pre-recorded in memory, just as these time slots can be determined by the management unit 13 in relation to a period in the past (e.g. the previous 24 or 48 hours) or in relation to a history of recorded events, for example in a database.

[0069] According to the method, the management means 13 control at least one, preferably several air supply cycles in at least one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a by means of the controlled air supply means 12, in a predictive manner upstream and / or during these recorded or determined time slots.

[0070] Advantageously, during these time slots the method can also provide cycles of air supply in at least one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a by means of the controlled air supply means 12 at a determined frequency.

[0071] Preferably, the determined number of air supply cycles and / or the frequency of these air supplies in at least one of the pipes 6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a controlled by the management means 13 upstream and / or during defined time slots is defined as a function of the number of collection points 10; 10a active in each of the networks 8; 8a of connecting pipes 9; 9a connecting these collection points 10; 10a to a secondary pipe 11; 11a and / or to a main pipe 6.

Claims

Claims

1. Vacuum effluent recovery installation comprising, essentially: a tank (2) for recovering the effluents maintained under negative pressure by means of a vacuum pump (3); a main pipe (6) discharging, at its downstream end (7), into the tank (2); at least one network (8; 8a) of connecting pipes (9; 9a) each connecting at least one effluent collection point directly to the main pipe (6) or via a secondary pipe (11; 11a); characterized in that it comprises, in the upstream part of at least one of the pipes (6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a), as the case may be, main (6) and / or secondary (11; 11a) and / or connecting (9; 9a), means for controlled air supply (12).

2. Vacuum effluent recovery installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a management unit (13) for the controlled air supply means (12), this management unit (13) comprising a data recording memory.

3. Vacuum effluent recovery installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controlled air supply means (12) are defined by at least one solenoid valve connected to a pipe (6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a) designed to, in the open position, put the latter in communication with the ambient air.

4. Vacuum effluent recovery installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one collection point (10; 10a) comprises means for detecting the supply of effluent connected by wire or remotely to the management unit (13) and designed to transmit to the latter at least one pulse defined as an event in the event of detection of the supply of effluent.

5. A vacuum effluent recovery plant according to claim 4, characterized in that a detection means effluent supply (14) comprises an effluent supply sensor in the installation (1) via a collection point (10; 10a).

6. Method for managing a vacuum effluent recovery installation according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that over a period of time T, at least one air supply cycle is triggered via the management means (13) at least one of the pipes (6; 11, 11; 9, 9a) by a cycle of controlling the opening and closing of controlled air supply means (12).

7. Management method according to claim 6, characterized in that, using the management means (13), a cycle of air supply is controlled successively in the pipes (6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a).

8. Management method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that an air supply cycle is controlled, in order, at the level of a main pipe (6), then successively in each of the secondary pipes (11; 11a).

9. Management method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the management unit (13) records, as an event, a pulse from an effluent supply detection means (14) in combination with at least one of the following data: • the time of the event; • the date of the event; • the collection point (10; 10a) whose effluent supply detection means (14) is the origin of the event; • the network (8; 8a) of connecting pipes (9; 9a) of which the collection point (10; 10a) is part; • the secondary pipeline (11; 11a) through which 1 collection point (10; 10a) is connected to a main pipeline (6).

10. Management method according to claim 7, characterized in that the management means (13) control at least one air supply cycle in at least one of the pipes (6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a) via the controlled air supply means (12), when at least one of the following conditions is met: the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means (14) associated with a collection point (10; 10a) is greater than a threshold value Vsl; • the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means (14) associated with the collection points (10; 10a) of the same network (8; 8a) of connection pipes (9; 9a) is greater than a threshold value Vs2; • the number of events generated by the effluent supply detection means (14) associated with the different collection points (10; 10a) of the installation (1) is greater than a threshold value of events Vs3; • the quantity of effluent supplied by a collection point (10; 10a) is greater than a threshold value Qsl; • the quantity of effluent supplied by the collection points (10; 10a) of the same network (8; 8a) of connection pipes (9; 9a) is greater than a threshold value Qs2; • the quantity of effluent supplied by the different collection points (10; 10a) of the installation (1) is greater than a threshold value of events Qs3;

11. Management method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the number of collection points (10; 10a) considered active in each of the networks (8; 8a) of connecting pipes (9; 9a) of the installation (1) is recorded in the memory of the management unit (13).

12. Management method according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the management means (13) control, in a predictive manner, as a function of the recorded data, at least one air supply cycle in at least one of the pipes (6; 11.1 la; 9, 9a) by means of controlled air supply means (12).

13. Management method according to claim 12, characterized in that time slots for the supply of the majority of effluent via the collection points (10; 10a) are pre-recorded in the memory of the management unit (13) and at least one, preferably several cycles of air supply are controlled via said management means (13) in at least one of the pipes (6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a) via the controlled air supply means 12, in a predictive manner before and / or during these time slots.

14. Management method according to claim 12, characterized in that the management unit (13) determines time slots for supply of majority effluent by the collection points (10; 10a) these time slots can be determined by the management unit (13) in relation to a past period or in relation to a history of recorded events and at least one, preferably several cycles of air supply in at least one of the pipes (6; 11.1 la; 9, 9a) by means of the controlled air supply means (12), in a predictive manner before and / or during these time slots.

15. Management method according to claims 11 and 13, characterized in that the number and / or frequency of air supply cycles in at least one of the pipes (6; 11, 11a; 9, 9a) before and / or during determined time slots is defined as a function of the number of collection points (10; 10a) active in each of the networks (8; 8a) of connecting pipes (9; 9a).

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