Method and device for treating contaminated water from golf courses

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for treating contaminated water from golf courses in order to produce service water, with a cleaning process comprising a grass separator used for coarse filtering, a preferably aerobic biological purification process with a sedimentation of particles and suspended matter, and a subsequent ultrafiltration process, preferably using a membrane filter, wherein the purification process can be controlled, at least with respect to the biological purification process and the ultrafiltration process, depending on the contamination of the greywater.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONTAMINATED WATER FROM GOLF COURSES

[0002] The invention relates to both a method and a device for treating contaminated water from golf courses.

[0003] Golf facilities include at least one golf course and practice areas for golf training. Water is needed for irrigation and green maintenance, as well as for supplying washing areas within the golf facilities. These washing areas include, among others, caddy wash bays, which require significant amounts of water for cleaning the golf carts.

[0004] The water requirements of a golf course depend on its size, location, soil type, and weather. In Germany, the average water requirement for an 18-hole golf course is approximately 44,000 m³. 3 Water per year. In areas with high rainfall, water requirements are lower.

[0005] In times of increasing drought, golf courses and their water consumption are coming under increasing scrutiny. Particularly during periods of prolonged dryness, it is necessary to treat contaminated or polluted water for reuse, primarily by converting it to greywater and, if necessary, even to process water.

[0006] It should be noted here that the term "golf course" is to be understood in the broadest sense. The invention also relates to contaminated water that generally arises during green maintenance and is collected or otherwise gathered.

[0007] In practice, the use and reuse of domestic greywater (wastewater from the bathroom / shower / washing machine / kitchen) for toilet flushing, garden irrigation, cleaning purposes, and much more is well-established. This aims to conserve drinking water reserves. The requirements for treated greywater (=process water) are described in the relevant regulations and DIN / EN standards and are as follows:

[0008] - It must be hygienically perfect;

[0009] - The water must be clear, free of odor and free of other residues.

[0010] - The water must be storable, as it needs to be stored in toilet cisterns for up to four weeks, for example.

[0011] In Germany, this water is also referred to as care water and could, in the future, be used for showering and bathing if the legislation allows.

[0012] The state of the art includes various methods ranging from chlorination and UV treatment of greywater to membrane filtration. The results of greywater treatment using state-of-the-art methods are insufficient because various influencing factors / parameters affect each other.

[0013] For the state of the art, reference is made only to DE 102008 049970 A1 as an example. The process known therein requires improvement with regard to the process water quality.

[0014] It should be noted here that with increasing water scarcity, it will be necessary to purify at least slightly contaminated water for further use, especially in golf courses. For a more comprehensive discussion of the underlying situation, conceptual definitions are important.

[0015] Service water refers to water that can be used for commercial, industrial, agricultural, or similar purposes with varying quality characteristics. The basis for this is DIN 4046. Greywater is wastewater that originates, for example, from showers, bathtubs, hand basins, kitchens, and also from household washing machines. It should be noted that water from toilets and other drains is not considered greywater.

[0016] Rainwater refers to natural precipitation, i.e., rain, snow, dew, and fog. Rainwater is not contaminated through use.

[0017] The method according to the invention involves the use of contaminated water, such as that generated on golf courses, specifically during irrigation and general operation of the course. Similar to domestic greywater treatment, the contaminated water is to be treated according to the specific level of contamination, primarily for reuse on or within the golf course. Where possible, the treatment of the contaminated water should result in process water, rather than discharging the contaminated or greywater into the wastewater system.

[0018] The present invention is based on the objective of treating contaminated water generated in golf courses for further use in order to reduce the demand for fresh water. Greywater and / or rainwater are to be treated to produce process water of sufficiently good quality.

[0019] With sensible and effective greywater treatment, golf courses benefit the environment and reduce costs. Collected and treated greywater can be used for toilet flushing, washing machines, or lawn irrigation. Using greywater significantly reduces drinking water consumption, resulting in lower costs for drinking water and wastewater.

[0020] Therefore, an effective method and a corresponding device for treating contaminated water in golf courses, i.e., for treating greywater into service water, should be specified. Sufficiently good greywater treatment and a reliable supply of service water for the aforementioned purposes should be achievable with simple means, especially in the operation of golf courses.

[0021] The underlying problem is solved with respect to the method according to the invention by the features of claim 1. According to this claim, the method according to the invention for treating contaminated water from golf courses into process water comprises a special cleaning process, preceded by grass separation in the form of coarse filtration. This is followed by a preferably aerobic biological treatment of the water with sedimentation of particles and suspended solids. This is followed by ultrafiltration, preferably using a membrane filter, wherein the cleaning process, at least with respect to the biological treatment and the ultrafiltration, can be controlled depending on the greywater contamination. However, this is not strictly necessary.

[0022] It is further advantageous if the contaminated water containing grass clippings or similar materials is pumped from a collection pit or container to a grass separator. It should be noted that the method of collection of the contaminated water containing the grass clippings is irrelevant to the invention. What is essential is that the contaminated water containing the grass clippings is made available for treatment, for example, in a collection pit or container, from which it is pumped to a grass separator. The pump can be a so-called cutting wheel pump, which shreds particulate matter, such as grass clippings.

[0023] In a further advantageous manner, a coarse filtration system is provided, which may include a filter with an integrated overflow and, if necessary, a batch pump for pumping the filtered water into a further tank.

[0024] For grass separation, a backwashable grass separator can be provided, from which grass clippings or similar material flow into a collection container. With regard to membrane filtration, the service life of the membrane and the quality of the membrane filtration are of particular importance. According to the claimed control system, the membrane filter is fed with the available greywater in a controlled manner, taking into account, in particular, the gentle operation of the membrane filter. After ultrafiltration, clean process water is available.

[0025] Following ultrafiltration, the greywater can be treated with ozone, possibly with aeration. This further improves the treatment results.

[0026] With regard to the device according to the invention for treating contaminated water from golf courses, the aforementioned problem is solved by the features of dependent claim 20, wherein this device serves for applying the method according to the invention.

[0027] The greywater system according to the invention can, in accordance with the preceding descriptions of the inventive method, include a control system for the cleaning process, at least with regard to biological treatment and ultrafiltration, depending on the greywater contamination. The quality or composition of the greywater, and thus its grade, is determined in the primary settling tanks and greywater storage tanks, since the water is pumped from one tank to the other and aerated in each tank. The pumping rate, the aeration rate, and the residence time in the respective tanks are continuously adjusted to the process in order to ensure the gentlest possible treatment of the greywater for the downstream filter.On the one hand, it is important to protect the membrane filter, and on the other hand, a sufficiently good quality of treated greywater should be provided, namely sufficiently clean process water.

[0028] The filter(s) are preferably fed by a self-priming pump, which may be frequency-controlled. The control loop is determined by the pressure in the filter and the flow rate. Furthermore, the filters are backwashed periodically to ensure excellent filtration performance throughout the process. The backwash water is returned to the greywater tank, so this water is also used for treatment. Thus, no water is lost. The control system also applies here.

[0029] It should be noted that the process according to the invention does not use any harmful chemicals that affect or damage the environment. Instead, biodegradation takes place. Returned dirt particles are removed as solids. Furthermore, the entire process is optimized in terms of energy and cost-effectiveness through control, with the primary goal being the production of sufficiently pure process water.

[0030] Regarding the system, it should be particularly noted that the process parameters are continuously monitored and, if necessary, recorded. This can be done on a central server via the cloud. Unauthorized access to the collected data is effectively prevented by standard security measures.

[0031] The method according to the invention can utilize sophisticated control technology that makes it possible to regulate and monitor each individual section of the greywater treatment process. The treatment process, controlled by the system, responds to any changes in the greywater inflow and continuously adapts to the respective greywater quality. The operator of the system has online access to and can influence the process.

[0032] Various sensors are installed in the system for control and / or regulation to obtain information about the respective water properties and quality. This allows for the measurement of diverse values ​​in both greywater and recycled greywater (i.e., process water), which can then be used to control the process. These values ​​include oxygen, turbidity, total organic carbon, ambient temperature, spectral absorption coefficient, COLOR, filtrate volume, etc. The necessary sensors are preferably installed in clusters, ideally in combination, at the lowest point of each tank. Measurement data obtained from the sensors is then used for control and regulation, preferably via AI applications, i.e., using AI-specific algorithms.

[0033] The inventive method and device can be followed by a more extensive water treatment system, which, as described above, is also equipped with sensors. This allows, for example, the use of bacteria to treat the process water, making it suitable for showering and bathing. The aforementioned sensors are also applicable to the process water.

[0034] It is also conceivable to use the greywater and process water for heat recovery, for example, before or in the greywater collection tank or before or in the process water collection tank. Ultimately, heat recovery before or in all collection tanks is conceivable, depending on the specific design of the system.

[0035] Heat is extracted regularly via heat exchangers and, if necessary, via a heat pump, in order to achieve the best possible use of available heat.

[0036] The heat generated in this way can, for example, be fed into the drinking water system, although a decoupled pipe system is required for hygiene reasons. This requirement stems from legal regulations.

[0037] It is also conceivable to monitor the membrane filter(s) with regard to the degree of contamination and / or wear, namely by checking the flow rate and / or the water quality after filtration. This allows the filter service life to be predicted and the need for filter replacement to be indicated.

[0038] It is also conceivable to use the inventive method and device for the selective filtration of rainwater. The application of biological process steps can be omitted. Due to aeration and filtration through the membrane (ultrafiltration), even heavily contaminated rainwater can be treated to meet industry standards for use as process water. This is possible independently of greywater treatment.

[0039] A particularly advantageous approach, and one that improves the overall efficiency of the system, is to operate alternately for greywater and rainwater treatment, with the membrane system operating intermittently. Such an expansion of the system requires a separate tank as a rainwater buffer. It is especially beneficial if the system switches automatically or on demand to the appropriate source – greywater buffer or rainwater buffer.

[0040] It is essential that the greywater (process water) treated according to the above instructions not only meets the bathing water guidelines, but also falls below the specified limit values, without the need for additional aids such as UV disinfection or similar methods. In the future, it is conceivable that this treated water could be used as so-called personal care water for showering and bathing. A corresponding amendment to the law, which would permit this use, is pending.

[0041] There are now various ways to advantageously elaborate and further develop the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference should be made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing, the

[0042] The single figure shows the schematic setup of a system according to the invention, which utilizes the inventive method for treating greywater into process water. The single figure shows, in a schematic view, that contaminated water containing grass residues is collected in a collection pit. A cutting wheel pump is arranged in the collection pit. The contaminated water containing the grass residues is pumped by this pump to a grass separator, where the grass residues are collected separately in a special collection container. From there, the grass residues can be transferred to a separate composting facility.

[0043] The grass separator can be backwashed using water, preferably grey water.

[0044] The water from the grass separator enters a collection tank including an overflow pipe.

[0045] From the collection tank with batch pump, the grey water flows into a filtration tank including an overflow nozzle.

[0046] The coarsely filtered greywater flows into a greywater collection tank, which may include an aeration unit. Simultaneously, before, or after this, the greywater can undergo ozone treatment. Any sediment is discharged into a sewer or otherwise disposed of.

[0047] The previously discussed greywater tank contains a batch pump that transfers the pre-treated greywater to a greywater filtration tank. This filtration tank also includes an aeration unit. From there, the further filtered greywater flows into an ultrafiltration station.

[0048] The ultrafiltration station can include a membrane filter that is backwashed and thus cleaned at periodic intervals, preferably at controlled intervals. The process water used for backwashing, along with the dirt particles dissolved from the membrane filter, is fed either to the coarse filter or the greywater collection tank and undergoes further treatment. From the ultrafiltration station, the cleaned greywater, i.e., the water generated as process water, is fed to a process water storage tank with a backwash pump, ozone treatment, and, if necessary, an aeration unit.

[0049] In a particularly advantageous configuration, the service water storage tank can feature fill level monitoring, such that if the fill level is too low, it is topped up with drinking water (according to the specifications of EN1717 Category 5 or country-specific regulations) or, alternatively, with rainwater. This ensures that sufficient service water is always available. A pumping system then supplies the service water to the appropriate consumers, e.g., for garden irrigation, toilet flushing, laundry, cleaning, etc. All conceivable uses for service water can be implemented.

[0050] The procedure is carried out in a controlled manner using relevant procedural parameters.

[0051] Regarding further advantageous embodiments of the teaching according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the attached claims in order to avoid repetition.

[0052] Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the embodiment of the invention described above serves only to discuss the claimed teaching, but does not limit it to the embodiment described above.

Claims

Claims 1. Method for treating contaminated water from golf courses to process water, comprising a cleaning process including grass separation in the sense of coarse filtration, a preferably aerobic biological cleaning with sedimentation of particles and suspended solids, and a subsequent ultrafiltration, preferably by means of a membrane filter, wherein the cleaning process can be controlled at least with regard to the biological cleaning and the ultrafiltration depending on the greywater contamination.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the contaminated water containing grass residues or the like is conveyed from a collection pit or collection container to a grass cutter.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the promotion of the Contaminated water containing grass residue is pumped from the collection pit to the grass separator using a cutting wheel pump.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coarse filtration comprises a filter with integrated overflow and optionally with batch pump for conveying the water filtered to that extent into a further tank.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a backwashable grass separator is provided for grass separation, from which grass residues or the like enter a collection container.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ultrafiltration is followed by ozone treatment of the greywater, optionally with aeration.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the biological purification takes place in the greywater tank with the addition of wastewater bacteria and with aeration.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the biologically purified grey water is fed into a station for ultrafiltration, wherein the ultrafiltration is preferably carried out by means of a hollow fiber membrane filter.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the process water generated by the cleaning process is stored in a process water tank and supplied from there to one or more consumers suitable for process water use via a pressure boosting system.

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a backwash pump is provided in or on the operating water tank, which is used to backwash the filter or filters of the station for ultrafiltration, wherein the backwash water is fed back to the grey water to be cleaned.

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the control is designed such that the treatment of greywater is only carried out according to actual need in process water, resulting in efficient use of the plant.

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, in the absence of a sufficient quantity of generated process water, preferably in the process water tank, drinking water is supplied, preferably regulated via a level gauge.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that rainwater is supplied to the cleaning process.

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least the biological cleaning and / or the ultrafiltration or their tanks can be modularly expanded or supplemented with the respective equipment.

15. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the greywater and / or the at least partially treated greywater / process water is used for heat recovery.

16. Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the control influences the residence time of the grey water in the respective stations, the pumping rates from one station to the other and the aeration in the respective stations of the cleaning process.

17. Method according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the control system performs a continuous adjustment of the process parameters, in particular to ensure a treatment of the grey water that is gentle on the filters.

18. Method according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the control system connects a local network controlling the plant to a central network via a LAN or WLAN connection.

19. Method according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the control can be operated or influenced via remote access, preferably via mobile phone app or desktop, optionally via satellite technology.

20. Device for treating contaminated water from golf courses to process water, for applying a method according to one of claims 1 to 19.

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