Gray Water Reclamation Filter-Valve with Automated Backwash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water conservation methods for gray-water recycling are inefficient and costly, lacking a practical system for automatic collection and reuse in residential and small commercial settings, posing health risks and violating regulations due to untreated water use, with minimal water savings and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A gray-water reclamation and reuse system that includes a gray water tank, filter-valve, holding tank, and pumps with a control mechanism for automated operation, filtering and storing gray water for reuse without manual handling, adaptable to various sources except toilets and garbage disposals, ensuring safe and economical water reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elaborate treatment facilities are used for reclaiming waste water, then water reclamation effectiveness is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides waste water treatment into multiple stages: initial screening in the gray water tank, filtration through the filter medium in the holding tank, and final distribution. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific treatment tasks, achieving effective reclamation while keeping individual component costs manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different treatment intensities to different portions of waste water based on its intended use. The filter medium provides localized filtration where needed, while other portions of the system handle simpler tasks. This local quality approach optimizes treatment effectiveness while reducing overall system cost.
2Device complexity
If manual bucket collection methods are used for gray-water reuse, then system complexity is reduced, but water savings are minimal and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to operate automatically without requiring manual intervention for water collection and distribution. The pump system self-regulates to collect gray water from designated sources, filter it through the holding tank, and distribute it to designated outlets, enabling substantial water savings while maintaining simplicity in operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical bucket handling with an automated pump-based mechanical system. This substitution eliminates the need for manual collection and distribution while significantly increasing water savings capacity, addressing both the simplicity and productivity concerns.
3Device complexity
If untreated wash water is used for landscaping, then system cost is reduced, but health code violations and plant damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtration action through the filter medium before water is distributed for landscaping or other uses. This preliminary treatment removes harmful substances and particles from the gray water, eliminating health risks and plant damage while maintaining a relatively simple system design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If gray-water reclamation systems are installed in preexisting buildings, then adaptability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with universal components that can be adapted to various preexisting building types and plumbing configurations. The gray water tank, holding tank with filter medium, and pump system can be integrated into different architectural contexts, providing adaptability while maintaining reasonable installation complexity through standardized components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables substantial and continuous water savings, reducing fresh water consumption by up to 60% with minimal maintenance, while adhering to health codes and regulations, making it suitable for homes, offices, and small businesses.
Implementation Method 1
a holding tank indirectly coupled to the filter and having a filter medium therein
Data Source
AI summary
An improved gray water reclamation system. A filter-valve is coupled to a gray water conduit between a drain where gray water enters the system and a gray water tank and/or sump. Water which enters the filter-valve contacts a filter screen which separates the incoming water into a portion of screened water and a portion of particulate matter which remains behind in the main portion of the filter-valve. The portion of screened water continues out of the filter-valve and into the gray water tank. The filter-valve is cleaned or maintained by backwashing the collected contaminates and particulate matter through the normal sewer drain system by opening an installed motor operated valve and allowing the collected particulate matter and backwash to pass there through via the waste conduit. The backwash and particulate matter from the filter-valve is then directed into a second waste conduit which is coupled to a pre-existing drainage system.