Septic Tank Effluent Filter and Aerator System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Septic tank systems face issues with solid debris such as plastics, syringes, and nonflushable items clogging and damaging sewage pump systems, and existing filters can cause an above-normal rise in static water levels during cleaning, leading to potential damage when these items surge into the pump chamber.
Innovation Solution
A septic tank effluent treatment system comprising a filter with a liftable cleaning strainer and an aerator device, where the filter has upper and lower sections with kerf slots and attaches to the tank baffle, preventing solid debris from entering the pump chamber, and the aerator includes a large-diameter pipe with an air-diffuser and anti-turbulation collar to enhance decomposition and prevent turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cartridge-type effluent filter is used to capture solid debris, then solid debris is prevented from entering the pump chamber, but the static water level rises above-normal when the filter is ready for cleaning, causing captured items to surge into the pump chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into a permanent filter component and a removable cleaning strainer component. The cleaning strainer can be independently extracted from the filter for cleaning without removing the entire filter assembly, allowing maintenance without disrupting the pump chamber protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning strainer acts as an intermediary component between the filter and the pump chamber. It captures debris during normal operation and can be removed for cleaning, preventing the need to empty the entire tank while avoiding debris surge into the pump chamber.
2Ease of repair
If the filter is cleaned by emptying the tank, then solid debris can be removed from the filter, but the pump system must be emptied and refilled, increasing time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning strainer is designed to be extracted from the filter assembly and removed from the tank for cleaning. This allows the strainer to be cleaned externally without requiring the tank to be emptied or the pump system to be shut down, significantly reducing maintenance time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning strainer can be independently removed and cleaned by the user without requiring professional service or tank emptying. The design enables owner-maintainable cleaning capability, reducing maintenance costs and time investment.
3Reliability
If a traditional filter design is used, then solid debris is captured, but the filter requires removal from the tank for cleaning, risking debris surge into the pump chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into a permanent filter body that remains in the tank and a removable cleaning strainer. This segmentation allows the strainer to be extracted for cleaning while the filter body continues to protect the pump chamber, enabling maintenance without compromising protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning strainer serves as a removable intermediary that can be taken out for cleaning without creating a direct pathway for debris to surge into the pump chamber. The permanent filter body remains in place as a secondary barrier, ensuring continuous protection during maintenance operations.
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 effectively prevents solid debris from entering the pump chamber during filter cleaning and enhances decomposition processes, reducing the risk of pump damage and improving septic system operation by allowing for external cleaning without pumping the tank and minimizing turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
an aerator (1310, 1605) comprising a large-diameter-to-length ratio aerator pipe; inlet piping to the aerator pipe; an air-diffuser (1405) within the aerator pipe
Implementation Method 2
treatment media within the aerator pipe; facultative aerobic bacteria grow
Implementation Method 3
an anti-turbulation collar (1705)
Implementation Method 4
the upper and lower sections comprise kerf slots
Data Source
AI summary
A system to treat effluent in a septic tank includes filter sections having kerfs. A strainer removes solid debris from the filter for removal without allowing the solid debris to pass. An aerator includes an eight to twelve inch diameter pipe 4 to 6 feet tall matching tank invert height. The aerator has bottom inlet holes, each with an elbow on the outside with a vertical standpipe taking effluent from the clear zone, sending it through the aerator. Air inlet piping is attached to a âTâ shaped air diffuser producing bubbles traveling upward through plastic media. Aerator height is field adjusted to approximately 2 inches below static water level. Holes in the upper sidewalls just below the top let air bubbles out sideways. At its top, the aerator has a slotted, sliding, anti-turbulation collar adjusted to be one to two inches above the static water level.