Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Treatment by living organism
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-23
2001-11-20
Barry, Chester T. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Treatment by living organism
C210S747300, C210S143000, C210S170050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319405
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for disposing of wastewater. The invention has particular application to the disposal of treated or secondary effluent; however, it is applicable to other types of wastewater.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many municipal waste treatment plants are at capacity and need to be expanded. Some plants are deteriorated and provide sub-standard treatment. Disposal of treated effluent is a constant problem.
As will be described in greater detail below the invention disclosed and claimed herein provides an economical solution to the problem of disposing of treated effluents and other types of wastewater. In addition, disposal is employed in a beneficial manner and can be utilized to achieve a positive end result, namely continuous formation of lush vegetation on unused or under-used terrain which may be utilized, for example, to feed grazing animals such as cattle.
A search of the prior art located the following United States patents which disclose schemes for treatment of wastewater in some manner: U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,051, issued Jun. 13, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 2,382,010, issued Aug. 14, 1945, U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,653, issued Dec. 28, 1993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,896, issued May 27, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,561, issued Nov. 25, 1980, U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,129, issued Mar. 13, 1990, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,969, issued Feb. 26, 1991.
The above-identified patents do not disclose the apparatus and method described and claimed herein nor do they attain the benefits resulting therefrom.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention encompasses a method for disposing of wastewater which includes the step of transporting wastewater to an elevated site on a hill having a hillside, at least some of the hillside extending downwardly from the elevated site to a hill bottom.
The method also includes the step of distributing the wastewater transported to the elevated site along a predetermined width of the hillside.
The distributed wastewater flows down the hillside from the elevated site under the influence of gravity so that at least a portion of the hillside is contacted and wetted by the wastewater and wherein the wastewater is absorbed by the hillside.
The rate of distribution of wastewater is controlled so that substantially all the wastewater flowing down the hillside under the influence of gravity is absorbed by the hillside, does not completely penetrate the hill, and does not substantially accumulate at the hill bottom.
The invention also includes apparatus for disposing of wastewater received from a source of wastewater.
The apparatus includes wastewater transporting means for transporting wastewater from the source of wastewater to an elevated site on a hill having a hillside, at least some of the hillside extending downwardly from the elevated site.
Wastewater distributing means is provided for distributing the wastewater transported to the elevated site along a predetermined width of the hillside whereby the distributed water flows down the hillside from the elevated site under the influence of gravity, contacts at least a portion of the hillside, wets the hillside and is absorbed by the hillside.
The apparatus also includes control means for controlling the rate of distribution of wastewater so that substantially all the wastewater flowing down the hillside under the influence of gravity from the elevated site is absorbed by the hillside, does not completely penetrate the hill, and does not substantially accumulate at the hill bottom.
Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2382010 (1945-08-01), Hodges
patent: 4235561 (1980-11-01), Peterson
patent: 4839051 (1989-06-01), Higa
patent: 4908129 (1990-03-01), Finsterwalder et al.
patent: 4995969 (1991-02-01), LaVigue
patent: 5273653 (1993-12-01), Kickuth
patent: 5632896 (1997-05-01), Vandervelde et al.
Roy Guy W.
Scudder Harvey I.
Barry Chester T.
Lampe Thomas R.
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