Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Treatment by living organism
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-23
2001-10-23
Barry, Chester T. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Treatment by living organism
C210S620000, C210S739000, C210S758000, C210S138000, C210S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306304
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the treatment of effluent from a septic tank and, more particularly, to the treatment of effluent from the septic tank in a large holding tank having a second smaller tank therein under aerobic conditions which is then discharged into a disposal field.
Septic tank systems using the anaerobic method are widely used in disposing of sewage material from buildings and homes. Generally, the septic system includes a septic tank from which the effluent flows into a disposal field. In some cases, a pump in a pump tank is used to lift the effluent from the septic tank to the disposal field which can be in a higher elevation from the septic tank.
These septic tank systems collect all of the wastewater sewage from the building or home and treat the sewage material in the anaerobic environment. While the septic tank generally retains most of the organic solids therein which gravitate to the bottom of the tank, the liquid effluent flows out of the tank to the disposal field where it is intended to percolate downwardly into the surrounding soil. However, varying amounts of organic particles remain in the anaerobic treated liquid effluent flowing from the septic tank. Anaerobic bacteria feed on the organic particles which produces and becomes part of a slimy mass which then coats and adheres to all surfaces with which it comes in contact. This becomes a serious problem in the septic tank system disposal fields wherein the slime coats and adheres to the soil surrounding the disposal field thereby clogging the soil pores and considerably reducing the permeability of the soil. Frequently, the permeability of the surrounding soil is so reduced that the clogged disposal field fails completely causing the liquid effluent to percolate upwardly thereby completely saturating the entire surface and especially the top surface of the disposal field resulting in an environmentally disastrous condition. This condition is prevalent with a large number of septic tank systems and must be corrected at considerable labor and expense in many cases. However, it is particularly a serious problem with small size septic tank systems where there is a limited sized disposal field area available for use for reworking, and/or there are limited financial means available to be continuously faced with the problem.
It is known that sliming in the disposal field is greatly reduced in an aerobic environment thereby providing a longer life for the disposal field. Much of the previous improvements have been directed to modifying large septic tank systems which are designed generally for municipal treatment plants to provide for higher and more complex flows of effluent solids and liquid with expensive apparatus. Very few of the improvements are applicable to improving smaller systems by means of a simple and inexpensive method and apparatus. The present invention is directed to a simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for aeration of septic tank effluent which is applicable to small septic tank systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to provide a simple and inexpensive improved method and apparatus, it has been discovered that the contaminated liquid from the septic tank must be treated and sprayed in a continuous method with oxygen by means of a venturi/pump arrangement in a small aerobic production tank located within a larger holding tank. The treated and sprayed effluent is then treated in the larger holding tank from which it is fed by gravity or may be pumped into the disposal field. This is accomplished by filtering out large organic waste from the effluent from the septic tank and passing the filtered effluent into the large tank. The small aerobic production tank located at the bottom of the large tank then fills up with the effluent through openings at its sides. A timer controls and activates the operation of the pump. When the pump is activated by the timer, the pump forces the effluent through the venturi where it is exposed to oxygen and into a jet sprayer which sprays oxygenated effluent into the effluent material present in the large tank. An air line attached to the venturi mixes air with effluent where it is jet sprayed in a circular motion into the effluent material in the holding tank. When the timer deactivates the switch and pump, aerobic bacteria in the effluent material in the holding tank combines with the oxygen until the oxygen level drops to a predetermined minimum low level which is not sufficient to maintain the preferred aerobic environment of the effluent material. At this time, the timer signals the pump which again initiates the aerating process in the aerobic production tank.
In light of the above, the present invention provides an arrangement of elements illustrated in the preferred embodiment which are hereinafter set forth in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to clearly understand the function, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4877532 (1989-10-01), Haentjens
patent: 5314622 (1994-05-01), Stirling
Barry Chester T.
Hamrock PA William F.
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