SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR AERATION AND PROCESSING WASTE IN AEROBIC WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

Abstract

An aerobic system and method for processing and managing wastewater effluent uses a cell wall rupturing process to enhance efficiency. Solutions are pumped into an aeration device and are compressed as the flow is constricted through a narrow passage. The compression of the solutions builds internal cellular pressure. Upon exiting the constriction, the pressure is relieved and a vacuum is formed. The decompression created by the vacuum causes the cells to rupture and release their cellular contents into a liquid stream. Air is simultaneously drawn in by the vacuum and mixed with the cellular components to rapidly oxidize the contents of the ruptured cells. Oxidation continues as the flow of ruptured cells in the liquid is mixed with dissolved oxygen before expulsion. The destroyed cells also provide a food source for aerobic bacteria.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only a preferred embodiment of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a first embodiment of an aerobic wastewater management system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a second embodiment of an aerobic wastewater management system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a third embodiment of an aerobic wastewater management system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of an aerobic wastewater management system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of an aerobic wastewater management system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of yet another embodiment of an aerobic wastewater management system constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a cell wall rupturing process utilized by the present invention.

Claims

1. A septic tank, comprising: a trash tank adapted to process effluent into liquids and suspended solids such that they are partially digested by aerobic bacteria;a mix liquor compartment having a pump adapted to receive the liquids and suspended solids;an aeration device in communication with the pump and adapted to rupture cell walls of cells in the liquids and suspended solids when pumped into the aeration device, the cells being compressed as the liquids and suspended solids are constricted through a narrow passage in the aeration device to build internal cellular pressure such that, upon exiting the narrow passage, pressure on the cells is relieved and a vacuum is formed whereby a decompression created by the vacuum causes the cells to explode, thereby rupturing the cell walls and releasing contents of the cells from within the cellular walls; andan apparatus adapted to deliver the liquids, suspended solids, and cellular contents from the aeration device to the mix liquor compartment to facilitate the growth of aerobic bacteria therein, such that a biological oxygen demand and total suspended solids in the treated effluent are reduced for discharge.

2. A septic tank according to claim 1, further comprising adapting the aeration device to simultaneously draw air into the aeration device by the vacuum, mix the cell contents with oxygen from the air to rapidly oxidize the cell contents, and provide the ruptured cells as a food source for aerobic bacteria.

3. A septic tank according to claim 1, wherein the pump comprises centrifugal pump that is located inside and near a bottom of the mix liquor compartment, and the septic tank has a height of less than four feet.

4. A septic tank according to claim 1, wherein all of the liquids and suspended solids in the mix liquor compartment are continuously pulled into the pump from a bottom of the mix liquor compartment and blended with air several times per hour to increase the bacterial digestion of organic solids.

5. A septic tank according to claim 1, wherein as the effluent is blended with air, oxygen is separated from the other gases in the air, and the oxygen settles to a bottom of the septic tank, whereby a concentration of oxygen, as high as 90% dissolved, inhibits the development of sludge at the bottom.

6. An aerobic wastewater management system, comprising: a tank having an inlet port for receiving effluent, a plurality of compartments located inside the tank for processing and treating effluent, and an outlet port for discharging treated effluent; the compartments further comprising:a trash tank for processing effluent into suspended solids and liquids that are partially digested by aerobic bacteria to form a separated sewage;a first settling compartment for receiving the separated sewage from the trash tank such that any heavier solids remain in the first settling compartment and continue to undergo digestion by the aerobic bacteria;a mix liquor compartment having a pump and an aeration device, the pump receiving any lighter solids from the first settling compartment, and liquids and suspended solids from the mix liquor compartment, such that the pump circulates the liquids and suspended solids through the aeration device to rupture cell walls of cells passing therethrough as the cells are compressed and constricted through a narrow passage in the aeration device to build internal cellular pressure such that, upon exiting the narrow passage, pressure on the cells is relieved and a vacuum is formed whereby a decompression created by the vacuum causes the cells to explode, thereby rupturing the cell walls and releasing contents of the cells from within the cellular walls to form oxygenated effluent; anda conduit extending from the aeration device for delivering oxygenated effluent into both the first settling compartment and into the mix liquor compartment to facilitate the growth of aerobic bacteria therein, and significantly reduce the presence of sludge in the mix liquor compartment, such that a biological oxygen demand and total suspended solids in the treated effluent have been reduced to a level that is safe for discharge from the system; anda stilling compartment for receiving the treated effluent from the mix liquor compartment and settling out any heavy particles that remain in the liquids, and allowing the treated effluent to exit the system through the outlet port of the tank.

7. An aerobic wastewater management system according to claim 6, wherein the aeration device simultaneously draws air into the aeration device by the vacuum, mixes the cell contents with oxygen from the air to rapidly oxidize the cell contents, and provides the ruptured cells as a food source for aerobic bacteria.

8. An aerobic wastewater management system according to claim 6, wherein the trash tank, first settling compartment, and mix liquor compartment are separated by partitions having openings for permitting liquids to flow therethrough.

9. An aerobic wastewater management system according to claim 6, wherein the stilling compartment comprises a funnel that extends from the top down in to the mix liquor compartment, the funnel having an opening at a lower end for permitting flow of liquids into the funnel.

10. An aerobic wastewater management system according to claim 6, wherein the pump comprises centrifugal pump that is located inside and near a bottom of the mix liquor compartment, and the tank has a height of less than four feet.

11. An aerobic wastewater management system according to claim 6, wherein all of the liquids and suspended solids in the mix liquor compartment are continuously pulled into the pump from a bottom of the mix liquor compartment and blended with air several times per hour to increase the bacterial digestion of organic solids.

12. An aerobic wastewater management system according to claim 6, wherein as the effluent is blended with air, oxygen is separated from the other gases in the air, and the oxygen settles to a bottom of the tank, whereby a concentration of oxygen, as high as 90% dissolved, inhibits the development of sludge at the bottom.

13-18. (canceled)