Patent Application
20080093284
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein:
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventors. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a unitary mobile power generation and water management facility 100 is provided as shown in
This exemplary embodiment is most commonly used in camp sites where shower, sink and toilet facilities are already provided. For brevity, the unitary mobile power generation and water management facility will herein be referred to casually as the unitary mobile basic services facility, the unitary basic services facility, and the unitary facility.
With reference now to
The unitary mobile basic services facility 100 includes interconnected compartments or units, such as, but not limited to: a water storage and distribution unit 120, a wastewater unit 140, and a power generation and distribution unit 160.
The water storage and distribution unit 120 of unitary mobile facility 100, includes water storage tank 122. Without limiting the invention, the water storage tank 122 may be sized to hold 5,000 gallons of water. Preferably the water storage tank 122 is configured to accept one legal axle load of water in order to be operational immediately upon delivery, for example, to supply potable water and water for showers, toilets, sinks, and the like.
The water storage and distribution unit 120 of unitary mobile facility 100 also includes a water pump 124 for distributing the water. Without limiting the invention, the water pump 124 may be driven by an electric motor supplied with power from the power generation and distribution unit 160, or may be a fuel powered water pump. The use of redundant water pumps is also envisioned; redundant water pumps need not be limited to either electric motor driven or fuel powered.
A water distribution system such as water pump 124 may not be necessary if the unitary mobile facility 100 is installed at a higher elevation than that of the camp. Installation at a higher elevation may be desired to ensure water distribution that is not subject to water pump 124 operation or power availability. The installation of the unitary mobile facility 100 at a higher elevation so as not to pump water during distribution, may need to take into consideration water reclamation issues as will be described herein below. Water, which may be potable water, may be dispensed via water output port 126.
The wastewater unit 140 as shown in
In the aeration tank 144, air is injected via aerator 146 into the wastewater overflow from the solids removal tank 142. The aeration tank 144 may operate as a bioreactor, the aeration enhancing the biodegradation of the waste in the wastewater. In one embodiment the aeration tank 144 may be partially filled with biofilm carrier elements to promote growth of a biofilm to further enhance biodegradation. Any solids or precipitates still remaining after biodegradation remain in suspension in the water and the water overflows into filtering tank 147 via a pipe 148 for further wastewater treatment. In the filtering tank 148 one or more membrane filters 149 may be employed to filter out remaining solids which are pumped back to the solids removal tank 142. The filtered water is conveyed to a wastewater holding tank from which the treated water is either pumped for disposal or discharged on site.
The power generation unit 160 shown in
At least one fuel tank 164 may also be collocated with the generators in the power generation unit 160. In accordance with an exemplary implementation the generators are run by diesel engines, the fuel tanks 164 storing diesel fuel. The power generation unit 160 may further include circuit breakers and power converters to respectively protect and provide various circuits.
A flex/storage compartment or unit 110 may be further provided in which a variety of equipment may be housed whether for storage or for protection against the elements while in operation. For example during transport water hoses, valves, hose junctions, electrical cables, distribution panels, fuel, and auxiliary equipment such as pumps may be stored in the storage space. During operation, the flex space 110 may house any combination of a wastewater disposal tank, at least one water lift station, and electrical outlets for plugging in vehicles and/or equipment.
Depending on the elevation at which the unitary mobile basic services facility 100 is installed compared to the work camp, a lift station may be necessary to return wastewater to the water treatment facility 140. Typically, the used water from showers and toilets flow by gravity and collects at the at least one lift station, which pumps the used water to the wastewater sewage treatment unit 140.
The exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in
The wastewater unit 240 as shown in
In the aeration tank 244, air is injected via aerator 246 to provide oxygen to the wastewater. The aeration tank 244 may operate as a bioreactor, the aeration enhancing the biodegradation of the waste in the wastewater. In one embodiment the aeration tank 244 may be partially filled with biofilm carrier elements to promote growth of a biofilm to further enhance biodegradation. Any solids still remaining after biodegradation remain in suspension in the water and the water overflows into the secondary settling tank 247 via overflow pipe 248. In the secondary settling tank 247 a plurality of inclined plates (not shown) may be employed to enhance settling of remaining solids which are pumped back to the solids removal tank 242. The supernatant wastewater is conveyed to a wastewater holding tank 249 from which the treated water is either pumped for disposal or discharged on-site.
In a further embodiment (not shown), the wastewater unit may simple comprise a storage tank.
Water storage and distribution unit 220 includes water storage tank 222 for storing water and includes a variety of amenities, wherein fresh water is dispensed and collected within the confines of the unitary mobile basic services facility 100. Without limiting the invention, exemplary amenities include: a clothes washing machine 282, a shower 283, eye wash station 284, a sink 285 and a toilet 286. The water distribution cycle may be complex wherein fresh water is provided to the washing machine 182, the shower 183, the eye wash station 184, and sink 185. Wastewater is conveyed to the solids settling tank 242 by pump 288. Existing lift stations already on site may also be used.
Advantages in employing the unitary mobile power generation and water management facility 100 or 200 are derived from a reduction in transport costs, a reduction in the number of transport trucks/air-lifts, and therefore from a time efficient unitary mobile basic services facility 100 or 200 which is ready to operate on delivery.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article “a” or “an” is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”.
The embodiments presented herein are exemplary only, and persons skilled in the art would appreciate that variations to the embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
