US3850801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waste water purification system
Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1973-06-07
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A highly efficient and compact biological waste treatment system for use in conjunction with an anaerobic holding tank to provide a high degree of purification for use in areas where municipal sewer systems are unavailable. A pump conveys anaerobically treated sewage from the septic tank to a biological oxidation tank which employs a plurality of partially submerged discs providing a surface for the growth of bacterial slimes. A motor rotates the discs so that the bacteria can oxidize the sewage thereby removing substantially all of the biochemical oxygen demand. After dropping to a settling tank, from the bottom of which sludge is returned to the septic tank, the clarified supernatant is passed through a filter to a high efficiency sterilizer which utilizes a heat exchanger. An artificial feed system is provided to supply nutrients to keep bacteria in the biological oxidation tank alive during extended periods of nonuse of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 P Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:35
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/08; C02F3/082; B; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/009; B01D21/30; B01D21/302; B01D21/34; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/1236; C02F3/1242; C02F3/28; C02F3/30; C02F3/301; C02F2103/00; C02F2103/005; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A home waste water treatment system, comprising: a. a primary holding tank for receiving raw sewage, and for holding the sewage while it undergoes anaerobic decomposition; b. a multiple stage biological oxidation tank having a plurality of successive compartments separated by baffles, and including a plurality of discs spaced from one another and mounted on a shaft for rotation about a generally horizontal axis so that the surfaces of said discs are alternately submerged within said compartments and exposed to the atmosphere; c. means for pumping anaerobically treated sewage from said primary holding tank to a first compartment of said multiple compartment biological oxidation tank, thereby transferring partially aerobically treated material from the first compartment to successive compartments; d. a clarifier tank having a tapered lower portion; e. means for conveying aerobically treated material from the final compartment of the biological oxidation tank to the clarifier tank; f. means for returning accumulated sludge from the bottom of the clarifier tank to the primary holding tank; g. a sterilizer operable to destroy bacteria in fluids applied thereto by heating the fluid, said sterilizer having an inlet and an outlet; h. a heat exchanger connected to said inlet and said outlet of said sterilizer, said heat exchanger operable to transfer heat from fluid at said outlet to fluid at said inlet; and i. means for collecting the supernatant from said clarifier tank and for conveying said supernatant to said heat exchanger and to the inlet of said sterilizer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A home waste water treatment system, comprising: a. a primary holding tank for receiving raw sewage, and for holding the sewage while it undergoes anaerobic decomposition; b. a multiple stage biological oxidation tank having a plurality of successive compartments separated by baffles, and including a plurality of discs spaced from one another and mounted on a shaft for rotation about a generally horizontal axis so that the surfaces of said discs are alternately submerged within said compartments and exposed to the atmosphere; c. means for pumping anaerobically treated sewage from said primary holding tank to a first compartment of said multiple compartment biological oxidation tank, thereby transferring partially aerobically treated material from the first compartment to successive compartments; d. a clarifier tank having a tapered lower portion; e. means for conveying aerobically treated material from the final compartment of the biological oxidation tank to the clarifier tank; f. means for returning accumulated sludge from the bottom of the clarifier tank to the primary holding tank; g. a sterilizer operable to destroy bacteria in fluids applied thereto by heating the fluid, said sterilizer having an inlet and an outlet; h. a heat exchanger connected to said inlet and said outlet of said sterilizer, said heat exchanger operable to transfer heat from fluid at said outlet to fluid at said inlet; and i. means for collecting the supernatant from said clarifier tank and for conveying said supernatant to said heat exchanger and to the inlet of said sterilizer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for periodically supplying nutrients to said biological oxidation tank, when the supplying of anaerobically treated sewage to said biological oxidation tank is suspended.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pumping means comprises a bucket pump extending downwardly into said primary holding tank, for lifting the anaerobically treated sewage therefrom and emptying it into said biological oxidation tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bucket pump comprises a chain loop having a plurality of buckets attached thereto, a sprocket foR drivably engaging said chain, and means for mounting said sprocket for rotation with the shaft on which said discs are mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said discs have a plurality of stiffening spokes molded therein, and a plurality of raised spacers molded therein along the circumference thereof, said raised spacers for maintaining the spacing between the edges of said plurality of discs, thereby maintaining the effective surface area of the discs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further including timing means operatively connected to said dump valve for activation thereof at predetermined time intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further including a sterilizer connected to receive the clarified supernatant and temperature sensing means connected to said sterilizer and alarm means connected to said temperature sensing means for providing an alarm signal if the temperature within said sterilizer departs from a predetermined range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 further including an artificial feed system comprising means for supplying nutrients for the bacteria, means for introducing said nutrients into said biological oxidation tank, a feed control valve connected to said supply means and said introducing means, and feed control means connected to said feed control valve and said level sensing means, said feed control means for periodically opening said feed control valve when the liquid level in said clarifier tank is low.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further including a fluid level probe disposed within said septic tank for sensing the fluid level therein, and alarm means connected to said fluid level probe for providing an alarm signal if the fluid level in said septic tank exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 further including level sensing means associated with said clarifier tank for producing a control signal indicative of the liquid level therein, and control means connected to receive said control signals and further connected to said heater of said sterilizer for controlling the operation thereof in response to the liquid level in said clarifier tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
A waste water treatment system, comprising: a. a septic tank for receiving waste water to be treated and for holding it while it undergoes anaerobic decomposition; b. a plurality of biological oxidation stages, each including a container, a plurality of discs spaced from one another and arranged for rotation about a generally horizontal axis with a portion of the dics extending above the normal liquid level in the container; c. means for pumping anaerobically treated waste water from the septic tank to the first biological oxidation stage for partial oxidation; d. said biological oxidation stages including means for conveying partially oxidized material to successive stages; e. a clarifier tank having a tapered lower portion, said clarifier tank for separation by settlement of sludge to form a clarified supernatant; f. means for conveying aerobically treated material from the last biological oxidation stage to the clarifier tank; and g. means for removing clarified supernatant from the clarifier tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
A waste water treatment system, comprising: a. a septic tank for receiving waste water to be treated and for holding it while it undergoes anaerobic decomposition; b. a plurality of biological oxidation stages, each including a container, a plurality of discs spaced from one another and arranged for rotation about a generally horizontal axis with a portion of the dics extending above the normal liquid level in the container; c. means for pumping anaerobically treated waste water from the septic tank to the first biological oxidation stage for partial oxidation; d. said biological oxidation stages including means for conveying partially oxidized material to successive stages; e. a clarifier tank having a tapered lower portion, said clarifier tank for separation by settlement of sludge to form a clarified supernatant; f. means for conveying aerobically treated material from the last biological oxidation stage to the clarifier tank; and g. means for removing clarified supernatant from the clarifier tank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the plurality of biological oxidation stages includes a tank divided into a plurality of compartments by baffle means, and wherein overflow areas above the baffle means comprise the means for conveying partially oxidized material to successive stages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 further including filter means connected to receive the clarified supernatant, for filtering the supernatant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 further including sterilizer means connected to receive the clarified supernatant, for killing any remaining bacteria therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further including a motor connected for rotation of said discs at a speed of from 5 revolutions per minute to 15 revolutions per minute.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said discs have a diameter of from 1 to 3 feet, and are spaced from one another by a distance of from one-fourth to three-fourths inches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for pumping comprises a bucket pump extending into said septic tank for transferring waste water from said septic tank to said first biological oxidation stage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further including means for supplying nutrients to said biological oxidation tank during periods of nonuse of the system, so that bacteria therein are kept alive for immediate use upon resumption of use of the system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |