OA20348A - Alert system for the level of sludge or valve water in septic tanks and their geolocation. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for alerting the level of sludge or waste water in septic tanks, also allowing them to be located in order to empty the tank. The system consists of: - a level detection device; - a signaling device; and - a raft support The system automatically triggers the alert as soon as the filling level of the tank is within the range of 50 to 70% of the useful depth of the tank. The system allows, thanks to geolocation, the sanitation service to identify the exact location of the tank and to be able to empty it

Description

The present invention relates to an alert and geolocation system for septic tanks in order to anticipate the need to empty the septic tank.

The system is intended for households, hotels, real estate agencies, to solve the problem of rising sludge or sewage. As a reminder, the standards recommend that all pits must necessarily be emptied as soon as its filling level is 50 to 70% of the useful depth of the pit.

I. PROBLEM

Sanitation is a set of processes consisting of storage, evacuation and discharge in an authorized place (purification or unloading station) with a view to treatment without these actions harming human health and the environment. It can be done either collectively (sewer network) or individually (installation of pits).

The use of sanitation system (collective or individual) depends on several parameters among them we can cite the cost, which means that in the world, the collective system is the most used in developed countries. And for developing or intermediate countries (Africa and Asia) on the other hand, the autonomous system is the most practiced.

In Africa and more particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the on-site sanitation system covers approximately more than 80%. People use septic tanks with or without infiltration wells for storing faecal waste and bathing water or separately.

If we take the example of Senegal, the rate of access to autonomous sanitation far exceeds the rate of access to the sewer network. In this case, people set up septic tanks or watertight pits to store faecal waste and blackwater.

In the use of septic tanks, a number of problems have been noted among which, we have a lack of information on the filling rate of the tanks. And this is the cause of the rise of black water and mud out of the structure.

Consequently, we have the appearance of diarrheal diseases due to lack of hygiene, pollution of the water table, of the immediate environment and indirectly, another evil that worries the authorities in this area is the question of emptying manual. The absence of a level detection system and interconnectivity in the sanitation value chain mean that there is no control by the authorities or even pooling of the cost of emptying. Thus, all this contributes to poor management of faecal sludge at the central level (by the authorities).

To contribute to the resolution of this problem due to the lack of information on the filling of the tanks the present invention alert system for septic tanks has been developed.

II. DESCRIPTION A. REALIZATION AND OPERATION The Alert system for the level of sludge or valve water in septic tanks and their geolocation automatically triggers the alert as soon as the filling level of the tank is within the interval 50 to 70% of the useful depth of the pit.

The alert system for the level of sludge or water from septic valves and geolocation which is the subject of the invention is essentially composed of:

- a device for detecting the level of filling of the pit with sludge or sewage;

- a signal box, a road support;

- a radiated support fixed to the pit;

1. Level detection device

It consists of a level mud sensor (Plate 1/5)

The sludge level sensor is used to detect the level of the phase (solid or liquid) in a pit to trigger an electrical signal at the level of a box. It uses a position detection system. And for this two types of technology are used, namely electromagnetic detection (HALL effect sensor and magnets) or photoelectric (diodes) arranged as a barrier where the phase is the object of the obstacle which triggers the signal. The choice between the two types of detection is essentially based on the availability of components on the market, but both work with some differences in level precision.

Design

Its design is based on the principle of transmitting infrared or magnetic waves with a transmitter and a receiver. When between the two there is an obstacle, the system triggers a signal to the box which triggers the alert. The basic principle of the sensor is an infrared or magnetic barrier that triggers the alert when mud is the obstacle between the transmitter and the receiver.

2. Signal box a. standard housing

It is a box comprising an electronic circuit (Figure) making it possible to produce sound and visual signals.

The sensor acts as a switch for the operation of the Buzzer and the LEDs for transmitting a signal, to the user of the system, which beeps when the pit threshold level is reached.

b. Box with GSM remote signal

The box is composed of a motherboard with a GSM remote transmission module controlled by a PIC microcontroller in addition to visual alert signals. The box is powered by the mains of the house through a transformer with an output of 5 volts, it is also equipped with a prepaid telephone chip introduced into the chip slot for communication with GSM. In this case, the user will receive an SMS message directly in his mobile or a voicemail. The system works thanks to the antenna of the telephone operators to send the alert message which will contain at the same time the coordinates of the pit.

vs. Box with remote signal with LORA communication

Another communication protocol is also used, like connected objects, the box is equipped with a LORA module (module for sending data by radio waves) or wifi in addition to sound and visual alerts.

When the LORA module is used, the box will send the level alert signal to the web or mobile application using a GETWAY antenna or ESP 32 (Wifi module) all available on the market.

The box contains a motherboard controlled by the connected sensors which act as switches. When there is contact, the remote communication modules send an sms thanks to a programming of their microcontroller.

Each customer who uses the remote alert system is relocated to our application server using Google Maps APIs (indirect component of the system), which will allow it to be located and then to send a truck drain at his house.

3. The slab support

It is a plastic support that closes the hole made on the concrete slab of the pit to fix the sensor inside.

Claims (3)

1- Level alert system for sludge or valve water in septic tanks and their geolocation, characterized in that it includes a level detection device, a signaling device and a raft support. 2- Warning system for the level of sludge or valve water in septic tanks and their geolocation according to claim 1, characterized in that the emptying of the tank occurs immediately as soon as the audible or visual alert is given by the signaling device. 3- Warning system for the level of sludge or valve water in septic tanks and their geolocation according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the sanitation services can determine the location of the septic tank at drain.