GB2283779A - Used water reclamation system - Google Patents

Abstract

Waste water from baths, showers, hand basins and washing machines is directed through filters and water treatment unit, to holding reservoir, (E) from where treated water is pumped, when needed, to a header tank. The treated water is then fed direct to existing cisterns, replacing mains-water for toilet flushing purposes, giving a minimum saving of potable water of 5 litres per flush. This system is designed for single or multiple installations in factories, hotels, hospices and public or private houses. <IMAGE>

Description

USED WATER RECLAMATION SYSTEM This invention relates to waste water reclamation for further re-use.

Fresh water is fast becoming a topic of concern world-wide, being an ever decreasing commodity and an ever increasing burden on the business and house-hold budget. The introduction of water meters has, to some small extent, cut down on wastage. This still needs to be taken further.

However prudently done, people still need to bathe, shower and wash frequently during the course of their lives, this necessity accounts for millions of potentially re-usable gallons of water being poured down the drains.

According to the present invention there is provided by way of installed pipe-work, pump, filter and header-tank a means of collecting waste water from existing ablution installations.

Cleansing, disinfecting and redirecting same for use in flushing toilets and urinals.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described through reference to the accompanying drawings in which; FIG 1; Shows waste water entering system from existing installations. Water is gravity fed through primary filter and sterilisation unit/secondary filter into the collection reservoir which comprises; low water level pump cut-out float switch, overflow and outlet to pump feeding header tank.

FIG 2; Shows header tank comprising; feed from reservoir low water, high water and mains water back-up float switches, mains water feed, solenoid mains water flow restrictor, overflow and outlet to flushing cisterns.

FIG 3; Shows block schematic wiring diagram.

FIG4; Shows complete wiring diagram.

Referring to drawings, waste water enters system via installed pipe-work, A Fig.l, passes by means of gravity through Primary Filter, B Fig.l, and Sterilisation Unit/Secondary Filter, C Fig.l. Two Stop-Taps, D Fig.l, enable servicing/flushing of filters and sterilisation unit.

Treated water is collected in Reservoir, E Fig.l, which can be sited above or below ground or wall mounted depending on on-site requirements. The reservoir is fitted with a Pump Protection Float Switch, FS3 Fig.1, preventing the Pump, P Fig.1, from running dry. Two Stop-taps,D Fig.l, are sited at inlet and outlet of pump to facilitate servicing of same.

The reservoir Overflow, G Fig.l, runs direct to existing Soil-Pipe, J Fig.1, and incorporates a Water Trap, H Fig.l, preventing foul air back-draught from main drains.

Treated water is transferred from reservoir via pump and installed Pipe-Work, K Figs.1-2, into Header Tank, Fig. 2, which contains three float switches. High Level Water Sensor/Pump Cut-out, FS2 Fig.2, opens when tank is full, deactivating pump. Low Water Level Sensor/Pump Activator, FS1 Fig.2, operates when water drops to this level, activating pump until water level reaches float switch FS2 again. Should reservoir be unable to replenish header tank,Critical Water Level Sensor, FS4 Fig.2, comes into operation opening Solenoid Flow Restrictor, S Fig.2, allowing pre-set volume of mains water into header tank.

Mains Water Feed, T Fig.2, is protected from backsiphonage by an Air Gap, U Fig.2, of not less than 70mm between tank high water level and mains feed pipe.

The outlet to flushing cisterns, N Fig.2, incorporates a Stop-Tap, M Fig.2, enabling complete shutdown of delivery system for maintenance/repairs of existing installations. The header tank system is protected by an Overflow, R Fig.2, running to existing soil-pipe.

Electrical control circuit supply is derived from a 240v/24v transformer which is capable of delivering 2 amps at 24v AC.

Supply is split between the pump control relay which has a 24v AC operate coil, change-over contacts rated 10 amps at 240v AC and the water level detection float switches which have make or break contacts rated at 10 amps at 240v AC.

Pump supply is derived directly from a 240v AC source and incorporates a control relay contact rated 10 amps at 240v AC.

Fuse ratings for both circuits are calculated by a method shown in the 16th edition of IEE regulations, to give correct overload and disconnection times with respect to local conditions and supply arrangements.

The output ratings of transformer, relay and float switch contacts can be upgraded to suit local on-site requirements, IE, large installations.

Referring to Fig.4, assuming water level in header tank, Fig.2, is between FS1 and FS2, then all switches and relay contacts are as shown. Water level drops to switch FS1, which closes, providing operating path for R Fig.4, via FS3.

RC1 Fig.4, provides a hold circuit for R, via FS2, RC1 and FS3 after FS1 opens on rising water. RC2 provides operate path for pump.

Water level reaches FS2, switch FS2 opens, breaking the hold path for R, relay R de-energises and contacts RC1 and RC2 open, stopping pump and preparing circuit for next operation.

If water level in collection reservoir Fig.l, drops sufficiently to operate switch FS3, then FS3 opens preventing further operation of pump until water in reservoir is replenished.

If water in header tank Fig.2, continues to drop then switch FS4 operates, closing FS4 contacts and providing operate path for solenoid S Fig.2. The open solenoid passes a pre-determined amount of water into header tank from mains water back-up supply, allowing toilet flushing to continue until water levels in the system are back to normal.

Please note, dimensions, lengths and capacities not specified in drawings due to individuality and on-site requirements of each installation, and all exterior pipe-work to be frost-protected.

key to the drawings.

Figl.

A; Waste Water From Source FSC3; Low Water Pwt Cut Out B; Primary Filter G; Overflow to Soil-Pipe C; Sterilisation Unit/Filter H; Stench Trap D; Stop Taps J; Existing Soil-Pipe E; Reservoir K; Feed to Header Tank P; Pump Fig 2.

K; Feed from Collection Res. FS 1; Low Water Float Switch M; Stop-Tap FS 2; High Water Float Switch N; Feed to Cistern/s FS 4; Mains Water Back-up Switch R; Overflow Pipe S; Mains Back-up Solenoid T; Mains Water Back-up Feed U; Type 'A' Air Gap* * Type 'A' Air Gap as recommended by NW Water Authority of not less than 70mm between highest level of tank water and mains water back-up inflow preventing backsiphonage into mains system.

Fig 3.

1; 240v AC Supply 6; 240v AC Supply 2; 240/24v Transformer 7; Control Relay Contact 3; 24v AC Secondary Output 8; Pump 4; Water Level Sensor Float Switches 5; Pump Control Relay Fig 4.

R; 24v AC DPCO Relay FS 3; Pump Protection Switch RC 1; Relay Contact FS 4; Mains Water Back-up Switch RC 2; Relay Contact F; Fuse FS 1; Low Water Float Switch P; Pump FS 2; High Water Float Switch S; Mains Water Solenoid Valve

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1 An integrated system comprising catchment reservoir, pump, filters, header tank, float switches, water treatment unit, mains water back-up system and intermediary pipe-work, enabling collection of waste water for cleansing and redistribution to existing flushing cisterns.
2. 2 An integrated system as claimed in claim 1, wherein float switches and pump are activated/deactivated by means of a transformer and relay wiring system.
3. 3 An integrated system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein catchment reservoir is fitted with an electrical/physical float switch to deactivate pump at low water level.
4. 4 An integrated system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, catchment reservoir overflow pipe is fitted with a stench trap, preventing foul air back-draught to enable overflow run-off direct into existing soil pipe/main drains.
5. 5 An integrated system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein serviceable filters and water treatment unit are fitted, enabling cleansing, disinfecting and colourisation of waste water.
6. 6 An integrated system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein header tank is fitted with a series of electrical/physical float switches facilitating high water level detector/pump cut-out, low water level detector/pump activator and critical water level detector which operates mains-water back-up solenoid.
7. 7 An integrated system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 6, incorporating a solenoid operated mains water back-up flow restrictor valve, delivering pre-determined volume of mains-water to header tank, maintaining constant supply to flushing cisterns.
8. 8 An integrated system substantially as described herein, with reference to Figs. 1-4 of previously supplied drawings.