WO2009100467A1

WO2009100467A1 - Rain water recirculation

Info

Publication number: WO2009100467A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2009/000010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christelle Nagel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-08
Filing date: 2009-02-06
Publication date: 2009-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-08
Also published as: ZA201006274B

Abstract

A rainwater collection and storage system is located in the wail ceiling or floor of a structure and comprises a series of interconnected tanks (10). The tanks are filled by diverting rainwater from the structure's gutters (20) through a series of collection points and filters (28) to ensure clean water. The system also includes a diversion chamber which is adapted to collect a predetermined volume of water before diverting the rest into the storage tanks. The tanks are connected to current plumbing systems in houses or businesses and the water is used to substitute or replace water from outside sources such as municipalities and the like, in the preferred form the tanks are elevated so that gravitational force is used to distribute water throughout the structure, but in most cases a pump will be provided to distribute water.

Description

RAIN WATER RECIRCULATION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tank and system for gathering, storing and distributing rainwater.

BACKGROUND ART

Water shortages are becoming a more frequent occurrence, especially in areas with low rainfall or in rural areas where the infrastructure is not sufficient to provide for residents and.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that purified water is wasted on tasks which does not call for filtered water such as washing, bathing, garden and sewage water. For most of these tasks clean, but unfiltered water is adequate.

Research has shown that these uses account for the most wastage of water - for instance a single flush of a standard toilet requires 12 I of water, a washing machine between 40 and 170 I per wash, a shower approximately 120 I per shower, a garden sprinkler or hose approximately 10001 per hour, 100-300 I to wash a car and up to 55000 I are used to fill a pool.

Many systems have been proposed to supplement or replace municipal water, including boreholes, building dams and the like. Another system which is commonly used is to catch rainwater and store it in a tank or the like until use.

Rainwater is caught by diverting rain gutters located on the circumference of the roof to a single pipe which leads to a tank. This system usually does not include any filters or the like and the rainwater is stored as it washed from the roof.

The tanks are also large and unsightly structures which are often hidden in the garden - where it is useful for gardening purposes, but usually not for residential distribution. Another drawback of the current system is that a water pump is needed to distribute the water.

It is an object of this invention to provide an alternative to the above system.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a rainwater collection and storage system comprises one or more rainwater collection means located on the roof of a building and being in communication with one or more interconnected tanks, the tanks including filtration means, and a drainage system located prior to the tanks, wherein the tanks are adapted to be filled with collected run-off rainwater for supplementation of a conventional water supply system after a predetermined quantity of collected rainwater has passed into the drainage system.

The tanks may be located within the walls of a building, preferably in a nonstructural load bearing manner. In an alternative form the tanks are located in the roof and/or under the floor of the building.

The stored water in the tanks therefore acts as a supplement to current water provision and may replace all dependency from outside sources.

The rain collection means may comprise conventional gutters located on the periphery of the roof. In another form the gutter is located in-between the periphery and apex of the roof and is in communication with the tanks though an inlet.

In the preferred form of the invention a single inlet is sufficient to fill a number of tanks, for instance one inlet for every fifth tank or the like.

A downpipe from the gutter may lead to a point above a collection area in the form of a funnel. In the preferred form the downpipe is not in connection with the collection area which means that water cascades into it from above.

In the preferred form of the invention the collection area comprises a container which is mounted on an external wall which includes an inlet for water from the downpipe and two exits, one in the bottom of the container leading to a drain or similar system and another at a low lever in communication with the tanks. The container preferably includes meshing to prevent ingress of leaves and other solid debris. Similarly the outlet includes further preferably finer meshing to act as additional filters.

In the preferred form the container includes opposed walls of different height dimensions, the higher of the opposed walls being orientated to abut the wall on which it is mounted. The open top or inlet including meshing for providing an angled barrier to the entry of debris. The mesh is therefore angled away from the wall to enable filtered debris to slide off the meshing and to prevent clogging.

The diversion chamber may comprise a length of tube or small tank and preferably includes a valve or tap located near the bottom thereof to drain the water when so desired. The capacity of the chamber may be determined by taking factors such as the surface area of the roof, and how much water may be needed to clean it or the like into account.

Once this chamber is full it may seal with a float valve or the like to prevent any more water from entering the chamber.

The system is therefore adapted so that the first water coming into the collection area, which is usually dirty water running off the roof, is directed to the diversion chamber. Once the chamber is full sufficient water should have entered the collection areas to ensure that the rest of the water is clean.

The valve or tap located near the bottom may automatically release the diverted water into a storm water drain or the like. In another form of the invention this water is diverted to yet another tank for use in other areas where filtered water is not necessary - for instance for use in a garden.

Once the diversion chamber is filled to its capacity, water is directed into the tank/s. A further filter or sieve may be provided at the opening between the collection area and the tank to further block any solid matter or insects from entering the tank/s. In the preferred form of the invention this sieve may be finer than the first one.

Water enters the tank and fills up all the interconnected tanks in equal portions. In the preferred form of the invention the tanks are connected by pipes located near the bottom level of the tanks. The number of connected tanks may vary according to the specific needs and the available space for tanks. Other relevant factors may include the average rainfall in the area and availability and quality of municipal water.

The tanks may include areas adapted to receive plumbing connections, as well as a connection point acting as a air vent to prevent air pressure from building up in the tanks and as a overflow to drain any excess water and to ensue that the tanks are never over full.

In the preferred form of the invention the overflow valve/ air vent comprises a tube located on the predetermined maximum level of the tank to drain off any water.

The connections may include general plumbing, sewage or even outside taps.

The connections may lead to a pump or the like to distribute water throughout the plumbing system, but in another form the tanks may be located high enough to ensure that gravitational force is sufficient to distribute the water.

In the alternative form of the invention in which the tanks are located in the ceiling of a structure the gutters may be located in a different position to the circumference of the roof. The gutters may for instance run transversely across the roof on or near the middle between the edge and the apex of the roof.

In this installation water may be pumped up into the ceiling tanks from a collection tank at a lower level, whether it is from tanks in the wall/s or external tank/s, where water is diverted to these tanks as described in the preferred form above.

In this form of the invention water from the alternative gutters may be directed to the tanks in the ceiling, while the remaining water is diverted to tanks in the wall as described above, or into the existing storm water system.

In all forms tanks may be of a size to fit in with standard building dimensions and may comprise medium density polyethylene or a similar material, a UV stabiliser may also be used for tanks that are going to be installed externally. In the preferred form of the invention the tanks are injection or rotary moulded.

In yet another form of the invention tanks are located on top of a flat roof. In this form of the invention water may be pumped up into the roof tanks from a collection point at a lower level or filled with a gravitational force from a collection source at a higher level depending on the installation.

The tanks may also include valves or taps located near the bottom to drain the tank when it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

A tank may either be replaced or bypassed if it is damaged. When replacing a tank, the two tanks on either side may be sealed and the pipes connecting the tank to those on either side may be disconnected. The tank may be removed and a new tank may be located in the vacant area and connected to the tanks on either side thereof. If the tank was connected to the plumbing system, these connections may be replaced as well.

The tanks may assist in the general insulation of a structure, in whichever of the above forms it may be.

In operation rain falls onto a roof and is collected in the gutters located on the periphery of the roof. The gutters lead the collected water to a downpipe from where it cascades into a collection area. From the collection area a predetermined amount of water is diverted into a chamber after which water cascading into the collection area is diverted into the tanks. From the tanks the water may be used for a number of household purposes through current plumbing systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of the diversion chamber; Figure 2A is a similar view of the collection area; Figure 3 is a similar view of the whole structure. Figure 4 is a side view of a tank according to the invention Figure 5 is a top view of the tank; and

Figure 6 is a side view of a series of four tanks.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the drawings a tank 10 or a series of tanks (figure 5) is located within a wall 12 or in the ceiling 14, or on top of a flat roof.

Rain 16 falls on the roof 18 of a structure and is diverted in the direction of the arrows A. The rainwater is directed towards gutters 20 run along the periphery of the roof whereafter it is directed to a downpipe 22. The downpipe ends a distance above a water collection area 24, thus leaving a gap 26 for the water to cascade into the collection area.

The collection area is covered with a sieve or mesh 28 which is set at an angle to divert leaves and other solid matter from the collection area.

The collection area comprises a container 29 with two opposed walls 31 and 33 of different height dimensions, the higher of the opposed walls being orientated to abut the wall on which it is mounted

The rainwater cascades into a diversion camber 30 though an opening 32 located beneath the downpipe. The volume of the collection area is calculated to approximately 2Ol of water for every 100 m² of the roof. This is the estimated amount of water it will take to rinse a roof, whereafter the water is clean.

Water cascading into the collection area flows around a float 34 which rises with the water level. Once the float reaches the top 36 of the collection chamber, it abuts a stop 38 and effectively seals the diversion chamber from the rest of the collection area.

A valve / tap 40 is located at the bottom of the chamber and drains the dirty water at a sedate pace, or manuaily via a tap or water release system (being an electronic or mechanical device). Water cascading into the collection area flows into an inlet 42 for the first in a series of tanks 10. A second sieve/ mesh or filter 44 is located at the entrance of the inlet to further prevent solid matter or insects from entering the tanks.

The tanks may be connected to the internal plumbing and distributed throughout the structure as indicated by the arrow B. The water 46 may be distributed utilising a pump 48, or by gravitational force if the tanks are located high enough.

In an alternative form of the invention the gutter may be located in another position on the roof. In this form a percentage of the rainwater is diverted as indicated by the arrow C to tanks in the ceiling, while the remaining water is diverted to tanks in the walls, or into an existing storm water system as indicated above.

In yet another form a flat roof 52 includes a leave deflector 54 located in a catchment area 56. The rest of the system is identical to the one described above.

The tank (figure 4) 10 is adapted to be interconnected by pipes 60 and includes a gap 62 to make the connection between the tanks easier to reach if a tank needs to be replaced or repaired. The tank includes a overflow 64, which acts both as an overflow for water if the tank is over full, and as an air outlet to prevent air pressure from building the tank.

The tank also includes a number of areas 66 of standard plumbing sizes to connect the tank to various parts of a building's plumbing system or, for instance, the gardening or swimming pool systems. These areas may be adapted to be cut out or broken out and the relevant connecter can be screwed directly into it.

The tank also includes struts or the like 68 which runs though the tank and supports it, while also preventing expansion or contraction of the tank walls 70.

All of the above connector, outlets and the like are located to be accessible for use in any position of the tank. And all connector areas may be adapted to be cut out or broken out and the relevant connecter/ plumbing can be screwed directly into it, making the tank flexible for various requirements. In figure 5 the same connector as to be found on the top wall 72 of the tank and the side wall 74 for use when the tank is lying down (for instance in a ceiling) and not standing up (for instance in a wall).

In yet another form of the invention the tanks may be located on top of a flat roof. The rest of the system is identical to the one described above.

In figure 6 four tanks 10 A to 10 D are stacked one next to the other. The tanks are interconnected by pipes 60 and are designed to leave gaps 62 to make the connections accessible.

When water flows into the first tank 10A, it is evenly distributed though all the tanks as indicated by the arrow D. The tanks will therefore fill up together, and drain together irrespective of which tank includes the inlet and which tanks are connected to the plumbing or similar system.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A rainwater collection and storage system characterised in that it comprises one or more rainwater collection means located on the roof of a building and being in communication with one or more interconnected tanks, the tanks including filtration means, a drainage system located prior to the tanks, wherein the tanks are adapted to be filled with collected run-off rainwater for supplementation of a conventional water supply system after a predetermined quantity of collected rainwater has passed into the drainage system.

2. A rain collection and storage system according to claim 1 characterised in that the tanks are located within the walls of a building in a non-structural load bearing manner.

3. A rain collection and storage system according to claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the collection means comprises gutters located on the periphery of the roof.

4. A rain collection and storage system according to claims 3 characterised in that the collection means also includes gutters located in-between the periphery and apex of the roof.

5. A rain collection and storage system according to claims 1 to 4 characterised in that single inlet is provided between the gutters and a series of tanks.

6. A rain collection and storage system according to claims 5 characterised in that an inlet is provided for every fifth tank.

7. A rain collection and storage system according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that a downpipe from the gutter leads to a point above a collection area.

8. A rain collection and storage system according to claim 7 characterised in that in the collection area is comprises a container which is mounted on an external wall which includes an inlet for water from the downpipe and two exits, one in the bottom of the container leading to a drain via a diversion chamber located below the container, and another at a low level in communication with the tanks.

9. A rain collection and storage system according to any of claims 7 or 8 characterised in that the inlet of the container includes meshing, and the outlet to the tanks includes further meshing to act as an additional filter.

10. A rain collection and storage system according to claim 9 characterised in that the outlet includes finer meshing.

11. A rain collection and storage system according to any of claims 7 to 10 characterised in that the container includes opposed walls of different height dimensions, the higher of the opposed walls being orientated to abut the wall on which it is mounted.

12. A rain collection and storage system according to any of claims 7 to 11 characterised in that the open top or inlet includes angled meshing orientated away from the mounting wall.

13. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the collection area leads to a diversion chamber.

14. A rain collection and storage system according to claims 13 characterised in that the diversion chamber comprises a small tank and includes a valve located near the bottom thereof adapted to drain water automatically.

15. A rain collection and storage system according to claims 13 or 14 characterised in that the volume of the diversion tank is proportional to the size of the roof area and the average rainfall in the region.

16. A rain collection and storage system according to any of claims 13 to 15 characterised in that a float valve is provided in the diversion chamber which is adapted to seal the chamber when it reaches its full capacity.

17. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that water in the collection area is directed into the tanks once the diversion chamber is sealed.

18. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that a filter is provided at the opening between the collection area and the tank

19. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks are interconnected by pipes located at the bottom of the tanks.

20. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks include areas adapted to receive plumbing connections and connection points to act as a air vents as overflows.

21. A rain collection and storage system according to claim 20 characterised in that the overflow and air vent comprises a tube located on the predetermined maximum level of the tank.

22. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the connections leads to a pump.

23. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims 1 to 22 characterised in that the tanks are high enough to ensure that gravitational force is sufficient to distribute the water.

24. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks are located in the ceiling of the building.

25. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks are located in or under the floor of the building.

26. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the water from the alternative gutters is to tanks in the ceiling while the remaining water is diverted to tanks in the wall.

27. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks are of a size to fit in with standard building dimensions and comprises medium density polyethylene

28. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks includes a UV stabiliser.

29. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks are moulded.

30. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks include valves located near the bottom to act as drains the tank when it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

31. A rain collection and storage system according to any of the above claims characterised in that the tanks assist in the general insulation of a structure.

32. A rain collection and storage system substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.