U.S. patent application number 09/824509 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for apparatus for separation of kitchen effluents.
Invention is credited to Batten, William C..
Application Number | 20010010301 09/824509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22386794 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Batten, William C. |
August 2, 2001 |
Apparatus for separation of kitchen effluents
Abstract
An apparatus for the separation of immiscible liquids from
liquid influent has a containment vessel. An influent channel
extends toward the bottom of the vessel so the influent is
discharged vertically upward, a downwardly curved deflection plate
is mounted above and aligned with the discharge end of the influent
channel, and a plate with a downward slope from a central location
extends toward the periphery of the vessel in a lower portion of
the vessel than the deflection plate. This permits the influent to
move radially outwardly thus slowing the influent and providing a
residence time for gravitational separation of lighter immiscible
liquids from the influent. A gap between the downward slope plate
and the discharge end of the influent channel permits gravitational
release of trapped immiscible liquids. A transfer tube, a sensor,
and a pump are provided to pump the separated immiscible liquids
out to a remote location. A suction conduit suctions
heavier-than-water solids from the bottom of the vessel and an
effluent channel channels the separated water to a remote location,
such as a sewer.
Inventors: |
Batten, William C.;
(Asheboro, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RHODES & MASON, P.L.L.C.
P.O. BOX 2974
GREENSBORO
NC
27402
US
|
Family ID: |
22386794 |
Appl. No.: |
09/824509 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09824509 |
Apr 3, 2001 |
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09119856 |
Jul 21, 1998 |
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6238572 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/803 ;
210/115; 210/533; 210/540 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 17/0211 20130101;
B01D 17/0208 20130101; B01D 17/00 20130101; B01D 17/0214
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/803 ;
210/115; 210/533; 210/540 |
International
Class: |
C02F 001/40 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for the separation of a lighter, immiscible liquid
from liquid influent, comprising: a containment vessel, an influent
channel having an intake end and a discharge end disposed into a
central region of said vessel, an effluent channel having an intake
end disposed in a lower portion of said vessel and a discharge end,
and a plate in a lower portion of said vessel having a downward
slope from a central location toward the periphery of said vessel
mounted downstream of flow from said discharge end of said influent
channel whereby influent liquid can be introduced into said vessel
through said influent channel for discharge centrally into said
vessel to permit radially outward movement of the influent to slow
the influent and provide residence time for gravitational
separation of the lighter immiscible liquid from the influent
liquid flow.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a
transfer tube with an intake end and a discharging end, said intake
end located in an upper portion of said vessel, a sensor for
sensing immiscible liquids within an upper portion of said vessel,
and a pump actuable upon said sensor sensing immiscible liquids to
pump the separated lighter, immiscible liquid from said vessel.
3. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a
vertically extending suction conduit having an intake end and a
discharge end whereby said intake end can be inserted through the
center portion of said vessel to permit the suction of solids from
the bottom portion of said vessel to a remote location.
4. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein: said influent end
is inserted from the upper portion of said vessel, whereby the
influent flow is discharged vertically downward.
5. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 4 wherein said discharge end
is oriented to discharge influent downwardly and further
comprising: a deflection plate mounted below and aligned with said
discharge end of said influent channel, said downward slope plate
being in a lower portion of said vessel than said deflection plate,
said deflection plate having an overhang above an inner central
portion of said downward slope plate.
6. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein: said influent end
discharges upwardly from the bottom portion of said containment
vessel.
7. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 6 wherein said downward
slope plate is mounted to the discharge end of said influent
channel with a gap in one portion between said discharge end of
said influent channel and said downward slope plate and further
comprising: a downwardly curved deflection plate mounted above and
aligned with said discharge end of said influent channel whereby
said downward slope plate is in a lower portion of said vessel from
said deflection plate and immiscible liquid below said downward
slope plate may rise through said gap.
8. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a
cover for said vessel.
9. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 8 wherein: said cover has a
flat top surface, a radial inwardly upwardly slanted bottom surface
and a plurality of openings through a middle portion thereof.
10. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein said influent
channel discharge end is oriented to discharge influent upwardly
and further comprising: a radially inwardly sloping plate near the
bottom of said vessel, wherein said influent channel is disposed
vertically along one side of said vessel, wherein said effluent
channel is disposed vertically along another side of said vessel,
and a boundary wall of each of said channels is mounted to said
radially inwardly sloping plate.
11. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein said influent
channel discharge end is oriented to discharge influent downwardly
and further comprising: a gray water conduit having an intake end
from a remote location and a discharge end disposed into an
upstream location of said discharge end of said influent
channel.
12. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein said influent
channel discharge end is oriented to discharge influent downwardly
and further comprising: an automatic solids transfer discharging
line with an intake end in a remote location to return the
automatic solids transfer and a discharge end disposed in a
downstream location from the intake end of said effluent
channel.
13. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein: said vessel is a
vertically extending containment vessel with a generally rounded
bottom.
14. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein: said vessel is
roto-formed plastic.
15. An apparatus as is claimed in claim 1 wherein: said channels
are vacuum formed plastic.
16. A method for the separation of influent containing a lighter
density first liquid and a heavier density second liquid in a
containment vessel and transferring said first and second liquids
to discrete remote locations comprising the steps of: channeling
said influent into the containment vessel, directing the influent
flow to a radially central portion of the vessel and releasing the
influent in the vessel to permit radial outward movement of the
influent which causes an increasing reduction in influent flow rate
as the influent moves radially outward, gravitationally separating
said first liquid to a higher location in the vessel than the
second liquid as they move radially outwardly, transferring said
first liquid from an upper portion of said vessel to a remote
location, and transferring said second liquid from a lower portion
of said vessel to another remote location.
17. The method as in claim 16, further comprising the intermediate
step of sensing when said upper portion of said vessel contains a
substantial quantity of said first liquid and thereafter performing
said first transferring step.
18. The method as in claim 16, further comprising the step of
suctioning solids heavier than said second liquid from the bottom
of said vessel through a conduit to a remote location.
19. The method as in claim 16, wherein said step of transferring
the first liquid includes transferring grease and said step of
transferring the second liquid includes transferring water.
20. The method of separating influent containing grease, water and
solids heavier than water in a containment vessel and transferring
said grease and said water to discrete remote locations comprising:
channeling said influent into the containment vessel, directing the
influent flow to a radially central portion of the vessel and
releasing the influent in the vessel to permit radial outward
movement of the influent which causes an increasing reduction in
influent flow rate as the influent moves radially outward,
gravitationally separating said grease from said water as they move
radially outwardly, sensing when the upper portion of said vessel
contains a substantial quantity of said grease and thereafter
transferring said grease from said upper portion of said vessel to
a remote location, transferring said water from a lower portion of
said vessel to another remote location, and suctioning solids
heavier than said water from the bottom of said vessel through a
conduit to a remote location.
21. An apparatus for the separation of immiscible liquid from
liquid influent, comprising: a vertically extending roto-formed
plastic containment vessel with a generally rounded bottom, a
vacuum formed influent channel having an intake end and a discharge
end in a lower central region of said vessel, said discharge end
being oriented that the influent flow is discharged vertically
upward, a vacuum formed effluent channel having an intake end
disposed in a lower portion of said vessel and a discharge end, a
radially inwardly sloping plate near the bottom of said vessel
wherein said channels are each disposed vertically along sides of
said vessel with a boundary wall of each of said channels being
mounted to said radially inwardly sloping plate, a downwardly
curved deflection plate mounted above and aligned with said
discharge end of said influent channel, a plate in a lower portion
of said vessel having a downward slope from a central location
toward the periphery of said vessel whereby said downward slope
plate is in a lower portion of said vessel than said deflection
plate, a gap in one portion between said discharge end of said
influent channel and said downward slope plate, a transfer tube
with an intake end located in an upper portion of said vessel and a
discharging end, a sensor for sensing immiscible liquids within an
upper portion of said vessel, a pump actuable upon said sensor
sensing immiscible liquids to pump immiscible liquid from said
vessel, a vertically extending suction conduit having an intake end
and a discharge end to permit the suction of heavier-than-water
solids from the bottom portion of said vessel, and a cover for said
vessel having a flat top surface, a radial inwardly upwardly
slanted bottom surface and a plurality of openings through a middle
portion thereof.
22. An apparatus for the separation of immiscible liquid from
liquid influent, comprising: a vertically extending roto-formed
containment vessel with a generally rounded bottom, a vacuum formed
influent channel having an intake end and a discharge end extending
from the upper portion of said vessel whereby the influent flow is
discharged vertically downward into a central region of said
vessel, a vacuum formed effluent channel disposed in said vessel
having an intake end in a lower portion of said vessel and a
discharge end, an upwardly curved deflection plate mounted below
and aligned with said discharge end of said influent channel, a
plate in a lower portion of said vessel having a downward slope
from a central location toward the periphery of said vessel mounted
downstream of flow from said discharge end of said influent
channel, so that said downward slope plate is in a lower portion of
said vessel than said deflection plate to provide an overhang from
an outer peripheral portion of said deflection plate above an inner
central portion of said downward slope plate, a transfer tube with
an intake end located in an upper portion of said vessel and a
discharging end in a remote location for recovery of the separated
grease, a sensor for sensing immiscible liquids within an upper
portion of said vessel, a pump actuable upon said sensor sensing
immiscible liquids to pump immiscible liquid from said upper
portion of said vessel, a cover for said vessel having a flat top
surface, a radial inwardly upwardly slanted bottom surface and a
plurality of openings through a middle portion thereof, and a
vertically extending suction conduit having an intake end and a
discharge end, to permit the suction of heavier-than-water solids
from the bottom portion of said vessel to a remote recovery system.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for
separating two immiscible liquids, for example, kitchen effluent
contains a mixture of grease, water and solids.
[0002] Kitchen effluent generated during food processing has
conventionally been collected in a grease trap separator, which is
commonly a rectangular tank made of precast concrete, buried below
grade. In the separator, the grease, being of a lower density of
the water, rises to the top, forming a separate grease mat layer.
Periodically, the grease is removed from the trap, normally with a
vacuum pump. The grease may then be disposed of in a landfill or
sold to rendering companies for conversion into useful
products.
[0003] Processing of the grease into useful products is obviously
preferred to dumping of the grease into a landfill, which also may
not be possible due to the increased environmental regulations.
Processors, however, are not always willing to accept grease if it
includes a significant percentage of water, i.e., more than fifteen
percent (15%), because of the increased difficulty in processing.
Moreover, the prolonged contact of water with the grease tends to
make the grease rancid as a result of the breakdown of lipids into
shorter chain fatty acids, decreasing the value of the grease.
[0004] The prior art discloses various methods and apparatus for
separating two immiscible liquids, and also discloses various
methods and apparatus for removing one liquid from contact with the
other after separation of liquids into two layers in a separator.
For example, in some cases, the lighter liquid is discharged by
gravity from the separator through an upper pipe and the heavier
liquid is discharged from the separator through a lower pipe.
Generally, the methods and apparatus relate to the separation of
grease or oil from water.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,747,736 to Mobley describes a device for
removing grease from wastewater in a separator, in which grease
which floats to the top of the separator is removed by hydrostatic
forces. The grease is then stored at a collecting and storage point
remote from the separator.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,585 to Sink describes an apparatus
comprised of a separator in which oil and water are separated. The
oil, which floats to the top of the water, flows under gravity to a
second separator, where remaining oil is removed, e.g., by
filtration. Water is removed from the bottom of the first
separator.
[0007] Other patents show similar devices. U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,823
to Hall, describes a device for separating oil from water in bilge
discharges. After separation, the oil and water are removed through
separate discharge pipes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,541 to Makaya,
discloses a similar arrangement for cleaning up oil spills by
separating oil from seawater. U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,274 to Protos,
describes a gravity separator in which solids are removed prior to
separation of the grease and water. Those systems often suffer the
problem of incomplete removal of grease from the water, leading to
waste of recyclable grease, and perhaps more importantly, the need
to treat the water more thoroughly because of the residual grease
contaminants.
[0008] The kinds of apparatus disclosed in the prior art, however,
are not readily adaptable for use with the thousands of
conventional grease traps that currently exist. Since these traps
are generally comprised of a concrete storage tank buried several
feet below ground level, i.e., grade, which has a pair of generally
cylindrical access ports fitted with manhole covers, removal or
structural modification is difficult. An apparatus which would
permit removal of grease from water with great efficiency in
conventional grease traps would be of substantial commercial
utility.
[0009] Further, there is a need in the art for a new apparatus for
separation of oil/grease from wastewater which is simple in design
so that service is not often needed, yet capable of being done in
the field by simple replacement of easily replaceable parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The current invention is useful in retrofitting existing
separation systems, such as grease traps, many of which are located
below grade. After modification of the grease trap with the present
invention, the first liquid (grease) can be periodically and
automatically removed and transported to a remote location.
[0011] While the invention is described in terms of the separation
of grease from water, it will be apparent that the apparatus and
method described herein are generally useful in the separation of
any immiscible liquids.
[0012] The apparatus includes a containment vessel, an influent
channel having an intake end and a discharge end disposed into a
central region of the vessel, an effluent channel disposed in the
vessel having an intake end in a lower portion of the vessel and a
discharge end. A plate in a lower portion of the vessel has a
downward slope from a central location toward the periphery of the
vessel and is mounted downstream of flow from the discharge end of
the influent channel. Influent liquid can be introduced into the
vessel through the influent channel for discharge centrally into
the vessel to permit radially outward movement of the influent to
slow the influent and provide residence time for gravitational
separation of lighter immiscible liquids from the main liquid
flow.
[0013] The apparatus may include a transfer tube with an intake end
and a discharging end with the intake end located in an upper
portion of the vessel. It may also include a sensor for sensing
immiscible liquids within an upper portion of the vessel and a pump
actuable upon the sensor sensing immiscible liquids to pump from
the vessel.
[0014] The apparatus may have a vertically extending suction
conduit having an intake end and a discharge end, whereby the
intake end can be inserted through the center portion of the vessel
to permit the suction of heavier-than-water solids from the bottom
portion of the vessel.
[0015] In one preferred embodiment the influent end is inserted
from the upper portion of the vessel so the influent flow is
discharged vertically downward. Thereafter, the influent is
collected on an upwardly curved deflection plate mounted below and
aligned with the discharge end of the influent channel. The
downward slope plate is in a lower portion of the vessel than the
deflection plate to provide an overhang from an outer peripheral
portion of the deflection plate above an inner central portion of
the downward slope plate.
[0016] In another embodiment, the influent end is inserted from the
bottom portion of the containment vessel so the influent flow is
discharged vertically upward. In this embodiment, a downwardly
curved deflection plate is mounted above and aligned with the
discharge end of the influent channel. The downward slope plate is
mounted to the discharge end of the influent channel so the
downward slope plate is in a lower portion of the vessel from the
deflection plate. Further, one portion has a gap between the
discharge end of the influent channel and the downward slope
plate.
[0017] An embodiment of the vessel may be vertically extending with
a generally rounded bottom, formed of roto-formed plastic and
having a cover. Such a cover may have a flat top surface, a radial
inwardly upwardly slanted bottom surface and an opening through the
middle. Further, the channels, preferably, are made of vacuum
formed plastic.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment, a conical plate is used to
define the bottom of the vessel, the influent channel is disposed
vertically along one side of the vessel, the effluent channel is
disposed vertically along another side of the vessel such that the
central peripheral portion of the channels is mounted to the outer
peripheral portion of the conical plate.
[0019] The apparatus may have a gray water conduit, having an
intake end from a remote location and a discharge end disposed into
an upstream location of the discharge end of the influent channel.
It may also have a transfer tube, with an intake end located in the
upper portion of the vessel and a discharge end in a remote
location for recovery of the separated grease. Additionally it may
have a vertically extending suction conduit, having an intake end
inserted through the center portion of the vessel to permit the
suction of heavier-than-water solids from the bottom portion of the
vessel and a discharge end disposed in a remote recovery system.
Also, it may have an automatic solids transfer discharging line
with an intake end in a remote location to discharge the
solids.
[0020] The invention also provides a method of operation including
separating influent made up of a lighter density first liquid and a
heavier density second liquid in a containment vessel and
transferring the first and second liquids to discrete remote
locations by channeling the influent into the containment vessel,
directing the influent flow to a radially central portion of the
vessel and releasing the influent in the vessel to permit radial
outward movement of the influent which causes an increasing
reduction in influent flow rate as the influent moves radially
outward, gravitationally separating the first liquid from the
second liquid as they move radially outwardly, transferring the
first liquid from an upper portion of the vessel to a remote
location, and transferring the second liquid from a lower portion
of the vessel to another remote location.
[0021] For automatic operation, the method may include the
intermediate steps of sensing when the upper portion of the vessel
contains a substantial quantity of the first liquid and thereafter
performing the first transferring step.
[0022] The method may also include the step of suctioning solids
heavier than the second liquid from the bottom of the vessel
through a conduit to a remote location.
[0023] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the
following description of the invention when considered with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an apparatus for
grease suction recovery according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the plates according to the
embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an apparatus for
grease suction recovery according to a second embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the plates according to the
embodiment of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment for an apparatus 10
for grease suction recovery, which includes a separation vessel 12
having an influent channel 14 and an effluent channel 16 each of
rectangular cross section disposed at the sides of the separation
vessel 12.
[0029] The shape of vessel 12 is not critical, however the
preferred embodiment has a rounded or conical shaped bottom and
vertical walls that are smooth to effectuate the flow of the
grease. As used herein "grease" may include oils and other lighter
than water liquids commonly found in grease traps. As is well
known, the "grease" rises to the top of the aqueous waste water.
The vessel 12 can be formed of a variety of materials such as steel
or fiberglass. However roto-formed plastic is the preferred
embodiment due to its lightweight characteristics.
[0030] The apparatus 10 has an influent channel 14 and an effluent
channel 16. The channels 14, 16, as well, can be formed of a
variety of materials, but the preferred embodiment uses vacuum
formed plastic.
[0031] The discharge end 18 of influent channel 14 enters upwardly
into the center of vessel 12. The flow of the influent is directed
radially outwardly through the use of a diverging, disk-shaped
plate 20. Plate 20 has a parabolic radial configuration and is
supported above discharge end 18 of influent channel 14 through any
suitable securing means. Plate 20 creates an outward radial
diversion of the influent into vessel 12. Then, the influent is
thus directed along the upper surface of a conical plate 22 which
has a downward slope. The area of this path increases as the square
of the radius and thus increasingly allows the influent a longer
residence time, to maximize the likelihood of gravitational
separation of the less dense grease from the water. Conical plate
22 is supported through any appropriate suitable means and has a
small gap 24 between itself and the discharge end 18 of the
influent channel 14 along one edge to permit the removal of any
grease that may otherwise have become trapped under the plate 22.
This grease is thus exposed, once again, to radial diversion and
eventual separation.
[0032] The grease-depleted water passes radially outwardly past the
periphery of plate 22 and then downwardly to a region 23 in the
bottom of vessel 12. From there it is discharged through an
effluent transfer channel 16. Effluent channel 16 discharges to a
remote location, such as a sewage treatment plant. Influent channel
14 and effluent channel 16 are preferable formed with an additional
conical plate 26 to define the bottom of vessel 12.
[0033] A grease mat 30 is formed by the accumulated separated
grease at the top of the vessel 12. A grease transfer tube 32 is
positioned with an intake end 34 in contact with the grease mat 30
inside the vessel 12, and a discharge end 36. Transfer tube 32 is
configured with a sensor 38 positioned to detect grease
accumulation in vessel 12. Sensor 38 is of a type commercially
available and its selection can be made by one skilled in the art.
Suction of the grease through the transfer tube 32 is accomplished
through a pump 40 or any such suitable means, which is actuated by
the sensor 38.
[0034] The vessel 12 is topped with a cover 42 having a center
opening 44. Cover 42 has a flat top surface and an upward slanted
bottom surface to facilitate the flow of grease to the center where
the intake end 34 of the grease transfer tube 32 is located.
[0035] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment 50 of the
present invention which has a vessel 52, an influent channel 54 and
an effluent channel 56. The discharge end 58 of the influent
channel 54 is directed vertically downward into the middle of
vessel 52. Preferably, the discharge is through an annular opening
with effluent channel 56 centered in the opening. The influent is
first directed against radially curved deflection plate 60. Plate
60 is mounted below and aligned with discharge end 58. The influent
passes onto a downward slope plate 62. The outer portion of
deflection plate 60 overhangs the inner portion of downward slope
plate 62 to provide a gap 64 between plates 60 and 62. Again, the
influent takes on a radially outward flow path in the region 53. As
it slows, the grease rises and the water falls.
[0036] A grease mat 66 is formed by the accumulated separated
grease at the top of the vessel 52. A grease transfer tube 68 is
positioned with an intake end 70 in contact with grease mat 66
inside vessel 52, and a discharge end 72.
[0037] Additional features that may be included are a gray water
return conduit 78 from a remote source such as a Superceptor.RTM.
product sold by Thermaco and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,754
and an automatic solids transfer discharge conduit 82 for returning
solids from an AST unit sold by Thermaco and described in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,098,564. The disclosures of these patents are hereby
incorporated by reference. Gray water conduit 78 has a discharge
end 80 in communication with discharge end 58 of influent channel
54. The gray water flow is therefore subjected to radial
gravitational separation along with the influent. Solids are
transferred through conduit 82 and discharged in communication with
the effluent out through the effluent channel 56 to a remote
location, such as a sewer leading to a sewage treatment plant.
[0038] Also, for discharge of heavier-than-water solids that
accumulate at the bottom of the vessel 52, a suction conduit 74 is
located in the vessel 52. Suction conduit 74 takes up the solids
form the bottom of vessel 52 through its intake end 76 and delivers
the solids to a remote location.
[0039] The separation characteristics are improved in the instant
invention over the prior art. Namely, the use of baffles allows the
radial and outward flow of the waste water, to permit the gradual
slowing of the flow, to increase the residence time, allowing the
grease an opportunity to rise and deviate from the main water flow
path. There is no agitation required to effectuate the separation,
and therefore there are fewer moving parts. Further, there are no
chemical additives necessary to supplement the separation.
[0040] While this invention has been illustrated and described in
accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that
variations and changes may be made therein without departing from
the invention as set forth in the claims.
* * * * *