U.S. patent application number 09/858858 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for kitchen grease removal system.
Invention is credited to Batten, William C., Kyles, Bruce W..
Application Number | 20020170864 09/858858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25329377 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020170864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Batten, William C. ; et
al. |
November 21, 2002 |
KITCHEN GREASE REMOVAL SYSTEM
Abstract
An oil/grease separation apparatus includes an inlet section for
receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross
solids. The gross solids are separated from the liquid flow and
collected in the inlet section. A water jet eductor is provided
having a solids extraction port located in a lower portion of the
inlet section. The water jet eductor is actuated by supplying
pressurized water to create a suction to extract the accumulated
solids from the inlet section. The extracted solids are directed to
a separator outlet or to an alternate disposal system by suitable
piping.
Inventors: |
Batten, William C.;
(Asheboro, NC) ; Kyles, Bruce W.; (Asheboro,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACCORD MASON PLLC
300 N. GREENE STREET, SUITE 1600
P. O. BOX 2974
GREENSBORO
NC
27402
US
|
Family ID: |
25329377 |
Appl. No.: |
09/858858 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/803 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 21/2433 20130101;
B01D 17/00 20130101; B01D 2221/02 20130101; B01D 21/2444 20130101;
B01D 17/0208 20130101; B01D 17/0214 20130101; B01D 21/34 20130101;
B01D 21/0042 20130101; B01D 21/2405 20130101; B01D 21/2461
20130101; B01D 21/0012 20130101; B01D 17/0211 20130101; B01D
21/0024 20130101; B01D 17/00 20130101; B01D 17/0208 20130101; B01D
17/0211 20130101; B01D 17/0214 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/803 |
International
Class: |
B01D 012/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An oil/grease separation apparatus comprising: a chamber for
receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease, and gross
solids, the chamber including a housing, an inlet in an inlet
section, a downstream section and an outlet in an outlet section, a
water jet eductor including a water supply line with a water supply
valve and including a solids extraction port in a lower portion of
the inlet section, and an oil/grease separator located in the
downstream section for removing oil/grease from water held in the
downstream section, whereby the gross solids entering the chamber
settle in the inlet section for periodic removal by the water jet
eductor, oil/grease and water entering the chamber pass to the
downstream section where the oil/grease is removed from the water,
and the residual water exits the chamber through the outlet
section.
2. An oil/grease separation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the inlet section has a bottom which slopes downwardly toward the
solids extraction port of the water jet eductor.
3. An oil/grease separation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further
including a timer which opens the water supply valve to actuate the
water jet eductor for a preset period at a preset time.
4. An oil/grease separation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further
including a weight-controlled switch which opens the water supply
valve to actuate the water jet eductor when a preset weight of
solids has been collected in the inlet section, and which closes
the water supply valve to shut off the water jet eductor when the
solids have been substantially depleted from the inlet section.
5. An oil/grease separation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a grease trap connected to receive the residual water
exiting the chamber through the outlet section and piping from the
water jet eductor which bypasses the grease trap.
6. An oil/grease separation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the water jet eductor includes: an eductor pipe having a first end
in communication with the solids extraction port in a lower portion
of the inlet section and a second end connected to the outlet
section, and a jet nozzle located in the inlet section and
positioned to direct a jet of water into the extraction port.
7. An oil/grease separation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the water jet eductor includes: an eductor housing having a first
opening forming a water injection port, a second opening forming a
solids intake port, and a third opening in communication with the
solids extraction port in the inlet section; a jet nozzle in the
eductor housing connected to the water injection port and directing
a jet of water through the discharge port; and a discharge pipe
having a first end connected to the discharge port and a second end
connected to the outlet section of the chamber.
8. An oil/grease separation apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein
the eductor housing and discharge pipe are external to the chamber
and the third opening in the eductor housing is connected to a
penetration in the housing of the chamber in the inlet section
forming the solids extraction port.
9. An oil/grease separation apparatus comprising: a chamber for
receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross
solids, the chamber including an inlet section, a downstream
section and an outlet in an outlet section, the inlet section being
separated from the downstream section by a weir including a first
wall extending upwardly from the bottom of the chamber to a top
above the outlet and a second wall extending downwardly from a
height above the liquid level to a submerged level, whereby a
higher static water level is maintained in the inlet section than
the downstream section, to facilitate one-way passage of oil/grease
from the inlet section to the downstream section, a water jet
eductor having an extraction port in a lower portion of the inlet
section, the inlet section including an inlet port, a strainer
separating the inlet port and the top of the first wall to inhibit
passage by solids to the downstream section, and a bottom which
slopes downwardly toward the extraction port of the water jet
eductor, and an oil/grease separator located in the downstream
section for removing oil/grease from water held in the downstream
section, whereby the gross solids entering the chamber settle in
the inlet section for periodic removal with some water by the water
jet eductor, oil/grease and water entering the chamber pass to the
downstream section where the oil/grease is removed from the water,
and the residual water exits the chamber through the outlet
section.
10. An oil/grease separation method comprising: introducing a
liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids into a
chamber having an inlet section, a downstream section and an outlet
in an outlet section, permitting the gross solids entering the
inlet section to settle, periodically actuating a water jet eductor
to remove the settled solids from the inlet section, permitting
oil/grease and water to pass from the inlet section to a downstream
section, removing oil/grease from the water in the downstream
section, and permitting the residual water to exit the chamber
through the outlet.
11. An oil/grease separation method as claimed in claim 10 wherein
the periodic actuation of the water jet eductor takes place for
preset periods at a preset times.
12. An oil/grease separation method as claimed in claim 10 wherein
the periodic actuation of the water jet eductor takes place when a
preset weight of solids has been collected in the inlet section and
ends when the solids have been depleted from the inlet section.
13. An oil/grease separation method as claimed in claim 10 wherein
the inlet section includes an inlet port and a strainer separating
the inlet port from the downstream portion to prevent passage of
solids to the downstream section and in which the water jet eductor
actuation step creates a reverse flow of water through the strainer
in order to backwash the strainer.
14. An oil/grease separation method as claimed in claim 10 further
comprising directing the residual water exiting the chamber through
the outlet section to a grease trap and directing the solids and
water removed from the inlet section during the water jet actuation
step to bypass the grease trap.
15. An oil/grease separation method comprising: introducing a
liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids into a
chamber having an inlet section, a downstream section and an outlet
in an outlet section, straining gross solids from the liquid flow
in the inlet section to prevent passage of solids to the downstream
section, permitting the gross solids entering the inlet section to
settle, periodically actuating a water jet eductor to remove the
solids from the inlet section, permitting oil/grease and water to
pass from the inlet section to a downstream section over a weir
that maintains a higher static water level in the inlet section
than the downstream section, removing oil/grease from the water in
the downstream section, and directing the residual water exiting
the chamber through the outlet section to a grease trap and
directing the solids and water removed from the inlet section
during the water jet eductor actuation step in a path bypassing the
grease trap.
16. An apparatus for separating oil/grease from an effluent flow
comprising: means for receiving an effluent flow containing
oil/grease, water and gross solids and permitting the gross solids
to settle, means for removing the gross solids from the receiving
means by an eductor flow, and means for separating oil grease from
the effluent flow.
17. A method for separating oil/grease from an effluent flow
comprising: the step of holding an effluent flow containing
oil/grease water and gross solids, the step of permitting the gross
solids to settle, the step of removing the settled gross solids
with an eductor flow, and the step of separating oil/grease from
the effluent flow.
18. An oil/grease separation apparatus comprising: a chamber for
receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease, and gross
solids, a water jet eductor including a water supply line with a
controllable water supply and including a solids extraction port in
a lower portion of the chamber, and an oil/grease separator located
in the chamber for removing oil/grease from water held in the
chamber, whereby the gross solids entering the chamber settle in
the chamber for periodic removal by the water jet eductor,
oil/grease and water entering the chamber pass to the oil/grease
separator where oil/grease is removed from the water, and the
residual water exits the chamber.
19. An oil/grease separation method comprising: introducing a
liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids into a
chamber, permitting the gross solids entering the chamber to
settle, periodically actuating a water jet eductor to remove the
settled solids from the chamber, removing oil/grease from the water
in the liquid flow, and permitting the residual water to exit the
chamber.
20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the separator
includes a focusing plate to concentrate the oil/grease atop the
water and a removal means to remove the concentrated
oil/grease.
21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the chamber has two
ends, the lighter flow is received at one end, the residual water
exits from the other end, and the focusing plate has a ridge
aligned with a line between the two ends.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in solids
handling for effluent streams containing solids. The typical
effluent stream for which the present invention is suitable is the
discharge from a kitchen, particularly a restaurant kitchen. Grease
traps and oil/grease separators for removal of the oil/grease
components from such effluents are known. For example, the Lowe
Engineering Company of Lincoln Park, N.J. makes products of this
type, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,051,024; 4,268,369 and
5,030,357. In addition, Thermaco, Inc. of Asheboro, N.C.,
manufactures and sells oil/grease removal apparatus under the
trademark BIG DIPPER. Exemplary of the patents owned by Thermaco
are U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,726 to Shimko, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,881 to
Miller et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,555 to Batten. The
disclosures of these three patents are hereby incorporated by
reference. The oil/grease separation devices marketed by Thermaco
use various methods for the separation and removal of oil and
grease from kitchen effluents, including the gravitational
separation techniques and oil-skimming methods shown in the above
patents.
[0002] Typically, oil/grease separators have infeed units including
a straining basket into which the solids are directed and trapped
to remove them from the flow so they do not interfere with the
oil/grease removal process or with subsequent reprocessing of the
removed oil/grease. It is up to a restaurant employee to
periodically open the unit and remove the strainer basket and dump
its contents. These strainers are objectionable to handle because
the solids may have strong odors and liquids may drip out of the
basket. Since this is an unpleasant chore, sometimes it's not done.
If the strainer basket fills and is not emptied, the grease/oil
separator unit may fail and cause the associated plumbing systems
to backup.
[0003] Clearline Systems, Inc. of Asheboro, N.C. has addressed
these problems with strainer baskets as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,360,555 to the present applicant by providing a grinder/pump to
periodically extract accumulated solids from an oil/grease
separator device. The disclosure of this patent is hereby
incorporated by reference. While this grinder/pump has proved
effective to periodically remove separated and accumulated solids
without the problems associated with strainer baskets, such
grinder/pumps have some limitations. Grinder/pumps require electric
power and periodic maintenance or replacement, and their moving
parts may become jammed by certain kitchen solids such as bones,
silverware, or rubber gloves. If undetected, lodged solids can
cause grinder/pump motors to overheat and become damaged. A safety
hazard exists when persons insert their hands into the inlets of
such grinder/pumps to remove lodged solids without taking proper
safety precautions. Such grinder/pumps often must be removed and
disassembled for servicing, typically by a manufacturer's
technician, hired plumber or electrician.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improvement
in devices of this nature to eliminate the problems caused by the
presence of strainer baskets and the limitations of grinder/pumps
or other similar mechanical pumps.
[0005] Eductors (also known as "injectors", "jet pumps", or
"ejectors") are known and operate by taking advantage of the
so-called "venturi effect" wherein introduction of a pressurized
motive fluid into a cavity creates a suction in the cavity. This
suction in turn draws another fluid or a mixture of another fluid
and suspended solids into and through the cavity together with the
motive fluid. Eductors are relatively simple and inexpensive
compared to mechanical pumps. Eductors have no moving parts to wear
or become damaged from use, and are therefore extremely durable in
operation. In addition, eductors can be easily sized to suit a wide
range of pumping demands.
[0006] Such eductors have been applied to address a number of
needs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,878 to Astrom discloses the
use of eductors to clean filtrate from a disk filter apparatus.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,384 to A1-Ali discloses the use of
eductors to retrieve spilled oil. However, eductors have not been
used heretofore to address the need for an improved method for
removing solids from an oil/grease separation device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention fulfills this need in the art by
providing an oil/grease separation apparatus including an eductor
system for extraction of accumulated solids. In a typical
installation, the oil/grease separator includes a chamber having an
inlet section for receiving a liquid flow containing water,
oil/grease and gross solids, a downstream section for separating
the oil or grease from the effluent, and an outlet section for
discharge of the residual water through an outlet. The inlet
section is provided with a water jet eductor having an extraction
port in the lower portion of the inlet section. Gross solids
entering the chamber settle in the inlet section where they are
periodically removed by actuating the water jet eductor. The water
jet eductor is actuated by opening a water supply valve to provide
a flow of pressurized water to the eductor through a water supply
line. The suction created by the water jet eductor extracts the
accumulated solids from the inlet section through the extraction
port.
[0008] Preferably, the inlet section has a bottom that slopes
downwardly toward the extraction port of the water jet eductor to
direct accumulated solids toward the extraction port. The apparatus
may also include a timer which automatically opens the water supply
valve to the eductor for a preset period at a preset time.
Alternatively, the water supply valve may be opened by a
weight-controlled switch in the inlet section when a preset weight
of solids has been collected in the inlet section and closed when
the solids have been depleted from the inlet section. The apparatus
may also include a grease trap connected to receive the residual
water exiting the chamber through the outlet and piping from the
water jet eductor that bypasses the grease trap.
[0009] Preferably, the jet eductor includes an eductor pipe with a
first end in communication with the solids extraction port in a
lower portion of the inlet section. The second end of the eductor
pipe is connected to the outlet section of the chamber. A jet
nozzle is provided in the inlet section of the oil/grease
separation apparatus and is positioned to direct a jet of water
into the first end of the eductor pipe in the inlet section. This
jet of water creates a suction in the eductor pipe which causes a
mixture of water and solids accumulated in the inlet section to be
extracted from the inlet section through the eductor pipe.
[0010] Alternatively, the jet eductor may include an eductor
housing in the inlet section of the chamber having a first opening
forming a water injection port, a second opening forming a solids
intake port, and a third opening in communication with the solids
extraction port. A jet nozzle located inside the housing is
connected to the water injection port to receive a supply of
pressurized water through a supply line and to direct a jet of
water through the discharge port. A discharge pipe connects the
third opening in the eductor housing to the outlet section of the
chamber. The jet of water creates a suction in the housing and
discharge pipe, thereby causing the mixture of water and solids
accumulated in the inlet section to be extracted from the inlet
section through the discharge pipe. In a preferred arrangement, the
eductor housing and discharge pipe are located internal to the
chamber. Alternatively, the eductor housing and discharge pipe may
be external to the chamber. In this alternative installation, the
solids intake port in the housing is connected to a penetration in
an outer wall of the chamber in a lower portion of the inlet
section.
[0011] In a typical installation, the oil/grease separation
apparatus includes a chamber for receiving a liquid flow containing
water, oil/grease and gross solids. The chamber has an inlet
section, a downstream section and an outlet in an outlet section.
The inlet section is separated from the downstream section by a
weir which includes a first wall extending upwardly from the bottom
of the chamber to a top above the outlet and a second wall
extending downwardly from a height above the liquid level to a
submerged level. The weir creates a higher static water level to be
maintained in the inlet section than in the downstream section, and
facilitates one-way passage of oil/grease from the inlet section to
the downstream section. A water jet eductor is provided which has
an extraction port in a lower portion of the inlet section for
removal of accumulated solids. The inlet section includes an inlet
port, a strainer separating the inlet port and the top of the first
wall to inhibit the passage of solids to the downstream section,
and a bottom which slopes downwardly toward the solids extraction
port. An oil/grease separator is located in the downstream section
for removing oil/grease from water held in the downstream section.
Gross solids entering the chamber settle in the inlet section for
periodic removal with some water by the water jet eductor.
Oil/grease and water entering the chamber pass to the downstream
section where the oil/grease is removed from the water, and the
residual water exits the chamber through the outlet section.
[0012] The invention also provides an oil/grease separation method
that includes the efficient removal of accumulated gross solids.
The method includes introducing a liquid flow containing water,
oil/grease and gross solids into a chamber having an inlet section,
a downstream section and an outlet in an outlet section. The gross
solids entering the inlet section are permitted to settle in the
inlet section where they are periodically removed with some water
by actuating a water jet eductor. Oil/grease and water are
permitted to pass from the inlet section to a downstream section
where the oil/grease is removed from the water. Finally, the
residual water is permitted to exit the chamber through the
outlet.
[0013] Preferably, permitting oil/grease and water to pass from the
inlet section to the downstream section includes passing the
oil/grease and water over a weir that maintains a higher static
water level in the inlet section than the downstream section. The
method also preferably includes straining gross solids from the
liquid flow by a strainer in the inlet section to prevent passage
of solids to the downstream section. Desirably, the eductor is
sized so that the periodic removal of solids creates a reverse flow
of water through the strainer to backwash the strainer. The
periodic removal of solids may take place for preset periods at a
preset times. For example, this may take place for thirty seconds
every thirty minutes. Alternatively, the periodic removal of solids
may take place when a preset weight of solids has been collected in
the inlet section and end when the solids have been depleted from
the inlet section. In a typical installation, the method may
include directing the residual water exiting the chamber through
the outlet section to a grease trap and directing the solids and
water removed from the inlet section during the periodic removal
step to bypass the grease trap.
[0014] The invention may also include a focus plate to concentrate
the oil/grease atop the water and a removal means to remove the
concentrated oil/grease. The focusing plate may have a ridge
aligned with a line between a receiving end and an exit end of the
chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will be better understood from a reading of
the detailed description of the preferred embodiments along with a
review of the drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is side exterior view of a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
taken along lines 2-2 and looking in the direction of the
arrows;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
taken along lines 3-3 and looking in the direction of the
arrows;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2,
taken along lines 4-4 and looking in the direction of the
arrows;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4,
taken along lines 5-5 and looking in the direction of the
arrows;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to the view of FIG. 5
showing an alternative piping arrangement;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 4 of a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 taken
along lines 8-8 and looking in the direction of the arrows;
[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view of the embodiment of FIG.
8;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 9 showing an
alternative arrangement for the eductor housing;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a side view and partial section view of a third
embodiment of the invention having an eductor system external to
the separator;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11;
[0028] FIG. 13 is an end view of the inlet and of the embodiment of
FIGS. 11 and 12;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a fourth embodiment
taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 15;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 shown
with the focusing plate assembly removed;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment taken
along line 16-16 in FIG. 15; and
[0032] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment taken
along line 17-17 in FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The present invention provides an oil/grease separator 10
including a water jet eductor for extraction and disposal of
solids. As seen in FIGS. 1-5, a first embodiment includes a housing
12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. As best seen in FIG. 4, the
inlet 14, which can be connected to a discharge from a kitchen sink
or the like, deposits kitchen effluent into an inlet chamber 28.
The downstream edge of the inlet 28 is defined by a weir 30
upstanding from the bottom portion of the housing 12. A plate 32
extending down from the upper portion of the housing 12 cooperates
with the weir 30 to provide a downwardly extending passage into a
quiescent region 22. In the quiescent region 22, oil/grease and
water reside for a long enough period of time so that the
oil/grease floats to the top of the water. The downstream edge of
the quiescent region 22 is defined by a baffle 34 extending
downwardly from the housing 12. Water passes from the quiescent
region 22 to an outlet chamber 24 by passing under the lower edge
of the baffle 34. The water is then discharged from the outlet
chamber 24 through the outlet 16.
[0034] The floating oil/grease can be removed in conventional
fashion using any desired oil/grease separator such as those shown
in the above-mentioned patents. For example, an oil-grease skimming
device 38 may be provided to collect the floating oil/grease from
the surface of the water. Alternatively, oil/grease removal methods
or apparatus as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/439,900 filed Nov. 12, 1999, or U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/439,542 filed on Nov. 12, 1999, the entire disclosures
of which are hereby incorporated by reference, may be used.
[0035] As can be best seen in FIG. 4, the inlet chamber 28 is
provided with a downwardly extending strainer screen 46 attached to
the housing 12 and the weir 30. Alternatively, a wedge-wire
strainer basket may be used to prevent solids from passing out of
the inlet chamber. As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet chamber 28 is
provided with a sloping bottom 26. At the lower part of the sloping
bottom is solids extraction port 44 in the weir 30. As best seen in
FIG. 4, an eductor pipe 36 communicates with the solids extraction
port 44 and extends to the outlet 16. A water jet nozzle 40 in the
inlet chamber 28 is positioned to direct a jet of water supplied
through a water supply line 18 into the solids extraction port 44.
The supply of water to the nozzle 40 is regulated by a water supply
valve 20 in the water supply line 18.
[0036] In operation, oil/grease and solids and water pass into the
inlet chamber 28 from the inlet 14. The oil/grease and water pass
through the screen 46, over the weir 30, and into the quiescent
region 22. However, solids are prevented from passing out of the
inlet chamber 28 by the screen 46 and settle atop the sloping
bottom 26 in the region of the solids extraction port 44. The
accumulated solids are periodically removed from the inlet chamber
by opening the water supply valve 18 to direct a jet of water from
the nozzle 40 into the solids extraction port 44. The jet of water
creates a suction in the eductor pipe 36 at the solids extraction
port 44. The solids are thereby drawn from the inlet chamber 28
into the eductor pipe 36 and pass through the eductor pipe 36 to
the outlet 16. The solids then pass together with the residual
water exiting the outlet 16 to a grease trap. Alternatively, the
solids may be directed to independent piping 152 connected to the
eductor pipe 136 to bypass the grease trap, as shown in FIG. 6. As
discussed above, the water supply valve 20 is opened to supply
water to the nozzle 40 to activate the eductor system to
periodically extract the accumulated solids from the oil/grease
separator 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a timer 52 is used
to open the water supply valve 20 at a preset time for a preset
period of time to discharge whatever solids may be collected. In an
alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a weight-activated micro
switch 42 at the bottom of the inlet chamber 28 is used to sense a
threshold weight of solids and to open the supply valve 40 to
activate the eductor system. Once the solids are substantially
depleted from the inlet chamber, the micro switch 42 closes the
supply valve 20 to shut off the eductor system. In addition, other
control mechanisms for the water supply valve may be substituted,
as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, the timer or
switch can be used to start a pump or other means for inducing the
liquid flow for the eductor.
[0037] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7-9.
In this embodiment, an eductor housing 252 is provided at the
bottom of the inlet chamber 28 at the base of the sloping bottom
26. As best seen in the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 9, the
eductor housing 252 has a water injection port 256, a solids
discharge port 260, and a solids intake port 258. As will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the eductor
housing 252 and its components may have a variety of configurations
other than as depicted in the drawings. A water jet nozzle 240 is
located inside the eductor housing 252 and is connected to a water
supply line 218. The nozzle 240 is positioned to direct a jet of
water through the discharge port 260. Alternatively, multiple
nozzles 240 may be used in the eductor housing 252 (not shown). The
solids discharge port 260 is connected to a discharge pipe 236
which extends either to the outlet 16 of the separator 10 or to
independent piping for discharge of the solids. In operation, water
is supplied to the nozzle 240 which directs a jet of water through
the discharge port 260. A suction is created in the inside the
eductor housing 252 which draws solids from the inlet chamber 28
into the housing 252. The solids then pass with water out of the
housing 252 through the discharge port 260 and through the
discharge pipe 236 for disposal.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 10, the eductor housing 352 may be external
to the oil/grease separator housing 12. The solids intake port 358
of the eductor housing 352 communicates with a solids outlet 350 in
the housing 12 at the bottom of the inlet chamber 28. A water
supply line 318 supplies water to a water jet nozzle 340 inside the
eductor housing 352. A solids discharge pipe 336 connects the
solids discharge port 360 in the housing 354 either to the
separator outlet 16 or to independent piping. In operation, a jet
of water from the nozzle 340 creates a suction in the eductor
housing 352. This suction causes the solids in the inlet chamber 28
to be extracted from the housing 12 through the solids outlet 350
and the discharge pipe 336.
[0039] A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11-13, wherein a solids
extraction chamber 470 extends from one side of the housing 12. A
solids extraction chamber 470 communicates with the inlet section
428 through a window 472. An eductor nozzle 474 has one end
connected to an opening in the top of the solids extraction chamber
470 and a second end connected to the outlet 416 by a discharge
pipe 436. As best seen in the partial section of FIG. 11, a
small-diameter tube 476 extends through a wall of the eductor
nozzle 474 to direct a jet of water into the discharge pipe 436.
When a water supply valve 420 is opened, a jet of water is injected
into the discharge pipe 436, thereby causing solids with water to
be drawn from the inlet section 428 into the solids extraction
chamber 470 through the nozzle 474 and to the outlet 416 through
the discharge pipe 436. Alternatively, the solids can be directed
to alternate piping for disposal.
[0040] A fourth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 14-17. A housing 512
has an inlet 514 and an outlet 516. Influent passes through the
inlet 514 and into an inlet chamber 528. Heavy solids in the
influent settle downwardly in the inlet chamber 528. A grille 545
prevents large solids such as flatware or bones from passing to a
lower portion of the inlet chamber 528. Smaller heavy solids pass
through the grille 545, and are directed to a solids collection
zone 527 by a sloping bottom 526. As best seen in FIGS. 15 and 17,
water, oil/grease, and fine floating solids pass from the inlet
chamber 528 to a quiescent region 522 through slots 546 and 547. A
baffle 548 may be provided in the inlet chamber 528 to prevent the
momentum of incoming effluent from causing undue water passage
through slots 547.
[0041] As best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, an eductor tube 536 extends
from the solids collection zone 527 to an outlet 536. A water
injection tube 576 extends into the eductor tube 536 as shown in
FIG. 15. As water is injected from tube 576 into the eductor tube
536, accumulated solids are extracted from the collection zone 527
and transferred out through the eductor tube 536 to an outlet 537
for disposal.
[0042] As seen best in FIGS. 14 and 16, a focusing plate assembly
590 is provided in an upper portion of the housing 512. Such
focusing plates are disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/439,900 which was incorporated by reference above. As
seen best in FIG. 16, the bottom surface of the plate 590 causes
oil/grease floating near the top of the quiescent region 522 to
concentrate along a central region of the housing. The focusing
plate 590 of this embodiment has a peak or ridge 591 that extends
along the inlet-outlet axis of the apparatus. This is a presently
preferred design to enable manufacturing flexibility. Larger or
smaller size units can be made by making the focusing plate longer
or shorter without changing the shape of the plate. An oil/grease
extraction tube 538 extends upward in the quiescent region to a
height just below the static water level in the peak or ridge 591
of the focusing plate 590. Floating oil/grease is extracted through
the tube 538 by activating a fluid motivated pump 580, which causes
the oil/grease to pass into the tube 538 and out through an exit
port 595. Fluid motivated pumps are disclosed in co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/567,778, filed May 9, 2000, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0043] As will be appreciated, other eductor designs other than as
specifically depicted and described may be substituted.
[0044] As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art,
the invention can be adapted to various types of oil/grease
separators having solids accumulation capability and is not limited
to the specific embodiments discussed above. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will also appreciate that the invention could be
carried out in other various forms, all of which are deemed to be
within the scope of the appended claims.
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