EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202241002661, filed on January 17, 2022, and titled “AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FORWASTEWATER TREATMENT”

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of environmental protection and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for wastewater treatment.

BACKGROUND

Wastewater is a polluted form of water generated from rainwater runoff and human activities. The waster may also be termed as sewage. The wastewater may be classified as domestic sewage, industrial sewage, or storm sewage based on origin. The wastewater may contain elements toxic to humans and ecosystem and may cause several diseases to the humans. The diseases may include cholera, schistosomiasis, diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid and poliomyelitis and the like. Wastewater treatment methods are being employed to treat the wastewater to eliminate the elements which are toxic to the humans and the ecosystem to ensure safe discharge of the wastewater into an environment.

The wastewater treatment methods may be classified into chemical treatment methods, physical treatment methods, biological treatment methods and all. The biological treatment methods may use microorganisms such as bacteria and protozoa to treat the wastewater. The biological treatment methods which are currently being used is inefficient due to a number of reasons. The biological treatment methods may require separate compartments for anaerobic and aerobic treatment of the wastewater. Further, requirement of an aerator makes the biological treatment methods costly and energy intensive. Also, membranes which are being employed in the biological treatment methods may be subjected to clogging and may require frequent maintenance.

Hence, there is a need for an improved apparatus and a method for wastewater treatment to address the aforementioned issue(s). BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for wastewater treatment is provided. The apparatus includes a spraying unit located on top of a support structure. The spraying unit is adapted to provide uniform distribution of wastewater over the support structure. The apparatus also includes a cartridge unit located underneath the spraying unit and mounted on the support structure. The cartridge unit includes one or more membrane cartridges. The one or more membrane cartridges includes corresponding a non-porous layer composed of polyether sandwiched between one or more supporting layer composed of a hydrophilic polymeric material. The non-porous layer is adapted to treat the wastewater provided by the spraying unit to obtain treated water. The apparatus also includes a sump located underneath the cartridge unit. The sump is adapted to collect the treated water provided by the cartridge unit. The apparatus further includes a pump located underneath the sump. The pump is adapted to pump the treated water collected by the sump to feed the spraying unit for a predefined number of cycles, thereby treating the wastewater.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for wastewater treatment provided. The method includes providing, by a spraying unit, uniform distribution of wastewater over the support structure. The method also includes treating, by the non-porous layer, wastewater provided by the spraying unit to obtain treated water. The method also includes collecting, by a sump, the treated water provided by a cartridge unit. The method further includes pumping, by a pump, the treated water collected by the sump to feed the spraying unit for a predefined number of cycles, thereby treating the wastewater.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for wastewater treatment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting a fabrication process of the one or more membrane cartridges in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting arrangement of the one or more membrane cartridges into the cartridge unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of yet embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting an ultrasonic spot welding setup in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting features of the one or more spacer rings in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting a housing of a spraying unit, a cartridge unit, a sump and a pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of yet embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting an exploded view of the housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of yet embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting a multiple module configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of yet embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting operational arrangement of a connecting panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting the cartridge unit, and the motor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for wastewater treatment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and a method for wastewater treatment. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus and a method for wastewater treatment is provided. The apparatus includes a spraying unit located on top of a support structure. The spraying unit is adapted to provide uniform distribution of wastewater over the support structure. The apparatus also includes a cartridge unit located underneath the spraying unit and mounted on the support structure. The cartridge unit includes one or more membrane cartridges. The one or more membrane cartridges includes corresponding a non-porous layer composed of polyether sandwiched between one or more supporting layer composed of a hydrophilic polymeric material. The non-porous layer is adapted to treat the wastewater provided by the spraying unit to obtain treated water. The apparatus also includes a sump located underneath the cartridge unit. The sump is adapted to collect the treated water provided by the cartridge unit. The apparatus further includes a pump located underneath the sump. The pump is adapted to pump the treated water collected by the sump to feed the spraying unit for a predefined number of cycles, thereby treating the wastewater.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus (10) for wastewater treatment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus (10) includes a spraying unit (20) located on top of a support structure (30). The spraying unit (20) is adapted to provide uniform distribution of wastewater over the support structure (30). In one embodiment, the spraying unit (20) may include one or more nozzles. In some embodiments, the support structure (30) may be fabricated by polymeric pipes composed of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) or poly propylene (PP). The apparatus (10) also includes a cartridge unit (40) located underneath the spraying unit (20) and mounted on the support structure (30). The cartridge unit (40) includes one or more membrane cartridges (50).

Further, in one embodiment, the one or more nozzles may be adapted to spray the wastewater in a square pattern over the cartridge unit (40). The sump (80) is adapted to collect the treated water provided by the cartridge unit (40). In one embodiment, the sump (80) may fabricated by the polymeric material. In an exemplary embodiment, height of the sump (80) may be between 600 milli meters and 1000 milli meters. The apparatus (10) further includes a pump (90) located underneath the sump (80). The pump (90) is adapted to pump (90) the treated water collected by the sump (80) to feed the spraying unit (20) for a predefined number of cycles, thereby treating the wastewater. In one embodiment, the pump (90) may be at least one of a submersible pump (90), progressing cavity pump (90), horizontal split case pump (90), multistage pump (90), high pressure pump (90). Fabrication process of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) may be described in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting a fabrication process of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The one or more membrane cartridges (50) includes corresponding a non-porous layer (60) composed of polyether sandwiched between one or more supporting layer (70) composed of a hydrophilic polymeric material. The non-porous layer (60) is adapted to treat the wastewater provided by the spraying unit (20) to obtain treated water. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic polymeric material may be a poly olefine material. In some embodiments, the one or more supporting layer (70) may include a rough inside surface and a smooth outside surface. In such an embodiment, the non-porous layer (60) may be casted between the one or more supporting layer (70) by a casting laminating machine.

Further, in detail, the non-porous material may be introduced between two rollers of the casting laminating machine. The two rollers may include the one or more supporting layer (70). The non-porous layer (60) may get adhered to the rough inside surface of the one or more supporting layer (70) upon casting, thereby producing the one or more membrane cartridges (50). In an exemplary embodiment, total thickness of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) may be between 100 microns and 200 microns. In such an embodiment, thickness of the non-porous layer (60) may be between 10 microns and 40 microns and the thickness of the one or more supporting layer (70) may be between 50 microns and 80 microns. In an exemplary embodiment, width of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) may vary between 800 milli meters and 1200 milli meters.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the non-porous layer (60) may have a polyamide base with a single block structure. In a specific embodiment, the non-porous layer (60) may be derived from castor plants. In one embodiment, the non-porous layer (60) and the one or more supporting layer (70) may only support molecular diffusion between the non-porous layer (60) and the one or more supporting layer (70). In such an embodiment, diffusion of air or water may not happen between the non-porous layer (60) and the one or more supporting layer (70). In one embodiment, rate of the molecular diffusion may be adjusted by varying a composition of the poly olefine in the one or more supporting layer (70). Arrangement of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) into the cartridge unit (40) may be described in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting arrangement of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) into the cartridge unit (40) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the one or more membrane cartridges (50) produced by the casting laminating machine may be hanged vertically on a strip (120) provided by folding the one or more membrane cartridges (50) width wise. In such an embodiment, the strip (120) may have one or more ear holes (130) at both extremes through which one or more tie rods (140) may be inserted to suspend the one or membrane cartridges (50). In one embodiment the strip (120) may be secured to the support structure (30). In such an embodiment, the support structure (30) may be capable of withstanding a weight of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) in a wet condition. In some embodiments, the one or more membrane cartridges (50) associated with the corresponding strip (120) may slide over the one or more tie rods (140). In one embodiment, one or more spacer rings (100) may be provided between each of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) to maintain a minimum gap between the one or more membrane cartridges (50) to provide a gap for the wastewater to flow between the membrane cartridges (50).

Moreover, in one embodiment, the one or more membrane cartridges (50) may include a corresponding outer periphery capable to provide an anaerobic treatment of the wastewater and a corresponding inner periphery capable to provide an aerobic treatment of the wastewater. In such an embodiment, the outer periphery of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) located adjacently are mutually sealed by one or more spacer rings (100) to prevent air flow between the outer periphery of the one or more membrane cartridges (50). In one embodiments, the one or more spacer rings (100) of 20 milli meter dimension may be welded in the inner periphery of the one or more membrane cartridges (50). In such an embodiment, the one or more spacer rings (100) may mutually seal the outer periphery of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) located adjacently.

Also, in a specific embodiment, the one or more spacer rings (100) may be adapted to provide a clearance between the inner periphery of the corresponding one or more membrane cartridges (50) in order to facilitate the airflow between the inner periphery of the corresponding one or more membrane cartridges (50). In one embodiment, the clearance between the inner periphery of the corresponding one or more membrane cartridges (50) may be at least 15 milli meters and the clearance between the outer periphery of the corresponding one or more membrane cartridges (50) may be at least 5 milli meters. In one embodiment, the outer periphery and the inner periphery of the corresponding one or more membrane cartridges (50) may be capable of providing molecular diffusion between the outer periphery and inner periphery of the corresponding one or more membrane cartridges (50). In an exemplary embodiment, the spacer rings (100) may include at least one of a 5 milli meter spacer ring, a 15 milli meter spacer ring and a 20 milli meter spacer ring. In some embodiments, the one or more spacer rings (100) may be provided on the one or more membrane cartridges (50) through ultrasonic spot welding by means of a multi head spot welder (150) as shown in FIG. 4. Features of the one or more spacer rings (100) may be described in detail in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting features of the one or more spacer rings (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Isometric view and corresponding front view of the 5 milli meter spacer ring (160), the 15 milli meter spacer ring (170) and the 20 milli meter spacer ring (180) are provided. In one embodiment, the one or more spacer rings (100) may be fabricated by joining an outer ring (190) and an inner ring (200) by radial fins (210). In such an embodiment, the outer ring (190) and the inner ring (200) may be concentric rings. In one embodiment, gap between the outer ring (190) and the inner ring (200) may be vacant and a first side (220) of the inner ring (200) is in a closed state which is further secured to the one or more membrane cartridges (50) by welding. Housing (230) of the spraying unit (20), the cartridge unit (40), the sump (80) and the motor may be described in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting housing (230) of a spraying unit (20), a cartridge unit (40), a sump (80) and a pump (90) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the apparatus (10) may be deployed in a single module configuration or in a multiple module configuration. In some embodiments, the single module configuration may include, but not limited to, one or more side panel (240), one or more bottom door (250), one or more top shutter (110), one or more roof panel (260) and the like. In one embodiment, the one or more side panel (240) may be mounted on the sump (80) and may provide a rigid support to the housing. In such an embodiment, the one or more bottom door (250) may be mounted in the one or more side panel (240) in two mutually opposite sides for providing access to a bottom portion of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) from the two mutually opposite sides.

Further, in some embodiment, the one or more top shutter (110) may be provided above the one or more bottom doors (250). In such an embodiment, the one or more top shutter (110) may provide access to a top portion of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) from the two mutually opposite sides. In one embodiment, the one or more roof panel (260) may be fixed at a top position above the one or more side panel (240) with a gap (270) between the one or more side panel (240) and the one or more top shutter (110) which may serve as a top vent providing a chimney effect inside the housing (230) for venting out hot air generated due to biological action of the one or more membrane cartridges (50). In one embodiment, the multiple module configuration may include a connecting panel (280) at one side replacing the one or more side panel (240) for connecting multiple housing (230) side by side. Exploded view of the housing (230), the multiple module configuration and operational arrangement of the connecting panel (280) is shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 respectively. Operation of the apparatus (10) may be described using FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the system of FIG. 1, depicting the cartridge unit (40), and the pump (90) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In operation, the wastewater may be pumped into the sump (80). The pump (90) located inside the sump (80) may pump (90) the wastewater to the spraying unit (20). The spraying unit (20) may spray the wastewater in the square pattern on cartridge unit (40). The wastewater may flow down between the one or more membrane cartridges (50) along the outer surface of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) thereby wetting the one or more membrane cartridges (50). The wastewater flowed down to the sump (80) may be collected and recirculated by the pump (90) again and again.

Moreover, when the wastewater flows down the one or more membrane cartridges (50), pollutants in the wastewater may get diffused through the one or more membrane cartridges (50) and may get exposed to the air present in the inside periphery of the one or more membrane cartridges (50). Hence, the pollutant in the wastewater gets directly oxidized thereby enabling a growth of aerobic biomass in the inside periphery of the one or more membrane cartridges (50). Since the inside periphery and the outside surface of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) supports only molecular diffusion, the outside periphery of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) lacks dissolved oxygen which in turn may support the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Growth of the anaerobic bacteria and the aerobic bacteria on the outside surface and the inside surface of the one or more membrane cartridges (50) may enable treatment of the wastewater. FIG. 11 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (500) for wastewater treatment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (500) includes providing uniform distribution of wastewater over the support structure in step 510. In one embodiment, providing uniform distribution of wastewater over the support structure includes providing uniform distribution of wastewater over the support structure by a spraying unit. In one embodiment, the spraying unit may include one or more nozzles adapted to spray the wastewater in a square pattern over the cartridge unit. In some embodiments, the support structure may be fabricated by polymeric pipes composed of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) or poly propylene (PP).

The method (500) also includes treating wastewater provided by the spraying unit to obtain treated water in step 520. In one embodiment, treating wastewater provided by the spraying unit to obtain treated water includes treating wastewater provided by the spraying unit to obtain treated water by the non-porous layer. In one embodiment, the non-porous layer may be casted between one or more supporting layer. In one embodiment, thickness of the non-porous layer may be between 10 microns and 40 microns and the thickness of the one or more supporting layer may be between 50 microns and 80 microns. In one embodiment, the non-porous layer may have a polyamide base with a single block structure. In a specific embodiment, the non- porous layer may be derived from castor plants. In one embodiment, the non-porous layer and the one or more supporting layer may only support molecular diffusion between the non-porous layer and the one or more supporting layer. In such an embodiment, diffusion of air or water may not happen between the non-porous layer and the one or more supporting layer.

The method (500) also includes collecting the treated water provided by a cartridge unit in step 530. In one embodiment, collecting the treated water provided by a cartridge unit includes collecting the treated water provided by a cartridge unit by a sump. In one embodiment, the sump may fabricated by the polymeric material. In an exemplary embodiment, height of the sump may be between 600 milli meters and 1000 milli meters.

The method (500) further includes pumping the treated water collected by the sump to feed the spraying unit for a predefined number of cycles, thereby treating the wastewater in step 540. In one embodiment, pumping the treated water collected by the sump to feed the spraying unit for a predefined number of cycles, thereby treating the wastewater includes pumping the treated water collected by the sump to feed the spraying unit for a predefined number of cycles, thereby treating the wastewater by a pump. In one embodiment, the pump may be at least one of a submersible pump, progressing cavity pump, horizontal split case pump, multistage pump, high pressure pump.

Various embodiments of the apparatus and a method for wastewater treatment described above enable various advantages. Provision of the one or more membrane cartridges enable the anaerobic treatment and the aerobic treatment of the wastewater in a single compartment thereby making the apparatus compact. Mounting of the apparatus above the ground level eliminates a requirement of the aerator which makes the apparatus cost effective and energy efficient. Additionally, the one or more membrane cartridges may allow only molecular diffusion thereby eliminating a possibility of clogging of the one or more membrane cartridges and the requirement of frequent maintenance. Moreover, capability of the apparatus to be operated in the single module configuration and the multiple module configuration enables modularity of the apparatus. Also, gravity assisted flow of the wastewater over the one or more membrane cartridges provides a way for additional energy savings by eliminating the requirement of a circulation mechanism. Also, the apparatus is capable of treating the wastewater of different biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.