Barge washing wastewater treatment system
OwnerRickie L. Ellisinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for using water pumped from a waterway to clean a barge, then filtering the wastewater through several successive filtration/sedimentation compartments on a barge floating beside the barge being cleaned, then discharging the multiple-filtered water directly back into the waterway. The sediment collected in the filtration/sedimentation compartments can then be disposed of.
Claims16
A system for filtering particulate matter from wastewater obtained from washing a barge or other vessel, for return of wash water to the waterway, said system comprising a filtration vessel divided into a plurality of separate filtration reservoirs for containing wastewater while filtration occurs, each of said reservoirs having a fluid pathway for wastewater flow into an adjacent filtration reservoir, said reservoirs comprising:
- (a) a first reservoir accepting wastewater and comprising a first fluid pathway into another filtration reservoir at a first water level, gravity causing particulate matter in the wastewater to settle of in the first reservoir before the wastewater flows through the first fluid pathway;
- and
- (b) said other filtration reservoir comprising a lower water discharge outlet for discharging wash water into the waterway after the removal of particulate matter, and a fail-safe fluid pathway into said first reservoir at a fail-safe water level higher than said first water level, allowing water to drain into the first reservoir if said water discharge outlet is blocked.
A system for filtering particulate matter from wastewater generated from washing the interior of a barge, for return of filtered wash water to the waterway, said system comprising a filtration vessel divided into a plurality of separate filtration reservoirs for containing the wastewater while gravity filtration occurs, and comprising a wastewater supply subsystem comprising a pump in fluid communication with an intake pipe submerged in the waterway and with a manifold directing pumped water alternatively through a washing hose to the barge or through a venturi eductor having an exit end and having a conduit having one end in fluid communication with the venturi eductor and a suction end submerged in the wastewater in the barge, each of said separate filtration reservoirs having a separate fluid pathway into an adjacent separate filtration reservoir, said reservoirs including:
- (a) a first reservoir accepting wastewater from the exit end of the wastewater supply subsystem and comprising a first fluid pathway for wastewater flow into an adjacent second reservoir at a first water level, gravity causing some particulate matter in the wastewater to settle therein;
- (b) the second reservoir comprises a second fluid pathway for wastewater flow into an adjacent third reservoir at a second water level which is lower than the first water level, gravity causing additional particulate matter in the wastewater to settle therein;
- (c) the third reservoir comprises a third fluid pathway for wastewater flow into an adjacent discharge reservoir at a third water level which is lower than the second water level, gravity causing additional particulate matter in the wastewater to settle therein;
- and
- (d) the discharge reservoir comprising a water discharge outlet for discharging wash water into the waterway after the removal of particulate matter;
- (e) wherein directing pumped water through the venturi eductor creates a vacuum in the conduit causing suction of wastewater out of the barge and through the exit end into the first reservoir to commence the filtration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.