Integrated hydroponic and wetland wastewater treatment systems and associated methods
AssigneeDharma Living Systems, Inc.
InventorsDavid C. Austin, David J. Maciolek, J. Rob Von Rohr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The wastewater treatment systems have a plurality of treatment modules between the inlet and the outlet, each for treating water with a selected process. Influent is directed to a covered anaerobic reactor, and then to an attached growth pretreatment filter that is at least intermittently exposed to atmospheric oxygen. Following the filter are a first and a second hydroponic reactor in series, followed in turn by a vertical-flow wetland. A second embodiment includes, following the filter, two or more tidal vertical-flow wetlands in series, and a pump for recycling water exiting the final wetland upstream of the filter.
Claims43
A system for advanced treatment of wastewater comprising:
- an attached growth pretreatment filter at least intermittently exposed to atmospheric oxygen, the filter having an inlet for receiving water to be treated;
- a first and a second hydroponic reactor, each having an inlet and an outlet;
- a vertical-flow wetland comprising a basin having an outlet in a bottom thereof, the basin adapted to contain a particulate medium, and a mat adapted for permitting plants to root therein, the mat positioned above the particulate medium, the wetland cell adapted to maintain a population of aquatic invertebrates therein;
- first means for transferring water from the filter outlet to the first reactor inlet;
- second means for transferring water from the first reactor outlet to the second reactor inlet;
- and
- means for distributing water from the second reactor outlet across at least a portion of the vertical-flow wetland.
A system for advanced treatment of wastewater comprising:
- an attached growth pretreatment filter at least intermittently exposed to atmospheric oxygen, the filter having an inlet for receiving water to be treated;
- a first and a second tidal vertical-flow wetland, each comprising:
- a first lagoon having an inlet for receiving wastewater to be treated;
- a first vertical flow wetland cell having an outlet adjacent a bottom thereof;
- first means for transporting water from the first lagoon to the first wetland cell;
- a second lagoon having an inlet for receiving water from the first wetland cell outlet;
- a second vertical flow wetland cell having an outlet adjacent a bottom thereof;
- second means for transporting water from the second lagoon to the second wetland cell;
- and
- means for recycling at least a portion of the water exiting the second wetland cell outlet to the first lagoon, wherein:
- the first and the second lagoon are adapted to function essentially aerobically and to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto;
- and
- the first and the second wetland cell are adapted to contain plants having roots positioned to contact water flowing thereinto;
- first means for distributing water from the filter outlet to the first lagoon of the first wetland;
- second means for distributing water from an outlet of the first wetland to the first lagoon of the second wetland;
- and
- means for recycling water from an outlet of the second wetland to a location upstream of the filter.
A method for achieving advanced treatment of wastewater comprising the steps of:
- filtering water to be treated with an attached growth pretreatment filter at least intermittently exposed to atmospheric oxygen;
- transferring water from a filter outlet to an inlet of a first hydroponic reactor;
- channeling water from an outlet of the first hydroponic reactor to an inlet of a second hydroponic reactor;
- and
- distributing water from an outlet of the second hydroponic reactor to a vertical-flow wetland comprising a basin having an outlet in a bottom thereof, the basin adapted to contain a particulate medium, and a mat adapted for permitting plants to root therein, the mat positioned above the particulate medium, the wetland cell adapted to maintain a population of aquatic invertebrates therein.
The method recited in claim 39, wherein the particulate medium further comprises a layer of gravel positioned beneath the manufactured aggregate layer.
A method for advanced treatment of wastewater comprising the steps of:
- receiving water to be treated into an attached growth pretreatment filter at least intermittently exposed to atmospheric oxygen;
- distributing water exiting the filter to a first tidal vertical-flow wetland comprising, in flow series, a first lagoon, a first wetland, a second lagoon, and a second wetland;
- distributing water from an outlet of the first wetland to a second tidal vertical-flow wetland comprising, in flow series, a first lagoon, a first wetland, a second lagoon, and a second wetland;
- and
- recycling water from an outlet of the second wetland to a location upstream of the filter.
A method of doing business comprising the step of offering to rent or sell to a customer a living space comprising a system for advanced treatment of wastewater generated within the living space, the system comprising:
- an attached growth pretreatment filter at least intermittently exposed to atmospheric oxygen, the filter having an inlet for receiving water to be treated;
- a first and a second hydroponic reactor, each having an inlet and an outlet;
- a vertical-flow wetland comprising a basin having an outlet in a bottom thereof, the basin adapted to contain a particulate medium, and a mat adapted for permitting plants to root therein, the mat positioned above the particulate medium, the wetland cell adapted to maintain a population of aquatic invertebrates therein;
- first means for transferring water from the filter outlet to the first reactor inlet;
- second means for transferring water from the first reactor outlet to the second reactor inlet;
- and
- means for distributing water from the second reactor outlet across at least a portion of the vertical-flow wetland.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.