US 5,960,810 A · Lime slurry injection system and method for septic pumpers

Abstract

A system of three tanks and associated fluid communication lines and valves added to a conventional septage pumper/hauler truck to carry a supply of lime slurry and inject it into the septage hauling tank 1 in measured doses. Air vacuum or pressure is used for moving the fluids between tanks without fluid pumps. The three tanks of the invention include a lime slurry carrying tank 3, a lime slurry dosing tank 7, and a water tank 5 for flushing the system. Compressed air 37 is applied to each of these tanks as needed to push the fluid contents through the connecting pipes. An air vacuum that is normally provided to the main tank 1 for loading septage is also employed in the invention to load tank 3 with lime slurry. By manipulating the valves in an appropriate sequence, the dosing tank is filled from the lime slurry carrying tank, then the slurry in the dosing tank is injected into the septage carrying tank simultaneously with septage for mixing. The ph of the septage is then tested, and the dosage repeated if necessary until the required level is achieved. At the end of the day, the valves are manipulated in another sequence to flush lime slurry from the tanks and pipes with water.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method of injecting lime slurry into a septage tank on a septage hauling truck, comprising the steps of:

a) mounting a lime slurry carrying tank and a smaller dosing tank on the truck;
b) providing a first fluid communication line with a valve between the dosing tank and the septage tank;
c) providing a second fluid communication line with a valve between the lime slurry carrying tank and the dosing tank;
d) providing means to increase air pressure in the slurry carrying tank;
e) providing means to increase air pressure in the dosing tank;
f) adding lime slurry to the lime slurry carrying tank;
g) moving a portion of lime slurry from the lime slurry carrying tank to the dosing tank through the first fluid communication line by increasing air pressure in the lime slurry carrying tank relative to the dosing tank;
h) transferring the portion of lime slurry in the dosing tank into the septage tank by increasing air pressure in the dosing tank relative to the septage tank;
whereby a discrete dose of lime slurry is injected into the septage tank.

6 more elements

A septage hauling truck of the type having a septage tank, the truck having an improvement for lime slurry injection by discrete doses into the septage tank, comprising:

a lime slurry carrying tank attached to the truck;
a lime slurry dosing tank attached to the truck, the dosing tank having a top end;
a first fluid communication line between the dosing tank and the septage tank;
a first valve in the first fluid communication line;
a second fluid communication line between the lime slurry carrying tank and the dosing tank;
a second valve in the second fluid communication line;
a source of compressed air on the truck;
a first compressed air line between the source of compressed air and the lime slurry carrying tank;
a third valve in the first compressed air line;
a second compressed air line between the source of compressed air and the dosing tank;
and,
a fourth valve in the second compressed air line;
whereby lime slurry can be transferred from the lime slurry carrying tank to the dosing tank, then from the dosing tank to the septage tank, by manipulating appropriate valves to apply compressed air to the source tank and open a fluid communication path between the source and destination tanks.

10 more elements

A lime slurry injection system for septic pumpers comprising:

a main septage pumping and hauling tank (1);
a source of partial air vacuum (38) attached to the main tank;
a lime slurry containment and carrying tank (3);
a lime slurry dosing tank (7) having a top, bottom, and side;
a float valve (11) attached to the top of the dosing tank that closes when the dosing tank fills with fluid;
a first fluid communication line (35D) between the main tank and the float valve for exhaust of air from the dosing tank;
a first shutoff valve (43E) in the first fluid communication line;
a second fluid communication line (35E) between the main tank and the dosing tank;
a second shutoff valve (43D) in the second fluid communication line;
a third fluid communication line (35B) between the slurry carrying tank and the dosing tank;
a third shutoff valve (43B) in the third fluid communication line;
a source of compressed air (37);
a fourth fluid communication line (75C) for compressed air between the source of compressed air and the slurry carrying tank;
a fourth shutoff valve (57C) in the fourth fluid communication line;
a fifth fluid communication line (71B) for compressed air between the source of compressed air and the dosing tank;
a fifth shutoff valve (57B) in the fifth fluid communication line;
and
a first fluid connection (23B) and a sixth shutoff valve (41A) on the slurry carrying tank for transferring lime slurry into the slurry carrying tank from an external source.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lime slurry injection system and method for septic pumpers

Life of this patent

Lime slurry injection system and method for septic pumpers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7