Assemblies and methods for material extraction from retention collections
View Patent ↗Assemblies and methods to extract materials from a retention collection may include a vacuum source including a series of vacuum generators configured to generate a vacuum flow to create a suction between the retention collection and a material collector for extraction of the material from the retention collection and transfer to the material collector. The suction generated by the vacuum flow will be sufficient to draw-in and convey the material in liquid, semi-solid and substantially solid states from the retention collection along a collection conduit and into the material collector for disposal. The vacuum generation assembly may include a filter and sound attenuation chamber connected to the vacuum source configured to receive and filter a vacuum exhaust fluid/air flow portion of the vacuum flow and to attenuate sound generated by the vacuum source.
1 . A method for extraction of material from a retention collection region, the method comprising:
supplying a pressurized fluid to one or more vacuum generators;
generating, via the one or more vacuum generators, a vacuum flow, the generating the vacuum flow including (a) directing the vacuum flow through one or more material collectors configured to receive and contain the material therein, (b) supplying the pressurized fluid to a manifold, and (c) distributing the pressurized fluid from the manifold to a plurality of venturi mechanisms;
extracting the material in an at least semi-solid state from the retention collection region via the vacuum flow through a conduit to the one or more material collectors as the vacuum flow passes therethrough; and
depositing at least a portion of the material extracted within the one or more material collectors.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein supplying pressurized fluid to the one or more vacuum generators comprises controlling pressured fluid flow to the plurality of venturi mechanisms of the one or more vacuum generator via control of the pressured fluid flow through one or more of fluid supply ports and a manifold located between the one or more fluid supply ports and the venturi mechanisms.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more vacuum generators include a filter and sound attenuation chamber comprising one or more chamber sensors configured to generate signals indicative of a filtration capacity of filter media at least partially enclosed therein, a flow rate of the material into the one or more material collectors, or a combination thereof, and further comprising:
receiving, via a chamber controller, one or more sensor signals from the one or more chamber sensors, and
controlling, via the chamber controller based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals, operation of one or more of a discharge port control valve actuator, one or more jet generators configured to generate jets of fluid flow directed toward the filter media to maintain filtration capacity of the filter media at least partially, or flow of fluid through the filter media.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling via, a vacuum source controller, one or more of:
one or more fluid supply control valves to control intake of the pressurized fluid into each of the one or more vacuum generators,
a vacuum control valve configured to control the vacuum flow directed through the one or more material collectors, or
an exhaust control valve configured to control a vacuum pressure generated by the one or more of vacuum generators.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein controlling the one or more of the one of more fluid supply control valves, the vacuum control valve, or the exhaust control valve is at least partially responsive to one or more of:
an operator setting, or
a sensor signal indicative of one or more of:
the vacuum pressure, or
a vacuum flow rate.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing water from the material extracted.
7 . A method for extraction of material from a retention collection region, the method comprising:
supplying a pressurized fluid to one or more vacuum generators;
generating, via the one or more vacuum generators, a vacuum flow, the generating the vacuum flow including directing the vacuum flow through one or more material collectors configured to receive and contain the material therein;
extracting the material in an at least semi-solid state from the retention collection region via the vacuum flow through a conduit to the one or more material collectors as the vacuum flow passes therethrough;
depositing at least a portion of the material extracted within the one or more material collectors; and
passing an exhaust portion of the vacuum flow into a filter and sound attenuation chamber.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein supplying pressurized fluid to the one or more vacuum generators comprises controlling pressured fluid flow to the plurality of venturi mechanisms of the one or more vacuum generator via control of the pressured fluid flow through one or more of fluid supply ports and a manifold located between the one or more fluid supply ports and the venturi mechanisms.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein sufficiently controlling generating the vacuum flow, thereby to maintain a vacuum pressure of approximately 29 in.-Hg.
10 . A method for extraction of material from a retention collection region, the method comprising:
supplying a pressurized fluid to a plurality of vacuum generators;
generating, via the one or more vacuum generators, each vacuum generator including one or more venturi mechanisms, a vacuum flow, the generating of the vacuum flow including directing the vacuum flow through one or more material collectors configured to receive and contain the material therein;
extracting the material in an at least semi-solid state from the retention collection region via the vacuum flow through a conduit to the one or more material collectors as the vacuum flow passes therethrough; and
depositing at least a portion of the material extracted within the one or more material collectors.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein supplying pressurized fluid to a plurality of vacuum generators comprises controlling pressured fluid flow to the plurality of venturi mechanisms of the plurality of vacuum generators via control of the pressured fluid flow through one or more of fluid supply ports and a manifold located between the one or more fluid supply ports and the plurality of venturi mechanisms.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of vacuum generators includes a filter and sound attenuation chamber comprising one or more chamber sensors configured to generate signals indicative of a filtration capacity of filter media at least partially enclosed therein, a flow rate of the material into the one or more material collectors, or a combination thereof, and further comprising:
receiving, via a chamber controller, one or more sensor signals from the one or more chamber sensors and
controlling, via the chamber controller based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals, operation of one or more of a discharge port control valve actuator, one or more jet generators configured to generate jets of fluid flow directed toward the filter media to maintain filtration capacity of the filter media at least partially, or flow of fluid through the filter media.
13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising controlling via, a vacuum source controller, one or more of:
one or more fluid supply control valves to control intake of the pressurized fluid into each of the one or more vacuum generators;
a vacuum control valve configured to control the vacuum flow directed through the one or more material collectors; or
an exhaust control valve configured to control a vacuum pressure generated by the plurality of vacuum generators.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein controlling the one or more of the one of more fluid supply control valves, the vacuum control valve, or the exhaust control valve is at least partially responsive to one or more of:
an operator setting, or
a sensor signal indicative of one or more of:
the vacuum pressure, or
a vacuum flow rate.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising supplying electric power to the plurality of vacuum generators via one or more of a battery, a solar panel, a wind turbine, or other renewable source of electrical power, and wherein the generating further includes operating multiple vacuum generators of the plurality of vacuum generators in parallel to enhance vacuum pressure of the vacuum flow.