IP Library Granted Patent US 11,499,305
Granted Patent B2
US 11,499,305 · App. 17/064,020 · Granted Nov 15, 2022

Inline bioremediation liquid treatment system

Inventor: Thomas H. Happel (Cocoa, FL)
Assignee: OLDCASTLE INFRASTRUCTURE, INC.
E03F5/0404C02F3/046C02F3/104E03F5/0402E03F5/101E03F5/14C02F3/327C02F2001/007C02F2103/001
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,499,305
App. No.
17/064,020
Granted
Nov 15, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid treatment system is provided having a vault that contains a treatment chamber and an outflow chamber. The treatment chamber may have a filtration media layer containing media that treats liquid as it descends through the filtration media layer, where it will accumulate in a porous layer or open space. The liquid will then be directed through the plurality of pipes to the outflow chamber, where the treated liquid is further directed to outside the system. Accumulated debris settled at the bottom of the treatment chamber may be flushed out by a spray bar.

Claims (43)

1. A liquid treatment system comprising:

a vault having a treatment chamber and an outflow chamber;

a liquid inlet positioned to direct liquid into said treatment chamber from outside the treatment system;

a porous layer adjacent to the bottom of the treatment chamber;

one or more substantially horizontal pipes supported by said porous layer, at least a portion of each of said plurality of pipes being perforated;

a filtration media layer located directly above said plurality of pipes; and

an outlet adapted to direct treated liquid from said outflow chamber to outside the system.

2. The liquid treatment system of claim 1 wherein upon entering said treatment chamber, liquid is drawn downward through said filtration media layer, then drawn past said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, and accumulated in said porous layer; and

wherein upon accumulation of said liquid in the treatment chamber to a level that is at or above that of said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, said liquid is drawn through said perforated pipe portions into said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, directed into said outflow chamber, and ejected through said outlet.

3. The liquid treatment system of claim 1 , wherein an intermediate portion, downstream of said perforated portion, of at least one pipe in said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, is elevated with respect to the remaining portions of said pipe.

4. The liquid treatment system of claim 3 , further comprising an air vent connecting the top of said elevated portion of said pipe to the ambient air outside the treatment system.

5. The liquid treatment system of claim 4 , wherein said air vent is adapted to prevent liquids from entering said pipe through said air vent.

6. The liquid treatment system of claim 1 , wherein said one or more substantially horizontal pipes have a plurality of maximum flow rates.

7. The liquid treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a bypass channel positioned above said filtration media layer adapted for directing overflow liquid from said treatment chamber into said outflow chamber.

8. The liquid treatment system of claim 7 , further comprising a filter in line with said bypass channel adapted to filter solids from said overflow liquid.

9. The liquid treatment system of claim 8 , wherein said filter is adapted to permit fluid to flow into said outflow chamber in the event said filter is fully blinded by solids.

10. The liquid treatment system of claim 8 , wherein said filter is removable through an opening in said outflow chamber.

11. The liquid treatment system of claim 8 , wherein said filter is serviceable through an opening in said outflow chamber.

12. The liquid treatment system of claim 1 , wherein said filtration media layer is suitable for sustaining living plants.

13. A liquid treatment system comprising:

a vault having a treatment chamber and an outflow chamber;

a liquid inlet positioned to direct liquid into said treatment chamber from outside the treatment system;

a permeable screen structure near the bottom of said treatment chamber;

an open space between said permeable screen structure and the bottom of said treatment chamber;

one or more substantially horizontal pipes supported by said permeable screen structure, at least a portion of each of said plurality of pipes being perforated;

a filtration media layer located directly above said plurality of pipes; and

an outlet adapted to direct treated liquid from said outflow chamber to outside the system.

14. The liquid treatment system of claim 13 wherein upon entering said treatment chamber, liquid is drawn downward through said filtration media layer, then drawn past said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, and accumulated in said open space; and

wherein upon accumulation of said liquid in the treatment chamber to a level that is at or above that of said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, said liquid is drawn through said perforated pipe portions into said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, directed into said outflow chamber, and ejected through said outlet.

15. The liquid treatment system of claim 13 , wherein an intermediate portion, downstream of said perforated portion, of at least one pipe in said one or more substantially horizontal pipes, is elevated with respect to the remaining portions of said pipe.

16. The liquid treatment system of claim 15 , further comprising an air vent connecting the top of said elevated portion of said pipe to the ambient air outside the treatment system.

17. The liquid treatment system of claim 16 , wherein said air vent is adapted to prevent liquids from entering said pipe through said air vent.

18. The liquid treatment system of claim 16 , wherein said one or more substantially horizontal pipes have a plurality of maximum flow rates.

19. The liquid treatment system of claim 13 , further comprising a bypass channel positioned above said filtration media layer adapted for directing overflow liquid from said treatment chamber into said outflow chamber.

20. The liquid treatment system of claim 19 , further comprising a filter in line with said bypass channel adapted to filter solids from said overflow liquid.

21. The liquid treatment system of claim 20 , wherein said filter is adapted to permit fluid to flow into said outflow chamber in the event said filter is fully blinded by solids.

22. The liquid treatment system of claim 20 , wherein said filter is removable through an opening in said outflow chamber.

23. The liquid treatment system of claim 20 , wherein said filter is serviceable through an opening in said outflow chamber.

24. The liquid treatment system of claim 13 , wherein said filtration media layer is suitable for sustaining living plants.

25. The liquid treatment system of claim 13 , further comprising a servicing portal through said filtration media layer to allow access to said open space from above said filtration media layer.

26. The liquid treatment system of claim 13 , further comprising a high-pressure water spray system adapted to convey water from a source outside the liquid treatment system into said open space.

27. The liquid treatment system of claim 26 , wherein said high pressure water spray system comprises at least one spray bar disposed, at least partially, within said open space, said spray bar comprising a pipe or hose having a closed end and a plurality of orifices along the sides of said pipe or hose, and an open end adapted to connect to a high-pressure liquid source.

28. The liquid treatment system of claim 13 wherein said treatment chamber comprises one or more walls and a floor, and at least a portion of said floor comprises a sloped surface, said sloped surface descending from at least one of said walls down to a location on said floor.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: HAPPEL, THOMAS H.
To: SUNTREE TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 058969/0473 →
MERGER Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: SUNTREE TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS, LLC
To: OLDCASTLE INFRASTRUCTURE, INC.
Reel/Frame 058969/0654 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16380449 · Apr 10, 2019
Division 15708399 · Sep 19, 2017
Provisional Application 62478386 · Mar 29, 2017
Related Publication 20210254325A1 · Aug 19, 2021