Retrievable jet mixing systems

• US 4,618,426 A
• Filed: 08/02/1985
• Issued: 10/21/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mikkel G. Mandt
• Original Assignee: Mikkel G. Mandt
• Inventors: Mandt, Mikkel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Therkorn, Ernest G.
• Application Number:
  US06/762,038
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 210/620, 210/626, 210/627, 210/628, 210/629, 210/220, 210/234, 210/236, 210/237, 210/238, 210/258, 210/416.1, 210/416.2, 261/93, 261/120, 261/DIG. 75
• US Class Current: 210/620
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/251 Vertical beam constructions therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/1294 "Venturi" aeration means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/75 Flowing liquid aspirates gas

Abstract

Apparatus for jet aeration of wastewater which may be readily retrieved for cleaning or other servicing and replaced in service. Methods of placing the aeration apparatus in service are also provided.

Claims

1. Wastewater aeration apparatus comprising

a wastewater treatment reservoir means for retaining the wastewater to be aerated,

an air delivery means for providing an oxygen containing gas below the reservoir surface comprising an upstanding conduit affixed at a predetermined position within the reservoir means,

a retrievable jet aerator apparatus comprising a motive fluid pump means for providing at least one primary motive stream of liquid wastewater from within the reservoir means and a jet mixing nozzle means for combining said at least one primary motive stream with a secondary fluid and for discharging the combined primary motive stream and secondary fluid into the wastewater contained in the reservoir means, said jet mixing nozzle means further comprising a secondary fluid inlet conduit means for conducting a secondary fluid to said jet mixing nozzle means and for telescopically receiving said upstanding conduit of the air delivery means, and

guide and support means for guiding said retrievable jet aeration apparatus into a predetermined position within said reservoir with said secondary fluid inlet conduit projecting downwardly from said jet mixing nozzle means such that said secondary fluid inlet conduit means telescopically disengageably encloses the discharge orifice of said upstanding air delivery conduit, for supporting the retrievable jet aerator apparatus in jet aeration operation at said predetermined position, and for permitting withdrawal of the jet aerator apparatus from telescopic engagement with said upstanding conduit and from the reservoir for servicing.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said guide and support means comprises a plurality of guide rails and a support platform.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said guide and support means comprises two coplanar, vertical guide rails affixed at least at the bottom of said reservoir means, said two rails being positioned on respectively opposite sides of said retrievable jet aerator apparatus and such that said motive fluid pump means is positioned adjacent one side of the plane of said guide rails and said jet mixing nozzle means is positioned adjacent the opposite side of the plane of said guide rails.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hydrostatic seal has a hydrostatic head in the range of from about 1 to about 20 inches of water.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said apparatus further includes a support base and wherein said guide and support means restricts horizontal and rotational motion of said retrievable jet aerator apparatus while permitting vertical movement upwardly from said support base of said retrievable jet aerator apparatus.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said secondary fluid input conduit flares outwardly over at least a portion of the length thereof to facilitate engagement with said gas discharge conduit.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said jet aerator apparatus comprises a plurality of discharge nozzles directed at different discharge angles into said reservoir.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said jet aerator apparatus comprises a plurality of discharge nozzles which discharge into the wastewater reservoir in substantially the same direction.

9. Wastewater apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said secondary fluid inlet conduit means telescopically surrounds the discharge orifice of said upstanding air delivery conduit such that air released from said air delivery conduit is directed to said jet mixing means and said nozzle means and is confined within said secondary inlet fluid conduit by a hydrostatic head established between the downwardly depending secondary fluid inlet conduit means and the said discharge orifice of at least about one inch of water.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a filter element is provided between the secondary fluid inlet conduit and the upstanding discharge pipe.

11. A method for retrievably assembling a wastewater aeration system comprising the steps of providing a pressurized air source having an upstanding discharge pipe at a predetermined location within a wastewater treatment basis below the level of wastewater to be aerated therein, providing guide and support means for guiding a retrievable jet aerator assembly into a predetermined position within the wastewater treatment basis for supporting the jet aerator assembly in jet aeration operation at said predetermined position and for permitting withdrawl of the jet aerator assembly from the reservoir for servicing, retrievably positioning on said guide and support means a jet aerator assembly having a downwardly directed secondary fluid inlet conduit such that the conduit is telescopically disengageably positioned at said predetermined position over the discharge orifice of the gas discharge pipe to provide a hydrostatic head of at least about 1 inch of water between the lowest elevation of the discharge pipe orifice and the highest elevation of the secondary fluid inlet orifice providing at least one primary motive stream of liquid wastewater from within the wastewater treatment basin, combining said at least one primary motive stream in a jet mixing nozzles of said jet aerator assembly with secondary fluid from said secondary fluid inlet conduit, said secondary fluid comprising air discharge from said pressurized air source through said upstanding discharge pipe, and discharging the combined primary motive stream and secondary fluid into the waste water treatment basin below the level of wastewater to be aerated therein.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said hydrostatic head is between about 4 and about 10 inches of water.

13. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said jet aerator is positioned by guiding along guide rails and is supported in position by a support platform.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said jet aerator is removed from operating position by withdrawing it along guide rails for servicing.