1 Document: Publication Numbers Title Current Assignees

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1 Document
Publication numbers Title Current assignees
US8187461 B2 System and method for processing and reusing graywater MOSHE ELAZAR ERNEST
including for use in a home and garden
System and method for processing and reusing graywater including for use in a home
and garden
US8187461 B2
Current assignees IPC - International classification

MOSHE ELAZAR ERNEST* C02F C02F-001/32 C02F-003/32*
Inventors
CPC - Cooperative classification
ERNEST MOSHE ELAZAR
C02F-001/00/1 C02F-001/00/6 C02F-001/32
Priority data including date C02F-003/32/7* C02F-2103/002 C02F-2201/009
2008IL-0194661 2008-10-07 C02F-2209/005 C02F-2209/03 C02F-2209/42
2009WO-IL00955 2009-10-11 C02F-2209/44 C02F-2301/043 C02F-2303/16
2011IL-0212155 2011-04-05 Y02A-020/212 Y02W-010/10 Y02W-010/37
PCL - US patent classification

PCLO: 210602000*
PCLX: 210143000 210170010 210196000
210259000 210748110
Family
RU2011119275 A 2012-11-20 IN1392/KOLNP/2011 A 2011-07-15
US8187461 B2 2012-05-29 IL212155 A 2011-06-30
IL212155 B 2011-11-30 AU2009302033 A1 2010-04-15
CN102227381 A 2011-10-26 WO2010/041246 A1 2010-04-15
EP2361228 A1 2011-08-31 IL194661 A 2009-06-15
US20110186507 A1 2011-08-04
(US8187461)
A system and method for processing and reusing graywater.
At least two vertical flow wetland units are provided, each of
which comprises a container filled with at least one granular
substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant,
and an outlet. At least one of the wetland units is set to an
inactive state during a predetermined period of time such
that influx of graywater to each of the inactive units is
prevented, to regenerate each inactive wetland units. At
least one of the wetland units is set to an active state to
allow introduced graywater to be purified. Purified graywater
is discharged from the outlet of each active unit to a sink. At
least a portion of the purified graywater is recirculated to
each active wetland units so that a portion of the purified
graywater, when desired, is discharged to a domestic site
for reuse.
System and method for processing and reusing graywater including for use in a home
and garden
US8187461 B2
Current assignees IPC - International classification

MOSHE ELAZAR ERNEST* C02F C02F-001/32 C02F-003/32*
Inventors
ERNEST MOSHE ELAZAR
C02F-001/00/1 C02F-001/00/6 C02F-001/32
Priority data including date C02F-003/32/7* C02F-2103/002 C02F-2201/009
2008IL-0194661 2008-10-07 C02F-2209/005 C02F-2209/03 C02F-2209/42
2009WO-IL00955 2009-10-11 C02F-2209/44 C02F-2301/043 C02F-2303/16
2011IL-0212155 2011-04-05 Y02A-020/212 Y02W-010/10 Y02W-010/37

PCLO: 210602000*
PCLX: 210143000 210170010 210196000
210259000 210748110
Family
RU2011119275 A 2012-11-20 IN1392/KOLNP/2011 A 2011-07-15
US8187461 B2 2012-05-29 IL212155 A 2011-06-30
IL212155 B 2011-11-30 AU2009302033 A1 2010-04-15
CN102227381 A 2011-10-26 WO2010/041246 A1 2010-04-15
EP2361228 A1 2011-08-31 IL194661 A 2009-06-15
US20110186507 A1 2011-08-04
(US8187461)
A system and method for processing and reusing graywater.
At least two vertical flow wetland units are provided, each of
which comprises a container filled with at least one granular
substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant,
and an outlet. At least one of the wetland units is set to an
inactive state during a predetermined period of time such
that influx of graywater to each of the inactive units is
prevented, to regenerate each inactive wetland units. At
least one of the wetland units is set to an active state to
allow introduced graywater to be purified. Purified graywater
is discharged from the outlet of each active unit to a sink. At
least a portion of the purified graywater is recirculated to
each active wetland units so that a portion of the purified
graywater, when desired, is discharged to a domestic site
for reuse.
Priority numbers
2008IL-0194661
2009WO-IL00955
2011IL-0212155
Application number
RU2011119275
US12/998,275
IL212155
CN200980139938
EP09760617
IN1392/KOLNP/2011
AU2009302033
WOIL2009/000955
IL194661
Publication numbers
RU2011119275
US8187461
IL212155
CN102227381
EP2361228
US20110186507
IN1392/KOLNP/2011
IL212155
AU2009302033
WO2010/041246
IL194661
Questel unique family ID (FAN)
62008125
Family publication details
RU2011119275 A 2012-11-20 RU2011119275
US8187461 B2 2012-05-29 US8187461
IL212155 B 2011-11-30 IL-212155
CN102227381 A 2011-10-26 CN102227381
EP2361228 A1 2011-08-31 EP2361228
US20110186507 A1 2011-08-04 US20110186507
IN1392/KOLNP/2011 A 2011-07-15 IN2011KN01392
IL212155 A 2011-06-30 IL-212155
AU2009302033 A1 2010-04-15 AU2009302033
WO2010/041246 A1 2010-04-15 WO201041246
IL194661 A 2009-06-15 IL-194661
Priority dates
2008-10-07
2009-10-11
2011-04-05
Application dates
2008-10-07
2009-10-11
2009-10-11
2009-10-11
2009-10-11
2009-10-11
2009-10-11
2009-10-11
2011-04-01
Publication dates
2012-11-20
2012-05-29
2011-11-30
2011-10-26
2011-08-31
2011-08-04
2011-07-15
2011-06-30
2010-04-15
2010-04-15
2009-06-15
Grant dates
(US8187461)
2012-05-29
(IL-212155)
2011-11-30
Expected expiry dates
(EP2361228A1)
2012-10-17
(US8187461B2)
2020-10-05
(WO201041246A1)
2012-04-07
(RU2011119275A)
2017-11-20
(IL-212155B)
2020-05-31
(CN102227381A)
2013-08-07
(IN2011KN01392A)
2029-10-11
(AU2009302033A1)
2014-05-08
(IL-194661A)
2014-06-15
Title
System and method for processing and reusing graywater including for use in a home and garden
Abstract
(US8187461)
A system and method for processing and reusing graywater. At least two vertical flow wetland units are provided, each of
which comprises a container filled with at least one granular substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and
an outlet. At least one of the wetland units is set to an inactive state during a predetermined period of time such that influx
of graywater to each of the inactive units is prevented, to regenerate each inactive wetland units. At least one of the
wetland units is set to an active state to allow introduced graywater to be purified. Purified graywater is discharged from the
outlet of each active unit to a sink. At least a portion of the purified graywater is recirculated to each active wetland units so
that a portion of the purified graywater, when desired, is discharged to a domestic site for reuse.
Current assignees
MOSHE ELAZAR ERNEST
Inventors
ERNEST MOSHE ELAZAR
Representative
(EP2361228)
Murgitroyd, George Edward ; Murgitroyd & Company ([GB])
(US8187461)
Hochberg D. Peter
Mellino Sean F.
Smola Daniel J.
(WO201041246)
LUZZATTO & LUZZATTO et al. ([IL])
(IL-212155)
MARC PHILLIP BODNER ([IL])
(CN102227381)
LIU LEI ; LIU, SHEN & ASSOCIATES
SHA JIE ; LIU, SHEN & ASSOCIATES
Advantages / Previous drawbacks
(US8187461)
System 30 advantageously provides means for regenerating a wetland unit.
It will be appreciated that any other number or configuration of valves for controlling the flow of gray water is suitable.
It will be appreciated that any other duty cycle can be employed, such as one wherein the valves associated with one
wetland unit are not switched from one state to another as soon as the state of the valves associated with another wetland
unit are switched.
The available sources of fresh water are quite limited around the world, and in many cases they are distributed unevenly in
space or time.
The water from the reservoir is recycled back to the upper filter, in order to dilute an additional amount of gray water and to
reduce the risk of organic overload or other damage to the filter such as excess chlorination.
Thus this RVFCW is not suitable for providing a reliable and ongoing source of recycled water for household use.
Independent claims
(US8187461)
1. A system for processing and repeatedly recycling gray water for reuse in a domestic site, comprising: a) a source of gray
water; b) at least two vertical flow wetland units, each of said at least two vertical flow wetland units comprising a container
filled with at least one granular substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet means; c) a first
conduit means extending from said gray water source to a location on top of an uppermost layer of each of said at least two
wetland units, for delivering the gray water to said at least two wetland units without risk of first conduit blockage caused by
elongated roots; d) a sink for receiving purified gray water discharged from the outlet means of each of said at least two
wetland units; e) a second conduit means extending from said sink to each of said at least two wetland units; f) a
recirculation pump for delivering purified gray water through said second conduit means; g) an isolating means, for isolating
a first wetland unit from said first and second conduit means while allowing the gray water and purified gray water to be
introduced into a second wetland unit after flowing through said first and second conduit means, respectively, and for
subsequently isolating said second wetland unit from said first and second conduit means after a predetermined period of
time while allowing the gray water and purified gray water to be introduced into a selected active wetland unit after flowing
through said first and second conduit means; h) a means for controlling an activity duration of said selected wetland unit; i)
an interface unit for discharging the purified gray water from said sink to a garden for reuse; j) a supplementary wetland
unit; k) a supplementary sink for receiving purified gray water from said supplementary wetland unit and from a diverting
line extending from said second conduit means and downstream from said recirculation pump; l) an additional line
extending from said supplementary sink to said supplementary wetland unit; m) an additional pump for delivering purified
gray water from said supplementary sink to said supplementary wetland unit via said additional line; n) a discharge line
extending from said supplementary sink to a toilet tank, through which additionally purified gray water flows; and o) a
discharge pump operatively associated with said discharge line for delivering said additionally purified gray water to said
toilet tank for reuse.
11. A method for processing and repeatedly recycling gray water for reuse in a domestic site, comprising the steps of: a)
providing at least two vertical flow wetland units, each of said at least two vertical flow wetland units comprising a container
filled with at least one granular substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet means; b) setting
at least one of said wetland units to an inactive state during a predetermined period of time such that influx of gray water to
each of said inactive units is prevented, whereby to regenerate each of said inactive wetland units; c) setting at least one of
said wetland units to an active state, whereby gray water introduced to each of said active wetland units is purified; d)
delivering gray water from a source of gray water to each of said active wetland units while purified gray water is
discharged from the corresponding outlet means to a sink; e) repeatedly recirculating at least a portion of said purified gray
water to each of said active wetland units; f) discharging a portion of said purified gray water from said sink to a garden for
reuse; g) diverting a portion of said purified gray water to a supplementary sink; h) repeatedly recirculating purified gray
water from said supplementary sink to a supplementary wetland unit while the purified gray water is discharged to said
supplementary sink, whereby to additionally purify the gray water; and i) delivering said additionally purified gray water to a
toilet tank for reuse.
Object of invention
(US8187461)
This application is a National Stage application of International Application No.
In an important aspect of the invention, the entire garden I itself may act as one or more wetland units for additionally
purifying the irrigation gray water.
When the system and method of the present invention are employed, up to 95% of the water that is consumed can be
reused, thereby significantly decreasing water bills and saving large amounts of fresh water.
Technical concepts
(US20110186507)
GRAY WATER(100,44)
GARDEN(100,29)
HOME SITE(100,7)
HYGROPHILOUS PLANT SPECIES(100,5)
HOME(100,2)
WETLAND UNIT(98,115)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER(76,22)
TOILET TANK(69,10)
SINK(65,48)
RECIRCULATION PUMP(53,6)
CONDUIT BLOCKAGE(53,1)
GRANULAR SUBSTRATE(48,11)
ACTIVE WETLAND UNIT(47,10)
GRAY WATER INFLUX(44,3)
ORGANIC OVERLOAD RISK(42,1)
INACTIVE WETLAND UNIT(40,6)
HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER(39,3)
ACTIVITY DURATION(36,1)
EXCESS CHLORINATING(35,1)
UPPERMOST LAYER(29,1)
ROOT ELONGATION(28,2)
INACTIVE STATE(26,16)
IRRIGATION PUMP(26,1)
GRAY WATER SOURCE(25,10)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER DRIP(25,1)
INACTIVE UNIT(23,3)
PUMP DISCHARGE(21,3)
HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER PORTION(21,1)
WORLD(19,1)
VALVE CONFIGURATION(18,1)
GRAY WATER FLOW(17,4)
RECLAMATION(17,3)
ACTIVE STATE(16,10)
INTERFACE UNIT(16,8)
RECYCLED WATER SOURCE(15,1)
WETLAND UNIT VOLUME(15,1)
RESERVOIR(14,4)
DIVERSION(14,2)
DISCHARGE LINE(13,8)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER HEIGHT(13,5)
SURROUNDINGS(13,3)
RELIABLE SOURCE(13,2)
CONTINUOUS GRAY WATER PROCESSING(13,1)
UPPER FILTER(13,1)
PURIFICATION(12,4)
GARDEN IRRIGATION(12,3)
SAFE(12,2)
ACTIVE UNIT OUTLET(12,1)
WETLAND UNIT PERFORATED BOTTOM(12,1)
FRESH WATER SOURCE(10,1)
CONDUIT(9,24)
HOUSEHOLD(9,7)
HOSE(9,3)
REGULAR NON ISOLATED GARDEN(9,1)
SETTLED SLUDGE DISPOSAL(9,1)
GRAY WATER RECLAMATION(8,3)
SETTLING TANK(8,3)
COMMAND IRRIGATION(8,2)
FLUSHING TOILET(8,2)
SUMMER MONTH(8,2)
WETLAND VESSEL(8,2)
REGULATORY AUTHORITY(8,1)
FINE TUFF LAYER(7,4)
HOME GARDEN(7,2)
ISOLATING(7,2)
PERFORATED PIPE(7,2)
FECAL COLIFORM(7,1)
GARDENING INITIATIVE(7,1)
JUDEAN DESERT(7,1)
PERFORATION BLOCKAGE(7,1)
RVFCW(6,5)
HOUSEHOLD WATER CONSUMPTION(6,4)
CRUDE TUFF LAYER(6,3)
PLANTED ORGANIC(6,3)
VESSEL SINK(6,2)
WETLAND SUBSTRATE(6,2)
BATHROOM SHOWER(6,1)
ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE PREVENTION(6,1)
GARDEN PLANNING(6,1)
IRRIGATION PURIFICATION(6,1)
KITCHEN SINK DRAIN(6,1)
LAVATORY TANK(6,1)
LIME PEBBLE(6,1)
MAXIMAL WATERING EFFICIENCY(6,1)
MICROORGANISM MYRIAD(6,1)
OBJECTIONABLE ODOR(6,1)
POSING HEALTH RISK(6,1)
PRIVATE HOME ARCHITECTURE(6,1)
SUNLIGHT UV RADIATION(6,1)
UNDERGOING NITRIFICATION(6,1)
UNLIMITED IRRIGATION(6,1)
OPENED STATE(5,9)
RECIRCULATION LINE(5,9)
BIODEGRADATION(5,3)
MECHANICAL FLOAT VALVE(5,2)
PEAT MIXTURE(5,2)
UV DISINFECTION UNIT(5,2)
DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION(5,1)
EXPENSIVE PLUMBING INSTALLATION(5,1)
GARDEN PORTION(5,1)
GREENHOUSE FOIL(5,1)
HARD POLYPROPYLENE(5,1)
HOUSEHOLD PURIFICATION(5,1)
HYGROPHILOUS PLANT PRESENCE(5,1)
ISRAEL ARID REGION(5,1)
MONTHLY SAVINGS(5,1)
NON WATER PLANT(5,1)
PERFORATION HUNDRED(5,1)
PIPE PERFORATION(5,1)
PLANT ROOT ZONE(5,1)
RESIDENCE PLANNING STANDARD(5,1)
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN(5,1)
STRICT WATER SAVING REGIMEN(5,1)
UNPLEASANT ODOR FORMATION(5,1)
WATER REGULATION(5,1)
WETLAND PLANT(5,1)
WETLAND UNIT INACTIVITY DURATION(5,1)
WINTER MONTH(5,1)
DUTY(4,3)
BATHTUB(4,2)
GRAY WATER PROCESSING(4,2)
GRAY WATER PURIFICATION(4,2)
IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY INCREASE(4,2)
WASTEWATER(4,2)
AQUARIUM FILTER(4,1)
BAD ODOR(4,1)
BIOLOGICAL OXYGEN(4,1)
CLOTHES WASHING(4,1)
CONTEMPORARY TECHNOLOGY MAIN DEMAND(4,1)
CUBIC VESSEL(4,1)
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN(4,1)
FINELY CRUSHED SOIL LAYER(4,1)
GLOBAL WATER PLANNING CALCULATION(4,1)
GRAY WATER NITRIFICATION(4,1)
GROWING PLANT(4,1)
HOUSE ESTHETIC STANDARD(4,1)
HOUSEHOLD SITUATION(4,1)
HYDRODYNAMIC CAPABILITY(4,1)
ISOLATED GARDEN WETLAND UNIT(4,1)
LAUNDRY MACHINE DRAIN(4,1)
MACROPHYTIC WETLAND UNIT(4,1)
MAINTAINING GREENERY(4,1)
MODEL FAMILY(4,1)
NEGATIVE REPERCUSSION(4,1)
ODOR DEVELOPMENT(4,1)
PERFORATED BOARD(4,1)
PURIFICATION CAPABILITY(4,1)
RAW GRAY WATER INFLUX(4,1)
SEWAGE DISCHARGE VOLUME(4,1)
SHOWER DRAIN(4,1)
SLIME DEVELOPMENT(4,1)
SLIME GENERATION(4,1)
SLUDGE DEVELOPMENT(4,1)
STREAM DISTRIBUTOR(4,1)
ULTRAVIOLET TYPE DISINFECTION UNIT(4,1)
UV IRRADIATION(4,1)
WETLAND UNIT INABILITY(4,1)
WETLAND UNIT REGENERATION(4,1)
OUTLET(3,16)
CLOSED STATE(3,10)
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND UNIT(3,7)
SAND(3,4)
CONDUIT NETWORK(3,1)
CUBIC RIGID PLASTIC VESSEL(3,1)
DECREASING WATER(3,1)
ENVIRONMENT SAFETY REQUIREMENT(3,1)
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY(3,1)
FAMILY HOUSE LEVEL(3,1)
FLOW DAMPER SHAPING(3,1)
GRAY WATER DISCHARGE(3,1)
GREEN TECHNOLOGY(3,1)
HEAVY NET(3,1)
ORGANIC MATTER DEGRADATION(3,1)
PAIR RECIRCULATION VALVE(3,1)
PEAT FINE MIXTURE(3,1)
PERIODIC CLEANING(3,1)
PIPE CONNECTOR(3,1)
PLASTIC MOSQUITO NETTING(3,1)
POROUS FILTER(3,1)
SINK CONTINUOUS FILLING(3,1)
SINK RISE(3,1)
SOIL ENVIRONMENT(3,1)
SOIL ORGANIC(3,1)
SPECIAL TUBING(3,1)
SPRAY NOZZLE(3,1)
TERM WETLAND(3,1)
WETLAND UNIT ACTIVITY DURATION(3,1)
WORLD POPULATION(3,1)
ACIDITY(2,1)
AERATION(2,1)
BACTERIA(2,1)
BATHWATER(2,1)
BURDEN(2,1)
CHILD(2,1)
CLIENT(2,1)
COMMON REED(2,1)
CONDENSATION(2,1)
CONTAMINANT(2,1)
CONTAMINATION(2,1)
CUMULATION(2,1)
CURRENT REGULATION(2,1)
(US8187461)
GRAY WATER(100,44)
GARDEN(100,29)
HOME SITE(100,7)
HOME(100,2)
TOILET TANK(65,10)
SINK(62,48)
INACTIVE UNIT(22,3)
WORLD(18,1)
VALVE STATE(17,1)
IRRIGATION(16,5)
ACTIVE STATE(15,10)
DUTY(15,3)
RESERVOIR(13,4)
SURROUNDINGS(13,3)
DIVERSION(13,2)
UPPER FILTER(13,1)
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION(11,1)
NATIONAL STAGE(10,1)
HOSE(9,3)
REGULAR NON ISOLATED GARDEN(9,1)
CONDUIT(8,24)
SETTLING TANK(8,3)
SUMMER MONTH(8,2)
WETLAND VESSEL(8,2)
FECAL COLIFORM(7,1)
JUDEAN DESERT(7,1)
HOUSEHOLD(6,7)
RVFCW(6,5)
FRESH WATER(6,2)
HOME GARDEN(6,2)
ISOLATING(6,2)
VESSEL SINK(6,2)
LAVATORY TANK(6,1)
LIME PEBBLE(6,1)
OPENED STATE(5,9)
PEAT MIXTURE(5,2)
GARDEN PORTION(5,1)
HARD POLYPROPYLENE(5,1)
NON WATER PLANT(5,1)
WETLAND PLANT(5,1)
WINTER MONTH(5,1)
BIODEGRADATION(4,3)
BATHTUB(4,2)
BAD ODOR(4,1)
BIOLOGICAL OXYGEN(4,1)
CUBIC VESSEL(4,1)
GROWING PLANT(4,1)
MODEL FAMILY(4,1)
SHOWER DRAIN(4,1)
UV IRRADIATION(4,1)
OUTLET(3,16)
SAND(3,4)
HEAVY NET(3,1)
PIPE CONNECTOR(3,1)
POROUS FILTER(3,1)
SINK RISE(3,1)
SOIL ORGANIC(3,1)
SPECIAL TUBING(3,1)
SPRAY NOZZLE(3,1)
TERM WETLAND(3,1)
CLOSED STATE(2,10)
ACIDITY(2,1)
AERATION(2,1)
BACTERIA(2,1)
BATHWATER(2,1)
BURDEN(2,1)
CHILD(2,1)
CLIENT(2,1)
COMMON REED(2,1)
CONDENSATION(2,1)
CONTAMINANT(2,1)
CONTAMINATION(2,1)
CUMULATION(2,1)
CURRENT REGULATION(2,1)
DAYTIME(2,1)
DIRECT SUNLIGHT(2,1)
(IL-212155)
HOME SITE(100,6)
RECYCLING GRAY WATER(100,4)
HOME(100,2)
YIGAL ALON STREET(100,1)
TOILET TANK(43,10)
SINK(41,45)
HOME GARDEN(36,2)
GRAY WATER(34,53)
IRRIGATION GRAY WATER(29,2)
GARDEN(27,28)
PURIFYING GRAY WATER(27,2)
TREATED GRAY WATER(22,1)
HEALTH RISK(21,1)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER FLOW(17,3)
RECLAMATION(12,2)
WORLD(12,1)
INACTIVE UNIT(11,2)
PLANT WATER(11,1)
RECYCLED WATER GOING SOURCE(11,1)
REUSING GRAY WATER(10,4)
RESERVOIR(9,4)
ACTIVE STATE(8,9)
DISCHARGE LINE(8,8)
SURROUNDINGS(8,3)
DIVERSION(8,2)
WATER LOSS(8,2)
STIMULATING GRAY WATER NITRIFICATION(8,1)
UPPER FILTER(8,1)
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND(7,2)
SAFE(7,2)
IRRIGATION GRAY WATER PURIFICATION(7,1)
CONDUIT(6,24)
HOUSEHOLD(6,8)
HOSE(6,3)
HOUSEHOLD GRAY WATER PURIFICATION(6,1)
SINGLE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY(6,1)
SETTLING TANK(5,3)
GRAY WATER USAGE(5,2)
SUMMER MONTH(5,2)
WETLAND VESSEL(5,2)
FECAL COLIFORM(5,1)
JUDEAN DESERT(5,1)
ISOLATING(4,2)
VESSEL SINK(4,2)
LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION(4,1)
LAVATORY TANK(4,1)
LIME PEBBLE(4,1)
MANIPULATING GRAY WATER(4,1)
OPENED STATE(3,9)
BIODEGRADATION(3,3)
PEAT MIXTURE(3,2)
VALVE CZ(3,2)
BAD ODOR(3,1)
CUBIC VESSEL(3,1)
FRESH WATER SIGNIFICANT SAVING(3,1)
GRAY WATER FEED(3,1)
GRAY WATER TRANSMISSION(3,1)
GROWING PLANT(3,1)
HARD POLYPROPYLENE CUBE(3,1)
LITER INFLOW(3,1)
SHOWER DRAIN(3,1)
UV IRRADIATION(3,1)
WETLAND PLANT(3,1)
WINTER MONTH(3,1)
OUTLET(2,15)
SAND(2,4)
VALVE V(2,4)
DUTY(2,3)
BATHTUB(2,2)
FINE TUFF CM LAYER(2,1)
GRAY WATER COMPONENT(2,1)
HEAVY NET(2,1)
PIPE CONNECTOR(2,1)
POROUS FILTER(2,1)
PUMP PZ(2,1)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER RELIABLE SOURCE(2,1)
RAW GRAY WATER FLOW(2,1)
SINK RISE(2,1)
SOIL ORGANIC(2,1)
SPECIAL TUBING(2,1)
SPRAY NOZZLE(2,1)
TERM WETLAND(2,1)
WETLAND UNIT WI(2,1)
CLOSED STATE(1,10)
ACIDITY(1,1)
AERATION(1,1)
BACTERIA(1,1)
BATHWATER(1,1)
BURDEN(1,1)
CENTIMETER(1,1)
CHILD(1,1)
CLIENT(1,1)
COMMON REED(1,1)
COMMUNITY(1,1)
(CN102227381)
HOME(100,8)
GRAY WATER SYSTEM(100,2)
GARDEN PROCESSING(100,1)
GRAY WATER(82,60)
IRRIGATION WHERCA(82,1)
WETLAND CELL(81,15)
ACTIVE WETLAND(69,2)
HYGROPHILOUS PLANT(60,1)
TOILET TANK(57,10)
INACTIVE WETLAND UNIT REGENERATION(56,1)
TEMPORAL WAVEFORM(54,1)
HOUSEHOLD WASTEWATER(52,3)
HOME SITE(49,5)
FILTER OVERLOADING(48,1)
ARTIFICIAL WETLAND(47,4)
ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE(46,1)
WETLAND CELL ISOLATION(46,1)
INACTIVE UNIT(45,3)
DRAIN CONDUIT(43,6)
HOME LOCATION(42,3)
NATIONAL REGULATION(41,2)
PURIFIED CELL ACTIVE WETLAND(41,1)
GARDEN(39,24)
ISOLATOR(38,1)
WATER RELIABLE CIRCULATION(38,1)
GRAY WATER RECYCLING(37,3)
GRAY WATER DIVERSION CONDUIT(37,1)
GRAY WATER GARDEN HOSE(37,1)
IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY(36,2)
BASIN(36,1)
AUXILIARY WETLAND CELL(35,2)
PURGED WATER TUB(34,1)
GARDEN HOME LOCATION(32,1)
GRAY WATER INTRODUCTION(32,1)
AUXILIARY WETLAND UNIT(30,8)
ACTIVE WETLAND UNIT CYCLE(30,1)
GRAY WATER OUTLET(29,1)
DRAIN PUMP(28,5)
SOIL ORGANIC(28,3)
GRAY WATER FLOWING(26,3)
CIRCULATING PUMP(25,1)
ACTIVE STATE(24,11)
AUXILIARY WATER TANK(24,11)
DEVICE ISOLATION(24,6)
CELL ISOLATION(24,1)
GRAY WATER HEIGHT(23,1)
WATER TANK(21,19)
FLOW WETLAND CELL(21,1)
CIRCULATING WATER SOURCE(20,1)
TRANSITION STATE(19,3)
CALCAREOUS PEBBLE BIODEGRADATION(18,1)
COMMAND GROUP(18,1)
DISCHARGE CONDUIT FLOW(18,1)
PERFORATED BOTTOM(18,1)
UPPER FILTER(18,1)
WASTEWATER(17,3)
SAFE(16,2)
ACTIVE WETLAND UNIT BASE(16,1)
WATER STORAGE TANK(16,1)
ELEMENT ISOLATION CATHETER(15,2)
MOVEABLE UNIT(15,1)
WET UNIT(14,12)
HAND NOZZLE(14,2)
GRAY WATER SOURCE UNIT(14,1)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER SUPPLY(14,1)
OUTLET(13,14)
WATER BATH(12,5)
SUNNY SUMMER MONTH(12,1)
CIRCULATION CONDUIT(11,3)
DOMESTIC APPLICATION SOURCE(11,1)
HOME GARDEN WATERING(11,1)
SUMMER MONTH LAPSE(11,1)
PURIFICATION(10,6)
PURGED GRAY WATER(10,4)
GARDEN INITIATIVE(10,1)
JEWISH DESERT(10,1)
PATHOGENIC ORGANISM STEPMOTHER(10,1)
UNPLEASANT ODOR DEVELOPMENT(10,1)
VEGETATION PEAT(10,1)
PIPE OUTLET(9,3)
COARSE TUFF LAYER(9,2)
FAMILY HOUSE(9,2)
SETTLING TANK(9,2)
ARTIFICIAL WETLAND CELL(9,1)
DOMESTIC DWELLING(9,1)
ECOLOGICAL HARM(9,1)
FECAL COLIFORM(9,1)
GRAY WATER PORTION(9,1)
HOME ECONOMIZATION(9,1)
ISOLATION WETLAND CELL(9,1)
PARTICULATE MATRIX WETLAND CELL(9,1)
PRECIPITATED SLUDGE TANK(9,1)
PURGED WETLAND CELL(9,1)
WET SOIL UNIT FLOW(9,1)
UV STERILIZATION UNIT(8,3)
VERTICAL FLOW(8,3)
HEALTH RISK(8,2)
FEED TUBE(7,4)
CIRCULATION PUMP(7,2)
CLEANED GRAY WATER(7,2)
DUTY CYCLE(7,2)
GRAY WATER CONDUIT(7,2)
WET MATRIX(7,2)
BACTERIA GROWTH RAPID(7,1)
CALCULATION ARRANGEMENT(7,1)
CIRCULATING WATER UNPLEASANT ODOR(7,1)
CIRCULATION DUCT(7,1)
CIRCULATION PIPE INSULATION(7,1)
DRAIN GARDEN(7,1)
ENVIRONMENT OCCUPANT(7,1)
ENVIRONMENTAL THING(7,1)
ESTHETICALLY PLEASING STANDARD(7,1)
GARDEN IMPLEMENT(7,1)
GRAY WATER TREATMENT(7,1)
HOME CONSUMPTION(7,1)
KITCHEN SINK(7,1)
LSRAELI ARID REGION(7,1)
PLASTIC FILTER PEBBLE LIME(7,1)
RESIDENTIAL PLANNING STANDARD(7,1)
VEGETATION COVERING(7,1)
WET SUMP CONTAINER VESSEL(7,1)
WETLAND PLANT(7,1)
WINTER MONTH(7,1)
CONDUIT(6,31)
CLAY(6,6)
ARTIFICIAL WETLAND UNIT SINK(6,1)
BIOLOGICAL DROP MATRIX(6,1)
BLOCKAGE EXTENSION(6,1)
BUILDING(6,1)
CIRCULATING RAW(6,1)
DEDICATED CONDUIT(6,1)
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT(6,1)
FEED DUCT(6,1)
INACTIVITY WETLAND UNIT DURATION(6,1)
MAINTENANCE EXPENSE(6,1)
MATRIX PARTICLE(6,1)
ORGANIC MATTER NITRIFICATION(6,1)
PERSON WORKING HOME(6,1)
PLANT GROWTH(6,1)
PRECISION DEDICATED PRODUCTION(6,1)
PURIFIED GARDEN(6,1)
RESUMPTION(6,1)
SHUNT CONDUIT(6,1)
VEGETATION BAND(6,1)
WATER TREATMENT MODEL(6,1)
WET LOVING PLANT(6,1)
RAW WATER(5,5)
SAND(5,4)
ACCUMULATION(5,2)
COMMUNITY(5,2)
FUNNEL(5,2)
ACTIVE WETLAND CELL(5,1)
AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT(5,1)
AUXILIARY TANK(5,1)
BUFFERED ACID(5,1)
CIRCULATION VALVE(5,1)
CLEANING ABILITY IMPROVING(5,1)
DAYLIGHT HOUR(5,1)
EQUIPMENT COMPLEXITY(5,1)
ESTHETIC STANDARD(5,1)
EXPENSIVE PIPE INSTALLER(5,1)
FINE PARTICLE(5,1)
GARDEN VOLUME(5,1)
GRAY WATER DECOMPOSITION(5,1)
GRAY WATER FAMILY(5,1)
HEBREW TEXT(5,1)
HEIGHT PURIFICATION(5,1)
HOUSE INTERIOR(5,1)
PARTICULATE SUBSTRATE(5,1)
PERFORATED TUBE(5,1)
POROUS FILTER(5,1)
PRIVATE HOME CONSTRUCTION(5,1)
PROCESSED GRAY WATER IRRIGATION(5,1)
REGULAR CLEANING(5,1)
REPRODUCING GRAY WATER(5,1)
SHOWER WATER DISCHARGE(5,1)
SLUDGE VOLUME REDUCTION(5,1)
TUBE PERFORATION(5,1)
TUBING VALVE(5,1)
WATER EFFICIENCY(5,1)
WATER RESERVOIR BED(5,1)
WET CONTAINER(5,1)
WETLAND CELL INACTIVE STATE(5,1)
WETLAND HOUSING(5,1)
DOMESTIC WATER CONSUMPTION(4,2)
CLOSED SIDEWALL(3,1)
CONDENSATE(3,1)
CONSECUTIVE CONTAINER WATER TANK(3,1)
CONTAMINATION(3,1)
EFFICACY(3,1)
FLUID DYNAMICS CAPABILITY(3,1)
GARDEN PLAN(3,1)
GREEN ENVIRONMENT(3,1)
GREENHOUSE(3,1)
IRRADIATION(3,1)
ISOLATION REGION(3,1)
MACROPHYTE(3,1)
MAXIMUM DURATION(3,1)
NEGATIVE REACTION(3,1)
OUTLET PIPE(3,1)
PLASTIC MOSQUITO NET(3,1)
PURGE REGION(3,1)
RAINY SEASON(3,1)
SHRUB(3,1)
SOIL ORGANIC LAYER(3,1)
TECHNICALLY SIMPLE SOLUTION(3,1)
TREE(3,1)
WATER LOSS EVAPORATION(3,1)
WETLAND CELL BOTTOM(3,1)
(IN2011KN01392)
WATER(100,26)
HOME SITE(100,7)
GRAY WATER RECYCLING(100,5)
TOILET TANK(55,10)
SINK(54,46)
GRAY WATER(32,36)
GARDEN(27,27)
GRAY WATER REUSE(25,4)
INACTIVE UNIT(23,3)
SAFE(19,3)
WORLD(15,1)
ACTIVE STATE(14,10)
RESERVOIR(11,4)
DIVERSION(11,2)
UPPER FILTER(11,1)
HOUSEHOLD(10,9)
SURROUNDINGS(10,3)
CONDUIT(8,23)
HOSE(8,2)
SOUTHERN WILD RICE(7,1)
SETTLING TANK(6,3)
SUMMER MONTH(6,2)
WETLAND VESSEL(6,2)
FECAL COLIFORM(6,1)
JUDEAN DESERT(6,1)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER PORTION(6,1)
SAURURUS CERNUUS(6,1)
THALIA GENICULATE(6,1)
ZIZANIA AQUATICA(6,1)
ZIZANIOPSIS MILACEA(6,1)
HOME GARDEN(5,2)
ISOLATING(5,2)
VESSEL SINK(5,2)
LAVATORY TANK(5,1)
LIME PEBBLE(5,1)
RHYNCHOSPORA SPP(5,1)
SAGITTARIA SPP(5,1)
SPARAGANIUM SPP(5,1)
OPENED STATE(4,9)
BIODEGRADATION(4,3)
COMMON REED(4,3)
PEAT MIXTURE(4,2)
BUR REED(4,1)
NONWATER PLANT(4,1)
TYPHA SPP(4,1)
WETLAND PLANT(4,1)
WIDESPREAD AVAILABILITY(4,1)
WINTER MONTH(4,1)
OUTLET(3,14)
SAND(3,4)
BATHTUB(3,2)
BAD ODOR(3,1)
CUBIC VESSEL(3,1)
ENHANCING ORGANIC MATTER DEGRADATION(3,1)
ESTHETIC STANDARD(3,1)
GROWING PLANT(3,1)
HEAVY NET(3,1)
LITER INFLOW(3,1)
MACROPHYTE(3,1)
MODEL FAMILY(3,1)
PIPE CONNECTOR(3,1)
POROUS FILTER(3,1)
RECYCLING NONPOTABLE WATER(3,1)
SHOWER DRAIN(3,1)
SINK RISE(3,1)
SOIL ORGANIC(3,1)
SPECIAL TUBING(3,1)
TERM WETLAND(3,1)
UV IRRADIATION(3,1)
CLOSED STATE(2,10)
DUTY(2,2)
ACIDITY(2,1)
AERATION(2,1)
ARROWHEAD(2,1)
ARROWROOT(2,1)
BACTERIA(2,1)
BATHWATER(2,1)
BULRUSH(2,1)
CATTAIL(2,1)
CHILD(2,1)
CLIENT(2,1)
COMMUNITY(2,1)
CONDENSATION(2,1)
(WO201041246)
REUSING GRAY WATER(100,6)
HOME GARDEN(50,2)
HOME SITE(49,8)
GRAY WATER(41,52)
IRRIGATION GRAY WATER(40,2)
TOILET TANK(39,9)
PURIFYING GRAY WATER(38,2)
SINK(33,40)
GARDEN(31,27)
TREATED GRAY WATER(31,1)
HEALTH RISK(29,1)
RECLAMATION(17,2)
WORLD(17,1)
PLANT WATER(16,1)
INACTIVE UNIT(15,2)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER FLOW(14,3)
RESERVOIR(12,4)
SURROUNDINGS(12,3)
UPPER FILTER(12,1)
ACTIVE STATE(11,9)
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND(11,2)
SAFE(11,2)
WATER LOSS(11,2)
IRRIGATION GRAY WATER PURIFICATION(10,1)
CONDUIT(8,23)
DISCHARGE LINE(8,8)
HOUSEHOLD(8,8)
HOUSEHOLD GRAY WATER PURIFICATION(8,1)
OPENED STATE(7,10)
HOSE(7,3)
ISOLATING(7,3)
SETTLING TANK(7,3)
DIVERSION(7,2)
GRAY WATER USAGE(7,2)
SUMMER MONTH(7,2)
WETLAND VESSEL(7,2)
VESSEL SINK(6,2)
FECAL COLIFORM(6,1)
JUDEAN DESERT(6,1)
LAVATORY TANK(6,1)
LIME PEBBLE(6,1)
FRESH WATER SIGNIFICANT SAVING(5,1)
RECIRCULATION PUMP PI(5,1)
WETLAND PLANT(5,1)
WINTER MONTH(5,1)
OUTLET(4,15)
CLOSED STATE(4,11)
BIODEGRADATION(4,3)
DUTY(4,3)
PEAT MIXTURE(4,2)
VALVE CI(4,2)
BAD ODOR(4,1)
CUBIC VESSEL(4,1)
GRAY WATER FEED(4,1)
GRAY WATER TRANSMISSION(4,1)
GROWING PLANT(4,1)
LITER INFLOW(4,1)
MODEL FAMILY(4,1)
SHOWER DRAIN(4,1)
UV IRRADIATION(4,1)
CONTROL VALVE(3,13)
SAND(3,4)
BATHTUB(3,2)
TOILET(3,2)
FINE TUFF CM LAYER(3,1)
GRAY WATER COMPONENT(3,1)
GRAY WATER STREAM CIRCUIT(3,1)
HEAVY NET(3,1)
PIPE CONNECTOR(3,1)
POROUS FILTER(3,1)
PURIFIED GRAY WATER RELIABLE SOURCE(3,1)
RAW GRAY WATER FLOW(3,1)
SINK RISE(3,1)
SOIL ORGANIC(3,1)
SPECIAL TUBING(3,1)
SPRAY NOZZLE(3,1)
TERM WETLAND(3,1)
ACIDITY(2,1)
AERATION(2,1)
BACTERIA(2,1)
BATHWATER(2,1)
BURDEN(2,1)
CENTIMETER(2,1)
CHILD(2,1)
CLIENT(2,1)
COMMON REED(2,1)
Images
Claims
(US8187461)
I claim:
1. A system for processing and repeatedly recycling graywater for reuse in a domestic site, comprising:
a) a source of graywater;
b) at least two vertical flow wetland units, each of said at least two vertical flow wetland units comprising a container filled
with at least one granular substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet means;
c) a first conduit means extending from said graywater source to a location on top of an uppermost layer of each of said at
least two wetland units, for delivering the graywater to said at least two wetland units without risk of first conduit blockage
caused by elongated roots;
d) a sink for receiving purified graywater discharged from the outlet means of each of said at least two wetland units;
e) a second conduit means extending from said sink to each of said at least two wetland units;
f) a recirculation pump for delivering purified graywater through said second conduit means;
g) an isolating means, for isolating a first wetland unit from said first and second conduit means while allowing the
graywater and purified graywater to be introduced into a second wetland unit after flowing through said first and second
conduit means, respectively, and for subsequently isolating said second wetland unit from said first and second conduit
means after a predetermined period of time while allowing the graywater and purified graywater to be introduced into a
selected active wetland unit after flowing through said first and second conduit means;
h) a means for controlling an activity duration of said selected wetland unit;
i) an interface unit for discharging the purified graywater from said sink to a garden for reuse;
j) a supplementary wetland unit;
k) a supplementary sink for receiving purified graywater from said supplementary wetland unit and from a diverting line
extending from said second conduit means and downstream from said recirculation pump;
l) an additional line extending from said supplementary sink to said supplementary wetland unit;
m) an additional pump for delivering purified graywater from said supplementary sink to said supplementary wetland unit
via said additional line;
n) a discharge line extending from said supplementary sink to a toilet tank, through which additionally purified graywater
flows; and
o) a discharge pump operatively associated with said discharge line for delivering said additionally purified graywater to
said toilet tank for reuse.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit comprises a hose and nozzle for manually discharging the
purified graywater to the garden.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit comprises an irrigation pump for automatically discharging
the purified graywater to the garden when the height of purified graywater in the sink is greater than a predetermined
threshold.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the outlet means comprises a perforated bottom of a wetland unit, from which
purified graywater drips from a wetland unit to the sink.
5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an entire garden, or portions of an entire garden, when isolated from
the surroundings, serving as one or more additional wetland units.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the volume of each wetland unit is about 600 liters.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one granular substrate has a total volume of about 500 liters and
has a total thickness of about 50 cm.
8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet-type disinfection unit operatively associated with the
second conduit means between the sink and the recirculation pump for further treating the purified graywater.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary wetland unit is considerably smaller than each of the at
least two vertical flow wetland units.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor in communication with the discharge pump is installed in
the discharge line, the discharge pump being activated after a toilet associated with the toilet tank is flushed and being
deactivated when the toilet tank is refilled.
11. A method for processing and repeatedly recycling graywater for reuse in a domestic site, comprising the steps of:
a) providing at least two vertical flow wetland units, each of said at least two vertical flow wetland units comprising a
container filled with at least one granular substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet means;
b) setting at least one of said wetland units to an inactive state during a predetermined period of time such that influx of
graywater to each of said inactive units is prevented, whereby to regenerate each of said inactive wetland units;
c) setting at least one of said wetland units to an active state, whereby graywater introduced to each of said active wetland
units is purified;
d) delivering graywater from a source of graywater to each of said active wetland units while purified graywater is
discharged from the corresponding outlet means to a sink;
e) repeatedly recirculating at least a portion of said purified graywater to each of said active wetland units;
f) discharging a portion of said purified graywater from said sink to a garden for reuse;
g) diverting a portion of said purified graywater to a supplementary sink;
h) repeatedly recirculating purified graywater from said supplementary sink to a supplementary wetland unit while the
purified graywater is discharged to said supplementary sink, whereby to additionally purify the graywater; and
i) delivering said additionally purified graywater to a toilet tank for reuse.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of switching the state of at least one of the inactive
wetland units to an active state following the predetermined period of time and repeating steps d-h.
13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of switching the state of at least one of the active
wetland units to an inactive state during the predetermined period of time and repeating steps d-h.
14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of setting at least one of said wetland unit to an inactive state is
performed by isolating a selected wetland unit from a first conduit means extending from the graywater source to each of
the wetland units and from a second conduit means extending from the sink to each of the wetland units.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the selected wetland unit is isolated from the first and second conduit
means by a controller and control valves in communication with said controller.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the controller commands to switch the selected wetland unit from an
inactive state to an active state.
English description
(US8187461)
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/IL2009/000955, filed on Oct. 11, 2009,
which claims priority of Israel Patent Application Serial Number 194661, filed on Oct. 7, 2008, both of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for reclamation and purification of a substantial part of household
waste water. Particularly, a novel system and method for reusing graywater are provided, using the principles of vertical
flow constructed wetlands.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As the standard of living rises, and as the world population increases, the demand for freshwater soars. The available
sources of fresh water are quite limited around the world, and in many cases they are distributed unevenly in space or time.
Environmental concerns and a steep increase of water prices motivate reusing as much household wastewater as possible
[Rogers P.: Scientific American 299, August 2008, 28-35].
Current methods of recycling non-potable water need expensive and complex equipment to be installed and maintained,
and require large amounts of energy. Cheap and technologically simple solutions to the problems of reusing household
water, however, could substantially alleviate periodic or chronic water shortage in many areas, as well as affording
significant saving of freshwater at both national and global levels. In recent years, graywater has become a target for
saving in households. Graywater is any wastewater used in the home, except from toilets, including bathwater and the
discharge following washing clothes and dishes, comprising 50-80% of the total household consumption; various attempts
have been made to use graywater, instead of disposing it in sewage, for irrigating gardens or for other uses not requiring
potable water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,493 describes a system for processing and reusing graywater; the system comprises filtering means
and chlorinating means for water purification, at least two pumps, and electromechanical control means. Additional means
and modifications for manipulating graywater have since been described, including special tubing, filters, chemicals, and
software. A part of wastewater can, thus, be retrieved, and more or less conveniently utilized, particularly when the house
is provided with parallel graywater lines, such as described in US 2008/0175668. However, the complex and expensive
plumbing installations and changes discourage many clients. Despite the importance of water saving systems, monthly
savings may seem rather modest, and many people do not like to invest too much in the future, notwithstanding people in
poorer areas.
A Recycled Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland (RVFCW) comprising a three-layer bed with planted organic soil overlying a
filter consisting of an upper layer of tuff or plastic media and a lower layer of limestone pebbles, and a reservoir located
below the bed has been disclosed. [A. Gross et al, “Recycled Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland (RVFCW)—A Novel
Method to Recycle Graywater for Landscape Irrigation in Small Communities and Households”, Chemosphere 66, 2007,
916-923]
The direct flow of raw graywater into the root zone of the plant provided with the organic soil prevents bad odors and
mosquitoes, and reduces the possibility of human contact and spread of disease. The graywater seeps through the porous
filter towards the reservoir, further preventing development of odors and enhancing organic matter degradation and
nitrification. The lime pebbles buffer the acidity produced by the nitrification and biodegradation. The water is then aerated
as it falls through the air towards the reservoir. The water from the reservoir is recycled back to the upper filter, in order to
dilute an additional amount of graywater and to reduce the risk of organic overload or other damage to the filter such as
excess chlorination. Since water passes through the filter more than once, the required surface area in order to attain a
specific water quality can be reduced. The RVFCW was found to remove virtually all the suspended solids, biological
oxygen demand (BOD) and about 80% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) after 8 hours. Although faecal coliforms
dropped by 3-4 orders of magnitude from their initial concentration after 8 hours, this level was not enough to meet current
regulations for unlimited irrigation.
This RVFCW is incapable of recycling graywater for extended periods of time since the filter becomes clogged with slime
and sludge after a short period of time of 7-14 days. The graywater is therefore not transmitted through the filter, pooling
above the planted organic soil layer, spilling outwardly from the bed without being purified. Thus this RVFCW is not suitable
for providing a reliable and on-going source of recycled water for household use.
Another disadvantage associated with this RVFCW is that the graywater, as described in a similar article in Hebrew [Water
and Irrigation, August, 2003, No. 442, pp. 14-21], is introduced to the planted organic soil between peat and pebble layers
by means of perforated pipes. As the roots of the plant continue to grow, the perforations of the pipes become blocked with
roots, thus preventing the discharge of the graywater to the filter and rendering the RVFCW useless in purifying graywater
on a continuous basis.
Another disadvantage associated with this RVFCW is that the graywater is collected in a settling tank for a period of time
before being introduced to the RVFCW. The graywater develops objectionable odors while remaining in the settling tank, in
addition to experiencing a rapid increase in bacteria, some of which may be pathogenic. In addition, the settling tank
requires periodic cleaning and disposal of the settled sludge.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel system for effective, efficient, and continuous graywater
processing so as to serve as a safe and reliable source of recycled and purified water for household use.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a graywater processing system which recycles a substantial
portion of household wastewater but which is not excessively expensive or technically demanding.
It is another object of the present invention to optimize the consumption of household water, including for use in the garden,
by a single environmentally friendly system. A high level of neighborhood and private home architecture requires green
areas and gardens, but watering regulations and high water costs may nowadays severely limit gardening initiatives.
Graywater can help. It is, therefore, another object of this invention to provide a system and method for reclamation and
purification of graywater, and to provide water for garden irrigation, without posing a health risk.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for reusing treated graywater for flushing toilets, without posing
health risks.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of reclaiming and purifying graywater comprising a
system based on the principles of macrophytic vertical flow constructed wetlands.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of utilizing a home garden, including non-water plants, to
purify graywater.
It is also a further object of the present invention to provide a method for watering a home garden, using treated and
recycled irrigation graywater repeatedly, without any loss of water to soil outside of garden, thus achieving maximal
watering efficiency without affecting in any way the soil environment outside of the garden.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a system for reclamation of graywater with the simplest technical means.
Other objects and advantages of present invention will appear as description proceeds.
The present invention is a method for processing and reusing graywater, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least two
vertical flow wetland units, each of which comprising a container filled with at least one granular substrate and at least one
species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet means; (b) setting at least one of said wetland units to an inactive state
during a predetermined period of time such that influx of graywater to each of said inactive units is prevented, whereby to
regenerate each of said inactive wetland units; (c) setting at least one of said wetland units to an active state whereby
graywater introduced to each of said active wetland units is purified; (d) delivering graywater from a source of graywater to
each of said active wetland units while purified graywater is discharged from the corresponding outlet means to a sink; (e)
recirculating at least a portion of said purified graywater to each of said active wetland units; and (f) discharging, when
desired, a portion of said purified graywater to a domestic site for reuse.
A wetland unit, for example one having an upper layer comprising a mixture of peat, sand and soil, is adapted to purify
graywater by stimulating graywater nitrification and biodegradation. If not regenerated in accordance with the present
invention, a wetland unit is liable to cease to be functional after a relatively short period of time due to the development of
slime and sludge which prevent the transmission of graywater through the granular substrate. As referred to herein, a
wetland unit set to the inactive state is “regenerated” when the causes of slime and sludge development are eliminated,
such as by drying each layer of the wetland unit. By being cyclically switching from an active to an inactive state, a wetland
unit provides a safe and reliable source of purified graywater for household use for long periods of time while helping to
dramatically reduce household water consumption.
The method preferably further comprises the steps of switching the state of at least one of the inactive wetland units to an
active state following the predetermined period of time and/or switching the state of at least one of the active wetland units
to an inactive state during the predetermined period of time, and repeating steps d-f.
In one aspect, the step of setting at least one of said wetland unit to an inactive state is performed by isolating a selected
wetland units from a first conduit means extending from the graywater source to each of the wetland units and from a
second conduit means extending from the sink to each of the wetland units.
In one aspect, the selected wetland unit is isolated from the first and second conduit means by means of a controller and
control valves in communication with said controller. The controller commands to switch the selected wetland unit from an
inactive state to an active state.
The present invention is also directed to a system for processing and reusing graywater, comprising (a) a source of
graywater; (b) at least two vertical flow wetland units, each of which comprising a container filled with at least one granular
substrate and at least one species of a hygrophilous plant, and an outlet means; (c) first conduit means extending from said
graywater source to each of said at least two wetland units; (d) a sink for receiving purified graywater discharged from the
outlet means of each of said at least two wetland units; (e) second conduit means extending from said sink to each of said
at least two wetland units; (f) a recirculation pump for delivering purified graywater through said second conduit means; (g)
isolating means, for isolating a first wetland unit from said first and second conduit means while allowing the graywater and
purified graywater to be introduced into a second wetland unit after flowing through said first and second conduit means,
respectively, and for subsequently isolating said second wetland unit from said first and second conduit means after a
predetermined period of time while allowing the graywater and purified graywater to be introduced into one of said at least
two wetland units after flowing through said first and second conduit means; and (h) an interface unit, through which the
purified graywater is discharged to a domestic site for reuse.
In one embodiment, the domestic site is a toilet tank. The interface unit comprises a discharge line extending to the toilet
tank through which purified graywater flows and a discharge pump operatively associated with said discharge line for
delivering purified graywater to the toilet tank. Thus domestic consumption of potable water is significantly reduced with
respect to prior art systems.
In one aspect, the discharge line extends from a supplementary sink to the toilet tank, said supplementary sink receiving
purified graywater from a supplementary wetland unit and from a diverting line extending from the second conduit means
and downstream from the recirculation pump.
In one aspect, an additional line extends from the supplementary sink to the supplementary wetland unit and an additional
pump delivers purified graywater from the supplementary sink to the supplementary wetland unit.
In one aspect, the additional pump, as well as the recirculation pump, continuously operates.
In another embodiment, the domestic site is a garden. The interface unit comprises a discharge line extending to the
garden through which purified graywater flows and a discharge pump operatively associated with said discharge line for
delivering purified graywater to the entire garden via sprinklers or drip irrigation system.
In one aspect, the interface unit comprises a hose and nozzle for manually discharging the purified graywater to the
garden.
In one aspect, the interface unit comprises a pump for automatically discharging the purified graywater to the garden when
the height of purified graywater in the sink is greater than a predetermined threshold.
In one aspect, the system further comprises an entire garden, or portions thereof, when isolated from the surroundings,
serving as one or more additional wetland units. Isolated garden wetland units provide the following advantages: (1)
additional purification of irrigation graywater, (2) prevention of ecological damage resulting from the use of graywater, (3)
increased irrigation efficiency as no water is lost to areas outside the garden, and (4) compliance with local or state
regulations regarding graywater usage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a constructed wetland unit, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a system for recycling graywater, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a control system for regenerating a constructed wetland unit; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a system for recycling graywater, according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It has now been found, in a model family house, that a simple system of graywater reclamation and purification has worked
surprisingly smoothly and efficiently during a long term experimental run, when employing at least two vertical flow
constructed macrophytic wetland units built in a graywater stream circuit. The above system provided enough recycled
water, without any unpleasant odor, for flushing toilets, as well as for irrigating garden, for a relatively large household, for
example a household of seven to nine persons.
A constructed wetland unit generally comprises granular material, including soil, sand, peat, tuff, and gravel, and may be
arranged in a plurality of layers, for example, layers of finely crushed soil and tuff, whether crude tuff having grains of 5-10
cm or fine tuff having grains of 0.5-1 cm. The layers are filled within a container to a height of from 50 to 100 cm, and the
container has closed or sealed walls, to prevent contamination of the surrounding soil.
The macrophytes are generally hygrophilous plants, such as common reed (Phragmites australis), bulrushes (Scirpus
spp.), rushes (Juncus spp.), cattails (Typha spp.), reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), sweet mannagrass (Glyceria
maxima), alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), Canna lilies (Canna spp.), sedges (Carex app), coontail
(Ceratophyllum spp.), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), wild taro (Colocasia esculenta), sedges (Cyperus spp.),
spikerushes (Eleocharis spp.), waterweed (Elodea spp.), mannagrass (Glyceria spp.), watergrass (Hydrocloa caroliniensis),
iris or blue flag iris (Iris spp.), duckweed (Lemna spp.), water primroses (Ludwigia spp.), maidencane (Panicum
hemitomon), torpedo grass (Panicum repens), spoon flowers (Peltandra spp.), smartweeds (Polygonum spp.),
pickerelweeds (Pontederia spp.), beak-rush (Rhynchospora spp.), arrowheads (Sagittaria spp.), Lizard's-tail (Saururus
cernuus), bur-reed (Sparaganium spp.), arrowroot (Thalia geniculata), cattail/reedmace/bulrush (Typha spp.), wild rice
(Zizania aquatica), and southern wild rice (Zizaniopsis milacea), the common reed being preferred due to its widespread
availability.
When using the term wetland herein, a sector on the ground is intended, at least partially separated from surroundings,
characterized by higher water content and the presence of hygrophilous plants, or other types of plants. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, a constructed wetland unit is sunk in the ground and separated from the surrounding soil by
being contained in an impermeable plastic container, such as polypropylene, and comprises hygrophilous or other type of
plants that grow above the upper edge of the container. Substrates for the wetland units may be selected according to the
plants to be employed, and they are usually selected from natural, and relatively inexpensive granular materials. Since the
wetland unit is separated in plastic containers from the surrounding soil, it can be easily removed and replaced if needed
for any reason.
Preferably, graywater is immediately treated by contacting the wetland, without cumulating and storing, and processing in
bulk; this differs from prior art techniques which store graywater before handling.
Graywater from the house is collected and brought onto the surface of the substrate through which water seeps and
becomes purified. When using the term “collecting” for graywater, intended is the act of bringing the graywater from inside
the house onto the surface of the wetland, and not its storing or cumulation. The surface of the substrate may be provided
with a flow damper, such as a perforated board or a screen or a heavy net; alternatively, any stream brought onto the
substrate surface is introduced by means of a stream distributor, such as, a shower-like ending, so that the stream does
not move the granular substrate. Under usual household situations, not more than hundreds of liters inflow per hour, and
probably not more than tens of liters per hour. This amount of graywater can be absorbed easily by each of the two wetland
units.
A schematic vertical cross section of an exemplary constructed wetland unit 10 according to one embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Granular material is filled in a container having closed side walls 4 and 5, a
perforated bottom surface 7, and an open top 8, to allow the growing plants 2 to extend thereabove.
Constructed wetland unit 10 comprises the following layers from top to bottom: (i) an upper layer 11 having a thickness of
15 cm and spaced 10 cm from top 8, comprising a mixture of peat, sand and soil, (ii) a crude tuff layer 13 having a
thickness of 5 cm, the tuff having an average grain size of 5 cm; (iii) a fine tuff layer 15 having a thickness of 5 cm, the tuff
having an average grain size of 4-8 mm; (iv) a tuff layer 17 having a thickness of 20 cm, the tuff having an average grain
size of 1-2 cm; and (v) a crude tuff layer 19 having a thickness of 5 cm, the tuff having an average grain size of 5 cm. The
total thickness of the granular material is 50 cm. The applicant has discovered empirically that this layer arrangement
provides improved hydrodynamic capabilities. For example, fine tuff layer 15 provides improved filtering characteristics.
While prior art constructed wetlands receive graywater into the root zone by means of perforated pipes and suffer a high
risk of system inoperability over extended periods as a result of the elongation of the roots and the blockage of the
perforations by the elongated roots, constructed wetland unit 10 of the present invention is provided with a pipe 24 through
which the raw graywater flows that is placed on top of, and preferably in abutting relation with, upper layer 11, to ensure
discharge onto the wetland, as raw graywater is discharged from the house.
A system 30 for recycling graywater according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. System
30 comprises two wetland units W1 and W2 in the form of plastic containers, e.g. cube or box shaped, sunk in the garden
at the ground level and filled with granular substrates to hold hygrophilous plants, and a sink S, which may be a container
covered by plastic mosquito netting, placed under the wetland units. Each wetland unit may be comprised of a hard
polypropylene cube or rectangular shaped vessel, e.g. having an edge of 0.7-1 m, with an open top. Alternatively, the
bottom B of the wetland units may be provided with one or more outlets O, the outlets possibly having the shape of large
funnels. The bottom B may be perforated, e.g. with hundreds of perforations. The one or more outlets O may be connected
to any suitable means by which the purified graywater is delivered to sink S, such as pipes, pipe connectors, tubing,
funnels, and outlets.
Raw graywater GW from house H is delivered from port 32 to feed line 34, through which the graywater flows to one of the
wetland units W1 and W2, as will be described hereinafter. A conduit for receiving the graywater may extend from each
graywater source to port 32, such as by means of a conduit network. A typical graywater source is a drain, such as a
bathtub or shower drain, a laundry machine drain or a kitchen sink drain, so as to considerably increase the amount of
graywater that is available for recycling. After the raw graywater is introduced to a selected wetland unit and seeps through
its substrates while undergoing nitrification and biodegradation, and then aeration while falling through the open space
between the selected wetland unit and sink S, the purified graywater is collected in sink S. A constantly operating pump P1
delivers the purified graywater via recirculation line 37 from sink S to the selected wetland unit to further purify the
graywater. The graywater becomes increasingly purified with each passage through the substrate of the selected wetland.
By continuously recirculating the purified graywater vertically through the wetland, a high graywater purification level can be
achieved with a wetland unit having a relatively small surface area.
A recirculation ultraviolet-type (UV) disinfection unit 35 for further treating the purified graywater by means of UV-irradiation,
thereby preventing the formation of unpleasant odors and eliminating or drastically reducing the number of pathogenic
organisms, may be operatively associated with line 37 between sink S and pump P1.
System 30 advantageously provides means for regenerating a wetland unit. While prior art vertical flow constructed
wetland units cease to be functional after a relatively short period of time due to the generation of slime and sludge, the
constructed wetland units of the present invention are able to function for long periods of time and to help in dramatically
reducing the household water consumption.
A wetland unit is regenerated by being maintained in an inactive state for a predetermined period of time, whereby influx of
raw graywater and recirculated purified graywater thereto is prevented. Thus the slime and sludge will dry and be
eliminated by processes within the wetland, while the wetland unit is in an inactive state, so that the inactive wetland unit
will be able to purify raw graywater upon resumption to an active state after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
This predetermined period of time is not necessarily absolute, and the required period of time that leads to the regeneration
of a wetland unit is dependent on various factors, including ambient temperature, relative humidity of the surrounding air,
and number of hours during the daytime that the wetland units are exposed to direct sunlight. The applicant has concluded
empirically for an arid region of Israel that the predetermined period of time is a week during the hot and sunny summer
months and two weeks during a rainy period.
One means for regenerating a wetland unit comprises a plurality of valves V1, V2, R1, and R2, for controlling the flow of
raw graywater and recirculating purified graywater to wetland unit W1 or W2. The valves associated with a given wetland
unit are set in a closed state for the predetermined period of time, to ensure that the wetland unit will remain in the inactive
state and be regenerated.
Valves V1 and V2 are operatively associated with feed line 34 so that when valve V1, which may be operatively associated
with line 38 branching from feed line 34 and extending to wetland unit W1, is in an opened state and valve V2, which may
be operatively associated with line 39 branching from feed line 34 and extending to wetland unit W2, is in a closed state,
the raw graywater will flow from port 32 to wetland unit W1, and when valve V2, is in an opened state and valve V1 is in a
closed state, the raw graywater will flow from port 32 to wetland unit W2. Valves R1 and R2 are operatively associated with
recirculation line 37 so that when valve R1, which may be operatively associated with line 41 branching from recirculation
line 37 and extending to wetland unit W1, is in an opened state and valve R2, which may be operatively associated with
line 42 branching from recirculation line 37 and extending to wetland unit W2, is in a closed state, the purified graywater will
flow from sink S to wetland unit W1, and when valve R2, is in an opened state and valve R1 is in a closed state, the purified
graywater will flow from sink S to wetland unit W2.
Valves V1, V2, R1, and R2 may be manually actuated, or alternatively, may be electrically actuated such as by means of a
controller. When electrically actuated, valves V1, V2, R1, and R2 may be electrically connected in such a way that when
valves V1 and R1 open, valves V2, and R2 close, and vice versa. The controller may be programmed to initiate a switching
operation of a valve from an opened state to a closed state, or from a closed state to an opened state, after the
predetermined period of time has elapsed.
It will be appreciated that any other number or configuration of valves for controlling the flow of graywater is suitable.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when three wetland units W1, W2 and W3 are employed, three control valves C1, C2 and
C3, respectively, operatively associated with feed line 34 and three control valves F1, F2 and F3, respectively, operatively
associated with recirculation line 37 may be employed to control the flow of graywater to the wetland units. Controller 45 is
in communication with each of the three pairs of control valves such that the line valve and the recirculation valve of each
pair is set at the same state, i.e. whether opened or closed. Other duty cycles are also in the scope of the present
invention. For example, a control valve may be set at an intermediate state, i.e. not opened or not closed, in order to
regulate the flow of graywater admitted to a corresponding wetland unit.
Controller 45 monitors the inactivity duration of each wetland unit, and commands to open the corresponding control valves
after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Controller 45 may also monitor the activity duration of each wetland
unit since an empirically determined maximum duration of being active is indicative of the inability of a wetland unit to purify
graywater. In order to optimize the amount of graywater to be recycled, controller 45 may govern the duty cycle of the
control valves such that two of the wetland units will always be in the active state and one will be in the inactive state. Thus
controller 45 determines which wetland unit has to be set to an inactive state and which wetland units have to be set to an
active state at any given period, and commands the corresponding valves to be actuated accordingly.
In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, controller 45 has set valves C1 and F1 associated with wetland unit W1 and valves C2
and F2 associated with wetland unit W2 to the opened state, and has set valves C3 and F3 associated with wetland unit
W3 to the closed state. After predetermined period of time T will elapse, valves C2 and F2 will be set to the closed state
and valves C3 and F3 will be set to the opened state. After an additional predetermined period of time T will elapse, valves
C2 and F2 will be set to the opened state and valves C1 and F1 will be set to the closed state.
It will be appreciated that any other duty cycle can be employed, such as one wherein the valves associated with one
wetland unit are not switched from one state to another as soon as the state of the valves associated with another wetland
unit are switched.
Referring back to FIG. 2, system 30 may perform water level control, for discharging purified graywater to a garden I when
the height of purified graywater in sink S is greater than a predetermined threshold. Level sensors L1, L2 and L3 in
communication with controller 45 are mounted on sink S and are adapted to sense the height of the purified graywater
within the sink. When the height of purified graywater within sink S rises to L3, controller 45 commands irrigation pump P2
to be activated, so that the purified graywater will be discharged to garden I via line 33, in addition to being recirculated by
means of pump P1 via line 37. When the purified graywater height drops to L2, controller 45 commands irrigation pump P2
to be deactivated. It will be appreciated that purified graywater can be manually discharged from the sink to the garden,
such as by a spray nozzle and a hose, without use of the water level control.
Recirculation pumps P1 and P4, preferably have a low power consumption, so that system 30, in addition to providing
significant water savings relative to a prior art system also advantageously reduces electrical power consumption. For
example, pumps may be a modified 38 W aquarium filter type pump. The power consumption may be further reduced if the
pumps are also powered by photovoltaic cells. Pumps P2 and P3 are high pressure power pumps, but consume only a little
electrical power, as they operate for only a short period of time.
The water-loving plants fill the granular substrate in the wetland units with their roots, and so provide a rich medium for
myriads of microorganisms that grow on them, all the organisms together then decompose components of graywater and
remove contaminants. Thus recycled water can be used for irrigation purposes, while reducing water consumption without
any negative repercussions to the environment.
Irrigation water may therefore be provided for maintaining greenery around the house even in areas or during periods of
strict water saving regimen. The invention contributes to a high standard of residence planning. The invention, thus,
contributes to fresh water conservation and to a reduction in the volume of discharged sewage, and importantly it helps to
maintain high aesthetic standards in residence planning. In contrast to known graywater processing methods, the method
of the invention does not rely on toxic or dangerous chemicals or materials, and it does not adversely affect the surrounding
environment itself or utilize means that would adversely affect the environment. Beside the environmental aspects, the
reuse of graywater leads to significant water-bill savings to the family, especially to a family with many children, or to other
family members. When the system and method of the present invention are employed, up to 95% of the water that is
consumed can be reused, thereby significantly decreasing water bills and saving large amounts of fresh water.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the purified graywater is used for flushing toilets, thereby
considerably reducing consumption of potable water which would be consumed if the graywater would not have been
recycled for such purposes.
System 50 comprises all of the components described hereinabove with respect to system 30 of FIG. 2, and in addition
comprises a supplementary wetland unit W4, which may be considerably smaller, e.g. one-tenth the size of wetland units
W1 and W2. The purified graywater is delivered to sink S4 of supplementary wetland unit W4 via line 52, which branches
from recirculation line 37 and downstream to pump P1. Line 52 is connected to a mechanical float valve 61, which floats on
the upper surface of the graywater 69 in supplementary sink S4, and allows for continuous filling of sink S4 without
graywater spilling over and out of sink S4. Purified graywater is delivered by means of pump P3 from supplementary sink
S4 to tank 59 of lavatory L via line 54 as needed. Graywater 69 is additionally purified by repeated passage through
supplementary wetland unit W4. Recirculation pump P4 continuously delivers purified graywater to supplementary wetland
unit W4 via line 56 from sink S4. A pressure sensor valve PS is installed within line 54 and is in communication with pump
P3. Pump P3 is therefore activated by means of water pressure control when lavatory L is flushed and is deactivated when
tank 59 of lavatory L is refilled after flushing. Tank 59 may be a conventional lavatory tank provided with a mechanical float
valve.
In an important aspect of the invention, the entire garden I itself may act as one or more wetland units for additionally
purifying the irrigation graywater. This is achieved by use of isolated additional wetland units comprised of the garden itself,
to prevent ecological damage resulting from the use of graywater. Other advantages of employing isolated wetland units
include improved purification capabilities, increased irrigation efficiency, as no water is lost to areas outside the garden,
and compliance with local or state regulations regarding graywater usage.
It will be appreciated however, that the invention can be employed to irrigate a regular non-isolated garden as well.
Of course, when taking into consideration an estimated or known amount of household water consumption of a certain
family, the system for graywater handling in that house may be planned in better detail. Furthermore, when planning a
group of new houses, dedicated precise and inexpensive components may be integrated in the house. The location of the
wetland units and of an isolated area of the garden according to the invention are advantageously planned prior to building
the house and planting the garden. The wetland units may be constructed with concrete, with stable plastics, or with
specialized plastic insulation sheets. Since the entire garden may be isolated, according to the construction conditions,
from the surrounding terrain, the total garden area and volume capable of being additional wetland units, may be known
and incorporated into the global water planning calculations.
The method and system for reclamation and purification of household graywater of the invention responds to the main
demands of contemporary technologies, namely demands for reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and environmental safety,
as well as regulatory authority demands and requirements. The present system enables reuse of household wastewater,
substantially reducing fresh water consumption, while complying with health and environment safety requirements, and
while increasing standard of living including aesthetic standards of house and garden planning.
The present system can be simply and inexpensively provided on a mass scale to family houses, essentially without laying
further burden on complex production or energy consumption. The present system can be easily combined with other
green technologies and techniques. The system, while avoiding the use of harmful or risky materials, may increase its
efficacy by employing other purification means; for example, the UV radiation of sunlight may be employed for treating the
graywater, such as prior to being introduced to the granular substrate of a selected wetland unit, wherein the irradiating
process may be assisted by a suitable shaping of a flow damper. Solar energy can be further harnessed for driving the
pumps, UV disinfection unit, or control valves, using photovoltaic cells. Water losses in the system, due to evaporation from
wetland plants, can be lowered by covering parts of the wetland or garden with greenhouse foils, in order to collect and
reuse water evaporated from wetland plants via condensation. The family house and garden, when provided with the
present system, become a comfortable and aesthetic living unit, as autonomous and as economic as possible, without
burdening the environment.
The invention will be further described and illustrated in the following example.
Example
A family house in the Judean desert (central Israel) was provided with the system for graywater reclamation and purification
according to the invention. Four cubic rigid plastic vessels of about 600 liters each and without a lid served as two wetland
units and as a sink. Two connected vessels serving as a sink were placed in the garden about three meters below the level
of the family house; the opened upper face of the cubic vessels were covered by a plastic mosquito net. The sink was
provided with an outlet for a pipe through which recirculating water was pumped from its bottom, and an additional outlet for
a pipe through which water was pumped to irrigate garden.
The third vessel, serving as the first wetland unit, was placed on top of one of the sink vessels. The bottom of the third
vessel was perforated by hundreds of holes, each of which having a diameter of about 1 cm, enabling water to drip into the
sink through the net. The fourth vessel, serving as the second wetland unit, was placed on top of the second sink vessel.
The bottom of the fourth vessel was also perforated by hundreds of holes of about one centimeter in diameter, enabling
water to drip into the sink through the net. The upper parts of both wetland units were situated slightly lower than the
ground level of the garden. Both wetland vessels were filled first with a layer of about 5 cm of crude tuff (average size about
5 cm), then with about 20 cm-layer of finer tuff (size 1-2 cm), followed by a 5-cm layer of fine tuff (grain size of about 4-8
mm), and again with a crude tuff layer of about 5 cm. The upper layer, about 15 cm, was formed by a fine mixture of peat,
sand and soil. The substrate had the total volume of about 500 liters in each wetland vessel. Common reed was planted in
the substrate of both wetlands. Water from the kitchen sinks, washing machine, dish washing machine, and from the
bathroom showers, bathtubs and sinks was delivered from the house via a graywater feed line to the surface of the first
wetland unit, through which it seeped down to the bottom and was collected in the sink. The second wetland unit was
isolated from the feed line. The purified graywater was recirculated to the first wetland unit by means of a continuously
operating pump via a recirculation line. The second wetland unit was isolated from the recirculation line. After a period of
one week during the summer months and two weeks during the winter months, the first wetland unit was isolated from the
feed and recirculation lines and the second wetland unit was connected to the two lines.
The recirculation pump continuously operated day and night, at a flowrate of about 120 liter/hr, even if no purified water
was consumed and no raw graywater was produced, so that the graywater was repeatedly recycled, being further purified.
Purified graywater discharged from the pump passed through a UV disinfection unit, Atmans 36 W U.V. lamp. A high
pressure power pump controlled by water-level controller drew purified graywater from the sink and downstream from the
pump to a garden, and then the purified graywater was distributed to trees, shrubs, bushes, flowers and lawns. Additional
purified graywater was delivered from the recirculation line to a supplementary wetland unit and supplementary sink, from
which it was discharged as needed to a toilet tank. The system has been working in a stable way for over one year in a
household of seven to nine people, providing all of the water required for flushing the toilets and for watering the garden of
about 250 m2.
While this invention has been described in terms of some specific examples, many modifications and variations are
possible. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be realized otherwise
than as specifically described.
Keywords in context
FAMILY_PN
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US8187461 B2 2012-05-29 [US8187461]
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US20110186507 A1 2011-08-04 [US20110186507]
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EP2361228 A1 2011-08-31 [EP2361228]
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WO2010/041246 A1 2010-04-15 [WO201041246]
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RU2011119275 A 2012-11-20 [RU2011119275]
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IL212155 B 2011-11-30 [IL-212155]
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IL212155 A 2011-06-30 [IL-212155]
(CN102227381)
CN102227381 A 2011-10-26 [CN102227381]
(IN2011KN01392)
IN1392/KOLNP/2011 A 2011-07-15 [IN2011KN01392]
(AU2009302033)
AU2009302033 A1 2010-04-15 [AU2009302033]
(IL-194661)
IL194661 A 2009-06-15 [IL-194661]
PN
(US8187461)
US8187461 B2 2012-05-29 [US8187461]
(US20110186507)
US20110186507 A1 2011-08-04 [US20110186507]
(EP2361228)
EP2361228 A1 2011-08-31 [EP2361228]
(WO201041246)
WO2010/041246 A1 2010-04-15 [WO201041246]
(RU2011119275)
RU2011119275 A 2012-11-20 [RU2011119275]
(IL-212155)
IL212155 B 2011-11-30 [IL-212155]
(IL-212155)
IL212155 A 2011-06-30 [IL-212155]
(CN102227381)
CN102227381 A 2011-10-26 [CN102227381]
(IN2011KN01392)
IN1392/KOLNP/2011 A 2011-07-15 [IN2011KN01392]
(AU2009302033)
AU2009302033 A1 2010-04-15 [AU2009302033]
(IL-194661)
IL194661 A 2009-06-15 [IL-194661]
Technology domains
Environmental technology
C02F-001/00/1; C02F-001/00/6; C02F-001/32; C02F-003/32/7; C02F-2103/002; C02F-2201/009; C02F-2209/005; C02F-
2209/03; C02F-2209/42; C02F-2209/44; C02F-2301/043; C02F-2303/16; Y02A-020/212; Y02W-010/10; Y02W-010/37
IPC - International classification
C02F; C02F-001/32; C02F-003/32
PCLO=210602000; PCLX=210143000; PCLX=210170010; PCLX=210196000; PCLX=210259000; PCLX=210748110
ECLA - European classification
C02F-003/32B; M02F-001/00D; M02F-001/00R; M02F-001/32; M02F-103/00C; M02F-201/00P; M02F-209/00T; M02F-
209/03; M02F-209/42; M02F-209/44; M02F-301/04B; M02F-303/16
Citing patents - Standardized publication number
US20110011802
FR2989368
WO201313689
EP2736853
CN103708671
CN105971319
CN106396104;CN106396104B
Citing patents - Raw information
(US8187461)
US20110011802 44308792 WHO=EXAMINER SELF=N
FR2989368 46185730 WHO=EXAMINER SELF=N CAT=A
(WO201041246)
WO201313689 44691131 WHO=EXAMINER SELF=N CAT=Y
EP2736853 44691131 WHO=EXAMINER SELF=N CAT=Y
(CN102227381)
CN103708671 65084963 WHO=EXAMINER SELF=N CAT=A
Cited patents - Standardized publication number
US3770623
US4333837
US5897777
US5106493
US5897777
US4333837
US20080175668
US3770623
US5733453
US20030024874;US6652743
US20090255862;US8021551
US3770623
US4333837
US5106493
US5897777
US20080175668
Cited patents - Raw information
(EP2361228)
International Search Report [Examiner]
-US3770623 (A) (Cat. A) [US3770623] SEIDEL K
-US4333837 (A) (Cat. A) [US4333837] PLOSZ SANDOR, et al
-US5897777 (A) (Cat. A) [US5897777] ZOELLER KENNETH E, et al
(US8187461)
Pre-Search [Examiner]
-US5106493 (A) [US5106493] MCINTOSH TODD
-US5897777 (A) [US5897777] ZOELLER KENNETH E, et al
-US4333837 (A) [US4333837] PLOSZ SANDOR, et al
-US2008175668 (A1) [US20080175668] HAESE LARRY WAYNE
-US3770623 (A) [US3770623] SEIDEL K
Search Report [Examiner]
-US5733453 (A) [US5733453] DEBUSK THOMAS A
-US6652743 (B2) [US6652743] WALLACE SCOTT D, et al
-US8021551 (B2) [US8021551] HARRISON MARK
Applicant citations
-US3770623 (A) [US3770623] SEIDEL K
-US4333837 (A) [US4333837] PLOSZ SANDOR, et al
-US5106493 (A) [US5106493] MCINTOSH TODD
-US5897777 (A) [US5897777] ZOELLER KENNETH E, et al
-US2008175668 (A1) [US20080175668] HAESE LARRY WAYNE
(WO201041246)
-US3770623 (A) (Cat. A) [US3770623] SEIDEL K
-US4333837 (A) (Cat. A) [US4333837] PLOSZ SANDOR, et al
-US5897777 (A) (Cat. A) [US5897777] ZOELLER KENNETH E, et al
Cited non-patent literature
(EP2361228)
Search Report references [Examiner]
-See references of WO 2010041246A1
(US8187461)
Applicant references
-Anonymous. "Design Report, Greywater Treatment Plants, Hamman and Apartment House, Attaouia, Morroco,"
Sustainable Concepts Towards a Zero Overflow Municipality, Jul. 2007, [Online] Retrieved from the Internet:
URL:http://www.zer0-m.org/pilots-m.htm> [retrieved on Jan. 29, 2010, the whole document].
-Gross et al. "Removal of chemical and microbiological contaminants From domestic greywater using a recycled vertical
flow bioreactor (RVFB)," Ecological Engineering, vol. 31, No. 2, Aug. 24, 2007, pp. 107-147.
-Gross et al. "Recycled vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW)-a novel method of recycling greywater for irrigation in
small communities and households," Chemosphere, Vo. 66, No. 5, Nov. 25, 2006, pp. 916-923, Pergamon Press, Oxford,
GB.
-Platzer, C. Mauch, K. "Soil clogging in vertical flow reed beds-mechanisms, parameters, consequences and . . .
solutions?" Water Science and Technology, vol. 35, No. 5, 1997, pp. 175-181.
-Rogers, P.; "Facing the Freshwater Crisis;" Scientific American, Aug. 2008, vol. 299, pp. 28-35.
-Amit Gross, et al.; "Greywater Treatment and Reclamation for Garden Irrigation by a Recycled Vertical Flow Constructed
Wetland;" Water and Irrigation, Aug. 2003, No. 442, pp. 14-21 (in Hebrew with English translation).
(WO201041246)
-GROSS ET AL: "Removal of chemical and microbiological contaminants from domestic greywater using a recycled vertical
flow bioreactor (RVFB)", ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING, vol. 31, no. 2, 24 August 2007 (2007-08-24), ELSEVIER, pages
107 - 114, XP022210677, ISSN: 0925-8574CC=XP; XP022210677 (Cat. X)
-GROSS ET AL: "Recycled vertical flow constructed wetland (RVFCW)-a novel method of recycling greywater for irrigation
in small communities and households", CHEMOSPHERE, vol. 66, no. 5, 25 November 2006 (2006-11-25), PERGAMON
PRESS, OXFORD, GB, pages 916 - 923, XP005730220, ISSN: 0045-6535CC=XP; XP005730220 (Cat. X)
-PLATZER C., MAUCH K.: "Soil clogging in vertical flow reed beds - mechanisms, parameters, consequences and...
solutions?", WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, vol. 35, no. 5, 1997, pages 175 - 181, XP002566138CC=XP;
XP002566138 (Cat. A)
-ANONYMOUS: "DESIGN REPORT. Greywater treatment plants Hammam and apartment house, Attaouia, Morocco",
ZER0-M: SUSTAINABLE CONCEPTS TOWARDS A ZERO OUTFLOW MUNICIPALITY, July 2007 (2007-07-01),
XP002566139, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.zer0-m.org/pilots_m.htm> [retrieved on 20100129]CC=XP;
XP002566139 (Cat. A)
Family legal status
PENDING
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(EP2361228A1)
LAPSED
(US8187461B2)
LAPSED
(WO201041246A1)
LAPSED
(RU2011119275A)
LAPSED
(IL-212155B)
LAPSED
(CN102227381A)
LAPSED
(IN2011KN01392A)
PENDING
(AU2009302033A1)
LAPSED
(IL-194661A)
LAPSED
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ALIVE
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(IL-212155B)
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LEGAL DETAILS FOR EP2361228
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Legal state=DEAD
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Event publication date=2009-10-11

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Standardized application number=2009EP-0760617

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USPTO Examiner Name
Primary Examiner: PRINCE JR, FREDDIE GARY

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Business Entity Status: SMALL

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Publication country=US
Publication number=US08187461
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Standardized publication number=US8187461

Event code=US/354
Event indicator=Pos
Event type=Extension of term of duration of protection
Patent term extended under 35 U.S.C 154(b) until/for
Delays (A,B,C): 0 Overlap Delays: 0 Non Overlap Delays: 0
PTO Office Delays: 0 Applicant Delays: 0 Adjustment total:
Number of days of extension=0

Event code=US/NMFP
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PAYMENT NOTICE YEAR:
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Annual fees payment date=2015-11-19

Event code=US/NMFP
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PAYMENT NOTICE YEAR:

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Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed

Event code=US/EXP
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(WO201041246)
LEGAL DETAILS FOR WO2010/041246
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Standardized application number=2009WO-IL00955

Event code=WO/A1
Published application with search report
Publication country=WO
Publication number=WO2010041246
Standardized publication number=WO201041246

Event code=WO/DPE1
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20040101)

Event code=WO/EETL
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LEGAL DETAILS FOR DESIGNATED STATE AU2009302033
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Wipo information: entry into national phase
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Publication number in the designated or member state=EP2361228

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EP: The EPO has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
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LEGAL DETAILS FOR DESIGNATED STATE IL212155
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Publication number in the designated or member state=IL-212155

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LEGAL DETAILS FOR DESIGNATED STATE IN1392/KOLNP/2011
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Application of patent for invention

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Pending application likely abandoned
Designated states
(EP2361228)
Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL
PT RO SE SI SK SM TR
(WO201041246)
National States: AE AG AL AM AO AT AU AZ BA BB BG BH BR BW BY BZ CA CH CL CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DO
DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM GT HN HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KM KN KP KR KZ LA LC LK LR LS LT LU
LY MA MD ME MG MK MN MW MX MY MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PE PG PH PL PT RO RS RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM
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SK SM TR
OAPI: BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG
Earliest priority country
IL
Assignee country
(EP2361228)
IL
(WO201041246)
IL
(IN2011KN01392)
IL
(IL-212155)
IL
Assignee address
(EP2361228)
NAME=Ernest, Moshe Elazar 58 Herzl Boulevard , CITY=96141 Jerusalem , COUNTRY=IL
(WO201041246)
NAME=ERNEST, Moshe Elazar 58 Herzl Boulevard, 96141 Jerusalem , COUNTRY=IL
(IN2011KN01392)
NAME=ERNEST MOSHE ELAZAR 58 HERZL BOULEVARD, 96141, JERUSALEM , COUNTRY=IL
(IL-212155)
NAME=MOSHE ELAZAR ERNEST 58 HERZL BOULEVARD JERUSALEM
96141 , COUNTRY=IL
Representative country
(EP2361228)
GB
Representative address
(EP2361228)
NAME=Murgitroyd, George Edward ; Murgitroyd & Company Scotland House 165-169 Scotland Street , CITY=Glasgow
G5 8PL , COUNTRY=GB
Inventor country
(US20110186507)
IL
(US8187461)
IL
Inventor address
(US20110186507)
NAME=Ernest Moshe Elazar , CITY=Jerusalem , COUNTRY=IL
(US8187461)
NAME=Ernest Moshe Elazar , CITY=Jerusalem , COUNTRY=IL
All cited patents
8
All citing patents
6
Independent claims
(US20110186507)
2
(US8187461)
2
(IL-212155)
3
(CN102227381)
2
(IN2011KN01392)
2
(WO201041246)
2
Dependent claims - Count
(US20110186507)
14
(US8187461)
14
(IL-212155)
14
(CN102227381)
17
(IN2011KN01392)
14
(WO201041246)
17
Assignees - Count
1
Months between old and youngest family filing dates - Count
30
Words in document - Count
(US20110186507)
7300
(US8187461)
7339
(IL-212155)
7195
(CN102227381)
7842
(IN2011KN01392)
7221
(WO201041246)
7139
Technical terms extracted from abstract - Count
(US20110186507)
17
(US8187461)
17
(IL-212155)
1
(CN102227381)
19
(IN2011KN01392)
16
(WO201041246)
0
Words in description - Count
(US20110186507)
6046
(US8187461)
6085
(IL-212155)
6131
(CN102227381)
6676
(IN2011KN01392)
5717
(WO201041246)
6216
Countries/authorities - Count
8
Number of figures
(US20110186507)
3
(US8187461)
3
(IL-212155)
4
(CN102227381)
4
(IN2011KN01392)
4
(WO201041246)
4
Number of priorities
3
Number of patents
9
WO parent publication number
(EP2361228)
WO2010/041246
(US8187461)
WO2010/041246
(RU2011119275)
WO2010/041246
(AU2009302033)
WO2010/041246
(IN2011KN01392)
WO2010/041246
(IL-212155)
WO2010/041246
(CN102227381)
WO2010/041246
Notes
(US20110186507)
Number of Drawings: NDR=4
Number of Figures: NFG=4
Number of Claims: NCL=16
Number of Independent Claims: NICL=2
Exemplary Claim Number: ECL=1
Independent Claim Number: ICL=1,11
(US8187461)
Number of Drawings: NDR=4
Number of Figures: NFG=4

Number of Independent Claims: NICL=2
Exemplary Claim Number: ECL=1,11
Independent Claim Number: ICL=1,11
Primary examiner: Prince Fred
Art Unit.: ART=1778
(WO201041246)
Extended kind: cx
(IN2011KN01392)
(IL-212155)
(CN102227381)
Number of Pages: PAGE=16
Gazette number: 27-43
Gazette date: 2011-10-26

Filing details
(US8187461)
Previous publication: US20110186507 A1 2011-08-04 [US20110186507]
Filing language
ENGLISH (ENG)

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