Denitrification of septic tank effluent
US5318699A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S210/903
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Water draining from a septic tank contains ammonium, which traditionally is oxidized to nitrate in an aerobic soakaway. When the effluent enters the groundwater, the resulting nitrate concentration can be troublesome. A body of organic carbon, e.g. wood chppings, is provided, and the nitrate-laden effluent is passed through the carbon. The carbon is placed in the ground so as to be anaerobic: for example, the carbon may be placed below the water table; or the carbon may be mixed into a layer of fine silt, which is maintained in a state of tension-saturation by the effluent. Under anaerobic conditions, the nitrate is reduced by micro-biological action. The carbon is located such that the effluent naturally flows through the carbon, no pumps etc being required. The carbon may be located directly below the soakaway, or the carbon may be in a trench positioned to the side if the groundwater has a lateral component of flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.