[0001] The invention relates to a method for blocking drainage of waste water comprising
a specific concentration of dissolved material. Furthermore, the invention relates
to a device and the use of a floater, in particular to perform the method according
to the invention.
[0002] Waste water contains several different substances which can cause dangerous conditions
at least when a specific concentration of at least one of these different substances
is reached or exceeded. One of these substances can be urea. Thus, drainage of waste
water which comprises a critical, specific concentration of a specific substance such
as urea, into the usual waste water drainage system has to be prevented. Waste water
could be rainwater also. Especially in cases that rainwater is running off hard surfaces
like streets, roofs etc., the rainwater is very often contaminated and therefore waste
water.
[0003] Use of floater for providing a temporary blockage of fluid paths is known. E.g. fluid
paths can be unblocked by the floater which starts to float as soon as a certain volume
of fluid is collected, thereby allowing a fluid path to become unblocked. Thus, bad
odors being returned from a drain can be avoided for example.
[0004] However, such use of a floater usually depends on the volume of fluid collected inside
a housing or the like, but is independent from ingredients or substances comprised
by the collected fluid volume.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a method for blocking drainage of waste
water comprising a specific concentration of Adblue, whereby the method allows to
be easily applied and conductable in a cost-efficient manner. Further, it is an object
of the invention to provide a device and the use of a floater for blocking drainage
of waste water.
[0006] According to the present invention a method for blocking drainage of waste water
comprising a specific concentration of dissolved material is provided, whereby the
method comprises the following steps:
- supplying waste water into a housing through an inlet;
- collecting the waste water within the housing; and
- draining the waste water from the housing through a first outlet, in particular when
at least a minimum volume of waste water (2) is collected or exceeded;
whereby drainage of waste water through the first outlet is automatically blocked
when the waste water collected inside the housing reaches / comprises the specific
concentration of dissolved material, and in particular when a minimum volume of waste
water is collected within the housing.
[0007] The invention is based on the idea to provide an automatically, self-acting mechanism
which is capable of preventing drainage or discharge of fluid which comprises a critical
concentration of dissolved material such as urea. Thus, a floater is utilized which
is configured to react to the concentration of dissolved material, preferably to the
concentration of urea.
[0008] Drainage of waste water through the first outlet can be provided when a minimum amount
of waste water collected in the housing is reached or exceeded. Thus, at least a minimum
volume of waste water is collected and stored within the housing before a drainage
or a block of the drainage of the waste water can occur.
[0009] According to one embodiment, the specific concentration of dissolved material, causes
the waste water to be heavier or lighter than water.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dissolved material is urea,
glycol, alcohol and/or salt.
[0011] Preferably, the term dissolved material can specifically be referred to urea in the
sense of the present invention. Thus, in particular a specific concentration of urea
can be relevant with regard to an automatical blockage of waste water drainage according
to the method of the present invention.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the floater begins to float at the specific
concentration of dissolved material such that the first outlet can be blocked.
[0013] Thus, the floater is configured to provide a reaction to a change of, namely an increase
of, the concentration of dissolved material. Consequently, a concentration of dissolved
material reaching and/or exceeding the predeterminable specific concentration of dissolved
material causes the floater to float and to block the first outlet such that waste
water comprising at least the specific concentration of dissolved material, in particular
of urea, cannot be drained through the first outlet anymore.
[0014] The predeterminable, specific concentration of dissolved material can thus be considered
as a concentration limit in the context of the present invention. In particular, this
concentration limit of dissolved material in terms of the specific concentration is
decisive for the drainage of waste water through the first, usual outlet. It can be
avoided that waste water being polluted / contaminated with a critical concentration
of dissolved material, such as urea or the like, is drained / discharged along the
first outlet, preferably representing a usually used drainage system in the sense
of the present invention.
[0015] In another embodiment, the specific concentration of dissolved material, in particular
of urea, is set to less than 50 %, preferably to 30 %, more preferably to 25%, more
preferably to 20%, even more preferably to 10%.
[0016] Consequently, the floater can be configured to provide blockage of the first outlet
at an predeterminable specific concentration of dissolved material.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the floater performs a movement,
in particular a linear movement, to block the outlet such that waste water cannot
be drained through / along the first outlet.
[0017] Thus, the floater can move at least between a blocked state of the first outlet and
a release / free state in order to provide a blockage of drainage of waste water temporarily
and dependent on the concentration of dissolved material within the collected volume
of waste water.
[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the waste water is drained from the
housing through the first outlet when a minimum volume of waste water collected within
the housing is reached or exceeded and the concentration of dissolved material is
below the specific concentration.
[0019] In consequence, the first outlet is arranged such that at least a minimum volume
of waste water is collected and stored within the housing. In particular, this minimum
amount of waste water represents a certain fluid height within the housing. Preferably,
by arranging the first outlet at a certain height along the housing, the minimum volume
of waste water to be collected before any drainage of waste water can be achieved,
is predeterminable.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, the waste water is drained through a second
outlet when a maximum volume of waste water is collected and the first outlet is at
least partially blocked by the floater.
[0021] In particular, a second outlet can be arranged along the housing such that a maximum
volume of waste water collectable within the housing is predefined, preferably in
case of at least a partial blockage of the drainage through the first outlet.
[0022] Thus, in case the waste water comprises at least a specific concentration of dissolved
material and the first outlet is blocked for drainage consequently, the collected
volume of waste water can increase until a maximum volume of waste water is collected
within the housing. Drainage of the waste water, collected until a maximum volume
is reached and comprising at least the specific concentration of dissolved material,
can be drained through the second outlet.
[0023] The second outlet is provided as a special fluid path to provide a secure drainage
of the polluted / contaminated waste water. Thus, a secure removal of the waste water
comprising too much dissolved material is achieved.
[0024] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a device for blocking drainage waste
water comprising a specific concentration of dissolved material, whereby the device
comprises:
- a housing,
- an inlet such that waste water is introducible into the housing,
- an outlet such that waste water is drainable from the housing, in particular when
a minimum volume of waste water collected in the housing is collected or exceeded,
and
- a floater,
whereby the floater is configured to block the first outlet when the waste water collected
in the housing comprises / reaches the specific concentration of dissolved material.
[0025] Thus, the floater can be configured to react to the concentration of dissolved material
within the collected volume of waste water. Preferably, only if a minimum volume of
waste water is collected, the first outlet can be blocked by the floater.
[0026] According to another embodiment, the floater is arranged within a frame which is
provided in the housing, whereby the floater is replaceable together with the frame
as a floater assembly.
[0027] In consequence, the floater is exchangeable in an easy and comfortable manner. An
option for adjusting the floater to a predeterminable specific concentration of dissolved
material is provided.
[0028] Preferably, the floater can be provided in combination with a guidance means, e.g.
a cage, which is arranged within the frame as well. Thus, the floater is configured
to move along a predetermined path, provided by the guidance means, in order to block
the first outlet temporarily. Preferably, the guidance means can be provided as a
cage, in particular as at least three parallel, longitudinal beams, in order to guide
the floater along a linear movement direction.
[0029] In a further embodiment, the housing comprises a second outlet which is arranged
to provide drainage of waste water collected in the housing when the first outlet
is at least partially blocked by the floater.
[0030] By arrangement of the second outlet at a height along the housing which exceeds the
height of the first outlet, waste water comprising at least the specific concentration
of dissolved material can be drained when a maximum volume of waste water is collected
and the first outlet is at least partially blocked by the floater.
[0031] Another aspect of the invention refers to a use of the floater for blocking drainage
of waste water comprising a specific concentration of dissolved material, in particular
pursuant to the method according to present invention.
[0032] Preferably the floater can be used in the context of the device according to the
present invention.
[0033] In the following, the present invention is described in more detail with reference
to an embodiment as illustrated by the enclosed Figures.
[0034] It is shown:
- Fig. 1
- a perspective illustration of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2
- a section view of the device according to Fig. 1, when the first outlet is unblocked;
- Fig. 3
- a perspective section view of the device according to Fig. 1, when the first outlet
is blocked by a floater; and
- Fig. 4
- a detail view of the floater within a frame.
[0035] In Fig. 1 a preferred embodiment of the device 1 is illustrated comprising a housing
10.
[0036] Furthermore, the device 1 is provided with an inlet 20 and a first outlet 30 arranged
along the housing 10. Preferably, the inlet 20 is arranged at a higher height along
the housing 10 than the first outlet 30. Thus, fluid, in particular waste water, can
be collected within the housing 10 and drained through the first outlet 30 when a
minimum volume of fluid 2, reaching to a minimum height, is collected.
[0037] According to Fig. 1, the inlet 20 and the first outlet 30 are arranged at opposing
sides of the housing 10. However, it is also possible to arrange the inlet 20 and
the first outlet at the same side or adjacent sides of the housing 10.
[0038] In Fig. 2 a section view of the device 1 according to Fig. 1 is shown when the first
outlet 30 is unblocked.
[0039] According to Fig. 2, a minimum volume of waste water 2 is collected within the housing
10 such that drainage through the first outlet 30 can be provided, in particular drainage
of additional waste water 2 being collected.
[0040] Next to the inlet 20, a flow barrier 12 is arranged to provide a controlled inflow
of waste water 2 through the inlet 20 into the housing 10.
[0041] Further, the floater 40 is in a free state or release state according to Fig. 2 as
the minimum volume of collected waste water 2 comprises a concentration of dissolved
material which is lower than a predetermined specific concentration of dissolved material.
Thus, despite a minimum volume of waste water collected inside the housing 10, the
first outlet 30 is unblocked and the collected waste water 2 can be drained through
the first outlet 30.
[0042] Additionally, according to Fig. 2, the device 1 is provided with a second outlet
32. The second outlet 32 is positioned above the first outlet 30 and preferably above
the inlet 20. In case drainage of waste water along the first outlet 10 is blocked
by the floater 40, the drainage through the second outlet 32 can be provided. Thus,
waste water 2 comprising a concentration of e.g. urea, which is equal to or exceeding
the predefinable specific concentration, can be drained in a controlled manner along
the second outlet 32 whereas drainage along the usual first outlet 30 is prevented.
The second outlet can be considered as a special outlet for draining polluted / contaminated
waste water 2.
[0043] Furthermore, the floater 40 is arranged within a frame 50 according to Fig. 2. Thus,
the floater 40 is easily exchangeable, e.g. to be adaptable to a specific concentration
of dissolved material at which drainage of waste water along the first outlet 30 shall
be blocked blocked.
[0044] In Fig. 3 a perspective section view of the device 1 according to Fig. 1 is illustrated,
when the first outlet 30 is blocked by the floater 40. Namely, the floater 40 starts
to float when the specific concentration of dissolved material within the collected
waste water 2 inside the housing 10 is reached or exceeded.
[0045] In particular, the floater 40 provides a fluid tight closure of the first outlet
30 according to Fig. 3. Thus, drainage of waste water 2 along the first outlet 30
is blocked.
[0046] Consequently, according to Fig. 3 the waste water 2 will be collected until a maximum
volume is reached and the waste water 2 can be drained along the second outlet 32.
[0047] In Fig. 4 a detail view of the floater 40 within a frame 50 is shown, particularly
in accordance with Fig. 3.
[0048] The floater 40 is arranged within the frame 50. In particular, the floater 40 is
arranged in combination with a guidance means 42 within the frame 50, whereby the
guidance means 42 enables the floater 40 to be movable along a linear movement direction.
[0049] In particular, the guidance means 42 is provided with at least three, preferably
four, longitudinal beams in order to guide the floater 40 between a free / unblocked
/ release state and a floating / blocked state, whereby drainage of waste water along
the first outlet 30 is blocked. By providing the floater 40, in particular in combination
with the guidance means 42, within the frame 50, an easily adaptable solution for
different predeterminable specific concentrations of dissolved material within the
waste water 2 can be achieved.
[0050] In summary, the present invention provides a comfortable and adaptable solution to
prevent polluted / contaminated waste water 2, comprising a specific concentration
of dissolved material such as urea, to be drained along / through a first outlet 30
of a device 1, and thus along a usually used drainage system.
[0051] Consequently, drainage of contaminated waste water 2 can be avoided in a self-acting
and passive manner, dependent on the dissolved material concentration of the collected
waste water 2.
List of reference signs
[0052]
- 1
- Device
- 2
- Waste water
- 10
- Housing
- 12
- Flow barrier
- 20
- Inlet
- 30
- First outlet
- 32
- Second outlet
- 40
- Floater
- 42
- Guidance element
- 50
- Frame
1. Method for blocking drainage of waste water (2) comprising a specific concentration
of dissolved material, whereby the method comprises the following steps:
- supplying waste water into a housing (10) through an inlet (20);
- collecting the waste water (2) within the housing (10);
- draining the waste water (2) from the housing (10) through a first outlet (30),
in particular when at least a minimum volume of waste water (2) is collected,
whereby the drainage of waste water (2) through the first outlet (30) is automatically
blocked when the waste water (2) collected inside the housing (10) comprises the specific
concentration of dissolved material.
2. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the specific concentration of dissolved material, causes the waste water to be heavier
or lighter than water.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the dissolved material is urea, glycol, alcohol and/or salt.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the floater (40) begins to float at the specific concentration of dissolved material
such that the first outlet (30) can be blocked.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the specific concentration of dissolved material is set to less than 50 %, preferably
to 30 %, more preferably to 25%, more preferably to 20%, more preferably to 10%.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the floater (40) performs a movement, in particular a linear movement, to block the
outlet (30) such that waste water cannot be drained through the first outlet (30).
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the waste water (2) is drained from the housing (10) through the first outlet (30)
when a minimum volume of waste water (2) collected within the housing (10) is reached
and the concentration of dissolved material is below the specific concentration.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the waste water (2) is drained through a second outlet (32) when a maximum volume
of waste water (2) is collected and the first outlet (30) is at least partially blocked
by the floater (40).
9. Device (1) for blocking drainage waste water (2) comprising a specific concentration
of dissolved material, whereby the device (1) comprises:
- a housing (10),
- an inlet (20) such that waste water (2) is introducible into the housing (10),
- an outlet (30) such that waste water (2) is drainable from the housing (10), in
particular when at least a minimum volume of waste water (2) is collected or exceeded,and
- a floater (40),
whereby the floater (40) is configured to block the first outlet (30) when the waste
water (2) collected in the housing (10) reaches a minimum volume and comprises the
specific concentration of dissolved material.
10. Device (1) according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the floater (40) is arranged within a frame (50) which is provided in the housing
(10), whereby the floater (40) is replaceable together with the frame as a floater
assembly.
11. Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized in that
the housing (10) comprises a second outlet (32) which is arranged to provide drainage
of waste water (2) collected in the housing (10) when the first outlet (30) is at
least partially blocked by the floater (40).
12. Use of the floater (40), preferably in combination with a device (1) according to
one of the claims 9 to 11, for blocking drainage of waste water (2) comprising a specific
concentration of dissolved material, in particular pursuant to the method according
to one of the claims 1 to 8.