Apparatus and method for increasing hydraulic capacity of a gravity sewer

Abstract

A method for increasing hydraulic capacity of a gravity sewer system includes installing a receiving structure within or proximate to at least a portion of the gravity sewer system. The receiving structure has at least one fluid inlet opening, at least one liquid outlet opening, and at least one gas outlet opening. The method further includes evacuating at least some of any gas within the receiving structure through the at least one gas outlet opening to create a vacuum within the receiving structure, receiving a flow of at least liquid through the at least one fluid inlet opening of the receiving structure and into the receiving structure, and discharging at least some of the liquid from the receiving structure through the at least one liquid outlet opening of the receiving structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for increasing hydraulic capacity of a gravity sewer system, the method comprising:
 installing a receiving structure within or proximate to at least a portion of the gravity sewer system, the receiving structure having at least one fluid inlet opening, at least one liquid outlet opening, and at least one gas outlet opening;   evacuating at least some of any gas within the receiving structure through the at least one gas outlet opening to create a vacuum within the receiving structure;   receiving a flow of at least liquid through the at least one fluid inlet opening of the receiving structure and into the receiving structure; and   discharging at least some of the liquid from the receiving structure through the at least one liquid outlet opening of the receiving structure.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for increasing hydraulic capacity of a gravity sewer system, the apparatus comprising:
 a receiving structure operatively connected to the gravity sewer system, the receiving structure including:
 at least one fluid inlet opening operatively connected to an upstream section of the gravity sewer system; 
 at least one liquid outlet opening operatively connected to a downstream section of the gravity sewer system; and 
 at least one gas outlet opening; 
   at least one vacuum device operatively connected to the at least one gas outlet opening of the receiving structure; and   with no liquid evacuation device operatively connected to the at least one liquid outlet opening.