Decontamination method and apparatus for effluents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for decontamination of effluent, comprising connecting a first ejector to source of a first motive fluid, directing from the first ejector first motive fluid into piping connected to a source of effluent thus causing the effluent to stream in the piping and simultaneously causing the effluent to be heated, and controlling the directing of the first motive fluid in such a way that a predetermined thermal effect is achieved.

1 . An apparatus for decontamination of effluent, comprising
 a first inlet (A) configured to be connected to a source of a first motive fluid;   a second inlet (B) configured to be connected to a source of effluent;   an outlet (C) configured for discharging the effluent;   a first ejector ( 2 ) configured to direct first motive fluid from the first inlet (A) into piping connected to the second inlet (B) thus causing the effluent to stream from the second inlet (B) towards the outlet (C), and simultaneously causing the effluent to be heated.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a treatment tank ( 4 ) positioned between the second inlet (A) and the outlet (C) and configured to hold the effluent until a predetermined decontamination effect is achieved;   a second ejector ( 10 ) configured to cause emptying the treatment tank ( 4 ) by directing a second motive fluid into piping connecting the treatment tank ( 4 ) to the outlet (C).   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising
 a third ejector ( 12 ) configured to direct first motive fluid from the first inlet (A) into the stream of effluent downstream from the first ejector thus causing the effluent to be heated further. 
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the effluent to stream from the second inlet (B) only in the direction of the outlet (C) so that the effluent is inhibited from returning to the source of the effluent or to the second inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second motive fluid comprises at least one of steam, water, liquid, compressed air and gas. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a first valve ( 1 ) for regulating the supply of the first motive fluid and/or a second valve ( 7 ) for regulating the supply of the effluent. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises means ( 3 ) for measuring the temperature of the effluent being decontaminated. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of any of the  claims 2  to  7  further comprising means for heating the effluent in the treatment tank ( 4 ). 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first ejector ( 2 ) is configured to direct first motive fluid from the first inlet (A) into piping connected to the second inlet (B) thus causing the effluent to stream from the second inlet (B) towards the outlet (C), and simultaneously causing the effluent to be cooled. 
     
     
         10 . A method for decontamination of effluent, comprising
 connecting a first ejector ( 2 ) to source of a first motive fluid;   directing from the first ejector ( 2 ) first motive fluid into piping connected to a source of effluent thus causing the effluent to stream in the piping and simultaneously causing the effluent to be heated; and   controlling the directing of the first motive fluid in such a way that a predetermined thermal effect is achieved.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising holding the effluent in a treatment tank ( 4 ) for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature; and
 emptying the treatment tank ( 4 ) by injecting a second motive fluid into piping connecting the treatment tank ( 4 ) to the outlet. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  or  11  further comprising directing first motive fluid from a third ejector ( 12 ) into the stream of effluent downstream from the first ejector ( 2 ) thus causing the effluent to be heated further. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 ,  11  or  12  wherein directing the first motive fluid is done in such a way as to inhibit the effluent from returning to the source of the effluent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of any preceding claim further comprising measuring the temperature of the effluent being decontaminated. 
     
     
         15 . The method of any preceding claim further comprising leak testing, air removal, and/or evacuation prior to causing the effluent to flow in the piping. 
     
     
         16 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the directing comprises directing from the first ejector ( 2 ) first motive fluid into piping connected to a source of effluent thus causing the effluent to stream in the piping and simultaneously causing the effluent to be cooled.