Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the technical field of waste water treatment system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a smart system and a method for source separation of grey water.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Greywater is a wastewater from non-toilet plumbing systems such as wash basins, washing machines, showers and baths. It accounts for about 60-80% of urban household waste. The contamination characteristics and level of contaminations found to be very low as compared to the sewage water (Black water).
[0004] Further, existing systems generally tend to mix greywater with black water and then send it to Sewage Treatment Plant (SWP) for treatment. However, this may lead to higher volume of water being transported and treated for safe disposal of waste water, which may further contribute to higher carbon footprint of water per urban household.
[0005] Patent document US8920657B2 entitled, “Grey water dividing and treatment” describes a grey water dividing apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one input capable of receiving grey water from a drainage system. The apparatus comprises one or more cells coupled to the at least one input, the one or more cells being adapted to receive a portion of the received grey water based on a fixed amount of time or based on a fixed amount of grey water. Further, the apparatus comprises a processor that is configured to determine the fixed amount of time or the fixed amount of grey water. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a sensor unit, coupled to the one or more cells, to determine a contamination level of the grey water in each of the one or more cells. Moreover, the apparatus comprises at least one output, coupled to the one or more cells, the at least one output being adapted to provide the grey water received by the one or more cells to a grey water treatment system based on the determined contamination level of the grey water in each of the one or more cells.
[0006] However, the aforementioned document require a separate apparatus that include one or more cells to collect the grey water separately, after receiving each portion of the greywater from the drain system. Thus, the system described in the document require additional manufacturing cost for apparatus and is also space consuming. Further, the system cannot be configured directly at greywater producing sources.
[0007] There is, therefore, a need for a smart system and a method for source separation of greywater that is easy to use, economical and more efficient.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart system for source separation of greywater.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for source separation of greywater that is easy to use, economical and more efficient.
[0011] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that does not require any bulky storage device to accumulate the greywater before separating into different sections on basis of contamination level.
[0012] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that is simple to manufacture.
[0013] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for source separation of greywater that can reduce carbon footprints of water per urban household.
[0014] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method that can contribute in environmental friendly treatment of wastewater.

SUMMARY
[0015] The present disclosure relates to the field of waste water treatment system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a smart system and a method for source separation of greywater.
[0016] In aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a smart system for source separation of grey water. The smart system comprises one or more drain pipes to receive grey water from one or more grey water producing sources. The system comprises one or more sensing devices configured at the one or more drain pipes. The one or more sensing devices measure a contamination level of the received grey water corresponding to each of a pre-defined time interval ranges. Further, the system comprises a control unit communicably coupled to the one or more sensing devices. The control unit is configured to generate a signal to selectively operate a plurality of valves, based on the measured contamination level for the corresponding pre-defined time interval range of the pre-defined time interval ranges. Furthermore, the system comprises the plurality of valves in communication with the control unit, where one of the plurality of valves is being selectively operable based on the generated signal.
[0017] In an aspect, the plurality of valves may be connected to a plurality of outlet pipes. Further, each of the plurality of outlet pipes may be coupled to a plurality of treatment channels of a waste water treatment system.
[0018] In an aspect, the each of the plurality of valves may be assigned with a reference contamination level range that is stored in a memory of the control unit.
[0019] In an aspect, the control unit may be configured to match the measured contamination level with the reference contamination level range of each of the plurality of valves.
[0020] In an aspect, the generated signal may be based on the matched reference contamination level range of the corresponding valve of the plurality of valves.
[0021] In an aspect, the valve corresponding to the matched reference contamination level range may be operated to discharge the greywater.
[0022] In an aspect, the one or more sensing devices may be configured to measure the contamination level based on a plurality contamination characteristics of the received grey water. The plurality of contamination characteristics may be selected from a group comprising: a Potential of Hydrogen (pH) value, a turbidity, a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), a salinity, a hardness, an oil and grease, a nitrate, oxygen demand, odour, a sodium, a phosphate suspended solids and a chlorine.
[0023] In an aspect, the one or more sensing devices may comprise a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors may comprise at least one of a turbidity sensor, an odour meter, a pH sensor, a residual chlorine sensor, an ion probe sensor, a Chlorophyll sensor, a conductivity sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensor, a Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) sensor, and a blue-green algae sensor.
[0024] In an aspect, the system may comprise a bypass exit configured to receive and transfer the grey water to a separate channel, in case of power failure and/ or excess flow of the grey water.
[0025] In another aspect, the present disclosure pertains to a method for source separation of grey water. The method includes receiving, by one or more drain pipes, grey water from one or more grey water producing sources. The method includes measuring, by one or more sensing devices, a contamination level of the received grey water corresponding to each of a pre-defined time interval ranges. Further, the method includes generating, by a control unit, a signal to selectively operate a plurality of valves, based on the measured contamination level for the corresponding pre-defined time interval range of the pre-defined time interval ranges. Furthermore, the method includes selectively operating any one of the plurality of valves based on the received signal.
[0026] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary line graph between contamination levels at the drain pipe entrance Vs water flow rate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic block diagram of a proposed system for source separation of greywater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of a proposed system for source separation of greywater showing different arrangement of plurality of valve, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a proposed method for source separation of greywater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0033] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0034] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a smart system for source separation of greywater that is easy to use, economical and more efficient. The proposed system can be easily implemented to one or more greywater producing sources such as sinks in a kitchen, showers and washbasin of a washroom, washing machines, dishwashers or the like, without need of any bulky storage device to accumulate the greywater before transferring to a waste water treatment plant.
[0035] Further, the proposed system for source separation of greywater is based on water usage at various time interval ranges by a user. The contamination level is initially low when water is used by the user in the kitchen and the washroom. Thereafter, the contamination level rises to a peak value and again fall back to the initial contamination level. Thus, based on the aforementioned visualization, a novel and robust system has been designed which utilizes machine learning techniques for source separation of greywater based on the contamination level at each of the various time interval ranges.
[0036] The present invention is useful in reducing carbon-footprint of water per urban household. Existing systems generally tends to combine grey water with black water and transport the combined waste water to a sewage treatment plant irrespective of its source and contamination level, thus leads to higher volume of waste water to be transported and treated for safe disposal leading to higher carbon-footprint of water per urban household. . The proposed smart system overcomes the abovementioned problems associated with the existing systems. The unique concept of separating greywater at source point involves certain technical advantages such as reducing carbon-footprints of water per urban household, improving efficiency of waste water treatment plants, cost-effective and space saving.
[0037] In an embodiment, the system can include one or more drain pipes to receive grey water from one or more grey water producing sources.
[0038] In an embodiment, the system can include one or more sensing devices configured at the one or more drain pipes to measure a contamination level of the received greywater corresponding to each of a pre-defined time interval ranges.
[0039] In an embodiment, the system can include a control unit communicably coupled to the one or more sensing devices. The control unit can be configured to generate a signal to selectively operate a plurality of valves, based on the measured contamination level for the corresponding pre-defined time interval range of the pre-defined time interval ranges.
[0040] In an embodiment, the plurality of valves are in communication with the control unit. Any one of the plurality of valves is being selectively operable based on the generated signal.
[0041] In an embodiment, the each of the plurality of valves are assigned with a reference contamination level range that is stored in a memory of the control unit.
[0042] In an embodiment, the control unit can be configured to match the measure contamination level with the reference contamination level range of each of the plurality of valves.
[0043] In an embodiment, the generated signal can be based on the matched reference contamination level range of the corresponding valve of the plurality of valves. The valve corresponding to the matched reference contamination level range is being operated to discharge the greywater.
[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary line graph 100 between contamination levels at the drain pipe entrance Vs water flow rate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a line graph 100 between contamination levels at a drain pipe 202 entrance Vs water flow rate is disclosed. The line graph 100 can be plotted based on water usage/ water flow rate at various time interval ranges by a user. It can be easily visualized that the contamination level is initially low when water is used by the user in the kitchen and the washroom. Thereafter, the contamination level rises to a peak value and again fall back to the initial contamination level. Thus, based on the aforementioned visualization, a novel and robust system has been designed which utilizes machine learning for source separation of greywater based on the contamination level at each of the pre-defined time interval ranges. In an exemplary embodiment, the contamination level ranges may include Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 ranges. From the line graph 100, the level 1 may include the contamination level ranging from 0-20 mg/L, the level 2 may include the contamination level ranging from 20-40 mg/L, the level 3 may include the contamination level ranging from 40-60 mg/L, level 4 may include the contamination level ranging from 80-100 mg/L. In an exemplary embodiment, the pre-defined time interval ranges include range from 0-18 seconds, range from 19-35 seconds, 36-50 seconds, 51-65 seconds, 66-75 seconds, 76-100 seconds and so on.
[0046] FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic block diagram of a proposed system 200 for source separation of greywater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2A, the smart system 200 comprises one or more drain pipes 202 to receive grey water from one or more grey water producing sources. The one or more greywater producing sources comprise domestic sources, including but not limited to a kitchen sink, a washbasin, a shower, a dishwasher, a washing machine and the like. Apart from domestic sources, there are other sources like commercial establishments (shops, markets), public offices, and educational institutions, service organizations (hospitals, hostels) that produce substantial quantity of greywater that could be included as the one or more greywater producing sources. In an embodiment, the one or more drain pipes 202 can be made up of material selected from a group consisting of but not limited a steel, a cast iron, a Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic, a copper and the like.
[0048] In an embodiment, the system 200 comprises one or more sensing devices 204 configured at the one or more drain pipes 202. The one or more sensing devices 204 can measure a contamination level of the received grey water corresponding to each of a pre-defined time interval ranges. The one or more sensing devices 204 can be configured to measure the contamination level based on a plurality contamination characteristics of the received grey water. The plurality of contamination characteristics can be selected from a group consisting of but not limited to a Potential of Hydrogen (pH) value, a turbidity, a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), a salinity, a hardness, an oil and grease, a nitrate, oxygen demand, odour, a sodium, a phosphate suspended solids and a chlorine.
[0049] In addition, the one or more sensing devices 204 can include a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors can include but not limited to at least one of a turbidity sensor, an odour meter, a pH sensor, a residual chlorine sensor, an ion probe sensor, a Chlorophyll sensor, a conductivity sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensor, a Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) sensor, and a blue-green algae sensor.
[0050] In an embodiment, the system 200 comprises a control unit 206 communicably coupled to the one or more sensing devices 204. The control unit 206 is configured to generate a signal to selectively operate a plurality of valves 208. The selective operation of the plurality of valves 208 can be based on the measured contamination level for the corresponding pre-defined time interval range of the pre-defined time interval ranges.
[0051] In an embodiment, the control unit 206 of the proposed system 200 can include one or more first processors coupled to a memory. The one or more processor(s) can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory of the control unit 206. The memory can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to selectively operate the any one of the plurality of valves 208 to discharge the grey water. The memory can include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[0052] Furthermore, the system 200 comprises the plurality of valves 208-1, 208-2, 208-3, 208-4 (collectively referred as 208) in communication with the control unit 206, where one of the plurality of valves 208 is being selectively operable based on the generated signal. The plurality of valves 208 can be selected from but not limited to gate valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, check valves and plug valves. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of valves can be the gate valves.
[0053] Further, the each of the plurality of valves 208 can be assigned with a reference contamination level range that is stored in the memory of the control unit 206. The memory can store the reference conterminal level range and instructions in the form of an algorithm are stored to match the measured contamination level with the reference contamination level range of each of the plurality of valves 208 and based on the matched reference contamination level range, the corresponding gate value has to be actuated/ operated. The one or more processors can be configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory and match the measured contamination level with the reference contamination level range of each of the plurality of valves 208. The valve 208 corresponding to the matched reference contamination level range can be operated to discharge the greywater.
[0054] In addition, the plurality of valves 208 can be connected to a plurality of outlet pipes 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, and 210-4 (collectively referred as 210). The each of the plurality of outlet pipes 210 can be coupled to a plurality of treatment channels of a waste water treatment system.
[0055] Moreover, in an embodiment, the system 200 can include a bypass exit 212 configured to receive and transfer the grey water to a separate channel, in case of power failure and/or excess flow of the grey water. The proposed system 200 can be electrically operated using an electric motor.
[0056] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of a proposed system for source separation of greywater showing different arrangement of the plurality of valves, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0057] In an alternate embodiment and referring to FIG. 2B, the plurality of values 208 can be configured with the bypass exit 212. The bypass exit can be configured at a pre-defined angle. The pre-defined angle may be ranging from 0 to 70 degrees for better flow of the received greywater. Further, the plurality of valves 208 can be configured perpendicular to the bypass exit 212. The plurality of valves 208 can be connected to the plurality of outlet pipes (210). The each of the plurality of outlet pipes 210 can be coupled to the plurality of treatment channels of the waste water treatment system.
[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a proposed method 300 for source separation of greywater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, a method 300 for source separation of grey water is discloses.
[0060] At block 302, the method 300 may include receiving, by one or more drain pipes 202, grey water from one or more grey water producing sources.
[0061] At block 304, the method 300 may include measuring, by one or more sensing devices 204, a contamination level of the received grey water corresponding to each of a pre-defined time interval ranges.
[0062] At block 306, the method 300 may include generating, by a control unit 206, a signal to selectively operate a plurality of valves 208, based on the measured contamination level for the corresponding pre-defined time interval range of the pre-defined time interval ranges.
[0063] At block 308, the method 300 may include selectively operating any one of the plurality of valves 208, based on the received signal.
[0064] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the proposed a novel and robust system has been designed which utilizes machine learning for source separation of greywater based on the contamination level at each of the various time interval ranges.
[0065] Thus, the present disclosure overcomes the drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with the existing waste water treatment systems, by providing a smart system 200 for source separation of greywater that is easy to use, economical and more efficient. The proposed system 200 can be easily implemented to one or more greywater producing sources such as sinks in a kitchen, showers and washbasin of a washroom, washing machines, dishwashers or the like, without need of any bulky storage device to accumulate the greywater before transferring to a waste water treatment plant.
[0066] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0067] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0068] The present invention provides a smart system for source separation of greywater.
[0069] The present invention provides a system for source separation of greywater that is easy to use, economical and more efficient.
[0070] The present invention provides a system that does not require any bulky storage device to accumulate the greywater before transferring to a waste water treatment plant.
[0071] The present invention provides a system that is simple to manufacture.
[0072] The present invention provides a method for source separation of greywater that reduces carbon footprints of water per urban household.
[0073] The present invention provides a method that contribute in environmental friendly treatment of wastewater.
, Claims:1. A smart system (200) for source separation of grey water, wherein the smart system (200) comprising:
one or more drain pipes (202) to receive grey water from one or more grey water producing sources;
one or more sensing devices (204) configured at the one or more drain pipes (202) to measure a contamination level of the received grey water corresponding to each of a pre-defined time interval ranges;
a control unit (206) communicably coupled to the one or more sensing devices (204), the control unit (206) is configured to generate a signal to selectively operate a plurality of valves (208), based on the measured contamination level for the corresponding pre-defined time interval range of the pre-defined time interval ranges; and
the plurality of valves (208) in communication with the control unit (206), wherein any one of the plurality of valves (208) is being selectively operable, based on the generated signal.

2. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of valves (208) are connected to a plurality of outlet pipes (210), wherein the plurality of outlet pipes (210) are each coupled to a plurality of treatment channels of a waste water treatment system.

3. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the each of the plurality of valves (208) are assigned with a reference contamination level range that is stored in a memory of the control unit (206).

4. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (206) is configured to match the measured contamination level with the reference contamination level range of each of the plurality of valves (208).
5. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated signal is based on the matched reference contamination level range of the corresponding valve (208) of the plurality of valves (208).

6. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the valve (208) corresponding to the matched reference contamination level range is being operated to discharge the greywater.

7. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing devices (204) are configured to measure the contamination level based on a plurality contamination characteristics of the received grey water, wherein the plurality of contamination characteristics are selected from a group comprising: a Potential of Hydrogen (pH) value, a turbidity, a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), a salinity, a hardness, an oil and grease, a nitrate, oxygen demand, odour, a sodium, a phosphate suspended solids and a chlorine.

8. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing devices (204) comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of a turbidity sensor, an odour meter, a pH sensor, a residual chlorine sensor, an ion probe sensor, a Chlorophyll sensor, a conductivity sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensor, a Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) sensor, and a blue-green algae sensor.

9. The smart system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (200) comprises a bypass exit (212) configured to receive and transfer the grey water to a separate channel, in case of power failure and/or excess flow of the grey water.

10. A method (300) for source separation of grey water, wherein the method (300) comprising:
receiving (302), by one or more drain pipes (202), grey water from one or more grey water producing sources;
measuring (304), by one or more sensing devices (204), a contamination level of the received grey water corresponding to each of a pre-defined time interval ranges;
generating (306), by a control unit (206), a signal to selectively operate a plurality of valves (208), based on the measured contamination level for the corresponding pre-defined time interval range of the pre-defined time interval ranges; and
selectively operating (308) any one of the plurality of valves (208), based on the received signal.