GB2273429A - Method and apparatus for dispensing fluid material below ground surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus comprise housing a dispenser connected to the tine 3 carried by a retractable and extendable mechanical arm 2 of a vehicle 1. The dispenser is disposed below a ground surface and a pressurised supply of a fluid material e.g. sludge is provided in communication with the dispenser. The mechanical arm is selectively retracted or extended when the dispenser is below the surface, whilst simultaneously dispensing pressurised fluid from the dispenser. <IMAGE>

Description

Method and Apparatus for Dispensing Fluid Material Below Ground Surface The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing fluid material below ground surface, and in particular to such a method and apparatus for dispensing fluid effluent, sewage or other organic material below ground surface for disposal, cultivation or other purposes.

It is known from, for example, U.K. patent Specification 2090713 to dispense organic fluid material below ground surface using a fluid dispensing tine arrangement towed by or carried on a vehicle which traverses over the ground being treated. Apparatus of the type disclosed in U.K. Patent Specification 2090713 has proven to be ineffectual in certain applications, such as for example in treating loose tipped minespoils. Loose tipped minespoils (and other ground produced by tipping of mined waste) are generally of poor structure and contain little or no sub-surface organic material. It is important to dispense (or inject) the fluid material at a greater depth (typically at a depth of 0.5m to lm) than for other applications in order to introduce nutrients at depth and also stabilise pore space.It is also important to avoid compaction of the loose tipped material during the treatment process. It is therefore important that suitable apparatus should be robust enough to withstand usage in the relatively hard minespoil environment, and also that compaction of the ground should be kept to a minimum.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispensing fluid material below ground surface, which method comprises: a) providing- fluid dispensing means proximate the distal end of a retractable and extendable mechanical arm, which mechanical arm is mounted on a vehicle; b) positioning said dispensing means below said ground surface; c) providing a pressurised supply of said fluid material to said dispensing means; and d) with said dispensing means positioned below said ground surface, selectively retracting or extending said mechanical arm thereby moving said dispensing means relatively toward or away from said vehicle, whilst simultaneously dispensing said pressurised fluid material from said dispensing means.

Advantageously the mechanical arm comprises arm sections which are pivotally connected to one another. Typically extension and retraction of the mechanical arm is effected by means of hydraulic actuators.

It is preferred that the positioning of the dispensing means below the ground surface is effected by means of actuation of the mechanical arm.

It is particularly preferred that the fluid is dispensed whilst the dispensing means is drawn toward the vehicle (through the ground) as the mechanical arm is retracted.

It is further preferred that the mechanical arm is extended, preferably to substantially the maximum reach achievable, prior to positioning the dispensing means below the ground surface.

It is preferred that dispensing of the fluid material from the dispensing means is only permitted whilst the dispensing means is positioned below the ground surface.

Consequently, it is desirable that dispensing of the fluid material from the dispensing means is substantially inhibited when the dispensing means is positioned above the ground surface.

Typically, subsequent to one complete dispensing traverse or pass, through the ground below the surface, the dispensing means is raised above the level of the ground surface and the mechanical arm preferably extended in preparation for a further dispensing pass or traverse, which further dispensing pass or traverse will typically be through a piece of ground untreated with the fluid material.

Advantageously, the fluid material will be sewage or effluent waste, typically in the form of a sludge. Usually although not exclusively, the ground being treated with the fluid material will be tip or spoil typically comprising mining waste, substantially devoid of sub-surface organic material.

It is preferred that movement of the dispensing means during each dispensing pass or traverse is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle, although, typically the vehicle will be stationary during each dispensing pass or traverse, movement of the vehicle only occurring subsequent to a respective pass.

Typically, the movement of the dispensing means during each dispensing pass will be at an acute angle (typically about 45 ) to the direction of movement of the vehicle.

The dispensing means typically comprises a dispensing orifice provided for at least one (preferably two or more) ground engageable tine(s). The dispensing orifice is advantageously provided proximate the lowermost extent of a respective tine.

Advantageously, valve means is provided arranged to selectively cut off supply of the fluid material to the or each tine.

Typically the or each tine is provided with an internal fluid communication bore extending to the respective dispensing orifice.

Typically the or each tine is supplied with the fluid material via a common fluid manifold which manifold is advantageously arranged to be connected to a pipe or hose supplying the fluid material from a remote storage location.

It is preferred that the or each tine is removably connected to a dispenser head which head is connected, preferably pivotally, proximate the distal end of the mechanical arm.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing fluid material below ground surface which apparatus comprises dispensing means connectable to a retractable and extendable mechanical arm of a mounting vehicle, said dispensing means being provided with connection means for connecting to a pressurised supply of said fluid material, and means for directing said pressurised supply of fluid material to a position below said ground surface.

Advantageously, the dispensing means provided is in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of apparatus for use in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an alternative view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus for injecting fluid sludge below the ground surface. Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a tracked vehicle 1 having an extendable hydraulic arm 2 provided at its distal end with a tine attachment 3.

Fluid sludge is supplied from a mobile sludge transfer unit 4 to a pumping unit 5 provided on a trailer 6. The pumping unit 5 pumps fluid sludge from the transfer unit 4 along a lay-flat expandable carbon fibre pipe 7 which is wound on a dispensing mandrel 8 carried on trailer 6. In use, the pipe 7 is connected to the tine attachment 3 such that pressurised fluid sludge may be supplied to the tine attachment 3.

Referring to Figure 2, the hydraulic arm 2 of the tracked vehicle 1 is pivotally jointed at wrist, elbow and shoulder joints 9,10 and 11 respectively. Respective hydraulic cylinder/ram arrangements 12,13,14 are provided enabling the arm to be selectively extended or retracted by an operator situated in cab 15. The tine attachment 3 is pivotally connected to the wrist joint 9 of arm 2.

Referring additionally to Figure 3, the tine attachment 3 comprises a frame 16 which is pivotally attachable to the wrist joint 9 of arm 2. A set of three tines 17,18,19 are detachably mounted in the frame 16, each being provided with a central bore (shown by dashed lines in Figure 2) which in use supplies fluid sludge to the heel 20 of the respective tines. Optionally, wings 21 projecting transversely from each tine 17,18,19 are provided, and serve to stabilise the tines as they are drawn through the material below the ground surface. Each tine projects from the frame by a distance of, for example, 1.2m which ensures that the fluid sludge is supplied at the tine heel 20 at a working depth of 1.2m.

The frame 16 carries a fluid manifold 22 provided with a fluid sludge inlet port 23 which in use is coupled to the end of supply pipe 7.

Fluid manifold 22 is communicatively coupled to supply ports 24,25 provided for each tine (only two are shown in Figure 3) by respective supply hoses 26,27. A respective communication duct is provided from each respective supply port to the central fluid communication bore of a respective tine. Each supply port 25,26, also provided with a respective cut off valve (not shown) which is manually or automatically actuated to cut off the fluid sludge supply to the tines 17,18,19 when they are raised above the ground surface.

In use, the mobile sludge transfer unit 4, pumping unit 5 and supply pipe 7 are connected to one another such that fluid sludge 13 supplied to the tine attachment 3.

With the tine cut off valves set to their closed positions, hydraulic cylinder/ram arrangements 12,13,14 are actuated to extend hydraulic arm 2 to its maximum reach and the tines 17,18,19 forced downwardly into the ground surface as the hydraulic arm 2 is initially retracted forcing the tine attachment 3 downwardly and towards the tracked vehicle 1. As the arm moves in this way and the tines 17,18,19 engage the ground surface, the tine cut off valves are manually or automatically set to their open positions, thereby permitting the pressurised fluid sludge supplied to supply ports 24,25 (via manifold 22) to pass along the fluid communication bore of each tine and be dispensed therefrom via the heels 20.

Continued retraction of arm 2 causes the tines 17,18,19 to be drawn through the ground surface (in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2) toward the tracked vehicle whilst simultaneously, pressurised fluid sludge is dispensed from the heels 20 of tines 17,18,19.

The volume of sludge dispensed in each dispensing pass of the tines can be controlled by varying the fluid sludge supply pressure and/or the speed of retraction of hydraulic arm 2.

Once a dispensing pass has been made to one side of the tracked vehicle, the tines are lifted out of the ground by the hydraulic arm (subsequent to manual or automatic setting of tine cut off valves to the closed position). The arm support platform 28 of the tracked vehicle 1 is then rotated about its central axis and the arm extended to its maximum reach. The procedure described above is then repeated such that a dispensing pass is made on the opposed side of the tracked vehicle. Once passes have been made on both sides of the tracked vehicle, the vehicle moves on by a distance equivalent to the width of the tine attachment 3 and the procedure is repeated. Dispensing passes are typically made at an angle of 45" to the direction of travel of the tracked vehicle resulting in a "herringbone" dispensing pattern on either side of the tracked vehicle.

It should be noted that utilising the method according to the invention ensures that the proportion of ground surface over which the tracked vehicle must pass is substantially less then the proportion of ground which is supplied with fluid sludge. This is a particularly important factor where it is desirable to avoid compaction below the surface of the ground, such as, for example, where it is necessary to treat loose tipped minespoils or other deposits of mined waste. Typically, the area of ground traversed by the tracked vehicle is less than 10% of the area treated with fluid sludge. Furthermore, operation of the cut off valves to prevent dispensing of fluid sludge from the tines when they are removed from below ground surface is important to prevent above ground spillage of fluid sludge which is recognised to be environmentally and hygienically undesirable. Use of the method according to the invention also enables relatively steeply sloping ground to be treated with fluid sludge, a feature which has been difficult to achieve with prior art techniques.

Claims (29)

Claims:

1. A method of dispensing fluid material below ground surface, which method comprises: a) providing fluid dispensing means proximate the distal end of a retractable and extendable mechanical arm, which mechanical arm is mounted on a vehicle; b) positioning said dispensing means below said ground surface; c) providing a pressurised supply of said fluid material to said dispensing means; and d) with said dispensing means positioned below said ground surface, selectively retracting or extending said mechanical arm thereby moving said dispensing means relatively toward or away from said vehicle, whilst simultaneously dispensing said pressurised fluid material from said dispensing means.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said mechanical arm comprises arm sections which are pivotally connected to one another.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein positioning of the dispensing means below the ground surface is effected by means of actuation of the mechanical arm.

4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid is dispensed whilst the dispensing means is drawn toward the vehicle as the mechanical arm is retracted.

5. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mechanical arm is extended prior to positioning the dispensing means below the ground surface.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical arm is extended to substantially the maximum reach achievable prior to positioning the dispensing means below the ground surface.

7. A method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein dispensing of the fluid material from the dispensing means is only permitted whilst the dispensing means is positioned below the ground surface.

8. A method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein subsequent to one complete dispensing traverse or pass, through the ground below the surface, the dispensing means is raised above the level of the ground surface and the mechanical arm extended in preparation for a further dispensing pass or traverse.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said further dispensing pass or traverse is through a piece of ground untreated with the fluid material.

10. A method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fluid material comprises sewage or effluent waste.

11. A method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ground being treated with the fluid material is tip or spoil, substantially devoid of sub-surface organic material.

12. A method according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein movement of the dispensing means during each dispensing pass or traverse is substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the vehicle.

13. A method according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein movement of the dispensing means during each dispensing pass is at an acute angle to the direction of movement of the vehicle.

14. A method according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the dispensing means comprises a dispensing orifice provided for at least one ground engageable tine.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the dispensing orifice is provided proximate the lowermost extent of a respective tine.

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein valve means is provided arranged to selectively cut off supply of the fluid material to the or each tine.

17. A method according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the or each tine is provided with an internal fluid communication bore extending to the respective dispensing orifice.

18. A method according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the or each tine is supplied with the fluid material via a common fluid manifold, which manifold is arranged to be connected to a conduit supplying the fluid material from a remote storage location.

19. A method according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the or each tine is removably connected to a dispenser head.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said head is connected proximate the distal end of the mechanical arm.

21. Apparatus for dispensing fluid material below ground surface, which apparatus comprises dispensing means connectable to a retractable and extendable mechanical arm of a mounting vehicle, said dispensing means being provided with connection means for connecting to a pressurised supply of said fluid material, and means for directing said pressurised supply of fluid material to a position below said ground surface.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said dispensing means comprises a dispensing orifice provided for at least one ground engageable tine.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said dispensing orifice is provided proximate the lowermost extent of a respective tine.

24. Apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein valve means is provided arranged to selectively cut off supply of the fluid material to the or each tine.

25. Apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the or each tine is provided with an internal fluid communication bore extending to the respective dispensing orifice.

26. Apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the or each tine is supplied with the fluid material via a common fluid manifold, which manifold is arranged to be connected to a conduit supplying the fluid material from a remote storage location.

27. Apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 26, wherein the or each tine is removably connected to a dispenser head.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said head is connected proximate the distal end of the mechanical arm.

29. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.