Sewer collector is a hydraulic structure, including the main drain line of large diameter and its branches for discharge of sewage into the treatment device or reservoir. The device can be of different types. Each of them can actually be mounted independently; only an investment of money, time and labor is required.
Appointment and design features
The sewer element is designed to drain sewage and discharge to the collection point. To create them, use various materials:
- brick;
- reinforced concrete - monolith or ring products;
- plastic - polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC.
The latter option is in greatest demand due to the ratio of cost and quality. To give the plastic pipe the necessary rigidity, the walls are corrugated. And so that the uneven surface does not reduce the throughput, the inner layer is made smooth.
Collector networks and sedimentation tanks of individual houses or even microdistricts are united by common wells: they are necessary for inspection of devices and networks, their preventive or emergency cleaning. In junction locations and on bends, well installation is also required.
Swivel structures in sewers are usually equipped with gutters with a guiding function. They are necessary to reduce the hydraulic resistance of the water flow - so it can easily overcome even complex curved sections.
There are special vertical wells - they are used on complex landscapes, if it is necessary to modify the depth of the sewage pipelines.
Underground collectors need good ventilation. For this, the system is equipped with freestanding pipe sections (cross section not less than 300 mm). They are installed at a distance of no more than 0.5 km from each other.
Principle of work and advantages
According to the principle of action, the collectors are classified as follows:
- Collecting waste water from only one sewer pool.
- The main devices that collect the drain fluid from two or more collectors;
- Out-of-town facilities that divert effluents to treatment facilities, pumping stations or to a reservoir.
Installation of the collector complex must be done competently, only this guarantees a reliable drainage. It is installed both in gravity and pressure systems.
The pressure sewer is equipped with a pump. Such a system is easy to lay on any terrain. All waste is transferred to a special sealed tank, then, with the help of a pumping station, it is crushed and pumped to treatment facilities.
The main advantages of a pressure-type collector network are:
- Reduced installation work.
- Savings on materials due to the fact that the length of the pipeline is less than with a gravity system.
- Reduced installation time.
Without replacing parts, a correctly mounted collector system can last more than half a century.
The cross section of pipe lines for the collector network depends on the volume of effluents, and their throughput is calculated so that the flow rate is not more than 0.7 meters per second. Upon reaching it, sewer pipelines are able to self-clean.
Types of reservoirs for the collector
Tanks attached to highways are used to accumulate contaminated water or to clarify and filter them. In domestic conditions, three types of collector pipelines are used, and treatment tanks are selected in accordance with the purpose.
Household collector
The choice of a household wastewater treatment device depends on several factors:
- mode of use;
- number of residents;
- dependence on energy resources;
- soil features.
There are small treatment facilities for summer cottages and small-family houses, as well as complexes that can serve the whole village. When choosing, the ability to connect to a power source is taken into account.
If a non-volatile system is more convenient, cesspools and septic tanks are installed - sealed or drained. They do not need to connect to electricity, installing such devices is quite simple. But cesspools need to be cleaned regularly.
Septic tanks do not need frequent pumping, but it is necessary to constantly add biological products. The essence of such structures is the processing of organic waste by special microorganisms. The liquid clarifies up to 75 percent. For greater purification and safe discharge into a reservoir or soil, special biofilters must be installed.
A variety of septic tanks are aeration tanks. They use aerobic bacteria, the activity of which is supported by the forced supply of oxygen to create a layer of activated sludge. It processes more sewage.
In large houses where people live permanently, it is reasonable to establish a deep bio-treatment station. Thanks to a complex of various treatment devices, clarification of the drainage liquid is 98 percent. The disadvantages of such equipment are high cost and energy dependence. They also require forced aeration, but practically do not need to be cleaned.
Storm collector
For storm sewers, plastic pipe segments and sealed containers of the same material are used to equip wells. Since there is only mineral to melt in melt and rain water, such a liquid is safe for the environment and after settling it can be used for technical needs:
- washing cars and paved surfaces;
- watering a flower garden, garden crops;
- summer soul.
The pipes themselves are laid shallow below the surface of the earth. The reservoir is buried below the freezing point and insulated. Wells are equipped with pumping equipment: submersible, semi-submersible or surface.
Drainage collector
Perforated drainage pipes are laid deeper than the storm pipelines. This is necessary to collect excess moisture from the inner layer of the earth. Plastic tanks are also used as sedimentation tanks or reinforced concrete wells are created.
Water from the drainage tank is also allowed to be used for technical needs.
If lightweight polymer structures are used, they must be anchored with anchors to the concrete screed at the bottom of the well. Otherwise, the tank will float during the flood, or its walls will be deformed.
Collector network installation
After taking measurements and drawing up a design for the structure, earthwork is carried out:
- Below the level of freezing of the earth, a ditch is dug for collector lines and pits for wells.
- A sand and gravel pillow about 15 cm thick is laid at the bottom of the trenches, rammed. Pipes are placed on top or well tanks are installed.
- For gravity drainage systems, the mains are mounted with a slope of 2 cm per meter of pipe in the direction of the storage tank.
- Pipes and plastic containers are insulated, the latter, if necessary, will be anchored.
- The joints are sealed, then the system is tested for leaks by pumping water inside.
If the test was successful, the trench is buried, the output of the line is previously lowered into the drive or connected to the septic tank.
The collector network is an important part of the sewage system. If it is not mounted correctly, the entire sewer system will not be able to function.
