RoeVac® Vacuum Systemsfor the evacuation of wastewater

Technologies by Roediger Vacuum

Above: Vacuum sewer systemat cottages in LangkawiLagoon, Malaysia. Sewer linesare installed flexibly belowthe water villas.

Below: RoeVac® Vacuum sewer systemin Ondangwa, Namibia. Especially in caseof flat or sparsely populated areas aswell as rapid urban sprawls the advan-tages become even more apparent.

1 Vacuum Systems

2 Vacuum Sewer Systems

3 Sewer Replacement/Reconstruction

4 Vacuum Sanitation Systems

5 Airport Systems

6 Train Systems

7 Marina Systems

8 Technology for Hospitals

9 EcoSan Concepts

10 Service and Maintenance

Vacuum Technology

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Above: Vacuum sewer systemat F1 Circuit, Shanghai, China.Considerably varying sewagequantities are collected effi-ciently without sedimentation.

Below: RoeVac® vacuum valve.The simple and robust constructionprovides for easy maintenance.

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Roediger Vacuum has its origin as a tinsmith’s workshopfounded by the guild master Peter Roediger in 1842.After 1945 the business was reconstructed and Roedigerbecame one of the world’s leading companies in thefield of wastewater and sludge treatment.

In 1978 vacuum technology became part of Roediger’sproduct line. In the same year Roediger commissionedthe first RoeVac® vacuum sewer system. Vacuum tech-nology is used for collecting and conveying wastewaterin domestic, commercial and industrial areas, for bothoutdoor and indoor systems.

Currently more than 500 RoeVac® vacuum sewer sys-tems are installed in different locations all over theworld. They all give evidence of the reliable operationof Roediger’s technology. Roediger Vacuum belongsto Bilfinger Berger Umwelttechnik group of companies.

Roediger Vacuum’s headquarter is located in Hanaunear Frankfurt am Main. Within easy reach of Germany’slargest Airport our international business activitiesbenefit from access to this global gateway. Engineering,sales & marketing as well as customer service and thecommercial departments are also located in Hanau.

Vacuum Systems – Future TechnologyIn 1991 Roediger reconstructed and expanded the centrefor development, production and service in Tostedt(situated in the south of Hamburg). In November 2002the third production hall including an affiliated trainingcentre was inaugurated. Qualified professional staffand ample space enable enhancement of our existingproduct range as well as development of new productsand systems. At Tostedt Roediger Vacuum can demon-strate to partners and customers all the advantages andpeculiarities of vacuum technology.

In order to be as close as possible to our clients wemaintain sales offices and service points in nearly allparts of Germany and many places all over the world.

Our staff is the company’s most important asset andwe are all focused on our high standards:> Maintaining leadership through continuous

innovation> Customer-oriented system solutions> Significant economic benefit to customer> Continuous further product development> Development of new product ranges> Active marketing policy in international markets> Combining experience and permanent education

All Roediger Vacuum employees including engineers,technicians, fitters, technical detailers and administratorswork together to achieve these goals. We continuallyupdate our technical and IT equipment and ensure thatwe can communicate in the most widely used langu-ages of the world.

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Vacuum Technology

Above: Vacuum sewer systemon Palm Island, Dubai, U.A.E.

Below: Powerful vacuum pumpsgenerate the vacuum that enablesthe collection of wastewater fromdistances of up to 4 km around thevacuum station

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High groundwater table, low population density, flat ter-rain (lack of natural slope); unfavourable soil conditionslike sandy, unstable or rocky ground are the ideal circum-stances in which to use RoeVac® vacuum sewer systems.In areas along rivers, lakes or coasts as well as in waterprotection zones, vacuum sewerage is often the onlychoice. Moreover, it offers specific advantages for resi-dential areas where the wastewater flow is low or variesin a wide range (e.g. tourist areas). Other benefits in-clude independence from terrain, small pipe diameters,high flexibility and low maintenance expenditures fortrouble-free operation of the plants.

The advantages are also evident in the constructionphase: small pipe diameters result in narrow trenchesand reduced excavation. This allows streets and foot-paths to be used during construction works. A benefitwhich especially the residents in the immediate vicinityand all road users highly appreciate. In addition, vacuumsewer and water mains can be laid in the same trench.Consequently all these advantages will deliver signifi-cant benefits in cost savings and revenue generation toour customers in comparison to conventional gravitysewerage systems.

The heart of the plant is the central vacuum station.Here, the necessary differential air pressure is createdand led into the entire vacuum pipeline net. The vacuumstation typically includes one or more vacuum tanks,discharge pumps and several vacuum pumps which dis-charge air from the tank as well as from the connectedpipeline network for maintaining the negative pressurelevel needed.

A pipeline network connects the vacuum station withcollection chambers that are typically installed adjacentto the buildings. The collection chamber equipped withvacuum valve units is the transition between the con-ventional gravity lines from the houses and the vacuumsystem. Wastewater flows by gravity from a house intoa collection chamber’s sump. After a given quantity(batch) of wastewater accumulates in the sump, a vacu-um valve automatically opens for evacuation. Afterapproximately 5 seconds the valve closes and the processstarts again.

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Vacuum Sewer Systems

Above: Advantages of thevacuum sewer system comparedto the gravity sewer system

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Vacuum sewer system

Gravity sewer system

Left: Collection chambers easyto maintain with vacuum valveand sump hygienically separated:chambers type G and Z.

Vacuum Technology

Above: Löwenhagen, Germany.A vacuum sewer line is laid andreplaces the previous combinedsewer. Due to small trenches thereare only few traffic disturbances.

Below: The vacuum line(PVC or PE) is tight andprotects the groundwater.

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Solutions for sewer replacementIn comparison to conventionally highly expensive re-pair measures for combined sewers, our RoeVac® sewersystems offer a cost saving and technically advancedsolution for sewer replacement. The old combined sewerand storm water piping can be abandoned or used forstorm water collection only.

The Roediger-conceptA valuable alternative concept compared with conven-tional replacement possibilities:> Changeover from combined to separate sewer system> Adjustment of infrastructure to population mobility> Laying of vacuum lines over water supply lines> Using of former combined sewer lines for storm

water collection> Drawing of new PE- or PVC-lines

Advantages of vacuum technology> Trenchless laying> Renewal of the complete wastewater network> Economically advantageous and fast laying

of vacuum lines> Trenchless laying by means of trenchless technology> Small pipeline diameters (DN 80 – DN 250)> Separation between foul and surface water> Treatment plant receives less hydraulic load> Adaptation to varying wastewater flows> Leakage free, tight and hygienic> Aeration of wastewater> No infiltration of ground and storm water> High flow velocity inside the pipeline network> No pipeline flushing needed

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The alternative solution

Right: During sewer reconstruc-tion works in existent villages,the vacuum lines are often drawninside the ground.

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Left: Example of a prefabricatedvacuum station for a vacuumsewerage project where the neg-ative pressure is created (in thisexample a pressure of approx.-0.6 bar).

Vacuum Technology

Above: Convention Centre,Darmstadt, Germany

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Below: Airport Sa Carneiro, Porto,Portugal, more than 300 RoeVac®vacuum toilets and more than 350evacuation units for grey water

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Vacuum sanitation technology type RoeVac® offers inno-vative solutions in both economic and ecologic respectsfor the discharge of wastewater from buildings and ships.Roediger advanced this technology, being already usedsuccessfully for decades in trains, ships and airplanes, forefficient discharge from buildings. As for laying vacuumlines offer flexibility. RoeVac® vacuum toilets need onlyone single litre of water per flush.

The following fields of application for our vacuum sanita-tion technology type RoeVac® are remarkable in case of:> New and already existing buildings> Buildings where the wastewater flow is high or

varies greatly (for ex. restaurants, hospitals etc.)> Service areas (for ex. airports, railway stations etc.)> Commercial and industrial buildings> Ships

The heart of the plant is the central vacuum station.Here, the necessary differential air pressure is createdand led into the entire vacuum pipeline net.

Vacuum Sanitation SystemsA network of pipelines with small diameters (for example:vacuum toilet type RoeVac® with DN 40) connects thevacuum station with the individual sanitary installations.Air is used as transport medium instead of preciouswater – so our vacuum system is very flexible and inde-pendent from (natural) slope and structural restrictions.Wastewater can even be lifted up to a height of 4.50 m.

For investors and owners of buildings and ships vacuumsanitation technology type RoeVac® offers the followingspecial advantages:> Flexible line conduction – independent from slope> Vertical discharge upwards> Cost savings due to small pipeline diameters> Cost savings due to the fact that conventional sewage

lifting units are no more necessary> Low costs for fire protection requirements> Water savings> Low wastewater quantities due to frugal consumption> Solutions for ex. for aliphatic wastewater quantities> Vacuum toilets made of porcelain or stainless steel> Combination with gravity sewage system

Left: Cutaway of a vacuum toilet.The vacuum valve which openspneumatically is space-saving inte-grated inside the toilet body.

Right: Vacuum evacuation unitwith collection vessel

Vacuum Technology

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Above: Simultaneous dischargeof wastewater and supply offlushing water from an airplane

Below: Maintaining a planevia RoeVac® vacuum technology/supply and evacuation at theparking position

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Roediger Vacuum supplies components and plantsystems for the supply and evacuation of aircraft withmediums such as:> Fresh water> Flushing water> Toilet wastewater

Similar to the railway technique the aircraft are connect-ed from their parking positions directly to the stationarysupply and evacuation units. They are then linked to theterminal using underground piping.

The connection units for the different mediums areplaced in telescopic pits: those pits are installed into theground and can be lifted manually as needed.Once elevated they are immediately ready for use.

Airport SystemsThis technology offers the following advantages tothe operating company:> The apron around the parked aircraft remains free

of machines and vehicles> Various tank trucks including devices for supply

and disposal are no longer required> It is no longer necessary to provide the relevant

ground crew> The working time for supply and disposal is

considerably reduced

The evacuation unit is pulled and the hose, once uncoi-led, is connected directly to the aircraft. The supply offresh water and flushing water is performed in the sameway. After a short time the evacuation, flushing andsupply processes are finished and the hoses are againrolled up and sunk back into the pit.

Left and right: Telescopic pitwith wastewater evacuation andflushing water supply

Vacuum Technology

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Above: ICE train yard Below: Evacuation of ICE-wastewater tanks via Roedigervacuum technology

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The RoeVac® evacuation system is used to dischargethe toilet wastewaters from ICE-trains and various otherpassenger coaches. At the end of a journey when thetrain arrives at the train yard for cleaning and inspectionthe wastewater tanks of each coach are emptied andthe freshwater tanks are refilled.

A drop and odour free evacuation, easy handling anda high reliability are the most significant advantages.

Characterized by a compact design, the systems mainlyconsist of the evacuation devices for the toilet waste-water, the filling devices for fresh water as well as thevacuum station for conveying the toilet wastewaterincluding the control panel.

Train SystemsSeveral different systems are available. On the one handRoeVac® evacuation systems are installed inside closedhalls. In these halls the operating staff provided withideal and comfortable working opportunities, is able toexecute all supply and evacuation services, observingoptimum hygienic standards, within a very short timeframe.

On the other hand, Roediger Vacuum supplies systemsfor outdoor areas where the evacuation units are locatedeither in cabinets or pits. The same method is appliedfor fresh water supply units.

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Left: Wastewater dischargeby means of RoeVac® evacuationsystem

Right: Pit with telescopicevacuation unit

Vacuum Technology

Above: Evacuation from boatwastewater tanks for the OlympicSailing Center in Athens, Greece

Below: Project under construction:Evacuation of wastewater fromboats in combination with aRoediger vacuum sewer systemin Port de SaÏdia, Morocco

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Roediger Vacuum GmbH supplies all-in-one-solutionsfor the evacuation of wastewater from boats and shipslocated on marinas at rivers, lakes and the ocean. Withits RoeVac® technology used in marinas, Roediger fulfilsthe highest hygienic standards for the evacuation ofwastewater.

Smaller and medium sized boats are not equippedwith discharge pumps but instead have collection tanksfor wastewater containing faeces. Instead of drainingthe wastewater into the ocean, it should be dischargedproperly and environmentally compatible at a marina.For this purpose, Roediger Vacuum installs evacuationpanels type RoeVac® in the docks, which are connectedto a vacuum station via a pipeline network.

Marina SystemsThe RoeVac® boat evacuation panels are built-in solu-tions which are firmly installed at the mole or the swim-ming pontoon. The flexible suction hose offers theopportunity to reach several boats within a radius of 15 mapprox. around the evacuation panel. For discharge thehose is rolled up on the evacuation panel and connectedto the boat collection tank containing faeces. The waste-water tank of the boat is evacuated drop and odourfree – within a short time.

Furthermore, Roediger Vacuum supplies installations forthe evacuation of bilge water. Oil saturated wastewateris evacuated separately. An oil separator removes thewater from oil and gasoline. The water overflow is thentransported via the connected vacuum sewer to a treat-ment plant or existing sewer.

Roediger Vacuum marina systems are especially interes-ting for clients who need several boat evacuation termi-nals/points. Combining the marina evacuation unit witha vacuum sewer plant including surrounding buildings(for ex. bars, restaurants, marina sanitary installations,marina administration buildings/offices etc.) brings addi-tional cost advantages.

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Vacuum Technology

Left: Marina vacuum system –all-in-one solution. Boat evacuationunits and surrounding buildingsconnected to the common vacuumstation

RoeVac® vacuum stationRoeVac® collection chambersRoeVac® boat evacuation panels

Above: Sewage decay tanks Below: Exhaust air filter systemfor decay tanks

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Roediger Vacuum is a leader in providing decaying plantsfor the discharge of radioactive sewage.

When thyroid diseases are treated with radio iodine (131J)in the nuclear medical departments of hospitals a largequantity of radioactive isotopes is deposited. The radio-active wastewater may not be discharged into the pub-lic sewer, but it must be stored until the radioactivityhas decayed below the legally defined value.

Roediger Vacuum offer decontamination plants whichare individually designed according to the requirementsof the respective hospital. The type of the tanks – doublewall steel tanks for installation underground or vesselsinstalled in (cellar) rooms – may be specified by the hos-pital. A modern central process control system includingprocess visualization regulates the plant and guaranteesa high safety standard.

Technology for hospitalsDue to the quite long retention time of the wastewaterin the decay tank an anaerobe process must be prevent-ed to avoid biogas generation. An aerobic process takesplace when the wastewater is periodically aerated. Con-sequently, the hospital can abandon the neutralisationthat was formerly used in decay plants.

The size and number of decay tanks is determinedmainly by the daily water volume. Thanks to the use ofRoeVac® vacuum toilets the daily sewage dischargeinto the recipient tanks is reduced by 50%. The totalinvestment costs decrease consequently to 30 %.

According to § 15 of the radiation protection regulation,Roediger Vacuum is authorised to maintain radioactivedecontamination plants.

Our engineers and assemblers have some twenty yearsof experience in the design and construction of contami-nated wastewater collection and treatment systems.

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Left: Buried double wallsteel tanks at a decay plantafter completion

Vacuum Technology

Above: Integrated sanitationconcept in Lübeck-Flintenbreite,Germany (Source: OtterWasserGmbH, Lübeck)

Below: Technical conversionof the sustainable ecologicaldevelopment

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Vacuum sewerage Rain water percolationin open drains

Vacuum line Grey water treatmentin reed bed ponds

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Vacuum technology is particularly applicable to systemsdesigned in accordance with the EcoSan concepts. Waste-water flows are first collected apart in order to treatthem separately. Then everything is brought togetheragain and a common circulation system is created. Thisalready perfectly working procedure in case of solidswill also be realized here: separate collection of grey,black and storm water.

Storm water is precious – and should not be wastedin a mixed sewer – it can be collected i.e. used separately,e.g. for the irrigation of public parks and private gardensor as flushing water for the toilet. As well storm watercan ooze away into the soil which often helps to refilllow ground water levels.

Black water (containing faeces from toilets) can betreated separately for ex. in a bioreactor adding otherbiodegradable residues, e.g. kitchen and market waste,lawn and shrub cuts and other biodegradable material.

EcoSan ConceptsAn anaerobe bioreactor produces high calorific biogas(methane) and “solid” waste which can be used as adirect soil conditioner in agriculture or finally compostedaerobically.

Grey water, finally, may be treated in natural treatmentponds (reed bed) and reused afterwards for irrigation orit may simply ooze away.

The “sewer free concept” needs neither conventionalwastewater treatment plants nor connections to a pub-lic sewer. The water-borne substances are carried in acycle and reused. Loops can be closed including the solidwaste streams and eventually create an integrated ener-gy concept. The EXPO-project Flintenbreite (Lübeck) orthe sustainable system of Knittlingen demonstrates theadvantages of such systems.

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Left: Water house Knittlingen,Germany

Vacuum Technology

Vacuum Technology

Clients and operators are always in the centre of ourattention. A highly qualified team of specialists is atyour disposal: engineers, technicians and field experts.All of them are trained to be client-oriented personsfocussed on mutually favourable business relationshipsand customer satisfaction.

As a system supplier we support national and interna-tional public and private customers, local authorities andassociations as well as design offices and constructionfirms. We aim to build a long-lasting client-supplier-rela-tionship. We are renowned as reliable and strategicpartner. Our product portfolio respectively service rangevaries from planning, technical support, constructionsupervision, operators training up to the commissioningof a plant.

Realizing a full-service with consistent quality featuresas well as maintaining our high standards belongs to ourcrucial objectives which we consider not as a burden butas a challenge worthwhile to accept anytime. We offeran all-in-one service around your vacuum plant. Advisoryservice and professional project engineering rank first,because prevention is the key to successful maintenance.

Some targeting criterions for an advisory conversation are:> Extensive analysis> Removal of defaults> Combat against symptoms/rehabilitation of plants> Cross-linked thinking> Optimizing your plant

Service and MaintenanceWe develop individual solutions and can be proud ofhaving always reached them up to now not least due tothe close co-operation with our international partners.

Prerequisites for our services:> Qualified employees> Professionalism for more than 30 years in the field

of vacuum technology> Approval according to WHG § 19 and StrISchV § 15> Flexibility> Stand-by-duty ready to solve your problems world-

wide – around-the-clock> Customer oriented further development> Own production in Germany> Research and permanent further development> Original spare-parts

We offer:> New building of plants> Construction instructions before and during

the construction period> Training of plant operators> Professional advisory service for operators> Optimizing plants and maintenance> Exchange in time of wearing spare parts> System evaluation> Overhauling and maintenance of pumps> Modernizing and rehabilitation of plants> Remote control and monitoring of stations

and chambers> Guided tours and hotline

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Above: Construction ofa vacuum station in Bahrain

Below: Maintenanceworks at a vacuum pump

Roediger Vacuum GmbHKinzigheimer Weg 104-10663450 Hanau, GermanyPhone: +49 6181 309 - 274Telefax: +49 6181 309 - 277www.roevac.comexport@roevac.com

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