Abstract: A gravity sedimentation unit for thickening or clarifying a solids containing liquid is disclosed. The unit comprises a settling basin for receiving the feed and permitting the suspended solids to settle. A pump moves around the basin to discharge solids accumulating at the bottom. Support and vertical positioning of the pump is effected by a pump suspension which comprises a winch and a solids level detector. Horizontal positioning of the pump is effected by a bridge-type crane including a traverse with a drive for moving the traverse over the basin and a motorized trolley for moving the pump suspension back and forth along the traverse. Control of the pump travel is effected by a controller programmed to carry out regular search patterns through the basin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flange or pressure vessel closure device and method for deheading a coke drum. The coke drum deheading device has an annular retaining element spring biased from a lower flange of a coke drum, and a plurality of hooks which extend from the retaining element to engage a cradle holding the bottom head against the flange. When it is desired to disengage the head from the flange, the hook retaining element is moved by a first set of cylinders toward the flange to release tension from the hooks so that they can be disengaged from the bottom head by pivoting them outwardly using a second set of cylinders or other hook pivoting means. The bottom head can then be disengaged from the flange, lowered and moved laterally away from the coke drum on a hydraulic table.