Abstract: A traveling direction of a sludge drawing tool can be reversed regardless of the position of the sludge drawing tool. An endless chain is wound around a pair of wheels, and has straight lines L1 and L2 extending therebetween, and a pulling portion is provided in a part thereof. A sludge drawing tool is arranged to be able to move forward between the wheels. The sludge drawing tool is provided with engagement portions having a shape enabling the pulling portion circumferentially moving along the chain to be engaged therewith and disengaged therefrom. When the driving wheel rotates in a forward direction, the engagement portion comes into contact with the pulling portion circumferentially moving along the straight line L1 in a drawing direction, to make the sludge drawing tool move in the drawing direction. During the rotation in the forward direction, the engagement portion comes into contact with the pulling portion.

Abstract: A nozzle is provided for a header conduit. The nozzle includes an inlet that is resistant to clogs caused by flat materials covering the inlet. The inlet generally includes multiple pathways to an elongated passageway through which waste liquid and sludge (“waste”) are guided and enter the header conduit. In one embodiment, the elongated passageway is oriented to guide the waste along a path that is tangential to at least the inner surface of the header conduit which such incoming waste first contacts. When the conduit has an inner surface of circular cross-section, the passageway may optionally be elongated enough that the incoming waste enters the header conduit along a path tangential to the circular surface. To better assure axial flow of the waste in the conduit to an outlet, in one embodiment the passageway provides both the tangential flow and is at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The incoming waste is thereby provided with an axial component.

Abstract: A sludge collector arrangement has a settling tank having side walls sloping downwardly and inwardly towards the base of the tank to from a V-base. A sludge collection unit located in the bottom of the tank has one funnel part facing in one direction and another funnel part facing in the other direction so that when the unit is driven backwards and forwards in the V-base, sludge is driven into one or other of the funnel parts. The funnel parts communicate with a central chamber and a port in a wall of the chamber allows sludge to be drawn by a suction pump from the chamber for subsequent disposal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described herein. An example embodiment may include a balanced diagonal sludge removal assembly configured for use in a basin, the balanced diagonal sludge removal assembly including a discharge pipe, a collection pipe configured to slideably receive the discharge pipe, one or more header pipes extending from the collection pipe to define a first sludge communication path between the one or more header pipes and the collection pipe, and one or more balancing diagonals extending between the collection pipe and the one or more header pipes to define a second sludge communication path between the one or more header pipes and the collection pipe, wherein the one or more balancing diagonals balance flow distribution throughout the one or more header pipes.

Abstract: A bioreactor for anaerobic, aerobic and anoxic digestion of organic matter from wastewater, having a bottom anaerobic zone where the wastewater is fed where anaerobic bacteria produces biogas and the sludge produced is deposited on the bottom and subsequently extracted. An anoxic middle zone contains denitrifying bacteria which converts nitrates to nitrogen, and an aerobic zone at the upper part where at least one biological contact rotor is disposed, which degrade organic matter remaining in the water. The growth of nitrifying bacteria converts ammonia nitrogen into nitrites and nitrates. The tank has a plurality of rhomboids for biogas, sludge and scum collection that join together form a intermediate polyhedral separator panel. The rhomboids joined together define conical collectors with connecting nozzles of ducts from a capture and conduction network of biogas and funnel-shaped manifolds with connecting nozzles of ducts that define a capture and conduction network of sludge and scum.

Abstract: Labor saving and automatization of cleaning work of a conveyance face for articles or materials are intended to reliably and quickly execute the cleaning work. A cleaning apparatus has a cleaning implement (10) located on the upper side of a conveyance element (R). The cleaning implement includes a cleaning face (11) to be in contact with a conveyance face (S). The cleaning apparatus also has a traction device (6,7) which applies a tractive force (T) to the cleaning implement, in a direction (E) opposite to a conveyance direction (D) of a conveyance passage. The cleaning implement has a weight (P) for keeping the cleaning face in contact with the conveyance element in operation of the conveyor device, and cleans the conveyance face by means of contact and separation of the cleaning face and the conveyance face, and relative displacement therebetween (V1, V2, V3).

Abstract: The separation apparatus for separation of material from a liquid includes a tank (10) through which the liquid can be passed and a conveying device (20). The tank has a bottom (10c) on which material collects during operation. The conveying device has a conveying element (21) that can be moved along the bottom (10c) by a drive (25). The conveying element is set up for picking up material that has collected on the bottom and for conveying it out of the tank (10).

Abstract: A system for removing sludge from a collection area having at least one collection conduit for receiving and collecting sludge. The at least one collection conduit has at least one opening for receiving sludge. The system further includes a sludge collection control member operably associated with at least a portion of the at least one collection conduit for varying at least one sludge collection characteristic of the at least one collection conduit. The sludge collection control member for varying at least one sludge collection characteristic of the at least one collection conduit is preferably configured such that it can be readily added to an existing sludge removal system.

Abstract: A multi-layer, fluid transmissive structure is provided that comprises first and second fiber layers each comprising a plurality of polymeric fibers bonded to each other at spaced apart contact points. The polymeric fibers of these fiber layers have diameters greater than one micron and collectively define interconnected interstitial spaces providing tortuous fluid flow paths through the first and second fiber layers. The structure also comprises a plurality of nanofibers disposed intermediate at least a portion of the first fiber layer and at least a portion of the second fiber layer.

Abstract: A sludge collection system operates in a submerged state at the bottom of a settling tank to remove sediment therefrom. The cable-driven sludge collection system utilizes a fabricated metal header wing formed in a triangular shape and connected to a central truck by a pivot pin. The header wings are supported on the floor of the settling tank by wheels to support the weight of the header wings. The front edge is open and unrestricted to allow the passage of the Zone IV sediment layer into the header wing, while the rearward, diagonally-oriented side edges of the header wings have elastomeric sweeps attached to prevent the sediment from passing out of the header wing and cause an accumulation of sediment at the rearward apex. The central truck includes pre-tensioned, spring-loaded connection plates for attachment to a cable drive mechanism for powering the movement of the truck and header wings.

Abstract: A sludge collection system is mounted on the floor of a settling tank to remove sediment therefrom. The sludge collection system includes a pair of triangularly shaped header wings oriented with the apex at the rear. The front edge of the header wings are open to collect the sludge from the compressed zone along the floor of the settling tank while the rearward edges leading to the apex are provided with elastomeric sweeps to help move the collected sludge into the apex for removal therefrom. The header wings operate to consolidate the collected sludge into the apex where a pump extracts the sludge for discharge through flexible hoses. The connector combining the two hoses from the pumps incorporates an internal baffle to separate to two inlet ports through to the discharge port. The sludge collection system is moved along the floor of the settling tank by a cable drive mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sludge scraping apparatus which includes a piston attached to a traction core member, a body formed of a driving cylinder provided with front and rear sealing connection parts, a sludge scraper attached to the body, position switching means that switches the sludge scraper to a scraping position at advancement of the body and switches the sludge scraper to a non-scraping position at retreat of the body, and a treatment part attached in front of the driving cylinder and has a treatment chamber therein, the extending part of the traction core member passing through the treatment chamber, and the body can be moved along the traction core member in an advancing and retreating direction by injection/discharge of water into/from the driving cylinder by fluid control means, and at movement of the body, injection/discharge of water into/from the treatment chamber is performed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating solids from a fluid. The apparatus includes a first container for receiving solids and fluid and a second container adjacently disposed to the first container in fluid communication therewith. The apparatus includes a conveying member extending upwardly from the bottom of the first container and angling upwardly through the second container such that the conveying member transports solids that settle to the sloped bottom portion of the first container from the first container and through the second container. A conveyor member housing may be disposed in the second container so as to provide an enclosure about the conveyor member to prevent solids that are being transported through the second container by the conveyor member from being deposited into the second container while permitting fluid that separates from the solids during transport to pass from the conveyor member housing and into the second container.

Abstract: A system for cleaning and maintaining a vault includes a vault that may have equipment submerged in water. The vault includes a floor, at least one wall, and a cover that collectively define a vault interior. In some versions there is contaminated water in the vault that is at least one foot above the lowest point on the vault floor. In some versions, the water may be 12 to 14 feet above the lowest point on the floor. A portion of the floor may slope toward a vacuum head that is indirectly coupled with a source of suction. In some versions, at least the vault floor is lined with a liner that has a low coefficient of friction and is corrosive resistant. The source of suction may be a vacuum hose of a vacuum truck.

Abstract: In a kind of modular integrated water purifying device, including reaction tank, sedimentation tank and filter pool, a pump is connected to the top side of the reaction tank through pipes and valves. There are variable grid hole mixing paddles in the reaction tank, forced outlet pipe at the bottom of sedimentation tank and the same-flow ramp board in the middle. The sedimentation water collector is set up below the board, with the purified water outlet tube connected. The traveling sludge sucker sits on the top of filter tank and move back and forth. Blanket-shape filters is vertically fixed in the filteration tank, the mud-suction pump below to the raveling mud-suction machine connects to the mud-suction pipe another side to the blanket-like wedge filters. At the bottom of the filteration tanker lie the water-collecting main pipe and clean water outlet, the effluent weir is fixed inside of the filteration tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transporting apparatus comprising a sludge scraping and sludge transporting arrangement comprising primarily a scraping and transport element to be arranged in a simple and rational way in a sedimentation basin in water treatment plants, characterized of a) a series of sliding tracks to be arranged to the bottom of a sedimentation basin, b) a drawing rod to be arranged for a to- and fro movement, c) at least two outer rods arranged in parallel to said drawing rod.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and system for washing a sedimentation device in a water treatment system using ultrasonic waves. The system includes an ultrasonic transmitting device for transmitting the ultrasonic of a predetermined power and transmitting frequency to the sedimentation device, a carrying device positioned inside or outside of the water treatment system for moving the ultrasonic transmitting device over the sedimentation device. The carrying device may include an operation track, a moving car body erected over the operation track, a driving device, and a car body position detection and control device. The effects of the invention are greatly better than that of manual washing with high pressure water. The consumption of water, treatment reagents and manpower can be decreased, thereby decreasing effectively the cost of water production.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for removing sludge from a liquid reservoir, the apparatus (10) comprising buoyant float means (12), a sludge pump (24) mounted via a support arm (17) and the apparatus (10) having an upper profile so as to allow it in use to operate beneath a membrane covering at least part of the reservoir. The support arm (17) may be oscillated to move the pump in a substantially vertical plane. The buoyancy of the float means (12) may be adjusted to vary the position of floating of the apparatus (10) in the liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for collecting solids selling on the bottom of a liquid reservoir and/or floating solids, the apparatus (10) having a hollow suction head (23) and at least one outlet duct (26) extending from the suction head (23). Air can be supplied to the suction head (23) to create a suction pressure in the suction head (23) to cause settling solids beneath the suction head (23) to pass along the outlet duct or ducts (26). The suction head (23) may be connected to a collector (11) which is provided with a float (21) to support the collector (11) at the surface of the liquid, and the outlet duct or ducts (26) are connected to the collector (11) which collects the solids. The collector (11) may also have an inlet to collect floating solids.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing solids such as sludge from a liquid reservoir comprising a float, a suction head assembly carrying a pump, and elongated guides interconnecting the suction head assembly and float. The float also carries a winch for raising and lowering the suction head assembly. The guides are slidably engaged with the float and serve to indicate the depth of operation of the suction head assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating components of slurries by gravity settling thereby forming a thickened slurry and a clarified liquid. The apparatus comprises a vessel for decanting a volume of slurry, the vessel having a top and an interior formed by a side wall and a bottom wall for holding the slurry, a slurry inlet means, an outlet for the clarified liquid near the top of the vessel, and a slurry withdrawal apparatus for removal of the thickened slurry from the vessel at or near the bottom wall thereof. The slurry withdrawal apparatus physically engages a portion of the slurry within the vessel interior and transports it through a vessel outlet.

Abstract: A filtration unit that includes a casing that has a closed bottom and is immersed in a water storage tank (or water storage pond) into which raw water is introduced, the casing being composed of a introduction port which introduces the raw water in the water storage tank into the casing, an active carbon supply device which adds active carbon to the introduced raw water, an agitator which agitates the raw water inside the casing to which active carbon has been added, a filtration module which filters the raw water, a back flow preventing device which prevents the raw water inside the casing from flowing back into the introduction port and being discharged into the water storage tank, and a discharging device which discharges the raw water from the casing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sewage slurry separation system adapted to assist in sewer cleaning operations. The sewage slurry separation system is configured for collecting sewage slurry from a sewer line, depositing the sewage slurry in a collection/settling chamber to separate the slurry into water and sludge. The water is then pumped back into the sewer line. The system includes a sewage collection tank with a compacting plate. The compacting plate divides the sewage collection tank into a sewage collection chamber and a water collection chamber. The compacting plate has a passage that allows water from the sewage collection chamber to flow into the water collection chamber. The sewage slurry separation system also includes a submersible pump connected to the sewage collection chamber. The submersible pump pumps sewage slurry into the sewage collection chamber.

Abstract: A new settlement tank and its associated method of operation. The settlement tank has side surfaces and a bottom surface that define a tank of a predetermined volume. A trough is disposed in the bottom surface of the tank. At least one outlet port communicates with the trough. A press assembly is provided that includes a press head and an actuator for selectively advancing the press head into the trough. In operation, the settlement tank is filled with material that includes liquids and solids. The heavy solids are permitted to settle at the bottom of the tank. The solids are then collected in the trough. Once solids are in the trough, the press assembly is used to compact and concentrate the solids within the trough. Once concentrated, the outlet port is opened and the contents of the trough are flushed out of the settlement tank.

Abstract: Settleable-particles are separated from a dirty flow of settleable-particles and fluid by trays having a planar section configured with opposed ends and opposed sides, and an entrance edge and an exit edge on opposed ends. The section has opposed side edges, and an upturned entrance lip at each of the entrance and exits edges, with downturned lips at each side edge. A settler unit has one tray as an upper tray and another tray as a lower tray, the two trays being mounted parallel and at a low-angle to define a dirty flow entrance, a clean flow exit, and a pocket between the upturned entrance lip and the upturned exit lip for receiving and capturing settled-particles from the dirty flow while cleaner flow flows from the entrance to the exit. A sludge exit is at each side of the trays for permitting the captured settled-particles to exit the pocket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sludge or the like scraping and collecting apparatus. This apparatus has a whole structure more simplified and can realize a cost-down. Further, it is advantageously installed. The scraping and collecting apparatus comprises a carriage having a main body formed from a single long member constant in section in a front and rear direction. The carrier main body has a front end and a rear end provided with sludge scrapers. These front and rear sludge scrapers are adapted to be able to simultaneously and interlockingly move by a pulling and conveying means through a longitudinally and interlockingly moving member which advances and retreats in parallel with the carriage main body.

Abstract: A system meets material collection needs by significantly increasing the flow rate through a header that collects sludge. Telescopic pipes stay in a line adjacent to the bottom of a basin and do not float upwardly into or against equipment in the basin. A bearing is configured in a radial space between the pipes and with a central axial sludge collection opening, and adjacent to the header. The sludge collection opening allows sludge flow into the pipes, the flow having a value not less than a minimum flow. This flow is into system from immediately around the pipes configured in the telescopic relationship.

Abstract: A system meets needs in sludge collection by significantly increasing the flow rate through a header that collects sludge without causing problems in priming. Telescopic pipes stay in a line adjacent to the bottom of a basin and do not float upwardly into or against equipment in the basin. The entire sludge collecting system is in a space of a low-clearance height under the equipment that extends downwardly near the bottom of the basin. The sludge is collected by openings in header pipes, and by at least one bearing opening in an outer pipe, wherein the bearing opening extends to a radial clearance between the telescopic pipes. Flow of the sludge through the radial clearance from the bearing opening is allowed by a bearing that permits relative movement of the outer pipe and the inner pipe to allow traversing of the outer pipe.

Abstract: A method meets needs in material collection by significantly increasing the flow rate through headers that collect sludge without causing problems in priming. Telescopic pipes stay in a line adjacent to the bottom of a basin and do not float upwardly into or against equipment in the basin. An inlet end of an inner one of the pipes receives the collected sludge from spaced headers mounted on an outer one of the pipes. An operation is performed to balance a respective separate flow of the sludge from each of two headers mounted in spaced relation on the outer pipe. The balanced separate flows are substantially equal and flow into the inlet end.

Abstract: A system meets needs in material collection by significantly increasing the flow rate through a header that collects sludge without causing problems in priming. Telescopic pipes stay in a line adjacent to the bottom of a basin and do not float upwardly into or against equipment in the basin. A flow controller is positioned adjacent to an inlet end of one of the telescopic pipes to balance the flow of the sludge into the inlet end from headers on the other pipe.

Abstract: A system meets needs in material collection by significantly increasing the flow rate through a header that collects sludge without causing problems in priming. Telescopic pipes stay in a line adjacent to the bottom of a basin and do not float upwardly into or against equipment in the basin. The entire sludge collecting system is in a space of a low-clearance height H under the equipment that extends downwardly near the bottom of the basin.

Abstract: A system and method meet needs in material collection by significantly increasing the flow rate through a header that collects sludge without causing problems in priming. Telescopic pipes stay in a line adjacent to the bottom of a basin and do not float upwardly into or against equipment in the basin. The entire sludge collecting system is in a space of a low-clearance height H under the equipment that extends downwardly near the bottom of the basin.

Abstract: An arrangement for treating solids settled on the bottom of an electrolytic tank. Said arrangement comprises a collector element movable essentially along the bottom of the electrolytic tank or in the vicinity thereof, said collector element being provided with means for separating coarse particles from the rest of the solids.

Abstract: Device and process for separation of absorbent/floating material from product mixes by means of float/sink separation with a float/sink separator which exhibits a separator tank filled with a liquid separating medium, in which context there are provided devices for generation of a surface flow in the separating medium, which propel the absorbent/floating material as a floating fraction from a pickup point of the product mix to an output point for the floating fraction, along the surface of the separating medium, at such a speed as to inhibit absorption of the separating medium.

Abstract: A grit-and-grease removal system includes a grit channel for degritting water by promoting settling of grit to the bottom of the channel, the grit being removed from the bottom of the channel by a traveling bridge-type grit removal device supporting a submerged grit pump. The system further includes an elongate grease channel arranged to receive degritted water from the grit channel, and having a plurality of grease skimmer pipes extending across the channel above the water level. The grease skimmer pipes are spaced apart along the length of the grease channel, and each grease skimmer pipe includes a plurality of fluid discharge orifices or nozzles spaced along the length of the pipe and oriented to blow fluid obliquely onto the water surface in the direction of a discharge end of the grease channel so as to move grease floating on the surface to the discharge end.

Abstract: A mud tank cleaning system includes a debris collection sweep that drives debris towards a collection zone in a mud tank, whence the debris can easily be mechanically disposed of through an opening in the mud tank. Preferably, the collection zone is in a central depressed part of the mud tank to allow gravity to assist in moving debris towards the collection zone. Preferably, a pair of collection sweeps are used on opposed sides of the collection zone. The collection sweeps are preferably pivotally mounted to follow an arcuate path along the surface of a cylindrical confining wall of the mud tank. Sweep drive mechanisms operate the sweeps. The collection sweeps are preferably used in conjunction with a disposal sweep that sweeps debris collected in the collection zone by the collection sweeps out of the collection zone and through the opening in the mud tank, from where it may be readily disposed of. The mud tank is typically operated in conjunction with a hydrovac vehicle.

Abstract: A pore plugging material, for pH dependent membrane diffusion, in which cyclic olefins having phosphazene-functional moieties provide predictable erosion properties when used to plug pores in separation barriers and other porous membranes. Specific properties of the polymers are dependent on several factors, including molecular weight and identity of side groups attached to the phosphazene moiety. However, as a class, phosphazene-functional cyclic olefins provide both predictable erodibility and uniformly benign hydrolysis products and are, therefore, uniquely suitable as pore plugging polymers for separation barriers and membranes of all kinds. The invention, therefore, embraces the provision of a pH-sensitive erodible pore plugging material for pores in separation barriers and membranes of all kinds.

Abstract: A grit-and-grease removal system includes a grit channel for degritting water by promoting settling of grit to the bottom of the channel, the grit being removed from the bottom of the channel by a traveling bridge-type grit removal device supporting a submerged grit pump. The system further includes an elongate grease channel arranged to receive degritted water from the grit channel, and having a plurality of grease skimmer pipes extending across the channel above the water level. The grease skimmer pipes are spaced apart along the length of the grease channel, and each grease skimmer pipe includes a plurality of fluid discharge orifices or nozzles spaced along the length of the pipe and oriented to blow fluid obliquely onto the water surface in the direction of a discharge end of the grease channel so as to move grease floating on the surface to the discharge end.

Abstract: A mud tank cleaning system, is formed from a mud tank having confining walls. An opening is provided in the confining walls of the mud tank. A removable cover is mounted on the mud tank over the opening. A sweep is mounted in the mud tank and is operable to sweep mud in the mud tank towards the opening in the confining walls. A sweep drive mechanism is operably connected to the sweep for operating the sweep. A hydrovac vehicle is formed of a frame mounted on wheels, a mud tank mounted on the frame, a water tank mounted on the frame, a water pump mounted on the frame and hydraulically connected to the water tank to pump water from the water tank for use in hydrovac operations, a blower mounted on the frame and connected by lines to the mud tank for removing fluids from the mud tank; and a boom line mounted on the mud tank for conveying fluidized materials to the mud tank.

Abstract: This invention primarily relates to means to convey fluid from a moving location to a fixed location formerly achieved by the utilization of such means as a flexible hose. The invention has particular relevance to desludge systems where settled sludge take up means is caused to traverse the floor of a settling tank or vessel and transmit the sludge via a hose to a disposal point. The invention provides improved means replacing flexible hoses and further can provide means to motivate the traveling sludge take up means.

Abstract: A mud/sediment scraping apparatus comprises a first scraping assembly including scraping members and a second scraping assembly including scraping members alternate with that of the first scraping assembly. A scraping method comprises activating scraping assemblies to move toward each other at a first phase of a cycle of a reciprocating motions thereof, move away from each other at a next second phase, and move toward each other at a next third phase in scraping mud/sediment settled on bottom of pond.

Abstract: A sludge collecting apparatus comprising: a vehicle body which is long in advance/retreat directions and has driving means; and a plurality of scrapers which are disposed at intervals in the advance/retreat directions including a sludge scraper which is most advanced to the sludge collecting pit side and performs a collecting operation to collect and drop sludge into the sludge collecting pit and following sludge scrapers which perform a collecting operation, the front and rear sludge scrapers have the relation such that the collecting state and the noncollecting state are interlockingly switched, the interval between the neighboring front and rear sludge scrapers is shorter than the advance/retreat stroke of the vehicle body, the following sludge scraper in the collecting motion pushes the sludge toward the sludge collecting pit further than the return position of the advanced sludge scraper in the collecting motion, and the most advanced sludge scraper sequentially collects and drops the sludge collected by

Abstract: A scum removal system for a sewage treatment or clarification tank having a feedwell or skimmer flight includes a scum trough disposed within the settling tank. A floating weir is disposed proximate to the scum trough. A membrane or sheet is partially wrapped or wound about the weir, at least one cable being connected to the membrane for pulling the membrane and concomitantly lowering the weir entrained therewith to permit surface scum to enter the trough from the settling tank. A mechanism for exerting increased tension on the cable to thereby lower the weir below the surface of the liquid in the clarification tank includes a camming lever or arm and an actuator. The lever is connected to the cable, while the actuator is mounted to the feedwell or a skimmer wiper arm so as to engage the camming lever and pivot the actuator lever about an axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for handing a waste material is disclosed. Generally, the apparatus comprises a pump mounted within a container. The container has disposed thereon a rail member. The apparatus also contains a trolley mounted on the rail. The trolley has operatively associated therewith a handling system that has attached thereto the pump. The pump has an impeller assembly that pumps the waste material from the container. The impeller assembly contains a first and second rotor blade. A process device may be included that is attached to the handling system. A process for handling a discharged waste slurry is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sludge vacuum trolley (14) propels a sludge vacuum manifold (12) along the bottom of a settling basin or tank along a track (16) attached to the bottom of the settling basin. The sludge vacuum trolley (14) incorporates two drive wheels (26,27) that selectively engage the track to propel the sludge vacuum system therealong. The drive wheels (26, 27) are actuated by respective pneumatic rotary actuators (24, 25) whose rotary output shafts are connected to either air clutches or roller clutches, which in turn, drive the drive wheels. Air-actuated clamping cylinders (32, 33) selectively engage or disengage the drive wheels (26, 27) from the track so that the drive wheels will frictionally engage the track, and that rotation of the drive wheels by respective pneumatic rotary actuators will propel the sludge vacuum trolley along the track.

Abstract: A header conduit provides an elongated passageway through which waste liquid and sludge ("waste") are guided and enter the conduit along a path that is tangential to at least the inner surface of the conduit which such incoming waste first contacts. When the conduit has an inner surface of circular cross-section, the passageway is elongated enough that the incoming waste enters the conduit along a path tangential to the circular surface. To better assure axial flow of the waste in the conduit to an outlet, the passageway provides both the tangential flow and is at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The incoming waste is thereby provided with an axial component. In this manner, the passageway assures that the energy and momentum of the incoming waste is helical in direction. The waste previously admitted into the header conduit is urged by the newly entering waste to continue to flow helically in the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a waste material is disclosed. Generally, the apparatus comprises a container having disposed thereon a rail member. The apparatus also contains a trolley mounted on the rail. The trolley has operatively associated therewith a handling system that has a wiper that extends into the container. The apparatus may also contain an auger, operatively mounted on the container, adapted for removing the waste from the container. A process for handling a discharged waste slurry is also disclosed.