Abstract: A cleaning device for a water treatment sedimentation tank and characterized by the highly efficient removal of the sediment from the bottom of the tank and without requiring the draining thereof, and which comprises a cleaning assembly positioned within the tank and adapted to reciprocate along the floor to move the sediment into one or more gutters. The cleaning assembly is supported upon rails mounted along the lower portion of the side walls of the tank, and it is driven by a direct drive system which includes a rack carried by each rail, a submersible electric motor carried by the cleaning assembly, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the assembly and having a pinion at each end which operatively engages the adjacent rack.

Abstract: A system for separating fluids from each other. The mixture of fluids to be separated is injected into a cylindrical tank so as to cause the fluids to rotate and thereby accelerate their separation into strata. A float valve at the top of the tank allows lighter fluids to be exhausted while a second float valve at the bottom of the tank provides for the exhaust of heavier fluids. In the event of an oil spill on an open body of water, the present invention would provide for the clean up of the oil slick by separating it from the water.

Abstract: Effluent flows into a settling pipe channel or conduit and is prevented from discharge while the solids are settling, by means of airlocks. When the solids have settled, one airlock is opened and the clarified effluent is drawn off and replaced by unclarified effluent at which time the one airlock is closed. When the pipe or the like requires cleaning of solids, the other airlock is opened and untreated effluent is used to scour out the pipe or channel and return the solids to the main settling pond to assist in aerobic action. A plurality of pipes or the like can be automatically sequenced so that continuous clarification and purging is carried out.

Abstract: A sewage disposal system in which sewage is permitted to accumulate to a desired level in a sump or receptacle, following which it is evacuated from the receptacle through a discharge conduit, by means of a partial vacuum transmitted through the conduit from a central collection point. Disposed in the discharge conduit is a normally closed flow valve, the control of which is by means of a control valve. Negative pressure transmitted through the discharge conduit is utilized both for opening the flow valve and for maintaining it and the control valve opened until the sump is evacuated, at which time atmospheric pressure entering the discharge conduit from the sump acts upon the control valve to close the latter, which in turn shuts off the flow valve. Triggering of the flow valve to commence the evacuation operation may be performed either manually or automatically by means responsive to the rising liquid level within the sump.

Abstract: An apparatus and a control system for receiving the mud-like discharge from a liquid clarifying vessel and dewatering it into the form of slugs by vacuum means connected to the annular space surrounding a stand pipe connected to the discharge outlet. A timing and control system effects squeeze-out action and discharges the dewatered slugs from a flapper valve on a timed basis, as well as effecting periodic clean-out action.

Abstract: A sludge removal system for use in the removal of settled sludge collected on the bottom surface of a circular clarifier. The system includes a plurality of self-supporting sludge receiving conduits of various lengths extending radially outward from the center of the tank in a common horizontal plane. Each conduit has a sludge pick-up port associated with the outer end thereof. Vertical riser tubes extend upward from the inner ends of the conduits into a sightwell assembly. At the upper end of each riser tube is a flow control valve arrangement to regulate the amount of sludge flow through each conduit. The valve indicates a pipe within a pipe, both pipes having slotted openings cut therefrom, to provide a variable flow orifice the size of which may be controlled by rotating the inner pipe about the stationary outer pipe. The upper edges of the slotted openings extend above the static liquid level in the clarifier.