Abstract: An apparatus for removing material collected in a material collection container having a floor and at least one substantially vertically extending wall. The apparatus includes a material removal assembly for removing material collected in the material collection container. The material removal assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduit to permit the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit each have a longitudinal axis. The material removal assembly further includes at least one material removal header configured to receive material accumulating on the floor of the material collection container. The material removal assembly is preferably configured to enhance numerous aspects of the sludge removal process.

Abstract: A filter system having a filter bed for filtering water or wastewater, where the filter bed is periodically washed between service runs by directing washing liquid and washing gas upwardly through the filter bed. The filter system includes a filter bed and at least one flume. The flume is in fluid communication with the filter bed. Preferably, the flume is configured such that no washing liquid and washing gas interface is present in the flume. The flume may be configured such that during washing of the filter bed between service runs the flume receives a washing gas and directs the washing gas upwardly through the filter bed to assist in cleaning the filter bed between service runs. The flume may further be configured such that during washing the only liquid directed from the flume to the filter bed is residual liquid that may be present in the flume from a prior service run.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing material collected in a material collection container having a floor and at least one substantially vertically extending wall. The apparatus includes a material removal assembly for removing material collected in the material collection container. The material removal assembly includes a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit is in telescoping relationship with the second conduit to permit the first conduit to move relative to the second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit each have a longitudinal axis. The material removal assembly further includes at least one material removal header configured to receive material accumulating on the floor of the material collection container. The material removal assembly is preferably configured to enhance numerous aspects of the sludge removal process.

Abstract: A filter system having a filter bed for filtering water or wastewater, where the filter bed is periodically washed between service runs by directing washing liquid and washing gas upwardly through the filter bed. The filter system includes a filter bed and at least one flume. The flume is in fluid communication with the filter bed. Preferably, the flume is configured such that no washing liquid and washing gas interface is present in the flume. The flume may be configured such that during washing of the filter bed between service runs the flume receives a washing gas and directs the washing gas upwardly through the filter bed to assist in cleaning the filter bed between service runs. The flume may further be configured such that during washing the only liquid directed from the flume to the filter bed is residual liquid that may be present in the flume from a prior service run.

Abstract: A filter system having a filter bed for filtering water or wastewater, where the filter bed is periodically washed between service runs by directing washing liquid and washing gas upwardly through the filter bed. The filter system includes a filter bed and at least one flume. The flume is in fluid communication with the filter bed. Preferably, the flume is configured such that no washing liquid and washing gas interface is present in the flume. The flume may be configured such that during washing of the filter bed between service runs the flume receives a washing gas and directs the washing gas upwardly through the filter bed to assist in cleaning the filter bed between service runs. The flume may further be configured such that during washing the only liquid directed from the flume to the filter bed is residual liquid that may be present in the flume from a prior service run.

Abstract: An improved underdrain block for an underdrain system supporting a filter media bed in a liquid filtration system is provided. The underdrain blocks are preferably made of an extrudable polymeric material that is extruded in relatively long sections to provide light weight, strong, easily manufactured underdrain systems having a lower profile than prior art underdrain blocks. The underdrain block comprises an upper wall, side walls, a lower wall, at least one lateral member between the upper wall and the lower wall, at least two chambers within the underdrain block, each chamber being defined by the lateral member, a plurality of upper orifices in the upper wall of the underdrain block, and a plurality of internal orifices in the lateral member. The underdrain block is substantially greater in longitudinal length than a longitudinal distance between the upper orifices.

Abstract: An improved underdrain block for an underdrain system supporting a filter media bed in a liquid filtration system is provided. The underdrain blocks are preferably made of an extrudable polymeric material that is extruded in relatively long sections to provide light weight, strong, easily manufactured underdrain systems having a lower profile than prior art underdrain blocks. The underdrain block comprises an upper wall, side walls, a lower wall, at least one lateral member between the upper wall and the lower wall, at least two chambers within the underdrain block, each chamber being defined by the lateral member, a plurality of upper orifices in the upper wall of the underdrain block, and a plurality of internal orifices in the lateral member. The underdrain block is substantially greater in longitudinal length than a longitudinal distance between the upper orifices.