Abstract: The improved methods of the present invention function to detackify, float, substantially concentrate, separate, and remove such floating solid materials comprising paint solids from the surface of a volume of spray booth liquid, generally comprising water. In some embodiments, the method may be practiced using apparatus functing in two stages. In other embodiments, a single stage may be utilized. In the first or preliminary concentration stage, the apparatus is directed to a treatment volume that is disposed adjacent an untreated volume of liquid. An entry means is disposed therebetween for flow of the surface portion of the untreated volume thereover. A baffle is disposed across the treatment volume and extends to a depth beneath the surface to permit the flow of the liquid thereunder, but to entrain the flow of solid paint materials and to channel the flow of solid materials into a take-off chamber over a take-off weir.

Abstract: The improved apparatus of the present invention functions to substantially concentrate, separate, and remove floating solid materials from the surface of a volume of liquid. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus functions in two stages. In the first stage, the apparatus is directed to a treatment volume that is disposed adjacent an untreated volume of liquid. An entry means is disposed therebetween for flow of the surface portion of the untreated volume thereover. A baffle is disposed across the treatment volume and extends to a depth beneath the surface to permit the flow of the liquid thereunder, but to entrain the flow of solids material and to channel the flow of solids material into a take-off chamber over a take-off weir. In the second stage of the concentrating, separating, removing apparatus of the present invention, an influent flow of solids containing liquid is directed horizontally across and near the surface thereof to accumulate a sludge on the surface of the volume.