Abstract: A vehicle for the removal of sludge from the interior bottom of liquid storage tanks is disclosed. The vehicle includes a gathering header at the lead edge of the vehicle and a gathering arm extendable out over the header. The gathering arm reaches out and gathers sludge between the header and arm urging the sludge toward the header of the vehicle and the vehicle towards the sludge. The gathering header includes a floor mounted brass scraper and a cross feeding auger. The cross feeding auger in combination with the header body receives the material forced into the header by the gathering arm and directs it to a central portion of the header. Underlying the central portion of the header there is positioned a super charging auger series feeding a positive displacement pump.

Abstract: The disclosed cleaning method is carried out using a pressure vessel containing a cleaning liquid pumped out of the pressure vessel and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum created above the cleaning liquid within the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid are pumped from the pressure vessel at a first rate and are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being centrifuged to remove fine solids and then collected in a makeup tank. Cleaning liquid from the makeup tank is pump into the dirty tank at a second rate, less than the first rate. Excess liquid in the makeup tank is sucked back into the pressure vessel. A phase separator, mounted beneath the suction inlet, speeds the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases/vapors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing trap waste and the like into its component solids and liquids treatable in a sewage treatment plant includes a cooker, a solids separation system, and a digester. The cooker liquifies and renders trap waste obtained from, for example, restaurant traps by maintaining the waste at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the trap waste into solid and non-solid portions thereof. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified trap waste for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The separated non-solid portion of the rendered trap waste is then communicated to a digester for either aerobic or anaerobic degradation; the digest is thereafter treated to remove additional solids. The remainder of the treated trap pumpings can then be processed in a sewage treatment plant with munipal or industrial sewage.

Abstract: A sludge pond vehicle, for use with an onshore waste processor, includes a frame to which a pair of elongate, generally cylindrical pontoons and a trash pump are mounted. Each pontoon has a spiral flight about its outer surface and each is individually driven about its own axis so to propel the vehicle through a sludge pond. The frame includes pivotal support arms at each end between which the elongate pontoons are mounted. Pivoting the support arms relative to one another causes the pontoons to separate and approach each other thus raising and lowering the trash pump. High pressure hot water is sprayed into the sludge pond in the region of the trash pump to aid removal of the sludge. The various power and control lines are carried by an overhead boom pivotally mounted to the frame. The boom can pivot freely over an arc of about 270.degree. to permit relatively unrestricted movement of the sludge pond vehicle.

Abstract: A tank cleaning system wherein a cleaning liquid is sprayed into a dirty tank and simultaneously sucked out of the tank. The cleaning liquid is stored in a pressure vessel and incompletely fills the vessel to leave a space above the liquid. A pump draws the liquid from the bottom of the vessel through a line to be sprayed into the tank to be cleaned. A vacuum is created within the space above the free surface of the liquid within the pressure vessel by a vacuum pump. While spraying the cleaning fluid into the tank, a vacuum line sucks up the cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants from the bottom of the tank. The vacuum line terminates at the pressure vessel so that cleaning liquid and contaminants are discharged into the vessel so that cleaning liquid and contaminants never pass through the vacuum pump. Solids settling on the bottom of the vessel are pumped out into a solids separator. Liquid collected by the solid separator is sucked back into the vessel by the vacuum in the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, and a condenser. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then communicated to a digester for degradation or transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: The vacuum loading cleaning system includes a pair of interconnected pressure vessels containing a cleaning liquid which is pumped through a heat exchanger and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum in the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid from the pressure vessel are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being passed through a centrifuge to remove fine solids before being returned to the pressure vessels. A skimmer in a pressure vessel removes floating solids and liquids. A phase separator is mounted beneath the suction inlets of a pressure vessel to speed the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases. The phase separator includes a number of vertically aligned, downwardly and inwardly tapered truncated conical concentrators with open tops and open bottoms above and below the free surface.

Abstract: A sludge remover and processor includes a first vessel holding cleaning liquid and a second, phase separating vessel. Cleaning liquid from the first vessel is sprayed against a dirty surface. A vacuum pump keeps the second vessel upper region at a partial vacuum so cleaning liquid and dislodged matter from the dirty surface is sucked into the second vessel. Solids and liquid are pumped from the second vessel into a solids separator where the larger solids are removed for disposal and liquid is pumped into a centrifuge which removes fine solid particles. The fine particles are mixed with a bulk solidification medium for disposal. Oil collection in the vessels is enhanced by the partial vacuum which lowers the boiling point so tiny bubbles are formed to aid separation of the oily and non-oily phases. Passing the liquid through a centrifuge also aids separation of the oily and non-oily phases in the first vessel.

Abstract: A cleaning system includes a pressure vessel partially filled with a cleaning liquid which is pumped from the vessel, heated by a heat exchanger and sprayed onto a dirty surface to be cleaned. A vacuum pump creates a partial vacuum above the free surface of the cleaning liquid in the vessel. A vacuum line connects a low point at the dirty surface to the pressure vessel so that dislodged contaminants and cleaning liquid are sucked into the vessel. Liquid and solids are pumped from the pressure vessel into a solids separator to remove relatively large solids. Liquid passes from the solid separator into a centrifuge which removes very fine solid particles, which are combined with a bulk solidification medium in a blender/extruder to create disposal cake. Exhaust gases from the vacuum pump can be either recycled into a substantially sealed dirty tank or directed through a scrubber to remove condensate and other substances. The exhaust gas from the scrubber can be burned in the heat exchanger burner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, a condenser and product storage tanks. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: The vacuum loading cleaning system includes a pair of interconnected pressure vessels containing a cleaning liquid pumped out of one or both of the pressure vessels, through a heat exchanger and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum above the cleaning liquid within the pressure vessel. A submersible booster pump aids passage of material along the vacuum line. Solids and cleaning liquid from the pressure vessel are separated by a solids separator with the cleaning liquid being returned to the pressure vessels. A skimmer is used within one or both of the pressure vessels to remove floating solids and liquid contaminants from the system. A phase separator, mounted beneath the suction inlets so that the material from the dirty tank passes through the phase separator, speeds the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases/vapors.

Abstract: The cleaning system includes a pressure vessel containing a cleaning liquid pumped out of the pressure vessel and into a dirty tank. Cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants are sucked up from the dirty tank by a partial vacuum created above the cleaning liquid within the pressure vessel. Solids and cleaning liquid are pumped from the pressure vessel at a first rate and are separated by a solids separator with a cleaning liquid being collected in a makeup tank. Cleaning liquid from the makeup tank is pumped into the dirty tank at a second rate, less than the first rate. Excess liquid in the makeup tank is sucked back into the pressure vessel. A phase separator, mounted beneath the suction inlet, speeds the separation and concentration of solids, liquids and gases/vapors. The phase separator includes a number of vertically aligned, downwardly and inwardly tapered truncated conical concentrators with open tops and open bottoms above and below the free surface.

Abstract: A dirty water heat exchanger keeps solids from settling out while passing through the heat exchanger and includes a cylindrical furnace duct, connected at a first end to a conventional burner, having a spiral liquid heating duct along which the dirty water passes from its first end to its second end. The second end of the furnace duct is open. An exhaust tube surrounds the furnace duct and provides an annular exhaust gap for the hot gases to flow back over the outer surface of the spiral liquid heating duct. The outer end of the exhaust tube is closed to redirect hot gases into the exhaust gap. Spiral flighting along the exhaust gap spirals the exhaust gas to keep the hot gases collecting along the top of the heat exchanger. The gases pass out of the exhaust gap through a flume at the first exhaust tube end. The furnace duct and the exhaust tube are connected together at at most one axial position to accommodate different amounts of axial expansion.

Abstract: A tank cleaning system wherein a cleaning liquid is sprayed into a dirty tank and simultaneously sucked out of the tank. The cleaning liquid is stored in a pressure vessel and incompletely fills the vessel to leave a space above the liquid. A pump draws the liquid from the bottom of the vessel through a line to be sprayed into the tank to be cleaned. A vacuum is created within the space above the free surface of the liquid within the pressure vessel by a vacuum pump. While spraying the cleaning fluid into the tank, a vacuum line sucks up the cleaning liquid and dislodged contaminants from the bottom of the tank. The vacuum line terminates at the pressure vessel so that cleaning liquid and contaminants are discharged into the vessel so that cleaning liquid and contaminants never pass through the vacuum pump. Solids settling on the bottom of the vessel are pumped out into a solids separator. Liquid collected by the solid separator is sucked back into the vessel by the vacuum in the vessel.