Scum Sediment Removal Patents (Class 210/525)
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Patent number: 6491830Abstract: An oil/grease separation apparatus includes an inlet section for receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids. The gross solids are separated from the liquid flow and collected in the inlet section. A water jet eductor is provided having a solids extraction port located in a lower portion of the inlet section. The water jet eductor is actuated by supplying pressurized water to create a suction to extract the accumulated solids from the inlet section. The extracted solids are directed to a separator outlet or to an alternate disposal system by suitable piping.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
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Patent number: 6454104Abstract: A clarifier in a sewage treatment process includes efficient scum removal within the influent well, with discharge of the scum and other floatables as a dedicated waste stream separate from return activated sludge and biological scum collected in the clarifier. In one embodiment the scum removal system has an inclined scum ramp at the leading edge of each of two scum removal troughs, with a forward edge below the liquid surface. The scum troughs pass through an arc of rotation, building up scum, which accumulates and is pushed forward by the scum ramp. At least once per revolution, the moving scum ramp approaches a stationary scum surface blade that extends partially under the liquid surface and provides a barrier to the forwardly pushed scum. This blade contacts and slides up the ramp, sweeping the scum up the ramp and into the scum trough.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Enviroquip, Inc.Inventors: Elena Bailey, Robert Shurtleff
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Publication number: 20020083677Abstract: The present invention relates to a bracket for securing collector flight support tracks that are used in sludge collectors. The mounting bracket is suitable for use with various types of support track configurations. The mounting bracket is part of an assembly that is adjustable and includes a pair of unitary molded hubs and a connecting member that extends between the pair of hubs. The hubs are preferably constructed so as to facilitate being mounted in one of a number of alternative positions on a wall of a collector tank or to be secured to a variety of commonly used collector flight support tracks.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: United States Filter CorporationInventors: Jeffery L. Nordland, Susan M. Rasmussen
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Patent number: 6364123Abstract: The invention concerns a device for recuperating floating materials in sedimentation tanks in installations treating effluent water. The invention is characterized in that it is in the form of a rotary syphon implanted above the tank at the end thereof and comprising an immersed discharge pipe, including a longitudinal slot and closed at one end and open at the other, an immersed bucket welded on said discharge pipe, over the whole length thereof, and a gear motor periodically driving in rotation over 360° the discharge pipe bucket assembly such that the floating materials are recuperated at each rotation by said bucket whereof the position relative to the immersed pipe is determined so that the floating materials are discharged into said pipe through its longitudinal slot then evacuated by gravity through said immersed pipe open end.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: DegremontInventors: Patrick Suhr, Jean-Pierre Virecoulon
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Publication number: 20020030010Abstract: A clarifier in a sewage treatment process includes efficient scum removal within the influent well, with discharge of the scum and other floatables as a dedicated waste stream separate from return activated sludge and biological scum collected in the clarifier. In one embodiment the scum removal system has an inclined scum ramp at the leading edge of each of two scum removal troughs, with a forward edge below the liquid surface. The scum troughs pass through an arc of rotation, building up scum, which accumulates and is pushed forward by the scum ramp. At least once per revolution, the moving scum ramp approaches a stationary scum surface blade that extends partially under the liquid surface and provides a barrier to the forwardly pushed scum. This blade contacts and slides up the ramp, sweeping the scum up the ramp and into the scum trough.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Elena Bailey, Robert Shurtleff
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Patent number: 6305555Abstract: A wear shoe for mounting to a flight of a sludge collector. The wear shoe snaps into a surface of the flight at a desired location and is held in place with no additional fasteners or hardware. The wear shoe is able to be utilized with any channel-type flight configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: United States Filter CorporationInventor: Stephen B. Wilcher
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Patent number: 6279752Abstract: A waste water treatment system for removing sludge from within a rectangular clarifying tank having a plurality of sludge collector flights attached to a pair of parallel chains for collecting sludge and scum within the waste water. Each of the collector flights includes a non-metallic elongated main body portion having spaced top and bottom walls connected by spaced front and rear walls for defining a hollow, interior cavity. Buoyant foam material is disposed within the interior cavity for increasing the buoyancy of the collector flight. The waste water treatment system further includes plastic bull and drive sprockets mounted to a drive shaft running across the width of the tank, and a chain drive assembly for driving a pair of parallel drive chains attached to the drive sprockets. The drive assembly causes rotation of a drive shaft through a chain link attachment to the bull sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Polychem CorporationInventor: Joseph R. Hannum
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Patent number: 6274044Abstract: A clarifier in a sewage treatment process includes efficient scum removal within the influent well, with discharge of the scum and other floatables as a dedicated waste stream separate from return activated sludge and biological scum collected in the clarifier. Foam contained within the influent well may be treated with bacteria-killing agents or with anti-foaming agents. In one embodiment the scum removal system has an inclined scum ramp at the leading edge of each of two scum removal troughs, with a forward edge below the liquid surface. The scum troughs pass through an arc of rotation, building up scum, which accumulates and is pushed forward by the scum ramp. At least once per revolution, the moving scum ramp approaches a stationary scum surface blade that extends partially under the liquid surface and provides a barrier to the forwardly pushed scum. This blade contacts and slides up the ramp, sweeping the is scum up the ramp and into the scum trough.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Enviroquip, Inc.Inventors: Elena Bailey, Robert Shurtleff
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Patent number: 6260716Abstract: A scum sweeper for sweeping surface floating matters in a clarifying tank to a collector channel. A sweeping blade is pivotally hanged by arms to parallel endless running chains mounted onto a supporting frame installed in the tank at an above position with respect to the collector channel. A motor drives the chains that haul the blade back and forth successively over and at the surface of water in the tank. The blade always remains under the chains as a result of a free pivoting of the arms at the opposite turning end courses of the chains. Guiding arrangements are provided to lock the arms in a downward direction when the sweeping blade travels horizontally.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Inventors: Henri Fontaine, Erick Breton
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Patent number: 6238559Abstract: A device is disclosed for separating a floating layer mass, such as mud, foam and the like, from a liquid which resides in a liquid basin, e.g., a settling basin, and carries the floating layer. The device includes a transport device which moves the floating layer to a transport discharge region. The transport device is formed of at least one displacement body (3) which is driven by a drive unit (9) and moves the floating layer on the liquid surface towards the transport discharge region. The displacement body may be provided with a helical surface (4) which extends along the longitudinal axis of the displacement body.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Tschuda GmbH & Co., KGInventor: Kurt Heyek
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Patent number: 6234323Abstract: An elongated suction header for use in a sludge removal system is mounted transversely on a track guide that is mounted on and driven along a track rail affixed to a floor of a tank in a water treatment facility. As the track guide moves along the track rail, the header is moved transversely to the rail adjacent the floor of the tank. In cross section, the header has a top section that is generally dome shaped and extends from a bottom wall of the header. The ends of the top section overhang beyond or extend below the bottom wall along a longitudinal axis of the header. Inlet orifices are provided in the bottom wall of the header so that sludge is drawn into an inner compartment of the header when vacuum is applied to a vacuum port that extends through the top section of the header into the header compartment. In order to assist in channeling the sludge to the inlet orifices, flow splitters extend from the bottom wall between adjacent pairs of the inlet orifices.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Parkson CorporationInventor: Sami F. Sarrouh
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Patent number: 6199704Abstract: 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 byType: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Inventor: Michihiro Fujiwara
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Patent number: 6189549Abstract: A compact, self-contained skimming system for removing waste material from aqueous cleaning solutions used in parts washers. A single tank contains a sloped floor, two compartments separated by a baffle, and an opening between a bottom edge of the baffle and the floor. Waste liquid collects in the first stage compartment, where gravity initially separates water and coarse debris from the waste material containing oil and grease, some water, and fine debris. A partially immersed rotating skimmer further adsorbs the waste material. A waste collection system transfers the waste material to the second stage compartment, where gravity further separates the fine debris and additional water from the oil and grease. The oil and grease flow through a waste drainage system out of the second stage compartment. The fine debris and water flow along the downwardly sloping floor, through the opening at the bottom of the baffle back into the first stage compartment.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: ADF Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Louis B. Fontana, Gerald B. Davis
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Patent number: 6174434Abstract: A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier treats raw water with suspended solid contaminants first in a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. The flocculator has a fixed, cylindrical sidewall. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank with a straight cylindrical outer wall where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, within a set of fixed, inclined lamellae, where a final clarification occurs. The bottom wall of the tank has a set of apertures which allow a gravity flow of clarified water through a layer of pressurized gas to an underlying collection compartment. A set of rotating paddles push the sludge layer up a ramp to an opening in an inclined discharge conduit.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: The Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Inc.Inventor: Milos Krofta
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Patent number: 6126019Abstract: A collector flight for use in a sewage settling or sedimentation tank includes an elongated, generally C-shaped, one-piece, extruded aluminum body defined by top and bottom, hollow, rectangular heads connected together at one corner by a planar web. Slots extend the length of each side of the heads to receive brackets used to connect the flight to chains which move the flights through a sedimentation tank. The slots are also used to mount accessories such as shoes and a combination wiper/skimmer strip on the flights.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Greentech Design Ltd.Inventor: Pierre de la Cour
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Patent number: 6110386Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the condition of cutting fluids in a machine tool sump and for the removal of tramp oil from the cutting fluid has a pump to draw cutting fluid from the machine tool sump and transfer the fluid to an auxiliary tank where the fluid outlet is directed to drive a turbine wheel for rotation of a shaft and simultaneously aerate the cutting fluid. Drums on the shaft are partially submerged so as to be wetted by the tramp oil content. Wiper blades bear against the drum surfaces to strip the tramp oil from the drums as they rotate. A collecting trough is positioned below the wiper contact line to receive the tramp oil as it is stripped from the drum and drain it off to a waste container. In this manner, the cutting fluid is in constant circulation, even when the machine tool is idle.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Jasper Underhill
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Patent number: 6096198Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the condition of cutting fluids in a machine tool sump and for the removal of tramp oil from the cutting fluid has a pump to draw cutting fluid from the machine tool sump and transfer the fluid to an auxiliary tank where the fluid outlet is directed to drive a turbine wheel for rotation of a shaft and simultaneously aerate the cutting fluid. Drums on the shaft are partially submerged so as to be wetted by the tramp oil content. Wiper blades bear against the drum surfaces to strip the tramp oil from the drums as they rotate. A collecting trough is positioned below the wiper contact line to receive the tramp oil as it is stripped from the drum and drain it off to a waste container. In this manner, the cutting fluid is in constant circulation, even when the machine tool is idle.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Jasper Underhill
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Patent number: 6073779Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1999Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Inventors: Edward M. Shea, Kathleen R. Gammell
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Patent number: 6068134Abstract: A clarifier in a sewage treatment process includes efficient scum removal within the influent well, with discharge of the scum and other floatables as a dedicated waste stream separate from return activated sludge and biological scum collected in the clarifier. In one embodiment the scum removal system has an inclined scum ramp at the leading edge of each of two scum removal troughs, with a forward edge below the liquid surface. The scum troughs pass through an arc of rotation, building up scum, which accumulates and is pushed forward by the scum ramp. At least once per revolution, the moving scum ramp approaches a stationary scum surface blade that extends partially under the liquid surface and provides a barrier to the forwardly pushed scum. This blade contacts and slides up the ramp, sweeping the scum up the ramp and into the scum trough.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1999Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Enviroquip, Inc.Inventor: Robert Shurtleff
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Patent number: 5992644Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a waste water treatment system for removing sludge from within a rectangular clarifying tank as provided. The waste water treatment system includes a plurality of sludge collector flights attached to a pair of parallel chains for collecting sludge and scum within the waste water. Each of the collector flights includes a non-metallic elongated main body portion having spaced top and bottom walls connected by spaced front and rear walls for defining a hollow, interior cavity. Buoyant foam material is disposed within the interior cavity for increasing the buoyancy of the collector flight. The waste water treatment system further includes integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets and a chain drive assembly for driving a pair of parallel drive chains attached to the integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets. The chain drive assembly includes dual drive shafts exterior to the waste water with each extending across half the width of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Polychem CorporationInventor: Joseph R. Hannum
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Patent number: 5948277Abstract: It is necessary in sewage-treatment devices to remove from the waste waters to be cleaned besides the sediment mixtures also impurities which are on the surface of the waste water. This floating matter is according to the invention continuously conveyed into an intermediate container by means of a worm conveyor sweeping over the waste water, from which intermediate container the conveyed matter is discontinuously pumped off.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Inventor: Dieter Frankenberger
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Patent number: 5942116Abstract: An anaerobic sludge digester has a top, a bottom, sloped sides leading to the bottom, and a draft tube with an upper end spaced downward of the top of the digester and a lower end spaced upward of the bottom of the digester. The draft tube may have a propeller, impeller, or jets that enable liquid to be transported through the draft tube from one part of the digester to another. The digester has a discharge mouth positioned within the digester to receive heavy material that is pumped from the bottom of the digester and which flows outward across the liquid surface. One or more spray nozzles are located above the liquid surface to break up foam and emulsions. The mouth may also be used to effectively remove scum and light solids from the liquid surface. A shutoff valve on a discharge pipe extending from the discharge mouth can be closed while sludge is added to the system, causing the liquid level to rise above the mouth.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Inventors: Sidney E. Clark, John R. Currie, John J. Fassbender
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Patent number: 5914049Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1996Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Meurer Research, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Karl Brauch, Ronald Eddie Dollar, Jerry Boyd Francis, Christopher Dale Hanson, Charles Lonnie Meurer
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Patent number: 5885458Abstract: There is provided an a wear strip assembly for use in a waste water treatment facility comprising an anchor plate secured to the bottom of a tank and a wear strip disposed around the anchor plate having a c-shaped cross section. The wear strip may be slid onto the anchor plate. There is also provided a waste water treatment system employing the wear strip assembly. There is further provided a stop plate for use in the wear strip assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1996Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: United States Filter CorporationInventors: Stephen B. Wilcher, John C. Lodholz
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Patent number: 5876598Abstract: An improved modular system of solids separation is described. In the invention, a settling tank is provided which consists of one or more hoppers having sloped sides downwardly to a drain. Liquids with entrained solids are permitted to accumulate within the hopper as the solids settle until the settling has been completed; whereupon a pump lowered into the liquid is used to decant the liquid. The pump is suspended from a flexible conduit and is lowered as the liquid level lowers so that it remains submerged until the pump reaches a predetermined level above the level of the suspended solids. The sludge is removed from the hopper by gravity flow by opening a drain valve in the bottom therein and an anti-vortexing cap is provided over the drain. The cap has sides which conform to the hopper vessels but slope in the opposite direction so that the lower edge of the cap side is a predetermined distance from the hopper side adjacent the drain.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Environmental Treatment Facility, Inc.Inventor: Thomas D. Baxter
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Patent number: 5861098Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating a light liquid from a heavy liquid in a mixture of these liquids are provided which enhance the gravitational separation of such liquids. Thus, water laden with greases such as from a commercial kitchen is contemplated to be substantially rid of the greases by the present apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises a separation chamber; an inlet port; an exit port for each of the light and heavy liquids, with the exit for the light liquid being positioned at about the fluid level of the mixture of liquids; a level control for maintaining the fluid level; and a heater element to heat the mixture, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the light liquid and further driving its separation from the heavier components of the mixture. In the preferred practice of the invention, a skimmer and a series of fluid flow obstacles are also employed along with the heater element to achieve optimal separation.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1996Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: MDK Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Michael S. Morrison
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Patent number: 5830356Abstract: A clarifier basin in a wastewater treatment system includes a sludge collection manifold structure which allows individual visual inspection and monitoring of sludge flows from individual sludge removal tubes, representing different sludge collection zones in the basin. The width from front to back of each clarifier arm is maintained to a minimum by providing a baffle adjacent to the outflow of each sludge removal tube. This defines a separate sludge flow for each sludge removal tube, although the flows are integrated beyond the baffles in the common channel. The benefits of high velocity sludge flow, minimal arm width and individual monitoring and sampling outflow from each removal tube are maintained, while providing an arrangement which is structurally sound, minimal in weight and less costly than many previous clarifier systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Enviroquip, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Kauppila
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Patent number: 5804062Abstract: Apparatus for treating a liquid containing suspended solids comprising a clarifying vessel and a number of filters positioned around the periphery of the clarifying vessel for receiving and filtering liquid from the clarifier. A filter may be backwashed by isolating that filter, filling the other filter cells with clarified liquid and draining them into the isolated cell to remove filter media contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Inventor: David K. Wyness
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Patent number: 5788837Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a waste water treatment system for removing sludge from within a rectangular clarifying tank as provided. The waste water treatment system includes a plurality of sludge collector flights attached to a pair of parallel chains for collecting sludge and scum within the waste water. Each of the collector flights includes a non-metallic elongated main body portion having spaced top and bottom walls connected by spaced front and rear walls for defining a hollow, interior cavity. Buoyant foam material is disposed within the interior cavity for increasing the buoyancy of the collector flight. The waste water treatment system further includes integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets and a chain drive assembly for driving a pair of parallel drive chains attached to the integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets. The chain drive assembly includes dual drive shafts exterior to the waste water with each extending across half the width of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Polychem CorporationInventor: Joseph R. Hannum
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Patent number: 5772885Abstract: A sludge removal suction header is provided having an obtuse angled header shape and a much larger header cross section width dimension than presently utilized in the existing art. A longer width to height above ground ratio is produced which invokes ground effects. Internal annular passages are provided for equalizing the pressure distribution inside the header, thereby improving flow distribution across all holes, and especially those holes at the end of the header which are furthest away from the vacuum/suction source. An optimized number and diameter size of suction holes is further provided, as well as flow splitters, located beneath the header.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Inventor: Sami Sarrouh
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Patent number: 5695655Abstract: A continuous longitudinal settler with flow separation including an entry zone for the liquid to be treated, including a system for distribution of this liquid; a zone for homogenization of the flow, ensuring a dissipation of the entry energy and a constant velocity profile at the exit of this zone; a working zone for settling, exhibiting a homogeneous flow along the whole length of which a constant velocity profile is maintained, together with a high Froude number guaranteeing the stability of the liquid flow; and a zone for separation and for recovery of the flows, situated at the downstream end of the settler, the treated liquid being discharged at the surface and the settled matter via the bottom of the settler.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: DegremontInventor: Abdellatif Smati
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Patent number: 5688400Abstract: A modular sewage treatment plant is disclosed using a vessel adapted to contain the standard three phases of a sewage treatment, aeration, settling and clarification. The vessel of this invention uses an inverted, centrally located funnel section to received raw sewage to be treated at the upper opening, and to inject air, counter-currently, at a 180 degree angle to the descending sewage. The aerated sewage leaves the bottom of the aeration section and solids enter a settling section therebelow whereas water to be clarified rises around the outer surface of the funnel shaped aeration section. A hopper shaped bottom in the settling section is provided to facilitated solids removal and a weir system is provided on the upper surface of the clarification section to serve as a scum remover for the clarified water.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Environmental Treatment Facilities, Inc.Inventor: Thomas D. Baxter, Sr.
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Patent number: 5658461Abstract: The invention relates to sedimentation apparatus (1) for treating liquid containing solids, such as sewage, whereby solid constituents of the liquid are substantially removed for subsequent handling/treatment and the liquid now clean of solids is taken off separately for subsequent treatment. To the end, the apparatus (1) comprises two lamella separators (2) the flow channels (3) of which are at an angle to the direction of flow "S" of liquid containing solids towards the inlet (4) to the separators. In the embodiment the angle is substantially 90.degree..Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Thames Water Utilities LimitedInventor: Philip Marsh
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Patent number: 5620601Abstract: There is provided an a wear strip assembly for use in a waste water treatment facility comprising an anchor plate secured to the bottom of a tank and a wear strip disposed around the anchor plate having a c-shaped cross section. The wear strip may be slid onto the anchor plate. There is also provided a waste water treatment system employing the wear strip assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Stephen B. Wilcher, John C. Lodholz
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Patent number: 5585006Abstract: A rectangular clarifier of 1,000,000-2,000,000 gal/day capacity capable of simultaneously removing sludge and skimming floating solids from a clarifier tank using a series of hollow arms which sweep the base of the clarifier and depend from a hollow tube which has a main body below the surface of the liquid level in the clarifier so a differential head pressure forces sludge up the arms into the tube which also has an open top to skim floating solids from the surface of the tank as the tube is rocked back and forth to duck the opening beneath the liquid surface. One end of the tube is open to a sludge pit which is provided with a sump pump whereby when the liquid level in the sludge pit is lowered below the level in the clarifier tank, sludge from the tube flows into the sludge pit because of the difference in pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1995Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Inventor: Warren D. Jobe
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Patent number: 5565099Abstract: A floatation cell for treating wastewater in order to remove solid in suspension in the form of a floating sludge. This cell has a container which is rectangular in shape. A feed compartment in which the wastewater is fed, is located at one end of the compartment. A chute through which the floating sludge is collected and evacuated, is located at the other end of the container. The feed compartment has an outlet defined by a baffle that extends at a such height with respect to the top surface of the wastewater, as to generate a draining flow which directs the floating sludge towards the chute. The container also comprises scrappers mounted on its internal walls so as to be movable in an alternative, back and forth movement in order to avoid that the sludge accumulates on the walls and holds up the flow towards the chute. This system of evacuating the sludge is much simpler than the existing systems and the maintenance of the floatation cell is much easier to carry out.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Les Traitements Des Eaux Poseidon Inc.Inventors: Patrick Fauret, Reneau Dufour, Jocelyn Nadreau
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Patent number: 5552050Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the removal of clarified waste water from rectangular basins, which device has at least one completely filled submerged pipe (16; 16) disposed underneath the water surface in the rectangular basin, the arrangement and design of said pipe being of the type suitable for a two-dimensionally uniform take-off of the clarified waste water over the entire basin (10).Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1994Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Hans Huber GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Franz Valentin
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Patent number: 5552044Abstract: Apparatus for separating waste liquid and solid material comprises an upwardly inclined passage containing an auger for conveying the solid waste material upwardly along the passage, with an inlet opening at a lower end of the passage for receiving a mixture of waste liquid and solid material into the auger, a drainage opening at the lower end of the cylindrical passage for draining liquid from the solid waste conveyed by the auger, and a compactor for receiving the solid material fed upwardly by the auger and compacting the solid waste material. An extruder receives and extrudes the compacted solid waste material from the compactor, and may be arranged to convert the compacted material into pellets.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1993Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Inventor: Gunther Abel
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Patent number: 5545324Abstract: A chain and flight mechanism for use in a clarifier tank or other fluid treatment tank includes a skimmer mechanism having a three dimensional configuration and an interior space for collecting floating debris and scum which floats on the water in the tank. The skimmer mechanism is attached to the flight of the chain and flight mechanism by hinge means which allows the skimmer mechanism to move relative to the flight. The fluid treatment tank further includes a self-adjustable scum trough which is capable of moving up and down in the tank responsive to varying water levels.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Steven G. Workman
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Patent number: 5536409Abstract: A water treatment tank for separating particles from water, has a separation chamber with at least one set of inclined parallel plates, with a slot between each pair of adjacent plates for substantial horizontal flow of water between the plates. A sludge chamber is located beneath the separation chamber for collecting sludge including the particles separated from the water during passage of the water through the separation chamber. An inlet chamber on one side of the separation chamber introduces the substantially horizontal flow of water into the separation chamber, and an outlet chamber on an opposite side of the separation chamber receives the flow in the substantially horizontal direction from the separation chamber. The outlet chamber is located above and communicates with the sludge chamber and further separates particles from the water in the outlet chamber, the particles descending into the sludge chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1994Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Citec International IncorporatedInventor: Karl R. Dunkers
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Patent number: 5510039Abstract: The method serves for the separation of solid materials out of a suspension and is, as a rule, implemented as a floatation method. The suspension (S) to be clarified is added tangentially from the outside at the periphery of a substantially cylindrical clarification volume (1). Damaging flow phenomena, such as for instance turbulence, are removed to the largest possible extent by flow means (2) which are applied prior to the entry of the suspension into the clarification volume so that an optimal flow takes place in the clarification volume (1). The flow is fed to the center of the clarification volume in a substantially spiral path (4), wherein the scum (6), which receives the materials to be separated out, forms on the surface. Various apparatuses for performing the method are proposed.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Sulzer-Escher Wyss GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Bassler, Eckhard Gutsmuths, Hans Kleinschnittger, Wolfgang Mannes
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Patent number: 5468391Abstract: In a sludge collector mechanism having a sludge flight for scraping settled sludge off the bottom of a settling tank and skimming floating waste from the surface of the water contained in the tank, a support rail assembly for maintaining the flight on a level generally even with the surface of the water, the support rail assembly comprising a non-metallic longitudinal track on which the end of the flight is slideably supported and at least one non-metallic mounting bracket for securing the track relative to the sidewall of the settling tank. The track comprises a cross section having a substantially horizontal rail portion, a transverse stem extending downward from the underside of the rail portion, and two opposing fingers, one extending upward from the bottom of the stem and one extending downward from the underside of the rail portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1994Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: FMC CorporationInventor: Stephen B. Wilcher
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Patent number: 5460727Abstract: A novel waste water clarifier system for use in long settling basins utilizes a novel high strength-to-low mass ratio chain loop system of non-metallic material in a low friction drive and support system in which roller contact is facilitated at all points of wear. The chain links are formed of multiple layers of fiber reinforced resin tapes laminated together within a desired cross-sectional area and incorporating interior bushings for link interconnections into a chain loop. All rotary and linear wear mechanisms are low friction, rolling contact devices, incorporated in or arranged with the necessary flights and shafts. Both long life and protection against equipment malfunction are enhanced by the low mass, low drag components together with the high safety margins in the chain loops.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1994Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: Oritex CorporationInventor: Arthur L. Davis
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Patent number: 5445730Abstract: A grease/oil/water separator device and assembly for a vehicle wash system having a grease/oil/water separator tank which has three tank compartments. A first tank, a settling tank, is provided with entrance and exit piping such that a diagonal cross-flow of water allows sludge and debris to fall to the bottom of the settling tank. Water enters a second tank, the trap tank, from the settling tank, the trap tank being provided with entrance and exit piping such that a diagonal cross-flow of water is created so as to allow oil and grease to be separated from the water with the exit piping being located at the bottom of the trap tank which then enters the third tank, the pump tank where the grease and oil separated water is pumped into a sand filter which further filters the water.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1994Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Inventor: Harley J. Pattee
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Patent number: 5435924Abstract: A sludge collector for removing sludge from the bottom of a tank for clarifying wastewater includes an elongate curved housing placed on the bottom of the tank, with the focus of the curve being the center of the floor, the housing defining an interior cavity, and a plurality of relatively small inlets spaced along the length of the housing for the introduction of sludge from the sludge blanket. The inlets are disposed adjacent the floor to remove the most concentrated sludge therefrom. The cross-sectional area of the housing increases from the ends to the midpoint, where an outlet pipe removes the sludge from the cavity under positive hydraulic pressure and applied negative pressure. The sludge collector is designed for most efficient use with spiral or curved scraper blades in a cylindrical clarifying tank.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Inventor: Orris E. Albertson
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Patent number: 5423987Abstract: A scum removal apparatus operable in association with a movable member operating within a sewage treatment pool is provided with a trough, a weir member and a transmission mechanism. The trough is fixed in position, and the transmission mechanism transmits a force from the movable member to the weir member to cause the latter to move up and down with respect to a fluid surface level. When the weir member is sunken, the scum is drawn into the trough, while when the weir member floats above the fluid surface level, the drawing of the scum into the trough is interrupted.Support of the weir member is carried out through a rotary shaft and the weir member is employed in the form of an elongated member having an elliptical cross-section so that the drawing of the scum can be carried out smoothly and stably with the transmission mechanism simplified in structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1993Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Inventor: Michihiro Fujiwara
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Patent number: 5395527Abstract: A process for treating wastewater in a dynamic bio-sequenced manner in a single SBR reactor already filled with an activated sludge mixed liquor. In this process which is simple, fast and biologically and hydraulically "on going" and which allows one single SBR reactor to process typically twice as many batches of water per day as is presently processed within the existing SBR process, a given amount of wastewater rapidly introduced into the SBR reactor below the clear water level to cause the level of the wastewater within the tank to raise relatively uniformly and vertically and the supernatant clarified water to enter decantation pipes and be discharged out of the reactor. Then, the scum floating on top of the wastewater is collected and discharged and the mixed liquor is mixed and aerated as long as necessary to achieve the required treatment.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1993Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Eco Equipement Fep Inc.Inventor: Gaetan Desjardins
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Patent number: 5395526Abstract: A scum removal apparatus of a trough type including a weir movable in response to a movable element moving within a treatment pool. This apparatus includes an actuating mechanism operable in response to the movable element moving within the treatment pool and a transmission means for driving the weir, in which the transmission means includes a hydraulic pump and a control valve such that, while the actuating mechanism drives the pump, a hydraulic drive machine is driven selectively in one of two directions opposite to each other with the control valve being switched, thereby to selectively float and sink the weir above and below a water surface.In a different mode of carrying out the invention, the actuating mechanism includes a plurality of cam means each having a series of projections and recesses alternating with each other, said cam means being rotatable about a rotary shaft, and the transmission means is in the form of a mechanical transmission mechanism including the rotary shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1993Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Inventors: Michihiro Fujiwara, Toshimi Fujiwara
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Patent number: 5366638Abstract: Diagonal flow pattern of inclined sheet settling system achieved by elongated rows of inclined sheets adjacent to elongated, outlet weirs discharging directly into elongated outlet channels with non turbulent distribution of the incoming liquid throughout the elongated length of the inclined sheets and means to remove settled material from the elongated floor of the said system by means of a power motivated reversing rope driven floor mounted and floor spanning reciprocating trolley that is able to take up the settled material from the floor and deliver this via a flexible hose and hydrostatic head to the exterior of the unit, and that does not require floor pockets.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1992Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Inventor: Richard P. Moore
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Patent number: RE35668Abstract: A sludge collector for removing sludge from the bottom of a tank for clarifying wastewater includes an elongate curved housing placed on the bottom of the tank, with the focus of the curve being the center of the floor, the housing defining an interior cavity, and a plurality of relatively small inlets spaced along the length of the housing for the introduction of sludge from the sludge blanket. The inlets are disposed adjacent the floor to remove the most concentrated sludge therefrom. The cross-sectional area of the housing increases from the ends to the midpoint, where an outlet pipe removes the sludge from the cavity under positive hydraulic pressure and applied negative pressure. The sludge collector is designed for most efficient use with spiral or curved scraper blades in a cylindrical clarifying tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Inventor: Orris E. Albertson