Abstract:
A selectively removable sludge filtration system that provides for retrofit into a container and separation of the sludge solids from the sludge liquids therein. A pair of spaced vertically oriented filter assemblies each define a filtrate cavity therein and are connected by separator plates. The filter assemblies permit the flow of sludge liquids into the filtrate cavity, but not sludge solids. A set of fasteners hold the filter assemblies in the container and bias the filter assemblies against the container bottom. The fasteners may be released to provide for removal of the sludge filtration system from the container. A fluid communication passageway directs filtrate from the filtrate cavity to a position exterior of the container. Functionally applying this sludge filtration system provides a method of retrofitting a container with a sludge filtration system and removing filtrate from a sludge in the container.
Abstract:
A suitable liquid-solid separator tank having a bed with a drain, surrounding sides and a dividing wall. A grate overlays the interior of the vessel, bed, and sides, and forms the dividing wall. A filter overlays the grate, extending up the sides and overlapping the side grate and covering the dividing wall. The separator is filled with a sludge which is then separated from the liquid it contains by gravity and hydrostatic pressure which force the liquid through the filter. Liquid is drained out of the bottom of the vessel and the solids are transported within the vessel. The solids are removed through a gate that may be provided in the tank, or by using a hydraulic lift system in much the same manner as a garbage truck empties a municipal dumpster. The filter is removed with the solids and usually discarded.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device used in conjunction with a swimming pool, especially an aboveground pool for skimming debris floating on the surface of the water, catching the debris in a pocket formed in a net made of a mesh material, and then removing the debris from the pool. A pole is detachably mounted to the side of the pool, and extends inwardly toward the center of the pool. The mesh net is disposed over the pole and depends downwardly below the surface of the water. The end of the net distant from the pole receives a rod which weighs the net down and keeps it below the water level. The lower portion of the net is then folded upward to some distance below the water level and the two vertical edges of the net are then sealed together thereby forming a pocket for catching the debris.
Abstract:
Apparatus for concentrating and deodorizing ruminant waste effluent. The effluent is passed thru a hydrocyclone. The conentrated, deodorized solids waste is suitable for disposal or can be further processed to turn it into fertilizer. The cleaned water can be discarded or reused.
Abstract:
An improved continuous, smooth, porous, rigid surface is supported by an array of shaped, porous, support blocks mounted on an impervious planar foundation and surrounded by bi-functional containment walls to form a gravity filtration and drainage apparatus. The particular shape of the support blocks in contact with the foundation creates a plurality of parallel flumes, the center-lines of which align with the slope, if any, of the plane to facilitate drainage to contiguous drainage ditches. Accessibility of these drainage flumes at both ends of the overall structure provide for inspection, flushing, and purging of the overlying filter surface to assure functionality by simplified maintenance procedures. The drainage apparatus can be attached to an impervious evaporation surface, on which residual solids harvested from the surface of the drainage apparatus are deposited and periodically manipulated for further accelerated dewatering by evaporation.
Abstract:
A screening apparatus has a screen grid including plurality of exchangeable elements, each having a screen surface with sieve openings. The screen elements are placed in direct contact with each other to form a continuous screen, sifting surface and are removably connected through separators on intermediate cross-pieces. The separators are connected to the bottoms of the screen elements and extend at such a distance beyond the underside of screen surface so as to form an inwardly facing open passage space for sifted material below the screen, sifting surface in the area of connection of the screen elements to the separators such that the active sifting surface extends to the area of the supported marginal zones.
Abstract:
A system for the rapid dewatering of sludge in large quantities makes use of a filter plate of design and construction capable of supporting heavy mechanized mobile equipment and without damage to the filter media. The filter plate features a monolithic plate of granular filter material used as the filtering medium in sludge beds for dewatering or reducing residual solids or sludge of potable water treatment systems. The filter material is made structurally rugged and with a smooth hard surface for the retention of sludge solids. The filter material is supported upon a substructure of aggregate providing approximately 40% internal voids for the gravity flow or drainage of filtrate and the back flow of chemicals and gases used in the rapid water reduction process. The assemblage is constructed of such strength as to allow for use of heavy handling equipment such as front end loaders in the removal of the dried sludge or cake upon the completion of the rapid water reduction process. The process follows a cyclical pattern on adjacent sludge beds where raw sewage is pretreated with a polymer coagulant to break up solids to flocculate the sludge particles and spread on the filter bed as the filter bed is being filled. Large coagulated sludge particles gain weight as they settle and water is drawn off by gravity while a bed is being filled to the desired designed level. Smaller sludge particles pass to the voids below by a vacuum of 10 to 15 inches when the vacuum is applied, to start the rapid dewatering process through the larger flocculated sludge particles and the mass may be periodically moved and heated while dewatering progresses. Upon completion of dewatering, one or more units of front end loading equipment is used to move the dried sludge cake into heaps and load it into trucks for transport to disposal sites.
Abstract:
A method of purifying bodies of water in the preferred embodiment of which a reservoir of purified water is prepared from a natural body of water by constructing a prefiltering levee through the water to segregate the reservoir area from the remainder of the water body, pumping water from the reservoir area into the remainder, cleaning the floor of the reservoir area if necessary, installing a water purification unit in the reservoir, and then allowing the water to filter through the levee from the remainder of the water body into the reservoir for continuous further purification and recirculation by the installed unit. The water purification unit includes a mixing chamber, a filtering chamber skimming means for intaking surface water into the mixing chamber, submerged inlets for intaking water into the mixing chamber from below the water''surface, a pump for passing water from the mixing chamber through the filtering chamber, and outlet means for passing the filtered water directly back to the reservoir. The preferred skimming means comprises a mobile skimming gutter to insure a constant intake of surface water at various reservoir water levels and a submersible pump is preferably positioned in the mixing chamber to force the mixed water through one or more filter cells provided in the filtering chamber. The outlet means are preferably disposed to set up recirculation currents using the earthrotation effect, and means are also provided for backwashing the filter cells. To insure that the pump does not run dry, the submerged inlet flow is preferably float modulated to provide the full capacity of the pump if the skimmed flow is temporarily reduced. Various purifying chemicals may be added to the processed water in its passage through the unit, and in a modified form of the invention, a portion of the purified water is passed back to the remainder of the water body for progressive purification thereof thereof.