Abstract A method and apparatus for removing sludge from liquid utilizing a settling tank having a lower settling surface for collecting settled out sludge and a lower pit at one end of the surface for receiving the settled out material. A removable sludge collection bucket is normally disposed in the pit with the upper edges of the bucket below the level of the settling surface in order to receive collected sludge. Conveyor means is provided for moving collected sludge along the settling surface for discharge into the bucket positioned in the pit. The bucket includes a bottom having valve means therein operable to close the bucket during elevation from the pit out of the tank for the discharge of collected sludge and to open for admittance of liquid when the bucket is lowered back into a collecting position within the pit. Elevator means is provided for periodically elevating the bucket from the pit in order to discharge collected sludge externally of the sludge tank, and the bucket is elevated and discharged while the level of collected sludge is below the upper edge of the bucket, thus avoiding redispersion of the material into the liquid.
The apparatus of claim 1 including trough means for introducing liquid containing sludge along one side of said tank adjacent the upper level of liquid therein, and weir means along an opposite side of said tank for collecting liquid after said sludge has settled therefrom onto said settling surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pit includes a wall sloping under said settling surface which intersects the same at an acute angle, said bucket having an open upper end defined by said upper edges and at least one of said upper edges underlying said settling surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said open upper end of said bucket is positioned adjacent the intersection of said settling surface and said sloping wall of said pit to receive sludge moved off of said settling surface by said conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elevator means includes sloped guide means for guiding said bucket into and out of said pit and settling tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including means for pivoting said bucket above said tank to discharge the contents thereof exteriorly of the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conveyor means includes a plurality of flights movable on a lower run adjacent said settling surface for moving said sludge toward said pit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said tank includes a pair of vertical sidewall portions along opposite edges of said settling surface defining a collection trough, said lower run of said conveyor means being positioned in said trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said settling tank includes a pair of upwardly and outwardly sloping sidewall portions joining the upper edges of said vertical sidewall portions.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of removing sludge from liquid comprising the steps of flowing sludge contaminated liquid at low velocity over an enlarged settling surface to settle out sludge on said surface, slowly moving said settled out sludge to one end of said surface and discharging the sludge into a collection bucket positioned below one end of said settling surface, accumulating sludge in said bucket up to a selected level spaced below the upper end of said bucket, and elevating said bucket by movement upwardly along an incline path extending above the surface of said liquid for discharge of said sludge into a separate container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said liquid is distributed in a substantially uniform manner over the upper surface of a quantity of liquid contained in a tank.