US3793178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic flotation apparatus
Assignee: Simon Hartley Ltd
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Filing: 1972-05-01
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-05-01
Abstract
Abstract Flotation apparatus of the kind wherein a liquid to be treated, such as activated sludge for example, is caused to flow through a tank and subjected to treatment by gas bubbles generated by electrolytic action, whereby suspended materials, usually but not necessarily solids, in the liquid are carried to the surface of the tank by said bubbles to form a layer of thickened material, and including means for removing the thickened material from the surface of the liquid contained within the tank, characterised in that the liquid to be treated is introduced into the tank by flow through at least one elongated tube of conducting material which defines a cathode with respect to an anode mounted within said tube and which extends substantially over the length thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 E Austin
- 👤 G Kemp
- 👤 F Tonelli
- 👤 J Marshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:56
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/46; C02F1/461; C02F1/465; B; B03; B03D; B03D1/00; B03D1/14; B03D1/1437; B03D1/1443; B03D1/1456; B03D1/1462; C02F1/46104; C02F1/46109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
Flotation apparatus comprising means defining a tank, means for introducing material to be treated into the tank comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elongated tubes each having a discharge end within the lower part of the tank and means for feeding said liquid into the other ends of said tubes whereby said liquid flows the entire lengths of said tubes before discharge into the tank, electrically conductive electrodes extending within the tubes substantially the length of each tube, each said electrode being electrically insulated from its surrounding tube, and means for applying an electrical potential between each said tube and the electrode there within, each said tube defining a cathode and the associated electrode defining an anode whereby all of said liquid is subjected to electrolytic action during passage along said tubes and prior to discharge into said tank, and means mounting each tube to be inclined upwardly from the region it receives said liquid so that its discharge end is located within the tank at a higher level than said other end thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
Flotation apparatus comprising means defining a tank, means for introducing material to be treated into the tank comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elongated tubes each having a discharge end within the lower part of the tank and means for feeding said liquid into the other ends of said tubes whereby said liquid flows the entire lengths of said tubes before discharge into the tank, electrically conductive electrodes extending within the tubes substantially the length of each tube, each said electrode being electrically insulated from its surrounding tube, and means for applying an electrical potential between each said tube and the electrode there within, each said tube defining a cathode and the associated electrode defining an anode whereby all of said liquid is subjected to electrolytic action during passage along said tubes and prior to discharge into said tank, and means mounting each tube to be inclined upwardly from the region it receives said liquid so that its discharge end is located within the tank at a higher level than said other end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Flotation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the or each elongated tube extends within the tank and lies above and parallel with a sloping base to the tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
Flotation apparatus according to claim 1 including means for removing thickened material from the surface of the liquid contained within the tank comprising a plurality of transversely extending scraper blades arranged with their lower edges dipping into the surface of the contents of the tank and adapted to be driven longitudinally thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Flotation apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein substantially the entire inclined length of each tube is within said tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Flotation apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein a second anode is mounted within said tank adjacent and above said tube and means is provided for establishing an electrical potential between said second anode and said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
181 words
Flotation apparatus comprising a tank, means for introducing material to be treated into the tank comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elongated tubes each extending within the tank for a major portion of its length and having a discharge end within the lower part of the tank and means for feeding said liquid into the other ends of said tubes whereby said liquid flows the entire lengths of said tubes before discharge into the tank, electrically conductive electrodes extending within the tubes substantially the length of each tube, each said electrode being electrically insulated from its surrounding tube, means for applying an electrical potential between each said tube and the electrode within, each said tube defining a cathode and the associated electrode defining a first anode whereby all of said liquid is subjected to electrolytic action during passage along said tubes and prior to discharge into said tank, an electrically conductive second anode mounted above and extending substantially parallel to each said tube within said tank, and means for applying an electrical potential between each second anode and the associated tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
181 words
Flotation apparatus comprising a tank, means for introducing material to be treated into the tank comprising a plurality of electrically conductive elongated tubes each extending within the tank for a major portion of its length and having a discharge end within the lower part of the tank and means for feeding said liquid into the other ends of said tubes whereby said liquid flows the entire lengths of said tubes before discharge into the tank, electrically conductive electrodes extending within the tubes substantially the length of each tube, each said electrode being electrically insulated from its surrounding tube, means for applying an electrical potential between each said tube and the electrode within, each said tube defining a cathode and the associated electrode defining a first anode whereby all of said liquid is subjected to electrolytic action during passage along said tubes and prior to discharge into said tank, an electrically conductive second anode mounted above and extending substantially parallel to each said tube within said tank, and means for applying an electrical potential between each second anode and the associated tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Flotation apparatus according to claim 6 including means for removing thickened material from the surface of the liquid contained within the tank comprising a plurality of transversely extending scraper blades arranged with their lower edges dipping into the surface of the contents of the tank and adapted to be driven longitudinally thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Flotation apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein each said tube is inclined within the tank so that its discharge end is located at a higher level within the tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Flotation apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein a common liquid inlet header is provided and connected to each Tube by individual substantially vertical conduits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Flotation apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said second anodes are located in laterally displaced positions relative to the tubes in the tank.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |