Patent US5413281A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3864255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solids separation system
Assignee: Babson Brothers Co
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Filing: 1972-09-15
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1992-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for continuous batch-by-batch separation of solids from liquids, especially adapted for the separation of grass and grass-like components from liquid manure. The liquid manure is delivered from a batch holding or washing tank to an inclined screen and is washed with water as it flows down the screen. An endless conveyor belt screen receives and transports the grass from the lower end of the inclined screen. The conveyor screen is provided with a pair of squeezer rollers urged toward each other under high pressure. The conveyor screen carries the solid grasses through the nip between the squeezer rollers so that the squeezer rollers break capillaries within the grass and squeeze out moisture to reduce the moisture content of the grass below about 75%. In a preferred form a second conveyor with squeezer rollers receives the grass from the first conveyor belt for a second squeezing operation to further reduce the moisture content below 50%. Alternatively the grass, after the first squeezing operation, can be subjected to a drying air blower or can be merely dumped into a bin and then retrieved from the bin using a solids auger conveyor. The processed grass is valuable as a bedding material for cattle. The liquid fraction contains finely divided, suspended and colloidal solids recovered from the inclined screen and the conveyor screen and is recycled to the manure holding or washing tank until the grass of the batch in the holding tank has been washed sufficiently. Thereafter the liquid fraction is discharged from the system as effluent. The high nutrient value of the liquid fraction makes it an excellent liquid fertilizer. Advantageous features of the method and apparatus are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Swanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:02
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D35/00; B01D35/28; B01D37/00; B01D37/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of separating grass from liquid manure in a manure pit which comprises pumping a batch of the manure from said pit to a holding zone, delivering wash liquid to the bottom of the holding zone under sufficient force to break up solid settled material and wash grass in the holding zone, permitting overflow from the holding zone to a weir tank and from the weir tank down an inclined screen for separating the solid grasses from the liquid fraction of the manure, washing said grasses down said screen to a pressing zone, pressing the grasses in the pressing zone under sufficient force to break capillaries and reduce the grass water content to less than 50% by weight, recovering grasses from the pressing zone for use as bedding, recovering filtrate and wash water from the separation zone and pressing zone and delivering recovered filtrate and wash water to said holding tank as wash liquid whereby additional liquid manure over flows to said weir tank, continuing the foregoing steps until the grass in the washing tank is washed, dumping the contents of the washing tank in increments into said weir tank for processing of the remaining grasses by washing on the inclined screen and pressing in said pressing zone and discharging the recovered liquid portion as effluent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of separating grass from liquid manure in a manure pit which comprises pumping a batch of the manure from said pit to a holding zone, delivering wash liquid to the bottom of the holding zone under sufficient force to break up solid settled material and wash grass in the holding zone, permitting overflow from the holding zone to a weir tank and from the weir tank down an inclined screen for separating the solid grasses from the liquid fraction of the manure, washing said grasses down said screen to a pressing zone, pressing the grasses in the pressing zone under sufficient force to break capillaries and reduce the grass water content to less than 50% by weight, recovering grasses from the pressing zone for use as bedding, recovering filtrate and wash water from the separation zone and pressing zone and delivering recovered filtrate and wash water to said holding tank as wash liquid whereby additional liquid manure over flows to said weir tank, continuing the foregoing steps until the grass in the washing tank is washed, dumping the contents of the washing tank in increments into said weir tank for processing of the remaining grasses by washing on the inclined screen and pressing in said pressing zone and discharging the recovered liquid portion as effluent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for separation of grass from liquid manure comprising a holding tank for holding a batch of manure, and having a valved bottom outlet, a weir tank for receiving manure by gravity flow from said outlet when the valve is open, an overflow and vent tube for directing overflow from the holding tank to the weir tank when the valve is closed and for venting the holding tank when the valve is open, said tube terminating adjacent but above the weir level of said weir tank whereby the end of said tube is closed by rising manure surging over the weir, and moving grass away from the weir tank while separating grass from the manure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for separation of grass from liquid manure comprising a holding tank for holding a batch of manure, and having a valved bottom outlet, a weir tank for receiving manure by gravity flow from said outlet when the valve is open, an overflow and vent tube for directing overflow from the holding tank to the weir tank when the valve is closed and for venting the holding tank when the valve is open, said tube terminating adjacent but above the weir level of said weir tank whereby the end of said tube is closed by rising manure surging over the weir, and moving grass away from the weir tank while separating grass from the manure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for treating liquid manure which comprises a manure pit, a holding tank, means for pumping the manure from said pit to the holding tank, means for delivering wash liquid to the bottom of the holding tank under sufficient force to break up solid material, a weir tank, means permitting overflow from the holding tank to the weir tank, an inclined screen for receiving manure from the weir tank and for separating solid grasses from the liquid fraction of the manure, means for washing said grasses down said screen to a pressing zone, means in the pressing zone for pressing the grasses under sufficient force to break capillaries and reduce the grass water content to less than 50%, means for recovering grasses from the pressing zone for use as bedding, means for recovering filtrate and wash water from the screen and the pressing means, means for delivering recovered filtrate and wash water to said holding tank as wash liquid whereby additional liquid manure overflows to said weir tank, means for dumping the contents of the wash tank in increments into said weir tank for processing of the remaining grasses through washing on the inclined screen and pressing by said pressing means and means for discharging the recovered liquid portion from the dumped contents as effluent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for treating liquid manure which comprises a manure pit, a holding tank, means for pumping the manure from said pit to the holding tank, means for delivering wash liquid to the bottom of the holding tank under sufficient force to break up solid material, a weir tank, means permitting overflow from the holding tank to the weir tank, an inclined screen for receiving manure from the weir tank and for separating solid grasses from the liquid fraction of the manure, means for washing said grasses down said screen to a pressing zone, means in the pressing zone for pressing the grasses under sufficient force to break capillaries and reduce the grass water content to less than 50%, means for recovering grasses from the pressing zone for use as bedding, means for recovering filtrate and wash water from the screen and the pressing means, means for delivering recovered filtrate and wash water to said holding tank as wash liquid whereby additional liquid manure overflows to said weir tank, means for dumping the contents of the wash tank in increments into said weir tank for processing of the remaining grasses through washing on the inclined screen and pressing by said pressing means and means for discharging the recovered liquid portion from the dumped contents as effluent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |