Zero energy input flocculator

Claim 2

In a method for processing raw water into potable water which includes the steps of forming a mixture by adding to the raw water a coagulating chemical, mixing the raw water with the chemical, forming flocs defined by a plurality of individual coagulated particles in a sedimentation basin holding the mixture, and separating the floc from the raw water by permitting the floc to settle in the basin, the improvement comprising the step of mechanically enhancing the formation of flocs by flowing the mixture through the basin in a downstream direction, placing a flocculator wheel in the mixture flow, the wheel having a plurality of cup-shaped, interconnected plate means, submerging the plate means in the mixture flow, and rotating the wheel about its axis by employing the mixture flow in the basin as the sole source of motive power for the wheel.

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 wherein the plate means are disposed transversely to the water flow, and including the steps of rotating the plate means in the vicinity of a basin floor in the direction of the water flow.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 3 including the step of guiding water contacting the paddles generally parallel to the direction of the water flow.

Claim 7

In a water works sedimentation basin through which raw water treated with a coagulant flows at a relatively constant speed a flocculator comprising a wheel defined by a hub, a plurality of paddles submerged in this water disposed about and connected to the hub, each paddle comprising a curved sheet member having an elongate configuration and defining a trough, the troughs of all paddles facing in the same direction of rotation of the hub, the troughs extending over substantially the full width of the basin, and means rotatably mounting the wheel and positioning it within the basin so that the water flow therein rotates the wheel, whereby the water flow in the basin is diverted over relatively moving surfaces to enhance the coagulation process without the need for an external power supply to rotate the wheel.

Claim 8

In a water works sedimentation basin through which raw water treated with a coagulant flows at a relatively constant speed a flocculator comprising a wheel defined by a hub, a plurality of paddles submerged in this water disposed about and connected to the hub, each paddle comprising a curved sheet member having an elongate configuration and defining a trough, the troughs of all paddles facing in the same direction of rotation of the hub, the troughs extending over substantially the full width of the basin, and means rotatably mounting the wheel and positioning it within the basin so that the water flow therein rotates the wheel, whereby the water flow in the basin is diverted over relatively moving surfaces to enhance the coagulation process without the need for an external power supply to rotate the wheel.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein ends of the troughs defined by the sheet members are open.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 5 including means closing ends of the troughs defined by the sheet members.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the members are positioned so that the troughs face in an upstream direction when they are disposed adjacent a floor of the basin.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the sheet member includes undulations oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to the length of the trough.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the sheet member prescribes an arc of no more than 180°.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the basin has a predetermined water depth, and wherein a projected width of each paddle is no more than about one-third the water depth.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the projected width is between about one-fourth to about one-third the water depth.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the wheel includes at least one pair of opposite paddles disposed at 180° spaced-apart points on the hub.

Claim 17

In a water treatment plant for converting raw water into potable water a flocculation and sedimentation basin through which chemically treated water flows in a downstream direction and means for facilitating the formation of relatively large flocs from relatively small coagulants and particles suspended in the water for the subsequent sedimentation of such flocs and their removal from the raw water, the means comprising an elongated flocculator wheel substantially completely submerged in the water flow adjacent an upstream end of the basin and extending across the width of the basin, the wheel having a hub, means mounting the hub for rotation about an axis extending across the width of the basin, at least two equally spaced paddles completely submerged in the water and means connecting the paddles to the hub, each paddle being defined by a relatively thin plate having a semi-cylindrical configuration defining a concave trough and a convex back, the troughs of the paddles facing in the same direction of rotation of the hub, the plate including a multiplicity of undulations extending transversely to the length of the trough, the plate further having a projected width which is at least about one-fourth the water depth in the basin, whereby the water flow in the basin rotates the flocculator wheel about the axis at a speed comparable to the water speed while coagulants in the water impinge on and are guided by the undulations of the plates which enhances the formation of the relatively large flocs and thereby shortens the time within which such flocs settle in the basin.

Claim 18

In a water treatment plant for converting raw water into potable water a flocculation and sedimentation basin through which chemically treated water flows in a downstream direction and means for facilitating the formation of relatively large flocs from relatively small coagulants and particles suspended in the water for the subsequent sedimentation of such flocs and their removal from the raw water, the means comprising an elongated flocculator wheel substantially completely submerged in the water flow adjacent an upstream end of the basin and extending across the width of the basin, the wheel having a hub, means mounting the hub for rotation about an axis extending across the width of the basin, at least two equally spaced paddles completely submerged in the water and means connecting the paddles to the hub, each paddle being defined by a relatively thin plate having a semi-cylindrical configuration defining a concave trough and a convex back, the troughs of the paddles facing in the same direction of rotation of the hub, the plate including a multiplicity of undulations extending transversely to the length of the trough, the plate further having a projected width which is at least about one-fourth the water depth in the basin, whereby the water flow in the basin rotates the flocculator wheel about the axis at a speed comparable to the water speed while coagulants in the water impinge on and are guided by the undulations of the plates which enhances the formation of the relatively large flocs and thereby shortens the time within which such flocs settle in the basin.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 14 including a plurality of axially spaced paddles which together substantially span the width of the basin, and including means between the paddles for rotatably mounting the hub.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the basin includes a substantially horizontal floor, and wherein the paddles are mounted so that each trough faces in an upstream direction when it is adjacent the floor.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the sheet member comprises a semi-circular section of a culvert pipe.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the hub mounting means includes journal bearings that mount the hub for free rotation in the bearings, and wherein all parts movable with the flocculator wheel are disposed within the confines of the basin and the body of water disposed therein.

Claim 23

In a water treatment plant including a flocculation and sedimentation basin receiving raw water treated with a coagulating chemical, a flocculator comprising at least two equally spaced paddles and means mounting the paddles for rotation about an axis transverse to the water flow in the basin, parts movable with the paddles being wholly disposed within the basin, each paddle being fully submerged in the water and having a width of at least about one-fourth the water depth in the basin and an enlarged surface area defined by a semi-cylindrical paddle configuration and a multiplicity of undulations in the paddle, concave sides of the paddles facing in a like direction of rotation of the flocculator so that the flocculator acts as a water wheel and receives its sole source of motive power from the water flow.

Claim 24

In a water treatment plant including a flocculation and sedimentation basin receiving raw water treated with a coagulating chemical, a flocculator comprising at least two equally spaced paddles and means mounting the paddles for rotation about an axis transverse to the water flow in the basin, parts movable with the paddles being wholly disposed within the basin, each paddle being fully submerged in the water and having a width of at least about one-fourth the water depth in the basin and an enlarged surface area defined by a semi-cylindrical paddle configuration and a multiplicity of undulations in the paddle, concave sides of the paddles facing in a like direction of rotation of the flocculator so that the flocculator acts as a water wheel and receives its sole source of motive power from the water flow.