US3984322A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sewage treatment apparatus
Assignee: CENTROX Corp A CORP OF VA
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Filing: 1975-05-20
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Granted: 1976-10-05
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Expires: 1995-05-20
Abstract
Abstract An aerobic bacteria sewage treatment apparatus using compressed air to aerate activated sludge, and to cause it to circulate about a cylindrical clarification compartment placed in the apparatus in a way to provide a zone of relative quiescence in the flowing sewage from which the clarification compartment withdraws liquid and further separates solid matter therefrom, finally delivering a very well clarified effluent, the effluent pipe being placed in the clarification compartment such that heavier particles tend to sink away from it and lighter particles tend to rise above it, whereby the effluent is substantially free of solid matter.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard P. Peasley
- 👤 Lawrence A. McKinney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:46
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/1236; C02F3/1252; C02F3/1242; C02F3/20; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for treating liquid sewage by bacterial digestion to recover clarified effluent water therefrom comprising: a. a main treatment tank having a wall which is essentially cylindrical about a horizontal axis and having closed ends, the diameter of the tank being no greater than its length; b. means for delivering raw sewage into the tank; c. a clarification compartment comprising a compartment wall which is essentially cylindrical about an axis that lies parallel to the axis of the tank, the compartment extending lengthwise within the tank with its compartment wall spaced from the tank wall, the compartment being closed at its ends, and the compartment having a longitudinal opening at its bottom communicating with the main tank; d. an air vent extending from inside the top of the compartment to a point above the liquid in the tank; e. effluent pipe means extending from within the compartment and passing outwardly through the main tank and operative to establish a liquid level in the tank and to deliver effluent water collected from the compartment; f. means offset from the horizontal axis of the tank and operative to bubble air upwardly between the tank and the compartment through the sewage to aerate the same and cause it to circulate about the compartment; and g. the walls and ends of the tank being substantially continuous and unbroken below the liquid level in the tank to promote circulation about said compartment with minimum turbulance, and the departure of effluent during such circulation being entirely through said clarification compartment and effluent pipe means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for treating liquid sewage by bacterial digestion to recover clarified effluent water therefrom comprising: a. a main treatment tank having a wall which is essentially cylindrical about a horizontal axis and having closed ends, the diameter of the tank being no greater than its length; b. means for delivering raw sewage into the tank; c. a clarification compartment comprising a compartment wall which is essentially cylindrical about an axis that lies parallel to the axis of the tank, the compartment extending lengthwise within the tank with its compartment wall spaced from the tank wall, the compartment being closed at its ends, and the compartment having a longitudinal opening at its bottom communicating with the main tank; d. an air vent extending from inside the top of the compartment to a point above the liquid in the tank; e. effluent pipe means extending from within the compartment and passing outwardly through the main tank and operative to establish a liquid level in the tank and to deliver effluent water collected from the compartment; f. means offset from the horizontal axis of the tank and operative to bubble air upwardly between the tank and the compartment through the sewage to aerate the same and cause it to circulate about the compartment; and g. the walls and ends of the tank being substantially continuous and unbroken below the liquid level in the tank to promote circulation about said compartment with minimum turbulance, and the departure of effluent during such circulation being entirely through said clarification compartment and effluent pipe means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clarification compartment is about 10% of the main tank by volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clarification compartment extends the full length of the tank and is fixed to the ends of the tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the axis of the compartment is parallel to but disposed above the axis of the tank by a distance not exceeding the radius of the compartment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the interior of the compartment is diamond-shaped in cross-section, comprising longitudinal lower-wall plates converging toward the longitudinal opening, longitudinal upper-wall plates converging toward the top of the compartment near the vent and the upper and lower wall plates being respectively joined together at about the level of said effluent pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including filter means disposed near the bottom of said longitudinal opening and substantially completing the smooth outer contour of the compartment while discouraging the entry of solid matter from the tank into the compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the filter means comprises screen means across said longitudinal opening and essentially conforming with the cylindrical contour of the compartment, and a filter medium comprising aggregate supported on said screen means and occupying a portion of the compartment lying below its axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said effluent pipe means comprises a horizontal pipe perforated at intervals along its lower periphery to admit water from the compartment, the pipe extending axially through most of the length of the compartment about mid-way between its top and bottom and having an exit portion extending upwardly out of the tank and having a discharge leading from said exit portion at a level near to but below the top of the tank; and means to prevent siphoning of the discharge and exit portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said air bubble means comprises a perforated horizontal pipe extending substantially through the length of the tank about mid-way between the tank and one side of the compartment below the vertical center of the tank, a perforated plastic air line removably inserted in the pipe and comprising a loose fit therein, and a source of air pressure outside the tank and coupled with said plastic line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main tank has a clean-out opening in its upper surface, and vented cover means manually closing said clean-out opening.
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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) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |