Mechanism for extraction of immiscible, less dense material from a fluid

Claim 2

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination; (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding first wall in the reservior extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding first wall including a second wall spaced from an outside wall of the reservoir to provide a side reservoir connected to the outlet, said second wall defining a weir which controls fluid level in the reservoir and automatically removes fluid from the reservoir when said fluid level reaches a control level equal to the level of said second wall; (f) means for directing surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section; (g) An upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of the surface flow; (h) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface; and (i) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 including mechanical surface sweeping means for skimming the surface of the fluid in the direction of surface flow in the reservoir and transferring pollutant material therefrom onto the beach.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vertical upstanding wall includes an opening at the bottom of the reservoir to provide for partial recirculation of fluid flow from the outlet section to the inlet section.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 including check valve means at the inlet opening to prevent back flow of fluid.

Claim 6

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir; (f) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall, said means for maintaining the fluid level including a second wall spaced from an outside wall of the reservoir to provide a side reservoir connected to the outlet means from the reservoir outlet section, said second wall defining a weir which controls fluid level in the reservoir and automatically removes fluid from the reservoir when said fluid level reaches a control level equal to the level of the second wall; (g) means for directing surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section; (h) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of the surface flow; and (i) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface.

Claim 7

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir; (f) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall, said means for maintaining the fluid level including a second wall spaced from an outside wall of the reservoir to provide a side reservoir connected to the outlet means from the reservoir outlet section, said second wall defining a weir which controls fluid level in the reservoir and automatically removes fluid from the reservoir when said fluid level reaches a control level equal to the level of the second wall; (g) means for directing surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section; (h) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of the surface flow; and (i) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface.

Claim 8

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant materials has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall; (f) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of a surface flow; (g) means for directing a surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section, said means including a supplemental inclined diverter wall at the top of the reservoir over the inlet to divert flow of inlet fluid toward the beach surface; (h) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface; and (i) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant materials and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir.

Claim 9

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant materials has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall; (f) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of a surface flow; (g) means for directing a surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section, said means including a supplemental inclined diverter wall at the top of the reservoir over the inlet to divert flow of inlet fluid toward the beach surface; (h) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface; and (i) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant materials and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir.

Claim 10

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (A) a reservoir having a bottom and four sides adjoined to both said bottom and each other, at least one of said sides extending a smaller distance from said bottom than at least two other of said sides; (B) an inlet opening in proximity to said bottom and in fluid communication with said reservoir; (C) conduit means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through said inlet opening upwardly into said reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe connected to and in fluid communication with said inlet opening; (D) a generally vertical upstanding first wall in said reservoir located between said inlet opening and said one side, oriented generally perpendicular to two opposed sides, coupled to and extending further away from said bottom then said one side, and dividing said reservoir into a central reservoir and a side reservoir, said central reservoir including said inlet opening, said first wall having a first opening near said bottom; (E) a generally vertical upstanding second wall in said reservoir oriented generally perpendicular to two opposed sides and extending a lesser distance away from said bottom of said reservoir than said one side and dividing said central reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section, said inlet section including said inlet opening, said second wall having a second opening near said bottom, said first opening being between said outlet section and said side reservoir; (F) carrier fluid overflow means coupled and adjacent to said side reservoir for catching carrier fluid overflowing said one side wall; (G) carrier fluid outlet means coupled to said overflow means for removing carrier fluid from said overflow means; (H) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from said outlet section of said reservoir in the path of the surface flow; and (I) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto said beach surface.

Claim 11

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (A) a reservoir having a bottom and four sides adjoined to both said bottom and each other, at least one of said sides extending a smaller distance from said bottom than at least two other of said sides; (B) an inlet opening in proximity to said bottom and in fluid communication with said reservoir; (C) conduit means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through said inlet opening upwardly into said reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe connected to and in fluid communication with said inlet opening; (D) a generally vertical upstanding first wall in said reservoir located between said inlet opening and said one side, oriented generally perpendicular to two opposed sides, coupled to and extending further away from said bottom then said one side, and dividing said reservoir into a central reservoir and a side reservoir, said central reservoir including said inlet opening, said first wall having a first opening near said bottom; (E) a generally vertical upstanding second wall in said reservoir oriented generally perpendicular to two opposed sides and extending a lesser distance away from said bottom of said reservoir than said one side and dividing said central reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section, said inlet section including said inlet opening, said second wall having a second opening near said bottom, said first opening being between said outlet section and said side reservoir; (F) carrier fluid overflow means coupled and adjacent to said side reservoir for catching carrier fluid overflowing said one side wall; (G) carrier fluid outlet means coupled to said overflow means for removing carrier fluid from said overflow means; (H) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from said outlet section of said reservoir in the path of the surface flow; and (I) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto said beach surface.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first and second openings are elongated openings oriented along said bottom.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first and second walls contact each other.

Claim 14

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (A) a reservoir having a bottom and two adjoined ends and two sides adjoined to both said bottom and said ends, said ends extending further from said bottom than said sides; (B) an inlet opening in proximity to said bottom and in fluid communication with said reservoir; (C) conduit means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through said inlet opening upwardly into said reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe connected to and in fluid communication with said inlet opening; (D) generally vertical upstanding first and second walls in said reservoir, said first wall being located between said inlet opening and said first side, said second wall being oriented between said inlet opening and said second side, said first and second walls being (1) oriented generally perpendicular to said ends, (2) coupled to and extending further away from said bottom then said first and second sides, and (3dividing said reservoir into a central reservoir and first and second side reservoirs, said central reservoir including said inlet opening, said first and second walls having a first and a second opening, respectively, near said bottom; (E) a generally vertical upstanding third wall in said reservoir oriented generally perpendicular to said sides and extending a lesser distance away from said bottom of said reservoir than said first and second sides and dividing said central reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section, said inlet section including said inlet opening, said third wall having a third opening near said bottom, said first and second openings being between said outlet section and said first and second side reservoirs, respectively; (F) carrier fluid overflow means coupled and adjacent to said first and second side reservoirs for catching carrier fluid overflowing said first and second side walls; (G) carrier fluid outlet means coupled to said overflow means for removing fluid from said overflow means; (H) an upwardly inclinded beach surface projecting from said outlet section of said reservoir in the path of the surface flow; and (I) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto said beach surface.

Claim 15

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination: (A) a reservoir having a bottom and two adjoined ends and two sides adjoined to both said bottom and said ends, said ends extending further from said bottom than said sides; (B) an inlet opening in proximity to said bottom and in fluid communication with said reservoir; (C) conduit means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through said inlet opening upwardly into said reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe connected to and in fluid communication with said inlet opening; (D) generally vertical upstanding first and second walls in said reservoir, said first wall being located between said inlet opening and said first side, said second wall being oriented between said inlet opening and said second side, said first and second walls being (1) oriented generally perpendicular to said ends, (2) coupled to and extending further away from said bottom then said first and second sides, and (3dividing said reservoir into a central reservoir and first and second side reservoirs, said central reservoir including said inlet opening, said first and second walls having a first and a second opening, respectively, near said bottom; (E) a generally vertical upstanding third wall in said reservoir oriented generally perpendicular to said sides and extending a lesser distance away from said bottom of said reservoir than said first and second sides and dividing said central reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section, said inlet section including said inlet opening, said third wall having a third opening near said bottom, said first and second openings being between said outlet section and said first and second side reservoirs, respectively; (F) carrier fluid overflow means coupled and adjacent to said first and second side reservoirs for catching carrier fluid overflowing said first and second side walls; (G) carrier fluid outlet means coupled to said overflow means for removing fluid from said overflow means; (H) an upwardly inclinded beach surface projecting from said outlet section of said reservoir in the path of the surface flow; and (I) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto said beach surface.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first, second, and third openings are elongated openings oriented along said bottom.

Claim 17

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination; (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall; (f) means for directing surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section; (g) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of the surface flow; (h) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface; (i) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir; and (j) means for imparting an electric charge to the carrier fluid to thereby enhance separation of pollutant material from the carrier fluid.

Claim 18

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination; (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall; (f) means for directing surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section; (g) an upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of the surface flow; (h) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface; (i) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir; and (j) means for imparting an electric charge to the carrier fluid to thereby enhance separation of pollutant material from the carrier fluid.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means for imparting the charge is upstream from the inlet opening.

Claim 20

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination; (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall; (f) means for directing surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section including a supplemental inclined diverter wall at the top of the reservoir over the inlet to divert flow of inlet fluid toward the beach surface; (g) An upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of the surface flow; (h) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface; and (i) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir.

Claim 21

Apparatus for separating and removing an immiscible pollutant material from a carrier fluid where the pollutant material has a density less than the carrier fluid, said apparatus comprising in combination; (a) a reservoir having a bottom and sides; (b) an inlet opening in the bottom of the reservoir; (c) means for directing a flow of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid through the bottom inlet opening upwardly into the reservoir, said means including an inlet pipe through the bottom; (d) a generally vertical upstanding wall in the reservoir extending partially toward the top of the reservoir and dividing the reservoir into an inlet section and an outlet section; (e) means for maintaining a fluid level in the reservoir above the level of the upstanding wall; (f) means for directing surface flow of the mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid in a single direction in the reservoir from the inlet section toward the outlet section including a supplemental inclined diverter wall at the top of the reservoir over the inlet to divert flow of inlet fluid toward the beach surface; (g) An upwardly inclined beach surface projecting from the outlet section of the reservoir in the path of the surface flow; (h) means for guiding and transferring pollutant material from the surface of the fluid onto the beach surface; and (i) a carrier fluid outlet means in the side wall of the outlet section of the reservoir adjacent the bottom of the reservoir for removing quantities of carrier fluid from the outlet section substantially equal to the volume quantity of mixed pollutant material and carrier fluid introduced to the inlet section of the reservoir.