Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for treating an aqueous sludge which contains proteins, said apparatus including an agglomerator and a filter means positioned below said agglomerator, said agglomerator comprising a horizontally-oriented bottom wall, a vertically-oriented cylindrical outer wall mounted on said bottom wall, a vertically-oriented cylindrical inner wall mounted on said bottom wall and within said outer wall, said inner wall and said outer wall forming an annular treatment space therebetween, a first inlet opening in said outer wall to enable aqueous sludge to be tangentially supplied to said annular treatment space, sludge supply duct for supplying aqueous sludge to said first inlet opening, a second inlet opening in said outer wall diametrically opposite said first inlet opening to enable steam to be tangentially supplied to said annular treatment space, steam supply duct for supplying steam to said second inlet opening, and an outlet means extending through said bottom wall from within said inner wall to discharge treated sludge onto said filter means therebelow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for treating an aqueous sludge which contains proteins, said apparatus including an agglomerator and a filter means positioned below said agglomerator, said agglomerator comprising a horizontally-oriented bottom wall, a vertically-oriented cylindrical outer wall mounted on said bottom wall, a vertically-oriented cylindrical inner wall mounted on said bottom wall and within said outer wall, said inner wall and said outer wall forming an annular treatment space therebetween, a first inlet opening in said outer wall to enable aqueous sludge to be tangentially supplied to said annular treatment space, sludge supply duct for supplying aqueous sludge to said first inlet opening, a second inlet opening in said outer wall diametrically opposite said first inlet opening to enable steam to be tangentially supplied to said annular treatment space, steam supply duct for supplying steam to said second inlet opening, and an outlet means extending through said bottom wall from within said inner wall to discharge treated sludge onto said filter means therebelow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said agglomerator includes a helically-extending baffle extending upwardly within said annular treatment space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said inner wall of said agglomerator extends vertically above said bottom wall less than said outer wall, the upper edge of said inner wall providing an overflow edge, and wherein said helically-extending baffle extends vertically upwardly from near said bottom wall to said overflow edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said outlet means of said agglomerator comprises a lower pipe which extends through an opening in said bottom wall, and an upper funnel which is connected beween said lower pipe and said overflow edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said sludge supply duct of said agglomerator extends perpendicularly to said outer wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said steam supply duct of said agglomerator extends in parallel with a turn of said helically-extending baffle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said filter means comprises two horizontally spaced apart support rollers and an endless filter belt movably extending therebetween.