Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A waste treatment module adapted to be positioned within a basin for the treatment of solids-containing liquid waste therein, said module comprising: walls defining an upright treatment chamber having a liquid waste inlet adjacent the upper end of the chamber; means within said chamber and beneath said inlet for promoting the flocculation of waste solids, including flocculation structure for causing said solids to traverse a tortuous, descending flow path within the chamber; means defining a sedimentation zone below said flocculation-promoting means for permitting collection of flocculent within said chamber, said sedimentation zone-defining structure including apertured walls presenting an upright, closed-top collector; means communicating with said sedimentation zone for withdrawing portions of the collected flocculent upwardly at a substantially uniform rate for return of the flocculent to said basin, said flocculent-withdrawal means comprising an elongated, upright withdrawal pipe extending through the top of said collector to communicate with the interior thereof, and means for introducing compressed air adjacent the lower end of the withdrawal pipe whereby to create an airlift pumping action for withdrawal of flocculent from said collector and return thereof to the basin; and means adjacent the upper end of said chamber for withdrawing treated liquid therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A waste treatment module adapted to be positioned within a basin for the treatment of solids-containing liquid waste therein, said module comprising: walls defining an upright treatment chamber having a liquid waste inlet adjacent the upper end of the chamber; means within said chamber and beneath said inlet for promoting the flocculation of waste solids, including flocculation structure for causing said solids to traverse a tortuous, descending flow path within the chamber; means defining a sedimentation zone below said flocculation-promoting means for permitting collection of flocculent within said chamber, said sedimentation zone-defining structure including apertured walls presenting an upright, closed-top collector; means communicating with said sedimentation zone for withdrawing portions of the collected flocculent upwardly at a substantially uniform rate for return of the flocculent to said basin, said flocculent-withdrawal means comprising an elongated, upright withdrawal pipe extending through the top of said collector to communicate with the interior thereof, and means for introducing compressed air adjacent the lower end of the withdrawal pipe whereby to create an airlift pumping action for withdrawal of flocculent from said collector and return thereof to the basin; and means adjacent the upper end of said chamber for withdrawing treated liquid therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, said inlet comprising an elongated screen presenting a series of narrow, spaced apart slots along the length thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, there being a pair of liquid waste inlets adjacent the upper end of said chamber and respectively extending along opposite sides thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, said flocculation structure comprising a plurality of spaced apart, superposed baffle plates positioned beneath said inlet, each of said baffle plates presenting flow passages therethrough, at least certain of said flow passages provided in adjacent baffle plates being relatively offset.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, said sedimentation zone-defining means comprising a pair of upright, inclined, opposed converging walls beneath said flocculation structure for gravitional collection of flocculent adjacent the lower end of said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The module as set forth in claim 5, said converging walls being formed of metal having an epoxy finish thereon for promoting gravitation of flocculent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, including means positioned exteriorly of said chamber for introducing air into the liquid waste within said basin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, including means adjacent said waste inlet for addition of treating agents to said liquid waste.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, including means for skimming the liquid within said chamber, and for returning collected skimmings to said basin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The module as set forth in claim 1, said liquid withdrawing means comprising an elongated, apertured conduit positioned within said module and below the normal liquid level therein.