METHOD FOR REMOVING SUSPENDED SOLIDS FROM AQUEOUS FLUIDS
First Claim
1. A method for recovering water from aqueous fluids containing suspended solid matter, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a settling tank;
a primary mixing tank;
a secondary mixing tank; and
fluid transfer means whereby fluids can flow from a lower region of the primary mixing tank into a lower region of the secondary mixing tank;
said secondary mixing tank having overflow means whereby fluids can flow from an upper region of the secondary mixing tank into the settling tank;
(b) providing primary and secondary agitation means in association with the primary and secondary mixing tanks, respectively;
(c) introducing a flow of solids-laden aqueous fluid into the primary mixing tank;
(d) introducing selected amounts of precipitation enhancement agents into the primary mixing tank, said precipitation enhancement agents being selected from the group consisting of coagulants and flocculants;
(e) actuating the primary agitation means to mix the precipitation enhancement agents with the solids-laden aqueous fluid within the primary mixing tank, and to induce flow of the fluid mixture downward within the primary mixing tank and thence into the secondary mixing tank via the fluid transfer means;
(f) actuating the secondary agitation means to induce flow of the fluid mixture upward within the secondary mixing tank and thence into the settling tank via the overflow means;
(g) allowing solids to precipitate out of the fluid mixture in the settling tank; and
(h) collecting clean water from an upper region of the settling tank.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for cleaning solids-laden aqueous fluids uses an apparatus comprising a settling tank having a sloping floor, which drops off into a collection area; primary and secondary mixing tanks, the lower regions of which are in fluid communication via fluid transfer means; and agitators in each of the mixing tanks. Solids-laden fluid is introduced into the primary mixing tank along with selected coagulant and/or flocculent chemicals, whereupon the agitator in the primary mixing tank is actuated to induce downward fluid flow toward the fluid transfer means and into the secondary mixing tank. The agitator in the secondary mixing tank is actuated to induce upward fluid flow in the secondary mixing tank, from which the fluid mixture overflows into the setting tank. Solids settle or precipitate into the settling tank, and then move downward along the settling tank'"'"'s sloped floor and into the collection area, from which the solids can be removed for further treatment or disposal. Clean water is collected from the upper region of the settling tank, preferably via a spillway along the perimeter of the settling tank.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for recovering water from aqueous fluids containing suspended solid matter, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a settling tank;
a primary mixing tank;
a secondary mixing tank; and
fluid transfer means whereby fluids can flow from a lower region of the primary mixing tank into a lower region of the secondary mixing tank;
said secondary mixing tank having overflow means whereby fluids can flow from an upper region of the secondary mixing tank into the settling tank;(b) providing primary and secondary agitation means in association with the primary and secondary mixing tanks, respectively; (c) introducing a flow of solids-laden aqueous fluid into the primary mixing tank; (d) introducing selected amounts of precipitation enhancement agents into the primary mixing tank, said precipitation enhancement agents being selected from the group consisting of coagulants and flocculants; (e) actuating the primary agitation means to mix the precipitation enhancement agents with the solids-laden aqueous fluid within the primary mixing tank, and to induce flow of the fluid mixture downward within the primary mixing tank and thence into the secondary mixing tank via the fluid transfer means; (f) actuating the secondary agitation means to induce flow of the fluid mixture upward within the secondary mixing tank and thence into the settling tank via the overflow means; (g) allowing solids to precipitate out of the fluid mixture in the settling tank; and (h) collecting clean water from an upper region of the settling tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification