METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZATION OF A CONVENTIONAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT
A system for settling solids in a waste water treatment facility, comprising an elongate tank for receiving a waste water influent and discharging a waste water effluent, a first sludge collector disposed in a first chamber in the tank, a second sludge collector disposed in a second chamber in the tank, a first sludge hopper formed in the bottom of the tank adjacent the first sludge collector, a second sludge hopper formed in the bottom of the tank adjacent the second sludge collector, and a plate disposed between the first and second sludge collectors and extending upwards from the bottom between the first and second sludge hoppers to define the first and second chambers. Preferably, a weir is formed in the upper edge of the plate.
1 . A system for settling solids in a waste water treatment facility, comprising:
a) an elongate tank for receiving a waste water influent and discharging a waste water effluent;
b) a first sludge collector disposed in a first chamber in said tank;
c) a second sludge collector disposed in a second chamber in said tank;
d) a first sludge hopper formed in a bottom of said tank adjacent said first sludge collector;
e) a second sludge hopper formed in said bottom of said tank adjacent said second sludge collector; and
f) a plate disposed between said first and second sludge collectors and extending upwards from said bottom between said first and second sludge hoppers.
2 . A system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a tank inlet for said waste water influent to said first chamber and a tank outlet for said waste water effluent from said second chamber.
3 . A system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising at least one weir formed in an upper edge of said plate.
4 . A system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising at least one opening in said plate.
5 . A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first sludge collector comprises a plurality of first flights attached to at least one first flexible element.
6 . A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first flights are oriented longitudinally of said tank.
7 . A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said at least one first flexible element is formed in an endless loop and is disposed and drivable in a direction such that said first flights are moved along said bottom toward said first sludge hopper.
8 . A system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first flexible element comprises a chain.
9 . A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second sludge collector comprises a plurality of second flights attached to at least one second flexible element.
10 . A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second flights are oriented transversely of said tank.
11 . A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said at least one second flexible element is formed in an endless loop and is disposed and drivable in a direction such that said second flights are moved along said bottom toward said second sludge hopper.
12 . A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second flexible element comprises a chain.
13 . A system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising an angled deflector cooperative with said tank inlet to redirect said waste water influent.
14 . A system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a vertical baffle disposed between said plate and said first sludge collector.
15 . A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tank inlet is a first tank inlet, and further comprising a second tank inlet oriented in opposition to said first tank inlet.