# US 10,308,538 B2 · Apparatus for separating materials from an influent stream > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,538 B2 - Document ID: US10308538B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/503,455 - Filed: 2014-10-01 - Published: 2016-04-07 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-01 - Assignees: ClearCove Systems, Inc. - Applicants: ClearCove Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Terry Wright - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308538B2 ## CPC - C02F 11/04: Anaerobic treatment; Production of methane by such processes - C02F 2001/007: {Processes including a sedimentation step} - C02F 2209/40: Liquid flow rate - C02F 2303/06: Sludge reduction, e.g. by lysis - C02F 2303/24: Separation of coarse particles, e.g. by using sieves or screens - Y02E 50/30: Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel - Y02W 10/20: Sludge processing - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract A system comprising method and apparatus for separating biologically-digestible materials from an influent sewage stream. The system may comprise a primary clarification tank to capture sixty percent or more of the total solids from an influent stream; a sludge classifying press (SCP) to isolate and concentrate biologically digestible materials from sludge formed in the primary clarification tank, releasing valuable organics, such as are found in corn kernels, by fracturing the protective casings; a grit capture mechanism in a chamber within the primary clarification tank and isolated from the bulk of the sludge containing biologically-degradable materials; a grit trap to remove grit from the sludge prior to classifying the sludge with the SCP; apparatus for adding thickener to the sludge after classification and prior to digestion; and automation of one or more elements of the process for separating and digesting the biologically digestible materials in an influent stream. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for separating materials from an influent stream, comprising: a) a primary clarifier including a settling tank; b) a mechanism in communication with said settling tank capable of shearing a sludge portion of said material and forcing said sheared sludge portion through a screen and c) a digester in fluid communication with said screen apparatus arranged to receive said sheared sludge portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said primary clarifier further comprises an influent feed system including a grit box. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a sludge pump in fluid communication with said settling tank, wherein said sludge pump is also controllably in fluid communication with said mechanism arranged to apply mechanical pressure to force sludge particles in said sheared sludge portion smaller than a predetermined dimension to pass through a said screen apparatus. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a controllable flocculent source in communication with said materials in said influent stream prior to their treatment by said mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a controllable flocculent source in communication with said materials in said influent stream after their treatment by said mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one flow meter for measuring flow of said materials. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor for measuring characteristics of said materials. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor for measuring characteristics of bio-gas produced by digestion of materials in said digester. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said screen is cylindrical. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said screen is a component of a sludge classifying press. ### Claim 11 Apparatus for separating materials from an influent stream comprising: a) a primary clarifier including a settling tank arranged to form a sludge by gravitational settling of said influent stream, said sludge including fluid and sludge particles having a range of sizes; b) a sludge press in fluid communication with said settling tank arrange to receive said sludge, said sludge press having a cylindrical screen and being arranged to apply mechanical pressure to said fluid and said sludge particles to force said fluid and a portion of said sludge particles through said cylindrical screen to create a screened portion of said sludge, Wherein individual sludge particles in said screened portion of said sludge all have diameters up to a predetermined diameter; and, c) a sludge digester in fluid communication with said sludge press and arranged to receive said screened portion of said sludge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a sludge thickener disposed between said sludge press and said sludge digester.