# US 10,479,623 B2 · Sludge handling system with rotating discharge device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,623 B2 - Document ID: US10479623B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/945,032 - Filed: 2018-04-04 - Published: 2019-10-10 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-04 - Assignees: RDP Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: RDP Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Richard W. Christy; Michael Quici; Michael J. Millman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479623B2 ## CPC - B65G 65/4809: {rotating about a substantially vertical axis} - B01D 21/18: Construction of the scrapers or the driving mechanisms for settling tanks - B01D 21/245: {Discharge mechanisms for the sediments} - C02F 11/121: by mechanical de-watering - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - 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) ## Abstract A sludge handling system includes a bin from which treated sewage sludge is discharged. A rotabable discharge device includes an arm for scraping the inside of the bin and a frusto-conical chute from which sludge is discharged through a gate to a waiting truck. A stationary scoop is provided mounted on the gate to scrape the interior wall of the chute of adhering sludge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sludge handling system comprising: at least one bin from which bin treated sewage sludge is discharged; the at least one bin having an inlet at an upper end for receiving sludge therein, a bottom central discharge opening for discharge of sludge therethrough, and side wall(s), at least portions of the side wall(s) being generally conically sloped toward the bottom central discharge opening, a rotatable discharge means including a rotably driven table; the rotatable discharge means including at least one arm having an upper portion and a lower portion, the at least one arm being mounted for traversing proximate the sloped portions of the side wall(s) of the at least one bin, and for moving sludge from the sloped portions of the side wall(s) so that the sludge does not adhere to the sloped portions of the side wall(s) and is directed out the bottom central discharge opening; the rotatable discharge means including a rotationally symmetric chute, the rotationally symmetric chute having an upper end for receiving sludge from the bottom central discharge opening of the at least one bin, a lower end for discharging sludge, and a wall extending between the upper end of the chute and the lower end of the chute, the lower portion of the at least one arm being mounted on the rotably driven table; a discharge gate having an opening for receiving sludge from the lower end of the chute, the discharge gate including at least one scoop extending into the chute proximate the wall for dislodging sludge from the wall. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the rotatably driven table includes motor means for driving the table from a periphery of the table. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the chute is generally conical, the upper end of the chute having a greater diameter than the diameter of the lower end of the chute. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, further including sealing means providing a peripheral seal between said bottom discharge opening of said bin and said rotatably driven table. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A system according to claim 4, wherein said peripheral seal is carried by said rotatably driven table, for rotation therewith. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A system according to claim 5, wherein said peripheral seal is in sliding engagement against the bin at the bottom central discharge opening of the bin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein said rotably driven table is generally rotationally symmetric. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the sloped portions of the side wall(s) of the at least one bin have lower end(s) that terminate in the bottom central discharge opening, and wherein the bottom central discharge opening of the bin is generally cylindrical. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the gate is rotationally symmetric. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A system according to claim 9, further including sealing means providing a peripheral seal between the lower end of the chute and the opening of the gate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A system according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral seal is carried by the chute. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A system according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral seal is in sliding engagement against the gate at the lower end of the chute. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the sloped portions of the side wall(s) of the bin have lower end(s) that terminate in the discharge opening, and wherein the discharge opening is generally cylindrical. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one arm comprises a means for scraping sludge from the sloped portions of the side wall(s). ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one arm is substantially at the same angle to the vertical as the sloped portions of the side wall(s). ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one arm is selectively rotatable depending upon the volume of sludge in the bin.