Settler with a settler plate that includes a hollow support

A settler plate, comprising:

• a settling surface that is substantially rectangular and planar;
• a back surface opposite to the settling surface;
• a baffle at a lateral side of the settler plate, the baffle extending away from the back surface and upwardly above the settling surface;
• a hollow support proximate to an upper end of the settler plate, the hollow support extending from the settling surface and including:
• a hollow interior to transport clarified liquid laterally;
• and
• at least one orifice for liquid to enter the hollow support, wherein the baffle comprises an upper end which contacts a portion of the hollow support, the upper end of the baffle being configured to define a seal to prevent or limit a flow of liquid between the portion of the hollow support and the baffle.

A method of forming a settler plate, comprising:

• providing a blank of a metallic material, the blank including an end tab and lateral tabs;
• bending the end tab at least two times to form a hollow support that extends from a settling surface of the settler plate, the hollow support including at least one orifice for liquid to enter a hollow interior of the hollow support, wherein a free end of the blank is positioned in the hollow interior of the hollow support and is oriented transverse to the settling surface;
• and
• bending the lateral tabs upwardly to form a baffle at each lateral side of the settler plate, the baffles extending away from a back surface of the settler plate and upwardly above the settling surface, wherein the baffles comprise upper ends which contact a portion of the hollow support, the upper ends being configured to define a seal to prevent or limit a flow of liquid between the portion of the hollow support and the baffles.