Tortuous path filter

Abstract

A settling tank for clarifying washing fluids with one or more walls disposed within the tank, each wall having a plurality of passages and defining a settling chamber. Preferably there is a too mounted fluid runoff opening into the tank disposed above the innermost settling chamber and at least one pump inlet disposed in an upper part of the tank outside the outermost settling chamber. Passages in the inner wall are in a lower region of the wall, and the passages in the second wall are in an upper region of the wall, and at least some of the passages are hooded to enhance a flow velocity change for fluid passing through the passages. There is optionally a sump pump having a one way valve for discharging sump sediment from the sump into a portable waste can. There is also preferably a sump tube generally curved upwardly and away from a bottom of the sump, and to which the pump is connected. Some embodiments will have a fluid pump connected to the pump inlet, with the pump controlled to operate only during fluid runoff into the tank, the better to enhance settling of particles and heavier greases and oils during periods when the washer is not in use.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.