Apparatus and method for the treatment of a contaminated fluid

A wastewater separator unit, comprising:

• an integral tank;
• an inlet for introducing a mixture of flocculent polymer and wastewater into said tank;
• a mixer, located in a bottom region of an innermost cylinder in said tank;
• first stage aerating means, located within said innermost cylinder;
• a rotary skimmer, located above the water level of said innermost cylinder and a second stage aeration cylinder surrounding said innermost cylinder;
• second stage aerating means, located within said second stage aeration cylinder;
• a de-aeration baffle, located on the same plane as said rotary skimmer and extending around an outermost cylinder;
• fluid level control means, located between said second stage aeration cylinder and said outermost cylinder, directing water flow from said second stage aeration cylinder out of said tank;
• powering means for powering said mixer and said rotary skimmer;
• a first outlet for permitting clear water to exit said tank;
• and
• a second outlet for permitting waste effluent to exit said tank.

A method for treating a contaminated fluid, comprising the steps of:

• introducing a mixture of a flocculent and the contaminated fluid into an innermost cylinder of a tank having a mixer located therein;
• aerating the mixture as it proceeds upward through the innermost cylinder;
• skimming the aerated floc formed by the flocculent and the contaminants;
• aerating the mixture as it proceeds downward through a second cylinder surrounding the innermost cylinder;
• and
• directing the fluid flow from the second cylinder out of the tank as a decontaminated fluid.