Two-tank wiered reservoir and method of use

A method for buffering a flow of a heavy manure to a separator and for receiving a flow of light manure the separator produces, the method comprising:

• receiving the flow of heavy manure to retain a volume of heavy manure in a first tank, the first tank being defined by a first tank wall extending upward to a first tank wall height;
• receiving the flow of light manure to retain a volume of light manure in a second tank, the second tank being defined by a second tank wall extending upward to a second tank wall height;
• conducting, alternately, through a channel defined between each of the first tank wall and the second tank wall and over a weir situated within the channel, the weir configured to regulate flow along the channel between the first tank and the second tank, the weir extending upward to a weir height, selected to be lower than either of the first tank wall height and the second tank wall height:
• a first flow into the first tank, the first flow comprising an additional volume of heavy manure so as to buoy a layer containing light manure;
• the layer comprising a lesser density of particulate than is present in the volume of heavy manure, such that the upper surface of the layer exceeds a height of a weir, the weir to occasion the first flow;
• and
• a second flow into the second tank, a volume of light manure sufficient to overflow the weir and, thereby to allow light manure to flow into the first tank occasioning the second flow.

A method for managing manure within a confined animal feeding operation comprising:

• receiving a flow of animal urine and feces on a floor surface defining floor channels configured to direct the flow of heavy manure;
• spraying light manure through nozzles situated over the floor surface to flush the urine and feces from the floor surface into the channels;
• receiving the heavy manure comprising a mixture of the urine and feces and light manure from the floor channels in a first tank defined by a first tank wall extending upward to a first tank wall height;
• receiving a flow of the light manure in a second tank, the second tank including a pump to feed the nozzles with the light manure, the second tank being defined by a second tank wall extending upward to a second tank wall height;
• alternately allowing each of a pair of flows through a communicating channel extending from the first tank to the second tank and defining a weir extending upward to a weir height, the weir height being selected to be lower than either of the first tank wall height and the second tank wall height, the pair of flows consisting of:
• a first flow occasioned by the receiving, in the first tank an additional volume of heavy manure so as to buoy a layer containing manure;
• comprising a lesser density of particulate than is present in the volume of heavy manure, such that the upper surface of the layer exceeds the weir height;
• and
• a second flow occasioned by receiving, in the second tank, a volume of light manure sufficient to overflow the weir at the weir height and, thereby to allow light manure to flow into the first tank;
• drawing manure for separation by means of a separator from the first tank;
• in operation of the separator, removing particulate from the heavy manure to produce light manure;
• and
• conducting the resulting light manure to the second tank.