Method, apparatus, and system to optimize flocculation of solid particles in a settling vessel
OwnerJerold Lorenzo Johnson, Jeffery H. Easton +1inventors
InventorsJerold Lorenzo Johnson, Jeffery H. Easton, Jared Darwin Sorensen
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Abstract
A system for optimizing flocculation in a liquid waste settling vessel is disclosed having outlet configured to propagate a slurry feed stream flow into a feedwell in a downward direction. A deflector is disposed beneath the feedline outlet. The deflector is configured to intercept the slurry feed stream flow and direct the slurry feed stream in a fan-like shape toward the outer wall of the feedwell where the flow will separate into an upward portion and a downward portion. The upward portion helps create a first mixing zone above the deflector. The downward portion helps create a second mixing zone beneath the deflector.
Claims20
A settling vessel, comprising:
- a feedwell configured to receive slurry feed from a feed line, the feedwell comprising an outer wall;
- wherein the feedline comprises an outlet configured to propagate a slurry feed stream into the feedwell in a downward direction;
- and
- a deflector disposed beneath the feedline outlet concentric around a center line of the feedwell, the deflector having a substantially flat upper surface;
- and
- a gap disposed about an outer edge of the deflector.
A method of distributing feed flow into a slurry feedwell, comprising:
- providing a slurry feed flow in at least a partially downward direction toward an internal volume of a feedwell at a predetermined flow rate;
- receiving the slurry feed flow about a top of a deflector disposed within the feedwell, wherein the deflector comprises a downwardly sloping top surface extending from an internal portion of the feedwell towards an outer wall of the feedwell,
- wherein as the slurry feed flow contacts the top surface of the deflector, momentum of the slurry feed flow causes the slurry feed flow to travel downwardly on the deflector towards the outer wall of the feedwell, the slurry feed flow spreading out over the top of the deflector in a fan-like shape.
A system for flocculating solids in a waste-water flow, comprising:
- a single-stage settling vessel with a feedwell configured to receive a slurry feed stream flow therein and mix the slurry feed stream flow with a feedwell slurry at a predetermined rate, the slurry feed stream flow being delivered to the feedwell through a slurry feed outlet configured to propagate a portion of the slurry feed stream flow in a downward direction;
- a deflector disposed within the feedwell and beneath the slurry feed outlet, the deflector comprising a downwardly sloping top surface configured to receive the slurry feed stream flow thereon and direct the slurry feed stream towards an outer wall of the feedwell;
- a first gap disposed between an outer edge of the deflector and the outer wall of the feedwell, said first gap circumscribing the outer edge of the deflector;
- a second gap disposed between a center shaft of the feedwell and an inner edge of the deflector, said second gap inscribing the inner edge of the deflector,
- a volume of flocculant within the feedwell slurry for flocculating solids within the feedwell slurry;
- an opening disposed about a bottom portion of the feedwell for removing solids that have flocculated and settled to the bottom portion of the feedwell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.