Horizontal flow clarifier

Abstract

A clarifier for purifying liquids containing solids or contaminants. The liquid to be treated enters the clarifier and is directed into a primary sludge contact zone where it is mixed with recirculating sludge. Liquid from the primary sludge contact zone is pumped via flumes to the entrance of a settling corridor for horizontal flow therethrough. The liquid flows through the corridor forming an upper free-fall zone and a lower sludge zone as the precipitates settle out. As the liquid reaches the settling corridor exit, it approaches a point of positive separation of the clarified liquid above from the sludge stream below, which is formed by the kinetic capture of precipitates settling from the free-fall zone into the sludge zone of increasing velocity. The clarified liquid and the sludge stream enter a separation zone where they are caused to contact a vertical flow directing partition wall causing the sludge stream, of higher velocity, to pass thereunder back into the primary contact zone and the clarified liquid, of lower velocity, to pass thereover to be boosted through flumes into a secondary settling basin for polishing. Polished liquid then flows over weirs to outlet while the sludge collected in the basin is directed to the entrance of the settling corridor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.