Sludge separation apparatus

A sludge-separating apparatus for removing sludge from a liquid from an adjacent holding tank comprising, in combination,

• a separation tank for receiving and holding a supply of liquid and sludge, the tank having a plurality of upstanding walls;
• pump means for transporting sludge and liquid from the adjacent holding tank to the separation tank, the pump means having an inlet in the holding tank and an outlet disposed at the bottom of the separation tank so that as liquid and sludge are discharged from the outlet, sludge particles settling on the bottom of the separation tank are circulated upwardly to the surface of the liquid;
• baffle means disposed in the separation tank adjacent the outlet of the pump means for directing sludge entering the separation tank through the pump means outlet toward the surface of the liquid in the separation tank;
• means dividing the separation tank into two regions, the outlet of the pump means being in the first region, the dividing means allowing relatively sludge-free liquid to pass through into the second region;
• liquid return means associated with the second region of the separation tank for returning the relatively sludge-free liquid to the holding tank;
• and
• automatic skimmer means associated with the first region of the separation tank for skimming floating sludge from the surface of the liquid and discharging the sludge over one of the upstanding walls bounding the first region of the separation tank.