Method and apparatus for dewatering sludge materials
OwnerDonald Roslonskiinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the removal of water, liquids and liquors from sludges and slurries, the sludges and slurries mixed with an electrolyte to improve conductivity and introduced into a conveyor chamber where an electrical path is established to permit electrical energy to pass through the conveyor chamber and the sludge, slurry and electrolyte to free bound water and remove it from the sludge or slurry, and to heat the sludge or slurry to drive off remaining water by vaporization.
Claims16
An apparatus for the removal of bound water, liquids or liquors from sludges or slurries by means of electrical energy and an electrical path established through said sludges or slurries releasing said bound water, liquids or liquors and resulting in a volume reduction, and solids suitable for recycling or landfill disposal, the apparatus comprising:
- a blending chamber for the blending of the sludge or slurry with a predetermined amount of electrolyte, said blending chamber having an inlet means for the introduction of electrolyte and sludge and an outlet means;
- a dewatering chamber having an inlet means for the introduction of sludge and electrolyte and an outlet means, said dewatering chamber comprised of non-conductive parallel end walls and conductive convergent sidewalls, said convergent sidewalls converging from said inlet means to said outlet means of said dewatering chamber, said convergent sidewalls comprising first and second independently rotating endless conveyor belts in sealing engagement with said parallel end walls, said conveyor belts rotating in opposing directions so as to transport said sludge and electrolyte through said dewatering chamber from said inlet means to said outlet means, said first conveyor belt having a slider plate means for communication with a source of electrical energy, said second conveyor belt having a slider plate means for communication with an electrical ground, thereby defining an electrical path from said source of electrical energy to said electrical ground, through said conveyor belts and said sludge and electrolyte;
- a motor means in operable communication with said convergent sidewalls to rotate said endless conveyor belts.
A process for the removal of bound water, liquids or liquors from sludges or slurries by means of electrical energy and an electrical path established through said sludges or slurries releasing said bound water, liquids or liquors and resulting in a volume reduction, and solids suitable for recycling or landfill disposal, the process comprising:
- a) measuring the conductivity of said sludge or slurry;
- b) blending said sludge or slurry with a predetermined amount of electrolyte in a blending chamber;
- c) measuring the conductivity of said sludge and electrolyte;
- d) transporting said sludge and electrolyte to a dewatering chamber;
- e) introducing said sludge and electrolyte into said dewatering chamber, said dewatering chamber having an inlet means and an outlet means;
- f) transporting said sludge and electrolyte through said dewatering chamber by means of convergent conveyor belts between the inlet means of said dewatering chamber and said outlet means of said dewatering chamber;
- g) subjecting said sludge and said electrolyte t, an adjustable source of electrical energy transmitted through said sludge and electrolyte;
- h) removing said water, liquids or liquors from said sludge and electrolyte by means of electrical current passing therethrough;
- i) collecting said water, liquids or liquors in liquid or vapor form;
- j) collecting a dewatered or deliquified sludge at said outlet means of said dewatering chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.