Vacuum loadable divided phase separator for liquid/solid separation

A method for offsetting the effects of blinding in a vacuum loadable liquid-solid separator for separating liquids from target solids in a sludge comprising:

• a tank having walls extending upward from a bed, said bed and said walls having surfaces, said surfaces forming a sludge receiving cavity;
• a dividing wall positioned within said sludge receiving cavity;
• a liquid permeable filter positioned within said cavity for retaining target solids, said filter positioned to overlap said dividing wall;
• a first support means for supporting said filter over said bed and said walls, said support means providing a first free flow space between said filter and said bed and said walls;
• a second support means for supporting said filter over said dividing wall, said support means providing a second free flow space between said filter and said dividing wall;
• a first liquid removal means for removing liquids from said first free flow space;
• and a second liquid removal means for removing liquids from said second free flow space comprising:
• closing first liquid removal means prior to the introduction of sludge into said sludge receiving cavity;
• closing second liquid removal means prior to the introduction of sludge into said sludge receiving cavity;
• introducing sludge into said sludge receiving cavity;
• allowing sludge to stand and separate into two phases, a relatively solid free fluid phase and a remaining sludge phase;
• opening said first liquid removal means;
• and
• opening said second liquid removal means.