System for debris elimination and item separation and method of use thereof

A debris eliminating system, comprising:

• a) a tank for holding fluid, said tank at least having a separation section across which fluid flows from an upstream location to a downstream location;
• b) a return fluid path that returns a substantial portion of the fluid from the downstream location back to said upstream location so that fluid generally continually flows across said separation section;
• c) a pump for circulating the fluid across said separation section;
• d) a medium density object collector, the medium density object collector being located to collect medium density objects following a medium density object flow path in said separation section;
• e) a light object collector, the light object collector being located to collect light objects which follow a light object flow path in said separation section, said light object collector comprising an upwardly turned duct;
• and
• f) a conveyor filter through which substantially all of the fluid that travels through said separation section passes.

A method for removing debris from objects by separation within a continuously flowing fluid, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a tank having a separation section across which fluid can continuously flow in a downstream direction;
• b) continuously flowing fluid in a flow path across said separation section in said downstream direction;
• c) introducing objects into said flow path proximate an upstream position in said separation section such that said objects move horizontally across said separation section via said fluid and migrate vertically substantially transverse to said downstream direction;
• d) at a predetermined position in said separation section, dividing said flow path into a plurality of separate flow paths, including a continuously flowing light object flow path which conveys, via said fluid, light objects and a continuously flowing medium density object flow path which conveys, via said fluid, medium density objects;
• e) said step of dividing including providing an upwardly curved duct for said light object flow path and a divider wall that separates said light object flow path and said medium density object flow path, said divider wall being substantially solid such that fluid substantially does not pass through said divider wall but is discretely separated into said light object flow path and said medium density object flow path;
• f) collecting medium density objects conveyed via fluid following said medium density object flow path;
• g) collecting light objects conveyed via fluid following said light object flow path;
• and
• h) providing a return flow path for retuming fluid back to said upstream location of said separation section from at least one of said light object flow path and said medium density object flow path.

A method for removing debris from objects by separation within a flowing fluid, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a tank having a separation section across which fluid can continuously flow in a downstream direction;
• b) continuously flowing fluid in a flow path across said separation section in said downstream direction;
• c) introducing objects into said flow path proximate an upstream position in said separation section such that said objects move horizontally across said separation section via said fluid and migrate vertically substantially transverse to said downstream direction;
• d) at a predetermined position in said separation section, dividing said flow path into a plurality of separate flow paths, including a continuously flowing light object flow path comprising an upwardly curved duct which conveys, via said fluid, light objects and a separate continuously flowing medium density object flow path which conveys, via said fluid, medium density objects;
• e) setting a ratio of fluid flow between said medium density object flow path and said light object flow path by applying a first back pressure in said medium density object flow path by at least one of i) directing said medium density object flow path to a desired elevational height and ii) restricting a cross-sectional area of said medium density object flow path, and applying a second back pressure in said light object flow path by at least one of i) directing said light object flow path to a desired elevational height and ii) restricting cross-sectional area of said light object flow path;
• f) collecting medium density objects conveyed by liquid following said medium density object flow path;
• and
• g) collecting light objects conveyed by liquid following said light object flow path.