US 6,592,754 B2Granted

Apparatus and process for removing metallic particles from effluent liquid waste

OwnerRichard H. Chilibeckinventor

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Abstract

An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation. A positive air pressure source or auxiliary pumps may be used to drive the effluent, particularly in large installations incorporating multiple surge and deposit tanks. Full tank effluent removal and drying facilities are optionally provided.

Claims37

Dependent claims

Apparatus for receiving liquid effluent containing metallic particles from a source thereof, separating the liquid effluent into a collected solid waste component containing metallic particles and an outflowing fluid component, and discharging the fluid component to an exit conduit;

said apparatus comprising:
(a) a surge tank for collecting a quantity of said liquid effluent, and including a surge tank outlet and a surge tank inlet in fluid communication with said source;
(b) a sedimentary deposit tank in fluid communication with the surge tank outlet and comprising a sedimentary deposit tank outlet and a series of baffle chambers separated by baffle chamber walls, at least one of said baffle chambers containing baffles inclined in one or two dimensions for facilitating deposit of solid particles, the series of baffle chambers being structured and arranged so that a first baffle chamber in said series of baffle chambers receives the liquid effluent which then passes in sequence through the baffle chambers and exits a final baffle chamber of said series of baffle chambers via the sedimentary deposit tank outlet to the exit conduit, as said outflowing fluid component;
(c) a controlled pressure differential means adapted to cause or maintain a pressure differential between the surge tank inlet and the sedimentary deposit tank outlet for causing liquid to flow from the surge tank through the sedimentary deposit tank to the outlet thereof in response to the pressure differential;
(d) a bypass conduit connecting the surge tank inlet to the exit conduit;
and
(e) a pressure balancing valve at the surge tank inlet that facilitates maintenance of the pressure differential.

4 more elements

said apparatus comprising
(a) two or more surge tanks for collecting a quantity of said liquid effluent, and including a surge tank outlet and a surge tank inlet for coupling in fluid communication with said source, the surge tanks for coupling in parallel with said source;
(b) two or more sedimentary deposit tanks, each in fluid communication with a respective surge tank outlet and comprising a sedimentary deposit tank outlet and a series of baffle chambers separated by baffle chamber walls, at least one of said baffle chambers containing baffles inclined in one or two dimensions for facilitating deposit of solid particles, the series of baffle chambers being structured and arranged so that a first baffle chamber in said series of baffle chambers receives the liquid effluent which then passes in sequence through the baffle chambers and exits a final baffle chamber of said series of baffle chambers via the sedimentary deposit tank outlet to the exit conduit, as said outflowing fluid component;
(c) a controlled pressure differential means adapted to create a pressure differential between the surge tank inlets and the sedimentary deposit tank outlets for causing liquid to flow from the surge tanks through the sedimentary deposit tanks to the outlets thereof in response to the pressure differential;
(d) a bypass conduit connecting the surge tank inlet to the exit conduit;
(e) a source of controlled vacuum pressure between the effluent source and the exit conduit, for causing liquid to flow from the effluent source into the surge tanks under suction, and air to flow from the effluent source into the exit conduit via the surge tank inlets;
and
(f) a pressure balancing valve at the surge tank inlets that facilitates maintenance of the vacuum pressure.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/768,848Filed 23 Jan 2001 · continuation in part
Priority: CA 224358024 Jul 1998
Published: US 2001/0004060 A121 Jun 2001
Granted: 15 Jul 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

B01D 21/0018
Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation: provided with a pump mounted in or on a settling tank
B01D 21/0024
Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation: inlets or outlets provided with regulating devices, e.g. valves, flaps
B01D 21/0039
Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation: settling tanks provided with contact surfaces, e.g. baffles, particles
B01D 21/0042
Settling tanks provided with contact surfaces, e.g. baffles, particles: baffles or guide plates