Apparatus for separating solids from a liquid

An apparatus for separating solids from a liquid, comprising:

• a first separator having an inlet and an outlet;
• an input pump for pumping the solids and the liquid into said inlet of said first separator;
• said first separator circulating the solids and the liquid within the first separator for concentrating the solids for discharge from said outlet of said first separator;
• a second separator having a first and a second opening with said first opening communicating with said outlet of said first separator;
• said second separator extending angularly upwardly for conveying the solids away from said first opening and towards said second opening of said second separator to separate the solids from the liquid;
• a third separator having an inlet and an outlet;
• a transfer pump for pumping the solids and the liquid from said second separator into said inlet of said third separator;
• said third separator circulating the solids and the liquid within the third separator for concentrating the solids for discharge from said outlet of said third separator;
• said outlet of said third separator communicating with said first opening of said second separator for further separating the solids from the liquid;
• and
• said third separator is being coaxial with said first separator.

A method for separating solids from a liquid, comprising the steps of:

• pumping the solids and liquid into a first cyclone separator;
• concentrating the solids within the liquid in a first cyclone separator;
• separating the concentrated solids from the liquid with an angularly orientated second Archimedean screw separator to convey the concentrated solids from a first opening to be discharged from a second opening;
• pumping the remaining solids and liquid from the second Archimedean screw separator into a third cyclone separator;
• concentrating the remaining solids from the liquid in the third cyclone separator;
• and
• reintroducing the concentrated remaining solids and the liquid angularly orientated second Archimedean screw separator to convey the concentrated solids from a first opening to be discharged from a second opening;
• removing the liquid from the third cyclone separator with a weir.

An apparatus for separating solids from a liquid, comprising:

• a first cyclone separator having an inlet and an outlet;
• an input pump for pumping the solids and the liquid into said inlet of said first separator;
• said first cyclone separator circulating the solids and the liquid within said first cyclone separator for concentrating the solids for discharge from said outlet of said first cyclone separator;
• a second Archimedean screw separator having a first and a second opening with said first opening communicating with said outlet of said first cyclone separator;
• said second Archimedean separator extending angularly upwardly for conveying the solids away from said first opening and towards said second opening of said second separator to separate the solids from the liquid;
• a third cyclone separator having an inlet and an outlet;
• said third cyclone separator being located coaxially about said first cyclone separator;
• a transfer pump for pumping the liquid and any remaining solids from said second Archimedean separator into said inlet of said third cyclone separator;
• said third cyclone separator circulating the remaining solids and the liquid within the third separator for concentrating the remaining solids for discharge from said outlet of said third separator;
• and
• said outlet of said third separator communicating with said first opening of said second Archimedean separator for further separating the remaining solids from the liquid;
• an accumulator having an entry port and an exit port;
• said accumulator being located coaxially about said first and third cyclone separators;
• a weir interposed between said third cyclone separator and said entry port of said accumulator for directing liquid from said third cyclone separator to said accumulator to limit the level of the liquid within said third cyclone separator.