Patent ID: 9744481
Date: 2017-08-29
CPC Classifications: B01D,C02F

Claim:
1. An apparatus for clarifying a sludge-containing effluent, comprising: a clarification basin for clarification by settling of sludge that is deposited on the bottom of the basin while clarified water is evacuated at the upper level of the basin; at least one arm able to move above the upper level of the liquid in the basin to sweep all the surface of the liquid; at least one trough supported by the arm, so that it is immersed over part of its height in the liquid in the basin; suction tubes held relative to the trough, extending downwardly toward the bottom of the basin, each suction tube including at the top a vertically adjustable sleeve opening into the trough at a level lower than the level of the liquid in the basin, the downwardly extending tubes enabling delivery into the trough of liquid and sludge coming from the bottom of the basin, and means for evacuation of sludge from the trough, wherein the sleeve of at least one suction tube is free to slide vertically relative to the mobile arm supporting the trough and to the tube and in that the sleeve has a reserve of buoyancy necessary and sufficient for keeping the overspill end of the sleeve in the trough continuously out of the water so that the overspill level of the sleeve adapts automatically relative to the level of the liquid and sludge in the trough.