Patent ID: 6397665
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting and measuring foam in wastewater, comprising:a vertically positioned tubular column having an inner wall, said tubular column having first and second openings disposed within an upper portion of said tubular column; a first valve means having an inlet port for receiving said wastewater and an outlet port connected to the first opening of said tubular column, said first valve means when opened allowing said wastewater to pass through the first opening of said tubular column and flow down the inner wall of said tubular column to a lower portion of said tubular column; air supply means for generating compressed air; second valve means having an inlet port connected to said air supply means to receive said compressed air, a first outlet port connected to the second opening of said tubular column, and a second outlet port, said second valve means diverting said compressed air through the first outlet port thereof and the second opening of said tubular column into said tubular column when said second valve means is activated, said valve means directing said compressed air through the second outlet port thereof when said second valve means is de-activated; third valve means having an inlet port connected to the lower portion of said tubular column and an outlet port for draining said wastewater from said tubular column; an aeration stone positioned in the lower portion of said tubular column, said aeration stone having an inlet port connected to the second outlet port of said second valve means to receive said compressed air directed through the second outlet port of said second valve means; control means connected to said first valve means, said second valve means, and said third valve means; said control means opening said first valve means allowing said wastewater to pass through said first valve means into said tubular column; said control means de-activating said second valve means allowing said compressed air to flow through the second outlet port of said valve means to said aeration stone; said aeration stone, responsive to said compressed air, generating air bubbles within said wastewater resulting in a formation of said foam within said tubular column above said wastewater; a spherical shaped float positioned above the lower portion of said tubular column, said foam raising said spherical shaped float within said tubular column; measuring means for measuring the height said spherical shaped float rises to within said tubular column, said measuring means producing a continuous analog electrical output signal indicative of foam height within said tubular column; said control means simultaneously activating said second valve means and opening said third valve means diverting said compressed air from said aeration stone to said upper portion of said tubular column forcing said wastewater and said foam out of said tubular column through said third valve means.