Patent ID: 7181871
Filing Date: 2007-02-27
Classification: A01C,B08B,E02F

Abstract:
1. A sludge harvester for removing a concentrated sludge from a sludge pond that includes an aqueous dilute layer and a more concentrated sludge layer, the sludge harvester comprising: a frame having an outer perimeter comprised of a plurality of sideboards and an interior portion at least partially bounded by said sideboards; one or more wheels or skids attached to said frame; means, at least partially disposed within said interior portion of said frame, for breaking up at least a portion of a sludge layer adjacent to an aqueous dilute layer while minimizing agitation of the sludge layer and mixing of the sludge layer with the adjacent aqueous dilute layer; means, at least partially disposed within said interior portion of said frame, for preferentially capturing at least a portion of a broken up sludge layer rather than the adjacent aqueous dilute layer; and means, communicating with said capturing means, for transporting captured sludge from within said frame to a location outside of a sludge pond during use.