Patent ID: 6010631
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B01D,C02F

Abstract:
A process for removing solids from an influent liquid, comprising:a) combining a flow of influent liquid, flocculent and insoluble granular particles in a first mixing chamber;b) mechanically agitating the influent liquid, flocculent and granular particles to produce a flocculated mixture in the first mixing chamber;c) passing the flocculated mixture from the first mixing chamber into a second mixing chamber;d) mechanically agitating the flocculated mixture in the second mixing chamber to produce a further flocculated mixture;e) passing the further flocculated mixture from the second mixing chamber into an upper portion of a down-flow zone;f) passing the further flocculated mixture from the upper portion of the down-flow zone, through the down-flow zone, to a lower portion of the down-flow zone, without further mechanical agitation, into a settling zone; andg) removing clarified liquid from a free flowing, unchanneled upper region of the settling zone that is open, unobstructed and includes no separator plates, and removing settled flocs and other settle materials from a lower region of the settling zone.