Patent ID: 7294254
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for treating wastewater, the apparatus comprising: at least one operational area operative to receive a substantially continuous inflow of wastewater and having a predetermined volume; a treatment area separate from the at least one operational area; air-operated means operative to transfer a batch of the wastewater from the at least one operational area to the treatment area until a predetermined level of wastewater is reached in the treatment area; and means operative to withdraw a layer of the treated wastewater from the surface of the batch of wastewater in the treatment area at a rate of withdrawal that decreases as the surface of the wastewater falls within the treatment area, so as to reduce disturbance of a population of microorganisms that have settled out of the batch of wastewater into a settlement area at a lower level in the treatment area.