Patent ID: 6315899
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
Apparatus for separating a lighter liquid and a heavier liquid, comprising:a settling tank sized to receive the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid, said settling tank permitting the formation of a first upper liquid fraction and a first lower liquid fraction, the first upper liquid fraction comprising the lighter liquid with residual amounts of the heavier liquid contained therein;a weir positioned adjacent the settling tank so that the first upper liquid fraction in said settling tank flows over said weir;a trough positioned adjacent said weir for receiving a quantity of the first upper liquid fraction from said settling tank, said trough allowing the first upper liquid fraction to form a second upper liquid fraction and a second lower liquid fraction;a first drain having an inlet end positioned in said trough, the inlet end of said first drain being elevated within said trough so that said first drain removes the second upper liquid fraction from said trough; anda second drain having an inlet end positioned in said trough, the inlet end of said second drain being positioned below the inlet end of said first drain so that said second drain removes the second lower liquid fraction from said trough.