Patent ID: 6913689
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for removing sediment from a liquid, comprising: a first vessel disposed at a first elevation, wherein the first vessel contains a liquid and a layer of sediment therewithin; a second vessel disposed as a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation; a third vessel disposed at a third elevation that is lower than the second elevation; a first conduit that defines a first fluid path between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is positioned adjacent to the layer of sediment within the first vessel and the outlet is in fluid communication with the second vessel, and wherein the first conduit is movably secured within the first vessel; an air source that is configured to direct pulses of pressurized air into the first conduit to draw a slurry of liquid and sediment through the first conduit into the second vessel; and a second conduit that defines a second fluid path between an inlet in fluid communication with the second vessel and an outlet in fluid communication with the third vessel, and wherein the second conduit is configured to drain a slurry of liquid and sediment from the second vessel into the third vessel.