Patent ID: 6663782
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: C02F

Abstract:
A method for treating feedlot waste, comprising the steps of:screening coarse solids from animal wastewater; removing inorganic undissolved solids from the screened wastewater; creating bubble-particle aggregates by directing the wastewater into an inlet of a hydrocyclone, and channeling the wastewater from an outlet of the hydrocyclone to a tank; and separating the bubble-particle aggregates from the wastewater by allowing the bubble-particle aggregates to rise and accumulate on a free liquid surface of the tank and treated wastewater to settle below the bubble-particle aggregates for discharge from said tank; wherein the creating and separating steps are accomplished using a system comprising: a first chamber defined by the hydrocyclone, the hydrocyclone being configured to pass the wastewater therethrough in a generally helical manner to create the bubble-particle aggregates; a second chamber peripherally surrounding the outlet of the hydrocyclone and in fluid communication with the outlet of the hydrocyclone, the second chamber having a generally upwardly directed outlet; a third chamber peripherally surrounding the outlet of the second chamber and in fluid communication with the outlet of the second chamber, the third chamber having a generally downwardly directed outlet; and a fourth chamber defined by the tank peripherally surrounding the outlet of the third chamber and in fluid communication with the outlet of the third chamber.