Patent ID: 6592754
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
Apparatus for receiving liquid effluent containing metallic particles from a source thereof, separating the liquid effluent into a collected solid waste component containing metallic particles and an outflowing fluid component, and discharging the fluid component to an exit conduit; said apparatus comprising:(a) a surge tank for collecting a quantity of said liquid effluent, and including a surge tank outlet and a surge tank inlet in fluid communication with said source; (b) a sedimentary deposit tank in fluid communication with the surge tank outlet and comprising a sedimentary deposit tank outlet and a series of baffle chambers separated by baffle chamber walls, at least one of said baffle chambers containing baffles inclined in one or two dimensions for facilitating deposit of solid particles, the series of baffle chambers being structured and arranged so that a first baffle chamber in said series of baffle chambers receives the liquid effluent which then passes in sequence through the baffle chambers and exits a final baffle chamber of said series of baffle chambers via the sedimentary deposit tank outlet to the exit conduit, as said outflowing fluid component; (c) a controlled pressure differential means adapted to cause or maintain a pressure differential between the surge tank inlet and the sedimentary deposit tank outlet for causing liquid to flow from the surge tank through the sedimentary deposit tank to the outlet thereof in response to the pressure differential; (d) a bypass conduit connecting the surge tank inlet to the exit conduit; and (e) a pressure balancing valve at the surge tank inlet that facilitates maintenance of the pressure differential.