Abstract:
A system for transporting and dewatering solids in a fluid system. An auger is used to transport solids and provide first stage compaction. A dewatering plate having a restricted opening provides second stage compaction and dewatering. The auger maybe be shafted or shaftless. First stage compaction is achieved by a change in helical pitch of the auger immediately preceding the location of the dewatering plate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to the treatment of waste materials and in particular, the compaction of solids by removing water.  
           [0003]    2. Prior Art  
           [0004]    The use of augers as a means of transporting material in a conveyor like manner is well known and established in a variety of different configurations.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,906,395 and 5,000,307 are representative. Additionally, implementation of auger lift systems for handling waste material during the treatment of sewage is well known and established. The JWCE Auger Monster™ series provides a modular headworks system where the auger is placed immediately downstream of a grinding unit to convey ground coarse solids out of the fluid stream for disposal in landfills and the like. In general, such auger systems are used to lift solids from a collection point in the fluid stream to a discharge point for removal from the system.  
           [0006]    Given the inherent compaction that results by using a helical member, solid material is compacted to some degree while waste water entrained within the solids is separated, drained from the system and returned to the waste water stream. The dewatered coarse solids are preferred for disposal since the water content is reduced.  
           [0007]    These techniques thus essentially use the auger as a means to move, generally lift the sludge from one location to a higher, second location for removal while compaction is a secondary function, performed inherently by the auger.  
           [0008]    Within such systems, the water content is significant and adds excess weight to the solid material that is to be removed. Consequently, there is a standing requirement to dewater, that is remove excess water from the system while still providing for the removal of solid material in a compacted form.  
           [0009]    In such systems, while the auger provides a degree of compaction, if the solid material becomes excessively dense, that is compacted too much, then friction between the solid material mass entrained within the auger and the inside of the casing becomes to great, resulting in binding. The potential results include damage to the auger and/or burning out the drive motor. Conversely, if the extent of compaction of the solid material is insufficient, then unnecessary water is carried along through the system resulting in decreased efficiency, higher cost for solid disposal and the like.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is therefore an object of this invention to provide for an improved dewatering auger system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.  
           [0011]    It is a specific of this invention to provide an improved auger system that increases the residual weight of dry solids by effectively removing water from the system.  
           [0012]    These and other objects of this invention, are fulfilled by means of a unique augering system that employs the use of a compacting dewatering section whereby solid materials are compacted without placing undo stress on the system, without unnecessarily creating friction in the auger section and yet allowing the discharge for large blocks of material.  
           [0013]    These aspects of the invention will be described in greater detail by reference to the drawing and the description of the preferred embodiment that follows. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the essential components of this invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a depiction of the auger used in accordance with this invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a front view of the compaction plate in accordance with this invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the compaction plate in accordance with this invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    Referring now to FIG. 1, the basic elements to the system are depicted. An outer casing  10  provides the housing for the system to confine solids during the lifting and compaction operation. While shown as a housing for a portion of auger  12 , it will be appreciated that this casing extends the substantial run of the auger for purposes of providing the conduit for the transportation of solids. A portion  11  of the casing typically has a screen section that extends into the fluid stream serving both as a drain for water that is separated as well as a conduit for waste water in the stream to flow through. Also, while shown in a horizontal position for purposes of explanation, typically, the casing  10 ,  11  is inclined in an angle of approximately 35-45° relative to the ground. An inlet section, not illustrated, has an input opening in which solids are accumulated. This is typically immediately downstream of a grinder unit, with the inlet located at or near the bottom of the stream. Coarse solids tend to accumulate and are carried by the waste water stream into the auger section. Then, by rotation of the auger  12 , those materials are moved to an outlet or discharge port  14 , typically located above the stream. The discharged compacted solids are then transported for further processing or use at landfills for incineration, for composting, or for other means of disposal.  
         [0019]    The auger  12  is driven by a motor  16  having an appropriate gear section  18  coupled to the auger shaft  20 . As illustrated, the casing  23  has an end plate bolted to a transition section  17  which in turn is coupled to the housing for the gear section  18 .  
         [0020]    Casing  23  has an access port  22  to provide for cleaning and other maintenance operations. As will be described herein, the casing  23  and the discharge port  14  are separated, and in accordance with this invention, a dewatering plate  24  is used that provides for further compaction of solids.  
         [0021]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the aspects of the auger  12  are illustrated in somewhat greater detail. The auger has a shaft  20  and a shafted section of fairly sharp radius edge helixes  25 . This is the primary compaction and dewatering section of the auger. The shaft  20  provides increased support for the auger during that portion of its run in which significant compaction occurs. As illustrated, the remainder of the auger is shaftless. Auger has three sections, a compaction section, a transition and a lifting portion. The transition section  26  of the auger is one in which both pitch and diameter increase until the helix matches pitch and diameter of the lifting section  28 . The lifting section  28  extends into the fluid stream for purposes of transporting entrained material for eventual compaction and removal of water.  
         [0022]    While the helix configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2 is preferred, the helix can also be of a constant diameter spiral and, depending on a mode of utilization; the shaft  20  could extend a greater distance for purposes for providing additional support. Moreover, while not illustrated, the shaft can be a multi-piece assembly joined by shaft sections to facilitate removal. As will be apparent to those of skill in this technology, the pitch of the helix is a function of the mode of utilization such as lifting distance, type of material being handled and intending speed of operation.  
         [0023]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, the transition section  26  of the helix employs a section  30  which is diametrically offset at an angle relative to that of the main spiral in the dewatering section  25 . The purpose of offsetting the spiral is to apply increased pressure to solids entering the dewatering section and, at the same time, minimize any wobble which may occur as the solids impact at the end of the shaft  20 .  
         [0024]    Referring back to FIG. 1, the outlet  14  is shown disposed at an angle relative to the dewatering and compaction section of the casing. This portion of the system contains a casing  23  with an access port  22 . It is bounded by the dewatering plate  24  on the input side and a mounting flange  15  coupling the casing to the transition section  17 . The shaft  20  extends through this portion of the system but there is no helical portion of the auger. Compacted material is guided along the lower portion to the outlet  14  by means of a guide plate  40 . This allows for the efficient exit of compacted material without contact with the shaft or accumulation within the system.  
         [0025]    Primary compaction occurs within auger section  25 . Water which is separated out flows downward into the screen section  11  and hence back into the fluid stream.  
         [0026]    While compaction efficiency of the auger is generally acceptable, water remains in the solids. If too much compaction occurs, friction builds up and the system can bind with damage occurring. Hence, another mechanism is used to further dewater the solids that does not rely on auger compaction.  
         [0027]    A specific dewatering section is employed between the auger compaction portion and the exit. It uses a plate  24  that blocks a portion of the solids thus further compacting it and removing additional water. This dewatering plate is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The plate  24  is welded to the casing by means of a flange  32  on the end of the casing. A series of bolt holes are disposed about the periphery of the plate aligned with those on the flange  32  to provide for affixation. A central bore  34  is provided to allow the shaft  20  to pass through the plate. A series of shaft seals  36  are positioned circumferentially about the shaft on the plate to prevent debris and other material from passing through this opening while, at the same time, allowing the shaft to rotate. A scraper  51  at the corner of the vertical dewatering plate  24  and the horizontal dewatering plate  40  is provided to scrape away any material that may adhere to the tip of the spiral  12  and  25 . The scraper ensures that the material is directed into the opening  38  and that the material does not wrap around the shaft  20 .  
         [0028]    The dewatering plate  24  has an opening  38  to provide a path with a discharge of solids, (see FIG. 4). The top of the discharge opening  38  is in the form of a flat plate  40 , (see FIG. 1) which extends to the rear of the dewatering plate  24  and joins the outlet  14 . A smooth transition surface  42  is provided in the interior of the outlet so that a smooth transition occurs for a material flow through the opening  38  in a compacted form and into the discharge port  14 . The plate  42  serves to block off the remainder of the dewatering compartment  23  so that all compacted material is guided to the exit port  14 . The plate  40  with the transition section  42  terminates in section  14  and has the additional function of providing additional resistance on the solid material to allow for further compaction as the direction of movement is varied. To prevent the accumulation of material at the transition, a static scraper  44  is provided having a sharp contour for the purpose of removing any material that may tend to adhere to the end of the transition plate  42 .  
         [0029]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, as series of holes  46  are located in the dewatering plate  24  to allow for seepage of any liquid that has passed through the seal  36  to be drained back into the transportation section of the system.  
         [0030]    Additionally, spray wash nozzles  50  can be placed in the casing at appropriate locations for purposes for cleaning the auger or any components. As illustrated in FIG. 1 a first spray nozzle is located in the compaction section and a section placed in the dewatering casing  23 .  
         [0031]    In operation, the waste material requiring transportation and dewatering is conveyed upward by the auger section  28  inside of the casing. Compaction occurs to a certain extent as the material is lifted. Water then flows back down the interior of the casing  10  and into the waste water stream via screen section  11 . It is important, however, that as compaction occurs, with the build up of friction within the system, that the compacted solids are effectively removed so that the system does not bind.  
         [0032]    The solid material then encounters the transition section  26 , the compaction section  25 , and ultimately the dewatering plate  24 . The result then is further compaction of the solid materials in a two-fold manner. The first is by the decrease pitch of the helix which causes further compaction of the material that is entrained. The second stage of compaction occurs by the resistance of the dewatering plate  24  and in particular the solid upper section. The result then, is that solid material is forced through the opening  40  and into the discharge portion of the system exiting through the discharge chute  14 . At the compaction section water which is separated out flows backward and into the waste water stream given the angular elevation of the entire system. The seal  36  prevents solids from entering the open compartment of the dewatering section.  
         [0033]    The seal is free floating, but does provide a tight fit around the shaft  20 . Accordingly, affirmative action occurs not only by the action of the auger screw, but also by the resistance of the dewatering plate  24 .  
         [0034]    Depending on the type of materials to be dewatered and the overall loading on the system, a thrust bearing can be incorporated to handle the axial loads created by the dewatering section and thus reduce any additional stresses that are placed on the drive components such as the gear section  18  and the drive motor  16 .  
         [0035]    Additionally, while the dewatering plate  24  is shown as having an opening of a “crescent” shape, it is apparent that the opening could also be modified with fillets or the like so that there are no sharp corners, transitions and the like, which tend to provide points where solid material may accumulate. For example, the opening may be a completely rounded or oblong hole so that there are no sharp transitions or corners that would tend to break up the continuum of compacted solids passing through.  
         [0036]    The spiral end  12  and  25  may be affixed with inserts for higher abrasion resistance.  
         [0037]    The scraper  51  may be of different materials and shapes to provide varying amounts of abrasion resistance and scraping efficiency.  
         [0038]    While this invention has been described relative to its preferred embodiment, it is apparent that other modifications can be facilitated consistent with this invention.