Patent Publication Number: US-2018037476-A1

Title: Field adjustable fog to solid capacity grease interceptor

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present inventive concepts relate to systems and devices for treating flowable streams including one or more liquid component(s). The present inventive concepts more particularly relate to an improved device having an adjustable conduit for transporting streams from a separation compartment of a treatment system and/or the device. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     Effluent separation devices for separating water from solids, greases and the like are often designed to perform much of the separation process as the stream flows through a separation compartment. Effluent flow is commonly delivered to the separation compartment by an input conduit, and transported from the separation compartment by an output conduit. For example, an advanced effluent treatment device is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,321, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Inlet and outlet conduits of the &#39;321 Patent are connected to a separation compartment adjacent an aperture in the sidewall of the chamber using a coupling that extends through the aperture, illustrated in the figures. The inlet and outlet conduits fluidly communicate with the interior of the separation compartment at apertures in vertical segments of the conduits. 
     Maintenance of separation devices such as that described in the &#39;321 Patent is required on a periodic basis to prevent operation in a bypass condition, i,e., in a condition in which effective separation is prevented by accumulation of waste layers beyond acceptable levels. 
     However, current methodologies such as these may lead to unnecessarily frequent maintenance and/or increased incidents of bypass failures. There is thus a need for an improved apparatus and method for maintaining separation devices. 
     This background discussion is intended to provide information related to the present inventive concepts which is not necessarily prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present inventive concepts address one or more of the above-described and other problems and limitations by providing improved conduit structures for a flowable stream treatment system, or device. 
     According to one aspect of the present inventive concepts, a field-adjustable separation device is provided. The device has a base and a sidewall cooperatively defining a separation compartment. The device also includes an inlet conduit attached to a first portion of the sidewall and an, outlet conduit having a first segment including a distal end of the outlet conduit removably attached to a second portion of the sidewall substantially opposite the first portion. The outlet conduit also has a second segment fluidly interposed between the first segment and the separation compartment. The second segment includes a sectioned portion defining a plurality of pre-determined locations spaced along the second segment. The first segment is in fluid communication with an exterior of the separation compartment. The second segment is configured for adjustment to define an outlet orifice according to the plurality of pre-determined locations to provide fluid communication between the first segment and the separation compartment. The adjustment alternatively presents the outlet orifice at a different distance from the distal end for each of the plurality of pre-determined locations, as measured along a vertical axis. 
     A second aspect of the present inventive concepts concerns a method for field adjustment of a separation device. The device has a base and a sidewall cooperatively defining a separation compartment and an inlet conduit attached to a first portion of the sidewall. The method may include removing an outlet conduit of the device. The outlet conduit has a first segment including a distal end of the outlet conduit configured for removable attachment to a second portion of the sidewall substantially opposite the first portion. The outlet conduit also has a second, segment fluidly interposed between the first segment and the separation compartment. The second segment includes a sectioned portion defining a plurality of pre-determined locations spaced along the second segment. The second segment is configured for adjustment to define an outlet orifice according to the plurality of pre-determined locations to provide fluid communication between the first segment and the separation compartment. The method may also include adjusting the second segment to define the outlet orifice according to a first location of the plurality of pre-determined locations, the outlet orifice being thus defined at a first distance along a vertical axis from the distal end of the outlet conduit. The method may also include reattaching the distal end of the adjusted outlet conduit to the second portion of the sidewall. 
     A third aspect of the present inventive concepts concerns a field-adjustable outlet conduit for use with a separation device having a base and a sidewall cooperatively defining a separation compartment. The outlet conduit includes a first segment including a distal end of the outlet conduit configured to be removably attached to the sidewall. The outlet conduit also includes a second segment configured to be fluidly interposed between the first segment and the separation compartment. The second segment has a sectioned portion defining a plurality of pre-determined locations spaced along the second segment. The first segment is configured for fluid communication with an exterior of the separation compartment. The second segment is configured for adjustment to define an outlet orifice according to the plurality of pre-determined locations to provide fluid communication between the first segment and the separation compartment. The adjustment alternatively presents the outlet orifice at a different distance from the distal end for each of the plurality of pre-determined locations, as measured along a vertical axis in an assembled configuration of the separation device. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. These concepts are further described below in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
     This summary is not necessarily intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Various other aspects and advantages of the present inventive concepts will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       Preferred embodiments of the present inventive concepts are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
       Figure (FIG.)  1  is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a disassembled separation device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventive concepts; 
         FIG. 2  is an bottom side perspective view of the outlet conduit of  FIG. 1  without an end piece; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevated side perspective view of the outlet conduit of  FIG. 1  following adjustment for enhanced bottom layer capacity; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial, cross-sectional side view of the device of  FIG. 1  with a snout of the outlet conduit assembled to a saddle fixed to a sidewall and an inlet conduit shown detached from the device; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a separation device in early stages of an operational period; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the device of  FIG. 5  in advanced stages of an operational period and just prior to development of a bypass condition; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the device of  FIG. 5  in a bypass condition; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating a separation device in advanced stages of an operational period and just prior to development of a bypass condition, the device having been adjusted to enhance a capacity for a bottom layer and reduce a capacity for a top layer as compared with the device of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     The drawing figures do not limit the present inventive concepts to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present inventive concepts are susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification describes, certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent to limit the principles of the present inventive concepts to the particular disclosed embodiments. 
     In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are not mutually exclusive unless so stated. Specifically, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, particular implementations of the present inventive concepts can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a separation device  10  that may be used for treating an effluent stream. Generally speaking, device  10  is configured as a hydromechanical grease interceptor. However, it is foreseen that the teachings of the present disclosure may be applicable to related devices, such as gravity grease interceptors, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. 
     The separation device  10  is generally characterized as a container having a base  12 , opposing ceiling portion  14 , and a sidewall  16  that extends upwardly from the base  12  to the ceiling portion  14 . The base  12 , ceiling portion  14  and sidewall  16  cooperatively define a separation compartment  18  in the interior of the device  10 . Sidewall  16  comprises a first sidewall portion  20  having an inlet aperture  22  extending therethrough to enable inlet fluid communication between the separation compartment  18  and its exterior. Sidewall  16  also comprises a substantially opposing second sidewall portion  24  that includes an outlet aperture  26  extending therethrough to enable outlet fluid communication between the exterior and the separation compartment  18 . Device  10  also includes an inlet conduit ( 35 , see  FIG. 4 ) and an outlet conduit  28  configured, respectively, to convey the inlet and outlet effluent flow to and from the separation compartment  18 . 
     The device  10  is configured to be installed in a generally upright orientation, preferably below grade. The sidewall  16  extends upwardly from the base  12  to the ceiling portion  14  in a direction that, in a preferred embodiment, is generally parallel to a vertical (i.e., plumb) axis A. Following installation, the effluent stream flows from art effluent source (not shown), through the inlet aperture  22 , across the separation compartment  18  and out through the outlet aperture  26 , and is ultimately communicated to an effluent drain such as a sewer (not shown). A gravity separation process occurs during the effluent stream&#39;s progression across the separation compartment  18 . In the separation process one or more light components of the effluent buoyantly migrate to a top layer near the water line as described in more detail below. One or more heavy components of the effluent sink to a bottom layer adjacent the base  12 . (See  FIGS. 5-8 ) 
     The device  10  offers several advantages over existing technology. Conventional separation containers are constructed according to pre-determined ratings and capacities which may be used to guide customers toward suitable models for their intended uses. These ratings and capacities are based, at least in part, on the average rates at which the aforementioned top and bottom layers are expected to accumulate according to various use categories. The typical consumer must therefore predict or obtain predictions for (or rely on published standards or parameters for) the average accumulation rates that are experienced in their category(ies) of intended use in order to choose an appropriate model. But the composition of effluent streams can vary greatly across sources—even within a single use category—and/or across time at a given source, making such predictions inherently unreliable. Nonetheless, contemporary technology fails to effectively address the shortcomings of relying exclusively on such prediction-based methods and systems. 
     Embodiments of the present inventive concept include field-adjustable conduits permitting customization of separation devices to, for example, conform top and/or bottom layer capacities of the compartment to the onsite conditions experienced at a customer location. The embodiments exemplified in  FIGS. 1 and 2  include an adjustable outlet conduit  28 . The inlet conduit (see  FIG. 4 ) is preferably of similar construction to the outlet conduit  28 , and therefore for the sake of brevity the outlet conduit  28  is described in more detail herein with the understanding that such teachings are also applicable to the inlet conduit. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , outlet conduit  28  includes a first segment  30  and a second segment  32 . First segment  30  includes a distal end  34  of the outlet conduit  28 . Distal end  34  is configured to be removably attached to the second sidewall portion  24  to facilitate field adjustments. Removable attachment of the outlet conduit  28  to the second sidewall portion  24  may be achieved by a variety of structures without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. (See, e.g., the &#39;321 Patent) 
     Turning briefly to  FIG. 4 , the device of  FIG. 1  is shown with outlet conduit  28  removably coupled to second sidewall portion  24 .  FIG. 4  also shows an inlet conduit  35  decoupled from the first sidewall portion  20 . Inlet conduit  35  is of substantially identical construction to outlet conduit  28 , though it is again noted that it may be of different construction in other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. 
     Returning to description of the attachment between the outlet conduit  28  and the second sidewall portion  24 , the distal end  34  of the outlet conduit  28  is removably or detachably coupled to a receiver fixed to the second sidewall portion  24 . More specifically, the distal end  34  includes a snout  36  (see  FIG. 1 ) detachably coupled to a saddle  38 , in accordance with co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/085,852, filed Mar. 30, 2016, and entitled QUICK DISCONNECT CONDUIT JOINT, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Saddle  38  is preferably fixed relative to sidewall  16 . Inlet conduit  35  is preferably mounted to first sidewall portion  20  in a similar fashion. 
     When engaged with the sidewall, second segment  32  is fluidly interposed between first segment  30  and separation compartment  18 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Second segment  32  includes a stem  40 . Stem  40  has a sectioned portion  42  near a proximal end of the of conduit  28 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The sectioned portion  42  includes projections and/or indentations along an outer surface of the stem  40  defining a plurality of segments. The projections and/or indentations preferably also define a plurality of pre-determined locations spaced along the stem  40 . Each of the plurality of pre-determined locations corresponds to a position at which an outlet orifice may be selectively defined. The outlet orifice is the proximal terminus of the outlet conduit  28  in an assembled configuration and provides fluid communication between the first segment  30  and the separation compartment  18 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , outlet orifice  44  may be selectively defined according to bottom edge  46  and indentations  48   a,    48   b,  together comprising the plurality of pre-determined locations. The outlet orifice  44  may initially be defined by bottom edge  46  at the proximal end of the outlet conduit  28  (i.e., a first location or distance between the outlet orifice  44  and the distal end  34  of the outlet conduit  28 ). Where successively greater capacities are desired for containing a bottom waste layer (e.g., a solids layer) in the device  10 , the stem  40  may be severed along, indentations  48   a,    48   b  of the sectioned portion  42 , in each case to present a new bottom edge and a relocated outlet orifice  44  (i.e., a second location or distance between the outlet orifice  44  and the distal end  34  of the outlet conduit  28 ). For example, cutting along indentation  48   a  and removing the severed segment effectively shortens the distance—as measured along vertical axis A—between the outlet orifice  44  and the distal end  34  of the outlet conduit  28 . This results in a lesser capacity for a top waste layer and a greater capacity for a bottom waste layer of the device  10 . Further or alternatively cutting along indentation  48   b  results in an even shorter (i.e., third) distance between the outlet orifice  44  and the distal end  34 , which in turn yields the least top waste layer capacity and the greatest bottom waste layer capacity. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , outlet conduit  28  may also be configured to include a diffuser-type end piece  50  defining outlet orifice  52  The plurality of pre-determined locations of outlet conduit  28  may in such embodiments be defined by projections or collars  54  and seating strictures including tabs  56  that extend from the outer surface of the sectioned portion  42 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Collars  54  and tabs  56  are spaced along the outer surface of sectioned portion  42  at positions corresponding to bottom edge  46  and indentations  48 . The end piece  50  includes a mating structure having a slot  58  sized for receiving one or more of tabs  56 . 
     End piece  50  may be adjusted along the sectioned portion  42  and matched to a desired pre-determined location. Slot  58  may then be received by the corresponding tab  56  for removable attachment of the end piece  50  to the stem  40 . Optionally, such attachment may be facilitated by cutting along one or more of the indentations  48 , and removing the severed segment. For instance, attaching end piece  50  to the stem  40  at a pre-determined location defined by collar  54   c  and tab  56   c,  as shown in  FIG. 3 , may include cutting along indentation  48   b  to remove the remainder of the stem  40  below indentation  48   b.  Preferably, an upper segment  57  of the end piece  50  will slide snugly over the new proximal terminus of the stem  40  until slot  58  receives tab  56   c,  In addition, collar  54   c  preferably extends outward beyond an inner surface of the upper segment  57  of the end piece  50 , thereby preventing further upward movement of the end piece  50  along the stem  40  beyond collar  54   c.    
     It is foreseen that other seating and mating structures may be utilized for removably securing end pieces to stems without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. For example, collars may doubly serve as seating structures, permitting omission of tabs or the like. The collars may substantially circumscribe the outer surface of the sectioned portion  42  as shown in the illustrated embodiments, or the collars may be discontinuous, without departing from the spirit of the present in concepts. Mating structures may comprise hollows and/or channels formed in the inner surface of the upper segment of the end piece that are configured to snap over and form an interference fit with the collars. The collars may also comprise gaskets such as o-rings or the like for sealingly mating with the end piece. 
     Other exemplary seating and mating structures may include, respectively, a hole extending through the stem that is matched to a hole extending through the end piece. The holes may be configured such that a fastener such as a screw or pin may be extended therethrough to fix the end piece to the stem. This embodiment preferably includes collars that define a plurality of pre-determined locations. 
     In still other embodiments, an outlet conduit may be provided including a stem having a substantially cylindrical sectioned portion with a helical or similar thread formed along an outer surface. An end piece having a substantially cylindrical upper segment may be formed with a corresponding thread along an inner surface of the upper segment. A plurality of indentations and/or projections in the outer surface of the sectioned portion of the stem may define the plurality of pre-determined locations. In this manner, the end piece may be rotated and continuously threaded along the sectioned portion of the stem until reaching a desired pre-determined location along the stem. Moreover, the plurality of indentations and/or projections preferably mate with corresponding indentations and/or projections in the inner surface of the upper segment of the end piece to fix the position of the end piece along the stem at the desired location. However, it is foreseen that other devices (such as the aforementioned fasteners) or surface conformations may be used to fix the location of the end piece along the stem without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Alternatively or in addition, the friction resulting from threading the end piece along the stem may be sufficient to prevent undesired movement of the end piece along the stem, particularly where thread seal tapes or the like are employed. 
     In this manner, the outlet conduit  28  may be adjusted in the field and customized to the needs of a specific customer based, for example, during live onsite testing to determine the output composition of a specific effluent source. For instance, the outlet conduit  28  may be adjusted to define an outlet orifice  44  and/or  52  according to the plurality of pre-determined locations spaced along sectioned portion  42  to provide fluid communication between the first segment  30  and the separation compartment  18 . The adjustable outlet orifice  44  and/or  52  is thereby alternatively presented at a different distance, as measured along vertical axis A, from the distal end  34  for each of the plurality of pre-determined locations. 
     It should be reiterated here that the inlet conduit is preferably constructed according to the teachings set forth herein for constructing an outlet conduit. The inlet conduit would preferably be assembled in the device in a reverse horizontal orientation, as shown in  FIG. 4 , with respect to the outlet conduit and attached to the first sidewall portion rather than the second sidewall portion. Further, the inlet conduit and outlet conduit are preferably of substantially similar overall length and composition, being removably attached to the sidewall at substantially similar elevations or positions along vertical axis A. The plurality of pre-determined locations of the inlet conduit also preferably substantially correspond to the plurality of pre-determined locations of the outlet conduit. In this manner, following adjustment respectively of the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice of the inlet and outlet conduits to new pre-determined locations and reattachment of the conduits to the sidewall, the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are presented at substantially similar elevations. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 5-7 , simplified schematic illustrations of a separation device  60  are provided to support discussion of the operation of exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepts. The device  60  includes a separation compartment  62 , an inlet  64  and an outlet  66 . The separation compartment  62  is defined by a sidewall  68  and a base  70  and is configured for containing the mixture during a separation process. More specifically, the effluent mixture flows from an effluent source, through the inlet  64 , through an inlet orifice  72  into the separation tank. The effluent mixture travels across the separation compartment  62 , through an outlet orifice  74 , and out through the outlet  66  to be ultimately communicated to an effluent drain such as a sewer (not pictured). A gravity separation process occurs during the effluent mixture&#39;s progression across the separation compartment  62  from the inlet  64  to the outlet  66 . In the separation process one or more light components buoyantly migrate to a top layer  76  near a static water line  78 . One or more heavy components sink to a bottom layer  80  adjacent the base  70 . 
     The separation device  60  commonly operates in cycles including both dynamic cleaning/start-up and quasi-steady or steady-state operational periods. Of course, backup/failure and other states may also occur, as will be discussed in more detail below. During a typical startup process, the water line in the separation compartment  62  rises as effluent mixture is added via the inlet conduit  34 , until the water line  78  substantially levels with a low surface  81  of the outlet  66 . (See  FIG. 5 ) Such a sustained water line level during “normal” or operational periods is otherwise known to those of ordinary skill to be approximated by and referred to as the “static water line,” as used herein. 
     Subsequently, during normal operational periods, top layer  76  and/or bottom layer  80  may thicken within the separation compartment  62  as light components and heavy components are respectively retained in, these layers.  FIG. 5  illustrates exemplary thicknesses for the top layer  76  and bottom layer  80  following startup.  FIG. 6  illustrates exemplary thicknesses for the top layer  76  and bottom layer  80  after some period of normal operation during which the top layer  76  and bottom layer  80  respectively thicken at rates approximately equal to those expected by the designer. The device  60  of  FIG. 6  has maintained one or more sufficiently lengthy normal operational period(s) to accumulate nearly its limit for separation of light and heavy components. Put another way, if additional light and/or heavy components separate from the effluent steam and attempt to join the top layer  76  or bottom layer  80 , such layer(s) will likely thicken still more and may create a bypass condition. However, because a relatively minor proportion of the separation compartment  62  remains unused by either the top or bottom layers  76 ,  80 , it may be said that the device  60  of  FIG. 6  is reasonably optimized for normal operation with the particular effluent source (not shown) feeding it. 
     A bypass condition leads to a failure to separate out light and/or heavy components from the effluent stream in the separation compartment  62 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a device  60  in a bypass condition resulting from the high level of the bottom layer  80 . It may be appreciated from review of  FIG. 7 —and in particular of the positions of orifices  72 ,  74  relative to the boundaries of layers  76 ,  80  along a vertical axis A—that the normal operational period(s) which preceded the bypass condition generated a higher rate of bottom layer  80  thickening and a lower rate of top layer  76  thickening than was anticipated. As such, a bypass condition was reached prematurely; that is, there is a relatively significant proportion of the separation compartment  62  not used or occupied by either of layers  76 ,  80 . The device  60  must therefore be serviced earlier (and more frequently) than would be the case if the device  60  was optimally configured for use with the particular effluent source (not shown) and, more specifically, with the particular effluent stream and its relative content composition. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , a device  82  is illustrated that has been adjusted for greater bottom layer capacity, in accordance with the concepts of the invention, and lesser top layer capacity as compared to the device of  FIG. 6  (assuming similar scaling and dimensions). Such embodiments may be used to treat an effluent mixture having a higher content of bottom layer  84  components (e.g., solids) per content top layer  86  components. The device  82  includes a separation compartment  88 , an inlet  94  and an outlet  100 . The separation compartment  88  is defined by a sidewall  90  and a base  92 . The effluent mixture flows from an effluent source, through an inlet  94 , through an inlet orifice  96 , across the separation compartment  88 , through an outlet orifice  98 , and out through an outlet  100  to be ultimately communicated to an effluent drain such as a sewer (not pictured). A gravity separation process occurs during the effluent mixture&#39;s progression across the separation compartment  88  from the inlet  94  to the outlet  100 . In the separation process one or more light components buoyantly migrate to top layer  86  near a static water line  102 . One or more heavy components sink to bottom layer  84  adjacent the base  92 . As illustrated, the distance of the inlet orifice  96  has been adjusted as described herein to raise the position of the orifice  96  in the chamber  88 . The distance of the outlet orifice  98  has been likewise adjusted. 
     Accordingly, the invention is also concerned with methods for field adjustment of a separation device. According to the principles described above, the exemplary device  10  of  FIG. 1  accumulates materials in top and/or bottom waste layers (not shown) deposited by an effluent stream during segments of normal operation. After a pre-determined period of time—preferably after permitting the device  10  to operate up to the point of a bypass condition—maintenance on the device  10  may be conducted to remove the top and/or bottom layers. The separation compartment  18  may be accessed through an access port  104 , which may be covered by a lid  106  when not in use. A maintenance provider may manually engage via lift-rod  108  and lift outlet conduit  28  from a snap-fit connection with saddle  38  and remove it front the separation device  10 . 
     The maintenance provider should observe the relative levels of accumulated top and bottom layers in relation to the location of outlet orifice  52  prior to cleaning out the waste layers for maintenance purposes. These observations over a number of operational/maintenance cycles may permit the maintenance provider to determine an average content for the bottom layer components (e.g., solids) per content top layer components (e.g., greases and the like). 
     The aforementioned calculated average ratio (or similar calculated properties of the effluent stream) may permit the maintenance provider to determine an optimal or near-optimal adjustment for the outlet orifice  52  to reduce the amount of unused separation compartment  18  space at the point during operational periods just prior to reaching a bypass condition. These values or parameters may be unique to the particular effluent source from which the device  10  receives the effluent mixture, and thus may be determined on a case-by-case basis through the observations described above. 
     It is foreseen that a maintenance provider may also have sufficient information on hand regarding the average composition of the effluent mixture to enable determination of optimized orifice positions without the need for experimental observation, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. It is foreseen that documentation may indicate useful pre-determined ratio values corresponding to the pre-determined locations along sectioned portion  42  of the outlet conduit (and, corresponding pre-determined locations along a sectioned portion of the inlet conduit) to help guide the maintenance provider. For instance, with reference to  FIG. 2 , projections  54   a,    54   b,    54   c  may respectively be associated with 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 light:heavy ratios and the maintenance provider may rely on these documented relationships when adjusting the outlet conduit  28  (and inlet conduit, if desired). Based on the aforementioned observations and/or review of documentation, a pre-determined location along the sectioned portion  42  may be chosen. 
     To adjust the outlet orifice  52  of the outlet conduit  28  according to the selected pre-determined location, the maintenance provider may remove the lid  106 . The maintenance provider may detach the outlet conduit  28  from the sidewall  16 , for instance by using a lift rod  108  to engage the outlet conduit  28  and lift the outlet conduit  28  from a snap-fit with saddle  38 . 
     In embodiments where end piece  50  is employed, the maintenance provider may remove the end piece(s)  50 . The maintenance provider may then cut along the indentation  48  corresponding to the selected pre-determined location using an appropriate tool such as a hack saw or the like, and remove the severed segment from the outlet conduit  28 . Where the end piece  50  is employed, the end piece may be reinstalled by engaging the stem  40  until matched and aligned to the tab  56  corresponding to the selected pre-determined location. The slot  58  may then be received by the selected tab  56  to detachably couple the end piece  50  to the stem  40 . The outlet conduit  28  may be reattached at distal end  34  to the second portion of the side wall  20 . It will be appreciated that the adjusted outlet conduit  28  now comprises an outlet orifice  44 / 52 , wherein the initial distance as measured from the edge of the orifice  44 / 52  to the distal end  34  of the conduit  28  has been decreased. In other words, once re-positioned in the compartment  18 , the position of the edge of the outlet orifice  44 / 52  will have been raised, relative to the solids level (not shown) in the compartment  18 , for greater bottom layer capacity in the device. 
     As referenced above, the inlet conduit (not shown) is preferably adjusted in substantially the same way as the outlet conduit  28  such that the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice are positioned at substantially the same elevation along the vertical axis A once the device  10  is reassembled following adjustment. 
     It should be noted that the choice of orifice shape and/or number may result in varying design considerations for implementing the present inventive concepts. For example, the simplified inlets and outlets of  FIGS. 5-8  present orifice pairs  72 ,  74  and  96 ,  98  defined along substantially horizontal planes, thereby presenting a very thin profile for each orifice along vertical axis A that may permit a maximum degree of useable space in the separation compartments  62 ,  88 . However, diffuser-style end pieces  50  may define one or more orifices with upper and lower surfaces presented at different positions along vertical axis A in an assembled device  10 . In such cases, it is preferable to determine the desired new position(s) for outlet orifice  52 , for example, by taking into account an uppermost edge  110  and a lowermost edge  112  of the orifice  52 . More particularly, the desired new position for outlet orifice  52  should be determined by taking into account a relationship of the bottom boundary of the top layer of waste to the uppermost edge  110  as well as a relationship of the top boundary of the bottom layer of waste to the lowermost edge  112 . In a similar manner, multiple orifice conduits may also be adjusted according to their uppermost and lowermost edges and, respectively, their relationships to the boundaries of the top and bottom waste layers. 
     Although the above description presents features of preferred embodiments of the present inventive concepts, other preferred embodiments may also be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Furthermore, these other preferred embodiments may in some instances be realized through a combination of features compatible for use together despite having been presented independently in the above description. 
     The general shapes of the components of the separation device, for instance its bottom, top and side wall and the shape of the pipes or other segments comprising the conduits, may vary without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. The upper and second segments of the conduits described herein may be “joined” by being fixed to one another or by being formed in an integral piece without, departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept. Further, additional components commonly associated with such separation devices, such as baffles and additional flow control mechanisms, or other conduit sections for added flow redirection capabilities, may be incorporated and/or interposed between described segments, and/or omitted, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. 
     Still further, in some embodiments, the surfaces that define the separation compartment may be defined by walls other than those that also define the exterior of the device, without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. For example, interior walls may be added to define the separation compartment that are spaced inwardly from exterior walls. Yet still further, the “exterior” of the device refers to all spaces outside of the separation compartment, and does not imply that the surrounding areas comprising the exterior are continuous, contiguous and/or similar to one another. 
     Furthermore, directional references (e.g., top, bottom, front, back, up, down, etc.) are used herein solely for the sake of convenience and should be understood only in relation to each other. For instance, a component might in practice be oriented such that faces referred to as “top” and “bottom” are sideways, angled, inverted, etc. relative to the chosen frame of reference. 
     It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms axial, axially, and variations thereof mean the defined element has at least some directional component along or parallel to the axis. These terms should not be limited to mean that the element extends only or purely along or parallel to the axis. For example, the element may be oriented at a forty-five degree (45° angle relative to the axis but, because the element extends at least in part along the axis, it should still be considered axial. Similarly, the terms radial, radially, and variations thereof shall be interpreted to mean the element has at least some directional component in the radial direction relative to the axis. 
     It is farther noted that the term annular shall be interpreted to mean that the referenced object extends around a central opening so as to be generally toroidal or ring-shaped. It is not necessary for the object to be circular, nor does the object have to be continuous. Similarly, the term toroidal shall not be interpreted to mean that the object must be circular or continuous. 
     It should still farther be noted that, in one construction, the separation device is molded from high density polyethylene to inhibit corrosion and leaking. In other constructions, the container can be formed from other suitable materials using any suitable method. 
     The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present inventive concepts. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present inventive concepts. 
     The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present inventive concepts as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.