Patent ID: 8074809

Claim:
An apparatus to treat a slurry to form a solids-enriched portion of the slurry and a solids-depleted portion of the slurry, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a positive displacement pump having an input to accept a continuous slurry flow and an output to provide the continuous slurry flow at an elevated pressure; a motor for powering said pump; a valve including a piston, linkage and a valve wheel; a passageway having a first end connected to said pump output, and a second end attached to said valve, wherein a length of said passageway is an open weave material; a first manipulation mechanism including a wheel attached to a flywheel; and a trough, wherein said first manipulation mechanism, said valve and said trough are mounted to said frame, and wherein said positive displacement pump provides a continuous flow of slurry into said passageway, and wherein said first manipulation mechanism acts on said passageway in conjunction with said valve to force a portion of liquid contained in said slurry through said open weave to provide a solids-enriched portion of slurry at said second end.