Patent ID: 7927485

Claim:
A sludge blanket clarifier for removing at least some impurities from influent, said sludge blanket clarifier comprising: (a) a clarifier compartment in which a sludge blanket is to be formed to remove at least some impurities from influent directed into said clarifier compartment and through the sludge blanket, said clarifier compartment having at least one vertical sidewall extending from a bottom of said clarifier compartment to a top of said clarifier compartment; (b) said clarifier compartment having a cross-sectional area that varies over at least a portion of a height of said clarifier compartment such that the velocity of influent just prior to entry into the sludge blanket is less than the velocity of influent just after entering said clarifier compartment; (c) an inlet conduit operably associated with said clarifier compartment for directing influent into said clarifier compartment and an effluent collector for collecting effluent, and (d) said clarifier compartment including a first chamber, said first chamber is one of an influent distribution chamber and a sludge collection chamber, said first chamber has a varying width such that said clarifier compartment has a cross-sectional area that varies over a first portion of a height of said clarifier compartment.