Patent ID: 8225942

Claim:
An improved self-flushing system for a primary equalization settling tank system, wherein said primary equalization settling tank system includes a settling tank, said self-flushing system comprising: a) a grit settling chamber disposed at a first elevated position within said settling tank for receiving waste water liquid influent; b) at least one influent feed trough extending across a dimension of said settling tank at a second elevation below said first elevation and in hydraulic communication with said grit settling chamber, wherein said influent feed trough is disposed substantially horizontally and is provided with an overflow weir for sheet flow of said liquid influent flow into said settling tank, and wherein said influent feed trough is formed and positioned such that a first portion of said liquid influent may flow from said weir along an inclined face of said influent feed trough and thence to an adjacent wall of said settling tank, and a second portion of said liquid influent may cascade directly from said weir into said settling tank; c) a bottom slab in said settling tank for receiving said first and second portions as fed by gravity; and d) a sludge trough for receiving influent sludge from said bottom slab, said sludge trough being disposed adjacent said bottom slab in an opening in said settling tank for removal of accumulated sludge.