Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Separation Tank
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a separation tank used
to separate solids and liquids or liquids of differing
densities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Separation tanks are divided by baffles into several
compartments. Each baffle serves as a spillway over which
liquid spills from one compartment into an adjacent
compartment. As liquid passes through successive compartments
entrained solids and liquids of greater density gradually
settle out. The performance of a separation tank can be
dramatically improved if a majority of the solids and a
majority of the liquids of greater density can be removed in
a first of the several compartments.
SU1~IARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a separation tank that has means for
removing solids and liquids of greater density in the first of
the several compartments.
According to the present invention there is provided a
separation tank which includes a liquid containing enclosure
having a bottom and a defining sidewall. The enclosure is
divided by baffles into several compartments. Each baffle
serves as a spillway over which liquid spills from one
compartment into an adjacent compartment. A plurality of
closely spaced parallel plates are positioned in a first of the
compartments at a first end of the enclosure. The plates are
spaced from the bottom of the enclosure and positioned in the
path of liquid flow into a second of the compartments.
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With the separation tank, as described above, it has been
determined that the use of the plurality of closely spaced
parallel plates results in an early knock out of solids or
dense liquids.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the separation tank, as described above, it has been
determined that the plates are more effective in achieving a
separation of solids or dense liquids if they are angled toward
the first end of the enclosure. Beneficial results have been
obtained with an angle of 5 degrees and 45 degrees.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the separation tank, as described above, it has been
determined that the plates are more effective in achieving a
separation of solids or dense liquids when a top peripheral
edge of each plate has a plurality of teeth with a flow passage
between each of the plurality of teeth to accommodate liquid
flow. For best results the flow passages of each plate are
placed out of register with the flow passages of adjacent
plates.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the separation tank, as described above, it is preferred
that some means be provided for removing the solids and dense
liquids that have been separated in the first compartment.
Even more beneficial results are, therefore, obtained when a
solids and dense liquids outlet is provided at the first end
of the enclosure. To facilitate the movement of solids to the
solids and dense liquids outlet it is preferred that the bottom
of the first compartment be downwardly angled toward the solids
and dense liquids outlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more
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apparent from the following description in which reference is
made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a separation tank
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the separation tank
illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view, in section, of the
separation tank illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 4 is a detailed front elevation view of parallel
plate structure with teeth along the top peripheral edge.
FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view, in section, of the
separation tank illustrated in FIGURE 1 with a centrifuge
attached.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a separation tank generally
identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with
reference to FIGURES 1 through 5.
Referring to FIGURE l, there is provided a separation tank
10, comprised of a liquid containing enclosure 12 which has a
bottom 14, a sidewall 16, a first end 18 and a second end 20.
Enclosure 12 is divided by baffles 22 into several compartments
24. Each baffle 22 serves as a spillway over which liquid
spills from one compartment 24 into an adjacent compartment 24.
A plurality of closely spaced parallel plates 28 are positioned
in a first 26 of compartments 24 at first end 18 of enclosure
12 .
Referring to FIGURE 3, plates 28 are spaced from bottom
14 of enclosure 12 and positioned in the path of liquid flowing
into a second of compartments 24. Plates 28 are angled toward
first end 18 of enclosure 12 at an angle of between 5 degrees
and 45 degrees.
Referring to FIGURE 4, a top peripheral edge 30 of each
plate 28 has a plurality of teeth 32 with a flow passage 34
between each of plurality of teeth 32 to accommodate liquid
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flow. In the illustrated embodiment teeth 32 are shown as
being pointed however teeth need not be pointed. As an
example, teeth may be rounded instead of pointed. Flow
passages 34 of each plate 28 are out of register with flow
passages 34 of adjacent plates 28, such that liquid flowing
through flow passages 34 in one plate 28 encounter teeth 32 of
adjacent plate 28.
Referring to FIGURE 2, a clear liquid outlet 38 is located
at second end 20 of enclosure 12. An inlet 40 through which
solids and dense liquid flow into separation tank 10 is shown
at first end 18 of enclosure 12 above first compartment 26.
Referring to FIGURE 3, a solids and dense liquids outlet
36 is located at first end 18 of enclosure 12. Bottom 14 in
first compartment 26 is downwardly angled toward solids and
dense liquids outlet 36 at an angle of between 40 - 60 degrees.
Referring to FIGURE 5, a conduit 42 extends from solids
and dense liquids outlet 36 to a centrifuge 44.
The use and operation of separation tank 10 will now be
described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 5.
Referring to FIGURE l, there is provided separation tank
10, comprised of liquid containing enclosure 12. Inlet 40 is
located at first end 18 of enclosure 12 above first compartment
26. Solid and dense liquids flow from inlet 40 into first
compartment 26 of separation tank 10. Solid and dense liquids
continue flowing into first compartment 26 filling first
compartment 26 until solid and dense fluids overflow into
plates 28.
Referring to FIGURE 3, plates 28 are spaced from bottom
14 of enclosure 12 and positioned in path of liquid flowing
into a second of compartments 24 located adjacent to first
compartment 26. Plates 28 are angled toward first end 18 of
enclosure 12 at an angle of between 5 degrees and 45 degrees.
Referring to FIGURE 4, top peripheral edge of each of
plates 28 has a plurality of teeth 32 with flow passage 32
between teeth 32. Flow passages 32 of each plate 28 are out of
register with flow passages 32 of adjacent plates 28 so that
liquid flowing from first compartment 26 through flow passage
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32 in one plate 28 encounters teeth 32 of adjacent plate 28.
In doing so teeth 32 block solids and dense particles from
flowing with liquid through flow passage 32 and over to next
plate 28.
5 Referring to FIGURE 3, solids and dense liquids that are
caught by teeth 32 flow downward along angled bottom 14 of
first compartment 26 and exit separation tank 10 through solids
and dense liquids outlet 36.
Referring to FIGURE 5, solids and dense liquids that exit
through solids and dense liquids outlet 36 flow continuously
through connecting conduit 42 and into centrifuge 44 for
further separation by centrifugal force in centrifuge 44.
Referring to FIGURE 3, after passing though plates 28,
remaining liquid continues to fill first compartment 26 until
it spills over baffle 22 that separates first compartment 26
from adjacent compartment 24.
Upon entering into compartment 24 adjacent to first
compartment 26, remaining liquid begins to fill compartment 24.
As compartment fills with liquid, entrained solids and liquids
of greater density settle at bottom 14 of compartment 24, while
clearer liquid continues to fill compartment 24. Eventually
clearer liquid will fill compartment 24 and spill over baffle
22 into next adjacent compartment 24 leaving entrained solids
and liquids of a greater density on bottom 14 of previous
compartment 24.
Referring to FIGURE 2, when remaining liquid reaches
compartment 24 located adjacent to second end 20 of separation
tank 10, remaining liquids will be clear and will exit
separation tank 10 through clear liquid outlet 38 at second end
20 of separation tank 10.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter defined in the Claims.
