Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADJUSTABLE RECEPTACLES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The subject disclosure relates to filtration systems, and more
particularly to sludge
filtration systems having receptacles for receiving filtrate.
2. Background of the Related Art
[0002] In general, a filtration system for wastewater acts to separate solids
and liquids from
one another in order to prepare both the solids and liquids for further
processing. Filtration
apparatuses typically include a mechanical or mechanical/electrical filtration
system that drives
influent through a filter to separate the solids and liquids from one another.
These mechanical or
mechanical/electrical filtration systems include, but are not limited to screw
presses, centrifuges,
ring presses, filter presses, plate and frame presses, rotary presses, or the
like. Examples of some
of these filtration systems are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,380,436,
7,191,700, and 9,387,641,
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In traditional
filtration systems, the
filtrate exiting from the filtration system is sent onwards to the next
process. This sometimes
includes filtrate that is not as clean as would be desired.
[0003] Traditional filtration systems have been considered satisfactory for
their intended
purpose. However, there is an ongoing need for filtration systems that provide
cleaner filtrate
and are more efficient.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As will be discussed in greater detail below in the Detailed
Description section of this
disclosure, the present disclosure is directed to effluent collectors, for
example, those in filtration
systems for collecting effluent. The effluent collector includes a filtrate
receiving portion having
a filtrate opening, and a pressate receiving portion having a pressate
opening. The effluent
collector includes a diverter barrier adjustably positioned above the pressate
receiving portion.
The diverter barrier is configured to adjustably direct at least a portion of
a flow path toward or
away from the pressate receiving portion.
[0006] The pressate receiving portion can include a pressate outlet downstream
from the
pressate opening. The diverter barrier can be movable with respect to the
pressate opening. The
diverter barrier can be positioned above the filtrate opening to adjustably
direct at least a portion
of a flow path toward or away from the filtrate receiving portion. The
filtrate receiving portion
and the pres sate receiving portion can be defined in a common receptacle. The
diverter barrier
can be positioned in a flow path between an inlet of the receptacle and the
pressate receiving
portion and/or in a flow path between an inlet of the receptacle and the
filtrate receiving portion.
The diverter barrier can be a plate connected to the receptacle by a hinge
and/or a track. The
diverter barrier can include a series of movable tray portions. The pressate
receiving portion can
be positioned above the filtrate receiving portion. The pressate opening can
be positioned above
the filtrate opening.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a
filtration system includes
a filtration assembly having an effluent inlet, a solids outlet downstream
from the effluent inlet
and a effluent outlet downstream from the effluent inlet. The system includes
an effluent
collector downstream from the effluent outlet. The effluent collector includes
a filtrate receiving
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portion having a filtrate opening, a pressate receiving portion having a
pressate opening, and a
diverter barrier operatively connected to the effluent collector. The diverter
barrier is adjustably
positioned above the pressate receiving portion. The diverter barrier is
configured to adjustably
direct a flow path toward or away from the pressate receiving portion.
[0008] The pressate receiving portion, filtrate receiving portion and diverter
barrier can be
similar to those described above. The effluent collector can include a
plurality of diverter
barriers. Each of the diverter barriers can be proximate to a respective
portion of the effluent
outlet. The filtration assembly can be at least one of a screw press, a filter
press or a belt press.
In accordance with some embodiments, the pressate receiving portion is
positioned more
proximate to the solids outlet than to the effluent inlet. The filtrate
receiving portion can be
positioned more proximate to the effluent inlet than to the solids outlet. It
is also contemplated
that, in some embodiments, the filtrate receiving portion is positioned closer
to the effluent inlet
than the pressate receiving portion is. The filtrate receiving portion and the
pressate receiving
portion can be defined in a common receptacle. The diverter barrier can be
operatively
connected to the receptacle and positioned in a flow path between the effluent
outlet and the
pressate receiving portion.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for
retrofitting an effluent
collector downstream from a filtration assembly includes providing a diverter
barrier and
positioning the diverter plate within an effluent collector. The effluent
collector can include a
filtrate opening and a pressate opening. The method includes connecting the
diverter barrier to
the effluent collector to adjustably direct at least a portion of a flow path
toward or away from
the pressate receiving portion. The method includes attaching a pressate
receiving portion to the
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effluent collector. The pressate receiving portion can define the pressate
opening. The pressate
receiving portion can be a pressate catch basin.
[0010] These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject
disclosure will
become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description
of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present
disclosure pertains
will more readily understand how to employ the systems and methods of the
present disclosure
without undue experimentation, certain embodiments thereof will be described
in detail below
with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a side view of an embodiment of a
filtration system
constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a diverter
plate in an effluent
collector downstream from a screw press filtration assembly;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the filtration
system of FIG. 1,
showing the diverter plate a closed position;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of an effluent
collector of FIG. 1
from the top side, showing the connection between the diverter plate and a
track on the effluent
collector positioned proximate to the opening of the pressate receiving
portion of the effluent
collector;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a side view of another embodiment
of a filtration
system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a hinged
diverter plate in
an effluent collector downstream from a screw press filtration assembly;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a side view of another embodiment
of a filtration
system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a series
of diverter plates
in an effluent collector downstream from a belt press filtration assembly;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the filtration
system of FIG. 5,
showing the series of diverter plates in a retracted position; and
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[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the
filtration system of FIG.
5, showing how the diverter plates are connected to the frame of the belt
press filtration
assembly;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a side view of another embodiment
of a filtration
system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a hinged
diverter plate in
an effluent collector downstream from a belt press filtration assembly;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a side view of another embodiment
of a filtration
system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a
plurality of diverter
plates in an effluent collector downstream from various outlets of a vertical
belt press filtration
assembly; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the
filtration system of FIG.
9, showing a plurality of diverter plates in an effluent collector downstream
from various outlets
of a vertical belt press filtration assembly.
[0022] These and other aspects of the subject disclosure will become more
readily apparent to
those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description
of the invention
taken in conjunction with the drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals identify
similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes
of explanation and
illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of
a filtration system
having an adjustable effluent collector constructed in accordance with the
disclosure is shown in
FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other
embodiments of filtration
systems in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in
Figs. 2-10, as will
be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used to improve
filtrate capture
in filtration systems, which results in cleaner filtrate output. Well-known
components, such as
the filtration assemblies themselves, materials or methods are not necessarily
described in great
detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific
structural and functional
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as
a basis for the claims
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously
employ the invention.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, a filtration system 100 includes an adjustable
effluent collector
101 downstream from a screw press filtration assembly 103. Filtration assembly
103 includes an
effluent inlet 117, a solids outlet 119 downstream from the effluent inlet
117, and a filtrate outlet
120 downstream from the effluent inlet 117. Those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that
the filtrate outlet 120 of screw press filtration assembly runs along the
length of the screw press
assembly 103, this is indicated schematically by the downward pointing arrows,
which are
intended to schematically indicate filtrate fluid exiting filtrate outlet 120.
The effluent collector
101, which is positioned below filtrate outlet 120, includes a common
receptacle 105 configured
to receive filtrate exiting from the filtrate outlet 120. The frequency of the
downward pointing
arrows extending from filtrate outlet 120 is intended to schematically
indicate the volume of
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fluid exiting from filtrate outlet 120. Early on in filtration, e.g. closer to
inlet 117, there is a
higher volume of fluid exiting filtrate outlet 120, and therefore more arrows,
and less pressure is
required to extract the fluid. Later on in filtration, there is less fluid
remaining and more
pressure is required in order to extract the remainder of the fluid from the
effluent being filtered,
meaning that more pressure is required, therefore less arrows.
[0025] With reference now to FIGS. 1-2, as the pressure increases across the
filtration
assembly 103, the likelihood for solids inadvertently being pushed through a
screen of filtration
assembly 103 increases, meaning that effluent exiting from filtrate outlet 120
closer to solids
outlet 119 typically includes more solid particulates, e.g. is dirtier, than
the effluent exiting from
filtrate outlet 120 closer to effluent inlet 117. As such, in order to allow
the cleaner effluent to
exit filtration system 100, two sumps (a filtrate receiving sump/portion 113
and a pres sate
receiving sump/portion 108) are used. Filtrate receiving portion 113 has a
filtrate opening 112,
which, in this embodiment is the same as the opening for common receptacle
105. The pressate
receiving portion 108 has a pressate opening 114, which is describe in greater
detail below.
Pressate receiving portion 108 includes a pressate outlet 110 that is
downstream from pressate
receiving portion 108 and in fluid communication with inlet 117 such that the
filtrate received in
pressate receiving portion 108 can be recycled back through system 100 via
inlet 117. It is also
contemplated that the filtrate exiting through pressate outlet 110 can be
stored elsewhere and
then recycled through system 100 at a later time.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the first sump, e.g. filtrate receiving portion
113, is positioned
in the lower pressure stage more proximate to the effluent inlet 117 than to
the solids outlet 119,
and the effluent collected therein can exit the system 100. The second sump,
e.g. pressate
receiving portion 108, is positioned proximate to the high-pressure stage and
more proximate to
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the solids outlet 119 than to the effluent inlet 117, and the filtrate
collected therein typically has
higher solids concentration, e.g. it is "dirtier," than the filtrate closer to
inlet 117. Because of this,
the filtrate collected in the pres sate receiving portion 108, exits from pres
sate outlet 110 and, if
desired, is recycled back through filtration assembly 103, and the cleaner
filtrate collected via the
first sump, e.g. the filtrate receiving portion 113, and exits the system 100
for the next stage.
Overall, this results in a cleaner output from system 100.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the receptacle 105 includes a diverter barrier
106, e.g. a
diverter plate 106, operatively connected to a bottom wall 122. The diverter
plate 106 is
configured to adjustably occlude at least a portion of a flow path 130
(schematically depicted by
a series of arrows) between the filtrate outlet 120 and the pressate receiving
portion 108 in order
to control the amount of filtrate from outlet 120 that enters into pressate
receiving portion 108.
The diverter plate 106 slides back and forth over pressate opening 114 on a
track 115 depending
on the desired amount of filtrate from 120 that is to be recycled, as
indicated schematically by
the double headed arrow in FIG. 2. The pres sate opening 114 is defined
between a peak/vertex
on bottom wall 122 and a side wall 123 of receptacle 105. In FIG. 1, the lead
line for numeral
114 is pointing to this vertex. This vertex is positioned higher than a
filtrate portion outlet 116
and the pressate outlet 110. In other words, the opening 114 of the pressate
receiving portion
108 is defined by a plane parallel to bottom wall 122 and extending from
bottom wall 122 to side
wall 123, e.g. the portion covered by plate 106 in FIG. 2. Diverter plate 106
includes a flange
106a that rests on side wall 123 when in the closed position.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, diverter plate 106 is in a closed position. This
position may be
used when it is desired to process effluent through system 100 in a quick
manner, e.g. without
the recycling described above. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, diverter plate 106 is
connected to the
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receptacle 105 by the track 115, and may be secured by means of pins, a lead
screw, belt, gears
or other manual or automated mechanism to move it along the track and
temporarily fix it to a
desired location. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, diverter plate 106 is
engaged with track 115
by way of a pin 106b that extends from flange 106a in a direction transverse
to the sliding
direction of plate 106. Diverter plate 106 can be slid back and forth (in the
directions indicated
by the double headed arrow of FIG. 2) manually with a push rod, chain, or the
like, or can be
moved in another automatic mechanical means, e.g. with a belt, hydraulic
system or other
actuator device. Real-time adjustments can be made based on judgement of
operator or based on
measurements from a motor 124 driving the filter system (e.g. torque or
power), or based on
characteristics of the effluent and/or filtrate (e.g. temperature, clarity,
etc.).
[0029] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, if it is desired to process the
effluent faster, then
the diverter plate 106 occludes more or all of opening 114 and there is less
or no recycling. In
that scenario, flow path 130 between outlet 120 and pressate receiving portion
108 will be all or
partially blocked such that all or most of the filtrate will be directed to
and will exit via filtrate
portion outlet 116. Where clarity is more important, diverter plate 106
occludes less or none of
opening 114 such that some or all of flow path 130 is directed to pressate
receiving portion 108
and the filtrate exiting pressate outlet 110 is recycled, while the cleaner
filtrate exits from filtrate
portion outlet 116. Diverter plate 106 is configured to fully and/or partially
occlude opening
114, or leave opening 114 entirely open, depending on the desired processing.
[0030] With reference now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the filtration
system 100 includes
a diverter barrier in the form of a hinged diverter plate 140. Other than the
connection of
diverter plate 140 by way of a hinge 109, and the absence of track 115, the
rest of the filtration
system 100 is the same as that described above in FIGS. 1-3. Hinged diverter
plate 140 of FIG. 4
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can similarly include a push/pull rod, chain, belt, hydraulic system or other
actuator device to
rotate diverter plate about hinge 109, as indicated schematically by the
double headed arrow.
Similar to diverter plate 106 of FIGS. 1-3, flow path 130 from outlet 120 to
pressate receiving
portion 108 is adjustable such that, depending on the rotational position of
plate 140, all, some or
none of a portion of the flow path 130 can be directed toward pres sate
receiving portion 108. In
a closed position, e.g. where diverter plate 140 is rotated downward and a
flange 140a thereof is
resting on the sidewall 123, filtrate fluid from outlet 120 would be directed
away from pressate
receiving portion 108.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, another embodiment a filtration system 300 is
shown. Filtration
system 300 includes a filtration assembly 303 and an adjustable effluent
collector 301. In system
300, filtration assembly 303 is a belt press filtration assembly 303 having an
effluent inlet 317, a
solids outlet 319 and a filtrate outlet therebetween generally indicated by
arrow 320. The outlet
320 of the belt press filtration assembly 303 runs along the length of a
bottom belt 311a of the
press from inlet 317 on the left hand side to solids outlet 319 on the right
hand side. In the belt
press filtration assembly 303 shown in FIG. 5, the effluent in side, e.g. the
low-pressure side, is
on the left hand side as oriented in FIG. 5. As more fluid is squeezed out of
the effluent and as
the effluent is moved to the right-hand side, the rollers 307 of the belt
press become smaller and
closer together and more pressure is applied. Adjustable effluent collector
301 includes a filtrate
receiving portion 313 having a filtrate opening 312, and a pressate receiving
portion 308 having
a pressate opening 314. In system 300, pressate receiving portion 308 is a
pressate catch basin
308. Filtrate receiving portion 313 is housekeeping pad or catch basin 313,
e.g. a concrete catch
basin. Filtrate receiving portion 313 includes an outlet 316. A diverter
barrier 306 includes a
series of diverter plates 306a, 306b, and 306c downstream from belt press
filtration assembly
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303. Plates 306a-306c are a series of plates that move relative to one
another. As shown in Fig.
5, plates 306a-306c are connected to a frame 305 of filtration system 300.
[0032] With continued reference to FIGS. 5-7, similar to system 100, the
effluent exiting from
filtrate outlet 320 on the high pressure side, e.g. the right hand side as
oriented in FIGS. 5-7,
typically includes more solid particulates, e.g. is dirtier, than the effluent
exiting from filtrate
outlet 320 on the right hand side of filter assembly 303. As such, in order to
allow the cleaner
effluent to exit system 300, pressate receiving portion/catch basin 308 is
positioned at the right
end of the filter system 300, e.g. the area that coincides with the higher
pressure as described
above, such that the filtrate received by pressate catch basin 308 is
"dirtier" than the filtrate
received by filtrate receiving portion/pan 313. Diverter plates 306a-306c, as
described above,
are configured to adjustably direct at least a portion of a flow path 330
toward or away from
pres sate catch basin 308 in order to control the amount of filtrate from
outlet 320 that enters into
filtrate receiving portion 313 and/or pressate receiving catch basin 308. In
the embodiment of
Figs. 5-7, the flow path 330 is schematically indicated by all of the
downwardly extending
arrows extending from outlet 320.
[0033] As shown schematically by arrows of FIGS. 5-6, diverter plates 306a-
306c can be
retracted and/or extended as needed relative to one another and/or pressate
catch basin 308
depending on the desired amount of filtrate from outlet 320 that is to be
recycled. The retracted
position of FIG. 6 may be used when it is desired to process effluent through
system 300 in a
quick manner, e.g. without the recycling described above. Those skilled in the
art will readily
appreciate that plates 306a-306c can be even further retracted relative to the
catch basin 308, e.g.
they can be moved further to the right hand side as oriented in FIG. 6, such
that they entirely
block flow from catch basin 308 and all fluid from outlet 320 is directed to
filtrate receiving
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portion 313. Typically, if it is desired to process the effluent faster, then
the diverter plates 306a-
306c are retracted and less (or no) effluent from flow path 330 between outlet
320 and opening
312 is diverted to pres sate catch basin 308. Where higher clarity is desired,
the diverter plates
306a-306c are extended and block more of opening 312 and divert/direct more
filtrate to pressate
catch basin 308. The filtrate exiting pressate outlet 310 is then recycled
back to effluent inlet, or
stored for recycling later, while the cleaner filtrate can be manually or
automatically removed
from catch basin 313. As shown in FIG. 7, pressate outlet 310 is positioned on
a side of catch
basin. Outlet 310 can have a hose, or other conduit, in fluid communication
therewith to direct
fluid from catch basin 308 back to effluent inlet 317 of belt press filtration
assembly 303.
[0034] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that prior to belt
press filtration assembly
303, an inlet belt can be positioned upstream from inlet 317 and above belt
311a at inlet 317 to
feed the effluent to effluent inlet 317. This optional third belt would allow
initial filtrate draining
before entering inlet 317 and pressing between belts 311a and 311b of press
303. Moreover, this
optional third belt can be disposed in the same catch basin 313 so that the
initial filtrate can be
collected therein.
[0035] With reference now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the filtration
system 300 includes
a hinged diverter plate 340 as a diverter barrier. Other than the connection
of diverter plate 340
by way of hinge 309, instead of the series of diverter plates 306a-306b, the
rest of the filtration
system 300 is the same as that described above in FIGS. 5-7. Hinged diverter
plate 340 of FIG. 8
can similarly include a push/pull rod, chain, belt, hydraulic system or other
actuator device to
rotate diverter plate about hinge 309, as indicated schematically by the
double headed arrow. In
the embodiment of FIG. 8, axis of hinge 309 about which diverter plate 340
rotates goes in an
out of the page as oriented in FIG. 8. Similar to diverter plates 306a-306c of
FIGS. 5-7, the flow
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from outlet 320 to inlet 314 can be directed toward pressate receiving portion
308, in whole or in
part depending on the rotational position of diverter plate 340. Those skilled
in the art will
readily appreciate that you could also have a series of hinged diverter plates
that would rotate
about their own respective hinge axes. It is also contemplated that hinged
diverter plate 340 can
move from side to side, e.g. perpendicular with respect to the vertical
supports on frame 305,
toward pressate catch basin 308 to block flow to catch basin 308 entirely and
direct all flow from
outlet 320 to filtrate receiving portion 313.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 9-10, another embodiment a filtration system 200 is
shown.
Filtration system 200 includes a filtration assembly 203 and an adjustable
effluent collector 201.
In system 200, filtration assembly 203 is a vertical belt press filter having
a effluent outlet
generally indicated by arrows 220. Filtration assembly 203 has an effluent
inlet 217 and a solids
outlet 219. Outlet 219 is downstream from the effluent inlet 217 with respect
to the movement
of the belt, which moves from bottom to top. Effluent outlet 220 is downstream
from the
effluent inlet 217 in the same sense, e.g. effluent outlet 220 is after/above
inlet 217 and
before/below solids outlet 219. Effluent collector 201 is downstream from the
effluent outlet
220 in the sense that portions thereof, described as diverter plates and catch
basins below,
receive fluid from effluent outlet 220.
[0037] With continued reference to FIGS. 9-10, the material for belts 209a and
209b is porous
so the outlet 220 is a continuous outlet along the height of the belt press
filtration assembly 203
from inlet 217 on the bottom to the solids outlet 219 on the top side. In the
belt press shown in
FIG. 9, the effluent-in side, e.g. the low-pressure side, is on the bottom as
oriented in FIG. 9. As
more fluid is squeezed out of the effluent and as the effluent is moved upward
between belts
209a and 209b, the rollers 207 of the belt press become smaller and closer
together and more
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pressure is applied. Adjustable effluent collector 201 includes filtrate
receiving portions 213 that
are catch basins, one on each side of belt press filtration assembly 203, and,
optionally can also
include a filtrate receiving portion 213 that is similar to housekeeping pad
313, which is also
labeled 213 and is shown below assembly 203. Each filtrate receiving portion
213 defines a
filtrate opening 212 and includes a filtrate portion outlet 216. Those skilled
in the art will readily
appreciate that the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 does not need to include catch
basins 213, and
instead, fluid flow can drop down to a housekeeping pad filtrate receiving
portion 213, similar to
filtrate receiving portion 313. Effluent collector 201 includes pressate
receiving portions 208,
each having a respective pressate opening 214. In system 200, pressate
receiving portions 208
are pressate catch basins 208, one on each side of filtration assembly 203.
[0038] With continued reference to FIGS. 9-10, a plurality of diverter
barriers 206a-206f are
staggered underneath various rollers 207 of assembly 203. Diverter barriers
206a-206f are
diverter plates 206a-206f and are be movably attached to a frame 205 of
filtration system 200.
Effluent collector 201 is defined by diverter barriers 206a-206f and catch
basins 208 and 213.
For sake of clarity, portions of the frame 205 (e.g. the portions supporting
diverter barriers 206a-
206f and catch basins 208 and 213) are not shown so that the diverter barriers
206a-206f and
catch basins 208 and 213, and the various flow paths may be readily apparent.
Moreover, a
frame 205b as shown in FIG. 10 varies slightly from frame 205 of FIG. 9, but
the other portions
of the system 200 remain the same. Those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that the frame
205b of FIG. 10 can be used instead of frame 205.
[0039] On the left hand side of FIG. 9, single diverter plates 206a-206d are
arranged proximate
to outlets 220 of assembly 203 proximate to respective rollers 207. Each of
the diverter plates
can be moved back and forth, e.g. toward or away from its respective roller
207, as indicated
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schematically by the double headed arrows, to adjustably direct at least a
portion of a flow path
toward catch basin 208. In FIG. 9, diverter plates 206a and 206b are in the
extended position to
direct a flow path exiting outlets 220 toward pressate catch basin 208. The
flow path from
diverter plates 206a and 206b to catch basin 208 is indicated schematically by
a series of arrows
labeled 230 in FIG. 9 and by a dashed line in FIG. 10. Diverter plates 206c
and 206d are in the
retracted position such that a flow path 231, indicated schematically by a
series of arrows labeled
231 in FIG. 9 and by a dashed line in FIG. 10, from outlets 220 toward
filtrate catch basin 213, is
unblocked. Diverter plates 206a-206d can all be retracted, extended, or any
combination thereof
depending on how much fluid is desired to be directed to pressate catch basin
208.
[0040] In accordance with another embodiment, the right hand side of FIG. 9
shows pairs of
diverter plates, each pair including diverter plate 206e and 206f. A given
pair is arranged under
a respective roller 207 such that fluid exiting from outlet 220 can be
directed toward or away
from pressate catch basin 208. On the top side, two pairs of diverter plates
206e and 206f are in
the extended position, e.g. two diverter plates 206f are extended outward to
direct fluid exiting
from outlets 220 towards pressate catch basin 208, as indicated schematically
by the flow path
labeled 230. Diverter plates 206f act to direct at least a portion of a flow
path between outlet 220
and filtrate catch basin 213 (which is shown in the lower portion of assembly
203 as flow path
231) toward pressate catch basin 208. On the bottom side of assembly 203,
diverter plates 206f
are retracted inwards, meaning that flow path 231 between outlets 220 and
openings 212 of
filtrate catch basin 213 is unblocked and the fluid from outlets 220 is
directed to filtrate catch
basin 213.
[0041] With continued reference to FIGS. 9-10, similar to systems 100 and 300,
the effluent
exiting from filtrate outlet 220 on the high pressure side, e.g. the top side
as oriented in FIG. 9,
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typically includes more solid particulates, e.g. is dirtier, than the effluent
exiting from filtrate
outlet 220 on the bottom side of filter assembly 203. As such, in order to
allow the cleaner
effluent to exit system 200, the diverter plates 206a-206f, as described
above, are configured to
adjustably occlude at least a portion of a flow path between the filtrate
outlet 220 and the filtrate
opening 212 and direct filtrate from outlet 320 toward pressate catch basin
208.
[0042] As shown schematically by arrows of FIG. 9, diverter plates 206a-206f
can be retracted
and/or extended as needed relative to one another and/or pressate catch basin
208 depending on
the desired amount of filtrate from outlet 220 that is to be recycled. For the
embodiment on the
left hand side of FIG. 9, the retracted position of plates 206c-206d may be
used for some or all of
plates 206a-206d when it is desired to process effluent through system 200 in
a quick manner,
e.g. without the recycling described above. Typically, if it is desired to
process the effluent
faster, then the diverter plates 206a-206d are retracted and divert less
effluent to catch basin 208.
Where higher clarity is desired, one or more of diverter plates 206a-206d are
extended over
filtrate catch basin 213 (e.g. similar to how diverter plates 206a-206b are
shown) to block a flow
path 231 to opening 212 and direct the flow path along path 230 to pressate
catch basin 208. The
filtrate exiting a pressate outlet 210 is then recycled back to effluent
inlet, or stored for recycling
later, while the cleaner filtrate can be manually or automatically removed
from catch basin 213
by way of outlet 216.
[0043] For the embodiment on the right hand side of FIG. 9, the retracted
position of plates
206f on the bottom of system 200 may be used for some or all of plates 206e
and 206f when it
is desired to process effluent through system 200 in a quick manner, e.g.
without the recycling
described above. Typically, if it is desired to process the effluent faster,
then the diverter plates
206e and 206f are retracted and divert less effluent to catch basin 208. Where
higher clarity is
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desired, one or more of diverter plates 206e and 206f are extended to the
right hand side as
oriented in FIG. 9 over filtrate catch basin 213 (e.g. similar to how diverter
plates 206f on the top
portion of system 200 are shown) to block a flow path 231 to opening 212 and
direct the flow
path to pressate catch basin 208. The filtrate exiting a pressate outlet 210
is then recycled or
stored as described above. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate
that outlets 210 and
216 can have respective hoses or other conduits attached thereto to empty
their respective catch
basins 208 and 213.
[0044] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that aspects of
systems 100, 200 and 300
are readily interchangeable and filter assemblies 103, 203 and 303 can readily
be used with any
of adjustable effluent collectors 101, 201 and 301. Moreover, "high-pressure,"
as used to
describe areas of system 100, 200 or 300, generally means pressures ranging
from 50-150 psi.
Additionally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that catch
basins (whether pressate or
filtrate) may be drained via gravity or, if a pres sate catch basin, may be
pumped back to the
effluent in point on the filter assembly. While axial movement of diverter
barriers, e.g. 106,
306a-306c and 206a-206f, has been described it is also contemplated that
diverter barriers can be
rotated from side to side about a vertical axis, e.g. an axis defined by frame
205 or 305, to further
direct fluid flow as needed to or away from a pressate catch basin. In this
way, catch basins, e.g.
208 and 213, could be in the same vertical and horizontal position (as defined
by FIG. 9) but
would be side-by-side in a direction in and out of the page.
[0045] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for
retrofitting an effluent
collector, e.g. effluent collectors 101, 201, and/or 301, downstream from a
filtration assembly,
e.g. filtration assemblies, 103, 203 and/or 303, includes providing a diverter
barrier, e.g. diverter
barriers 106, 206 and/or 306, and positioning the diverter barrier within the
effluent collector.
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The effluent collector can include a filtrate opening, e.g. a filtrate opening
112, 212 and/or 312,
and a pressate receiving portion, 108, 208 and/or 308, having a pressate
opening, e.g. 114, 214
and/or 314. The method includes connecting the diverter barrier to the
effluent collector to
adjustably direct at least a portion of a flow path toward or away from the
pressate receiving
portion. The method includes attaching the pressate receiving portion to the
effluent collector.
[0046] It is believed that the present disclosure includes many other
embodiments that may not
be herein described in detail, but would nonetheless be appreciated by those
skilled in the art
from the disclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be read as
being limited only
to the foregoing examples or only to the designated embodiments. The methods
and systems of
the present invention, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide
for filtration
systems that capture a higher amount of solids than traditional filtrations
systems due to the
ability of the adjustable effluent collector to separate dirtier portions of
filtrate and recycle
portions if needed. This provides for a system that filters/captures 97-99% of
solids from
effluent. While the apparatus and methods of the subject invention have been
shown and
described with reference to illustrative embodiments, those skilled in the art
will readily
appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without
departing from the
spirit and scope of the subject invention.
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