Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
Back~round of the Xnvention
The present invention relates to clarifiers of a
type wherein inclined flow passages are ~ormed by a plurality
of parallel, spaced apart plates and rnore particularly to such
clarifiers wherein liquid ~o be clarified flows generally
- vertically through the inclined flow passac~es.
Various types of clariiers have been developed for
use in place of large settling basins, tanks or the like where
liquid is held over prolon~ed periods of time until clarifica-
tion occurs because of normal sedimentation and phase separation
phenomena. Inclined plate clarifiers have beerl found to be
particularly efective in such applications, particularly in
industrial and municipal water treatment ~acilities, because
of increasingly rigid requirements for high effluent quality.
L5 Inclined plate clarifiers are commonly characterized
by a n~er of inclined flow passages for~ed by parallel,
spaced apart plates. The concept of employing a series of
inclined passages in close proximlty to each other has been
found to be particularly effective since the settling area
'0 per unit volume is greatly incre2sed while, at the same time,
the overall size and cost for the cla~ifier or settling unit
may be reduced~
Within an inclined plate clarifier, liquid to be
clarified flows along the flow passages between the plates
!5 and is sub~ect ~o phase separation or the se~tling of solids
under conventi~nal principles of operation~ Inclined plate
clarifiers may generally be divided into classes adapted
respectively for generally vertical flow or for cross-flow
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where liquid to b~ clari~ied flow~ generally horizontally
through the flow passa~es. Vertical flow clari~iexs m~y
be adapted fox operation eith~x in an "upflo~" and/or "down-'
flow" mode of operation with relatively heavy and/or light
phase material being removed as the liquid flows along'the
inclined passa~es.
The~present invention particularly contemplates a
vertical flow clarifier in which liquid to be clarified ~lows
generally vertically through the inclined flow passages formed
lD by the spaced apart plates. Thus, inl'et and outlet means for
the clarifier are in communication with the ~low passages
generally adjacent their inclined ends.
It is often a particular prob]em to uniformly distri~
bute influent liquid across each of the flow passages in vertical
flow clarifiers. Without such unionn distribution, excessive
settling may tend to occur within pOXtiOllS of the flow passages
ana may even result in settled so~ids tending to block or plug
- the flow passages. A related problem involves solids which
initially settle while the liquid is being introduced into the
flow passages. Buildup of-these initially settled solids may
also tend to cause undesirable blockage. Accordingly, it is
particularly important to assure that any such initially settled
solids may pass into a suitable sediment chamber and are not
allowed to remain in the flow passayes.
It is also particularly desirable to adapt such clari-
fiers for operation under widely varying conditions. For example,
in some applications, liquids to be clarified may have varying
amounts of suspPnded solids ranging from hea~y material tending
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to settie out very rapidly to lic3h~ material which is dificult
to separate and may in some instances require the use of floc-
culating agents. Liguids to be clarified may also require ~he
removal of a relat:ively low density phase such as Dils suspended
S in water. The liquid may al50 be either aqueous or non~aqueous
and, in some instances, may include both solids subject to
settling under the effects of gravity as well as one or more
low density phases which must be separated in order to produce
a clarified liquid of satisfactory quality.
~10 In summary, various clarifiers in the pri~r art have
demonstrated an ability to operate satisfActorily in selected
applisations. However, a need has been found to remain for
a vertical flow clarifier which is adaptable to a variety of
operating conditions and which may be employed to produce a high
1~ qu~lity effluent.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a vertical flow inclined plate clarifier adapted to
overcome one or more problems of the type discussed above.
~0 More specifically, it is an object of the invention
to provide a vertical flow clarifier including flow regulating
channel means for effectively regulating liquid communication
at the inclined ends of the flow passages. In particular,
such a flow regulating channe] means is contemplated for intro-
'5 d~cing liquid tc be clarified adjacent one end of each inclined
flow passage and to unifonmly distribute the ~iquid throughout
the respective passage.
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At thc same tirne, it is a related object of the
invention to provide similar flow regulating channel means
eff~ctive to direct separated phase matexial toward an appro~
priate portion of the clarifier. For example, with relatively
heavy suspended solids being removed from a liquid passing
upwardly through the flow passages, the fLow regulatiny
channel means arranged adjacent the lower ends of the inclined
flow passages uniformly distribute liquid to be clarified
throughout the flow passages for travel in an upward dixection
while assurin~ that initially settled solids pass directly to
a suitable sediment cha~ber.
It is even further contemplated that the flow regu-
lating channel means are provided at either the lower or upper
ends of the inclined flow passages depending upon whether the
lS clari~ier is contemplated for upflow or downflo~ operation.
In addition, similar flow regulating channel means may be
employed at both inclined ends of the flow passages under
certain condi~ions which will be made more apparent in the
following description.
It is also an object of thP invention to provide
a separate influent chamber within an inclined plate clarifier,
the influent chamber being in communication with a suitable
sediment chamber so that solids settling within the influent
chamber may directly pass into the sediment chamber without
~5 fouling or overloading passages communicat;ing the influent
chamber wi~h ~he f1QW PaSSage5.
It is yet another related object of the inventiorl to
provide a separate influent chamber which is formed ~ith
inclined spaced apart plates to facilitate initial settling
of solids within the influen-t chamber. Solids which settle
within the influent chamber may -then pass directly to the
sediment collection chamber as noted above.
It is yet another object oE the invention to provide
a vertical flow clarifier wherein inclined flow passages are
formed by parallel, spaced apart clarifier plates, -the
clarifier further being adapted for the selected installation
of inclined slave plates between relatively fixed clarifier
plates in order to provide an increased number of flow channels
having an effectively reduced width or settling dimension.
An even further object of the invention is to provide
a unique interface arrangement at the upper ends of the
inclined flow passages for an upflow clarifier, the interface
comprising a plurality of interface plates having surfaces
which incline upwardly and toward each other -to form restric-
ted passages for regulating the flow of liquid toward the upper
ends of the flow passages, the inclined surfaces tending to
facilitate the upward passage of relatively low densi-ty material
so that it may properly escape from the clarifier.
Generally, therefore, the present invention is
described as an improvement in a clarifier having inclined flow
passages formed by a plurality oE spaced apart and inclined
parallel plates mounted within a housingt the clarifier being
adapted for upflow operation with the housing forming a
sediment chamber below the inclined plates and collection means
at the upper end of the plates for receiving effluent. The
improvement comprises a separate influent chamber formed by
-the housing, a portion of the housing forming openings adjacent
the lower ends of the inclined plates and a plurality of flow
regulating channel assernblies for regulating -the flow of
influent into the lower inclined ends of the respective flow
ws/.,
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passac3es. The openings formed by -the housing are in respective
comrnunication wi-th -the flow regulatincJ channel assemblies.
The flow regula-tiny channel assemblies :include flow restricting
passage means for distributing inEluent Erom the influent
ehamber uniformly across the respective flow passages. Flow
regulating passacJe means are provided for providing limited
communication from a lower por-tion of the influent chamber
into the sediment chamber and are selected to permit settled
solids at the bottom of the influent ehamber to pass direetly
into the sediment ehamber while inEluent tends to flow through
the openings into the inelined flow passages.
Additional objeets and advantages of the present
invention are made apparent in the following description having
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Deseription oE the Drawings
FIGURE 1 is an end view, with parts in section, of
an inelined plate clarifier eonstructed in accordance with
the present invention.
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WS/ ?
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V~6:~
FIGURE 2 is a view takcn aloncJ section line II-II of
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion
of the clarifier of FIGURE 2 to more clearly illus-trate the
flow regulating channel assembly construction at the inclined
ends of the flow passages within the clarifier.
FIGURE 4 is an end view, with parts in section, of
another embodiment of an inclined plate clarifier constructed
in accordance with the present invention.
FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the inclined plate clarifier
of FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 6 is a view taken along section line VI-VI
of FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 7, located on the drawing containiny FIGURE 1,
is an end view, with par-ts in sectiont of another ernbodiment
of an inclined plate clarieier constructed in accordance with
the present invention.
FIGURE 8, located on the drawing containing FIGURE 4,
is a view of the inclined plate calrifier taken along section
line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 7.
~,.
FIGURE 9, located on the drawing containing FIGURE 4,
is also an end view/ with parts in section, of still another
embodiment of an inclined plate clarifier constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
FIGURE 10, loca-ted on the drawing containing E'IGURE 4,
is a centrally sectioned side view oE an inclined plate
clarifier generally similar to the clarifier of FIGURE 4 while
illustrating three different variations of slave plates
selectively inserted between the standard parallel, spaced
apart clarifier plates in order to adjust the number and
size of flow passages within the clarifier.
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Descript~on of the Preferred ~odiTnents
__
As was indic2ted abovP, the present invention relates
t~ a clarifier of the type represented ~y ~he various embodi-
ments in ~IGURES 1-10, each including a number of inclined
flow passages formed by parallel~ spaced apart plates and
charactexized by features particularly con~emplated ~o adapt
the clarifier or use under various conditions while enhancin~
the rate and~or quality of clarification.
The present clarifier is particulary adapted for
vertical flow operatîon. As will ~e made more apparent in the
following description, certain o the clarifiers described
,below may be operated in either or both an upflow and downflow
mode of operation. In this connection; the term "upflow"
indicates that the major direction o~ flow of liquid to be
~5 clarified within the clarifier takes place in an upward direc-
tion at least through the inclined flow passages formed by
the parall~l spaced apart plates. Similarly, ~he term "down-
flow" indicates ~hat the major direction of flow for li~uid
to be clarified ~akes place in a downward direction at least
through the inclined flow passages.
The various novel features of the clarifier of the
present invention are each illustrated in one or more of
FIGURES 1-10. These novel features are summarized immediately
below prior ~o a more detailed description o~ the drawings~
~5 The clarifier of FIGURES 1 and 2 includes a novel
flow regulating channel assembly for regulating flow in each
of a pluraltiy of inclinea flow passages~ Such a flow regu-
,~ lating channel means may be employed to dis~ribute effluent
.
into each of the inclined ~low passages at either the lower
or upper ends of the passayes dependiny upon whether the
clarifier is contPmplated for upflow or downflow operation .
respecti~ely.
Within the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, flow regu~
lating channel means are emp]oyed at hoth the lower and upper
ends of each inclined flow passage. With the clarifier being
adaptedfor operation in an upflow mode, the flow regulating
channel means at the lower ends of the flow passages serve
to in~roduce influen~ to the flow passages while the flow
regulating channel means at the upper ends of the inclined
flow passages serve to remove clarified effluen~ from the
flow passages and direct it toward a suitable ou~tle~
It will be apparent from the detailed description
~15 of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, as set forth below, that
the clarifier may also be operated in a downflow mode with the
flow regulatin~ channel means at the upper ends of the flow
passages serving to distribute influent throughout the flow
passages with or without similar flow regulating channel means
at the lower ends of the flow passages serving to remove clar-
ifier effluent. The flow regulating channel means at the ends
of the inclined flow passages are illustrated in greater
detail within FIGURE 3.
The clarifier of FIGURE 1 also includes a separate
region which serves an an influPnt cha~er with the clarifier
being operated in an upflow modeO The influent chamber is
particularly contemplated for use where liquid to be clarified
contains solids which tend ~o settle out rapidly. As may be
_g _
best secn in FIGU~E 1, the bottom of the influ~it chamber is
in communication Wit21 a sediment chamber in a lower poxtion
of the clarifiex.
Communication between the in1uent ch~ber and the
sediment chamber is limited so that liquid from the influent
chamber tends to flow into ~3e inclined flow pass~ges with
only settled s~lids ~ending to pass in~o the sediment ~hamber.
A modification of the influent chamber is illustrated
in FIGURE 4 with an in~erted V-shaped plate regulating communi-
cation hetween the influent chamber and the sedimen~ co:Llection
chamber. The legs ~f the V-shaped plate extend downwardly into
the sediment collection chamber substantially below the lower
ends of the inclined plates in order to reduce the like:Lihood
of settled solids being carried upwardly into the inclined
L5 flow passages between the plates.
The clarifier of FI~URES 4-6 also illustrates the
use of additional spaced apart parallel plates within the in-
fluent chamber in order to improve flow distribution and to
increase the initial settling of solids therein prior to
!0 passage of the influent into the inclined ~low passages between
the clarifier plates. In this manner, a substantial portion
of suspended solids may pass directly into the sediment chamber
and thus reduce the likelihbod of the flow passages becoming
plugged or impeded.
'5 The clarifier of FIGURES 4-6 also includes an inter-
face arrangement of V-shaped troughs above the upper ends of
the inclined plates in order to better regulate flow within
the clarifier, particularly when it is being operated in an
upflow mode.
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g
The clari~ier of ~GU~S 7 and 8 i5 modified to the
extent that a singlc assembly of inclined clarifier plates is
employed with a similar influent chal~er being formed along one
side wall of the clarifier housing. Otherwise, the influent
chamber is similarly in direct communication with a sèdiment
collection chamber, flow regulatin~ channel means being employed
to distribute liquid from the influent chamber throughout the
lower ends of the inclined flow passages. Similar flow regu-
lating channel means are also employed at the upper ends of the
inclined flow passages to recei~e effluent.
FIGURE g illustrates yet another embodiment of a clar-
ifier which is similar to that o~ FIG~RES 7 and 8 except that
flow regulating channel means are not employed at the upper
ends of the inclined flow passages. Rather, the upper ends
of the flow passages are open with effluent being received in
a separation chamber ormed above the inclined clarifier plates.
As was indicated above, the clarifier of FIGURE 10
is generally similar ~o the clarifier of FIGURES 4-6. The
clarifier of FIGURE 10 illustrates three different variations
of slave plates which may be selectively inserted between the
fixed inclined cIarifier plates in ~rder to adjust the number
and size of inclined flow passages within the clarifier de-
pending upon the particular operating conditions being
encountered,
A more de~ailed description of the various embodiments
illustrated in FIÇURES 1-10 is set ~orth belowO
.
~20~ 3
Th~ Embodiment of FIGURE5 1-3
.
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to
FIGURES 1 and 2 a ver~ical flow inclined plate clarifier
of ~he type contemplated by the present invention is gener-
ally indicated at 10. The clarifier 10 includes a housing 1~
having a separation section 14 of trapezoidal shape in cross-
sec~ion wherPin a plurality of inclined flvw passages 16 are
~' formed ~y clarifier plates 18 mounted in parallel spaced apart
relation wi'thin the housing. An upper section 20 of the
~0 clarifier housing includes outlet means through which clarifier
effluent and relatively low density material may exit the
clarifier.
Referring particularly to FIG~RE 1, the clarifier
~ housing also fonms a centrally arranged influent chamber 22
L5 through which influent is introduced into the clarifier, par-
ticularly when the clarifier 10 is operated in an upflow mode.
The bottom of the'influ~nt chamber 22 is open so that settled
solids may pass directly out of the influent chamber. The
bottom of the influent cha~ber is partial~y olosed by an in-
: 20 verted V-shaped flow limiting plate 24 which allows settled
solids to pass from the bottom of the~influent chamber 2~ while
liquid from the influent chamber'22 tends to be directed into
the lower ends of the inclined flow passages 16 through openings
26 formed by side walls 28 and 30 of the housing.
~5 The clarifier 10 also includes flow regulating channel
means 32 at the lower end of each of the inclined flow passages
16 for receiving influent from the openings 26 and uniformly
distributing the influent throughout the respecti~e flow
passages. In addition, the flow regulating channel means ~2
serve to communicate any solids settled ~herein directly to
a sediment chamber in a lower por~ion of the clarifier ~ls
described in greater detail below.
Similar flow regulating channel means 34 are also
provided at ~he upper ends of the inclined flow passages 16
for two reasons within the emhodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2.
Initially, with the clarifier operating in an upflow mode,-
the flow regulating channel means 34 serve to collect clari-
- fied effluent and direct it to a central co]lectlon reservoir
L0 36 which is in communication with an effluent conduit 3~. Low
densi~y material such as oil or the like may rise into separa-
tion chambers 40 and ~2 formed on opposite sides of the
reservoir 36 within the upper housing section 20. Low density
material from the separation chamb~rs 40 and 42 may pass over a
weir 44 and out of the clarifier through a conduit 46. The
height of the weir 44 must be maintained in carefully selected
relation to the effluent conduit 38 to assure proper operation
of the clarifier. The construction and operation of thPse
portions of the clarifier are described in greater detail below.
The clarifier housing 12 also includes a tapered portion
48 forming a sediment chamber 50 bene~th the inclined clarifer
plates 18 and the influent chamber 22. The tapered housing
portion 48 may be formed as an integral portion of the entire
clariier housing 12 or as a separate structure which may be
~5 combined with the rest of the clarifier 10 during installation.
The sediment chamber may also be formed by a floor or supporting
structure upon which the clarifier 10 is mounted. In any event,
the sediment chamber 50 is equipped with means (nct shown~ for
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periodically or con~inuously ~moving sediment which collects.in
the char~er 50 during operatioll o the clarifier.
.Referring also to FIGV~ 3, each of the ~low reyulating
channel means 32 at the lower ends of the inclined flow passages
. 16 is ~ormed basically by an elong~ted plate 52 which is spaced
apart from the lower surface of an adjacent clarifier plate 18
to form an enclosed region S4 extendilly across the-leng~h of
each of the inclined flow passages 16. An upper eclge 56 of each
of the el~n~ated plates 52 is bent inwardly toward the adjacent
D inclined clarifier plate 18 in order to form a flow restriction
~or liquid passing out of the enclosed region 540 Simi.larly,
a lip 58 extends downwardly ~rom the respecti~e inclined clari-
fier plate 18 to form another flow restriction for limiting
liquid flow downwardly from the enclosed region 54. In this
manner, liquid entering ~ach of the enclosed regions 54 through
one of the openi~gs 26 tends to be distributed along the length
; of the enclosed region for even pas.sage into the respective in-
clined flow passages.
The relative flow restrictions formed by the upper edge
56 and the lip 58 are sized so that flow caused within the clari-
fier by a hydrostatic or hydrodynamic head tends ~o pass upwardly
from the en~losed region 54 through the respective inclined flow
passages 16 rather than downwardly toward the sediment c:hambex
50. . The opening formed between the lip 58 and the elongated
plate 52 allows solids which settle wi~hin the enclosed region
54 to pass directly into the sediment colleckion chamber 50.
Thus, the flow regulating channel means 32 serve to distribute
influen~ uniformly throughout ~he inclined flow passages 16
while allowing any initially settled solids to pass directly
O into the sediment collection chamber 50
V~
The flow regulating channel means 34 arranged at the
. upper ends of the inclined flow passayes 16 are o~ similar
. construction except that the cornporlents o~ the flow regulating
channel means 3~ are rotated 180 re].ative to the co~nponents
of the flow xegula~ing channel means 32. Accordingly, each of
the upper flow regulating channel means 34 is similarly foxmed
from an elongated plate indicated at 62 to define an enclosed
region 64 and having a similar bent lower edge 66 with a lip
6~ extending upwardly from the upper surface of the adjacent
inclined clarifier plate 18.
Referring particularly to FIGURE 1, it ma~ be seen that
the two side walls 28 and 30 for ~e influent chamber 22 extend
upwardly through the upper housing portion 20 to form the
effluent reservoir 36. The influerlt chamber 22 and the effluent
reservoir 36 are separated by a plate 70. Above the plate 70,
the side walls 28 and 30 form openings 72 which communicate the
respective enclosed regions 64 with the effluent reservoir 36.
As will be more apparent from the following operational descrip-
tion for the clarifier 10, clarified effluent tends to be col-
2~ lected within the reservoir 36 while low density material is
collected within the separation chambers 40 and 42. A baffle
74 ext~nds along the length of the effluent reservoir 36 ln
order to assist in maintaining more uniform flow through the
openings 72.
~S In operation of the clarifier 10 in an upflow mode,
liquid to be clarified is introduced into the influent chamher
22 through an inlet conduit 76. The influent tends to flow
downwardly through the chamber 22~ So~ids which set~le rom
. .
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the influent within the inlet char~er 22 pass dixectly into the
scdiment chamber 50 past the V-shaped plate 24. It may he seen
in FI~UR~ l that the inclined clarifier plates 18 are supported
by side beams 78 and 80 as well as spaced apart centel- beams 82
and 84 which are arranged adjacent the inverted ~-shaped plate
24. The downwardly depending legs of the V-shaped plate 24 may
be adjusted to v~ry theopenings fo~ned with the respective beams
. 82 and 84 depending upon the amount of solids tending to settle
within ~he in1uent chamber 22. Prefexably, the openings at the
.0 bott~m of the influent chamber permit any settled ~olids to pass
directly in~o the se~iment collection chamber 50 while the in-
fluent liquid flows pxedominantly through the openings 26.
The influent flowing through the openings 26 enters
the respective enclosed regions 54 and passes upwardl.y through
.5 the respective inclined flow passages 16 as described above.
Any additional solids which tend to settle out within the
enclosed region 54 pass downwardly and airectly enter the
sediment chamber 50. Thus, a substantial portion of solids
within the influent may be communicated into the sediment cham-
!0 ber 50 even before the influent enters the respective inclined
flow passages 16. This serves to redu~ce the amoun~ of settling
required within the flow passages and produces a better quality
effluent while also tending to prevent the possibility of solids
becoming plugged within any portion of the inclined ~low passages.
!S ~s liquid from the enclosed regions 54 of the flow
xegulating channel means 32 passes upwardly throush the respec-
tive inclined flow passages 16, solids tend to settle out on
the upper inclined surfacPs of th~ plates 18 and to slide down-
wardly toward the sediment chamber S0 under the influence of
:lO gravity~
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At the same time, ~Iny rel.ati.vely low density material
such as oil, tends to collect upon a lower inclined sur~ace of
- each of the clarifiex plates 18. ~his low density material
tend~ to pass upwardly out of the open upper ends of the in-
S clined flow passages 16 into th~ separation chambers 40 ~nd 42,
The low density material from the separation chambers may then
pass over the weir 44 and out of the clari.fier through the
. . conduit 46.
: At the same time, clarified effluent approaching the
D upper ends of the respective inclined flow passages 16 tends
to enter the enclosea regions 64 of the respective flow regu-
lating channel means 34 and to pass through the openings 72
into the effluent reservoir 36. T.he effluent may of course
. exit the reservoir 36 through the outlet conduit 38, Any low
~D density material tending to separate from the efflùent within
the upper enclosed region 64 may pass upwardly through the
restricted openings formed between the plates 62 and the l.ips
; 68. Thus, the upper flow regulating channel means 3~.serve
to collect clarified effluent and direct it to the reservoir
) 35. At the same ~ime, the restricted openings along the upp~r
edges of their enclosed regions 64 per~it any separated low
density materials therein to p~ss into the separation chambers
: 40 and 42. In addition, these openings serve to prevent th~
. upper flow regulating channel means 34 from becoming air-locked.
i Before pxooeeding to a description of the other mbodi-
ments, it is also noted that the clarifier 10 of FIGURES 1-3
may be operated in re~erse with liquid.to be ~larified entering
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through the conduit 3~ and b~ing directed through the opc!nings
72 into the flow regula~ing channel meanS 34. In tnis event,
the 10w regulating chanllel means 3~ serve a similar function
as described above for the flow regulating channel means 32
in that they uniformly distribute the infl~ent throughout
the respective inclined flow passages 16. Thereafter, the
influent liguid passes downwardly through the passages 16 with
the solids again entering the sediment collection chamber 50.
Clarifiea effluent is collected by the Llow regulating channel .
.0 means 32 and directed through the openings 26 and chamber 22
for exi.t from the clarifier through the conduit 76. ~ow density
material such as oil would again tend to be collected within
the separation chambers 40 and 42 for removal from the clarifer
in the same manner described ah~ve.
: ' .
.5 Tne Embodiment of FIGURES 4-6
. Anothex emobidment of a clarifier according to the
present in~ention is indicated a~ 110 in FIGURES 4-6.. Many
components of the clarifier 110 are similar to those described
above for the clarifier 10 of FIGURES 1 and 2. Accordingly,
0 similar components in the clarifier 1~0 are identified by the
same numerical labels as for the clarifier 10 while being
~; preceded by the numeral !'1". Accordingly, the housin~ 112
for the clarifier 110 is similar to the housing 12 for the
clarifier 10. A number of modifications ancl additional features
are included within the clarifier 110.
Initially, the influent chamber 122 is open at the
top since the clarifier 110 does not include an effluent
~18
reservoir similar to that indicated at 36 in FIGURE. 1.
Similarly, th~re are no flow regula~irlg channel means at
the upper ends of the flow passages such as those indicated
at 34 in FIGURE 1. ~ather, effluent from the clarifier 110
collects within .the separation chambers 140 and 1~2. Effluent
in the separation chambers 140 and 1~2 passes over the weir
144 and exits the clarifier through the-effluent outlet con-
duit 146.
An ad~itional feature is provided wi~lin the influent
L0 chamber 122 for faciIitating rapid separation of solids. As
- may be best seen in FIGURE 6, a plurality of relatively widely
spaced inclined plates 186 are arranged within the influent
chambex 122 and.act in generally conventional fashion to
promote flow distribution and the separation of solids within
L5 the influent chamber. Thus, a greater percentage of solids
is removed within the influent chamber so that a higher
quality effluent may be produced within the inclined flow
passages 116.
Referring particularly to FIGURE 4, the inverted
eo V-shaped plate l24 which limits communication from the in-
fluent chamber 122 into the sediment ~ollection chamber 15Q
extends substantially downwardly into the sediment collec-
tion chamber~ Solids sliding down the upper surfaces of the
plate 124 ~re thus carried lower in~o the sediment collection
. e5 chamber 150 before falling freely from the edges of the in-
clined V-shaped plate. Thus, there is less likelihood of
the solids being carried upwardly into ~he inclined flow
passages 116.
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Influent from the ch~mber 122 passes throu~h ~he
openings 126 and is di.stributed throughout the inclined flow
passayes 116 by ~he ~low reyulating channel means 132 which .
operate in the same manner as described above for the flow regu-
lating channel means 32 of FIGURES 1 and 2. Vnifo~m flow within
the flow passages 116is urther promoted by an interfacP assembly
1~0 comprisiny a plurality of V-shaped troughs 192. Each trough
is formed with a pair of inclined surfaces 194 and 1~6~ The
V-shaped troughs 192 are spaced apart in order to form openings
198 which extend trans~ersely throughout the clarifier relative
to th~ inclined flow passages 116. The inclined surfaces o~ the
troughs 192 prevent the inter~ace assembly from trapping any
material while the openings 198 reyulate.the flow of effluent
from the inclined flow passayes 116 into the chambers 140 and
:15 142. Thus, the interface assem~ly serves to promote more uniform
:~ flow of liquid upwardly through the inclined flow passages 116
Otherwise, the clarifier of FIGURES 4-6 operates i.n
generally the same manner as was describPd above for the clari-
fier 10 of FIGURES 1-3~
~:.20 The Embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8
~ '
: Yet another clarifier constructed in accordance with
.
the present invention is indicated at 210 in FIGURES 7 and 8.
The clarifier 210 includes generally the same features and
operates in essentially the same manner as the clariier 10
of FI~VRES 1-3. However, the clarifier 210 includes only a
single array of inclined clarifier plates with an influent
chamber being f~rmed along one lateral side of the clarifier
housing.
-20-
,
~:~Z~3~
Referring particularly to ~IGV~ 7, the clarifier
21~ i.ncludes a housi.ng 212 fonning a separation section 214.
Inclined flow passages 216 ar~ ~ormed by parallel, spaced
apart clarifier plates 218.
S An upper housing sec~ion 220 forms separate means
for receiving effluent and low density material from the
clarifier. An influent chamber 222 is formed along one lateral
side of the clarifier housing 212 with a side wall 2~8 for the
influent chamber forming openings 226 for conmlunicating influ-
L0 ent from the chamber 22~ into the flow reyula~ing channel
means 232 corresponding ~o those indicated at 32 in FIGURES
1 and 2.
An adjustable plate 224 is moun~ed a~. the open lower
end of the influent chamber 222 in order to regulate the pas~
sage of settled solids from the influent cham~er 222 into the
sediment chamber 250 in the same manner described above for
the flow limiting plate 24 of FIGURES 1 and 2.
The flow regulatiny channel means 232 serve substan- .
tially the same purpose as the flow regulating channel means 32
of FIGURES 1 and 2. Normal separation takes place as liquid
flows upwardly through the inclined flow passages 216. Flow
regulating channel means 234 are arranged at the upper ends of
the inclined flow passages 216 and conform wi~h the flow regula-
ting channel means 34 of FIGU~ES 1 and 2. Clarifier effluen~
received by the flow regulating channel means 234 is communicated
through openings 272 into an effluent reservoir 236 from which it
exits the clarifier through an outlet conduit 238. ~low from the
upper flow regulating channel means 234 may be further adjus~ed
~y a baffle 290 mounted at thP bottom of ~he effluent reservoir.
-21-
The baffle 290 may be adjusted in order to regulate the rate o~
effluent flow throut3h the openings ~72. Low density material
being separated within the inclined flow passages 216 collects
within a separation chamher ~40 from where it may exit the
clariier by means of an outlPt conduit 2~6.
Influent liquid is introduced into the clarifiex
210 through an inlet conduit 27S. Thereafter, the ~arious
components of the clarifier 210 operate in substantially the
: . .
same fashion described a~ove for the clariEier 10 of ~IGURE5 1
and 2. The clarifier 210 is also preferably adapted for oper-
ation in an upflow mode. However, il- is also possible to oper
ate the clarifier 210 in a downflow mode with influent being
introduced through ~he conduit 238. In 5uch a mode of operation,
the baf1e 290 may be removed or may be adjusted in order to
regulate the flow of influent into the clarifier.
The Embodiment of FIGURE 9
. .
Yet another clarifier constructed in accordance with
the present invention is indicated at 310 in FIGURE 9. The
~; overall configuration of the clarifier 31~ is similar ~o that
of the clarifier 210 in FIGURES 7 and 8. However, like the
clarifier 110 of FIGURE5 4 and 6, the clarifier 310 does not
employ flow reyulating channel means at the upper ends of the
inclined flow passages corresponding to those indicated at 34
in FIGURES 1 a~d 2. Accordingly, the clarifier 310 does not
employ an effluent reservoir such as indicated at 236 in
FIGURE 7~ Rather, effluent from the inclined flow passages
enters the separation chamber 340 aboYe the inclined clarifier
plates and flows over a we~r 386 to exit ~he clarifier through
~he outlet conduit 346.
-220
O
L~ ~3~31
The clarifier 310 is also provided with suyplcmental
inclined plates t one of which is indicated at 390 in FIG~J~E 9.
Inclined plates such as those indicated at 3~0 in FIGU~E 9
could also be employed within the influent chambex 222 Ior
the clarifier ~10 of FIGU~S 7 and ~. .
Otherwise, the clarifier 310 of FIGU~' 9 operat:es
in substantially the same manner as describea above for ~he
preceding clarifiers.
The ~mbodiment of FI~URE 10
Referring now to FIGURE 10, yet another embodiment
of a clarifier constructed in accordance with the present
invention is indicated at 410. The clarifier 410 of FIGURE
10 is of suhstantially the same construc~ion as the clarifier
110 in FIGUR~S 4-6. However, the clarifier 410 does not in~
clude an interface assembly such as that indicated at 190 in
FIGURES 4-6. Otherwise, basic components of the clarifler
410 are ~abeled similarly as for the clarifier 110 except
that the labels are preceded by the number 4 instead of the
number 1.
The clarlfier 410 of PIGURE 10 is adapted to selec-
tively receive inclined slave plates which are designed to
vary the number and dimension.of inclined flow passages within
the clarifier. Three different arrangernents of slave plates
are illustxated at A, B and C~ Note that in sections A and B
of the clarifier 410, no flow regulating channel means are pro-
vided at the upper ends of the flow p.~ssages~ Within the clar-
ifier section C, flow regulaking channel means are pro~ided as
-23-
indicated at 434 and are constructed and operated in substan
tially the same manner as the flow reyulating channel means 34
vf ~IGURES 1 and 2.
The slave plate arrange~ents in the various clarifier
sections A, ~ and C are described below.
Referring initially to ~he clarifier section A, the
single clarifier plates 510 are arranyed between each adjacent
set of inclined clarifier plates 41B. The slave plates 510 are
of about the same width as the clarifier plates 41~ in order to
extend completely across the flow passages 416, The upper ends
of the slave plates terminate at approximately the same level
as the upper ends of the inclined clarifier plates 418~ E~ow-
ever, the lower ends 512 of the slave plates 510 terminate
substantially ahove the flow regulating channel means 4~2.
This spacing is necessary since, as suspended solids settle on
the upper surfaces of the slave plates 512, the solids slide
downwardly and at the 10~7er ends of the slave plates 512 must
pass to the upper surface of the respecti~e clarifier plates
418. Thus, the aboven~ted spacing is necessary so that the
solids from the slave platPs 512 may drop to the clarifier
plates 41S without being disrupted by the upward flow of
liquid from the 10w regula,ting channel means 432.
The slave plates 512 are intended to generally divide
the flow passages 416 evenly and are accordingly supported by
sp2cers indieated at 514 adjacent the lower ends of the sl~ve
plates~ Similar spacer means could be employed at the upper
ends ~f the slave plates as well. However~ ~he upper ends of
24- '
q3~
the slave plates are preferahly supported by hangers 516 which
secure the upper end of each slave plate 512 to an adjacent
clarifier plate 418. In this manner, the hangers 516 serve to
locate the slave plate vertically within the flow passages 416
as well as maintaining their spacing relative to the ad~acent
clarifier plates 418.
Referring now to section B of the clarifier 410, similar
slave plates 520 are arranged within.the flow passages 416
except that two of the slave plates 520 are arranged in evenly -
L0 sp~eed apart relation within each o the flow passages 416.Otherwise, the slave plates 520 include generally similar spacer
means 524 and hanger means 526 for maintaining their position
between the clarifier plates 418.
In secti~n C of the clarifier 410, similar slave plates
L5 530 are arranged individually within each o the inclined flow
passages 416. However, with the flow regulating channel means
434 being employed at the upper ends of the flow passages 416,
the slave plates 530 are termina~ed substan~ially therebelow.
The end spacing between the slave plates 530 and the flow regu-
eo lating channel means 434 is for the same purpos~ described abovein connection with the spacing between the lower ends of the
slave plates 512 and the flow regulating channel means 432
Accordingly, the slave plates 530 include spacer means 534
arranged at both their upper and lower ends. Hanger means 536
similarly engage the upper ends of the adjacent clarifier plates
418 and extend downwardly through the inclined flow passages for
engagement with the slave plates 530.
-25-
Various embodiments o~ upflow and downflow clarifiers
have thus been described above in accordallce with the present
invention. It will be obvious that numerous additional modi-
~ fications and variations are possible within the scope of the
; 5 present invention. Accordinglyl the scope of the present
invention is defined only by the following appended claims.
,
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