Liquid purification or separation – Structural installation – Geographic
Patent
1993-09-22
1996-04-09
Wyse, Thomas
Liquid purification or separation
Structural installation
Geographic
210197, 210218, 210320, 210540, C02F 328
Patent
active
055058485
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fermentation apparatus, such as wastewater treatment enclosures and the like. Particularly this invention relates to improvements in various features of such apparatus, and in a preferred embodiment to anaerobic fermentation apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fermentation, as by aerobic or anaerobic digestion, is used to treat water, such as effluents from industry and municipalities. U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,691, in the name of the present assignees, issued Jun. 16, 1987, describes a bulk volume fermenter in the form of an enclosure having a membrane cover, with means for collecting methane produced by the anaerobic fermentation. In this arrangement the gas is collected in a conduit extending along the top of the containing wall. A central collecting duct is also described.
The present invention provides for various improvements in a bulk volume fermenter, particularly anaerobic fermentation apparatus, applicable to apparatus as described in the above-mentioned patent, but not restricted to such apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Broadly, in accordance with one feature of the invention, a collector duct or pipe is suspended inside the retaining wall, near the top, the pipe being perforated, or otherwise opened, to admit gas for collection. The cover membrane extends from the wall top over the pipe, and weighted members can be positioned, on the cover, to rest on the pipe to hold the cover down. In a further feature a floating collector pipe can be positioned under the cover inwardly of the walls, with a walkway over the floating pipe if desired.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, gas-liquid-solids separators can be provided either independently floating in the enclosure, or attached to and depending from the cover, and comprising a V-shaped cell, with one side extending below the other side, with an open bottom, unclarified liquor entering and solids dropping out. Uprising bubbles of gas are deflected away from the inside of the separator so as to provide a quiescent zone for settlement of sludge. Clarified liquor is drawn out through a header for a further treatment stage.
Yet a further feature comprises a collapsible baffle extending up from the bottom of the enclosure, to retain sludge towards an inlet position. The baffle lies on the bottom when the enclosure is empty but as the enclosure is filled, the baffle is lifted up, pivoting on the bottom, and effectively forming a weir. An additional baffle may be suspended from the cover, spaced a short distance from the collapsible baffle, downstream thereof, or upstream, or both.
Mixing of the material in the enclosure is often desirable and mixers are often positioned in enclosures to provide mixing. A feature of the present invention provides a mounting for a mixer, in which the orientation of a mixer can be altered. A lifting davit is mounted on the mounting for raising and lowering the drive motor and propeller, which are positioned on a square post. The motor and propeller mounting can be lifted and rotated to different positions at 90.degree.. The davit, motor and propeller can be completely removed from the enclosure. A further mounting bracket permits a further, finer, positional adjustment.
The cover is held down in position by a weight system extending across the cover. Conveniently the weight system is not connected to the cover to permit relative movement. The weight system can be complemented, or replaced, by pockets or sleeves built into the cover and filled with water.
Preferably, in the above apparatus, the means, which suspends the conduit, comprises a plurality of spaced apart slings.
In a further preferred feature of the present invention there is provided means for removing sludge at an outlet position in the enclosure and recirculating the sludge to an inlet position in the enclosure. In still a further preferred feature of the present invention there is also provided means for combining at least part of the recirculated sludge with a waste liquor being fed to th
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Cocci Albert
De Garie Claude
Landine Robert
ADI Limited
Wyse Thomas
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