Liquid purification or separation – Flow – fluid pressure or material level – responsive – Filter cleaning
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-11
2001-02-13
Walker, W. L. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
Flow, fluid pressure or material level, responsive
Filter cleaning
C210S114000, C210S115000, C210S247000, C210S304000, C210S427000, C210S512100, C210S536000, C210S521000, C210S411000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06187178
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to an apparatus for separating solids out of a liquid.
WO95/11735 discloses a hydrodynamic separator, which incorporates a solids interceptor upstream of its overflow, for intercepting solid matter entrained in liquid flowing towards the overflow. The interceptor comprises a circular wall, which forms a weir in the flow path, and a generally conical barrier, extending from the wall towards a solids collection region. Thus, solid matter in the liquid flow is retained on the barrier, and is washed towards the solids collection region by the liquid, which then passes through the barrier, and on towards the outlet of the apparatus.
However, a problem with this known apparatus is that solid material may be retained on the barrier, without being washed towards the solids collection region. If this happens excessively, liquid is not able to pass through the barrier sufficiently quickly, and the outlet of the apparatus is effectively blocked.
WO95/11735 (
FIGS. 10 and 11
) proposed an arrangement in which a series of brushes are located above the interceptor, for removing solid matter from the barrier surface, but there are disadvantages associated with this arrangement.
In addition, the problem of the barrier becoming blocked can be reduced by increasing the angle of the cone. However, it is generally advantageous for the cone to have the shallowest possible angle, in order that the interceptor does not involve a large head loss in the liquid flow.
The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus which avoids at least some of the problems associated with the prior art.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a separator for a liquid-solid mixture, comprising:
an inlet;
an outlet;
a diverter for solid material in the form of a perforated barrier, located upstream of the outlet such that, in use, solid material is retained on the barrier; and,
located between the diverter and the outlet, an automatic mechanism for alternately preventing and allowing the flow of liquid to the outlet, such that, when liquid flow to the outlet is prevented, liquid flows back up through the barrier, so that solid material retained on the barrier is washed by the liquid towards a solids collection region.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a solids interceptor, comprising a circular housing having a tangential inlet for a liquid-solid mixture, an outlet, and, upstream of the outlet, a diverter for solid material in the form of an annular perforated barrier located such that the mixture passes to the barrier, with liquid passing generally downwardly through the barrier towards the outlet and solid material being retained on the barrier and being washed by the liquid towards a solids collection region, characterised in that the interceptor further comprises, located in the outlet, an automatic mechanism for alternately preventing and allowing the flow of liquid through the outlet, such that, when liquid flow is prevented through the outlet, liquid flows back up through the barrier, until it reaches a level at which the mechanism operates to allow the flow of liquid through the outlet.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydrodynamic separator, having an inlet for a liquid-solid mixture, an outlet, and, upstream of the outlet, a diverter for solid material in the form of a perforated barrier located such that the mixture passes to the barrier, with liquid passing generally downwardly through the barrier towards the outlet and solid material being retained on the barrier and being washed by the liquid towards a solids collection region, characterised in that the separator further comprises, located in the outlet, an automatic mechanism for alternately preventing and allowing the flow of liquid through the outlet, such that, when liquid flow is prevented through the outlet, liquid flows back up through the barrier, until it reaches a level at which the mechanism operates to allow the flow of liquid through the outlet.
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patent: 752547 (1904-02-01), Harris et al.
patent: 1066316 (1913-07-01), Piper
patent: 1150673 (1915-08-01), Greth et al.
patent: 2762202 (1956-09-01), Ponsar
patent: 3549012 (1970-12-01), Mackrle
patent: 4194975 (1980-03-01), Baker
patent: 2654679 (1977-06-01), None
patent: 2706926 (1994-12-01), None
patent: 952611 (1964-03-01), None
patent: 2 082 941 (1982-03-01), None
patent: 2 223 958 (1990-04-01), None
patent: WO 95/11735 (1995-04-01), None
Andoh Robert Yawgyamfi
Lecornu Paul Jeremy
Smith Bruce Peter
Cecil Terry K.
Hydro International plc
Larson & Taylor PLC
Walker W. L.
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