Ionics, Inc.

Resources Conservation Company

Joseph J Bostjancic

Dan Peterson

Robert L Solomon

George R Jones

Ferris C Standiford

An improved salt basket for dewatering solids, particularly salts resulting from evaporation of industrial wastewaters. The salt basket system includes a pressurizable vessel having a screen floor situated above a bottom liquid collection head, an inlet for the brine/solids slurry from which solids are to be separated and dried, an inlet for air, an inlet for steam (the latter two inlets may be combined, where convenient), an inlet for solids free feed, and a drain outlet (these two may be combined where convenient into a combination feed/drain connection). Preferably, an automated system for introducing feed brine and for removing the solids product is provided. For safety, a pivotally attached lower door has a hydraulic failsafe closure mechanism and locking safety latches to prevent the door from inadvertently opening. The process control design minimizes exposure of the salt basket interior to supersaturated solutions with precipitating solids therein, thus reducing scaling of the salt basket, by introducing feed brine rather than magma (crystal/concentrated liquor slurry) to the salt basket between crystal harvest cycles.

Salt basket for crystallizer and method of use in zero liquid discharge

A method for use in an evaporator for selectively controlling the flow of solid particles within the evaporator. The method provides for the separation of solids from a liquid through the use of a separation chamber having a plurality of apertures, each of which has a critical size. In the separation chamber, solid particles which are larger than a critical size are separated from the remainder of the solution. The separated particles exit the separation chamber via a bypass conduit for circulation directly to the sump of the evaporator for recombining with the separated liquid portion which passed through the separation chamber and was subsequently concentrated in the heat exchange tubes. The method prevents solid particles from clogging the system and allows for continuous circulation of the solution and solid particles.

Method for controlling solid particle flow in an evaporator

An apparatus for use in an evaporator for selectively controlling the flow of solid particles within the evaporator. The apparatus includes a separation chamber having a plurality of apertures, each of which has a critical size. In the separation chamber, solid particles which are larger than a critical size are separated from the remainder of the solution. The separated particles exit the separation chamber via a bypass conduit for circulation directly to the sump of the evaporator for recombining with the separated liquid portion which passed through the separation chamber and was subsequently concentrated in the heat exchange tubes. The apparatus prevents solid particles from clogging the system and allows for continuous circulation of the solution and solid particles.

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Renton, WA, United States of America

Joseph J Bostjancic