Pulsating sludge bed with inclined plates

Abstract

In a system for decantation treating of liquid containing therein suspended material, the liquid to be treated is pulsatingly introduced into the bottom of a sludge bed and pulsated therein. The liquid is passed upwardly through the sludge bed at a predetermined speed whereby the suspended material is agglomerated and removed from the liquid. The liquid is forced through the sludge bed from the bottom to the top thereof in paths which are inclined both to the horizontal and to the vertical. Specifically, the liquid passes generally upwardly through an assembly of inclined flow control devices which are positioned within the sludge bed throughout substantially the entire height thereof. Sludge settles within the inclined passageways between the flow control devices for a slight distance until the sludge contacts an inclined bottom wall. The sludge then slides downwardly in an inclined manner along the bottom wall in a concentrated path or current. This concentrated path or current forces the liquid upwardly and away from the bottom wall, thereby creating a generally upwardly moving inclined path or current of liquid. The settling sludge and rising liquid thereby form concentrated currents in parallel but opposite inclined directions and increase the tendency of the suspended material to be agglomerated from the liquid.