Liquid clarification by effecting cohesion of solids

Abstract

Contaminated liquid or sludge clarification is accomplished by the use of a basic one or a series of operatively connected and vertically extending units or devices of the invention, each of which employs a hose that is spiraled around a cylindrical container wall whose upper end is open to an overflow weir from which recovery of lower specific gravity clarified liquid is effected and whose lower end is open and connected to a cone or funnel-shaped wall that defines a receiving and delivering chamber for separated-out heavier specific gravity contaminating liquid, sediment, viscous or thickened material. The hose of the basic unit is adapted at its upper end to receive the contaminated liquid, sludge or the like and any suitable chemical flocculant, precipitant, or coagulant, such as a polyelectrolyte, that may be injected or added to the contaminated liquid before it is introduced therein. The hose is adapted to thoroughly mix the heavier specific gravity material content with the coagulant as the liquid charge moves downwardly in a somewhat slowly swirling path therin. A nozzle is connected to the lower end and along the inside of a lower end portion of the cylindrical wall to deliver its contents in a substantially vertically laminated relation within the container above and adjacent to an upper end portion of the cone-shaped wall.