Treatment apparatus

Claim 1

Treatment apparatus comprising: a. a reaction basin for containing a liquid to be treated, b. means for conducting influent to said reaction basin at a selected rate of flow, c. a mechanical agitator and support structure connected between said agitator and said reaction basin for supporting said agitator in a position substantially centered in said reaction basin and at the surface of the liquid in said reaction basin, to agitate the contents of said reaction basin in a circulation pattern in which liquid flows outwardly at the top of said reaction basin, down the sides of said reaction basin, inwardly at the bottom of said reaction basin and upwardly at the centre of said reaction basin, d. a clarifier connected to said reaction basin, said clarifier having a lower surface sloping at least in part towards said reaction basin for material settling on said lower surface to tend to slide towards said reaction basin, e. baffle means between said reaction basin and said clarifier to peRmit limited flow of liquid from said reaction basin into a lower area of said clarifier and to permit return of sludge along said lower surface of said clarifier to said reaction basin, said baffle means comprising: i. an inner vertical clarifier baffle extending from above the normal liquid level in said clarifier to a position substantially below said liquid level, ii. an outer vertical clarifier baffle located on the reaction basin side of said inner baffle and having a portion extending from below said liquid level to a position above the lower surface of said reaction basin, said inner and outer baffles defining a vertical passage between them through which liquid may flow from said reaction basin to said clarifier, iii. and a plurality of adjustable flow control gates mounted atop said outer baffle and projecting above said liquid level for adjustably controlling flow of liquid in said reaction basin over said outer baffle and downwardly between said inner and outer baffles and for adjustably limiting the rate of such flow to between two and three times said selected rate of flow, f. a sludge scraper in said clarifier for scraping sludge periodically from said lower surface of said clarifier, said sludge scraper including a plurality of scraper blades extending beneath said vertical passage, at least one vertical support member extending upwardly from said scraper blades, and means mounting said support member for movement of said scraper blades over said lower surface of said clarifier, g. a scum skimmer fixed to said sludge scraper for movement therewith, for removing scum from said clarifier, h. a scum box connected to said clarifier to receive scum skimmed therefrom, said scum box having a ramp located in said clarifier and sloping upwardly therefrom, and an opening at the upper end of said ramp to receive scum pushed up said ramp, i. said scum skimmer including a first skimmer blade fixed to said support member, a second skimmer blade, and means hingedly connecting said second skimmer blade to said support member at a position in front of said first skimmer blade so that during skimming movement of said scum skimmer, said second skimmer blade may be pushed up said ramp and will pivot as it travels up said ramp.