Electrocoagulation apparatus with integrated sludge chamber and feed controller assembly and methods

Abstract

Electrocoagulation and sludge control apparatus and feed controller assembly and methods for effluent treatment are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary reaction chamber having electrodes mounted therein and a treated effluent output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet. The feed controller assembly is intermediate the primary reaction chamber and the sludge chamber and has a length selected for distribution of all effluent feed water across substantially an entire length of the primary reaction chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrocoagulation and sludge control method for effluent treatment comprising the steps of:
 integrating a sludge chamber having a sludge output below a primary reaction chamber having a treated effluent output; and   forming spaced slots in a longitudinal tube at least one of which extends substantially an entire length of said primary reaction chamber;   selectively rotating said tube inside a stationary base pipe having elongated co-located slots therealong:   defining slot opening area by selected overlap of said slots and said co-located slots; and   distributing effluent feed water through said longitudinal tube across substantially said entire length of said primary reaction chamber intermediate said primary reaction chamber and said sludge chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of forming spaced slots in said longitudinal tube includes forming at least a first elongated slot extending said length and at least a second elongated slot spaced from said first slot. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of mounting electrodes in said primary reaction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising locating a conical section as said sludge chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of associating a float with an outlet valve at said sludge output and selectively actuating sludge transfer from said sludge chamber when solids weight in said sludge chamber overcomes buoyancy of said float. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of selectively adjusting buoyancy of said float. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of accumulating foam/gas above said primary reaction chamber and selectively removing accumulated foam/gas. 
     
     
         8 . A sludge control method for use with an electrocoagulation apparatus for effluent treatment comprising the steps of:
 integrating a primary electrocoagulation reaction chamber having a treated effluent output and a sludge chamber; and   selectively rotating a tube having a length and at least a first elongated slot extending said length in a base pipe mountable at the reaction chamber and having at least a first co-locatable slot formed therealong whereby turn adjustment of said tube defines a net opening slot area defined by selected overlap of said slots for net feed area adjustment therethrough.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of connecting said tube with an effluent feed source. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of forming first and second spaced slots in said tube and a second co-locatable slot in said base pipe whereby turn adjustment of said tube defines a net opening slot area defined by selected overlap of said slots with said co-locatable slots. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of accumulating and removing foam/gas above said reaction chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of flushing accumulated sludge from said sludge chamber.