Electrocoagulation apparatus having integrated clarifier and sludge control

Abstract

An electrocoagulation apparatus is disclosed integrated with a plate clarifier and sludge chamber for effluent treatment. The clarifier includes first and second tanks, an electrocoagulation reactor positioned in the first tank. The sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a selectively openable outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for integrating apparatus for effluent treatment comprising the steps of:
 positioning an electrocoagulation reactor within a first tank of a plate clarifier having a settling portion and a sludge concentrator, said electrocoagulation reactor including an outer housing with an inner reactor assembly therein having plural plate electrodes; and   establishing an effluent inlet to said reactor and an outlet from said reactor to said clarifier.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of establishing a primary reactor chamber associated with a first part of said outlet and a sludge chamber associated with a second part of said outlet within said inner reactor assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said clarifier includes a second tank, the method further comprising the step of receiving at said second tank separated effluent from said first tank and semi-clarified effluent from said electrocoagulation reactor outlet. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said inner reactor assembly includes primary and secondary reactor chambers in fluid communication with one another, each housing an electrode or electrodes, said method further comprising treating effluent in both said primary and secondary reactor chambers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of controlling effluent feed between said electrocoagulation reactor and said sludge chamber by establishing a longitudinal tube with at least a first slot extending its length, and moving said tube in a structure having an overlapping slot formed therealong, movement of said tube in said structure accommodating net effluent feed area adjustment in said first tank. 
     
     
         6 . A method for integrating apparatus for effluent treatment comprising the steps of:
 in a lamella-type plate clarifier having first and second tanks and a sludge concentrator, receiving separated effluent from said first tank at said second tank and outputting separated sludge from said sludge concentrator;   positioning an electrocoagulation reactor including an outer housing with an inner reactor assembly therein having plural plate electrodes and a sludge chamber in said first tank of said clarifier;   moving effluent into said first tank and said reactor; and   outputting sludge from said sludge chamber of said reactor to said sludge concentrator of said plate clarifier and outputting semi-clarified electrocoagulation processed effluent from said reactor to one of said first tank and said second tank of said plate clarifier.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of establishing a primary reactor chamber at said inner reactor assembly, and positioning said primary reactor chamber above said sludge chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising accumulating and removing foam/gas from a floatation chamber positioned above said electrocoagulation reactor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of moving effluent into said first tank and said reactor includes controlling feed to distribute effluent feed water across substantially an entire length of said inner reactor assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A method for integrated electrocoagulation and sludge transfer in separating and clarifying effluents comprising the steps of:
 pretreating effluent at a plate clarifier including a separator tank portion, a clear flow catch tank portion, and a sludge concentrator portion having a sludge outlet;   electrocoagulation treating of effluent in said separator tank portion of said plate clarifier in a reactor assembly integrated into said separator tank portion, said reactor assembly having an outer housing with a primary reaction chamber and a treated effluent outlet located therein; and   controlling effluent feed from a position between said reactor assembly and said sludge concentrator portion of said plate clarifier by establishing a longitudinal tube having at least a first slot extending its length and moving said tube in a structure having an overlapping slot formed therealong, movement of said tube in said structure accommodating net effluent feed area adjustment.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of gathering sludge at said reactor assembly at a sludge chamber below said reaction chamber and outputting sludge therefrom to said sludge concentrator potion of said plate clarifier, discharging effluent from said separator tank portion of said plate clarifier and discharging sludge from said sludge concentrator portion of said plate clarifier. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising integrally associating secondary reaction chambers with said primary reaction chamber in said housing, and selectively flowing previously clarified and pressurized process water into said reaction chambers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising separating plate clarifier tank portion with a lamella separator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising defining said primary reaction chamber in said outer housing of said reactor assembly utilizing an inner assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising defining first and second secondary reaction stages adjacent to said primary reaction chamber at said inner assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of associating said primary reaction chamber with said effluent outlet, positioning said primary reaction chamber above an integrated sludge chamber in said reactor assembly, and outletting sludge from said sludge chamber to said sludge concentrator portion of said plate clarifier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising establishing a second elongated slot in said longitudinal tube spaced from said first slot.