Separating apparatus

Abstract

A settler type separating apparatus comprises a tank for holding liquid having inlet and outlet ports; a plurality of horizontally disposed particle-receiving trays superposed parallel on each other at prescribed intervals, each having a plurality of cavities formed on the upper side; and a screen stretched over the upper open side of the cavities of the tray, wherein impure particles trapped in said cavities are obstructed from escaping by a boundary layer formed by the screen.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A settler type separating apparatus .Iadd.for use with intermittent liquid flow thereto .Iaddend.comprising a vessel for holding liquid having an inlet and outlet spaced from each other towards opposite ends of said vessel; a plurality of longitudinal particle-receiving trays horizontally disposed in the vessel between at least said inlet and outlet and superimposed in parallel and vertically spaced relationship with each other at prescribed vertical intervals, each of said trays having .Iadd.a plurality of .Iaddend.upwardly opening cavities .Iadd.defined by walls therebetween, at least a portion of said walls being angularly disposed to the longitudinal direction of the tray; .Iaddend.a fine mesh screen mounted over each tray .Iadd.and supported by the uppermost portion of said walls .Iaddend.to cover the upper opening of the cavities; .[.and.]. partition means disposed between said inlet and one side of said trays.Iadd., said partition means being .Iaddend.constructed and arranged so as to cause .Iadd.intermittently flowing .Iaddend.liquid introduced through said inlet to run over said screens in laminar flow and the screens are constructed and arranged, so that the .[.flow of the.]. liquid .Iadd.when flowing .Iaddend.over the screens forms a .Iadd.laminar .Iaddend.boundary layer, said screens permitting particles in the liquid to settle from the liquid into the cavities .Iadd.when the flow of liquid is interrupted, .Iaddend.but the escape of said particles from the cavities being obstructed .Iadd.during liquid flow .Iaddend.by the boundary layer. 
     
     
       2. The separating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cavities constitute narrow grooves extending at right angles to the liquid flowing direction from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
       3. The separating apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the particle-receiving trays are each built of a bottom plate, a plurality of partition walls set up on the bottom plate at right angles to the flow direction of the liquid and side boards fitted to the opposite edges of the partition walls and the aforesaid grooves are defined by said bottom plate, partition walls and side boards. 
     
     
       4. The separating apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said partition means comprises a vertical perforated wall. 
     
     
       5. The separating apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the inlet and outlet are each provided with a strainer.  .Iadd.6. A settler type separating apparatus for use with intermittent liquid flow thereto comprising a vessel for holding liquid having an inlet and outlet spaced from each other towards opposite ends of said vessel; a longitudinal particle-receiving tray horizontally disposed in the vessel between at least said inlet and outlet, said tray having upwardly opening cavities defined by walls therebetween; a fine mesh screen mounted over said tray and supported by the uppermost portion of said walls to cover the upper openings of the cavities; flow control means disposed between said inlet and one side of said tray, said flow control means being constructed and arranged so as to cause intermittently flowing liquid introduced through said inlet to run over said screen in laminar flow; said screen being constructed and arranged so that the liquid when flowing over the screen forms a boundary layer, said screen permitting particles in the liquid to settle from the liquid into the cavities when the flow of liquid is interrupted, but the escape of said particles from the cavities being obstructed during liquid flow by the boundary layer..Iaddend.  .Iadd.7. The separating apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the cavities constitute narrow grooves extending at right angles to the liquid flowing direction from the inlet to the outlet..Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The separating apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the particle-receiving tray comprises a bottom plate, a plurality of partition walls set up on the bottom plate at right angles to the flow direction of the liquid and side boards fitted to the opposite edges of the partition walls and the aforesaid grooves are defined by said bottom plate, partition walls and side boards..Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The separating apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said flow control means comprises a vertical perforated wall..Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The separating apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the inlet and outlet are each provided with a strainer..Iaddend.