초록 ▼

Methods and apparatus for removing sediment from a liquid are provided. Pulses of pressurized air are directed into a conduit having an inlet disposed within a first liquid-containing vessel adjacent to (or within) the sediment to cause a slurry of liquid and sediment to flow through the conduit int

Methods and apparatus for removing sediment from a liquid are provided. Pulses of pressurized air are directed into a conduit having an inlet disposed within a first liquid-containing vessel adjacent to (or within) the sediment to cause a slurry of liquid and sediment to flow through the conduit into a second vessel elevated above the first vessel. The slurry of liquid and sediment is allowed to drain from the second vessel into a third vessel that is positioned at an elevation lower than the second vessel. Liquid is drained from the third vessel (to another vessel or elsewhere) as sediment accumulates within the third vessel. The third vessel may be removed when accumulation of sediment therewithin reaches a predetermined amount. The accumulated sediment within the third vessel is removed and the third vessel is returned to service, or another empty vessel may be substituted therefor.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for removing sediment from a liquid, comprising:a first vessel disposed at a first elevation, wherein the first vessel contains a liquid and a layer of sediment therewithin; a second vessel disposed as a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation; a third vessel dispose

1. An apparatus for removing sediment from a liquid, comprising:a first vessel disposed at a first elevation, wherein the first vessel contains a liquid and a layer of sediment therewithin; a second vessel disposed as a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation; a third vessel disposed at a third elevation that is lower than the second elevation; a first conduit that defines a first fluid path between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is positioned adjacent to the layer of sediment within the first vessel and the outlet is in fluid communication with the second vessel, and wherein the first conduit is movably secured within the first vessel; an air source that is configured to direct pulses of pressurized air into the first conduit to draw a slurry of liquid and sediment through the first conduit into the second vessel; and a second conduit that defines a second fluid path between an inlet in fluid communication with the second vessel and an outlet in fluid communication with the third vessel, and wherein the second conduit is configured to drain a slurry of liquid and sediment from the second vessel into the third vessel. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:a fourth vessel; and a third conduit that defines a third fluid path between an inlet in fluid communication with the third vessel and an outlet in fluid communication with the fourth vessel, and wherein the third conduit is configured to drain liquid from the third vessel into the third vessel as sediment accumulates within the third vessel. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a fourth conduit that defines a fourth fluid path between an inlet in fluid communication with the fourth vessel and an outlet in fluid communication with the first vessel, and wherein the fourth conduit is configured to drain liquid from the fourth vessel into the first vessel.4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fifth conduit that defines a fifth fluid path between an inlet in fluid communication with the second vessel and an outlet in fluid communication with the first vessel, wherein the fifth conduit serves as a pressure relief conduit for the second vessel.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conduit comprises a substantially vertical-oriented, elongated tube.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the first, second, and third conduits is transparent such that flow therethrough can be observed.7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first, second, and third conduits comprise flexible tubing.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conduit is configured to periodically move along a predetermined path within the first vessel.9. The apparatus of claim 1:wherein the first vessel comprises an elongated, generally horizontal member that extends between opposite sides of the first vessel, wherein the elongated member comprises an upper surface having a first set of ratchet teeth disposed thereon; and wherein the first conduit is movably secured within the first vessel via a support member, wherein the support member comprises a second set of ratchet teeth configured to matingly engage the first set of ratchet teeth, and wherein the impulse experienced by the first conduit as a result of pulsed air flow through the first conduit causes the second set of ratchet teeth to move relative to the first set of ratchet teeth. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the first conduit inlet, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises:a body; a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart apertures formed within the body; and a plurality of passageways, each passageway in fluid communication with a respective aperture and with the first conduit fluid path. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air source is configured to direct pulses of compressed air into the first conduit at a pressure of between 40 psi and 80 psi and in time intervals of between about 0.5 seconds and 2 seconds.12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a penetration stop secured to the first conduit, wherein the penetration stop rests on top of the layer of sediment in the first vessel and limits a distance the first conduit inlet extends into the layer of sediment.13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conduit inlet extends into the layer of sediment.14. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a sixth conduit having an outlet positioned adjacent to the first conduit inlet and configured to deliver pressurized fluid adjacent the first conduit inlet.15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sixth conduit having an outlet positioned adjacent to the first conduit inlet and configured to deliver pressurized air adjacent the first conduit inlet.16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sediment comprises abrasive material.17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the abrasive material comprise garnet.18. A method for removing sediment from a liquid contained within a first vessel, the method comprising:directing pulses of pressurized air into a conduit having an inlet disposed within the first vessel adjacent to the sediment to cause a slurry of liquid and sediment to flow through the conduit into a second vessel elevated above the first vessel; draining the slurry of liquid and sediment from the second vessel into a third vessel that is positioned at an elevation lower than the second vessel; and draining liquid from the third vessel as sediment accumulates within the third vessel. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising removing the third vessel when accumulation of sediment therewithin reaches a predetermined amount.20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of draining liquid from the third vessel comprises draining liquid into a fourth vessel that is in fluid communication with the first vessel.21. The method of claim 18, further comprising periodically moving the conduit along a predetermined path within the first vessel.22. The method of claim 21, wherein the conduit is periodically moved along the predetermined path impulsively in response to the pulses of pressurized air flowing through the conduit.23. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of directing pulses of pressurized air into the conduit comprises directing air at a pressure of between 40 psi and 80 psi and in time intervals of between about 0.5 seconds and 2 seconds.24. The method of claim 18, wherein the sediment comprises an abrasive material.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the abrasive material comprises garnet.26. The method of claim 18, wherein the liquid comprises water.27. The method of claim 18, wherein the conduit inlet extends into the sediment.28. The method of claim 18, further comprising directing pressurized air into the sediment adjacent to the conduit inlet substantially simultaneously with the step of directing pulses of pressurized air into the conduit.29. The method of claim 18, further comprising directing pressurized fluid into the sediment adjacent to the conduit inlet substantially simultaneously with the step of directing pulses of pressurized air into the conduit.30. An apparatus for removing sediment contained within a volume of liquid, comprising:a vessel comprising an inlet and an outlet; an elongated, substantially linear first conduit comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the first conduit inlet is configured to be positioned adjacent to a layer of sediment within a volume of liquid that is at an elevation lower than an elevation of the vessel, and wherein the first conduit outlet is in fluid communication with the vessel via the vessel inlet; an air source that is configured to direct pulses of pressurized air into the first conduit to draw a slurry of liquid and sediment through the first conduit and into the vessel; and a second conduit in fluid communication with the vessel via the vessel outlet, wherein the second conduit is configured to drain a slurry of liquid and sediment from the vessel. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the first and second conduits is transparent such that flow therethrough can be observed.32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the second conduit comprises flexible tubing.33. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the volume of liquid is contained within a tank, and wherein the apparatus comprises a support member that is configured to support the first conduit and vessel in a substantially vertical orientation within the tank.34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the tank includes an elongated, generally horizontal member that extends between opposite sides of the tank, wherein the support member is configured to movably support the first conduit and vessel in a substantially vertical orientation within the tank via the elongated member.35. The apparatus of claim 34, the tank elongated member has an upper surface with a first set of ratchet teeth disposed thereon, and wherein the support member comprises a second set of ratchet teeth configured to matingly engage the first set of ratchet teeth, and wherein the impulse experienced by the first conduit as a result of pulsed air flow through the first conduit causes the second set of ratchet teeth to move relative to the first set of ratchet teeth.36. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the first conduit inlet, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises:a body; a plurality of circumferentially, spaced-apart apertures formed within the body; and a plurality of passageways, each passageway in fluid communication with a respective aperture and with the first conduit inlet. 37. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the air source is configured to direct pulses of compressed air into the first conduit at a pressure of between 40 psi and 80 psi and in time intervals of between about 0.5 seconds and 2 seconds.38. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a clearing tube having an outlet positioned adjacent to the first conduit inlet and configured to deliver pressurized fluid or air adjacent the first conduit inlet.