An apparatus for reducing the water content of waste water sludge includes a column for receiving waste water sludge, an outlet at a lower end of the column, a first closure for closing the outlet of the column, a controller for controlling the opening and closing of the closure. The controller is adapted to open and close the first closure to periodically discharge amounts of settled fines from the lower end of the column. A water outlet is adapted to receive water overflowing from an upper end of the column.

An apparatus for reducing the water content of waste water sludge includes a column for receiving waste water sludge, an outlet at a lower end of the column, a first closure for closing the outlet of the column, a controller for controlling the opening and closing of the closure. The controller is adapted to open and close the first closure to periodically discharge amounts of settled fines from the lower end of the column. A water outlet is adapted to receive water overflowing from an upper end of the column.

A system for automatically discharging sand from a sand separator. The system includes a first and second valves and a choke valve disposed in a discharge line from a sand separator. A pressure transducer measures pressure in the line between the first and second valves. A controller operates the valves to initiate and terminate the discharge sequence. An emergency shutdown valve is positioned upstream of the sand separator and is operative to shut down the system if the pressure reading by the transducer exceeds a predetermined amount.

A system for automatically discharging sand from a sand separator. The system includes a first and second valves and a choke valve disposed in a discharge line from a sand separator. A pressure transducer measures pressure in the line between the first and second valves. A controller operates the valves to initiate and terminate the discharge sequence. An emergency shutdown valve is positioned upstream of the sand separator and is operative to shut down the system if the pressure reading by the transducer exceeds a predetermined amount.

Embodiments are described for separating collecting components from a multi-component fluid such as whole blood. Some embodiments provide for controlling the amount of a component, such as platelets, introduced into a separation chamber to ensure that the density of fluid in the separation chamber does not exceed a particular value. This may provide for collecting purer components. Other embodiments may provide for determining a chamber flow rate based on a concentration of a component in the multi-component fluid, which may then be used to determine a centrifuge speed, to collect purer concentrated components.

Embodiments are described for separating collecting components from a multi-component fluid such as whole blood. Some embodiments provide for controlling the amount of a component, such as platelets, introduced into a separation chamber to ensure that the density of fluid in the separation chamber does not exceed a particular value. This may provide for collecting purer components. Other embodiments may provide for determining a chamber flow rate based on a concentration of a component in the multi-component fluid, which may then be used to determine a centrifuge speed, to collect purer concentrated components.

A system for processing solid and liquid waste includes a first shale shaker, a second shale shaker, a submersible pump, a centrifugal pump, a first collection tank, a second collection tank, a mud cleaner assembly, a variable frequency drive (VFD) centrifugal solid-liquid separator, and a water clarifying assembly. The first shale shaker is in fluid communication with the second shale shaker through the submersible pump. The second shale shaker is in fluid communication with the centrifugal pump through the first collection tank. The centrifugal pump is in fluid communication with the mud cleaner assembly. The mud cleaner assembly is in fluid communication with the VFD centrifugal solid-liquid separator through the water clarifying assembly. Resultantly, the system discharges a flow of usable water through the VFD centrifugal solid-liquid separator as an initial load of solid and liquid waste is inputted into the first shale shaker.

A system for processing solid and liquid waste includes a first shale shaker, a second shale shaker, a submersible pump, a centrifugal pump, a first collection tank, a second collection tank, a mud cleaner assembly, a variable frequency drive (VFD) centrifugal solid-liquid separator, and a water clarifying assembly. The first shale shaker is in fluid communication with the second shale shaker through the submersible pump. The second shale shaker is in fluid communication with the centrifugal pump through the first collection tank. The centrifugal pump is in fluid communication with the mud cleaner assembly. The mud cleaner assembly is in fluid communication with the VFD centrifugal solid-liquid separator through the water clarifying assembly. Resultantly, the system discharges a flow of usable water through the VFD centrifugal solid-liquid separator as an initial load of solid and liquid waste is inputted into the first shale shaker.

A separating system, for example for separating material from a suspension such as a biological suspension, is disclosed herein. The system comprises a separation vessel arranged to enable the formation of a cyclone therewithin. For example, the separation vessel may be at least partially conical in shape for enabling the formation of a cyclone therewithin. The separation vessel comprises a fluid inlet, an underflow outlet and an overflow outlet. The system also comprises at least one of an underflow outlet fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid through the underflow outlet, and an overflow outlet fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid through the overflow outlet. The system may further comprise an inlet fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid inlet.

A separating system, for example for separating material from a suspension such as a biological suspension, is disclosed herein. The system comprises a separation vessel arranged to enable the formation of a cyclone therewithin. For example, the separation vessel may be at least partially conical in shape for enabling the formation of a cyclone therewithin. The separation vessel comprises a fluid inlet, an underflow outlet and an overflow outlet. The system also comprises at least one of an underflow outlet fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid through the underflow outlet, and an overflow outlet fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid through the overflow outlet. The system may further comprise an inlet fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid inlet.