A non-metallic conveyor chain having improved durability as a conveyor chain for a sludge collector, the conveyor chain including a plurality of unit chains and chain pins with which the unit chains are linked to each other, wherein each of the unit chains is provided at one side thereof with a barrel and at the other side thereof with a yoke. The barrel of the unit chain is formed on an outer surface thereof with a chain pocket having a groove structure, and the yoke of the unit chain is formed on an inner surface thereof with a chain boss protruding so as to correspond to the chain pocket of the unit chain to which the chain boss is to be linked.

A method for separating a volume of salt from a volume of seawater and producing a volume of fresh water. The method includes steps of: providing a support structure and at least one set of colanders of a separation assembly inside of the vessel of an apparatus, heating the volume of seawater, via at least one heating tube assembly of the apparatus, inside of the vessel; evaporating the volume of seawater to a volume of steam inside of the vessel; separating a volume of salt from the volume of seawater, via at least one set of colanders of a separation assembly of the apparatus, inside of the vessel; eliminating water droplets and the salt from the volume of steam, via at least one mist evaporator, inside of the vessel; and converting the volume of steam into a volume of fresh water, via at least one condenser, remote from the apparatus.

A settling basin of a wastewater treatment system, the settling basin comprises a collector chain for driving a plurality of flights through the settling basin, the collector chain including chain links comprising a plurality of side bars including a plurality of inner pairs of side bars and a plurality of outer pairs of side bars, and connecting pins configured to join the plurality of side bars, each connecting pin including a first end and a second end on an opposite end of the connecting pin from the first end, and flanged rollers disposed on the connecting pins between the first ends and second ends.

An apparatus for separating a volume of salt from a volume of seawater and producing a volume of fresh water. The apparatus includes a vessel adapted to hold the volume of seawater having the volume of salt and is heated to evaporate the volume of seawater to a volume of steam and to precipitate the volume of salt. The apparatus also includes a separation assembly operably engaged with the vessel, the separation assembly having: at least one support structure; and at least one set of colanders movably engaged with the at least one support structure and with a wall of the vessel; wherein the at least one set of colanders is configured to separate the volume of salt from the volume of seawater inside of the vessel. The apparatus also includes at least one mist evaporator operably engaged with the vessel.