VENTED BAFFLE FOR CLARIFIER TANK

Abstract

A vented baffle system is formed of a plurality of individual panel members, for use in a clarifier tank. The vented baffle system includes a plurality of inter-engaged individual panel members with each baffle having a unitarily integrated design. The panel members each may have one or more relief conduits directed to the center of the tank away from the vertical side wall.

Claims

1. A baffle in a clarifier tank for gravitationally separating solids suspended in a liquid contained in the tank, the clarifier tank having a tank bottom and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the liquid contained in the tank, said baffle comprising: a panel member downwardly sloping from the peripheral tank wall toward the interior of the tank and the tank bottom, said panel member having a lower side and an upper side, said panel member extending downwardly from an upper edge to a lower edge disposed in a spaced relation to the tank bottom said panel member having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said panel member defining a space formed between the junction of the lower side of the panel member and the peripheral tank wall; and at least one relief vent molded into said mounting flange and in fluid communication with said space formed between the junction of the lower side of the panel member and the peripheral tank wall for venting the pressure in said space, said relief vent having a first inlet end and a second outlet end, wherein said relief vent is directed towards the center of said clarifier tank.

2. The baffle system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank has a radius of curvature, and wherein said panel member upper edge has a radius of curvature which corresponds to the radius of curvature of the clarifier tank.

3. The baffle system of claim 1, each of said baffles further comprising a rigidizing flange unitarily depending from said lower edge of said panel member for providing enhanced rigidity to said panel member.

4. The baffle system of claim 1, wherein said end bracket further comprises a mounting flange securable to the peripheral tank wall in surface-to-surface engagement for securing said end bracket to the peripheral wall, and a mounting surface for receiving the first lateral side of the panel member of a next-adjacent one of said plural baffles so as to secure together adjacent ones of said baffles in end-to-end relation.

5. The baffle system of claim 1, wherein said panel member defines a smoothly continuous plane and said mounting surface of said end bracket is recessed from said plane so that when the first lateral side of a panel member of one of said plural baffles is secured to said end bracket of a next-adjacent one of said plural baffles, the panel members of said one and next-adjacent baffles together form a smoothly-continuous downwardly, sloping surface.

7. The baffle system of claim 1, wherein said baffle is molded as a one-piece unit of a reinforced fiberglass composite.

8. The baffle of claim 1, wherein said relief vent, directed towards the center of said clarifier tank, includes a curved upper opening surface perpendicular to the vertical peripheral wall of the tank.

9. The baffle of claim 8, wherein the semi-circular upper opening surface perpendicular to the vertical peripheral wall of the tank has a radius of 1 inches.

10. The baffle of claim 8, wherein the semi-circular upper opening surface perpendicular to the vertical peripheral wall of the tank has a radius of 3 inches.

11. The baffle of claim 8, wherein the semi-circular upper opening surface perpendicular to the vertical peripheral wall of the tank has a radius of 4 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denotes similar elements throughout the several views:

[0025] FIG. 1 is prior art image of a vertically vented baffle;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of the prior art vertically vented baffle of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 is perspective view of a vented baffle according to one embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view of the vented baffle of FIG. 3;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a top view of the vented baffle of FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vented baffle with a larger vent opening according to one embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vented baffle with a larger vent opening according to one embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a simulation image of a vertically vented prior art baffle showing a vertically vented gas;

[0033] FIG. 9 is a simulation image of a horizontally vented baffle of FIG. 3, showing a horizontally projected vented gas, in accordance with one embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 10 is a simulation image of a horizontally vented baffle of FIG. 6, showing a horizontally projected vented gas, in accordance with one embodiment; and

[0035] FIG. 11 is a simulation image of a horizontally vented baffle of FIG. 7, showing a horizontally projected vented gas, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, The present arrangement as claimed in claim 1 is directed to a baffle 10 that includes a smoothly planar, downwardly sloping surface 12 and having an end bracket 14 unitarily fabricated at the top of the baffle 10 for securing it to the radially inward facing surface of the peripheral wall 20 of a clarifier tank (e.g. 50 ft or 100 ft radius tank). Such baffles 10 may be attached in succession around the entire inner circumference of the clarifier tank in an interconnected manner. In one embodiment, baffles 10 may further have downward stiffening flange 16 that assists in keeping solid flow in the launder tank towards the center of the tank. FIG. 5 shows a top view of baffle 10 and vents 30. Each baffle 10 is curved to match the curve of tank wall 20.

[0037] As noted above, wastewater clarifier tanks, particularly circular tanks receive influent with solids from the bottom center of the tank. The effluent, with lowered solid concentrations exits over the upper edge of tank wall 20 into a launder channel, possibly through baffles and weir devices. The baffle(s) 10 help keep the flow of solids contained in the influent re-directed towards the center of the tank instead of upwards towards the effluent launder channel.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the baffle 10 also includes one or more vents 30 provided near the top of each baffle 10. In the illustrated version in FIG. 1, vents 30 are in the form of semi-circular vents but it is understood that other shapes are available. The preferred embodiment of baffle 10 has two vents 30 per baffle 10. As discussed in the summary above, vents 30 prevent the excessive trapping of solids under the baffles (10) which would otherwise reduce or eliminate their effectiveness

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of baffle 10 with vents 30 of a larger dimension. FIG. 7 likewise illustrates another embodiment of baffle 10 with vents 30 of a larger dimension. In non-limiting examples, the horizontal vents 30 are semi-circular having radii of 1, 3 and 4 respectively. In some testing of vents 30 of 1 and 3 created an improved jet flow than the 4 vents 30 but in all instances the flow solid waste is substantially diverted away from the effluent weir wall. It is understood that the sizing of vents 30 may be of some relevance for tank designs to address certain specific conditions for the tank in which they are installed but in no way are the sizes intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0040] Applicants note that the size of vents 30 and the number of vents 30 per baffle 10 in this application are exemplary. Other sizes, shapes and numbers of vents are within the contemplation of the present invention.

[0041] As described in more detail below when vents 30 are turned perpendicular to the peripheral wall of the tank as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the water flow through them gets re-directed towards the center of the tank so, in turn, any solids present in the flow are also re-directed away from the effluent weir wall which promotes redirection of TSS (Total Suspended Solids), keeping the effluent water more clean or free of TSS going over the weir relative to vertically directed vent arrangements of the prior art.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a prior art configuration in which the vents are aimed vertically/upwards or parallel to the peripheral wall. This causes the water flow and TSS through the vents to travel in more direct path towards the effluent, thus increasing the presence of TSS therein. In cases of excessive flow or TSS concentration, this causes the effluent to be less clean going over the weir possibly creating a short circuiting effect.

[0043] Based on FIGS. 3, 6 & 7, correlated cut away views FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 respectively show the simulation of water flow and TSS through vents 30. Each simulation used an approximated flow rate of 0.127 cfs (cubic feet per second) which is a typical tank flow rate found in clarifier tanks of a wastewater treatment plant. The line immediately below the profile of the baffle is there to represent the source of the gasses that can accumulate. A plume of gasses 50 that is generated by the solid, highlights the flow pattern created when the flow rate is introduced.

[0044] FIG. 9 relates to 1 radial vents 30 pointed horizontal, perpendicular to the peripheral tank wall. FIG. 10 relates to 3 radial vents 30 pointed horizontal, perpendicular to the peripheral tank wall. FIG. 11 relates to 4 radial vents 30 pointed horizontal, perpendicular to the peripheral tank wall.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 9-11 the flow pattern/plume 50 in each instance shows clearly that whichever size vent 30 is used, the gasses are redirected away from the peripheral wall and towards the center of the tank. This being know, solids present in the flow will follow the same pattern in turn enhancing the performance of the baffle by reducing the TSS of the effluent water going over the launder weir wall.

[0046] It should be understood that the preferred embodiments and examples described are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention which is properly delineated only in the appended claims.