US 11,807,558 B2
Ballasted clarification system
Peter Temple Ballard, Glen Allen, VA (US); and Raed Labban, Glen Allen, VA (US)
Assigned to SUEZ INTERNATIONAL, Paris la Defense (FR)
Filed by SUEZ International, Paris la Défense (FR)
Filed on Nov. 20, 2015, as Appl. No. 14/947,795.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/082,941, filed on Nov. 21, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2016/0145126 A1, May 26, 2016
Int. Cl. C02F 1/52 (2023.01); B01D 21/01 (2006.01); B01D 21/26 (2006.01); B01D 21/28 (2006.01); C02F 1/56 (2023.01); C02F 1/38 (2023.01); C02F 1/72 (2023.01)
CPC C02F 1/5236 (2013.01) [B01D 21/01 (2013.01); B01D 21/267 (2013.01); B01D 21/28 (2013.01); C02F 1/56 (2013.01); C02F 1/385 (2013.01); C02F 1/72 (2013.01); C02F 2301/046 (2013.01); C02F 2303/18 (2013.01); C02F 2305/12 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of providing ballasted clarification of water or wastewater, comprising:
introducing an influent into a first zone, the influent comprising the water or wastewater and a coagulant;
agitating or mixing the influent in the first zone, wherein flocs develop in the influent caused at least in part by the coagulant;
providing the influent from the first zone into a second zone;
introducing polymer and ballast particles into the influent in the second zone, wherein the ballast particles have an aspect ratio of less than 1.15;
agitating or mixing the influent in the second zone;
penetrating the flocs with the ballast particles;
providing the influent from the second zone into a third zone;
agitating or mixing the influent in the third zone, wherein the agitation or mixing in the third zone causes larger flocs to form through collision of smaller flocs among the flocs;
providing the influent into a clarifying tank having a bottom and a top, wherein the ballast particles in flocs cause the flocs to settle to the bottom of the clarifier;
outputting an effluent from the top of the clarifying tank, the effluent comprising clear or substantially clear water.