MX2008010398A - Air activated decanter - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating decanter apparatus that controls the decanting operation by air. An upper portion has a float (21 ) and is coupled to a lower portion having a decant pan (32) with a buoyancy chamber (33). An air line (49) is in communication with the buoyancy chamber and permits activation or deactivation of thte decanting operation.

Description

"AIR ACTIVATED DECANTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present inventions refer in general terms to floating decanters to remove the supernatant near the top of a liquid surface More particularly, the present inventions refer to floating decanters that selectively perform the operation Decanting through the use of air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Decanters are well known, particularly in the water and wastewater treatment industry. In wastewater treatment, for example, decanters are frequently used to remove the clarified liquid above the settled solids in a chemical reactor treatment process by sequence loads. In general, there are decanters of fixed type and floating type. Examples of floating decanters are described and are referenced two in the US Patents. Nos. 4,695,376 and 5,104,528. Some such decanters require mechanical, electromechanical or pneumatic actuators to initiate and / or stop the decanting operation. Other floating decanters, such as those shown in the US Patents. Nos. 5,358,644, require, among other things, the priming or filling of the settler pipe assembly in order to start the settling operation. A representative example of known fixed decanters is described and is referred to in the U.S. Patent. No. 4,883,602.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present inventions provide novel and effective floating decanter assemblies and devices that can be used in a variety of applications, while at the same time retaining the advantages of known decanters. According to the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a floating decanter activated by air (or other gas) and does not require mechanical activation or priming of the decanting pipe. Another object of the present invention is to provide an air operated decanter that requires little or no service or maintenance in the settling tank. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air-activated floating decanter having a relatively low profile and / or that can be used in indoor and outdoor environments, including explosive and / or hazardous applications. A further object of the present invention is to provide an air decanter that effectively removes the supernatant and prevents the ingress of the flow of dirty foam or other surface debris into the decanting operation. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a floating decanter that selectively performs the settling operation using relatively low pressure air (still another gas) from a wide variety of available sources. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a decanter that includes various means for operatively coupling the settling tank to the float or top portion. Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a floating decanter that can have a variety of shapes, such as round, rectangular, oval and the like. According to the foregoing, the present invention provides a floating decanter to selectively perform the settling tank settling operation and discharge the supernatant through the settling pipe assembly, which has a top portion including at least one float, guide and a cap; a lower portion including a settling tank that forms a floating chamber, operatively coupled to the upper portion of the settling tank; a discharge opening on the settling tank in fluid communication with the settling pipe assembly; and, a pneumatic pipe in communication with the floating chamber to allow the selective activation or deactivation of the decanting operation through the evacuation controlled introduction of air in the floating chamber. The present invention may also include a separator in pneumatic tubing to prevent the introduction of water; a recess on the outer side of the float that is dimensioned to allow the upper outer surface of the decanting tank to extend within the recess in the float when no decanting operation is carried out at least one weight of ballast in the settling tank; and a main air (or other gas) supply pipe in fluid communication with the pneumatic pipe connected to a low pressure air supply source. Also in accordance with the present invention, a floating decanter assembly is provided to allow in a settling tank, having at least one float with a lower surface; having a decanting tank an upper outer surface capable of ascertaining the bottom surface of the float and operatively attaching to the float using a coupling assembly to be able to separate a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the float; a floating chamber formed on a lower surface of the settling tank; a settling pipe assembly; a pneumatic pipe in communication with the floating camera; a discharge opening on the settling tank in communication with the settling pipe assembly; and, a main air supply assembly in communication with the pneumatic piping. And, the present invention provides a floating decanter assembly for performing the decanting operations in a settling tank, the assembly having an upper portion including a float; a lower portion including a settling tank forming a floating chamber and a discharge opening; Decanting pipe assembly in communication with the discharge opening; and, an air supply means for selectively evacuating or introducing air into the floating chamber to control the activation or deactivation of the decanting operation. A coupling assembly means is also provided to operatively couple the upper portion with the lower portion.

The following terms, which may be used in the various claims and / or the specification of this patent, are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the legal requirements: Decanting tank: The liquid retention receptacle for performing the operation of Decanting that can include tanks, tanks, ponds or lagoons open (as) or covered (as). Decanting operation: the selective elimination of the supernatant or other separated fluids near the top of a liquid surface in a settling tank and transfer it as an effluent to some other place. Float: The component (s) that maintain a positive degree of buoyancy of the decanter assembly in the settling tank during the various phases of the settling operation. The float can be ring-shaped in a variety of ways and can be constructed from metal, stainless steel, fiberglass, plastic and the like. Decanting pipe assembly: The pipe, connectors, valves and other components that receive the supernatant or the decanter liquid during the decanting operation and that eliminate the effluent from the decantation tank. Decanting piping is typically constructed from piping and / or flexible coupling (s) of any suitable material such that the pipeline can be moved as part of the decanter assembly to accommodate varying liquid levels in the tank. Decanting Decanter assembly: The components inside the decanting tank that are used to perform the decanting operation and that are in communication with the decanting pipe assembly. When alternate meanings are possible, either in the specification or the claims, the broader meaning is intended. All the words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal and conventional use of grammar, commerce and the English language.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The objects, features and advantages described above, as well as other features and advantages of the present inventions (sometimes used in the singular, but without excluding the plural) will become apparent by reference to the specification and drawings; where similar reference numbers are used for similar elements between the various views, and in which: Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a decanter assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of an upper portion of a decanter assembly of the present invention; Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a settling tank and other components of the present invention; Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a decanter assembly of the present invention which is similar to the view of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a decanter apparatus of the present invention shown in a closed or inactive state; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the decanter apparatus of Figure 5 shown in a position at the beginning of the decanting operation; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the decanter apparatus of Figure 5 shown in one position during the total settling operation; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the decanter apparatus of Figure 5 shown in a position at the end of the decanting operation; Figure 9 is a top plan view of the decanter apparatus of Figure 5; Figure 10 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a decanter assembly, including an alternate embodiment of an operative coupling shown in an open or decanting position; Figure 11 is a top perspective view of the present invention of Figure 10 shown in closed or inactive position; Figure 12 is a top perspective view of components of an alternative embodiment of an operative coupling of the present invention shown in an open or decanting position; Figure 13 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 12 of the present invention shown in a closed or inactive position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following is a description of what is currently considered one of the preferred embodiments or the best representative examples of the claimed inventions. The present and future alternatives and modifications to the preferred modalities are considered. Any alternative or modification that makes non-substantial changes in the function, purpose, structure, use or results are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent.

A decanter assembly 10 of the present invention can be used in a settling tank 12, such as a tank, having the side walls 14 (see for example, Figures 5-8). Decanting tank 12 has a water level 16 that changes during the decanting operation. The decanter assembly 10 generally includes an upper portion 20 and a lower portion 30. The decanter assembly 10 can be anchored within the settling tank 12 by a variety of anchoring means well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the anchoring posts 15 can be provided within the tub 12. The anchoring posts 15 can be slidably engaged by the anchoring guides 17 which can be fixed to the upper portion 20 (see, for example, Figures 5-9) . As seen with reference to Figure 2, the upper portion 20 includes a float 21. The float 21 can be ring-shaped with an upper annular surface 22, an outer side surface 23, an inner side surface 24 and a lower annular surface 25. In a preferred embodiment, the lower annular surface 25 is provided with a recess 26, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the outer upper surface 34 of the settling tank 32, as described hereinafter. The lower surface 25 of the float 21 is also provided with the guides 27 having the stops 28. The guides 27 and the stops 28 are used to slidably engage by and align the lower portion 30 with the upper portion 20. In addition, the guides 27 and the stops 28 limit the amount of separation or opening 29 (Figures 7 and 8) between the float 21 and the settling tank 32, described hereinafter. If desired, the upper portion 20 can be provided with a removable lid or cover 19 which, as seen in Figures 5-9, can be placed on the upper surface 22 of the float 21. The main components of the lower portion 30 of the assembly of decanter 10 can be better observed by reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4. Lower portion 30 includes a settling tank 32 which is in fluid communication with settling pipe assembly 50 shown in Figures 5-9. In a preferred embodiment, the settling tank 32 includes an outer top surface 34 and an outer side surface 35. The settling tank 32 also includes an interior top surface 36 and an interior side surface 37. These surfaces are assembled to form a chamber floating 33 on the bottom of the settling tank 32 allowing selective control of the settling operation by adding air (or other gas) to or evacuating air (or other gas) from the floating chamber 33, as described below. It is noted that the settling tank 32 has a circular tread when viewed from above or from below. However, any shape / tread can be used, such as a square a rectangle, as long as sufficient buoyancy can be maintained in the floating chamber 33 by the settling tank 32, as described below (see, for example, Figures 10). -13). An edge 38 (FIG. 3) is provided on the outer upper surface 34 of the settling tank 32 to probe the recess 26 of the float 21 when the settling operation is not carried out, as described below. The edge 38 also functions as a weir and can also be configured to help control flow on the outer top surface 34. A discharge opening 40 is provided over the settling tank 32 between the outer top surface 34 and the inner top surface 36 ( Figure 3) which conveys the flow of decanting liquid to the settling-pipe assembly 50. The discharge opening 40 is hermetically coupled to a discharge pipe 41 which includes a projection 42 which in turn is flexibly coupled to the pipe assembly. Decanting pipe 50. A deflector can be provided, landfill or other flow control mechanism 31 on the outer upper surface 34 that cooperate with the discharge opening 40 to avoid vertices and the like during the decanting operation. A series of rods 39 can be provided in the floating chamber 33 to help reinforce and support the settling tank 32, discharge pipe 41 and other components. And, as described below, the floating camera 33 can be divided into a certain number of individual cameras depending on the application. Although a variety of other shapes may be employed, the settling tank 32 with legs 43 and ballast weights 44 is also provided. The legs 43 and the associated ballast 44 have such a size size to counteract the buoyancy of the lower portion 30, as outlined below. The legs 43 can also function as a pedestal for the decanter assembly 10 when the water level 16 in the tank 12 is in its lowest position. Alternatively, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, legs 43 may interact with a shelf 11 of a drain pedestal assembly 13 (Figures 5-8) during the drain process (not shown). Sleeves 45 are also provided in the settling tank 32 which slidably engage the guides 27 and which cooperate with the stops 28 of the upper portion 20. A pneumatic pipe 46 is also provided in the settling tank 32. One end of the pneumatic pipe 46 has inlet 47 which communicates with the floating chamber 33 and the other end has a connecting projection manifold 48 which provides a means for connecting the pneumatic pipe 46 to an air supply main 49 (see, for example, FIG. 4) . The main air supply pipe 49 can be extended parallel to or attached to the decant pipe assembly 50. The main air supply pipe 49 is connected to bandages, valves and compressors (not shown) in such a way that air can be selectively supplied ao evacuate from the floating chamber 33 via the inlet 47. In a preferred embodiment, the air supply pipe 46 extends above the upper outer surface 38 of the settling tank 32 and through the annular opening of the float 21 (Figures 1 and 3). This separator or elbow is provided to ensure that the pneumatic pipe 46 is maintained above the water level 16 in all stages of the settling operation so that it will not be filled with water. Having described the major components of a preferred embodiment of the settler assembly 10 of the present invention, its operation during the typical settling operation can be understood by reference to FIGS. 5-8. Figure 5 shows the present invention in an inactive state where no decanting operation takes place. When in this state, the floating chamber 33 is substantially filled with air, displacing the water that would otherwise be in the floating chamber 33 and providing buoyancy to the decant tank 32. Consequently, the water level 18 of the chamber is approximately that shown in Figure 5. Buoyancy is also provided to the lower portion 30 from the Empty Decanting Pipe Assembly 50. This accumulated buoyancy is sufficient to overcome the weight of the lower portion 30, including legs 43 and weight 44 In this phase, the buoyancy of the lower portion 30 is also sufficient to overcome part or all of the weight of the upper portion 20. Consequently, the outer upper surface 34 of the decanting tank 32 extends within the recess 26 on the surface lower annular 25 and it is above the water level 16. In addition and depending on the application, the annular surface infe 25 of the float 21 may also be slightly above water level 16 (not shown) in the closed or non-decanted phase. According to the above, the flow through the discharge opening 40 is forbidden. Furthermore, due to the edge 38 on the outer upper surface 34 is above the water level 16, there is no need for a water impervious seal between the outer upper surface 34 of the settling tank 32 and the lower annular surface 25 and / or the recess 26 of the float 21. Figure 6 shows the present invention at the beginning of the settling operation. Specifically, when decanting is desired, the air in the floating chamber 33 is evacuated through the inlet 47 of the pneumatic pipe 46 and is vented through the main air supply pipe 49 and its associated valves, fittings and the like ( it is not shown). As a result, the water level of the chamber 18 rises by gravity and displaces the air previously in the floating chamber 33. This displacement results in loss of buoyancy of the lower portion 30 and the weight of the lower portion 30 exceeds the buoyancy. of the empty decant pipe assembly 50. As the air in the floating chamber 33 is displaced by the water, as seen in Figure 6, the upper portion 20 begins to sink into the water. Eventually, the loss of buoyancy will result in the separation of upper portion 20 and lower portion 30 (ie, create an opening 29 as seen in Figures 7 and 8), allowing a settling tank 32 to sink beneath the water level 16. The water flowing over the edge 38 and into the discharge opening 40 begins to fill the settling pipe assembly 50, further reducing the buoyancy of the lower portion 30. The lower portion 30 would continue to sink as a result of the lost buoyancy. However, the collapse of the lower portion 30 is limited to a predetermined amount by the stops 28 on the guides 27 of the upper portion 20. When the sleeves 45 on the settling tank 32 engage the stops 28, the lower portion 30 begins to drag the upper portion 20 downwards in the direction of the water and a lower portion of the float 21 below the water level 16. At this point, the buoyancy of the float 21 is sufficient to overcome the weight of the lower portion 30 when it is in the total stage of the decanting operation, as seen in Figure 7. The use of the guides 27 and the stops 28 in the upper portion 20 in conjunction with the sleeves 45 in the settling tank 32 is a mode in the manner of example of operatively coupling the settling tank 32 to the float 21 and to control the distance of travel of the settling tank 32 during the settling operation. Those skilled in the art will understand that other means are available. For example, a preferred alternative method for coupling the decant tank 32 to the float 21 is shown in Figures 10-13. In this embodiment, a coupling assembly 60 is provided to operatively connect the decant tank 32 to the float 21 as well as to limit, by a predetermined amount, the path of the reservoir 32 from the float 21. A preferred embodiment of the coupling 60 includes two rods 62 and is rotatably installed to pairs of opposed coupling assemblies 61. Coupling assemblies 61 can be formed from angled plates 63 that are designed to be secured to the upper annular surface 22 and to the lateral surface annular 24 of the annular float 21. Bearings 64 are provided on the inner face 65 of the angled plates 63 to rotatably install the rods 62 between the opposed angled plates 63. An activation arm 66 is provided at each end of the rods 62 and they hold the rods 62 so that they can rotate with the rods 62. Similarly, a bra is held reinforcement section 67 at each end of the rods 62, preferably inside the activation arm 66, which is also designed to rotate with the rods 62. A reinforcement 69 is rotatably connected with the reinforcing arms 67 between each adjacent rod 62. The reinforcement arms 67, together with the reinforcement 69, ensure that the rods 62 rotate together and the tank 32 moves smoothly and uniformly as described below. Finally, the activation arm 66 is rotatably connected to its free end with the settling tank 32 by the legs 68, one end of which is secured to the outer upper surface 34 of the settling tank 32. As a result of the coupling assembly 60, the lower portion 30 can be separated from the upper portion 20. Those skilled in the art will understand that the amount of separation between the upper portion 20 and the lower portion 30 can be controlled by, among other things, a deterrent or stopper (not shown) as part of the coupling assemblies 61 and / or the length of the activation arms 66. It will be understood that the coupling assembly 60 may have a variety of configurations, such as the use of different coupling assemblies 61, arms reinforcement and activation 67 and 66, as well as different installation methods and different locations of the components. In a manner similar to the other embodiments described herein, when no decanting is carried out, the tank 32 is in contact with the float 21 and the coupling assembly 60 is in the position shown in Figures 11 and 13 And, similar to the other described modalities, when decanting is desired, the air in the floating chamber 33 is evacuated and displaced by the water. This displacement results in the loss of buoyancy of the lower portion 30, which begins to sink. The rods 62 and the associated activation arms 66 rotate downwardly until the arms 66 engage a stop or deterrent element (not shown) and then the system is in its full phase of the decanting operation, as shown in the Figures. 10 and 12. When desired, the settling operation can be stopped as described herein. To stop the decanting operation, air is introduced into the floating chamber 33 through the inlet 47. As an inverse of the start of the decanting operation, when the decanting operation is stopped, the introduced air displaces the water in the chamber 33, the water level 18 of the chamber descends and adds buoyancy to the lower portion 30 as seen in Figure 8. This added buoyancy is sufficient to overcome the weight of the lower portion 30 of the decanting pipe assembly 50 now filled .

As a result, the lower portion 30 begins to rise, eventually leading to the edge 38 and the upper surface 34 of the settling tank 32 out of the water and in clutch with the float 21, as seen in Figure 5, and stop the operation of decanting As will be understood by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the teachings of this patent, the ballast weights 44 or other methods for providing the ballast, in conjunction with the weight of the other components of the lower portion 30, should be sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the empty settling pipe assembly 50 when the water is evacuated from the floating chamber 33 in order to start the settling operation. In addition, it is preferred that the ballast prisoners 44 be positioned below and away from the vertical centerline of the decanter assembly 10 to provide stability to the assembly 10. As described above, the legs 43 may also function as or cooperate with a pedestal of drain 13 for assembly 10 when the tank or settling tank 12 is drained (a) or. In addition, as described above, those skilled in the art will understand that the floating chamber 33 must be large enough to displace so much water as to compensate for the lost buoyancy and the weight of full decant pipe assembly 50. This allows the lower portion 30 recover positive buoyancy to stop the decanting process and empty the Decanting Pipe Assembly 50. In a simple embodiment, the decanter assembly 10 is placed sufficiently low in the tank or tank 12 so that the flow velocity of the Effluent is basically determined by the head differential between the decanter assembly 10 and the discharge lift, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In such applications, the settling pipe assembly 50 is completely filled and the settling flow rate decreases as the level of the tub 16 and the driving head decrease. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to exert a greater degree of control over the discharge velocity of the effluent from the decanter assembly 10 in situations where it is required. In order to control the discharge velocity, the flow control capability on the outer top surface 34 should be provided. Especially, until the Decanting Pipe Assembly 50 is completely flooded, the flow over the edge 38 and the top surface 34 of the settling tank 32 are a function of both the surface perimeter of the upper surface 34 and the degree of immersion of the settling tank 32. If the surface perimeter component is one of an elevation or a plane (as shown) ), the flow will vary essentially with the immersion to the (3/2) power. If the outer top surface 34 is grooved (not shown), its perimeter surface area will vary with immersion, providing an additional means of varying the flow. In addition, since the level of immersion remains dependent on the buoyancy of the general assembly 10, it is also possible to form a split floating chamber 33 (not shown) in such a way that the decanting pipe assembly 50 is not fully filled (not shown). In this embodiment, additional pneumatic pipes 46 are required to supply the individual floating compartment (s) or the individual chambers of the settling tank 32 with air and to allow air evacuation. The modalities that have greater control over the discharge velocity are particularly applicable when the duration of the decanting operation must be set independently of the volume of decanting effluent. In such situations, the "full flow" configuration could be used initially, followed by a period of low flow in order to extend the decanting operation cycle to the required duration. The level sensors (not shown) inside the tank 12 would allow an automatic controller to switch between the two configurations, as required. Furthermore, as will be seen, once the decanting operation starts, it will continue until the air is introduced into the floating chamber 33. Under typical circumstances, air can be supplied from the blowers (not shown) that are typically used for the aeration during the operation of a chemical reactor by sequence loads, or, available in the installation of water or wastewater treatment. In the event of a blower failure or a general power failure, a back-up compressed air tank, or other backup means (not shown), could operate the system. Generally, any source of low pressure air (eg, one that supplies air at a pressure sufficient to displace water in the floating chamber 33 during the decanting operation in order to stop the decanting operation) used in conjunction with manual override valves that control the main air supply pipe that allows operation under such circumstances. Further, it will be understood that the float 21 must provide sufficient buoyancy such that the sides 23 of the float 21 partially sink under the water pipe 16 during the settling operation, but at the same time, do not sink. The partial immersion of the float 21 prevents dirty foam or other floating debris from contaminating the decanter effluent during the decant operation. The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims defining the invention. On the other hand, the existence of future modifications in the structure, function or result that do not imply substantial changes is considered and that all these non-substantial changes in the claim are intended to be covered by the claims. Accordingly, while the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made without being isolated from the claimed invention. Furthermore, it is understood that although the term "claimed invention" or "present invention" is sometimes used in the present singular, there is a plurality of inventions as described and claimed. In the following claims various characteristics of the present investments are established.

Claims (23)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the antecedent invention, the following claims are claimed as property CLAIMS 1. A floating decanter assembly for selectively performing a decanting operation in a decanting tank and discharging the supernatant tributary through a decanting pipe assembly, characterized in that it comprises: an upper portion that includes at least one float, a guide and a cap; a lower portion including a settling tank forming a floating chamber, operatively coupled to the settling tank to the upper portion, the operating coupling including a coupling assembly; a discharge opening on the settling tank in fluid communication with the settling pipe assembly; and, a pneumatic pipe in communication with the floating chamber of the decanting tank to allow the selective activation or deactivation of the decanting operation through the evacuation or controlled introduction of the air in the floating chamber. The invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the pneumatic pipe includes a separator to prevent the introduction of water into the pneumatic pipe. The invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the settling tank includes an upper outer surface that provides the entry for the discharge opening. 4. The invention according to claim 3, characterized in that the float includes a recess with a size such that it allows the upper outer surface of the decanting tank to extend into the recess when no decanting operation is performed. 5. The invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the settling tank includes at least one weight of ballast. The invention according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one weight of ballast is attached to at least one leg on the settling tank. The invention according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper outer surface of the settling tank includes an edge. The invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the pneumatic piping is in communication with a main air supply pipe that is connected to a low pressure air supply source. 9. The invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the float is a ring. 10. A floating decanter assembly to selectively permit a settling operation, characterized in that it comprises: at least one float having a lower surface; a settling tank having an upper outer surface capable of engaging the lower surface of the float and operatively engaging the float to be able to be separated from the lower surface of the float by the use of settling pipe assembly a coupling assembly; a floating chamber formed on a lower surface of the settling tank; a settling pipe assembly; a pneumatic pipe in communication with the floating camera; a discharge opening on the settling tank in communication with the settling pipe assembly; and, a main air supply assembly in communication with the pneumatic piping. 11. The invention according to claim 10, characterized in that the float has an annular shape. 12. The invention according to claim 10, characterized in that the ballast weights are attached to the settling tank. The invention according to claim 10, characterized in that the float includes at least one guide and at least one stop. 14. The invention according to claim 10, characterized in that the float includes a recess. 15. The invention according to claim 10, characterized in that the upper surface of the decanting tank includes an edge. 16. A floating decanter assembly for performing a decanting operation in a settling tank, characterized in that it comprises: an upper portion including a float, - a lower portion including a settling tank forming a floating chamber and having a discharge opening; a settling pipe assembly in communication with the discharge opening; and an air supply means for selectively evacuating or introducing air into the floating chamber to control the activation or deactivation of the decanting operation; and means for operatively coupling the upper portion to the lower portion. 17. The invention according to claim 16, characterized in that the lower portion includes ballast weights. 18. The invention according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper outer surface is grooved. 19. The invention according to claim 1, characterized in that the floating camera includes more than one camera, each chamber having a pneumatic pipe. 20. The invention according to claim 18, characterized in that the floating chamber includes more than one chamber, each chamber having a pneumatic pipe. The invention according to claim 10, characterized in that more than one floating chamber is formed on a lower surface of the settling tank and each of the floating chambers has a pneumatic line in communication with more than one floating chamber. 22. The invention according to claim 21, characterized in that the upper outer surface is not on a single plane. 23. The invention according to claim 22, characterized in that the upper outer surface is not grooved