WO1998019765A1

WO1998019765A1 - Method and apparatus for treatment of fluid

Info

Publication number: WO1998019765A1
Application number: PCT/FI1997/000614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teuvo Rintala; Pekka Tuomikoski
Original assignee: Yit-Yhtymä Oy; Finnchain Oy
Priority date: 1996-11-01
Filing date: 1997-10-09
Publication date: 1998-05-14
Also published as: FI964400A0; AU4558297A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of a fluid, wherein the fluid is especially clarified in a treatment facility (1), such as a settling tank or the like, which is supplied with a fluid to be treated, such as waste water or the like, by means of a supply system (2), and from which is discharged a material separated during the course of clarification, such as sludge or the like, by means of a first discharge system (3) as well as clarified fluid by means of a second discharge system (6). The fluid to be treated is conducted into an at least partially movable reception facility (1a), which is mounted in connection with the treatment facility (1) and in which a fluid flow rate (v) preferably decreases and/or its running direction (s) reverses, for supplying the fluid into the treatment facility (1) preferably in a stabilized, such as in a so-called pre-flocculated condition by way of one or more distributing ducts (2b), which are included in the supply system (2), are immobile and at least periodically in communication with the reception facility (1a), preferably in a substantially vertical direction through the floor of the treatment facility (1) and/or the separated material accumulated on the floor.

Description

Method and apparatus for treatment of fluid

The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a fluid or liquid, wherein the fluid is especially clarified in a treatment facility, such as a settling tank or the like, which is supplied with a fluid to be treated, such as waste water or the like, by means of a supply system, and from which is discharged a material separated during the course of clarification, such as sludge or the like, by means of a first discharge system as well as clarified fluid by means of a second discharge system.

The above object is fulfilled today by using most diverse prior known methods and systems for carrying out a clarification process. Furthermore, it is prior known to employ most diversified shapes of tanks or basins, such as rectangular tanks, circular tanks or so-called vertical settlement tanks, whose depths are also highly diversified. Certain types of methods and tanks have a common feature that the fluid or liquid to be treated in the process is introduced into the tank by means of permanent fixtures, generally in a concentrated fashion through a single inlet, i.e. in terms of a rectangular tank, by way of one of its side walls, or in terms of a circular-bottom tank, by way of a pier element set in the middle of it . Accordingly, when applying traditional technology, the clarified fluid is generally discharged e.g. by using permanent fixtures, such as overflow pipes set along the sides of a tank flush with the fluid level .

Furthermore, the material or sludge separated onto the tank floor during the course of clarification is discharged generally in a concentrated manner by way of a collecting well included in the tank floor. It is also prior known to effect the passage of sludge into the collecting well by means of most diverse systems, wherein the circular-bottom tanks in particular generally employ a so-called bridge construction provided with scrapers extending as connecting ele- ments to the tank floor. As the bridge is revolving, the scrapers gradually guide the sludge lying on the tank floor to a collecting well in the middle of the tank, from which it is delivered elsewhere e.g. by pumping. The above type of bridge constructions have a peripheral speed generally within the range of 0,3 - 3 m/min.

The above, so-called traditional methods and systems are plagued with a multitude of problems and draw- backs. First of all, the supply of a fluid to be treated in a concentrated manner to a single inlet in a tank causes inhomogeneity in the tank, which decelerates substantially the occurrence of a clarification process. In addition, the treatment of a tank floor with the above type of systems always requires complicated structures operating above the fluid level, which nevertheless are not in practice capable of emptying the floor or bottom effectively enough. First of all, this is due to the massive structure of the above-described bridge constructions as well as to a construction which is constituted by floor scrapers linked therewith and which is unfavourable in terms of strength of materials. For this reason, the bridge is in practice subjected to a major stress, which must be taken into account both in dimensioning the same and in determining the output of operating equipment.

On the other hand, in order to eliminate the problems associated with the above type of sedimentation tank systems, it is also prior known to employ systems that are mobile in terms of certain components thereof in the handling of solids and liquids involved in the process. Patent publication US 4,263,137, in particular, discloses as one- alternative solution a diffuser rotatable around the centre axis of a tank, including two diametrically extending supply arms for delivering a liquor to be treated to the bottom of the tank in a horizontal plane by utilizing nozzle systems included therein. The latter have a particular purpose of stabilizing the tank conditions by decelerating the supply rate of a liquor to be treated as it is deli- vered from the diffusers or nozzles. On the other hand, the cited patent also discloses a solution, wherein liquid is fed into a tank from a supply container set around the tank by means of immobile diffusers mounted in the middle of it for producing a turbulent motion in the tank. The clarified liquid is respectively discharged e.g. by using conventional surface trough arrangements.

Solutions like that of the above-cited US Patent are quite bulky as they must be implemented e.g. by means of a traditional bridge construction as well as bottom or floor scrapers, which is why the operating and manufacturing costs of the above type of tank or basin solutions are very high indeed. In addition, the diffusers included in the supply arms of a fluid or liquid to be treated require precise dimensioning, whereby each fluid tank must be dimensioned very accurately to its operating conditions for enabling the diffusers to operate sufficiently well in practi- ce. These very cost factors are possibly the reason why this type of assemblies have been hardly noticeable in the marketplace. Another example of the above type of solutions in this context is the solution disclosed in the published application DE 41 11 760 which, as far as the above-discussed principles are concerned, does not, however, substantially differ from what has been said above . On the basis of the published application DE 41 11 760, however, it is -prior known to employ a mobile discharge system whereby the sludge collected on a tank floor can be so-called aspirated from the tank floor. In this case, the aspiration arm serving as an extension to a pier mounted on the centre of a tank revolves along the tank floor by removing sludge lying on the tank floor by way of intake ports included therein. In this solution, a fluid to be treated is supplied by way of an inlet included in the upper edge of a tank, wherefrom it flows to the bottom of the tank, the liquid clarified on the surface being discharged by way of the opposite edge of the tank. The rotating aspiration pier is operated by means of a drive wheel, located above the liquid level and powered e.g. by an electric motor.

The above type of solution is especially preferred in terms of discharging the bottom sludge but in practice it is probably not highly functional as a comprehensive unit as the supply of a fluid occurs in a spot- like manner by way of the top edge of a tank. In addition to the above discussed problems, the contaminated fluid may release e.g. some material particles directly on the surface of a tank or basin and those are able to flow off by the opposite edge of the tank along with so-called purified liquid. Furthermore, the constructions described in the above- cited publication are largely discussed in terms of principle, whereby e.g. the aspiration arm rotating around the centre of a tank involves a multitude of constructional problems in view of implementing the invention and thus the solution disclosed in the above-cited publication is probably not very func- tional in practice; for example, a support wheel mounted on the end of the aspiration arm rotates freely on the bottom of a tank, which is obviously not very advantageous because of the sludge accumulating on the tank floor.

A method of this invention has an object of providing a decisive remedy to the above-discussed problems and, thus, of raising substantially the existing prior art. In order to achieve this object, a method of the invention is substantially characterized in that the fluid to be treated is delivered into an at least partially movable reception facility associated with the treatment facility, wherein the fluid flow rate most preferably decreases and/or reverses its direction, for supplying the fluid further into the treatment facility preferably in a stabilized, so-called pre-flocculated condition, by way of one or more distributing ducts which are immobile or at least in a periodical communication with the reception facility in a preferably vertical direction through the bottom of the treatment facility and/or a separated material accumulated on the bottom.

The most essential benefits of a method of the invention include its simplicity and operating reliability, whereby it is possible with simple means to provide a comprehensive unit which is considerably more functional than its current counterparts both technically and economically. By virtue of a method of the invention, it is also possible to secure the continuity of a process as well as its low demand of maintenance by placing preferably as many as possible of the aggregates included therein substantially below the liquid surface. This is a way of avoiding e.g. the freezing problems common to current systems. First of all, by applying a method of the invention, it is possible to significantly homogenize a fluid contained in a treatment facility, e.g. in a settling tank, whereby the actual clarification process can proceed in a remarkably more efficient manner than with equivalent current systems, by virtue of which the clarification takes place an order more quickly than what is achieved by applying traditional technology. In addition, by applying a method of the invention, it is also possible to carry out the drainage of a tank floor effectively, since the tank need not be constructed with e.g. a separate collecting well and scraper, conveyor systems or the like gathering material therein, which in the current designs generally require a multitude of maintenance and repair operations. Furthermore, the reception facility can be used for aligning both supply and discharge systems delivering a fluid to be treated and sludge, respecti- vely, to be substantially parallel to each other to provide a comprehensive unit, which is in practice extremely simple and operable on a very low power.

The non-independent claims directed to a method set forth preferred embodiments for a method of the invention.

The invention relates also to an apparatus for applying the method. The apparatus is defined in more detail in the preamble of the independent claim directed thereto. The features essentially characterizing for the apparatus are set forth in the characterizing section of the same claim.

The most significant benefits of an apparatus of the invention include the simplicity and operating reliability of a clarification process made possible thereby and those of actuators associated therewith and the functions thereof, whereby it is possible in all conditions to secure as durable a service life as possible for a treatment facility, e.g. a settling tank, without extraordinary maintenance and overhaul operations. Furthermore, by virtue of a novel, unexpected perspective, the apparatus of the invention enables the emergence of an extremely simple tank or basin construction, whereby the problems associated with traditional solutions can be largely eliminated. First of all, it is possible to improve especially the homogeneity and flowing conditions in a tank for a fluid or liquid to be treated by using preferably a plurality of immobile distributing ducts fitted below the tank floor, to which the fluid is delivered in a controlled manner by utilizing a valve system included between a mobile section of the reception facility and an immobile section thereof. Furthermore, the reception facility can be constructed in such a manner that, first of all, it effects the deceleration of a liquid flow to be treated and, on the other hand, also the deflection, e.g. reversal, of its running direction. Thus, a supply pipe carries fluid into the immobile section of the reception facility, the fluid rising therefrom into the mobile top section of the reception facility through a valve system, or e.g. a primary perforation included in the inner edge of a so-called spacer plate, connecting said sections, whereafter the fluid further descends through secondary perforations included respectively in the outer edge of the spacer plate into distribution chambers delivering fluid to distributing ducts and therefrom further to the distributing ducts themselves. Furthermore, the fluid supply is preferably adapted to be intercepted by means of the above-discussed valve system from those distributing ducts which are located forward of an aspiration arm vacuuming the tank floor for avoiding the mixing of a material lying on the tank floor prior to the sludge removal performed by the aspiration arm. Therefore, by virtue of the invention, the tank or basin need not be provided with technically undesirable floor scrapers and a floor well. Further avoided are technically disproportionally massive and expensive bridge constructions which are typical of the prior art solutions.

The non-independent claims directed to an apparatus set forth preferred embodiments for an apparatus of the invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference made to the accompanying drawings, in which

fig. 1 is a lateral view, showing one preferred apparatus for a method of the invention,

figs. 2a and 2b are lateral views, showing alternative mechanisms operating on a method of the invention,

fig. 3 is a plan view, showing the bottom or floor of a treatment facility included in an apparatus operating on a method of the invention,

fig. 4 shows a few preferred arrangements included in the apparatus and associated with the treatment facility floor,

figs. 5a and 5b are a lateral view and a plan view, respecti- vely, showing one preferred sludge discharge system for an apparatus of the invention,

figs. 6a and 6b show one preferred actuating mechanism for a reception space included in an apparatus of the invention, in a plan view and a sectional view along a line 6b - 6b, respectively, fig. 7 shows one further preferred drive mechanism, especially in the design of figs. 6a and 6b, and

fig. 8 shows one preferred reversing wheel and chain tensioning mechanism associated with the floor of a treatment facility.

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of a fluid or liquid, wherein the fluid is especially clarified in a treatment facility 1, such as a settling tank or the like, which is supplied with a fluid to be treated, such as waste water or the like, by means of a supply system 2, and from which is dis- charged a material separated during the course of clarification, such as sludge or the like, by means of a first discharge system 3 as well as clarified fluid by means of a second discharge system 6. The fluid or liquid to be treated is delivered into an at least partially mobile reception facility la associated with the treatment facility 1, wherein a liquid flow rate v preferably decreases and/or its running direction reverses, for feeding the liquid or fluid into the treatment facility 1 preferably in a stabilized, such as a so-called pre-flocculated condition, by way of one or more distributing ducts 2b which are immobile or at least in a periodical communication with the reception facility 1 in a preferably vertical direction through the bottom of the treatment facility 1 and/or a separated material accumulated on the bottom.

Referring especially to figs. 1-4, on the one hand, the fluid to be treated is supplied and, on the other hand, the material or sludge separated during the course of clarification is discharged by means of an at least partially integral mechanism consisting of the supply system 2 and the first discharge system 3. Thus, both the fluid to be treated and the material separated during the course of clarification are forwarded, both preferably by an essentially lower route, by means of the reception facility la, mounted centrally in connection with the bottom or floor of the treatment facility 1 and including an immobile section la", into which the fluid to be treated is carried by way of one or more supply ducts 2a included in the supply system 2, and a mobile section la' for discharging the separated material delivered thereby through one or more discharge ducts 3a included in the discharge system 3.

Furthermore, referring especially to figs. 4, 5a and 5b, the material or sludge separated on the tank floor during the course of clarification is removed by means of one or more aspiration arms 3b linked with the mobile section la' of the reception facility and operating in connection with the floor of the treat - ment facility 1, whereby the fluid supply in an action direction w of the aspiration arm 3b through one or more preceding distributing ducts 2b is intercepted by means of a valve system 5 in order to avoid the diffusion of sludge lying on the floor of the treat - ment facility 1 especially in front of the aspiration arm 3b.

According to what is stated above, the method is preferably applied such that a fluid to be supplied into the treatment facility 1 is delivered, e.g. as shown in figs. 1 and 4, into the immobile section la" of the reception facility, the fluid rising upwards therefrom e.g. through the intermediary of the valve system 5 shown in figs. 5a and 5b, such as through a primary perforation RI included in a distribution plate 5a, into the mobile section la' of the reception facility, whereafter the fluid is further delivered downwards through a secondary perforation R2 included in said distribution plate 5a into distribution chambers la'" and distributing ducts 2b carrying liquid into the treatment facility 1. Upon passing through the perforations of the above distribution plate 5a, the fluid or liquid to be treated, or e.g. waste water or sewage, develops turbulent flows contributing to the start of flocculation, referred to by the above-mentioned term pre-flocculation. Upon passing through the distribution plate 5a, the flow volume of sewage expands and, thus, the air separates therefrom and can be further exhausted through the top section of the reception facility la, as shown e.g. in fig. 4, by way of an air gap included in the reception facility cover plate. The air must not be allowed into the distributing ducts 2b fitted below the tank 1, as it would diffuse the sludge upon arrival on the tank floor.

Furthermore, referring especially to figs. 6a - 8, in a preferred application of the method, the mobile section la of the reception facility, i.e. the aspiration arm 3b preferably attached thereto, is manipulated by means of a chain drive mechanism mounted on the side walls of the treatment facility 1, i.e. by means of a chain 4a, running above the aspiration arm 3b and having its passage controlled by means of a reversing wheel, chain tensioning mechanism 4b and/or the like and being manipulated by a drive mechanism 4c, prefe- rably operating on a so-called caterpillar haul-off principle and having its drive supplied e.g. by a power unit 4d included in the upper edge of the settling tank 1, such as an electric motor, a gear and/or the like.

As discussed above, the apparatus of the invention includes within itself a supply system 2 in communica- tion with the treatment facility 1, i.e. a settling tank or the like, for supplying e.g. waste water and a first discharge system 3 for removing sludge and a second discharge system 6, or e.g. flush pipes, for discharging clarified water. First of all, the apparatus of the invention includes a partially mobile reception facility la in communication with a circular settling tank as shown e.g. in the drawings, wherein, in a preferred embodiment, both the sewage flow rate v decreases and its running direction s reverses for achieving the above-described actions, or e.g. so- called pre-flocculation, for delivering waste water into the settling tank 1 by way of the distributing ducts 2b, which are immobile, included in the supply system 2 and preferably in a periodical communication with the reception facility la, in a substantially vertical direction through the floor of the treatment facility 1 and the sludge accumulated on the floor. As shown in fig. 4, the inlet flow of a fluid is guided essentially in the direction of the floor plane by means of guide plates 2a' included in supply ports.

Hence, the apparatus of the invention includes the reception facility la, centrally mounted on the floor of the treatment facility 1 and provided with the immobile section la", into which the waste water to be treated is adapted to be delivered by way of the supply duct 2a, and with the mobile section la', by way of which the sludge is removable through a dis- charge duct 3a.

In a preferred embodiment, referring especially to figs. l-5b, the discharge system 3 includes the aspiration arm 3b revolving on the floor of the tank 1, the supply of sewage in the action direction w of the aspiration arm 3b linked with the mobile section la¹ of the reception facility through one or e.g. two distributing ducts 2b being intercepted by means of the valve system 5, especially in order to prevent the diffusion of sludge lying on the floor of the settling tank 1 in front of the aspiration arm 3b.

Referring especially to fig. 4, the apparatus of the invention includes the reception facility la, whose immobile section la' is fitted below the floor of the tank 1, the waste water supplied therein being adapted to travel upwards into the mobile section la" of the reception facility through the distributing plate 5a functioning as the valve system 5. Therefore, as shown in fig. 5b, the distributing plate 5 is provided with the primary perforation RI for enabling the upward flow of sewage. In order to establish the action discussed in the preceding paragraph, the distributing plate 5 is further provided with the secondary perforation R2 beginning at a suitable distance from the aspiration arm, which enables the continued passage of sewage downwards into the distribution chambers la'" located below the tank floor for delivering said sewage to given desired distributing ducts 2b.

Referring e.g. to fig. 8, the aspiration arm 3b linked with the mobile section la' of the reception facility is operated by means of a traction rod t, which transmits force in a mobile fashion to said arm in its lengthwise direction and which, as shown in fig. 6a, is secured to a chain 4a running along the edges of the tank 1. As depicted in fig. 6a, the passage of this chain is controlled by providing the tank edges with reversing wheels 4b; 4b' as well as preferably with one reversing wheel and chain tensioning mechanism 4b; 4b¹, 4b", which is shown particularly in fig. 8. Referring especially to figs. 1 and 6b, the chain 4b is adapted to be operated preferably by means of a drive motor 4d mounted above the liquid level, - a gear and/or the like, which transmits the rotating motion e.g. to a caterpillar chain mechanism 4c as shown in fig. 7 in association with the tank floor, wherein the chain 4a running along the walls of the tank 1 is driven by means of a primary chain 4c' .

In a preferred embodiment, the air traveling along the sewage to be treated is adapted to be exhausted in reference to the reception facility la by an upper route, especially for preventing the access of air to the distributing ducts 2b. In this context, it is possible to apply most diversified principles.

Referring especially to figs. 1 and 2a, in addition to the distributing ducts 2b below the floor of the settling tank 1, use is also made of an overhead distributing duct 2c connected to the mobile section la¹ of the reception facility. This provides a further possibility of regulating the clarification process also e.g. by switching the inlet of a fluid to be treated, for example by basically eliminating the bottom feed with the use of a suitable spacer plate and by delivering the sewage solely to the middle section of a settling tank or by delivering a fluid to be treated at a suitable ratio both through the floor and by an overhead route .

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the above-described or discussed applications, but it can be subject to even major modifications within the context of the basic concept. First of all, it is possible to include a partially mobile reception facility as described above also in an elongated tank, said reception facility moving along one or more edges thereof in the longitudinal direction, e.g. back and forth. It is possible to apply a method of the invention and constructions involved therein at action speeds substantially matching those used in current equivalent applications or even at speeds distinctly slower or faster than those of the current corresponding applications by virtue of the improved mixing of a fluid to be treated. In addition, it is naturally obvious that, e.g. in a circular tank of the above type, the components included in the apparatus can be coupled with most diversified arrangements to each other, whereby it is conceivable to design the entire reception facility to be rotatable by using suitable flow guiding systems. In this case, it is of course obligatory to provide the contact surfaces of relevant components with necessary expansion joints and sea- lings .

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of a fluid, wherein the fluid is especially clarified in a treat- ment facility (1) , such as a settling tank or the like, which is supplied with a fluid to be treated, such as waste water or the like, by means of one or more supply ducts (2a) , conduits and/or the like included in a supply system (2) , and from which is discharged a material separated during the course of clarification, such as sludge or the like, by means of one or more discharge ducts (3a) , conduits and/or the like included in a first discharge system (3) as well as clarified fluid by means of a second discharge system (6) , the treatment of a fluid being carried out by using a reception facility (la) included in the treatment facility (1) , into which the fluid to be treated is conducted for delivering the same further into the treatment facility (1) at least partially through separated material accumulated on the floor of the treatment facility (1) , characterized in that the fluid to be treated is first of all conducted by means of a sub-assembly (2b) included in the supply system (2) in a substantially vertical direction upwards through the floor of the treatment facility and/or the material accumulated thereon and that, on the other hand, separated material, such as sludge or the like, is discharged by manipulating a sub-assembly (3b) included in the first discharge system (3) above the separated material substantially accumulated on the floor, for discharging the separated material from the treatment facility (1) preferably by aspiration.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, characteri- zed in that the apparatus used in the method includes the reception facility (la) , which is at least partially movable, such as rotatable, within the treat- ment facility (1) and mounted centrally in a substantial association with the floor of the treatment facility (1) and in which the supply system (2) and the first discharge system (3) are fitted as integral structures in such a manner that, on the one hand, the fluid to be treated is conducted by a lower route into the reception facility (la) and therefrom further into the treatment facility (1) through the intermediary of a supply system (2; 2a, 2b) connected to an immobile section (la") included in the reception facility and, on the other hand, separated material is discharged from the treatment facility (1) preferably by a lower route by means of a first discharge system (3; 3a, 3b) connected to a mobile section (la') of the reception facility (la) .

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that material separated during the course of clarification is discharged by means of one or more aspiration arms (3b) connected to the mobile section (la¹) of the reception facility and operating substantially in association with the floor of the treatment facility (1) , the supply of a fluid in an action direction (w) of the aspiration arm (3b) through one or more preceding distributing ducts (2b) , conduits and/or the like being intercepted by means of a valve system (5; 5a, R2) for preventing the diffusion of separated material lying on the floor of the treatment facility (1) especially in front of the aspiration arm (3b) .

. A method as set forth in any of preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that, in order to deliver the fluid to be treated into the treatment facility (1) in a stabilized, such as in a pre-flocculated condition by decreasing a flow rate (w) of the fluid and by reversing its running direction (s) , such fluid is conducted into the immobile section (la") of the reception facility, - wherefrom it travels upwards through the valve system (5) , such as a primary perforation (RI) included in a distributing plate (5a), or respectively into the mobile section (la¹) of the reception facility, wherefrom the fluid to be treated is further carried downwards through the valve system (5) , such as a secondary perforation (R2) included in the distributing plate (5a) , or respecti- vely into distribution chambers (la'") located preferably below the floor of the treatment facility (1) , for delivering the fluid to be treated further into the distributing ducts (2b) , conduits and/or the like.

5. A method as set forth in any of preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the mobile section (la¹) of the reception facility is manipulated preferably by means of a chain (4a) , which is mounted in connection with the side walls of the treatment facility (1) through the intermediary of the aspiration arm (3b) and whose passage is controlled by means of a reversing wheel (4b) , a chain tensioning mechanism (4b; 4b¹, 4b") and/or the like and which is manipulated preferably by means of a traction mecha- nism (4c) operating on a caterpillar principle and through the action of a power unit (4d) , such as an electric motor, a gear and/or the like, mounted above the fluid level .

6. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid, intended particularly for clarifying a fluid in a treatment facility (1) , such as a settling tank or the like, said apparatus comprising a supply system (2) for conducting a fluid to be treated, such as waste water or the like, into the treatment facility (1) by means of one or more supply ducts (2a) , conduits and/or the like included therein, a first discharge system (3) for discharging a material, such a sludge or the like, separated- during the course of clarification, from the treatment facility (1) by means of one or more discharge ducts (3a) , conduits and/or the like included therein, and a second discharge system (6) for discharging the clarified fluid, and said apparatus comprising a reception facility (la) included in the treatment facility (1) , into which the fluid to be treated is firstly conducted for feeding the same further into the treatment facility (1) at least partially through separated material accumulated on the floor of the treatment facility (1) , characterized in that the supply system (2) of the apparatus first of all includes a sub-assembly (2b) , which is adapted to carry the fluid to be treated in a substantially vertical direction upwards through the floor of the treatment facility (1) and/or the separated material accumulated thereon and that, on the other hand, the first discharge system (3) includes a sub-assembly (3b) substantially movable above the separated material accumulated on the floor for discharging the separated material, such as sludge or the like, from the treatment facility (1) preferably by aspiration.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that the apparatus includes the reception facility (la) , which is at least partially movable, such as rotatable, within the treatment facility (1) and mounted centrally in a substantial association with the floor of the treatment facility (1) and in which the supply system (2) and the first discharge system (3) are fitted as integral structures in such a manner that, on the one hand, the fluid to be treated is conducted by a lower route into the recep- tion facility (la) and therefrom further into the treatment facility (1) through the intermediary of a supply system (2; 2a, 2b) connected to an immobile section (la") included in the reception facility and, on the other hand, separated material is discharged from the treatment facility (1) preferably by a lower route by means of a first discharge system (3; 3a, 3b) connected to a mobile section (la') of the reception facility (la) .

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the first discharge system (3) includes one or more aspiration arms (3b) , connected to the mobile section (la¹) of the reception facility and substantially movable in association with the floor of the treatment facility (1) , for discharging separated material, said apparatus comprising a valve system (5; 5a, R2) for intercepting the fluid feed in an action direction (w) of the aspiration arm (3b) through one or more preceding distributing ducts (2b) , conduits and/or the like, for preventing the diffusion of separated material lying on the floor of the treatment facility (1) especially in front of the aspiration arm (3b) .

9. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 6-8, characterized in that, in order to deliver the fluid to be treated into the treatment facility (1) in a stabilized, such as in a pre-flocculated condition by decreasing a flow rate (w) of the fluid and by reversing its running direction (s) , such fluid to be treated is conducted into the immobile section (la") of the reception facility, wherefrom it travels upwards through the valve system (5) , such as a primary perforation (RI) included in a distributing plate (5a) , or respectively into the mobile section

(la') of the reception facility, wherefrom the fluid to be treated is further carried downwards through the valve system (5) , such as a secondary perforation (R2) included in the distributing plate (5a) , or respecti- vely into distribution chambers (la'") located preferably below the floor of the treatment facility (1) , for delivering the fluid to be treated further into the distributing ducts (2b), conduits and/or the like.

10. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 6-9, characterized in that the mobile section (la¹) of the reception facility is adapted to be manipulated preferably by means of a chain (4a) , which is mounted in connection with the side walls of the treatment facility (1) through the intermediary of the aspiration arm (3b) and which is adapted to be manipulated preferably by means of a traction mechanism (4b) operating on a caterpillar principle and through the action of a power unit (4c) , such as an electric motor, a gear and/or the like, mounted above the fluid level .