The F.B. Leopold Company Inc.

Leopold® Clari-Vac® Floating Sludge Collector

Operating Principle
Feature
A Typical Leopold® Clari-Vac® installation

Operating Principle

Operating on the basic principles of buoyancy and siphon, collection headers "vacuum" the solids that have naturally settled and compacted on the tank floor. Sludge is then siphoned into a separate trough where it is pumped to waste or returned in the activated sludge application.

Features

Low Disposal Costs	Heavier solids concentration, the result of removing solids directly from where they naturally settle, without pushing or plowing.
Fast Removal	Up to 12 fpm.
Reduced Maintenance	No moving parts underwater. All parts except drive are nonferrous.
Energy Efficient	Up to 80% less power is required.

A Typical Leopold® Clari-Vac® Installation

Click on drawing callouts for a description of each Leopold Technology component.

Click here for more information on Leopold® Clari-Vac® Floating Sludge Collector.

Drive Assembly

Clari-Vac employs a constant torque, variable speed DC electric motor, and sheave arrangement for its high-efficiency drive assembly, minimizing power requirements for even the largest tanks.

Siphon Pipes
	The high-performance, corrosion-resistant siphon pipes are manufactured from stainless steel, further reducing the possibility of oxygen cell corrosion. Vacuum-tight joints are also standard. The siphon pipes form the basis of the structure to the bridge, reducing weight and resulting in lower power costs.

Guide Wheels
	Inboard and outboard guide wheels on each clarifier bridge ensure maximum unit alignment and stability. Guide wheels on one side are also spring-loaded for better performance and allow for imperfections in concrete tank walls.

Effluent Trough
	Effluent and scum troughs are constructed of "Leo-Lite" fiberglass-reinforced plastic to resist dents, rust, and warpage— eliminates painting forever!

Idler Assembly

The Clari-Vac idler assembly features an integral jacking mechanism for ease of cable adjustment.

Fiberglass Floats
	Floats are polyurethane foam encapsulated in fiberglass. Leopold further customizes floats for optimal performance by weighting them for prevailing hydraulic conditions. Leopold customizes floats to suit each installation.

Floating Bridge

The innovative floating bridge permits the collection headers to float at a minimum clearance of one inch from the floor of the tank. This allows the almost total clearance of sludge from the tanks if required. Friction to motion is virtually eliminated by the floats, reducing systems power costs.

Collection Headers with Patented Degassing System

Clari-Vac stainless steel collection headers siphon sludge from the floor of the tank with no stirring action, while the degassing system prevents the loss of flow rate capacity in wastewater systems.

Individual Sludge Valves
	The flow in each stainless steel siphon pipe is independently controlled to protect against loss of prime. The rate of flow of sludge can be controlled exactly to minimize sludge production and maximize solids content.

Sludge Return
	Dense sludge is deposited in the sludge return channel through individual valves, decreasing return rates in activated sludge and minimizing residuals in potable water. The channel flow runs continuously in wastewater systems and semi-continuously in potable water. This channel can be retrofitted for plant upgrades/rehabilitation.

Control Panel
	The programmable control panel can accommodate individual facility requirements. The control panel features a stainless steel enclosure (rated NEMA 4X), solid state circuitry, and integral space heater and thermostat. Optional equipment is available for severe environments.