Cable-Driven Submerged Sludge Collection System

A sludge collection system is mounted on the floor of a settling tank to remove sediment therefrom. The sludge collection system includes a pair of triangularly shaped header wings oriented with the apex at the rear. The front edge of the header wings are open to collect the sludge from the compressed zone along the floor of the settling tank while the rearward edges leading to the apex are provided with elastomeric sweeps to help move the collected sludge into the apex for removal therefrom. The header wings operate to consolidate the collected sludge into the apex where a pump extracts the sludge for discharge through flexible hoses. The connector combining the two hoses from the pumps incorporates an internal baffle to separate to two inlet ports through to the discharge port. The sludge collection system is moved along the floor of the settling tank by a cable drive mechanism.