WASTEWATER CONCENTRATOR WITH PLURAL DISTRIBUTORS

There is disclosed herein equipment and methods for screening and concentrating wastewater overflow from combined sewer systems and the like. Exemplary equipment includes a separator employing a substantially cylindrical rotating screen. Influent is piped upwardly into the equipment and deflected outwardly by plural distributors toward the inner surface of the screen in a manner to achieve a desired flow rate and flow pattern of the influent onto the screen. Means including the distributors are provided for controlling the flow rate and for suitably directing the influent in a plurality of substantially discrete inclined streams toward the inner surface of the rotating screen. The screen is rotated at a speed to achieve a desired centrifugal force. Effluent passes through the screen to an outlet and the remaining concentrate passes to an outlet. The screen is in the form of a screen cage having a plurality of removable screen panels for facilitating replacement of damaged screens or changing screen type or mesh size. Cleaning means is provided for directing a cleaning fluid periodically at the screen. The methods disclosed involve the manner in which the influent, effluent, concentrate and backsplash are handled, and the manner in which the influent is screened to achieve a fluid concentrate which may be pumpable to other treatment equipment for ultimate disposal.