IMPROVED SALT BASKET FOR CRYSTALLIZER AND METHOD OF USE IN ZERO LIQUID DISCHARGE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES

摘要

An improved salt basket for dewatering solids. Thesalt basket is ideally configured for use with acrystallizer or evaporator producing salts fromindustrial wastewaters. The salt basket system includesa pressurizable vessel having a screen floor situatedabove a bottom liquid collection head, an inlet for thebrine/solids slurry from which solids are to beseparated and dried, an inlet for air, an inlet forsteam (the latter two inlets may be combined, whereconvenient), a feed brine inlet and a drain outlet(these two may by combined where convenient into acombination feed/drain connection), an automated systemfor introducing feed brine, and an automated system forremoving the solids product, the latter system includingan automated door with a fail safe clamp system design.The vessel shape preferably includes sidewalls ofsubstantially circular cross section with downwardly andoutwardly sloping walls (either conical or flaringsomewhat at the bottom) which are free fromprotuberances which would tend to prevent salt crystalsfrom falling downwardly. A pivotally attached lowerdoor has a hydraulic failsafe closure mechanism andlooking safety latches to prevent the door frominadvertently opening. The process control designminimizes exposure of the salt basket interior tosupersaturated solutions with precipitating solidstherein, thus reducing coaling of the salt basket, byintroducing feed brine rather than magma(crystal/concentrated liquor slurry) to the salt basketbetween crystal harvest cycles.