Claims
1. A method for remediating wastewater lagoons and the like of the type having a bottom with sludge deposited thereon and water over the sludge which defines an upper surface of an associated lagoon, comprising the steps of:
forming a closed foraminous dewatering membrane configured to dewater a sludge slurry therein;
positioning the dewatering membrane adjacent to the lagoon at an elevation above the elevation of the upper surface of the lagoon;
pumping the sludge and adjacent water from the bottom of the lagoon to form a sludge slurry;
discharging the sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane;
removing the water from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane back into the lagoon;
opening the dewatering membrane; and
removing the dewatered sludge from the opened dewatering membrane.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said water removing step includes pressurizing the sludge slurry in the dewatering membrane to accelerate dewatering.
3. A method as set forth in claim 2, including:
mixing a flocculating polymer into the sludge slurry to improve dewatering.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3, wherein:
said mixing step is performed prior to said discharging step.
5. A method as set forth in claim 4, wherein:
said forming step includes forming from a geotextile material at least one closed elongate tube having at least one fill port therein to define the dewatering membrane.
6. A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein:
said tube forming step includes stitching together sheets of geotextile material.
7. A method as set forth in claim 6, wherein:
said water removing step includes exposing the filled dewatering membrane to freezing ambient temperatures prior to said opening step.
8. A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein:
said pumping step includes contemporaneously sucking and agitating the sludge.
9. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein:
said pumping step includes:
providing a tube with a cutter head at the free end thereof through which the sludge slurry is pumped; and
shifting the cutter head along the bottom of the lagoon to remove the sludge.
10. A method as set forth in claim 1, including:
mixing a flocculating polymer into the sludge slurry to improve dewatering.
11. A method as set forth in claim 10, wherein:
said mixing step is performed prior to said discharging step.
12. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said forming step includes forming from a geotextile material at least one closed elongate tube having at least one fill port therein to define the dewatering membrane.
13. A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein:
said tube forming step includes stitching together sheets of geotextile material.
14. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said water removing step includes exposing the filled dewatering membrane to freezing ambient temperatures prior to said opening step.
15. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said pumping step includes contemporaneously sucking and agitating the sludge.
16. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein:
said pumping step includes:
providing a tube with a cutter head at the free end thereof through which the sludge slurry is pumped; and
shifting the cutter head along the bottom of the lagoon to remove the sludge.
17. A method for removing sludge from water holding areas and the like, comprising the steps of:
forming a closed foraminous dewatering membrane configured to dewater a sludge slurry therein;
positioning the dewatering membrane adjacent to a water holding area;
pumping the sludge and adjacent water from the bottom of the water holding area to form a sludge slurry;
discharging the sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane;
removing the water from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane;
opening the dewatering membrane; and
removing the dewatered sludge from the opened dewatering membrane.
18. A method as set forth in claim 17, wherein:
said water removing step includes pressurizing the sludge slurry in the dewatering membrane to accelerate dewatering.
19. A method as set forth in claim 18, including:
mixing a flocculating polymer into the sludge slurry to improve dewatering.
20. A method as set forth in claim 19, including:
positioning a sheet of imperforate material on the ground adjacent to the water holding area; and wherein
said dewatering membrane positioning step comprises positioning the dewatering membrane on said sheet.
21. An apparatus for removing sludge from wastewater holding areas and the like, comprising:
a cutter head adapted to be positioned adjacent the bottom of a wastewater holding area, and configured to draw therethrough sludge and adjacent water in the form of a sludge slurry;
a dewatering membrane having a closed interior with a foraminous construction adapted to dewater sludge slurry deposited therein; and
a pump operably connected with said cutter head and said dewatering membrane, whereby sludge slurry is drawn from the bottom of the wastewater holding area and is transported into the interior of said dewatering membrane, wherein gravitational forces flow water in the sludge slurry through the dewatering membrane to create a dewatered sludge which can be transported in generally solid form to an appropriate site.
22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, including:
a floating dredge adapted to be positioned at a plurality of different locations above the bottom of the wastewater holding area.
23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein:
said pump is supported on said floating dredge.
24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 23, including:
a flocculating polymer mixed with the sludge slurry to accelerate dewatering.
25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24, including:
a sheet of imperforate material positioned under said dewatering membrane.
26. An apparatus as set forth in claim 25, including:
self-adjusting skids connected with said cutter head and positioning the same a predetermined distance above the bottom of the wastewater holding area.
27. An apparatus as set forth in claim 26, including:
a plurality of cables connected with said floating dredge and adapted to be anchored adjacent the wastewater holding area to positively position said floating dredge over the bottom of the wastewater holding area.
28. An apparatus as set forth in claim 27, including:
a motorized capstan mounted on said floating dredge and operably engaging said cables to position said floating dredge.
29. An apparatus as set forth in claim 28, wherein:
said dewatering membrane comprises at least one elongate tube constructed from a semi-permeable geotextile material.
30. An apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein:
said dewatering membrane comprises a plurality of semi-permeable geotextile tubes.
31. An apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein:
said cutter head includes an agitator.
32. An apparatus as set forth in claim 31, including:
a flexible floating conduit connecting said pump with the interior of said dewatering membrane.
33. An apparatus as set forth in claim 32, including:
a submerged conduit connecting said pump with said cutter head.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A gaming device operated at least partially under control of at least one processor, said gaming device comprising:
a table for a card game including at least one player position and a dealer position, said table configured for playing a primary game, wherein the primary game employs at least one deck of playing cards;
an electronic tracking system configured to identify and store into a memory cards in a play of the primary game for the at least one player position; and
at least one display device associated with and viewable by a player at the at least one player position, wherein the at least one processor communicates with the memory and the display device to display at least one tracked card from said play of the primary game after said play has ended and said cards have been removed.