Abstract: An improved vertical filtration unit includes a bell-shaped lower end for the air-lift tube, an injection ring for introducing air into the air-lift tube at a considerable volume, and a washbox with a more efficient scrubbing arrangement for washing dirt particles from the filtration material. The bell-shaped lower end makes the transporting of a mixture of dirty filtration material and water to the top of the filtration unit more efficient than with the conventional straight tube bottom. The tube receives compressed air from two horizontally positioned inlets positioned 180.degree. from each other. The flat and round target plate makes the scrubbing of filtration material more efficient, while a baffle prevents the filtration material from being ejected from the washbox.

Abstract: An improved vertical filtration unit includes a bell-shaped lower end for the air-lift tube, an injection ring for introducing air into the air-lift tube at a considerable volume, and a washbox with a more efficient scrubbing arrangement for washing dirt particles from the filtration material. The bell-shaped lower end makes the transporting of a mixture of dirty filtration material and water to the top of the filtration unit more efficient than with the conventional straight tube bottom. The tube receives compressed air from two horizontally positioned inlets positioned 180.degree. from each other. The flat and round target plate makes the scrubbing of filtration material more efficient, while a baffle prevents the filtration material from being ejected from the washbox.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for composting of organic matter. A ram advances the entire mass of organic matter within the composting chamber to create an evacuated space in the composting chamber, which evacuated space is of substantially greater volume than the volume of an incremental inlet space. The incremental inlet space is a space in the composting chamber defined by a projection of an inlet opening into the composting chamber. After the creation of the evacuated space, a new charge of organic matter is fed through the inlet opening. The ram then moves this new charge of organic matter into the evacuated space in the chamber to join the existing mass of organic matter already in the chamber. The ram also lightly compresses the new charge to a predetermined density or porosity. Typically, the extent of compressive force applied to the new charge is less than that required to move the entire mass of organic matter through the chamber.

Abstract: A composting method is disclosed for accelerated decomposition of organic matter. The organic matter is deposited into a chamber of a vessel. A ram moves through a relatively short stroke within one end of the vessel so that organic matter deposited in the vessel at one end may be moved through the chamber and discharged at the other end as a result of each successive charge of matter pushing the preceding charge forward through the vessel by the action of the ram. An optimum range of compaction density for the particular organic matter being processed is determined. Also, an angle of disposition for the vessel relative to the horizontal is established for the particular organic matter being processed. This angle of disposition is established so as to cause the amount of compressive force necessary to move the organic matter through the vessel to be such as to achieve the optimum range of compaction density.

Abstract: A beltpress controller performs on-line measurements of output sludge cake thickness. A controller takes a product of the measured cake thickness with belt speed, moisture content and belt width to determine a rate of dry solid output per unit time. The calculated rate is compared with a desired rate and the sludge flow rate is adjusted by adjusting the speed of a sludge feed pump to obtain the desired dry solid output rate. In systems which mix polymer with the sludge to increase the dewatering efficiency, the sizing of a mixing orifice through which the sludge and polymer is provided is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant mixing energy. This prevents errors in the streaming current detector which measures the amount of excess polymer in the filtrate and the controller adjusts the speed of a polymer dosing pump accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for composting of organic matter. A ram advances the entire mass of organic matter within the composting chamber to create an evacuated space in the composting chamber, which evacuated space is of substantially greater volume than the volume of an incremental inlet space. The incremental inlet space is a space in the composting chamber defined by a projection of an inlet opening into the composting chamber. After the creation of the evacuated space, a new charge of organic matter is fed through the inlet opening. The ram then moves this new charge of organic matter into the evacuated space in the chamber to join the existing mass of organic matter already in the chamber. The ram also lightly compresses the new charge to a predetermined density or porosity. Typically, the extent of compressive force applied to the new charge is less than that required to move the entire mass of organic matter through the chamber.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring method and apparatus for monitoring the temperature within a mass of organic matter moved through a composting vessel. An elongated, stationary probe extends through the vessel from one end toward another end thereof. A plurality of temperature measuring devices are mounted along the probe. The probe may extend through a compaction ram and be provided with a sleeve for accommodating movement of the ram relative to the probe. A decoupling device provides for decoupling of the probe from a mounting base and an extraction device permits the probe to be extracted from the vessel for replacement thereof. The probe provides a method of monitoring temperature in the mass and a method of composting by monitoring temperature in the mass and regulating the temperature of the mass in response thereto.

Abstract: A composting method and apparatus is disclosed for accelerated decomposition of organic matter. The organic matter is deposited into a chamber of a vessel. A ram moves through a relatively short stroke within one end of the vessel so that organic matter deposited in the vessel at one end may be moved through the chamber and discharged at the other end as a result of each successive charge of material pushing the preceding charge forward through the vessel by the action of the ram. The vessel includes a set of orifices in a floor of the chamber for introducing pressurized air into the vessel. During the normal composting operation, pressurized air passes through these orifices at a relatively low intensity to aerate the organic matter.

Abstract: A bed of particulate material of varying sizes is located within a vessel. This bed comprises an upper and lower region. Particulate material is supplied continuously to the center of the upper region so as to form a peak shape which descends downwardly and radially outwardly from the center. Liquid to be filtered is introduced to this peak shape and is filtered downwardly through the bed. A majority of the filtered liquid passes through a screen located between the upper and the lower regions into a screen filtrate enclosure. The remaining liquid continues to the lower region. This liquid and dirty particulate material are transported by an air lift tube from the lower region to a position above the upper region. At this position, the particulate material is washed and supplied to the center of the upper region. The remaining liquid and filtered particles are removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A squeeze plate apparatus for a belt press is provided. The apparatus has a squeeze plate operatively connected to a rotating pipe. The pipe is mounted to the frame of the belt press. The vertical spacing between the squeeze plate and the pipe varies during rotation of the pipe so that the squeezing action of the plate can be selectively varied.