Abstract: A mixer/charger is used simultaneously to mix and electrically to charge a fluid or fluid-like material, and such electrically charged product is distributed into another fluid for various purposes. In one case the charged product may be mixed with particulate matter used to form smoke--an apppropriate polarity can cause repulsion of the smoke producing particulates thereby to reduce agglomeration and to maximize the suspension time of such particulates in surrounding environment. Alternatively, by distributing the charged product into particulate containing fluid and selecting the polarity such that such particulates tend to agglomerate, expeditious removal of such particulates can be accomplished. The charged product also may be used for distributing mist, distributing ionic material in air, e.g. for sense of wellbeing, and for seeding clouds.

Abstract: In a method and a circuit for controlling an amount of pelletized material that is dispensed from a pellet dispenser, the dispenser is driven at the same speed during each one of a plurality of pellet dispensing cycles. The frequency of dispenser operation is varied by varying the time interval between pellet dispensing cycles. The circuit includes two timers, an OFF timer which is connected to a counter that counts the number of "off" timing signals in each "off" period and an ON timer that receives a triggering signal from the counter when the "off" period is completed. A switch is connected to the counter to select this number of "off" timing signals. The "off" time period can also be altered by altering the time base of the OFF timer. This is accomplished with a resistance circuit that is connected to a timing circuit for the OFF timer, through either a user-controlled timer or a temperature-responsive switch.

Abstract: An improved granulation and tablet product for water treatment. One or more water treating agents are dispersed and entrapped in a water soluble polymeric material which is more water soluble than the water treating agent. The water treating agent is entrapped in a polymeric matrix by first treating the polymeric material with an alcohol, blending with the water treating agent and subsequently adding water to the admixed polymeric material and water treating agent.

Abstract: A water quality monitor receives water that has passed through a water softener treatment tank. The monitor contains a sample of ion exchange resin that is exposed to the water and which shrinks in volume when the water quality deteriorates to the point where it is no longer being softened. Shrinking of the resin sample signals that corrective action should be taken, such as regenerating the softener. Signaling may be a visual or audible signal or it may involve closing a valve preventing the flow of service water to one or more points of use, or restricting the flow to the extent that the restricted flow constitutes a signal to the user. The sample ion exchange resin is contained in a replaceable cartridge that can be inserted into the monitor and replaced after the monitor has functioned to signal deteriorating quality.

Abstract: A dispensing device for a bactericidal pellet such as chlorine tablets which is readily adapted to being placed on a hopper container for the pellets and which can dispense the pellets such as in conjunction with a well or a water recirculation system while employing a minimum number of parts. The pellet dispenser employs a unique rotor member with pellet carrying passages designed to dispense the pellets from the hopper and out of the pellet dispenser in an individual manner and without jamming. In the instance where pellets may become improperly placed in the pellet carrying passages so that the rotor does not properly move inside the rotor housing, a bi-directional self-reversing motor is utilized so that the tablet dispensing sequence will continue in an accurate manner. This is effected in part by a bidirectional rotor member which is able to dispense tablets in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner.

Abstract: The disinfection of water or other fluid is accomplished by passing a stream of the fluid through a laser beam which radiates light in the ultraviolet range. A gas pulsed laser is disclosed which produces a beam having a substantial width and depth and a measurable length, as measured in the direction of fluid flow. The laser is positioned out of contact with the stream but with its beam filling the cross-section of the stream of water which can flow through a flume or over a weir. Flow meters are provided which adjust the rate of pulsing of the laser, and therefore the intensity of the ultraviolet light, in relation to changes in flow. Sensors are also provided to adjust the intensity of the laser for changes in turbidity or organic content of the fluid. In one embodiment the fluid flows through a spiral tube which directs the fluid to and fro through the laser beam. In another embodiment, the length of the laser beam is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the laser beam source and a diverging lens.

Abstract: A diffuser for air or other fluids has a rigid body with an upper disc portion having a series of radially projecting fingers about its perimeter. The fingers are relatively narrow and blunt. A diaphragm formed of a soft elastomer has a rim portion which receives the fingers. The diaphragm overlies the disc and normally closes a central opening in the body. Spaces at the base of the fingers are not covered by the rim portion of the diaphragm and air or other fluid escapes through those spaces when it is admitted under pressure through the central opening in the body. A circular cylindrical wall depends from beneath the disc at the bases of the teeth to discourage the fluid from collecting beneath the disc. In another embodiment, the spaces through which the fluid passes are covered by an open cell foam in the form of a ring that surrounds the wall and that is held in place against the rim portion by a plate mounted to the body and seated against the bottom of the wall.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a liquid includes introducing bubbles of a gas into a stream of liquid to be treated and passing the stream with the bubbles through a laser beam which radiates coherent light in the ultraviolet range. The gas may be selected from ozone, oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine or other halogens.

Abstract: A diffuser for air or other fluids has a rigid body with a flat disc and a hollow boss defining a central opening. The perimeter of the disc is scalloped and is defined by alternating curved crests and valleys. A flexible elastomeric diaphragm overlays the top of the disc and has a rim portion with spaced recesses that receive the crests of the perimeter of the disc. The rim portion does not extend to the bottom of the valleys of the perimeter and as a result, air openings are defined between the rim portion and the bottoms of the valleys. Air under pressure admitted to the central opening will deform the diaphragm and allow air to escape through the air openings. A series of vanes may be formed on the underside of the disc radiating from the boss. The vanes, together with vane extensions formed on the underside of the diaphragm rim portion, define a compartment for each air opening so that bubbles released from one air opening do not mix or combine with bubbles from adjacent air openings.

Abstract: An improved control for a resin bed water softener includes a microcomputer which is supplied with input data from a flowmeter indicative of the quantity of soft water leaving the softener. In accordance with the flow data, the microcomputer determines the amount of water used since the last regeneration and also determines the average daily soft water consumption. The microcomputer also coupled to a data input device and receives input data indicative of the total resin bed treating capacity and the incoming water hardness. At a prescribed hour each day, the microcomputer determines the remaining water softener resin bed treating capacity as calculated from the water hardness, the total resin bed treating capacity and the amount of water used since the last regeneration.

Abstract: An improved control for a particle bed water treatment device includes a microcomputer which is supplied with input data from a flowmeter indicative of the quantity of treated water leaving the water treatment device. In accordance with the flow data, the microcomputer determines the amount of water used since the last regeneration and also determines the average daily treated water consumption. The microcomputer is also coupled to a data input device and receives input data indicative of the total particle bed treating capacity resulting in complete particle bed exhaustion. To recognize and account for the additional particle bed capacity that is created when a partially exhausted particle bed is regenerated, the microcomputer advantageously adjusts the total treating bed capacity value received from the data input device in accordance with the remaining particle capacity existing prior to regeneration.

Abstract: An improved control for a water softener includes a resin bed sensor for sensing when the resin bed has been depleted to a predetermined percentage of the total resin bed treating capacity. The resin bed sensor is connected to a microcomputer which is also coupled to a flow meter to receive data therefrom indicative of the quantity of treated water leaving the water treatment device over a given period of time. When the resin bed sensor signals the microcomputer that the resin bed has been depleted to the predetermined capacity the microcomputer calculates the total softening capacity of the resin bed. Each day, the microcomputer computes both the total quantity of treated water consumed since the last regeneration and the remaining capacity of the resin bed. The microcomputer also maintains a record in memory of the previous 7 days' usage and the average usage is calculated to establish a soft water reserve value.

Abstract: An improved control for a resin bed water softener includes a microcomputer which is supplied with input data from a flowmeter indicative of the quantity of soft water leaving the softener. In accordance with the flow data, the microcomputer determines the amount of water used since the last regeneration and also determines the average daily soft water consumption. The microcomputer also coupled to a data input device and receives input data indicative of the total resin bed treating capacity and the incoming water hardness. At a prescribed hour each day, the microcomputer determines the remaining water softener resin bed treating capacity as calculated from the water hardness, the total resin bed treating capacity and the amount of water used since the last regeneration.

Abstract: A water softener control includes a cell of sampling resin which received periodic samples of water which has passed through a major portion of the softening bed. The sampling resin changes volume when it becomes exhausted and the change in volume is employed to initiate regeneration of the softening bed. At the start of the regeneration cycle, regenerative fluid is delivered directly to the sampling resin as well as to the softening bed. The delivery to the sampling resin is through a control valve which is piloted by pressures at a venturi injector which is used to withdraw regenerative fluid from a brine tank. A vacuum operated control valve which is responsive to the closing of an air check valve in the connection between the injector and the brine tank may be employed to positively close the connection from the sampling cell to the injector when the supply of regenerative fluid is exhausted.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotating trickling filter formed from an elongated, hollow, circular cylindrical shell in which fixed film contactor media is mounted. Wastewater is introduced through an inlet at one end of the shell and exits through an outlet at the opposite end. The volume of wastewater within the shell is maintained as a small fraction of the total volume within the shell and collects as a shallow pool of wastewater at the bottom of the shell. Longitudinal channels sweep through the pool of wastewater as the shell is rotated to raise wastewater and discharge it over the media, which also rotates with the shell. In one embodiment the shell is cradled on belts, one of which is driven to rotate the shell. In another embodiment, the shell is mounted within a holding tank of wastewater and is driven by the release of gas under pressure from a conduit disposed beneath the shell, with the gas being trapped in cups arranged about the perimeter of the shell.

Abstract: A method of wastewater treatment employing multistage, partially submerged, rotating contactors wherein at least the attached biological slimes on the surfaces of the contactors in the first two stages are exposed to an oxygen enriched gaseous environment and the slime surfaces on each stage are supplied with wastewater at a filtrate BOD.sub.5 loading rate from about 3 to about 10 pounds per day per 1,000 square feet of contactor surface area.

Abstract: A method for operating an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant which utilizes rotating contactors that are partially submerged in the wastewater in the aeration tank of the activated sludge plant. The rotating contactors provide a fixed film media for the growth of biological life that is present in the recycled activated sludge in the aeration tank. The result is a more active biological coating on the fixed film media than is found on such media when used as a separate secondary treatment. In the preferred embodiment, the energy to rotate the contactors is supplied by the same compressed gas that is normally introduced below the surface of the wastewater in the aeration tank of the conventional activated sludge system.

Abstract: A method for the biological treatment of wastewater and the removal of solids from the treated wastewater. Separate streams of wastewater are supplied in parallel to left and right biological treatment zones of a treatment tank having three biological treatment zones. The partially treated streams are combined and supplied to the central biological treatment zone after which the combined streams are directed to a subjacent settling zone wherein solids are removed.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the oxidation of carbonaceous and nitrogeneous matter in wastewater by use of a mixture of biologically active slimes attached to partially submerged rotating contactors. The biological contactors are mounted in a single-stage treatment unit and are supplied with wastewater at a controlled rate relative to the surface of the contactors and distributed substantially evenly over the contactor surface. A denitrifying unit, located upstream from the single-stage treatment unit is supplied with wastewater and recirculated effluent from the single-stage treatment unit. The denitrifying unit utilizes biologically active slimes attached to rotating biological contactors for the removal of carbonaceous matter from the wastewater supported by nitrate oxygen from the recirculated effluent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for upgrading the capability of existing activated sludge and trickling filter wastewater treatment plants to remove carbonaceous and oxidize nitrogenous pollutants. A single stage biological treatment unit utilizing partially submerged, rotating contactors for the growth of organisms utilizing the carbonaceous and nitrogenous components of wastewater is disclosed. The single stage unit is interposed between the biological treatment unit and final clarifier of the existing plant. Moreover, the existing biological unit is converted to use as a holding tank to absorb fluctuations in flow rate and pollutant concentration and thereby making possible the supply of a constant flow of wastewater to the single unit, while the existing final clarifier is used for the purpose of separating the suspended solids in the effluent from the single stage unit.