Abstract: A method for efficiently treating wastewater by aerobic digestion whereby on-site oxygen generating equipment continually provides a predetermined quantity of dissolved oxygen to the wastewater, the dissolved oxygen content being maintained at a predetermined level during peak flows by air being dissolved into the wastewater. The method being used for upgrading the capacity of an existing plant to treat wastewater; increasing the scope of an existing plant to allow removal of biological nitrogen and/or phosphorus; and designing new wastewater treatment plants. Further efficiency is introduced by using methane produced, during subsequent anaerobic digestion of the wastewater, to fuel compressors or the like which provide the air to the wastewater.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating balloons of the kind having a body and a filling neck terminating in a beaded edge, said apparatus comprising a balloon support plate having a sealing surface and an open ended slot extending from one edge thereof to receive the filling neck of a balloon such that the beaded edge is adjacent said sealing surface and the body of the balloon is disposed on the remote side of the plate; a filling head selectively moveable toward said sealing surface to clamp said beaded edge between the filling head and sealing surface and establish a substantially gas tight seal between the filling head and beaded edge; and a pressurized gas flow passage through said filling head to the neck of a clamped balloon for inflation of the balloon. The apparatus further includes means for stretching, twisting and sealing the neck of the inflated balloons. In a preferred embodiment has the apparatus has a plurality of support plates mounted on a conveyor in the form of an endless loop.