Abstract: The present invention relates to a bracket for securing collector flight support tracks that are used in sludge collectors. The mounting bracket is suitable for use with various types of support track configurations. The mounting bracket is part of an assembly that is adjustable and includes a pair of unitary molded hubs and a connecting member that extends between the pair of hubs. The hubs are preferably constructed so as to facilitate being mounted in one of a number of alternative positions on a wall of a collector tank or to be secured to a variety of commonly used collector flight support tracks.

Abstract: A process for optimizing the rate of oxidation using a combination of halogen, e.g. chlorine donors and peroxygen, e.g. potassium monopersulfate. The peroxygen compound elevates the oxidation-reduction potential of the body of water being treated. Simultaneously, a halogen donor is added to the body of water to maintain a PPM level of free halogen sufficient to insure sanitization. The amount of free halogen is reduced and the ORP effective range expanded to 700-850 mv by addition of an effective amount of a coagulating agent. The feed rates and concentrations of both oxidizers are optimized so as to achieve and maintain the targeted parameters. A high level of oxidation is maintained which removes by-products from the water and surrounding air.

Abstract: A water treatment system and process for removing weakly ionized and/or organic materials from the water by intra-system pH adjustment. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes an inlet through which a feedstream passes into a first chemical treating unit wherein the pH of the feedstream is maintained below about 7 to substantially reduce a concentration of weakly basic components in the water by chemical conversion to a more ionized state. A first water treatment unit is positioned downstream of the first chemical treating unit to substantially remove ionized components in the stream, and produce a first product stream. In various embodiments, the first water treatment unit can be selected from the group consisting of a media filter unit, a water softener unit, a dechlorination unit, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A device for measuring a volume of flowable material and may be used for transporting dewatered biosolids over relatively short distances through a pipe. The device includes a screw conveyor including a conveyor housing, and a conveyor screw rotatably supported in the conveyor housing and operable to move flowable material through a housing outlet, and an electromagnetic flow meter operable to measure the volume of flowable material flowing from the housing outlet. The conveyor housing may include a generally cylindrical first portion and a tapered, generally frusto-conical second portion adjacent the housing outlet. The device may include a flap assembly supported adjacent the outlet of the flow meter. The device may include a pipe arrangement on the discharge of the flow meter.

Abstract: A grit washer is disclosed having a bearing assembly which supports a conveyor and which is removably mounted to the exterior of the grit washer tank. With the bearing assembly being mounted to the exterior of the tank, the bearing assembly is easily accessible without the need to drain the tank or lift the screw conveyor out of the tank. The bearing assembly can therefore be easily inspected, repaired and/or replaced as necessary. The external placement of the bearing assembly also isolates the bearing assembly from the abrasive grit in the tank thereby minimizing the damage to the bearing assembly caused by the grit.

Abstract: Liquid is purified by passing it through a bed containing disc-shaped buoyant media beads having grooved surfaces. Such beads are formed from a polymeric pellets. The pellets are passed through a scarifier to roughen their surfaces. Pellets are also passed through a rolling mill which grooves the pellets and compresses them into disc-like shapes.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for treating a wastewater stream from industrial and municipal sources uses a control system to sequence and supervise the treatment steps in a batch flow mode of operation or a continuous flow mode of operation. In operation, the wastewater treatment system predominantly operates in the batch flow mode. However, the wastewater treatment system operates in a continuous flow mode when the influent wastewater stream exceeds the system's nominal design flow transition point. The control system receives an input signal, relating to the influent flow rate, and switches one or more reactors of the wastewater treatment system from the batch flow mode to a continuous flow mode according to a control algorithm.

Abstract: The invention includes an operating method for the continuous purification of a liquid utilizing either single or dual ion exchange vessels, each vessel being physically divided into one or more discrete of ion exchange zones, each zone having an inlet and an outlet. A valving means at the inlet and outlet of each ion exchange zone provides communication between adjacent ion exchange zones as well as to feed, product, water and regenerant chemical streams. In one aspect of this invention a first vessel contains a discrete plurality of cation exchange zones and a second vessel contains a discrete plurality of anion exchange zones. In another aspect of this invention, a single vessel contains a plurality of discrete cation exchange zones and a plurality of discrete anion exchange zones. In another aspect of the invention, each ion exchange zone is contained within a single vessel.

Abstract: A well screen (10) comprising a wire (14) spirally wrapped around a perforated base pipe (12) and spacing the perforated base pipe from a woven wire mesh filtering medium (16).

Abstract: An improved method for regenerating ion exchange resin in a treatment tank having a flow direction, which includes the steps of providing a supply of regenerant under pressure into the tank, and introducing the regenerant into the tank in an opposite flow direction to the treatment flow direction. In the preferred embodiment, the regenerant is a combination of CO2 which is mixed with water to form carbonic acid and citric acid. This mixture is then introduced into the treatment tank without storage.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel means of determining the nature (type) of corrosion in real-time. By identifying localized corrosion at the moment of pit initiation, real-time selection, and effective concentration(s) of appropriate inhibitor(s) can be delivered to an electrolytic solution before propagation of the localized corrosion. Integrating this information with a corrosion inhibitor feed system can effectively inhibit the corrosion before propagation occurs, thereby maintaining system integrity. The process embodies a method of operation wherein the electrochemical noise (ECN) and linear polarization (LPR) values are processed to compare how the corrosion signals correlate. Divergence of the corrosion rates indicates the formation of localized corrosion while continuity in signal pattern indicates generalized corrosion.

Abstract: A mechanically actuated diaphragm pump for pumping fluids includes a pump head body having an outer surface, a pumping cavity, an inlet, an outlet, and suction and discharge valves. The suction and discharge valves are externally mounted on the pump head body and are slidably removable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow to or from the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for sanitizing and cleaning filtration systems is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber fluidly connected to a source of fluid for backwashing the system, and a heat exchanger for increasing the temperature of the fluid. A filter media is positioned within the chamber. The method of sanitization involves backwashing the apparatus to remove debris, then continuing to circulate the backwash fluid through the system while increasing the temperature of the fluid, until the temperature of the water and apparatus is sufficient to deactivate microorganisms. The method may also involve increasing the disinfecting power of the fluid by adjusting the pH of the fluid. The apparatus may be provided with a scavenger to assist in the substantially complete removal of fluid from the chamber during and after a steaming or cleaning process.

Abstract: A button for providing a physical and sealing connection between a septum and an outlet stack of a water treatment cartridge having an opening. The button includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a central portion which connects the first end to the second end. Located on the first end, there is a plurality of flexible locking members, configured for being inserted into the opening. To attach the button to the outlet stack, the locking members lockingly engage the outlet stack. The central portion has an annular groove provided with an O-ring. The O-ring facilitates a sealed connection between the button and the outlet stack. The button is connected to the septum by the use of either a washer and nonsolvent glue or heat staking.

Abstract: A bypass valve for directing fluid flow, where the bypass valve includes a valve body with a notch in at least one end thereof and a spool seated within the valve body. The spool is rotatable within the valve body. One preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes at least one endcap attached to an axial end portion of the spool, where the endcap includes a protrusion extending thereon for preventing relative rotation between the spool and the valve body when the protrusion is positioned within the notch. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a bypass valve with a valve body including a plurality of ports and a generally cylindrical inner periphery, as well as a spool seated within the valve body, where the spool is rotatable and axially translatable within the valve body.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing strong oxidizing agents from liquids. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatus includes an inlet for receiving an input stream having a first concentration of a strong oxidizing agent. The input stream flows into an irradiation unit in fluid communication with the inlet. While resident in the irradiation unit, the input stream is irradiated with UV radiation to substantially reduce the first concentration, thereby forming a first product stream having a second concentration of the strong oxidizing agent. The first product stream then passes through a treatment unit in fluid communication with and positioned downstream of the irradiation unit where the second concentration is substantially reduced, thereby forming a second product stream having a third concentration of the strong oxidizing agent. The treatment unit is selected from the group consisting of a softener unit, a reaction vessel containing a bed of metal redox media, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning wastewater containing metal ions in solution, hydrogen peroxide, and high solids, e.g., greater than about 50 mg/l particulate solids. A carbon adsorption column removes hydrogen peroxide in the wastewater feed containing high solids. A chemical precipitation unit removes the metal ions from solution. The process and apparatus remove metal ions such as copper from a high solids byproduct polishing slurry from the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of integrated circuit microchips to form an environmentally clean wastewater discharge.

Abstract: A continuous electrodeionization apparatus and method. The continuous electrodeionization apparatus and method provide improved removal of weakly ionized ions, particularly silica. The apparatus and method involves using macroporous ion exchange resins that are both highly crosslinked and have a high water content. In preferred embodiments, the ion exchange resin beads also have a substantially uniform diameter.

Abstract: A switchover device for providing a continuous supply of a gas such as chlorine to a water system. The switchover device includes an outlet in communication with a chamber as well as with a vacuum source and two inlets also in communication with the chamber. The switchover device further contains a shuttle that may be positioned to isolate the first inlet, the second inlet, or neither inlet.