Abstract: In a covered wastewater reservoir, a gas passage is defined under the membrane cover and along the sides of the reservoir. An accumulation of bio-gases is held captive between the membrane cover and the liquid surface in a central region of the reservoir relative to the gas passage, by a flap-valve attachment condition extending between the accumulation of bio-gases and the gas passage. The new method for breaking this flap-valve attachment condition and for allowing bio-gases to flow from the accumulation of bio-gases toward the gas passage, consists of periodically and momentarily increasing a pressure in the gas passage to equal or to slightly exceed a pressure in the accumulation of bio-gases. In another aspect, the membrane cover is provided with a stiff and rough-surfaced bottom layer to facilitate the breaking of flap-valve attachment conditions when the pressure under the cover is made equal everywhere.
Abstract: A filtering apparatus having a vessel and a filter made from fluororesin and treated before filtering operation by at least one of adding thermal treatment in gas or liquid and penetrating with fluid composed of hot water or steam at a temperature of less than melting point of the fluororesin.
Abstract: The present invention provides a skimmer and filter unit for use with a body of water. The unit comprises a housing, a basket for collecting debris, and a partitioning baffle with upper openings and optionally lower openings, and a microorganism eradication system within the housing. The baffle's lower opening is preferably positioned below the rim of the perforated basket and its upper, screened or gated opening is positioned above the rim of the basket for allowing water to pass in the event of debris clogging the first opening, overflow conditions, larger flow demand, and/or filter demand.
Abstract: A pool/spa skimmer includes a housing and a face plate opening into the housing. The face plate is dimensioned to allow water to flow in a vertical column between it and the housing. In one embodiment, a flexible weir gate is coupled to the face plate and flexes under draw of water by a pump to allow flow of water into the skimmer. The interior of the housing has a curved wall so that when a column of water passes the face plate into the housing, a whirlpool effect is realized.
Abstract: The present invention describes novel biological systems for efficiently reducing nitrate levels and otherwise conditioning aquarium water and water in similar environments.
Abstract: There is provided a method for deionizing a decomposition produced solution resulting from decomposition of a polyester by ethylene glycol. The ester interchange reaction and hydrolysis reaction along with cation removing treatment of a decomposition product resulting from decomposition of a polyester by ethylene glycol are suppressed. Thereby, a method for deionizing the decomposition produced solution with small reductions in yield and purity can be provided.
Abstract: A method of inactivating pathogens contaminating water and sludge, such as sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants by exposing the contaminated material to an intense alternating mechanical field, at sonic and/or ultrasonic frequencies, producing and sustaining cavitation along spiral-shaped like paths between two or more disks, where at least one disk rotates or more than one disk rotates or the disks counter-rotate at high RPM. Alkaline material may be added to enhance the inactivation of pathogens. Heavy metals, which may also be present in the sewage sludge may be extracted from the sludge by adsorption.
Abstract: An aquarium drainage system having a filter, funnel, clear tube, sensor housing, light sensor, light beam generator, waste indicator light, primary valve, secondary/safety valve, safety cap and safety switch, as well as the other components shown in the drawings, wherein the filter comprises a vented plate that is placed under the gravel at the bottom of the tank to allow the waste to travel downward under the force of gravity to the funnel where waste is directed to the clear tube connected to the bottom of the funnel. The sensor sends a signal to the waste indicator light when blocked causing the special primary valve to open allowing the waste to drop and be collected in a bucket.
Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning system includes a pump, a first tube coupling a suction port of the pump in fluid communication with a main drain or mobile cleaning device which draws water and settled debris from the bottom of the pool, and a skimming device including an entrainment nozzle and a safety tube. The entrainment nozzle is coupled by a second tube to a coupling device which diverts a small portion of pool return water pumped from an outlet port of the pump. The safety tube extends from above the water line and above the debris trap in the skimmer to the body of the skimmer below the debris trap. Most of the pool return water is pumped into a rotary distribution valve, various outlets of which are connected to various pool cleaning heads embedded in an inner surface of the pool. A single low-horsepower pump produces simultaneous effective skimming and operation of embedded cleaning heads.
Abstract: A screen apparatus for improved separation of particulates from a fluid stream. The screen is configured and arranged to filter relatively large particulates from the fluid stream as the fluid stream passes from a storage chamber of the tank to a tank outlet. The screen is removably affixed to a diverter, such as a baffle, used to divert a portion or all of the fluid into the storage chamber. The screen is preferably shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the diverter to aid in the smoothing of the fluid flow within the retention section of the tank. The screen may be entirely porous, or it may be non-porous at its leading edge to minimize particulate build-up at the transition from the tank interior wall to the screen. The apparatus may optionally include a second screen to provide additional filtering of floating particulates as the fluid level in the tank exceeds the crown elevation of the inlet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2004
Date of Patent:
November 20, 2007
Assignee:
Contech Stormwater Solutions Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel P. Cobb, Vaikko P. Allen, II, John E. Richardson, David R. Charlton, Derek M. Berg
Abstract: An apparatus for the fixed-film anaerobic digestion of flushed livestock manure includes an enclosed digester tank (fixed or flexible roof), internal media for biofilm development, a biogas collection and flare system, various pumps, and hydraulic control systems. The preferred media has substantially vertically-oriented, uninterrupted channels to promote enhanced bacterial attachment and biofilm development. The immobilization of microbial biomass within the reactor as a biofilm allows effective treatment of the wastewater at ambient and higher temperatures, as well as reasonable hydraulic retention times. The composition and concentration of bacterial groups in the biofilm developed on the media in the fixed-film digester result in a significantly enhanced anaerobic degradation process. This novel fixed-film digester design expands the potential application of anaerobic digestion to dilute livestock waste with significant levels of suspended solids.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 2004
Date of Patent:
November 20, 2007
Assignee:
University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
Abstract: A method of biological treatment is developed for completely removing the compost remaining after decomposing the dissolyed organic matter (COD) in wastewater by the bacteria or fungi.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 17, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 20, 2007
Inventors:
Kon Joo Lee, Kui Young Lee, Wonjin Jennifer Lee, James Yeonhong Lee
Abstract: A fluid separation system includes a tank with a storage chamber for retaining floating and non-floating particulates. The tank includes a baffle for retaining floating particulates within the storage chamber and for directing flow out of the storage chamber. The tank also includes a bypass with an inlet flow control zone and an outlet flow control zone. The flow control zones are separated by a weir sized and positioned to regulate the fluid flow through a baffle port into the storage chamber. The weir also provides control of the flow rate at which incoming fluid is diverted directly through the bypass to the tank outlet rather than into the storage chamber. The baffle and/or the weir may be curved, and the baffle may include a complex curve, to aid in the smoothing of the fluid flow within the storage chamber to improve particulate separation.
Abstract: A drum filter assembly comprising a hollow drum filter having a longitudinal axis and an outer filter screen or mesh material, the drum filter being supported on external rollers for rotation about its longitudinal axis and an inlet for introducing liquid to be filtered into the interior of the drum filter. Rotation of the drum filter is effected by the liquid flowing into the drum filter. Alternatively, the drum filter may be driven by an external motor.
Abstract: A filter unit for filtering particulates and other foreign matter from a water supply, comprising a filtering chamber. At least a portion of an exterior of the filtering chamber being provided with filtering chamber in use. The mesh being sized to filter particulates and other foreign matter from the water. The filter unit further comprising an outlet through which filtered water exits the filter unit, and a rotatable member located within the filtering chamber, the rotatable member having at least one outlet spaced from an internal face of a mesh. The axis of rotation of the rotatable member being such that the at least one outlet traverses at least a substantial portion of the internal face of a mesh.
Abstract: This is a device which will make the monitoring and regulation of chemicals in a pool easy and convenient. It will also make it as automatic as possible for the user to accurately monitor the chemical levels and add the appropriate chemicals. The user may preset the amount and time of the specific chemicals to be added and may adjust for factors such as usage and time of year.
Abstract: A skimmer for a pool includes a skimmer guard that is installed by friction only, and without the use of separate fasteners. The skimmer guard includes a perforated plate which acts as a strainer, preventing debris from the pool from entering the skimmer. The skimmer guard is inserted into gap between heads of a double-headed screw which is permanently screwed into the pool wall. The skimmer guard can be removed, and re-installed, simply by sliding the skimmer guard out of, or into, the gap. The skimmer guard can therefore be removed and re-installed without the use of separate fasteners, and without the use of tools. The skimmer guard can be removed and replaced with a non-perforated cover, at the end of the swimming season.
Abstract: The present invention discloses a biological membrane filtration wastewater treatment system including a porous biological filtration bed zone and a membrane separation zone. The porous biological filtration bed zone has the dual function of providing biological treatment and higher filtration rates, wherein a fixed bed or moving bed is utilized so that the porous biological filtration bed zone has the advantages of high loading rates, high removal efficiencies, high stability and ease of operation. The membrane separation zone utilizes a membrane filtration module to filter an effluent from the porous biological filtration bed zone, so that solid particles therein are separated and remain in the system. Therefore, a high quality of effluent is obtained.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 4, 2005
Date of Patent:
October 30, 2007
Assignee:
Industrial Technology Research Institute
Abstract: A composition comprising a magnesium halide coated macroporous carbonaceous substrate is provided for effecting moisture removal from a hydrogen halide fluid. Moisture removal is effected by intimately contacting the hydrogen halide fluid with the magnesium halide coated macroporous carbonaceous substrate and separating the fluid from the coated substrate.