Abstract: A composition and method of removing hydrocarbons from a contaminated sludge which comprises hydrocarbons, solid particles and water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a contaminated sludge including hydrocarbons and solid particles such that the hydrocarbons are bound to at least some of the solid particles; applying a treatment fluid to the contaminated sludge, the treatment fluid comprising water, a silicate, a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a phosphate builder and a caustic compound; contacting the contaminated sludge with the treatment fluid for a time sufficient to remove the hydrocarbons from at least some of the solid particles; separating the hydrocarbons from the treatment fluid and from the solid particles; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recycling the treatment fluid by applying the treatment fluid to additional contaminated sludge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a filter cartridge that provides for a secure dust tight seal and is easily inserted and removed from a filtration unit. The filter cartridge includes a cartridge unit having a filter element, a bottom cap and a top boot and a sealing sleeve for insertion into the interior of the top boot. The top boot has an outside diameter which is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the opening in a tube sheet into which the filter cartridge is to be inserted so that the cartridge may be easily inserted into and removed from the opening in a tube sheet. The top boot is also provided with a sealing ridge, which is located in the inside of the boot at the sealing point. The inside diameter of the sealing ridge is smaller than the cartridge boot and the sealing sleeve. When the sealing sleeve is inserted into the cartridge boot, the sealing sleeve contacts the sealing ridge and causes an increase in diameter of the sealing ridge.

Abstract: An aquarium filter for removing chemical and physical waste from an aquarium. The filter can include a mechanical filter portion, followed by a fluidized bed of particles, such as sand, for removing ammonia from the water and then a chemical filter portion. The filter can be constructed in an aesthetically desirable manner and can be convenient to maintain.

Abstract: Owing to the concomitant storage, transport, material and handling problems and the unsatisfactory retarding of reinfection, the use of commercially available peracetic acid solutions with a high peracetic acid (PES) and acetic acid content for disinfecting large quantities of aqueous solutions, e.g. purification plant outlets, has been closely limited. It is possible to disinfect even large quantities of aqueous solutions economically and at the same time retard reinfection by using a peracetic acid solution containing 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % peracetic acid and 40 to 60 wt. % hydrogen peroxide and under 2 wt. % acetic acid as a disinfectant. The use of a peracetic acid solution with less than 1 wt. % acetic acid is preferred.

Abstract: The microbiological degradation of alkylene amine acetates under alkaline conditions using microorganisms present in activated sludge is achieved by contacting the alkylene amine acetate-containing waste, at a pH of about 9 or less, with activated sludge containing a wide range of microorganisms, in the absence of carrier materials.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a system and process for removing contaminants from an oil and gas well bore stream. The system comprises a vessel adapted to receive the stream from the well bore. The system also contains a centrifuge separator for breaking the emulsion of the stream, the centrifuge separator having an input for receiving the output stream from the vessel. A media filter member, which is adapted to receive the stream from the output of the centrifuge separator is also included with the system. The system further contains a carbon adsorption means, adapted to receive the output stream from the media filter, for adsorption of contaminants contained within the output stream. Also included is a level controller switch for measuring the level within the various tanks and generating a signal once a predetermined height is reached.

Abstract: A combined air filter and diffuser for attachment beneath an air discharge duct discharging blown air into a room of a building. The air filter is configured to abut and be flushly mounted to the ceiling immediately below the duct. The filter has a housing including a track disposed to receive a flat air filter element so that the filter element lies horizontally proximate the ceiling. The housing has a slidably removable closure exposing the filter element for removal, which is accomplished by sliding the filter element horizontally from the housing. The housing includes a diffuser having pivotally mounted fins disposed immediately below the filter element. The housing mounts to the ceiling by receiving fasteners through small opening formed in an upper, horizontal wall of the housing.

Abstract: A multi-stage system produces microbubbles in a liquid. A first bubble prcing stage generates bubbles of a first size range. At least one additional bubble producing stage has an inlet positioned in the liquid for capturing bubbles in the first size range. Each additional bubble producing stage terminates in an outlet and includes a pump. Each pump generates a pressure increase between the inlet and its outlet and generates a pressure drop across the respective outlet. As a result, bubbles of a second size range exit each outlet where the second size range defines bubble sizes that are smaller than bubble sizes defined by the first size range.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system including an anaerobic tank for treating phosphorous contained in initial waste water, a pair of anoxic tanks for treating nitrate in the waste water from the anaerobic tank, a holding tank for containing therein the waste water from an anoxic tank, an aeration tank for treating an organic material contained in waste water from the holding tank by microorganisms and pure oxygen and for treating ammonia by microorganisms to convert the ammonia into nitrate, with the aeration tank being a substantial cylindrical body mounted on a concrete bottom provided with an inclined eccentric slope for causing the waste water to eccentrically flow within the aeration tank, having a diffuser for diffusing compressed air into the waste water in the aeration tank, and a pure oxygen generator, and with the anaerobic tank, the pair of anoxic tanks and the holding tank being mounted around the aeration tank, a sedimentation tank vertically combined with the aeration tank and communicated therewith,

Abstract: A coated metal drum (38) for a skimmer apparatus mounted on a buoyant frame (10) floating on a body of water for removal of hydrocarbon material from the body of water. The coated drum (38) has a metal drum base (80) which is blasted to provide a roughened cylindrical surface for the coating (84, FIG. 4). The coating comprises a vinyl ester resin material which is sprayed in a plurality of layers (86) onto the roughened metal surface and is cured to provide a hard abrasion resistant surface for the adherence of hydrocarbon material thereon.

Abstract: A high efficiency compact gas-particulate separator is provided comprising: a bag filter disposed above and a cyclone disposed below,the bag filter including: a casing, a compressed air header into the casing; a diaphragm valve on the header; a blow tube connected to the header; a venturi for accelerating an ejected jet of compressed air from the blow tube and for inducing an inflow of secondary air; and a filter bag for collecting dusts mounted in the casing; the casing having a clean air outlet, andthe cyclone including: a dust-laden gas inlet; an outer cylinder for generating a centrifugal force, the cylinder being connected to the casing; an inner tube for letting a dust-laden gas pass from below upward into the casing; and a dust hopper for storing dust particles captured by centrifugal forces and dislodged dust cakes removed from the filter bag by cleaning.

Abstract: A twin tower gas drying system for cleaning and drying a stream of unpurified pressurized gas received from a source thereof for use of a pneumatic system. The drying system includes a manifold block provided with the plurality of ports. A separator and sump is connected to such block and to one of the ports for initially separating moisture and particulates from such stream of unpurified gas, and for directing the remainder of the stream to the one port in the block. A pair of desiccant containing canisters are threadably mounted on a surface of the block opposite that of the separator and sump by two respective threaded shuttle valves. The canisters and shuttle valves are, in addition, connected in fluid communication with certain of the ports provided in the block for supplying and removing pressurized air from the canisters. A port is provided for discharging dry clean air from the block. Other ports provided in the block exhaust purged air to the atmosphere.

Abstract: In a sealed container, organic material, more especially biowaste is composted. The exhaust air from the sealed container is purified in an exhaust air cleaning unit. In order to improve the cleaning effect, the condensate water from the exhaust air cleaning unit is supplied to a high performance bioreactor, in which it is brought into contact with atmospheric oxygen and is agitated. The suspension leaving from the bioreactor is caused to flow in a circuit through an ultra-filtration module for purifying the water.

Abstract: A silane-containing gas is treated by contacting it with a liquid containing silanes or disilanes which are higher boiling than the silanes in the silane-containing gas, thereby easily removing or reducing the amount of silanes in the gas and enabling the recovery of these silanes.

Abstract: A pool cleaner floats on the surface of a pool. The cleaner includes a pump and filter, the filter being connected downstream of the pump. A vacuum head, connected by a hose to the pump, is moved around the pool, to direct water from the pool through the pump and filter. Due to the absence of any filter on the upstream side of the pump, the cleaner maintains its efficiency for a longer time than comparable cleaners of the prior art. The cleaner may also include a rotary strainer, placed upstream of the pump, for removing large pieces of debris. The strainer includes a slidable, transparent access cover which allows visual monitoring of the condition of the strainer, and permits easy access to the interior of the strainer, for removal of debris. In another embodiment, the cleaner includes a filter unit having a continuous sheet of filter material which advances automatically when the filter material previously exposed to the water has become clogged.

Abstract: A method for clearing water in ornamental lakes, ponds, streams and other bodies of water comprises the steps: identifying the amount of water to be treated; determining the amount of a polyacrylamide flocculant to be applied necessary to obtain a desired clarity; determining flow rate of the water to be circulated; and applying the polyacrylamide flocculant to the water; wherein the polyacrylamide flocculant has a positive charge density in the range from about 40% to 100% and an average molecular weight in the range from about 6,000,000, to 18,000,000.

Abstract: An exhaust filter for insertion into an exhaust port of a liquid bath vacuum cleaner has an elongated, tubular inlet secured to a lower housing, which lower housing is secured within an upper housing. The upper end of the tubular inlet extends into the upper housing and is provided with a flat top portion and a series of openings between angled vanes so as to direct air flow entering the tubular inlet evenly around the circumference of the angle vanes and through a HEPA filter sealingly secured between the lower and upper housings. Air flows through the HEPA air filter and out slotted openings in opposed ends of the exhaust filter. The flow of air at one end passes by a rotary blade having an indicator element thereon, which indicates the condition of the HEPA filter, and when the exhaust filter must be replaced.

Abstract: An uncontrollable dehydrator where the uncontrollable discharge is augmented with a purge gas to increase the capacity of the dehydrator to achieve a target flow rate and dew point.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing the NO.sub.x from a fluid stream (e.g. a waste gas stream such as a flue gas stream produced during combustion). The process entails the contacting of the stream, prior to discharge into the atmosphere, with an aqueous alkaline solution containing an organic hydroperoxide such as cumenyl hydroperoxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The solution has a pH of greater than 7 to about 14 which is provided by an alkali such as calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate. The process is preferably carried out at a temperature of 50 to 95.degree. C.

Abstract: An air filter for a vehicle engine includes an outer frame having ribs and an inner frame nested within the outer frame, the inner frame having air redirecting baffles. The outer frame includes a central downwardly-depending finned support that extends between the baffles of the inner frame, and a non-inverted portion of a filter element is held between the baffles and ribs, while an inverted portion of the filter element is held taut between the finned support and the baffles. The presence of both an inverted and non-inverted portion of the filter element, as well as the multi-fluted configuration of the filter that is established by the cooperation of the ribs and baffles, optimizes the air filtration surface of the filter. The filter element is pinched between a bottom flange of the outer frame and a groove on the base of the inner frame that receives the bottom flange therein. With this structure, a filter element characterized by, e.g.