Abstract: A filter distributor is disclosed which includes a plurality of radially-extending conduits or laterals pivotally mounted at their inner ends on a hub and extending to outer ends substantially adjacent to the outer wall of the filtered tank. Each lateral is provided with an inner strainer and an outer strainer. The outer strainers are sized to service an adjacent zone along the outer portions of the tank and the inner strainers are sized to service adjacent inner zones. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer strainers have an open flow area twice as great as the inner strainers and service the outer two thirds of the tank. The strainers are positioned substantially at the centroid of the adjacent zones which they service. The sizing of the strainers and their location is arranged so that substantially uniform flow occurs through all of the filter medium during normal filtering operation and backflow operations.

Abstract: A waste water cleaning system for use with apparatus for processing exposed lithographic plates, the processing apparatus receiving wash water for use in the processing. The cleaning system includes a centrifuge for removing contaminants from waste water from the processing apparatus, the centrifuge having an inlet for receiving waste water from the processing apparatus and an outlet for discharging the cleaned water. The cleaning system also includes means for carrying the waste water from the processing apparatus to the inlet. The cleaning system further includes control means for controlling the operation of the processing apparatus and the centrifuge. The control means includes means for starting the centrifuge and means for starting the flow of wash water into the processing apparatus a first predetermined time after the start of the centrifuge.

Abstract: A filter includes a bed of particulate solids for removal of contaminants from a fluid directed in a downstream direction therethrough. A barrier is located downstream of the bed of particulate solids and includes an anchoring member having flexible members joined thereto and projecting outwardly therefrom. The flexible members are closely spaced to each other for providing a closely-spaced network of flexible members to establish multiple barrier layers in the downstream direction of fluid flow through the barrier. In one embodiment the barrier is in the form of a planar member generally coextensive with a bottom wall of the filter and includes a plurality of anchoring members spaced-apart horizontally from each other. In another embodiment the barrier is in the form of a strainer with the anchoring members being spaced-apart vertically from each other and with the flexible members joined thereto being spaced transversely along the anchoring members to provide the multiple barrier layers.

Abstract: A recirculating filter system for purifying heated liquids, primarily cooking oils or lard, has a sealed filter canister having therein a cotton fiber filter and an upper lid and baffle chamber assembly. An inlet orifice at the bottom of the canister is fed by a pressurized line containing impure oil. An outlet at the top of the canister carries the filtered oil from the baffle chamber to a return line back to the cooking vessel. The cotton fiber filter is contained below the lid and baffle chamber assembly by a retainer pad means forming a second stage to the filtering.

Abstract: A separator comprises a vessel having an outer wall (2) and an end wall (3). A body (14) adjacent the end wall (3) defines with the end wall (3) an annular opening (15). In use, a mixture of, for example, water and solid material is introduced into the vessel through a first inlet (4). A circulating motion takes place in the vessel and the solid material falls to the end wall (3) and is removed through the opening (15) to an outlet (6) while clean water flows from the top of the vessel through an outlet (8). In order to increase the energy in the lower region of the vessel so as to assist removal of the solid material, water from the outlet (8) is passed through a pump (P) and reintroduced as energizing fluid to the vessel through a recirculating port (44). Energizing fluid may be taken from sources other than the outlet (8). Various alternative forms of separator are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved extraction apparatus comprises (a) an elongated trough-like vessel; (b) first and second inlets for introducing relatively heavy and light materials, respectively, into the vessel; (c) first and second outlets for removing relatively light and heavy materials, respectively, from the vessel; (d) a plurality of horizontally spaced parallel plate assemblies located in the vessel to provide for material separation based on material density and to provide the relatively light and heavy materials to be removed from the vessel; and (e) a plurality of agitation devices, at least one device being located in each space between the parallel plate assemblies to facilitate contact between the materials present in the space.Improved methods for extraction are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention comprises a valve filter unit (23, 53) comprising a filter (24, 54) the face (25, 55) of which extends angularly to the flow of a fluid medium toward same, and having perforations (26) formed therein; the filter (24, 54) biased by a spring (33, 63) toward a first position wherein the fluid is forced to flow through the filter (24, 54) to remove foreign particles therefrom; said filter (24, 54) movable against the spring (33, 63) in response to additional pressure of the fluid to unseat the filter (24, 54) from its first position engagement with a surface (40, 66) of the conduit (12, 51) within which the filter (24, 54) is mounted, the additional pressure occurring due to a valve (21) downstream from the filter (24, 54) moving away from a closed position with its seat (22) such that the fluid moves quickly past the filter (24, 54) and through the space formed between the filter (24, 54) and the surface (40, 66), thereby cleansing both the filter surface (25, 55) and the mating surfaces of the va

Abstract: A nutrient solution of a microorganism to be supplied to a fermentor or a culture broth in the fermentor is aseptically filtered by a porous filter medium made of polytetrafluoroethylene polymer and having properties impervious to microorganism, resistant to heat and chemicals, and hydrophilic, wherein said hydrophilic property was given to the surface of said filter medium with a treatment for hydrophilicity. This treatment comprises treating polytetrafluoroethylene porous polymer as a raw material for the filter medium with surface treating agent comprising an alkali metal naphthalene and diamine and immersing the treated polymer into concentrated sulfuric acid containing an aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde dissolved therein in a concentration exceeding half saturation.

Abstract: A rotary drum vacuum filter suitable for processing pulp slurries is provided with a vacuum expression belt. The invention provides a method and apparatus for tracking and controlling the belt during operation. The belt is positioned by a moveable frame for expressing filtrate from the pulp web and in operation a control unit monitors lateral movement of the belt with respect to the drum. When drifting occurs the belt is adjusted horizontally during operation to counter drift. The adjustment can be repeated as necessary. If continued drift cannot be corrected then the belt is moved vertically to an inoperative position.

Abstract: A combined valve and filter mechanism for use in chemical apparatus comprises a valve body having a valve seat connected thereto. A valve stem has a valve at one end thereof for engaging said valve seat and has a cylindrical filter element for telescoping within the valve seat. The mechanism permits filtration of the chemical in situ without a separate filtering mechanism while providing a valve which when open or closed permits the agitation of the chemical in the apparatus without interference with or from the valve and vice versa. In the fully open position, the entire contents of the apparatus can be withdrawn from the apparatus.

Abstract: A clamping band for securing together two flanged members formed with annular flanges, such as a filter housing, comprises an elongated flexible member wrappable about the annular flanges of the two flanged members; a draw bolt and shackle for fixing the ends of the elongated flanged members; and a plurality of flat, rigid inserts receivable on the elongated flexible member and spaced along the length thereof, each of the rigid inserts being formed with a recess on one face, constituting its inner face, for receiving the flanges of the two flanged members.

Abstract: A dewatering method and apparatus is disclosed which uses a ramp at one end of a perforate conveyor in which the incline of the ramp may be adjusted while the dewatering operation is taking place. The ramp receives material to be further dewatered after the material has moved along the length of the perforate conveyor. The ramp causes the material to roll back upon itself as the material tends to move up the ramp, which rolling back action enhances dewatering. An actuator is coupled with said ramp for effecting movement of said ramp with respect to the conveyor to adjust the incline of the ramp with respect to the upper surface of the conveyor. In this way, the operator may readily optimize the rolling back action of the material to be dewatered to, in turn, thereby provide optimum dewatering. The ramp is also capable of being completely lifted out of the flow of material to be dewatered while the apparatus is in operation and while the dewatering process is being carried out.

Abstract: Aquarium with a multiple conduit fixture through one wall, the fixture including an air inlet connected to a plurality of air outlets and a water conduit, each of the air outlets and the water conduit having a throttle valve means at the outside end of the fixture to regulate the flow of air and water respectively, and a perforated support sheet to cover the inside bottom of the aquarium and any conduits for air or water, and to support thereon a gravel bed and any decorative items on the bed, the aquarium featuring several air bubbling locations.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for filtering chips out of chip-containing waste liquid which includes a cutting oil collection tank and a filtering drum rotatably mounted in the tank. A waste liquid supply means, and a chip transport conveyor are provided for supplying chip-containing waste liquid into the filtering drum and removing chips therefrom, respectively. The filtering drum also includes annular guide groove members and buckets slidably supported by the guide groove members for removing larger chips while allowing smaller chips and oil to pass therethrough. The buckets prevent the larger chips from damaging a surface of the filtering drum on which the smaller chips are collected.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for contacting two immiscible liquids having at least one electrode for the application of an electric field.The electrode is coated with at least two layers of different insulating materials, the first layer which is in contact with the electrode being formed from a liquid insulating material, e.g. benzylneocaprate or transformer oil, while the outer layer is formed from a solid insulating material, e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene.These electrodes are preferably in the form of bars arranged parallel to the fluid flow direction and they are provided with deflectors to ensure that no dispersed phase flow in the form of a film takes place along the bars.

Abstract: A suspension is filtered by a granular filtrating layer while flowing through the granular filtrating mass as a vertical ascending current. The granular mass is, for the purpose of being washed with air, driven continuously by a compressed air ejector into a tube where it follows an ascending motion and at the outlet of which it is washed with water above the layer where the filtration is carried out. Thereafter, the washed mass is recycled by gravity onto the upper portion of the filtration layer. The charged granular mass which has been subjected to the first or air washing operation is fluidized above the filtration layer and subjected to an extra washing operation with water and pressurized air.

Abstract: A swingable filter including an upper lid for discharging a liquid therethrough which is connected to a flexible pipe of a liquid suction device, a weight, a plurality of ribs defining a space for housing and supporting the weight for rotating movement, a first filter element located on the outer periphery of the ribs and a second filter element interposed between the upper lid and the weight. The weight cleans the filter elements by its rotation. To secure the elements together, a detachable rubber band may be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating liquids and particularly water and oil. The separating apparatus includes a tank containing two coalescent cells or units, one of which receives the liquids directly from a supply pipe and immediately disperses the liquids through a perforate recess into the cell. The liquids are partly separated in that cell and further in the second cell. Oil is separated from the top of the tank into a separate chamber and water is separated from the bottom into another chamber from which it is discharged and can be recirculated. The cells, which contain bodies with a high surface-to-weight ratio and are made of a material having an affinity for oil, are readily removable from the system for cleaning or replacement of the bodies.

Abstract: A water purifying system includes an elongate chambered purifying assembly sized to be detachably mounted in a conventional canteen. The assembly is provided with an internal chamber filled with a particulate water purifying material and concentric tubes within the chamber require water flowing into the chamber through a filtered inlet at the bottom of the assembly to follow an extended chambered flow path through the purifying material to an outlet at the top of the assembly. The assembly includes a manually operable pump for pressurizing said container, thereby pumping water from the canteen through the purifying assembly.

Abstract: A removable culvert grate for placement adjacent the inflow end of a culvert. The grate includes a vertical grate having a plurality of slats to prevent the flow of beaver workings or similar debris therethrough, and a horizontal platform extending outwardly from the lower edge of the vertical platform. A linkage bar is provided extending from the upper edge of the vertical grate for connection to a power source such as a winch. The grate may be placed adjacent the inflow of a culvert, and, after beavers have constructed a dam or similar debris has collected against the vertical grate, the unit may be lifted by a winch carried in a pick-up truck or similar vehicle, carrying with it the debris.