Abstract: A floating decanter apparatus including a float adapted to buoyantly support the decanter apparatus, a decanter receptacle disposed below the float and having an open top surrounded by a peripheral upper decanter rim and outlet means for decanted liquid communicating with said decanter receptacle at a level below said decanter rim. The decanter receptacle is mounted on the float for movement toward and away from the underside of the float and a power operated actuator is mounted on the float and operatively connected to the decanter receptacle for selectively moving the decanter receptacle from a lower position in the decanter rim spaced below the underside of the float to a raised position to seal the decanter rim to the underside of the float.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter apparatus including a first filter unit and a second filter unit. Each filter unit includes a housing forming an internal cavity, a liquid agitator means rotatably mounted within the cavity and adapted to be rotated by a rotating means external of the housing. A flat filter element is mounted in supported relation between the housing and a connected housing cap with a filter face openly exposed to said cavity. The housing forms inlet and outlet liquid flow passages for circulating a liquid sample through the cavity around the agitator and into filterable contact with the filter face. The agitator means agitates the liquid sample within the cavity and forces a portion of the liquid sample in a washing action across the filter face. The housing cap forms a liquid filtrate passageway for withdrawing a filtered sample of the liquid sample through filter element. A drive is connected to concurrently drive the agitators of both first filter units.

Abstract: An oil-water separator includes a vessel having an inlet for the oil and water mixture. A vertical conduit positioned in the vessel has an inlet near the bottom of the vessel. A horizontal conduit is sealingly coupled between the vertical conduit and a first opening in the vessel wall at a level above the inlet to the vertical conduit. The first opening defines a water outlet. A second opening in a wall of the vessel above the level of the first opening defines an oil outlet. The inlet for the oil and water mixture can include a diffuser to prevent turbulence caused by air and high velocity liquid flow.

Abstract: A lamella separation apparatus comprising a liquid receiving tank defining an upper sedimentation zone, an intermediate quiescent zone and a lower sludge thickening zone. An outlet trough spans the full length of the tank within the sedimentation zone. An inlet distribution trough spans the full length of the tank and is positioned below the outlet trough. A plurality of lamella plate pack/collector trough assemblies are positioned within the sedimentation zone in transverse orientation with and in communication with the inlet and outlet troughs. The plate pack/collector trough assemblies are individually removable without disturbing the operation of the apparatus. A picket fence sludge thickener rake mechanism is provided in the sludge thickening zone.

Abstract: Adjustment of chlorine and pH levels in swimming pool water by, (a) treating the water with material selected from the group consisting of cyanuric acid, ammelide and their salts, (b) adding material adjusting the chlorine and acid levels of the water if it has a pH above about 7.5 and adding sodium hypochlorite if the water has a pH about 7.5 or lower, (c) a set number of days later, such as a week, with automatic equipment, without taking a reading of water conditions, adding sodium hypochlorite to the water in a predetermined amount, and (d) continuing the process indefinitely by alternating steps (b) and (c) at intervals of the set number of days. The automatic equipment including a vessel containing sodium hypochlorite solution, a pool water recirculation line including a recirculation pump, and a feeder line from the vessel to the recirculation line.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning drilling muds by removing entrained solids and impurities and returning cleansed and for recycling. The machine comprises a centrifuge desander operatively connected to a plurality of cooperating conical desilters to remove gases and separate materials of varying densities. Initially muds containing solid materials are pumped at a controlled pressure from the cleaning bed into an initial cyclone chamber, where, under increasing centrifugal force, the processed mud is separated into relatively heavier and lighter components, which are transmitted via separate pathways to twin chambers in the lower level compartment of a particle separating drum. The first chamber of the drum receives heavier materials and transmits them to a large desander cone where the heaviest impurities are removed; the second drum chamber receives the lighter components which are further separated and delivered to a network of desilter cones which output properly cleansed mud.