Abstract: A gaseous or liquid fluid to be centrifuged, for the purpose of purification or of separation of different phases, is conducted at high speed in a curved channel past a vortex chamber formed in one of the channel walls at the concave side thereof, this chamber being partly separated from the main fluid path by an overhanging sharp upstream edge and by a possibly rounded downstream edge which extend over the full width of the channel. A body of fluid whirling in this chamber develops a cylindrical core free from entrained solids, or from an accompanying heavier phase, which can be axially extracted from the chamber while the remaining fluid continues its flow through a reduced channel portion which may also be curved and provided with another vortex chamber to repeat the process. Entrained particles may be removed from the solid-enriched residual flow by way of end apertures along the periphery of the vortex chamber and/or at the convex side of the curved channel.

Abstract: An improved method of centrifugally separating two differing density phases of a multiphase fluid and simultaneously partitioning the phases with a thixotropic material. The thixotropic material is asymmetrically positioned within a closed end of a tubular container such that the exposed or upper surface of the thixotropic material is contoured to form a space for receiving the multiphase fluid between the surface and a sidewall portion of the closed end of the tube.

Abstract: Described are fluid processing devices primarily intended for filtration but which devices may also be used for dispensing or sparging liquids and gases into a body of fluid medium. According to the method of using the disclosed devices, fluid medium to be filtered is caused to flow over the active filtering surfaces of a filter medium, such as by rotating the filter element in the fluid medium, while the fluid medium is simultaneously caused to pass through the filter element. At predetermined intervals the fluid medium flow through the filter is reversed or backpulsed.Also disclosed are porous elements of laminated structure in propeller or disc configurations which may be coated with microporous active surfaces to permit filtration of extremely small sized particles from a fluid medium or dispensing of extremely small sized bubbles of gas or droplets of liquid into a body of fluid medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a fluid stream with a bed of catalyst wherein solid particulate matter is removed from the fluid stream before contact with the catalyst bed. The fluid stream is tangentially discharged into a circular trough located in an upper section of a vertically disposed cylindrical vessel. The inner wall of the trough is porous to allow drainage of liquids, and vapors exit the trough through its open top. The vapors than pass downward through the open center of the trough and contact the catalyst bed located in the lower section of the vessel.

Abstract: A sludge settling basin in which a platform is movable over the basin and supports a siphon tube having a first portion extending to adjacent the floor of the basin, a second portion extending over the basin and a third portion extending downwardly into the channel of the side wall of the basin, the material in the channel being removed by a pump with a sufficient rate for the level of liquid in the channel always to be below the level of liquid in the settling basin, so that the sludge is siphoned from the basin into the channel and is removed by the pump.

Abstract: This invention is a fuel filter for use in a fuel line to remove particles from fuels that are subject to freezing under certain operating conditions. The fuel filter has a screen slideably carried on a piston located in an elongated housing. Fuel enters one end of the housing, strikes the piston and flows outwardly through the screen, around the piston, through holes in a spacer and out the other end of the housing. Upon freezing in the screen the fuel or water particles suspended therein, the pressure of the fuel will move the screen and piston along the axis of the housing to open a bypass around the screen. When the frozen particles melt or fuel pressure is removed, a spring returns the piston and screen to their normal position. Solid particles previously removed from the fuel before freezing remain trapped in the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the thickness of filter cake on a filter by using the difference in pressure between the inside of the filter apparatus and the inside of a hollow body spaced from a filter element to provide a signal of measurement.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing grit and fiber from waste activated sewage sludge prior to introduction into a centrifuge for further separation. Grit removal is accomplished by hydrocyclones and fiber removal is carried out on a 300.degree. screen. The hydrocyclones and screen, together with connecting conduits, are conveniently mounted on a supporting frame for facilitating transportation of the unit and for maintaining the predetermined structural relationships of the various members.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fluid provides a main flow path for fluid. The apparatus includes a plurality of pairs of basins arranged along the main flow path which define a series of enlargements and constrictions. Each pair of basins is constituted by a basin on each side of the main flow path opposite one another, both basins being in fluid communication with the main flow path. The walls and floors of the basins may be flat or may be curved or have some other configuration. The size of the pairs of basins may vary from one end of the flow path to the other. In operation, liquid flowing through the apparatus executes an oscillatory motion about a median longitudinal axis defined by the flow path.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removal of oil products floating on water in which a floating sponge remains essentially fixed on top of the water and bouyant squeezing means are moved over said belt to squeeze out oil picked up thereby without having to lift the sponge from the water.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improved assembly for the collection, separation and isolation of serum or plasma from blood without subjecting the desired serum or plasma to contamination by exposure to the atmosphere and which utilizes a thixotropic barrier material to effect the isolation. A representative embodiment of the improved assembly comprises an air-evacuated collection chamber, a self-sealing airtight elastomeric closure for the container which is penetrable by a blood bearing cannula and a thixotrope having a specific gravity of from about 1.03 to about 1.09, held in a specially constructed reservoir positioned within the closure member and in communication with the air-evacuated chamber.

Abstract: A self-contained process for the treatment of liquid waste from a unit source which involves a flow of liquid waste purified in a heating zone, preferably an electrode boiler, by direct passage of an electric current through the raw waste, the water content thereof being converted to a water vapor and the total body of the waste becoming sterilized, the produced steam is condensed to water and returned to the water system of the unit for re-use, residual purified solid content of the stored waste is dried if to be used for fertilizer, the latent heat of the steam is utilized for either heating or cooling the unit and a portion of the sensible heat of the condensed vapor is utilized to preheat the effluent waste prior to the heating zone. The process is preferably continuous and may use automatic circulating means. It may be staged in one or more stages and pressurized for more efficient utilization of heat.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for the separation of liquid such as serum or plasma from centrifugated solid particles such as red cells, and for the separation of the liquid into containers for use in an auto-analyzer, and/or storage as well as preservation and distribution of the remainder of the separated liquid samples into other containers.A single component device is utilized for the separation and distribution of the upper layer of the liquid prepared by centrifugal motion. The apparatus comprises a flexible tubing, a stopper and a capillary tube passing through the system. There is provided the means for the storage of the remainder of liquid, after the adequate amount of samples are obtained and placed in containers for use in an auto-analyzer, and for the easy distribution or transfer of the liquid in the main tube, into other tubes or containers without the need of other apparatus. Several embodiments are illustrated.

Abstract: In combination with an apparatus for centrifugally separating and partitioning differing-density phases of a multiphase fluid including a container and gel-like means initially positioned within an end portion of the container for forming a partition between the differing-density phases, the improvement comprising flow control means initially partially submerged in the gel-like means for directing the flow of the gel-like means along portions of the sidewall of the container, the flow control means having a recessed region formed in sidewall portions thereof to provide an annular space adjacent the upper surface of the gel-like means between proximal portions of the flow control element and the container. The flow control means is submerged to the extent that the upper surface of the gel-like means is positioned within the recessed region forming the annular space.

Abstract: A filter press has a support frame; a plurality of face-to-face oriented filter plates movable towards and away from one another and forming a filter plate stack; a closing device connected to the filter plates for exerting thereon a pressure with which the filter plates are urged to one another; a closing pressure regulator coupled to the closing device; a stationarily supported path-sensing signal transmitter connected to the closing device; and a sensor arm connected at least indirectly to one of the filter plates for displacing the sensor arm by, and as a function of the motion of, that filter plate. The sensor arm is coupled to the path-sensing signal transmitter for controlling the closing pressure of the closing device by the signal transmitter as a function of the position of the sensor arm.

Abstract: Apparatus to separate a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, said apparatus having in a closed vessel a separation space with means for controlling the discharge of lighter liquid therefrom and a multiple filter provided beneath said separation space and consisting of a series of filtering cloths separated from one another by intermediate chambers, the upper wall of each intermediate chamber being provided with passages opening into the lower region of the separation space and controllable by valve means.The invention relates to an apparatus for the separation of a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g.

Abstract: Waste water containing particulate matter is saturated with air or other gas by a dynamic mixer and ejected into a gravity filter system at a point above the filter media but below the water surface level. Upon entering the filter tank, the dissolved gas is released, forming small bubbles on filterable particles to float these particles to the surface for removal. The system further includes a back pressure valve at the sewage inlet port which, if obstructed, is automatically flushed. During the backwash cycle, the water level above the filter bed may be lowered to the level of a wash-through zone, and filtered water then pumped upward through the filter media, thereby carrying particles from the filter media out through the wash-through zone.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improved assembly for the collection, separation and isolation of serum or plasma from blood without subjecting the desired serum or plasma to contamination by exposure to the atmosphere and which utilizes a thixotropic barrier material to effect the isolation. A representative embodiment of the improved assembly comprises an air-evacuated glass collection container, a self-sealing, airtight elastomeric closure for the container which is penetrable by a blood bearing cannula and a thixotrope having a specific gravity of from about 1.03 to about 1.09 disposed in a specially constructed reservoir positioned adjacent to the closure member and within the air-evacuated collection container.

Abstract: A test unit for indicating the presence of water and other contaminants in aircraft fuel. The unit is constituted by a transparent cylinder closed at its bottom and having a filter element therein which divides the cylinder into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Mounted at the top end of the cylinder and projecting therefrom is a valve-actuating pin adapted to engage the sump drain valve in the fuel tank to be tested to cause a fuel sample to flow into the upper chamber. The filter element is formed of a selectively-permeable hydrophobic material which blocks the flow of water and other contaminants and is permeable only to the fuel whereby should the fuel contain contaminants, the pure fuel will pass into the lower chamber and the contaminants will be retained in the upper chamber.

Abstract: A two-stage fluid filter such as an automotive oil filter. The two-stages of filtering media are mounted inside a conventional cylindrical housing forming fluid inlet and outlet ports in one end thereof. One stage of the filtering media comprises an annular depth type filtering medium having a radially outer surface in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a radially inner surface in fluid communication with the outlet port so that fluid can flow from the inlet port to the outlet port by flowing radially through the depth type medium. The second stage of the filtering media comprises a spirally wound surface type filtering medium, such as filter paper, with alternate pairs of opposed surfaces of the spiral winding bonded to each other along the circumferential edges at one longitudinal end of the spiral winding.