Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the positioning of substrates for supporting bacteria in a waste treatment container use an aerator manifold which supplies bubbles of gas to the container from adjacent the bottom of the container. A hollow open mesh tube forms the substrate and is extended under the manifold to define a leg extending upwardly from each side of the manifold. A buoyant array piece is secured to each such end and urges the tube upwardly toward the upper surface of the waste. The bubbles establish a rolling upward flow of the waste in the container between the legs of the tube, which urges the buoyant array pieces apart both during the treatment operation and during draining of the container. Such urging during draining urges the buoyant array pieces away from the manifold, which pieces carry the ends of the tube away from the manifold as they become located lower in the basin. Such urging avoids tangling of the tubes with the manifold and facilitates more efficient cleaning of the manifold.

Abstract: In a clarifier, control of liquid flow in flow channels is done by arcuate flow control members so as to minimize flow rate variations from one channel to another channel. Such control is provided while: (1) reducing the weight of lamina through the use of light-weight sheets; (2) allowing lamina settling angles to be varied by connecting the lamina to an adjustment mechanism; (3) permitting individual lamina to be removed from rails separately from all of the other lamina; (4) avoiding sagging of individual lamina positioned at a selected settling angle by using a compression column; and (5) allowing the flow to be controlled in a non-linear manner relative to the settling angle by using the arcuate flow control members.

Abstract: The energy of liquid and solids flowing in a basin toward a clarifier section is substantially reduced before the liquid and solids enter the clarifier section. The basin is provided with an inlet wall having an inlet opening adjacent the top thereof. A sheet having an arcuate, reverse "C" shape is mounted across the inlet opening with the open side of the "C" facing the inlet wall to receive the liquid and the solids therefrom. The sheet causes the liquid and the solids to flow in two helical paths toward opposite side walls of the basin, which flow dissipates some of the original kinetic energy of the inlet liquid and solids. The helically flowing paths of liquid and solids are discharged into the basin spaced from the side walls of the basin, which further dissipates some of the kinetic energy of the liquid and the solids.

Abstract: Open frame, inverted-T-shaped trusses are provided between self-supporting clarifier units to support the units in liquid having solids therein flowing in a clarifier basin. In a first embodiment, each truss has three pipes which form part of a longitudinally extending base. A longitudinal spine extends up from the base to a fourth pipe which directly supports an outlet trough. Spaced supports extend transversely to form three-sided corners which receive an end of a clarifier unit. A bar extends between the spaced supports to hold the units in the corners. In a second embodiment, the truss is provided with a closed spine which serves as a head barrier at an inlet end of the basin.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking up and paying out first and second ends of an endless loop of tape that has an intermediate section. A first reel connected to the first end carries a first coil of the tape. The first coil extends from the first reel and is normally self-expanding and unwinding so as to unwind itself from the first reel. A second reel is connected to the second end for carrying a second coil of the tape. The second coil extends from the second reel and is normally self-expanding so as to unwind itself from the second reel. A drum supports both of the first and second reels for rotation in the same direction. Pulleys guide the intermediate section of the tape from the first reel to the second reel for moving a sludge collector. When the drum is rotated in a first rotary direction, the first coil tends to self-unwind from the first reel and the second coil is wound up on the second reel to move the intermediate section of the tape and the sludge collector.

Abstract: A clarifier basin is provided with upflow channels for removing solids from liquid that flows up the channels. The channels are defined by pairs of spaced sheets. Each sheet is provided with three-dimensional (3D) members, such as spherical bubbles or ellipsoids, that are in a two-dimensional array or regular pattern. The sheets are positioned closely adjacent to each other so that the 3D members on one sheet nest with the 3D members of the adjacent sheet to form interstices that collect the solids. The sheets are movable to enlarge the interstices so that air bubbles can flow up a selected channel and remove the solids for collection by a reservoir located above the selected channel. An air supply and the reservoir traverse the channels to remove the solids from the channels on a one-by-one basis. The sheets are formed of a plastic material with a series of protrusions extending from one side in a given pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking up and paying out first and second ends of an endless loop of tape that has an intermediate section. A first reel connected to the first end carries a first coil of the tape. The first coil extends from the first reel and is normally self-expanding and unwinding so as to unwind itself from the first reel. A second reel is connected to the second end for carrying a second coil of the tape. The second coil extends from the second reel and is normally self-expanding so as to unwind itself from the second reel. A drum supports both of the first and second reels for rotation in the same direction. Pulleys guide the intermediate section of the tape from the first reel to the second reel for moving a sludge collector. When the drum is rotated in a first rotary direction, the first coil tends to self-unwind from the first reel and the second coil is wound up on the second reel to move the intermediate section of the tape and the sludge collector.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking up and paying out first and second ends of an endless loop of tape that has an intermediate section. A first reel connected to the first end carries a first coil of the tape. The fist coil extends from the first reel and is normally self-expanding and unwinding so as to unwind itself from the first reel. A second reel is connected to the second end for carrying a second coil of the tape. The second coil extends from the second reel and is normally self-expanding so as to unwind itself from the second reel. A drum supports both of the first and second reels for rotation in the same direction. Pulleys guide the intermediate section of the tape from the first reel to the second reel for moving a sludge collector. When the drum is rotated in a first rotary direction, the first coil tends to self-unwind from the first reel and the second coil is wound up on the second reel to move the intermediate section of the tape and the sludge collector.

Abstract: A clarifier basin is provided with upflow channels for removing solids from liquid that flows up the channels. The channels are defined by pairs of spaced sheets. Each sheet is provided with three-dimensional (3D) members, such as spherical bubbles or ellipsoids, that are in a two-dimensional array or regular pattern. The sheets are positioned closely adjacent to each other so that the 3D members on one sheet nest with the 3D members of the adjacent sheet to form interstices that collect the solids. The sheets are movable to enlarge the interstices so that air bubbles can flow up a selected channel and remove the solids for collection by a reservoir located above the selected channel. An air supply and the reservoir traverse the channels to remove the solids from the channels on a one-by-one basis.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking up and paying out first and second ends of an endless loop of tape that has an intermediate section. A first reel connected to the first end carries a first coil of the tape. The first coil extends from the first reel and is normally self-expanding and unwinding so as to unwind itself from the first reel. A second reel is connected to the second end for carrying a second coil of the tape. The second coil extends from the second reel and is normally self-expanding so as to unwind itself from the second reel. A drum supports both of the first and second reels for rotation in the same direction. Pulleys guide the intermediate section of the tape from the first reel to the second reel for moving a sludge collector. When the drum is rotated in a first rotary direction, the first coil tends to self-unwind from the first reel and the second coil is wound up on the second reel to move the intermediate section of the tape and the sludge collector.

Abstract: A detention basin contains liquid and solids suspended therein. A planar flow control deck extending across a part of the basin is formed from a plurality of elongated flap members. One edge of each such flap member is fixed and an opposite edge is in releasable sealing engagement with the fixed edge of an adjacent flap member. That opposite edge of each flap member is free to move out of engagement with the adjacent flap member in response to the upward flow of the liquid in the basin. Inclined lamina form quiescent zones in which the liquid flow is reduced so that the solids settle and are separated from the liquid. The lamina are suspended in the basin in parallel relationship, with the angle at which the lamina are inclined being adjustable by a submerged adjustment mechanism. Each zone is open at the bottom to receive the liquid laden with the solids. The top of each quiescent zone is closed by the cooperation of the flap members. Each lamina is supported at a vertex connected to a flap member.

Abstract: This invention relates to cylindrical tube settlers of the type having a tank with a settling basin therein to receive particulates or some other settleable fraction including fluids consisting of opposed cylindrical wall surfaces containing a latticed network of inclined fluid-flow passages and, more particularly, to a tube settler of the type aforementioned wherein said flow passages are comprised of two or more donut-shaped tube modules stacked one atop another to define a multiplicity of continuous segmented fluid-flow passages spiralling around the tank. The invention also encompasses an arrangement wherein the fluid-flow passages in each module are essentially straight and also one in which these passages are arranged in concentric circular rows with the radially aligned passages in different rows of the same module essentially paralleling one another.