Abstract: Apparatus and methods include a parking system for a drilling rig. The parking system includes a first track portion extending along a pathway between a well center and a V-door on a drilling rig and a second track portion extending in a transverse direction relative to the first track portion. A trolley is configured to carry a racking device and move along at least a portion of the first track portion and the second track portion between a position in the pathway between well center and the V-door on a drilling rig and a position offline and out of the pathway between well center and the V-door on a drilling rig.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include a parking system for a drilling rig. The parking system includes a first track portion extending along a pathway between a well center and a V-door on a drilling rig and a second track portion extending in a transverse direction relative to the first track portion. A trolley is configured to carry a racking device and move along at least a portion of the first track portion and the second track portion between a position in the pathway between well center and the V-door on a drilling rig and a position offline and out of the pathway between well center and the V-door on a drilling rig.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas backwashing a granular media supported upon a lateral underdrain is disclosed. The lateral underdrain includes a plurality of dispersion apertures therethrough and at least one liquid return conduit extending to a discharge at a level below the dispersion apertures. The present invention provides for equal distribution of backwash gas across the entire lateral underdrain by directing backwash gas through the dispersion apertures into the granular media and directing liquid from the granular media through the liquid return conduit without obstructing backwash gas flow through said apertures from a gas pocket formed underneath said apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gas backwashing a granular media supported upon a lateral underdrain is disclosed. The lateral underdrain includes a plurality of dispersion apertures therethrough and at least one liquid return conduit extending to a discharge at a level below the dispersion apertures. The present invention provides for equal distribution of backwash gas across the entire lateral underdrain by directing backwash gas through the dispersion apertures into the granular media and directing liquid from the granular media through the liquid return conduit without obstructing backwash gas flow through said apertures from a gas pocket formed underneath said apertures.

Abstract: An improvement for a filter system which distributes backwash fluid uniformly throughout a bed of granular media is disclosed. The filter system includes a distributor positioned beneath and supporting the media, with the distributor having a plurality of walls which define a primary horizontal conduit and a secondary horizontal conduit. At least one of the walls which define the conduits contains metering orifices that connect the primary conduit to the secondary conduit. The improvement includes at least one baffle positioned within the primary conduit to facilitate uniform flow of backwash fluid from the primary conduit through the metering orifices into the secondary conduit. The baffle may comprise flanges extending from the walls which define the primary conduit normal to a fluid flow direction in the conduit. Alternatively, the baffle may include posts positioned within the conduit.

Abstract: An improved cap for underdrains in gravity filters has a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of tapered screen members defining slots in the top surface. The slots provide communication with the filter bed without passage of fine grain filter media therethrough. The screen members are inclined with respect to horizontal to define a plurality of raised portions in the top surface, each raised portion defining a distribution chamber above the orifices in the distributor. The cap may be included in a capped filter underdrain block having a plurality of ribs and orifices on a top wall of the block. The cap rests on the ribs and cooperates with them to define distribution chambers above the orifices in the top wall of the block. The distribution chambers promote intermixing of air and water prior to introduction to the bed, and the ribs finely meter backwash fluids for even distribution of backwash fluids throughout the entire filter bed.

Abstract: A cap for filter underdrain blocks is provided, wherein the cap has a porous body with a top surface, a bottom surface and downwardly extending flanges. The cap is installed on a filter block having a plurality of orifices in a top wall of the filter block for channelling fluids to and from an overlying filter media. The bottom surface of the cap along with the flanges define a distribution chamber above the orifices, and the cap has a porosity such that a fine grain filter media may be placed directly on the top surface of the cap without media penetrating therethrough and clogging the underdrain blocks. The distribution chamber enhances distribution of backwash fluids throughout the filter media, and the cap eliminates the need for a separate gravel support layer to be installed between the fine grain filter media and the underdrain blocks.

Abstract: An air duct block for air/water underdrain systems in gravity filters comprising a row of interconnected air duct blocks positioned below the filtering media and extending transversely to the underdrain laterals. Each air duct block is in communication with at least one adjacent individual underdrain filter block to supply backwash gas thereto during backwashing operations, thereby supplying backwash gas to its associated lateral. Each air duct block is in further communication with at least one adjacent air duct block such that backwash gas flows between the interconnected air duct blocks and along the row of air duct blocks. This system supplies backwash gas to the entire underdrain system through a single pipe from a source of supply.

Abstract: A cap for filter underdrain blocks is provided, wherein the cap has a porous body with a top surface, a bottom surface and downwardly extending flanges. The cap is installed on a filter block having a plurality of orifices in a top wall of the filter block for channelling fluids to and from an overyling filter media. The bottom surface of the cap along with the flanges define a distribution chamber above the orifices, and the cap has a porosity such that a fine grain filter media may be placed directly on the top surface of the cap without media penetrating therethrough and clogging the underdrain blocks. The distribution chamber enhances distribution of backwash fluids throughout the filter media, and the cap eliminates the need for a separate gravel support layer to be installed between the fine grain filter media and the underdrain blocks.

Abstract: A heat transfer tube extends along the peak of a dike having at least two rows of seedlings for collecting heat from the sun during the daytime and transferring the collected heat to the soil at night. The tube is of a geometrical configuration, preferably oval, and is made of transparent plastic. The tube is secured or in intimate contact on opposite sides to a mulching sheet made of opaque plastic, preferably black plastic during the winter growing season, and white plastic during the summer growing season. Optionally, a drip irrigation line is formed separately from or integrally with the heat transfer tube to irrigate the at least two rows of seedlings located on the peak of a dike.

Abstract: A flume distribution system includes a distributor having a stationary lower portion and a removable upper portion. The lower portion defines a duct which is in fluid communication with a flume and at least one underdrain lateral. The lower portion also includes an apertured end wall which abuts one of the underdrain laterals at a lateral inlet, and a stop is disposed within the duct and spaced from the end wall. The duct receives a removable orifice plate which is adapted to pivot between a slant inactive position abutting the stop and an upright active position restricting the aperture in the end wall. During backwash operations, water is introduced to the flume and enters each duct in the lower portion of the distributor, and the pressure of the incoming water causes the orifice plate to pivot from the slant position to the upright position, reducing the cross-sectional area of the aperture in the end wall and thereby regulating the velocity of backwash flow from the flume into the lateral inlet.