Abstract: A method and apparatus for the anaerobic treatment of waste water is described which includes a plug flow bioreactor containing a single bed of inert microbial attachment media and anaerobic microorganisms, and having at least one baffle member which forms a first zone and at least one second zone above the bed of inert microbial attachment media within the plug flow bioreactor.

Abstract: Steel pipe items such as pipes (10) are each joined by a girth weld (14) to tubular steel fittings (12) and the pipes (10) are each lined by pulling a polyethylene liner (30) through the pipe (10) and through the fitting (12). A ring (32) is forced into each fitting (12) to compress the liner (30) and force it into grooves (20) in the internal surface of the fitting (12). The grooves (20) are separated by castellations (22). The grooves (20) are in a corrosion-resistant cladding (18) deposited on the interior of each fitting (12). Alternatively, the whole of each fitting (12) is made of corrosion-resistant Duplex steel. The ends of the liners (30) are cut short of the ends of the fittings (12) and an annulus 940) of liner material is inserted in the gap. The annulus (40) has an external groove (42) accommodating a body (44) of heat insulation material. The ends of the fitting (12) are joined by a girth weld (15).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of flowable waste in a waste treatment reactor and in particular the treatment of waste water in a bioreactor containing a bed of support particles having an attached biofilm and entrapped microorganisms are described. The process includes the steps of intermittently introducing waste water through a discharge port adjacent a bottom surface of the bed to form a series of plugs of waste water integrated with the microorganisms in the immediate vicinity of the discharge port; and maintaining a quiescent period following each introduction of waste water to promote biological degradation of contaminants in the waste water of each plug by the microorganisms and production of treated waste water.

Abstract: The invention is a valve especially a divertor valve for diverting hot gas to a boiler or to a duct by-passing the boiler and for controlling the amount of gas flowing through the boiler. The valve enables changeover from one flow path to another by rotary movement. The valve member is of plate construction having scraping action on the wall of the valve chamber and allowing 45.degree. angle of flow between inlet and outlet ports.