Abstract: A liquid flow distributor for dispersing wastewater or other liquid carrying stringy solids throughout a particulate media such as in a fluidized bed reactor. The distributor is adapted to allow unimpeded forward flow of the liquid into the media and it also functions to minimize backflow of the media into the distributor should forward flow be arrested. The distributor includes an array of like nozzles, each having an inlet port leading into a conical flow expansion section whose cone angle is such that the nozzle capable of flowing full without significance turbulence, the mouth of the flow expansion section merging with a cylindrical outlet section whose dimensions are such that any backflow which takes place when forward flow is arrested will normally be insufficient to lift the bed particles into the nozzle.

Abstract: A control system to prevent the accumulation of excessive cellular material in a fluidized-bed reactor wherein a waste liquid to be processed is conducted upwardly at a velocity conducive to fluidization through a bed of particles which function as a carrier for the growth of the material. The system includes a separator column whose low end section extends toward the fluidized bed and whose high end section extends above a head of liquid effluent which lies on the bed, or is sealed and located below the surface of liquid effluent, the diameter of the high end section being greater than that of the low end section. In the course of reactor operation, the cellular material on the particles continues to grow, causing the bed to expand until its level reaches a point indicative of excessive growth.

Abstract: A control system to prevent the accumulation of excessive cellular material in a fluidized-bed reactor wherein waste water or other liquid to be processed is conducted upwardly at a velocity conducive to fluidization through a bed of particles which function as a carrier for the growth of the material. Included in the system is a separator column whose low end extends toward the fluidized bed and whose high end extends toward a head of liquid effluent which lies on the bed. In the course of reactor operation, the cellular material on the particles continues to grow, causing the bed to expand until its level reaches an alarm point indicative of excessive growth. This point is sensed to activate an agitator arrangement which effects shearing of the excess cellular material from the particles to produce in the separator column a mixture of sheared material and partially stripped carrier particles.