Abstract: A method of operating a filter system of a swimming pool in proportion to the degree of contamination of the water in said pool by processing a signal representative of the number of persons within the pool and other values characteristic of the pool and the filter system to derive a signal for controlling the output of said filter system.

Abstract: A brine supply system including a first brine tank to store diluted brine of a predetermined concentration to be supplied into an electrolytic brine treatment device and a second brine tank to store an amount of saturated brine at a predetermined concentration. When the level of diluted brine becomes a lower limit level, the first brine tank is supplied with fresh water from an external supply source of water until the level of diluted brine becomes an upper limit level and is intermittently supplied with a predetermined amount of the saturated brine from the second brine tank. Based on a previously memorized supply time of the fresh water, a supply frequency and a supply interval of the saturated brine for the memorized supply time are calculated to maintain the diluted brine at the predetermined concentration even when the first brine tank is being supplied with the fresh water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for UV radiation for the disinfection of liquids comprising at least one high or medium pressure UV emitter (1) arranged coaxially inside a protective sheath (2) transparent to UV, the assembly formed by the emitter and the sheath being located coaxially inside a tubular shell (3) whose internal face reflects at least 30% of the incident UV at 250 to 260 nm coming from the emitter (1), the liquid to be treated transiting according to a flow pipe in an active chamber (4) defined by the internal face of the shell (3) and the external face of the sheath (2), the reactor being characterized in that it is connected to washing means (30) of the active chamber (4) including means making it possible to make a cleaning liquid circulate in the active chamber (4) and air injection means (8) provided upstream from the active chamber (5) making it possible to improve the turbulence of the cleaning liquid during washing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a filter system of a swimming pool in proportion to the degree of contamination of the water in said pool by processing a signal representative of the number of persons within the pool and other values characteristic of the pool and the filter system to derive a signal for controlling the output of said filter system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a water treatment system including a treatment tank having an ion-exchange mineral bed or filter bed therein, and a valve head assembly disposed on top of and in fluid communication with the treatment tank. The valve head assembly includes a passage for allowing a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, a vacuum pressure creating device disposed within the passage, a drain disposed within the passage and at a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device, and a valve disposed within the passage and at a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device. The valve is movable to an open position and a closed position for allowing fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating device, whereby a portion of fluid flows through the drain and a lesser remaining portion of fluid flows through the valve when the valve is in the open position.

Abstract: Reactor for the optimized ozonization of water intended for human consumption, in which the direct oxidizing action of the ozone is supplemented by the radical oxidizing action of the ozone, the latter being intensified by the introduction of hydrogen peroxide, characterized in that it comprises three contact tanks arranged in series: a first contact tank receiving the water to be treated and intended for the direct and rapid oxidizing action by the ozone which is introduced into the said tank and brought into contact with the liquid to be treated; a second contact tank intended to ensure the disinfection of the liquid and into which is injected the quantity of ozone necessary to maintain in the liquid to be treated the residual ozone concentration necessary for the disinfection of the water; and a third contact tank intended to ensure the radical action of the ozone, into which there is injected, besides the ozone, a quantity of hydrogen peroxide intended to increase the quantity of OH radicals available for

Abstract: A mobile water filtration and chlorination system in modular form provides a universal water treatment, pump and distribution system.

Abstract: A universal recycled wash water plant having a collector tank through which collected wash water and rinse water is channeled to a grease/oil/water separation tank which separates oil and grease from the water and which holds the oil-separated water in a pump compartment. The water in the pump compartment is pumped to two sand filter tanks which removes suspended trace oil and other suspended solids from the water received from the pump compartment. The water upon passing through the sand filter tanks is channeled to a balancing tank and pumped by means of a recirculating pump to a separator which removes solid particles up to six microns in size from the water received from the balancing tank. From the separator the water is channeled in desired proportions to a carbon filter and to a wash water tank. The carbon filter removes any remaining soap elements from the water before the clarified water is channeled into a rinse water tank.

Abstract: A beltpress controller performs on-line measurements of output sludge cake thickness. A controller takes a product of the measured cake thickness with belt speed, moisture content and belt width to determine a rate of dry solid output per unit time. The calculated rate is compared with a desired rate and the sludge flow rate is adjusted by adjusting the speed of a sludge feed pump to obtain the desired dry solid output rate. In systems which mix polymer with the sludge to increase the dewatering efficiency, the sizing of a mixing orifice through which the sludge and polymer is provided is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant mixing energy. This prevents errors in the streaming current detector which measures the amount of excess polymer in the filtrate and the controller adjusts the speed of a polymer dosing pump accordingly.

Abstract: A vending machine that dispenses either purified ice or purified water in predetermined quantities in response to a fixed payment by a user. The machine consists of compartmentalized sections for each specific function, comprising a water purification and storage portion, an ice making portion, an ice storage portion, and a product dispensing and control portion. Water from an outside source is processed to eliminate particulate and chemical impurities and it is stored for ready availability to purchasers. At the same time, a portion of the purified water is converted to ice and similarly stored in a separate compartment. Just prior to dispensation to a purchaser, the water is further treated by ultraviolet radiation to eliminate micro-organisms. As the supplies of either water or ice are depleted, the machine automatically replenishes them by processing more feed water.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing gray water from showers and the like and reclaiming the cleansed water for reuse comprises a receptacle and a conduit for delivering gray water to the receptacle. A sensor detects flow of gray water into the receptacle and injects cleansing agents into the flow in response to such detection. A drain conduit communicates with the upper portion of the receptacle for extracting floating contaminants from the surface of gray water therein and a valved conduit communicates with the bottom of the receptacle for selectively extracting sinking contaminates thereform. A pump is adapted to draw the resulting cleansed gray water from the receptacle and deliver it to a remote location for reuse as, for example, in flushing toilets.

Abstract: A method for treating water with ozone in which a countercurrent flow of liquids is established within a treatment vessel to insure intimate contact and substantial contact time between ozone and water. The ozone and water are first pre-mixed by passing the ozone through a diffuser into a moving stream of water and the mixture is circulated in a tortuous path through a coil and discharged at the end of the diffuser coil through a number of orifices into the lower portion of the treatment vessel in a generally upwardly and outwardly direction with respect to the vertical axis of the treatment tank. Treated water suitable for bottling and storage is withdrawn from the bottom of the treatment vessel at an elevation below that of the discharge orifices to establish a countercurrent flow between the incoming and outgoing fluids.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid contactor column 10 has a solvent input 16 and an aqueous phase input 22. Lighter phase liquid is discharged at 31 and heavier phase is moved by an air lift 26 to a receiver. The air supply line 28 to the air lift 26 includes valve 32 and a pressure sensing transducer 34 senses pressure in line 28 and sends electric signals to signal processing unit 52 which may for example close down operation of the column, or effect other changes to maintain operating characteristics of the column. The column could be pulsed by means which also send signals to unit 52, and could deliver to an external settler.

Abstract: A microwave-based emulsion treating method and system comprising a microwave energy source, a microwave applicator for treating an emulsion, a separator vessel for receiving and separating microwave-treated emulsion, an oil-water analyzer for determining water content of the emulsion feed, and water supply means including control means responsive to the analyzer for adding a controlled amount of water to the emulsion feed going to the applicator. The added water may be recirculated from the separator.

Abstract: Versatile filtering apparatus is provided, particularly for processing liquid or coolant used with metal-working machines. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a dirty liquid tank in side-by-side relationship with a clean liquid tank, a coalescing unit, a filtering unit, an automatic supply or fill valve for supplying liquid to the apparatus from the coolant system, and an automatic discharge valve for supplying processed liquid from the apparatus back to the coolant system. The coalescing unit separates free oils from the liquid and the filtering unit separates solid particles from the liquid. The processed liquid is then discharged back to the coolant system along with fresh coolant.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the coagulant dosage rate includes a charge sensor located adjacent a coagulant pump for measuring the net electrical charge on coagulated water before water treatment and a turbidity meter for measuring the effluent turbidity after water treatment. A programmable controller responds to the output signal of the charge sensor to continuously adjust the dosage rate to maintain a set point of charge value in the coagulated water corresponding to a desired effluent turbidity. To maintain calibration of the charge sensor, the controller is also responsive to the output signal of the turbidity meter to adjust the charge value set point as required so that the it corresponds to a preselected effluent turbidity.

Abstract: A clean water system that has a noval air system and a novel water system in which the dry air to the case of the ozone generator as well as to the ozone generator and has a primary drier, a sensor and reserve drier such that the reserve drier provides dry air after the primary drier has become too wet and the water system includes a pair of concentrically mounted tanks with an overflow such that water can be circulated in a closed loop through the ozone injector and inner tank to purify the water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a froth flotation process comprises sensing variations in solids content of the input stream to the process, varying the dosage of flotation reagent employed in accordance with the input variations, sensing variations in solids content of at least one of the output streams after a predetermined time lapse, comparing the input and output readings with control data relating input and output solids content, and re-adjusting the dosage of flotation reagent dependent on the difference between the actual readings and the control data.

Abstract: An on-stream method and apparatus for measuring the content of a mineral constituent in a flowing slurried ore on a dry weight basis, is provided. The slurry density and flow rate, and optionally temperature, are measured to calculate a period of time during which the flowing slurry is diverted into a vessel in order to collect a target mass of ore solids therein. The time period is preferably calculated according to the following formula: ##EQU1## wherein: t is the period of time (sec);M.sub.solid is the selected target mass of the ore (g);Q.sub.slurry is the measured mass flow rate of the slurry (g/sec);p.sub.water is the density of water (g/cm.sup.3);p.sub.slurry is the measured density of the slurry (g/cm.sup.3); andp.sub.solid is the known density of the ore solids contained in the slurry (g/cm.sup.3).The slurry flow is then diverted into the vessel for the duration of the calculated time period.

Abstract: Solids suspensions are dewatered by filter plate pressing by adding a flocculant downstream of the filter press pump(s), the pump(s) being of the positive displacement type whereby the amount of flocculant required can be determined from the speed of the pump(s). Apparatus is provided which includes a filter plate press, one or more filter press pumps of the positive displacement type, and means for sensing the speed of the pump(s) and for controlling the dose of flocculant in dependence thereon. A mixer is constructed as a cylindrical chamber with radial inlets and axial outlets, and includes plate-like impellers.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for treating fluid. In one illustrative embodiment, the treatment comprises the recharging of a resin bed in a water softener. A flow switch and accumulating timer are actuated when a selected flow rate is detected. The accumulating timer is set to a selected elapsed time. A chronological timer is also provided and is set for a selected time of day to recharge the resin bed. A reserve brine capacity is provided by delivering a selected amount of water to a brine tank at predetermined elapsed time intervals of the accumulating timer. The resin bed is recharged when both a selected elapsed time of the accumulating timer has occurred and it is the selected time of day.

Abstract: A self-contained device for sterilizing water is provided comprising a sterilizing product injection apparatus supplied with power by electric batteries so as to cause injection of the sterilizing product into a pipe transporting water to be treated, a water meter mounted in said pipe and having a head capable of generating a pulse each time the meter has recorded the flow of a predetermined amount of water, and an electric power regulator controlled by said pulses and which, whenever it receives a pulse, lets the current from the battery pass in the form of a short duration signal, the regulator interrupting the current from the battery between the pulses emitted by the meter.

Abstract: A system, which controls the content of an impurity in a crude oil stream, includes an injector which injects a demulsifier into a stream of produced wet crude oil in response to a control signal. A three-phase separator receives the produced crude oil with demulsifier and partially separates produced water and gas from the crude oil to provide a separated wet crude oil stream. Apparatus mixes wash water in with the separated crude oil stream in accordance with a control signal to provide a crude oil/wash water stream. A dehydrator removes substantial amount of water from the crude oil/wash water stream to provide a dehydrated crude oil stream. A monitor monitors the content of a predetermined type of impurity in the dry crude oil stream and provides a corresponding impurity content signal to control apparatus. The control apparatus provides the first and second control signals in accordance with the signal from the monitor so as to control the impurity's content of the dry crude oil stream.

Abstract: An ultraviolet sterilization and disinfection system for fluids which includes apparatus for sensing selected operating characteristics such as physical characteristics of the fluid to be disinfected or sterilized and the operating conditions of the ultraviolet sources proportioning these variable and generally non-linear parameters and modifying such factors as fluid flow, ultraviolet energy imparted to the fluid to insure destruction of selected organisms without the use of excessive energy. Control may also be provided for the admission of selected quantities of disinfecting chemicals such as chlorine to the fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for plasma separation/exchange by double-step-membrane filtration, namely separation of blood into plasma and a corpuscular fraction and separation of high-molecular-weight substances (e.g. gamma-globulin) in the plasma from low-molecular-weight substances (e.g. albumin), and addition of a substitute fluid. A method of treating blood is also provided.The apparatus and method are effective e.g. in the treatment of blood of patients with peripheral circulatory insufficiency due to arteriosclerosis and of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: An automated skimming flow perimeter gutter control system for swimming pools is provided having a water cleaning and recirculation system receiving water from the pool, cleaning it, and returning it to the pool; a gutter conduit for disposition about the perimeter of a swimming pool, receiving overflow across a top edge thereof and adapted to carry water at a level below a predetermined level in the swimming pool; a drain line connecting the gutter conduit with the water recirculation system; suction means in series flow connection with the gutter conduit and drain line for positive withdrawal under suction of water from the gutter conduit and feed of such water to the water recirculation system for return to the pool; at least one of (a) means for controlling water recirculation capacity to accommodate any selected flow of water from the gutter to the water recirculation system; and (b) means for controlling suction flow from the gutter to the water recirculation system; and at least one water level-respons

Abstract: Continuously operating batch system for proportioning concentrate for blood treatment through the use of a proportioning tank and means for filling and emptying the same dependent upon pressure and flow in the mixing tank.

Abstract: Ion exchange medium in a water softening system is regenerated cyclically, in response to both a preset timer and a metering device responsive to the degree of hardness of the untreated water and the degree of exhaustion of the ion exchange medium, by slowly feeding regenerating medium, prepared during the softening phase by the metering device, counter current to flow during softening at a rate so as not to disturb the exchange medium and to prevent substantial mixing of the regenerating medium with the water being displaced.

Abstract: A method of and a system for removing miniuscule solid particles from liquid wherein the liquid to be processed is supplied to one end of at least one filter element which may be a porous tube filter open at opposite ends and formed with a multiplicity of tiny openings in its wall having a first surface and a second surface. The liquid flows along the first surface and a portion thereof is passed through the tiny openings from the first surface side to the second surface side because of the latter being under lower pressure than the former, to be drawn off as filtrate. The rest of the liquid or a concentrated liquid portion flows out of the other end of the filter element. The flow velocity F of the liquid flowing along the first surface and/or the flow velocity f of the filtrate through the tiny openings is controlled such that the ratio F/f can be kept at a predetermined value.

Abstract: An automated skimming flow perimeter gutter control system for swimming pools is provided having a water cleaning and recirculation system receiving water from the pool, cleaning it, and returning it to the pool; a first drain line connecting the pool to the water recirculation system for water feed from the pool for cleaning; a gutter conduit for disposition about the perimeter of a swimming pool, receiving overflow across a top edge thereof and adapted to carry water at a level below a predetermined level in the swimming pool; a second drain line connecting the gutter conduit with the water recirculation system for water feed from the gutter for cleaning; skimming means receiving skimming flow across a top edge thereof at the perimeter of the swimming pool; a first drain valve in the first drain line which when open allows water from the pool to flow to the water recirculation system, and when closed stops such flow; a balance means in flow connection with the first and second drain lines and the water reci

Abstract: A novel mobile system for cleaning and processing catch basin and/or lagoon waste products is described wherein the degree of waste product dilution is carefully controlled prior to transmission to mobile dewatering truck capable of producing a substantially dry land fill suitable end product and water suitable for recirculation or environmentally acceptable discharge to a process head or sanitary sewer.

Abstract: An arrangement for developing latent images includes a mechanism for conveying an article which carries a latent image over a succession of containers which accommodate a developer, a washing fluid, a fixer and a washing fluid respectively. A pressure chamber is arranged above each container and the article passes through the pressure chambers. A pump is associated with each pressure chamber and pumps the respective fluid therein for contact with the article. A sensing device located at an upstream end of the arrangement senses the length of the article and causes a quantity of fresh developer, which is related to the size of the article, to be admitted into the container with the developer. Concomitantly, a corresponding amount of contaminated developer flows out of the container and into a collecting vessel.

Abstract: A novel mobile system for cleaning and processing catch basin and/or lagoon waste products is described wherein the degree of waste product dilution is carefully controlled prior to transmission to a mobile dewatering truck. The truck comprises dewatering apparatus which is uniquely controlled to produce a substantially dry land fill suitable end product and water suitable for recirculation or environmentally acceptable discharge to a process head or sanitary sewer.

Abstract: A vacuum drain system including a collecting tank and a sewage drain vacuum conduit line for conveying sewage from service connections to the collecting tank under the influence of vacuum in the system. Each service connection for admitting sewage includes a suction valve which also admits a volume of air to facilitate movement of sewage in the system. In order to prevent accumulation of sewage during prolonged periods of low usage of the system, such as at night, an auxiliary aeration system is provided for introducing a volume of air independently of the air admitted through operation of the suction valves.

Abstract: A process control apparatus and system for dewatering a solids ladened slurry of water and waste water embodying one or more of four primary process control techniques, depending upon the particular process application.The four process control techniques are (1) monitoring of the instantaneous solids concentration increase in the dewatering unit, (2) measurement of the rate of change of the solids concentration increase with respect to time, (3) controlled pumping to produce a substantially constant flow rate in the effluent from the dewatering unit until the terminal dewatering pressure is reached, and (4) variation of the amount of conditioning agents added to the influent slurry in response to one or more control signals derived from other components of the dewatering system and apparatus.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the regeneration cycle of a water softener includes a flow meter which provides a pulse output of a frequency proportional to the flow rate of the water treated by the softener. A predetermined counter, responsive to the flow meter pulse output, provides a first enabling output when a first count is reached indicating that the capacity for treating a normal 24 hour supply of water remains and provides a second enabling output when a second count is reached indicating that the capacity for treating water has been depleted. A 24 hour timer is responsive to the first enabling output to provide a regeneration timer with a regeneration initiation signal at a preselected time during the 24 hour period following the first enabling output. The regeneration timer is directly responsive to the predetermined counter for initiation of regeneration immediately upon receipt of the second enabling signal.

Abstract: This specification discloses a system and method for flushing and cleaning a hydrocyclone used in removing drilled solids from a drilling mud circulated in the drilling of a borehole. The system is comprised of a feed pump connected via a mud conduit to the inlet of a hydrocyclone. A check valve is located in the mud conduit intermediate the feed pump and the inlet of the hydrocyclone which allows the mud to flow through the mud conduit only in the direction toward the hydrocyclone. Another conduit for flowing a cleaning liquid is connected with the mud conduit on the hydrocyclone side of the check valve. A valve responsive to a signal, pressure or electrical, is located in this other conduit intermediate the mud conduit and a supply of cleaning liquid.

Abstract: An arrangement for developing latent images includes a mechanism for conveying an article which carries a latent image over a succession of containers which accommodate a developer, a washing fluid, a fixer and a washing fluid, respectively. A pressure chamber is arranged above each container and the article passes through the pressure chambers. A pump is associated with each pressure chamber and pumps the respective fluid therein for contact with the article. A sensing device located at an upstream end of the arrangement senses the length of the article and causes a quantity of fresh developer to be admitted into the container with the developer. Concomitantly, a corresponding amount of contaminated developer flows out of the container and into a collecting vessel. The sensing device activates a source of chemical neutralizing fluid and causes a quantity of the latter to be admitted into the collecting vessel for neutralizing the contaminated developer.

Abstract: A novel mobile system for cleaning and processing catch basin and/or lagoon waste products is described wherein the degree of waste product dilution is carefully controlled prior to transmission to a mobile dewatering truck capable of producing a substantially dry land fill suitable end product and water suitable for recirculation or environmentally acceptable discharge to a process head or sanitary sewer.

Abstract: A process for settling suspended particles in a liquid medium comprises supplying a stream of liquor for clarification to a settlement vessel, taking off an overflow of substantially clear liquor from the top of the settlement vessel, periodically or continuously removing settled particles in the form of a flowable mud from the bottom of the settlement vessel, supplying flocculating agent for admixture with the liquor entering said settlement vessel and controlling the relative proportions of flocculating agent and supplied liquor in such manner as to maintain a substantial layer of cloudy liquor lying between said flowable mud and a supernatant clear liquor layer in said settlement vessel. The upper boundary of the cloudy liquor layer is continuously monitored by a probe device which draws liquor from within the cloudy layer and forwards it to an instrument which compares its turbidity with a known value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to process and apparatus for automatically restoring to usefulness spent cleaning and/or drying liquids comprising an aqueous phase and an oil phase, the latter comprising 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, as the principal component, and a surfactant, said process and apparatus characterized in that electrical conductometric means, liquid level sensing means and time programmed means cooperate and automatically direct separation and removal means in the separation and removal of the aqueous phase from the oil phase, said process further characterized in that, optionally, at least one of the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, surfactant and water is added to the oil phase, the amount of water added being insufficient to produce an aqueous phase, to restore the oil phase to usefulness as a cleaning and/or drying liquid.

Abstract: In an arrangement for regulating the moistening solution mixture for use in an offset printing press, a tank is provided with two separate spaces, one for the moistening solution mixture and the other for a moistening solution additive. A conduit system containing various regulating devices is connected to the tank for regulating the introduction of the additives into the mixture and for the supply of the solution to the printing unit, a crystal sand filter is located in the conduit system for filtering the mixture and a pump, associated with the filter, directs a part of the filter mixture to the printing unit and returns a part of the mixture to the tank. A flow measuring electrode is arranged in the conduit system and is operatively connected to the regulating devices for controlling operation of the arrangement.