Abstract: A method of treatment of liquid including supplying liquid to be treated to at least one liquid treatment module having a liquid inlet, a permeate outlet and a brine outlet, monitoring liquid pressure within the at least one liquid treatment module and upon exceedance of a liquid pressure threshold in the at least one liquid treatment module, reducing the liquid pressure in the at least one liquid treatment module by performing at least one of the following functions: opening a liquid pressure reducing valve at the brine outlet, increasing a liquid volume output of a circulation pump which removes brine from the at least one liquid treatment module, equilibrating liquid pressures between a liquid pressure inside the at least one liquid treatment module and inside a liquid feed tank and opening a liquid pressure reducing valve at the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A water softening system of the cation exchange type includes a regeneration system where there is a discharge duct for discharging waste flush water to waste from the treatment tank during regeneration with a valve for controlling the outlet and the discharge duct so that during regeneration the water from the treatment tank does not flow to the outlet and is instead directed to the discharge duct. A brine tank is provided for containing a solution of salt in water for injection by a transfer arrangement into the treatment tank with a return valve in the discharge duct operable to return a portion of the waste flush water to the brine tank which is equal to the quantity drawn by a brine transfer arrangement, while all waste flush water not returned to the brine tank is discharged to waste.

Abstract: A system comprises an input, a brine chamber, a water softening chamber, and an output. One or more valves are configured to selectively prevent fluid communication of water from the input into the brine chamber; and to selectively permit communication of brine from the brine chamber to the water softening chamber when water is not being communicated through the input. The output is configured to output water softened in the water softening chamber. The one or more valves may include a first valve and a second valve. The first valve may be responsive to water being communicated through the input. The second valve may be responsive to either manual actuation or a fluid level in the brine chamber. The system may further include a cartridge that is removably coupled with the water softening chamber. The cartridge may contain salt and may further define the brine chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum truck has a cylindrical tank which can be pivoted to discharge through a rear door is arranged for transporting collected solids while liquid is extracted and returned. Two tank extraction outlets in the top wall at the front and rear are connected to the vacuum pump and each includes a float valve ball contained in a receptacle above the top wall as to allow the tank to be filled to the top wall. For separating the materials into liquid which is pumped away and solids for transportation, the tank includes a generally upstanding dividing wall across the tank having a bottom wall portion, which can pivot away as the tank is tilted, and has a top edge defining a weir over which liquid can flow into the liquid collection area, and an upper screening section defined by a support screen and a hanging chain curtain in front of the screen.

Abstract: A feeder is disclosed for dissolving a chemical and mixing it with a liquid. The feeder includes a hopper adapted to hold the chemical, a nozzle located in the hopper, and a supply of the liquid to the nozzle to dissolve the chemical on contact with the liquid from the nozzle to form a solution. A solution basin is disposed under the hopper and a drain is provided from the hopper into the solution basin. An outlet from the solution basin has an outlet valve which opens when a solution level in the solution basin rises.

Abstract: A vacuum-actuated liquid chlorine dispenser for use in an aerobic treatment system. Effluent is diverted from a discharge pipe in an aerobic treatment system into an inlet of a venturi chamber. The resulting pressure differential resulting from effluent flowing through the venturi chamber is communicated to a dosage container, which results in disinfectant flow from a reservoir into the dosage container until the volume of disinfectant contained by the dosage container causes a pressure control device, such as a float valve, to inhibit further pressure communication. Thereafter, the accumulated disinfectant within the dosage container egresses through a disinfectant outlet that may include a flow regulation device such as a drip emitter or check valve. The present invention allows for more regular dosing of known and accurate disinfectant amounts following each pumping cycle of the aerobic treatment system.

Abstract: To provide a drain trap which makes it possible to easily clean the interior of a main body sand accurately seal a junction between storage space Sand discharge space partitioned by a partitions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wastewater treatment apparatus utilizing time tested techniques for recirculating media treatment with proprietary advancements to produce a system capable of nitrifying and denitrifying wastewater through the use of passive calcium carbonate and organic carbon feed systems. By creating aerobic and anaerobic zones and the ability to monitor and adjust these zones by physical and mechanical means with minimal operator involvement, wastewater is recycled through these zones thereby creating an enhanced biological filtering process. The treated wastewater is then discharged to standard leaching facilities, various irrigation uses and/or introduced to further treatment for water recycling and reuse.

Abstract: A system for recycling drilling sludge is disclosed. The system has a treatment area and a salt-tolerant bio-reactor coupled to the treatment area. The bio-reactor has i) at least one bio-suspension element for supporting the growth of at least one type of biological microorganism within an enclosed flow zone; ii) an agitator for creating a flow of the drilling sludge through the enclosed flow zone at a flow rate; and iii) an aerator for providing a gas to the enclosed flow zone. The system also has a processor coupled to the agitator and configured to create at least a minimum self-cleaning drag force between drilling sludge passing through the enclosed flow zone and the combined at least one type of biological microorganism and the at least one bio-suspension element. A related method and bio-reactor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressurized wastewater effluent chlorination system including a treatment tank defining a contact chamber and an aeration chamber. The treatment tank receives wastewater effluent. The system includes a pressure vessel within a liquid chlorine storage container positioned in or near the treatment tank. Preferably, the pressure vessel is a floating vessel having a check valve at its bottom, enabling the vessel to fill with a predetermined amount or measured charge of chlorine depending on the position of a float on the vessel. In response to a timer control or float switch, a valve operates to communicate air pressure from a compressor to the vessel to displace the measured charge of liquid chlorine into the wastewater effluent in the contact chamber. Effluent flow and air discharge into the contact chamber enhances mixing of the chlorine and the effluent.

Abstract: A valve in a fluid treatment system adapted for controlling the flow of fluid between a source and a treatment media disposed in a treatment chamber. The valve includes a housing having a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet; a containment chamber; and a sealing member reciprocal between a first position in which the sealing member is retained in the containment chamber out of the flow of fluid in the passageway and a second position that seals the outlet. The containment chamber also includes a drain opening, which can be a venturi, for emptying the containment chamber of fluid.

Abstract: An ice water cooling system for a multi-story building includes an open chemical tank 304 adjacent the bottom of the building 300. The tank includes a float-level ball 310 positioned therein for controlling the flow volume of water from the pipeline circular system 302. A pump 314 and check valve 312 are positioned downstream of the tank and are configured to prevent reflux from the pipeline circular system. The float-level ball, pump and check valve act to isolate the pressure in the pipeline circular system from that of the open-chemical tank which is at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A well (12) outside of a brine tank (10) is provided which provides better accessibility to the brine refill valve (112) or other components within the well. Also, apertures (42-48) of differing elevations above the bottom of the brine tank can communicate between the brine tank and the well (12). Selected ones of the apertures can be plugged to select the quantity of water which can be removed and refilled in the brine tank.

Abstract: A two-chamber fluid control valve for a water softener system is provided. The valve includes a primary chamber having a primary inlet for passage of a primary fluid into the primary chamber and a primary outlet for passage of fluid out of the primary chamber, and a primary valve member disposed for closing the primary outlet. The valve also includes a secondary chamber having a secondary inlet and a secondary outlet fluidly communicating with, and for passing the secondary fluid into, the primary chamber, and a secondary valve member disposed for closing the secondary outlet to prevent the passage of air out of the secondary chamber and into the primary chamber, whereby primary and secondary fluids can be combined in the primary chamber prior to flowing out of the primary outlet of the primary chamber. The valve allows a homogeneous brine/secondary chemical solution to be formed therein and fed to a water softener tank to regenerate and treat the tank and the ion exchange medium therein.

Abstract: A filtration and regeneration system for in-line filtration of dirt and impurities from a brine/solution having contaminant flushing capabilities and a direct non-saturated feed of liquid resin cleaners to resins or filter media. An alternate embodiment includes the filtration and regeneration system in combination with other components, including a control panel and controlled valving, to provide a brine reclamation system.

Abstract: A salt dispenser for placement within a water softener brine tank has a cylindrical, rectangular or square plastic sleeve with multiple holes which allow the passage of water while retaining salt pellets. The salt dispenser is particularly advantageous for brine tanks which do not support the salt pellets or crystals above the bottom of the tank. The salt dispenser allows water to access the salt within the brine tank from all sides which leads to an even reduction in the height of the salt bed within the salt dispenser. Many water softener systems are supplied with brine tanks in which the salt rests directly on the bottom of the brine tank. Water is supplied to the brine tank by a float valve which also functions to allow brine to be withdrawn from the tank. After brine is withdrawn the float valve permits water to be added until a predetermined water level is reached. The introduction of water into the brine tank causes some of the salt pellet crystals to dissolve.

Abstract: A gravity flow, single or multi-cell filter incorporating an integral backwash control chamber for enabling backwashing to occur without the need for backwash pumps. The backwash control chamber contains a volume of backwash liquid, and communicates with a source of pressurized backwash liquid through a float-controlled flow control valve in order to maintain a desired liquid level within the backwash control chamber during backwashing operations. The flow of backwash liquid from the backwash control chamber is controllable either by means of three-way valves interconnecting the backwash control chamber with the filter outlet chamber, or by wash water control gates within the backwash chamber that are adapted to selectively cover outlet openings to permit backwash flow to enter the filter outlet chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying and/or separating fluids including passing such fluid from a feed side of a reverse osmosis unit to the product side of such unit and to an ultimate user during a purifying cycle and recirculating residual fluid back to the feed side in bypass relation to the reverse osmosis unit during a treating cycle to introduce suitable treating fluids into the system for disinfecting and rejuvenating the system.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter separator system operable to separate from oil under pressure, contaminants and water. The centrifuged water port of the centrifugal filter separator of the system is coupled to a differential pressure responsive, sensor control, which automatically senses the presence of a layer of centrifuged water against the internal surface of the rotating drum of the centrifugal separator. The sensor control is coupled to a flow control circuit which in conjunction with the differential pressure sensor control causes automatic removal of an existing layer of centrifuged water from the rotating drum via the water exit port of the separator. When there is no adequate depth layer of centrifuged water on the inner surface of the rotating drum, the sensor control deactivates the water removal circuit, while the flow control circuit maintains a minimum generally constant flow of liquid from the water port of the separator for priming purposes.

Abstract: In an electric discharge machining method, a workpiece is subjected to an electric discharge machining at a high working speed using water as the dielectric fluid, and after this, the workpiece is finish-machined using oil as the dielectric fluid. An apparatus for carrying out the method has a feeding system for selectively feeding water or oil as the quenched surface of a workpiece is removed by using water as a dielectric fluid in electric discharge machining (EDM) the dielectric fluid to a machining gap between the workpiece and a tool electrode and a returning device for selectively returning the dielectric fluid used in the machining gap to an oil tank or a water tank.

Abstract: A dispenser for an aqueous solution of a chemical, such as potassium permanganate, that should be confined at all times encloses the chemical in a lightweight disposable jar. The dispenser is actuated by a valve that has a relatively large float on one end of a stem and a diaphragm at the other end of such stem. It is not necessary for the user of the chemical to ever remove it from the container in which it is sold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a mixture of cation and anion resins is disclosed. The separation involves introducing the mixture of cation and anion resins to a treatment zone in countercurrent flow with a carrier fluid to achieve hydroclassification of the resins. The method and apparatus may be employed to separate cation and anion resins on either a batch or continuous basis.

Abstract: A pool filtering system is shown. Dirty water from the pool passes into a stilling or surge chamber under the control of a float valve, then passes through a large particle interceptor screen into a filter element chamber which has a plurality of generally vertically extending filter elements, each having a coarse core covered by an outer layer of sufficiently fine mesh to retain an outer coating of diatomaceous silica, then through the filter elements in parallel to a manifold at the bottom of the tank which leads to the recycling pump and directs the clean water back to the pool. A diatomaceous silica dry slurry feeder is installed above the filter tank. A hypochlorinator is effective in the clean water line going back to the pool. A heat exchanger may be mounted in the stilling chamber, if desired.

Abstract: A self-contained toilet and sanitary waste treatment plant that has a delivery system, a biological treatment system and a water recovery system. The delivery system includes a vacuum-type flush toilet adapted to receive flush water from the water recovery system and delivery means adapted to discharge the sanitary waste and flush water into the biological treatment system. The latter includes anaerobic digestion means, aerobic digestion means and sedimentation means for reducing the organic matter by biological treatment. The effluent from the biological treatment system is discharged to the water recovery system wherein primary and secondary filtration means are employed for reclaiming water for flush or other purposes.