Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing displacement of a washing machine having a drum rotatable about an axis of rotation is disclosed. The washing machine comprises a chassis and a motor for rotation a drum. The drum is suspended from the chassis by a suspension. The suspension can comprise springs having six natural frequencies that can resonate at a rotational speed of the drum driven by the motor. The suspension system can be tuned such that resonant frequencies can be varied based upon rotational speed of the drum.

Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).

Abstract: Lowering of process quality of a sample is prevented even when a rotor is slowly decelerated taking a long time upon finishing a centrifugal process. A centrifuge having a steady operation mode of rotating a rotor at an inputted steady rotation speed and a deceleration stop mode of stopping the rotor by deceleration. When a remaining time of the steady operation mode is within a stop preparation time, a target controlled temperature of the rotor chamber is set from a first target controlled temperature to a second target controlled temperature that is higher than the first target controlled temperature. By setting the target controlled temperature of the rotor chamber high before switching to the deceleration stop mode, temperature of the rotor chamber is controlled to be close to a set temperature of the rotor and thus excessive cooling of a sample loaded to the rotor can be prevented.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating waste water in residential, industrial and agricultural environments are disclosed. The methods and systems for treating waste water can be localized and self-contained with no need to channel sewage to a remote location. The waste water treatment methods and systems result in recycled clean water, concentrated effluent, and disposable solids. The recycled water can be used for landscaping and domestic use. The concentrated effluent can be channeled to an anaerobic digester to generate biogas, such as hydrogen, methane, and/or carbon dioxide, which can be used to generate power or as fuel for heating and/or cooking. The disposable solids may be used as fertilizer for farming or gardening.

Abstract: An osmotic power generation system and method for generating osmotic power includes a membrane chamber having a semi-permeable membrane therein defining a first portion and a second portion therein. The system also includes a first pump communicating a first fluid to the first portion and a second pump communicating a second fluid to the second portion. The second fluid has higher total dissolved solids than the first fluid. A second portion energy recovery device is in fluid communication with the second portion. A power generator is in communication with the second portion energy recovery device generating electrical power in response to the second portion energy recovery device and the pressure in the second portion.

Abstract: A collection valve for use in a water reclamation system is provided. The collection valve comprises (i) a drain pipe connectable to a drain line in which gray water flows, the drain pipe comprising an inlet pipe, a medial pipe, and an outlet pipe; the medial pipe having a first opening rotatable from a first position to a second position; (ii) a valve plug pipe, surrounding the medial pipe, having an second opening; and (iii) an actuator assembly for rotating the medial pipe between the first and second positions. Rotating the medial pipe to the first position causes the first opening to be in alignment with the second opening causing gray water to drain into a tank. Rotating the medial pipe to the second position misaligns the first and second opening causing fluid passing through the medial pipe or drain to a sewer or septic tank.

Abstract: Apparatus improvements to the method for improving belt press dewatering which incorporates a high compression zone with multiple pinch points. Apparatus improvements include a) separate lower permeable belts with different materials, weave patterns wrap and weft thread diameters and opening sizes for each pinch point; b) an apparatus for raising the upper frame for ease of replacing belts and automatic recovery from jamming of belt press; and c) independent gap width and compression adjustments at each pinch point.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a filtration system having one or more apparatuses for filtering gases, liquids, or fluids (e.g., water) to remove particulate matter, and methods of making and using the apparatus. More particularly, embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for applying centrifugal force(s) to push a fluid or gas to be filtered through a porous membrane or filter within the apparatus to separate particulate matter therefrom. The present invention takes advantage of the Coriolis effect within a cylindrical filter radiating out from a rotating central body. The filtration apparatus provides an energy efficient system for microfiltration (or other filtration process) to remove contaminants from gases and fluids, such as waste water.

Abstract: A control valve assembly (10) controls the flow of water to and from a treatment tank (16) and the regeneration of the treatment material therein. A housing of the valve assembly includes connections for a tank inlet and tank outlet. An inlet chamber (60), outlet chamber (34), a pressure-operated inlet valve (24) and an outlet valve (32). A pair of venturi chambers (81a, 81b) are configured to provide co-current and counter-current regeneration. A regeneration control subsystem includes a turbine (104) and a nozzle impinging thereon to produce rotation. An external port (130) receives fluid to provide a driving for the turbine in order to initiate regeneration. A bypass chamber (60) communicates with the inlet chamber (15). The inlet valve (24) has dual seating surfaces for controlling the communication between the inlet chamber, transfer chamber (70) and tank inlet (26).

Abstract: An aeration control valve system may be used with a water treatment system to control aeration and flow of water in accordance with various operating cycles. The aeration control valve system pumps air into the water treatment system to provide an air charge for aerating the water to facilitate water treatment. The aeration control valve system may pump air into the water treatment system at atmospheric pressure or may pump air at higher pressures such that the air may be recharged while also treating the water. The aeration control valve may also control the release of air from the water treatment system. The operating cycles may include, for example, a service cycle, a backwash cycle, an air regeneration cycle, a service/air charge cycle, an air release cycle, and a rinse cycle.

Abstract: A method of mixing liquid waste material in a digester tank by extending a supporting beam between opposing walls of the tank, securing a paddle to the supporting beam, fixturing the paddle for rotation about the supporting beam, securing a pair of inflatable air sacks to the paddle at opposing ends, and selectively inflating and deflating the sacks to force the paddle to tilt in cyclic motion thereby mixing the liquid waste containing bacteria, waste material, and oxygen uniformly throughout the digester tank.

Abstract: For analysis of small quatities of target analytes in an environment, the gas flow can be delivered to a suitably fast analyzer and their concentration determined in a time period whose duration is dependent on the analyte, its concentration and the phase separation properties. A device having a sorbent bed that is essentially concentric with a passage way containing thermal fluid is used to concentrate the target analyte.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus is provided for filtering raw water containing various impurities and mixtures into purified water, and more particularly, a multistage filtering apparatus is provided in which a rotor for generating vortex are installed in each of multiple layers of filtration membrane stacked within a closed barrel and the rotors are formed in multistage by having different diameter of each rotor so that the power for generating vortex can be remarkably minimized by generating the vertical vortex from top and bottom of the rotary rotor and the horizontal vortex from the outer side of circumference plate of the rotary rotor to be crossed over between membranes to prevent from blocking the pores or remove the deposited pollutants, and the closed-type barrel having multistage of membranes, rotary shaft, and rotary rotors for vortex generation within are constructed as a single module of filter pack, and the filter pack is connected and extended in accordance with required purified capacity so that large s

Abstract: A differential rate rotary thickener; a power detector which is disposed in a sludge receiver tank for thickened sludge thickened in the differential rate rotary thickener; a discriminator which receives an electric signal for a thickened sludge concentration (X) detected by the power detector and which calculates and discriminate the data; a first controller which receives an instruction signal being a discriminated result in the discriminator and which operates an outer cylinder driving machine and a screw driving machine; a ratio setter which receives a discriminated signal of the discriminator and which increases or decreases a chemical feed rate (?) of flocculant stepwise; and a second controller which receives an instruction signal from the ratio setter and which operates a flocculant-feeding pump are provided. Thickening of sludge is performed by controlling the chemical feed rate (?), a rotational speed (S) of a screw, and a rotational speed (C) of an outer cylinder screen.

Abstract: In the present invention, a plurality of exhaust paths connected to a plurality of cup bodies surrounding substrate holding portions respectively are joined together for common use, and the openings of exhaust rate adjustment sections provided on the exhaust paths are adjusted with reference to data in which combinations of the numbers of rotations of the substrate holding portions are associated with combinations of set exhaust rates of the exhaust paths when solution treatment is performed by rotating the substrate by the substrate holding portion. According to the present invention, the cup body can be exhausted at an intended exhaust rate at all times independently of the state where the substrate in which cup body is subjected to which process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for fluids, in particular water, having a filter surface and a rotary spray arm contained in said filter, said arm conducting a flushing medium against the filter surface. To achieve an increase in the throughput capacity of the filter and to improve the flushing of the filter surface, the filter is equipped with a fluid-proof drum motor, which drives at least one spray arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a material from a medium includes a first housing having a wall with a plurality of openings formed therein, a conveyor disposed in the housing for moving the material therealong, and a conduit line communicating with the interior of the housing for supplying the medium to the apparatus. At least one of the first housing and the conveyor rotate relative to a central axis to direct the medium toward the wall so as to separate the material from the medium. A method for filtering a material from a medium includes supplying the medium to a first housing, spinning the medium within the housing, passing the medium through a wall of the housing to separate the material from the medium, moving the material along the housing, introducing a fluid into the material within the housing, and washing the material using the fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a device (1) and method for performing steps of a multi-step process in parallel. The device (1) and method feature a rotor assembly (13) having vessel stations (33) and stator assembly (15) having work positions. The rotor assembly (13) rotates the vessels (17) to the work stations to perform steps of a multi-step process at the same time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a centrifuge energy management system prevents the energy level of a rotor from exceeding a predetermined containment limit for the centrifuge by monitoring the energy level and either terminating a run operation of the centrifuge if it surpasses the containment limit or reducing the rotational speed of the rotor.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotator part that separates a liquid sample and has a rotor and a drive part. The rotor receives a liquid sample therein and rotates to separate the liquid sample. The drive part drives the rotor to rotate. A controller part controls operations of the rotator part which is mounted in a rotator casing. A controller casing which is separate from the rotator casing mounts the controller part, and the controller part is connected via a drive wire to the drive part in the rotator part. The rotor casing is disposed at a clean room, the controller casing is disposed outside the clean room, and the drive wire passes through a wall of the clean room via an air-tight sealing mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods for polymer addition control for sludges from water and wastewater treatment. In a treatment process where flocculating agents are used to promote solids aggregation, intrinsic physical properties of the liquid rich stream following separation may be continuously measured in order to control or optimize the amount of flocculating or treatment agent that is added to the process. These intrinsic physical properties may include, for example, the flocculating suspension or network strength. By determining the floc strength using various treating agent dosages, a optimum treating agent dose can be determined. The optimum treating agent dosage is the minimum in a floe strength to polymer dose curve.

Abstract: A system for automated operation of a blood separation system controlling the input of blood samples, the separation of blood components, and the discharge of the components. The system includes a blood reservoir and centrifuge for receiving blood samples and separating the blood components. A sensor determines when adequate separation has been achieved and a controller receives signals from the sensor to operate a centrifuge drive assembly to achieve desired separation. Separation may be based on a calibrated rotation time for the centrifuge as measured by a timer. An input pump pumps blood samples to the blood reservoir, and an outlet pump removes separated samples from the blood reservoir. The inlet and outlet pumps are operated by the controller, and the inlet pump may be operated to discharge separated components not collected by the blood separation system, whereby additional sample volume is added for ongoing operation.

Abstract: A belt-driven blood centrifuge with side-mounted drive motor for rotating the centrifuge at a rotation speed selected to separate blood components. The centrifuge includes a drive shaft assembly rotated at an input rotation speed and a rotor assembly rotatably linked to the drive shaft assembly rotated at an output rotation speed twice the input rotational speed. A drive motor is provided with a drive pulley to drive a belt, a chain, and the like to provide the motive force to rotate the drive shaft at the input rotation speed. In one embodiment, a belt is provided to contact both the pulley of the drive motor and an outer surface of a rotatable shell of the drive shaft assembly. A base is included in the centrifuge upon which the drive shaft assembly is mounted. The drive motor is positioned adjacent the drive shaft assembly and mounted on the base.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods separate whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent within a rotating centrifugal separation device. The systems and methods convey whole blood into the separation device through an inlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods remove plasma constituent from the separation device through an outlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods derive a value Hb representing an apparent hematocrit of whole blood entering the separation device, where: H b = H rbc ⁡ ( Q b - Q p ) Q b and where Hrbc is a value relating to hematocrit of red blood cells in the separation device.

Abstract: A highly versatile drive arrangement that drives a linearly reciprocating piston of a water conditioning unit control valve without imparting any significant side loads on the support structure for the piston's drive rod or the associated seals. The drive arrangement includes a reversible electric motor and a motion converter, such as a lead screw arrangement, that converts the rotary motion of the electric motor's pinion or other output element to reciprocating linear motion of the piston. The reversible motor can be controlled, based on signals from a motion monitor such as an encoder, to drive the piston to any desired position within the piston upon command. This, in turn, permits the operation of the water conditioning unit to be optimized for prevailing conditions and permits the control valve's operation to be altered if, e.g., the piston becomes stuck or encounters an obstruction.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods separate whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent within a rotating centrifugal separation device. The systems and methods convey whole blood into the separation device through an inlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods remove plasma constituent from the separation device through an outlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods derive a value Hb representing an apparent hematocrit of whole blood entering the separation device, where: H b = H rbc ⁡ ( Q b - Q p ) Q b and where Hrbc is a value relating to hematocrit of red blood cells in the separation device.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods separate whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent within a rotating centrifugal separation device. The systems and methods convey whole blood into the separation device through an inlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods remove plasma constituent from the separation device through an outlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods derive a value H.sub.b representing an apparent hematocrit of whole blood entering the separation device, where: ##EQU1## and where H.sub.rbc is a value relating to hematocrit of red blood cells in the separation device. The systems and methods generate outputs and control commands based, at least in part, upon H.sub.b.

Abstract: A worm centrifuge for separating solids/liquid mixtures is disclosed for overcoming the problems during start-up and shut-down processes that occur when quantity of a liquid is located or remains in the centrifuge drum, particularly the problem of the emergence of liquid at the solids discharge openings during the shut-down process. The inventive centrifuge includes at least one, preferably a plurality of, drum emptying openings distributed over the circumference of the face wall of the centrifuge drum and being positioned radially outside of the liquid discharge openings. The drum emptying openings are each radially crossed by a bore. The bores each include a centrifugal force valve having a spring-loaded closing member adapted to close the drum emptying opening at high drum speed (operating speed) and to open the drum emptying opening at low drum speed.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a waste water treatment system for removing sludge from within a rectangular clarifying tank as provided. The waste water treatment system includes a plurality of sludge collector flights attached to a pair of parallel chains for collecting sludge and scum within the waste water. Each of the collector flights includes a non-metallic elongated main body portion having spaced top and bottom walls connected by spaced front and rear walls for defining a hollow, interior cavity. Buoyant foam material is disposed within the interior cavity for increasing the buoyancy of the collector flight. The waste water treatment system further includes integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets and a chain drive assembly for driving a pair of parallel drive chains attached to the integrated plastic bull and drive sprockets. The chain drive assembly includes dual drive shafts exterior to the waste water with each extending across half the width of the tank.

Abstract: Blood processing systems and methods separate whole blood into red blood cells and a plasma constituent within a rotating centrifugal separation device. The systems and methods convey whole blood into the separation device through an inlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods remove plasma constituent from the separation device through an outlet path including a pump operable at a prescribed rate. The systems and methods derive a value H.sub.b representing an apparent hematocrit of whole blood entering the separation device, where: ##EQU1## and where H.sub.rbc is a value relating to hematocrit of red blood cells in the separation device. The systems and methods generate outputs and control commands based, at least in part, upon H.sub.b.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a tilting-pan filter assembly comprises an annular carrier for supporting a plurality of filter pans for motion along a circular transport path. The carrier is moved along the circular path by drive componentry including a plurality of individual hydraulic motors having pinions meshing with a ring gear on the carrier at respective equispaced drive points. The hydraulic motors are driven by a single pump which supplies a hydraulic fluid under variable pressure and variable flow rate. The hydraulic motors are connected in parallel to one another and to the pump in a closed loop hydraulic circuit. The pump may be driven by an electric motor which absorbs braking energy.

Abstract: A method for removing insoluble materials from a liquid mixture, including spinning at least one centrifuge separator at a predetermined speed and pumping the mixture to the spinning centrifuge separator at a predetermined rate. The rate in which the mixture is pumped to the separator is varied in response to a variable angular moment of force in the centrifuge separator caused by density variations in the mixture. The method is carried out by an apparatus including at least one centrifuge separator coupled in fluid communication to at least one pump. A closed-loop feedback system is operably coupled to the devices driving both the separator and the pump to control the rate in which the mixture is supplied to the separator. The rate is determined by the angular moment of force in the separator which then allows the system to increase, maintain, or decrease the output of the pump.

Abstract: A method and system of determining an operation parameter for a centrifuge includes measuring one or more physical characteristics of a rotor interchangeably supported by a rotor drive. In the preferred embodiment, windage is measured at a first rotational speed and a speed-dependent signal is generated to adjust a vacuum system based upon changes in rotational speed of the rotor. Changes in windage may also be used as a basis for adjusting a refrigeration circuit. Either as an alternative or in addition to monitoring windage, the moment of inertia can be measured and used to adjust adaptive circuitry. For example, the drive circuitry may be adjusted based upon a determination of inertia as the physical characteristic of interest. The method and system isolate inertia and windage as the main forms of resistance to acceleration of the rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing solid phase extraction (SPE) on a fluid that contains solubles and suspended solids. The method includes: (a) providing a volume of fluid that contains solubles and suspended solids, (b) processing the volume of fluid to extract solubles therefrom by the steps comprising: (i) passing a first portion of the volume of fluid through a SPE medium that has first and second sides, the first portion of the volume of fluid passing through the SPE medium from the first side to the second side; and then (ii) passing a second portion of the volume of fluid through the SPE medium from the second side to the first side; and (c) repeating step (b) a plurality of times such that no substantial amount of the suspended solids is removed from the processed volume of fluid and solubles are retained on the SPE medium. The apparatus includes a conduit, a SPE medium located in the conduit, and a fluid flow direction altering mechanism or a SPE rotating mechanism.

Abstract: A method for removing insoluble materials from a liquid mixture, including spinning at least one centrifuge separator at a predetermined speed and pumping the mixture to the spinning centrifuge separator at a predetermined rate. The rate in which the mixture is pumped to the separator is varied in response to a variable angular moment of force in the centrifuge separator caused by density variations in the mixture. The method is carried out by an apparatus including at least one centrifuge separator coupled in fluid communication to at least one pump. A closed-loop feedback system is operably coupled to the devices driving both the separator and the pump to control the rate in which the mixture is supplied to the separator. The rate is determined by the angular moment of force in the separator which then allows the system to increase, maintain, or decrease the output of the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of rotation of a wastewater distribution assembly for a sewage treatment trickling filter contained by a vessel. The wastewater distribution assembly is of the type including a support and at least one distribution arm having an end terminating adjacent a wall of the vessel. The apparatus comprises a carriage having at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the end of the distribution arm and adapted to engage the vessel and means mounted to the carriage for controlling the rotation rate or free-wheeling of the wheel.

Abstract: A dehydrator for use in washing clothes or the like includes a dehydration tub mounted in an outer cabinet, a brushless motor for rotating the dehydration tub for a dehydrating operation, and a microcomputer-based controller for controlling the rotational speed of the motor so that the motor is rotated at a plurality of different rotational speeds sequentially during the dehydrating operation. The different rotational speeds include a maximum rotational speed ranging between a rated rotational speed or above and a rotational speed corresponding to a resonant point of the outer cabinet.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery system deposits a polypropylene quilt onto an oil spill on water, the quilt being deposited at the speed of movement of a water craft so there is no relative motion between the quilt and the water. The quilt is allowed to rest for a given dwell time, then picked up at a speed to prevent relative motion between the quilt and the water. The quilt is retrieved and placed into a first scray. Squeeze rolls remove the quilt from the first scray and squeeze oil therefrom. A plurality of scrays and squeeze rolls may be used. A sewing machine or heat sealing apparatus may be disposed between two scrays so the quilt can be spliced as necessary during operation of the system.

Abstract: The present invention deals with wastewater treatment systems, and more particularly with trickling filter systems using distribution tubes or arms rotating about a central point above filter beds to distribute wastewater thereto. The present invention comprises an auxiliary or backup motor drive mechanism for a rotary wastewater distributor and includes a prime mover, preferably an electric motor, a transmission system, preferably a sprocket and chain drive, and a sensing system to turn the auxiliary drive system on when flow rates are too low to maintain the normal hydraulically driven rotation of the distributor. The auxiliary drive system further comprises protective mechanisms to turn the prime mover off whenever speeds afforded by the wastewater flow are adequate for proper distributor operation or whenever the auxiliary drive system is overloaded due to a failure of rotation of the distributor.

Abstract: Slimy liquids, such as slimy manure, are passed through a press screw separator to separate the solids. Vibrations are introduced into the slimy liquid for reducing its viscosity to enable the liquid to more readily gravitate through a screen basket of the separator.

Abstract: Solids contained in waste water are separated and dewatered by a separator comprising a cylindrical strainer basket and a rotary screw disposed in said basket. The screw terminates short of an outlet end of the basket. Waste water introduced into the separator is advanced by the screw until a solids slug is formed between a discharge end of the screw and a solids discharge formed by a cylindrical tube extending forwardly from the basket. About seventy to ninety-five percent of the slug is contained in the basket and is pressed laterally against a wall of the basket to promote the removal of water. The terminal portion of the screw tapers in order to maximize the compaction of the solids slug.

Abstract: A disc filter and method of operating same is provided in which a liquid jet is intermittently used to detach pulp cake from the disc filter. In operation, mechanical or electrical means actuate a nozzle to spray pressurized fluid at a portion of the boundary between the surface of each disc filter segment and its associated pulp cake. The nozzle is actuated to begin spraying as respective segments move into register with the nozzle and are cause to discontinue spraying prior to moving out of register when the loosened pulp cake falls from the segments by gravity. the improved control of pulp cake removal reduces use of washing fluid and results in improved pulp cake consistency.

Abstract: A disk shaped cassette for centrifugal fluid separation, particularly blood separation, and a drive system for high speed rotation of the cassette. The cassette is driven at speeds which permit very rapid separation of the blood in times on the order of seven (7) to twenty (20) seconds by an automated control. The cassette is supported by a flexible support coupling and mounting system that permits the entire rotating mass to spin about the center of mass unique to the particular cassette as filled. The cassette typically includes a peripheral collection chamber which may be either annular, lobed or channel shaped. A cassette enabled to hold plural separation tubes is also shown. A gel can be placed in the cassette with a density between the fluid components to be separated and after centrifuging maintains the component separation that centrifuging creates.

Abstract: An automatic filtration dewatering system includes a cover to which a filtration raw liquid supply pipe and a pressure air supply pipe are connected. A plate having a filter medium support and a filtrate exhaust pipe is selectively closed by a cover with a pneumatic cylinder vertically moving said cover. Filter medium moving rollers are provided on both sides of the cover and plate, and a sheet-like long filter medium is stretched over said rollers for movement a predetermined distance per one step of filtration.

Abstract: A device for collecting and discharging solid matter from a liquid-solid mixture in a waste collecting stream having a grid structure including alternate stationary and displaceable bars, the displaceable bars being interconnected so as to rotate as one unit, and a drive mechanism used to impart rotational motion to said displaceable bars.

Abstract: Waste water treatment apparatus including a vessel for receiving the waste water and having an inlet and an effluent outlet spaced from the inlet. The space between the two defines a flow path for the waste water and a scum outlet is also provided for the vessel. An elongated trough having an elongated opening is disposed horizontally in the vessel at an intended level of waste water therein and extends across the flow path. A movable skimmer blade extending below the intended level of waste water can be drawn along the flow path to capture scum and deliver and deposit the same in the trough through the opening thereof.

Abstract: An improved desludging device for basket centrifuges facilitates the automatic withdrawal of hard sludge from the centrifuge. The device includes a sludge discharge tube and a sludge re-slurrying tube, the tubes being connected in a loop, so that fluid exiting the centrifuge through the discharge tube reenters the centrifuge through the re-slurrying tube. The re-slurrying tube terminates in one or more nozzles or slots, pointed in the general direction of the discharge tube. This continual recirculation of fluid causes the hard sludge in the centrifuge to return to the form of a slurry, and the slurry is periodically withdrawn from the centrifuge. The re-slurrying effect may be enhanced by the occasional introduction of some process liquid, or other liquid, into the centrifuge. The sludge discharge tube and re-slurrying tube are mechanically linked, and are programmed to move towards the rim of the centrifuge until substantially all the sludge is removed.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating first and second liquids having different specific gravities includes a container supported for rotation about an axis, a drive arrangement for rotating the container, a supply arrangement for introducing a mixture of the liquids into the container, a valve arrangement supported on the container and in fluid communication with and responsive to fluid pressure in a radially outermost portion of the container for discharging quantities of the first liquid from such portion of the container to the region external to the container during rotation of the container, and an arrangement for removing from the container during rotation thereof quantities of the second liquid.

Abstract: An arrangement for continuously separating fruits has a housing, a sieve element rotating in the housing and a hammer element rotating inside the sieve element, wherein the sieve element rotates with the speed which is lower than the speed of rotation of the hammer element and the relation between the speeds of rotation of the hammer element and the sieve element is within the region of between 2:1 and 4:1. A method of continuously separating fruits include withdrawing the extracted fruit juice from the inventive arrangement and supplying the same into a screw centrifuge so as to clarify the fruit juice in the latter and to produce a white wine. Red pigment of the fruit skin can be introduced into the fruit juice so as to produce a red fruit wine.

Abstract: The apparatus is suitably disposed within a circular tank and comprises a stationary bridge, a feeding bell, a scraper, driving means, and an optional foam scraping means. The apparatus is characterized in that it has a centrally suspended rotating scraper, mounted from a central vertical shaft and driven by a drive which travels along the rim of the tank, and additionally has at least one rotating drive arm. The drive arm is connected at one end to the drive and at its other end to the feeding bell, which is supported by the shaft of the scraper. The feeding bell is preferably capable of vertical adjustment. The scraper is preferably provided with at least one row of a plurality of vertical stick-like members. A foam scraper is optionally attached to the drive arm. The apparatus additionally contains means for automatically raising or lowering the scraper. depending on the relative rotary momentum between the scraper and the rim drive.