Abstract: An apparatus and method using the apparatus for separating honey and beeswax from capping and refuse is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container, partially covered by a cap. A trough is formed between a side wall of the container and the side of the cap. Capping placed in the trough block heat from escaping the container when the heat requirement is high. When most of the capping in the container and troughs has been melted and the heat requirement is low, excess heat escapes through the open troughs. The capping in the container is heated by a conventional radiant heater placed below the cap and directing heat into the container and the honey is separated from melted beeswax and other refuse, by removing the different melted layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency deep fat fryer from whose fry tank fat is continuously withdrawn for heating and filtration. A pump circulates part of this fat through a helical- or serpentine-shaped finned-tube heat exchanger positioned between a gas-fired burner and the bottom of the fry tank. The remaining portion of fat is directed through a filter located in the bottom zone of the fry tank. The fryer includes a control system with sensors such as pressure switches for preventing damage to the fat at low flow rates and devices for expelling moisture trapped in the pump. The filter has an element of material such as carbon-impregnated cloth which may be quickly replaced without draining fat from the tank.

Abstract: Device useful as a heat exchanger for blood or as an apparatus in which blood may be treated or reacted with selected reactants. Device comprises hollow tubing which has spacing means on its outer surface, said spacing means being in the form of continuous or discontinuous projections or ridges of material. Hollow tubing having such spacing means is also included.

Abstract: A separator for multiple phase fluids has a unitary fluid separator box formed as a single metal plenary chamber, and alternatively as a simple fluid distribution box of a single plastic form. Each of the single plenum chamber branching channel box has a top fluid constricting support plate and a bottom support plate, with an inlet fluid channel which branches to a first pair of channels having each channel cross section equal to the single inlet channel, the first pair of channels each branching to a second pair of channels, also each having the inlet channel cross section, the second pair of channels can also each have a third pair of channels of outlet channel cross section, and so on. The inlet channel turbulent fluid flow is transformed by multiple dual channel splitting and flow into a substantially laminar fluid flow, allowing phase separations.

Abstract: An eductor truck for removing debris from catch basins which is provided with adequate storage facilities, improved safety features and improved door opening features, and improved tank heating features.

Abstract: A spin on fuel water separator having a filter element attached within an electrically grounded housing, means are provided for supplying an electrical potential to the filter element and the filter element is electrically insulated from the housing. Separated water is stored within the housing, and when separated water accumulates within the housing so as to contact the filter element, a current flow through the filter element, the reservoir and the housing is indicated. The housing includes a reservoir bowl provided with a warming coil which allows separated sludge and water to be warmed prior to removal from the device. An optional embodiment includes a means for detecting and indicating a restricted filter element.

Abstract: A spin on fuel water separator having a filter element attached within an electrically grounded housing, a circuit (50) is provided for supplying an electrical potential to the filter element and the filter element is electrically insulated from the housing. Separated water is stored within the housing, and when separated water accumulates within the housing so as to contact the filter element, a current flow through the filter element, the water in the reservoir and the housing is indicated. An optional embodiment includes a pressure drop detector for detecting and indicating a restricted filter element.

Abstract: A tractor trailer chassis compactly mounts a waste oil cleaning apparatus of hydraulically connected, primary components. A diesel fuel burner fired heater of vertical cylindrical form mounts at one end of the chassis. A blower feeds a large volume of air under pressure to a cylindrical fire box where a fuel air mixture is ignited and fed tangentially into the base of the central chamber within the heater where the products of combustion follow a helical path within the central heat exchange chamber. Waste oil is fed counterflow along a second helical path through an annular chamber separated by a cylindrical metal heat conductive wall from the chamber bearing the products of combustion. Heated waste oil is fed from the heater to a vibrating table type solids separator or shaker mounted at the opposite end of the trailer chassis from the heater where solids are separated from the heated waste oil.

Abstract: A separator of multi-phase combinations of oil (low density) liquid phase, water phase, and solid sludge (high density) has an inlet low velocity liquid spreader disposed across and near the inside base of a closed separator tank. At least one inclined separator baffle is disposed and sealed completely across the tank interior, inclined from a baffle base terminus adjacent the tank base to a top baffle terminus adjacent the top of the tank and having a narrow oil volume phase collector continuing from the top baffle terminus to the interior tank top. The oil phase outlet of the separator tank connects to the narrow oil volume phase and is disposed adjacent to the top of the collector tank. The oil outlet is substantially elevated above the corresponding water phase outlet disposed on and connecting to the separator tank on the opposed side of the separator baffle. A tank solid sludge outlet provides for removal of the collected sludge from the tank bottom. The separator baffle can be heated as needed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating combs from beehives so as to separate the honey from the beeswax.

Abstract: A filter (21) for removing flux from a hot heat transfer liquid-flux mixture. The heat transfers liquid-flux mixture is directed into a chamber (41) having a plurality of spaced, hollow members (64--64) through which a coolant passes. Upon being cooled the flux deposits on the surface of the members (64--64). The liquid, with substantial portions of the flux removed therefrom, then leaves the filter (21).

Abstract: For separating an emulsion comprising substantially a heavier and a lighter liquid there is used a plurality of superimposed, liquid-filled, shallow separation chambers which have a lower outlet for separated heavier liquid, an upper outlet for separated lighter liquid, and an emulsion-inlet remote from the outlets. The separation chambers are maintained under an overpressure by causing the heavier and the lighter liquid, separated in the chambers by self-separation under the action of gravity, to pass from the chambers via a respective one of two pressure-holding vessels containing a respective heavier or lighter liquid. The emulsion is fed batchwise into at least one separation chamber at a time, at a temperature greater than the temperature of the liquid already present in the chamber, and in a volumetric amount which is less than the volume of the chamber.

Abstract: A waste solvent recovery apparatus to recover tetrahydratfuran (THF) from waste sludge. THF sludge enters the apparatus container through a sludge jet generally pointing in a downward direction. Steam is directed downwardly and at the THF waste sludge jet tending to vaporize the THF while solid contaminants fall to the bottom of the container. The flow rate of steam with respect to waste sludge is adjusted so that the temperature at the bottom of the container exceeds the boiling point of THF and the temperature at the top of the container is less than the boiling point of water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating oil from water in a mixture containing oil and water, as well as to means for performing the separation process. Specifically, the process involves:(a) feeding said mixture to a heated hold-up tank via an inlet located at a lower level of said tank, said tank having a residence time sufficient to permit separation of oil and water and formation of a water-in-oil emulsion which rises to float atop of said water, said tank being heated to a temperature within the range of about 160.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F.

Abstract: A reactor suitable for extracorporeal treatment of blood includes a conduit defining within itself a passage of generally circular cross section and wound in a plurality of concentric helices so as to generate a transverse double toroidal secondary fluid flow in a fluid passing through the conduit. A spacer means is provided about the conduit to separate adjacent helices and permit circulation of a heat transfer fluid around each helix of the conduit.

Abstract: Drycleaning fluid is recovered from spent drycleaning fluid filter elements by passing steam through the elements to form a steam/drycleaning-fluid vapor mixture. The mixture is condensed into liquid state and the two constituents are separated. The apparatus includes a condensing chamber and a separating chamber with a novel valve for ensuring that drycleaning-fluid vapors do not escape into the work area.

Abstract: A tar separating device for separating tar from hot rinsing liquid, specifically, the rinsing liquid of a receiver of a coke oven battery including a container having a rinsing liquid inlet, a solids removal device for removing solids from the liquid as the liquid enters the container, a tar dewatering chamber located in the container near the inlet such that the rinsing liquid entering the container flows over the outer surface of the chamber and a tube in the container for conveying rinsing liquid into the tar dewatering chamber. The inlet to the tube is located at a point distant from the rinsing liquid inlet to the container. At the tube inlet point, the temperature of the liquid is lower than that at the inlet. The present invention utilizes this temperature differential to effect a particularly distinct separation between the tar and the water. The device further includes means for separately removing the tar and the water from the dewatering chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for effecting accelerated chemical reactions between reactants at elevated temperatures and pressures including the wet oxidation of materials in waste streams. A reactor has a through pipe that extends down into a cased hole in the earth and back up independent of the hole. A controlled flow of influent fluid with reactants is flowed down the pipe to form a hydrostatic column of fluid that is of sufficient depth to exert a pressure and provide a temperature sufficient to cause reactants to react at an accelerated reaction rate and to achieve the necessary retention time to substantially complete the reaction. Heat is released in the reaction zone to heat the fluid, and the heated fluid is then flowed back up in heat exchange relation to the downflowing fluid. The temperature of the fluid is controlled in the reaction zone by adding heat for start-up and selectively adding or removing heat to maximize the reaction rate and to prevent boiling of the fluid.

Abstract: A plurality of compartments are provided, including intercommunicating first and second oil-water separation compartments, each provided with respective drains therein and wherein the flow of water from the first to the second compartment is restricted so as to increase the residence time of the water in the first compartment for increasing the separation of oil therein. The mouth of the drain in the first compartment is positioned higher than the mouth of the drain in the second compartment and so located as to be above the surface of the water when the first compartment is substantially filled with water so as to accommodate a layer of oil floating on the surface of the water so that only oil will flow into the drain and thus be removed from the water virtually free of any water mixed therewith.

Abstract: A modular capping arrangement for an anaerobic slurry digester comprising a basin which may conveniently be dug out of the earth and a plurality of elongate capping members of inverted channel form comprising wall members which, when the channel members are placed in side-by-side arrangement, define therebetween channels which are upwardly open. The capping members are formed with outlets in upper regions thereof for removal of gas produced during slurry digestion and are weighted down on the slurry by ballast means positioned in the upwardly open channel. The capping members are disposed in parallel arrangement and held together at the ballast means and are so formed that the capping arrangement is capable of floating on a body of slurry while being held thereon by the ballast means and being lifted therefrom by gas under pressure thereunder.

Abstract: A method for separating components of a substance, for example, a fatty acid ester such as palm oil, by dissolving the substance in a solvent. The resultant solution is circulated and cooled in a circuit with crystals being formed in the solution as the temperature is lowered. The crystals are continuously separated from the circulating solution during the crystal separation phase of the process. The crystals are then preferably washed and recovered. Preferably there is a second crystallization phase in the process. The invention includes the apparatus used to carry out the process and, particularly, novel fractionating columns and filter surfaces within said columns used in the preferred embodiments of the process.

Abstract: A separator vessel for separating and removing a substantial amount of an unwanted substance from a liquid wherein said substance has a specific gravity less than said liquid. The vessel comprises an enclosure having a bottom section and an inwardly tapering conical top section directly above the bottom section and having a top end area. Conduit means are provided in the enclosure to release the liquid in the bottom section thereof. Skimming means is secured at the top end area of the conical section for continuously discharging the unwanted substance as it rises to a predetermined level to the top end area. The unwanted substance is released through the conduit means and pumped to the storage means. Means is also provided to remove liquid from the bottom of the enclosure.

Abstract: A combination of a biological dry toilet and a biological waste water purifying plant. In the combination the heat and coarse sludge of the so called grey water from households is recovered in the dry toilet to which also the fine sludge from the waste water purifying plant is pumped. The heat obtained is used for heating the compost and both sludges collected in the filters are from time to time combined to compost them together with the other waste in the dry toilet. A suction fan in the dry toilet also sucks the air needed by the biofilter through the filter bed. The purified water obtained from the waste water purifying plant is absorbed in the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of collecting and storing oxide impurities contained in high-temperature liquid alkali metal. A method and apparatus are provided for nucleating and precipitating oxide impurities by cooling, wherein the nucleation and precipitation are enhanced by causing a substantial increase in pressure drop and corresponding change in the velocity head of the alkali metal. Thereafter the liquid alkali metal is introduced into a quiescent zone wherein the liquid velocity is maintained below a specific maximum whereby it is possible to obtain high oxide removal efficiencies without the necessity of a mesh or filter.

Abstract: Tar and coal fines are separated from ammonia liquor in a coke making operation by a series of settling steps including one in which a foam is physically removed from the surface area of a decanter and placed in a separate decanter.

Abstract: A technique is described for breaking the very strong emulsion of shale oil and water produced by an in situ oil shale retorting process so that separate shale oil and water phases can be recovered. The emulsion is broken by maintaining a volume of such emulsion at a bulk temperature of at least about 120.degree. F., and momentarily heating portions of emulsion to a temperature substantially higher than the bulk temperature of the emulsion. Preferably the emulsion of shale oil and water is held at a bulk temperature in the range of from about 120.degree. to 190.degree. F. in contact with heating means maintained in the range of from about 170.degree. F. to about 240.degree. F. Momentary localized heating of emulsion to a temperature substantially higher than the bulk temperature of the emulsion accelerates the breaking of the emulsion.

Abstract: Waste oil on board ship is disposed of usefully by burning in the ship's steam raising boiler. Apparatus for rendering the waste oil burnable comprises a tank with waste oil and fuel oil and fuel oil inlets, a tank heater, a drain pipe and filter for separated water, an agitator, an external pipe and pump and pump for recirculation of waste oil and fuel oil through the turn and a bleed off pipe from the external pipe to the ship's boiler fuel supply line. Other liquid or finely powdered organic waste (e.g. kitchen waste) may also be disposed of in the system.

Abstract: A mobile unit for the treatment of BS to recover the saleable oil therefrom, and to clean the oil storage tank. The cleaning and treatment system is mounted on a truck or the like, so it can be taken to individual storage tanks from which the BS and water is to be removed from the bottom thereof and the storage tank cleaned. The components of the system are a BS treatment tank, a heating unit with a burner and coils, with the necessary pipes, valves and pumps to withdraw the BS from the bottom of the oil storage tank, heat and treat the BS until the water and marketable oil are separated and the saleable oil returned to the storage tank. The water and residue are discharged to a suitable place of disposal.

Abstract: A trap for grease or other foreign matter dissolved or entrained in a liquid comprises a housing containing a chamber for receiving the liquid to be treated, a turbulence reducing channel for conducting the liquid from the chamber to a settling tank, a cage for trapping trash as the liquid enters the tank, a grease collector at the normal surface level of the liquid in the tank, a trap for collecting sediment at the base of the tank and an outlet for draining decontaminated liquid from the tank. The outlet may be in communication with a liquid seal and means may be provided to syphon the liquid from the settling tank. Means may also be provided to cool the liquid in the housing. The housing is in modular form which is preferably segmental in plan. An assembly of such modules may be constructed with a common outlet in the shape of an all but complete circle or polygon. In this way access may easily be gained to the trap for servicing, maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: A two stage oil skimmer separator for separating a hydrocarbon, such as oil or wax, from the water in a hydrocarbon-water mixture which is of particular utility for the output from an oil refinery storm sewer system. The first stage of the separator includes a tank which allows gravity separation of the hydrocarbon and water. The floating hydrocarbon is skimmed off the top and directed to the second stage separator. The settled water passes under a baffle to retain the hydrocarbon within the system while passing the water out of the separator. The skimmed hydrocarbon, containing some water, is directed to the second stage where it is heated to facilitate further separation. The hydrocarbon is passed from the top of the second stage to storage tanks in the refinery. The water in the bottom of the second stage tank is returned to the first stage for further separation.

Abstract: A grease separating system includes four successive chambers. The heated, emulsified grease is passed through a solids retention box into an inlet chamber where cool water is sprayed onto the emulsified grease. This mixture is passed through a connecting chamber, and then over baffles at the entrance of a collection chamber. The grease having been separated from its emulsified state rises to the top of the mixture in the collection chamber, and the water passes into a discharge chamber and in to the connected sewer system. After successive operations, the floated grease is sensed when it reaches a predetermined level, and an alarm is sounded to indicate that the accumulated grease should be removed.

Abstract: Aerobically decomposable liquors are oxygenated by continuously extracting a portion thereof from an aeration tank and saturating the liquor portion with oxygen within a separate receiver tank, thereafter returning the oxygenated liquor portion to the aeration tank. The continuously flowing liquor portion is cooled prior to its oxygenation so that its oxygen-absorbing capability is increased. Cooling is effected by extracting therefrom the heat required to gasify the initially liquified gas being introduced into the receiver tank as the oxygenating medium. Secondary cooling of the liquor portion before its oxygenation can be effected by extracting therefrom an additional amount of heat as required to gasify a second liquified gas, such as nitrogen.

Abstract: In a separator for oil and water, successive separating stages are located within concentric chambers in a vertical cylindrical container, each chamber having at its upper end a collecting zone for separated oil, and the stages comprise respectively a first stage incorporating a plurality of concentric annular shells of which at least portions are inclined to the vertical and which are located within an open-ended annular chamber through which liquid flows in an upward direction, a second stage comprising a coagulator through which liquid from the first stage is directed upwardly, and a third stage comprising a filter housed within a cylindrical screen located above the coagulator.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for an anaerobic process in three stages having progressively higher temperatures up to 75.degree. C. for digesting raw household sewage with methane-forming thermophilic bacteria, in which dolomite is added to control the pH of the system within the range 6.0-7.5. After a sterilization fourth stage at 82.degree. C. or greater, the effluent is treated in a ground filter. Heat is countercurrently transferred from the sterilization stage effluent to the substrate of the digestion stages. The apparatus for carrying out this process has an underlying heat-exchange compartment and four concentric compartments, of which the innermost is the sterilization stage compartment containing a heating means and the outermost compartments are flow chambers for sequentially digesting the sewage in psychrophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic stages, prior to sterilizing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for settling small particles of micron and submicron size from a liquid in which the particles are contained. The method of the invention entails introducing the particle containing liquid into an apparatus of this invention. The apparatus is a settling vessel having vertical dimensions sufficient in relation to the overall capacity of the vessel to allow establishing a temperature gradient between the upper and lower portions of liquid contained therein with the vessel sufficiently insulated to minimize changes of the temperature inside the vessel in response to changes in the ambient temperature outside the vessel and also having means for supplying indirect cooling heat exchange within the lower portion of the vessel and indirect heating heat exchange within the upper portion of the vessel to induce a constant temperature gradient within the vessel.

Abstract: A system for separating emulsions containing water, an emulsifying agent, petroleum products and possible contaminants, wherein emulsion is fed under controlled laminar flow into at least one separation chamber containing previously separated water and a petroleum layer floating thereon. The emulsion is fed into the separation chamber immediately below the petroleum layer, while the temperature of the emulsion is maintained above the temperature of the previously separated water. The emulsion is thus caused to propagate freely and horizontally in a thin layer between the petroleum layer and the previously separated water, whereby the emulsion self-separates while being substantially stagnant.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating foreign solid particles from a liquid with the apparatus including a tank having a liquid inlet and outlet for the contaminated liquid, and the tank having a liquid inlet and outlet for a flushing liquid, and with the apparatus including a hydro-cyclotron and liquid pumps for moving the liquids.

Abstract: Heated fuel-oil is injected into an open-ended mixing chamber simultaneously with a jet of water so that an intimate mixture of fuel-oil and water is formed. This mixture is ignited and sufficient air is supplied to support combustion. To clean and pre-heat the fuel, it is injected into a tank partly filled with hot water, through which the oil rises to form a separate layer in the top of the tank, from where it is withdrawn.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved anaerobic digestion apparatus for decomposable organic materials characterized by a digestor covered and sealed by a liquid-filled pond heated with solar energy. The effluent from the fermentation reaction taking place in the digestor has excellent absorptivity for solar energy and is advantageously used as the heat transfer medium filling the pond. The pond is covered with a translucent roof capable of transmitting solar energy, such roof cooperating with the liquid-filled pond therebeneath to produce an artificial environment of reduced sensitivity to atmospheric conditions which is operative to help maintain a condition of stable equilibrium within the digestor. In the preferred embodiment, the vessel forming part of the digestor in which the fermentation reaction takes place comprises an excavated trench lined with a suitable fluid-impermeable membrance while the roof over the pond consists of an inflatable air-supported bubble.

Abstract: An alkaline wash water system for cleaning metal-working oil and scale from metal parts including a heated wash water recirculation system in which a small portion of the wash water is continuously removed, the oil and scale separated, and the cleaned portion returned with any make-up water required. The wash water is recirculated through a central zone of the separator. The separation may be a dual, alternate batch separation with a surge tank.