Abstract: An apparatus and a method for ozone-treating biosludges and of reducing biosludges occurring upon a biological treatment of aqueous organic waste, wherein the apparatus is made up ofa plurality of reactors for effecting the ozone treatment of the biosludge by contacting the biosludge with an ozone-containing gas,biosludge passages for flowing the biosludge to be ozone-treated through all the reactors in series,gas supply means for supplying the ozone-containing gas to each of the reactors,a pressurization means for maintaining each of the reactors under a pressurized condition andstirrers each disposed in each reactor for realizing a nearly equalized ozone absorption rate for all the reactors.

Abstract: A purification apparatus and method for enabling the purification of the lake and pond waters, is installed as a fluidized bed sewage system directly on the raw water area. The apparatus takes in the raw waters in the lake and pond and purifies the water. The purified water is fed back to the raw water area by the pump.With this purification apparatus, the salt materials such as phosphate in the lakes, and the overall area of the waters can be purified while preventing the generation of phytoplanktons.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment device is provided, comprising a first chamber having an influent line for delivering untreated wastewater into the first chamber, wherein the first chamber further includes a first plurality of vertically staggered contact screens below the influent line; a second chamber, fluidically connected to the first chamber by a first transfer conduit for delivering wastewater from the first chamber into the second chamber, wherein the second chamber further includes a second plurality of contact screens; a third chamber, fluidically connected to the second chamber by a second transfer conduit for delivering wastewater from the second chamber into the third chamber, wherein the third chamber further includes an alkaline polish medium; an aeration device disposed within the first chamber for distributing air into the wastewater in the first chamber; and a bioliquid distribution device, fluidically connected to the influent line, comprising a liquid containing select bacteriological and enzymatic

Abstract: An apparatus for water treatment, and in particular for electrical water purification in combination with a filtering apparatus for providing purified water for drinking and other application common in the home, farm or business. Metal, hydrogen and oxygen ions are introduced into water to be treated by using plasma fused iridium coated titanium electrodes and copper alloy electrodes. After ionizing the water to be purified, the water is then filtered in a filter tank which contains layers of various filtration media, including granular activated carbon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminating metal ions and sulfate ions from acidic aqueous solution such as waste mine water which features passing the solution between pairs of electrodes, each pair of electrodes impressed with a voltage selected according to specific ion species and then adding chemical agents to raise the pH and form precipitates of the metal and sulfate ions. A magnetic field is applied during at least the first mixing step. The precipitate is then separated from the water with settling and filtering steps. The clarified solution is treated by reverse osmosis to concentrate the ammonium.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating water contained at a dam site includes a force main pipe for receiving water from a dam site water reservoir therethrough and a dam aeration assembly in communication with the force main pipe. The dam aeration assembly, via an array of aerators, aerates water delivered from the force main pipe and introduces the aerated water into a dam site discharge waterway.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the pre-treatment of hazardous biological and chemical contaminants from a waste fluid stream prior to discharge to a waste water treatment facility such as a publicly owned water treatment works or a similar privately operated facility. The method includes breaking apart tissue samples with a macerator, contacting a waste fluid stream with ozone, preferably in a vibrational mixer, which thereby acts as a promoter of hydroxyl radicals, passing the mixture through strong and weak unpolarized magnetic fields, static discharge and neutralization units, and finally, exposing the mixture to ultraviolet radiation. If found necessary, a subsequent static discharge and neutralization unit may be employed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing hydrocarbon contaminants and heavy metal ion contaminants from wastewater stream comprising the introduction of iron ions into the stream. In one embodiment, the ions are introduced by applying an electrical current through a bed of iron particulates in the form of steel wool and iron nodules. In another embodiment, the iron salts are added to the waste stream and the iron ions are reduced to a more reactive lower valence state by electric current.

Abstract: A sewage treatment apparatus including a treatment tank with a floor and walls and having an upper aperture. A hopper having a clarifier chamber with upper and lower apertures is centrally disposed on hopper supports in the treatment tank, maintained at a predetermined height. A deflector cone is centrally disposed on the tank floor with its vertex received in the lower aperture of the hopper. The exterior of the hopper, the deflector cone and the interior walls of the treatment tank define an aerator chamber, subdivided into a plurality of aerator zones. Diffusers in each aerator zone introduce air into the aerator zones, inducing sewage to flow in a generally vertical orientation in the treatment tank. A cover mounted over the treatment tank aperture maintains a pressurized pocket of air above the sewage for increased oxygenation of the sewage. Treated sewage passes from the aerator zones into the clarifier chamber, then into the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the purification of contaminated water whereby the contamination level of the wastewater is automatically monitored and treatment self-adjusted and continued until the desired level of purification is reached. Specifically, if upon treatment a pre-set purification level is not obtained a water recycle control means completely precludes the uptake of additional contaminated water and recycles wastewater within the apparatus until the desired level of purification is obtained.

Abstract: A novel UV-oxidation and UV-disinfection system uses a highly-efficient, electrodeless microwave-excited lamp combined with a coaxial flow-through reactor design in which a liquid to bc treated is pumped from the bottom of the reactor and flows vertically upward through a reactor vessel against gravity. A hydrogen peroxide solution is injected into the liquid to be treated and thoroughly mixed by an inline mixer just before the liquid enters the reactor vessel. The solution is irradiated during its entire passage through the reactor vessel by the lamp which is configured to evenly irradiate the entire cross section of the reactor vessel and which has a substantial part of its spectral output in the wavelength most effectively absorbed by hydrogen peroxide molecules. A method of using the coaxial flow-through reactor to destroy toxic chemicals in water is also provided. The reactor is also used for UV disinfection of water supplies. The system is scaleable to enable high-volume application.

Abstract: A method for treating waste from animal husbandry sites. The process is a closed loop system with no need for an anerobic lagoon.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for the disinfection of fluids and, in particular, to the disinfection of industrial fluids with ultraviolet radiation. These fluids are typically used in manufacturing as coolants in both long and short assembly lines. They commonly accumulate contaminants from multiple and diverse sources including oil and microorganisms. Fluids can be disinfected by establishing a fluid flow rate sufficient to prevent occlusion of the walls of the ultraviolet transmissible portion by contaminants. Fluids may be so heavily contaminated so as to require removal of at least a minimum percentage of contaminants (MPC) prior to irradiation. Such fluids may be processed to remove the minimum percentage of contaminants according to the equation: MPC=102-(23.45.times.lnV).

Abstract: A water charging machine wherein the water being treated is moved downwardly through a vertically extending outer vortex and then moved in an upwardly extending inner vortex within the outer vortex. Oxygen may be introduced into the stream of water either upstream of the outer vortex or at the point of reversal of the water between the outer vortex and the inner vortex, or both, to provide a long shelf life incorporation of the gaseous oxygen in the water. The water and oxygen may also be exposed to a negative or positive magnetic field and a piezoelectric field to provide a substantial Zeta potential.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting ozone into water includes a riser leg, a down leg and a plurality of crossovers joining the riser and down legs. A partial side stream of water from a main under substantial hydraulic pressure is directed through the apparatus. A crossover is chosen in accordance with the hydraulic head pressure of the side stream such that the water flowing therethrough is at a substantially lower pressure than the water in the main. A source of ozone is connected by a manifold and valving to allow the ozone to be injected into the water in the selected crossover. After injection of ozone, the side stream is returned to the water main to allow mixing of the ozone containing water with the remainder of the water in the main. A pump is also alternatively used to provide additional head pressure to the water in the side stream where head losses cannot be overcome by diverting to a lower crossover.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wastewater treatment is provided which can treat persistent surface active agents and coloring substances in wastewater, and which is compact and economical. The wastewater treatment method introduces water to be treated into a charcoal tank 3 packed with charcoal 10 and treats the water therein, the water to be treated having been pretreated in a pretreatment section 2. The water under treatment is introduced from the charcoal tank 3 into an activated carbon tower 6 packed with activated carbon 17 to treat the water therein. Treatment of the water in two stages, namely, treatment by bioactivated charcoal 10 and treatment by bioactivated carbon 17, makes it unnecessary to carry out backwashing of the activated carbon tower 6 and regeneration of activated carbon 17. The service life of the activated carbon can be greatly extended.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus for increasing oxygen concentration in water. The water purification apparatus includes a water pump provided in a water tank for pumping water to produce a water flow, an ejector connected to the water pump for mixing the water from the water pump with air and ejecting the water mixed with the air therethrough, an air intake pipe connected to the ejector for supplying air thereto, and a jetting outlet connected to the ejector and formed with a porous jetting nozzle having small punched openings on an end portion and outer circumference thereof and a bugle-shaped tube accommodating the porous jetting nozzle therein.

Abstract: In a water treating apparatus the water is passed over a plurality of stages to a lower plane, each stage having a water trough, a section for the free fall of the water, and a catch. This makes possible the intensive mixing of the water with components of the air, especially oxygen and amino acids, as well as the action of natural light radiation onto the water.

Abstract: A method is described for the continuous disintegration of microbial sludge in a sewage clarification or sewage treatment plant wherein the microbial sludge is decomposed biologically by bacteria and the resultant sludge (5) is exposed to sonic radiation in a treatment vessel (1) in order to split the cell walls of the microorganisms. With that, the sonic radiation shall be generated asymnetrically in the treatment vessel (1). The intensity of the sonic exposure lies in an area of 500 to 1500 W/m2 and the sludge (5) is fed with a mean dwell-time of 2 to 4 minutes in counter-flow through the treatment vessel (1). The device for carrying out the method possesses a treatment vessel (1) with an eccentrically arranged sonic resonator arranged within (7).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for single pass mass transfer of oxygen into a liquid. The apparatus comprises individual aeration modules contiguously aligned to allow continuous gravity flow liquid to be permeated with oxygen repetitively as it passes through a successive series of reaction chambers. The invention provides furthermore a novel apparatus to interject into liquids high volumes of low-pressure air to effect mass transfer of oxygen.

Abstract: A silo and process for decontaminating sewage sludge comprising a vertical silo within which are a plurality of discrete levels, each level having at least one air inlet pipe and at least one air outlet tube, a plurality of monitors for temperature and moisture, a central shaft through which air may travel, and at least one oxygen monitor; loading of herbaceous material in the upper portion of the silo; spraying sewage sludge onto the herbaceous material as it enters the silo to produce an herbaceous material-sewage sludge mixture; monitoring at least one parameter at each of the discrete levels; unloading the mixture from the lower portion of the silo; reloading some portion of the mixture into the upper portion of the silo; and collecting some portion of the mixture for further treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of contaminated sediment found in rivers, lakes and certain bodies of water, wherein the contaminated sediment is removed from the body of water as part of a liquified mixture including both water and the contaminated sediment. The water is separated from the contaminants by treating the sediment through the introduction of a solidifying compound, certain specified sorbents and a cementitious material. The result is a solidification of the treated contaminants into a solid structural configuration which facilitates disposal of the resulting solidified contaminants as by ocean dumping or disposal at an appropriate landfill site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating, reacting, and/or treating a stream containing oxidizable matter. Recycle reactor is used alone or in conjunction with plug-flow reactor. Density differences in the recycle reactor facilitate flow within the recycle reactor without substantial external heat exchange.

Abstract: A device for introducing ozone uniformly into water flowing through a conduit for disinfecting the water. An ozone contacting vessel is provided and includes a downflow tube through which water is caused to flow. The downflow tube is positioned vertically within a diffusion chamber. Within the downflow tube are a plurality of layers of transversely extending porous elements that are in communication with a source of ozone to provide a relatively uniform distribution of fine ozone bubbles over the cross-sectional area of the downflow tube. The porous elements are carried by an ozone conduit that is substantially coaxially positioned within the downflow tube. Spacer members are provided to space the porous elements from the downflow tube wall, and the entire ozone distributor assembly can be easily removed form the downflow tube for servicing the porous elements and can then be easily reinstalled thereafter.

Abstract: A process wastewater treatment plant, and a process relating thereto, which converts process wastewater generated in battery manufacturing and the like into clean process water and sodium sulfate salt by treating the process wastewater to remove impurities and contaminants, including debris, oil/grease, heavy metal oxides, lead and other heavy metals, suspended solids, bacteria, organic compounds, and/or gases, from the wastewater to obtain a clean neutral sodium sulfate brine, subjecting the brine to heat to obtain distilled water and sodium sulfate salt, and purifying the distilled water by reverse osmosis for reuse as clear process water.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for processing rain and/or surface water having a container for storing the water to be processed, a circulating arrangement for circulating the water to be processed in the container, a measuring arrangement for measuring the water quality of the water to be processed, and a processing arrangement for treating the water to be processed in dependence upon the water quality measured by the measuring arrangement.

Abstract: The system for treating effluent water coming out from the desalter in accordance with the present invention comprises a slop oil separator 1 for removing oil components in the effluent water from the desalter; a WSR separator 2 for further removing emulsion type oil components using naphtha; a water stripper 4 for removing gas components such as H.sub.2 S and NH.sub.3 in the effluent water discharged from the WSR separator; a reaction tank 5 for reacting organic and/or inorganic impurity matters such as phenols and suspended solids in the effluent water discharged from the water stripper with activated charcoal; and a settling tank 6 in which an agglomerating agent is introduced, thereby precipitating sludge in the lower part of the settling tank. A buffering tank 3 may be installed between a desalter (not shown in FIG. 1) and an oil separator 1 or between a WSR separator 2 and a water stripper 4 to play a role as a buffer for safety in case of an accident in the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a mineral water is provided with a mineral source having a mineral element containing a soluble mineral component. Plain water is supplied to the mineral source. The mineral component dissolves in the plain water when the soluble mineral of the mineral element is brought into contact with the plain water. Ultrasonic waves are applied to the mineral source by an ultrasonic source. The conditions for applying ultrasonic waves to the mineral source is controlled to prepare a mineral water which contain mineral component according to a user's requirements or liking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating waste water to generate clarified water for reuse in industrial processes which includes the steps of adding agents to the waste stream to generate floccules, aerating the waste stream to cause a portion of the floccules to float, decanting floating floccules and lighter than water immiscible pollutants from the top surface of the waste stream, directing the waste stream through an incline clarifier so as to permit heavier than water floccules to form sludge in a bottom region of the clarifier. Sludge and decanted pollutants are sent to a bioremediation tank where hydrocarbons are decomposed and the remaining sludge is dewatered and compacted to a solid condition for disposal in a public waste facility. The clarified water is transferred to a steam generator or pressurized water delivery system for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for equipment cleaning operations such as in truckyards or airports.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating wastewater is provided including a cylindrical tank having a top, a bottom, an outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall extends from the bottom of the tank to a point above a desired water level. The inner wall, the top and the bottom define an inner aerobic zone. The inner wall, the outer wall, the top and the bottom define an outer anaerobic zone. Wastewater may pass from the outer anaerobic zone to the inner aerobic zone through holes in the inner wall. An open ended conical hopper is positioned within the inner aerobic zone with its smaller end pointed toward the bottom of the tank. Several radially spaced air outlet pipes connected to a compressed air source extend downward into the inner aerobic zone where air is discharged through the open ends of the outlet pipes. An inlet line connected to the tank opens into the outer anaerobic zone of the tank. An outlet line is positioned within the clarification zone to remove purified water from the tank.

Abstract: A process for treating oils and solvents contaminated by radioactive substances includes a step of subjecting the oils and solvents to the action of pre-selected micro-organisms in the presence of air and a very large volume of water, relative to the volume of oils and solvents to be treated. The micro-organisms destroy organic molecules, and in particular transform them into CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. Further steps of the process include preparing a predetermined volume of water having predetermined characteristics of dissolved oxygen concentration, pH and redox potential and adding a predetermined charge of oils and solvents contaminated by radioactive substances to this volume of water, the charge corresponding to a volume of oils and solvents which is a predetermined fraction of the predetermined volume of water. The charge is subjected to the action of micro-organisms at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable assembly for treating hazardous waste water having a plurality of paired filter units having filter mediums and operated at high filter rates to minimize solids build up wherein solids are caused to be smashed and broken by shear forces and wherein chemicals are sequentially added to facilitate solids reduction, to oxidize organic compounds and to precipitate dissolved solids and wherein the process stream is subjected to ultraviolet light to reduce organic loading and downstream ultra filtration units to further reduce solids followed by reverse osmosis and/or ionization treatment.

Abstract: A bubble diffusion aerator mounted onto a "pot" aerator, for oxygenating a body of water. The bubble diffusion aerator comprises spiral coils of perforated flexible tubing mounted onto a flat frame, with a single air feed line connected to the tubing at a point equidistant from the tubing ends for uniform air pressure. The frame has openings to provide a continuous flow of oxygen-deficient water across the coiled tubing. The "pot" aerator has a vertical pipe with an air feed line, with the vertical pipe mounted on a base. The diffusion aerator is mounted to the vertical pipe of the "pot" aerator at a position up off the water body bottom, minimizing air hole clogging and bottom sediment disturbance. Each aerator has a separate air feed line connected to an air compressor on shore. The aerators can be operated independently, running only the diffusion aerator for air/water transfer, running only the pot aerator to create water movement, or running both to maximize the benefits of each aerator.

Abstract: A domestic water clarifier comprising a storage tank and a batch tank having an annular inner wall is described. Raw water is pressurized and injected into the batch tank along with a quantity of a flocculent chemical such that the raw water and the flocculent chemical swirl around the inner annular wall of the tank, thereby mixing the raw water and the flocculent chemical. The mixture is then allowed to stand, thereby separating into clarified water and floc. The clarified water is drawn off to the storage tank and stored until needed. The batch tank is then flushed to remove the floc and to prepare the batch tank for the next clarification cycle.

Abstract: There is provided a new bubble floating type separator applicable to a waste water regeneration system which can purify a relatively small amount of waste water by a simple and small-scaled apparatus. The bubble floating type separator comprises a liquid passage for delivering a liquid which contains suspended solids, and an injection pipe, connected to said liquid passage, for injecting a gas selected from air, oxygen gas and ozone gas. A gas-liquid mixer is connected to the liquid passage at a downstream portion of the injection pipe, and a cyclone type bubble separator is connected to a downstream portion of an outlet of the gas-liquid mixer. The cyclone type bubble separator has a discharge port, at a central upper portion, for discharging bubbles floating along with the suspended solids, a cyclone body, and a liquid discharge port at a lower circumferential portion of the cyclone body for discharging a processed liquid so that the suspended solids are removed together with the bubbles.

Abstract: The present invention provides treatment of domestic sewage containing oil. The resulting products will be purified water, dry fertilizer, and fuel (gas and liquid) containing no contaminants that could pollute the environment. After the initial settling process, two parallel flows are created: one containing liquid plus crude sediment (0.2 mm and greater) and the other containing liquid and fine particles (less than 0.2 mm), the latter termed "settled domestic sewage". The two flows are treated separately. The settled domestic sewage after treatment in a low-pressure separator that will separate out liquid fuel, followed by aeration, ultrafiltration, and finally sterilization by ozone or chlorine, results in pure water. The biochemical treatment of the sediments results in the production of gas fuel containing mainly methane gas and solid product that after drying and disinfecting is converted into fertilizer.

Abstract: In a polluted water purifying method and apparatus, a purification treatment tank is filled with massive purifying members in a purifying region, each massive purifying member including plural opening portions having an equivalent diameter of 1 to 5 cm which are provided on the surface thereof, and plural interconnecting channels which intercommunicate with one another and provided inside of the members, and each opening portions continuously intercommunicating with at least one of the channels. Polluted water containing SS, BOD, etc. is supplied through the purifying region of the tank to be brought into contact with the massive purifying members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solids and liquids effluent chemically enhanced treatment system comprising: (a) a pump for grinding solids and pumping ground solids and liquid effluent; (b) an inlet for introducing flocculant and coagulants into the solids and liquid effluent and mixing the flocculant with the solids and liquid effluent; (c) a mixing chamber having an inlet connected to an outlet of the pump, the mixing chamber having sufficient length to enable the flocculant and coagulants to fully mix with the solids and liquids effluent and form flocs which settle from the liquid effluent; (d) a settling chamber connected to an outlet of the mixing chamber, the settling chamber promoting laminar flow to the solids and liquid effluent and having sufficient length to enable the flocs in the liquid effluent to settle from the effluent; (e) a mechanical propulsion device for moving the solids and liquid effluent through the length of the settling chamber; and (f) a clarifier chamber connected to an outlet of the

Abstract: Method and equipment for purification of a liquid, where the liquid is polluted by other liquids or solid material, e.g. removing oil from oil contamined water, comprising a flocculation device (2) and a flotation device (8). The method comprises adding one or more chemicals to the liquid in a flocculation device that comprises one or more pipe loops (2) with built-in agitators (3, 20, 21) providing turbulence and plug-type flow through the loop. Thereupon purified liquid and pollutants are separated in the flotation device or in a sedimentation device (8). The equipment according to the invention comprises a pipe loop (2), provided with built-in agitator(s) (3, 20, 21), connected to the flotation device (8).

Abstract: Water to be treated is introduced into a first ozone mixer (5) and subjected to a magnetic force, and ozone supplied from a first ozonizer (4) is injected into the water for oxidation and coagulation of substances to be oxidized. Then, coagulated substances are removed by a first filter (6). The resulting water is introduced into a second ozone mixer (8) and subjected to a magnetic force, and ozone supplied from a second ozonizer (7) is injected into the water. Thereafter, the water is passed through a reaction vessel (9) filled with activated carbon, and then coagulated substances are removed from the water by a second filter (10).

Abstract: A water purification system has a series of sequential operating stations each adapted to remove successively finer suspended or dissolved matter from contaminated water. The sequential steps employed are a pH neutralization step, a particulate precipitation step, a pre-filtration step, a particulate coagulation step and a final filtration step. The particulate coagulation is achieved by means of a novel apparatus for the generation of an especially activated oxygen combined with electrically charged probes for agglomerating the particulate which is filtered in a subsequent station. The initially contaminated water passes through each step in the process and emerges as clean, reusable, water. By employing the process and the system of the invention, the process water is recycled, rather than wasted.

Abstract: A device (10) for automatically determining filtration parameters for a sample of a filter aid material includes a measurement tube assembly (14) comprising a generally vertical measurement tube (34) and a septum (40) disposed within the tube for forming a filter cake of a filter aid material, a plurality of actuatable valves (V1-V12) coupled to the inlet (32) and discharge (44) of the measurement tube assembly for controlling water flow into and out of the assembly, a control and processor system (17) including a computer (200) operable to control the valves in accordance with a predetermined cycle to flush a slurry of filter aid into the measurement tube assembly and then cause water to flow under pressure through the measurement tube assembly and through a filter cake formed on the septum, and instrumentation (110, 120, 122, 130, 140) for measuring parameters needed for determining filtration parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the concentration of contaminants in an aqueous water system, wherein the contaminants are measured with the bioreactor containing a biofilm or microbial community which acts on the water to be analyzed to provide a measure of the amount of the dissolved organic carbon which is biodegradable. A bed for facilitating regulation of water flow through the bioreactor is provided, and an autosampling mechanism enables the measurement of total organic carbon, inorganic carbon and oxygen, between sample inflow and sample outflow at specified time intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus for degrading a pollutant to purify a medium containing a pollutant using a microorganism, which comprises a container in which a region containing a microorganism capable of degrading the pollutant is provided, wherein the container has the first opening for introducing the medium into the container and the second opening for draining the medium passed through the region containing the microorganism from the container, and in the container a region containing a functional material which releases a material required for degrading the pollutant by the microorganism is provided between the first opening and the region containing microorganism.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerobic biological treatment of aqueous organic wastes, which enables the achievement of a reduction of the amount of excess sludge, a stable quality of the treated water and an improved sedimentation performance of the biosludge while reducing the area of installation site and construction investment using a smaller apparatus; which apparatus comprisesa first aeration tank for mixing the aqueous organic waste with an activated sludge and aerating the resulting mixture; a solid/liquid separation unit; a modification unit for modifying a part of the separated sludge so as to render it easily biodegradable; and a second aeration tank for aerating the modified sludge and a return sludge and means for returning the sludge to said first aeration tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for active in situ multi-element gas sparging for bioremediation or physico-chemical degradation for removal of contaminants in a soil formation containing a subsurface groundwater aquifer or a substantially wet unsaturated zone, the multi-gas contained in bubbles, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of injection wells extending to a depth of a selected aquifer; introducing an oxidizing agent comprising ozone mixed with ambient air to provide a multi-element gas by means of microporous diffusers, without applying a vacuum for extraction of stripped products or biodegration by-products, wherein said diffusers form micro-fine bubbles containing said multi-element gas that oxidizes, by stripping and decomposition, chlorinated hydrocarbons from the aquifer and surrounding saturated soil formation into harmless by-products; also including a pump for agitating water in the well selecting microbubbles, injecting them into the aquifer and effective to alter the path of micro-fine bubbles through a po

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the biological purification of waste water. The process includes the steps of providing a reaction tank having microorganisms therein. The reaction tank has at least one vertically arranged guide pipe therein. The guide pipe has open upper and lower ends, and is positioned so that the lower end is located at a distance from a bottom of the reaction tank. The waste water and a gas are supplied to the reaction tank to form a mixture. The supplying step includes the step of supplying the waste water under pressure to the guide pipe at the upper end, and the step of supplying the gas separate from the waste water at at least two positions into the guide pipe. The at least two positions are located at different levels and at positions downstream of the upper end, relative to a flow direction of the waste water. The mixture of the waste water and the gas are moved in the reaction tank in a cycle that passes through the guide pipe.

Abstract: A recycling apparatus which preferably treats used antifreeze/coolant in four cycles is disclosed. The recycling apparatus includes a number of tanks for storing the antifreeze/coolant during the various treatment cycles, a number of containers for storing chemical reagents used to chemically treat the antifreeze/coolant and a number of filters used to capture impurities suspended in the treated antifreeze/coolant. During a fill cycle, the used antifreeze/coolant is introduced into a treatment tank and the concentration of the antifreeze/coolant is adjusted, if necessary, to a predefined range. During a mix cycle, the used antifreeze/coolant is mixed with various reagents to adjust the pH value, as well as to coagulate and flocculate the impurities. A reverse mixing and aspiration of the antifreeze/coolant in the tank during the mix cycle ensure that the reagents will mix well and react with the impurities in the used antifreeze/coolant to form a sludge.

Abstract: Friable solid material contaminated by oxidizable hydrocarbons such as petrochemicals is delivered into a system wherein that material is subjected to a series of physical and chemical reactions to separate the contaminants from the solid material. The system can receive solid material, separate coarse and fine material and suspend the fine material in an aqueous medium. The aqueous suspension is subjected to temperature adjustment and the addition of an oxidizing agent preferably hydrogen peroxide. The suspension is agitated for a period of time to allow the hydrocarbons to be oxidized. The gaseous oxidation products are stripped and separated from the residual solid material. The aqueous suspension of solid material and diluent are physically separated and the solid material may be returned to its point of origin after treatment. The process and apparatus for carrying out the process are preferably applied to soils containing hydrocarbon pollutants.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for non-chemical disinfection of a wide variety of biologically contaminated water streams include a canister with flow control means built therein such that a small portion of a water stream is exposed to disinfecting salts and returned to the principal stream to be treated. An ionized oxidizing gas plasma is also added, together with streams of metallic ions. Improved compositions of sacrificial electrodes for providing disinfectant metallic ions to a flow stream are also disclosed. The invention is described in connection with disinfecting recirculated water as used in cooling tower recirculated water air conditioning plants, commercial laundries, and aircraft head flush water, among other industrial water reclamation uses.