Spaced Along Flow Path Patents (Class 210/199)
  • Patent number: 5423981
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater containing undesirable pollutants which comprises a housing having a bottom and defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber is provided with a first and second baffle member which cooperate to define a mixing zone and a separation zone. Wastewater (containing a sufficient amount of air so that the air present in the wastewater exceeds the solubility of air in the wastewater) is introduced into the mixing zone of the internal chamber, and an aerated water is sprayed into the wastewater to produce a quantity of air bubbles sufficient to promote the flotation of pollutants having a density approximately equal to that of the wastewater to form a froth. Pollutants having a density substantially greater than the density of water settled to the bottom portion of the housing. An effluent reservoir assembly (which forms a reservoir zone) is spatially disposed from the second baffle member so that a quiescent zone is formed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Hydro Modular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Krieger
  • Patent number: 5423979
    Abstract: In a multi-pass system for purifying oil or other liquids, an improved apparatus and method for mixing air with the contaminated liquid for separation after a phase change from liquid to gas. The contaminated liquid is drawn from a reservoir by a pump, filtered, and heated, and atmospheric air is induced into the contaminated liquid downstream of the heater by an eductor, which promotes the phase change from liquid to vapor. The liquid/contaminant mix, which now includes entrained air, is passed immediately through a second eductor, the compressibility of the air in tile mix, followed by expansion of the compressed air as the mix exits the second eductor, causing intimate contact of air and contaminant, thereby promoting the stripping of the contaminant from tile liquid. The air/liquid/contaminant mix is then routed to a level controlled separation tank, water vapor, contaminants, and condensate being released from tile tank ill the space above the pooled liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: Judith L. Allen
  • Patent number: 5413706
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes inner and outer relatively telescopic units, the outer telescopic unit including an outer container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall collectively defining a generally upwardly opening chamber, a filter exteriorly of the peripheral wall and defining therewith a first downstream settling zone, control openings in the peripheral wall for controlling wastewater flow through the first settling zone generally in response to the level of wastewater in the first settling zone, the inner telescopic unit including an inner container having a chamber defined in part by a peripheral wall, the peripheral walls being in relatively spaced relationship to each other and therebetween defining a second settling zone, a third settling zone within the inner telescopic unit chamber, and the inner and outer telescopic units each being a distinct unitized structure which permits the same to be bodily telescopically assembled and disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Norwalk Wastewater Equipment Company d/b/a NORWECO, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan D. Graves
  • Patent number: 5409616
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to restore grey water resulting from a cleaning activity such as laundry using ozone as a cleaning agent in a closed loop system for recycling to preserve water, to reduce system size, and to enhance the efficiency of the cleaning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Ozact, Inc.
    Inventors: Cornelius D. Garbutt, Douglas A. Moxley
  • Patent number: 5409605
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for treating waste sludge. The apparatus includes a mixer housing having an elongated mixing auger therein. The housing has an inlet opening and an outlet opening with the elongated mixing auger being rotatably mounted within the housing between the inlet and outlet openings. A sludge conveyor supplies waste sludge to the inlet opening of the elongated mixer housing. An additive hopper contains an additive material to be combined with the sludge introduced within the mixer housing. A metering auger and series of spaced delivery conduits gradually introduce the additive material over a substantial interval of the mixing chamber beginning at a point downstream of the inlet opening to the mixer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Chemical Lime Company
    Inventors: Earle Haley, Fred R. Huege, Vernon L. Moore, Tom Elliston
  • Patent number: 5403475
    Abstract: In a multi-pass system for purifying oil or other liquids, an improved apparatus and method for mixing air with the contaminated liquid for separation after a phase change from liquid to gas. The contaminated liquid is drawn from a reservoir by a pump, filtered, and heated, and atmospheric air is induced into the contaminated liquid downstream of the heater by an eductor, which promotes the phase change from liquid to vapor. The liquid/contaminant mix, which now includes entrained air, is passed immediately through a second eductor, the compressibility of the air in the mix, followed by expansion of the compressed air as the mix exits the second eductor, causing intimate contact of air and contaminant, thereby promoting the stripping of the contaminant from the liquid. The air/liquid/contaminant mix is then routed to a level controlled separation tank, water vapor, contaminants, and condensate being released from the tank in the space above the pooled liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Judith L. Allen
  • Patent number: 5401399
    Abstract: A multi-section manifold system containing a number of replaceable filter and purification cartridges for treating the water supply of medical and dental facilities. The system operates to introduce increased concentrations of a preferred bactericide to the water immediately adjacent patient dispensing appliances. Control valving regulates and segregates flow through separate cartridges at the manifolds. A first manifold removes coarse particulates and sediment and exposes the water to an initial bactericide. A second manifold removes finer contaminants. A third concentrator manifold contains a bactericide cartridge having a percolation chamber which enhances the iodine concentration of the water in the range of 3 to 10 ppm at the patient dispensing apparatus. The percolation cartridge includes proximal and distal bactericide chambers which are, separated by an intermediate reservoir or percolation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventors: Jan H. Magnusson, Kristofer J. Magnusson
  • Patent number: 5399261
    Abstract: An installation for the treatment of a flow of liquids, notably potable water or effluents, installation of the type wherein the liquids are put into contact with a treatment gas during a pre-determined treatment period, the installation comprising means for the addition of the treatment gas to the flow of liquids so as to form a homogeneous two-phase treatment medium, means for the forced dissolution of the treatment gas in the flow of liquids to be treated cooperating with means for the degassing of the two-phase treatment medium so as to produce a monophase treatment medium and contactor means providing for a plug flow of the degassed monophase treatment medium during the pre-determined treatment period. A particular exemplary application of the installation is to the ozonation of liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Gie Anjou-Recherche
    Inventors: Nathalie Martin, Michel Faivre, Marie-Marguerite Bourbigot
  • Patent number: 5399260
    Abstract: A mobile water filtration and chlorination system in modular form provides a universal water treatment, pump and distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventors: William A. Eldredge, Ronald C. Ball
  • Patent number: 5378355
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to aeration, especially biological treatment of wastewater with fine pore diffusers and in situ cleaning of these diffusers with liquid and/or gaseous cleaning fluids supplied to the diffusers through cleaning fluid channels that respectively have separate and direct connections to plural diffusers. Aeration and cleaning of fine pore diffusers is described in which cleaning fluid is conducted from a source of such fluid to a multiplicity of diffusers via a flow path which is separate from a flow path which conveys aeration gas to the diffusers. Methods of fabricating aeration gas distribution assemblies are also disclosed. One such method involves securing to an aeration gas distribution conduit at least a portion of a cleaning fluid distribution channel which includes one or more cleaning fluid distribution conduits and further includes connectors coupled to the cleaning fluid distribution conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Water Pollution Control Corporation
    Inventor: William W. Winkler
  • Patent number: 5374358
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the purification of commercial, industrial and institutional waste streams in order to bring them into dischargeable compliance with environmental standards. The invention provides a system for removing contaminants, such as fats, oils and grease (FOGs) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), from waste effluents on an essentially continuous basis. During the treatment process, the FOGs and TPHs disposed within the textiles to be cleaned are treated with an alkaline, pH- or acid-sensitive detergent, causing their emulsification. The effluent waste stream is then treated by removing the solids and particulates. The alkaline emulsion is broken up by acidification of the wastewater, thereby releasing and dispersing the FOGs and TPHs. The FOGs and TPHs in the broken-up and dissolved emulsion are agglomerated by the introduction of an organic, cationic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Diamond Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Kaniecki, Harold Diamond, Larry Rotter, Rudolph N. Vermes
  • Patent number: 5366622
    Abstract: When adding flocculant to a sludge suspension, which will be dewatered, within a pressure pipe between a feed pump and a dewatering equipment, the distance between the dosing point and the inlet of the dewatering equipment will be modified during operation, e.g. by displacing a lance carrying a dosing head within the sludge pipe or by selectively operating a number of dosing points being positioned at different distances to the dewatering equipment. In this way it is possible to adjust most optimally the retention time being available for the formation and consolidation of floc particles with regard to the present operation conditions and the type of added flocculant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Passavant-Werke AG
    Inventor: Stephan Geyer
  • Patent number: 5362400
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for creating in an aquifer an oxidation and precipitation zone (or a reduction zone) between a number of injection wells arranged around one or more extraction wells for purified water. The zone desired is created intermittently between each pair of adjacent injection wells by (i) introducing oxygen, oxygen-containing gas or an oxygen-releasing substance (or an oxygen-consuming substance) into the water in both wells and (ii) pumping the water in one well from below upwards while pumping the water in the other well from above downwards, whereby a circulation circuit is formed in the aquifer between the wells. A device for carrying out said process comprises an outer tube (1), sealing means (2), an inner tube member (3), a transversal wall (4) with a central opening, an elongation tube (5), an inner flow pipe (6) and conduits (7,8) for supply of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Paref AB
    Inventor: Hakan R. Martinell
  • Patent number: 5356533
    Abstract: A system for cleaning water in rivers or lakes or for separating oil and water. The system includes a sucking pipe; vapor-liquid mixing device connecting to the sucking pipe; a pressure pump disposed midway of the sucking pipe; a compressor connected to the connection between the pressure pump and the vapor-liquid mixing device; a pressure tank connected to the vapor-liquid mixing device; a feed pipe connected to the pressure tank; and a pressure valve, attached to the leading end of the feed pipe, which opens at a pressure exceeding a predetermined level. According to this system, the construction can be simplified, and the lifting action by the bubbles can be effected by keeping the pressure of the liquid at a predetermined level or more at all times. Thus, the system can be used anywhere under all circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: F. Tecs Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Turuo Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5354471
    Abstract: Conventional biological processes for treating wastewater include the so-called activated sludge process which is continuous and the sequencing batch reaction (SBR) activated sludge process. The first process requires the use of dedicated, relatively expensive external clarifiers, and the second process is inefficient in terms of treatment volume. A modified sequencing batch reactor process and system enable the efficient, continuous treatment and discharge of wastewater, combing the advantages of the SBR and activated sludge processes. In the present case, wastewater is initially fed in a first direction through a plurality of contiguous cells, the wastewater is subjected at all times to biological treatment in a plurality of such cells and settled in at least one of the cells immediately prior to discharge from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventors: Peter L. Timpany, Chester Q. Yang
  • Patent number: 5350508
    Abstract: The device has an elongate net with an extended, open mouth. The net forms a channel-shaped volume in which floating debris from a swimming pool can be collected. A tubular frame member extends lengthwise across the mouth of the net, and floats are provided to support the net and the tubular frame member at the surface of the pool water, with the mouth of the net orientated to receive floating debris. In operation, the tubular frame member is connected to the return flow inlet of the swimming pool so as to receive a portion of the flow returning to the pool through the inlet. Sprays on the tubular frame member are directed into the net. There is also an outlet for directing another portion of the return flow of water into the swimming pool so as to create a swirling flow of water in the pool which encourages floating debris to migrate about the pool to the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Lourens Van der Watt
  • Patent number: 5350511
    Abstract: A continuous purification apparatus includes a mixer to mix contaminated water and purifying chemicals, a purifying tank to receive mixed matter from the mixer and in which inorganic and organic matter are separated to produce floating matter, sediment and purified liquid, a purified liquid piping system by which the supernatant in the tank is discharged, and a drain piping system by which the floating matter and sediment are discharged. An intermittent type purification apparatus includes a window mechanism provided in a side wall of the tank and a tub encompassing a lower peripheral portion of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Sakurada
  • Patent number: 5350512
    Abstract: A chlorination and dechlorination apparatus and method for the treatment of wastewater or other fluid including a chlorinator, a contact tank, and a dechlorinator. The contact tank is a vessel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and is divided into two contact chambers by a baffle which runs vertically the entire length of the contact tank. A baffle opening is provided at the lower end of the baffle to allow passage of fluid from the first contact chamber to the second contact chamber. The chlorinator includes a chlorine tablet feeder and the dechlorinator includes a dechlorination tablet feeder. The fluid under treatment flows from the inlet opening to the outlet opening in a plug-flow pattern. Previous to entering the contact chambers, the fluid washes over and dissolves chlorine tablets stacked in the chlorine tablet feeder. After flowing through the contact chambers, the fluid washes over and dissolves dechlorination tablets stacked in the dechlorination tablet feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Jet, Inc.
    Inventor: Nianfa Tang
  • Patent number: 5348650
    Abstract: A treating apparatus is shown for removing cloggants from the pores and surfaces of aeration diffuser elements used in an activated sludge treatment process or the like. The apparatus pumps a liquid acid solution through the aeration piping network of the system and out through the diffusers for reacting the acid with the cloggants in the pores of the diffusers. After the cleaning action has been completed, the apparatus produces an agitation throughout the diffuser system being cleansed as the liquid acid is being pumped out of the system and the air flow is being reestablished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Aeration Engineering Resources Corporation
    Inventor: Paul W. Cummings, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5346617
    Abstract: A system and method for the purifying of water passing through the system, the system comprising in combination a plurality of containers; a quantity of particulate material formed of trace mineral granules located within the containers and adapted to remove contaminants from water contacting the granules as the water passes through the containers; a plurality of pipes for feeding water to the first container, and then sequentially to each subsequent container, and then from the last container; injectors operatively associated with the plurality of pipes in advance of the containers to inject ozone into the water prior to the feeding of water to the containers; and pump means to feed water through the pipes and containers in a continuous and automatic cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Burton W. Costello
  • Patent number: 5328599
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method for chemical precipitation and removal of metals from wastewater in a continuous or batch treatment process includes an ion-selective sulfide electrode and a reference electrode disposed in a precipitation tank for measuring an electrochemical potential therebetween in a predetermined range. A controller unit is provided which is responsive to the electrochemical potential in the predetermined range and is connected to a precipitant feed unit for automatically controlling the chemical precipitant fed into the precipitation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kristine S. Siefert, Pek L. Choo, Wayne M. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5328601
    Abstract: Cleaning of multi-pore diffusion elements in place with cleaning gases while submerged in liquid media by applying said elements in improved gas cleaning apparatus. Such apparatus may for example include diffusion element retaining rings or other retaining devices, positioned at the peripheries of the respective elements, for securing them in gas-tight relationship with their respective plenums for preventing escape of treating and cleaning gas. Another aspect of the apparatus includes diffusers having diffusion elements with upper and lower surfaces bounded by porous peripheral sides, said diffusers also including apparatus for preventing escape of air through the element sides. In another embodiment of diffusers with diffusion elements having upper and lower surfaces bounded by peripheral sides, there are plenums comprising gas tight enclosures that enclose these lower surfaces and that include upstanding walls facing and adjacent to said sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Water Pollution Control Corporation
    Inventors: Frank L. Schmidt, Lloyd Ewing, David T. Redmon
  • Patent number: 5320749
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for treating fluid media by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. A fluid flow path from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet is provided. The fluid flow path is proximate to a source of ultraviolet radiation. Reagents may be added to the system so that the reagent is present in the circulating fluid while the fluid is being exposed to the ultraviolet radiation. Samples of fluid may be withdrawn from the system so that process parameters may be adjusted. In a system in which the fluid flow path is defined by a plurality of interconnected pipes, a connecting means between the pipes includes a port through which reagent may be added or samples withdrawn from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 5318702
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for treating water and other liquids by removing minerals in solution and entrained gases. The entrained gases are forced into the atmosphere, while the minerals are returned to agglomerated solids for ease in removal using settling or filtration. The opposed vortex nozzle unit of the present invention collides a pair of fluid streams in a manner that the bonds holding the gases and minerals in the water are broken, thus, allowing the gases to escape and the minerals to agglomerate. The vortex nozzle tubes of the present invention are provided with slots which remove a small portion of the fluid streams as they flow through the nozzle tubes. The removed water is returned at a location beyond the impingement point of the two streams in order to enhance the removal of gases and agglomeration of minerals in solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Clifford L. Ashbrook
  • Patent number: 5302298
    Abstract: A process and an installation for treating liquids, which are charged with pollutants that are difficult to break down, by means of wet oxidation with ozone-containing gas and UV radiation. The installation comprises injectors by means of which ozone-containing gas produced in an ozone generator can be passed into the liquid. The liquid is then introduced into a reaction and degasification vessel, before it passes through the UV irradiation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Wedeco Umwelttechnologien Wasser Boden Luft GmbH
    Inventor: Ortwin Leitzke
  • Patent number: 5300232
    Abstract: A method and process for the treatment of liquids, including moving injection wands into a tank containing the liquid to be treated and injecting a treating solution through the injection wands to increase the reaction mixing between the injected treating solution and the liquid being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventors: James W. Barrington, Randy W. Masters
  • Patent number: 5298170
    Abstract: An effluent precipitation and neutralization chamber for mixing and neutralizing spent photographic developer and fixer. The fixer inlet discharging into a vertically oriented conduit located within the vessel, which contains iron therein and defines a gravity flow path for flow of the fixer within the vessel from the inlet to the bottom of the vessel. A layer of steel wool is positioned on the bottom of the vessel in the flow path of the fixer. Baffles inside the chamber promote mixing of the developer and fixer. The desilvered fluid is diluted with wash water before it is discharged from the chamber. A wash water inlet tube is aligned with an open ended vessel that surrounds the discharge outlet to dilute the mixed and neutralized developer and fixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Gunter Woog
  • Patent number: 5288737
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater containing undesirable pollutants which comprises a housing having a bottom and defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber is provided with a first and second baffle member which cooperate to define a mixing zone and a separation zone. Wastewater (containing a sufficient amount of air so that the air present in the wastewater exceeds the solubility of air in the wastewater) is introduced into the mixing zone of the internal chamber, and an aerated water is sprayed into the wastewater to produce a quantity of air bubbles sufficient to promote the flotation of pollutants having a density approximately equal to that of the wastewater to form a froth. Pollutants having a density substantially greater than the density of water settled to the bottom portion of the housing. An effluent reservoir assembly (which forms a reservoir zone) is spatially disposed from the second baffle member so that a quiescent zone is formed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Hydro Modular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Krieger
  • Patent number: 5288412
    Abstract: A modular gray water processing system is provided comprising a filter, an ultraviolet radiation chamber coupled to the filter and a storage tank for receiving and storing irradiated gray water from the ultraviolet radiation chamber. The filter filters gray water being provided to the gray water processing system and provides the filtered gray water to the ultraviolet radiation chamber. The ultraviolet radiation chamber comprises a plurality of ultraviolet radiation generating modules and a fluid controlling system for directing the gray water entering the ultraviolet radiation chamber to a number of the ultraviolet radiation modules in accordance with the flow rate of the filtered gray water. The irradiated gray water exiting the radiation chamber is directed to the storage tank where it is stored awaiting reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Michael T. Voorhees, Linda M. Brown, Richard F. Schaeff
  • Patent number: 5273664
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for disinfecting water by contacting the water with gaseous ozone. The device includes a series of treatment chambers that are interconnected serially by external transfer conduits, each transfer conduit including an introduction tap for introducing ozonated water into the water to be treated. The treated water flows sequentially from one chamber into the next. Hydrogen peroxide is added to the water as it enters a final chamber for final degasification of the water. Within each treatment chamber a mixing chamber is provided for additional intermixing and greater mass transfer of ozone with the water by alternately speeding up and slowing down the flow of the ozone-water mixture before the mixture is introduced downwardly into the respective chamber adjacent the lower wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: Christopher R. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5264120
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes inner and outer relatively telescopic units, the outer telescopic unit including an outer container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall collectively defining a generally upwardly opening chamber, a filter exteriorly of the peripheral wall and defining therewith a first downstream settling zone, control openings in the peripheral wall for controlling wastewater flow through the first settling zone generally in response to the level of wastewater in the first settling zone, the inner telescopic unit including an inner container having a chamber defined in part by a peripheral wall, the peripheral walls being in relatively spaced relationship to each other and therebetween defining a second settling zone, a third settling zone within the inner telescopic unit chamber, and the inner and outer telescopic units each being a distinct unitized structure which permits the same to be bodily telescopically assembled and disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Norwalk Wastewater Equipment Company
    Inventor: Jan D. Graves
  • Patent number: 5262047
    Abstract: The local reclamation system includes an accumulation tank for a soiled solution. A tank outlet valve selectively allows a flow of the solid soiled solution into the remainder of the system. A blend conduit leads from the outlet valve. An oxidizing supply selectively provides an oxidizing agent to said soiled solution downstream of the outlet valve in the blend conduit. A blend pump receives the soiled solution with oxidizing agent to promote the flow of the soiled solution through the system and a more uniformed disposal of the oxidizing agent throughout the solution. A six stage filter section selectively removes particulate matter. A biologic stage promotes a sterile reclaimed solution and a solution accumulator accumulates and stores the solution. Repeated injections of oxidizing agents occur before filter stage sections and pumps. The reclaimed solution can be reused or discharged without penalty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventors: Charles O. Benskin, Harley A. Weisse
  • Patent number: 5252202
    Abstract: A water treatment method and device can perform a regeneration treatment of the muddy water once used in a water excavation work to decrease its specific gravity for reuse in the water excavation work, and a dehydration treatment of various waste waters such as muddy water from the water excavation work and industrial waste water for final disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Daiyo Kiko Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Hirose
  • Patent number: 5248416
    Abstract: A sewage treatment system which presents a main flow line and a recirculating line, the former for flock which has appreciated in size due to the addition of a polymer and passage through an area of agitation/turbulence and the latter for the return of small sized flock to the agitator/turbulence area for size increase. The passageways of the system include movable flaps, serving recirculation purposes, and a ledge or flutter for current creation and flock build-up. Raw liquid sewage enters the system, where the outlet leads to a belt press and/or a dry bed to cake the resulting sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Ronnie E. Howard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5246592
    Abstract: An apparatus for recovering oil from an oil spill on the surface of a body of water includes a skimmer unit for recovering an oil-water mixture from the surface of the body of water, a three stage coalescer unit for separating the oil in the oil-water mixture from the water therein and a solvent injection assembly for injecting solvent into the coalescer unit after the first and second stages in order to reduce the viscosity of the oil entering the second and third stages. The first, second, and third stages of the coalescer unit comprise interceptors having a surface area ratios between 27 and 65 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 ; 65 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 and 2500 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 ; and 500 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3 and 4200 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: ACS Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Schweizer, Kantilal P. Patel
  • Patent number: 5240595
    Abstract: A system for removing hazardous contaminants such as radon gas and volatile synthetic organic chemicals from domestic water supplies includes a perforated, horizontally-oriented tray which is baffled to define a curved (e.g., serpentine, spiral) liquid flow path. Contaminated water is distributed upon a portion of the tray and flows as directed by the baffles to a downcomer and into a storage tank. Air is blown into the storage tank, which is located below the perforated tray, and up through the perforations. The forced air causes the water flowing across the tray to froth, and evaporates the contaminants out of the frothing water. The forced air, carrying the volatilized contaminants, is then vented outside the home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: North East Environmental Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce L. Lamarre
  • Patent number: 5240597
    Abstract: A waste water treatment equipment adapted to treat, with high removal performance at all times, waste water drained from various sources such as sewage containing solid wastes left after crushing garbage sent out from cooking room, home kitchen, etc. The equipment is provided with a pretreatment device in which chemical is supplied to a treatment tank so as to accellerate decomposition of the solid waste left after crushing garbage by fermentation and putrefaction, and digestion of the solid wastes and water pollution materials by anaerobic bacteria. The sewage pretreated in the pretreatment device is introduced in a sewage treatment device in which sewage is caused to flow in a plurality of sewage treament tanks sequentially in order, and the pollution materials such as BOD, COD, etc. in the sewage are subject to oxidation decomposition and removal by activated sludge process beds of specific configuration in which arrangement of activated sludge varies for each tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignees: Iwao Ueda, Chie Ueda, Etsuko Ueda
    Inventor: Iwao Ueda
  • Patent number: 5236090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flotation-deinking-device comprising a flotation vessel and at least one inlet for introducing the suspension into the flotation vessel, the inlet being a staged diffusor (12) in which in a region of the stage transition (26) an air inlet opening (20) is arranged. A turbulence generator (28) without an air supply is arranged upstream of the stage transition (26) as seen in the direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Sulzer-Escher Wyss GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Britz, Erich Linck
  • Patent number: 5229009
    Abstract: An effluent precipitation and neutralization chamber for mixing and neutralizing spent photographic developer and fixer. A baffle and long folded ribbons inside the chamber promote mixing of the developer and fixer. A source of iron ions such as fine steel wool is immersed in the fluids. Ion exchange between the steel wool and the photographic fixer recovers silver from the fixer. The desilvered fluid is diluted with wash water before it is discharged from the chamber. A wash water inlet tube is directly aligned with the discharge outlet opening in the chamber so that wash water can flow almost directly into the outlet tube to dilute the mixed and neutralized developer and fixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Gunter Woog
  • Patent number: 5207896
    Abstract: A mechanism for wastewater treatment which includes a plurality of solids settling chambers, at least a primary, secondary and a tertiary filter for selectively filtering wastewater and effecting settling of solids of different sizes in the settling chambers and flow equalization ports for effecting demand flow of wastewater through the mechanism and the eventual discharge of high quality effluent. Chlorination and optionally dechlorination are effected as integral process functions of the wastewater treatment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Norwalk Wastewater Equipment Company
    Inventor: Jan D. Graves
  • Patent number: 5200080
    Abstract: Bioremediation or other liquid waste biotreatment operations are enhanced by the use of turbulence promoters to create turbulent flow conditions in an oxygen/liquid waste dispersion prior to passage in an improved gas/liquid distribution system for passage through eductors into a lagoon or other holding source of the liquid waste being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bergman, Jr., Lawrence M. Litz
  • Patent number: 5196113
    Abstract: Removing radioactive contaminants from liquid hazardous material such as oil, includes recirculating the material between a processing tank and a filter medium. The material is heated to increase viscosity during the circulation through the tank and filters. Chemicals including chelating agents are added to enhance the removal of the radioactive elements. Water is added to the processing tank or upstream, in a settling tank, to effect a water wash of the liquid hazardous material. A pre-filter stage upstream of the settling tank is followed by a mid-range filter stage in the recirculation loop with the main processing tank. A finishing filter stage is in the outlet from the main processing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Southern California Edison Co.
    Inventor: Brian D. Metz
  • Patent number: 5186841
    Abstract: The invention relates to injecting ozone through at least one injecting means operating with a pressure drop of at least about 35 psi into a pressurized stream of aqueous solution, allowing the ozone injected stream to travel or flow at a velocity of at least about 7 feet per second for a distance sufficient to dissolve at least about 70% of the ozone injected and mixing the resulting ozonated stream with an aqueous stream solution to be ozonated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Praxair Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Schick
  • Patent number: 5183562
    Abstract: An apparatus for coagulating treatment which is capable of controlling the amount of addition of a coagulant to the optimum level thereby minimizing the water content of the dehydrated cake comprises coagulant adding devices (6), (7), and (8) for causing the coagulant to be added in a variable amount to a liquid subjected to the coagulating treatment, a heat transfer detecting meter (12) disposed so as to contact the liquid to which the coagulant is to be added, the liquid to which the coagulant has been added, or the filtrate from the liquid to which the coagulant has been added and adapted to detect a feeble change in the physical property of the liquid in the form of a change in voltage, and a control device (16) for controlling the amount of addition of the coagulant in the coagulant adding device (8) so that the value of detection of the heat transfer detecting meter (12) is minimized or kept within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Totoki, Hirotake Shigemi, Yoshio Yasukawa
  • Patent number: 5173184
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater containing undesirable pollutants which comprises a housing having a bottom and defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber is provided with a first and second baffle member which cooperate to define a mixing zone and a separation zone. Wastewater (containing a sufficient amount of air so that the air present in the wastewater exceeds the solubility of air in the wastewater) is introduced into the mixing zone of the internal chamber, and an aerated water is sprayed into the wastewater to produce a quantity of air bubbles sufficient to promote the flotation of pollutants having a density approximately equal to that of the wastewater to form a froth. Pollutants having a density substantially greater than the density of water settled to the bottom portion of the housing. An effluent reservoir assembly (which forms a reservoir zone) is spatially disposed from the second baffle member so that a quiescent zone is formed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Hydro Modular System, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Krieger
  • Patent number: 5167806
    Abstract: An improved gas dissolving and releasing liquid treatment system involving the use of multi-stages gas dissolving pressure vessel and the use of a pressurized water release assembly and an open vessel is described. The gas dissolving and releasing liquid treatment system includes a liquid pressure pump, a pressure vessel, a gas injector, an inlet nozzle assembly, a gas compressor, gas regulators, gas flow meters, pressure gauges, a safety valve, a bleed-off point, feeders, pumps, a pressurized water release unit, a liquid flow meter, an open vessel, sludge removal means, and air emission control means. More than one gases introduced at different inlets are dissolved simultaneously and efficiently in the pressure vessel under controlled high pressure and high rotating velocity. The improved liquid treatment system is compact, simple and cost-effective, and is applied to ozonation, chlorination, recarbonation, oxygenation, bio-oxidation, nitrogenation, aeration, and flotation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: International Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence K. Wang, Lubomyr Kurylko, Mu H. S. Wang
  • Patent number: 5162083
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a method and apparatus for converting a standard anaerobic septic tank system to an aerobic system where the effluent discharged has a high level of quality, sufficient to meet or exceed all known national and state standards. The method provides a series of steps that are used to convert a pre-existing anaerobic septic tank to a highly efficient aerobic system. Additionally, there has been provided an apparatus for individual home wastewater treatment that is designed for new construction units. The conversion and new construction units are highly effective in geographical regions where the native soils have inadequate percolating capacity and also areas in which the groundwater table is very near the surface. Both of these units include an aeration and a clarifier insert with the capability of adding an optional chlorine chamber which dispenses chlorine into the effluent line in its final stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventors: Lee W. Forbes, Stephen D. Field
  • Patent number: 5160610
    Abstract: A radial mixing header for use with apparatus that removes solids from a liquid by dissolved air flotation (DAF). The header comprises a par of concentric pipes circumscribed by a concentric mixing chamber having a tangential port for introduction of the recycled gas-liquid stream thereinto. The recycled stream achieves rotary and turbulent motion and mixes in a larger diameter pipe with the raw solids-containing stream which flows through a smaller diameter pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 5147530
    Abstract: The well water removal and treatment system of the present invention includes a pumping and well water withdrawl loop consisting of an above ground pump, a pressurized water drive line from the pump outlet to a well water ejector, a water return line from the well water ejector to an aeration and precipitation tank, an inlet line from the aeration and precipitation tank to the pump and a venturi nozzle air mixing manifold fluidically connected between the high pressure drive water line and the lower pressure water delivery line to mix air into the water during the entire pump cycle. The water delivery line from the pumping and withdrawal loop has a flow control regulator therein that controls the water flow therethrough in proportion to the water pressure in the pumping and withdrawal loop above a preselected minimum control level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Water Soft Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Chandler, William D. Chandler, Jr., William J. Conery
  • Patent number: 5133875
    Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater containing industrial esters collected from grease traps at food establishments, septic tanks or from sludge digesters by increasing the pH of the wastewater to break down the ester. The increased pH wastewater is mixed to a predetermined mean velocity gradient which allows the influent to react. The reacted influent is then stabilized to lower the pH to normal levels suitable for input into a municipal wastewater treatment facility. Volatile gases are drawn off from all of the reactor tanks and placed into a treatment tank. In the tank a reduction of the bacterial and odor level occurs when the wastewater reacts with the chlorine-containing water output of the municipal wastewater treatment facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: University of South Florida in behalf of Board of Regents of the State of Florida
    Inventor: Robert P. Carnahan