Abstract: An apparatus and method for clarifying a contaminated fluid comprising a separator vessel having therein a cyclonic flow chamber; a spiral preliminary separator introduces the contaminated fluid to be separated into the cyclonic flow chamber by a tangential inlet so as to establish a swirling body of fluid; the cyclonic flow chamber has concentric shells positioned below the tangential inlet for discharging separated solids to a collection area and separating an oil and water mixture into a fluid flow zone formed by the cyclonic flow chamber and the wall of the separator vessel wherein water and oil are separated by aeration provided by eductors; a vertical outlet port discharges separated oil and gas from the upper portion of the cyclonic flow chamber to a fluid flow zone wherein oil and gas are separated. The separated water, oil, gas and solids are removed through discharge ports.

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.

Abstract: A dispenser for introducing treatment material into an interceptor or grease trap for the purpose of digesting the grease or other hazardous materials which is separated from waste water which flows through the grease trap. The dispenser includes a housing having a compartment for holding a quantity of grease digesting material and a dispensing opening at the lower end of the compartment. A restricter is located at the dispensing opening for enabling the digesting material to pass from the dispensing opening to the grease and other materials to be treated in the chamber of the grease trap at a constant restrictive rate.

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.

Abstract: A grease separation system includes a main grease separator tank [11] which has a plurality of filters [23] suspended along the upper portion of the tank above a bed of grease absorbing material [28]. A perforated pipe [31] extends the length of the floor of the tank and discharges into a grease trap [33]. An admixing tank [52] is also included for admixing a grease absorbing material [60] with the grease [24] collected within the filters and rendering the grease bladeable for disposal into a landfill.

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.

Abstract: A process for separating the grease, solids and water components from grease such as grease traps and fry grease. The grease is collected and introduced into a primary holding tank to effect primary crude separation. The grease is removed to a second stage separator for further concentration. The water and solids are separately directed to a second stage to separate these components. The separated water is treated suitable for discharge into a sewer. The solids are dried and the solids and grease are then suitable for re-use. In the preferred embodiment, the separators are centrifuges. Heating of the grease may also be necessary to achieve proper viscosity for handling and to remove bacteria.

Abstract: The clarifier in any activated sludge sewage treatment plant must provide (a) a quiescent environment to allow gravity settling of the bio-mass (sludge) grown within the aeration tank, (b) the decanting of clear supernatant thus produced, and (c) the timely removal of all accumulated clarifier sludge. This invention improves prior clarifier performance by (a) providing vacuum assistance to gravity settling, (b) trapping all sedimentation within an aerated sludge containment zone, (c) providing clarifier sludge aeration to prevent denitrification, (d) utilization of spent aeration air for energy-free return sludge pumping, (e) the elimination of density currents and induced currents created by return sludge pumping, and (f) providing uniform hydraulic sludge collection eliminating the need for mechanical collection. The lower portion of the clarifier walls must be inward sloped to provide a hopper bottom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for treating waste water, particularly metal-containing waste water. The process includes separating and removing metals and other impurities from the waste water by the sequential addition of a base, a polyelectrolyte and an acrylamide-containing copolymer dispersion. The purified water is recycled for continuous reuse while the small quantities of metal-rich residue are available for reclamation.

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.

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.

Abstract: A thickener for liquids or pulps includes a tank in which flocculation takes place. A feedwell for feed liquid is disposed within the tank and has a restricted bottom opening in fluid communication with the tank. The bottom opening has an effective cross-sectional flow area substantially less than the mean cross-sectional area of the feedwell to restrict the flow of liquid between the tank and the feedwell through the bottom opening and thereby promote homogeneous mixing of the feed liquid within the feedwell. A conduit supplies feed liquid to the feedwell. An aperture is formed in the feedwell or the conduit above the bottom opening and below the upper marginal edge of the feedwell to permit the recirculation of dilute liquid directly from the tank through the aperture and into the feed liquid when the surface level in the tank is higher than the surface level in the feedwell to provide for autogenous dilution of the feed liquid.

Abstract: A sanitation system, particularly for use in vehicles such as marine vessels (boats), trains, planes, etc. Into a holding tank with a sloping bottom containing sewage from a toilet system, such as a vacuum toilet system, about eight ounces of deodorant chemical is automatically injected into the tank approximately every 48 hours. This effectively controls odors while minimizing chemical consumption. A gas vent from the tank passes through a vent filter having a first type of activated charcoal effective against H.sub.2 S, and a minor amount of activated charcoal effective against amino acid gaseous compounds, the vent filter removing odors. A tank cap in the top of the cap supports "high" and "full" level indicator switches and allows for the injection of the chemical and the gas vent. A tank cleaning device comprising a piece of surgical tubing with a nozzle at its free end and connected to a source of liquid under pressure can also be utilized.

Abstract: A multi-gas-phase settling tank has a plurality of containers mounted upside down in vertical spaced relation at fixed intervals for holding a predetermined quantity of gas under water. Each container has a flat horizontal wall, side walls extending downwardly therefrom, a vent port in the flat horizontal wall and a hollow projection extending downwardly from the vent port for a shorter distance than the height of the side walls. The containers can be mounted at their corners in relation to each other or on inner walls of a settling tank.

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.

Abstract: A system for treating effluents such a sewage includes a mixing chamber and a separation chamber. In the mixing chamber various chemical additives are introduced in to the effluent and thoroughly mixed to act as a flocculent to extract the solid materials in the separating chamber. In the separating chamber the mixed materials are caused to flow longitudinally in a laminar flow condition to allow stratification of the liquid from the solid materials. In the mixing chamber there is provided a plurality of transverse baffles spaced longitudinally and rotated angularly relatively to a longitudinal axis of the tube. Each baffle has tapered holes to act as a venturi to mix the materials. In the separation chamber there is provided an auger flight rotating slowly which has holes through the flight thus generating a laminar flow to provide improved separation of the solid and the liquid components.

Abstract: Contaminated liquid or sludge clarification is accomplished by the use of a basic one or a series of operatively connected and vertically extending units or devices of the invention, each of which employs a hose that is spiraled around a cylindrical container wall whose upper end is open to an overflow weir from which recovery of lower specific gravity clarified liquid is effected and whose lower end is open and connected to a cone or funnel-shaped wall that defines a receiving and delivering chamber for separated-out heavier specific gravity contaminating liquid, sediment, viscous or thickened material. The hose of the basic unit is adapted at its upper end to receive the contaminated liquid, sludge or the like and any suitable chemical flocculant, precipitant, or coagulant, such as a polyelectrolyte, that may be injected or added to the contaminated liquid before it is introduced therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for clarification of industrial sewage comprises a vertical cylindrical chamber for circulation of industrial sewage with a conical bottom secured to which are a branch pipe for feeding the polluted industrial sewage with flocculants, and a branch pipe for discharging the slurry. Secured outside of the cylindrical chamber at its upper edge is a circular trough for draining the purified sewage while inside the chamber are arranged partitions for settling of solid particles and at least one separating partition in the form of a body of revolution with holes for distributing polluted sewage over the volume of the chamber, said partition being installed axially in the central part of the chamber with its upper edge arranged level with the upper edge of the chamber. Installed above the separating partition is a pressuretight bell-shaped housing communication with an air rarefaction means.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein a centrifuge organization includes a mounting ring, and includes a plurality of pairs of stirrups, each securing therewithin an associated container. Each container includes a color-coded lid and anhydrous gel cylindrical floor and an annular wall, including a coating of silicone in a powdered or gel form. Vacuum porting is provided through each lid of each container in cooperation with an intake conduit for directing blood and associated fluid into the container.

Abstract: A water treatment multi-stage process and apparatus thereof for removing dissolved, colloidal, volatile, suspended and living contaminants from water, wastewater or sludge streams which includes chemical feeding, static mixing, flotation chemical monitoring and optimization, gas pressurization, hydraulic flocculation, sedimentation, flotation, and final water treating by converting dissolved solids to insoluble forms by oxidation and chemical precipitation, coagulating and clarifying colloidal substances and microorganisms, magnetic or electronic treating the remaining contaminants in the water to produce a purified water.

Abstract: A liquid treatment multi-stage process and apparatus thereof for removing dissolved, colloidal, volatile, suspended and living contaminants from water, wastewater or sludge streams which includes chemical feeding, static mixing, gas pressurization, hydraulic flocculation, sedimentation, flotation, adsorption, filtration and disinfection by converting dissolved solids to insoluble forms by oxidation and chemical precipitation, coagulating and clarifying colloidal substances and microorganisms, adsorbing, filtering and disinfecting the remaining contaminants in the liquid to produce a purified liquid.

Abstract: A water filtration multi-stage process and apparatus thereof for removing dissolved, colloidal, volatile, suspended and living contaminants from water or wastewater which includes chemical feeding, in-line static mixing, filtration chemical monitoring and optimization, aeration, hydraulic flocculation, grit settling, adsorption, filtration, disinfection, and final water conditioning by converting dissolved solids to insoluble forms by oxidation and chemical precipitation, and then by filtering the insoluble contaminants, adsorbing residual dissolved contaminants, disinfecting the living microorganisms, and applying magnetic or electronic field for conditioning to produce a purified water.

Abstract: A system for treating waste water using a particulate body formed by covering and fixing nitrifying bacteria. In the system, the particulate body is inserted in a nitrifying vessel which including therein an air diffusion device for supplying oxygen to the nitrifying bacteria and a particulate body separation device for preventing the outflow of the particulate body. The nitrifying vessel and the particulate body contained therein are used as a nitrifying vessel unit and one or more such nitrifying vessel units are arranged within a treating tank. Waste water is circulated between the nitrifying vessel and the other portions of the treating tank than the nitrifying vessel by means of the air lift effect of the air diffused from the air diffusion device.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anti-freeze separator assembly connected to a piece of equipment in outdoor freezing conditions in order to take a fluid, such as water, and treat same for subsequent disposal without freezing. The anti-freeze separator assembly includes 1) a main container housing; 2) a material retainer member mounted within the main container housing to receive and hold a treatment chemical therein; 3) an enclosure cap assembly releasably mounted on the main container housing; 4) a main fluid inlet assembly connected to the main container housing to transfer a fluid to be treated therein; and 5) a main discharge assembly connected to the main container housing to transfer a treat fluid therefrom. The main discharge assembly includes a discharge pipe member connected to a transfer pipe assembly with a diaphragm valve assembly therebetween.

Abstract: A waste treatment module (10) designed for placement within an aeration basin (12) is provided which performs all of the desirable functions of aeration, flocculation, sedimentation, sludge return, effluent collection and skimming. the module (10) includes walls (20) defining an upright chamber (22); the latter is provided with a pair of side marginal, slotted inlets (28, 30) with corresponding flocculators (24, 26) below the respective inlets (28, 30). Each flocculator (24, 26) is equipped with a plurality of vertically spaced baffle plates (86, 88, 90) having offset openings (92, 94, 96, 98) so as to cause solids within the wastewater to traverse a tortuous descending flow path which promotes flocculation. An agglomerated flocculent is collected within a lower sedimentation zone (34) and then passes into a central collector (108) of inverted V-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A thickener for liquids or pulps comprising a tank in which flocculation takes place and dilute liquid is displaced toward the top of the tank, a feedwell having a bottom opening in fluid communication with said tank, conduit means to supply feed liquid to said feedwell, and apertures in said feedwell or said conduit disposed above said bottom opening and positioned to permit the flow of said dilute liquid directly from the tank into the feed liquid for dilution thereof.The thickener preferably comprises a weir plate assembly connected with a side wall of the feedwell adjacent a side opening therein. The weir plate is preferably moveable by means of a float assembly between an open position permitting said dilute liquid to flow from the tank to the feedwell, and a closed position substantially closing the side opening.

Abstract: An individual wastewater treatment plant 1 including an aeration piping sub-system 27, 28 and an inverted, cone-shaped clarifier 13 concentrically suspended within an outer tank 10, the clarifier being supported by a support grid of standard-type PVC plastic pipe elements, including a series of four radially disposed pipe sections 21 engaging the clarifier and supporting and positioning the aeration piping system. The aeration piping is force fitted into "U" shaped slots formed in the support grid. Two embodiments for the clarifier engagement and support sub-system are disclosed, one using a series of peripherally spaced, thin slotted, inverted "T" elements 23 (FIG. 4) and the other using radial pipe sections 30 extending through the wall of the clarifier (FIG. 6), with the latter using a side-ways "U" slot 31 to hold the aeration piping and the first embodiment using inverted "U" 26 slots formed in the bottom of additional "T" elements 25 (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A method and a device of dividing an aqueous processing waste solution of a non-silver halide light-sensitive material into solid and water are disclosed comprising the steps of:(a) introducing said solution into an evaporator,(b) concentrating by heating said solution,(c) removing sludge produced from the evaporator during concentrating by heating said solution,(d) separating the sludge into solid and liquid and(e) cooling and condensing evaporated gas to liquid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of removing solids from a container. he method is for discharging sedimentated solids from a container which is inclined in the direction toward its outlet. The method is technically simple and prevents or minimizes the amount of secondary waste or the use of flushing liquid. This result is achieved by subjecting the residual liquid in the container to the action of pulsed compressed air which passes through a perforated pipe extending parallelly to the bottom of the container. A container apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A grease trap construction comprising a housing having an inlet to receive waste water containing grease and foreign material and having an outlet. An air conduit having a plurality of outlet ports spaced along its length is located in the lower end of the housing and is connected to a source of air under pressure, so that air will be discharged through the ports into contact with the waste water. The waste water within the housing is heated by an electric heating element which is immersed in the waste water and the heating element is controlled by a thermostat to maintain the temperature of the waste water within a given range. An aqueous composition containing a mixture of enzymes and bacterial spores is introduced into the housing into contact with the waste water.

Abstract: A sludge processing apparatus is provided that includes a processing tank, in which sludge flowing in through a sluge inflow pipe is deposited and processed, a submersible pump disposed in the center of bottom of the processing tank to take in the sludge laid on the bottom of the tank and spout it upward to a liquid surface, a circulation guide plate for circulating the sludge spouted by the submersible pump through the whole tank, a chemical feeder for feeding to the processing tank a selected chemical for promoting activity of anaerobic bacteria carrying out anaerobic digestion, a hot water pipe disposed in the vicinity of the bottom of the processing tank, a heating-and-circulating device for heating a heating medium and circulating it through the hot water pipe, temperature control means for controlling a temperature of sludge in the processing tank to be required value, and a drain pump for pumping supernatant water left after processing of the sludge out of the tank through a drain pipe.

Abstract: A septic system tank assembly, including a primary outer tank having a cylindrical wall, and within which there is nested a second tank also of a cylindrical configuration, extending diametrically across each tank is a dividing partition dividing the two tanks up into four chambers which carry out anaerobic, aerobic, clarification and disinfection treatment, the assembly further includes an air pump and conduits which delivers air to the aerobic chamber and a dispenser to dispense disinfectant material into the disinfectant chamber. The assembly also includes separate conveyor means to transfer both solid matter and floating matter from the clarification chamber to the anaerobic chamber.

Abstract: Discloses transportable liquid clarifying and screw conveyor/compactor liquid-solid separator apparatus which includes a pressureable clarifier vessel portably mounted on a base with a top and sides converging to the bottom of the vessel for attachment to a sludge disposal apparatus. A sludge inlet enters the top of the vessel and extends to near the bottom of the vessel. An effluent discharge flow control valve is connected through a conduit in the top of the vessel to provide a designated back pressure within the vessel while controlling the discharge flow of effluent liquid from the vessel. The sludge disposal apparatus includes an elongated screw conveyor/compactor mounted at an angle and extending upwardly from the vessel bottom. The compactor housing is tapered to compact the sludge as the screw conveyor carries the sludge to a liquid extraction section. The liquid extraction section has a screen tapered to further compact the slurry while extracting liquid being forced out of the slurry.

Abstract: A filter bed clarifier comprising a tank (1), which consists of an upper, cylindrical part (2) and a lower, tapered part (3) and which is provided with a centrally disposed feed pipe (11) for the liquid to be clarified. The feed pipe has an outlet leading into the tank at the top opening (7) of the circulating/mixing cone (6) disposed in the lower, tapered part of the tank. The top opening is larger than the outlet opening (12) of the feed pipe so that the sludge being discharged from the feed pipe draws sediment flocs from the lower part of the bed, thus causing internal circulation of the sediment. The apparatus is especially suitable for clarifying green liquor.

Abstract: An oxidative evaporation process for treating waste water or other aqueous solutions containing organics or reduced forms of inorganics is described. The process relies upon excessive amounts of pressurized oxygen gas to both oxidize the solution and to increase the solution's evaporation rate. The oxidized liquid effluent from a reactor undergoes a series of flashing steps until a saturated solution is produced which readily crystallizes upon cooling.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for a housing mountable on a trailer for conducting the process in-situ. A pump withdraws substantially all hydrocarbon-contaminated matter from the oil waste pit and delivers it into a lower chamber formed in the housing, wherein the hydrocarbon-contaminated matter is separated from the heavy solid particles and heavy salt water. The hydrocarbon-containing mixture, after being separated in the lower housing is delivered into the upper chamber formed in the housing and heated to facilitate separation, by gravity, of hydrocarbons, water and fine particles into various layers for subsequent withdrawal from the housing. The process of withdrawal of the hydrocarbon-contaminated mixture continues until hydrocarbon content of the oil waste pit is reduced to such degree that the waste pit becomes substantially hydrocarbon-free and is environmentally safe.

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying a liquid containing suspended solids comprising a walled vessel which is closed at the bottom and side and has an upper circular horizontal portion thereby defining a chamber; a conduit for feeding a liquid containing suspended solids to the chamber so that the liquid flows in a helical path upwardly in the chamber to the vessel upper portion; a liquid effluent clarifying and withdrawing device, at the upper portion of the vessel, into which liquid flowing at and adjacent the liquid surface in one direction of a circular path can substantially change direction whereby flow of the suspended solids in the circular path is maintained to a substantially greater extent than the amount of solids carried along with the liquid which changes direction thereby providing a stream of clarified liquid at the withdrawing device; and an outlet into which the stream of clarified liquid can flow from the withdrawing device and be removed from the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration apparatus composed of: a container comprising a central well and a number of radial individual chambers, each of said chambers comprising: a filtration bed placed on a plate, said plate defining with the bottom of the container an evacuation chamber; an open gullet admitting the water, and an aperture situated towards the top end of the well and connecting said chamber with said well, each well being equipped at its base with a discharge pipe and said container comprising at its base a discharge pipe for the pure water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in a sewage sludge treatment system comprising a hyperbaric vessel including sludge inlet means for conveying sludge to the vessel to be accumulated in a lower portion of the vessel, a sludge delivery means having a discharge end for delivering sludge particles from the lower portion to an upper portion of the vessel, oxygen inlet means for delivering oxygen to the upper portion of the vessel to oxygenate the sludge particles at a hyperatmospheric pressure therein, the oxygenated particles falling to and being collected in the lower portion of the vessel, gas outlet means for removing gas from the upper portion of the vessel, a sludge outlet means for rapidly removing the oxygenated sludge from the lower portion of the vessel using the pressurized oxygen as a propellant, the sludge outlet means comprising a discharge pipe connected to the lower portion of the vessel for conducting sludge to a separation apparatus, and a rapidly opening valve means controll

Abstract: Apparatus for treating emulsions and industrial waste waters includes a reaction container in which the fluid to be treated is treated with a chemical mixture and a settling container in contact with the same in which the settling precipitate separates and settles from the fluid. Devices for discharging the precipitate from the container and devices for dividing the chemical mixture among the fluids to be treated are also provided.

Abstract: An aerated grit tank is provided having a longitudinally extending control wall dividing the tank into parallel lift and settling chambers. An air discharge apparatus is provided at the bottom of the lift chamber to induce an upward flow of sewage causing a generally helical flow of sewage around the control wall. The control wall is supported in the tank by mechanisms selectively operable to vertically position the wall with a bottom longitudinally extending edge in predetermined spaced relationship to a bottom floor of the tank whereby the velocity of the cross currents may be effectively controlled. One form of the structure has a single control wall unit while a second form of the invention has two wall forming panels with an uppermost panel supported in fixed relationship to the tank and a lowermost panel supported for vertical displacement.

Abstract: Method of biological activating cleaning of waste waters containing nitrogenous materials at conditions of a lowly loaded sludge with simultaneous nitrification of organic nitrogen and ammonia to nitrates while using fluid filtration and an arrangement for execution of this method where the waste water, after its activating cleaning with supply of oxygen, is subsequently cleaned in the course of fluid filtration by denitrification without presence of oxygen creating flotating sludge which is circulated at least partly to the aerobic activating cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a liquid in a hot process softener. An eductor tube positioned within a reaction chamber causes liquid from a mixing and recirculation zone to enter the lower end thereof and be continuously recirculated therethrough. Chemicals and recirculated sludge are directed into the eductor tube and are intimately mixed with the liquid therein before exiting therefrom to mix with raw liquid being sprayed into the mixing and recirculation zone.

Abstract: A cloudy liquid to be clarified is inserted, after twice receiving flocculation additive, into the bottom of a belt of sludge (4a) in a clarification chamber (4) via a plurality of injectors (22) distributed over the area of said chamber. Uniform distribution of overall flow between these injectors is ensured by internal head loss. The clarified liquid is removed via an upper overflow (4b).Each injector is constituted by a flat cyclone and forms a jet which is highly diverting from its vertical axis in such a manner that the injected flowrate spreads out over an expansion zone belonging to said injector and meeting the expansion zones of adjacent injectors. Further, these jets set up swirling motion which prevents the formation of a layer of sludge having insufficient permeability. The sludge formed in the chamber (4) is directed via a central well (7) towards a secondary clarification sludge (3) situated beneath said chamber and supplying both clarified liquid and dense sludge.

Abstract: Method for purifying waste water in a compact settling plant, particularly for waste water which is biologically very loaded, wherein the final settling tank (23) is arranged inside a scavenging basin (3), wherein the aeration of waste is separated from the aeration of the return sludge, the two flows being mixed and previously degased before entering the scavenging basin and optionally once more contacted with a gas. Due to the star configuration of the aeration, suction and mixing units, a uniform charge and transformation are obtained so that at equal flow rate, the volume may be reduced with respect to conventional plants.

Abstract: An effluent precipitation and neutralization chamber is useful for treating x-ray photographic chemicals prior to discharging them into a drain. Desilvered photographic fixer is mixed with spent developer within the chamber. The resulting iron precipitates settle to the bottom of the chamber or adhere to ribbon-like flow restrictors within the chamber. Relatively clear fluid of approximately neutral pH concentration is discharged to the drain. The chamber is openable for removing and properly disposing of the iron precipitates.

Abstract: A solid-liquid slurry, particularly sugar juice, is flocculated and clarified in an arrangement including a clarifier tank containing therein a mud bed of concentrated removed solids. A preflocculating vessel extends into the top of the clarifier tank and includes upper and lower chambers. The slurry is introduced into the upper chamber to flow turbulently therein, thereby deaerating the slurry. The slurry is transferred from the upper chamber to the lower chamber while the turbulent flow of the slurry is changed to a laminar flow. A flocculating agent, for example a suitable polymer, is introduced into the slurry, such that solids of the slurry coagulate as flocs in the lower chamber. The thus preflocculated slurry is introduced directly into the clarifier tank at a level beneath the surface of the mud bed therein. The liquid of the slurry percolates upwardly through the mud bed and is filtered, thus forming clarified liquid, and the flocs of solids settle downwardly into and form the mud bed.

Abstract: Arrangement for biological activating cleaning of waste waters having a separating space and an activating space, the separating space being disposed above the activating space in a single container. The arrangement permits a surface take-off of cleaned water without reduction of the capacity for water treatment of the arrangement. In case part of the biocenology of the activated sludge becomes extinct or impaired, the arrangement permits an easy removal of sludge separated by floating from the surface of the content of the separating space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the useful life of an acqueous acid chloride solution that serves as a protective bath for an activator dip bath such as used in electroless copper plating. Means are provided for recirculating the acidic chloride solution over metallic tin to precipitate copper ions from the solution. The precipitated copper is filtered from the solution to extend its useful life.

Abstract: A device for treating a process fluid contained within a closed chamber with a chemical reactant including a compartment for containing the chemical reactant and a port for allowing flow of the process fluid therethrough. The device is characterized by a recirculation mechanism, such as a piston, for alternately drawing a portion of the process fluid into the compartment through the port to bring the portion of the process fluid into direct contact with the chemical reactant and dissolve and/or react a portion of the chemical reactant into the portion of the process fluid and then forcing the portion of the process fluid out of the compartment through the port to circulate the dissolved chemical reactant throughout the remaining process fluid within the closed chamber.A method of treating the process fluid is also disclosed and includes the steps of disposing a portion of the device below the surface of the process fluid so that the port of the device is within the process fluid.