Abstract: A preferred form of the invention contemplates a two-piece nozzle construction for use in assembled relation to the tube sheet of an underdrain filter system, wherein each of two nozzle halves is assembled to a tube-sheet opening, solely by access from the downstream side of the tube sheet, and with each of the two halves holding the other in the thus-assembled relationship; in the assembled relationship, the closed upstream end of the upstream half extends a substantial distance into lower bed material of the filter, with flow access to the nozzle via a distributed plurality of relatively small openings in the cylindrical body wall of the upstream half. The downstream half is open at both ends and, in assembled condition, extends downward from the tube sheet; this downstream half has side ports to assure uniform air flow up through the filter bed, in a backwash mode of the filter system.

Abstract: Modules for use in forming rigid filter beds by laying a plurality of the modules upon a planar base comprise a bottom grid unit to the top of which is fixed a rigid, porous layer. The grid unit has several intersecting series of strip elements with structured portions to promote drainage of liquid through and away from the porous layer. The grid unit may also include portions to insure interlocking of the top porous layer thereto.

Abstract: Improved open gravity backwash filters have a filter chamber containing a particulate filter bed with drainage space beneath the bed and an effluent channel into which filtered effluent from the drainage space flows at a limited rate during the filter mode of operation. The effluent channel has an outflow weir at a height above the top of the filter bed. There is an influent channel in which the influent liquid level is above the top of the filter bed, a gullet with a floor below the top of the filter bed to receive influent from the influent channel and a waste effluent channel with a floor below the level of the top of the filter bed. During the filtering mode, influent is siphoned from the influent channel into the gullet from where it flows to and through the filter bed.

Abstract: Piping for use in liquid collection and distribution, e.g. in liquid-solid contact vessels, has an extruded pipe having on one side a pair of outwardly-projecting spaced arms each having a re-entrant lip forming a support channel with re-entrant sides extending along the channel. Channel-section strainer members are slid endwise into the support channel with the sides of the strainer channel being received between the lip and the outer surface of the pipe and with the bottom of the strainer channel, which is provided with strainer slots or perforations, bridging between the support channel sides. In use, orifices are formed through the side wall of the pipe to communicate with the interior of the support channel to provide for distribution and collection of liquids through the strainer members. The structure provides a screened slot extending continuously along the length of the pipe, and is easily assembled without requiring special tools.

Abstract: The strainer assembly comprises a body (1) which is to be mounted in the floor (14) of the filter and which has open upper and lower ends. A hollow open ended stem (3) has an external screw-thread (4) which engages with an internal screw-thread (2) in the body. The stem projects outwardly from the body below the lower end of the body and is axially adjustable relative to the body so that the effect of filter construction errors can be eliminated. A flexible tab (11) on the stem engages with ribs (10) on the body to prevent unintentional relative rotation of the stem and body. A strainer (8) is fitted to the upper end of the body and a flow control orifice (5) is provided in the stem. The area of the orifice is smaller than the total open area of the strainer.

Abstract: An improved filtering machine of the down-flow type is disclosed wherein a particular section of a granular media filtration bed is isolated for backwashing while allowing filtration to proceed in the remainder of the bed. The filter machine includes a liquid-holding tank containing a bed of granular media, structure permitting passage of filtrate through the bed from below, a flume for distributing influent liquid containing suspended solids across the bed for downward percolation therethrough, and a partitioning chamber mounted on a carriage mechanism which selectively conveys the partitioning chamber across the surface of the bed. The partitioning chamber is reciprocatably insertable into the bed to isolate selected sections from the remainder of the bed. A pump is in communication with the partitioning chamber to draw liquid upward through the bed within the isolated section.

Abstract: A liquid filter device includes an upwardly open structure having a bottom and a floor positioned above the bottom, the bottom and the floor defining therebetween a chamber. A filter element comprising granular material is supported by the floor within the structure. Liquid to be treated passes downwardly through the granular material in contact with a gas passing upwardly through the granular material during a normal filtering and processing operation. During an operation for washing the granular material, water and gas pass upwardly through the granular material. A plurality of nozzles open into the granular material and have stems communicating with the chamber. The plurality of nozzles includes first nozzles having openings for, during the normal operation, passing liquid from the granular material into the chamber, and for, during the washing operation, distributing the water and gas from the chamber into the granular material.

Abstract: The drainpipe is of triangular cross-sectional shape and has an oblong slot in the bottom surface which is closed over by a stepped ledge having webs and grooves. The slot and grooves in the ledge form a flow connection between the filter basin and the interior of the drainpipe. The drainpipe is simple to manufacture and dead zones in the filter mass not wetted by the flushing media during back flushing are completely avoided or reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A bed of silver activated charcoal in combination with a downstream bed of a mixture of anion exchange resins and cation exchange resins aerate, purify, soften and dealkalize water flowing therethrough. Periodic flushing through a unit having a solution of sodium chloride or potassium chloride regenerates both exchange resins. An upright cylindrical container having screen separated compartments for the chemicals and filters receives tap water from a pressure reducing nozzle and discharges the conditioned water through a spigot. The unit containing the chemical regenerant is selectively connectable intermediate the nozzle and the container.

Abstract: Filter media comprises a grid of parallelogram openings formed by a first series of parallel strips and a second series of parallel strips narrower than the first series strips fixed together normal to each other. The grid openings are filled with rigid porous filter material formed of crushed anthracite or other solid particles held in a matrix of cured resin presenting a flat upper surface together with the upper edges of the first and second series strips.Filter apparatus are formed by placing the filter media in an open-top tank on or above the floor of the tank and providing one or more conduits in the tank through which liquid contained in the tank below the level of said filter material can be withdrawn from the tank.

Abstract: A device for the distribution of water to be treated into and for the recovery of washing liquid from a water treatment filter apparatus of the type including a tank containing therein a filter material includes a channel coupled to and extending along the length of the tank, the channel receiving therein water to be treated. The channel has an opening into the interior of the tank at a level above the filter material. The opening is defined at the lower portion thereof by an overflow over which the water to be treated flows from the channel to the tank. The overflow includes a first inclined plane inclined downwardly and away from the channel in a direction toward the tank and a second inclined plane inclined downwardly and toward the channel from the first inclined plane. The inclined planes extend into the tank and form a deflector structure to prevent any filter material from passing through the opening during backwashing of the filter material.

Abstract: A self-supporting underdrain unit to be placed upon the substantially horizontal floor of a filter tank to provide a liquid filtration system is disclosed. The self-supporting underdrain unit provides separately controllable fluid and exhaust gas header systems for backwashing. The exhaust gas and backwashing fluid are mixed in a turbulent mixing zone to provide superior backwashing and cleansing action.

Abstract: A water demineralization system including tanks for containing granular materials adapted to remove the minerals from the water. A trap is tapped into the outlet pipe of each tank for preventing the loss or escape of the granular material in the event of leakage out of such tanks.

Abstract: A filter apparatus having multiple filter medias for use in environmental control, food processing and other industrial applications, is provided with movable filter media separators that maintain media separation while permitting bed expansion during a backwash cleaning operation. The filter bed can comprise, for example, a lower sand layer and an upper anthracite layer, as well as a free board zone above the anthracite layer. Said layers are separated by a movable filter media separator. A screen is provided at the filter inlet to prevent loss of filter media during the backwash cleaning operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for constructing an inexpensive and easily fabricated underdrain filter system is disclosed. The underdrain filter system of this invention includes a liquid impervious container having a horizontal support base and continuous sides. Adjustable support anchors are rigidly attached to the horizontal support base and in turn support a multiplicity of perforated plates. Perforated plates are located and securely attached to the anchor bolts such that the plates will form a plane which is parallel to said horizontal support base and which extends between the continuous sides. The support anchors are made of a material such as stainless steel which is impervious and substantially inert with respect to the liquid being filtered. In addition, the perforated plates are also inert with respect to the liquid being filtered, and may, for example, be made of a material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel, copper, fiberglass, etc.

Abstract: A water collecting and distributing apparatus capable of collecting filtrate, distributing raw water, supplying back wash water and dispersing scouring air, which is disposed in a lower portion of a high speed filter basin, is disclosed. This apparatus comprises a plurality of blocks regularly arranged in the bottom portion of the filter basin, each block having a flow passage for air and water in the central portion thereof and a water dispersing chamber located adjacent to the flow passage. A communication hole is formed in a partition wall between the flow passage and the water dispersing chamber, and an injection hole is formed in each of the top wall of the flow passage and the top wall of the water dispersing chamber. The numbers and diameters of the communication holes and injection holes in the blocks and positions of these holes are arranged so that a certain relation is established among them. In each block, the flow passage is formed to have a trapezoidal sectional shape.

Abstract: An upflow filter usable with a home sewage treatment plant, and including a container therefor. The container comprises a dividing wall extending thereacross dividing it into first and second filtering chambers, each of which has a grating therein serving to divide each filtering chamber into top and bottom portions. Each grating is adapted to support thereon a filtering media. The container has an inlet and an outlet, with there being provided a vertical opening or passage in the dividing wall in communication with said inlet, and with such passage having lateral exit openings communicating the vertical passage with the respective filtering chamber, adjacent the bottom thereof. A well is provided in the dividing wall downstream from the vertical passage.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for separation of two liquids in a common mixture from each other, said liquids having different densities and being non-soluble in each other. The device comprises a pressure-tight vessel, which contains a charge of a high-porous material, which is resistant to the mixed liquids to be separated and has a high surface ratio and small flow resistance. The liquid mixture is introduced under pressure through at least one inlet conduit into a chamber located within the charge in the vessel but free from the charge material, an outlet for the heavier liquid being disposed in the bottom of the vessel in order to bring said liquid to flow substantially vertically and downwardly through the vessel, after which the two liquids each are carried to an individual spillway.

Abstract: A flow distributor for a fluid bed reactor includes means for decreasing velocity of incoming liquid streams in a uniform, non-turbulent fashion. Inlet ports communicate with fluid portals having divergent walls to slow incoming flow. The fluid portals feed liquid flow to a plurality of diffusing flow paths provided between diffusion baffles positioned at the bottom of the reactor. The diffusion baffles may be prismatic shapes which are trapezoidal in cross-section with the broadest horizontal dimension at the bottom thereof. The diffusion flow paths therefore have divergent walls and act to further slow the liquid flow passing therethrough.

Abstract: An internally smooth disposable column, of various sizes up to 800 ml. internal volume, made of biocompatible polymer is filled with particulate absorbent, e.g. carbon coated with polyHEMA, between support means located as close as practicable to inlet and outlet. L/D ratio is usually 1.5:1-5:1. Various shapes e.g. double frustoconical or trochoid of revolution are proposed for the column, which is preferably symmetrical to facilitate moulding of identical column halves; these shapes usually converge to meet a funnel-shaped connecting piece at inlet and outlet.

Abstract: An adsorption-regeneration column section is provided for treating a fluid effluent. A column section has means, which do not contact the adsorbent, for feeding an effluent into the column section and a means for uniformly distributing the effluent across the column diameter at the inlet thereof. An adsorbent is supported within the column section and occupies less than the entire column section. The column section is further provided with means for removably connecting a second column section with said column section along a single vertical axis without substantially restricting the flow path of the effluent. When two of the column sections are joined each having adsorbent therein, a staging space is provided between the adsorbents within the column sections for disengagement of the effluent from the adsorbent.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved granular media filter of the type including a filter tank, means for dividing the tank into a plurality of cells, means within each cell for holding horizontal porous support plates, a bed of filter media on the porous support plates, influent means for delivering fluid to be treated to the top of the filter bed, filtrate receiving means in each cell below the support plates for receiving the treated fluid, an effluent channel for removing the treated liquid from the filter, port means for delivering the treated liquid from each filtrate receiving means to the common effluent channel and backwashing means that cooperate with the port means to force a backwashing liquid back through the port means and filtrate receiving means and up through the filter bed for removing contaminants therein and thereon.

Abstract: A filter for cleaning a flow of liquid including a tank divided into upper and lower chambers by a support element for a filter material bed. In one embodiment, the support element includes a corrugated plate which may be either self-supporting or supported by a header and, in another embodiment, the support element includes a flat plate supported by beam elements which in turn may be supported by the header. Another feature of the filter is the provision of an influent filter liquid inlet assembly including a self-closing passage which normally opens into the tank upper chamber and which closes when the upper tank chamber is filled to a predetermined level with backwash fluid during reverse flow backwashing of the filter bed.

Abstract: An underdrain for use with granular type liquid filtering systems including a plate of an inverted dished configuration having a plurality of laterally facing slots defined therein, the slots being defined by an upper edge and an associated lower edge, the upper edge being positioned almost directly above the lower edge such that the slots face horizontally outward, the slots being positioned upon the dished plate in a spiral array with each slot being formed by shearing of the plate material between two cutting edges positioned above and below the plate, the upper edges presenting downwardly facing arcuate edges and the lower edges presenting upwardly facing arcuate edges to define a slot having opposed facing arcuate sides, the plate may further define a flat horizontally extending imperforate annular center-section within the spiral array of slots and a flat horizontally extending imperforate annular outer-section extending about the spiral array of slots, the center-section may define a central aperture t

Abstract: An axially rigid, tubular grid is fitted over a conduit having a single longitudinal row of apertures; a fine mesh flexible tube is fitted over the grid; an end cap closes one end of the conduit and seals the tube thereto; and a tubular connection is threaded onto the other end of the conduit to seal the adjacent portion of the flexible tube to the conduit.

Abstract: Pre-cast concrete beams for supporting a filterbed have deep downwardly extending flanges for providing an underchannel lengthwise of the beam. The beams generally extend across a flume. For backwashing with an air-water mixture, air should be supplied at substantially the same rate to all of the channels. Cross passages between the channels are an aid to this even distribution. Heretofore, special molding procedures for providing the passages or limbers through the beam flanges have increased manufacturing costs. According to the present invention, such passages are provided without extra molding steps and without extra cost by following a delightfully simple concept of merely omitting the end portions of the flanges where beam strength is not required. The end portion projecting beyond the flanges may have a leg across its end to ensure support and aid sealing.

Abstract: A nozzle holder has a deformable end portion adapted to be passed through a hole in a distribution plate of an up-flow filter, whereby this end portion lies below the lower side of the plate. A nozzle extending through the holder engages the deformable end portion internally to maintain it in expanded condition and thereby prevent it from being withdrawn upward through the hole, and clamping means coacting with the holder at the upper side of the plate serve to clamp the expanded end portion of the holder against the lower side of the plate. This arrangement enables the nozzle to be installed entirely from above the plate.

Abstract: A distributor that supplies either a liquid or a gas to a bed of granular media, such as a sand filter, is divided by inclined interior walls into primary and secondary horizontal conduits that extend parallel to each other. Gas metering orifices are positioned at an intermediate level in the inclined walls and liquid metering orifices are positioned beneath the gas metering orifices in the inclined walls. A liquid or a gas is supplied to the primary conduits, passes through the metering orifices into the secondary conduits, and through dispersion orifices in the secondary conduits into the filter bed. At least some of the secondary conduits are each connected to at least two primary conduits so that liquid can flow from one primary conduit through a secondary conduit to another primary conduit to compensate for inequalities of flow along the primary conduits.

Abstract: A nozzleless, strainerless filter bottom includes a first set of blocks laid end-to-end in spaced parallel rows to define elongated channels. Transverse grooves in the lower surface of the first set of blocks provide communication between adjacent channels. A second set of blocks laid end-to-end in spaced rows which are parallel to and overlap the rows of first blocks form covers for the longitudinal channels. Transverse slots in the lower surface of the second set of blocks form with the upper surface of the first set of blocks passages through which filtrate and backwash fluid may pass without clogging. A pair of laterally spaced longitudinal flanges depending from the lower surface of the second set of blocks extend into the lower elongated channels and bear against the adjacent sides of the first set of blocks to prevent lateral displacement of both sets of blocks.

Abstract: There is disclosed an activated sewage disposal plant of the compact or so-called "packaged" type and a method of processing sewage wherein a fast filter is provided through which the effluent liquid from the primary processing is passed, provision being made for backwashing the fast-flow filter from time to time with the backwash being collected in a well or vessel from which it is recycled at a controlled rate to the raw sewage. The entire plant can be embodied in a compact package unit, one common type of which comprises two concentric tanks, the outer one of which is divided into several compartments.

Abstract: A tank containing a bed of particulate material, e.g. a sand filter bed or an ion exchange bed, has a bed-supporting bottom structure formed by upper and lower bottom plates rigidly connected with each other through a plurality of vertical sleeves opening into the spaces above and below the tank bottom structure. Openings in the wall of each sleeve connect the interior of the sleeve with the compartment formed between the bottom plates. A strainer unit is removably inserted in each sleeve through the lower end of the sleeve and passes liquid between the bed and the compartment between the bottom plates by way of the openings in the side wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A tank containing a bed of particulate material, e.g. a sand filter bed or an ion exchange bed, has a bed-supporting bottom structure formed by upper and lower bottom plates rigidly connected with each other through a plurality of vertical sleeves opening into the spaces above and below the tank bottom structure. Openings in the wall of each sleeve connect the interior of the sleeve with the compartment formed between the bottom plates. A strainer unit is removably inserted in each sleeve through the lower end of the sleeve and passes liquid between the bed and the compartment between the bottom plates by way of the openings in the side wall of the sleeve. An adjustable valve member accessible from below the tank bottom structure serves to control the flow of liquid through the strainer unit.

Abstract: An underdrain is provided in a water filtration system beneath a bed of filter media and comprises a plurality of elongate hollow underdrain units defining respective elongate substantially horizontal fluid passageways therein with the hollow underdrain units being arranged with the elongate fluid passageways thereof in fluid communication with each other and forming a network of fluid passageways beneath the bed of filter media. Each underdrain unit is provided with a plurality of nozzles in the upper wall thereof communicating with the interior of the hollow underdrain unit and with at least some of the nozzles in each underdrain unit cooperating with each other and being arranged in spaced groups. The cooperating nozzles in each group are so oriented as to direct streams of wash water issuing therefrom during backwashing into impingement with each other outside the filter underdrain unit for dispersing the streams of wash water and reducing the velocity thereof.

Abstract: A filtration and backwashing apparatus, for use with a filtration system of the type having a filter bed, passes fluids through the entire cross-sectional area of a filter media bed at an even and uniform rate. The apparatus includes two plenum chambers, one being formed between a slotted plate supporting the filter media and the top of the structural deck, the second or lower chamber being formed below the structural fluid-tight deck; nozzles communicating between the two plenum chambers; and means to introduce and pass fluid, either air or water into either the upper or lower plenum chamber.

Abstract: An upflow filter adapted to be used with a home sewage treatment plant which includes a container which has a wall extending thereacross to divide the container into first and second filtering chambers. First and second gratings are located in the first and second chambers respectively and serve to divide each filtering chamber into top and bottom portions and each grating has filtering media covering the same. The container has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet located at a lower level from the inlet. First liquid conduit means are connected to the wall and provides for fluid communication from the inlet to the bottom portion of each of the first and second filtering chambers. Second liquid conduit means are connected to the wall and provides for fluid communication from the top portion of each of the first and second filtering chambers to the outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating oily particles from an emulsion thereof in an aqueous liquid. The emulsion is passed through a bed of oleophilic granules supported on a foraminous support, the oleophilic granules, by virtue of their density, pressing against the foraminous support and the bed is unconfined downstream thereof so that the granules in the bed are fluidized by the passage of liquid therethrough. The oily particles are removed from the emulsion by the oleophilic granules in the bed, and the oily material accumulates and agglomerates and is transported out of the bed by the passage of liquid therethrough. The movement of the liquid then carries the oily droplets which are formed in the bed and deposits them upon a screen positioned downstream of the bed, the aqueous liquid passing through the screen in purified form. The oil accumulates on the screen and is propelled by the moving liquid into an oil reservoir positioned downstream of the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating fine oily particles from aqueous liquids at very high flow velocities by passing the mixture upwardly through an unconfined mass of oleophilic granules in a column with adequate velocity to separate and lift the individual granules into the upwardly flowing mixture within the column where movement of the individual granules serves to collect and coalesce the fine oily particles, and finally to release large oil drops back into the mainstream of the upwardly flowing mixture column. These large oil drops are then intercepted and extracted by a steeply inclined screen and caused to flow to storage in the form of a fine oil film propelled by the force of the flow of the aqueous liquid through the screen.

Abstract: An upflow filter adapted to be used with a home sewage treatment plant which includes a container which has a wall extending thereacross to divide the container into first and second filtering chambers. First and second gratings are located in the first and second chambers respectively and serve to divide each filtering chamber into top and bottom portions and each grating has filtering media covering the same. The container has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet located at a lower level from the inlet. .[.First liquid conduit means are connected to the wall and provides for fluid communication from the inlet to the bottom portions of each of the first and second filtering chambers. Second liquid.]. .Iadd.A vertical opening is cast into the dividing wall and has lateral exit portions that communicate with the bottom portions of the first and second filtering chambers. The liquid inlet communicates with this vertical opening. Liquid .Iaddend.