Abstract: A system for recovering fiber from sludge by-products generated in a pulp and paper mill. Initially, heavy materials are separated from a sludge flow, with the flow thereafter separated into first and second components. High grade fiber is recovered from the first component by centrifugal cleaners and also by optional fine pressure screens. The second component is forwarded to a refiner which breaks-down the second component to form a low grade pulp. In addition, after removal of the high grade fiber, remnants from the first component flow are forwarded to an additional separator such as a liquid cyclone, which removes sand, grit and ash, and thereafter the remnants of the first component can be sent to the refiner for forming a low grade pulp. Thus, the sludge is essentially separated into four components including: (1) high grade pulp; (2) low grade pulp; (3) heavy materials; and (4) sand, grit and ash.

Abstract: A method of removing fine contaminants from waste paper fibrous material (S) is described with solution (1) and pre cleaning (2) whereupon the fibrous material is first subjected to a washing treatment (3) and then to a flotation treatment (5). The washing filtrate (12) from the washing treatment (3) is cleaned in a filtrate-flotation treatment (4) so that a cleaned fraction (14) can be returned into the useful material (13) of the washing treatment. The so cleaned waste paper fibrous material can be passed to further treatment steps such as flotation, bleaching and/or dispersion. The reject material from the filtrate-flotation (4) is, in one embodiment, again subjected to a flotation treatment.

Abstract: A method for measuring the number of living microorganisms in a specimen which comprises entrapping the microorganisms on a hydrophobic filter after the dyeing thereof, or alternatively dyeing the microorganisms after entrapping them on the hydrophobic filter, removing excessive coloring matter by washing, and then determining the number of the microorganisms by the degree of coloration thereof. A kit for measuring the number of living microorganisms which comprises a hydrophobic filter, a syringe to which the filter is fittable, a coloring matter solution, a cleaning solution, and a color reference table. The present invention enables the rapid and convenient measurement of the number of living microorganisms in the specimen without use of special equipment. In accordance with the present invention, the measurement is usually completed within ten minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sewage treatment apparatus formed of an aeration chamber; and a settling chamber, into which aerated water is introduced from the aeration chamber for sedimentation of sludges. In this apparatus, the settling chamber is disposed upwardly of the aeration chamber. A bottom portion of the settling chamber serves as a hopper unit having a surface tapered downwards to an opening for discharging the sludges. A washing water supply unit for flowing out the washing water for washing away the deposited sludges is provided towards the hopper unit.

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: A system for reclaiming water which has been previously used for such purposes as washing vehicles includes both a diatomaceous earth filter for removing particulates and a carbon filter for removing organic contaminants. Reclaimed water which is in the system and not immediately required for use is continuously recycled by a pump so as to increase the removal of contaminants. A second pump moves the cleaned water into a pressure tank for use in washing. A substantial portion of the system is disposed below ground level with a lockable cover above.

Abstract: Small quantities of one or more liquids having a low boiling point dispersed with a large quantity of one or more immiscible liquids having a higher boiling point are separated in a rapid and efficient manner. A non-reactive gas (nitrogen, helium, air, or combinations thereof) is heated by recycled energy and make-up energy to a temperature above the boiling point of at least one liquid but below that of at least one other liquid. The heated gas is combined with the unheated or preheated liquid-liquid mixture to be separated, and the liquid-gas blend is mixed, heated and distributed by an improved heat exchanger having thermal conductive gas tubing, metal wools and fins) and nebulizer, forming a mist inside a vessel containing a pool liquid of at least one liquid having a boiling point higher than that of at least one other liquid, which pool liquid has been heated with at least a heat pump means to a temperature above the boiling point of at least one liquid but below the pool liquid's own boiling point.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing an influent liquid including at least a solvent and non-volatile impurities by combining the liquid with a vapor to produce a precipitated sludge is disclosed. The influent liquid is introduced into a wet well. A saturated, water containing reflux and a precipitated sludge are transferred to the well from a reactor. The saturated, water containing reflux precipitated sludge and influent liquid are mixed to form a mixture of saturated, water containing reflux and precipitated sludge. The saturated, water containing reflux is then transferred to the reactor and contacted with a vapor to form the precipitated sludge. The vapor is then discharged from the reactor, and the precipitated sludge is discharged from the wet well.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming water which has been previously used for such purposes as washing vehicles includes both a diatomaceous earth filter for removing particulates and a carbon filter for removing organic contaminants. Reclaimed water which is in the system and not immediately required for use is continuously recycled by a pump so as to increase the removal of contaminants. A second pump moves the cleaned water into a pressure tank for use in washing. A substantial portion of the system is disposed below ground level with a lockable cover above.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the purification or water using a multistage purification system which can be connected to a source of potable water under pressure. The multistage purification system has a cylindrical pressure vessel supported on a circular leg which is capable of stable disposition on a level surface such as a countertop. The pressure vessel has a top member and a base member connected in sealed engagement. The base member has an inlet for receiving water into the pressure vessel and an outlet for discharging reject water from the pressure vessel. Housed within the pressure vessel is a plurality of purification mediums disposed in concentric disposition. In the core area of the pressure vessel, an interchangeable core member may be removably connected to the pressure vessel. Each interchangeable core member houses an additional medium for purifying water and a pure water outlet through which the purified water passes for use by the user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating water and crude oil mixtures and other two-phase fluid mixtures of components of different densities. The mixture is pumped through a conduit in the form of a vertical spiral at a velocity that impels the heavy phase toward the outside of the spiral. A fraction is withdrawn from the outside of the turns of the spiral and is led downwardly to the bottom of a vertical settling tank. Any light phase removed with the heavy phase floats to the top in the settling tank and is reintroduced at the top of the spiral.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing liquid, particularly coolant used in metal-working machines, is set forth. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a coalescing unit which separates free oil from the coolant and a filtering unit which separates solid particles from the coolant. The processed coolant is then discharged back into the coolant system, along with fresh coolant. Some contaminants, including dissolved organics such as surfactants and emulsified oils remain in the coolant. Periodically, the coolant must be disposed of, being beyond its useful life in the coolant system. The coolant is then processed by an ultrafiltration unit which removes further contaminants and, if necessary, by a reverse osmosis unit which removes additional contaminants to make the remaining liquid suitable for discharge into a sewer system or the like.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved liquid-solids-gas separator assembly permitting recovery of a major portion of the liquid stream for recirculation to a vacuum producing assembly wherein the separator assembly includes a gas-liquid and solids separator chamber and a liquids separator chamber for recovery of a recycle water stream and wherein the separator assembly comprises a vessel defining a cylindrically-shaped chamber into which a dental effluent including water, gases and lighter and heavier than water particles and from which a gas is vented through an upper conduit and liquid streams are recovered from a liquid pool wherein one liquid stream includes lighter than water particles and in one aspect is combined with heavier than water particles and a second liquid stream is recovered for recycling purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing liquid, particularly coolant used in metal-working machines, is set forth. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a coalescing unit which separates free oil from the coolant and a filtering unit which separates solid particles from the coolant. The processed coolant is then discharged back into the coolant system, along with fresh coolant. Some contaminants, including dissolved organics such as surfactants and emulsified oils remain in the coolant. Periodically, the coolant must be disposed of, being beyond its useful life in the coolant system. The coolant is then processed by an ultrafiltration unit which removes further contaminants and, if necessary, by a reverse osmosis unit which removes additional contaminants to make the remaining liquid suitable for discharge into a sewer system or the like.

Abstract: In an apparatus for processing moist dust and mud from dust removal equipment, especially in the steel industry, wherein the mud is concentrated, fractionated and dewatered in several steps the mud is dewatered in a centrifugal separator, to allow the mud from the dust removal equipment of blast furnaces and steel works to be dewatered in an environmentally acceptable and simple and cost effective way.

Abstract: A tangentially disposed inlet (22) discharges lighter and heavier fluids into a basin (A) causing the fluid mass in the basin to rotate at a rate proportional to the flow. A heavier fluid drain (36) or drains (44) removes most of the heavier fluid causing a free vortex to form above their inlets. This vortex causes an inward spiraling surface current to sweep the floating layer into the center of the vortex, but it lacks the downward velocity to draw it into the heavier fluid stream. A fluid flow controller (42 and 46) regulate this flow so that a depth is maintained that is related to the incoming flow such that the diameter of the concentric layers of lighter and heavier fluids surrounding the eye of the vortex remain essentially constant while the main flow rate slowly varies over a very wide range.A light fluid concentrate tube inlet (32) is placed at the eye of the free vortex. Flow to this tube causes a smaller, amplified, continuation of the main vortex to form.

Abstract: A recycle water treatment system for separating oil vapor from steam recovering the oil and heat from the steam and destroys microorganisms and exotoxins which incorporates an inclined duct connected to a barometric condenser with a container for oil at the lower end of the condenser. Oil entrained in the steam is carried up the duct and over the barometric condenser. The steam heats the condenser water that is recovered while the entrained oil flows back down the duct into a recovery container. The condenser water-steam condensate mixture is maintained at about 180.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to destroy microorganisms and exotoxins.

Abstract: A sewer cleaning vehicle has a swilling or clean water tank for supplying a sewer cleaning hose having a sewer cleaning nozzle and designed to be lowered into a sewer to be cleaned, a waste tank and a pumping connection joining the waste tank with the swilling water tank. Furthermore, there is a water cleaning unit as part of a system for topping up the swilling water tank with water from the waste tank. For producing a high level of setling effect in the swilling water tank, this tank has generally upright separating walls for causing a division into a number of spaces placed hydraulically in series, the most upstream space being that joined up with the pumping connection.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for removing a dispersed solid from a liquid phase by the combined action of a cyclone and a centrifuge, the centrifuge being mounted co-axially on the cyclone.

Abstract: Described is a sludge recovery apparatus in which influent is admitted downwardly via a vertical motor-driven dual-speed hollow coaxial drive shaft assembly into a hollow open-bottom downwardly-converging cone-shaped centrifugal separator member spun by the outer shaft of such assembly, where liquid from the influent leaves at the top and sludge from the influent is scraped from the inner wall of the separator member for gravity discharge at the bottom by a spiral-shaped scraper spun by the inner shaft of such assembly at a slightly different speed than the separator member. Sludge thus dislodged from such member drops onto a radiantly-heated continuously-rotated drying table having a discharge scraper station and automatic drop doors for gravity ejection of the table-dried sludge into an open-top sludge salvage container.

Abstract: A liquid cleaner incorporating a driven impeller rotatably mounted in a perforated cage whereby liquid to be purified is introduced into the cage adjacent the center thereof, the impurities suspended in the liquid tending, by the centrifugal action of the impeller acting on the liquid in the cage, to move outwardly through apertures in the circular side wall of the cage, and downwardly into a lower sedimentation trap area outside the influence of the centrifugal action, the purified liquid then leaving the cage area through a suitable orifice at a predetermined distance from the axis of the cage.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the continuous treatment of sludge, which is made possible through the advantageous combination of at least two independent dewatering steps at consecutively higher pressures and increased dwell time. In a preferred embodiment there is provided a three stage process where there is a first dewatering at the pressure provided by gravity action, the sludge being strained through continuous filter pockets; a second moderate pressure stage with a drum filter press; and a third higher pressure stage.

Abstract: A pitot pump separates a two-phase fluid from a source into a clean, lighter phase and a dirty, heavier phase by subjecting them to a centrifugal force field in a rotating chamber. A small radius pitot tap of the pump draws some of the lightest phase from the chamber to provide the power fluid that drives a jet pump. The jet pump aspirates dirty fluid of the heavier phase that has accumulated in the casing of the pitot pump. Cyclones separate solids of the heavier phase from liquid in the discharge of the jet pump. Concentrated solids from the cyclones in a liquid carrier discharge into mud pots. A cleansed liquid stream leaving the cyclones recycles back into the inlet of the pitot pump, or, is taken off as a clean low pressure stream.

Abstract: A single capacitance vessel is provided to receive the excess heavy phase discharges (normally water) from a bank of disc-nozzle centrifugal separators. The vessel has a reservoir chamber with a weir at one end. The heavy phase streams are delivered into the reservoir of fluid retained in this chamber. In the event there are any hydrocarbons in the heavy phase fluid, the former rise to the surface of the reservoir fluid and pass over the weir, together with some water. An inert gas blanket within the vessel pressurizes the reservoir so that a fluid backpressure is maintained at the discharge outlets of the separators. By use of this system, any fluid returned from the reservoir to the separators (which occurs when the feed to the separators is low in water) is substantially free of hydrocarbons which, if present, would deleteriously affect the operation of the separators.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for chromatographic quantitative analysis of a solution containing a plurality of species of cations. A sample of the solution is added to a first ion exchange resin bed containing cation exchange resin and eluted therefrom with a solution of developing reagent consisting of either AgNO.sub.3 or BaCl.sub.2, chromatographic separation of the cationic species being achieved as elution proceeds. The effluent from the first ion exchange resin bed is passed through a second ion exchange resin bed containing anion exchange resin in a form appropriate to the precipitation of whichever metal ion is provided by the developing reagent, i.e., chloride or sulfate forms. As elution proceeds the cations exit from the second ion exchange bed without destroying the ionic separation achieved in the first ion exchange resin bed. Each separated cationic species is quantitatively sensed by a detector such as a conductivity cell on exiting from the second ion exchange resin bed.

Abstract: A free standing fryer such as may be used in commercial installations which includes a cabinet adapted to be supported at a suitable working height, and having glass panels on some of its sides and at least one open side for access to the interior, and having a fat fryer located within the interior of said cabinet and having in the roof of the cabinet outlet means for fumes from the fat fryer, fan means for extracting air and fumes from said cabinet and through said outlet, a plenum chamber located to one side of said fan means, and opening means communicating from said fan means to said plenum chamber, porous tray means located above said plenum chamber and closing the same, said tray means being adapted to support a predetermined depth of filter media thereon, said filter media being porous to air, and being absorptive with respect to said odors and fumes from said fryer.

Abstract: Sludge containing metal hydroxide is first subject to a separation treatment where solid particles are removed, and then dewatered to obtain a greater concentration of the metal hydroxide. The dewatered sludge attains a thixotropic character whereupon it is applied to a carrier in a film-like manner. The film is heated and then sintered so as to achieve a metal oxide that is harmless and easily handable. The separation and dewatering steps of the process are carried out in a first apparatus having a suction drum surrounded by a filtering cloth that removes the water contained in the sludge and transfers it to a second apparatus having a rotating carrier for receiving on the circumference thereof the metal hydroxide in a film form, whereupon the film is heated during rotation of the carrier and sent to a sintering apparatus for conversion to a metal oxide in a granular or powder form.

Abstract: An improved hydrocyclone clarifier for removing contaminants from a liquid, wherein the contaminants are of higher density than the liquid. The cylindrical body, downwardly directed conical baffle, clean flow outlet at the top, and contaminated liquid return line at the bottom are provided as in prior devices of this type. In addition, an outflow line for contaminated liquid is provided on the side of the cylindrical body, and includes an adjustable orifice and flow rate or pressure sensor. Clogging is evidenced by a drop in flow or pressure and automatically initiates a cycle. Also, timing means is provided to initiate a purge cycle, if none has been performed in response to clogging within a predetermined time period. The improved hydrocyclone clarifier is also disclosed in a recirculating purification system including settling tanks.