Abstract: An improved filtration system involving the use of ultraviolet irradiation, ozonation, chlorination, reactive filtration media, chemical treatment, compressed air aeration, air emission control, and central flow control is described. The process system and apparatus of the present invention mainly include a liquid pump, an ultraviolet pretreatment means, a central flow control, an air emission control means, a reactive pressure filter, a process tank, at least one chemical feeder means, an ultraviolet post-treatment means, and an aeration means.

Abstract: A highly versatile fluids and particulate separator that can be used in a centrifugal mode or centrifugal with gas flotation mode without the use of rotating apparatus within the cell. A pump and recirculation system provide the means for centrifugal force and gas flotation. A buoyant self adjusting discharge assembly with a vortex of fluids surrounding it provide the exit path for separated light fluids and light particles. In oil and water separation the buoyant assembly allows self discharge of the oil and can be used with high oil to water ratios at high volume. Oil spill cleanup is possible. Conversely gas flotation may be used for low volume separating applications.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water storage chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the water storage chamber. Fluid is input to the separation tank at the level of the oil/water interface. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and an adjustable water overflow unit is provided adjacent the water outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of water in the water leg. The adjustable overflow units allow the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: According to the process the sludge is homogenized and heated to 30.degree.-60.degree. C. temperature. The heated sludge is circulated under 2-4 bar overpressure, and its temperature is raised to about 130.degree.-150.degree. C. in 1-2 sec by conducting steam of 130.degree.-151.degree. C. and 2-4 bar pressure directly into the sludge, thus granulation is brought about in the sludge. The sludge of increased temperature--while its temperature and pressure maintained--is further circulated for about 60-300 sec. Then, the sludge is adiabatically expanded in 1-2 sec by reducing the pressure to about 0.01-0.02 bar. The expanded sludge is separated to water, fat containing water and solid impurity and wet solid phase containing protein.It is characteristic to the apparatus that it is provided with device for heating the sludge, and pipe (18) for passing on the heated sludge connected with the heating unit (5) where an expansion valve is built in.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for separating particles in a slurry based on different physical, magnetic and/or chemical properties of the particles, the slurry including a mixture of solid particles and/or liqid particles which are immiscible in the slurry.

Abstract: A closed loop, recycle, condensing dual velocity, air stripper for the removal of organic contaminates from surface water and sub-surface water that provides a system completely different from current designs in that it does not transfer the problem from the water to the air, but removes the problem of organic contamination from the water without any open air discharge and therefore meets the standards of the 1990 Clean Air Act.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the continuous clarifying of liquids containing suspended solid substances comprises a flotation cell with a liquid head height of less than 1 meter, with a ratio between the liquid head and the cell diameter comprised between 0.25 and 0.05. The cell has a bottom axial inlet for liquid to be clarified, supersaturated with gas, so as to generate an axial ascending current of the liquid to be clarified with radial divarication toward the surface of the liquid head. A framework associated with the cell rotates concentrically with respect thereto and supports a spillway unit for collecting the flotated layer and a scraper unit which affects all the wet surfaces of the cell. A discharge outlet is furthermore provided in the lower part of the cell for the outflow of clarified liquid which falls toward the bottom of the cell.

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.

Abstract: Contaminated water is caused to flow up through a chamber while aerated to produce air bubbles of a size mainly in the range of 0.03 mm to 1 mm by means of air diffusors disposed at the bottom of the chamber. Organic and inorganic impurities in the water is, by a combination of water flow, flotation and physical adsorption caused by the air bubbles, brought to the surface of the water in the chamber, where a foam containing dissolved impurities is formed and instantly removed from the chamber while a mixture of water particles and microscopic air bubbles is allowed to flow over a partition wall into an adjacent basin having a considerably larger volume than that of the chamber. In the basin a flotation process will take place causing a slurry to form on the surface of the water in the basin, which is removed, preferably at the end of the basin opposite the chamber.

Abstract: A unique bubble production system and method for sampling and cleaning la regions of "dirty" or polluted bodies of water, or for otherwise sampling them for other biological activity. This is achieved by the use of millions to trillions of tiny chemical coated particles which are usually dispersed in air by suitable means to effect predetermined patterns of the particles and resultant bubble region as they descend in the water. The particular character of the particles and their selected dispersal mode assure the homogeneous generation of large concentrations of millions to trillions of bubbles throughout a predetermined volume of the water body so as to generate a planned and controlled bubble spectra for a selected applicational purpose. A bubble spectrum is a plot of the number of bubbles per volume as a function of bubble diameter.

Abstract: Simplified single cell fluid flow apparatus for flotation removal of suspended impurities and liquids are provided wherein the method and apparatus are directed to an induced gas liquid coalescer for flotation separation of suspended impurities. The apparatus provides for a separation vessel which can be fabricated to withstand internal pressure requirements experienced in flotation separation devices wherein the apparatus induces maximum gas volumes consistent with optimum mass transfer of gas medium to suspended impurities in the liquid while controlling intercell or vessel chamber turbulence. Such maximum gas induction achieved without turbulence is through the use of microscopic gas bubbles. Such microscopic gas bubbles provide massive surface area with which the suspended impurities adhere and allows for various apparatus utilization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aeration of waste water in a dissolved air flotation waste water treatment system includes a container for receiving and retaining waste water for settling of heavy particles and flotation of light particles to the surface of the waste water. Waste water is removed from the container and supplied to a free standing tank. Pressure in the tank is maintained at a predetermined level through the injection of compressed air into the tank. Waste water removed from the tank is pumped through a multiple jet configuration wherein air from the tank is entrained in the waste water as the water is injected back into the tank. The aerated water is discharged from the tank back into the container, thereby providing an efficient aeration process. Aerating the water in a free standing tank separate from the container increases clarification quality as a result of reduced disturbance of the particles floated to the surface of the waste water and reduced need for chemical addition to the waste water.

Abstract: A self-cleaning valve for discharge of a pressurized dissolved air flotation aqueous treatment liquid from a high pressure reservoir to a low pressure body of liquid to be treated is provided. The valve includes a discharge head body adapted to be attached to a conduit supplied with pressurized treatment liquid which is provided with a central opening for discharge of a treatment liquid. The opening is controllable by means of a reciprocable cap positioned to reciprocate from a position whereon it restricts flow of liquid through the opening to a position wherein flow in unrestricted. The cap is attached to a reciprocable piston rod attached at its opposite end to a piston that is movable within an enclosed cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a port or opening on each side of said piston into which a source of pressurized air connectable to cause movement of the piston and thus opening and closing of the valve by selectively directing the flow of said pressurized air to either side of the piston.

Abstract: This invention consists of a method of operation of a Self-Propelled Barge that is capable of supporting six integrated process systems for the continuous recovery of surface and sub-surface Oil or Oil Products spilled into Fresh, Brackish or Sea Water. The six major process systems provided by the invention are as follows: (1) A wave following positioning system that will provide the correct distance below the surface of the Water in order to allow the introduction of a process for the flotation and compaction of surface and sub-surface of Oil by entrained and super saturated dissolved Air. (2) A process system that provides maximum efficiency of flotation and compaction of Oil by providing a recirculated water supply with entrained and super saturated dissolved Air. (3) A process system that provides a Wave following adjustable positioning vacuum collection system for the compacted Oil film on the surface of the Water.

Abstract: The removal of sticky contaminants during the production of recycled paper is accomplished utilizing a hydrocyclone froth flotation process. Paper having sticky contaminants from labels, tapes, hot melts, and other tacky substances, is reduced to a finely comminuted liquid solids suspension of about 1-4% consistency. The suspension is introduced into a first end of a vortex in a hydrocyclone, and the air is sparged radially inwardly into the suspension vortex by passing it through a porous inner wall of the hydrocyclone. Ligher weight sticky contaminants move to the center of the hydrocyclone, facilitated by the radially inward movement of the sparging air, and hydrophobic sticky contaminants attach to the air bubbles and form a foam. The foam and lightweight sticky contaminants are removed from the first end of the vortex, while the pulp which has had sticky contaminants removed therefrom is discharged from the second end of the vortex, opposite the first end.

Abstract: Method for purifying a liquid from solid and liquid impurities by flotation-filtration in which the dirt flocks in the liquid to be purified are separated from the liquid to be purified after which they are led to the top of the liquid to form a sludge bed 16 from there to continue out to a sludge canal 17 and to a drain. The purified liquid flows further through a sand filter 18 to an isolated space 20 under the filter, through filter nozzles 19 and from there further through a pipe system 23, to, for example, a pure water reservoir. The filter is washed in an upstream direction by an opposite water flow. The sludge canal which also works as a rinsing water canal (17) or only as a rinsing water canal and the rinsing water canal (22) are placed on different sides of the filtration apparatus and only the canal that works as a rinsing water canal (22) is situated behind the separation canal (12) which means that the rinsing water has to flow over the separation canal (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively separating co-mingled materials of different densities by selective density flotation of the materials in a fluid in the vicinity of its critical point. The extermely high compressibility of a fluid in the vicinity of its critical point allows continuous variations over the maximum density range to be accomplished using minimal changes in temperature and pressure. Materials exhibiting similar densities can thus be separated by adjusting the fluid density to a point between the two materials.

Abstract: An aperature is formed in the bottom wall of the launder. A downwardly extending container communicates with the aperture. A weir is positioned immediately downstream of the aperture. The container and weir combine to form a separator. In the launder, free water and solids contaminants settle and form a bottom layer of dirty water. The layer is diverted into the container through the aperture and the weir temporarily retains a small head of it. Temporary retention in the separator therefore generates a vertical fluid column comprising an upper layer of relatively clean froth and a lower layer of dirty water, said layers having an ascertainable interface. The elevation of the interface is monitored and contaminated fluid is withdrawn from the container as underflow at a rate controlled to keep the interface elevation substantially constant. The froth overflowing the weir is reduced in water and solids relative to the original froth issuing from the flotation vessel.

Abstract: A soil reclamation system that separates the contaminant from all soil particles greater than one micron in diameter and generates resuable soil and contaminant products. The process is based on a novel application of gas-sparged centrifugal separation under operating conditions and equipment specifications tailored to optimize the separation of the particular contaminant. The apparatus is mounted on a front-end loader for mobility and self-contained on site operation.

Abstract: A process for recovering paint overspray particles includes bringing the paint particles into contact with a plurality of hydrophobic fumed silica particles and encapsulating the paint particles within a plurality of the silica particles. The recovered encapsulated particles may be mixed with a suitable solvent, milled and blended with preselected additive materials, to form a desirable reconstituted paint material.

Abstract: The improved high pressure oxygen-saturated water treatment apparatus of the present invention functions to provide super-saturated oxygen treatment to waste water for purification thereof. The apparatus includes a pressurized treatment tank having a substantial longitudinal dimension, with a chamber separation plate forming two interconnected chambers in the tank. An input conduit for flowing waste water into the first chamber of the tank is provided. An oxygen input conduit is connected to the tank for providing oxygen-containing gas under substantial pressure within the tank. An oxygen output conduit is also disposed on the tank for receiving the oxygen-containing gas from the tank to form a pressurized oxygen-containing stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for purifying impure psyllium husk using fluorinated hydrocarbons and the psyllium husk having greater than about 99% purity prepared by these processes.

Abstract: A simplified single cell fluid flow apparatus for flotation removal of suspended impurities and liquids are provided wherein the method and apparatus are directed to an induced gas liquid coalescer for flotation separation of suspended impurities. The apparatus provides for a separation vessel which can be fabricated to withstand internal pressure requirements experienced in flotation separation devices wherein the apparatus induces maximum gas volumes consistent with optimum mass transfer of gas medium to suspended impurities in the liquid while controlling intercell or vessel chamber turbulence. Such maximum gas induction achieved without turbulence is through the use of microscopic gas bubbles. Such microscopic gas bubbles provide massive surface area with which the suspended impurities adhere and allows for apparatus utilization which is smaller and more compact for comparative treatment volumes.

Abstract: Deinking of paper having print during the production of recycled paper is accomplished by a froth flotation process using a hydrocyclone. A finely comminuted liquid solids used paper suspension having a consistency of about 1 to 4% is introduced into a generally vertical axis vortex provided in a hydrocyclone. Air is sparged into the suspension in the vortex, by passing through a porous inner wall of the hydrocyclone, to cause ink particles to attach to the air bubbles and to rise in a foam while cellulosic pulp moves downwardly in the vortex. The foam--containing the ink particles--and the pulp are removed from the vortex in separate streams. The pulp is deaerated and the air component of the foam is removed in the cyclone. About 5-15% of the total flow of the suspension is removed with the foam in each stage, and about 95-85% with the pulp.

Abstract: An ultrasound flotation unit for separation of tails from liquors obtained by floating ores, wherein the unit comprises a vertically disposed cylindrical mixing chamber that forms a bubble-particle contact region within a cylindrical flotation cell that has a bubble-pulp separation region surrounding said mixing chamber; the chamber having an air feed conduit in a lower portion thereof, an ore pulp feed conduit in a higher portion above said air feeding chamber, an ultrasonic transducer disposed above an aperture in a top portion of the mixing chamber and means for subjecting said chamber to an amount of power in kilowatt-hours per metric ton through a sonic probe to focus an amount in watt/ml of ultrasonic power to the chamber to provide a residence time of slurry within the bubble-pulp separator region that is about 30 to 100 times longer than in the ultrasonic mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for the clarification of liquids, such as notably water, fruit juices, musts such as grape musts, including an enclosure in which is brought the liquid to be clarified after a pretreatment operation, such as screening, as well as a flotation equipment, fed by a transfer pump with liquid pressurized and relieved of the pressure prior to its introducting in the flotation equipment, from which the clarified liquid is introduced in a filtration system. The apparatus includes the features that the flotation equipment is placed above the assembly used for the pretreatment of the liquid so as to obtain a sufficient load for bringing about a hydraulic balance of the various constituents of the apparatus, in order that it can operate with a small load available upstream and allow a possible recycling, by simple gravity, of the floating particles collected at the surface of the flotation equipment to any point of the pretreatment.

Abstract: Liquid separator including a liquid-liquid hydrocyclone (10) and a method for enhancing the operation of the liquid-liquid hydrocyclone in which the mixture to be separated is first passed through a mixing and/or residence vessel (90), such as a cross plate interceptor skimmer.

Abstract: In froth flotation apparatus for separating solid particle impurities from a liquid suspension stock in a flotation cell, provision is made for aerating the stock flowing through the inlet conduit leading to the cell by positioning a drum-shaped rotor having an irregular outer surface in the conduit on an axis extending transversely of the conduit, directing a supply of air against the rotor surface on the upstream side of its rotational axis, and causing the rotor to rotate at a linear speed of its outer surface which is substantially higher than the linear flow rate of the stock in the conduit so that the rotor surface breaks up the air impinging thereon into bubbles and distributes those bubbles in the stock flowing therepast to create foam within the cell.

Abstract: A separation system for separating oil and water components of a liquid mixture wherein the oil component is comprised of droplets of a less dense phase in a more dense water phase. The mixture is fed to separation devices including a hydrocyclone for generally reducing the oil in water concentration to less than 500 ppm. The underflow of the hydrocyclone is passed to a downstream flotation device for further separation as by settling, which may be further assisted by liberating gas in the mixture, in the flotation device, to adhere such gas to oil droplets and thereby carry such droplets to the surface of the device. Pressure of fluids leaving the hydrocyclone may be reduced before entering the flotation device. A residence vessel upstream of the hydrocyclone may be provided to precoalese the mixture prior to entering the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removal of suspended matter from a liquid, such as used for treatment of oil containing water. A cylindrical horizontal vessel is divided into a single gasification chamber and a single degasification chamber by a partition which extends through the interior chamber of the vessel and allows fluid communication between the two chambers. A liquid to be treated is introduced through distribution header(s) adjacent a bottom of the vessel and/or an alternative inlet nozzle which is combined with a gas eductor in order to achieve a more intimate mixture of the gas and liquid. The gas eductor has its outlet slightly above the outlet of the distribution headers.

Abstract: A plurality of fluent substances are combined in a distributor (11, 37) and caused to flow in a continuous, pressurized stream through a mixing zone (13, 13', 57) wherein the substances are intimately mixed by turbulent dispersion effected by a series of conically shaped surfaces (24, 27; 62, 64) and alternate restrictions (25, 63) and expansion chambers (28, 65). While various fluent substances may be advantageously mixed, a typical utility is for effecting a thorough air binding of ink particles to attain efficient foaming (29) in the deinking of reconstituted printed paper slurry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a throttling device for the supply of liquid under high pressure (P.sub.1) having a gas dissolved in it into a liquid of lower pressure (P.sub.O) the device having a supply orifice (2,7) between the high pressure and low pressure side of a dimension which only depends on the required flow capacity as well as downstream of said orifice a free floating body (3,9) of a dimension larger than the orifice (2,7), which body forms a slit (5,10) through which the high pressure flow is deflected into the space of lower pressure, the slit having sufficient length to generate a low flow pressure which, together with the low pressure of the low pressure space, keeps the body in equilibrium with the pressure forces acting at the supply side. The body can have different forms and adjusts itself depending on the circumstances.

Abstract: Method for producing and removing dissolved and particulate matter from natural bodies of water and wastewater in situ for the production of organic biomass such as feedstocks, for the removal of pollutants, nutrients, toxins and other substances, and for other purposes. A gas is introduced through a diffuser into a body of water to form bubbles. The bubbles rise within a lifting tube, gathering dissolved and particulate matter on their surfaces. The bubbles produce a foam at the surface of the body of water, the foam being collected in a reservoir, concentrated and drawn off.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for froth flotation of particulate matter is disclosed wherein ridges or ribs are provided on the froth discharge surface of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, separating phases in a polyphase system is described and particularly in separating oil from produced water by the contact of gas bubbles and oil droplets by a dispersed gas flotation technique. A polyphase system is divided into at least two portions. The pressure of one portion is reduced to form bubbles of a gas, and the two portions are then recombined whereby the bubbles in the mixture enhances flotation, and hence separation of the dispensed phase, e.g. oil, from the continuous phase, e.g. water. The invention has particular application in the oil industry and in other fields where efficient separation is required.

Abstract: In the representative liquid removal system described in the specification, a suspension of solid particles in a liquid received, for example, from a gravity separator, is directed to a tank having an upwardly inclined moving screen forming one wall and gas bubbles or gas-saturated liquid are injected into the suspension at the inlet. As a result, the liquid removed through the screen in the lower portion of the tank carries fewer solid particles onto the screen, preventing the screen from becoming blocked and thereby inhibiting liquid removal.

Abstract: In the improved system and method of the present invention, a batch of contaminated oil is deposited into a tank, with the oil preferably being passed through a filter during the depositing step to assist in removal of solids. Once the contaminated coolant has been deposited into the tank, the oil is agitated by injecting several streams of air into the bottom of the tank. This creates several bubble streams which pass upwardly through the coolant toward the surface and, during this passage, agitate the coolant and effect separation of the oil so that it rapidly rises to the coolant surface. The bubble streams are created by different sized orifice member whereby the bubbles of one stream are smaller than the bubbles in another stream.

Abstract: A plurality of fluent substances are combined in a distributor (11, 37) and caused to flow in a continuous, pressurized stream through a mixing zone (13, 13', 57) wherein the substances are intimately mixed by turbulent dispersion effected by a series of conically shaped surfaces (24, 27; 62, 64) and alternate restrictions (25, 63) and expansion chambers (28, 65). While various fluent substances may be advantageously mixed, a typical utility is for effecting a through air binding of ink particles to attain efficient foaming (29) in the deinking of reconstituted printed paper slurry.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and an apparatus for beneficiating a mineral ore, such as phosphate-containing ore, in a substantially vertical column. The feed subjected to the benefication preferably has a particle size of less than 20 mesh. The feed is introduced into the column, containing at least one baffle, into which there is also introduced a gas at the bottom portion thereof and a liquid through at least one column inlet at the top of the column. The baffle and the rates of introduction of the feed, the gas, and the liquid are such as to create relatively high turbulence conditions within the column. The enriched, beneficiated product is removed at the top of the column, while the waste products, such as silica-containing material, in the case of a phosphate ore, are recovered at the bottom of the column.

Abstract: A process for separating dissolved organic solutes from a solution is provided. The process includes the steps of mixing the solution with a surfactant in order that the surfactant absorbs substantially all of the organic solutes and forms a surfactant/organic solute aggregate. The aggregate is then separated from the solution by either reducing the solubility of the surfactant, ultrafiltration of the solution or foam fractionation of the solution. If it is desired to re-use the surfactant, the surfactant/organic solute aggregate is further treated in order to desorb the organic solutes from the surfactant.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of a foam uses a bellow enclosed in a housing. The bellows is filled with foam under pressure from a foam generator and expands a preselected amount at which point the flow of foam into the bellows is interrupted. Simultaneously with the interrupting of the flow of foam into the bellows, air under pressure is routed into the housing which causes the bellows to collapse forcing the foam out of the bellows. The apparatus is particularly useful in the froth flotation (benefication) of minerals.

Abstract: A primary separation vessel is separated into a plurality of chambers having fluid communication therethrough; in each of the chambers there is further included a downwardly depending eductor system having a coaxial bore wherein fluid induces air into the eductor system where the educted air in the fluid being projected downward into the flow of fluid and the bubbles rising along the curved wall of the tank and carrying contaminants through a centrally located collection trough, which through gravity the contaminants collect in the trough and move to a circulation collected in the trough. The contaminants then move via gravity to a separation zone within the vessel, wherein the oil that is collected is allowed to spill over in an oil collection zone for recovery, and the level of the water is monitored to draw off any water collected within the zone.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a method for the separation of hydrophobic from hydrophilic materials in a liquid suspension by means of gas bubbles and a flow of water that drags the hydrophobic material upwards. A distinctive feature of the method is an upward flow of water countercurrent to the flow of settling hydrophilic particles. The disclosure describes a cell in which gas is caused to disperse into an ascending flow of liquid and in which a feed port is provided to introduce particles in a flow countercurrent to that of the bubbles and water.

Abstract: A defrothing apparatus whose inlet opening of the foamed liquid contained in a foam duct of a primary flotation apparatus is provided in the bottom of the foam duct. Starting from the lower area of the defrothing apparatus, a rotary flow (potential vortex) is generated in the apparatus by a recirculated lqiuid quantity from a secondary flotation apparatus. In the core of the rotary flow the gas quantity (air) is collected and removed through a removal pipe. Consequently, the foamed liquid from the foam duct of the primary flotation stage which is pumped to the secondary flotation stage contains small shares of gas relative to the total quantity of liquid, thereby allowing the pump to be optimally sized of efficiency and better control of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for the dispersed gas flotation and separation of insoluble, dispersed contaminants from a liquid comprised of a horizontal series of flotation cells, separated by baffles that permit the substantially horizontal flow of liquid from one cell to the next, each cell being equipped with one or more gas dispersing nozzles and screens which aid in the coalescence and flotation of the contaminant particles, and an inclined baffle above the horizontal series of cells to urge the floated impurities toward a weir positioned to remove the impurities from the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to the known hot water process for extracting bitumen from mined oil sand. More particularly, a methodology is provided for the production of microbubbles of air, and it has been found that the so-produced microbubbles can be used in the primary flotation/settling step of the hot water process to yield increased bitumen recovery. More particularly, a steam stream and an air stream in admixture are injected via a submerged nozzle into a flowing aqueous stream. A plurality of finely dispersed microbubbles are formed. These microbubbles have a diameter less than about 100 microns. The stream of microbubbles is injected into the diluted aqueous tar sand slurry formed in the hot water process. The injection is practiced following the conditioning step and prior to the introduction of the slurry into the flotation/settling step.

Abstract: For the treatment of waste water in the liquid treatment of a textile material, air bubbles are generated in water containing floating impurities stored tentatively in a waste water tank so as to adhere the impurities on the surface of the air bubbles, adhering the impurities together with air bubbles on the surface of a filter comprising a mesh belt or a mesh drum by pulling up the filter successively, and removing the impurities from the filter thus pulled up due to the effect of vacuum suction, and an apparatus therefor. The impurities remaining still on the surface of the filter may further be removed therefrom by washing the filter with the aid of water and air jets.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting a chemical reaction, including a mixer/charger for simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce a charged fluid output, chemical reaction containment vessel for containing ingredients undergoing a chemical reaction separately from the mixer/charger, and a coupling for fluidically coupling the charged fluid output from the mixer/charger to the containment vessel to influence the chemical reaction. The method includes simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce an electrically charged fluid output, and delivering the electrically charged fluid to a medium undergoing a chemical reaction to influence the chemical reaction thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a grit trap which is intended for use in removing grit from a flow of sewage. The grit trap is of the kind which includes a settlement chamber which has an inlet through which the flow of sewage can flow and an outlet from which treated sewage can flow. There is also provided a grit storage chamber which is disposed between the settlement chamber and in which in use the separated grit will collect, the settlement chamber having a mixing device for promoting a desired motion to the flow of sewage entering the settlement chamber. In accordance with the invention said mixing device comprises a disc 25 which is provided with a plurality of generally radially extending blades, said disc being located just above the upper end of the grit storage chamber.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are specified by which emulsions or suspensions of both different and changing composition can be separated in a particularly reliable manner. Proceeding on the principle of turbo-flotation, which is known per se, according to one embodiment, the gas is dispersed in the lower region of the vessel so that it is finely dispersed directly at the point where the emulsion is broken up or the suspension is separated, respectively, mechanically. Furthermore, the emulsion or suspension to be separated is supplied to the vessel close to the surface of the emulsion and the residue is removed at the bottom of the vessel. In this way, in continuous operation, a counter-flow between gas or gas/liquid suspension and emulsion can be achieved, thereby avoiding recontamination and re-emulsification. A strictly separated turbulence zone and a superposed flotation zone are formed. Foam carrying the flotate is formed on the surface.