Abstract: A method of neutralizing and detoxifying waste material containing both an acid and a toxic organic compound. The waste material is combined with sufficient oil and sufficient caustic to form a pumpable slurry having a pH of 7 or higher. The oil is then separated from the slurry leaving a dry, deoiled material, containing a salt and the toxic organic compound. This material is pyrolyzed at a temperature below the melting point of the salt and sufficiently high to vaporize the toxic organic compound. The resultant vapor is then incinerated to detoxify the vaporized organic compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the extraction of solids from liquids containing solids granulated by heat effect and/or solids the moisture content of which is reducible by heat effect, especially from colloidal solutions with protein content, suspensions and slurries for reducing the fat content of the solid material, in the course of this process grains are formed in the liquid with heat effect, or the moisture content of the grains is reduced, then they are removed from the liquids and dried. The equipment for implementation of the process is also subject of the invention.The process is characterized by heating the liquid to 50.degree.-125.degree. C. temperature with heat transfer ("instant heating") for a short period, maximum for 2 minutes, then the heated material is kept at 50.degree.-125.degree. C. temperature for at least 2, preferably for 5-15 minutes. This is followed by separation of the grains from the liquid phase with filtration in a space containing vapor of 50.degree.-125.degree. C.

Abstract: Cleaning a filter surface (16) in situ in a filer housing (10) forming part of a pressure filtering apparatus for liquids is carried out by drying the coating deposited on the filter surface by means of hot air which is caused to flow at a moderate rate through the suspension chamber (5) of the filter housing in a direction over and substantially parallel to the sludge-coated filter surface. The dried coating is detached from the filter surface and removed from the suspension chamber by means of compressed air which alternately with the hot air and at a substantially higher rate than the latter also is caused to flow in a direction over and substantially parallel to the filter surface.

Abstract: A method of separating solids and liquid material in a slurry. The solids are continuously purged, washed, dried and removed with a minimum amount of mechanical handling. The slurry is continuously deposited on a moving horizontal rotary screen and condensible vapor is introduced above the layer while the pressure is reduced below the layer. Liquid is withdrawn from underneath the slurry layer with the vapor passing through the layer becoming superheated upon passage to evaporate further liquid from the solids. A stream of gas, which may be the same condensible vapor, is directed at the solids to entrain them and remove them from the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of aqueous materials such as clarified sludge. Disposal of such materials in large quantities is difficult and expensive. The present invention is directed to a treatment method that is economical and results in products which are at least as useful as the starting material. According to the invention, a treatment method comprises mechanical dewatering followed by drying in a fluidized bed drier and burning in a fluidized bed boiler. The heat generated in the boiler is at least sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the drier. The heat generated in the boiler is normally used directly in the drier.

Abstract: The process disclosed includes treating settled sludge and/or organic debris recovered from a wastewater treatment system and thermally converting the treated material and/or comminuted organic solid wastes separately or in combination into steam combustible gas, residual tars and oils and other energy by-products which are recycled as heat for increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of the process. The process further includes cleaning the combustible gas which is provided during the thermal conversion so that the gas is suitable for driving gas engine or gas turbine generators and the like.

Abstract: The process disclosed includes treating settled sludge and/or organic debris recovered from a wastewater treatment system and thermally converting the treated material and/or comminuted organic solid wastes separately or in combination into steam, combustible gas, residual tars and oils and other energy by-products which are recycled as heat for increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of the process. In one embodiment of the invention the process includes cleaning the combustible gas which is provided during the thermal conversion, with the clean gas driving a heat engine such as a gas engine or gas turbine generator or the like. In another embodiment of the invention the gas drives the heat engine without the above described benefit of the aforenoted cleaning.

Abstract: The filter cake resulting from the filtration of tar, pitch, coal extract or coal oil with the help of a filter aid, is dried by blowing an inert gas through it. Thereafter it is comminuted to a particle size of about 0.5 mm and these particles are heated in a fluidized bed at the rate of 1000.degree. C./min to a temperature of 500.degree.-1200.degree. C. There is obtained a size mix of swelled particles from which a fraction having a size of about 0.05-0.3 mm is segregated and recirculated to the filter as a filter aid. Particles having a size above or below the segregated fraction are thermally decomposed, as are gaseous and liquid products which are liberted during the thermal treatment in the fluidized bed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for dehydrating waste solids concentrates including secondary and digested sewage sludges and those concentrates prone to form emulsions upon the addition of oil are obtained and accomplished by mixing the sludge or other concentrate with fluidizing oil prior to dehydration by heat evaporation to maintain pumpability; recycling a portion of the substantially anhydrous waste solids and oil evaporator output slurry, and admixing it with the fluidizing oil and input sludge or concentrate to regulate the solids content and viscosity of the steady state feed mixture and thereby prevent fouling of the evaporator heat transfer surfaces and convert emulsions to suspensions.

Abstract: To seal the top cover of a vacuum travelling web filter, the top cover is lowered, by gravity, with a depending rim fitting against an upstanding rim of a filtrate chamber pan; the contaminant chamber above the filter web is closed off, and supply of filtrate is inhibited. Upon starting of the pump, a vacuum will result within the two chambers, drawing the cover tightly against the filtrate pan and, when a sufficient vacuum has been reached indicative of sealing engagement, supply of contaminant can be opened to draw contaminant into the upper chamber. As the filter cake builds up, further change in pressure in the contaminant chamber will result which, when a predetermined operating pressure level is reached, causes interruption of supply of contaminated fluid, and opening of an air vent valve to dry the resulting filter cake.

Abstract: An alluvial filter candle apparatus has a plurality of filtering elements each of which has a return casing surrounding a riser lower end provided with a filtrate inlet opening and preventing backflow of the filtrate through the filter cake. The volume of the return casing corresponds to that of the riser. The risers are formed as mounting rods which mount candle-like filtering bodies of the filtering elements to a partition subdividing a filter housing into a filtrate chamber and a filtrant chamber. The partition sealingly abuts against and is movable relative to the filter casing. An arrangement is provided for forcedly displacing the partition together with the filtering element so as to separate the filter cake from the latter. A method of cleaning the filtering apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Oily sludge is treated by filtering it through a precoated surface filter, treating the filtration residue with a hydrocarbon solvent and/or steam stripping the extracted residue.The residual oil content of the treated sludge is very low and it can be used for land fill operations.

Abstract: The method of treating sewer scum including combustibles and debris includes the steps of collecting the scum from sewage, delivering it to a perforated filter drum, continuously rotating the drum upon an inclined longitudinal axis, applying heated air under pressure to the exterior of the drum along its length inwardly of the perforations, discharging the debris continuously and collecting the filtered combustibles. Apparatus for filtering said scum includes an elongated cylindrical perforated drum rotatable on an inclined axis receiving scum at its upper end and discharging debris at its lower end. A cylindrical shell sealingly encloses the perforated portion of the drum for providing a pressure chamber above the drum and a collection chamber below the drum. An elongated air channel along the interior of the shell delivers high pressure heated air to said pressure chamber and filtered scum accumulates in the collection chamber.

Abstract: Particulate matter collected by an environmental air quality control device may be in part toxic in nature and thus not readily disposable. By separating the toxic portion of the particulate matter from a nontoxic portion, disposal of nontoxic portion may be more easily accomplished. This separation may be readily effected where the toxic portion is soluble and the nontoxic portion is insoluble, thus allowing the toxic soluble portion to be formed into a solution with a dissolving liquid. The nontoxic insoluble portion then may be filtered from the toxic solution, rinsed, dried and disposed of accordingly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the purification of oily emulsions, solutions, industrial waste waters or the like. The apparatus includes a reaction container, at least one discharge connecting piece, an inflow trough and a band filter fitted with a fleece band, a filtrate container arranged under it and a sludge container provided at the discharge end of the band filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for dehydrating waste solids concentrates including secondary and digested sewage sludges and those concentrates prone to form emulsions upon the addition of oil are obtained and accomplished by mixing the sludge or other concentrate with fluidizing oil prior to dehydration by heat evaporation to maintain pumpability; recycling a portion of the substantially anhydrous waste solids and oil evaporator output slurry, and admixing it with the fluidizing oil and input sludge or concentrate to regulate the solids content and viscosity of the steady state feed mixture and thereby prevent fouling of the evaporator heat transfer surfaces and convert emulsions to suspensions.