Abstract: A multi-directional flow gravity separator for separating a mixture of two immiscible fluids with different densities includes an elongated generally vertical tank, in which the mixture flows in a generally downward direction, and an effluent discharge tube through which the clarified effluent flows upward and out the tank. Alternatively, the separator includes an elongated vessel, or shroud, within the tank, through which the mixture flows in a generally upward direction before flowing downwardly in the tank; the clarified effluent is discharged from about the bottom of the tank. Alternatively, a separator includes both the elongated vessel and an effluent discharge tube. Alternatively, the vessel of a separator includes a coalescer; preferably, the coalescer results in an increased length of the fluid flow path through the vessel; most preferably, the coalescer is a helical spiraled vane, which results in a helical fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present invention involves an improved integrated reactor and solids settler system for solids removal from a water stream. The integration of the rapid mix reactor and the solids settler of the present invention uses an overflow line from the rapid mix reactor to eliminate both the rapid mix reactor level indicator and controller and the flow controller in the solids settler clarified water outlet. The proposed design is simple, cost effective, and eliminates the possibility of unnecessary downstream unit shutdowns.

Abstract: A device is provided for the filter and collection of one or more material. The device incorporates a manifold with an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, with an adjustable control handle on the top of the manifold and a baffle plate in the inside of the manifold. The manifold is sealed to the top opening of a collection chamber. During procedures which require withdrawal of material not to be collected, the control handle and baffle plate are adjusted to a pass-through mode which connects a internal adjustable conduit, which transverses through the baffle plate, with the lumen of the inlet and outlet conduits to form a continuous lumen with which to withdraw material not to be collected through. During procedures which require the withdrawal of material to be collected, the control handle and baffle plate are adjusted to a solids mode which orients the baffle plate to face both the lumen of the inlet and outlet conduits.

Abstract: A tubular reactor characterized by having short static mixing elements separated by coalescing zones is used to conduct multiphase liquid/liquid reactions. Small droplets of one of the phases are dispersed into the other phase by the static mixing elements. These droplets coalesce and at least partially phase separate as the mixture passes through the subsequent coalescing zone. The tubular reactor is particularly suitable for nitrating organic compounds while forming low levels of improperly nitrated by-products and low levels of nitrophenolics.

Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and filtering means for filtering the fuel. The filtering means is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filtering means. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.

Abstract: A three-phase separator (1) comprising a normally horizontal vessel (3) defining a liquid separation space (5) and a gas space (7), which vessel (3) has an inlet end space (1) provided with a feed inlet (21) and an outlet end space (15) provided with separate outlets (25, 26 and 27) for the three phases, which vessel (3) further comprises an inlet device (31) comprising a primary separator (35) arranged in the gas space (7) and a tilted return tray (38) arranged in the gas space (7) having a lower end (39) that is located near the inlet end wall (13) such that a passage (41) is defined between the lower end (39) and the inlet end wall (13).

Abstract: A coalescer apparatus is used in oil-water separator tanks. The coalescer includes a frame that supports coalescing plates that are inclined upwardly from the bottom of the frame member. The coalescing plates run parallel with each other and are spaced equally apart. The coalescing plates have a bottom surface that is corrugated and a top surface that is flat without corrugations. Water containing oil and solids is passed through the coalescing apparatus and separation of the oil and solids from the water occurs. The solids fall to the top flat surface of the inclined coalescing plates. The inclined flat surface cause the solids to slide down the plate and out of the coalescer.

Abstract: A waste water treatment process for biologically removing phosphates incorporates a membrane filter. The process includes three zones, an anaerobic zone, an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone containing an anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic mixed liquor. Water to be treated flows first into the anaerobic zone. Anaerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone. Anoxic mixed liquor flows both back to the anaerobic zone and to the aerobic zone. The aerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone and also contacts the feed side of a membrane filter. The membrane filter treats the aerobic mixed liquor to produce a treated effluent lean in phosphorous, nitrogen, COD, suspended solids and organisms at a permeate side of the membrane filter and a liquid rich in rejected solids and organisms. Some or all of the material rejected by the membrane filter is removed from the process either directly or by returning the material rejected by the membrane filter to the anoxic or aerobic zones and wasting aerobic sludge.

Abstract: Wastewater can be treated using a combination of a settleable solids separator, such as a vortex separator and a membrane separation system. Removal and segregation of materials that adversely affect operation of the membrane separator earlier in the treatment process can improve water throughput, water quality and the lifespan of system components. Physical separation of settleable solids and floatable materials from the wastewater prior to treatment with a membrane separator can allow higher flow rates to be achieved.

Abstract: A cap for sealing containers which is designed not to dispense the a runny, less dense phase of an blended or mixed substance that separates upon standing. The cap comprises an upright exit tube extending internal to the cap and forming a retaining pan to catch the quick moving less dense phase and allow the more dense phase to pass through the exit tube first.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biologic treatment of wastewater using both aerobic and anoxic phases. The flow of influent entering the reactor tank is slowed by a conical influent structure and discharged against the bottom of the reactor tank, so that the influent flows outwardly under a sludge blanket near the bottom of the tank without disrupting the blanket. The sludge blanket acts as a cap which prevents the influent from flowing directly to an outflow opening during decanting of the tank. The sludge blanket is dispersed and mixed in the tank during the aerobic and anoxic treatment phases. The invention also provides for treatment of manure-laden wastewater discharged from a confined animal facility, such as a feed yard, pig farm or dairy. The manure solids are separated from the wastewater flow before the wastewater enters the reactor tank. The wastewater is returned to the facility for reuse, and the manure solids can be disposed of in dry form as fertilizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biogenic residues, especially cafeteria leftovers, meat refuse, clarification sludge, organic industrial wastes and the like, wherein the residues are subjected to temperature pressure hydrolysis. In order to obtain a higher flow rate for residues using a small apparatus, the invention provides that temperature pressure hydrolysis is carried out in a cylindrical section in a first direction and in an external radial section in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for treating liquids, such as wastewater. According to the invention the liquid is transported by help of a pump (10) from the lower area of a tank (1) through a vertically directed pipe (3) up to a 180 degree bend (5) located above the water surface and where air is sucked in through openings in the bend. The air-liquid mixture is then guided through a second pipe (6) having its outlet (7) close to the tank bottom (2). In this area the flow is once more linked 180 degrees and is directed through a third pipe (8) ending close to the water surface. Thanks to the linking through the pipe (8), a decrease of the static head is obtained against which the pump (10) operates.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved apparatus and methods of separation and control of drilling fluids in under-balanced drilling. Separation is conducted at reduced pressures to improve gas separation efficiencies. Preferably, separation is performed in multiple steps of pressure drops to eliminate foaming and to enhance gas removal. Solids are removed from the shaped bottom of a separation pressure chamber by creating a slurry and fluidizing and agitating the slurry to enhance solids removal.

Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and filtering means for filtering the fuel. The filtering means is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filtering means. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.

Abstract: A method and device for separating a fluid from a formation into several fluid components in a well is disclosed. The method and device include feeding the fluid into a mainly horizontal section of pipe located in a down-hole, mainly horizontal section of the well, such that the fluid is set to flow at a speed through a length of the mainly horizontal section of pipe such that the fluid components are separated and a boundary layer is formed between the fluid components. The fluid components with a lower density are formed in a top part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe and fluid components with a higher density are formed in a bottom part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe. The fluid components with the lower density and the fluid components with the higher density are removed through separate outlets of the mainly horizontal section of pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of immiscible liquids from liquid influent has a containment vessel. An influent channel extends toward the bottom of the vessel so the influent is discharged vertically upward, a downwardly curved deflection plate is mounted above and aligned with the discharge end of the influent channel, and a plate with a downward slope from a central location extends toward the periphery of the vessel in a lower portion of the vessel than the deflection plate. This permits the influent to move radially outwardly thus slowing the influent and providing a residence time for gravitational separation of lighter immiscible liquids from the influent. A gap between the downward slope plate and the discharge end of the influent channel permits gravitational release of trapped immiscible liquids. A transfer tube, a sensor, and a pump are provided to pump the separated immiscible liquids out to a remote location.

Abstract: A method for filtering hydrocarbon contaminated water for separation and recovery of the contaminants and recirculation of the water, wherein the water contaminated by hydrocarbons is, in a series of successive stages, caused to flow down through a cushion of a filtering hydrocarbon that floats on a defined surface of a water body and is permitted to flow via an underflow into the free portion of the water body prior to transfer via an overflow to the next stage, and where, in a final stage, approximately anhydrous hydrocarbon is drawn off as overflow while hydrocarbon-free water is removed as underflow, is carried out with the aid of an apparatus which, in operable state, comprises a series of successive basins filled with water (2, 3, 4) separated by walls (22, 23), where an upper part of each basin is bounded by means of fixed partition walls (32, 33) projecting downward in the water and is filled with a filtering hydrocarbon (12, 13, 14), where the final cushion of filtering hydrocarbon (14) downstream is

Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and a filter for filtering the fuel. The filter is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filter. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.

Abstract: A system and method for separating free oil from industrial coolant comprises directing said fee oil and coolant through a coalescing cartridge having a plurality of polymeric elements therein into a tank having a plurality of settling chambers. Free oil is removed from the coolant through oleophilic attraction between the free oil and the surface of the polymeric elements. Free oil remaining in the coolant is further separated from therefrom through Gravitational separation. A plurality of weirs and baffles interposed between the settling chambers provide continuous return of purified coolant to the system and periodic decanting of separated free oil.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained skimming system for removing waste material from aqueous cleaning solutions used in parts washers. A single tank contains a sloped floor, two compartments separated by a baffle, and an opening between a bottom edge of the baffle and the floor. Waste liquid collects in the first stage compartment, where gravity initially separates water and coarse debris from the waste material containing oil and grease, some water, and fine debris. A partially immersed rotating skimmer further adsorbs the waste material. A waste collection system transfers the waste material to the second stage compartment, where gravity further separates the fine debris and additional water from the oil and grease. The oil and grease flow through a waste drainage system out of the second stage compartment. The fine debris and water flow along the downwardly sloping floor, through the opening at the bottom of the baffle back into the first stage compartment.

Abstract: A longitudinally horizontal pressure vessel desalts a fluid mixture of oil, an emulsion of oil globules encapsulated in salt water casings, gas and/or free water. A vertical wall splits the vessel into a double length flow path extending from an inlet to separate outlets for discharging the gas, the free water and the oil. A plurality of vertical baffles at intervals between the inlet and the outlets are divided along horizontal lines into a lowermost perforated zone for passing free water, a lower central zone for blocking passage of the emulsion, an upper central perforated zone for stripping the salt water casing from the oil globules and for passing oil and an uppermost open zone for passing gas. The line dividing the lower and upper central zones of each baffle are higher than the corresponding line of each preceding baffle along the flow path extending from the inlet to the outlets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for settling the dispersion formed in the mixing unit of liquid-liquid extraction, for controlling solution flows and for creating pure solutions in the separation part. According to the method, the flow speed of the organic solution phase is adjusted to be clearly higher than the flow speed of the aqueous solution phase, in which case in order to prevent border flow turbulence caused by the speed difference of the solution phases, the water drop dispersion layer left in between the separating solutions is adjusted to extend as far as the discharge end of the separation part.

Abstract: An extracorporeal, flow-through bubble trap for blood lines having improved capabilities at high flow rates and with smaller bubbles. The bubble trap comprises a chamber-defining wall, plus a blood inlet and a blood outlet, each extending through the wall to communicate with the interior of the chamber. The blood outlet connects with the chamber interior adjacent the bottom thereof. The chamber interior has a height that is less than 1.6 times the longest horizontal dimension of the chamber interior. As a result of this, blood flow in the bubble trap chamber is substantially horizontal.

Abstract: A method and a basin serve the purpose of sedimenting sludge in waste water, which in a flow is supplied to the basin via an inlet and in clarified condition is removed via an outlet placed opposite to the inlet. In the inlet there has been built in resistances of flow which create a heavy turbulence in the water flowing and transform a substantial part of the energy of flow from the water into energy in the whirls which create the turbulence. Thereby there are created flow conditions which increase the creation of sludge flocs and the succeeding sedimentation of these.

Abstract: An emulsion treater has an elongate vessel for receiving oil in which water is emulsified and gas is entrained, and for separating these impurities from the oil. The vessel is supported so that the axis is oblique through the horizontal, thus defining an upper and a lower end, each of which is closed by a head which may be hemispherical in shape. An elongate sleeve extends coaxially through the vessel and has an upper sleeve end projecting through the upper vessel head, and is itself closed by an upper sleeve head. At the lower end, the sleeve is open, with the open end being located at an intermediate position in the vessel. An elongate firetube extends coaxially through the vessel and the sleeve, and projects through the upper sleeve head and through the lower vessel head, thus defining a chamber with the sleeve which surrounds the firetube. A burner is provided for injecting hot combustion gases into the firetube at the upper end.

Abstract: There is described a method for the separation of liquids of different densities that are not soluble in one another, such as water and oil, where a liquid mixture is placed in a tank in which heat is optionally supplied to the liquid mixture, and separation occurs as the liquid having the highest density sinks toward the bottom of the tank and forms a layer (a) where it may be tapped off, and the liquid having the lowest density rises and forms a layer (c) at the top of the tank (1), and that between the separated liquids is a mixed layer (b) comprising a mixture of the liquids, where the liquid mixture to be separated is fed into the tank in a manner generating the least possible vertical liquid flow, and where the liquid mixture is fed into the tank through one or more outlets that are disposed in a closed-off section of the tank. Also described is an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A solids separation system may be used to separate solids, such as cuttings from drilling fluids used in well drilling operations. The system includes a settling tank having transverse baffles defining a fluid receiving chamber, a fluid output chamber and one or more intermediate chambers. Fluid introduced into the fluid receiving chamber can flow in a sinuous path through apertures in the baffles to the fluid output chamber. Solids settle to the bottom of the settling tank. A material conveyor, preferably an auger, extends along a bottom surface of the settling tank to an outlet port in the fluid receiving chamber. A centrifuge is connected to the output port to receive fluid in which solids have been concentrated. Fluid output from the centrifuge is reintroduced into the settling tank. The apparatus and method of the invention permit a single centrifuge to be used to handle a higher volume of fluid than is possible with conventional methods and apparatus. This provides significant cost savings.

Abstract: An in process fluid delivery reservoir and method is disclosed for continuously filtering particulate matter and oils from industrial fluids, such as coolants, oils, aqueous emulsions, etc., which are necessary in the operation of machine tools. The reservoir utilizes a primary containment area with a primary chip screen and a first baffle to trap much of the particulate matter and contain tramp oil. The reservoir also contains secondary and tertiary containment areas which utilize upper and bottom baffles to further trap the particulate matter and tramp oils, when said reservoir is utilized with aqueous emulsion. The industrial fluid remaining in the tertiary containment area is ready to be delivered to the machine tool for reuse.

Abstract: A sink liner apparatus and a method for using the apparatus for removing plaster from waste water has a catch basin to catch the waste water contaminated with plaster and direct it into a sedimentation basin. The sedimentation basin allows the plaster to precipitate into the sedimentation basin, which can be periodically cleaned or replaced. The waste water overflows through a sedimentation basin draining aperture into a sink basin. The sink basin supports the sedimentation basin and also directs the waste water into a sink draining aperture for separate disposal.

Abstract: A system and method of use thereof for separating commingled heavier and lighter components of a liquid stream, employing a vessel having a liquid inlet, a lighter component outlet communicating with an interior upper portion of the vessel and a heavier component outlet communicating with an interior lower portion of the vessel, a distribution conduit positioned within the vessel in communication with the liquid inlet and having a plurality of spaced apart small diameter openings through which liquid is discharged as small streams and at least one momentum attenuator supported within the vessel adjacent the distribution conduit and configured to intercept the small streams to dissipate the kinetic energies thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a first liquid phase from second liquid phase and entrained air and solids. More particularly, the apparatus removes tramp oil, metal shavings and other solids from coolant used in metal-working machines. The apparatus can also be used to remove air and solids from a single liquid phase. The apparatus is compact and simple to use. It overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art devices, including their tendency to become plugged with oily material.

Abstract: An apparatus providing process water used for making or processing a fiber suspension includes a multi-compartment tank with a top, a bottom wall, and a plurality of exterior sidewalls. Each compartment has an inlet positioned near the top, an outlet positioned near the bottom wall, and at least one intervening wall common with an adjacent compartment. Each intervening wall has a height defining an overflow weir whereby the compartments are arranged with sequentially decreasing maximum fluid levels. Each intervening wall also has a backflow device positioned near the bottom wall. The backflow device is selectively openable to allow flow from one compartment to an adjacent compartment in a direction opposite to a flow direction over the corresponding overflow weir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide enhanced solids-contacting vessel performance in which untreated liquid is injected into a lower portion of the vessel so as to flow in substantially helical and upward directions, solids separating from the untreated liquid into a suspended and rotating sludge blanket. The apparatus includes devices for withdrawing effluent from the vessel from a variety of locations depending upon the flow characteristics of the liquid in the vessel. The apparatus may include a radial weir trough that can be moved vertically within the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for separating a hydrocarbon containing material such as crude oil from water. The system of the present invention includes a treatment tank, a layer of a fluid having a chemical affinity for the hydrocarbon contain material being separated within the tank for separating the hydrocarbon containing material from said water without any mixing and with a minimum level of turbulence, and a distribution system for introducing the water with the hydrocarbon containing material into the layer of chemical affinity fluid. The method of the present invention broadly comprises the steps of providing a treatment tank having a layer of a fluid having a chemical affinity for the hydrocarbon containing material and separating the hydrocarbon containing material from the water without any mixing and with a minimum of turbulence by introducing the water with the hydrocarbon containing material into the layer of chemical affinity fluid.

Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and filtering media for filtering the fuel. The filtering media is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filtering media. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating a light liquid from a heavy liquid in a mixture of these liquids are provided which enhance the gravitational separation of such liquids. Thus, water laden with greases such as from a commercial kitchen is contemplated to be substantially rid of the greases by the present apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises a separation chamber; an inlet port; an exit port for each of the light and heavy liquids, with the exit for the light liquid being positioned at about the fluid level of the mixture of liquids; a level control for maintaining the fluid level; and a heater element to heat the mixture, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the light liquid and further driving its separation from the heavier components of the mixture. In the preferred practice of the invention, a skimmer and a series of fluid flow obstacles are also employed along with the heater element to achieve optimal separation.

Abstract: A vessel designed to separate out clean water from produced oil is disclosed. Conventional free water knockout vessels (FWKO) are normally disposed horizontally, and have a large diameter. The large diameter maximizes the distances between the oil/water interface and the exit points on the vessel for the water and the emulsion. The larger the vertical distance from the oil/water interface, the greater the chance that the oil and water can be agitated by slugs of gas and fluids. Tilting the vessel and reducing the diameter minimizes the distance the fluid has to travel to reach the top and bottom walls of the vessel, maximizes the distances from the oil/water interface, utilizes more fluid space in the vessel, reduces agitation caused by gas slugs, and forces the water to travel a longer distance which provides more separation time. Emulsions in most pipelines stratify, and the inlet nozzle is designed in such a way that it encourages the stratification of oil and water to continue as it flows into the vessel.

Abstract: The slurry subjected to aggregation processing by a line mixer is supplied to a slurry feed member via a slurry supply passage and then fed radially outward from slurry fed outlets within a sedimentation tank. Therefore, liquid flow hardly takes place below the slurry feed member and the settling velocity of the solid is increased. The slurry feed member is arranged close to the boundary face of the thickened slurry zone, and thus the settling distance of the solid is shortened. Accordingly, the residence time of the solid is shortened to a great extent. In addition, the sedimentation tank can be constructed to be sealed and solid-liquid separation can be also performed under the pressurized state.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of separating particulate material from a carrier fluid in which it is suspended. A first zone of a body of the carrier fluid is separated from a second clarified fluid zone thereof, and a suspension of particulate material in carrier fluid is fed into the body of fluid. Clarified fluid is withdrawn from the clarified fluid zone, and substantially all the clarified fluid which enters the clarified fluid zone is allowed to pass from the first zone to the second zone through a sub-zone in which at least some separation of particulate material from carrier fluid, against the direction of flow, takes place. The sub-zone is of smaller cross-sectional area than the body of fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of reducing solids and controlling surges in the flow of effluent from the clarifier chamber of an aerobic wastewater treatment plant. The apparatus is mounted inside the clarifier chamber of the wastewater treatment plant and connected to an outlet pipe of the plant. The apparatus includes a cylindrical tubular weir positioned in a cylindrical housing connected to the outlet pipe of the clarifier. The surge control weir assembly restricts the flow of the effluent from the clarifier resulting in an accumulation of effluent in the surge control weir assembly from which it flows at a rate proportioned to the volume retained in the assembly and resulting in a settling of minute suspended solids in the clarifier chamber. The surge control weir provides a final screening of the effluent through aerobic bacteria which grow in the slots of the assembly to digest the last solid particles from the water as the water slowly passes through the assembly.

Abstract: A horizontally-mounted, rotatable drum for mixing chemical additives with an aqueous suspension in order to promote agglomeration of suspended solids and for simultaneously separating water from them. With the drum, slurries of mining silt, clay, sludge and the like already partially dewatered to between about 50% and 60% moisture content can be further dewatered; reductions to 40% moisture content have been obtained. Supplied as a wet slurry to the drum through a hollow tube which also serves as an axle, the slurry is diverted, through a tubular branch fluidly connected to the tube, towards a vertical wall forming one end of the drum. Fed at a rate of between 200 and 300 gallons per minute, the slurry forcefully impinges against the vertical wall, simultaneously subjecting agglomerated particles in the slurry to high shear forces and freeing water. Downstream, before each of two spaced apart, annular retaining rings affixed to the drum, the slurry tends to pool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of contaminated water, containing undesired solid, liquid, and/or gaseous materials includes an electro-floculation means for disassociating ions from the undesired solid material and from the contaminated water, and further includes a separation tower having various deflection means deflecting undesired solid materials downwardly through to the separation tower.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide enhanced solids-contacting vessel performance in a vessel in which untreated liquid is injected into a lower portion of the vessel so as to flow in a substantially helical and upward direct to separate the solids from the liquid in a suspended, rotating sludge blanket. The vessel is equipped with an adjustable weir extending substantially radially form the vessel center to its peripheral wall for withdrawing effluent from the vessel from a variety of locations depending upon the flow velocity characteristics of the liquid in the vessel.

Abstract: A self-diluting feedwell for a thickener or settling tank includes a delivery pipe for providing an influent feed stream of slurry, a nozzle for directionally discharging the influent feed stream, and an eductor structure including a launder zone for receiving the nozzle discharge, a throat zone for creating a reduced pressure area for eduction of diluent into the launder zone, and a discharge zone for dispensing the diluted influent into a thickener or settling tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a mixture of fluids having different specific gravities, such as oil and water. The method comprises separating the mixture into multiple streams and discharging the multiple streams into a vessel below the surface of the water and directing the multiple streams against a baffle plate having a vertical surface inside the vessel, thereby increasing the rate at which the fluids would otherwise separate. Another aspect of the invention provides a separator that comprises a vessel, a baffle plate having a vertical surface inside the vessel, an inlet means for delivering the mixture to the vessel, a distribution means connected to the inlet means for separating the mixture into multiple streams and discharging the multiple streams below the surface of the heavier fluid, typically water, and against the baffle plate, thereby increasing the rate at which the fluids separate.

Abstract: A method and a device for clarifying liquid by separating particles from a mixture of particles and liquid. The clarifying device includes a housing having an inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The housing defines a settling chamber. A first wall member is located within the housing and defines an inlet chamber therein. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An adjustable inlet flow passage is formed by the first wall member and includes an opening which is selectively variable in size. The inlet flow passage provides fluid communication between the inlet chamber and the settling chamber. A plurality of settling members are located within the housing above the settling chamber. The liquid within the settling chamber is rotated about a generally horizontal axis by the orientation of the flow passage and deflector members within the housing. Liquid from the settling chamber enters the settling members by changing the direction of its flow by approximately 120.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor (10) and method for detecting the presence of water or glycol in an oil system. The water/glycol sensor includes a water/glycol concentrator (12) which concentrates the water and glycol in a concentrating zone (84). A water/glycol detection probe (14) is located in the concentration zone (84) such that minute quantities of water or glycol in the system may be detected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are claimed for coating egg-yolk disks containing egg-yolk materials. The egg-yolk is initially produced in the form of a cylinder, which is cut into disks, which disks after being encapsulated into an edible membrane, are used in combination with egg-white to form egg-products which may be fried or poached in a similar manner as real eggs. The methods and apparatuses of the claimed invention are useful for coating articles other than egg yolk disks.

Abstract: In a solid material flow-separating method for separating fine solid material from fluid, plural massive, net-shaped or pipe-shaped flow-separating members each having opening portions of about 1 to 5 cm in equivalent diameter are disposed along a fluid flowing direction in a treatment tank, and the fine solid material floating in the fluid is trapped and collected through the opening portions, and help up in a predetermined area, thereby separating the fine solid material from the fluid.