Abstract: A rope (1) according to the invention comprises a main rope segment (4), a branching position (5) and an end connector segment (6), wherein the end connector segment comprises a first rope-branch (11) and a second rope-branch (12). The first rope-branch (11) comprises a noosed first rope-branch portion (21N) for making a noosed connection with a thickened rope portion, or a thickened first rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a noosed rope portion. The second rope-branch (12) comprises a noosed second rope-branch portion for making a noosed connection with a thickened rope portion, or a thickened second rope-branch portion (22T) for making a noosed connection with a noosed rope portion. The rope according to the invention allows for many various favourable manners of connecting the rope to other ropes and/or to other types of external objects.

Abstract: A distillation column including a plurality of alternating plates and spacers stacked in a z-direction is provided. The plates include a respective liquid channeling network on a top surface thereof, a respective vapor opening, and a respective descending ramp. The respective descending ramps abut a respective liquid feed location of the plate immediately below to form a continuous liquid channeling network. The respective vapor openings of adjacent plates are located on opposite sides of the distillation column and form a continuous S-shaped vapor channel defined by the plurality of alternating plates and spacers, and the respective vapor openings. Systems including such distillation columns and processes of distilling a fluid mixture are also provided.

Abstract: Trays having increased capacity and efficiency are described. The trays have a deck, and downcomers extending through the deck. There are a plurality of bubble promoters on the deck. Each bubble promoter defines a zone on the deck, and the zone has an opening in the deck. The opening is positioned adjacent to a solid support for the tray. The bubble promoters provide areas through which vapor can pass, turning blocked areas of the tray into active areas. Mass transfer columns containing the trays are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a multi-bubbling region column tray and a corresponding plate column. The multi-bubbling region column tray includes: at least two bubbling regions, provided with first openings for liquid and gas to be mixed and in contact with each other; and at least one non-side downcomer, including at least one hanging downcomer, where the hanging downcomer has a bottom part which includes one or more second openings allowing the liquid to flow toward a lower left side, and one or more third openings allowing the liquid to flow toward a lower right side; and the bottom part of the hanging downcomer is designed to separate the liquid flowing out from the one or more second openings and the liquid flowing out from the one or more third openings.

Abstract: A contact tray for use in a mass transfer or heat exchange column and having multiple baffles walls that cause the liquid flowing on an upper surface of a tray deck tray to change its direction of flow and narrow its flow path width and extend the length of the flow path when the liquid flows from an inlet area to an outlet on the tray deck. By narrowing the flow path, the volumetric flow rate of the liquid at any portion of the deck increases and reduces the opportunity for vapor entrainment of the liquid at low liquid flow rates. A downcomer extends downwardly from the outlet to receive liquid when it enters the outlet and then convey it downwardly to a discharge outlet located at a lower end of the downcomer. The downcomer includes an inclined or horizontal portion that causes the discharge outlet to be positioned beneath and in vertical alignment with the inlet area on the tray deck.

Abstract: A distributor tray (100) for a column for contact between a gas (G) and a liquid (L) is provided wherein the distributor tray has a plurality of compartments defined on one face of the tray by secant partitions (104) which are perforated (105) to allow the flow of liquid between adjacent compartments. Each compartment includes at least one passage of the liquid through the tray or a chimney (102) projecting from the tray for the exclusive passage of the gas (G) through the tray. The shape of the chimney is identical to the shape of the compartment containing it, and the chimney has an internal volume at least equal to the volume of the compartment containing it.

Abstract: A vane inlet device is provided in a vessel to receive and redistribute a fluid stream entering the vessel and to facilitate separation of liquid from the fluid stream. The vane inlet device includes a passageway bounded by a top plate and a bottom plate spaced from the top plate. First and second arrays of vanes extend between the top and bottom plates and are positioned to receive respective portions of the fluid stream flowing from an inlet end of the passageway toward an opposite end and redirecting it out opposite sides of the passageway. A spacing between the first array of vanes and the second array of vanes progressively decreases in a direction from the inlet end of the passageway toward the opposite end. A beam extends from the top plate to the bottom plate between the first and second arrays of vanes to reduce flexure of the top and bottom plates and to separate the respective portions of the fluid stream.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for recovering at least one product from a fermentation broth. The invention relates to the use of a vacuum distillation vessel to recover products, such as ethanol, from a fermentation broth, where the fermentation broth comprises viable microbial biomass, and where the recovery of the product is completed in such a manner to ensure the viability of the microbial biomass. The invention provides for product recovery at an effective rate so as to prevent the accumulation of product in the fermentation broth. To ensure the viability of the microbial biomass, the invention is designed to reduce the amount of stress on the microbial biomass. By ensuring the viability of the microbial biomass, the microbial biomass may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in an increased efficiency of the fermentation process.

Abstract: A multi-pass contact tray for use in a mass transfer column has a mixture of fixed valves to movable valves, with the numbers of the respective valves being selected to balance the volumetric flow of vapor through deck segments when the vapor is ascending at volumetric flow rates insufficient to maintain the movable valves in an open position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process with lower recycle ratio while eliminating the need for quench column for production of superior quality coke conforming to specifications of anode grade coke. The process of the present invention enables production of lower amounts of coke and fuel oil yields.

Abstract: Multiple downcomer trays having increased active area for vapor-liquid contact and separation are described. The increased active area of the tray is achieved by adding raised bubble promoters surrounded by perforated vertical contactors on the tray deck. The bubble promoters and surrounding vertical contactors are located under the downcomers from the tray above. The bubble promoter and surrounding vertical contactor promote uniform fluid flow and contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vapor splitter including: a chimney tray dividing an internal space of a housing into an upper space and a lower space; a chimney provided on the chimney tray to enable the upper space and the lower space to communicate with each other; a cap covering the chimney with a gap therebetween such that a gas discharge hole is formed so that gas, coming out through the chimney, can be transferred to the upper space through the gas discharge hole; a liquid feeding unit for feeding liquid to the upper space; and a liquid discharging unit for discharging the liquid out of the upper space. The size of the gas discharge hole is adjusted by controlling the height of the liquid collected on the chimney. Further disclosed is a method of adjusting a vapor split ratio using the vapor splitter.

Abstract: A contact tray for use in a mass transfer or heat exchange column and having a tray deck with an inlet area and a remotely positioned outlet for respectively receiving liquid on the tray deck and then removing the liquid after it has flowed across the tray deck and interacted with another fluid on and above the tray deck. A plurality of barriers are positioned between the inlet area and the outlet. The barriers each have spaced-apart pickets and openings in the spacing between adjacent ones of the pickets. The pickets impede the flow of the liquid and increase the upstream liquid loading on the tray deck as the liquid flows from the inlet area, through the openings, and then into the outlet. At low liquid flow rates, this increase in the liquid loading may significantly increase the vapor handling capacity of the tray.

Abstract: A distillation column and tray assembly is disclosed herein. The distillation column includes a removable inner tray assembly with adjustable downcomer tubes. The removable tray assembly enables the user to selectively change distillation plates when so removed. When removed, a distiller or brewer may adjust the downcomer tubes to change the fluid level on the distillation plates, or bypass certain distillation plates completely. Certain embodiments of the invention include a feature of an O-ring recessed around a perimeter of the plates permitting a tight seal and reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchanger plates in a stacked arrangement. At least two counterflow sections are positioned adjacent each other. The counterflow sections comprise an intermediate section of each heat exchanger plate. The heat exchanger plates configured to transfer heat between a first fluid and a second fluid flowing in an opposite directions from the first fluid through a respective heat exchanger plate. At least one tent section is positioned on each end of each counterflow section. The tent sections are configured to angle the flow direction of the first and second fluids in the tent sections relative to the flow direction in the counterflow sections.

Abstract: A portable fogger apparatus includes a portable fogger body having at least one airflow passageway. A DC blower motor is connected to the fogger body proximate to the airflow passageway and receives power from a battery, wherein the DC blower motor produces an airflow through the passageway. A mixing chamber is positioned along the at least one passageway, wherein at least a portion of the airflow is movable through the mixing chamber. A quantity of pressurized fogging liquid is housed within a container connected to the fogger body. The pressurized fogging liquid is dispensable from the container into the mixing chamber where it is expelled through a nozzle and mixed with the airflow to produce a fog. The fog has an atomized micron particulate size between 5 and 60 microns. An activation switch controls activation of the DC blower motor and/or dispensing of the pressurized fogging liquid.

Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.

Abstract: A method for removing FFAs and toxins from edible oils, without requiring short path distillation and its attendant high temperatures and high loss of product, includes preheating a crude or refined edible oil input stream, having a toxic material content of at least about 1 PPB, to a temperature of about 400-450° F. and introducing the preheated edible oil stream to the top of a vertical stripper column operating at a pressure of about 0.1-3 Torr, typically about 2 Torr. The downward flowing edible oil stream in the stripper is stripped by superheated steam flowing in a countercurrent direction up through the stripper column. Refined and deodorized edible oil having a toxic material content of less than about 500 PPT, and typically as low as about 1 PPT, and at most about 0.2% by weight FFAs, is removed from the stripper.

Abstract: A fluid contact tray (10) for a fractionation column (1), in particular a vapor-liquid contact tray suitable for the use in an offshore fractionation column, comprises: ?a tray deck (12) comprising an active mass transfer surface (20) suitable for contacting two fluids (l, g) of different densities, wherein the active mass transfer surface (20) comprises one or more orifices (18) for the passage of a fluid/gas (g), and wherein at least two at least partially radially extending separation walls (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) and/or at least one separation weir (42) are arranged on the active mass transfer surface (20), which divides the active mass transfer surface (20) into at least two sections (24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-4), ?an annular channel (26) suitable for collecting fluids/liquids (l), which is arranged at the peripheral area of the active mass transfer surface (20) and at least partially embraces the mass transfer surface (20), ?a central downcomer (34) for collecting and discharging a fluid/liquid (l) from the

Abstract: A tray deck for use in a vessel and a method of repairing a damaged tray deck. The method includes coupling a tray deck orifice repair device to the damaged tray deck. The tray deck orifice repair device is coupled with a valve.

Abstract: A valve-tray assembly and method for lighter fluid heavier fluid contact towers. The active area of the tray is constructed with valves having multiple lighter fluid discharge areas facilitating improved mass transfer efficiency. The valves include first and second support legs oriented in line with the heavier fluid flow with both legs and the valve top constructed with apertures wherein the heavier fluid may flow into engagement with the lighter fluid passing from beneath the tray up, through and out of the valve.

Abstract: What is described relates to cross-flow packing heat and mass transfer column vessels, where rectifying separation of liquid-vapor mixtures, distillation of liquid-vapor mixtures, and absorptive separation of liquid-vapor mixtures occur, and may be used in oil-refining, petrochemical, chemical, gas, food, and other industries.

Abstract: A system for chemical compounds collection, deposition and separation in a fluid stream includes: a stack of layers with a number of window openings, allowing the fluid stream to pass through, neighboring layers forming an angle 0??<90°, the angle and the distance between neighboring layers being variable and controlled, so as to control the velocity of the fluid stream; spreading apertures in between the layers, and adapted to spray liquid chemical solution inside the closed volume, so as to create a thin film on the surfaces of the layers and lateral walls of the closed volume; a system for generating droplets of chemical solution upstream of the stack, to be mixed in the fluid stream; particles of the chemical compounds being collected by impaction with the droplets, and by diffusion on the thin film, and counter flowing with the chemical solution.

Abstract: An air stripper apparatus is disclosed which incorporates a plurality of trays that are removably supported within a cabinet. A plurality of downcomers are also fixedly disposed within the cabinet, rather than on the trays. Removing the downcomer from each tray enables a simpler, lighter and easier to clean tray to be constructed.

Abstract: A distillation column and tray assembly is disclosed herein. The distillation column includes a removable inner tray assembly with adjustable downcomer tubes. The removable tray assembly enables the user to selectively change distillation plates when so removed. When removed, a distiller or brewer may adjust the downcomer tubes to change the fluid level on the distillation plates, or bypass certain distillation plates completely. Certain embodiments of the invention include a feature of an O-ring recessed around a perimeter of the plates permitting a tight seal and reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing acetic acid, which suppresses catalyst precipitation and accumulation in an evaporator, can efficiently recycle catalysts to a reaction vessel, and can contribute to maintenance and improvement in acetic acid productivity and securing of safety operation. In the method, the evaporator has a catalyst precipitation and accumulation prevention structure: (a) structure where inclination angle ? of inside wall surface of an inverted truncated conical cylindrical connection portion is 5° to 85°; and/or (b) structure where a vortex breaker comprising a plate-like vortex breaker main body and a leg is disposed such that the vortex breaker main body covers right above the connection portion of an evaporator bottom part to a residual liquid stream recycle line, and linear velocity r of the residual liquid stream passing through a gap between the vortex breaker main body and the evaporator bottom part is larger than 10 m/h.

Abstract: A mixing element for a static mixer for installation into a tubular mixer housing has a longitudinal axis along which a plurality of installation bodies are arranged behind one another.

Abstract: A grid module (2a, 2b) for a catalyst support comprising one or more sides arranged with a module connecting part (11) to engage in a tongue/groove connection with a matching receiving connecting part (8a, 8b) on an external structure (7a, 7b).

Abstract: A liquid barrier trap for a pump testing and monitoring system is disclosed herein. The liquid barrier provides a barrier to exhaust gases and fluids from escaping a pit that includes the pump under test. The pit may be a sump pit or an ejector pit. The liquid barrier may include a P-trap. The liquid barrier may include an inlet conduit in fluid communication with a valve for admitting water thereto. The liquid barrier may include an outlet fluid conduit extending through a pit cover and permitting water to be admitted into the pit.

Abstract: The invention is a distributor tray for at least one a gas/liquid heat and a material exchange column comprising passages for passing gas through the tray. The tray has an upper plate (P1) and a lower plate (P2) with each plate having at least two distinct liquid passages. The openings (10 and 11) of the upper plate (P1) are positioned at distinct elevations with at least one of the liquid passages (10) of upper plate (P1) having a lower elevation communicating with one of the liquid passages of the lower plate through a supply line (9). The invention also relates to a gas/liquid heat and/or material exchange column equipped with a distributor tray (2) in accordance with the invention and to a floating barge having a column and to the use of the column.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and materials for pyrolyzing vegetable oil feedstocks to obtain high yields of various products are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crossflow tray for a mass transfer column (27) in which a gas is conducted in countercurrent to a liquid, the crossflow tray (1) having passage orifices (3) for the gas and at least two downcomers (5), the downcomers (5) projecting beyond the top surface of the crossflow tray (1) and a collecting cup (13) being disposed beneath each downcomer (5). The downcomer (5) projects into the collecting cup (13), the minimum horizontal cross-sectional area of the collecting cup (13) is 1.2 to 4 times greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the downcomer (5) at the outlet, and the collecting cup (13) has a circumferential wall (15) having an overflow (19). The invention further relates to a mass transfer column comprising the crossflow trays and to a use of the mass transfer column.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tray deck for use in a vessel and a method of repairing a damaged tray deck. The method includes coupling at least one tray deck orifice repair device to an upper surface of the damaged tray deck such that void of each of the at least one tray deck repair devices is aligned with each of the plurality of orifices on the tray deck. The at least one tray deck orifice repair device has at least one anti-spin tab extending from an edge thereof, and the at least one tray deck orifice repair device is coupled with a valve.

Abstract: The present application discloses a falling film evaporator including a barrel that is provided with an upper distributor at an inner upper side thereof, gas barriers are respectively provided at both sides of the top of the upper distributor, at least one gas barrier is provided with sawteeth at the edge thereof, a gas flowing channel is formed by the sawteeth and the inner wall of the barrel in an encircled manner and is communicated with the gas refrigerant outlet, at the bottom of the both side walls of the upper distributor is respectively provided with a turbulent flow plate, an upper heat exchange tube group is provided below the upper distributor, a lower heat exchange tube group is provided below the upper heat exchange tube group, an oil enriched area provided with a liquid level sensor is provided below the lower heat exchange tube group, a signal output end of the liquid level sensor is connected with a signal input end of the throttle device, and oil return ports are opened at the oil enriched ar

Abstract: An oil scrub column having a petroleum spirit section and an oil section where each section has mass transfer trays having a plurality of runoff elements that extend parallel to and at a distance from one another, to form angular profiles. The runoff elements have first and second runoff surfaces that converge to form an edge. Scrubbing media introduced onto the edges of the runoff elements flows off via the runoff surfaces at both sides of the edge. The oil section has a greater number of mass transfer trays than the petroleum spirit section. The petroleum spirit section is shorter than the oil section. The mass transfer trays of the petroleum spirit section may be sieve trays, bubble trays or valve trays.

Abstract: A dividing wall column (10), comprising: a partition plate (11) arranged along an axial direction of the dividing wall column (10); a first shaft (22) arranged along a radial direction of the dividing wall column (10), and a first splitter plate (23) with an end connected to the first shaft (22), which are both placed beneath the partition plate (11), wherein the first splitter plate (23) is configured to be pivotable around the first shaft (22), so as to control distribution of a stream from below the first splitter plate (23) into spaces formed at two sides of the partition plate (11); and a second shaft (13) arranged along the radial direction of the dividing wall column (10), and a second splitter plate (20) with an end connected to the second shaft (13), which are both placed above the partition plate (11), wherein the second splitter plate (20) is configured to be pivotable around the second shaft (13), so as to control the stream from above the second liquid splitter plate (20) into the spaces formed a

Abstract: A submersible aerator apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses injected air to create both aeration and mixing of a liquid. The apparatus is submersible and may be lowered into a container holding a liquid with suspended and coagulated solids. Air supplied to the apparatus is injected into the liquid which results in an upward flow of air bubbles and entrained liquid. This action mixes and aerates the liquid. A method of using a submersible air-injection aerator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tray assembly for improved gas/liquid contact in a chemical process tower includes a tray deck and a downcomer. A mixer is provided in the top of the downcomer and a distributor is attached to a floor of the downcomer. The mixer includes at least one mixing baffle parallel to an outlet weir on the tray. The distributor includes a plurality of spaced apart flow directing plates extending downwardly toward and spaced apart from the floor of the downcomer. In combination, the mixer and distributor effect even liquid flow across the surface of a subjacent tray deck.

Abstract: A chlorine dioxide gas generator (100) is provided which capable of efficiently generating and gasifying a chlorine dioxide solution within a short period of time without accidental leakage, facilitating fumigation, and facilitating washing of the interior of the generator within a short period of time. The chlorine dioxide gas generator (100) includes a separation tank (20) that separates a chlorine dioxide gas (30b) from a chlorine dioxide solution (30a) generated in the reactor (10), the separation tank (20) including a separation cylinder (21), downwardly convex trays (22), upwardly convex tray covers (23), nubs (24) packed between the trays (22) and tray covers (23), a liquid supply pipe (25) communicating with an upper portion of the separation cylinder (21), and an air-mixture cylinder (27) that forms an air-mixture space (27a) around the separation cylinder (21) on a waste liquid chamber (26).

Abstract: The gas separation device separates or captures a target gas component from a gas to be processed by: causing an absorbing liquid to flow down on a surface of a packing disposed inside a processing tank while supplying the gas to be processed containing the target gas component into the processing tank; bringing the absorbing liquid flowing down on the surface of the packing and the gas to be processed into gas-liquid contact; and thereby causing the absorbing liquid to absorb the target gas component contained in the gas to be processed. The packing includes at least one packing unit formed from multiple expanded metal plates, which are disposed vertically and arranged in parallel. Each expanded metal plate includes strands forming the openings which are arranged like stairs. Each strand is inclined to the vertical direction at an angle in a range from 48° to 73°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a special heteropolymer, namely a silicic acid (hetero)poly(co)condensate with positive-resist behavior which is distinguished by polycondensation or copolycondensation of specially modified silanes. The invention relates likewise to monomeric silanes from which the corresponding heteropolymers, i.e. the silicic acid (hetero)poly(co)condensates, can be produced. The silicic acid (hetero)poly(co)condensates according to the invention can be used for a photoresist which has positive-resist behavior. In addition, the invention relates to corresponding methods both for the production of the silanes, the silicic acid (hetero)poly(co)condensates or a method for photochemical structuring of the photoresist according to the invention which is based on the silicic acid (hetero)poly(co)condensates.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a mixing system for use in a chemical-process column. The mixing system includes a heavy-reactant mixing surface arranged perpendicular to a flow of reactant through the chemical-process column. The mixing system also includes an aperture formed in the heavy-reactant mixing surface. A pre-distributor is coupled to an underside of the mixing system and fluidly coupled to the aperture.

Abstract: A system and process for upgrading a whole crude oil feed in an integrated ebullated-bed and hydrotreater is provided in which the whole crude oil is flashed into a flashed straight run distillates fraction and an atmospheric residue fraction. The atmospheric residue fraction is hydroprocessed in an ebullated-bed reaction zone, while the flashed straight run distillates fraction and the products fraction produced from the ebullated-bed reaction zone are hydrotreated in a fixed-bed reaction zone. Distillates from the hydrotreater and the unconverted residue fraction from the ebullated-bed reaction zone can be combined to produce an upgraded synthetic crude oil.

Abstract: A cascade aerator comprising a plurality of longitudinal channels that receive a fluid therethrough. The longitudinal channels are in fluid communication with a plurality of flow control gates, such that a first number of flow control gates are in fluid communication with a first longitudinal channel and a second number of flow control gates are in fluid communication with a second longitudinal channel. The first number of flow control gates may define a crest height that is lower, along a vertical direction, than a crest height defined by the second number of flow control gates. The flow control gates may define a crest length proximate a crest of the flow control gate and a nappe length defined proximate a first height above the crest. The nappe length may be greater than the crest length. The aerator may have a plurality of low head baffles.

Abstract: A portable fogger apparatus includes a portable fogger body having at least one airflow passageway. A DC blower motor is connected to the fogger body proximate to the airflow passageway and receives power from a battery, wherein the DC blower motor produces an airflow through the passageway. A mixing chamber is positioned along the at least one passageway, wherein at least a portion of the airflow is movable through the mixing chamber. A quantity of pressurized fogging liquid is housed within a container connected to the logger body. The pressurized fogging liquid is dispensable from the container into the mixing chamber where it is expelled through a nozzle and mixed with the airflow to produce a fog. The fog has an atomized micron particulate size between 5 and 60 microns. An activation switch controls activation of the DC blower motor and/or dispensing of the pressurized fogging liquid.

Abstract: A valve for carrying out a mass-transfer process, in which a gas flows through liquid standing on a separating tray, when the gas supply is interrupted the liquid flows into a lock and, when the gas supply is restarted, the liquid flows out of the lock, wherein the valve contains a closing element which is designed in such a manner that, with the closing element in a first valve position, a first opening in a lower tray of the lock is closable, and the closing element is conducted in a first sleeve which is positioned between the upper tray bordering the lock and the lower tray in which sleeve, in the region of the lock, second openings are formed, and which projects over the upper tray and has a lift limiter for the closing element.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus includes an elongated housing, first and second spaced-apart material inlet openings in a top wall of the housing, an outlet opening in a bottom wall of the housing, a first conveyor configured to move material received from the first material inlet toward the outlet opening, and a second conveyor configured to move material received from the first material inlet toward the outlet opening. The outlet opening is longitudinally disposed between the first and second spaced-apart material inlet openings. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a housing having first and second opposite ends and an outlet opening in a bottom wall of the housing. The first end is configured to receive a portion of a first conveyor and the second end is configured to receive a portion of a second conveyor. The first and second conveyors are configured to move material toward the outlet opening.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to hydrocarbons comprising reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in contact with a suitable catalyst in a reactive distillation column is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved cascade aerator is disclosed, comprising a trough having a low profile slope, whereby the trough is divided into a plurality of adjacent longitudinal channels. In one embodiment, a plurality of low head baffles are mounted in spaced relationship and transversely of the longitudinal channels and are spaced apart from the floor of the trough.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus for supplying ozonated water to appliances, such as clothes washing machines. First and second water aspirators include respective first and second Venturi tubes. One aspirator is designed for a relatively higher water flow rate, and the other is designed for a relatively lower water flow rate. A valve selectively directs water from a water inlet to a water outlet through either the first or the second water aspirator. Ozone from an ozone generator is drawn either into water flowing through the first Venturi tube or water flowing through the second Venturi tube, depending on the position of the valve. A water flow sensor includes a microphone physically connected for sensing a sound characteristic of operation of a Venturi tube. A controller effects a time delay for maintaining activation of the ozone generator for a predetermined time duration even after water flow has ceased.