Abstract: A device for introducing gases into liquids in the form of fine bubbles, especially for introducing air into waste water, which device (1) comprises gas distributors (2) consisting of a longitudinal chamber (20) covered by a porous foil (19) arranged beneath the liquid level and to which gas is fed through a supply duct (5) and emerges into the liquid through the foil in the form of fine bubbles. The gas distributors (2) are connected to supply pipes (5) each provided for a group of gas distributors (2). The gas distributors (2) have a base wall (18) of rigidly-stable material, preferably metal, forming one side of the chamber (20) covered with the porous foil (19). Furthermore, it is preferred that the gas distributors (2), in the direction of their longitudinal extension, are mounted on carriers (7, 7a) arranged on the bottom of a basin or container in which the liquid is present.

Abstract: An aeration system for a wastewater treatment plant includes an air supply pipe for receiving compressed air. The air supply pipe has a plurality of outlets, with a flexible air supply conduit extending from each outlet to an elongated aerator. An end fitting is included in the aerator at each end. Each end fitting has a fastener defining an attachment location. A yoke is longer than the aerator and has two ends, one end fixed to each attachment location. The yoke also has a central yoke ring, which is loosely interfitted with a guide member to permnit relative movement between the aerator and guide member. The lower end of the guide member is fixed with respect to the bottom of the wastewater treatment basin. An upper end of the guide member is attached to a stop member, and a spacer is provided for positioning the aerator away from the stop member at the top of each guide member.

Abstract: An aeration system for a wastewater treatment plant includes an air supply pipe for receiving compressed air. The air supply pipe has a plurality of outlets. A flexible air supply conduit extends from each outlet to an elongate aerator having ends. An end fitting is connected to the aerator at each end thereof, with walls in each end fitting defining an attachment location. A guide member is provided for each end fitting, each guide member having lower and upper ends, and the guide member being loosely interfitted with the attachment location of the end fitting to permit relative movement between the aerator and guide member. The lower end of the guide member is fixed with respect to the bottom of the wastewater treatment basin. The upper end of the guide member is attached to a stop member.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for mixing and introducing gas into a large body of liquid. The apparatus supports and rotates a plurality of spoke-like discharge members below the surface of the liquid. The members have upwardly facing perforated discharge surfaces through which compressed gas is released up into the liquid. Preferably the members have non-porous lower portions. To counter upward "lift pump" effect forces created by the rotating members, the members are tilted with their leading edges lower than their trailing edges. The tilt of the members and the speed of rotation are balanced so that the resultant angle of attack of the liquid relative to the discharge surfaces is zero or slightly greater, for efficiently and effectively shearing the emerging gas into relatively small size bubbles.

Abstract: An aeration/mixing system for applying air or another gas to wastewater or another liquid. A main air supply pipe receives air from a blower and directs the air to a plurality of aeration modules each including a submerged conduit and a plurality of diffusers on the conduit. Flexible hoses connect the main pipe with the conduit of each module. In one form of the invention, a flexible line connected with each module has a sliding connection with a ballast block and may be pulled tautly and secured at the surface to hold the module down in the basin. Retrieval of the module for maintenance requires only that the line be released so that the buoyancy of the module floats it upwardly. A modified embodiment includes an inflatable bladder on each module which can be inflated to cause the module to float upwardly for retrieval.

Abstract: Air grid systems for distributing a gas within treatment systems such as underdrain filters and contact clarifiers is disclosed. The air grid is supported from above so that it can be lowered into position and thus modified or repaired. Additionally, this feature permits retrofitting an air grid into an existing system, such as an underdrain filter, in which the bed of media overlying the underdrain is not upset by the installation. Thus, methods of installing or retrofitting air grid systems are also disclosed. In another aspect of the present invention, the air grid is comprised of an air manifold connected to air laterals by a spreader conduit that is inserted through a smooth bore in the walls of the manifold, thereby providing a simple and easy to manufacture structure that avoids problems found in prior art components.

Abstract: A portable wheeled hand truck mounts a rotary actuator, powered by a hand or motor-operated pump also contained on the truck, for lifting and rotating a diffused aeration piping array from a liquid/slurry treatment tank into a working and servicing position adjacent to the tank, such as a walkway. The wheeled truck is hand maneuvered so that the powered end of the actuator is in alignment with a connection arm extending from a pivotable pipe which is part of the array. A multi-positionable handle is included on the hand truck which, in an essentially horizontal position, is temporarily fixed to a tank walkway surface to support the reaction forces incident to lifting and rotating the heavy mass of the piping array. When not so fixed, the handle may be moved to an essentially vertical position for storage and to an intermediate position to maneuver the truck into alignment with the piping array connector arm.

Abstract: A configuration of an aeration chamber for an activated-sludge treatment plant includes an elongated, hydraulic plug-flow aeration chamber with a floor having a sloped portion and a level portion. The level portion, which acts as a collection area for the activated sludge, is adjacent the air diffusers of the aeration chamber at the point of maximum turbulence within the chamber. By using the force of gravity to assist in returning the activated sludge to the point of maximum turbulence, the aeration chamber of the present invention is able to process sewage in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: A submersible mixer apparatus for circulating liquid in a body of water, such as a sewage lagoon, includes an upright beam member closed to form an air reservoir chamber and upper and lower supports holding the beam member in the body of liquid. A submersible motor and propeller are connected to the beam member by a bracket movable up and down on the beam member and a square tubular support arm affixed to the bracket and to which the submersible motor and propeller are mounted. The support arm is hollow and pressurized air is routed through the upright beam member and the support arm to an outlet of the support arm positioned substantially at the propeller to inject air into the flow area created by the propeller. A selectively engageable and disengageable connector arrangement is positioned between the upright beam member and the support arm which, when engaged, routes the air from the upright beam member into the support arm.

Abstract: A horizontal mixing aerator rides on an upright beam member for submersion in a body of water such as an equalization basin, oxidation ditch, or sludge holding tank. The aerator employs a submersible mixer motor driving a propeller which in one embodiment is mounted on the beam member by a slidable bracket for height adjustment. The bracket is also swingably mounted to the beam member for adjustment of the vertical plane angle. Because the beam member is also mounted for rotation, substantially any attitude or position of the mixer can be selected for creating an efficient flow pattern within the body of water. Air or fluid injection can also be provided by the use of alternate embodiments.

Abstract: A swing diffuser apparatus for gas diffuser systems for liquid treatment is disclosed in which an array of diffusers (50) is movable between a deeply submerged, essentially horizontal operating position, a shallowly submerged, essentially horizontal operating position, and a fully exposed, substantially upright position at the edge of the container for the liquid. An articulated hanger arm linkage (22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 52, 54) rotates the array to achieve these positions as the linkage folds and unfolds.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising a liquid aeration apparatus having a carrier element 62 which can be guided to a position engaging an air distributing pipe 36 to raise same by means of a guide rod 66. The movement of the guide rod is controlled by a guide device 64 disposed on the free end of a boom 52 suspended vertically above the air distributing pipe, such that the movement of the guide rod is restricted to a plane perpendicular to the air distributing pipe, thus preventing contact with and damage to aeration tubes 38 extending from the air distributing pipe.

Abstract: A water vapor supply unit having a partition dividing a water tank into two compartments above a water line but allowing communication below the water line. A water level control in one compartment maintains the water level in both. One or more air inlet nozzles for each compartment are provided and are of angular form. They are side wall mounted for adjustment for regulation purposes. Each compartment has one or more vapor outlet fittings. A mount for a water level controller assures its proper disposition when mounted in place.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transferring gas to liquid, for example, air to liquid in an aeration process. Included is a novel combination air-liquid conduit and a method of making same, a novel jet aerator wherein the outlet section is shortened to include only a converging portion, a novel aeration system utilizing the conduit and jet aerator aforesaid and a novel coupling means for mounting the aerator on the conduit.

Abstract: The downcomer through which air is supplied to a header for liberation of air deep in an aeration tank is of straight-line nature to minimize constant waste of power due to air flow friction. The downcomer nevertheless folds when the header is to be raised for inspection or servicing. The folding axis is external of the downcomer, which breaks open as the folding action starts. In one form the header is straight while initially raised, hanging from a first hoist cable, and then as the lower section is raised further by a second cable the upper section is allowed to fold over. In another form, the folding progresses as the structure is raised, the upper section being hinged to the air supply fitting.

Abstract: A means for applying additives to industrial gas wherein a closed container has an industrial gas inlet port and a discharge port, a quantity of liquid gas additive in the bottom of said container, a movable arm means mounted within said container and adapted to pivot into and out of said liquid gas additive, a thermal spring element secured to the arm means to cause said arm to dip into the liquid gas additive when the temperature within the container is at least 0.degree. F., and to progressively lift the arm out of the gas additive as the temperature is increased, a conduit means connecting the outer end of said arm with the inlet port to cause the industrial gas to be discharged either into or above the liquid gas additive depending on the attitude of the arm.

Abstract: A diffuser assembly of the general type for use in a municipal sewage treatment plant is of plastic and/or resin construction and includes spaced parallel or dual hanger pipes between the two rotary joints. The hoist arm extends between these hanger pipes to reach the lift joint. Opposed detent blocks between and engaging the dual pipes cooperate with a steady bracket into which the assembly is locked with a toggle action.

Abstract: Diffusers on the bottom of a submerged header each include coarse bubble orifices which discharge a stream of air to form a bubble or film on the underside of a horizontal spreader at the edges of which the bubble is sheared by flowing water into multitudinous tiny bubblets rising in the surrounding liquid as a cloud. A second horizontal spreader, slightly above the first, has a similar action, shearing into fine bubblets any larger bubbles which escape from the first spreader to the second. Edges are staggered to supply air to different parts of the water flow. The rising bubblets set up a conventional rolling action in the body of liquid. It is this rolling action which produces the flow of water past the spreaders to shear the bubbles at their edges. A snap-in screw-tightened band secures each diffuser to the header.