Abstract: A self-contained wastewater treatment system is provided, comprising a vessel having a bottom, side walls and a lid defining a hollow interior for containing wastewater, the vessel being adapted for installation underground; an influent line; an effluent line; and a baffle disposed within the interior, generally between the influent line and the effluent line and extending transversely toward opposing side walls of the vessel. The baffle includes a bottom edge separated by a predetermined distance from the bottom of the vessel to define a flow opening. The position of the baffle defines an upstream aeration chamber and a downstream clarifier chamber within the vessel. The side walls include a downstream end wall, the downstream end wall having a lower inclined wall which intersects the bottom of the vessel adjacent the flow opening.

Abstract: A microbubble generator is disclosed for optimizing the rate and amount of xygen transfer to microbial inocula or biocatalysts in bioreactor systems. The microbubble generator, and an associated immobilized cell reactor, are useful in the detoxification and cleanup of non-volatile polymeric and volatile organic-contaminated aqueous streams. In particular, they are useful in the continuous mineralization and biodegradation of toxic organic compounds, including volatile organic compounds, associated with industrial and municipal effluents, emissions, and ground water and other aqueous discharges. One embodiment of the invention includes a microbubble chamber packed with small inert particles through which a liquid effluent and oxygen or another gas are admitted under pressure, followed by a venturi chamber to further reduce the size of bubbles.

Abstract: A fishing tackle organizer and arranging fishing baits and lures is provided that includes a flexible nylon casing member having attached binder rings, a plurality of plastic serf-sealing storage bags attachable to the rings, and a carrying handle attached to the rings. Each plastic storage bag has a extended strip on a bottom end with two pre-punched holes for securing the bag to the rings. Optionally, a pocket for holding bait jars is also provided, either as an integral part of the organizer or as a removable attachment. A replacement device having adhesive tabs for holding conventional storage bags to the binder rings is also provided.

Abstract: A pneumatic timed spray dispenser for automatically dispensing a quantity of the contents of a pressurized reservoir to the atmosphere at predetermined intervals, containing a timing piston structure utilizing the pressure in the reservoir to permit discharge of the contents to the atmosphere in an atomized form.

Abstract: A process for cloning the chitinase gene of Vibrio parahemolyticus is provided, comprising the steps of cleaving the Vibrio parahemolyticus DNA with Sau3A, PSTI or other restriction enzyme, mixing the cleaved DNA fragments in the presence of pUC18 and T4 ligase to produce a composite plasmid, and inserting the composite plasmid in a DH5a strain of E. Coli.

Abstract: A flush valve extension assembly retrofittable to a conventional water closet is disclosed which comprises a tube having a shoulder member extending outward from the outer surface of the tube in a position to form an upper section of the first tube having a predetermined length and to form a lower section of the tube which can extend into the flush valve seat, the shoulder member being sized to seat on the valve seat; a gasket fittable about the outer surface of the lower section in a position to form a water tight seal between the shoulder member and the flush valve seat; and a means fixable to the tube and extending about the overflow tube in a manner to attach the tube to the flush valve.

Abstract: A knife having angularly adjustable cutting positions is provided, comprising a blade having a base portion, the base portion having an outer edge including an engagement portion including a positioning mechanism for positioning the blade in multiple angular cutting positions with reference to a handle; a handle including a biased locking member for selectively engaging the positioning mechanism and fixing the blade in each of the angular cutting positions, the handle having a blade end; a spring, positioned in the handle, for biasing the locking member against the positioning mechanism; and wherein the base portion of the blade is pivotally attached to the blade end of the handle at a pivot point located within the blade end.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a nitric acid absorption column is provided comprising: (a) cleaning its absorption column coil having an access port and an exit port by inserting a pig in the access port; maintaining pressure against the pig sufficient to force the pig through the coil; and capturing the pig after it passes through the exit port, and (b) cleaning the cooling fluid supply manifold headers and header hoses and the cooling fluid return manifold headers and header hoses by operatively connecting a valve means to a high pressure water or similar fluid supply to control the amount of high pressure water or similar fluid flowing through the valve means and into a flexible hose which has been operatively connected to the valve means to receive the high pressure water, operatively attaching a hollow tube having a nozzle provided with reverse direction orifices to the opposite end of the flexible hose to receive the high pressure water from the flexible hose and to allow the high pressure water to exit from the

Abstract: A robotic tank cleaning system is provided, comprising a light-weight, collapsible, and robotically controllable frame having an articulatable washing nozzle for spraying a petroleum-based solvent on a surface to be cleaned. Hydraulic power and control units are also provided which allow an operator to control the motion of the frame and washing nozzle from outside the tank, as well as a solvent supply system for delivering solvent to the washing nozzle. A hoisting mechanism is included to allow placement and retrieval of a waste removal pump, and a clearing blade is attached to the frame to assist movement of waste material to the waste removal pump. Waste material comprising dislodged oil sludge and expended solvent is collected in waste fractioning tanks where the collected oil sludge is allowed to settle below the expended solvent. The separated solvent in the waste fractioning tanks is redirected through the solvent supply system and is reused for further spraying of the tank interior.

Abstract: An improved low temperature process for extracting oil from oil-bearing materials by extracting the oil-bearing material in an extraction zone with a normally gaseous solvent selected from propane, butane, and mixtures thereof. As the resulting solvent/oil mixture is passed through the bed of extracted oil-bearing material, from the extraction zone, and to a separation zone, it is done so under conditions that will maintain the solvent in liquid form. The resulting extracted materials have substantially more of their protein and vitamin value intact when compared with similar materials extracted by more conventional high temperature methods. The present process is also a lower energy consuming process than more conventional, extractive processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a ball valve is disclosed. Generally, the ball valve contains an inner diameter which receives a ball member, and a first and second passageway portions. The apparatus comprises a ball seat insert retainer, with the first end being attached to the inner diameter of the ball member. A seat having a first end and a second end, with the first end being angled to engage with the ball member. A seat holder is also disclosed for holding the seat. A spring can also be provided for biasing the seat into engagement with the ball seat insert retainer.

Abstract: A basketball rebound device is provided comprising a rebound panel positioned beneath the goal rim and adapted to deflect the basketball away from the goal assembly upon the basketball being received through the rim; a mounting brace attachable to the goal post and including a vertical sleeve attached to the mounting brace; a primary support member having a lower end which is slidably matable within the vertical sleeve, and having an upper end extending away from the goal post; a first lock connected between the vertical sleeve and the lower end of the primary support member for locking the primary support member relative to the vertical sleeve; a secondary support member slidably matable within the primary support member; a second lock connected between the primary support member and the secondary support member for locking the secondary support member relative to the primary support member; and a lockable pivot connected between the rebound panel and the secondary support member for allowing angular manipul

Abstract: A seafood separator for separating sea creatures captured by a net is provided, comprising a support structure attached to the deck of a boat; a number of vertically arranged frames attached to the support structure, each frame containing a screen for retaining sea creatures of predetermined sizes, wherein the grid spacing of each screen is smaller than the grid spacing of any higher screen. Each screen is capable of slidable motion relative to the support structure or to any other screen in order to facilitate cleaning and seafood removal. A tray for collecting trash and unwanted seafood is attached to the support structure below a lowermost screen and has an end positioned over the boat deck to allow return of the trash back into the sea. A method for separating sea creatures and returning undesirable sea creatures back to the sea alive is also provided.

Abstract: A constant volume sampling system is provided, comprising a sample loop including a section of tubing having a predetermined volume and having a first end and a second end; a first valve having a first port, connectable to a process line .Iadd.at a first point.Iaddend., a second port connected to the first end of the sample loop, a third port, connectable to a pressurized gas line, and a selector for selectively establishing flow between the first and second ports or between the second and third ports; a second valve having a first port, connectable to the process line .Iadd.at a second point wherein a pressure differential exists in the process line between the first point and the second point.Iaddend.