Abstract: Disclosed herein are components, systems, and methods to improve performance and maintenance of high-pressure fluid systems, such as waterjet cutting systems. Specifically, embodiments of a valve cartridge are disclosed that include a pre-assembled body such that the valve cartridge is able to be inserted into a valve body of a valve assembly without the need for additional assembly or adjustment of the components of the valve cartridge, for example the poppet assembly of the valve cartridge.

Abstract: A system and method for wastewater treatment using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of wastewater flowing in a treatment chamber. Wastewater to be treated flows into the first UV exposure chamber where it is exposed to UV illumination. Wastewater exposure time is lengthened by channeling the wastewater to first flow down a first UV exposure chamber and then back up through a second UV exposure chamber both of which are in a single structure. The first and second UV exposure chambers are separated by the UV illumination source so that wastewater on the two sides of the UV illumination source (i.e. both UV exposure chambers) cannot mix, and so that UV illumination time is dictated by the flow rate of the wastewater and the length of the UV illumination source. Thus the UV illumination path is roughly twice the length of the UV illumination source.

Abstract: An aspirator includes a plurality aspirator tubes, each preferably extending at approximately 70 degrees from a central axis and including a fin extending a limited distance below the aspirator tube outlet. The design improves mixing and gas contact, yet has reduced power requirements, by using a plurality of debris-shedding, finned aspirator tubes to inject approximately 35% more air than the best prior art designs at the same rotational speed. Further, the aspirator of the present invention improves motor life by reducing the average current draw on the motor. The aspirator is useful in many applications, including sewage and wastewater treatment, oxygenation, fermentation, aeration, hydrogenation, oxidation, and oil-sand separation.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a fiberglass (i.e., fiberglass-reinforced polymer) wastewater treatment tank that has at least one lower portion and an upper portion that are joined above the tank water line. The lower portion or portions is/are tapered to allow a plurality of tanks to be nested in a shipping configuration. The top portions may optionally be tapered to allow them to also nest during shipping. Interior tank elements such as clarifier walls, risers, BAT media, aerators, divider walls, piping, etc. can be stacked and shipped within the uppermost of the nested lower portions or possibly used as packing material between nested tanks.

Abstract: A composite hollow aspirator shaft is formed of fiberglass-reinforced phenolic resin that reduces the amount of vibration that is transferred to the motor rotating the shaft, and the motor's bearings. This extends motor and bearing life. When the aspirator tip is rotated in a liquid, fluidic forces are transferred to the shaft. Rather than transmitting those forces into the motor and its bearings, the composite aspirator shaft attenuates the forces to prevent most of them from reaching the motor and its bearings. The composite shaft material has a flexural modulus, or ratio, within the elastic limit of any applied stress, and is sufficiently low to allow the transfer of the flexural or oscillatory energy into heat within the shaft instead of conveying the energy in the form of vibration/oscillations along the axial length of the shaft. As an added advantage, the fiberglass resists abrasion better in wastewater than stainless steel used in the prior art.

Abstract: A composite hollow aspirator shaft is formed of fiberglass-reinforced phenolic resin that resists abrasion and reduces the amount of vibration that is transferred to the motor rotating the shaft, and the motor's bearings to extend motor and bearing life. An aspirator tip is adhesively attached to the composite aspirator shaft and includes an access hole for cleaning inside the hollow aspirator shaft. The hole is in axial alignment with the hollow aspirator shaft and a selectively-removable plug is used to seal the hole during aspirator use. When the aspirator tip is rotated in a liquid, fluidic forces are transferred to the shaft where they are attenuated. A splined hub is used to attach a foam restrictor near the other end of the shaft. The composite shaft material has a flexural modulus, or ratio, within the elastic limit of any applied stress.

Abstract: A particle blast apparatus includes a hopper assembly, which is mechanically isolated from the rest of the particle blast system. Energy is imparted to the hopper by an impulse assembly, which preferably is mounted directly to the hopper. The hopper is mounted to the apparatus on a slide assembly, which allows the hopper to be moved to a second position at which particles may be discharged from the hopper exit away from the particle feeder.

Abstract: A water treatment plant for water purification or the removal of organic matter, suspended solids and other pollutants from water or wastewater is formed from multiple sections of polymer that are assembled to form a pre-treatment chamber, a treatment chamber and a settling chamber. The plant is preferably formed of a polymer, such as HMWPE. The treatment chamber is preferably a biofilm-aeration chamber. An outer tank is comprised of first and second upper sections and first and second lower sections secured by mating flanges. A divider baffle forms an inner wall separating the pre-treatment and treatment chambers. A hanging clarifier baffle is formed to be suspended from the outer tank between the treatment chamber and the settling chamber and includes a lower wall with specific angled portions near an angled wall of a lower section of the tank.

Abstract: A particle blast system includes a feeder assembly having a rotor with a plurality of pockets formed in the peripheral surface. The transport gas flowpath includes the pockets, such that substantially all transport gas flows through the pockets. The seal adjacent the peripheral surface is actuated by the transport gas pressure to urge its sealing surface against the rotor's peripheral surface. At start up, there is no substantial pressure between the seal and the rotor, reducing start up torque requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed which allow a stream to be divided so that a portion continues to provide forward or reverse thrust while a portion is diverted to provide lateral thrust. The apparatus has a frame and a side diverter connected thereto. The side diverter is movable into and out of the path of a water stream from a jet propulsion unit to divert at least a portion of the water stream to provide lateral thrust. The apparatus preferably has two side diverters that may or may not be independently operable. The apparatus also preferably has one or more reverse diverters connected to the frame. The frame is preferably pivoted about two axes to move the side diverters into and out of the path of the water stream, and the reverse diverter preferably pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to these axes.

Abstract: A blast nozzle formed of a non-conductive material includes electrically conductive paths embedded therein to keep the build up of static electricity below an undesirable level. Stainless steel rods extend the length of the blast nozzle, providing a continuous electrical path.

Abstract: A particle blast apparatus includes a hopper assembly, which is mechanically isolated from the rest of the particle blast system. Energy is imparted to the hopper by an impulse assembly, which preferably is mounted directly to the hopper. The hopper is mounted to the apparatus on a slide assembly, which allows the hopper to be moved to a second position at which particles may be discharged from the hopper exit away from the particle feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed which allow a stream to be divided so that a portion continues to provide forward or reverse thrust while a portion is diverted to provide lateral thrust. The apparatus has a frame and a side diverter connected thereto. The side diverter is movable into and out of the path of a water stream from a jet propulsion unit to divert at least a portion of the water stream to provide lateral thrust. The apparatus preferably has two side diverters that may or may not be independently operable. The apparatus also preferably has one or more reverse diverters connected to the frame. The frame is preferably pivoted about two axes to move the side diverters into and out of the path of the water stream, and the reverse diverter preferably pivots about an axis that is perpendicular to these axes.

Abstract: A particle blast system includes a feeder assembly having a rotor with a plurality of pockets formed in the peripheral surface. The transport gas flowpath includes the pockets, such that substantially all transport gas flows through the pockets. The seal adjacent the peripheral surface is actuated by the transport gas pressure to urge its sealing surface against the rotor's peripheral surface. At start up, there is no substantial pressure between the seal and the rotor, reducing start up torque requirements.

Abstract: A particle blast apparatus includes a hopper assembly which is mechanically isolated from the rest of the particle blast system. Energy is imparted to the hopper by an impulse assembly, which preferably is mounted directly to the hopper. The hopper is mounted to the apparatus on a slide assembly which allows the hopper to be moved to a second position at which particles may be discharged from the hopper exit away from the particle feeder.

Abstract: The aspirator is utilized to introduce air, oxygen, or other gases into a liquid. The advantages of the present design include the ability to inject approximately 30% more air than a conventional current design at 50% of the rotational speed. This reduces the power requirements. Additionally, the 45 degree angle of the aspirator tubes helps to shed debris that might otherwise collect on the aspirator. The aspirator design includes a fin along the aspirator tube, which is formed at a 45 degree angle relative to the aspirator shaft. Superior mixing is provided by the larger profile of the aspirator. The fins along the bottom of the aspirator tubes help to create larger voids in the liquid. This increases the aspirator's capacity to inject air, while minimizing the material requirements of the part.