Abstract: A water filtration system is provided by an upflow filter vessel containing a buoyant filter media in series with a downstream downflow filter vessel containing a nonbuoyant filter media. The buoyant media filter vessel and nonbuoyant media filter vessel comprise two compartments of a common tank, separated by a central wall. Water from the upflow filter vessel passes over the top of this wall, or through one or more openings in this wall, to the downflow filter vessel. A common waste trough extends from one end of the tank to the other. Weir plates are fastened to the upper edges of this trough such that the trough steps upwardly in elevation at the central wall. Waste materials from the upflow filter vessel pass over the lower of these weir plates and into the waste trough during cleaning of the buoyant media filter. In contrast, waste materials from the nonbuoyant media filter flow over the upper weir plates and into the trough during cleaning of this latter filter.

Abstract: High rate filtration system includes an upflow filter vessel containing a bed of buoyant media followed by a downflow filter vessel containing a bed of nonbuoyant media. The upflow filter vessel is unobstructed by cross-sectional, media-confining screens. A horizontal trough structure collects filter effluent and makes it possible to clean the bed by diffusing air into the liquid below the bed so that average fluid density in the bed is reduced. The reduction in fluid density results in expansion of the bed as media particles descend by gravity.

Abstract: A high kinetic energy water spraying apparatus wets powdered or granular dry material, particularly hard-to-wet polymers, to provide a lump-free solution of a controlled concentration. A volumetric feeder drops the dry material through a fructoconical upper portion of the apparatus. Water is injected tangentially so that the inner surface of the upper portion is completely wetted to prevent buildup of dry material on the surface.A lower portion of the apparatus comprises a cylindrical column which receives dry material from the upper portion. The inner surface of the column includes a series of spray nozzles positioned to produce downwardly sloped and radially inwardly oriented jets of liquid which impinge falling dry material with high energy. The downward slope of the jets creates a downward air flow so that any dust from the dry material is drawn downwardly into the column.

Abstract: A split flow water treatment plant includes a settling basin comprising a pair of banks of generally horizontally extending settling tubes and an inlet baffle comprising a plurality of parallel vertical perforated sheets upstream of and adjacent to each of the banks. An inclined diverting plate extends from the downstream end of the lowermost tube in the first of the banks to the upper upstream end of the inlet baffle adjacent the second bank. The distribution of flow between the banks may be regulated by an adjustable weir or by water level control.

Abstract: A spray head apparatus having a liquid deflecting back plate which utilizes the Coanda effect to achieve a widely dispersed spray pattern is disclosed. The back plate is vertically movable and is positioned above and biased toward the upwardly facing open end of a vertical flow pipe so that the back plate rises as the pressure of a liquid inside the flow pipe increases.