Abstract: A motor-driven propeller is disposed within a draft tube beneath a buoyant float and is adapted to pump water upwardly through the draft tube. In one mode of operation, the pumping device functions as an aerator in that the water pumped upwardly through the draft tube flows upwardly through an opening in the float and is deflected across the upper side of the float and into the atmosphere by a diffuser plate spaced above the opening. The pumping device can be converted into a flow developer by positioning the diffuser plate beneath the opening in the float and, when the plate is so positioned, water pumped upwardly through the draft tube strikes the plate and is deflected outwardly beneath the lower side of the float.

Abstract: The separating apparatus includes a cartridge-type separator disposed in a tank and having a series of vertically extending and horizontally spaced baffles which cause still channels to exist downstream of the baffles. Rows of vertically spaced vanes are located in the spaces between the baffles with the vanes in alternate rows being inclined downwardly in opposite directions. Water flowing to the separator is deflected to the vanes by the baffles and, as the water flows between the vanes, flotable and settleable substances in the water contact the vanes and are directed into the still channels so as to either float or sink from the separator. Every other still channel serves exclusively as an escape duct for flotable substances while the intervening still channels serve exclusively as escape ducts for settleable substances.