Abstract: A grit removal unit including a cylindrical grit removal chamber above a grit storage chamber, with an opening to the grit storage chamber through the grit removal chamber bottom. At least one layer plate is an inverted truncated cone around the center axis which is spaced from the grit removal chamber vertical wall to allow fluid flow therebetween. Concentric inverted truncated cone lamella plates are supported in the grit removal chamber above the layered plates, with the lamella plates radially spaced from one another relative to the center axis. An influent opening in the grit removal chamber vertical wall below the layered plates allows fluid and grit into the grit removal chamber, and an effluent opening in the grit removal chamber vertical wall above the lamella plates allows fluid to exit the grit removal chamber.

Abstract: A grit removal unit for a wastewater system including a grit removal chamber with a substantially annular vertical wall. A horizontal annular ring above the chamber bottom extends inwardly from the annular vertical wall, with an influent channel extending into the chamber beneath the ring and an effluent channel above the rim and extending out of the chamber. The influent and effluent channels both have inner side walls with a curved portion, with both curved portions extending through an arc of at least 90 degrees within the chamber annular vertical wall.

Abstract: A grit removal unit for a wastewater system including a grit removal chamber with a substantially annular vertical wall. A horizontal annular ring above the chamber bottom extends inwardly from the annular vertical wall, with an influent channel extending into the chamber beneath the ring and an effluent channel above the rim and extending out of the chamber. The influent and effluent channels both have inner side walls with a curved portion, with both curved portions extending through an arc of at least 90 degrees within the chamber annular vertical wall.

Abstract: A pumping unit and method controlling a variable speed pump to output constant flow rate against varying outlet pressure using a controller with stored data curves of flow rate versus discharge pressure for a plurality of pump speeds for the variable speed pump, including a processor determining appropriate pump speed for the sensed discharge outlet pressure by extrapolating between the stored data curves.

Abstract: A check valve between two pipe segments including a valve body and a valve housing. The valve body includes a valve opening through one face with a valve seat therearound, and a wall extending between the faces defining a part of the circumference of the fluid line between the pipe segment ends with a radial opening in the other part of the fluid line circumference having no wall. The valve housing is removably securable over the radial opening whereby the valve body wall and the valve housing together define a closed circumference of the fluid line between the pipe segments. A valve flapper is secured to the valve housing and pivotally biased relative to the valve housing toward closing against the valve seat, whereby the valve flapper is removable through the valve body radial opening when the valve housing is removed from the valve body.

Abstract: A grit removal unit including an influent channel directing wastewater with grit into a round grit removal chamber and an effluent channel receives wastewater output from the chamber. A divider wall extends upwardly between the sides of the influent channel, and gates at the upstream end of the divider wall are adjustable to selectively open channel portions on opposite sides of the divider wall. An output guide member is mounted to allow selective adjustment of output flow opening width “c” to the effluent channel. The output guide member has a horizontal bottom extending from the chamber into the effluent channel across the width of the output opening, and a guide wall extending upwardly from the guide member bottom. The guide wall has a forward end spaced from the chamber annular vertical wall to define the output flow opening width therebetween.

Abstract: A grit removal unit including an influent channel directing wastewater with grit into a round grit removal chamber and an effluent channel receives wastewater output from the chamber. A divider wall extends upwardly between the sides of the influent channel, and gates at the upstream end of the divider wall are adjustable to selectively open channel portions on opposite sides of the divider wall. An output guide member is mounted to allow selective adjustment of output flow opening width “c” to the effluent channel. The output guide member has a horizontal bottom extending from the chamber into the effluent channel across the width of the output opening, and a guide wall extending upwardly from the guide member bottom. The guide wall has a forward end spaced from the chamber annular vertical wall to define the output flow opening width therebetween.

Abstract: A grit removal apparatus has a central opening between a cylindrical separation chamber above a grit storage chamber. An influent flume introduces a liquid stream directly into a lower portion of the periphery of the separation chamber, and an effluent flume removes a stream through an opening in an upper portion of the separation chamber wall. Outwardly spiraling vanes extend upwardly at the bottom center of the separation chamber, and a vertical cylindrical duct is supported above the vanes. A tunnel is defined in the separation chamber by an upper wall at the bottom of that opening and an inner wall concentric with the separation chamber wall. A ring extends inwardly from the separation chamber wall, with the tunnel upper wall defining a portion of the ring. A propeller inside the duct rotates to draw fluid flow up through the duct toward the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A grit removal unit including an influent channel directing wastewater with grit into a round grit removal chamber and an effluent channel receives wastewater output from the chamber. A divider wall extends upwardly between the sides of the influent channel, and gates at the upstream end of the divider wall are adjustable to selectively open channel portions on opposite sides of the divider wall. An output guide member is mounted to allow selective adjustment of output flow opening width “c” to the effluent channel. The output guide member has a horizontal bottom extending from the chamber into the effluent channel across the width of the output opening, and a guide wall extending upwardly from the guide member bottom. The guide wall has a forward end spaced from the chamber annular vertical wall to define the output flow opening width therebetween.

Abstract: An input channel (and method of making an input channel) for the flow of waste water into a grit removal unit. The input channel has a depth D extending from the bottom to the top of the channel. One side wall of the channel is configured to vary the channel width over the depth of the channel, whereby (a) the width at the bottom of the channel is WB, (b) the width at the top of the channel is WT, and (c) the width at channel depth “d” above the bottom of the channel is Wd, wherein (i) 0?d?D, (ii) WB<WT, and (iii) Wd is greater than or equal to the channel widths at substantially every channel depth less than “d”. The channel profile may be integral to the channel, or defined by a separately added component, and selectively be stepped, tapered and/or curved.

Abstract: A system for filtering organic molecules from an electrolyte solution, including a feed inlet line adapted to carry a solution with organic molecules, a filter vessel secured to the inlet line, and a pump adapted to introduce dissolved air into the solution in the feed inlet line. The filter vessel is a solvent extraction filter having coalescing media above a solution outlet at the bottom of the vessel and an organic vent outlet at the top of the vessel. The system operates by (a) dissolving air into the solution, (b) inputting the solution with dissolved air into the filter vessel, (c) outletting solution from the bottom vessel outlet to flow solution down through coalescing media, and (d) periodically venting floating organic molecules from the top of the vessel.

Abstract: A system for filtering organic molecules from an electrolyte solution, including a feed inlet line adapted to carry a solution with organic molecules, a filter vessel secured to the inlet line, and a pump adapted to introduce dissolved air into the solution in the feed inlet line. The filter vessel is a solvent extraction filter having coalescing media above a solution outlet at the bottom of the vessel and an organic vent outlet at the top of the vessel. The system operates by (a) dissolving air into the solution, (b) inputting the solution with dissolved air into the filter vessel, (c) outletting solution from the bottom vessel outlet to flow solution down through coalescing media, and (d) periodically venting floating organic molecules from the top of the vessel.

Abstract: A grit removal unit for a waste water system, including a round grit removal chamber with an input for waste water and an output, a grit storage chamber beneath the grit removal chamber, and an opening between the grit storage chamber and the grit removal chamber. A vertical drive shaft extends through the grit removal chamber into the grit storage chamber, and is rotatable to facilitate waste water flow in the grit removal chamber whereby grit in the waste water is directed toward the opening. A grit size restrictor includes a shear secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith (the shear including a plate extending radially from the drive shaft above the opening), a first set of bars extending across the opening, and a second set of bars secured to the bottom of the shear plate with the second set of bars positioned adjacent the first set of bars.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing gas into a large body of liquid, including a horizontal frame on ballast adjustable floats, a pressurized gas source, a vertical shaft rotatable about its axis, and a plurality of blades submerged in the liquid and extending radially from a hub on the lower end of the shaft. The blades each have an elastomeric membrane around a longitudinal member, where the longitudinal member is hollow with a closed end and in communication with the pressurized gas source through the shaft on the other end, with openings through its lower side, and the elastomeric membrane has perforations which are spaced from the longitudinal member openings. A drive on the platform rotates the shaft via a ring gear around the shaft with a key connection thereto allowing axial movement therethrough, and an inwardly facing surface supported on bearings. A selectively driven and smaller pinion gear directly engages the ring gear.

Abstract: A pumping system including a fluid inlet line and a primary pump for the fluid. The primary pump includes an impeller in an impeller chamber, with the impeller chamber adapted to receive fluid from the inlet line. A suction chamber is above the impeller chamber, with a throttle opening between the impeller chamber and the suction chamber. A priming pump is adapted to draw fluid through the throttle opening into the suction chamber. A fluid path is provided around the impeller chamber and between the inlet line and the suction chamber, with the fluid path having a larger area than the throttle opening and including a float restrictor.

Abstract: An assist mechanism for assisting in the pivotal movement of an enclosure member between closed, intermediate, and open positions. A first biasing member has a swing arm pivotally connected to a strut and extends between a base plate and enclosure member, and a second biasing member has a link pivotally connected to a limited tension spring and also extends between the base plate and enclosure member, whereby each impart a substantially biasing force substantially on only one side of the intermediate position, with the first biasing member biasing the enclosure member away from the closed position, and a second biasing member biasing the enclosure member away from the open position.

Abstract: A position detector for a check valve, including a bracket with a support arm, adjustable securing members adapted to rigidly secure the bracket to a check valve arm, a tilt switch, a connector, a circuit status indicator, a wire connector for both the tilt switch and the circuit status indicator, and a first plug. The connector adjustably connects the tilt switch to the bracket support arm in a selected one of a plurality of secure positions pivoted around an axis fixed to the bracket support arm, the axis being oriented generally horizontally when the securing members secure the bracket to the check valve arm. The first plug is selectively securable to the wire connector whereby a first circuit with the tilt switch and the circuit status indicator is formed when the tilt switch is in a selected position.

Abstract: An gas diffusion device for introducing gas into a large body of liquid having at least one diffuser blade that engages over a mounting tube having a spar affixed to its exterior. A passage in the diffuser blade is dimensioned to cooperatively engage over the spar and mounting tube which holds the diffuser blade top surface at a determined angle once so engaged thereover. Changing the position of the spar on the exterior of the mounting tube in relation to the center axis of the mounting tube changes the resulting angle of the diffuser blade top surface. The diffuser blade can be attached to a hub mounted on a mainshaft that automatically cantilevers out of the fluid should compressed gas supplied to the diffuser blade through the mainshaft cease to avoid damage to the diffuser blade and diffuser pad on the blade from particulate in the liquid.

Abstract: A lift assist mechanism for lifting a large enclosure that is pivotally attached to a body member, between a closed position, an intermediate position, and an open position. The lift assist mechanism includes a swing arm member and an expansible strut member. The swing arm member is pivotally attached to the body member at a first end and to a first end of the strut member at its second end. The second end of strut member is pivotally attached to the enclosure member. The pivot point between the swing arm member and the strut member pushes against a base plate associated with the body member when the enclosure member is in its closed and intermediate positions.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring a level of settled particles in a fluid-containing vessel includes the steps of fluidizing particles from a position below the settled level of particles, and measuring a static pressure of liquid within the vessel at a position in the vessel below the settled level of particles. The fluidized static pressure is correlated to a level of settled particles within the vessel using an experimentally determined relationship. The apparatus includes an inlet pipe into the vessel at a position below the settled level of particles, and a pump which recirculates liquid from the vessel above the submerged level of particles, remote from the settled level of particles, and a static pressure instrument connected to the inlet pipe. A solids pump can be activated to remove settled particles from the vessel, the operation of the pump being controlled by the measured level of settled particles.