Abstract: An improved rack for storage and transportation of water cooler bottles is disclosed. The improved rack comprises a plurality of vertical supports at the front and rear of the rack. A plurality of horizontal support bars extend between the front and rear vertical supports. A curved support surface extends between horizontal support bars which are preferably arranged in pairs. The curved support surface may be defined by a cradle, or insert which can be removably attached to a pair of horizontal support bars. The curved support surface will engage an underside of a water cooler bottle placed thereon and will provide ample support thereto to prevent damage to the water cooler bottle during transport.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, separating contaminants from a base liquid and whereby the contaminated base liquid is passed through a pretreatment vessel before being passed to a conventional separator. In one embodiment, the pretreatment vessel is of generally cylindrical form arranged with its axis substantially vertical. Base liquid to be decontaminated is supplied into the mid-height regions of the vessel through a tangential device to cause circulating flows within the vessel. The vessel includes an outlet in its top region for the release of light contaminants, an outlet in its lower region for the release of heavy contaminants and an outlet duct in its mid-region, spaced from the inlet, for releasing partially contaminated liquid from the vessel for release into a conventional separator.

Abstract: A separator for separating contaminants from a base liquid. The separator includes a roof arrangement, part of which extends downwardly and radially inwardly into the liquid in the separator. The roof arrangement is generally in inverted conical form. The decontaminated liquid flows from the separator through a flow modifying member which dampens any circulating flows in the liquid, and flows upwardly out of the separator to a reservoir defined by the inverted conical roof arrangement. The arrangement also includes structure for releasing gases from the volumes beneath the roof arrangement, thereby maintaining the whole of the roof arrangement in contact with the liquid to assist in reducing circulating flow in the liquid on the upper regions of the separator vessel.

Abstract: A water purification and dispensing apparatus comprises a water inlet for obtaining water from a supply source, a water purification system for removing impurities from the source water, a mineral addition system for adding desired minerals into the purified water, the system being sealed against airborne contaminants; and a dispensing system for dispensing the mineralized, purified water into containers. The purification, mineral addition and dispensing systems are contained in a single apparatus that can be transported to a location and connected to a water supply source. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also comprises a container washing station for washing containers prior to the containers being filled with purified water.

Abstract: The treatment of water to remove gas vacuolate cyanobacteria is effected by subjecting the water to a predetermined pressure by being pumped down a centrally located pipe in a bore-hole, which is steel lined. This causes the gas vesicles in the cyanobacteria to collapse. The treated water is then stored in a settling tank where the cyanobacteria sink to the bottom and can be removed along with any other sediment in the water. The method can be applied to decrease the amount of cyanobacteria with gas vesicles in a lake or other water impoundment. (FIG.

Abstract: A method and system for removing toxic substances such as selenium from industrial and agricultural drain water, and particularly refinery effluent liquor, achieves very high removal of the toxic substance economically, by a chemical reduction process. Preferably, the effluent liquor is first filtered, which ordinarily is effective to remove selenium suspended in the liquor. Next the liquor is heated, preferably to about 150.degree. F., and a reducing agent such as finely powdered iron is added to bring, for example, the selenium down from a +6 valence to +4 and lower valences. Sulfur is added to the slurry to greatly improve the effectiveness of the iron in reducing the liquor. The slurry is constantly agitated. After a reaction time which may be about 15 minutes, an oxidizing agent is added, with the temperature of the slurry then raised to at least about 180.degree., with continued agitation.

Abstract: A method and system for removing toxic substances such as selenium and molybdenum from agricultural irrigation water achieves nearly 100% removal of the toxic substance economically, by a chemical reduction process. The process is particulary efficacious for removing naturally occurring selenium and molybdenum from irrigation water which has seeped through the ground and taken compounds of these metals into solution. Preferably, the drain tile water solution is first concentrated, to about 30% dissolved solids. This may be economically accomplished by on site evaporation in an open pond which is impermeable to seepage. Next the concentrated brine solution is heated, preferably to about 150.degree. F., and a reducing agent such as finely powdered iron is added to bring, for example, the selenium down from a +6 valence to +4 and lower valences. Wettable sulfur is added to the slurry to greatly improve the effectiveness of the iron in reducing the solution. The slurry is constantly agitated.

Abstract: A probe rod is inserted into a water main through a corporation cock. The rod has a plurality of transverse passages parallel to one another and aligned in the direction of flow. Within these transverse passages, in flush relationship to the passage walls, are inserted removable sampling rings. All but one of the rings are of the same material as the inner wall of the main. The remaining ring, used as a control, is a synthetic resin ring. The flush relationship prevents the formation of turbulent eddies at the ends of the rings. Consequently, microbial growth conditions on the rings themselves reliably simulate conditions on the interior wall of the main.Within a tubular extension on the exterior of the corporation cock an O-ring seal is provided. The length of the extension, and the position of the seal, are such that the probe rod can be partially withdrawn beyond the corporation valve without causing any of the transverse passages to pass through the O-ring.