Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and equipment for carrying out the degradation of various organic products or waste in an anaerobic medium. The equipment comprises a plurality of ducts for reinjecting biogas into a fermentation vat sidewise spaced from each other and disposed at least in the major part of the vat, the duct being fed with biogas individually or in groups through independent valves so as to subdivide the fermentation vat into sectors independently fed with biogas. Preferably, a container is provided for storing biogas under pressure. These features lead to a simplification of the equipment and a decrease in the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An in-well separator and recovery device for liquids which are heavier than water. A closed top container in the well circulates liquid through it, drawing liquid into its lower region and deflecting the liquid downward so that the heavier liquid settles to the bottom of the container from where it is pumped to the surface. Water is pumped from the top of the container directly back into the well. The pumps are controlled by sensing the water to pollution interface in the container and shutting down each pump before it pumps the inappropriate liquid.

Abstract: A primary separation vessel is separated into a plurality of chambers having fluid communication therethrough; in each of the chambers there is further included a downwardly depending eductor system having a coaxial bore wherein fluid induces air into the eductor system where the educted air in the fluid being projected downward into the flow of fluid and the bubbles rising along the curved wall of the tank and carrying contaminants through a centrally located collection trough, which through gravity the contaminants collect in the trough and move to a circulation collected in the trough. The contaminants then move via gravity to a separation zone within the vessel, wherein the oil that is collected is allowed to spill over in an oil collection zone for recovery, and the level of the water is monitored to draw off any water collected within the zone.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed reactor for the pyrolytic treatment of wastes containing hydrocarbons and a high content of polymeric organic substances includes a circumferential wall having an inner surface and an interior with a conical lower section and an expanded cylindrical upper section. Fluidizing-gas feed pipes have ends with lower circumferential sections protruding directly from the inner surface of the circumferential wall into the conical lower section. Covering walls covering the ends of the fluidizing-gas feed pipes and extend obliquely downwardly and inwardly. Blow orifices are each disposed at a respective one of the lower circumferential sections and have an obliquely downward and inward blow direction for blowing fluidizing-gas into a fluidized-bed material in the interior. Heating pipes for heating with heating gas dip vertically from above through the expanded cylindrical upper section of the interior. The heating pipes have connections for heating gas, combustion air and exhaust gas.

Abstract: To increase the efficiency of the gas transfer in an element for the transfer of gas into liquids, in particular, for the transfer of oxygen in sewage treatment plants, with a porous gas transfer member into which gas is introduced via a feeder line and after passage through a porous gas transfer member is given off in the form of gas bubbles into the liquid surrounding the gas transfer member, it is proposed that the gas transfer member be in the form of a circular-cylindrical pipe consisting of porous material which is closed at both end faces by an end section made of porous material, and that the pipe be horizontally and sealingly positioned on a gas feeder line which opens into the pipe on the lower side of the pipe halfway between the two end faces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for the biological treatment of an aqueous, waste-containing liquid by the removal of organic matter by microorganisms wherein a carrier material for said microorganisms is added to said liquid and wherein said carrier material comprises a filler-containing, hydrophilic, open-celled polymer in the form of separate individual particles, the improvement wherein said polymer particles, when saturated with water and charged with at least 70 volume-% of biomass formed in the course of the process, have an average density of slightly below the density of said liquid and thereby are suspended in the upper two-thirds of said liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an intermittent aeration type biological treatment process and system, wherein waste water is caused to flow into an aeration tank, and aeration is repeatedly stopped and started in the aeration tank to treat the waste water. Concentration values of dissolved oxygen during aeration of the waste water in the aeration tank are continuously measured by a dissolved oxygen concentration measuring device provided in the aeration tank. Deficient values of dissolved oxygen and dissolved oxygen variation values at predetermined time intervals are calculated from the values thus measured. The deficient values and variation values are integrated and processed by an oxygen requirement value calculating-integrating operation unit to calculate an oxygen requirement value for the activated sludge in the current aeration step.

Abstract: A sulfur dioxide-containing gas, for example, one obtained by an SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x removing process using ammonia is treated by the use of a reaction apparatus comprising a reducing reaction portion and a composition controlling oxidation reaction portion, provided in the same reactor or reactors adjacent to each other, to convert the composition of the gas into one suitable for the Claus reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved settling and handling of sludge in a fused salt bath for treating materials is provided. The apparatus includes a tank divided into a work zone and a salt processing zone, with the salt processing zone having a salt recovery section and a salt heating section. A pumping device is provided which together with adjustable gate means, generate a relatively quiescent flow in the work zone allowing sludge to settle, and a relatively turbulent flow in the salt processing zone and especially the salt heating section, to keep the sludge in suspension.

Abstract: A process is disclosed to improve the efficiency of nitrification in activated sludge systems. Supplemental ammonium nitrogen in the form of anhydrous ammonia or an aqueous solution of ammonia is added to the nitrification zone preferably during periods of low flow and low loadings of oxidizable nitrogenous compounds. The ammonium nitrogen addition is controlled by monitoring the ammonium nitrogen concentration of the activated sludge mixed liquor exiting the nitrification zone. The supplemental ammonium nitrogen causes an increase in the population of the nitrifying bacteria which results in an increased capacity for nitrification. The increased efficiency obtained will result in increased reliability of nitrification and lower effluent nitrogen concentrations.

Abstract: A liquid filtering and backwashing apparatus comprising a filter tank having a first outlet valve and a filter cell disposed within the filter tank is disclosed. The filter cell includes a conduit and an outer member with the outer member spaced apart relative the conduit with a filtering medium positioned between the conduit and the outer member. A plurality of openings in the outer member enable fluid communication between the liquid to be filtered in the filter tank and the filtering medium. The conduit is provided with a plurality of slits to enable fluid communication between the filtering medium and interior of the conduit while retaining the filtering medium external the conduit. A backwash holding tank in fluid communication with the conduit collects the filtered liquid. The backwash holding tank includes a second outlet valve for the filtered liquid to drain.

Abstract: An oil spillage recovery arrangement characterized by a chamber or housing having a receptacle which receives a mixture of oil and water from a body of water, a siphoning conduit disposed within the receptacle for separating the oil from the water (where the latter passes outside of the receptacle and into the housing or chamber), and one or more other receptacles for receiving the recovered oil. Provision is made for the selective pumping of the accumulating water from the housing or chamber back into the body of water where the recovery arrangement is maintained, as, for example, a flowing stream. Provision is also made for directing the oil laden water into the recovery arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating waste water by the solids contact aerobic biological treatment process comprises a clarifier and a reaction basin in liquid communication with one another. In one embodiment, the reaction basin has an aerator which also circulates liquid through the clarifier by way of pipes arranged to collect liquid from the surface of the reaction basin and deliver it to a location adjacent a back wall of the clarifier. The clarifier has a bottom wall which slopes towards the reaction basin. Sludge particles in the liquid settle out in the clarifier and liquid discharged from the pipes flushes the settled biological sludge back into the aeration section of the reaction basin. In another embodiment the clarifier and reaction basin together form an oxidation ditch defining a closed loop. An aeration device continuously circulates liquid around the loop and through the clarifier.

Abstract: A separator for separating a mixture of two liquids having different specific weights has a transverse wall between upper and lower exterior casing portions having axial openings at opposite axial ends, the axial opening in the upper casing portion having a larger effective diameter than the axial opening in the lower casing portion. An interior casing is spaced inside the upper casing portion and has an upper end. There are at least two openings through the transverse wall, one opening communicating from inside the lower casing portion to the space between the upper casing portion and the interior casing and the other opening being radially inward thereof for communicating between the interior casing and the lower casing portion. An inlet into the upper end of the interior casing lets the mixture into the interior casing while rotating the transverse wall, casing portions and interior casing.

Abstract: An improved juice drainage system is incorporated into the mash line of juice processing equipment. Fruit or other mash is pumped through a relatively large-diameter, generally horizontal mash pipe. A plurality of relatively smaller-diameter tubes or juice drainage elements are inserted into and intersect the mash pipe in generally perpendicular orientation at selected points along its length. These drainage elements include screens or other openings forming a drainage surface, preferably on the "downstream" side of the elements, so that juice from the mash flowing through the mash pipe passes through the openings and into the drainage element. The size and shape of the openings can be designed to control the juice drainage rate from any particular drainage element. In addition, the drainage elements themselves can be specifically sized, placed, and/or oriented along the mash pipe to impart the desired mixing characteristics to the flowing mash.

Abstract: Dialysate preparation apparatus for mixing dialysate concentrate with water, the apparatus including a main flow line having one end for connection to a source of water and another end for providing dialysate to a dialyzer, a concentrate flow line having one end for connection to a source of dialysate concentrate and another end connected to a junction on the main flow line for adding concentrate to water in the main flow line, a volumetric pump having a fixed discharge volume per stroke on the concentrate line, a concentrate sensor on the main flow line downstream of the junction providing control signals to the pump to pump concentrate to achieve the desired concentration, and a controller including a comparator to compare the stroke rate with a limit indicating desired operating stroke rate range.

Abstract: In a low-pressure testing apparatus for analyzing gas exhausted from cars under a condition in which air pressure is low, an exhaust-gas analyzing device is provided with a dilution tunnel for diluting exhaust gas from cars with air which is under a decompressed condition, the exhaust-gas analyzer is connected to said dilution tunnel at a supply port side thereof and arranged in a low-pressure testing room, and an exhaust intake is open to the air outside of the low-pressure testing room via airtight piping. An influence caused by the fluctuation of pressure within the low-pressure testing room upon the accuracy of anaylsis can be eliminated.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for adjustable mounting on a supported holder includes an elongated stem of cylindrical cross-sectional configuration and blade means attached to one end of the stem, the stem being optionally provided with a plurality of spaced circumferential first means for selective engagement by adjustable complemental second means for restraining longitudinal movement of the stem in one direction, and optionally including an inner section hingedly connected to an outer section, providing a handle for pulling or rotating the retractor.A holder for a surgical retractor and frame support for the holder assume a nonrotating relation where the frame support has a section of substantially cylindrical cross-sectional configuration and has a longitudinally extending indentation, a portion of the frame support is encompassed by a section of the holder, and the holder section has protruding means for engaging the indentation of the frame support section.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating centrifugal forces, including a plate rotatable about an axis, and at least one holding means mounted on the plate for rotation therewith, the holding means being adapted to receive an article to be subjected to centrifugal force and being rotatable relative to the plate member to permit the direction of centrifugal force acting on the article to be changed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continued incubation of cells in a liquid culture medium. When the pH value of the culture medium deviates during the incubation from a pH range suited for the growth or multiplication of the cells, the culture medium is automatically replaced. Whether or not the pH value of the culture medium has deviated from the acceptable pH range is determined by measuring the intensity of light absorbed by the culture medium.