Abstract: A closed water purification and recycle system processes domestic wastewater to produce potable water for cooking, drinking and dishwashing and water suitable for general household use, such as washing clothes and personal hygiene. The system consists of septic tanks, a biological sand filter, an ultrafilter, a disinfection unit, pumps, valves, water quality and quantity sensors to monitor and control the process. The system also includes an incinerator toilet to eliminate the need for toilet flush water. Water for cooking, drinking and dishwashing is produced by a still using some of the recycled water for feed. The quality of the recycled water is monitored to assure the product water is suitable for the intended uses. Water thus produced is stored until reused. The system will be automatically shut down if the final product water quality does not meet specifications.

Abstract: A device suitable for seeding bacterial cultures to waste flowing through or which has accumulated in a collection system which comprises a porous outer covering member which forms an enclosed package with a source of bacterial cultures contained within said package, said cultures suitable for seeding a collection system as a waste stream flows through the porous covering member of said enclosed package causing the bacteria to be released into said waste stream.

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis and other diseases are diagnosed by first coating a plasm protein-adsorbing surface with a patient's blood plasm protein in an electrolyte fluid, and measuring the streaming potential of the protein-coated surface. Next, a challenge material such as a fatty acid having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms is added to the protein in electrolyte fluid mixture to alter the electro-kinetic potential of the adsorbed blood plasm protein layer. The streaming potential of the altered layer then is measured. The streaming potential results thus obtained are compared with measurements of the streaming potential characteristic of a surface similarly treated, but using normal blood plasma protein.

Abstract: A method for extracting and removing water-soluble substances from a non-water-soluble fluid containing water-soluble substances by using water or an aqueous solution as the extractant and bringing the non-water-soluble fluid and the water or aqueous solution into contact with each other by means of filters.

Abstract: A clarifier tank for a water and sewage treatment system is provided. A plurality of spaced columns extending along the lengths of the tank include arms extending therefrom to receive rails on which flight members ride. Cables are connected from the ends of the tank to the arms of the columns to maintain the columns stabilized.

Abstract: A clarification device comprises a purifier tank having an opening at its top and an inlet and an outlet for sewage, at least one contact means to which microorganisms for purification are to be attached and which is disposed in the purifier tank at position spaced upwardly from a bottom of the purifier tank, and air-flowing means disposed between the contact means and the bottom of the tank, air-supplying means extending vertically in the purifier tank for supplying air to the air-flowing means. The contact means includes a first assembly disposed at the inlet side so as to be removed out of the tank through the opening, and a second assembly disposed at the outlet side of the first assembly so as to be removed out of the tank through the opening. The clarification device further comprises means for closing the opening of the purifier tank.

Abstract: According to the invention a piezoelectric crystal, e.g. a quartz crystal, coated with a metal or another suitable material is exposed to the action of a corrosive liquid, preferably by being immersed therein. The mass change on the crystal surface, caused by the corrosion, and the resulting change in the natural oscillation frequency of the crystal is determined and constitutes a measure of the corrosivity of the liquid. The natural oscillation frequency of the crystal can in this way also be measured in situ in the liquid, in which way the dynamic course of the corrosion reaction can be followed continuously. According to a special embodiment of the invention the sensitivity during the measurement can be increased, if the crystal is pretreated by being activated with a sulphide solution.

Abstract: The present invention comprises improvements in the design of a control valve for a reverse osmosis water purifier system that prevents the unstable oscillations and waste water leakage exhibited by control valves of the prior art. To eliminate the unstable oscillations caused in prior art valves by back pressure in the pure water delivery line of the purifier system, the present invention incorporates the improvement of an additional hydraulic passage from the squeeze water outlet of the control valve to the back of the control valve's pilot valve diaphragm. The back pressure maintained on the pilot diaphragm by the squeeze water acts as a dampening force preventing the closure of the pilot valve, and hence the adjacent squeeze valve, as a result of back pressure built up in the pure water delivery line during dispensing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixing valve for use in sludge treatment and solidification of sludge ponds. The valve has a main body into which the sludge suspension is pumped. Located within the main body of the valve is a flexible hose through which the sludge treating and solidification agents such as lime, cement, quicklime and sand is delivered pneumatically into the main body of the valve. The turbulence created by the discharge of air and solids into the sludge suspension causes the component to mix thoroughly with one another. Mixing is enhanced by allowing the open end of the flexible hose to be free. Thus, when blowing in the treating and solidification agents, the free end of the hose is allowed to flap within the main body of the valve thereby enhancing turbulence and mixing.

Abstract: A filter without moving parts comprises a filter body adapted to be fitted in the flow direction into a conduit conveying a fluid to be filtered. A filter screen has a frustoconical outer filter wall with at least part of its larger diameter end inside the filter body. A collection space inside the filter body surrounds the filter screen. At least one offtake conduit is connected to this collection space. An inner filter wall of the filter screen extends at least partly into the outer filter wall from its smaller diameter end. A back wall intersects the inner filter wall and a further collection space is delimited by the inner filter wall and this back wall at the end of this inner filter wall farthest removed from the smaller diameter end of the outer filter wall. A further, separate offtake conduit is connected to the further collection space and passes substantially radially through the inner filter wall and the outer filter wall of the filter screen.

Abstract: A filter comprises a screen having a substantially conical inner wall disposed axially at its center. There is a collection space at the larger diameter end of this inner wall. A frustoconical outer wall surrounds the inner wall and has its smaller diameter end connected to the collection space. At least one offtake conduit is connected to the collection space.

Abstract: A link chain or string is produced in an injection molding tool in such a way that a plurality of links threaded onto a string or cable are molded simultaneously, for example in the form of spheres. In order to avoid the transmission of axial forces to the links, which forces might disturb the axial spacings from link to link, the injection molding tool is provided with restrictions which reduce the cross-sectional area of molten material flow channels to a minimum. Preferably, the restricted area is located directly at the respective link. The channels all lead to a common injection molding channel to which the molten material is supplied for thus simultaneously casting or molding of a plurality of links to strings or cables. The restrictions make sure that any forces resulting from shrinkage during the cooling and solidifying cannot shift the balls or links even if the latter are not yet completely solidified internally. Thus, errors in the on-center spacing between adjacent links are avoided.

Abstract: A multizone test device for the determination of analyte from a liquid test medium upon contact with the liquid test medium and a labeled reagent comprising a chemical group having a detectable physical property. The test device preferably comprises multilayers including a reagent layer incorporated with an immobilized reagent and a detection layer incorporated with an immobilized form of a binding substance for the labeled reagent. The immobilized reagent and the labeled reagent comprise specific binding partners which will bind to each other dependent upon the amount of analyte present. Labeled reagent which does not become bound to the immobilized reagent in the reagent layer migrates into the detection layer and becomes bound to and immobilized by the immobilized binding substance therein.

Abstract: A process for reacting substrates with biocatalysts in a two-phase liquid system disposed in a columnar vessel having a top portion with an exit opening and a first filter disposed therein, a bottom portion with an entrance opening and a second filter disposed therein, a feed line connecting the exit and entrance openings, and a pump disposed in the feed line. The process comprises the steps of: stirring the two-phase liquid in the columnar vessel to accelerate sedimentation and minimize accumulation of the biocatalysts in the top portion of the vessel; selectively controlling the temperature of the two-phase liquid within the vessel; drawing, with the pump, a portion of the two-phase liquid through the exit opening and first filter; and passing the drawn-off portion of the two-phase liquid through the feed line and through the entrance opening and second filter into the vessel to enhance miscibility of the individual phases of the two-phase liquid with the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the purity of solid/granular product and dispensing high purity granular product from a vessel. A noncontaminating surface is provided by a cup, cylinder, or other structure having a surface of silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, sialon, or similar materials and preferably operates as an angle of repose valve in a pressurized system to prevent contamination by undue contact of the high purity product with conventional gastight valves such as ball valves, butterfly valves, pinch valves, etc.

Abstract: A multizone test device for the determination of analyte from a liquid test medium upon contact with the liquid test medium and a labeled reagent comprising a chemical group having a detectable chemical property. The test device preferably comprises multilayers including a reagent layer incorporated with an immobilized reagent and a detection layer incorporated with an immobilized form of an interactive detection reagent for the labeled reagent. The immobilized reagent in the reagent layer and the labeled reagent comprise specific binding partners which will bind to each other dependent upon the amount of analyte present. Labeled reagent which does not become bound to the immobilized reagent in the reagent layer migrates into the detection layer and interacts with the immobilized interactive detection reagent therein which results in the localized generation of a detectable reaction product which preferably is also immobilized in the detection zone.

Abstract: A system for measuring cyanides in a sample employs a photoillumination component for producing ultraviolet radiation to dissociate cyanides contained in an alkaline sample. The system includes filtering components interposed between the photoillumination components and an alkaline sample to be tested for passing lower frequency ultraviolet radiation to produce an irradiated sample in which cyanides have been dissociated, while blocking high frequency ultraviolet radiation to inhibit thiocyanate dissociation. Thin-film distillation components are included for separating cyanide from the irradiated sample to produce recovered cyanide for measurement purposes, and measuring components are provide for receiving the recovered cyanide generating a recordable signal indicative of recovered cyanide quantity.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the controlled concentration of oil well brine which is adapted to be situated at a well site where oil well brine is produced and which evaporates water from the brine to cause precipitable salt to precipitate out of solution and to be recovered and to cause the remaining liquid to become concentrated with brine constituents which also are recovered.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adding liquid to, aspirating liquid from, a rack of reaction tubes wherein a rack and carriage-dependent probes are made to move relative each other in the horizontal and vertical planes. The method calls for performing the first half of a wash sequence on tube located at x row, y column, then completing the sequence on tube at (x-1) row, y column, and returning to the tube at x row, (y+1) column to initiate the first half of the sequence. This "backtracking" of probes permits an incubation-soak period without cumulatively extending the total rack processing time.

Abstract: A unique laboratory glassware system is provided which includes glass functional members and an elastomeric coupling member for joining two of the functional members in axial alignment. Each of the functional members has a conduit portion terminating in a male sealing portion. The male sealing portion comprises an annular flange with a front conical surface and a rear locking shoulder. The coupling member includes a central opening having a gasket portion separating two axially aligned bores that include a female sealing portion corresponding in profile to the male sealing portion. The conduit portion of the functional members form a positive engagement with the female sealing portion of the coupling member such that the joined functional members snap into position and are locked against internal pressure that could pull them apart.