Abstract: A liquid purification system using buoyant filter media for removing suspended solids from liquid comprising a vessel having a wastewater inlet and a clarified effluent outlet. Baffles are provided in the vessel to define an upflow region for the wastewaters over a weir into a downflow region for subsequent removal by the effluent outlet. Buoyant media is provided in the upflow and downflow regions where the buoyancy of the media in the upflow region carries some of the buoyant media over into the downflow region until equilibrium is reached. A device may be provided for the continuous removal, washing and return of buoyant media to the system.

Abstract: An improved vacuum-skimmer regulator assembly for a swimming pool skimmer well. The regulator assembly permits a pool to be simultaneously skimmed and vacuumed and prevents leaves and other surfaces debris collected during skimming from interfering with the vacuuming process. The regulator apparatus also compensates for back pressure which may temporarily develop and, in conventional vacuuming apparatus, "blow" the vaccum hose from its connection with the conventional apparatus.

Abstract: A vertically upright, elongated, flotable skimmer blade has an inboard end fitted within the overflow water return port of a swimming pool vertical side wall with the blade outboard end extending away from the pool side and angled upstream relative to the water circulating in the pool and diverted into the port. A suspension wand has one end frictionally coupled to a U-shaped strap fixed to the outboard end of the blade and a second end coupled to a weighted bag which rests on the side of the pool with the wand angled relative to the blades and with the wand upstream of the overflow water return port. This permits the blade to rise and fall with the water, allows floating blade angular orientation relative to the flow of water at the pool surface to be readily changed and permits the debris deflector to be stored easily with the wand folded against the blade during deflector removal and nonuse.

Abstract: An aquarium water treatment module comprising a tubule formed of biologically acceptable thermoplastic material. The tubule has a specific gravity proximate that of water. The tubule can be inserted within a filter device such as an internal aquarium filter or a filter cartridge. The tubule is light in weight so that it can disperse within the filter. The tubule supports the propagation of organisms useful in the biological filtration of the water.

Abstract: A method of preventing the formation of barium sulfate scale deposited by aqueous produced or injection fluids having a pH below 7.5 which are recovered with or are used to recover petroleum from underground formations which comprises treating these aqueous fluids with a low molecular weight polyvinyl sulfonate which has a molecular weight within the range of between 500-10,000.

Abstract: A swimming pool skimmer accelerator characterized as a pool water diverting blade arranged to effectively direct debris to a conventional swimming pool skimmer more positively than any prior approach. The skimmer accelerator herein is both vertically and horizontally adjustable, the former to permit pool usage without a physical obstacle and the latter to receive an optimum amount of debris filled oncoming water. The skimmer accelerator includes a blade which is selectively movable vertically to an optimum in-water depth.

Abstract: A process for treating a fuel oil feedstock that is contaminated with water and a large amount of small particles is provided. Centrifugal separators, mixing tanks and filter presses are used in accordance with a two step separation scheme that permits recovery of a final reject that can be directly disposed of and a treated oil that can be utilized directly as a fuel or that can undergo further treatment is obtained.

Abstract: A portable, universally adaptable water control device for use in conjunction with any conventional aquarium and for incorporation into the recirculation water filtration and aeration system thereof for automatically maintaining a predetermined level of water in an aquarium tank and for continually removing water solely from the top surface of the water contained in the aquarium tank and filtering and aerating the same when in operation; the water control device is adapted to be supported on a wall of the aquarium tank and includes an open-topped overflow receptacle positioned within the aquarium tank, an open-topped pre-filter receptacle positioned externally of the aquarium tank having its interior divided into a water-receiving compartment and a drainage compartment by a vertical partition wall, and a siphon tube for transferring water from the bottom of the overflow receptacle to the bottom of the water-receiving chamber; the siphon tube has both of its ends at the same level which level is below the leve

Abstract: Alkali metal nitrite controls sulfate-reducing bacteria and odors in flue gas desulfurization scrubber sludges.