Abstract: A filter media system, which is capable of operating in the microfiltration regime, offers: low cost, durability, high temperature and chemical resistance, no particulation, mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and biocompatibility. A filter media system is comprised of a carbon or ceramic composite substrate which contains a carbon or ceramic matrix reinforced with carbon or ceramic fibers. The composite has an array of carbon or ceramic fiber whiskers grown onto its surface or in its bulk. A process is provided for manufacturing the filter media system wherein a carbon fiber is disposed in a matrix deposited by a CVI or LPI process, at temperatures of about 900 to about 1200° C. to achieve a weight gain of about 10 to 200% (the ceramic matrix is deposited by a CVI process from an aqueous slurry or by use of a preceramic polymer). This composite is treated with an aqueous solution of metal catalyst salt and is then heated in hydrogen at elevated temperatures to reduce the metal salt to metal.

Abstract: An improved blade design and method for enhancing the efficiency of operation of a centrifuge is disclosed based on measuring a varying value of the load on the centrifuge as the flow of contaminated fluid is injected into the centrifuge. The centrifuge has a plurality of blades with radially overlapping edges to keep the fluid being centrifuged compartmentalized and thus quiet for maximum efficiency. Additionally, the scraping blade assembly has blades which are angled in the scraping direction to force the solids towards the exit of the centrifuge, whether that be at the bottom or the top. A programmable logic controller monitors the load on the drive motor and compares a baseline value of load after accelerating the rotor to speed to the value of load while the contaminated fluid is injected into the rotor.

Abstract: A fusion-welded thermoplastic assembly and a method of fabricating the same includes first and second thermoplastic members fusion-welded together using a third thermoplastic fusion element. The first and second thermoplastic members and the thermoplastic fusion element are heated to a molten state using an infrared heater, and the molten fusion element is fused to each of the first and second thermoplastic elements. Prior to being connected by the fusion element, the first and second thermoplastic members are either brought into contact with one another or is held in such a way that they can be connected to each other using the third thermoplastic fusion element.

Abstract: A screening system includes a pressure screen which receives a liquid/solid suspension and filters the suspension to provide an accept portion and a reject portion. The pressure screen includes a housing which encloses a chamber containing a screen basket through which a portion of the liquid/solid suspension passes from a first side of the basket to a second side to form the accepts. A pressure sensor monitors the pressure differential between the first side and the second side and provides a sensed differential pressure signal indicative thereof. The system also senses the accept flow rate and provides a signal indicative thereof to a controller. The controller sets a differential pressure threshold value as a function of the accept flow rate signal and monitors the sensed differential pressure signal. If the sensed differential pressure signal exceeds the threshold value, the controller automatically initiates corrective action in order to reduce the differential pressure across the screen.

Abstract: A device for kneading doughs and pastes consisting of a type of flour, a liquid such as water and other appropriate additives, which device consists substantially of a horizontal lying elongated trough provided with a curved bottom having standing side walls connecting thereto, and a rotatably driven mixing and kneading gear operating in the trough, wherein the mixing and kneading gear consists of at least two tubes or rods which are driven around the center line of the trough bottom and received in rotatable supports on either end of the trough, wherein the diameters of the rotating tubes or rods are practically identical and the circumscribed circle lies a short distance from the trough bottom, such that many types of dough mass can be made and the mixing and kneading gear is easy to clean.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a fluid filter element which has a hollow perforate cylindrical supporting core. A relatively fine filter media of substantial cross section is spirally wound about the supporting core with adjacent layers spaced from each other and with the fine filter media accommodating fluid flow for filtering in both a radial and circumferential direction through the cross section and with free access through the cross section to the supporting core. In substantially the same manner, a relatively coarse filter media of substantial cross section is disposed in the space between the layers of fine filter media and with the coarse filter media exiting at the supporting core, the coarse filter media accommodating fluid flow for filtering in both a radial and circumferential direction through the cross section and with free access through the cross section to the supporting core.

Abstract: A bathtub spout water filter for use with a bathtub spout having a spout body with an open rear, and an open front for water egress with a female threaded fitting located behind the open front. The bathtub spout water filter has a frustum-shaped filter body with enclosing sidewalls, a rearwardly extending male threaded end for water ingress adapted to screw into a bathtub spout water supply line, and a frontwardly extending male threaded end for water egress and adapted to screw into the female threaded fitting in the bathtub spout. Filter material is contained within the enclosed filter body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of stabilizing soil and controlling dust from soil. The invention also relates to disposing of unwanted waste waters produced in purifying water. The method of the present invention includes applying waste water containing 0.15% by weight of the salts of NaCl, CaCl.sub.2, MgCl.sub.2 and mixtures thereof to soil to control dust and effect soil stabilization.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of improving mixing of a plural component putty-like material is disclosed. The invention includes an applicator having a plurality of first component channels for flowing a first, highly viscous component, and a central channel communicating with a plurality of transverse channels for flowing a second, lower viscous component into conjoined flow paths with the first component.

Abstract: A system of purifying water to remove at least one of natural organic matter, color, turbidity, bacteria, cysts and oocysts, viruses, arsenic compounds and insoluble impurities. The system comprises the steps of providing a body of water to be purified; controlling the pH of the body in a range of 5 to 8; and adding a coagulant to the body to provide a floc. The floc is maintained in the body in a concentration in the range of 1 to 6, for purposes of adsorbing at least one of the natural organic matter, color, turbidity and bacteria to provide treated water. Thereafter, a first portion of the treated water and floc is removed from the body of water. A submerged semi-permeable membrane is provided in the body of water for removing a second portion of the treated water. The membrane has a pore size in the range of 0.02 to 1 .mu.m to provide a permeate comprised of purified water and to provide a retentate containing the floc.

Abstract: A cartridge based water purification and filtration system which permits cartridge changes without drainage at the input and output ports. Interlocking flanges at the manifold and cartridge lock the cartridge to the manifold and raised surfaces at the cartridge operate the inlet valve with a rotational seating of the cartridge. A spring biased inlet valve depends from a supply manifold input port and cooperates with the filter cartridge to prevent forward flow until the cartridge is seated to the manifold. The check valve includes a split stem which prevents chatter with valve operation. A check valve at the output port cooperates with a sealed bayonet fitting that mates to a concentric outlet port at the cartridge to prevent back flow with cartridge removal.

Abstract: A filter head for use in cooperative engagement with an associated liquid filter comprises a block member having a bypass valve assembly, and a back pressure flow valve assembly. The block member defines an inlet port; an inlet channel positioned for fluid communication between the inlet port and the associated liquid filter; a first outlet port; a second outlet port; and an outlet channel positioned for fluid communication between the associated liquid filter and the first and second outlet ports. When in an open orientation, the bypass valve provides fluid communication between the inlet channel and the outlet channel. When in a closed orientation, the bypass valve blocks fluid communication between the inlet channel and the outlet channel. The back pressure flow valve assembly, when in an open orientation, provides fluid communication between the outlet channel and the second outlet port.

Abstract: Device and process for the substance-specific treatment of fluids by means of treatment elements made from porous membranes, arranged in a casing, where the treatment elements have cavities which are closed or open in the direction of the outlet arrangement of the casing and the treatment elements are arranged in the casing such that a continuous channel system is formed around them and which substantially surrounds them. The fluid to be treated flows as the primary stream around the treatment elements along essentially their entire exterior, and part of this primary stream flows as a secondary stream through the porous membrane wall of the treatment elements wherein the substance-specific treatment is performed, collects in the cavities and leaves the treatment elements again in order to be reunited with the primary stream within the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for equalising pressure and flush in a vessel (1) has a chromatographic separation chamber (5), a distribution plate (3) or collection plate located in the vessel, a pressure equalisation chamber (4) defined at least in part by the extremity of the vessel and by a first face of the plate, the separation chamber (5) being defined by a second face of the distribution or collection plate, a first conduit (6) which places a first fluid in communication with the distribution or collection plate, the separation chamber (5) communicating with the equalisation chamber (4) via a flush chamber (10) comprising a first opening (21). A line (9) for supplying a second fluid which is substantially pure or substantially non contaminated is directly connected to the flush chamber at a point such that a portion of the second fluid can circulate towards the pressure equalisation chamber via a further opening (20) and the remaining portion can circulate towards the separation chamber via the first opening (21).

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for coalescing microscopic droplets of organic (principally hydrocarbons) that are present with particles in an aqueous stream (primarily water), which avoids frequent shutdowns for backwashing. The system includes two anthracite beds (56, 58, FIG. 2) and apparatus for connecting the beds in series. Most of the time, the stream flows down (60) through the first bed and up (64) through the second bed, and to a separator, while particles (74) accumulate at the top of the first bed. When the particles begin to seriously block flow through the first bed, the flow is reversed for a period while the particles are transferred from the top of the first bed to the top of the second bed. After several minutes, the flow is reversed again, causing particles at the top of the second bed to flow to the separator for removal.

Abstract: A water saving device for a reverse osmosis water fountain machine is provided in which an aspirating pipe with a solenoid valve is coupled to an intake pipe line at the front end of the reverse osmosis cylinder. Before that joint, another solenoid valve is connected to the intake pipe line. The rear end of the aspirating pipe extends into a reservoir. A solenoid valve is connected to a drain pipe line of the reverse osmosis cylinder, and extends into an input pipe of a reservoir. All of the solenoid valves are controlled by a central processing unit to change the working state of the water purification system. One such operating state is the recycling of the waste water from the reverse osmosis cylinder, thereby reducing the amount of waste water produced.

Abstract: A self-adjusting extraction nozzle for extracting a surface disposed over a base fluid includes a suction tube having at least one slot extending therethrough. A nozzle channel extends outwardly from the at least one slot. The nozzle channel is slidably coupled to the exterior of the suction tube and to a float to support the nozzle channel at a level of the surface fluid.

Abstract: A fuel filter with a pressure regulating valve for fuel circulated from a fuel tank and injected into an internal combustion engine. The fuel filter comprises a filter pot closed by a cover and an annular filter element for radially filtering flow from the outside in. Fuel flows in and out through main flow connections on opposite sides of the filter. There is a recirculation connection to recirculate fuel. There is a pressure regulating valve on one end of the filter housing with the discharge connection. The pressure regulating valve operates against atmospheric pressure and has a spring-loaded diaphragm which acts in conjunction with a closure ram to close the inlet port of a recirculation flow duct which passes through the center of the filter and connects the regulating valve to the return connection. The diaphragm is fastened with the valve seat in a sealed manner to the edge of the pressure regulator housing, which open into the filter port and is formed in the cover of the filter housing.

Abstract: A novel rigid, nonporous shell for use with a spiral wound membrane filtration element that allows a controlled bypass flow between the outside of the element and the inside of an enclosing pressure housing while maintaining structural mechanical properties and tight tolerances on the outside diameter of the element allowing easy installation and removal of the cartridge.