Abstract: A wash liquid distributor for a rotary drum filter which distributes liquid uniformly across the filter cake and provides very effective washing. The distributor apparatus in its preferred embodiment comprises an elongated hollow pipe, one or more being used in parallel operation, each pipe having a multiplicity of evenly spaced and axially aligned small holes. Each hole imposes a substantial pressure drop on the fluid passing therethrough and creates a uniform distribution of the wash liquid along the distributor pipe. To avoid damage to the filter cake from the jets of liquid produced, a diffusion channel is provided which damps the kinetic energy of the jets and subdivides the liquid entering the channel. Upon leaving the diffusion channel the liquid is collected and redistributed from drip points spaced at intervals which are generally narrower than those of the holes in the distributor pipe.

Abstract: A process for the collection of lighter than water pollutant spills to a small boat contained emergency collection sump is disclosed. A floating sump is disposed onto the surface of the water near a spill for the collection of pollutants at a surface disposed lip on the sump. A floating and flexible boom, dead ended to one side of the sump lip, is disposed from the sump to surround the spill. The boom is threaded through vertical take up rollers and then dead ended to the side of the small boat used for the control of the spill. Upon collection of the floating boom at the vertical take up rollers, collection and confinement of pollutants to two confined areas occurs. With regard to the spill as initially surrounded, the boom, when collected, defines a first decreasing area forcing the collection of the surface disposed pollutants to the sump lip.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating a clogged condition of a fluid filter or the like. The apparatus includes an electrical switch structure and a pressure-responsive element carried within the chamber to be responsive to the fluid pressure differential existing across the filter. The switch includes a threaded screw element adapted to adjustably engage the fluid pressure-responsive element in the chamber which may comprise a snap action element providing a positive instantaneous indication of the pressure across the filter reaching the preselected elevated value indicative of undesirable clogging of the filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fractionation of centrifuged density gradients have been developed. The apparatus consists of a gradient holder composed of a transparent and an opaque section which contains an opening allowing a centrifuged tube containing a density gradient having individual bands to be inserted into the holder. A displaceable piston which is suspended above the holder and is connected to an actuator may be raised or lowered into the density gradient. A standard illuminating device is placed under the gradient holder so that the exact position of each individual band can be determined. Once the precise location is determined, the displaceable piston is lowered into the gradient and by operating the actuator, the desired band of gradient can be extracted. Additionally, this method may be utilized in a continuous fractionation of the entire gradient.

Abstract: A gravitational separator for separating solids from liquefied natural gas having a closed tank having a conical lower portion angled at least 60.degree. from the horizontal and terminating at the bottom in an apex opening in communication with a valve means for removing settled solids from the tank, a vertically positioned cylindrical shell, defining a stilling chamber, located at least partially below a predetermined level of liquified gas, a conical shell vapor disengaging means located above the stilling chamber, conduit means for feeding a gas or liquefied gas containing impurities terminating in the stilling chamber below the level of a liquefied gas in the tank, means for withdrawing a gas or vapor from the tank.

Abstract: The following invention discloses improvements in thickening devices used in the art of separating solid particles from liquids in a slurry of such particles and liquid having the method steps of causing an imperfectly filtered filtrate to flow by gravity to one outlet and a more perfectly filtered filtrate to flow by gravity toward another outlet.

Abstract: Blood serum is separated from other components of whole blood by inserting a barrier device having a specific gravity between that of the blood serum and the other blood components into a centrifuge containing a sample of whole blood, and centrifuging until the barrier device migrates to a position intermediate the blood serum and the other blood components. The preferred form of the barrier device is a truncated cone having stabilizer posts extending from the conical base parallel to the axis of the cone in the direction of truncation.

Abstract: Liquid treating apparatus, for instance, a degasser for contaminated drilling mud returned from a well, comprising a treating chamber in which liquid to be treated is subjected to a suction source. A centrifugal impeller is rotatably mounted immediately adjacent the suction source communication with the chamber for repelling liquid droplets tending to enter the suction source, while admitting gaseous matter into the suction source.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive liquid is dried and purified, by the degassing of sorbed gases, by means of a permeable electric heater, through which the liquid is passed, the liquid flowing first through a permeable liner presenting a flow impedance such that the degassing of the water vapour and gaseous impurities becomes significant only after the liquid has entered the body of the heater element.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing continuous pressure filter separation are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chamber with a pair of perforated cylindrical sleeves having filter media and precoat material disposed therebetween. A rotatable wiper blade assembly mounted on a first hollow shaft is longitudinally disposed within the central portion of the chamber. Filtered solid materials are removed through one or more slots in the first hollow shaft which intermittently align with prealigned slots in a pair of concentric hollow shafts mounted within the first hollow shaft.

Abstract: A housing for a bilge pump-filter has a lower part in which oil and like light pollutants are separated from the polluted water. A pump has its intake connected to the lower region of this lower part and its output connected to an upper compartment of a compensation chamber in the upper housing part which is subdivided by a filter into this upper compartment and a lower compartment. A funnel under the filter conducts liquid coming down through the filter by gravity to the lower region of the lower compartment and a drain at the upper region of this lower compartment off the filter water. A level detector in the lower separation chamber operates the pump only when liquid level in this separation chamber is above a predetermined minimum level.

Abstract: A hemispherical, transparent cover is provided in which a bellows having substantially the same hemispherical configuration is provided. A liquid having a different color than that of the bellows is filled between said transparent cover and the bellows whereby a difference in color may be perceptible from the outside of the transparent cover, depending on the pressure differential between the inlet side and outlet side of a strainer caused by clogging of its filter.

Abstract: A shaped sieve body that is made of a perforated metal foil, which is formed to a shaped body. Said body comprises at least one foil element provided along its connecting edges with anchoring means that are embedded in plastics. The foil element has a form allowing to spread said foil element in a plane.

Abstract: An impregnated porous disc made of an inert material with voids adapted for insertion into a collection tube containing clotted blood which disc upon centrifugation of the tube will allow separation of fibrin and cellular material from the serum by centrifugal force during its controlled descent through the serum and will stop when it hits the serum-clot interface to isolate the serum from the clot.