Abstract: A separator of multi-phase combinations of oil (low density) liquid phase, water phase, and solid sludge (high density) has an inlet low velocity liquid spreader disposed across and near the inside base of a closed separator tank. At least one inclined separator baffle is disposed and sealed completely across the tank interior, inclined from a baffle base terminus adjacent the tank base to a top baffle terminus adjacent the top of the tank and having a narrow oil volume phase collector continuing from the top baffle terminus to the interior tank top. The oil phase outlet of the separator tank connects to the narrow oil volume phase and is disposed adjacent to the top of the collector tank. The oil outlet is substantially elevated above the corresponding water phase outlet disposed on and connecting to the separator tank on the opposed side of the separator baffle. A tank solid sludge outlet provides for removal of the collected sludge from the tank bottom. The separator baffle can be heated as needed.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively removing a layer of light liquid such as oil from a body of water. The apparatus includes a floating hull having two lateral parts and a central part between the lateral parts forming ducts directing a flow of water and light liquid to separator means in the hull. Means are provided on the central part for creating vortices in the water flowing into the ducts which diminish the divergence of the flow at the water surfaces.

Abstract: Treatment of aqueous waste liquors containing diazonium salts with sulfite ions decomposes the diazonium salts without the formation of undesirable tar or foam, yielding a liquor amenable to further treatment with an oxidizing agent, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, to yield an effluent suitable for discharge to the environment.

Abstract: A water treating method is disclosed. Water stored in a container is circulated through an external passageway and subjected to ultraviolet radiation and biological oxidation treatment, whereupon the growth of undesired aquatic chlorophyceae and microorganisms is inhibited and at the same time, organic matter is decomposed and removed, thereby maintaining a low COD level and clarifying water in the container. This method is particularly useful for keeping water in a container clean.

Abstract: A novel filter assembly (10) and filter cartridge (12) therefor for use in an under-gravel filtration system in an aquarium tank (24). The filter assembly (10) includes an airlift tube (14), a filter cartridge (12) removably secured to the upper end of the airlift tube (14), and a tubular member (16) extending through the filter cartridge (12) and into the airlift tube (14). An aerator (18) disposed near the bottom of the airlift tube (14) is connected to the tubular member (16) by air tubing (19, 20). The top and bottom walls (48, 50) of the filter cartridge (12) are apertured (56, 58). When air is forced down the tubular member (16) and out the aerator (18), the rising air bubbles in the airlift tube (14) draw water up the airlift tube (14) and into the filter cartridge (12) through the openings (58) in the bottom wall (50), the water being returned to the aquarium tank (24) through the openings (56) in the top wall (48).

Abstract: A water deflector assembly characterized by an elongated water deflector, and an adaptor block which couples the water deflector to a pre-existing skimmer provided in the sidewall of a swimming pool. The adaptor block allows a standardized deflector to be attached to a number of different skimmer brands. The water deflector includes an elongated central portion and two oppositely deflected end portions, and is designed to minimize eddy currents and maximize the amount of water deflected towards the skimmer for a given deflector length.

Abstract: A coolant filter assembly for use in automotive cooling systems includes a filter cartridge having a perforated cartridge shell open at one end to admit coolant and filled with filter material to cleanse the coolant as it passes therethrough, the filter cartridge being removably mounted in an enlarged portion of the coolant path to the radiator inlet, thereby permitting coolant flow both through and around the filter cartridge. Perforations of the cartridge shell include openings in the end wall and openings in the cylindrical sidewall formed at an acute angle to enhance flow through the filter cartridge. Liners of fine filter material are located adjacent the inside wall of the cartridge shell, coarse fibrous filter material is provided in the central portion and magnetized particles are preferably deployed in the fibrous filter material. A filter cartridge housing is provided in two telescopically joined housing halves with the filter cartridge removably mounted therein.

Abstract: A process for separating a dispersed phase from a continuous phase comprising immersing vertically in the mixed phases an apparatus.

Abstract: By a method and an apparatus for cleaning water in a swimming pool, the water is circulated successively through a plurality of flow chambers divided by partitions. In the front chamber bar-shaped heating bodies are located transverse to the flow direction of the water, and in the succeeding chamber ultraviolet radiation lamps are located transverse to the flow direction, said lamps radiating light at .lambda.>300 nm. In a last chamber ultraviolet radiation lamps are located which radiate light at .lambda.<300 nm. When the water passes through the container, skin squames and the like organisms collect on the heating bodies, whereas the ultraviolet radiation lamps in the chamber ensure such a disinfection that only a quite small amount of fresh water need to be supplied to the swimming pool. The ultraviolet radiation lamps serve to kill the bacteria resistant to chlorine.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting liquid from a suspension includes a horizontally mounted rotatable filter media covered concentrator drum with an inner drum rotatable about a horizontal axis within the concentrator drum and defining a suspension transition chamber therebetween. The drums are mounted in a common frame and are rotated in opposite directions with the suspension being introduced at one end of the transition chamber. Angularly disposed vanes on the outer surface of the inner drum convey the suspension through the transition chamber and turn and lift the suspension to a maximum elevation below the top of the transition chamber with the suspension falling back before reaching the top of the transition chamber. The filter media is cleaned as it moves at an elevation above the suspension.

Abstract: A casing containing a strip of ferromagnetic material has a pair of ceramic magnets at each end thereof associated with one of each pair of magnetics is a ferromagnetic shoe member that provides an angled pole face that bears against the outside of the pipe. These components are contained within the casing by a means of a potting compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for the magnetic treatment of liquid containing suspended solids and colloidal particles and dissolved minerals and calcareous materials comprises an inner cylindrical non-ferous housing adapted to support a plurality of bar magnets therein and an outer cylindrical housing of ferromagnetic material. The inner cylindrical housing is spaced concentrically relative to the outer cylindrical housing by cruciform supports and by a plurality of baffles arranged oppositely and offset from each other. The ends of the inner cylindrical housing are open and supported by the cruciform members and apertures in the housing inward of the ends thereof permit liquid to flow into the space between the cylindrical outer and inner housings. The baffles also serve to cause turbulence and spiral flow motion of liquid between the inner and outer cylindrical housings. The spiral flow motion is imparted to the liquid by staggering the baffles 90.degree. until they complete a 360.degree. turn about the core.

Abstract: A lamellar separator includes a lamellar pack which is formed from vertically oriented first plates (1) having a first corrugation in the vertical plane, where the lamellae (10,11) of said plate inclined to the vertical plane form vertical boundaries for substantially horizontal flow channels, and vertically oriented second plates (2) corrugated in the horizontal plane, arranged on either side of each first plate and in contact therewith. The flow channels are defined horizontally by the corrugation peaks of the second plates, and the vertical rise and fall channels for separate pollutants are defined by the second plates (2) and the corrugation peaks (22) of the first plates. The corrugations (1,2) of the first plates are preferably triangular. The first plates (1) and the second plates (2) are preferably put together such that the corrugation peaks (12) of the first plate lie behind the corrugation peaks (22) of the second plate (2).

Abstract: Earth and sand containing bitumen, tar, and/or oil is broken down to particle sizes that can be suspended in water as a carrier for the particles, so that the suspension can be pumped upwardly through an inclined duct or separator where the suspended particles are subjected to horizontal ultrasonic vibrations of between about 18 and 27 kiloHertz for a period between about 5 and 10 minutes. These vibrations completely separate the hydrocarbons from the earth and sand, and entrap gases in the heavier-than-water hydrocarbons so that all the hydrocarbons float to the top of the duct or ultrasonic separator to form a layer which can easily be withdrawn. The cleaned earth and solid particles settle behind a baffled and perforated partition along and above the lower side of the duct or unit, from which lower side these cleaned particles can be removed.

Abstract: A water intake for example for taking cooling water for industrial installations from a river, a lake or the sea, has a sieve with a filter element and a recovery channel associated with the filter element for collecting and saving elements of the biomass which become stuck to the filter element. Electrodes are associated with the recovery channel 25 and are designed to induce an electrical field, at right angles to the recovery channel in the water to be tapped, so as to compel fish either to swim by themselves in the direction of this recovery channel or to allow themselves to be carried towards the recovery channel by a reverse water current induced at right angles thereto.