Abstract: Permanent magnetic separators for liquids to be purified which comprise one or more ferromagnetic catch and discharge bodies for the impurities contained in the liquid, which impurities are removed by means of at least one stripper from the effective adhesive surface, wherein said catch and discharge body or bodies is polarized from the outside, said catch and discharge body or bodies consisting of two bowl-shaped rotary bodies placed opposite each other and separated by an operating gap, and at least one of said catch and discharge bodies is positioned rotatably between two pole shoes placed opposite each other of at least one magnetic yoke. Additional features and particular embodiments include, among others, juxtaposed pairs of the catch and discharge bodies and switching units for effecting shorting of the magnetic lines of force.

Abstract: A trap for grease or other foreign matter dissolved or entrained in a liquid comprises a housing containing a chamber for receiving the liquid to be treated, a turbulence reducing channel for conducting the liquid from the chamber to a settling tank, a cage for trapping trash as the liquid enters the tank, a grease collector at the normal surface level of the liquid in the tank, a trap for collecting sediment at the base of the tank and an outlet for draining decontaminated liquid from the tank. The outlet may be in communication with a liquid seal and means may be provided to syphon the liquid from the settling tank. Means may also be provided to cool the liquid in the housing. The housing is in modular form which is preferably segmental in plan. An assembly of such modules may be constructed with a common outlet in the shape of an all but complete circle or polygon. In this way access may easily be gained to the trap for servicing, maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: A single, integrally formed tank has an upper portion of a rectangular configuration and a lower portion of downwardly decreasing volume and defined by a plurality of exterior walls, at least two of which are inclined downwardly and inwardly toward each other. The interior of the tank is divided into three serially connected compartments by means of interior walls which are inclined in directions substantially parallel to one of the inclined exterior walls. The compartments thus formed are a first, neutralization and coagulation compartment, a second, flocculation compartment, and a third, lamellar decanting and sludge settling compartment. Within the flocculation compartment are arranged a plurality of spaced inclined plates defining upwardly inclined flow passages into which extend deflectors to create eddy currents in the water passing upwardly through the flocculation compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for causing coalescence of particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in a carrier liquid which moves in a continuous flow, by generating in said liquid flow velocity gradients so that particles in adjacent flow layers having a small velocity difference can overtake one another and can, thus, coalesce to larger particles, the velocity gradients being controlled in such a manner that the coalescence is not annihilated by shearing forces between adjacent layers, and the liquid flow rate being controlled in such a manner that separation of the coalesced particles will not take place in the device itself.

Abstract: A filtering device for use in a water or aquarium tank for fish such as goldfish. The device comprises a plurality of filtering units disposed within the water tank, a connecting pipe for connecting the filtering units, a unit for introducing waste water into the filtering units, and a communicating member for introducing water into each of the filtering units. The filtering units may be detachably connected by a connecting pipe depending on the capacity of the water tank. The connecting pipe is formed with a number of perforations and interiorly formed with a water passage.

Abstract: Oil spill retrieval apparatus of the type employing a floating flexible barrier, has an oil reservoir tank coupled with the barrier in such manner that oil is conveyed from the barrier to the tank by gravity flow. An oil intake tube interconnecting the barrier and storage tank has an outlet coupled with the tank at an elevation below the water surface, and an opposed mouth floatingly supported on the surface of the water in flow communication with the flexible barrier. In preferred forms, the mouth is provided with a one-way gate precluding backflow of collected oil, and has an inflatible bladder permitting selective vertical adjustment of the mouth relative to the flexible barrier and tube outlet. One form of the invention contemplates the use of a buoyant skimmer in combination with the floatingly supported mouth to enhance oil separation in calm water operations.

Abstract: A filter plate opening mechanism for successively opening a plurality of filter plates of a filter press comprises filter plate pulling latches arranged on every other filter plates, pivotal pendulums arranged on remaining every other filter plates, space holding chains connecting all the adjacent filter plates and a pair of carriage reciprocally movable in plate opening and reverse directions having a pair of ratchets capable of depressing and restoring to their extended positions. When the carriages move in the opening direction along the both sides of filter plates, one of the ratchets causes one of the filter plates to open and its movement causes the other filter plates to open with the aid of the space holding chains.

Abstract: A two stage oil skimmer separator for separating a hydrocarbon, such as oil or wax, from the water in a hydrocarbon-water mixture which is of particular utility for the output from an oil refinery storm sewer system. The first stage of the separator includes a tank which allows gravity separation of the hydrocarbon and water. The floating hydrocarbon is skimmed off the top and directed to the second stage separator. The settled water passes under a baffle to retain the hydrocarbon within the system while passing the water out of the separator. The skimmed hydrocarbon, containing some water, is directed to the second stage where it is heated to facilitate further separation. The hydrocarbon is passed from the top of the second stage to storage tanks in the refinery. The water in the bottom of the second stage tank is returned to the first stage for further separation.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing from the surface of water oil contamination particularly in the form of very thin films known as "rainbows". It comprises a plurality of purifying stages each containing a plurality of small independent free-floating pads of buoyant material preferentially absorptive of oil in the presence of water, and means directing the contaminated water to pass through the purifying stages in succession. Two embodiments are shown, one adapted for use to purify the surfaces of bodies of running water such as streams or canals, and one for use in purifying effluents such as bilge water of vessels being pumped from them.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing parts such as mechanical parts using a cleaning solvent. A sink is provided to receive the dirty solvent which flows down a drain into a filter apparatus which includes a pair of concentric cylindrical containers positioned one inside the other and arranged to provide a circuitous path for washing solvent. Inside the inner cylindrical container is a bag which has the function of a filter element and also acts as a container for the dirt and other material filtered out of the solvent.

Abstract: A vacuum filter for vacuum flow filtration through a filter bed of water from a swimming pool is provided, comprising an open-top tank; a filter bed of particulate material in the tank; fluid flow connections communicating the tank with a water recirculation system for the swimming pool, one adjacent an upper portion and one adjacent a lower portion of the filter bed; an inlet line communicating the swimming pool with the tank and maintaining the level of water in the tank at a level corresponding to a level of water in the swimming pool, thereby providing a head of water for gravity backwash flow through the filter bed, and valves controlling flow into the tank via the fluid flow connections between the tank and the inlet line, and between the tank and the water recirculation system; and a direct fluid flow connection communicating a gutter drain of the swimming pool with the tank; a vacuum is drawn downstream of the filter bed by a pump recirculating filtered water to the swimming pool.

Abstract: A hydraulic filter mounting arrangement with a sealing means on the filter element and a cover operated valve for closing off the hydraulic system from the chamber receiving the filter element when replacing the filter.

Abstract: In a method of collecting light-weight substance floating on a liquid the light-weight substance is sprayed with the aid of a liquid jet into an accumulator tank in that the light-weight substance lands together with the liquid jet as a downward stream about a lower edge of the open bottom of the tank into said tank.In order to keep the liquid jet effective the disintegration of the liquid jet is prevented. To this end the liquid jet is guided above the layer of light-weight substance along a bar or similar guide means.

Abstract: A tumbler type washing machine has a non-rotatable tub with a recessed sump at the bottom which is connected to drain. A perforate box-like strainer member is secured within the sump around the drain opening to prevent foreign objects in the tub from entering the drain hose and possibly damaging the pump. The strainer has a bottom member and a cover member and has projection which space the strainer from the walls of the sump.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for magnetic separation. A magnetic field is established in a first zone by a magnet. Fluid containing magnetizable particles is passed through a separating chamber disposed in the first zone. The separating chamber comprises a rigid elongate canister having an inlet and an outlet for fluid, at least two fluid-permeable partitions dividing the space within the canister into several compartments, each of which extends substantially the full length of the canister, and a packing of magnetizable material disposed between the partitions. The form and disposition of the canister, the partitions and the packing material is such that the fluid flows from the inlet, through the packing material in a direction transverse to the axis of the canister, to the outlet, and the linear velocity of the fluid decreases as it passes through the packing material. As the fluid passes through the separating chamber, magnetizable particles within the fluid are magnetized and attracted to the packing material.

Abstract: A system for purifying water includes a perforated member disposed within a container confining water therein, the perforated member being spaced above the bottom of the container. A pump transfers water between an upper portion of the container above the perforated member and the bottom of the container below the perforated member to recirculate the water, and the recirculated water is aerated. A bacteria culture bed overlies the perforated member and includes a mixture of gravel, clay and other material or materials, such as skeletal residue material and readily decomposable vegetal material. The pump includes a sump box containing water therein and a pumping device mounted therein. The pumping device includes an impeller mounted within a housing disposed within the water in the box. A shaft extends through an opening in the housing, and the impeller is fixed to the lower end portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil spills on water comprising surrounding an oil spill with booms attached to a recovery vessel having sluice gate openings in its bow and then moving the vessel into the oil spill while applying pumping suction action at the openings to draw the oil into the vessel. The oil and any water entering the vessel with the oil is directed along a horizontally disposed and heated conduit where the oil is allowed to seek its natural level above the water. Baffle means are provided along the conduit to entrap the oil above the water from whence the oil is drawn off to a storage and settling tank. A U bend is formed in the conduit to recover any remaining oil in the system before the water is discharged from the vessel.

Abstract: An arrangement for disposing of contaminating matter floating in a fluid. A recovery-separation tank is used with an inner water surface lower than that of the outside. The floating matter, such as oil floating on the surface of water outside the recovery-separation tank, is drawn in through an inlet of the recovery-separation tank. The floating matter and the water are separated into layers which flow into the recovery-separation tank and a drain pump discharges the water lying in the lower portion of the recovery-separation tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for separating magnetizable particles from a fluid in which they are suspended. The apparatus comprises a separating chamber having an inlet and an outlet for permitting fluid to enter and leave the separating chamber, a matrix of a plurality of ferromagnetic filaments arranged substantially parallel to one another and to the general direction of flow of fluid through the matrix and disposed in the separating chamber, magnet means for establishing a high intensity magnetic field in the separating chamber perpendicular to the general direction of flow of the fluid through the matrix, and removal means for removing magnetizable particles attracted to the matrix within the separating chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating oil from a mixture of oil and water wherein a stream of the mixture is directed along an upwardly inclined inverted channel to separate the oil from the mixture by contact of the oil with the under-surface of the channel for flow upwardly in the channel, and wherein the oil is collected from the upper longitudinal end of the channel and wherein the remainder of the stream is allowed to fall downwardly out of the channel.