Abstract: A gravity vacuum system for a fish tank which will fit onto any standard fish tank and will get rid of waste through a gravitational system. The top of the system is a false bottom for the upper portion of the fish tank. The false bottom features openings small enough to allow the waste to pass. A solid pyramid directly in the middle of the lower one third supports the false bottom. At the right and left foot of the pyramid are drainage valve areas enclosed in boxes. When the drainage valves are opened, the waste flows through the false bottom and into the triangular areas and left of the pyramid. The waste then flows down through the triangular spaces and into the drainage valve areas. The owner then hooks connective tubing to the drainage valves for easy drainage.

Abstract: A skimming apparatus for a swimming pool that includes a ladder, the skimming apparatus is provided with a bracket to be mounted to a side rail of the ladder, the bracket having an offset arm and the skimming apparatus having a beam with a pivot rod pivotally mounted to the end of the offset arm so that when the skimming apparatus is deployed the beam will be blocked by the side rail of the ladder. The skimming apparatus has a pair of floats one on each end of the beam and a net is attached to the beam and the floats forming a pocket through which the water pushed by the current will pass through.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater is useful in treatment of biomass (sludge) resulting from wastewater treatment, particularly for biological sludges of aerobic, facultative and/or anaerobic origin. The invention relates fractionation of microorganisms and organic materials within the sludge by mechanical shearing, in combination with heat, chemical and/or biochemical treatment to improve waste treatment and to release nutrients for recirculation for use by microorganisms in the waste treatment system.

Abstract: The invention is of an improved pool skimmer basket which provides means by which water is vented through the basket, even when the strainer orifices are clogged. Applicant's basket is fitted with a centrally positioned vent tower which extends from the bottom of the basket, through its interior space, and slightly above the top rim of the basket. When the basket requires servicing, it may easily be removed from a skimmer well without shutting off the pool's vacuum system. The vent orifices in the vent tower allow water to pass into the hollow of the vent tower, and out through the bottom of the basket thereby bypassing the clogged strainer orifices and relieving the suction against the basket. Ease of removing the basket prevents handle and basket breakage and with it the need for the pool owner to "fish" the basket (with its unknown and, perhaps, dangerous contents) from a skimmer well.

Abstract: A system whereby freshwater and saltwater aquaria water may be stripped and sterilized to near laboratory quality distilled water standards and injected with appropriate chemicals and compounds necessary to reproduce the conditions indigenous to the native habitat of any particular species in which you have chosen to raise in your aquarium. This system is attached to standard washer and dryer water outlets and is connected to the device with a standard 3/4" garden hose. Tap water is run through a cation resin exchange chamber to pull out negatively charged ions and then passes through an identical chamber containing anion resin exchange media to pull the positively charged ions out of the water coming through. The end result being near zero ppm total dissolved solids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a baking mold for manufacturing moldings, comprising a lower baking section mounted on a lower arm and an upper baking section mounted on an upper arm, wherein the baking sections, in the closed condition of the baking mold and in superposed condition, define at least one baking form, and wherein during use the upper arm can be fixedly connected with the lower arm. At least one of the baking sections is movably connected with the relevant arm, and pressure means are included for pressing under bias on the baking section in the closed condition of the baking mold and thereby closing the baking form at least during normal use.

Abstract: A water filter including a filter unit utilizing bag filters and including a hydraulic jack for displacing the bag filters between a lower operative position and an elevated position where the bags are readily accessible the jack preferably in the form of a pair of relatively extensible tubular telescopic members in a flow path between a pump delivery connection and the inlet to the filter bags with one of the members providing a flow communication from the member to the filter outlet. The filter also includes inlet means to the filter bag directing flow to wash the interior surface of the bags.

Abstract: A separator for use with a fluidized-bed bioreactor. A lift draws a slurry of liquid, media and biomass from the fluidized bed. A biomass discharge is connected to the lift and located above the height of the fluidized bed for discharging excess biomass. A media discharge, also connected to the lift, discharges media from the slurry and returns the media to the fluidized bed.

Abstract: a portable water treatment system for bulk filling of a swimming pool with treated water. The system discloses a pH conditioning tank and a water conditioning tank allowing for the filling of a pool, without the need for pumps, electricity, or controls on the incoming water source. The system includes the use of soaker devices that allow treatment of the water through the addition of a predetermined amount of chemical as it is exposed to the incoming water. The system allows for treated water to be placed into the pool so as to prohibit early degradation of the walls or materials of the swimming pool surfaces.

Abstract: This invention refers to an original solution for the purification of contaminated water streams with the activated sludge method, involving: a) a two-stage aeration system operating at high rate and low rate conditions respectively, where the first stage operates in anoxic conditions promoting denitration, whereas the second stage operates under oxidant conditions so that nitrates are removed to an extent of 70%; b) a system for moving the biological sludge, where the sludge produced in the first aeration tank is totally rejected, and that produced in the second aeration tank is recycled to the first.

Abstract: A suction sieve has a cylindrical sieve body made up of several annular, modular cassette elements that are axially spaced apart and coupled to one another. The cassette elements surround a central suction chamber and are clamped together between an end plate that covers the suction chamber and a flange for connection to a suction line of a cooling water pump. Each cassette unit is formed of two annular, perforated side wall sections and several perforated wall segments that are circumferentially spaced apart and arranged between the side wall sections. The perforated wall segments and the side wall sections form sieve pockets that essentially extend in the radial direction and open toward the outer periphery of the sieve body so that water can flow through the sieve pockets in all directions. Discharge gaps extend in an essentially radial direction, open into the suction chamber, and are formed between the sieve pockets and between the cassette units.

Abstract: A method for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal from waste streams and with minimal amounts of umprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the enviroment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the like are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered.

Abstract: Various filters are known for purifying water in an aquarium, a fish pond, a swimming pool or a storage container at a horticultural farm. The device according to the invention contains filtering means at the top of a space in which water fleas are present, which water fleas eat the contaminations (organic waste materials) present in the water and by doing so purify the water indirectly. Said filtering means are necessary because otherwise the water fleas are carried back to the basin along with the purified water. A connecting piece comprising a water lift for transporting purified water extends through the cover of an encasing surrounding said space.

Abstract: A device that augments sidewall skimming of a swimming pool. The device is a substantially rectangular, hollow box with one end fitting within a sidewall skimmer and the other end protruding into the pool water. The device is made of a flexible, soft, foam-like material. The device is secured in the skimmer by inwardly deforming the end to be inserted and placing it in the skimmer where, upon release, its original shape is restored and a snug top and bottom friction fit is achieved. The sides of the device are in a loose fit within the skimmer. The device enhances sidewall skimming by channeling water along the sides of the device and into the skimmer, and by channeling water through its hollow internal cavity and into the skimmer.

Abstract: The Corona Inception Voltage of insulating oils is increased by repetitive cycles of prestressing the oil with a voltage greater than the corona inception voltage, and either simultaneously or serially removing byproducts of corona by evacuation and heating the oil.

Abstract: A swimming pool debris removal system includes a recirculating pump and a vacuum chamber having an access port, an inlet port, and an outlet port connected to a suction inlet of the pump. The inlet port is connected to receive water and debris pumped from the pool. A removable vacuum seal lid is disposed in the access port, forming a vacuum seal therewith. An air bleed tube coupled to the outlet port draws air trapped between the lid and water in the chamber into the outlet port and suction inlet when the pump is operating, causing the trapped air to be replaced by water and thereby reducing momentum forces of water in the chamber against the lid as the pump is turned off. The lid includes a disk with a circumferential groove and a handle attached to an upper surface of the disk.

Abstract: A separator is provided for use with a fluidized-bed bioreactor. A lift draws a slurry of liquid, media and biomass from the fluidized bed. A biomass discharge is connected to the lift for discharging excess biomass. A media discharge, also connected to the lift, discharges media from the slurry and returns the media to the fluidized bed by means of a media return assembly.

Abstract: A continuous sand filter has a tank provided therein with a first separation container and a second separation container. The continuous filtration of the waste water is carried out in the first separation container and the second separation container. The first separation container is provided with an arresting piece capable of enhancing the filtration effect. The light and the heavy impurities are treated separately in the first separation container. The further filtration process is carried out continuously in the second separation container.

Abstract: An aquarium filter for removing chemical and physical waste from an aquarium. The filter includes a fluidized bed of particles, such as sand, for removing ammonia from the water. The filter can also include a physical trap for solid material and activated charcoal for removing organic material from the aquarium water. The filter can be constructed in an aesthetically desirable manner and can be convenient to maintain.

Abstract: A removable storm drain filter to be used in combination with an absorbent media, and a catch basin having grated inlet and standpipe outlet to remove pollutants carried in surface drainage. The storm drain filter is designed to fit within a catch basin, below the grated inlet, and upon the upward terminus of a vertical stand pipe. A filtration vessel (50) is provided to contain absorbent media and to provide a primary flow path through the absorbent media and a secondary flow path (bypass) for high flows. The filter includes a cover plate (70), structurally supported by and above the filtration vessel, to prevent deposition of sediment upon the absorbent media and to prevent direct striking of the absorbent media by influent storm water. The storm drain filter further includes a floatables screen (60) to prevent clogging of the absorbent media by floating debris such as leaves, pine needles, and cigarette butts.