Abstract: A fluid filter, preferably having a filter body, a first and second filtration assembly contained within the filter body and a cleaning device also contained within the filter body. The first and second filtration assemblies have at least one filtering element and have an enclosure for receiving the filtered fluid, the enclosure being separated from the rest of the filter by the filtering elements of the first and second filtration assemblies. The cleaning device periodically cleans the filtering elements of the first and second filtration assemblies and has an enclosure for receiving the residues of cleaning from the filtering elements of the first and second filtration assemblies, the enclosure being separated from the filtering elements of the first and second filtration assemblies and having a permanent opening for evacuating the residues of cleaning. The filtering elements of the first and second filtration assemblies present notably different filtration calibrations.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to aeration, especially biological treatment of wastewater with fine pore diffusers and in situ cleaning of these diffusers with liquid and/or gaseous cleaning fluids supplied to the diffusers through cleaning fluid channels that respectively have separate and direct connections to plural diffusers. Aeration and cleaning of fine pore diffusers is described in which cleaning fluid is conducted from a source of such fluid to a multiplicity of diffusers via a flow path which is separate from a flow path which conveys aeration gas to the diffusers. Methods of fabricating aeration gas distribution assemblies are also disclosed. One such method involves securing to an aeration gas distribution conduit at least a portion of a cleaning fluid distribution channel which includes one or more cleaning fluid distribution conduits and further includes connectors coupled to the cleaning fluid distribution conduits.

Abstract: A fixant for fixing toxic organic compounds comprised in waste material comprising an inorganic binder based on calcium compounds mixed with an alumino silicate, and at least one metal sulphate which fixes said organic compounds and counteracts leaching, is disclosed. Preferably a combination of several metal sulphates, especially aluminum sulphate, manganese sulphate and ferric sulphate is used. Moreover, the fixant preferably comprises an organo-clay compound, in particular a bentonite, a montmorillonite and a hectorite.A process of treating waste material comprising toxic organic compounds by mixing said waste material with said fixant, as well as a matrix formed from at least a set inorganic binder based on a cement and a silicate with environmentally harmful organic compounds containing waste material encapsulated therein, said matrix also comprising at least one metal sulphate which fixes said organic compounds and counteracts leaching is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for cleaning industrial and domestic surfaces and articles, as herein defined, which are contaminated with organic or lipophilic wastes, comprising applying liposomes thereto, which liposomes modify the physical properties of said wastes to increase the polarity and wettability thereof.

Abstract: A mechanism for converting impurities or contaminants in a fluid to a non-hazardous or less hazardous condition by raising the fluid to a supercritical state. This is accomplished by a rotatable mechanism having a reaction chamber adapted to receive the fluid and by rotating the rotatable mechanism at a high speed and by heating the fluid to cause the temperature and pressure of the fluid in the reaction chamber to reach the supercritical state.

Abstract: A method of reducing nitrogen, phosphor, and excessive biological oxygen demand (BOD) in wastewater supplied to and passing through a granular filter bed activated with bacteria includes in the flow direction of the wastewater through the bed simultaneously precipitation of phosphorous, denitrification and reduction of the excessive BOD in a single process step. The reduction of excess BOD is produced by blowing in an oxygen-containing gas, preferably air. Immediately before the wastewater enters the filter bed a precipitation/flocculation agent may be added for precipitation of phosphor.

Abstract: A method for treating polluted material such as industrial waste water or polluted water from other sources, sewage or sewage sludge, or other forms of sludge, to degrade oxidizable substances therein. The polluted material is subjected to a wet oxidation process in a tubular reactor so as to decompose and/or modify oxidizable substances therein and improve the filterability of any solids present in the material. The material may also be pretreated to facilitate the wet oxidation process. Solid polluted material is preferably in the form of an aqueous suspension when subjected to wet oxidation. The wet oxidation process is performed to such an extent that the decomposed and/or modified substances remaining after the oxidation step are substantially biodegradable. Heavy metals may also be removed subsequent to the wet oxidation process.

Abstract: A process is provided for the treatment of water containing sulphide wherein the sulphide is oxidized in an aerobic reactor having a minimum sulphide sludge load. The minimum sulphide load is at least 10 mg of sulphide per mg of the nitrogen present in the sludge per hour, the sludge load being calculated on the basis of the sulphide oxidizing part of the biomass. The minimum sulphide load may also be defined as 25 mg of sulphide per liter of reactor material per hour. The sulphide can be largely oxidized to elemental sulphur which is then separated and reused. Waste water also containing organic matter in addition to varying levels of sulphide is purified without interference of filamentous bacteria using a two step aerobic process. The process for sulphide removal can be used for the treatment of waste water having high levels of sulphur compounds such as sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate by first reducing these sulphur compounds in an aerobic step.

Abstract: A process for the biological purification of sewage is specified, with which sewage (AW), containing dissolved pollutants, and air (LT) are fed together to a reactor (1) via at least two mutually separate nozzles (3, 4). To achieve a high substance exchange in the reactor (1), the streams of the two-substance mixture emanating from the nozzles (3, 4) are conducted so that they make impact with each other in the said reactor in an impact zone (PZ). The sewage (AW) is passed from the reactor (1) into Pa settling tank (8), in which bio sludge settles.

Abstract: A process and device for combined oxidation of polluted water, e.g. industrial waste water or effluents, to make it suitable for drinking, involves injection of hydrogen peroxide (pure aqueous solution or diluted) and ozone (gaseous, or ozonized oxygen or air) simultaneously and in a flow direction co-current with the circulation of the water to be treated, at the inlet of the oxidation reactor. For example, a reactor is endowed with mechanisms to inject ozone and hydrogen peroxide at its base, at very closely-spaced points and simultaneously, in a flow direction the same as the water to be treated, with an automatic control system to regulate the levels of the oxidizing agents.

Abstract: A method for the biodegradation of organic contaminants in a mass of particulate solids. The method comprises providing a contaminated mass of particulate solids on an impervious surface in fluid communication with an impervious recovery reservoir. The impervious surface has operating thereon air supply and/or air suction means to provide suitable and continuous oxygenation of the mass and/or to remove undesirable vapor emissions from the mass. The mass is periodically irrigated by applying on its surface a culture medium comprising at least one bacterial strain and co-substrates thereof. The bacterial strain has the ability to degrade the organic contaminants. The medium is drained through the mass and washings recovered in the reservoir to be reused to irrigate the mass.

Abstract: Bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus or Acinetobacter are used in effective disinfectant amounts to regulate the growth of the microbial/bacterial flora existing in aqueous papermaking circuits/process streams, notably bacteria of the species Staphylococcus carnosus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of waste sludge. The apparatus comprises as its main feature a vertically extending housing unit having a height/width ratio sufficient to provide separate zones in the housing unit, including a settling zone for thickened sludge, a mid-level buffer zone for waste sludge containing solid matter in suspension and a supernatant treatment zone for supernatant treatment. The housing unit also has an inclined bottom with a slope sufficient to cause a lateral and a gravity force to be exerted by the solid matter in the sludge along the inclined bottom to yield a thickened sludge at the settling zone of the housing unit and a supernatant liquid having a reduced solid content at the supernatant treatment zone of the housing unit. The height/width ratio of the housing unit is important to provide the three zones referred to above by which treatment of the supernatant can be conducted in the supernatant treatment zone with minimal disturbance to the settling zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a process for high temperature water oxidation of combustibles in which during at least a part of the oxidation, corrosive material is present and makes contact with at least a portion of the apparatus over a contact area on the apparatus, wherein at least a portion of the contact surface area comprises a zirconia based ceramic, with the temperature of the oxidation process in excess of about 300.degree. C. and the pressure of the oxidation process is in excess of about 27.5 bar (400 psi).

Abstract: A cylindrical plastic pipe is used as the sidewall of the rotary portion of the strainer. Apertures are drilled radially through the pipe, and one or more screen assemblies are circumferentially wrapped around the outside of and removably fastened to the pipe to cover the apertures. The central core of the strainer contains both supply and suction pipes. The supply pipe feeds cleaning and drive nozzles that are aimed at the pipe apertures. The cleaning nozzles are aimed radially for cleaning certain apertures. The drive nozzles are aimed tangentially toward a circumferential succession of other apertures near the bottom of the pipe to drive the rotary portion. In one embodiment the drive nozzles can rotate the rotary portion in either direction.

Abstract: A pumpable aqueous slurry of sewage sludge as produced by the steps of (1) dewatering sewage sludge to produce an aqueous slurry having a solids content of about 10 to 25 wt. %; (2) pretreating said aqueous slurry of sewage sludge to improve its slurrying characteristics by one or a combination of (a) heating, (b) hydrothermal treatment, and (c) heating, mixing and shearing; and (3) mixing the following materials together at a temperature in the range of about ambient to 400.degree. F. to produce a pumpable aqueous slurry having a solids content in the range of about 30 to 65 wt. %: (a) pretreated aqueous slurry of sewage sludge; (b) a nonionic water soluble alkoxylated alkylphenol additive; and (c) sewage sludge-containing material and/or solid carbonaceous fuel-containing material to increase the solids loading.

Abstract: Conventional biological processes for treating wastewater include the so-called activated sludge process which is continuous and the sequencing batch reaction (SBR) activated sludge process. The first process requires the use of dedicated, relatively expensive external clarifiers, and the second process is inefficient in terms of treatment volume. A modified sequencing batch reactor process and system enable the efficient, continuous treatment and discharge of wastewater, combing the advantages of the SBR and activated sludge processes. In the present case, wastewater is initially fed in a first direction through a plurality of contiguous cells, the wastewater is subjected at all times to biological treatment in a plurality of such cells and settled in at least one of the cells immediately prior to discharge from the system.

Abstract: To purify smoke from a liquid fuel (in particular heavy fuel oil) boiler by eliminating unwanted components including acids, the smoke, before it is exhausted to the atmosphere, is caused to pass along a vertical path in a heat exchanger adapted to recover the latent heat of condensible components together with the substantive heat of the smoke. Water is sprayed at the top of the vertical path and collected at the bottom in the form of an effluent comprising the water, condensates and soot. A reserve water supply is provided. Water is fed from this reserve supply to the top of the heat exchanger where it is sprayed after adding to it an alkaline solution in sufficient quantity to neutralize acid components of the smoke. The effluent is recovered at the bottom of the heat exchanger. An effective dose of a floculating agent is added to it. The effluent is fed into a settling tank where is separates into a soot sludge and a clarified effluent which is fed to the reserve water supply.

Abstract: A method of converting a toxic composition containing an aldehyde to a composition which is substantially non-toxic. The aldehyde is reacted with a polymer having protic oxygen or nitrogen atoms, a polyimine or polyimine derivative, and an active aromatic to couple or react with the aldehyde-containing composition. Preferably, this aldehyde conversion process will yield a substantially fluid reaction product by way of a substantially irreversible reaction.

Abstract: This invention is a process for controlling odor and septicity of sewage or wastewater and for purifying sewage or wastewater by biological active substances, A source of sulfur dioxide is added to sewage or wastewater along with metal catalyst and sewage or wastewater is aerated. The effect of this treatment is to reduce the generation of hydrogen sulfide and the odor and corrosion associated with this compound and to reduce the need for aeration in the treatment of sewage or wastewater and to purify sewage or wastewater by increasing the metabolic activities of biological active substances added therein, This results in substantial savings in aeration costs.