Abstract: A gas vent valve has a valve body having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall having a generally constant inner diameter from the first end to a normal operating liquid level. A spacer is positioned within the valve body and has an aperture formed therethrough. A control float is positioned within the valve body and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve body and larger than the inner diameter of the spacer. A top float is positioned within the valve body, above the control float, and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the spacer. A side port can extend from the sidewall and be positioned below the spacer and generally adjacent the top float with the valve in the open condition.

Abstract: A gas vent valve has a valve body having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall having a generally constant inner diameter from the first end to a normal operating liquid level. A spacer is positioned within the valve body and has an aperture formed therethrough. A control float is positioned within the valve body and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve body and larger than the inner diameter of the spacer. A top float is positioned within the valve body, above the control float, and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the spacer. A side port can extend from the sidewall and be positioned below the spacer and generally adjacent the top float with the valve in the open condition.

Abstract: A valve-venting method increases the durability of flow restrictors within gas venting valves used on large diameter water and sewer pipelines such that transient high pressure conditions that can cause rapid adiabatic heating of the discharging gases are prevented from causing flow erosion and debris wear induced by the high velocities and thermal softening of the valve components. The method utilizes wear resistant orifice inserts that are more conductive than the valve component to better distribute the heat, and dynamic surge control geometry to slow the heat flow and provide progressive water-hammering control during high pressure events.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is a submerged airlift pump using multiple concentric pipes with diameters that increase as they near the water surface. Water initially accelerated into the lowest pipe section is progressively decelerated in subsequent pipe sections, increasing the residence time of the bubbles and hence the total driving force of the pump. Pipe proportions are optimized with gas flows to maximize total pump discharge at extremely low pumping-heads, resulting in ultra-high pumping efficiencies. This device can be used to promote circulation of large volumes of deep pond water, deficient in oxygen, to the surface, creating an increase in the exchange of gases between the atmosphere and water with minimal energy requirements.

Abstract: This invention is a method for operating fluidized beds, such as used to convey powdered material, wherein the fluidizing gas flows are pulsed or vibrated to help initiate and maintain fluidization. The invention maintains the fluidization effects by preventing channeling or ‘rat-holing’ in a powder bed by oscillating gas pulse frequencies in the 0.5 to 300 hertz range. The invention further is directed to efficient conversion of the energy contained in the pressurized gas flow to vibrational energy. The invention describes devices capable of feeding one or more fluidized-beds from a compressed (pressurized) gas supply, thus conserving energy and increasing mass transfer within the beds.

Abstract: This invention is a method for operating fluidized beds, such as used to convey powdered material, wherein the fluidizing gas flows are pulsed or vibrated to help initiate and maintain fluidization. The invention maintains the fluidization effects by preventing channeling or ‘rat-holing’ in a powder bed by oscillating gas pulse frequencies in the 0.5 to 300 hertz range. The invention further is directed to efficient conversion of the energy contained in the pressurized gas flow to vibrational energy The invention describes devices capable of feeding one or more fluidized-beds from a compressed (pressurized) gas supply, thus conserving energy and increasing mass transfer within the beds.