Abstract: Waste water containing organic materials is first subjected to electrolysis to encourage flocculation of particles contained in the water and is thereafter introduced into an aeration tank where the contents experience aerobic action to reduce their biological oxygen demand before being discharged from the system. During electrolysis, oxygen released by the electrolytic action is captured within an accumulation space above the water level and is drawn off to a heater where it is dried before being introduced into an ozone generator. Ozone from the generator is in turn injected into the aerating tank to promote the aerobic action taking place therein.

Abstract: As industrial waste water is passed through an electric field between a pair of uninsulated electrodes, suspended solids and other constituents are acted upon in a manner that encourages them to flocculate. In order to assure that the water is exposed to the field for a sufficient period of time, a normally closed shut-off valve in the outlet of the treater stays closed until electrolysis commences, whereupon gas pressure from such action actuates a diaphragm member which in turn closes a switch to open the outlet valve. A float control associated with the inlet of the treater responds to the drop in water level within the treater by opening an inlet valve to permit the introduction of additional liquid.

Abstract: A reciprocating electrode scrubber is provided which cleans the surfaces of an electrodic liquid treater having an elongated electrode mounted within a cylinderical container and having a second electrode attached to the interior surface thereof. The scrubber includes a ring-shaped body having a U-shaped cross section and includes first and second, spaced-apart, circumscribing wiping structures sized to fit in the space between the first and second electrodes; means coupled with the body for selectively, axially, and reciprocally moving the body; and means yieldably biasing the structures outwardly to hold them in contact with the electrode surfaces to be cleaned. In operation, the body reciprocates along the surfaces of the electrodes to keep them free of accumulated particles which may inhibit the electrodic action of the liquid cleaner.

Abstract: An electric treater for promoting flocculation of suspended solids in a liquid is provided with special scrubbing brushes that bear against electrodes of the treater tending to accumulate a layer of adhering ionic particles so as to dislodge and remove the particles from the electrodes in order to promote optimum electrodic action. In one form of the invention the electrodes are disposed concentrically one within the other, and as the inner electrode rotates, a hinge-action brush associated with the stationary electrode bears against and cleans the rotary electrode while a similar hinge-action brush associated with the rotary electrode bears against and cleans the stationary electrode. Interengaging cam components flip the brush on the rotary electrode momentarily out of the path of travel of the stationary brush during each rotation to avoid interengagement of the brushes.

Abstract: Polar liquids which have been extracted from solution under conditions of a negative pressure environment may be continuously drawn off using a system of holding tanks and control circuitry that overcomes the tendency for the extracted liquid to remain in the subatmospheric environment without risking loss of such environment. A pair of intermediate holding tanks of the system are alternately filled and depleted so that one is filling while the other is discharging to a final point of collection, and the valving arrangements with respect to each holding tank are such that during the time a holding tank is accepting liquid from the extractor, such tank is communicated with the subatmospheric environment associated with the extractor whereby to equalize the pressures between those two systems and enable the liquid to drain freely into the selected holding tank.

Abstract: The treater includes a rotating, immersed electrode within the treating chamber, and a scrubbing member in contact with the rotating electrode for cleaning unwanted deposits from the electrode. In one form of the invention, a rotating cylindrical scrubbing member is positioned in counter-moving relationship with the rotating electrode at the point of contact therewith. In another form of the invention a stationary scrubbing member is adjustably spring biased into contacting relationship with the rotating electrode.

Abstract: The treater is provided with oppositely charged electrodes which cause liquid passing through the treater to be exposed to an electric field. At least one of the electrodes includes a distribution of sharp projections which protrude outwardly therefrom toward the opposite electrode. Such projections are all provided with outermost, conical tips that serve to inject charge carriers into the liquid at an accelerated rate if the treater is electrolytic in nature and serve to focus or concentrate the electric field if the treater is electrostatic in nature as a result of the two electrodes of the treater being electrically insulated from one another across the liquid being treated. A number of treater variations are provided, including flat plate-type electrodes and cylindrical versions of the unit.

Abstract: The treater is provided with oppositely charged electrodes which cause liquid passing through the treater to be exposed to an electric field. At least one of the electrodes includes a distribution of sharp projections which protrude outwardly therefrom toward the opposite electrode. Such projections are all provided with outermost, conical tips that serve to inject charge carriers into the liquid at an accelerated rate if the treater is electrolytic in nature and serve to focus or concentrate the electric field if the treater is electrostatic in nature as a result of the two electrodes of the treater being electrically insulated from one another across the liquid being treated. A number of treater variations are provided, including flat plate-type electrodes and cylindrical versions of the unit.

Abstract: The extraction of polar substances, such as pure water, from a solution containing such substances is carried out in an electrical process that closely resembles natural evaporation. By exposing the solution to a closely spaced, electrically charged surface, the liquid molecules of the substance become sufficiently excited and attracted to break through the surface tension and migrate to the charged surface where they accumulate. Alternative embodiments disclose modified means for conveying the extracted substance from the treating area.

Abstract: In an electrolytic treater the molecular particles contained in waste liquid are encouraged to move into physical contact with the rotating primary electrode for electronation because the electrode is continuously and mechanically stripped free of any film of adhering liquid or other particles before its surface next passes through the electric field between the electrodes. Electrical action on the liquid is maximized by reducing the incoming volume of liquid to a thin layer as it moves through a restricted gap between the two electrodes.

Abstract: The treater has one of its electrodes rotating within the treating chamber, and the other electrode is specially configured to not only serve as means for cooperating in the production of the electric field, but also to serve as an inlet nozzle for incoming fluid into the treating chamber. The inlet nozzle of the specially shaped electrode is directed toward the rotating electrode and is located in closely spaced proximity thereto so that the rotating electrode is cleaned by the jet action liquid issuing from the other electrode.

Abstract: The treater employs a pair of closely spaced, superimposed circular electrode plates, and the liquid to be treated is passed through the limited area between such plates in a pressurized sheet such that the liquid tends to clean the electrodes at the same time as it receives treatment thereby. An annular groove adjacent the discharge periphery of the lower plate has the effect of causing the discharging sheet to assume an umbrella-like configuration to promote aeration of the discharging liquid. If desired, the plates may be associated with a receptacle in such a way that the umbrella-like discharging sheet engages the walls of the receptacle at one electrical polarity while at least one of the electrode plates is of the opposite electrical polarity so as to promote effective treatment. On the other hand, if desired, the plates may be submerged within such a receptacle adjacent the sludge collecting at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: The extraction of polar substances, such as pure water, from a solution containing such substances is carried out in an electrical process that closely resembles natural evaporation. By exposing the solution to a closely spaced, electrically charged surface, the liquid molecules of the substance become sufficiently excited and attracted to break through the surface tension and migrate to the charged surface where they accumulate. Alternative embodiments disclose modified means for conveying the extracted substance from the treating area.

Abstract: A foam generating unit has a normally lower, tubular generating section provided with a pair of electrodes that expose incoming, foamable liquid to electrolytic action that results in the generation of foam bubbles. The generating section is normally submerged well below the surface of the liquid into which the generator is inserted, and a tubular chimney section attached to and leading upwardly from the upper end of the generating section confines the bubbles as they rise from the electrodes so as to prevent their dispersion into the body of liquids surrounding the generating unit. This aides in the formation of a thick, creamy foam as the bubbles finally emerge from the upper end of the chimney section near the upper surface of the liquid.

Abstract: Foam is produced electrolytically in a liquid having foaming tendencies through the use of closely spaced electrodes of opposite polarity that are disposed in substantially upright dispositions within the body of liquid being treated. The electrodes extend from a position deep within the body to a point at or above the surface of the body, and the electrodes are so formed or are associated with such other structure that bubbles generated within the columnar treating region between the electrodes cannot escape from the electrodes until reaching the surface of the liquid, thereby being confined and exposed to the electrodes throughout the full extent of travel by the bubbles to the surface. By regulating the position of the bubble outlet relative to the surface of the liquid, the characteristics of the foam produced from the bubble discharge may be varied, e.g.

Abstract: The treater has a pair of separate treating chambers, each of which is provided with a pair of oppositely charged electrodes. One electrode in each chamber is bare while the other is electrically insulated from electrolyte contained within the chamber so that while an electric field is established between electrodes of the same chamber, no electrical current flow moves therebetween. Additionally, the two chambers are coupled in flow communication with one another and the two bare electrodes are oppositely electrically charged so as to establish an electrolytic action between the two bare electrodes, hence simultaneously exposing electrolyte of the chambers to both electrostatic and electrolytic action to promote flocculation and coagulation of hydrated solids contained in the electrolyte.

Abstract: In the electrolytic treatment of a liquid so as to encourage flocculation of solid particles suspended within the liquid, it is desirable to prevent particles which have received electrodic action at one electrode from being exposed to the oppositely charged electrode of the system. Hence, the system utilizes a pair of separate chambers that are each provided with an electrode forming either the anode or the cathode of the system, depending upon the charge applied by a source of direct electrical potential. The two chambers are interconnected in liquid communication so as to complete an electric circuit, and each has its own effluent outlet which can be opened and closed independently of the other outlet.

Abstract: A plurality of individual treaters, each containing a pair of oppositely charged electrodes, are arranged circularly around a centrally disposed tank into which all of the treaters empty. A common supply manifold for all of the treaters brings waste water or other liquids into the system for treatment by any selected one of the treaters upon opening a control valve associated with such selected treater and closing control valves associated with the remaining treaters. Each treater contains an electrode that is constructed from a material differing from that of electrodes in the remaining treaters so that a particular treater may be selected for use based upon the predicted reaction of the material from which its electrode is made with the particular constituents of the waste liquid being treated.

Abstract: A fluid, such as air or water, carrying suspended solids is directed between a pair of oppositely charged, corrugated surfaces in order to subject the flow to an undulating action that increases the frequency with which the solid particles impinge against one another, thereby increasing the rate of flocculation of the solids. In the case of airborne particles, the corrugated surfaces are arranged in an upright condition so that the flocculated particles attracted to one or the other of such surfaces gravitate therefrom into a conveying mechanism that delivers such particles to a collecting receptacle. In the case of liquid-borne particles, the flow is forced to travel upwardly against the force of gravity after passing between the surfaces, thereby encouraging the flocculated particles to settle out into a sump that is associated with the uphill flow passage.

Abstract: A fluid, such as air or water, carrying suspended solids is directed between a pair of oppositely charged, corrugated surfaces in order to subject the flow to an undulating action that increases the frequency with which the solid particles impinge against one another, thereby increasing the rate of flocculation of the solids. In the case of airborne particles, the corrugated surfaces are arranged in an upright condition so that the flocculated particles attracted to one or the other of such surfaces gravitate therefrom into a conveying mechanism that delivers such particles to a collecting receptacle. In the case of liquid-borne particles, the flow is forced to travel upwardly against the force of gravity after passing between the surfaces, thereby encouraging the flocculated particles to settle out into a sump that is associated with the uphill flow passage.