Abstract: A treatment system for a process fluid, comprising a plurality of chambers interconnected with one another in sequence such that a process fluid can pass through them, means for determining the process conditions in at least some of the chambers by varying at least one process parameter while the process fluid is resident in the chamber such that different parts of a complex process are encouraged to take place in different chambers of the system.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus comprising a chamber (11) for treatment of a process fluid and having at least two regions in each of which the process fluid is caused to follow a circulating path, in which the location of openings (13, 14) for introduction and removal of process fluid to and from the chamber and the shape of means defining the paths followed by the components of the process fluid through the chamber is such that the circulating paths followed by the process fluid in the two regions have oppositely directed radial components and the two regions communicate with one another such that process fluid introduced into one region is constrained to flow into the other region before leaving the vessel, at least part of the chamber wall (12′) being formed as a semi-permeable membrane.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus comprising a treatment chamber (10), for receiving a process fluid, in which there are provided means for introducing gas (19, 20) at a low level within the chamber to create bubbles which drive the process fluid to circulate within the chamber as they rise, in which there are provided means associated with the gas inlet openings for collecting solid particles entrained with the process fluid which sink as a consequence of contact with the bubbles.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a variety of processes especially those involving bacterial activity such as slurry digestion comprises an elongate stationary container (10) having a cardioid cross-section with an upstanding partial partition (16) projecting upwardly from a lower region and providing a linear array of outlets (15) for the introduction of gas bubbles to the interior of the container. The cardioid container wall comprises a continuous double-lobed curve from an upper region (19) having gas escape outlets (17) to a lower region where the wall curves into tangential relation with the partial partition (16) A modular array of containers in cascade or parallel connection can be interconnected by pipework with valves, pumps and flow sensors for automatic or programmed operation.