Abstract: Flotation separation apparatus and methods are described herein, comprising a vessel having a plurality of flow guides oriented vertically in the vessel, a liquid inlet at a lower part of the vessel, a gas inlet at the lower part of the vessel, a first liquid outlet at an upper part of the vessel, a second liquid outlet at the lower part of the vessel, and a gas outlet at the upper part of the vessel.

Abstract: Flotation separation apparatus and methods are described herein, comprising a vessel having a plurality of flow guides oriented vertically in the vessel, a liquid inlet at a lower part of the vessel, a gas inlet at the lower part of the vessel, a first liquid outlet at an upper part of the vessel, a second liquid outlet at the lower part of the vessel, and a gas outlet at the upper part of the vessel.

Abstract: Flotation separation apparatus and methods are described herein, comprising a vessel having a plurality of flow guides oriented vertically in the vessel, a liquid inlet at a lower part of the vessel, a gas inlet at the lower part of the vessel, a first liquid outlet at an upper part of the vessel, a second liquid outlet at the lower part of the vessel, and a gas outlet at the upper part of the vessel.

Abstract: Flotation separation apparatus and methods are described herein, comprising a vessel having a plurality of flow guides oriented vertically in the vessel, a liquid inlet at a lower part of the vessel, a gas inlet at the lower part of the vessel, a first liquid outlet at an upper part of the vessel, a second liquid outlet at the lower part of the vessel, and a gas outlet at the upper part of the vessel.

Abstract: A method to remove oil from an oily water stream includes the step of pressure controlling a release of dissolved gases from the stream as the stream passes through two or more stages of gas flotation treatment. The operating pressure of the first stage of flotation treatment is purposefully reduced relative to that of an upstream unit so that a certain controlled percent volume of dissolved gases is released. The operating pressure of the second stage of flotation treatment is then purposefully reduced relative to that of the first stage so that another controlled percent volume of dissolved gases is released. Any subsequent flotation treatment stage is at a lower operating pressure than that of the previous stage so that the subsequent treatment stage releases a controlled percent volume of dissolved gases. By controlling the operating pressure in this way, overall separation performance is improved.

Abstract: A system and method arranged to treat a produced water stream used in chemical enhanced oil recovery. The produced water stream is exposed to ultraviolet light sources that provide a radiant energy dosage that destabilizes organics. The ultraviolet-radiated stream is then passed through an adsorbent polymer media. An oxidant may be added to the ultraviolet-radiated stream ahead of the adsorbent polymer media or to an effluent stream exiting the adsorbent polymer media.

Abstract: A method to remove oil from an oily water stream includes the step of pressure controlling a release of dissolved gases from the stream as the stream passes through two or more stages of gas flotation treatment. The operating pressure of the first stage of flotation treatment is purposefully reduced relative to that of an upstream unit so that a certain controlled percent volume of dissolved gases is released. The operating pressure of the second stage of flotation treatment is then purposefully reduced relative to that of the first stage so that another controlled percent volume of dissolved gases is released. Any subsequent flotation treatment stage is at a lower operating pressure than that of the previous stage so that the subsequent treatment stage releases a controlled percent volume of dissolved gases. By controlling the operating pressure in this way, overall separation performance is improved.

Abstract: A smartphone holder has a removable rubberized clamping assembly at an upper end thereof for securing a smartphone or other device in a desired position. A reversible male USB connector protruding from the lower end of the holder permits use of the smartphone regardless of the orientation of an external female USB connector to which the male USB connector is connected. A fixed or pivoting male electrical connector protruding from the upper end of the smartphone holder is electrically connected within a flexible central body member of the smartphone holder to the reversible male USB connector to facilitate battery charging and data transfer between the smartphone and an external USB device. A pair of flexible side leg members and a central body member may be separately bent outwardly from a point of attachment to each other to form a self-supporting tripod shape for holding a smartphone in a desired position.

Abstract: A self-closing toilet seat assembly includes a longitudinal hinge tube mounted in a cavity on the underside of a toilet lid in coaxial alignment with the hinge flanges thereof. The hinge tube is secured in hinged engagement with both the toilet lid and seat by means of a pair of slow-close hinge dampeners. A self-closing mechanism, in association with a mounting base attached to the bowl of a conventional toilet and to the underside of the hinge tube, is responsive to manual lifting of either the toilet lid itself or of both the toilet lid and the toilet seat to the open or vertical position for initiating closing rotation of the toilet lid and the toilet seat, if also upright, to the vertical tipping point, past which they continue to gravitationally rotate to the closed position, at a rate limited by the slow-close hinge dampeners.

Abstract: A self-closing toilet seat assembly includes a longitudinal hinge tube mounted in a cavity on the underside of a toilet lid in coaxial alignment with the hinge flanges thereof. The hinge tube is secured in hinged engagement with both the toilet lid and seat by means of a pair of slow-close hinge dampeners. A self-closing mechanism, in association with a mounting base attached to the bowl of a conventional toilet and to the underside of the hinge tube, is responsive to manual lifting of either the toilet lid itself or of both the toilet lid and the toilet seat to the open or vertical position for initiating closing rotation of the toilet lid and the toilet seat, if also upright, to the vertical tipping point, past which they continue to gravitationally rotate to the closed position, at a rate limited by the slow-close hinge dampeners.

Abstract: A self-contained, self-closing toilet lid includes a water reservoir formed within an upper portion of the lid. When the lid is in its vertical closed position, water from the reservoir is allowed to trickle at a predetermined rate into an activation bucket positioned within a lower portion of the lid and pivotally coupled proximate an inner peripheral edge of the lid. When a sufficient volume of water has been gravitationally transferred from the upper water reservoir to the lower activation bucket, the weight of that transferred water causes the activation bucket to pivot, which in turn actuates a release mechanism that allows the lid to hingedly move to an off-center position, permitting it to fall to its horizonatal closed position. If both the toilet lid and the seat conventionally mounted behind it are in the open position, automatic closing of the lid will push the seat to the closed position also.