Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing oil from water. The invention includes a separation vessel for separating the oil by gravity from the water. The generally oil-free water from the separation vessel is pumped under pressure through an ultrafine molecular filter. The concentrate liquid from the ultrafine molecular filter is directed into a concentrator vessel which separates out the oil which remains in the concentrate liquid. The separated oil is directed back into the separation vessel and the remaining liquid is directed back through the ultrafine molecular filter. Ejection water is periodically directed into the separation vessel to discharge oil accumulated in the separation vessel.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus dispenses volatized air freshener compound into the room air forcibly moving the air through a prefilter and a high efficiency filter utilizing a fan disposed in the space therebetween. A container of volatile air freshener liquid or gel is positioned in a location such that the air drawn through the prefilter will pass across the top of the container. The container is provided with a lid mounted for movement to open and close the container, the lid being connected to and operable by a control such as a timing mechanism to adjustably regulate the amount of volatized air freshener compound which is permitted to escape into the air passing through the air filter, or the container can be kept totally closed and thus inoperative.

Abstract: A clarification device for solids-liquid separation by gravitational settling has a peripheral inlet trough connected to a plurality of uniformly spaced inlet conduits which direct influent liquid and solids toward the center of the clarifier. The size of the hole in the inlet trough communicating with each inlet conduit can be selectively controlled and individually changed. This enables the volume of liquid and solids withdrawn through each hole to be controlled so as to cause the velocity energy decrease at each hole to generally equal the friction energy loss between any hole and the preceding hole while maintaining about the same volume of discharge flow into the clarifier through each inlet conduit.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for purifying a liquor containing biodegradable wastes wherein the liquor is delivered serially to a number of zones. The liquor is first delivered to a clarification zone to remove suspended solids, and is then delivered to an oxidation/nitrification zone where the liquor is subjected to oxidation by aerobic microorganisms. The liquor is next delivered to a denitrification zone, where it is subjected to the action of anaerobic bacteria. Both the oxidation/nitrification zone and the dentrification zone contain a particular type of submerged media which comprises a multiplicity of elements freely and randomly stacked on one another to provide interstitial area therebetween. The elements have a high surface area to volume ratio in order to promote the growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for treating liquor containing biodegradable wastes wherein the liquor is first delivered to a quiescent settling zone and then to an aeration zone. The aeration liquor is delivered downwardly through a column of submerged fixed media having a high surface area to volume ratio so that aerobic microorganisms can grow on their surface. The liquor is recirculated through the aeration zone and fixed media, and is withdrawn from the unit after treatment.

Abstract: A sludge removal system for use in the removal of settled sludge collected on the bottom surface of a circular clarifier. The system includes a plurality of self-supporting sludge receiving conduits of various lengths extending radially outward from the center of the tank in a common horizontal plane. Each conduit has a sludge pick-up port associated with the outer end thereof. Vertical riser tubes extend upward from the inner ends of the conduits into a sightwell assembly. At the upper end of each riser tube is a flow control valve arrangement to regulate the amount of sludge flow through each conduit. The valve indicates a pipe within a pipe, both pipes having slotted openings cut therefrom, to provide a variable flow orifice the size of which may be controlled by rotating the inner pipe about the stationary outer pipe. The upper edges of the slotted openings extend above the static liquid level in the clarifier.

Abstract: An air filtering apparatus is disclosed utilizing a prefilter at the inlet side and a HEPA type filter at the outlet side. The interior chamber of the apparatus is divided into two subchambers with a blower forceably pumping air from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. A first indicator means is responsive to a predetermined decrease in pressure in the inlet chamber for indicating when the prefilter needs changing, and a second indicator means is responsive to a predetermined increase in pressure in the outlet chamber indicating when the HEPA type filter requires changing. A plurality of the apparatuses may be utilized in an air filtering system controlled remotely by radio transmitting and receiving devices.