Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses are presented for rejuvenating a bed of granular filter medium that has accumulated contaminants during filtration of a liquid stream. The method first includes the step of establishing a small volumetric flow rate of clean filtrate in reverse flow. Then, the filter media is agitated to break-up contaminants that have become agglomerated on the surface of or within the interstitial spaces of the filter media. The agitating step is accomplished by exposing the liquid-full filter media to a jetting stream comprised mostly of a gas mixed with a clean liquid. The jetting stream is dispersed throughout the filter media through a plurality of radial nozzles located within the filter bed. The radial nozzles disperse the gas within the liquid and filter media causing sufficient turbulence and agitation of the filter media granules to liberate the trapped contaminants without the need for high liquid flow rates.

Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A gas flotation separator for use in horizontal tanks, such as those used for oil storage on board Floating Production Storage and Off-loading (FPSO) vessels, includes dividing the tank into a plurality of chambers operating in series. Prior to entering each chamber, the contaminated aqueous phase is mixed with a stream containing gas bubbles to aid in flocculation and flotation of the immiscible phase contaminant. The gas bubble recycle stream can be generated by injecting a controlled rate of a pressurized gas into a liquid stream of the clean produced water in a process external to the tank or by induction of a gas phase internal to the tank. The mixture flows into the first chamber and impinges on an angled inlet water weir. A portion of the immiscible phase and the gas phase rises to the top of the chamber while the remaining immiscible contaminants flow downward with the aqueous phase to the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A vessel and method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water, the vessel comprising: at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber; wherein when the inlet fluid is injected into the chamber, it passes through the inlet and over the inlet weir, the cleaned water flows downwardly toward the cleaned water outlet, and a remaining mixture of the immiscible fluid and the gas bubbles floats through the chamber t

Abstract: A gas flotation separator for use in horizontal tanks, such as those used for oil storage on board Floating Production Storage and Off-loading (FPSO) vessels, includes dividing the tank into a plurality of chambers operating in series. Prior to entering each chamber, the contaminated aqueous phase is mixed with a stream containing gas bubbles to aid in flocculation and flotation of the immiscible phase contaminant. The gas bubble recycle stream can be generated by injecting a controlled rate of a pressurized gas into a liquid stream of the clean produced water in a process external to the tank or by induction of a gas phase internal to the tank. The mixture flows into the first chamber and impinges on an angled inlet water weir. A portion of the immiscible phase and the gas phase rises to the top of the chamber while the remaining immiscible contaminants flow downward with the aqueous phase to the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water includes at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses are presented for rejuvenating a bed of granular filter medium that has accumulated contaminants during filtration of a liquid stream. The method first includes the step of establishing a small volumetric flow rate of clean filtrate in reverse flow. Then, the filter media is agitated to break-up contaminants that have become agglomerated on the surface of or within the interstitial spaces of the filter media. The agitating step is accomplished by exposing the liquid-full filter media to a jetting stream comprised mostly of a gas mixed with a clean liquid. The jetting stream is dispersed throughout the filter media through a plurality of radial nozzles located within the filter bed. The radial nozzles disperse the gas within the liquid and filter media causing sufficient turbulence and agitation of the filter media granules to liberate the trapped contaminants without the need for high liquid flow rates.

Abstract: A horizontal directional boring machine pivotally mounted to a tractor about a vertical axis of rotation positioned over a common entry point into the ground which permits multiple direction bores which radiate from said common entry point all with a single set-up of the boring machine.

Abstract: A steerable drill head which utilizes the combination of a hydraulic cutting nozzle and a rotary mechanical cutting blade wherein the drill string is intermittently rotated and lineally advanced in the bore. The drill head further includes a ramp attached to the head behind the cutting blade including a steering surface for deflecting the drill head and its string in a particular direction by linear advancement without rotation. The cutting blade is positioned at the center of the head with the plane of the blade positioned on the axis of rotation of the drill head.

Abstract: A pair of bi-directional breakout wrenches on a drilling rig, each wrench including a body member having an inside cam surface with a plurality of locking cogs positioned around the cam surface, each cog being rotatably journaled on a shaft with a loose-fit allowing the cogs limited lateral movement and a pair or side plates positioned on the sides of the body member supporting the cog shafts, the side plates including a handle for rotation of the side plates relative to the wrench body causing the locking cogs to engage the cam surface and move inwardly gripping the drill pipe section. One of said wrenches being attached to a linear actuator providing rotative torque to the wrench body for breaking open a threaded drill string joint while the other wrench retains the string from movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a horizontal controlled borehole in the earth includes a drill frame, a drill string and a downhole tool. The drill frame includes a wrench attached to the frame for assisting in breaking and forming joints. The downhole tool includes removable blade assemblies having, for example, stepped or spade-like profiles and hard facing at areas of primary contact with the soil. When fluid is added for cooling, lubricating and flushing away cuttings, the downhole tool can include a nozzle parallel to the centerline of the longitudinal axis of the drill string, a check valve means for preventing downhole particles from entering the fluid passageway and/or a transmitter protecting waterproof plug for diverting fluid to a fluid passageway and for allowing an on-board downhole transmitter to be near the drill bit. Also, the blade assembly can be placed so as to divert fluid from the nozzle to an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string.

Abstract: A manually operated downhole for an underground earth boring apparatus having a pneumatically operated earth boring tool. A drill pipe is connected to the tool and to a source of pneumatic fluid. A valve is positioned in the drill pipe substantially adjacent to the tool between the tool and the source of pneumatic fluid. This downhole valve controls the flow of pneumatic fluid to the tool. The valve is operable in response to pushing or pulling on the drill pipe.

Abstract: A manually operated downhole for an underground earth boring apparatus having a pneumatically operated earth boring tool. A drill pipe is connected to the tool and to a source of pneumatic fluid. A valve is positioned in the drill pipe substantially adjacent to the tool between the tool and the source of pneumatic fluid. This downhole valve controls the flow of pneumatic fluid to the tool. The valve is operable in response to pushing or pulling on the drill pipe.

Abstract: A percussive mole boring device with a location transmitter is disclosed. The transmitter is located in a forward end of a drilling assembly attached to a mole to accurately transmit the location of a boring element or cutting surface to surface detector. The transmitter is surrounded on each end by isolator means which protect the transmitter from damage due to shock created by the percussive device, e.g., a hammer driven by compressed air. In one embodiment the transmitter is located beneath a single window transparent to the transmission frequency, and the cutting surface of the bore is angled. Therefore, the travel direction of the mole can be controlled by rotating the cutting surface to a desired inclination and terminating rotation during forward motion for a short period. The mole travels in a straight path during ordinary travel due to rotation. In a second embodiment, the transmitter is located beneath three equiangularly displacent windows to create a continuous field for detection.