Abstract: Undesirable dissolved gas is removed from a liquid by pressurizing the liquid containing the undesirable dissolved gas therein. The liquid is then directed into a hydrocyclone having an inlet optimized for liquid particle movement through a liquid vortex stream created by the hydrocyclone. A preferred gas is injected into an evacuated central area of the liquid vortex stream for absorption therein. The pressure of the liquid is then lowered, such as by directing the liquid to a discharge tank, in order to remove a proportional amount of absorbed preferred gas and the undesirable dissolved gas from the liquid.

Abstract: Undesirable dissolved gas is removed from a liquid by pressurizing the liquid containing the undesirable dissolved gas therein. The liquid is then directed into a hydrocyclone having an inlet optimized for liquid particle movement through a liquid vortex stream created by the hydrocyclone. A preferred gas is injected into an evacuated central area of the liquid vortex stream for absorption therein. The pressure of the liquid is then lowered, such as by directing the liquid to a discharge tank, in order to remove a proportional amount of absorbed preferred gas and the undesirable dissolved gas from the liquid.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from a liquid includes filtering objects of a relatively large dimension. The liquid is then mixed with additives to adjust the chemistry of the liquid. The liquid is pressurized and directed through a gasification device to dissolve gas into the liquid. This is accomplished by directing the liquid into an inlet of a hydrocyclone of the gasification device, directing the liquid exiting the hydrocyclone upwards to remove large bubbles, and removing liquid containing dissolved gas from a bottom portion of a vessel of the gasification device. The pressure of the liquid is then reduced and the liquid is introduced into a separation tank, and the contaminants are removed from the liquid by stratification. The treated water is removed from the separation tank, and sludge formed by skimming flocs from a liquid surface of the tank is subjected to a dewatering process.

Abstract: A method for treating liquids includes the steps of directing liquid into a hydrocyclone to form a liquid vortex having an inner surface defining an evacuated central portion. Photon radiation is emitted into the evacuated central portion of the liquid vortex using a photon generator positioned at an upstream end of the hydrocyclone so as to separated from the liquid. The radiation may be modulated to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Treating chemicals can also be added to the liquid to enhance the treatment effect. The photon radiation can include lightwaves or ultraviolet rays, microwave or millimeter wave radiation, or radio frequency radiation. The invention improves the treatment time per unit of volume liquid treated, as well as reducing the maintenance associated with such systems.

Abstract: A system for delivering electromagnetic energy into a solution using a delivery apparatus to modify its characteristics. Preferred systems are described that deliver electromagnetic energy into a target solution for modifying its characteristics by first treating a primary solution, e.g., water or any hydrogen bonded liquid, and then causing the primary solution to be proximate to the target solution. The treated secondary solution improves the performance of various processes including: scale control in water heater systems, printing ink treatment, de-inking of pulp paper, etc.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for use with a treatment tank, such as a flotation or decant tank, to separate particles and/or gases from a liquid stream. The system is coupled to a liquid source comprising a suspension solution. The system includes a hydrocyclone system that directs the solution stream through a first chamber or passage in a generally helical fashion along a cylindrical wall where bubbles-to-particle aggregates are formed and chemicals can be mixed and activated. A second chamber encloses the outlet of the hydrocyclone and may take many forms, including a generally concentric or parabolic form, and acts to decelerate the liquid and deliver the liquid to a third chamber from which bubbles escape the liquid. The liquid drops from the third chamber into the treatment tank in a manner which only minimally disturbs the liquid already in the tank.

Abstract: A method for treating livestock wastewater includes directing screened wastewater to a hydrocyclone/separation tank system. The hydrocyclone directs the wastewater stream in a generally helical fashion to create bubble-particle aggregates. Activating chemicals can be added to the wastewater upstream of the hydrocyclone or within the hydrocyclone itself. The wastewater is channeled from an outlet of the hydrocyclone through a diffuser to a separation tank, where the bubble-particle aggregates are separated as they rise and accumulate on a free liquid surface of the tank. The treated wastewater settles below the bubble-particle aggregate accumulation and is transferred to a reservoir for later use as irrigation water or barn wash water. Salts may also be removed from the wastewater by filtering the wastewater through salt-removing filters before the wastewater is transferred to the reservoir.

Abstract: A multi-modal system for modifying water structure in a solution to continuously affect the hydration forces acting on the constituents in the solution. The system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a fluid inlet. The inlet is coupled to the passage to centrifugally direct the solution helically along the wall. At least one electromagnetic energy delivery unit is disposed within the containment vessel. The electromagnetic energy delivery unit is responsive to generate variable electromagnetic energy sufficient to stimulate the solution and affect the hydration forces. Also provided is a controlling unit coupled to the electromagnetic delivery unit to alter the variable electromagnetic energy in response to spectral information about the solution and in accordance with optimal treatment parameters.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system and method is disclosed for coupling to a first solution source comprising a suspension solution and particles suspended in the suspension solution. The fluid conditioning system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and having an inlet apparatus. The inlet apparatus is coupled to the solution source for receiving a solution stream and directing the solution stream through the passage helically along the cylindrical wall. The containment vessel includes a sparging apparatus disposed downstream of the inlet apparatus for introducing a gas into the solution stream, and an outlet for discharging the sparged solution stream. The system further includes a flotation tank disposed proximate the containment vessel outlet for receiving the discharged solution stream.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system and method is disclosed for coupling to a first solution source comprising a suspension solution and particles suspended in the suspension solution. The fluid conditioning system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and a having an inlet apparatus. The inlet apparatus is coupled to the solution source for receiving a solution stream and directing the solution stream through the passage helically along the cylindrical wall. The containment vessel includes a sparging apparatus disposed downstream of the inlet apparatus for introducing a gas into the solution stream, and an outlet for discharging the sparged solution stream. The system further includes a flotation tank disposed proximate the containment vessel outlet for receiving the discharged solution stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering RF-modulated electromagnetic energy into a solution for modifying its characteristics. Characteristic of the delivery apparatus is the use of a coil and a voltage probe in a fluid electrically isolated from the solution to deliver the electromagnetic field. Embodiments of the present invention preferably control the magnitude and duty cycle of the electromagnetic energy and further preferably distribute a plurality of delivery apparatus according to the energy distribution of a selected delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for utilizing variable frequency electromagnetic energy to inhibit, prevent, reverse, or alter the formation of rust or scale on various liquid contacting surfaces is disclosed. Initially, electromagnetic test signals of varied frequency are directed into a fluid filled system at a first location. The current intensity of the signals are simultaneously measured at a second location some distance from the first location. The measured current intensity, relative to the varied frequency of the test signals, provide an energy absorption/emission profile of the liquid. A treatment frequency--generally the frequency at which maximum absorption is observed--is then selected from such absorption/emission profile and treatment is carried out at such selected frequency.

Abstract: An improved solar water heating and storage system is disclosed characterized by use of physically separated yet thermally interfaced solar collector and domestic water storage reservoirs. The reservoirs and conduit systems are designed to provide a thermal stacking effect of the solar fluid transfer medium and the domestic water supply to maximize system efficiency.

Abstract: A curved wall panel made of fiberglass-polyester resin composite and having a main wall section, in which steel straps (or other high modulars or high stiffner material straps) are circumferentially embedded, and an inwardly recurved section at each side thereof which terminates in a radially disposed and outwardly extending flange. The side-by-side flanges of adjacent panels are conjoined to form a joint which is outwardly spaced from the pair of flanges. The plastic portions of the bolted butt joint formed thereby are in compression only from the bolts and from the hydrostatic pressure while the steel bolts and straps are in tension only. A plurality of conjoined ring panels form a ring module. Outwardly disposed ring panels at the top and bottom of each wall panel enable a ring module to be placed on the rim section of a base formed of pie-shaped elements and to be stacked to form a field-erected tank having horizontally disposed and movement-permitting ring joints above and beneath each ring module.