Abstract: Vacuum pressure applied to a hydrostatic chamber causes a rise of carrier liquid from an underlying flow stream to an equilibrium level in a hydrostatic column passage and stacking of floating liquid thereabove for separation from the carrier liquid by overflow into siphoning passages conducting the floating liquid to a recovery container vented to atmosphere. The liquid conducted through the siphoning passages seals the hydrostatic chamber, within which an adjusted vacuum pressure maintains recovery operation under established hydrostatic relationships for a given set of dynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: A water clarifier for removing sediment comprises four successive compartments in which settling of the sediment is provided and clarified water removed. In three of the compartments, sediment contaminated water travels through a tortuous path to cause the sediment to settle to the bottom, forming a sediment bed in which the water is filtered. Sump means are provided to remove the sediment. Substantially clear water is directed from the third compartment to the bottom of the fourth compartment, pure water is exiting the fourth compartment near the top thereof and at the end of the compartment opposite the end at which the water entered. The clarifier is mounted on an easily transportable vehicle and is capable of treating approximately 150,000 gallons of contaminated water per day in which the water to be treated can be pumped directly from its source and the clarified water leaving the fourth compartment returned, thereby substantially eliminating excessive loss of treated water.