Abstract: A grit removal apparatus has a central opening between a cylindrical separation chamber above a grit storage chamber. An influent flume introduces a liquid stream directly into a lower portion of the periphery of the separation chamber, and an effluent flume removes a stream through an opening in an upper portion of the separation chamber wall. Outwardly spiraling vanes extend upwardly at the bottom center of the separation chamber, and a vertical cylindrical duct is supported above the vanes. A tunnel is defined in the separation chamber by an upper wall at the bottom of that opening and an inner wall concentric with the separation chamber wall. A ring extends inwardly from the separation chamber wall, with the tunnel upper wall defining a portion of the ring. A propeller inside the duct rotates to draw fluid flow up through the duct toward the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A grit removal apparatus has a central opening between a cylindrical separation chamber above a grit storage chamber. An influent flume introduces a liquid stream directly into a lower portion of the periphery of the separation chamber, and an effluent flume removes a stream through an opening in an upper portion of the separation chamber wall. Outwardly spiraling vanes extend upwardly at the bottom center of the separation chamber, and a vertical cylindrical duct is supported above the vanes. A tunnel is defined in the separation chamber by an upper wall at the bottom of that opening and an inner wall concentric with the separation chamber wall. A ring extends inwardly from the separation chamber wall, with the tunnel upper wall defining a portion of the ring. A propeller inside the duct rotates to draw fluid flow up through the duct toward the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A grit removal unit for a waste water system, including a round grit removal chamber with an input for waste water and an output, a grit storage chamber beneath the grit removal chamber, and an opening between the grit storage chamber and the grit removal chamber. A vertical drive shaft extends through the grit removal chamber into the grit storage chamber, and is rotatable to facilitate waste water flow in the grit removal chamber whereby grit in the waste water is directed toward the opening. A grit size restrictor includes a shear secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith (the shear including a plate extending radially from the drive shaft above the opening), a first set of bars extending across the opening, and a second set of bars secured to the bottom of the shear plate with the second set of bars positioned adjacent the first set of bars.

Abstract: A grit removal unit for a waste water system, including a round grit removal chamber with an input for waste water and an output, a grit storage chamber beneath the grit removal chamber, and an opening between the grit storage chamber and the grit removal chamber. A vertical drive shaft extends through the grit removal chamber into the grit storage chamber, and is rotatable to facilitate waste water flow in the grit removal chamber whereby grit in the waste water is directed toward the opening. A grit size restrictor includes a shear secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith (the shear including a plate extending radially from the drive shaft above the opening), a first set of bars extending across the opening, and a second set of bars secured to the bottom of the shear plate with the second set of bars positioned adjacent the first set of bars.

Abstract: A pumping system including a fluid inlet line and a primary pump for the fluid. The primary pump includes an impeller in an impeller chamber, with the impeller chamber adapted to receive fluid from the inlet line. A suction chamber is above the impeller chamber, with a throttle opening between the impeller chamber and the suction chamber. A priming pump is adapted to draw fluid through the throttle opening into the suction chamber. A fluid path is provided around the impeller chamber and between the inlet line and the suction chamber, with the fluid path having a larger area than the throttle opening and including a float restrictor.

Abstract: A grit extractor includes inlet and outlet flumes arranged to inject and extract liquid tangentially into a round chamber. The velocity entering and leaving the chamber is controlled by the width of the outlet flume. The velocity is maintained within an optimal region over a ten to one flow range. An effective ten to one variation in flow is achieved with a velocity in the range of 1.5 feet per second to 3.5 feet per second.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring a level of settled particles in a fluid-containing vessel includes the steps of fluidizing particles from a position below the settled level of particles, and measuring a static pressure of liquid within the vessel at a position in the vessel below the settled level of particles. The fluidized static pressure is correlated to a level of settled particles within the vessel using an experimentally determined relationship. The apparatus includes an inlet pipe into the vessel at a position below the settled level of particles, and a pump which recirculates liquid from the vessel above the submerged level of particles, remote from the settled level of particles, and a static pressure instrument connected to the inlet pipe. A solids pump can be activated to remove settled particles from the vessel, the operation of the pump being controlled by the measured level of settled particles.

Abstract: A grit extractor includes inlet and outlet flumes arranged to inject and extract liquid tangentially into a round chamber. The velocity entering and leaving the chamber is controlled by the width of the outlet flume. The velocity is maintained within an optimal region over a ten to one flow range. An effective ten to one variation in flow is achieved with a velocity in the range of 1.5 feet per second to 3.5 feet per second.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring a level of settled particles in a fluid-containing vessel includes the steps of fluidizing particles from a position below the settled level of particles, and measuring a static pressure of liquid within the vessel at a position in the vessel below the settled level of particles. The fluidized static pressure is correlated to a level of settled particles within the vessel using an experimentally determined relationship. The apparatus includes an inlet pipe into the vessel at a position below the settled level of particles, and a pump which recirculates liquid from the vessel above the submerged level of particles, remote from the settled level of particles, and a static pressure instrument connected to the inlet pipe. A solids pump can be activated to remove settled particles from the vessel, the operation of the pump being controlled by the measured level of settled particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for wastewater treatment, includes a calorie reducer first vessel having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet adapted to control the retention time of wastewater within the first vessel. A first recycle pump is connected to the first vessel to recycle wastewater from a bottom of the first vessel to a top of the first vessel through a recycle conduit, at a high velocity. The recycle conduit provides an air gap for drawing air into the first vessel. Bacteria within the calorie reducer vessel consume biodegradable food with a minimum number of bacteria while in the log growth phase. A second bio-reducer vessel is connected to the calorie reducer vessel. The bio-reducer holds a media supported above a bottom reservoir. A bio-reducer recycle pump recycles wastewater within the reservoir to be sprayed onto a top of the bio-reducer, to wash over the media. Further bio-reducers can be arranged downstream of the first bio-reducer.

Abstract: A single port pump impeller includes two pump vanes diverging arcuately and radially from a suction eye to form one open expanding chamber, and includes a blocking wall for closing the remaining, opposite expanding chamber. The two vanes are contained within parallel spaced apart shrouds. The shrouds include increased wall thickness regions to dynamically balance the impeller. The blocking wall can include a small aperture for providing a small stream of liquid to flow into the otherwise closed expanding chamber to prevent cavitation at a distal end of an adjacent vane. Alternately, the otherwise blocked expanding chamber can be filled with a solid material having substantially the same weight as the fluid being pumped, e.g., water, to prevent cavitation at the outside edge of one of the adjacent vanes.

Abstract: An oxidation ditch for biological aerobic treatment of wastewater having a velocity control system to establish an increased and more uniform cross-sectional velocity throughout the flow channel. The system includes a turning baffle member positioned in at least one of the end sections of the flow channel. The turning baffle member is provided with an end portion that has an upper edge that extends under a brush aerator located across an elongated section of the flow channel. The upper edge of the other portion of the turning baffle member extends above the surface of the flowing mixed liquor stream. The flow of the mixed liquor downstream of the brush aerator is unrestricted by flow baffles located in the flow channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-cleaning filter in which the suspension to be filtered is introduced into the filter media at a lower portion of the apparatus. The dirtied filter media flows out the bottom of the apparatus by gravity, while the material being filtered flows upwardly through the filter media into an annular chamber, over a weir and out an outlet pipe. The dirty filter media is mixed with clarified liquid that is received from a confined chamber in the upper portion of the filtering apparatus and the slurry so formed flows into the inlet of a pump. The pump scours the material acting to partially separate the liquid and particulate from the filter material. The slurry is then pumped up into a separator wherein further separation takes place with the liquid and particulate matter being directed out of the separator back for reprocessing and the clean filter medium is reintroduced into the filtering apparatus.

Abstract: A grit selector having an upper settling chamber and a lower grit storage chamber. The settling chamber communicates with the grit storage chamber through an opening in a transition surface therebetween. An influent flume directs influent liquid directly into a lower portion of the settling chamber. An effluent flume withdraws effluent liquid from an upper portion of the settling chamber. The influent flume and effluent flume have a common centerline with the effluent flume being positioned at an elevation above the influent flume. A baffle member extends into the settling chamber for directing the influent liquid stream outwardly towards a lower portion of the periphery of the settling chamber.

Abstract: A submersible pump guide rail arrangement which utilizes the discharge conduit as the guide rail about which the submersible pump assembly is raised and lowered within a wet well. The discharge conduit is rectangular in cross-section and a guide means, having spaced apart V-shaped recesses, receives opposing corners of the discharge conduit thereinto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biological aerobic treatment of wastewater wherein oxygen is induced into a mixed liquor flow path and a method and apparatus for separating the liquid withdrawn from the mixed liquor flow path into a clear liquid stream and a flock laden stream. A streaming specific gravity separator of unique construction and operation separates the mixed liquor into a clear liquid stream and a flock laden stream, withdrawing the clear liquid stream from the system and directing the flock laden stream back into the mixed liquor flow path. The separator functions within the system to be self-controlling for load increases or decreases.In accordance with preferred embodiments of the system, the separator may be positioned inside or outside of an oxidation ditch. The separator may also be utilized in combination with an aeration basin.

Abstract: A sewage pumping station is disclosed which includes a sewage receiving wet well positioned adjacent to a machinery chamber which contains sewage pump means and associated controls. A base beam means, of hollow rectangular cross-section, is secured to the underside of the floor of the machinery chamber. The base beam means defines a suction pipe extension conduit in fluid communication with the wet well. Sewage pump means are supported above the floor of the machinery chamber by a substantially vertical suction conduit extending therebetween. The lower end of the suction conduit is in fluid communication with the suction extension conduit.A sump pump assembly is provided within the machinery chamber which directs accummulated liquid into the suction extension conduit. A control assembly is provided within the machinery chamber which senses the pressure within the suction extension conduit and controls the operation of the sewage pump means dependent upon the liquid level in the wet well.

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 invention relates to a rotary drum comminutor installation which includes a rectilinearly-shaped chamber with the comminutor eccentrically positioned therein.

Abstract: A grit selector having an upper settling chamber and a lower grit storage chamber. The settling chamber communicates with the storage chamber through a relatively small opening in a flat transition surface therebetween. Rotating paddles critically positioned within the settling chamber cause the flow of liquid entering the settling chamber adjacent the outer periphery to rotate about the chamber in a forced vortex having upward spiral flow. Settled grit attaches to the transition surface at the settling chamber perimeter before one revolution. The spiral flow urges the grit across the transition surface towards the opening while the organics are lifted upward and back into the flow. The grit drops through the opening into the grit storage chamber and the organics are carried out of the settling chamber through an outlet passageway.