Abstract: According to one implementation, a method of treating wastewater includes introducing air bubbles having a predetermined size into raw influent, allowing the air bubbles time to bind with grease particles in the influent and to rise, and collecting the grease particles bound with the air bubbles on an upper surface of the influent.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for desalinizing raw water are disclosed. The method can include wicking the raw water into a porous material by capillary action and heating the raw water in the porous material with a heating element to form water vapor. The water vapor then can be condensed to form purified water. The apparatus can include a chamber for holding raw water, a heating element, a sheet of porous material and a chamber for collecting water vapor evaporated from the raw water in the porous material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for desalinizing raw water are disclosed. The method can include wicking the raw water into a porous material by capillary action and heating the raw water in the porous material with a heating element to form water vapor. The water vapor then can be condensed to form purified water. The apparatus can include a chamber for holding raw water, a heating element, a sheet of porous material and a chamber for collecting water vapor evaporated from the raw water in the porous material.

Abstract: A method of collecting and transferring settling solids that are being settled from raw surface water or wastewater includes collecting settling solids and applying first and second upward flows to the settling solids. The solids are collected in a chamber having a bottom surface and a surrounding side surface. The first upward flow is applied to the solids from a point adjacent the bottom surface. The second upward flow is a suction flow applied at a point above the first upward flow. The first and second flows urge the settling grit upward and out of the chamber through a passageway.

Abstract: A duct for conveying influent to a head cell having multiple, vertically aligned trays has an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end can be connected to an influent channel positioned at a level above the head cell apparatus. The outlet end is positioned downstream of the inlet end and can be connected to the head cell. The outlet end has multiple, discrete nozzles that are spaced apart in a vertical direction and correspond in number to the multiple trays. Influent that enters the inlet end of the duct travels downwardly and exits the duct through orifices in the nozzles, entering each of the respective trays.

Abstract: A method of collecting and transferring settling solids that are being settled from raw surface water or wastewater includes collecting settling solids and applying first and second upward flows to the settling solids. The solids are collected in a chamber having a bottom surface and a surrounding side surface. The first upward flow is applied to the solids from a point adjacent the bottom surface. The second upward flow is a suction flow applied at a point above the first upward flow. The first and second flows urge the settling grit upward and out of the chamber through a passageway.

Abstract: A duct for conveying influent to a head cell having multiple, vertically aligned trays has an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end can be connected to an influent channel positioned at a level above the head cell apparatus. The outlet end is positioned downstream of the inlet end and can be connected to the head cell. The outlet end has multiple, discrete nozzles that are spaced apart in a vertical direction and correspond in number to the multiple trays. Influent that enters the inlet end of the duct travels downwardly and exits the duct through orifices in the nozzles, entering each of the respective trays.

Abstract: A duct for conveying influent to a head cell having multiple, vertically aligned trays has an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end can be connected to an influent channel positioned at a level above the head cell apparatus. The outlet end is positioned downstream of the inlet end and can be connected to the head cell. The outlet end has multiple, discrete nozzles that are spaced apart in a vertical direction and correspond in number to the multiple trays. Influent that enters the inlet end of the duct travels downwardly and exits the duct through orifices in the nozzles, entering each of the respective trays.

Abstract: In the filtration cycle, a fluid such as water containing suspended solid waste matter is treated with a coagulating agent and gravity-fed through a plurality of individual filter cells, or modules, containing a particulate, coarse, granular filter media. Backwashing is effected by injecting water into the filter media at the bottom center of the cell, causing the filter media to well upwardly and to form on the surface a series of polarly oriented ridges and troughs, the troughs serving to guide "mudballs" and coagulant particles on the media into an inlet port connected to the injector pipe where the high pressure water breaks up the mudballs into manageable particle sizes and scours the media. Solid particles suspended in the water overlying the media are drawn off through a backwash overflow and are fed into a clarifier where separation is effected and clarified water is provided for re-injection into the media.

Abstract: Liquid-solid separator in which the materials to be separated are introduced tangentially into a right circular cylindrical vessel including a substantially flat bottom with an opening in the center. The flow velocity is such that the suspended material accumulates in the center of the flat bottom and exits through the opening therein. A quiescent chamber receives the material issuing through the opening. A centrally located top outlet opening removes excess liquid. The apparatus may be operated so that a free vortex is obtained and material is separately removed from the core of the free vortex. The apparatus may also be operated so that material located adjacent the bottom may be removed from orbits determined by the specific gravity and settling velocity of the material relative to the liquid flow velocity.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transferring gas to liquid, for example, air to liquid in an aeration process. Included is a novel combination air-liquid conduit and a method of making same, a novel jet aerator wherein the outlet section is shortened to include only a converging portion, a novel aeration system utilizing the conduit and jet aerator aforesaid and a novel coupling means for mounting the aerator on the conduit.

Abstract: A jet aerator module for securing intimate contact and admixture between a liquid stream and an oxidizing gas including a housing constructed of sheet form material, a gas inlet in the housing for introducing a pressurized oxidizing gas into the housing, a liquid inlet in the housing axially spaced from the gas inlet for introducing liquid to be treated into the housing, an inner liquid carrying chamber composed of sheet form material disposed within the housing in spaced relation to the gas inlet, thereby providing a gas chamber between the chamber and the gas inlet, the housing being provided with angularly spaced relatively large diameter jet nozzles about its periphery, and the inner chamber being provided with smaller diameter jet nozzles about its periphery in axial registry with the relatively large diameter jet nozzles in the housing. The construction is such that the entire module is relatively lightweight and capable of being manufactured at low cost from readily available materials.

Abstract: Flocculation is carried out by mixing a coagulant, such as alum, with the fluid to be treated, such as water, and introducing the resultant mixture into the upstream end of a conductor. In a preferred form, the conductor comprises a series of discrete pipe sections, each downstream section having a progressively larger diameter and length with diverging transition members connecting adjacent sections. The sizes of the sections and the transition members are carefully predetermined, as is the radius of curvature of the coil, in the event the pipe is wound, so as to afford a velocity gradient and flow condition throughout the length of the pipe yielding optimum results.Modified forms of continuous decayed velocity gradient systems are also disclosed. One form uses a coiled pipe wherein the pipe diameter is constant and the coil radius of curvature progressively increases.