Abstract: The present invention relates to a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus that can be used to irrigate and fertilize the base of a tree and to protect the roots thereof. The present invention comprises a tree ring having a bottom half that serves as a root harrier and a top half that serves as a barrier to retain water around a tree while the water percolates to the root system of the tree. An inlet fitting is attached to a water supply and directs water into an irrigation valve that is in fluid communication with a fertilizer dispenser. As the water flows through the irrigation valve and out a distribution fitting, the water flow siphons fertilizer from the fertilizer dispenser and mixes it with the water before it is released through a distribution fitting to irrigate the base of a tree or shrub.

Abstract: The flowmeter of the present invention is primarily used in swimming pools and is configured to deactivate a swimming pool pump when the drain in the swimming pool is blocked or covered. Swimming pool drains are often blocked or covered by the body of a swimmer. When the drain is blocked or covered, the pump creates substantial suction force that entraps the body of a swimmer against the drain. By deactivating the pump when the drain is blocked or covered, the flowmeter of the present invention serves as a safety vacuum release system that prevents entrapment of a person by the drain of the swimming pool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tree watering apparatus that can be used to irrigate the base of a tree and to protect the roots thereof. The present invention comprises a semi-circular ring having a bottom half that serves as a root barrier and a top half that serves as a barrier to retain water around a tree while the water percolates to the root system of the tree. A distribution tubing is attached to a water supply and directs water around a tree which is then retained on the ground around the tree by the top half of the present invention while it percolates into the ground. Water that percolates into the ground is then directed to the root system of the tree by the bottom half of the present invention that is buried.

Abstract: The flowmeter of the present invention is primarily used in swimming pools and is configured to deactivate a swimming pool pump when the drain in the swimming pool is blocked or covered. Swimming pool drains are often blocked or covered by the body of a swimmer. When the drain is blocked or covered, the pump creates substantial suction force that entraps the body of a swimmer against the drain. By deactivating the pump when the drain is blocked or covered, the flowmeter of the present invention serves as a safety vacuum release system that prevents entrapment of a person by the drain of the swimming pool.

Abstract: The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter.

Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum relief safety valve includes a housing defining an inner chamber and attached to the suction-side of the swimming pool or spa pump. An air inlet aperture is formed in the housing so as to be open to ambient air. A sealing element is disposed within the housing and biased against the air inlet aperture by a spring so as to effectively seal the inner chamber of the housing from ambient air. When a maximum allowed vacuum level within the pump is exceeded, such as when a swimming pool drain is obstructed, the sealing element moves into the inner chamber and opens the air inlet aperture causing the pump to rapidly lose its prime and enabling removal of the entrapment. Simultaneously, the movement of the sealing element provides electricity to a control circuit which shuts off power to the pump.

Abstract: A vacuum relief safety valve includes a housing defining an inner chamber and attached to the suction-side of the swimming pool or spa pump. An air inlet aperture is formed in the housing so as to be open to ambient air. A sealing element is disposed within the housing and biased against the air inlet aperture by a spring so as to effectively seal the inner chamber of the housing from ambient air. When a maximum allowed vacuum level within the pump is exceeded, such as when a swimming pool drain is obstructed, the sealing element moves into the inner chamber and opens the air inlet aperture causing the pump to rapidly lose its prime and enabling removal of the entrapment.

Abstract: A vacuum relief safety valve includes a housing defining an inner chamber and attached to the suction-side of the swimming pool or spa pump. An air inlet aperture is formed in the housing so as to be open to ambient air. A sealing element is disposed within the housing and biased against the air inlet aperture by a spring so as to effectively seal the inner chamber of the housing from ambient air. When a maximum allowed vacuum level within the pump is exceeded, such as when a swimming pool drain is obstructed, the sealing element moves into the inner chamber and opens the air inlet aperture causing the pump to rapidly lose its prime and enabling removal of the entrapment.

Abstract: A method includes diluting a bitumen source, such a bitumen froth from a hot water extraction process, with a hydrocarbon diluent such as naphtha, contacting the bitumen with a zone settling aid such as a polyoxyalkylate block polymer, flocculating water and fine solids in the diluted bitumen, separating the flocculated water and fine solids from the solvent-diluted bitumen, and producing dry, clean diluted bitumen. Preferably, the diluted bitumen will have less than 1.0 wt % water, but most preferably less than 0.7 wt % water. The method may further comprise maintaining the diluted bitumen under conditions that avoid the precipitation of asphaltenes from the bitumen, preferably such that the dry, clean diluted bitumen comprises essentially all, such as greater than 96%, of the asphaltene content from the bitumen source. Counter-current flow may be performed in a series of zone settling stages, such as with gravity settling.

Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.

Abstract: A method is described for providing rapid on-line analyses of chemical compositions such as chemical process streams, utilizing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics. In the method, for each type of analysis to be conducted, a database is provided by analyzing a series of samples using standard laboratory analytical procedures, utilizing the results as reference values to establish quantitative calibration models from NIR spectroscopy using chemometric techniques and storing this information in a computer database. An NIR spectroscopic system is also provided comprising a transflectance or a transmittance probe coupled via fiber-optic cables to a stable white light source and a spectrograph. The probe is inserted into a test sample or chemical process stream to be analyzed, a stable white light of selected wavelength range is beamed to the probe and the spectra obtained on the spectrograph are recorded.

Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.

Abstract: An improved motor-driven pump is provided for delivering a flow of water in a swimming pool or spa environment or the like. The improved pump includes a motor mounted within a motor housing having a seal plate mounted at one end thereof. The seal plate carries a shaft bearing for rotatably supporting a drive shaft having an outboard end connected to an impeller disposed within a pump chamber defined cooperatively by the seal plate and a volute housing mounted thereon. A primary seal assembly includes an axially spring-loaded dynamic seal ring carried on the drive shaft for rotation therewith and for running engagement with a stationary bushing carried by the seal plate. A secondary seal assembly is positioned axially between the primary seal assembly and motor bearing, and includes at least one slinger disk for radially outwardly slinging any water leaking past the primary seal assembly through a vent chamber.

Abstract: A method is described for providing rapid on-line analyses of chemical compositions such as chemical process streams, utilizing near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics. In the method, for each type of analysis to be conducted, a database is provided by analyzing a series of samples using standard laboratory analytical procedures, utilizing the results as reference values to establish quantitative calibration models from NIR spectroscopy using chemometric techniques and storing this information in a computer database. An NIR spectroscopic system is also provided comprising a transflectance or a transmittance probe coupled via fiber-optic cables to a stable white light source and a spectrograph. The probe is inserted into a test sample or chemical process stream to be analyzed, a stable white light of selected wavelength range is beamed to the probe and the spectra obtained on the spectrograph are recorded.

Abstract: A two-stage hydrocyclone system for separating oily fluids including a first stage hydrocyclone set up to produce a concentrated oil stream, while the second stage hydrocyclone is set up to optimize the production of clean water from the dirty water underflow stream of the first stage hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone stages are mounted within a pressure vessel with divider walls, with the first stage producing a concentrated oil stream substantially free of water and a dirty water stream containing some oil. This dirty water stream from the first stage is fed to the second stage to obtain a clean water stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclone separator for separating oil and water and removing suspended solids. It comprises a generally cylindrical first portion with an open end and a closed end. A generally axial overflow outlet is provided in the closed end and a moveable member is associated with this closed end having a plurality of orifices of progressively smaller diameter than the overflow outlet. This moveable member may be moved such that any selected one of the plurality of orifices may be axially aligned with the overflow outlet. The separator includes at least two radially balanced feed injection ports in the cylindrical first portion adjacent to the closed end thereof. A converging tapered second section with open ends is axially flow connected to the open end of the cylindrical first portion and a converging tapered third portion with open ends is axially flow connected to the tapered second portion. A fourth generally cylindrical portion is axially flow connected to the third tapered portion.

Abstract: A suction fitting for use in a water circulation system, the fitting having a perforated body that is mounted to permit fluid flow through both front and rear perforated faces, and thereby minimize the possibility of complete blockage of the fitting by entrapped hair or skin. Operation of a circulating pump is controlled to prevent damage to equipment and property and also to minimize the possibility of serious personal injury or death. The suction fitting further includes a suction tube for connection to the pump, for circulating water in the tub or spa back through jets in the tub or spa, and a pressure sensor line connecting the water in the tub or spa to a water level sensor. The front face of the perforated body has a number of grooves, to provide fluid communication between the pressure sensor line and the suction tube, through one or more front-face perforations.