Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a sudden rise in pressure of a source thereof is disclosed which is especially useful for activating explosion suppression or isolation equipment by virtue of the fact that the apparatus is capable of detecting a sudden, incipient rise in pressure in a containment system which could result in a destructive overpressure in the system. The sudden pressure detection apparatus is provided with a housing having a pair of opposed passages defining fluid inlets closed with deflectable diaphragm means interconnected by a rod assembly having means thereon for operating a switch which controls activation of the suppression or isolation equipment. One of the housing inlets is adapted to be coupled to the source of system pressure. A pressure equalization conduit extends between and intercommunicates the housing passages to equalize the pressure on the diaphragm means.

Abstract: An oil and water separator is disclosed having plural nested separating tanks. An oil/water mixture is introduced into the innermost tank. A fluid exchange means, such as a corrugated pipe wound to form a helix, transfers fluid from the innermost separating tank through successive separating tanks to the outermost tank. The majority of oil is trapped within the innermost tank and is transferred to a recovery tank by an overflow device. In outer separating tanks, a biological digestion of the small amount of remaining oil takes place.