Abstract: Methods for removing e.g. odor-causing components from liquid sludge, and, in one embodiment, a process for sludge deodorization which includes pretreating the sludge to gasify certain components, reducing the size of solids in the sludge, feeding the thus treated sludge tea stripping tower and therein removing in a stripping gas undesirable components from a thin film of the sludge on the interior tower wall. Preferably, the treated sludge is dewatered. Products from the tower may be recycled for further treatment until a desired odor level is achieved or discharged from the process. The process may be batch or batch-wise continuous.

Abstract: A method for stripping ammonia from a film of digested sludge including flowing alkaline liquid sludge as a film on a tower's interior wall and flowing an ammonia stripping gas past the film creating a vapor containing ammonia and stripping gas; then disengaging the liquid sludge from the vapor in a tower disengaging zone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a support system for thermoplastic pipe which includes two sleeves each securable to one of two pipe ends, each encompassing a portion of the pipe and having a connection member spaced apart from the pipe and interconnected between the sleeves. The system minimizes stress on the pipe and fittings associated with thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for treating materials such as waste material, wastewater, and sludge, particularly waste activated sludge (WAS). In one aspect a process according to the present invention includes denaturing, acidifying and degassing incoming WAS while venting gases produced, preferably to a vent treatment system; feeding the resulting denatured WAS to a reactor into which are fed steam and oxygen, the steam discontinued once the reaction becomes autothermal; venting hot gases from the reactor back to the degassing step, to heat recovery or to a reactor, e.g. a sequencing batch reactor; and cooling and neutralizing the reactor product. Batch, semi-continuous, and batch sequencing methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the incineration of waste gas containing oxygen are disclosed which, in one aspect, have a combustion chamber with a high intensity, stable burner jet projecting therein and a backmixing zone in which are mixed burner fuel and waste gasses flowing into the chamber via a waste gas flow line. As desired additional fuel, e.g. fuel such as methane added to vitiated air, may be introduced into the chamber. Preferably, the heat content of the supplemental fuel is adjusted to control temperature in the combustion chamber while a stable combustion zone is provided. In one aspect flue gas from the chamber flows to a heat recovery apparatus to recover heat value of the flue gas.

Abstract: A sludge clarifier vessel bottom is disclosed which, in one embodiment, includes a bottom wall of the vessel and a portion of a steel side wall of the vessel, the walls intersecting at a corner, the bottom including the walls and a primer coat thereon, an amount of putty in the corner a resin base coat on the primer coat, fiberglass cloth on the resin base coat and a top resin coat on the fiberglass cloth. In one aspect crack controlling apparatus according to this invention is disposed beneath the plastic coat and the plastic coat is, preferably, not bonded to the crack controlling apparatus. Also disclosed are clarifiers with such bottoms.

Abstract: A clarifier is disclosed with a cover or roof configured and disposed to minimize headspace between a top level of liquid in a clarifier vessel and a bottom of the roof. In one aspect the roof or cover includes one or more removable panels which permit access to a clarifier vessel's interior; the panels removably secured to a purlin system which is connected to a truss support secured to the vessel. In one aspect one or more circumferential purge air inlets are provided through which flow purge air. Purge air and gaseous material emitted from a mixture in the clarifier flow to a vent or vents through which they exit the clarifier. In one aspect the air inlet or inlets are disposed to provide uniform flow from the inlets to the vents. In one aspect one or more roof panels is connected with a known force and has a known rupture strength so that before explosive damage to other parts of the clarifier the panel is explosively disconnected and ruptured to relieve pressure in the clarifier.

Abstract: A hopper for solids is disclosed which, in one aspect, has a main hollow body for storing the solids, an inlet for feeding solids into the main hollow body, a discharge section for discharging the solids from the main hollow body, and a plastic liner device loosely covering interior surfaces of the hopper. In one aspect the plastic liner device includes sub-parts, each sub-part secured to a sub-part of the main hollow body and/or to the inlet or discharge sections. In one aspect separate sealed compartments facilitating leak detection are formed between each liner sub-part and the wall of the main hollow body. Also disclosed is a hopper that provides both primary (liner) and secondary (hopper wall) containment.

Abstract: A slab with two or more adjacent sub-slabs with a space therebetween and a liquid stop spanning the space, a portion of the liquid stop embedded in each of the sub-slabs. In one aspect, when joint material is present in the space, the liquid stop is, preferably, disposed beneath the joint material. A liquid containment system for a treatment facility with liquid containing vessel(s) and slab(s) which includes liquid stop apparatus for each slab/slab interface and liquid stop apparatus for each slab/vessel interface.

Abstract: A pipe-to-concrete transition apparatus is disclosed which, in on aspect, includes a flanged end of an HDPE pipe held in sealing contact with a flanged end of an FRP connection by a steel joining assembly, all encased in concrete of a concrete sump, the FRP connection having an outlet in fluid communication with the sump's internal bore. In one aspect an FRP layer covers the FRP-connection-to-sump interface and the steel connection assembly anchors the pipe in the concrete.

Abstract: Improved trough-type liquid distributors and redistributors for use in vapor-liquid contact columns wherein uniform distribution of downflowing liquid is achieved by employing orifices in the sides of troughs, said orifices being sized such that they stay submerged. Better distribution is obtained when the orifices are used with adjacent vertical drip rods to which the liquid can adhere and follow downwardly by gravity flow. The invention allows good distribution at very low flow rates, e.g. less than 0.8 gallons/minute/square foot.

Abstract: Improved trough-type and plate-type liquid distributors and redistributors for use in vapor-liquid contact columns wherein uniform distribution of downflowing liquid is achieved by employing round orifices in the sides of vapor ducts and troughs, said orifices being sized such that they stay submerged. Even better distribution is obtained when small round orifices are used with adjacent vertical drip rods to which the liquid can adhere and follow downward. Invention allows good distribution for very low flow rates, e.g. less than 0.15 gallons/minute/square foot.