Abstract: A countercurrent liquid-solid contacting apparatus comprises a liquid purifying column for substantially purifying a liquid by passing the liquid upwardly through a bed of purifying material and a regenerating column for regenerating the purifying material used fo purify the liquid. The liquid purifying column includes supply and transfer ports defined respectively at the top and bottom thereof and has therein the bed of purifying material which is spaced a predetermined distance from the top of the liquid treating column to provide a vacant space. The purifying column further includes a liquid inlet and outlet with a portion of the purifying bed above the liquid outlet serving as a settling layer to avoid any possible fluidization and/or expansion of the purifying material.

Abstract: A liquid purification apparatus which comprises a hollow cylindrical column having a liquid rectifier and collector positioned respectively adjacent the bottom and top of the column in communication with liquid inlet and outlet. A mass of adsorbent material is accommodated within the column in such an amount that a portion of the material within the column and above the liquid collector forms a settling layer to avoid any possible fluidization and/or expansion of another portion of the material situated between the liquid rectifier and collector. The column has a material inlet at the top thereof through which material is continuously supplied into the column while a portion of the material adjacent the bottom of the column is exhausted to the outside through an outlet at the bottom of the column. The uppermost surface level of the material within the column is maintained within a predetermined range.