Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a plurality of elongate UV lamps 13 mounted in a duct 10 and a cleaning assembly 14 comprising a plurality of cleaning heads 20 which are rotated around respective lamps and are simultaneously driven longitudinally thereof to clean the lamps 13 and the internal surface of the duct 10. The cleaning heads 14 each comprise a plurality of portions 28 of titanium dioxide which are biased against the surface of the respective lamps 13 and which produce hydroxyls and oxygen free radicals in the presence of water and oxygen. Hydroxyls and oxygen free radicals are highly reactive and will break down the cells and molecules of the accumulated material on the lamps.

Abstract: A bucket elevator or conveyor comprises a plurality of removable buckets 10 each pivotally supported between two drive chains 11. The buckets 10 are shaped such that their lips 26 overlap when they are traveling horizontally. In this manner, the buckets 10 can be filled without the risk of spillage.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a fluid inlet 12 and outlet 13, a granular filter media 15 arranged to filter fluid flowing from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 and a device 14 arranged to vibrate or agitate the media as fluid flows through the media between the inlet 12 and outlet 13. Vibrating or agitating the granulated media in this way produces a grinding effect which serves to kill any micro-organisms caught in the filter by rupturing their cell walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating liquids, such as cooking fat, includes a vessel for the liquid to be heated, an electrically inductive impeller disposed in the vessel, a motor for rotating the impeller, to cause the liquid to circulate around the vessel, and a electrical coil on the opposite side of a wall of the vessel to the impeller. A high frequency signal is applied to the coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in impeller. The impeller is not an ideal conductor and, therefore, the electrical energy is dissipated as heat, as current, flows through the impeller. The heat generated in the impeller is transferred to the liquid as it circulated around the vessel by the impeller.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a duct portion (10) having an elongated tubular duct (12), inlet and outlet ports at or adjacent opposite ends of the duct (12), a separate vane portion (11), mounted internally of the duct (12) and carrying a helical guide vane (17), which extends longitudinally of the duct (12) between said inlet and outlet ports (13,14) to promote a helical fluid flow therebetween, and an elongated ultra-violet light source (22) extending longitudinally of the duct (12). The helical guide vane (17) is formed on the separate vane portion (11) f the apparatus and thus the apparatus is simple to construct, since the helical guide vane (17) is formed prior to insertion into duct (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for heating liquids such as cooking fat comprises a vessel 10 for the liquid to be heated, an electrically inductive impeller 14 disposed in the vessel, a motor 11 arranged to rotate the impeller 14 to cause the liquid to circulate around the vessel 10 and a coil 16 disposed on the opposite side of a wall of the vessel to the impeller 14.

Abstract: An induction heating or cooking apparatus comprises an inductive heating coil (L), means (CT) for sensing the current I.sub.s of an AC supply applied to the heating coil (L), means (VR) for selecting the desired heat output of the apparatus, means (APC) for comparing the sensed current with in output of the selecting means (VR), and means (RL1) for varying a the voltage of the supply to the heating coil (L) in accordance with the value of an error signal output from the comparing means (APC). Thus, the temperature which the base of a cooking utensil (P) stood on the coil (L) reaches is independent of the material of the utensil.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprises two titanium mesh filters (12,22) connected in series across a flow passage. Each filter (12,22) is irradiated by UV light from respective lamps (13a,13b,23a,23b), so as to kill any micro-organisms trapped on the filters. Backwashing means (18,19,28,19) are provided for backwashing each filter in succession whilst fluid flowing along the passage is filtered by the other filter. In this manner micro-organisms are unable to pass through the apparatus untreated.

Abstract: A water sterilization system comprises an electrostatic water treatment apparatus (10) having its outer duct (13) connected to an ultraviolet treatment apparatus (11). The outlet duct (14) of the ultraviolet water treatment apparatus (11) is connected to an apparatus (12) which aerates the treated water with ozone gas. The electrostatic field of the apparatus (10) varies along the axis of the flow duct, so as to increase the speed at which dissolved minerals precipitate out of solution. The ultraviolet treatment apparatus (11) has a slotted helical guide vane, which creates a turbulent flow of water and ensures that large clumps of microorganisms are broken up. The ozone gas is generated in an apparatus (15) by exposing water vapor and air to shortwave UV radiation.