Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a diaphragm pump having a housing, a first chamber within said housing, a second chamber within said housing and a pair of diaphragm elements mounted in said housing between said first chamber and said second chamber, is provided with a failure sensing system for the diaphragm. The failure sensing system including a failure sensing device which is between the two parts of the diaphragm and an indicator circuit which includes the conductive liquid which is being pumped and an alarm. The two parts of the diaphragm element are clamped together proximate their peripheral edge such that a circumferentila fluid tight compression seal region is provided. The sensing device includes an electrically conductive lead which extends from the exterior of the housing, through the circumferential fluid tight seal region into the region peripherally inward of the seal region.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a dipharagm pump having a housing, a first chamber within the housing, a second chamber within the housing and a pair of diaphragm elements mounted in the housing between said first chamber and the second chamber, is provided with a failure sensing system for the diaphragm. The failure sensing system including a failure sensing device which is between the two parts of the diaphragm and an indicator circuit which includes the conductive liquid which is being pumped and an alarm. The two parts of the diaphragm element are clamped together proximate their peripheral edge such that a circumferential fluid tight compression seal region is provided. The sensing device include an electrically conductive lead which extends from the exterior of the housing, through the circumferential fluid tight seal region into the region peripherally inward of the seal region.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a diaphragm pump having a housing, a first chamber within said housing, a second chamber within said housing and a pair of diaphragm elements mounted in said housing between said first chamber and said second chamber, is provided with a failure sensing system for the diaphragm. The failure sensing system including a failure sensing device which is between the two parts of the diaphragm and an indicator circuit which includes the conductive liquid which is being pumped and an alarm. The two parts of the diaphragm element are clamped together proximate their peripheral edge such that a circumferential fluid tight compression seal region is provided. The sensing device includes an electrically conductive lead which extends from the exterior of the housing, through the circumferential fluid tight seal region into the region peripherally inward of the seal region.

Abstract: An influent stream is passed through a filter bed separating contained particulate material from the mother liquor; the process being carried out until such time as the filter bed can no longer practically sustain further separation operation. A wash step is then commenced in which a wash liquor is passed through the filter bed, washing soluble components sorbed or deposited on the filter bed or in the filter cake. The concentration of soluble salts in the wash liquor is sensed and when the concentration reaches a predetermined minimum level, the wash liquid flow is stopped for a predetermined period of time. The flow is then resumed for a predetermined minimum time period and if the concentration of soluble salts in the wash liquid is, at the end of said minimum time period, not above a predetermined minimum level, the wash step is terminated. Otherwise, the wash step is intermittantly repeated until such time as the aforenoted termination occurs.