Abstract: A self-cleaning ultraviolet wastewater disinfection unit and method are provided. The disinfection unit has a wastewater treatment chamber comprising a UV lamp for treating/disinfecting the wastewater. A plurality of pieces of media may be positioned in the treatment chamber. When wastewater is present in the chamber, gas is injected into the wastewater through a gas inlet conduit. The gas agitates the pieces of media in the wastewater to cause the pieces of media to rub against the UV lamp unit to remove matter that has accumulated on the UV lamp unit. The removal of accumulated matter on the UV lamp and other surfaces in the chamber may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the disinfecting unit. Furthermore, the cleaning operation may be performed automatically at scheduled periods to increase the time between major cleanings of the unit.

Abstract: A distillation system has an evaporator that uses heated air circulating in water to transport water laden air to a cooling apparatus. The cooling apparatus condenses the water present in the water laden air to produce distilled water, which is free of the biological matter and minerals that may have been present in the water present in the evaporator. The apparatus can include an airlift pump. A method of distilling water comprises the steps of generating an airflow; heating the airflow to obtain a heated airflow; providing the heated airflow to the water to heat the water and to produce water saturated air; and cooling the water saturated air to obtained distilled water.

Abstract: A turbine that has a plurality of compartments. Each compartment has associated thereto a respective opening. Each opening defining a fluid communication path between an outside of the turbine and a respective compartment. The turbine also has a plurality of conduits. Each conduit connects a respective compartment to an adjoining compartment. Each conduit defines a fluid communication passageway between the respective compartment and the adjoining compartment. The turbine is configured for immersion in liquid and for powering by gas displacing some of the liquid out of one or more than one compartment. The present disclosure also describes a method of driving such a turbine.

Abstract: A turbine that has a plurality of compartments. Each compartment has associated thereto a respective opening. Each opening defining a fluid communication path between an outside of the turbine and a respective compartment. The turbine also has a plurality of conduits. Each conduit connects a respective compartment to an adjoining compartment. Each conduit defines a fluid communication passageway between the respective compartment and the adjoining compartment. The turbine is configured for immersion in liquid and for powering by gas displacing some of the liquid out of one or more than one compartment. The present disclosure also describes a method of driving such a turbine.

Abstract: A self-cleaning ultraviolet wastewater disinfection unit and method are provided. The disinfection unit has a wastewater treatment chamber comprising a UV lamp for treating/disinfecting the wastewater. A plurality of pieces of media may be positioned in the treatment chamber. When wastewater is present in the chamber, gas is injected into the wastewater through a gas inlet conduit. The gas agitates the pieces of media in the wastewater to cause the pieces of media to rub against the UV lamp unit to remove matter that has accumulated on the UV lamp unit. The removal of accumulated matter on the UV lamp and other surfaces in the chamber may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the disinfecting unit. Furthermore, the cleaning operation may be performed automatically at scheduled periods to increase the time between major cleanings of the unit.

Abstract: A separator and composting unit for a sewage treatment system. The separator and composting unit receives sewage at a rotating separator that drains, or partially drains, the sewage of its liquid. The separator transfer the partially drained sewage to a rotating composting drum wherein the partially drained sewage dries out and transforms to compost while on its way to an exit opening of the composting drum from which it falls out.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sewage The apparatus receives sewage at a receiving compartment and separates solids from liquids at the receiving compartment. The solids can be extracted from the receiving compartment by an auger. The liquid sewage flows through a series of treatment compartment containing rotating biological contactor discs for treatment by these rotating biological contactor discs. The rotating biological contactor discs are secured to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft and the auger are powered by a quasi-submerged turbine displaced by a flow of air.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide probe is disclosed, the probe including an oligonucleotide, a fluorescer molecule attached to a first end of the oligonucleotide and a quencher molecule attached to the opposite end of the oligonucleotide. The probe is rendered impervious to digestion by the 5??3? exonuclease activity of a polymerase and the 5??3? extension of by a polymerase. The invention also includes methods for performing combined PCR amplification and hybridization probing, one such method including the steps of contacting a target nucleic acid sequence with PCR reagents and an oligonucleotide probe as described above, and subjecting these reagents to thermal cycling. One preferred refinement of the above method further includes the addition of a strand displacer to facilitate amplification.

Abstract: A composite structural steel wall reinforced with concrete and a form system is described herein. The wall comprises a corrugated steel sheet defining a plurality of integrally formed, alternately inverted, spaced ridges. The ridges extend on opposed sides of the sheet and are separated by troughs defined by a rear face of the ridges on an opposite one of the sides and an integrally formed side wall of opposed ridges on a common side of the sheet. The side walls have openings therein. A first wall structure is secured to at least some of the ridges on one of the opposed sides of the corrugated steel sheet. A second wall structure is secured to at least some of the ridges on the other of the opposed sides of the corrugated steel sheet.

Abstract: A precast insulated concrete panel and a method of forming same and a building structure incorporating such panel is described. The precast insulated concrete panel is comprised of an outer insulating skin formed by a rigid layer of insulating sheet foam material connected to a concrete inner wall layer cast on the inner surface of the insulating material. The inner surface of the insulating material has connecting cavities formed therein so that the concrete flows into the cavity and connects to the rigid insulating material through integral plugs of concrete which are set formed with the connecting cavities. Connectors are also formed in the concrete and in the insulation to connect and manipulate the panels and to attach outer finishing building materials to the insulation. These panels may be utilized in a tilt-up construction method and connect to floor slabs to form building structures of more than one storey.