Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an underdrain in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. At least one diagnostic condition relating to the performance of the underdrain is monitored to determine if the underdrain is operating in an acceptable manner.

Abstract: A filter system having a filter bed for filtering water or wastewater, where the filter bed is periodically washed between service runs by directing washing liquid and washing gas upwardly through the filter bed. The filter system includes a filter bed and at least one flume. The flume is in fluid communication with the filter bed. Preferably, the flume is configured such that no washing liquid and washing gas interface is present in the flume. The flume may be configured such that during washing of the filter bed between service runs the flume receives a washing gas and directs the washing gas upwardly through the filter bed to assist in cleaning the filter bed between service runs. The flume may further be configured such that during washing the only liquid directed from the flume to the filter bed is residual liquid that may be present in the flume from a prior service run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an underdrain in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. At least one diagnostic condition relating to the performance of the underdrain is monitored to determine if the underdrain is operating in an acceptable manner.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater which includes an underdrain system having a plurality of laterals that are anchored to the floor of a filter by a hold-down assembly. Preferably, the hold-down assembly does not rely on grout or other substance that is applied in a viscous or semi-viscous state and subsequently hardened as the primary means for connecting the underdrain laterals to the floor of the filter. Preferably, the hold-down assembly includes hold-down clips that can move relative to an anchor assembly and corresponding underdrain blocks so that the hold-down clips can cooperate with any desired portion of the corresponding underdrain blocks.

Abstract: A flume for a filter system including at least one filter having a filter bed that is periodically washed with liquid, gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. The flume includes a chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, a left sidewall and a right sidewall. The chamber is adapted to receive a liquid, a gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. Preferably, the flumes includes at least a first inner wall and a second inner wall. Each of the first inner wall and the second inner wall are preferably free of any orifices. The first inner wall is positioned relative to the second inner wall such that an open space is formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall. The open space creates a first liquid/gas interface upstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall and a second gas/liquid interface downstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall when gas and liquid are present in the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an underdrain in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. At least one diagnostic condition relating to the performance of the underdrain is monitored to determine if the underdrain is operating in an acceptable manner.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters. The distribution member is preferably configured to occupy only a small percentage of space in a distribution chamber (e.g., a flume).

Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater including a sludge blanket clarifier for removing at least some impurities from influent. The sludge blanket clarifier includes a clarifier compartment in which a sludge blanket is to be formed to remove at least some impurities from influent directed into the clarifier compartment and through the sludge blanket. The clarifier compartment has at least one vertical sidewall extending from a bottom of the clarifier compartment to a top of the clarifier compartment. The clarifier compartment has a cross-sectional area that varies over at least a portion of a height of the clarifier compartment such that the velocity of influent just prior to entry into the sludge blanket is less than the velocity of influent just after entering the clarifier compartment. The sludge blanket clarifier preferably has one or more flocculator modules disposed in the clarifier compartment to aid in flocculation and distribution of influent.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water and/or wastewater including at least one underdrain lateral. The underdrain lateral is configured to receive a liquid during a filtration cycle and directs a washing fluid through a filter bed of one or more layers of filter media during a washing cycle. The filter can take any form including but not limited to an upflow clarifier, an upflow filter, a downflow clarifier, a downflow filter and a bi-flow filter. The filter media may be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, a porous plate can be attached to the underdrain lateral in place of the gravel layers. The washing cycle can be a liquid only wash, a gas only wash, a combined liquid and gas wash or a combination of any of the aforementioned wash cycles.

Abstract: A filter having a gravel-less underdrain and a filter layer installed directly on top of the gravel-less underdrain. The filter layer is designed such that when fluid is directed through the filter layer at controlled rates a protective barrier is formed by the larger particles of the filter layer directly above the gravel-less underdrain to prevent clogging and/or structural failure of the gravel-less underdrain thereby obviating the need for one or more layers of gravel or torpedo sand.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater that includes a roughing filter followed by a polishing filter where the roughing filter is an upflow filter and the polishing filter is a membrane filter. The upflow filter includes a filter bed formed from one or more layers of media. The media may be naturally occurring or plastic. Further, the media may be buoyant or non-buoyant. Preferably, the filter system is formed as a package unit. The upflow filter and membrane filter may share a common base allowing the filter system to be readily transported as a single unit. Alternatively, the membrane filter may be connected to and supported by a vertical wall of the upflow filter. The membrane filter may include membrane filter modules that are housed as a group in a section of the membrane filter or the membrane filter modules may be individually housed.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters. The distribution member is preferably configured to occupy only a small percentage of space in a portion of the filter system (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters. The distribution member is preferably configured to occupy only a small percentage of space in a distribution chamber (e.g., a flume).

Abstract: An underdrain system having a bottom formed of concrete. The concrete bottom includes a plurality of depressions formed therein. A porous plate is operably associated with at least one of the depressions. An anchor assembly is provided for anchoring the porous plate to the concrete bottom in an efficient and cost effective manner. Preferably, the anchor assembly permits the porous plate to be readily replaced. An optional insert may be used to enhance the distribution of the flow of fluid through the porous plate.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for directing fluids through a filter system. The fluid distribution system ensures proper distribution of fluids during the process of filtering as well as the process of washing a filter bed. The fluid distribution system may be used with numerous filter systems including but not limited to an upflow filter, a downflow filter, a combined upflow/downflow filter and/or multiple downflow filters connected in series.

Abstract: A system for settling solids or other impurities from water or wastewater. The system includes a containment vessel for containing fluid. The containment vessel has an inlet for receiving an influent and an outlet through which an effluent is discharged. At least a first group of tube settlers is disposed in the containment vessel. The first group of tube settlers has a top, a bottom and a plurality of tubes for receiving influent and discharging effluent. A distribution channel is provided for distributing influent evenly through the first group of tube settlers to enhance the settling of solids and other impurities from water or wastewater.

Abstract: A fluid grid system for use with filter systems and other fluid handling devices. Preferably, the fluid grid system is designed such that components thereof may be readily connected to each other without the use of clips or other fasteners. Further, the fluid grid system preferably allows components to be installed and held in place or removed merely by applying a sufficient force to a portion of the component.

Abstract: A filter system employing a modular filter and at least one high rate pre-treatment system for expeditiously and effectively filtering water. The modular filter includes a reservoir housing for containing fluid. A plurality of filter cells are disposed in the reservoir housing for filtering influent passed through the reservoir housing. Each of the plurality of filter cells has at least one layer of media. A moveable backwash assembly is provided for sequentially backwashing the plurality of filter cells. The backwashing procedure is performed on the modular filter system such that while one of the plurality of cells is being backwashed the remaining cells are filtering pre-treated influent processed by the pre-treatment system. The pre-treatment system preferably has a footprint considerably smaller than the footprint of the modular filter.

Abstract: An underdrain system having a bottom formed of concrete. The concrete bottom includes a plurality of depressions formed therein. A porous plate is operably associated with at least one of the depressions. An anchor assembly is provided for anchoring the porous plate to the concrete bottom in an efficient and cost effective manner. Preferably, the anchor assembly permits the porous plate to be readily replaced. An optional insert may be used to enhance the distribution of the flow of fluid through the porous plate.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for directing fluids through a filter system. The fluid distribution system ensures proper distribution of fluids during the process of filtering as well as the process of washing a filter bed. The fluid distribution system may be used with numerous filter systems including but not limited to an upflow filter, a downflow filter, a combined upflow/downflow filter and/or multiple downflow filters connected in series.