Abstract: The fixtures in which curved and reinforced flat plates are held while being welded, cleaned, coated and cured include fixedly mounted exterior towers and interior towers removably mounted on rollable bogies (i.e., rail cars or carriages) for ease of transport through a succession of work stations. Subcomponents fabricated on respective bogies are weldingly joined to form module subassemblies after coupling and maneuvering the respective bogies to align the subcomponents (i.e., units). A transverse bulkhead is supported on fluid cushion pallets beside the bogie-supporting rails, so that the transverse bulkhead can be positioned for welding of each subassembly thereto, to provide each respective double-walled vessel hull midbody module.

Abstract: For fabricating a double-hulled tanker, or a major component of one including at least part of longitudinal midbody, a floating drydock is used which has two independently elevatable-depressible sections. The midbody part is made of individual modules, each of which is fabricated in an upended orientation. The upended modules are successively floated onto a tilting assembly on one drydock section, tilted over and serially added to a growing midbody on the other drydock section. The two drydock sections are pumped out and flooded as the process progresses for shifting the positioning of the growing midbody and modules. Other parts, including a bow and stern are added, to provide a complete vessel.

Abstract: An improved curved-plate, double-hull tanker construction is provided, having reduced or eliminated transverse reinforcing structure in its midbody, except for bulkheads. The hull, though double, can compare in weight to conventional single hulls, despite being entirely made of mild steel plate. It is made of significantly fewer pieces, with a reduction in welding footage. More of the steel is used in the form of plate, rather than more expensive shapes. Improved productivity is possible, resulting from standardization of parts, less scrap, greater use of jigs and fixtures, automated welding, blast-cleaning and painting, so that not so much staging is needed, the work environment can be safer, and the product can be produced at a lower unit labor cost. Preferably, cathodic epoxy painting is used for durability and reduction in problems due to blast cleaning, solvent evaporation and generation of refuse.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the purification of industrial waste water containing solid particles. The apparatus contains at least two treatment sections. The first treatment section is a settling tank containing an agitation means, preferably an inclined deflector plate against which the waste water is directed to form a rolling wave and causing solid particles to coagulate and settle. The partially cleaned waste water overflow from the first stage is conveyed to the lower portions of the second stage into spaces between inclined plates which form an inclined plate pack clarifier. The solid particles are taken off from the bottom of the second treatment section, and clarified water is taken off from the top.