Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating sulphur bearing coal comprising pulverizing the coal, mixing it with water, a reagent and free air and pumping the resulting mixture to a classifier to separate the coal from sulphur and clay, all at the mine site. The resulting pure coal slurry is then pumped to a plant site where it is mixed with acid and bacteria. The resulting slurry is pumped to a bacteria digester wherein it is recirculated to provide maximum contact of bacteria and coal, completing the removal of sulphur. The resulting slurry is introduced into a mixer wherein the bacteria is neutralized by a reagent, raising the pH above 7 to destroy the bacteria and simultaneously aerating the mixture to treat the effuent. The desulphurized coal is treated by drying apparatus to provide a final purified coal product.

Abstract: A method of treating and progressively densifying liquid waste. It comprises thoroughly mixing and aerating by a continuous mixer and/or aerating raw water and chemical treating materials, discharging the resulting mixture downwardly into a reaction compartment, thence drawing the resulting material upwardly by means of an impeller and gravity flow, then allowing a portion of the resulting denser sludge to descend downwardly by gravity into a floc tunnel, thence in a horizontal portion, further densifying and separating takes place. The remaining portion is directed horizontally against inclined, closely spaced parallel plates to clear the resulting fines mixture. Thereafter, there is still further densifying of the sludge. By this method, a very dense sludge is obtained in a relatively small space.

Abstract: Mixing apparatus including a cylindrical mixing chamber having a fluid inlet at one end, a frusto-conical tubular end piece connected to the other end and flaring outwardly by progressively increasing in diameter in an outward direction to form a fluid outlet. The cylindrical mixing chamber has a plurality of rows of openings inclined inwardly towards the fluid outlet. An outer jacket surrounds the cylindrical mixing chamber in spaced relationship therewith to form a liquid receiving chamber. The inlet is shaped as to introduce liquid tangentially into said liquid receiving chamber so as to obtain greater water flow and less turbulence in said liquid receiving chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing sludge from a settling basin, comprising a pair of longitudinally extending pontoons, spaced apart, and having mounted therebetween, a submersible pump for pumping the sludge. The pump is pivotally mounted between the pontoons and adjustably pivotal from a vertical position to a substantially horizontal position in either direction so as to vary the depth of the inlet to the pump and thereby variably dilute the sludge. Variable pivotal deflector plates are mounted across both ends of the pontoons and include means for deflecting sludge toward the pump inlet. The pontoons are provided with partitions to provide separate compartments which are separately fed with the desired mixture of water and air, to enable tilting of the pontoons as well as providing a variable ballast for submerging the pontoons and pump to the desired depth in the sludge pond.

Abstract: Mixing apparatus having an elongated cylindrical mixing chamber with an inlet end and an outlet end and an elongated closed jacket surrounding and spaced from the mixing chamber. The jacket is divided into a number of annular chambers each of which is in communication with the mixing chamber through a ring of inlet passages extending through the wall of the mixing chamber. Each inlet passage in each ring of inlet passages is at an angle toward the outlet end of the mixing chamber and is angularly skewed relative to the axis of the mixing chamber. A throat nozzle is located at the inlet end of the mixing chamber to supply material to the mixing chamber.