Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the integrity of hollow fibre filtration units and of detecting leaks through a wholly or partially ruptured fibre. The inventive method is characterised in that it consists in: —emitting a noise or audible signal using an emitter located on one side of the membranes of the filtration units; —detecting the noise or audible signal emerging from a ruptured fibre on the other side of the membranes, regardless of whether or not a fluid is passing through said fibre; —amplifying the signal-noise thus obtained; —and comparing the resulting amplified signal to a threshold noise level in the same frequency range.

Abstract: An assembly for removing wash water for washing filters containing granular filter material, which are washed simultaneously with water and air, such as those employed especially in water treatment, and recovering the particles of granular filter material entrained by the water during the washing which includes a collecting member having calibrated holes for collecting and removing dirty water, internal and external partitions placed on each side of the collecting member, defining a water recovering zone inside the internal partitions and between the internal and external partitions, tranquil flow zones promoting the separation, by downward concurrent settling of the particles of granular material and of the dirty water to be removed, and a baffle intended to avoid disturbing the preceding zones by the water/air/granular material three-phase mixture formed during the washing, placed under said zones and directing the three phase mixture towards an external degassing zone where the air is removed before the re

Abstract: Improved reactor for the biological treatment of sewage, intended to replace the aeration tank in plants comprising an anaerobic tank in which denitrification takes place, an anaeration tank where the nitrification of the effluents by aerobic bacteria is carried out and a final clarifier, which comprises a single tank having three separate zones which are, in the order in which the liquid to be treated passes through them successively:an aeration operating with plug flow;an anaerobic zone; anda completely mixed zone comprising means permitting it to operate under adjustable aeration conditions.

Abstract: A device for the introduction of a liquid in a medium containing granulate material for the fluidization of this material, intended more particularly for equipping reactors such as those used for the biological treatment of aqueous effluents, characterized in that it is made of a part, bearing on the bottom of the reactor, the upper portion of said part cooperating with the liquid injection tube so as to create a flow with a very small turbulence of the liquid at the tube outlet and the shape of which being such that it provides, at all points of the apparatus, without dead zones, the setting in movement of the material to be fluidized.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an oxidation and biological reduction reactor for liquid to be treated by upwards circulation and recirculation including, within a longitudinal vertical enclosure 5 accessible by an admission 9, a lower layer 1 of biomass fixation made of material whose density is lower than that of the liquid and an upper layer of fixation 3 of biomass made of material whose density is higher than that of the liquid, characterized in that the lower layer 1 is separated from the upper layer 3 by a transverse wall 2 preventing the passage of filtration materials between a lower zone located under the wall 2 and an upper zone above the wall 2, an oxidation gas input 8 under the upper layer 3 and above the wall 2, an outlet 10 for the treated liquid is recycled by a pump 12 and an outer pipe 11 on the inlet 9.

Abstract: A method for making floors for filters, particularly for filters including a granular filtrating material, wherein the method includes forming two stages. The first stage is made by casting in concrete or the equivalent, at least one carrier self-supporting element or pre-slab, formed with openings in which are housed elements, such as nozzles, for the introduction of fluids used for washing the filter. Then the second stage is formed, during which, once the carrier self-supporting elements have been put in position on the supports of the filter, concrete is cast in a single operation on this element or elements, in a quantity sufficient for reaching the required total thickness of the floor and thereby providing a slab which will receive the filter granular material.

Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid in-line mixing of an additive fluid with a primary fluid includes a conduit for passing therethrough in a direction of flow a primary fluid. A nozzle is positioned within the conduit and has an outlet. A pipe supplies an additive fluid to the nozzle, such that the additive fluid is injected through the outlet of the nozzle into the primary fluid. The nozzle has extending outwardly therefrom a member to cause the additive fluid to diffuse rapidly outwardly from the outlet in a generally radially oriented fluid current and thereby for mixing with the primary fluid within a zone occupying a limited length of the conduit, measured in the direction of flow from the outlet of the nozzle.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for effecting counter-current mass exchange between two non-miscible phases A and B, for example a liquid phase A and a liquid or solid phase B, circulating in opposite directions from one end to an opposite end of a vertical tower comprising a plurality of superposed chambers in which the first phase A is caused to circulate continuously and the second phase B is caused to circulate discontinuously. One chamber is empty and is adapted to receive the phase B contained in the next chamber thereabove, the two chambers being isolated from any supply of phases A and B. A small fraction of the liquid phase A is diverted for directing continuously this phase to the other chambers of the tower, the thus diverted fraction being introduced into the next chamber above the empty chamber for carrying away the phase B contained in the lower empty chamber, this diverted fraction being reintroduced into the circuit.

Abstract: A single, integrally formed tank has an upper portion of a rectangular configuration and a lower portion of downwardly decreasing volume and defined by a plurality of exterior walls, at least two of which are inclined downwardly and inwardly toward each other. The interior of the tank is divided into three serially connected compartments by means of interior walls which are inclined in directions substantially parallel to one of the inclined exterior walls. The compartments thus formed are a first, neutralization and coagulation compartment, a second, flocculation compartment, and a third, lamellar decanting and sludge settling compartment. Within the flocculation compartment are arranged a plurality of spaced inclined plates defining upwardly inclined flow passages into which extend deflectors to create eddy currents in the water passing upwardly through the flocculation compartment.