Abstract: An aquarium filtering apparatus having a spiral prefilter connected between a siphon input line and a return water line for removing floating debris wherein the return line cycles a portion of the return water through a "dry" biological filter for decomposing biological waste and through a chemical stage filter for eliminating undesirable chemical waste from the aquarium water, the filtering apparatus further including a concentric tube arrangement having an outer inlet tube for receiving water from the spiral prefilter and an inner inlet tube for receiving water from the chemical stage filter, the prefilter operating in paralle with the biological and chemical stage filters permitting the concentric tube arrangement to maintain a pair of water levels within the aquarium filter by utilizing a single submersible pump, the pair of water levels ensuring that the pump remains submersible and the biological filter remains non-submersible which minimizes filter recycling time and improves filter efficiency while be

Abstract: "A water purification system has a reverse osmosis filtration unit which receives feed water from a feed water valve and separates it into product water and waste water. A reservoir has a movable separator dividing it into a product water chamber for receiving the product water and a control water chamber. The product water is delivered to an outlet connection from the product water chamber or directly from the filtration unit. A regulator is connected to the waste water outlet port of the filtration unit, the control water port of the reservoir, and a drain line. The regulator has a first valve for providing waste water from the filtration unit to the control water port of the reservoir for urging the separator toward the product water chamber. The regulator has a second valve that can rapidly drain water from the control water chamber of the reservoir and rapidly reduce pressure in the control water chamber, thus facilitating the refilling of the product water chamber.

Abstract: An interceptor for the continuous removal of solid matter from a mixture of solids and liquids includes a screening drum rotating while in operation in a given direction of rotation. The mixture is fed to the outer surface of the jacket of the drum, whereby the liquid enters the drum and solid matter remains on the outer surface of the drum jacket. A solids discharge device is provided adjacent the outer surface of the drum to remove deposited solid matter. At least the lower half of the screening drum is surrounded by a tank to which a mixture inlet is connected. A liquid outlet is connected to the interior of the screening drum. The level of the mixture in the tank is controlled in such a way that it is above the level of the cleansed liquid inside the screening drum. The mixture introduced into a flow chamber surrounding the drum jacket flows substantially in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing lead contaminants from drinking water wherein the apparatus includes a first lead-separator tank which receives water from an incoming line. Lead particles are allowed to settle to the bottom of the first separator tank for sequential deposit in a waste tank. A second lead-separator tank receives water from the first tank by means of a mist spray. Lead particles are further precipitated and collected at the bottom of the second tank, and again are sequentially discharged into the drain tank. The second separator tank is connected to a third separator tank, whereby water from the second separator tank is siphoned off and transferred to the third separator tank. Any remaining lead particles in the last tank are again discharged into the waste-water tank. The lead-free water in the last tank is allowed to be directed to various outlets for drinking or cooking purposes only. The remaining or waste water from the waste tank is used for various other purposes, such as washing.

Abstract: A purified water dispensing and reject water control device is provided for operative association with a pressurized feed water supplied reverse osmosis cartridge that has purified water and reject water outlets and a tank that is subdivided by a movable barrier into first and second compartments of variable volume that receive purified and reject water and may have same discharged therefrom. The control device includes a single elongate tube that actuates first and second valve members that tend to remain in first positions. Purified water from the purified water outlet flows to the first compartment and reject water from reject water outlet flows through a first flow restrictor and then through a second flow restrictor defined by the tube to the drain when the valve members are in first positions.

Abstract: Discloses transportable liquid clarifying and screw conveyor/compactor liquid-solid separator apparatus which includes a pressureable clarifier vessel portably mounted on a base with a top and sides converging to the bottom of the vessel for attachment to a sludge disposal apparatus. A sludge inlet enters the top of the vessel and extends to near the bottom of the vessel. An effluent discharge flow control valve is connected through a conduit in the top of the vessel to provide a designated back pressure within the vessel while controlling the discharge flow of effluent liquid from the vessel. The sludge disposal apparatus includes an elongated screw conveyor/compactor mounted at an angle and extending upwardly from the vessel bottom. The compactor housing is tapered to compact the sludge as the screw conveyor carries the sludge to a liquid extraction section. The liquid extraction section has a screen tapered to further compact the slurry while extracting liquid being forced out of the slurry.

Abstract: Versatile filtering apparatus is provided, particularly for processing liquid or coolant used with metal-working machines. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a dirty liquid tank in side-by-side relationship with a clean liquid tank, a coalescing unit, a filtering unit, an automatic supply or fill valve for supplying liquid to the apparatus from the coolant system, and an automatic discharge valve for supplying processed liquid from the apparatus back to the coolant system. The coalescing unit separates free oils from the liquid and the filtering unit separates solid particles from the liquid. The processed liquid is then discharged back to the coolant system along with fresh coolant.

Abstract: An improved purified water supply system is provided of the type including a reverse osmosis unit for producing relatively pure water from ordinary tap water or the like. The reverse osmosis unit receives incoming tap water and produces separate outflows of purified water and relatively impure reject water. The purified water is supplied from the reverse osmosis unit to a purified water chamber within a compact storage vessel, wherein the purified water chamber is separated within the vessel by a movable barrier from a reject water chamber. When use of the purified water is desired, one or more faucet valves are opened to open a discharge path permitting purified water to flow from the storage vessel through a discharge spout or the like for use. An improved control valve assembly operates in conjunction with the faucet valve or valves to apply reject water under sufficient pressure to the reject water chamber to force purified water from the storage vessel through the open discharge path.

Abstract: An aerobic wastewater treatment system including an aeration tank, the interior of the aeration tank being divided into at least a first chamber and a last chamber, each of the chambers having a lower portion and an upper portion; structure for allowing influent wastewater to be treated and return sludge to enter the lower portion of the first chamber of the aeration tank; structure for allowing mixed liquor to flow sequentially through the lower portions of each of the chambers; an effluent outlet associated with the last chamber of the aeration tank for allowing mixed liquor to exit the aeration tank; agitator structure associated with each chamber of the aeration tank for enhancing oxygen transfer from the upper to the lower portions of each chamber; structure for introducing high-purity oxygen into the first chamber of the aeration tank and for maintaining the pressure in the upper portion of the first chamber of the aeration tank to at or below existing atmospheric pressure; structure for controlling gas

Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.

Abstract: A single control valve and associated conduits for operating a reverse osmosis assembly that includes a reverse osmosis cartridge, a reservoir that has a movable barrier therein that subdivides the interior into first and second confined spaces of variable volume, and a manually operated purified water dispensing valve, so that as the first confined space approaches a filled condition with purified water, the single control valve throttles the flow of pressurized feed water to the cartridge to minimize the use of feed water in the operation thereof, with the maximum backpressure to which purified water is subjected in discharging from the cartridge being that due to the weight of reject water in the second confined space, and a membrane in the reverse osmosis cartridge being fast-flushed with feed water to remove foreign material therefrom when the purified water dispensing valve is discharging purified water.

Abstract: The invention is related to water vending systems for the automatic dispensing of purified water from a machine which is preferably activated by coin or other form of payment. Reverse osmosis filtration of local water together with other water treatment operations is used to improve the quality of the vended water. Stagnation of stored permeate is automatically prevented to assure the freshness of dispensed water. The system is designed to reduce the frequency of servicing and the life of components without decreasing the quality of the vended water. In one embodiment the vending system comprises control means for automatically dumping the filtered water stored in a tank in the system if there has not been at least a predetermined number of vends of water within a predetermined period of time. After the storage tank has been dumped the drain is automatically closed and fresh filtered water is produced to refill the storage tank.

Abstract: A paint waste separator-collector apparatus having a separator tank for receiving water containing paint waste and for causing the contained paint waste to separate and float, a weir for causing the floating paint waste together with overflowing water from the separator tank into a collector container and a water level adjusting mechanism for switchably providing a paint waste accumulating condition in which a water level in the separator tank is lowered for the water not to flow over the weir thereby causing the floating paint waste to accumulate inside the separator tank and a paint waste collecting condition in which the water level in the separator tank is raised for the excess water to flow over the weir into the collector container.

Abstract: A regulated control valve assembly is provided for use in a water purification system having a reverse osmosis unit to produce relatively purified water from a feed water supply of ordinary tap water or the like. Purified water produced by the reverse osmosis unit is supplied to a purified water chamber in a storage vessel ready for dispensing on demand by operation of a faucet valve. The control valve assembly includes a throttle valve responsive to the purified water chamber reaching a substantially filled condition to throttle or halt feed water inflow to the system. In addition, the control valve incorporates a pressure regulator for shifting the throttle valve in a manner regulating the pressure of feed water supplied to the purification system to a predetermined, relatively low pressure level.

Abstract: A single valve and associated conduits for so operating a reverse osmosis assembly that includes a reverse osmosis cartridge, a reservoir that has a movable barrier therein that sub-divides the interior into first and second confined spaces of variable volume, and a manually operated purified water dispensing valve, so that as the first confined space approaches a filled condition with purified water, the single valve throttles the flow of pressurized feed water to the cartridge to minimize the use of feed water in the operation thereof and when the second confined space approaches a filled condition with reject water the single valve stops the flow of pressurized feed water to protect the reservoir from damage due to high pressure that may be present in the feed water source.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling the flow of a fluid past a membrane in a dialyzer. The apparatus disclosed includes a fluid conduit for conducting the fluid both towards and away from the dialyzer, a flow constrictor for creating a pressure drop in the fluid conduit either upstream or downstream of the dialyzer, a pump for pumping the fluid through that conduit, and a pressure detector for measuring a pressure corresponding to that pressure drop so as to control the flow therein. The method disclosed includes flowing the fluid through an upstream fluid conduit to the dialyzer and through a downstream fluid conduit away from the dialyzer, producing a relatively constant flow in both the upstream and downstream fluid conduits, creating a pressure drop in one of the fluid conduits, pumping the fluid through that conduit, and measuring the pressure corresponding to that pressure drop so that the flow of the fluid in that conduit can be controlled thereby.

Abstract: Separation apparatus capable of separating plasma into high molecular weight substances and low molecular weight substances containing albumin, regardless of whether plasma is obtained by separation of corpuscular components in a continuous centrifugal separator or in a batch-type centrifugal separator. The apparatus comprises a filtration membrane module, a plasma feeding circuit connecting the centrifugal separator with the filtration membrane module, a plasma return circuit for returning to a patient purified plasma freed of high molecular weight substances, a supplemental fluid circuit for supplying additional fluid to the plasma return circuit, and a condensed plasma discharge circuit for disposal of high molecular weight substances. The apparatus is controlled independently of the centrifugal separator.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for use in a reverse osmosis system in which a tank and a pliable barrier are used to define a reservoir having separate confined spaces for purified water and reject water. The barrier when not deformed occupies only a portion of the interior of the tank, and requires a minimum of material to define. The uppermost part of the tank supports a single valve that has a pressurized feed water inlet and outlet, and a movable portion that extends into the interior of the upper interior portion of the tank. Upward movement of the movable portion throttles the rate of flow of pressurized feed water between the inlet and outlet. The barrier in addition of sub-dividing the interior of the reservoir into separate confined spaces of variable volume also serves to physically contact the movable portion and move it upwardly as the first confined space moves towards a last stage in approaching a filled condition to throttle the flow of pressurized feed water through the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing water from blood, advantageously by the single-needle method, in which by means of an air-operated bellows pump blood is sucked into an expandable pump chamber and thereafter water is forced into a hemofilter and collected in an ultrafiltrate measuring chamber to which a collecting bag is connected. The inlet and the outlet of the ultrafiltrate measuring chamber to which a collecting bag is connected. The inlet and the outlet of the ultrafiltrate measuring chamber can be opened and closed by clamps controlled in opposite phase and the amount of ultrafiltrate collected in the ultrafiltrate measuring chamber can be controlled and determined. The ultrafiltrate measuring chamber is divided by a hose-like wall into two chamber portions, one chamber portion receiving filtrate and the other chamber portion being adapted in a preferred embodiment to receive infusion solution. Thus, the infusion solution can be proportioned and supplied to the patient in volume equivalent manner.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis (R.O.) water purifier system that collects and stores pure water at low pressure and dispenses it at high pressure. Impurities left behind when the water passes through a R.O. module are disposed of by two methods: the fast flush method and the slow flush method. In the fast flush method, water entering a R.O. module may take two paths to escape therefrom. The first path constrains it to travel through a semi-permeable membrane in the module which filters out undissolved solids and which restrains the passage of dissolved liquids. The second path allows it to travel through the R.O. module, without passing through the membrane, thereby carrying out those impurities left behind by the water passing through the membrane. The purified water is directed to one side of a compartmented storage tank and the waste water from the module is directed to a control valve.

Abstract: The water purifier is operated entirely automatically and hydraulically in response to the opening and closing of the outlet valve from which pure water is drawn. All of the passageways and control valves are contained within a unitary body so that there are no external hoses and fittings. The only connections to the body are a pure water outlet, a waste water outlet and the water inlet. In the filter chamber a reverse-osmosis filter membrane is circumscribed by a brine seal at the same end portion as where the pure water is discharged. All water passageway connections are made at that end of the filter chamber, so that the other end can be unthreaded for removal and replacement of the filter membrane without disconnecting water lines. An improved pilot valve within the unit has a tapered end portion engaging an O-ring seat held in place by a spring-pressed washer.

Abstract: A separator with a magnetic drum which rotates through a well-defined liquid flow path to separate magnetic particles from liquid delivered to the flow path by way of a trough. A weir extends between the trough and the drum to define a gap at the entry end of the flow path. The weir is hinged to swing downwardly and upwardly to automatically increase and decrease the width of the gap when the incoming flow rate increases and decreases, respectively, the weir thus acting to maintain the liquid level in the trough substantially constant at various incoming flow rates. The trough is shaped to spread the incoming liquid across the length of the drum in a streamlined manner. The housing of the separator is of a fabricated construction enabling easy removal and replacement of an arcuate apron which coacts with the drum and the housing to define the flow path.

Abstract: Device allowing the selective and continuous recovery of hydrocarbons present in the form of a sheet or nappe at the surface of an aqueous medium. It is essentially constituted by a roller covered with a hydrophobic and oleophilic material 5 partially surrounded by a mobile recipient 6 provided with evacuation means of the aqueous medium 52. This device is particularly well adapted to the deoiling of a decanting basin.

Abstract: A system is provided for supplying purified water, without requiring continuous flow of water across the water purification device. A reverse osmosis unit is provided having an unpurified water inlet, a reject water outlet and a product water outlet. The unpurified water inlet is connected to a source of unpurified water. The reject water outlet and the product water outlet are connected to water regulating means. The water regulating means has outlets to drain and to an accumulator tank. When pressure in the accumulator tank is below a predetermined amount, a diaphragm responsive to the pressure operates a pair of spool valves to first automatically direct a first amount of product water only to drain. Thereafter, the spool valves automatically discontinue flow of the first amount of product water to drain and direct the product water to the accumulator tank.

Abstract: A dialysis instrument having a pump located on the dialysate side of a dialyzer for moving body fluids. A disposable cartridge mounted to a main frame includes containers of calcium chloride, priming solution, water, sorbent column, dialysate reservoir bag and potassium/hydrogen citrate reinfusate reservoir. A plurality of monitors detect the status of the flow of fluids and process of dialysis and provide data for the operation of a plurality of pumps and clamps to control the direction of flow of various fluids. The entire instrument is mounted on a scale to detect weight change due to the difference between inflow and outflow of body fluids.

Abstract: A single valve and associated conduits for so operating a reverse osmosis assembly that includes a reverse osmosis cartridge, a reservoir that has a movable barrier therein that sub-divides the interior into first and second confined spaces of variable volume, and a manually operated purified water dispensing valve, so that as the first confined space approaches a filled condition with purified water, the single valve throttles the flow of pressurized feed water to the cartridge to minimize the use of feed water in the operation thereof, with the maximum back pressure to which purified water is subjected in discharging from the cartridge is that due to the weight of reject water in the second confined space, and the membrane in the reverse osmosis cartridge being fast flushed with feed water to remove foreign material therefrom when the purified water dispensing valve is discharging purified water.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system for purification of water received from a supply tank having a limited and exhaustible supply of water. Water is extracted from the supply tank by a pump which directs the extracted water under pressure to a reverse osmosis unit which in turn directs the purified water to a hydro-pneumatic storage tank with the waste water produced by the reverse osmosis unit being returned to the supply tank for water conservation purposes. The system further includes a pressure sensing switch associated with the hydro-pneumatic storage tank and the pump to maintain the differential pressure across the reverse osmosis unit in a predetermined pressure range.

Abstract: A method of reducing the effects of fluctuating fluid pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of a filtering unit operating in a system for filtering metal contaminants from a lubricating coolant and for recycling a constant volume flow of filtered lubricating coolant to a workpiece to be subsequently machined by pumping metal-contaminated lubricating coolant from a holding vessel to a filtering unit-modulator valve combination, monitoring the pressure or flow rate of filtered lubricating coolant downstream of the filtering unit-modulator valve combination, and operating the modulator valve in response to any changes in the downstream monitored flow parameter so as to maintain a predetermined constant fluid pressure differential across the filtering unit-modulator valve combination, thus compensating for fluctuations across the filtering unit during filtering operation, resulting in the maintenance of constant head pressure at the outlet of the pump, as well as for maintenance of a constant vol

Abstract: Ozone drinking water purification apparatus having a drinking water supply tank, a drinking water circulation line connected to the latter, and an ozone feed line connected to an ozone generator and leading into the circulation line, the apparatus being in the form of a completely pre-manufactured household appliance, having a connection for a raw water source, and being provided with a refrigeration machine associated with the supply tank and intended for the cooling of the drinking water (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system in which a pair of oppositely disposed, vertically aligned rigid cup shaped bodies that have outwardly extending first flanges are by a circumferentially adjustable band forced into pressure sealing contact with a second flange of a pliable cup shaped barrier to define a reservoir. The barrier when not deformed occupies only a portion of the interior of one of the cup shaped bodies, and requires a minimum of material to define. The uppermost one of the cup shaped bodies supports a single valve that has a pressurized feed water inlet and outlet, and a movable portion that extends into the interior of the upper cup shaped member. Upward movement of the movable portion throttles the rate of flow of pressurized feed water between the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A purified water dispensing and reject water control device that when operatively associated with a pressurized feed water supplied reverse osmosis cartridge that has purified water and reject water outlets and a tank that is subdivided by a movable barrier into first and second compartments of variable volume that receive purified and reject water and may have same discharged therefrom. The control device includes a single elongate tubular member that actuates first and second valve members that tend to remain in first positions. Purified water from the purified water outlet flows to the first compartment and reject water from reject water outlet flows through a first flow restrictor and then through a second flow restrictor defined by the tubular member to the drain when the valve members are in first positions.

Abstract: An aeration tank for purifying sewage water by activated sludge comprising a mixing vessel communicated, according to the principle of communicating vessels, with a sludge separator, and a regenerator of activated sludge communicable with an outlet or recyclable sludge of the sludge separator and with the mixing vessel for feeding thereinto regenerated activated sludge. The mixing vessel is provided with at least one vertically arranged blade-type aerator having a suction tube an inlet end of which communicates with the regenerator, whereas an outlet end of which has a funnel accommodating the blades of the aerator. The sludge separator is equipped with a regulator of dynamic level of sludge medium, the upper edge of the funnel being positioned substantially above the dynamic level of the sludge medium in the mixing vessel.

Abstract: A polymer slurry is passed past a filter and a wash fluid is caused to flow at a substantial angle with respect to the flow of the polymer slurry and toward the filter such as to replace at least a substantial portion of the fluid of the polymer slurry.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for separating a multiphase liquid mixture of lighter and heavier liquids which includes a caisson into which the liquid mixture is introduced. A surge plate extends horizontally across the interior of the caisson dividing it into upper and lower sections. The lower section forms a reservoir for receiving the liquid mixture. A wier plate extends vertically from the surge plate forming a reservoir and a spillover bucket chamber in the upper section for the lighter liquid. An opening in the surge plate communicates the lower and upper section reservoirs. Means are provided for supplying liquids to the lower section reservoir and for removing the lighter liquid from the bucket chamber.

Abstract: A unitary method and system for the continuous clarification, and if desired, purification of a liquid medium containing solid particulate matter is described which system comprises.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing oil from water. The invention includes a separation vessel for separating the oil by gravity from the water. The generally oil-free water from the separation vessel is pumped under pressure through an ultrafine molecular filter. The concentrate liquid from the ultrafine molecular filter is directed into a concentrator vessel which separates out the oil which remains in the concentrate liquid. The separated oil is directed back into the separation vessel and the remaining liquid is directed back through the ultrafine molecular filter. Ejection water is periodically directed into the separation vessel to discharge oil accumulated in the separation vessel.

Abstract: A low cost automatic system for making up a chemical solution for use in a water treatment facility includes a mixing tank having high and low liquid level switches disposed therein. A water supply line having a remotely-controlled solenoid valve supplies water to the mixing tank. A pressure regulator in the water supply line maintains the water pressure in the line between about 5 pounds per square inch and 125 pounds per square inch. Water treatment chemicals are stored in a supply tank and are fed by a metering pump to the mixing tank through a supply line. An electrical control circuit is responsive to the high and low liquid level switches in the tank. The control circuit operates the solenoid valve in the water supply line and the chemical pump as required to maintain a supply of chemical solution in the mixing tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for peritoneal dialysis including a first vessel to contain dialysis fluid and a second vessel to contain spent dialysis fluid. The first and second vessels are connected through a conduit means with the abdominal cavity of a patient, and a pump is located in the conduit means between the first vessel and the abdominal cavity to pump dialysis fluid into the cavity, while a flow control means, such as a valve, is located in the conduit means between the abdominal cavity and the second vessel to control the flow of dialysis fluid being removed from the patient. A branch conduit interconnects the conduit means at a location between the first vessel and the abdominal cavity and the branch conduit is provided with a third overflow vessel located at a higher level than the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for plasma separation/exchange by double-step-membrane filtration, namely separation of blood into plasma and a corpuscular fraction and separation of high-molecular-weight substances (e.g. gamma-globulin) in the plasma from low-molecular-weight substances (e.g. albumin), and addition of a substitute fluid. A method of treating blood is also provided.The apparatus and method are effective e.g. in the treatment of blood of patients with peripheral circulatory insufficiency due to arteriosclerosis and of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: In apparatus for the reverse osmosis purification of water or other fluid in a module containing a membrane, the water is forced into the module under pressure using two piston-cylinder assemblies mechanically interconnected with the pressurized fluid from the module applied to the rear face of the piston which, from its front face, is driving water into the module, a low pressure continuously operating pump providing a low pressure on the other piston to supply the necessary extra pressure. Valve means automatically reverse the functions of the two cylinders at each end of each stroke.

Abstract: A fuel purifier for separating and removing polluting water from hydrocarbon fuels, comprising a decantation vessel having at its upper end a normally open inlet and an outlet opening and at its bottom end a second normally closed outlet opening, a source of light and a photocell arranged in opposite positions in a tubular central wall portion of the decantation vessel, and a float vertically movably mounted within the decantation vessel to normally close the path of light from the source of light to the photocell, but adapted to move under the action of the water accumulating at the bottom of the decantation vessel to an upper position in which the photocell receives light from the source of light to open the second outlet opening to drain the water.

Abstract: The invention provides a blood treatment apparatus realizing double-step-membrane filtration, namely separation of blood into plasma and a corpuscular fraction and separation of high-molecular-weight substances (e.g. gamma-globulin) in the plasma from low-molecular-weight substances (e.g. albumin). A method of treating blood is also provided.The apparatus and method are effective e.g. in the treatment of blood of patients with peripheral circulatory insufficiency due to arteriosclerosis and of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The operation of an anaerobic methanogenic filter is controlled by measuring the rates at which oxygen demand (O.D.) is fed to the anaerobic filter and at which methane is generated by the filter, estimating therefrom the O.D. of the effluent of the anaerobic filter and controlling the feed rate to the anaerobic filter in accordance with that estimated value. Also disclosed is a means for eliminating long term bias that may be present in the signals fed from sensors to the circuit used for estimating the value of a variable of a process.

Abstract: In the control of the treatment of a mixture (eg slurry, tailings or sludge) comprising solid (eg fine coal, shale, or clay) and liquid (eg water) signals are derived which are indicative of the total liquid in the mixture fed for treatment and of the cumulative discharged filtrate, the signals being processed to give an indication of the amount of liquid retained in the mixture as the treatment progresses, at least a part of the treatment being controlled in response to the derived signal comparison.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from an oil containing fluid mixture ecologically acceptable fluid is disposed of in a water body through the use of an open ended skim pile disposed in the water body and an interconnected skimmer vessel where fluid is maintained at a level independent of the mean level of the water body.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system employs a tank for storing permeate under a pressure which is a portion of the pressure of feed water introduced into a pressure resistant container housing a semipermeable membrane cartridge. Control means such as an automatic valve, preferably of the double diaphragm type, in the line introducing feed water into the pressure resistant container closes to shut off feed water flow when the pressure in the permeate storage tank reaches a first predetermined value, less than the feed water pressure, and re-opens to re-establish feed water flow at a second predetermined pressure lower than the first or shut-off pressure. A constricted passageway device such as a venturi in the pipe or connection between a dispensing device such as a faucet and the permeate storage tank has its throat communicating with the sensing conduit for actuating the feed water control valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste-waters and sludges and using an irradiation beam of accelerated electrons, comprises a treatment circuit c equipped with valves, an electromagnetic regulator providing a constant flow of the fluid to be treated by the irradiation beam, systems for controlling the flow of fluid and for controlling the characteristics of the irradiation beams, a microprocessor associated with the flow control systems for controlling at least the automatic closure of a shut-off valve and the opening of a purge valve.

Abstract: A liquid strainer has a screen arranged to be vibrated by out-of-balance weights. A removable container holds a body of liquid to be strained above the screen and liquid is supplied to the container via a valve and a flexible connection. Liquid passing through the screen is collected in a tank beneath the strainer. Level detectors in both the removable container and the collecting tank control the valve to turn off liquid supply when either level exceeds a predetermined height. The entire apparatus is completely enclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, in which in a settling vessel for liquids the buoyancy of the lighter liquid (oil) is used to move a diaphragm upwards to control the discharge of lighter liquid from said vessel and means are provided to check temporarily or to slow down the downward movement of said diaphragm during said discharge.

Abstract: This invention provides an arrangement for delivering purified water on demand, which includes a reverse osmosis filter having an inlet for connection to a source of pressurized water, and a purified water outlet connected to a tank where the purified water enters a bladder. Unpurified water from the filter is connected to the tank on the outside of the bladder for forcing purified water through a purified water outlet. This connection also includes a restricted passageway to a drain. A second discharge for unpurified water from the reverse osmosis filter connects through another restrictor to the drain. The system is controlled by an actuator which operates a valve to control the flow of unpurified water, thereby causing the same to force purified water from the tank to the purified water outlet, and a valve for controlling the flow of inlet water to the reverse osmosis filter, shutting off such flow when the tank is filled with purified water.