Abstract: A filter assembly is provided that includes a hood, a drain manifold, a filter disposed between the hood and the drain manifold, a drainage space that is disposed between and in fluid communication with both the filter medium and the drain manifold, a check valve that is configured to permit air to escape but not to enter the drainage space so that a siphon can be established that draws additional fluid through the filter medium and into the drain manifold, the siphon continuing until air entering the hood disrupts the siphon, and a check valve cap that is configured to permit air to escape the check valve while preserving an air-filled void above the check valve when the filter assembly is submerged.

Abstract: Gradient performance with high pressure gradient solvent delivery system is optimized by approximation of infinite stroke volume of high pressure pumps by the addition of pulse dampening with backflow prevention to each high pressure pump. The backflow prevention adds sufficient minimum flow resistance, thereby enhancing the performance of the pulse dampening over a wider range of flow rates resulting in consistent gradient performance.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) housing an annular filter element (16) has an annular space or inlet chamber (24) between the filter element and the housing and viewable through the housing such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element, the higher the level of liquid in the inlet chamber the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator (102), preferably part of the filter element, is provided by a gas trap and pressure responsive release mechanism (104) trapping gas in the upper section (23) of the inlet chamber until a designated release pressure is reached, corresponding to a desired terminal pressure, to prevent premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by rising liquid level in the inlet chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtration function and the plugging indication function.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating fluid mixtures, in particular for separating water from oil, comprising a vacuum container (10) with several sub-chambers (26, 44, 40). According to the invention, at least one liquid constituent of the fluid mixture can be transported from the vacuum container after separation, by means of a transport device (12) and the other constituents can be extracted from the vacuum container (10) in the form of gas and/or steam, using a vacuum pump (20). One of the sub-chambers (26) of the vacuum container (10) houses a heating device (28, 30), which heats the fluid mixture, the latter being guided into an additional sub-chamber (40) and being separated into its constituents by traversing a packed bed. The invention therefore allows even cold and consequently viscous fluid mixtures to be supplied, by means of the heating device, for separation inside the aforementioned vacuum container.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating water with ozone includes a first conduit and a passageway for admitting ozone into the first conduit. There is a second conduit having a top, an inlet connected to the first conduit and an outlet. There is a third conduit having a top and a vertical portion extending downwardly adjacent to the outlet of the second conduit. The third conduit has a bottom with an outlet below the outlet of the second conduit. The outlet of the second conduit is no more than one-third the distance from the top of the third conduit to the outlet of the third conduit. There is a passageway connecting the third conduit to the first conduit above the outlet of the second conduit. The passageway is sized to permit a reduced flow of water through the third conduit compared to the flow through the second conduit and provides means for gas discharged from the outlet of the second conduit to rise through the vertical portion of the third conduit to increase dissolving of the gas in the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.

Abstract: A method is devised to produce a reaction liquid, for example deionized water, containing a high concentration of ozone. The method makes use of a chemical control mechanism and a recycling mechanism to enhance the dissolution of the ozone in the reaction liquid. The chemical control mechanism includes the addition of the chemical radical scavenger to a dissolution system, and the recycling mechanism recycling a portion of the resulting ozone-containing liquid back to the dissolution system, so as to enhance the ozone dissolution to an extent that the ozone concentration reaches a saturation point attainable under thermodynamics of the dissolution system.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dividing a fluid into desired proportions by means of a filtering device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for aeration in a filter system. The present invention provides an air injection adaptor for coupling between a filter tank and a valve controller.

Abstract: A filter assembly that filters water, particularly stormwater, that includes flow regulating, siphon inducing, and surface cleaning features that allow the filter assembly to operate at the design filtration rate for an extended period of time. During filtration, water flows inward through an annular filter medium into a drain manifold. The rate of flow into the drain manifold is controlled by a float valve assembly. A check valve permits air to escape, but not enter, the filter assembly creating a siphon effect when the rate of flow into the drain manifold is increased. The siphon effect draws water through the entire filtration surface and the entire volume of the filter medium. When the external water level decreases to the level of an array of voids in the filter assembly enclosure, the siphon is interrupted by turbulent air streams entering the filter assembly, agitating the filter surface and dislodging particulate matter.

Abstract: A protection system arranged to prevent a large trans-membrane pressure difference over a pressure sensitive membrane (4) fitted in a pressure resistant chamber (3), wherein the membrane forms a physical barrier between a liquid and a gas mixture carried through the chamber (3), the protection system includes two shut-off valves (9, 10) provided in the liquid inlet and outlet lines respectively, a buffer tank (3) provided in the line between one of the shut-off valves (9, 10) and the pressure resistant chamber (3), a pressure equalizing valve (12) provided between the gas inlet line (8) and the buffer tank (2) and a pressure sensing valve (14) for measuring the pressure difference over the membrane (4) and which activates the shut-off valves (9, 10) once this pressure difference exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An annular space or inlet chamber 24 between the filter element 16 and housing of a liquid filter is viewable such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element: the higher the liquid level, the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator includes a porous outer wrap 50 that traps gas in an upper section 23 of the inlet chamber below a designated release pressure and releases trapped gas upon attainment of the release pressure causing a rapid rise in liquid level within the housing and corresponding to a desired terminal pressure. The indicator prevents premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by a slowly rising liquid in the chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtering and indicating functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for aeration in a filter system. The present invention provides an air injection adaptor for coupling between a filter tank and a valve controller.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly having a relief valve for visually indicating the life of a filter element. The fluid filter assembly of the present invention provides a vertical, transparent housing having a fluid inlet for communicating a fluid into the housing and a fluid outlet for communicating fluid downstream of said housing. A filter element is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for filtering the fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a frusto-conical divider is connected to the top of the filter element and extends downward adjacent a bottom portion of the filter element wherein the fluid from the inlet rises between the filter element and the inside of the divider and between the outside of the divider and an inside surface of the housing. A relief valve is provided in the top of the filter element and is in communication with the unfiltered and filtered side of the filter element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vacuum filtration device for aqueous media that includes a hydrophilic tubular filter element in a cylindrical housing and at least one hydrophobic gas-permeable membrane, coupled with a gas bleed-off valve to allow the escape of air entrained in the filtration medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering apparatus, the operation of which is based on alternating filtering and flushing stages. The apparatus comprises one or several filter elements placed into a filter housing supported by a casing, the filter housing being provided with an inlet assembly for the liquid flow to be filtered, an outlet assembly for the filtered liquid flow, and a channel for flushing the filter elements with air. Further, the filter housing is arranged to be prefilled with liquid before the next filtering stage is initiated after the flushing. According to the invention, a filling channel is directed into the filter housing through the casing, the channel being provided with a valve, which closes the channel at the same time as the filter housing is opened, for example, for changing the filter elements. Closing may be automatic.

Abstract: A high-rate reactor system, (applying a high superficial velocity), capable of treating partially soluble, complex, high-strength wastewater. The reactor system is configured in multiple stages and has the ability to retain complex insoluble substrates in a wide range of particle sizes in spatially separate stages for sufficient residence time to enable complete degradation. A vertically oriented vessel has neighboring upper and lower chambers, each chamber having a gas retention space and a liquid retention space. A filter chamber has an inlet communicating with the liquid retention space of the lower chamber and an outlet communicating with the liquid retention space of the upper chamber. A gas conduit communicates the gas retention space of the lower chamber with the gas retention space of the upper chamber. A discharge device enables gas to be periodically discharged from the lower chamber to the upper chamber through the gas conduit.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing dissolved metals from industrial wastewater by electrocoagulation. The system includes an electrocoagulation reactor with a DC power supply having an insulation support enclosure with positive and negative electrode plates disposed thereon. The electrode plates are insulated for each other but remain in direct contact with the wastewater as it flows between the electrodes. The DC power supply induces opposite charges on alternate electrodes thereby generating an electric field between adjacent electrodes to cause the electrodes to ionize and go into solution for interaction with the contaminants in the wastewater as it flows through the reactor. The reactor is housed in a pressure vessel container so the exterior pressure on the reactor is higher than its internal pressure preventing leakage of fluids and oxygen and hydrogen gases produced in the reactor by decomposition of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating water with ozone includes a first conduit and a passageway for admitting ozone into the first conduit. There is a second conduit having a top, an inlet connected to the first conduit and an outlet. There is a third conduit having a top and a vertical portion extending downwardly adjacent to the outlet of the second conduit. The third conduit has a bottom with an outlet below the outlet of the second conduit. The outlet of the second conduit is no more than one-third the distance from the top of the third conduit to the outlet of the third conduit. There is a passageway connecting the third conduit to the first conduit above the outlet of the second conduit. The passageway is sized to permit a reduced flow of water through the third conduit compared to the flow through the second conduit and provides means for gas discharged from the outlet of the second conduit to rise through the vertical portion of the third conduit to increase dissolving of the gas in the water.

Abstract: A liquid filter (10) housing an annular filter element (16) has an annular space or inlet chamber (24) between the filter element and the housing and viewable through the housing such that an operator can see the level of liquid in the inlet chamber as an indication of when to replace the filter element, the higher the level of liquid in the inlet chamber the greater the pressure drop across the filter element. A change interval plugging indicator (102), preferably part of the filter element, is provided by a gas trap and pressure responsive release mechanism (104) trapping gas in the upper section (23) of the inlet chamber until a designated release pressure is reached, corresponding to a desired terminal pressure, to prevent premature plugging indication otherwise indicated by rising liquid level in the inlet chamber. Accurate and reliable calibration is enabled by separating the filtration function and the plugging indication function.

Abstract: A filter assembly that filters water, particularly stormwater, that includes flow regulating, siphon inducing, and surface cleaning features that allow the filter assembly to operate at the design filtration rate for an extended period of time. During filtration, water flows inward through an annular filter medium into a drain manifold. The rate of flow into the drain manifold is controlled by a float valve assembly. A check valve permits air to escape, but not enter, the filter assembly creating a siphon effect when the rate of flow into the drain manifold is increased. The siphon effect draws water through the entire filtration surface and the entire volume of the filter medium. When the external water level decreases to the level of an array of voids in the filter assembly enclosure, the siphon is interrupted by turbulent air streams entering the filter assembly, agitating the filter surface and dislodging particulate matter.

Abstract: A covering system that includes a first membrane, a first flotation member coupled to the first membrane. The first flotation member includes a first float and a first float compartment membrane, and the first float compartment membrane is coupled to the first membrane. The covering system also includes a first plurality of gas-relief passageways positioned either within the first float compartment membrane, or within the first membrane and adjacent to the first flotation member. And at least one of the gas-relief passageways within the first plurality is structured so that gas flows unobstructed through it when the system is used. Gas-relief openings formed between overlapping membranes may also be utilized as avenues through which gas may escape to atmosphere from beneath the covers and covering systems. Venting methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regulating the aeration in a biological wastewater treatment plant using a carbon removal stage, a nitrification stage and a denitrification stage. The process includes the step of continuously measuring the value of oxidation-reduction potential of the treated medium as well as measuring oxygen concentration of the treated medium during aeration phases. This permits maintaining aeration if the oxygen concentration falls within a preselected reference range. Alternately there is reduction of the aeration if the oxygen concentration is above the preselected reference range, or increasing the aeration if the oxygen concentration falls below the preselected reference range.

Abstract: A filter device for separating water and other impurities from liquid fuel including a housing body (11), inside which a first filter element (12) is disposed; a collector vessel (17) which is disposed underneath the filter element (12); a pump (25) which is used to remove water present in the collector vessel (17), and a detector (23) which is used to determine whether water has accumulated in the collector vessel (17).

Abstract: An apparatus for treating water with ozone includes a first conduit and a passageway for admitting ozone into the first conduit. There is a second conduit having a top, an inlet connected to the first conduit and an outlet. There is a third conduit having a top and a vertical portion extending downwardly adjacent to the outlet of the second conduit. The third conduit has a bottom with an outlet below the outlet of the second conduit. The outlet of the second conduit is no more than one-third the distance from the top of the third conduit to the outlet of the third conduit. There is a passageway connecting the third conduit to the first conduit above the outlet of the second conduit. The passageway is sized to permit a reduced flow of water through the third conduit compared to the flow through the second conduit and provides means for gas discharged from the outlet of the second conduit to rise through the vertical portion of the third conduit to increase dissolving of the gas in the water.

Abstract: A water treatment method uses a removable, disposable cartridge having an internal mesh structure. A disposable heater heats water fed to the cartridge. Precipitated solids collect on the mesh surface provided temperature and residence times are appropriately maintained. The heat breaks down the bicarbonate hardness of the water thereby depositing carbonates on the mesh surface and heavy metals will be codeposited due to the resultant change in pH. The cartridge has a head-space for collecting entrained gases such as volatile organic compounds, chlorine and air. Water sterility is achieved by heating the water over an appropriate period of time. Turbidity is removed within the cartridge due to settling induced by the low fluid velocity controlled by a controller and by a filter provided at the outlet of the cartridge. The filter will become blocked when bicarbonate hardness is carried over forcing a user to replace a spent cartridge.

Abstract: A liquid filter apparatus includes a filter media belt enclosed by sealably mated cover pan and floor pan defining a vacuum chamber connected to a sealed clean liquid tank, with clean liquid pumped out continuously to draw liquid to be filtered into an upper region of the filter chamber via on inlet hose connected to a source of liquid to be filtered. The cover pan is lifted after the vacuum is relieved to allow indexing of the filter media belt. A main control valve to the clean liquid tank is closed and pumping liquid continues during indexing. A vacuum control device limits the maximum vacuum developed in the clean liquid tank and a vacuum pump removes air from the tank for priming and to eliminate excess accumulated air.

Abstract: Devices and kits for intracranial and other perfusions and methods of using the same including a container having a top and bottom including a flexible bag adapted to be suspended in top to bottom orientation and to hold, in a main chamber, a solution, suspension or emulsion filled up to a fill line, a first opening to the bag located below the fill line and adapted to be fitted to conduit, a second opening located below the fill line and adapted to be fitted to conduit, and a first fluid pathway incorporated into the bag adapted to conduct fluid pumped into the second opening from below the fill line to an outlet within the bag located above the fill line.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid tank for motor vehicles has a fluid filter (1). The fluid filter (1) is inserted into a filter housing (3) present in the hydraulic fluid tank (2). The filter housing (3) may have a two-part design. The filter housing (3) may have an upper part (4) and a lower part (5), which are connected by a lock-in or snap connection.

Abstract: A filtering assembly for removing particles from a liquid is positioned coaxially within a vertical, pressure-tight housing 11 having a tangential inlet 21 at an upper end and an outlet 24 at a bottom end thereof. The filtering assembly includes a filter bag 13 positioned on the exterior surface of a perforated cylinder 14. Untreated liquid from the inlet is filtered as it flows radially inward through the filter assembly. A wash-down device 28 is position at an upper end of the housing for removing solids that have built up on the exterior surface of the filter bag. A controller initiates a wash-down of the filter bag upon detecting a predetermined pressure differential across the filter assembly. After closing the inlet and outlet, the controller opens a vacuum-break valve D causing the filter bag to pulse and thereby initially dislodging entrapped solid particles for easy wash-down.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating water with ozone includes a first conduit and a passageway for admitting ozone into the first conduit. There is a second conduit having a top, an inlet connected to the first conduit and an outlet. There is a third conduit having a top and a vertical portion extending downwardly adjacent to the outlet of the second conduit. The third conduit has a bottom with an outlet below the outlet of the second conduit. The outlet of the second conduit is no more than one-third the distance from the top of the third conduit to the outlet of the third conduit. There is a passageway connecting the third conduit to the first conduit above the outlet of the second conduit. The passageway is sized to permit a reduced flow of water through the third conduit compared to the flow through the second conduit and provides means for gas discharged from the outlet of the second conduit to rise through the vertical portion of the third conduit to increase dissolving of the gas in the water.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus and methods for the purification of water are provided. The invention features an atmospherically-isolated, but ventable, reservoir electrolysis cell with control features for selecting an electrolysis duration depending on temperature, time since last electrolysis, or time since last gas venting. The device and associated method can easily take a wide range of input water qualities into account for the production of an effective amount of sterilizing water.

Abstract: A microbial resistant water purification and collection system includes a reverse osmosis filter assembly 19 having a filter inlet in selective fluid communication with a system inlet and a filter outlet in fluid communication with a water storage container 12 for storing filtrate. At least a portion of the storage container is located at an elevation above the filter membrane such that filling of the storage container creates a head pressure in the storage container relative to the filter membrane to enable a backflow of filtrate therethrough. A mechanical shut-off valve 27 is interposed the system inlet 11 and the filter inlet to block fluid communication therebetween, wherein activation of the shut-off valve occurs by the physical contact thereof with the storage container upon reaching a minimum head pressure in the storage container relative to the filter membrane.

Abstract: A fluid recovery system for an automatic transmission unit of a vehicle, provided with a tank containing a fluid, a hydraulic circuit receiving this fluid from the tank, an electrovalve unit supplied by the hydraulic circuit and adapted to control actuator units in order to actuate the opening and closing of a clutch and to perform the selection and engagement/disengagement of the gears of a gear change, the system comprising at least one collection zone adapted to recover the fluid escaping from the actuator units and at least one duct connecting the collection zone to the tank so that the fluid recovered in the collection zone can be returned to the tank.

Abstract: An oil-water and oil emulsion separation system using a plurality of transport vessels as the separation tanks. The containers or tanks are arranged in series with sludge or oil removed first and thereafter remaining oil is removed and finally a relatively pure aqueous solution is returned to the system. The unit is useful with parts washers or any apparatus with which water is contaminated by free oil or sludge. A floating skimmer is placed in the user's sump and a vacuum draws this into a series of containers in which it is processed and in which sludge and oil are successively separated. A positive displacement pump is used. A manifold having vacuum relief valves for at least one container is also provided. In one embodiment, flow restrictors are placed in at least one manifold.

Abstract: An alternating anaerobic contact system for treating wastewater through an apparatus including one enclosed vessel partitioned into two or more enclosed chambers wherein each chamber is flow connected to other chambers by conduits or an apparatus including two or more enclosed vessels wherein each vessel is flow connected to other vessels by conduits. Each apparatus comprises at least one conduit which allows for (1) an anaerobic liquor to flow between a pair of chambers or vessels and (2) for treated wastewater to be separated and collected from the anaerobic liquor. Each apparatus overcomes the degassification problems common to anaerobic contact processing by assuring that the partial pressures of each chamber or vessel remain consistent. Each apparatus, furthermore, performs the settling stage of anaerobic contact processing in either a separate chamber or vessel thereby eliminating the need for external tankage, pumps, and piping.

Abstract: An efficient fluid cleaning system. The efficient system includes a first mechanism for changing the pressure of a fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure, the second pressure lower than the first pressure. A second mechanism distributes the fluid within an evaporation chamber at the second pressure. The evaporation chamber includes an evaporation surface having capillary channels for dispersing oil about the evaporation surface via capillary action to facilitate evaporation of contaminants from within the fluid. In a specific embodiment, the capillary channels are spiral capillary channels and the system further includes a vent through a ceiling of the evaporation chamber. The vent includes a valve biased in an open position and lacking a cracking pressure. The valve prevents the escape of the fluid from the system but allows gases to escape from the system unencumbered.

Abstract: A mobile oil recycling system adapted for use with an oil-lubricated combustion engine. The inventive system includes an evaporation chamber for changing the pressure of the oil from a first pressure to a second pressure lower than the first pressure. Metering holes in a textured three-dimensional evaporation surface at the second pressure allow oil to spread over the three-dimensional surface area and evaporate contaminants from the oil. In a specific embodiment, the system further includes a filtering system for removing solid contaminants from the oil. A housing contains and supports the filtering system and the contaminant removal chamber, and directs the flow of oil through the recycling system. In a more specific embodiment the housing includes a base having an oil inlet for allowing pressurized oil to enter the oil recycling system and an oil outlet for allowing oil at atmospheric pressure to exit the recycling system.

Abstract: A treatment carafe for an apparatus for treating ozone with water is disclosed. A treatment carafe has a water inlet which is automatically sealed when the user places the carafe on a base member. There is also provided a gas conduit so that off gases which accumulate in the carafe may be vented during the treatment cycle. The gas conduit is automatically connected in air flow communication with an off gas conduit when the carafe is placed on the base member.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus provides treatment of water to remove, for example, hydrogen sulfide and iron, dissolved or dispersed in ground water. The system is provided with water from a conventional well and pump and includes a venturi-type aerating device which may be supplied air by a compressor. The air and water mixture are supplied to a first aerating tank through a spray nozzle which reduces the aerated water flow to a mist of fine droplets. A draw tube adjacent the bottom of the first tank provides the water to a treatment tank which is partially filled with a chemically active filtration media. The treatment tank is also equipped with a draw tube which draws off the treated water at the bottom of the tank and provides it to a third, deaerating tank wherein the air separates from the water and is purged to the atmosphere. Reduction of hydrogen sulfide content from 30 ppm to less than 5 ppm has been achieved.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and filtering fluid is disclosed, in which the fluid flow path is substantially vertical from the fluid inlet through fluid dispense. Substantially all wetted surfaces are Teflon® or some similar non-contaminating fluid, for applications such as cleanroom processes. A valve and a filter chamber are incorporated into a pump head to simplify the flow path and reduce potential contamination points. Preferred methods, and chips or other microelectronic devices fabricated from the apparatus or methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polluted water purification apparatus includes a pump 2 and nozzles 4 for delivering polluted water from a polluted water region to a pressure tank T; a gas supplying device 9, 10 for supplying a gas, e.g. oxygen, to the pressure tank; a water level controlling device 5, 6; a degasifier (e.g. 15); and a discharging device 13 for returning the polluted water to the polluted water region. The degasifier periodically discharges gas from the pressure tank in order to prevent toxic gaseous substances (e.g. ammonia) which accumulate in an upper portion of the pressure tank from re-polluting the water therein whenever a concentration of gas in the pressure tank reaches or exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: The filter has hollow fiber membranes which are spaced apart from each other and are held in a substantially linear fashion between a first bonded layer and second bonded layer. This allows the membranes to work effectively without having to be looped. This placement also avoids the kinking of the membranes and stretching in the membrane which in turn would undesirably increase the pore size. The filter thus has a plurality of porous membranes, each membrane having a hollow passage therein and having a first end and second end, and each end having an opening. The first bonded layer is affixed to the first ends so as to block fluid entry through the openings of the first ends. The second bonded layer is affixed to the second ends so as to leave the openings of the second ends exposed for fluid exit from the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus for treating ozone with water is disclosed. A treatment carafe has a gas conduit so that off gases which accumulates in the carafe may be vented during a treatment cycle. The gas conduit conveys the off gas from the carafe to an ozone destructor via a passageway. An accumulator is provided in the passageway upstream from the destructor to hinder water entrained in the off gas from contacting and damaging the destructor.

Abstract: A method for preventing an obstruction from being trapped by suction to an inlet of a pool filter pump system, and a lint trap cover therefor. The cover is for installation on a lint trap unit located upstream of a pool filter pump, and is configured to vent air into the lint trap unit when a vacuum level within the unit exceeds a specified vacuum limit, as is the case if the drain or another inlet connected to the lint trap unit is partially or completely obstructed, such as by a child or foreign object. The rapid influx of air eliminates the vacuum within the pump and suction lines and, therefore, the resulting unsafe condition. The lint trap cover preferably has a damped mode of operation so that the pump system does not recover before the obstruction is removed. The cover can be manufactured as original equipment for the lint trap unit, or an existing cover can be modified to include the components required for venting the lint trap unit without requiring any modifications to the remaining pump system.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a Spring Water Delivery System and in particular to a system for bulk delivery of potable spring water to a customer's home. This system includes a bulk water supply truck equipped with a pumping system and an onboard ozone generator for delivery of potable tank water to a customer's supply tank.

Abstract: A water purifier generally associated with a beverage dispenser is disclosed. The water purifier includes a conduit having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and a water purifying device disposed in the conduit between the first and second ends thereof. The first end of the conduit is arranged to conduct water to be purified into the conduit, and the second end of the conduit is arranged to conduct the purified water from the conduit to a location outside of the water purifier. A flow of the water through the conduit is completely prohibited by the cooperative operations of a pressure detector at the second end of the conduit and an electromagnetic valve at the first end of the conduit at a time when the water attempts to flow through the conduit from the second end to the first end.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an oxidized liquid effluent containing minimal dissolved gases therein, from a subcritical wet oxidation treatment system. The oxidation mixture exiting from the treatment system is separated into a first oxidized liquid effluent and a first gaseous phase as the mixture a first separator vessel operated at a relatively low superatmospheric pressure. Sufficient pressure is maintained in the first gaseous phase to provide the motive force for transport to further treatment or discharge. The first oxidized liquid effluent flows to a second separator vessel operated at essentially atmospheric pressure, where remaining dissolved gases separate from the first oxidized liquid effluent. The second gaseous phase is discharged and the second oxidized liquid effluent is suitable for storage or further treatment. Provision for adjusting the pH of the oxidized liquid effluent during the separation process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for separating and retaining liquid with different specific gravities and floatables includes a hood made of plastic and mounted to cover an outlet pipe of a basin receiving the liquid. The hood is formed with a housing dividing the basin into an inlet chamber and outlet chamber and preventing supernatant liquids with a lower specific gravity, floatables accumulated on the surface of a liquid with a higher specific gravity and solids accumulated in the basin from being drawn downstream into the outlet pipe. The hood is further provided with a device equalizing air pressure between the inlet and outlet compartments. A flow restrictor is incorporated in one embodiment to regulate the discharge of liquid from the basin.