Abstract: A waste disposal system for treating and disposing of infectious waste articles in a substantially controlled, closed, aseptic environment and for converting such infectious waste articles into a safely disposable, non-infectious non-toxic residue of solid waste independent from disinfecting liquid waste. A waste delivery conveyor transfers waste articles from an input region to preliminary waste processing apparata for preliminarily fragmenting the waste for further treatment by the system. Disinfectant spray is deposited on the waste as it enters the preliminary waste processing apparatus with the fragments resulting therefrom, together with the disinfectant liquid, being transferred to rotary hammermill elements to convert the fragment disinfectant solution to a solution of fine waste particles and disinfectant solution. Liquid solid particle separator apparata then separates the solid waste particles from the liquid disinfectant for independent evacuation of same.

Abstract: A specially shaped vessel containing a mixture of solid matter and liquid in which fresh liquid and fresh solid matter are introduced at one end and the processed liquid and solid matter are extracted at the other end. When such a vessel stands, both ends act as the two sides of a communicating vessel arrangement. The liquid levels are always the same on both sides of said vessel. Liquid is poured out from only one end through a spout equipped with a strainer to prevent the solid matter from leaving the vessel. Both ends are covered by a separate lid. To add fresh liquid and solid matter and to extract steeped solid matter, the lid covering the proper end is taken off, while the vessel is standing. To pour liquid fully processed, the lids are left in place, but the outlet lid needs only be turned slightly. As needed, both fresh liquid and solid matter to be steeped are introduced through the inlet end.

Abstract: A food chopper pump is connected by a conduit to an outlet opening at the bottom of a frying well which contains cooking oil used in the frying of various foods. The chopper pump contains a motor-driven rotor having a plurality of radially movable vanes spaced about the periphery which chop large food particles entering the chopper pump from the frying well. The rotor is mounted eccentrically, whereby the vanes are movable radially inwardly to prevent large food particles from stopping the motor in one portion of the pump yet which provides a sealing effect when moving through another portion of the chopper pump. The comminuted food particles and oil pass through a coarse filter which removes most of the food particles from the oil before passing through a fine filter which removes any smaller remaining food particles, after which the filtered oil is returned to the frying well. A valved bypass line enables the system to continue to operate during the replacement of the filters.

Abstract: A self-contained sewage waste disposal system including a housing structure and a toilet bowl adapted to receive human waste and fluid for diluting the waste, transporting the waste and rinsing the bowl. A removable filter cassette is in the housing in communication with the toilet bowl. The bowl is flushed and the contents are dumped into the filter cassette and the bowl is subsequently refilled. Filters in the cassette separate the coarse and fine particles of solid material from the fluid received from the bowl. The solid material is stored in the cassette in a compact manner for subsequent disposal upon removal of the cassette. Fine filtering and decoloring is accomplished by a carbon canister. A reservoir is provided for storage of fluid after removal of solid material therefrom in the cassette.

Abstract: A sewage treatment device [10] is disclosed for use with a toilet [12] having a water flush input [16] and a sewage output [22]. The invention incorporates a treatment tank [56] connected for receiving the sewage from the sewage output [22] of the toilet. A disinfectant holding tank [58] is included for holding a disinfectant such as conventional household bleach. A mascerator blade [74] is disposed within the treatment tank [56] for mascerating the sewage to reduce the size of the particulate matter within the treatment tank [56]. An electric motor rotates the mascerator blade [74] and simultaneously pumps a disinfectant from the disinfectant holding tank [58] to the treatment tank [56]. A discharge pump [86] discharges the treated sewage from the treatment tank [56]. A control senses the level of the sewage in the sewage treatment tank and controls the sequence of operation of the mascerator blade [74] and the discharge pump [86].

Abstract: Apparatus for the simultaneous formation and separation of a liquid suspension of particulate or granular material, such as admixtures of a colloidal character. The apparatus has a reactor, regeneration, and handling equipment, the reactor containing a fluid layer of granular material and being provided with feed piping of treated liquid into which input a supply of a destabilization agent is fed. The supply of destabilization agent is connected to the input piping for the treated liquid upstream of its mouth or discharge into the fluid layer within the reactor. The period of common flow of the destabilization agent and the treated liquid before it is fed into the fluid layer in the reactor may be, in some instances, longer than 120 seconds, and in other instances it may be shorter than 120 seconds. The reactor is connected to an equipment for drawing off covered particles of grains on the one hand, and to an equipment for the replenishment of the fluid layer within the reactor on the other hand.

Abstract: A sewage system is provided for waste disposal units whose waste is removed by the supply of liquid and subsequent application of partial vacuum, for example vacuum closets. In order to make for the employment of large systems, the units are grouped such that a predetermined maximum partial vacuum transport distance is not exceeded. Each such group is connected to a converter in which the partial vacuum is converted into excess pressure which makes for long distance transport, by the intermediary of an intermediate step at atmospheric pressure. Moreover, the waste can be comminuted and oxygenated in the intermediate step of the converter, at the same time as the requisite partial vacuum is established.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for treating sewage sludge in which the sludge preferably has its pH adjusted to an acidic range. Then the sludge is conveyed to a vessel having an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The sludge is channelled through two different dispersing means by which it is comminuted and dispersed throughout the oxygen-rich atmosphere where it is completely oxygenated. To assure that the sludge is completely oxygenated, preferably it is caused to travel through two separate angles in the oxygen-rich atmosphere, each being greater than 90 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating for disposal organic waste material carried within a sludge, by adding to the sludge an alkali metal silicate and a setting agent, is disclosed. The apparatus includes several mixers, each having a trough with an input end and a discharge end, at least one rotatable shaft mounted longitudinally along the trough, a plurality of blades mounted to the shaft, and a drive for rotating the shaft. The sludge is deposited within a first mixer, and then directed from the mixer into a tank. A series of chopper pumps recirculate the sludge into the tank, and alternatively, the sludge may be passed through an additional mixer. Leaving the tank, the sludge is directed into a second mixer at its input end. Water is introduced at the input end, and a setting agent is added along the trough at a point adjacent the input end. Further along the trough, an alkali metal silicate is introduced. The mixture is recovered from the second mixer, and carried to a remote location for setting.

Abstract: A self-contained sewage waste disposal system including a housing structure and a toilet bowl adapted to receive human waste and fluid for diluting the waste, transporting the waste and rinsing the bowl. A removable filter cassette is in the housing in communication with the toilet bowl. Structure is provided for flushing the bowl and dumping the contents into the filter cassette and for subsequent refilling of the bowl. A filter is in the cassette for separating the particles of solid material from the fluid received from the bowl. The solid material is stored in the cassette in a compact manner for subsequent disposal upon removal of the cassette. Pumps and interconnected conduits are in the housing to transport fluid directly from an external source to fill the bowl after a flush, to transport and recirculate filtered fluid through the system for further waste disposal treatment, and to direct the effluent fluid from the system thereafter.

Abstract: A sludge condensation and dewatering apparatus is described which comprises a condensation unit and a dewatering unit. The condensation unit comprises a flocculating reaction tank (1) for forming a sludge flock, a first holding tank (2) slantingly arranged and upwardly inclined along the moving direction of the sludge, a conveyor for conveying the sludge flock from the flocculation tank to the holding tank for retaining the sludge flock produced by the flocculation reaction tank and an endless running screen belt (3) located just below and adjacent to the first holding tank, a dewatering unit, a solidification device (13) in communication with the first holding tank located between the condensation unit and the dewatering unit. The dewatering unit comprises an upper running piled filter cloth (4) and a lower running piled filter cloth (5), a plurality of rolls (R.sub.1 -R.sub.

Abstract: An on-location sewage treatment apparatus comprises a tank and a cylindrical wall therein arranged to form therewith a plurality of series-connected pre-treatment compartments. A grinder receives and grinds sewage-containing liquid and introduces same in the form of a colloidal mixture into a first of the pre-treatment compartments. The colloidal mixture gravitates between the pre-treatment compartments, the waste matter being aerobically consumed by bacteria therein. A second cylindrical wall spaced inwardly of the first endless wall forms therewith an intensive treatment compartment which receives pre-treated liquid. An upright porous sheet in the intensive treatment compartment is arranged in a circular accordian-pleated configuration. The sheet supports a bacteria culture thereon which consumes waste matter in the mixture passing through the sheet. Pure oxygen gas is introduced into each of the compartments and includes a sound wave generator for dispersing the oxygen gas.

Abstract: The method of treating human waste in a toilet system for disposal of the waste and recovery of the flushing liquid comprising reducing the solid matter in the effluent by hydraulic attrition in substantially one and a half liters of water containing an effective amount of decontaminant to a particle size which ranges from 1/8 inch to 1/2 micron and in which the solid matter in excess of 1/64 of an inch does not exceed more than 18% of the total solid matter, filtering the solid matter from the water and employing the filtered water following each flushing operation for a succeeding flushing of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for step-wise purification treatment of contaminated polar liquid, such as water, by the procedure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,148, comprising successive flow-connected container units, electrically insulated from the ground, the sequential units providing: (a) macerating/distributing means for producing suspension of selected small-particle-size contaminant which will accept a galvanic charge, (b) means for maintaining acidic pH of 2 to 2.5 in presence of gaseous oxidizing agent, (c) source of soluble metal ions adapted to impart a galvanic charge on the small particles, plus subsequent aeration means, (d) means for introducing alkaline reagent while air blowing to restrain precipitation, (e) means for alkaline flocculation of separable particles, including pH control means and switch means for electrically grounding the liquid medium.

Abstract: A macerator/ejector pump within a waste material holding tank on a boat liquefies solid waste material in the tank and pumps the liquefied waste material through a discharge line adapted for connection to an on-shore waste collection system. The macerator/ejector pump comprises a pump and a plurality of cutter blades pitched to direct the liquefied waste to the intake port of the pump, the pump and the cutter blades being driven by a shaft connected to an electric motor mounted on the top of the holding tank. The holding tank may be discharged into the on-shore waste collection system without requiring a shore-based pump-out station. A plurality of rods extend into the holding tank for sensing the level of waste material, and a holding tank monitor displays this level by means of colored indicator lamps.

Abstract: Multi-phase mixtures are resolved into separate phases by introducing the mixture into a body of liquid which contains a solvent for one of said phases and has a specific gravity intermediate two insoluble phases of the mixture. The latter accordingly migrate to different levels in the body of liquid and can be separately recovered therefrom. Solvent laden with the soluble phase is also separately removed from the body of liquid, and the solvent can then be stripped to isolate the soluble phase.

Abstract: A deposit filtering apparatus and method for filtering turbid liquids. The apparatus is provided with an essentially cylindrical, vertical filter container, in which sieve-like plate-shaped filter elements are arranged vertically between the turbid liquid chamber and a filtrate chamber of the filter container. That side of the filter element facing the turbid liquid chamber is covered with a detachable filter membrane formed by depositing thereon a suspension agent aiding the filtering process. The turbid liquid chamber is connected to a turbid liquid conduit for supplying the turbid liquid, and the filtrate chamber is connected to a filtrate conduit for discharge of the filtered liquid. The bottom of the filter container has a closeable opening for removal of the filter cake, consisting of filtering aid agent and impurities, separated or detached from the filter elements. A filter element packet, which is closed on the four vertical sides thereof, is arranged as a removable unit in the filter container.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of granulate from hot-melting mixes comprises a pourer connected by a filter-containing conduit to at least one mixing and melting device. The strip pourer is disposed above a cooling conveyor which feeds to a crushing device. The pourer comprises a heated tubular body provided on its under side with discharge nozzles arranged in at least one row. A filter is disposed within the tubular body across the discharge nozzles to prevent unwanted particles from reaching the nozzles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable waste disposal system that is designed primarily for use in marine craft, mobile homes, campers or the like. The system comprises a macerator unit for converting excrement to a liquified effluent, and an incinerator unit for incinerating the effluent. The macerator unit comprises a holding tank which receives the waste material from a toilet. When the level of the excrement within the holding tank reaches a predetermined level, and maintains that level for a predetermined period of time, the system is activated and the excrement from the holding tank is macerated by a macerator and provided to a feed compartment. A circulation pump then pumps the macerated effluent from the feed compartment through a circulation line to the incineration unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing domestic and industrial trash and garbage to recover the components that have fuel values by moving the trash and garbage through a fluid bed where it is shredded to a desired size while in the fluid bed, and subsequently causing it to flow in an air lift at a low velocity so that the recoverable light weight components can be separated from the heavy components and collected through a cyclone separator, the heavy components being carried off by suitable conveyor means. The apparatus embodies a system of air moving means and conduits with control valves so that the fluid bed separator is operated at a negative pressure to assure a dust free environment for the apparatus and obtain an even distribution of the shredded material in a moving air stream at a low velocity so the material will separate on the difference in specific gravity, assisted by air elutriation.

Abstract: A system including an evacuator apparatus, an especially configured centrifugal mill, and a self cleaning screen is employed for treatment of aqueous sewage. The system expedites satisfaction of the biochemical oxygen demand and separates the solids from the sewage so that the treated water is suitable for uses such as irrigation, equipment cooling and the like, and the separated solids are suitable for use in fertilizers.

Abstract: An improved waste material handling system includes a plurality of waste food disposer units which are operable to disintegrate waste food materials to form a slurry. The system also includes a pulper unit which is operable to disintegrate solid waste materials, such as paper, cardboard boxes, plastic bags, etc., to form a slurry. The waste material slurry is conducted from the waste food disposer units and pulper unit to a press which extracts water from the slurry. To prevent the discharge of waste material slurry from an active one of the waste food disposer units to an inactive one of the waste food disposer units and/or the pulper unit, check valves are associated with each of the waste food disposer units and the pulper unit. A pump is also associated with each of the waste food disposer units and the pulper unit to promote a flow of slurry from the units to the press.

Abstract: Skimmer apparatus for a pond or reservoir where the surface layer contains frangible solid matter. It employs a weir structure with a curved edge, and a pair of arms having interlocking teeth extending radially from the edge. One arm is stationary and one rotates so that the interlocking positions of the teeth will break up the solid matter.