Abstract: A continuously and automatically functioning device for the drainage of sludge treated with a flocculent, especially of sewage sludge, comprising a screw conveyor installation with a driven conveyor screw consisting of shaft (16) and helix (17) and a screen wall (18). The screw conveyor installation possesses a first cylindrical area (10) of a large diameter and gap width followed by a conical area (12) for purposes of volume reduction in the throughput direction of the sludge. Connected to the conical area (12) of the screw conveyor installation is at least one pressure area (13) which, with the diameter of the shaft (16) being constant, possesses a decreasing lead of the conveyor helix (17) at the side of the entrance, and in its final area carries a conical piece (49) placed upon the shaft (16).

Abstract: An apparatus including a device 1 for separating organic components from a process mixture, a vacuum evaporation device 4 for partially drying the mineral salts or mixtures thereof, a device 5 for thermal treatment of the partially dried mineral salts or mixtures thereof from the vacuum evaporation device 4, a condenser 7 for condensing the humid vapors from the vacuum evaporation device 4 and a device 9 for reverse osmosis treatment of the condensate as well as suitable conveying devices between the parts of the apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile purification apparatus for purifying oil contaminated with grit, metal particles, water and the like. The apparatus includes a strainer with a filter cartridge for removal of large contaminant particle and a filter apparatus. The filter apparatus including a heater and an upper filter element section with a plurality of filter media layers therein. The filter media layers are supported by a screen and compressed by a biasing spring. A lever is provided for off-loading compression on the filter media layers so a top of the filter apparatus can be removed to allow for cleaning and replacement of the filter media layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of diatomite, especially in a filtration sludge for disposal in a landfill or reuse as a filtration aid, having a flow dryer followed by a cyclone and filter separator. The dry product is then subjected to treatment in a high-temperature treatment chamber and a cyclonic separator separates 80% of the solids from the gas. These solids are quenched and then cooled. The balance of the solids in the gas stream are fed as the drying gas to the flow through dryer after water injection cooling to reduce the temperature of the hot gas to a temperature at below that which organics are volatilized in the dryer.

Abstract: A highly efficient refrigerant purification device for removing moisture, oil, particulates, non-condensible impurities and other contaminants from a refrigerant, thereby allowing maximum recovery of the refrigerant in a refrigeration system, the refrigerant being in full compliance with regulatory standards. The device can be easily adapted to purify a wide variety of refrigerants, and the device is organized in a logical arrangement which utilizes a minimum number of parts.

Abstract: Liquid separator and method of separating oil and water components of a liquid mixture wherein the oil component is made up of droplets of a less dense phase in a more dense water phase, using a hydrocyclone for separating the components. A less dense component of the mixture separated by the hydrocyclone is passed from the underflow of the hydrocyclone to a filter device for further separation. A residence vessel may be provided upstream of the hydrocyclone for coalescing the mixture prior to passage into the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A water filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes filter tank provided with activated carbon therein, to filter bacteria, miscellaneous impurities and odor in water. The output of the filter is coupled to a microwave oscillator to vibrate and churn the water coming from the filter tank. The water from the microwave oscillator is coupled to an ultraviolet light sterilizing tank having an ultraviolet lamp disposed vertically in the center thereof. A storage tank is provided to receive and store the water coming from the ultraviolet light sterilzing tank. The fluid level in the storage tank is maintained by automatically controlling the passage of water thereto by means of an electromagnetic valve actuated by a micro switch responsive to displacement of a float. The temperature of the stored water being kept at a preset temperature by means of a heater and a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing trap waste and the like into its component solids and liquids treatable in a sewage treatment plant includes a cooker, a solids separation system, and a digester. The cooker liquifies and renders trap waste obtained from, for example, restaurant traps by maintaining the waste at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the trap waste into solid and non-solid portions thereof. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified trap waste for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The separated non-solid portion of the rendered trap waste is then communicated to a digester for either aerobic or anaerobic degradation; the digest is thereafter treated to remove additional solids. The remainder of the treated trap pumpings can then be processed in a sewage treatment plant with munipal or industrial sewage.

Abstract: Engine lubricating oil is removed from the engine sump, passed through a strainer and pumped at superatmospheric pressure through a heater to raise the temperature to 150.degree.-180.degree. F., a portion of the heated pressurized oil is passed through a filter and to the oil sending unit of the engine while the remainder of the heated pressurized oil is refined by filtering to remove particles above 5 microns and to vaporize and remove vaporizable contaminants; the refined oil being returned at atmospheric pressure by gravity to the engine sump.

Abstract: The invention is a system for removing volitile hydrocarbon contaminates from both water and moisture-ladened air. In detail the invention comprises a stripping system preferably a steam stripping system, for mixing the contaminated water with steam, at below atmospheric pressure, providing clean water for reuse and contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates. A first condenser receives the contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates and condenses, at below atmospheric pressure, a portion of the vaporized contaminates and a portion of the contaminated steam into contaminate water. A second condenser thereafter further condenses the steam and hydrocarbon vapor.

Abstract: A method and a device of dividing an aqueous processing waste solution of a non-silver halide light-sensitive material into solid and water are disclosed comprising the steps of:(a) introducing said solution into an evaporator,(b) concentrating by heating said solution,(c) removing sludge produced from the evaporator during concentrating by heating said solution,(d) separating the sludge into solid and liquid and(e) cooling and condensing evaporated gas to liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for separating oil water and solids from emulsions. More particularly, the present invention provides a process and apparatus for continuously separating oil, water and solids from stable mixtures thereof, comprising heating the mixture to at least about 115.degree. C., rapidly cooling the mixture to below 100.degree. C., separating the solids from the liquids and separating the water from the oil. Preferably, the invention also includes the step of adding a flocculant prior to cooling the mixture.

Abstract: Process and installation for the separation of the constituents of a suspension.The installation comprises a self-cleaning filter (19), a heater (23), a centrifugal separator (25) and a belt filter (51) for filtering the solid sediments from separator (25).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore in the earth from a location in a body of water wherein the drilling operation generates a substantial amount of a mixture of solid drilling cuttings, water, and at least one hydrocarbonaceous oil, wherein the water and oil are removed from the solid drilling cuttings so that the cuttings are put into a condition in which they can be disposed of in the body of water or elsewhere without adverse effects.

Abstract: A conditioning system for water based can sealing compounds comprising a downstream pressure regulator adjacent a double diaphragm pump, a filter and a heater wherein the exit of the heater is connected to a lining nozzle, and exit line from the nozzle connected to an upstream pressure regulator and a return line meeting the supply line between the downstream pressure regulator and the pump. Additionally, one or more dampeners may be added to the system as well as various pressure gauges and other sensors. The system without dampeners controls film weights to within .+-.5% of the desired amount. The use of one or more dampeners improves film weight control to within .+-.3% of the desired amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryoprecipitation of blood plasma, where the blood from a patient is fed to a plasma separator (1) in order to obtain blood plasma which is then cooled to about +4 degrees centigrade. The blood plasma from the plasma separator is next fed into a container (5). As the contents of the container are kept at a sufficiently low temperature, cryoprecipitation occurs in the container. The blood plasma from the container is then circulated preferably in a loop past a plasma filter (60), where a cooling unit (9) is placed on a branch of the loop (7,8). The filtrate from the plasma filter (6) is finally returned to the patient after it has been warmed in a heating unit (11).

Abstract: An activated sludge treatment apparatus in which waste water is introduced into a sludge tank and an activated sludge treatment is performed in said sludge tank, the improvement characterized in that a ceramic filter is provided in a passage through which waste water as effluent from said sludge tank is to be passed, and the waste water is allowed to pass through the interior of said ceramic filter and thereby separated into activated sludge and treatment water.

Abstract: Heavy oil production results in oily sand waste products, the disposal of which presents a problem. Since the oily sand causes rapid wear on heavy oil treatment equipment, it is important to deal with the problem early in the treatment process. For this reason recovery of the bulk of the sand is effected at the so-called free water knockout, which is a tank operating at atmospheric pressure for removing free water and sand from the heavy oil. Sand drops to the bottom of the tank. Oil separates from the water, rises to the top of the tank and overflows to the next piece of treatment equipment. Water is siphoned from the bottom of the tank and fed to a water disposal plant. The apparatus described herein includes a pump for feeding a sand slurry from the bottom of the tank to hydrocyclones, dewatering screens to which fresh water is added to clean the sand and remove additional moisture therefrom, and a hopper for receiving the clean sand.

Abstract: A microwave-based emulsion treating system comprising a microwave energy source and a microwave applicator for treating an oil-water emulsion is disclosed. The applicator includes an internal coalescer medium for enhancing the effects of the microwave energy in separating the emulsion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for separating low density material, in particular plastics, in particular with a density of less than 1, from substrate mixtures, preferably from waste material fractions or presorted garbage fractions optionally containing essential portions of plastics or optionally presorted to paper/plastics fractions, wherein a gravity separation, in particular a sink-float separation, is carried out and the low density material phase, in particular polyolefin plastics, is withdrawn and optionally further processed as a separate fraction after drying.According to the invention, the separating effect and the cleaning of the low density material phase withdrawn are increased by carrying out at least one centrifugal separation, preferably in a hydrocyclone, in addition to at least one gravity separation, preferably in a sink-float basin.

Abstract: The invention is a system for removing volatile hydrocarbon contaminates from both water and moisture-ladened air. In detail the invention comprises a steam stripping system for mixing the contaminated water with steam, at below atmospheric pressure, providing clean water for reuse and contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates. A first condenser receives the contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates and condenses, at below atmospheric pressure, a portion of the vaporized contaminates and a portion of the contaminated steam into contaminate water. A second condenser thereafter further condenses the steam and hydrocarbon vapor.

Abstract: Contaminated oil is reclaimed for uel use by pumping same through an oil filter into one side of a divided tank then through a heater to burn off water and antifreeze and then into the other side of the divided tank where the oil is blended with other clean oil, such as diesel fuel, which is then pumped through a water separator and another oil filter into a fuel supply tank from which it is pumped and used for blending. The divided tank is mounted on wheels and carries the various components such as pumps, heater, valves, piping, filter and so forth.

Abstract: A method and system of continually reforming sewage and other organic materials into liquid oils and gases by pyrolysis using the contained and entrained water in the inorganic and organic constituents of the sewage.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating solid substances from liquid mixtures of substances, wherein the liquid substances contained in the mixture are separated from the solid substances by countercurrent extraction with a solvent which, during the extraction process, is in a liquid or supercritical state and which, under standard conditions, is gaseous. The solvent is fed to a cylindrical extraction chamber at the lowest point of the extraction chamber. The solvent leaves the nozzles with a Reynold's number of 40,000 and flows upward in the extraction chamber with a Reynold's number of 2,700 to 8,000.

Abstract: A process of the type employing freezing and thawing of metal hydroxide sludge to effect phase separation by gravity settling of solids to permit removal of the purified water, and a preferred system for carrying out the process. Commercially available refrigeration equipment, suitably modified and adjusted to operate in the freezing of sludge in sheets and breaking the sheets into relatively small pieces, is utilized in order to minimize the costs of hardware end controls. The frozen sludge particles are deposited in a melt tank containing a quantity of sludge which has previously been frozen and thawed.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for a housing mountable on a trailer for conducting the process in-situ. A pump withdraws substantially all hydrocarbon-contaminated matter from the oil waste pit and delivers it into a lower chamber formed in the housing, wherein the hydrocarbon-contaminated matter is separated from the heavy solid particles and heavy salt water. The hydrocarbon-containing mixture, after being separated in the lower housing is delivered into the upper chamber formed in the housing and heated to facilitate separation, by gravity, of hydrocarbons, water and fine particles into various layers for subsequent withdrawal from the housing. The process of withdrawal of the hydrocarbon-contaminated mixture continues until hydrocarbon content of the oil waste pit is reduced to such degree that the waste pit becomes substantially hydrocarbon-free and is environmentally safe.

Abstract: A self-contained, modular system for conditioning water by solids removal, dissolved contaminant removal, and temperature control, so that said water is suitable for use in a system, such as a WEDM system. The modular system includes a first tank for receiving water to be conditioned, a filtration and ion adjusting section, a temperature adjusting section, a second tank for receiving conditioned water and sensor and control elements. The filtration and ion adjusting section has a first pump coupled to the first tank for pumping water from the first tank to the first filtration element. The filtration and ion adjusting section includes a selectable element for enabling at least a portion of the filtered water to be pumped directly to the second tank or else to means for deionizing the water. The temperature adjusting section has an element for adjusting the temperature of the water in the second tank, either heating it or cooling it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, and a condenser. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then communicated to a digester for degradation or transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for processing of organic materials containing nitrogen compounds, where the organic material undergoes an anaerobic digestion with simultaneous liberation of biogas which contains methane and carbon dioxide. The liquid product obtained after anaerobic digestion is, according to the invention, heated to boiling temperature, ammonia bonded as carbonate which is distilled off, and the tail product from distillation is further processed to the valuable product and clear water or is discharged as prepurified waste water. During the processing to the valuable product in the form of organo-phophate-lime concentrate, the tail product of distillation is alkalized by lime and carbonized with carbon dioxide. Biogas or carbon dioxide obtained by distillation may be used in carbonation.

Abstract: Improvements to machines for heating articles or products by condensation of primary vapor on said products or articles, the primary vapor isolated from the atmosphere by a secondary vapor mass. According to the invention, a first improvement is aimed at lowering the chlorine and fluorine ion contents in the primary and secondary vapors of the plant resulting from the decomposition of said vapors. To this effect, the invention provides an improved washing of the secondary liquid. Furthermore, a dry gas sweeping between damp atmospheric air and the secondary vapor prevents the introduction of atmospheric moisture. Another improvement relates to the automatic compensation of variations in operating conditions by controlling the power balance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously separating and recovering an organic liquid such as a hydrocarbon solvent from immiscible water and/or other impurities mixed therewith. The apparatus and method comprise a system for treating liquids while continuously flowing therethrough, including in series a gravity separation step followed by a distillation separation step.

Abstract: A pure water manufacturing apparatus for producing ultra pure water to be used in the electronic and medical industries. This apparatus comprises a pure water circulation system consisting of a pure water storage tank, a first heat exchanger arranged at the downstream side of the tank for thermally sterilizing pure water, a filter arranged at the downstream side of the first heat exchanger for removing dead bacteria, a pure water circulating means, and a second heat exchanger for cooling pure water disposed between the filter and a terminal device at which pure water is required. The ultrapure water is supplied to the terminal device from the downstream side of the filter through the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, a condenser and product storage tanks. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: A water purifier for producing potable water from contaminated water, the purifier includes a crystallizer chamber with a plurality of projecting freeze elements, and a water spray unit which directs a fine spray of water at the freeze elements to produce ice coating on the freeze elements. The purifier also includes a refrigerant unit to periodically chill and warm the freeze elements to alternately produce and release ice shells that are melted to form purified water.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a radioactive substance from a molten metal which comprises a cold trap for crystallizing an impurity out of the molten metal; a radioactive substance-adsorbing unit which communicates with the cold trap and in which a radioactive substance-adsorbing material is filled with a specific surface area of at least 10 cm.sup.2 /cm.sup.3 to eliminate a radioactive substance from the impurity; means for heating the molten metal conducted from the cold trap to the radioactive substance-adsorbing unit; and means for controlling the temperature of the heating means by measuring the temperature of the cold trap and radioactive substance-adsorbing unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the separation of oil from water in an emulsion thereof, by inducing the oil-water emulsion into an elongated chamber at a temperature below the boiling point of water, and by recirculating a portion of the emulsion oil through the chamber at a boiling temperature well below the refining temperature of the oil, drawing off the product oil from the chamber end remote from said induction end thereof, and drawing off the water by-product as steam from the chamber above a controlled liquid level of emulsion-oil therein, waste heat from the product and by-product being conserved.

Abstract: This invention affords a filtration method and apparatus for extracting cell produced antiviral substances (CPAS) from a production broth using cross-flow membrane filtration. The broth is perfused into a first filtration cell and caused to cross-flow across an ultrafiltration membrane in the cell, permitting a first filtrate to pass through the membrane consisting essentially of CPAS and some molecular species and retaining in a first ex-filtrate all remaining portions of the broth.

Abstract: A method and system for dewatering a reserve pit at the drilling site of an oil or gas well. The pumpable waste sludge, including some bit cuttings, spent drilling mud, hydrocarbons and miscellaneous liquid wastes are first pumped from the pit into a holding tank. In the holding tank, sediments and solid particles are separated from the liquid content of the sludge. The liquid is then pumped into a high temperature boiler to separate the water, as steam, from salt and other water soluble solids and from heavy hydrocarbons. Separated solids are returned to the reserve pit. On completion of the process, the pit contains no unacceptable environmental contaminants and a minimal quantity of liquid. It is then earth filled to restore the topography to near its original condition. The apparatus employed in the invention includes a pump which is connected in a hose extending between the reserve pit and a holding tank. Another pump is connected between the holding tank and a boiler.

Abstract: In a process for deaerating and purifying both the water which is recirculated in a coolant loop through a stack of fuel cells and the make-up water for the coolant loop, a portion of the water from the coolant loop is blown down into a deaerator water reservoir to which make-up water is added as required by the coolant loop. Water is withdrawn from the reservoir, purified, and then introduced into the coolant loop at a rate sufficient to maintain the desired amount of water circulating in the coolant loop. The blowdown provides some of the heat for deaerating the water; and the rate of blowdown flow into the reservoir is sufficient to maintain an acceptable level of impurities in the recirculating coolant loop water. Preferably, the blowdown flow rate is controlled as a function of the amount of make-up water required to be added to the coolant loop.

Abstract: A system for reconditioning soils contaminated with crude oils or other refined petroleum products. The system comprises a mixer input device for mixing and heating the soils with a liquid and providing a heated blended slurry. A sparger kiln agitates the slurry to break down its component parts into a fine particle slurry. A first clarifier washes the fine particle slurry to effect a first separation of oil particles from the slurry. A network of flotation cell units further wash and agitate the fine particle slurry from the clarifier to effect a second separation of oil particles from the fine particle slurry. A reagent is added to the flotation cells to effect the oil separation. An aeration clarifier further separates the oil particles from the liquid mixture elected from the flotation cell units. A collecting system is provided to recover the oil particles separated from the first clarifier and the aeration clarifier.

Abstract: A tar separating device for separating tar from hot rinsing liquid, specifically, the rinsing liquid of a receiver of a coke oven battery including a container having a rinsing liquid inlet, a solids removal device for removing solids from the liquid as the liquid enters the container, a tar dewatering chamber located in the container near the inlet such that the rinsing liquid entering the container flows over the outer surface of the chamber and a tube in the container for conveying rinsing liquid into the tar dewatering chamber. The inlet to the tube is located at a point distant from the rinsing liquid inlet to the container. At the tube inlet point, the temperature of the liquid is lower than that at the inlet. The present invention utilizes this temperature differential to effect a particularly distinct separation between the tar and the water. The device further includes means for separately removing the tar and the water from the dewatering chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating wastewater includes a settling tank, a sludge digester and a holding tank. Solids from the settling tank are delivered uniformly throughout the seed sludge in the digester and combustible gas is drawn off the top. Sludge from the digester is delivered to the holding tank where further combustible gas evolves and is removed for other uses. The sludge from the holding tank is recycled through the digester or discharged from the system for drying and/or subsequent use.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying waste water which comprises introducing said waste water into a separation zone, removing a portion of the impurities recovered from said separation zone, and concentrating said impurities by their introduction into an evaporation system to form a still fluid residue and remaining impurities composed of impurities in gaseous and vapor form together with waste vapors, transferring said remaining impurities to an oxidation chamber, and supplying said oxidation chamber with heat and air, thereby oxidizing said remaining impurities through spontaneous combustion, wherein the proportion of the low boiling-point impurities in the waste water introduced into the separation zone is adjusted to a predetermined value.

Abstract: Processes are provided for accomplishing wet oxidation using a reaction zone wherein the gas phase (oxygen) is allowed to pass therethrough at a flow rate independent of the liquid phase (waste water) flow rate so that more oxygen can be supplied to a given volume of waste water than is possible for a conventional reactor of the equivalent size. A high efficiency wet oxidation is provided by which the process technology can be practiced either in a single stage or multistage. The reactor is directed to operate at temperatures ranging from about 350.degree. to 600.degree. F. at pressures ranging from about 800 to 2200 psig and the reactor provides a gas phase/liquid phase separation feature.

Abstract: Sewage sludge and municipal solid waste are simultaneously processed by first dissolving a catalyst, such as sodium aluminate, in the sludge, then mixing the sludge-aluminate mixture with the municipal waste to form a carbonizing mixture. After dewatering and drying, the mixture is carbonized in a furnace heated by a mixture of city gas and pyrolysis gases given off by the furnace.

Abstract: Described is a sludge recovery apparatus in which influent is admitted downwardly via a vertical motor-driven dual-speed hollow coaxial drive shaft assembly into a hollow open-bottom downwardly-converging cone-shaped centrifugal separator member spun by the outer shaft of such assembly, where liquid from the influent leaves at the top and sludge from the influent is scraped from the inner wall of the separator member for gravity discharge at the bottom by a spiral-shaped scraper spun by the inner shaft of such assembly at a slightly different speed than the separator member. Sludge thus dislodged from such member drops onto a radiantly-heated continuously-rotated drying table having a discharge scraper station and automatic drop doors for gravity ejection of the table-dried sludge into an open-top sludge salvage container.

Abstract: A portable machine for regenerative dialysis comprises a dialyzing liquid reservoir in which is immersed a suction duct connected to a heating tube the temperature of which is controlled by a thermal probe pair piloting a temperature adjusting element. The outlet of the heating tube is connected to the suction side of a dialyzing liquid pump having a first and second delivery ducts opening in the dialyzing liquid reservoir wherein are interposed a dialyzer element and a dialyzing liquid regenerating cartridge respectively.

Abstract: Ground water which is high in impurity content such as silica, hardness, sulfates, alkalinity, etc., may be made potable by treating the water with thermal ion exchange desalination resins and a reverse osmosis system. The heat which is present in the ground water is utilized to thermally regenerate the ion exchange resin.

Abstract: Water which contains contaminants such as brine may be subjected to a desalination process and made potable thereby by treating the water in a reverse osmosis and ion exchange system, the heat which is present in the water source being utilized to thermally regenerate the ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A system is provided for continuously removing contaminants from a fluid stream on a high volume basis, such system being adapted particularly for use with contaminated lubricating oil found in industrial heavy equipment such as drop forges which requires large volumes of lubricating oil for effective, continuous operation.