Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous treatment of fluid with a contact media. The apparatus includes a plurality of vertically arranged chambers through which the fluid flow passes. The contact media may be selectively removed from each chamber and moved to a tank for regeneration. Additionally, the contact media may be selectively moved from one chamber to another.

Abstract: By this method, the fluid to be filtered is led through a filter bed formed of particulate filter particles, such as sand, which filter bed is retained in an upstanding annular space. The fluid is introduced to the interior part 15 of the annular space and is led transversely to the movement the filter bed, through it and away. The filter bed is provided on the inner wall of annular space with a microfilter, such as sieve grid 16, with a mesh size of 10 to 200 microns, whereby the heavy and flocculated dirt particles settling upon the microfilter are led down and away and are drawn off together with the particulate filter particles 32. To avoid stoppages of the microfilter, it is flowingly hydraulically cleaned from the inner space. Additionally, by introduction of water in the take-off space 11 there is produced a vortex bed, whereby at this space the withdrawal of the particulate filter medium is effected with a mammoth pump 17 known per se.

Abstract: A bed of particulate material of varying sizes is located within a vessel. This bed comprises an upper and lower region. Particulate material is supplied continuously to the center of the upper region so as to form a peak shape which descends downwardly and radially outwardly from the center. Liquid to be filtered is introduced to this peak shape and is filtered downwardly through the bed. A majority of the filtered liquid passes through a screen located between the upper and the lower regions into a screen filtrate enclosure. The remaining liquid continues to the lower region. This liquid and dirty particulate material are transported by an air lift tube from the lower region to a position above the upper region. At this position, the particulate material is washed and supplied to the center of the upper region. The remaining liquid and filtered particles are removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor for the biological treatment of a fluid includes granular treating material through which the fluid to be treated passes upwardly, thereby fluidizing the treating material, during which biological treatment is achieved. A homogeneous distribution of the fluid into the bottom of the granular treating material is achieved by providing a granular transfer material beneath the granular treating material, and introducing the fluid to be treated into the granular transfer material at a speed and under conditions sufficient to impart movement to the granular transfer material causing uniform distribution of the fluid and uniform diffusion thereof upwardly into the granular treating material at a speed sufficient to achieve fluidization thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-cleaning filter in which the suspension to be filtered is introduced into the filter media at a lower portion of the apparatus. The dirtied filter media flows out the bottom of the apparatus by gravity, while the material being filtered flows upwardly through the filter media into an annular chamber, over a weir and out an outlet pipe. The dirty filter media is mixed with clarified liquid that is received from a confined chamber in the upper portion of the filtering apparatus and the slurry so formed flows into the inlet of a pump. The pump scours the material acting to partially separate the liquid and particulate from the filter material. The slurry is then pumped up into a separator wherein further separation takes place with the liquid and particulate matter being directed out of the separator back for reprocessing and the clean filter medium is reintroduced into the filtering apparatus.

Abstract: A separator comprises a central casing including an upper disk and a lower disk, both disks having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending between the upper and lower disks and in communication with the plurality of openings, an upper casing including a disk disposed in contact with the upper disk of the central casing and having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending upwardly from the upper surface of the disk and in communication with the plurality of columns of the central casing, a lower casing including a disk disposed in contact with the lower disk of the central casing and having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of columns extending downwardly from the lower surface of the disk and in communication with the plurality of columns of the central casing, and a plurality of receptacles disposed within the plurality of columns. The upper and lower casings are rotated so that the receptacles can be circulated through the columns.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a fluid medium has a sealed ring-shaped body in the interior of which is movably mounted a flexible filtering member having a toroidal shape. Slide valves divide the interior of the body into two portions, one of which receives the supply of fluid medium to be cleaned and removes the fluid medium cleaned by the filtering member, while the other cleans the filtering member by removing cake from it.

Abstract: A method of transferring granular carbon between containers. The granular carbon is formed into a slurry and transferred between the containers using liquid pressure differential. Preferably, a negative pressure differential is used to draw the carbon slurry from a first container to a second container.

Abstract: A granular product to be dosed is introduced at the same time as a transfer liquid into a dosing chamber below a retaining grid, provided in the upper part thereof. The measurement of the pressure upstream of the dosing chamber makes it possible to detect the arrival of the product level with the grid and to stop the introduction thereof. An inverted U-shaped pipe forming a syphon then ensures the transfer of the dosed product into a tank, when the compressed air is injected into the dosing chamber above the grid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous elution and absorption apparatus comprising an upright column having a first upper end and a second lower end, means for feeding particulate material into the first end of the column, inlet means for feeding liquid into the column adjacent the second end thereof, outlet means for removing liquid from the column and means for removing particulate material from the second end of the column, wherein the outlet means for removing liquid comprises a screen located at an intermediate point between the first and second ends through which screen the liquid passes while the particulate material is retained in the column, said intermediate point being located above the point of introduction of the liquid so that liquid flows upwardly through the column, and there being provided screen means for preventing upflow of liquid to the first upper end of the column so that particulate fed into the first end of the column tends to rill and excess liquid flows downwardly and out thr

Abstract: A suspension is filtered by a granular filtrating layer while flowing through the granular filtrating mass as a vertical ascending current. The granular mass is, for the purpose of being washed with air, driven continuously by a compressed air ejector into a tube where it follows an ascending motion and at the outlet of which it is washed with water above the layer where the filtration is carried out. Thereafter, the washed mass is recycled by gravity onto the upper portion of the filtration layer. The charged granular mass which has been subjected to the first or air washing operation is fluidized above the filtration layer and subjected to an extra washing operation with water and pressurized air.

Abstract: A back rinse arrangement for ion exchange resin in an ion exchange bed through which a liquid to be treated flows in a substantially vertical direction to have contaminants captured therefrom in the ion exchange resin includes an inlet chamber arranged at a lower region of the fixed bed, an injector that opens into the inlet chamber and has a transporting and rinsing liquid selectively supplied thereto, and a conveying and cleansing pipe which extends vertically through the fixed bed and provided with an outlet opening at its upper end. The particulate ion exchange resin, which is particulate or granular, is gradually withdrawn by the flowing transporting and rinsing liquid from the lower region of the fixed bed, and is conveyed through the conveying and cleansing pipe, with simultaneous performance of a cleansing action, to the upper region of the fixed body which gradually descends as the ion exchange material is being withdrawn from its bottom region.

Abstract: An installation and apparatus for treating a liquid, in particular for demineralizing water passing through a bed of active granular material which is compacted in a high position and which is periodically regenerated by a reverse flow. The installation comprises a treatment volume (10), an expansion volume (20) for the bed and disposed coaxially above the treatment volume (10); communication and isolation means (20, 32) between said two volumes, and means for periodically causing the liquid to be treated to flow through the bed and for causing regenerator liquids to flow through the bed.

Abstract: A reactor for aerobically or non-aerobically treating a fluid flowing from the bottom to the top of the reactor through a fluidized bed of granular material. The reactor includes a base having an orifice therein, through which fluid flows into the reactor and in which gas is added to the fluid. A horizontally extending plate surrounded by a supple membrane faces the base and the orifice. The plate and the membrane form a valve for preventing fluid from the reactor from entering the orifice in the event fluid flow into the reactor ceases. The gas entrains the granular material so that when the gasified fluid passes upward through the granular material a three-phase liquid-gas-granular material mixture is produced. The upper portion of the reactor includes a device for disembedding the granular material from the fluid, a device for degasing the three-phase liquid-gas-granular material mixture, and a device for separating the granular material from the fluid to produce a fluid discharge.

Abstract: A batch system apparatus for collecting lysozyme from egg white by adsorption on an ion-exchange resin, which includes a lysozyme adsorption tank, equipped therein with a stirring mechanism for stirring an egg white solution and an ion-exchange resin, having a strainer provided in a lower portion thereof, having liquid discharge pipes connected thereto at a position below the strainer, preferably at the bottom of the tank, and at the side wall above the strainer at a height such that the resin when left at rest will not overflow, respectively, and further having a resin discharge pipe connected thereto at the lower portion of the side wall, above and in the vicinity of the strainer; a positive displacement pump connected to the liquid discharge pipes for transferring the egg white solution after removal of lysozyme to a reservoir tank; and a centrifugal pump connected to the resin discharge pipe for transferring the mixture of the resin and water to a separate tank, whereby collection by adsorption can be mad

Abstract: A moving bed ion exchange apparatus including a loading vessel having a resin inlet and a resin outlet and containing an ion exchange resin bed, a feed liquid inlet and outlet for passing a feed liquid through the resin bed in the loading vessel, a U-shaped regeneration vessel containing an ion exchange resin bed, one end of the regeneration vessel having a first conduit in resin transfer communication with the resin outlet in the loading vessel and the other end of the regeneration vessel having a second conduit in resin transfer communication with the resin inlet of the loading vessel, a first resin passing control valve for controlling the flow of resin through the first conduit, a second resin passing control valve for controlling the flow of resin through the second conduit, a regenerant inlet connected to the regeneration vessel for introducing regenerant into said vessel, a displacement rinse inlet connected to the regeneration vessel for introducing a rinse liquid into said regeneration vessel to dipl

Abstract: A liquid treatment system, for example a water purification system, includes a treatment vessel which contains a bed of ion-exchange or adsorption material. The system also includes a washing vessel to which batches of the material comprising the bed in the treatment column are transferred for the flushing of contaminates therefrom, the washed material subsequently being returned to the treatment vessel. The material supply and discharge arrangement for the washing vessel is designed such that the quantity of treatment material withdrawn from the treatment vessel may be selected and will be self-limited.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling biomass growth in a fluidized bed reactor during anaerobic or aerobic treating of a waste feed. In particular, means is provided for concentrating a portion of bioparticles, the bioparticles being media with biomass adhered thereto and the concentrating means being integral to the fluid bed reactor, so that bioparticles delivered to a separator means for separating the biomass from the media are of high concentration requiring little downstream processing of the biomass separated thereby.

Abstract: A mixed resin bed deionizing apparatus for removing toxic or mineral substances from fluid passing through a loading vessel containing a mixed bed of cation and anion resins and a regeneration assembly for regenerating the cation and anion resins for return to the loading vessel, the assembly including a separation vessel for separating the cation and anion resins and two "U"-shaped regeneration vessels, one for regenerating cation resins and one for regenerating aniona resins, the resins being admitted to the regeneration vessels in predetermined amounts which are advanced through the regeneration vessels by removing a predetermined amounts of regenerated resin from the discharge end of the vessel, shifting the remaining resin in the vessel to refill the space in the discharge end and adding a corresponding amount of exhausted or loaded resin to the other end, passing a regenerant through the regeneration vessel counter to the direction of movement of the resin through the regeneration vessel and rinsing the

Abstract: A technique for contacting a fluid with an ion exchange resin which comprises flowing the contacting fluid through a moving bed of ion exchange resin in a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of flow of said ion exchange resin bed.

Abstract: Upward-flow process for treating liquids in ion exchange filters containing cation exchangers and anion exchangers in separate layers arranged one on top of the other, in which the cation and anion exchangers are separated from one another by a resin layer which does not participate in the ion exchange, the anion exchanger is regenerated externally and the cation exchanger, which remains in the filter, is regenerated in the counter-current and the anion exchanger is removed from and recycled to the filter without whirling up the separating layer and cation exchanger layer. The invention furthermore relates to a new counter-current ion exchange filter for carrying out the process.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for holding first material along with less dense material in substantially separate layers and for effecting removal of at least some of the second material to a location displaced from the layer. The materials are arranged in the two layers with the first material at the bottom of a vessel and with the second material disposed above the first material. An elongate withdrawal conduit projects into the vessel to define (1) an exit port at the wall of the vessel, (2) a confined flow passageway communicating with the exit port within the vessel, and (3) at least one withdrawal aperture with the uppermost portion of any withdrawal aperture being lower than the uppermost portion of the exit port. The upper surface of the first material layer is maintained below the conduit while flow of the second material from the second material layer is effected into and through the conduit via the withdrawal aperture.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a floating bed reactor which is used for biological purification of fibre-containing liquid suspensions and for simultaneous clarification. The reactor comprises a floating bed (8) composed of finely divided particles floating in an ascending flow, above it being formed a fibre agglomerate layer (9) which binds to itself fibres present in the suspension being treated. What is essential in the invention is that the removal of fibre agglomerate from the reactor has been arranged with the aid of an open-top collecting vessel (11) placed in the reactor and disposed to collect fibre agglomerate in itself so that the top margin of the agglomerate layer (9) positions itself in the reactor substantially on level with the top end of the collecting vessel. The agglomerate then moves into the collecting vessel (11) by effect of a trailing vortex, for the generation of which the top end (13) of the vessel is bordered by a flow guiding member projecting laterally therefrom, or encircling it.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of biomethane from organic substances comprises a digester having a vat with a floor and a centrally located vertical axis. The vat is formed by a fixed foundation and vertical side walls. A central support pillar has a vertical axis coincident with the vertical axis of the vat and is movably joined to the foundation so that the pillar can rotate about the axis. The vat has an upper portion fixed to the central pillar and rotatably supported on the side walls. A cylindrical primary compartment is located inside the vat concentrically around the central pillar. A fixed vertical partition joins the floor and radially extends between the primary compartment and the side walls of the vat. A movable partition radially extends between the primary compartment and a side wall and is capable of moving about the central axis with the upper portion and central pillar. When the movable partition moves, all substances in the vat outside the primary compartment are displaced.

Abstract: Solids from a liquid containing heavy metals are filtered by first degassing the solids-laden liquid and then subjecting the degassed liquid to sedimentation to remove large particles and subsequently intermediate size particles. The suspension of fine particles is then passed in counterflow to a moving bed of granulate, especially black peat, to which the particles tend to adhere externally and internally. Clear liquid is removed from the top of the moving bed and the granulate is washed after being withdrawn from the bottom of the bed and is recycled to the moving bed.

Abstract: The lower end of an ion exchange column is provided with a rotatable valve member which, in a first position, supports resin material in the column and, in a second position, allows the resin material to drop out of the column. The valve member can include a sintered body which in the first position supports the resin material and permits drainage of reagents introduced into the column. On rotating the valve member into its second position the sintered body can fall out of the valve member to permit the resin material to fall out of the column through the valve member. A replacement sintered body can be dropped down the column on to the valve member and the column can be refilled with resin material for further use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for internal regeneration of mixed bed filters in which, after the exhausted ion exchanger mass has been separated into the two components and these have been regenerated and washed out, the exchanger layer in the region of the cation exchanger/anion exchanger interface is selectively removed from the mixed bed filter, the cation exchanger remaining in the filter is mixed with the anion exchanger remaining in the filter for the new loading stage, the ion exchanger mass removed from the filter is added again, when the work cycle has ended, to the exhausted ion exchanger mass before or during the separation into cation exchanger and anion exchanger, and, after the separation, the loading stage is started again with the regeneration of the cation exchanger and anion exchanger; and also to a mixed bed filter for carrying out the process.

Abstract: An apparatus charges weakly acidic cationic ion exchange resin particles with uranyl ions by contacting the particles stepwise with aqueous uranyl nitrate solution at higher uranium concentrations from stage to stage. An alkaline medium is added to the uranyl nitrate solution in each stage to increase the successive pH values of the uranyl nitrate solution contacting the particles in dependance upon the uranium concentration effective for maximum charging of the particles with uranyl ions.

Abstract: Oil-water mixtures are by-products of a number of known commercial activities such as crude oil production and power plant operation. Disposition of such mixtures in most all cases is prohibited by environmental regulation. Disposition may be effected, however, after separation of the oil from the water. This separation may be accomplished in a deepbed type filter. Where the oil in the water is unusually viscous or has a waxy, tar-like, or sticky consistency, for example, rejuvenation of the filter bed is enhanced by the addition of a small amount of a solvating liquid to the oil-water mixture before filtering.

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 control device for controlling the transfer of adsorbent to and from stages of an adsorbant-in-pulp contactor comprises a vessel for receipt of an adsorbent-pulp mixture and having an inclined screen for retention of adsorbent particles and passage of pulp, means for transferring adsorbent-pulp mixture to the vessel, means for measuring the volume of adsorbent or of adsorbent-pulp mixture in the vessel, and outlet means adjacent the lower end of the screen for recovery of drained adsorbent solids.

Abstract: When Geothermal water, obtained from natural sources, delivers heat to energy conversion equipment or to heat transfer surfaces, the resulting effluents are supersaturated with amorphous silica. This invention relates to passing such effluents through a fluidized particle bed in which the silica deposits on the bed particles. The coated particles are removed from the system, the coatings removed and the particles are recycled to the fluidized bed.

Abstract: An activated carbon adsorption column for the treatment of waste water is continuously sterilized and/or regenerated in pulsed batches of carbon amounting to 5 to 25 percent of the working column quantity transferred, alternately, from the influent face of the column to one of two, off-stream blow case vessels for steam processing and returned to the effluent face of the working column upon the next programmed pulsing interim.

Abstract: Adjustably metered transfer of resin increments in folded bed ion exchange systems are provided by a method and apparatus in which compacted liquid-containing resin granules are expelled from a column into a metering chamber which is filled to a level of a granule-retaining screen, the cut-off of the granule filling being signaled by liquid moving through the screen to a control level thereabove and/or by an increase in the hydraulic pressure of the liquid below the screen. In preferred embodiments the measuring chamber is provided with a flexible wall which is positioned to either increase or decrease the volume of the measuring chamber and thereby selectively vary the volume of the granule increment captivated by the chamber. The invention provides for the pulsing of resin increments of precisely and adjustably metered volume, and provides a means for keeping the loading and regeneration sides of the system in resin transfer balance.

Abstract: A filtration process and apparatus for the removal of solids from liquids is provided having a filter bed vertically disposed in a chamber which has a solids-containing liquid passed horizontally therethrough. The filter bed is regenerated after becoming loaded with solids. During filtering the liquid is divided into at least two partial streams, and each partial stream is conducted through a respective filter bed arranged in a chamber, which is comprised of reticulated particles of polyurethane. After the particles have been completely loaded with the solids, the liquid feed to and the liquid discharge from the respective chamber are interrupted. The solids adhereing to the particles are then transferred by agitation and/or gas treatment into a liquid volume remaining in the chamber, and the liquid volume is discharged together with the solids. The process is especially adaptable to be utilized in wastewater treatment, or for the removal of solids from scrubbing media.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for concentration of trace material from large voes of water. Carrier bodies having a lower density than that of water are introduced into a water layer, especially a natural sea current or stream; these carrier bodies are collected again after an automatic traversal of the sea flow or water layer under conditions determined by density differing from that of water. The carrier bodies are loaded and charged by depositing or accumulation of trace material, e.g. uranium concentration, on the carrier bodies. The carrier bodies are then conveyed to a further treatment location for isolating the accumulated and concentrated trace material. The carrier bodies are then again discharged into the flow or stream after being depleted.

Abstract: An hydraulic system for the discharge of a bed of granular material supported on a screen (3), for example a sand filter, comprises an upright cylindrical vessel (1) with a horizontal plate (2) at the lower end of the vessel to support the bed of granular material. The support plate carries screens (3) to allow the passage of water and to block the passage of bed material. The vessel is provided with entry and discharge ports (8 and 10) and a ring of fluidizing jets (13) is located a short distance above the support plate (2). A discharge pipe (11) rises through the bed. The bed of material can be discharged hydraulically from the vessel through the discharge pipe (11) without any mechanical items requiring maintenance within the vessel (1).

Abstract: A process for the regeneration and recovery of a loaded adsorbent which comprises the steps of:(a) contacting the loaded adsorbent with an alkaline solution for a period sufficient to effect regeneration of the adsorbent;diluting the resulting slurry of the adsorbent in the alkaline solution with recycled overflow liquid from one or both of the subsequent separation steps, to thereby reduce the concentration of adsorbent in the slurry to at least the level where unhindered settling can occur;(c) separating the slurry to give a first liquid overflow and a first solids underflow containing the adsorbent and discharging at least a portion of the first liquid overflow to waste, the remainder (if any) being returned to step (b);(d) slurrying the first solids underflow from step (c) with washwater and recycled second liquid overflow from the subsequent separation step;(e) separating the thus formed slurry to give a second liquid overflow and a second solids underflow containing the adsorbent and returning a portion

Abstract: An activated carbon adsorption column for the treatment of waste water is continuously sterilized and/or regenerated in pulsed batches of carbon amounting to 5 to 25 percent of the working column quantity transferred, alternately, from the influent face of the column to one of two, off-stream blow case vessels for steam processing and returned to the effluent face of the working column upon the next programmed pulsing interim.

Abstract: A water purification device wherein a separation tank is placed in a space of a filter tank above a mass of granular filter material, the separation tank having an inlet through which washing water which has been supplied into the filter tank for washing the filter material and the entrained granular filter material is supplied into the separation tank during washing of the filter material. The water and entrained filter material are caused to descend in a vortex flow and the granular filter material is separated and collects at an outlet at the bottom of the separation tank which is closed by a cover member. A rod- or cylinder-like member is mounted generally along the central vertical axis of the separation tank. The vortex flow of the washing water is reversed and caused to flow in a gyratory flow along the outer peripheral surface of the rod-like member and to be discharged from the filter tank through a water outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for continuously extracting ions from a clear liquid or a liquid containing materials in suspension, by means of a bed of grains of exchange substances.The process comprises maintaining the bed in a permanent condition of fluidization by an absolutely continuous feed of liquid, and subjecting the bed to cyclic pulsation phenomena in such a way as to ensure grading of the grains on the basis of density, in dependence on their ion charge. To carry out that process, an apparatus comprises a fluidization column which does not have any plate capable of interfering with the grading operation, a pulsation generator which operates by taking off liquid at the top of the column and re-injecting it in a surge manner at the base of the bed, and a system for centrifuging the liquid to be treated, for removing the sandy materials therefrom.

Abstract: A system for handling exhausted vermiculite cation exchange particles after they have been used for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste effluents. The exhausted particles are stabilized and removed from the ion exchange column. Stabilization may be by acid solution recirculation through the column prior to particle removal. This is accomplished by preferably using a portable stabilization unit. The stabilized particles are removed from the column by a flushing, backwashing arrangement. After drying, the particles, which are non-hazardous, may be used in a land fill or they may be expanded to produce a lightweight aggregate, insulation, or agricultural material.

Abstract: Apparatus and operating method improvements are provided for an ion exchange apparatus system utilizing moving folded beds for loading and regeneration of the resin. The improvements include separate treatment and pulse chambers in the resin circuit from the loading column to the regeneration column, and in the return circuit from the regeneration column to the loading column. With the improved apparatus and method, the resin is transferred in compacted metered increments from and into the loading and regeneration columns.

Abstract: In mixed bed ion exchange resin regeneration processes, transfer of resin after classification is controlled by detecting a change in a parameter of transfer water dependent on ion concentration, e.g. conductivity. The process includes increasing the ion concentration of the transfer water. The increased ion concentration ensures that large percentage uncontrolled fluctuations in the conductivity of the water do not mask the change required to be detected. The ion concentration can be increased by adding, for example, decationized water to the transfer water.

Abstract: A plurality of vortex cells are established in a tank of sea water. Each vortex cell is an individual unit with little mixing with adjacent cells. Cationic and anionic resins are introduced into an initial vortex cell. The resins are diffused through serially adjacent vortex cells and withdrawn from a final vortex cell. Sea water is added to the final vortex cell and purified water is withdrawn from the initial vortex cell, thus counter-flowing the resins and sea water. Water is transferred between cells by pumping. The exhausted resins are rejuvenated using a similar system. The materials removed during the rejuvenation are valuable by-products.

Abstract: A receptacle has therein a lower bed of mixed anionic and cationic ion exchange resins and an upper bed of cationic ion exchange resins. The upper bed rests directly on the lower bed without any mechanical separation therebetween. Regeneration of the upper bed is achieved by removing the upper bed from the receptacle without removal of the lower bed. An output is located adjacent the boundary between the upper and lower beds. Pressure is exerted on the upper surface of the upper bed, and simultaneously a thin substantially horizontal spray of water is directed along a horizontal plane which is adjacent the boundary, thereby directing the water spray and the cationic resins of the upper bed through the outlet. The cationic resins are regenerated and returned to the receptacle to reform the upper bed. Prior to return of the regenerated cationic ions, the lower bed is dried by draining water therefrom to prevent the returning cationic resins from mixing with the resins from the lower bed.

Abstract: A countercurrent liquid-solid contacting apparatus comprises a liquid purifying column for substantially purifying a liquid by passing the liquid upwardly through a bed of purifying material and a regenerating column for regenerating the purifying material used to purify the liquid. The liquid purifying column includes supply and transfer ports defined respectively at the top and bottom thereof and has therein the bed of purifying material which is spaced a predetermined distance from the top of the liquid treating column to provide a vacant space. The purifying column further includes a liquid inlet and outlet with a portion of the purifying bed above the liquid outlet serving as a settling layer to avoid any possible fluidization and/or expansion of the purifying material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing large volumes of contaminants or for recovering valuable minerals present in trace amounts or greater quantities by ion exchange treatment of phosphoric acid liquids or the like as they flow through a resin bed wherein ions in the liquid are sorbed into the resin by an ion exchange mechanism. The resin bed is folded, moving bed which exhibits all of the advantages of a packed ion exchange resin bed. Laminar flows are developed at times in the moving bed system, while the moving bed used is of a "folded" type having a maximum height approximately one-third that of conventional, unfolded countercurrent units. The ion exchange treatment occurs within a loading vessel resin bed, the beads in the feed portion of which become exhausted and sequentially move out of the loading vessel for subsequent regeneration and rinsing, followed by eventual return to the loading vessel.

Abstract: Loaded solid resin particles obtained as an output slurry from a continuous fluid/solid contactor are stripped by counter-current elution in which discrete measured batches of the loaded resin are isolated, each batch is drained of its carrier liquid, and successive drained batches are then slurried intermittently into the bottom of an elution column using strong eluate from the elution column to slurry the resin into the bottom of the column.