Abstract: A continuous clarification apparatus provides a vessel having a bottom portion and a preferably cylindrical and upwardly extending sidewall defining therewithin a liquid retaining space at least partially filled with a "floc" carrier forming a moving media bed with flow normally being downwardly through the bed. A clear water discharge outlet allows the discharge of clarified effluent from the vessel. An inlet header allows the addition of an influent to be clarified into the vessel. A vertically extending inner separation wall generally concentric with the vessel sidewall defines a moving bed area and an annulus area. The annulus area provides a lower scour zone, a middle return zone and an uppermost reject zone. The floc carrier is placed within the moving bed area and an aeration means is placed within the vessel annulus with the air being bubbled upwardly in the annulus during continuous cleansing.

Abstract: A filter regeneration method comprising mixing precipitate deposited on a bed of filtering particles throughout the bed to thereby reduce the pressure drop across the filter generally occurring during use. Regeneration is conveniently accomplished by fluidizing the precipitate and filtering particles into another portion of the filter. Two types of apparatus are described in which the regeneration method may be used.

Abstract: A filtration system includes a deep-bed type filter to receive an inflow of a waste water when the system is in a filtration mode. A distribution plenum within the filter distributes the waste water to an upper and lower portion of the filter bed. As the waste water flows to conduits centrally located within the bed, particulate in the waste water is entrapped by filter media comprising the bed. The waste water is discharged from the system in a clarified condition. Periodically the system is placed in a rejuvenation mode wherein a series of circuits are used to remove the entrapped particulate from the filter bed so that the system may again be returned to its filtration mode to process additional waste water.

Abstract: A high degree of water purity is obtained from a mixed-bed deionization process by minimization of cross-contamination of the cation and anion materials. After service, the materials are classified into superimposed uppermost, intermediate and lowermost layers above a perforate barrier in a separator vessel. The vessel has an elongate conduit having an inlet adjacent the barrier and an outlet outside the vessel. At least a major proportion of the material of the lowermost layer is passed through the outlet of the conduit and an interface between materials is detected. Thereupon, the conduit outlet is isolated from the conduit inlet so as to segregate in the conduit material from the intermediate layer. The ion exchange materials are then regenerated and re-mixed. The segregated material is independently removed from the conduit before the next regeneration cycle starts.

Abstract: Apparatus for liquid/solid contact including apparatus for single or multiple fluidized beds provided with one or more trays having a number of inverted frustum-shaped depressions with an opening located therein.

Abstract: Continuous or semi-continuous ion exchange treatment, such as desalination, is achieved by utilizing a column packed with a heterogeneous thermally regenerable ion exchange resin in a single bed divided into a loading zone, a heat displacement zone above the loading zone, and a resin regeneration zone above the heat displacement zone. In operation, feed liquid flows upwardly through the loading zone and the treated liquid is removed. Loaded resin is transferred from the loading zone to the regeneration zone, the resin bed then being displaced downwardly, counter-current to the flow of feed liquid. A hot regeneration liquid, which may be a portion of the treated liquid, is passed through the loaded resin in the regeneration zone for thermal regeneration of the resin.

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: Apparatus for purification of waste water includes an upright adsorber filled with active carbon passing in downward direction through the adsorber while waste water flows in upward direction therethrough. A distributing arrangement is produced at the region of the lower end of the adsorber, into which waste water is fed, and constructed to assure a substantial even distribution of the waste water during its upward flow through the carbon column. A regulating arrangement is provided to regulate the flow of the carbon through the adsorber in dependence on the concentration of the organic contaminants adsorbed by the carbon.

Abstract: A fluid purification system having a vertical bed of granular material disposed in a tank which communicates with a charging compartment and a discharging compartment respectively positioned above and below the tank. The charging compartment is provided with a perforated bottom plate and an injection nozzle which blows in the granular material horizontally so that it drops by gravity into the beds through the plate. The discharging compartment comprises a hopper in the form of a dihedron whose arris is inclined to the horizontal in the direction of a drainage port provided at the base of the compartment. The system is of particular utility in the nuclear and chemical industries for the purification of air contaminated with radioiodines or noxious gases.

Abstract: A treatment column includes a treatment zone which is completely filled with a bed of granular treatment material. A normal treatment operation includes passing a fluid to be treated in a downward direction through the bed of treatment material, thereby treating the fluid. Solid particles suspended in the fluid are removed by the upper portion of the bed of treatment material and are retained therein. Regeneration of the bed is achieved in a countercurrent direction within the treatment column. Retained solid particles are removed from the upper portion of the bed by periodically removing the upper portion only of the bed from the treatment column and transferring such upper portion to a separate washing column whereat the portion of the bed is cleaned and washed. The thus cleaned and washed treatment material is then returned to the upper portion of the treatment zone within the treatment column to replenish the bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for purification of waste water includes an upright adsorber filled with inorganic granular adsorption material flowing in downward direction through the adsorber while waste water is fed in upward direction therethrough. The adsorber has a frustoconical outlet portion in which an inlet cone, having a perforated upwardly tapering wall, is provided into which the waste water is fed to assure a substantially even distribution of the waste water in the column of granular adsorption material during the upward flow of the waste water through the adsorber.

Abstract: A process for treatment of a liquid stream, optionally comprising solids such as minerals, comprises passing at least two different treating reagents through contactors each comprising a drum with a rotor having axially spaced discs compartmentalizing the drum interior and carrying receptacles which rotate with the rotor and cause transfer of portions of one phase in the contactor to the other phase as the rotor turns. The liquid stream being treated is caused to flow along a path including, in succession, parts of each contactor so that the liquid stream is brought into contact with the reagents successively and in rotation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of filtering liquids in a vertical tower filter tank with a flat bottom and liquid inlet and outlet means for flowing liquid under pressure into a sand filter column in the tower tank causing the liquid to flow through distribution gaps which direct the flow horizontally through the filter into a collection pipe and upward out the outlet. In addition the filter is regenerated by backflowing washwater under pressure so the filter grains are slurried and the impurities are removed therefrom and washed out an overflow outlet. The apparatus for conducting the filtering and regeneration are also disclosed. The apparatus has a flat bottom and at least one perforated wall to divide the filter column into sections. There is an inlet for the washwater having a speed accelerating throat.

Abstract: An improved process for treating a waste liquid containing impurities which inhibit the biological treatment of the liquid providing a first and a second sorbent treatment zone. The waste liquid is treated in the first sorbent treatment zone with a sorbent material which has previously been used to treat the liquid in the second zone. The waste liquid is passed through a biological treatment system and is subsequently received in the second sorbent treatment zone. The liquid is treated in the second zone with fresh activated sorbent material. After use of the sorbent material in the second sorbent treatment zone, the sorbent material in the second zone is transferred to the first sorbent treatment zone.Systems for the practice of the above process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed that provide a quasicontinuous thermal regeneration system for ion exchange resins and adsorption media ("matter") as used, for example, in desalinization processes, comprising an operating (desalinization) vessel, means for transferring measured amounts of matter therefrom to successive regeneration and cooling means and recycle back to the operating vessel. Heat exchange means are provided to transfer residual heat from the cooling step to the regeneration step, transport water is recycled in the process with minimal losses, and optional water softening and decarbonizing pre-treatment and chemical post-treatment steps may be included, the latter to remove dirt and heavy metals from the regenerated matter prior to recycle to the operating vessel.

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 fo 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 contaminants or for recovering valuable minerals in trace amounts by ion exchange treatment of liquids such as municipal and industrial waste waters, ore mining and processing tailings, and 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 a folded, moving bed which exhibits all of the advantages of a packed ion exchange resin bed. Laminar flows are developed throughout the moving bed system to maintain all interfaces intact, even during the rinsing operation, while the moving bed used is of a "folded" type having a maximum height approximately one-third that of conventional 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: Apparatus and method for operating a primary bed ion exchange resin demineralizer and for regenerating and backwashing the resins thereof. A spider-type distributor assembly having integral flow control means is installed in the top head of a resin-containing exchange vessel, to permit resin bed volume to substantially occupy the entire vessel volume, limited only by the in-service swelling characteristics of the resin. An auxiliary vessel, termed the resin drop tank, is provided for receiving a portion of the resin from the exchange vessel to accomplish backwashing of such portion outside the exchange vessel and all or none of the remaining resin inside the exchange vessel before replacing and regenerating the resin.

Abstract: Apparatus for purification of waste water includes an upright adsorber filled with active carbon passing in downward direction through the adsorber while waste water flows in upward direction therethrough. A distributing arrangement at the region of the lower end of the adsorber, into which waste water is fed, is provided to assure a substantial even distribution of the waste water during its upward flow through the carbon column. Furthermore, a regulating arrangement is provided to regulate the flow of the carbon through the adsorber in dependence on the concentration of the organic contaminants adsorbed by the carbon.

Abstract: In the described embodiment of the invention, apparatus is provided for continuous filtration of a suspension or emulsion comprising a tank containing a bed of particulate filtration medium and an inlet arrangement within the filtration bed to introduce the suspension or emulsion. A transport pipe carries dirty filtration medium from the bottom of the tank to a wash device located above the filter bed zone which washes the medium as it passes downward along a washpath. An apertured cone disposed below the wash device distributes the cleaned filtration medium across the top of the filtration bed and an outlet for clarified liquid is positioned above the wash device, which has an inlet above the top of the filtration bed to receive clarified liquid.

Abstract: An improved radial flow moving bed reactor, or other type of fluid-solid contacting vessel, in which stagnant catalyst volumes are reduced. The improvement results from the placement of a plurality of catalyst collection scoops or a single discoid cover plate just above the catalyst withdrawal conduits in a manner which directs the removal of catalyst through an annular opening adjacent the inner catalyst retention screen.

Abstract: Water or waste water is purified by passing same through a packed layer of active carbon utilizing the absorbing activity of active carbon. An apparatus for practicing this method is disclosed.

Abstract: In a carbon contact column for a system for removing certain organic compounds from waste water, carbon supplied to the column flows in counter-current contact with the stream of waste water flowing through the column. Carbon is removed from the bottom of the column by a jet eductor. A source of fluidizing water is connected to the column adjacent to the eductor to prevent the formation of a cavity in the carbon bed in that area adjacent to the jet eductor.

Abstract: A device for discharging particulate materials, especially when wet and in specific quantities, allows uniform discharging across the cross section of a container through a number of ports in the floor of the container. A device underneath and at a distance from the ports is such that it exhibits plates having nozzles connected to an air or liquid supply under pressure and the application of the said device allows control of the formation of a cone of material whereby the discharging process can be easily controlled and stopped as desired.

Abstract: For obtaining coalescence of particles suspended in a carrier liquid, a plurality of relatively small bodies are circulated in a closed cycle together with a part of the suspension, and in the narrower interspaces between said bodies and on the surfaces thereof the probability of particles meeting one another is increased. Carrier liquid with suspended coalesced particles is continuously withdrawn from the closed cycle, and fresh liquid is continuously introduced therein, the circulating movement of the bodies being maintained either by the kinetic energy of the introduced liquid or by injecting an auxiliary driving medium into the liquid flow.

Abstract: A method of filtering a liquid comprising the steps of providing a bed of particulate material, withdrawing material from the base of the bed, supplying replacement particulate material to the bed in such a manner that the bed has a free inclined upper surface, and causing the liquid to be filtered to flow through the bed by entering the same through said inclined upper suface, and apparatus for carrying out such method. Preferably the particulate material is comprised by particles of various sizes whereby a classifying action takes place to give a structured filter bed.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in and relating to a fluidized-bed type multistage solid-liquid contact apparatus which comprises a contact column incorporating therein a multiplicity of a spaced and horizontal support plates each carrying thereon a fluidized bed of solid particles and having a downcomer for communicating between the upper and lower sides of the plate, a storage tank for the liquid to be treated by contact with said layer of fluidized solid particles in said contact column, a storage tank for receiving the treated liquid and a storage tank for solid particles for use in said layers.

Abstract: An improved process for continuous counter-current contact between a fluid to be treated and solid particles wherein the fluid flows through a column containing a plurality of contacting chambers each of which contains solid particles and in which intermittent transfer of the particles in a direction opposite to that of the fluid from each chamber to the chamber immediately adjacent is effected while maintaining a continuous flow of the fluid through the column.

Abstract: A process for the separation of solids from liquids in a closed pressure system, wherein liquid is passed through a treatment column containing purifying material. A portion of the purifying material is removed in a timed intermittent quasi-continuous manner and cleaned in a rinsing column. The cleaned purifying material is then fed back to the treatment column by backflushing and the use of a liquid transport medium.

Abstract: A gas phase and a liquid phase pass countercurrently through a reaction vessel, and solid particles move from stage to stage in the reactor concurrently with either the liquid phase or the gas phase. In one embodiment of the invention the liquid phase is a hydrocarbon oil to be treated, for example, desulphurized, the gas phase is hydrogen, and the solid particles are hydrodesulphurization catalyst particles.

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.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an ion exchange treating system wherein two or more exchanger or absorber vessels are connected in series, each vessel being filled with ion exchange resin leaving sufficient freeboard to allow for expansion of the medium. Each vessel is provided with an expansion chamber positioned above it and includes a conventional distribution system. The flow of liquids passing through the system is countercurrent with respect to the medium to be treated and the medium which regenerates the ion exchanger or absorber. Generally, the liquid to be treated enters the first vessel at the bottom, exiting from the top, entering the second vessel at the top and exiting therefrom at the bottom.

Abstract: There is provided a pulseback technique for cleaning and renewing a panel bed contactor suitable for chemical or physical treatment of liquid and granular material. Free surfaces for entry of liquid are supported cooperatively by louvers. A pulseback technique rids the liquid entry surfaces of granular material spent by the treatment, including accumulated fine dirt particles if the treatment includes filtration to remove the dirt. The pulseback consists of a reverse transient flow across the panel bed of a intensity moderated so that the reverse pressure differential exceeds a critical minimum difference for not more than about 2000 milliseconds and attains a top value within about 600 milliseconds after the pressure differential surpasses the critical minimum difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtration comprises a filtration column having an inner cylindrical compartment and an outer jacket compartment disposed in such a relationship that the outer jacket compartment encloses the inner cylindrical compartment and the space interposed between the inner cylindrical compartment and the outer jacket compartment is filled with a granular substance as filtering material to form a filter bed, a means for feeding a liquid subjected to treatment to said filtration column and a means for discharging the treated liquid from the filtration column, a washing column adapted to wash the filtering granules which have served the purpose of filtering the said liquid the filtration column and a means for circulating said filtering granules between said filtration column and the washing column and also allowing the granular filtering material to fill said space so as to form a new filter bed within the filtration column.

Abstract: A loop-style continuous ion exchange unit having a liquid treating section, a material weighing and transfer section, a regeneration section, a washing section and a back-washing section, all of which are connected together in a closed loop. The back-washing section is above the liquid treating section to enable material to fall by gravity into the liquid treating section. The liquid treating section is located above the material weighing and transfer section so that material can fall by gravity into the material weighing and transfer section. The washing area has an outlet located above the back-washing area so that washed material may flow by gravity to the back-washing area. Further, an expansion space is provided above the washing area to compensate for expansion of the material when it is washed.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the moving-bed ion-exchange treatment of a salt-containing solution, especially for the treatment of the effluence of a fertilizer plant. The ion-contaminated aqueous solution is conducted through a first zone in an upright column containing the ion-exchange resin to remove contaminating ions. The liquid free from the contaminating ions is led from this zone and the bed is hydraulically displaced to a second zone in the bight between the aforementioned column and a second vertical column. In the bight, the bed is confined between two valve members and is rinsed and cooled with a rinsing and cooling liquid. The resin is then hydraulically displaced into the second column where it is treated with a regenerating solution, is then rinsed and is hydraulically transported to the first column.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an improvement of the process and apparatus disclosed in British patent specification 1 070 251. Slids pass in countercurrent to a liquid through a number of stages. Liquid flow is cyclically pulsed so that during one part of a cycle the liquid flows upwardly, during another part the solids settle in the liquid and in still a further part solids pass between the stages and out of the last stage in countercurrent to the liquid flow. The improvement of the present invention is that the last stage is so valved that less solids can pass out of the system than can pass between the stages.

Abstract: An apparatus for denitrifying waste water including means for: generating a fluidized bed containing denitrifying biota on a particulate carrier, metering a carbon source into the waste water and mechanically removing excess bacterial growth from the carrier at predetermined intervals.