Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for eliminating the bagging of paint spray booth sludge, and instead, centrifuging the collected sludge, re-watered if need be for transport, into a high solids content sludge and water for holding the sludge in suspension upstream of the centrifuge and apparatus for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microfluidic filter and concentrator that can separate a filtrate from a fluid containing components, e.g. a suspension of particles, to be removed from the fluid at least to some extent. The filter may employ principals of tangential flow filtration, also known as cross-flow filtration. In one aspect, a microfluidic filter described herein includes at least a first, main channel and one or more secondary, filtering channels that connect to the main channel. Filtration occurs when a fluid portion of a sample that is flowed through the main channel enters one or more of the filtering channels and at least some of the components in the sample do not enter or do not flow through the secondary, filtering channels. The secondary channels may be dimensioned to inhibit flow of components through them, and/or a porous material such as a layer may be positioned to inhibit flow of components through the secondary channels.

Abstract: The invention provides a dilution apparatus for a thickener of the type having a thickening tank and a feedwell disposed upstream of the tank to receive feed liquid, said dilution apparatus including: a receiving vessel adapted for at least partial submersion within the thickening tank to receive supernatant dilution liquid therefrom; and a submersible pump including an impeller adapted for at least partial submersion within the dilution liquid, the pump being adapted to transfer the dilution liquid from the thickening tank through the receiving vessel to the feed liquid for dilution thereof, before transfer of the feed liquid from the feedwell into the thickening tank. The pump is responsive to system parameters for adjusting the flow rate of the supernatant liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey the blood through a gap defined between an inner surface that is located about an axis and an outer surface that is concentric with the inner surface. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces carries a membrane that consists essentially of either a hemofiltration membrane or a hemodialysis membrane. The systems and methods cause relative movement between the inner and outer surfaces about the axis at a selected surface velocity, taking into account the size of the gap. The relative movement of the two surfaces creates movement of the blood within the gap, which creates vortical flow conditions that induce transport of cellular blood components from the membrane while plasma water and waste material are transported to the membrane for transport across the membrane. Shear-enhanced transport of waste materials and blood plasma water results.

Abstract: Solid and liquid concrete waste is collected from a construction site and safely off-loaded at a treatment site. Solid waste is separated and sent to a crusher to be made into road bed aggregate. Liquid waste is put in a first tank to settle the solids, then moved to a second tank to settle remaining fine solids, and moved to a third tank coupled to a circulation pump with CO2 gas injection to lower the pH. The liquid in the third tank is then filtered before discharging for recycle, irrigation or dust control. A precipitate agent is preferable added to the liquid in the third tank to remove heavy metals and the precipitate is periodically backwashed from the filter into the first tank. The sludge created in the settling and filtering process is periodically dewatered in the first tank and mixed with the solid concrete waste sent to the crusher.

Abstract: A waste water treatment plant includes a treatment chamber or reactor (26) containing a plurality of buoyant sludge carriers (38). In the base of the treatment chamber (26) is a biofilm collection chamber (40). Arranged coaxially within the chamber (26) is a hollow shaft (30) with an air injection device (32) arranged at the foot thereof. In use waste water is introduced into the treatment chamber through an inlet (28) and is caused to circulate around the treatment chamber through the pumping action of the shaft (30) and air injector. Treated water passes through the biofilm collection chamber (40) to an outer settlement chamber (42) having an outlet (44) for treated water.

Abstract: A reactor (10) for anaerobic waste water treatment is designed as a loop-type column reactor comprising a central flow channel (20). In the annular space (40) between the central flow channel (20) and the reactor wall, there are positioned carrier elements (50) for immobilizing microorganisms, with flow passages being provided between adjacent carrier elements (50). The lower portion of the reactor (30), below the carrier elements, is designed as a space intended to receive waste water having microorganisms floating therein during operation of the reactor (10). During operation, there are provided both floating microorganisms and microorganisms that are immobilized on the carrier elements. The waste water to be treated flows centrally downward and up again along the carrier elements (40), with the flow being generated in part by the gas development of the microorganisms.

Abstract: In a water treatment apparatus, microorganisms propagating on wood charcoal are activated by micro-nano bubbles contained in treatment water. Water treatment is carried out with the activated microorganisms propagated on the wood charcoal. Thereby, a stable treatment is achieved. Organic matters adsorbed by the wood charcoal are decomposed by the activated microorganisms propagated on the wood charcoal.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing plating film impurities in an electrochemical plating bath solution is disclosed. The method includes providing an electrochemical plating machine in which an electrochemical plating process is carried out. A by-product bath solution is formed by continually removing a pre-filtered bath solution from the machine and removing an additive from the pre-filtered bath solution. A clean bath solution is formed by removing an additive by-product from the by-product bath solution. An additive bath solution is formed by adding a fresh additive to the clean bath solution. The additive bath solution is added to the electrochemical plating machine. An apparatus for stabilizing film impurities in an electrochemical plating bath solution is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pure oxygen aeration system for wastewater treatment, which biologically treats wastewater using microbes of activated sludge in an aeration tank. The pure oxygen aeration system comprises a pure oxygen supply device including a pure oxygen generator and at least one oxygen supply pipe extending from the pure oxygen generator and directed toward the internal space of the aeration tank, a high-speed jet injection device installed in the aeration tank, a mixed liquor circulation device for circulating and introducing the mixed liquor in which microbes of activated sludge, wastewater and pure oxygen are mixed, into the aeration tank through the high-speed jet injection device, and an oxygen suction pipe for sucking in the oxygen remaining in the headspace of the aeration tank and reintroducing the sucked oxygen into the water in the aeration tank.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices for preventing microbubbles and/or microparticles from reaching the brain during a PCI or cardiovascular surgery. Devices 27 and 77 are designed for implantation in the chest cavity and operate in combination with needle vents or other vent systems for removing diverted microbubbles. Systems 77 and 83 are designed for noninvasive employment. Devices 57 and 87 are particularly designed to prevent microbubbles from reaching the great origins of the carotid arteries and/or for diverting bubbles that might reach the vicinity and otherwise pass through. Improved devices 11 and 94 separate microbubbles from a flowing bloodstream and produce a cleansed stream.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to the use of effusive filtration to segregate tumor cells from a sample of bodily fluid. In one embodiment, fluid containing a cell is flowed down a channel having a filtration medium present along at least one side wall. The tumor cell is captured when the fluid passes through the filtration medium. Accumulated pressure on the captured tumor cell is reduced by allowing the fluid that has passed through the filtration medium to re-enter the channel. In a particular embodiment, the filtration medium may comprise side wall apertures having a width smaller than that of the cell, with downstream apertures allowing re-entry of the fluid into the channel.

Abstract: A wastewater purifying apparatus has plural treatment chambers for stepwise purifying wastewater discharged from a lavatory, a storage chamber for storing purified wastewater derived from the downstream-most treatment chamber, and a purified wastewater storage tank. A suction port is formed in the upstream-most treatment chamber for sucking the wastewater. Refluxing equipment refluxes wastewater from the treatment chambers downstream of the upstream-most treatment chamber into the upstream most treatment chamber. A purified wastewater supplier supplies the purified wastewater in the purified wastewater storage tank into the upstream-most treatment chamber. The above arrangement performs expedient and sophisticated purification treatment of the wastewater containing sludge components, such as sewage discharged from the lavatory, or miscellaneous effluents generated by pulverizing garbage by a disposer. The arrangement also simplifies washing of the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for treating wastewater. The system includes a microorganism clad structure positioned in a body of wastewater such that the microorganism clad structure is at least partially submerged in the body of wastewater. The apparatus also includes an aeration device, such as a propeller-type, surface mounted aeration device, supplying a horizontal flow of oxygenated water to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism clad structure such that the microorganisms may carry out a biological process.

Abstract: A fluid processing apparatus and method are provided for filtering a fluid from a source and delivering a filtrate derived therefrom to a first destination, and delivering a decantate derived therefrom to a second destination. The fluid separation and delivery apparatus for the method comprises a filter device having an inlet port for connecting to a fluid source, a first outlet port for directing filtrate to a first destination, and a second outlet port for directing decantate to a second destination.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an Up-flow Multi-stage Anaerobic Reactor (UMAR) used for treatment of medium/high concentration organic wastewater. The stated UMAR with forced internal circulation, improved phase separator and added sludge inlet overcomes the disadvantages of a lower load, a longer hydraulic retention time and a larger dimension in traditional anaerobic reactors. The forced internal circulation increases capacity and cycles of internal circulation thus increased efficiency of contaminant removal. The fast jetting is avoided and efficiency of gas/liquid separation is increased by an improved bending outlet of up flow pipe. The simplified sludge addition and usage are obtained by a sludge inlet. The load of UMAR in this invention can reach about 30 kgCOD/(m3d) for treatment of medium/high concentration of organic wastewater from pulp and paper process and similar wastewater, being about four times of load and capacity of traditional Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactors.

Abstract: A waste treatment system that removes as much of the inorganic and organic solids as possible prior to treating the collected waste material in treatment lagoons. First, inorganic solids, such as sand, are removed, if needed. Then coarse solids are removed, including manure and other organic material such as straw. After removal of inorganic and coarse solids, additional fine solids are removed through two settling basins. For example, after coarse solids separation and fine solids separation, the solids concentration has been reduced by over 80%. Preferably, the coarse solids separation and fine solids separation has reduced size requirements of the treatment lagoons to accommodate an organic loading, as total volatile solids, between 0.00253 lb/ft3 of lagoon volume/day×K and 0.0105 lb/ft3 of lagoon volume/day×K, where K varies from about 0.4 to about 1.2. Finally, the remaining liquid is treated in the treatment lagoons.

Abstract: A water dispensing device for dispensing water at a location remote from a water purification unit and methods of using the water dispensing device and methods of operating such remote water dispensing devices. The water dispensing device includes a dispensing gun, a support structure for the dispensing gun, and a manifold hydraulically coupling the water purification unit with the dispensing gun for supplying a stream of water from the water purification unit to the dispensing gun. The water dispensing device is also equipped with a flow control valve operative for selectively directing the stream of water from the manifold to the dispensing gun. Equipping the remote water dispensing device with a manifold and flow regulation device permits the flow of water to be regulated locally at the water dispensing device, in contrast to regulation only at the water purification unit.

Abstract: A high denitrification shared type Orbal oxidation ditch, pertaining to water treatment technical field, comprises an outer channel, a median channel, an inner channel, all of ellipse, and a secondary deposition tank. Wherein, the length of the outer channel is prolonged in the ellipse's major axis direction and the secondary deposition tank that is tangential to the inner wall or shares the wall with the outer channel is arranged between the outer and median channels. All the channels (the outer channel, the median channel and the inner channel) and the secondary deposition tank are integrated in the Orbal oxidation ditch, all of the anaerobic zone, regulation zone, hydrolysis acidifying zone, primary deposition zone, sludge outer re-circulation zone and wastewater inner re-circulation zone etc.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining a biomass disposed on a substrate in a bioreactor tank. The bioreactor tank has an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with a waste treatment system whereby an influent fluid may be selectively introduced through the inlet into the bioreactor tank for removal of waste material therefrom. This produces an effluent fluid which can be returned through the outlet to the waste treatment system. The method comprises processing a quantity of influent fluid through the bioreactor tank to produce a quantity of effluent fluid and removing the effluent fluid from the bioreactor tank through the outlet. The method further comprises isolating the bioreactor tank from the waste treatment system and establishing a set of dry cycle conditions in the bioreactor tank. The dry cycle conditions are selected to effect endogenous growth within at least a portion of the biomass whereby an average age of the at least a portion of the biomass may be tailored.

Abstract: In a vertical shaft bioreactor, improved devices and methods are provided for enhanced secondary and/or tertiary treatment of wastewater, including residential, municipal and industrial wastewater. The devices and methods of the invention are useful for enhanced secondary wastewater treatment, including BOD and TSS removal. Tertiary treatment can alternately or additionally be achieved in the bioreactor with nitrification of ammonia, with nitrification and denitrification, and with nitrification, denitrification, and chemical phosphorus removal. A vertical shaft bioreactor is also provided which achieves thermophilic aerobic digestion and pasteurization of sewage sludges, optionally to produce class A biosolids.

Abstract: In a system for separating crystals from sludge, or from separated water generated when sludge is subjected to a concentration process or a dewatering process, aspects of both phosphorus removal and phosphorus recovery can be satisfied, MAP having a high degree of purity can be recovered, and stable treatment can be performed such that the MAP recovery rate is high and blockages of a hydrocyclone do not occur. An aspect of the present invention is a crystal separation apparatus for separating crystals from sludge, or from separated water generated when sludge is subjected to a concentration process or a dewatering process, comprising a hydrocyclone for separating the crystals from the sludge or separated water introduced into the hydrocyclone, and a return pipe A for returning the sludge or separated water which flows out from an overflow riser of the hydrocyclone to a sludge or separated water introduction portion of the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A crossflow filtration system including at least one quick dry change crossflow filtration cartridge designed to rotatably interface with a manifold assembly. The quick dry change crossflow filtration cartridge can comprise a membrane element, for example an ultrafiltration membrane, microfiltration membrane, nanofiltration membrane or reverse osmosis membrane element enclosed within a housing. The quick dry change cartridge includes an inlet stream, a permeate stream and a concentrate stream. The manifold assembly includes three similar flow paths; an inlet stream, a permeate stream and a concentrate stream. When engaged, the cartridge and manifold assembly define continuous inlet flow paths, permeate flow paths and concentrate flow paths that connect across the interface. Thus, all of the connections to the water filtration system can be made onto the manifold, and the resulting connected system is compact and easy to connect.

Abstract: In a liquid tank, a sectional area of a liquid flow path when viewed in a liquid circulation direction is set large when a contact angle between a liquid and a tank body is large, and the liquid in circulation is not in contact with the upper lid member.

Abstract: A method of treating particulate biodegradable organic waste by thermal hydrolysis. The method includes subjecting a quantity of the particulate biodegradable waste to thermal hydrolysis at a temperature above about 130° C. and a pressure at or above the saturated water vapor pressure to produce a slurry. The slurry will include solubilized organic material and unhydrolyzed residual solids. The method further includes decreasing the pressure at which the slurry is maintained. Typically, the step of decreasing slurry pressure will occur in a flash tank, which allows the separation of an organic acid-rich steam from other hydrolysis products. The method further includes capturing the steam or other condensable gases released when pressure is decreased and condensing the steam or other condensable gases into a condensate. The captured condensate may then be added to a quantity of particulate biodegradable waste prior to thermal hydrolysis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for practicing the method described above.

Abstract: A method for treating water includes directing the water to a ballasted flocculation system and mixing a coagulant, flocculant and a ballast with the water. Solids are separated from a clarified effluent at a speed greater than 15 m/h. The method further includes filtering the clarified effluent with one or more microfiltration membranes or ultrafiltration membranes to produce filtered water. Thereafter directing the filtered water to an RO unit or a nanofiltration membrane or membranes and subjecting the filtered water to filtration by the RO unit or the nanofiltration membrane or membranes.

Abstract: A recirculated marine aquaculture system for growing crustaceans within a body of water includes a wholly submerged chamber situated in the body of water having a filtering wall connecting the chamber floor and ceiling permitting water to flow from the water body into the first chamber while excluding particulate materials. A second chamber is situated above the first chamber having a plurality of water outlets below the body of water upper surface, and a top having an air inlet above the body of water upper surface. A stand pipe has an open lower end opening into the first chamber and a plurality of laterally directed openings into the top of the second chamber. An impeller coupled to the stand pipe moves filtered water from the first chamber through the laterally directed openings into the second chamber adjacent to the air inlet, the water exiting the second chamber into the body of water through the plurality of water outlets after mixing with air drawn in through the air inlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for conveying lime slurry, removing and controlling the amount of grit, and feeding lime slurry, wherein the lime slurry moves through a recirculation loop, and wherein gravity removal of grit from the lime slurry takes place.

Abstract: A high denitrification shared type Orbal oxidation ditch, pertaining to water treatment technical field, comprises an outer channel, a median channel, an inner channel, all of ellipse, and a secondary deposition tank. Wherein, the length of the outer channel is prolonged in the ellipse's major axis direction and the secondary deposition tank that is tangential to the inner wall or shares the wall with the outer channel is arranged between the outer and median channels. All the channels (the outer channel, the median channel and the inner channel) and the secondary deposition tank are integrated in the Orbal oxidation ditch, all of the anaerobic zone, regulation zone, hydrolysis acidifying zone, primary deposition zone, sludge outer re-circulation zone and wastewater inner re-circulation zone etc.

Abstract: Impure carbon dioxide (“CO2”) comprising a first contaminant selected from the group consisting of oxygen (“O2”) and carbon monoxide (“CO”) is purified by separating expanded impure carbon dioxide liquid in a mass transfer separation column system. The impure carbon dioxide may be derived from, for example, flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen (“H2”) PSA system.

Abstract: An upflow bioreactor includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet configured for upflow operation. A septum is positioned within the vessel and defines a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The septum includes an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The bioreactor also includes means for releasing pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In one configuration, the septum includes a releasable portion having an open position and a closed position. The releasable portion is configured to move to the open position in response to pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In the open position fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber is increased. Alternatively the lower chamber can include a pressure release line that is selectively actuated by pressure buildup. The pressure release mechanism can prevent the bioreactor from plugging and/or prevent catastrophic damage to the bioreactor caused by high pressures.

Abstract: A system and method for treating wastewater includes a treatment container for receiving and treating wastewater and a mixing/aeration system disposed in the treatment container. Wastewater is pumped under pressure from the treatment container through a solids/liquid separation system, preferably comprising multiple parallel membrane bioreactors, to separate the solids and liquids in the wastewater. Liquid retentate from the solids/liquid separation system is cycled back to the treatment container via the mixing/aeration system. The closed-loop system and method for solids/liquid separation and aeration/mixing provides for reduced equipment requirements and energy usage during operation.

Abstract: A system and method for oxygenating an aerobic sludge digester is provided. The disclosed embodiments include an aerobic sludge digester tank or vessel having a mechanically agitated contactor disposed therein, an oxygen injection subsystem adapted to inject oxygen into the digester tank proximate the mechanically agitated contactor. The embodiments of the mechanically agitated contactor include an agitator or impeller disposed within the draft tube which makes the draft tube the primary site for the gas-liquid mixing. In particular, the agitator or impeller is adapted to create gas bubbles having an average diameter between about 0.3 mm and 3.0 mm which are then dispersed into the aerobic digester. The mass transfer efficiency associated with the present system and method is enhanced from the combined effect of oxygen dissolution into the sludge and greater bubble residence time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for two-stage blood dialysis of a patient. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first filtration device for receiving the blood from the patient and for producing a first filtrate and processed blood. The system further comprises a second filtration device for receiving the first filtrate and producing replacement fluid and waste product. At least one of the first and second filtration devices preferably comprises a Taylor vortex-enhanced blood filtration device.

Abstract: An exemplary method and system for reducing or eliminating the formation of solid precipitates/deposits of a flowing fluid, such as oil, or for reducing or eliminating existing solid precipitates/deposits contained in a flowing fluid, is provided. A fluid conditioning system and method are provided, along with a magnetic fluid conditioner that provides numerous magnetic field transitions through a magnetic flux density in the flow path of the fluid to reduce the formation of precipitates/deposits. A recirculating system using the invention may be set up to reduce deposits, such as paraffin in oil, by circulating oil through a pump, a magnetic fluid conditioner, a tank, and, in one embodiment, and a heater until the deposits/precipitates have been transitioned from a solid to a liquid. A multi-pole magnet, such as an eight-pole magnet, may be used in an embodiment of the present invention to increase the effectiveness of the present invention.

Abstract: Dissolution of a raw material, fusion of a raw material, or treatment for enhancing the fluidity of a raw material is completed in a short time by an agitation mixer 10 comprising a casing 20 in which a flow channel allowing the passage of fluid is mounted inside, an agitator body 40 mounted inside the casing and connected to a vibration source 46, a material inlet 12 mounted on the lowermost part of the casing 20 to feed the raw material into the casing 20, and a steam feeder 30 for injecting steam into the inside of the casing 20. Agitation chambers 26 divided by partition plates 24 are formed in the casing 20. A pressure gage 32 for measuring injection pressure of the steam is attached to the steam feeder 30. An outlet 14 is mounted on the uppermost part of the casing 20 to eject the raw material after the raw material is treated. Further, one of the agitation chambers 26 to which the outlet 14 is mounted includes a filter 50 placed so as to surround the agitator body 40.

Abstract: A system for processing supercritical and subcritical fluid capable of bringing the inside of at least one processing container (1) formed in a flow passage into a supercritical or subcritical high pressure field, wherein thermal operation is applied to process fluid to apply thermal expansion to the fluid to produce a pressure difference between the processing container (1) and the outside, whereby a specified temperature and the high pressure field suitable for the processing of the supercritical or subcritical fluid can be provided in the processing container (1).

Abstract: In a vertical shaft bioreactor, improved devices and methods are provided for enhanced secondary and/or tertiary treatment of wastewater, including residential, municipal and industrial wastewater. The devices and methods of the invention are useful for enhanced secondary wastewater treatment, including BOD and TSS removal. Tertiary treatment can alternately or additionally be achieved in the bioreactor with nitrification of ammonia, with nitrification and denitrification, and with nitrification, denitrification, and chemical phosphorus removal. A vertical shaft bioreactor is also provided which achieves thermophilic aerobic digestion and pasteurization of sewage sludges, optionally to produce class A biosolids.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting and dispensing mineral water suitable for consumption, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged to generate the mineral water from mains water and is provided with a mains water inlet, water processing means for obtaining the mineral water from the mains water, at least an outlet for dispensing the mineral water and a first fluid connection between the inlet and the water processing means for supplying the mains water to be processed to the water processing means, the water processing means being provided with a first storage vessel which, in use, is filled with the mineral water, at least a second storage vessel which, in use, is filled with minerals, at least a dosing unit for dispensing, in a dosed manner, minerals from the second storage vessel to the first storage vessel, at least a cooling unit for cooling the first storage vessel, at least a third storage vessel which, in use, is also filled with the mineral water, a second fluid connection between the first storage v

Abstract: Bioventing systems create a bacterial treatment zone at a contaminated site by supplying a hydrocarbon food source to the treatment zone, and recirculating the hydrocarbon to the treatment zone. The bioventing systems may inject, circulate, extract and reinject hydrocarbons such as butane or other alkanes to the subsurface at a contaminated site to create a bacterial treatment zone. Contaminated vapors extracted from the soil and/or groundwater may be reintroduced into the site. Hydrocarbons that are not consumed by the bacteria in the treatment zone may be extracted and recovered for recirculation into the treatment zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (8) in which a biomass is carried on a substrate which is fluidised. The fluidised substrate has below it a lazer of distributor particles through which the fluidising medium passes prior to contact with the fluidised substrate and biomass associated therewith. The effect of the distributor layer is that the particles damp out excessive turbulence in the fluidising medium thus preventing undue turbulence of the medium within the fluidised layer. This has the advantage of controlling, to some extent, the thickness of the biofilm, which may be carried by the fluidised substrate particles. The particles may be recycles (1, 2, 5) through the distributor layer where the action of the distributor particles serve to strip exces biofilm from the substrate particles which latter are then returned to the fluidised bed.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment and reduction of sludge via ozonation in a wastewater treatment process is disclosed. The sludge treatment system comprises: a sludge ozonation reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin and adapted to receive a liquid stream of sludge containing biosolids from the activated sludge treatment basin. The sludge treatment system also includes an ozone-enriched gas injection system operatively coupled to the reactor and adapted to inject ozone-enriched gas into the liquid stream at or upstream of the sludge ozonation reactor. The sludge ozonation reactor is configured to allow effective gas-liquid contacting between the ozone-enriched gas and the liquid stream so as to oxidize the biosolids in the liquid stream and initiate bacterial cell lysis thereby reducing the biosolids. Upon reduction of the biosolids, the liquid stream is returned via a return line to the activated sludge basin or other discharge point.

Abstract: An apparatus for agitation mixing comprises a casing including a flow channel through which fluid passes, an agitation body consisting of a shaft installed in the casing and connected to a motor and an agitation blade mounted on the perimeter of the shaft, a powder inlet attached to the casing to feed a powder into the casing, a liquid inlet attached to the casing in the vicinity of the powder inlet to feed a liquid into the casing, a powder inlet duct connected to the powder inlet, and an introducer placed in the powder inlet duct and connected to a motor.

Abstract: An aerobic system and method for processing and managing wastewater effluent uses a cell wall rupturing process to enhance efficiency. Solutions are pumped into an aeration device and are compressed as the flow is constricted through a narrow passage. The compression of the solutions builds internal cellular pressure. Upon exiting the constriction, the pressure is relieved and a vacuum is formed. The decompression created by the vacuum causes the cells to rupture and release their cellular contents into a liquid stream. Air is simultaneously drawn in by the vacuum and mixed with the cellular components to rapidly oxidize the contents of the ruptured cells. Oxidation continues as the flow of ruptured cells in the liquid is mixed with dissolved oxygen before expulsion. The destroyed cells also provide a food source for aerobic bacteria.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing nitrogen is provided herein. In the apparatus, the nitrogen is removed from wastewater containing a BOD component and ammonium nitrogen by anaerobic ammonium oxidation.

Abstract: A system for removing paint and other coatings from hard surfaces is mounted on a truck for over-the-road travel. The truck bed carries a high power vacuum pump, a self propelled tractor with an attached blast head, a liquid reservoir, a sump or vacuum tank, and a ramp for loading the tractor. The reservoir is connected to a low pressure pump that transfers water to the high pressure pump. The high pressure pump is connected to the blast head by a high pressure hose. A vacuum hose is connected to the sump which has an internal enclosure for separating the waste materials from the liquid for easy dumping of semi dried materials.

Abstract: This portable appliance can be used to clean teeth by liquid (water or solution) containing dissolved ozone, which is a potent oxidizer and germ killer. Preferably, its cleaning action is enhanced by pulsations of the liquid stream. The dissolved ozone can reduce or eliminate gingivitis, gum bleeding, bad breath, teeth stains, and harmful oral bacteria. This appliance can also be used for nasal irrigation for sinusitis treatment and for ear irrigation, eye care, and general cleaning. Additionally, since its output pump is independent of the ozone dissolving system, the ozone dissolving system can be configured as an add on device for an oral irrigator such as a Water Pik™ manufactured by WaterPik Technologies, Inc. In this configuration, the ozonated liquid is delivered by either gravity or pumped flow, to the original reservoir connection with the irrigator serving as the delivery portion of this invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.

Abstract: A sterilized fluid management kit for use in renal replacement therapy isolates a replacement fluid container from touch contamination and provides for sterilization of replacement fluid by filtering using an installed filter that is hermetically connected to the replacement fluid container. A method is described where replacement fluid is automatically generated before treatment.

Abstract: A water purification system for purifying water flowing through a water flow path. The system includes a water purification device having an inlet and an outlet in the water flow path and at least one interior volume communicating with the inlet and outlet. A purification medium is disposed within the interior volume of the water purification device. A flow control system is provided controlling a volume of purified water dispensed from the outlet. The flow control system includes an input device configured to allow a user to input a desired volume of purified water to be dispensed from the outlet and a sensing device coupled with the electronic input device and operative to determine the volume of purified water being dispensed from the outlet. A flow regulation device is coupled with the flow control system and operative to stop the discharge of purified water at the outlet upon reaching the desired volume of purified water.