Abstract: A pneumatic seed delivery system is provided for use with planter for row-crop planting an agricultural field in which the pneumatic seed delivery system may use high pressure air to accelerate seeds that are singulated from a seed meter to match ground speed when planting. The pneumatic seed delivery system includes an air accelerator arranged downstream of a release location of the seed meter. The air accelerator may define a pneumatic device such as an air conveyor or air amplifier that merges a primary airflow with a controllable supplemental airflow to provide a correspondingly controllable combined airflow that carries and accelerates the singulated seeds so that the seeds can be released with a rearward horizontal seed velocity component that approximates a forward ground speed of the planter to reduce seed tumble.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of minimizing the loss of liquid in a dissolved air flotation desludging process, is disclosed. The method and apparatus creates an ambient airflow over the top of the dissolved air flotation tank directed towards a weir at one end of the dissolved air flotation tank whereby sludge floating on top of the liquid is accelerated over the weir at a higher rate than the liquid, thereby conserving the amount of liquid lost over the weir.

Abstract: A chemical release system. Implementations may utilize implementations of a first cartridge that include a body coupled with a cartridge head at a first end and coupled with an end plug at a second end where the cartridge head includes a through hole configured to engage with an annular flange in a main head. The body may have an internal cross section. The first cartridge may also include a flow restrictor plate disposed within the body between the first end and the second end where the flow restrictor plate is oriented substantially parallel to the cartridge head within the body, includes only one opening therethrough, and substantially conforms with the internal cross section of the body. The body may include one or more through holes in a side of the body located between the flow restrictor plate and the cartridge head.

Abstract: A recirculating/filtering/flushing system for cleaning a water main is provided, wherein the water main includes first and second access points. The system comprises at least one filter for filtering water in the water main; an inlet conduit coupled with the first access point and the at least one filter; an outlet conduit coupled with the second access point and the at least one filter; a bypass conduit coupled with the inlet conduit at a first location upstream of the at least one filter, and coupled with the outlet conduit at a second location downstream of the at least one filter; and a pumping device for flowing the water in the water main through the inlet conduit, through either the at least one filter or the bypass conduit, and through the outlet conduit.

Abstract: The process according to the invention for treating water in a treatment plant comprising a reaction chamber in which a biodegradable material present in the water is biodegraded at least partly by microorganisms, in the course of which, at least temporarily, water is transferred out of the reaction chamber into a separating chamber and the biodegradable material and the microorganisms are separated at least partly from the water therein, a return stream comprising biodegradable material and at least some of the microorganisms flowing out of the separating chamber into the reaction chamber via a recycle line, is characterized in that at least some of the following substances: a) the biodegradable material and b) the microorganisms are treated with ozone (O3), an amount of 15 to 150 milligrams of ozone per kilogram of dry substance of the biodegradable material and of the microorganisms being added per hour in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems are disclosed with improved aeration tanks. The improved aeration tank includes an inverted frusto-conical clarifier and a submersible aerator pump disposed between the bottom of the aeration tank and the interior of the clarifier. The aerator pump is connected to an air inlet line that can pass downward through the clarifier and a plurality of bubble outlet lines that extend outward from the pump both radially and tangentially towards the sidewall of the aeration tank. As a result, bubbles rise upward through the aeration space disposed outside of the clarifier and around the aeration space or around the clarifier for improved mixing. The system may also include additional tanks such as a pretreatment tank and pump tank which are designed with baffled sidewalls for anchoring purposes.

Abstract: An integrated device including an overflow tube and a cup-shaped body filtering element concentrically mounted to the overflow tube; wherein the overflow tube presents a first end connected to a draining tube and a second blank end, opposite to the first, which overhangingly protrudes upwards inside a tank of a washing compartment of a dishwashing machine, the second end of the overflow tube presenting at least one side opening essentially arranged in use at the surface height of a head of washing fluid inside the tank; the filtering element being arranged with a first laterally blank end thereof so as to shield the at least one side opening of the overflow tube, while a second end thereof is provided with a plurality of openings made so as to define a filtering mesh at a bottom wall of the tank and around the overflow tube, in a position immediately facing a suction sump arranged underneath the tank and within which the first end of the overflow tube projects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the anaerobic treatment of waste water is described which includes a plug flow bioreactor containing a single bed of inert microbial attachment media and anaerobic microorganisms, and having at least one baffle member which forms a first zone and at least one second zone above the bed of inert microbial attachment media within the plug flow bioreactor.

Abstract: A filter apparatus having a filter membrane, a main body, a supply channel running perpendicular to the surface of the filter membrane and a gap running between it and the filter membrane, for the formation of a tangentially directed transverse flow, a return channel connected with the supply channel, a circulation channel located around a circumferential edge of the membrane, having an inlet connected to the gap and an outlet connected to the return channel, and a circulator to impart a circular movement to the fluid in the circulation channel.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering liquids including a filter membrane, a main body which is arranged upstream from the filter membrane, and which has a feed channel perpendicular to the surface of the filter membrane, a gap extending between the filter membrane and the main body forming a tangentially directed cross-flow, and a return channel which is used to return the tangential flow to the feed channel. The flow is primarily returned thereto by means of a contraction in the feed channel at the mouth of the return channel. Preferably, a solid separator is disposed in the return channel. At least one baffle element is arranged in the feed channel in order to create a turbulent flow. The tangential flow along the filter membrane is used to clean said membrane.

Abstract: A clip for supporting the clarifier and the droplines in a wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The clip comprises a pair of parallel main plates wherein at least one main plate contains a groove. The main plates are separated by a bracing plate. The bracing plate is perpendicular to the main plates and is attached to the ends of each. Attached to the free ends of each of the main plates is a pair of mounting plates. These mounting plates are parallel to the bracing plate. In a preferred embodiment, the grooves are “V” shaped and each contains a hole. This pair of holes are vertically aligned, and each hole is sized to contain a dropline.

Abstract: The Diffusion Bar Aerobic Treatment Plant (“DBATP”) is a device which processes sewage for buildings which are not connected to municipal sewer lines. It is comprised of a pre-tank which captures trash and allows anaerobic microorganisms to begin breaking down the sewage, an aerobic tank where aerobic microorganisms digest the sewage, and a post-tank which acts as a gravity separating clarifier in which solid particulate contaminants settle downward, leaving a clean effluent for discharge to the environment. The aerobic tank encompasses a diffusion bar, which emits air bubbles that activate and stimulate the aerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: A waste treatment method and apparatus including an aeration basin for holding waste, an aerating device for aerating the waste and an integral clarifier in which sludge particles separate out of the waste, leaving discharge water and recycled sludge. Between the clarifier and the aeration basin there is at least one opening or conduit through which either or both waste from the aeration basin may flow into the clarifier or recycled sludge from the clarifier may flow into the aeration basin. Preferably, the apparatus facilitates both activated sludge and fixed film processes in a single main tank.

Abstract: A vessel (10) for placement on a land site for sanitary treatment of wastewater, in which an inlet communicates wastewater and suspended solids through a mixing chamber (30) to an aeration zone (34) that receives air from nozzles (37) for biological digestion of the suspended solids and conversion to activated sludge. The activated sludge communicates through an airlift (70) to the mixing chamber (30) for facilitating treatment. The air from the nozzles (37) creates an upflow of wastewater and activated sludge to secondary clarifiers (42) having sludge receiving plates (48) on which the sludge settles, accumulates, and falls from resulting in treated water in the secondary clarifier (42). The treated water discharges in a trough (62) from the vessel (12, 92). A method of sanitary treating of wastewater is disclosed.

Abstract: The Diffusion Bar Aerobic Treatment Plant (“DBATP”) is a device which processes sewage for buildings which are not connected to municipal sewer lines. It is comprised of a pre-tank which captures trash and allows anaerobic microorganisms to begin breaking down the sewage, an aerobic tank where aerobic microorganisms digest the sewage, and a post-tank which acts as a gravity separating clarifier in which solid particulate contaminants settle downward, leaving a clean effluent for discharge to the environment. The aerobic tank encompasses a diffusion bar, which emits air bubbles that activate and stimulate the aerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: The Aerobic Treatment Plant with Filter Pipe (“ATPFP”) processes sewage for buildings not connected to a municipal sewer system. It employs a multi-stage process for cleaning sewage in a single, light-weight, easy-to-install unit. Sewage is initially cleaned in the aerobic tank, which is divided into an inner chamber and an outer chamber by a funnel-shaped clarifier hanging down in the aerobic tank, with the opening in the bottom of the clarifier held above the bottom of the aerobic tank. Air droplines hang down in the outer chamber of the aerobic tank, so that sewage in the outer chamber is aerated, stimulating aerobic microorganisms which digest the sewage. The sewage in the outer chamber then moves into the inner chamber inside the clarifier where gravity separates solids from the effluent. This cleaned effluent is then drained to the post-treatment tank for additional cleaning, where it may be chlorinated before it is filtered to screen out debris and then stored for discharge.

Abstract: In the typical embodiments disclosed in the specification, a ballasted flocculation liquid treatment arrangement includes a mixing chamber in which liquid to be treated, flocculating agents and granular material are mixed. The mixture is supplied to the bottom of a flocculating chamber adjacent to the mixing chamber through an opening in a common wall between the chambers and is maintained in suspension in the flocculating chamber by turbulence generated by a rotating blade array. Ballasted flocs are transferred from the flocculation chamber to an adjacent sludge tank through a first opening in a common wall between them and liquid which contains lighter flocs is returned to the flocculation chamber through a second opening in the common wall. Liquid from the flocculation chamber passes upwardly through a turbulence control arrangement where flocs and particulates are substantially removed and into a clarification chamber where clarified liquid is passed over a weir to an outlet.

Abstract: A bioreactor that has an internal sludge return function for treating wastewater is provided. Said bioreactor comprises a mixing zone (18), a static zone (28), and a mixed liquor circulation channel (26). The internal sludge return is accomplished by the integration of said static zone (28) that settles sludge, and said mixed liquor circulation channel (26) that provides a circulating stream of the mixed liquor for carrying settled sludge back to the mixing zone (18). Therefore, the microorganism concentration in the bioreactor of this invention is increased compared with conventional suspended-growth bioreactors, resulting in the improved wastewater treatment performance, reduced bioreactor size, simplified operation, reduced clarifier size, etc. The bioreactor of this invention can be operation in aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions to serve various wastewater treatment purposes.

Abstract: An enzyme containing in-house digester unit for receiving and treating household waste material, which utilizes settling and biological treatment of solids and wastewater by means of organisms which digest the organic materials contained in the household waste thereby eliminating the need for any chemical treatment or processes.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system has a tank and at least one baffle disposed in the tank so as to subdivide the tank to form a treatment chamber and a clarification or settling chamber. The baffle is inclined relative to vertical, so that the clarification chamber tapers from an upper end to a lower end. The lower end of the clarification chamber is provided with a plurality of mutually spaced orifices or apertures communicating with a lower region of the treatment chamber, so that sludge settling in the clarification chamber is directed to the lower region of the treatment chamber via the orifices. The clarification chamber is further provided at its lower end with a plurality of substantially vertical partitions defining a plurality of hoppers communicating with respective orifices for guiding sludge to the orifices. A recycle pump and a distribution manifold serve to recycle wastewater from the treatment chamber to the clarification chamber.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system having a treatment chamber and a clarifier chamber, the treatment chamber having a floor, the clarifier chamber separated from the treatment chamber by a common partition, the clarifier chamber having a top portion and a bottom portion, the clarifier chamber having an opening into the treatment chamber near the bottom of the clarifier, where the common partition is inclined near the area of the clarifier opening, and clarifier chamber being designed so that when wastewater is positioned therein, some solids suspended in the wastewater in the clarifier chamber settle out and exit the clarifier opening, a current in the wastewater in the treatment chamber, where the current passes across the floor of said treatment chamber near the opening of the clarifier, the current being sufficient to substantially prevent a build up of solids on the treatment chamber floor beneath the clarifier opening where the current does not keep all solids within said treatment chamber suspended within th

Abstract: The Three Stage Sewage Treatment System (“TSSTS”) processes sewage for buildings not connected to a municipal sewer system. It employs a three stage process for cleaning sewage in a single, light-weight, easy-to-install unit. Sewage is initially cleaned anaerobically in the pre-treatment tank as gravity acts to separate solids from the effluent. Sewage then flows into the aerobic tank for further cleaning by aerobic microorganisms and continued gravity separation of solid contaminants from the effluent. The aerobic tank is divided into an inner chamber and an outer chamber by a funnel-shaped clarifier. In the TSSTS, the clarifier is a separate piece with a lip around the top of the funnel-shaped main body. The lip of the clarifier rests atop the sidewalls of the aerobic tank, and the clarifier hangs down in the aerobic tank, with an opening in the bottom of the clarifier held above the bottom of the aerobic tank.