Abstract: An aerator for a body of water is disclosed comprising a structure for forming a column of water wherein the column has a longitudinally extending core devoid of water and a structure for injecting oxygenated fluid into the core. Also provided is a method for forming a column of water wherein the column has a longitudinally extending core devoid of water and injecting oxygenated fluid into the core so that the water is contacted with the oxygenated fluid only from points within the core.

Abstract: A membrane filter apparatus includes a membrane unit 50 composed of an array of membrane elements 51 disposed within a treatment tank 31. A skirt element 71 is disposed at a bottom portion of the membrane unit and an aerator 61 is disposed under the skirt. A partition is also disposed at the bottom of the membrane unit forming compartments within the skirt element. The gas bubbles discharged from the aerator increase their rising force upon entry into gaps between the membranes. Because of the arrangement of the partition within the skirt element the flow rate of bubbles along the opposite side edge portions of the membrane unit can be increased having the advantage of cleaning the entire surface of each membrane, thereby preventing clogging by sludge, SS, colloid, etc. within the gaps between the membranes. Therefore, filtration can be maintained over a longer period of time and the power required for filtration can be reduced, as well as, the frequency of manual periodic cleaning, chemical cleaning, etc.

Abstract: In typical hydrocarbon-contaminated ground water, the level of dissolved oxygen is low due to the high biological oxygen demand. The present invention increases dissolved oxygen levels in the ground water thereby increasing biological activity. The increased biological activity means that more of the dissolved hydrocarbons will be consumed at a greater rate. The instant process and apparatus for remediating dissolved hydrocarbon in ground water involves drawing ambient air down through a tubing and aeration stone into ground water by the vacuum created by a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system thereby increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the SVE well and in the ground water resulting in enhanced biodegradation by aerobic microbes.

Abstract: A fluid mixer includes an elongate mixing chamber having an inlet system at one end for admission of liquid and gas to be intimately mixed by passage through the chamber and an outlet for the mixture at the opposite end, wherein opposed longitudinal sides of the chamber are each defined by a surface of scallop shape having peaks and troughs, with the peaks of the two surfaces being relatively offset so as to cause the liquid and gas entering the chamber to flow along a generally sinuous path through the chamber to create a turbulent flow which promotes intimate mixing. Advantageously a UV source extends within the chamber to sterilize the liquid flowing through the chamber.

Abstract: Water in an aeration pond is treated with substantially pure oxygen. The oxygen originates from a pressurized oxygen supply, and is conducted through a conduit to the bottom of the pond. Perforations located around the perimeter and along the length of the conduit allow oxygen to bubble through the pond. A hood disposed to float above the surface of the pond collects unreacted oxygen, and this oxygen flows, through a suitable gas line, back to the original conduit. The unreacted oxygen mixes with fresh oxygen from the pressurized source, and is recycled through the pond. In one embodiment, before mixing with fresh oxygen, the recovered oxygen is pressurized by a double-diaphragm pump which is operated by pressure from the oxygen supply. The pressurized oxygen is the sole source of motive force for moving gas through the system. The rate of gas flow through the system is controlled by adjusting the supply pressure, through the use of a control valve.

Abstract: A system and method for treating farm animal waste, such as hog and poultry waste, to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wastewater treatment pits and thus control smell is disclosed. The farm animals are housed in structures equipped with grated flooring to permit animal waste to fall into pits or reservoirs below. The pits contain water inoculated with a special assemblage of natural microbes to which oxygen is supplied through piping arranged in the pits. These special microbes have an affinity for ammonia and convert much of the animal waste into carbon dioxide, fatty acids, and water. The system also includes a second piping network situated beneath the grated flooring which serves to create a negative air situation by which escaping foul-smelling air is pulled back into the wastewater to permit further action on the VOCs by the microbes in the water.

Abstract: A remote filling device for use with a shipping container is described. A shipping container with specialized connections can be remotely opened using a single lightweight tool using a single drive screw latching mechanism. The actuation of the latching mechanism also compresses seals between the filling device and dewatering connections on the container. Dewatering is accomplished using reusable, backwashable filters. Once the container is filled and dewatered, the filling device is remotely removed and a lightweight, reusable lid is remotely scaled to the container using a single screw latch remotely actuated.

Abstract: A waste water purification process, in particular a continuous waste water purification process is disclosed, as well as a waste water purification plant system, in particular for continuous waste water purification. Waste water is purified in that an aerated mixture of waste water with activated sludge is degassed before being discharged into the secondary settling basin. The waste water purification system has a venting device that connects the aerating container or a separate chamber thereof to the secondary settling basin or a separated chamber thereof. The venting device is designed as a U-shaped tube. One of its branches forms the supply collecting pipe and the second branch forms the discharge collecting pipe, whereas the section that interconnects its two top ends delimits the intermediate chamber that contains a separate gas suction chamber.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system having an aeration tank (20) is provided with an operations control center (12) that includes a controller (64) and an aerator pump (50) mounted atop a base (58), which is in turn mounted atop a platform (56). A plurality of electrical lines (66) extend from the controller through respective conduits (90, 92, 94, 96). The conduits extend through and are sealingly engaged by holes in the base and the platform. A compression fitting (136) and coupler (154) are included to provide a fluid-tight seal. This arrangement is advantageous because it prevents corrosive gases from entering the operations control center and corroding the terminals thereof. Also described is a wastewater treatment system that includes a pretreatment tank (244), an aeration tank (20), and a pump tank (202) secured together by a connector that includes bands (260, 262) and spacing means (264, 268) for maintaining a fixed-spaced relationship between the tanks.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high efficiency method for the remediation of large quantities of liquids, operating at low to moderate ambient pressures, in order to reduce environmental or health risks or to purify the liquid for use in industrial processing. Decontamination is achieved through the use of a swirl chamber in which a central vortex is formed which has a core pressure lower than the vapor pressure of the liquid thus inducing cavitation pockets in the vortex, which are then ejected from the nozzle through the exit orifice into a volume of liquid where the cavitation pockets collapse. These cavitation events drive chemical reactions, by generating strong oxidants and reductants, efficiently decomposing and destroying contaminating organic compounds, as well as some inorganics. These same cavitation events also physically disrupt or rupture the cell walls or outer membranes of microorganisms (such as E.

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 invention relates generally to a process and apparatus for treating biosolids resulting from the treatment of biological wastewater streams. The invention relates to autothermal aerobic treatment of biosolids where temperature is controlled by sensing the oxidation/reduction potential of a treated solution and adjusting the amount of oxygen or the amount of biosolids supplied to the solution. The invention provides for a truly aerobic environment under which thermophilic microorganisms will thrive.

Abstract: An animal waste treatment system, particularly adapted to process the waste from a large-scale confined animal facility, has two treatment cells and a holding reservoir. Each of the treatment cells has an anaerobic zone which is two to five feet deep and an aerobic zone on top of the anaerobic zone which is at least twelve feet deep. Effluent from the facility is introduced into the anaerobic zone of the first cell; the aerobic zone of the first cell has a fluid connection to the anaerobic zone of the second cell. Residence times are preferably twenty-one days per cell. The aerobic zone is created by the injection of air with a coarse aerator. Oxygen introduced by the aeration oxidizes reduced nitrogen compounds and other volatiles; much of the nitrogen escapes as N2 to the atmosphere. A portion of the cleaned water is returned to the facility for dilution and flushing purposes. The rest of the cleaned water is used to irrigate crops.

Abstract: A sub-soil wastewater treatment vessel, especially for wastewater produced by single family residences and small businesses and the like. The vessel is divided into at least three contiguous chambers by at least two transverse walls, forming at least two contiguous aeration chambers and a clarifier chamber. Wastewater flows into the first aeration chamber via an influent line, thence through an opening in the first transverse wall into the second aeration chamber. From there, wastewater flows through passages at the bottom of the second transverse wall into the clarifier chamber. Air is supplied to the first and second aeration chambers via low pressure diffuser lines. Three inclined surfaces within the clarifier chamber direct solids through passages in the second transverse wall back into the second aeration chamber for further processing. An effluent line connected to the clarifier chamber permits wastewater outflow.

Abstract: A system for removing pollution from water, utilizing a subsurface constructed wetland system using forced bed aeration and variable water levels, to promote greater root depth and better root structure of the wetland vegetation, and to establish staged anaerobic and aerobic zones within the system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high efficiency method for the remediation of large quantities of liquids, operating at low to moderate ambient pressures, in order to reduce environmental or health risks or to purify the liquid for use in industrial processing. Decontamination is achieved through the use of submerged liquid jets which trigger cavitation events. These cavitation events drive chemical reactions, by generating strong oxidants and reductants, efficiently decomposing and destroying contaminating organic compounds, as well as some inorganics. These same cavitation events also physically disrupt or rupture the cell walls or outer membranes of microorganisms (such as E. coli and salmonella) and larvae (such as Zebra mussel larvae), leaving the inner cellular components susceptible to oxidation.

Abstract: An aerobic microorganism growth medium for use in a wastewater treatment system is formed as a resilient coil of fibrous strand material suspended on a frame placed in a vessel containing the wastewater to be treated.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems which utilize an interacting surge anoxic mix zone for facilitating nitrogen removal and an aerobic sequential batch reaction, clarification and decantation zone for facilitating aeration for BOD removal and nitrate production for the surge anoxic mix zone.

Abstract: Described is an aerator (10) that includes a venturi chamber (18), a pump for drawing liquid into the venturi chamber from a liquid inlet, an air inlet connected to the venturi chamber for aerating the liquid drawn through the venturi chamber, and an outlet for discharging the aerated liquid. A float chamber (26) is provided for supporting the aerator in a liquid medium, e.g. a fishing lake. Preferably, the liquid inlet and the outlet are on substantially parallel axes, wherein the liquid inlet is turnable between two positions: one position where the liquid inlet takes in liquid in an opposite direction to the outlet flow and the other position where the liquid is drawn in and discharged in the same direction. A control means responsive to sensors for determining biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand is also provided for controlling the speed of the pump.

Abstract: Dual-flow filter for the biological purification of effluents, particularly water, comprising at least two filtration cells, arranged in series, in fluid communication, with one another so that the effluent to be treated passes through them successively, these two cells being separated by an intermediate box provided with aeration means, wherein the first filtration cell is of the ascending flow type and the second filtration cell is of the descending flow type, and the aeration in the intermediate box takes place countercurrentwise with respect to the liquid flow moving through the box, with a movement of the flows guided with the aid of a siphon partition.

Abstract: An upflow water clarifier for treating a liquid that contains dissolved or suspended solids has a central pier disposed in the center of a conical section angled at an angle of about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal. Water enters the clarifier at the bottom and is removed at the top. The central pier bears at least part of the weight of an observation deck and includes a mechanism for discharging sludge from the clarifier. The pier can also house both a sludge discharge line and an effluent withdrawal line, and as a support for a radial trough used to collect the effluent. The pier may also serve as an aid during construction.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process and apparatus for treating biosolids resulting from the treatment of biological wastewater streams. The invention relates to autothermal aerobic treatment of biosolids where temperature is controlled by adjusting the amount of shear generated through jet aeration devices. The invention provides for a truly aerobic environment under which thermophilic microorganisms will thrive. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for controlling foam generated in a treatment reactor.

Abstract: A high strength wastewater treatment system having a first tank with an inlet and an outlet, an aerator positioned within the first tank for passing oxygen into wastewater within the first tank, a second tank having a clarifier compartment positioned therein, an aeration device positioned in the second tank for passing oxygen into a liquid within the second tank, and a pipe connected to the first tank and the second tank for passing liquid from the second tank to the first tank. The second is interconnected to the outlet of the first tank. The second tank has an outlet extending from the clarifier compartment. In particular, the pipe has an end opening within the second tank and a diffuser connected to the pipe within the first tank. The diffuser is a venturi diffuser having a narrow section and a wide section. An air pump is connected to the venturi diffuser for injecting air into the narrow section. This delivery of air serves to draw liquid from the second tank through the pipe and into the first tank.

Abstract: Constructed wetlands, utilizing a plurality of cells, in which nitrification and denitrification occurs simultaneously, at low flow rates and lower temperatures. The constructed wetlands provides improved remediation in a shorter period of time.

Abstract: A water aerating device is provided and includes a rigid, round, support plate that in an operating position is disposed essentially horizontally. An elastic plate rests on the support plate and is provided with a plurality of fine slits such that by at least one opening of the support plate, air can be introduced between the support plate and the elastic plate for expanding the slits. The elastic plate has an annular rim that rests against an outer surface of the support plate. A fastening ring surrounds the support plate and is axially displaceable relative thereto. A radially inwardly directed projection of the fastening ring acts upon a rim of the elastic plate such that displacement of the fastening ring in a fastening direction results in an increase of the distance of the rim from the upper surface of the support plate.

Abstract: A continuous filter device for liquids has a filter chamber that receives a granular bulk material forming a filter bed. The filter chamber has rectangular inner-walls with a liquid-permeable inlet side and a liquid-permeable outlet side positioned opposite the inlet side. A liquid-impermeable outer wall is positioned at the inlet side and forms together with the inlet side an inlet chamber. The inlet side has openings allowing flow of a liquid to be filtered from the inlet chamber into the filter chamber. A liquid-impermeable outer mantle is positioned at the outlet side and forms together with the outlet side a filtrate collection chamber. The outlet side has openings allowing filtrate flow from the filter chamber into the filtrate collection chamber. A cone-shaped removal chamber is connected to a lower end of the filter chamber. A flow discharge chamber is connected to an upper end of the filter chamber.

Abstract: An animal waste treatment system, particularly adapted to process the waste from a large-scale confined animal facility, has two treatment cells and a holding reservoir. Each of the treatment cells has an anaerobic zone which is two to five feet deep and an aerobic zone on top of the anaerobic zone which is at least twelve feet deep. Effluent from the facility is introduced into the anaerobic zone of the first cell; the aerobic zone of the first cell has a fluid connection to the anaerobic zone of the second cell. Residence times are preferably twenty-one days per cell. The aerobic zone is created by the injection of air with a coarse aerator. Oxygen introduced by the aeration oxidizes reduced nitrogen compounds and other volatiles; much of the nitrogen escapes as N2 to the atmosphere. A portion of the cleaned water is returned to the facility for dilution and flushing purposes. The rest of the cleaned water is used to irrigate crops.

Abstract: An improved, multipass, horizontal rotating continuous feed digester provides an efficient aerobic digestion process for sewage, and which also reduces pollution. The improved digester promotes the ecology in that the gas and air feed and exhaust means are located at opposite ends of the digester. Moreover, the air and gas distribution means can be easily removed from the digester for inspection and cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying separator waste water from a dry cleaning process. The present invention utilizes 3 stages of purification. In Stage one, highly contaminated separator waste water is put into a solvent separator tank. Liquid solvent settles out of the separator waste water, sink to the bottom of the solvent separation tank where it accumulates below the separated water. In Stage 2 air bubbles are introduced through the separated water, stripping out much of the solvent which is dissolved in the separated water and reducing the dissolved solvent concentration. This air stripping process dramatically extends to useful life of the granulated carbon in the granulated eaton filter. Stage 3 takes the air stripped water and filters it through a granulated carbon filter, which results in the carbon purified water having a dissolved solvent of less than 0.7 parts per million. The carbon purified water can then be safely and economically disposed of without harming the environment.

Abstract: An improved aquaculture system is provided which, in various embodiments, utilizes a single integrated unit to perform the biologic filtering, aeration and degassing functions; has a fish tank with an integrated multiphase drain for removal of fecal solids and uneaten feed with minimum water loss, for removing most of the water from the tank to be processed and returned to the tank and for segregating and for then selectively removing moribund and dead fish from the tank, preventing their cannibalization by other fish in the tank; and a single integrated unit for performing degassing, aeration, gas concentration and reaction/separation functions. An improved biologic filter is also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer for mixing two fluids, the mixer comprising a power source (5) with a rotating transmission shaft (7), a hollow rotor (6) to be submerged in a first fluid (8) and arranged to rotate with the shaft, wherein at least one end of the rotor comprises an opening or openings for supply of a second fluid (9) to the hollow rotor (6), and jet openings (10) are provided in the side surface of the rotor through which the second fluid (9) is discharged into the first fluid (8) surrounding the rotor. To achieve a better operating efficiency, the mixer has a tight liquid seal (14) shaped to cover and isolate substantially the entire portion of the rotor that is above the first fluid.

Abstract: Process and equipment for fat separation in waste water from restaurants, bakeries, food processing industries etc. The fat-containing waste water is treated in a fat separator by the addition of a liquid microbe culture that degrades proteins, starch etc. and converts the fat to fatty acids. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the fatty acids are recovered with the aid of a so-called skimmer.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system having a tank with an aeration compartment and a clarifier compartment, an air pump affixed to a top of the tank and having an air line delivering air to the aerator of the aeration compartment. The air line extends through an interior of the tank. A control panel is also affixed to a top of the tank. The control panel is electrically connected to the air pump. A raised platform is formed on the top of the tank such that an outer periphery of the platform intersects at least at one point of the cylindrical wall. The top of the tank also has an access opening formed therein located along the periphery of the cylindrical wall diametrically opposite the platform. The air pump is affixed to the horizontal platform. A housing is attached to the platform. The housing extends over the air pump and the control panel. The housing includes a base affixed to the platform and a cover removably affixed to the base so as to extend over and around the air pump and the control panel.

Abstract: A facultative lagoon, an airlift aerator for such a lagoon, and a method of operating such a lagoon. The aerator includes a U-shaped body with a down flow leg and an airlift leg and a float. The float sustains the U-shaped body with respect to the surface of polluted material contained in the lagoon. The upper ends of the legs are submerged slightly beneath the surface of the material in the lagoon. The down flow leg has a water inlet and the airlift leg has the water outlet. A bubble generator is connected to a lower portion of the airlift leg. Air supplied under pressure to the bubble generator introduces bubbles into the airlift leg which establishes a water circulation through the U-shaped body. Bubbles transfer oxygen to the passing water which is disbursed through the water outlet. The dissolved oxygen is used in the biodegradation of the hazardous and odorous gases of the waste material that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A mixing device in the form of a centrifugal pump is used to mix gas (typically air) with liquid (typically effluent water, dispersion water, or waste paper pulp suspension, etc.). The pump is provided with a common inlet conduit for both the liquid and the gas so that liquid and gas flow freely and in an arbitrary ratio into the pump, that is there is no controlling or adjusting of the flows. The gas is allowed to either dissolve in the liquid or be mixed as small bubbles with the liquid, and any surplus gas is separated from the mixing device (e.g. by holes in the pump impeller leading to a rear portion of the pump which is attached to a vacuum source, such as a liquid ring pump). The liquid and gas dissolved therein, and small bubbles mixed therein, are discharged from the mixing device at a pressure that is raised from the inlet pressure, due to the action of the impeller, which pressure development enhances the dissolution of gas in the liquid.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system having a tank with an inlet and an outlet and an offset access opening residing at a top of the tank, a clarifier compartment positioned within the tank, an aeration compartment formed within the tank around an exterior of the clarifier compartment, and aerators extending into the aeration compartment so as to supply air to the wastewater within the aeration compartment. The access opening is formed between a center of the top and an outer wall of the tank. Each of the aerators includes an air inlet, a conduit connected to the air inlet, a diffuser assembly connected to an end of the conduit opposite the air inlet and an anchor connected to the diffuser assembly opposite the conduit so as to maintain the diffuser in a fixed position within the aeration compartment. The diffuser assembly has a plurality of diffusers formed thereon.

Abstract: A sewage treatment apparatus including a treatment tank with a floor and walls and having an upper aperture. A hopper having a clarifier chamber with upper and lower apertures is centrally disposed on hopper supports in the treatment tank, maintained at a predetermined height. A deflector cone is centrally disposed on the tank floor with its vertex received in the lower aperture of the hopper. The exterior of the hopper, the deflector cone and the interior walls of the treatment tank define an aerator chamber, subdivided into a plurality of aerator zones. Diffusers in each aerator zone introduce air into the aerator zones, inducing sewage to flow in a generally vertical orientation in the treatment tank. A cover mounted over the treatment tank aperture maintains a pressurized pocket of air above the sewage for increased oxygenation of the sewage. Treated sewage passes from the aerator zones into the clarifier chamber, then into the environment.

Abstract: A method of aerating a liquid comprising the steps of providing a column, introducing liquid under pressure into an upper zone of the column in the form of a jet of liquid directed in a path, permitting gas to be entrained by the jet of liquid, obstructing the path of the jet of liquid to form a zone of turbulence in which bubbles are formed in the liquid to create a foam or froth bed in the column, and removing the foam or froth.

Abstract: Polluted waste waters are introduced into a tank (1, 100) in which a number of cavitation oxygenizers (5, 6, 11) are installed close and parallel to the bottom of the tank and divided into three types, one (5) that expels re-circulated water and air, a second (6) that expels water, air and sludge and foam sucked in from the upper region of the tank, both these two types suited to causing turbulence (F1, F2-F3, F4) of the polluted water within the tank, and a third (11) suited to cause a further turbulent motion of the polluted water.

Abstract: Improvements are made to a system in which force is applied to aeration units from only one side of a basin. Part of such force is vector transferred from one end of a beam of the aeration unit to the other end of the beam to move both ends of the beam. The beam supports pipes of the aeration unit. A force transfer module includes one force transfer strand held in a force transfer path between fixed opposite ends of the strand. The force transfer path extends in part along the beam, which is placed in compression. Motion of the one end of the beam resulting from the force is transferred by the single force transfer strand to the opposite end of the beam so that both ends of the beam move relative to the basin under the action of the force.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of excess sludge by aerobically treating an aqueous organic waste in an aeration tank in the presence of a biosludge containing aerobic microorganisms, subjecting the resulting mixed liquor to a solid/liquid separation, the so-separated liquid phase being discharged as treated liquor, and supplying at least a part of the separated biosludge, after having been treated with ozone, to the aeration tank, wherein the ozone treatment is realized by passing a mixed flow of a biosludge-containing liquor to be treated or a liquor containing the ozonized biosludge and of an ozone-containing gas through a flow-down pipe in a downward flow and introducing the flow into an ozone-treating vessel in a state in which the ozone-containing gas is dispersed as finely disintegrated bubbles, whereby the clogging of a gas diffuser due to the adhesion of the biosludge is avoided and ozone treatment is attained at a high ozone yield.

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 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 main plates each contain a hole. This pair of holes is vertically aligned, and each hole is sized to contain a dropline.

Abstract: A method for treating liquid-waste utilizing carriers having microorganisms immobilized thereon employs an aerobic treatment tank. At least one underwater agitation type aeration apparatus having an air-diffusing mechanism on a discharge side of an impeller is provided in the treatment tank. While supplying atomized air into the liquid-waste, the carriers and the liquid-waste are circulated through the treatment tank by the underwater agitation type aeration apparatus, to thereby substantially uniformly distribute the carriers in a floating state in the treatment tank. The discharge opening of the underwater agitation type aeration apparatus is provided in the vicinity of a bottom surface of the treatment tank or at an intermediate position with respect to the depth of liquid in the treatment tank.

Abstract: A system for dissolved air floatation treatment of a liquid stream where the system includes a pump having an impeller cavity with input and output ports, and an impeller with an eye disposed adjacent the input port. The impeller draws liquid through the input port and drives the liquid toward the output port and creates a subatmospheric pressure zone in the cavity away from the eye. The pump includes an air introduction port opening into the subatmospheric zone to introduce significant quantities of air into the cavity for mixing with the liquid stream. The system also includes a tank adapted to receive the liquid stream from the pump with dissolved air introduced therein.

Abstract: Excessive vibration in industrial mixers such as flotation cells and draft tube mixers is attenuated by connecting a vibration dampening device to a rotor or impeller which is disposed in a mixing tank for pumping a nonhomogeneous fluidic material placed in the tank. In a draft tube mixer, where the rotor is connected to a drive shaft in turn connected to a motor for rotating the rotor, the vibration dampening device is connected to the shaft on a side of the rotor opposite the motor. In a froth flotation cell, if the rotor is hollow, the vibration dampening device is disposed inside a pipe in turn mounted inside the rotor along an axis thereof. The vibration dampening device takes the form of a tuned mass dampener tuned to a resonance frequency of the particular mixing apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-chambered portable waste water treatment plant for a mobile home which is installed on or above ground level and can be easily moved from one location to another. The portable waste water treatment plant of the invention is insulated and is internally heated to prevent freezing of the liquids in the plant and promote decomposition of the waste in the plant when ambient temperatures are below freezing.

Abstract: An installation for the simultaneous separation and removal of fats and oils in waste water, which includes a treatment container chamber for receiving a liquid medium. Out of the treatment container chamber, through a bottom outlet, is an overflow pipe running upwards and which opens outwardly outside of the treatment container chamber as a discharge pipe, so that its inside bottom edge, at the point where it opens outwardly, defines a level of a medium in the treatment container chamber. A support material in the form of a plurality of plastic tubes is wound with lengths of polyester cord colonized with a fat and oil-degrading yeast microorganism Yarrowia lipolytica W1 in the treatment container chamber. A nutrient solution container, with a metering pump for feeding NH.sub.4+ into the treatment container chamber, as required, is included as a source of nitrogen for the fat and oil-degrading microorganism, along with a device for supplying the microorganisms with air.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus for increasing oxygen concentration in water. The water purification apparatus includes a water pump provided in a water tank for pumping water to produce a water flow, an ejector connected to the water pump for mixing the water from the water pump with air and ejecting the water mixed with the air therethrough, an air intake pipe connected to the ejector for supplying air thereto, and a jetting outlet connected to the ejector and formed with a porous jetting nozzle having small punched openings on an end portion and outer circumference thereof and a bugle-shaped tube accommodating the porous jetting nozzle therein.

Abstract: Butane-utilizing bacteria are used to degrade hydrocarbon pollutants such as trichloroethene (TCE). In-situ or ex-situ techniques may be used to reduce or eliminate hydrocarbon pollutants from liquid, gas and solid sources. In a preferred embodiment, TCE concentrations in various aqueous environments are reduced by contacting a contaminated water source with butane-utilizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen to degrade the TCE by cometabolism or direct metabolism. Suitable butane-utilizing bacteria include Pseudomonas, Variovorax, Nocardia, Chryseobacterium, Comamonas, Acidovorax, Rhodococcus, Aureobacterium, Micrococcus, Aeromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Sphingobacterium, Shewanella, Phyllobacterium, Clavibacter, Alcaligenes, Gordona, Corynebacterium and Cytophaga. The butane-utilizing bacteria have relatively low TCE toxicity in comparison with conventional methane-utilizing bacteria, and demonstrate an improved ability to degrade TCE.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for single pass mass transfer of oxygen into a liquid. The apparatus comprises individual aeration modules contiguously aligned to allow continuous gravity flow liquid to be permeated with oxygen repetitively as it passes through a successive series of reaction chambers. The invention provides furthermore a novel apparatus to interject into liquids high volumes of low-pressure air to effect mass transfer of oxygen.