Abstract: A photocatalytic oxidation and ozone catalyst system utilizes ultraviolet light and ozone in the treatment of waste and wastewater to destroy pathogens and to break down most hydrocarbons and other chemicals into non-hazardous forms. The wastewater enters the system for initial treatment and is also pumped through the venturi loop and is exposed to ultraviolet light. The ozone interacts at the venturi before the ultraviolet light is being used as a catalyst by the ultraviolet light to break apart the double bonds of ketones, aldehydes, esters, and carboxylic acids. Following initial treatment, the wastewater is pumped into the pressurized ozone enhancement vessel where vapor oxidation of the polluting chemicals occurs. The enhancement vessel comprises a liquid spray component and a series of ozone resonator plates having ozone distribution manifolds that spray the wastewater with ozone. The plates have angular channels formed therein through which the wastewater passes.

Abstract: A drying bed for waste sludge in a wastewater treatment facility having a vertical drainage riser extending vertically from a subnatant discharge pipe near the bottom of the drying bed. A sludge inlet at an end of the drying bed communicates with a source of watery sludge. Water communicates through a mesh screen that wraps the vertical drainage riser and through openings in the vertical drainage riser to the subnatant discharge pipe. A valve is selectively opened to control the flow rate of the water from the subnatant discharge pipe. A method of dewatering waste sludge is disclosed. The wastewater treatment facility provides a mixing/balancing chamber for initial mixing of activated return sludge with influent wastewater for aggressive assimilation of wastes and an improved airlift for removal of suspended solids in the wastewater. The airlift comprises a solids evacuation pipe having a lower open end for receiving solids, an upper open end for exiting solids, and a midsection defining a series of holes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating waste streams utilize controlled introduction of microscopic gaseous bubbles to create, in a single vessel, as many as three separate biological environments in discrete, stratified zones. In preferred embodiments, bubbles of air are introduced at the bottom of the vessel, creating an aerobic zone in this vicinity. Depletion of oxygen by microorganisms resident in this layer creates an anoxic zone that drifts upward, establishing itself above the aerobic layer. The two layers remain segregated due to the intolerance of aerobic microorganisms for the overlying anoxic environment, the sharpness of the interface depending on the degree of intolerance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the pretreatment and treatment of biodegradable wastewater utilizing a series of treatment modes within a single variable depth reactor apparatus to biologically reduce the biochemical oxygen and chemical oxygen demand in domestic and industrial wastewater.

Abstract: A water aeration system for receiving gas and/or iron laden water from a water source and delivering purified water to a service line. The system includes a tank with an internal volume fillable with water, a tank inlet, a tank outlet, and an aerator. Water is introduced into the tank through the tank inlet and passes downwardly within the tank. The downwardly moving water encounters a counterflow of upwardly migrating bubbles introduced into the tank by the aerator, and the air bubbles cause impurities in the water to precipitate out and settle onto the floor of the tank and gases to the vented to atmosphere. After moving to the bottom portion of the internal volume of the tank, the water passes upwardly through an upstanding water outlet pipe located within the tank internal volume and passes through the tank outlet to be removed from the tank. The system may also include a mechanism for flushing from the tank precipitates collected on the tank floor.

Abstract: A bubble aeration system and method for removing radon and other contaminants from domestic or commercial water supplies in a single tank having a baffle arrangement or channels creating a sinuous water path for a more effective separation of radon from the water supply and incorporating a storage chamber for cleaned water.

Abstract: A water-treatment installation, notably with a view to making water potable, includes a reactor demarcating at least one treatment chamber, the reactor comprising a conveying assembly to convey the water to be treated into the chamber; a removing assembly for removing the floated pollutants and a removing assembly for removing the decanted pollutants; a plurality of filtration membranes laid out within the chamber and submerged in the water to be treated; a demarcating assembly for demarcating a filtration zone around each of the membranes; carrying and circulating member guiding a current of water to be treated in the filtration zone along a preferred direction, the carrying and circulating member including ozone-injection assembly; and a recovering assembly recovering the permeate at an outlet of the filtration membranes.

Abstract: The system places traces of nutrients and other treatment substances in the ground, in the path of an on-coming plume of contaminated groundwater. Boreholes placed across the plume contain respective diffusion tubes, the tubes being of e.g LDPE, or dialysis tubing. The remediation substance is circulated (pumped) through the diffusion tubes periodically. The remediation substance diffuses through the LDPE into the water in the borehole, and thence into the plume and is carried into the aquifer.

Abstract: A tower-like pressure vessel utilizes the injection of gas bubbles for aeration of liquids. A cylindrical conduit extends vertically in the interior of the vessel. The interior conduit has a first end connected to an inlet liquid flow conduit and a second end disposed immediately adjacent the top of the pressure vessel thereby forming a gap which serves as a flow restriction. An outlet for the vessel is located adjacent to the bottom of the vessel.A gas injector located outside the pressure vessel injects gas into the inlet liquid flow conduit thereby forming a plurality of small gas bubbles that adhere to the walls of a portion of the inlet conduit having a bend. The small bubbles amalgamate to form larger bubbles substantially consistent in size prior to being swept by the liquid stream through the flow restriction at the top of the vessel.

Abstract: A method of gas particle formation in a liquid medium comprising the steps of: forming a substantially continuous film of gas on a surface having a discharge edge submerged in the liquid medium; generating a flow of liquid over the surface, adjacent to and co-current with the film of gas, directed towards the discharge edge; and breaking the gas film into gas particles by shear forces as it approaches and/or escapes from the discharge edge.

Abstract: Sewage treatment apparatus comprising a tank, aeration means which serve to aerate a biomass contained within the tank when the apparatus is in use, and air compressor means which are connected to the aeration means to deliver air thereto, in which the air compressor means are in a housing that forms a barrier between the housing interior and the tank interior, to inhibit transfer of gas or other material from the tank interior to the housing interior.

Abstract: A plant for processing untreated water, particularly drilling water, to at least partially remove mircopollutants thereform. The plant includes at least one main feed pipe for feeding water into the bottom of a reactor via a submerged inlet at end of said main pipe for delivering ozone into the water, a means communicating with said main pipe for delivering hydrogen peroxide into the water, at least one liquid gas transfer system including at least one static mixer downstream from said ozone delivery means and said hydrogen peroxide delivery means, and upstream from said reactor; and a means for evenly distributing the flow of water out of said feed pipe and through the inlet and allowing a drop in the kinetic energy of the water as it enters said reactor.

Abstract: A reactor for the biological treatment of water comprises a reactor vessel (1), a fermentation chamber (3) bounded in the vessel, inlets (10) for introducing influent into the fermentation chamber, a settling chamber (4) above the top boundary (2) of the fermentation chamber (3), for separating out sludge from treated water, a downer (5) extending downwards from the settling chamber through the fermentation chamber, for returning separated-out sludge to the fermentation chamber (3), and an outlet (11) for discharging effluent from the settling chamber. In order to improve and accelerate the separation of sludge from effluent in a simple manner, at least one supply line (8a, 9a, 17) opens out tangentially into the settling chamber. A whirlpool is produced in the settling chamber by the supply line.

Abstract: A sewage treatment system is provided, for cleaning a sewage by filtering solid components in the swage through floating filter medium, wherein the filtration performance can be improved and the filtration cleaning can be performed efficiently. The sewage 18 is flowed into the treatment tank 12 in upward-flow, and filtered through the floating filter media layer 22 made of the meshy cylindrical floating filter medium 20 which have smaller specific gravity than the sewage 18. To wash floating filter medium 20, the air is jetted from the air jetting pipe 54 and the revolution flow is generated to scale solid components adhering to filter medium, and then the sewage 18, which has washed the floating filter medium 20, are discharged to the outside of the tank 12 while the air is jetted from the air jetting pipe 56 for full jetting to jet the floating filter media layer 22 in whole.

Abstract: A tank for the treatment of sewage. The tank has walls and a base and includes a screw conveyor and an aerator pipe to allow circulation of the sewage by the passage of air. The tank has projections extending inwardly from at least one of the walls or the base of the tank to trap rags present in the sewage.

Abstract: A wastewater tank intended for use in a small sewage treatment plant. A spiral pipe is coiled around the exterior casing of the tank and is structurally secured to that casing, so that the pipe imparts structural stiffness to the tank. For example, the casing and pipe may be of a thermoplastic material and are thermoplastically welded together so that the pipe is structurally attached to the casing. Wastewater passes in turn through the multiple treatment spaces in the tank, to undergo pre-sedimentation, flocculation, and clarification.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating waste liquid and solid material comprises an upwardly inclined passage containing an auger for conveying the solid waste material upwardly along the passage, with an inlet opening at a lower end of the passage for receiving a mixture of waste liquid and solid material into the auger, a drainage opening at the lower end of the cylindrical passage for draining liquid from the solid waste conveyed by the auger, and a compactor for receiving the solid material fed upwardly by the auger and compacting the solid waste material. An extruder receives and extrudes the compacted solid waste material from the compactor, and may be arranged to convert the compacted material into pellets.

Abstract: A sewage treatment system which includes a cylindrical treatment tank fitted with an air distribution system and an inverted, cone-shaped clarifier, wherein air is supplied to the aeration chamber of the treatment tank through the air distribution system by means of a compressor. The treatment tank is normally installed below the surface of the ground and the air distribution system includes downwardly-extending air drop lines, the plugged ends of which project at or below the plane of the bottom open end of the cone-shaped clarifier. The drop lines are provided with spaced air openings which face the clarifier and are located above the plane of the bottom open end of the clarifier, to facilitate optimum diffusion of air into the aeration chamber toward the clarifier from the drop lines, responsive to operation of the compressor.

Abstract: Raw water containing organic chlorine compounds is supplied in an aeration tank, wherein the organic chlorine compounds contained in the raw water are transferred into air or gas. The gas obtained from the aeration tank is collected in a treatment solution of a decomposition-treatment tank. The treatment solution contains an oxidizing agent and ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the treatment solution in the decomposition-treatment tank to activate the oxidizing agent, to thereby oxidization-decompose the organic chlorine compounds in the gas.

Abstract: A multi-function fluid treatment system which can filter liquids or diffuse gases into liquids. To achieve filtration, the system includes a housing with multiple, closely-spaced filter cartridges therein. The cartridges are connected to a drive system which rotates them in unison. Fluids to be filtered enter the housing and surround the rotating cartridges. Cartridge rotation scrubs solids from the cartridges and promotes fluid flow into the cartridges. Filtered fluids collected within the cartridges thereafter exit the system. To achieve gas diffusion, the housing is filled with a selected liquid. During cartridge rotation as discussed above, a gas is introduced into the interior of each cartridge which is constructed of a porous material. The gas diffuses outwardly during cartridge rotation, causing substantial mixing of the gas and fluid, with gas diffusion into the fluid. Cartridge rotation also prevents solids from accumulating thereon to achieve maximum gas delivery.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and to an improved process for the treatment of liquids, and particularly water for domestic consumption. The improved process for treating water to remove hydrogen sulfide and soluble mineral compounds while saturating the water with oxygen comprises feeding the liquid through a nozzle and contacting the liquid with an oxygen containing gas, e.g., air comprises utilizing a venturi nozzle having a nozzle extension that retains the water and air in the form of a confined stream as it is discharged therefrom. The nozzle extension preferably is equipped with restrictor means for directing water from the interior walls of the nozzle chamber toward the center and the nozzle extension directed so that the stream of water containing air is directly discharged from the nozzle extension into the water retained within the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a gas with a liquid and for dissolving the gas in the liquid comprises a throttled section (12) formed in a fluid flow passage, a gas inlet (18) provided slightly downstream of the throttled section (12), a widened section (16) which is continuous with the throttled section (12), a mixing section (20) provided downstream of the widened section (16), for mixing the gas introduced from the gas inlet (18) with the liquid in the fluid flow passage, and a nozzle section (24) provided on the outlet of the mixing section (20) for outputting the liquid with the gas dissolved therein. The gas is dissolved in the liquid in the mixing section by pressurizing the liquid in the mixing section. The apparatus is useful for dissolving ozone into a liquid, for dispersing bubbles in a liquid and for floating small particles in a liquid.

Abstract: Effluent to be treated is introduced into the top of a first bioreactor 10 through an inlet pipe 16 and, after passing through second and third bioreactors 11 and 12, passes through a settling device 17, the treated effluent then flowing over a depth control weir 18 into an outlet pipe 19. The three bioreactors 10, 11 and 12 and the settling device 17 are housed in a tank having three sets of vertically-staggered transverse partitions 21, 22, 23 and a transverse settling tank partition 24. Each set of staggered partitions 21, 22 and 23 are arranged so that the bioreactors are interconnected in series, the effluent preferably being constrained to pass downwardly through each matrix 13, 14, 15 in turn against an upward discharge of very fine air bubbles from aeration panels 28 which extend under substantially the whole of each matrix. Aerobic bacteria feeds on nutrients in the effluent and grows on the roughened walls of the cross-flow matrix and the air bubbles promote sloughing of the bacteria.

Abstract: An apparatus for waste water treatment, wherein fluorine contained in waste water is treated into a fluoride through a chemical reaction and sludge containing the fluoride is thickened and dehydrated into a sludge cake, has first and second tanks each packed with calcium carbonate mineral. In the first tank, waster water containing fluorine is agitated by air discharged from an air diffuser and caused to react with the calcium carbonate mineral. Through this reaction of the waste water with the calcium carbonate mineral and action of microorganisms on the surface of the calcium carbonate mineral, a pH value and a fluorine concentration of the waste water is adjusted till the pH value and the fluorine concentration fall within their respective predetermined ranges.

Abstract: A gas is blown into a filter (1) having a granular filter bed such that the gas flows into the bed along at least one elongate free edge disposed in the bed.

Abstract: A method and process for the treatment of liquids, comprising moving at least one injection wand into a tank containing the liquid to be treated, wherein the angle between the injection wand and the tank bottom or the angle between the injection wand and the wall of the tank can be altered, and injecting a treating solution through the injection wand to increase the reaction mixing between the injected treating solution and the liquid being treated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the positioning of substrates for supporting bacteria in a waste treatment container use an aerator manifold which supplies bubbles of gas to the container from adjacent the bottom of the container. A hollow open mesh tube forms the substrate and is extended under the manifold to define a leg extending upwardly from each side of the manifold. A buoyant array piece is secured to each such end and urges the tube upwardly toward the upper surface of the waste. The bubbles establish a rolling upward flow of the waste in the container between the legs of the tube, which urges the buoyant array pieces apart both during the treatment operation and during draining of the container. Such urging during draining urges the buoyant array pieces away from the manifold, which pieces carry the ends of the tube away from the manifold as they become located lower in the basin. Such urging avoids tangling of the tubes with the manifold and facilitates more efficient cleaning of the manifold.

Abstract: A liquid circulating device is provided for submersion in a large holding tank to effect continuous mixing and circulation of a liquid material, such as sewage sludge, contained therein in order to facilitate the digestion of the liquid material for environmentally safe disposal. The device includes an upright, elongated stackpipe secured to the floor of the holding tank and a gas bubble generator mounted to the stackpipe for generating gas bubbles into the stackpipe. The gas bubble generator includes an interior chamber with a substantially open bottom, a pair of baffle members transversely extending within the interior chamber and an inverted cone-shaped member positioned between and in spaced adjacency to each baffle member. Gas under pressure is discharged into the interior chamber of the bubble generator by a gas supply line attached to an externally located compressor.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system is illustrated which can be configured to be portable and which minimizes the addition of solids to be disposed of through the use of ozone for contaminant reduction to basic elements after the pH value of the waste water to be treated is properly adjusted. This ozone in one stage is combined with ultrasound to cause coagulation and precipitation. In another stage, ozone and ultraviolet light are used in a reduction process. Ion alignment using a magnetic field and an electrochemical flocculation process to which the waste water is subjected causes further coagulation and precipitation. As designed, the system can operate continuously with redundancy at appropriate points so that removal of solids from the filtration units can occur simultaneous with the overall decontamination process.

Abstract: A solid-liquid separator for sludge which includes a tank with a sludge suction port, an intake/exhaust port and a sludge discharge port. A plurality of agitating blades are mounted on a rotatable shaft within the tank and are capable of being driven in either of two rotational directions. A plurality of injection nozzles are internally mounted on the bottom of the tank in such a manner as to eject a mixture of sludge coagulant and air into sludge contained within the tank. A pump which is capable of producing a vacuum or pressure is connected to the intake/exhaust port so as to produce either a vacuum or a pressure within the tank and the sludge suction port is adapted to be connected to a source of sludge to intake the sludge into the tank. The injection nozzles are connected to a source of sludge coagulant and air. The disclosure also relates to the method of treating the sludge to separate into solid and liquid phases.

Abstract: A method of aeration of liquids utilizing the injection of gas bubbles. A stream of liquid is injected with a gas, creating gas bubbles. Next, the liquid stream is directed through a restriction whereby the gas bubbles pass more quickly through the restriction and pneumatically accelerate the liquid.

Abstract: An apertured flexible membrane (10) extends over a domed support (11). A central gas supply tube (50,82) terminates in gas outlets (51) oriented to direct the gas to flow horizontally into the space (40) between the membrane and the support to inflate the membrane away from the support so that gas from the inflated space discharges through the apertures (60) as fine bubbles and such that when the gas supply ceases the membrane collapses back into area contact with the support to seal all the apertures. This reduces clogging. The aerator is useful in the aeration of sewage or waste water and in fish or eel farms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of creating circulation of a mixture containing solid waste and water such as sludge and separating these components. The apparatus includes a tank housing, in inverted funnel-like element within the housing for constricting upward flow of a gasborne mixture, a trapped gas pocket for degassing the gasborne mixture, a containment element interposed between an effluent weir and the inverted funnel for directing downward and outward flow of the degassed mixture, and a deflecting surface in the path of the downward flow to promote settling of the solids from the degassed mixture and for allowing clarified water to rise within the containment element and the tank housing to reach the effluent weir. For aerobic treatment, a diffuser is arranged within the inverted funnel to supply air or gas to create upward flow of the gasborne mixture.

Abstract: Methods for vacuum extraction of contaminants from subsurface media which involves vacuum withdrawal through a conduit, of vaporized contaminant, assisted by a tube for allowing air bubbles to flow through the liquid-phase hydrocarbon zone thereby causing enriched hydrocarbon vapors to be extracted through the vacuum applied to the conduit.

Abstract: A clarifying device for waste water has a plurality of containers for receiving waste water, and a device for aerating or gasifying waste water in at least one of the containers. The containers are formed as treatment cells which are combinable with one another to provide a waste water throughflow and which are small when compared with conventional clarifying reservoirs. The treatment cells are closed from outside. A negative pressure source is connected with the treatment cells for producing negative pressure in the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame carrying a process tank, ozone generating tubes, a venturi, and an infusion chamber for treating water with ozone. A pump circulates water from the process tank and through the venturi to the infusion chamber. The infusion chamber is connected immediately downstream from the venturi. The infusion chamber has a predetermined pressure to produce a head space and thereby generate a relatively large number of bubbles of relatively small size to enhance the mass transfer of ozone into the water. A length of tubing is connected downstream from the infusion chamber to enhance the contact time between the ozone and the contaminants. An ozone generator tube including an inner electrode formed of a mass of helical windings produces a high concentration of ozone from a cooled air supply.

Abstract: A solid-bed reactor for biological sewage treatment has an intermediate floor which carries floor jets and by means of which the solid bed can be backwashed. The intake for the sewage is above the solid bed. Aeration orifices are integrated into the floor jets, and gas bubbles can be introduced by the orifices in the upper portions of the floor jets without thereby giving rise to instability phenomena. To ensure stable uniform distribution of aeration throughout the reactor, the clear cross-section in the entire intake region of each floor jet must be such that above the aeration orifices the flow of outgoing water does not impede the ascent of the gas bubbles.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing impurities from ground water and surrounding ground region has a wall shaft driven to a contaminated region and provided with at least locally permeable well shaft, a separating wall subdividing the well shaft into two well shaft regions which are sealed from one another, a device for removing impurities arranged in the well shaft so that ground water passes through the device, a tube provided with a feed pump and extending through the separating wall, and an opening provided in one of the well shaft regions to communicate the one well shaft region with the tube, wherein the tube has a tube portion extending through the opening and accommodating an additional feed pump.

Abstract: An installation for the treatment of a flow of liquids, notably potable water or effluents, installation of the type wherein the liquids are put into contact with a treatment gas during a pre-determined treatment period, the installation comprising means for the addition of the treatment gas to the flow of liquids so as to form a homogeneous two-phase treatment medium, means for the forced dissolution of the treatment gas in the flow of liquids to be treated cooperating with means for the degassing of the two-phase treatment medium so as to produce a monophase treatment medium and contactor means providing for a plug flow of the degassed monophase treatment medium during the pre-determined treatment period. A particular exemplary application of the installation is to the ozonation of liquids.

Abstract: A process for treating wastewater in a dynamic bio-sequenced manner in a single SBR reactor already filled with an activated sludge mixed liquor. In this process which is simple, fast and biologically and hydraulically "on going" and which allows one single SBR reactor to process typically twice as many batches of water per day as is presently processed within the existing SBR process, a given amount of wastewater rapidly introduced into the SBR reactor below the clear water level to cause the level of the wastewater within the tank to raise relatively uniformly and vertically and the supernatant clarified water to enter decantation pipes and be discharged out of the reactor. Then, the scum floating on top of the wastewater is collected and discharged and the mixed liquor is mixed and aerated as long as necessary to achieve the required treatment.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to aeration, especially biological treatment of wastewater with fine pore diffusers and in situ cleaning of these diffusers with liquid and/or gaseous cleaning fluids supplied to the diffusers through cleaning fluid channels that respectively have separate and direct connections to plural diffusers. Aeration and cleaning of fine pore diffusers is described in which cleaning fluid is conducted from a source of such fluid to a multiplicity of diffusers via a flow path which is separate from a flow path which conveys aeration gas to the diffusers. Methods of fabricating aeration gas distribution assemblies are also disclosed. One such method involves securing to an aeration gas distribution conduit at least a portion of a cleaning fluid distribution channel which includes one or more cleaning fluid distribution conduits and further includes connectors coupled to the cleaning fluid distribution conduits.

Abstract: An gas/fluid contactor is provided for reacting water and other fluids with an ozone-containing gas. The contactor comprises an elongate tubular reaction chamber having a gas/fluid combining chamber adjacent the inlet to draw an ozone-containing gas into the device and to provide an initial mixing between the gas and the fluid. One or more mixing chambers are positioned within the reaction chamber, each being filled with a material that provides a matrix of solid elements with interstices of between 0.1 and 2.0 mm. in diameter between the solid elements.

Abstract: System for the biological purification of wastewater influent to facilitate the aerobic, anoxic, anacrobic treatment phases of the activated sludge extended aeration technology having an inlet to continuously accommodate influent flows and requiring no outlet and accomplishing all of the functions of flow equalization, high efficiency mixing, biological oxidation, nitrification, denitrification, clarification (secondary sedimentation) and aerobic sludge digestion in a single basin without a quiet or calmed zone adjacent the outlet created by a floating partition, sludge collection trough, sludge recirculation duct, or sweeping devices. The system incorporates an omni-directional partition assembly adjacent the inlet and an aerator assembly having flexible conduit air supplies attached to bottom aerators.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for creating in an aquifer an oxidation and precipitation zone (or a reduction zone) between a number of injection wells arranged around one or more extraction wells for purified water. The zone desired is created intermittently between each pair of adjacent injection wells by (i) introducing oxygen, oxygen-containing gas or an oxygen-releasing substance (or an oxygen-consuming substance) into the water in both wells and (ii) pumping the water in one well from below upwards while pumping the water in the other well from above downwards, whereby a circulation circuit is formed in the aquifer between the wells. A device for carrying out said process comprises an outer tube (1), sealing means (2), an inner tube member (3), a transversal wall (4) with a central opening, an elongation tube (5), an inner flow pipe (6) and conduits (7,8) for supply of air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of waste sludge. The apparatus comprises as its main feature a vertically extending housing unit having a height/width ratio sufficient to provide separate zones in the housing unit, including a settling zone for thickened sludge, a mid-level buffer zone for waste sludge containing solid matter in suspension and a supernatant treatment zone for supernatant treatment. The housing unit also has an inclined bottom with a slope sufficient to cause a lateral and a gravity force to be exerted by the solid matter in the sludge along the inclined bottom to yield a thickened sludge at the settling zone of the housing unit and a supernatant liquid having a reduced solid content at the supernatant treatment zone of the housing unit. The height/width ratio of the housing unit is important to provide the three zones referred to above by which treatment of the supernatant can be conducted in the supernatant treatment zone with minimal disturbance to the settling zone.

Abstract: A system for cleaning water in rivers or lakes or for separating oil and water. The system includes a sucking pipe; vapor-liquid mixing device connecting to the sucking pipe; a pressure pump disposed midway of the sucking pipe; a compressor connected to the connection between the pressure pump and the vapor-liquid mixing device; a pressure tank connected to the vapor-liquid mixing device; a feed pipe connected to the pressure tank; and a pressure valve, attached to the leading end of the feed pipe, which opens at a pressure exceeding a predetermined level. According to this system, the construction can be simplified, and the lifting action by the bubbles can be effected by keeping the pressure of the liquid at a predetermined level or more at all times. Thus, the system can be used anywhere under all circumstances.

Abstract: A water treatment device is disclosed which includes a floating structure that is submerged in the water to an adjustable depth and has an adjustable orientation in the vertical plane. The device supports an operative unit including a propeller driven by a submersible motor, and a decompression chamber having at least one air inlet connected to a suction pipe that emerges above the open surface of the water, the decompression chamber having an air outlet as well. The propeller is entirely outside the decompression chamber. A hub of the propeller is hollow and communicates with the outlet of the decompression chamber and with the ambient. A conventional rotation seal device ensures the seal between the hub and the fixed part of the operative unit.

Abstract: The device has an elongate net with an extended, open mouth. The net forms a channel-shaped volume in which floating debris from a swimming pool can be collected. A tubular frame member extends lengthwise across the mouth of the net, and floats are provided to support the net and the tubular frame member at the surface of the pool water, with the mouth of the net orientated to receive floating debris. In operation, the tubular frame member is connected to the return flow inlet of the swimming pool so as to receive a portion of the flow returning to the pool through the inlet. Sprays on the tubular frame member are directed into the net. There is also an outlet for directing another portion of the return flow of water into the swimming pool so as to create a swirling flow of water in the pool which encourages floating debris to migrate about the pool to the net.

Abstract: A treating apparatus is shown for removing cloggants from the pores and surfaces of aeration diffuser elements used in an activated sludge treatment process or the like. The apparatus pumps a liquid acid solution through the aeration piping network of the system and out through the diffusers for reacting the acid with the cloggants in the pores of the diffusers. After the cleaning action has been completed, the apparatus produces an agitation throughout the diffuser system being cleansed as the liquid acid is being pumped out of the system and the air flow is being reestablished.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method is disclosed, including a circular aeration basin and a contiguous annular clarifier channel. Rotational flow of an aerated mixture of untreated wastewater and return sludge is induced in the aeration basin at its periphery with relatively less turbulent flow at the center.A clarifier inlet is fluidly connected to the aeration basin through openings provided in the aeration basin wall, the clarifier inlet including means to dissipate turbulence.A sludge removal manifold extends within the clarifier having valve-controlled suction arms. The spaced suction arms provide for precise control of sludge blanket depth and sludge age independent of rate of sludge return to the basin.Process sludge withdrawn from the clarifier is mixed with raw wastewater and returned to the aeration basin.The relatively less-turbulent flow in the central area of the basin allows process sludge to accumulate in said central area.