Submerged Fluid Inlet Patents (Class 210/220)
  • Patent number: 4776127
    Abstract: An aerator for distributing air bubbles in the water of a bait-bucket or aquarium includes a porous hose having a wall in which a multiplicity of relatively small, in transverse cross-section, irregularly shaped, labyrinth-type channel provide many through-the-wall air-seepage passageways allowing air bubbles to enter the water. A small battery powered or A.C. pump is used to supply air to the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Inventor: Calvin J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4774031
    Abstract: An aerator (10) is disclosed which includes a hollow outer tube (12) and a hollow inner tube (14) rotatably supported therein. The inner tube is drivingly connected to a drive shaft (28) of the motor (18). A mounting flange (34) extends from a first end (36) of the outer tube and a mounting bracket (30) is interposed between the mounting flange and the motor. The mounting bracket and mounting flange are removably attached to the motor. A bearing mechanism which includes a bearing (44) and a ceramic wear sleeve (46) rotatably support a second end (40) of the inner tube adjacent the second end (42) of the outer tube. A propeller (20) is attached to the second end of the inner tube and has a pitch which is sufficiently high to move liquid past it at a velocity wherein cavitation of the liquid above the propeller is prevented at a preselected operating rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Aeration Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Schurz
  • Patent number: 4765891
    Abstract: Apparatus for purifying a liquid containing suspended solids comprising a walled vessel which is closed at the bottom and side and has an upper circular horizontal portion thereby defining a chamber; a conduit for feeding a liquid containing suspended solids to the chamber so that the liquid flows in a helical path upwardly in the chamber to the vessel upper portion; a liquid effluent clarifying and withdrawing device, at the upper portion of the vessel, into which liquid flowing at and adjacent the liquid surface in one direction of a circular path can substantially change direction whereby flow of the suspended solids in the circular path is maintained to a substantially greater extent than the amount of solids carried along with the liquid which changes direction thereby providing a stream of clarified liquid at the withdrawing device; and an outlet into which the stream of clarified liquid can flow from the withdrawing device and be removed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Inventor: David K. Wyness
  • Patent number: 4749493
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for oxygenating water in an aquaculture system without adding nitrogen or other possibly harmful gases. A columnar housing floats in the aquaculture pond on a float ring with a submersible pump immersed in the pond. The pump draws in water and pumps it to the top of an oxygenation chamber which is packed with a surface expansion medium. The oxygenation chamber is filled with oxygen which is transferred to the water falling through the chamber. The oxygenated water is returned to the pond through outlet ports at the bottom of the oxygenation chamber. A cover on the column can be removed at times to allow infiltration of air for aeration of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: Charles E. Hicks
  • Patent number: 4749497
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating acidic water, such as mine acid water is provided. The apparatus is readily portable and comprises a reaction vessel having an aerator motor operatively associated therewith. Water to be treated is received within said reaction vessel and is treated by having a neutralizing agent and oxidant by way of the aerator motor introduced simultaneously into the system. Because of instantaneous elevation of pH resulting from the simultaneous introduction of oxidant and the neutralizing agent, the reaction time is greatly reduced and the equipment required is small, compact and easily transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Chemical Separation Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Kanzleiter, Thomas G. Simonetti, Kenneth E. Ball, Sanford M. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 4746444
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of preventing the build-up of particulate waste, such as machining chips, on the surface of a body of machining coolant having a filtration apparatus immersed therein. Machining chips of light metals, such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and the like, generally have a large surface area and, particularly in the presence of tramp oil, tend to accumulate on the surface of a body of coolant. The present invention proposes bubbling air or other suitable gas upwardly through the body of coolant, the air bubbles increasing in volume as they rise through the coolant body and bursting at the surface to wet the machining chips with coolant, so that the chips sink into the body of coolant for removal at the chip-coolant separating means immersed in the body of coolant. The air can be introduced intermittently or continuously through a perforate conduit which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is incorporated into the separating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Henry Filters, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Creps
  • Patent number: 4741825
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with propeller type aspirating aerators for preventing the formation of vortices near an aerator propeller in a substance in which the propeller is driven. The device comprises a mobile floatable shield which floats on the aerated substance and eliminates a vortex by being drawn into one by the vortex's own swirling motion and contacting the vortex. The shield may be flexibly attached to a frame which also houses the aerator. Because the shield is not connected to the aerator, floats on the surface and is mobile, many of the problems faced with the prior art devices have been eliminated: the shield is easier and cheaper to manufacture; material does not wedge between the aerator and the shield; any problems with the shield are visible; the shield stops virtually all vortices; and vibration problems are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Aeration Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan G. Schiller
  • Patent number: 4734197
    Abstract: A jet aerator header assembly is provided for the deep oxygen contact duct of a partial, total, or non-barriered oxidation ditch having an endless channel. The header assembly may be vertically installed in the bottom of the contact duct or at an angle in the intake portion thereof as a mid-duct header assembly; it can additionally be installed in a horizontal position at the inlet of the contact duct as an inlet header assembly. Each header assembly comprises a liquid header, an air header, a plurality of jet aerators which are flow connected to both headers, stiffener plates which rigidly attach the headers to each other and to the jet aerators, and pipes connecting the headers to respective liquid and air supply lines. The mid-duct header assembly is slideably mounted within an access duct which is accessible from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: John H. Reid
  • Patent number: 4734191
    Abstract: An apparatus for the aeration of off-water or the like media in an aeration tank with the aid of an aeration face arranged below the water surface. The device comprises a rigid, self-supporting supporting body provided with througholes or being of porous material and covered with an elastic diaphragm; air is supplied to the supporting face of the body at the center of gravity or a gravity line thereof into a deflecting region and from there to the periphery of the body which is slightly raised vis-a-vis the central region of the body, from where the air escapes with decreasing pressure into the water to be aerated. The aeration face can be adapted to be swivelled, and the cross-sectional area of the supporting body can be of pyramid, wedge, circular or frustoconical configuration or it can be vaulted in a concave or convex manner. Basic shapes of the supporting body are a circular or a polygonal, preferably rectangular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Karl H. Schussler
  • Patent number: 4732682
    Abstract: Improved methods apparatus are provided for introducing and entraining air into a waste liquid, thereby increasing the quantity of dissolved oxygen in the liquid to enhance the aerobic treatment process. A power driven propeller is preferably positioned at the discharge end of conical-shaped transition housing, and draws in air while waste water is controllably introduced to the transition housing from below the surface of the water. The housing upstream from the propeller is primarily an air chamber with incoming streams of water, while the housing downstream from the propeller is filled with waste water having minute entrained air bubbles. The water and entrained air are thus discharged downwardly, and the axis of the equipment preferably inclined to increase circulation in the waste water pond or tank. The techniques of the present invention have relatively low power requirements while substantially increasing gas concentration in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Poscon, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted R. Rymal
  • Patent number: 4722785
    Abstract: An improved barrier oxidation ditch is provided which has a channel portion for unaerated induced-flow and an inclined duct for aerated induced flow, whereby energy in the dammed-up momentum is more efficiently released. This induced-flow duct is inclided at 30.degree. to 60.degree. to the horizontal, preferably 45.degree., and is disposed upstream of, downstream of, or alongside of the circulator/aerator in the intake channel. The induced-flow duct is preferably rectangular in cross-section and may have its downstream wall formed by the baffle if it is downstream of the circulator/aerator. The induced-flow duct is connected at its lower end to the discharge duct to initiate a combined-flow portion thereof. This combined-flow portion has an upper side which may be a thin wall or may be a much thicker aerator bridge. A baffle may be mounted downstream of the inlet of the induced flow duct for selectively restricting the amount of unaerated induced flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Inventor: John H. Reid
  • Patent number: 4720360
    Abstract: An orifice device, which includes fluid guidance structure and a flow restriction, for use in a diffused aeration system for treating polluted wastewater is disclosed. The device is inserted directly into the run of a tee-joint which connects a fluid injection pipe to a fluid manifold. The orifice device is provided with fluid guidance structure to reduce fluid turbulence as the flow of fluid changes direction from horizontal to vertical. The orifice device also is provided with an orifice to backpressure fluid and enhance even distribution of fluid among several injection pipes. The upper exterior of the orifice device is threaded to be engageable with the interior of a threaded tee-joint. The orifice device is removeable in order to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of the aeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Enviroquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton R. Melber
  • Patent number: 4710325
    Abstract: An aspirating aeration and liquid mixing apparatus is positioned in a body of water and includes a motor driven propeller positioned within an intake duct and driving water through a nozzle. A plenum with an air intake pipe extends about the nozzle. The nozzle has ports with ramps thereover to provide a constriction for aspiration. The ramps are spaced annually about the interior of the nozzle with channels between the ramps. As water passes through the nozzle, a low pressure zone is created immediately downstream of the constriction to draw air through the ports, the plenum and the air intake pipe for aeration of the water. Large size materials which could otherwise clog at the constriction pass through the channels substantially unimpeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Air-O-Lator Corporation
    Inventors: Barry G. Cramer, Roy A. Cramer
  • Patent number: 4704204
    Abstract: In order to inject oxygen into a liquid, for example, sewage, the installation is provided with an aerating system (2) that is arranged in an aerating basin (1).In order to improve the oxygen injection rate per kilowatt of driving force the aerating system (2) that is connected with a pump (3) in the manner of a water jet pump, the flow cross-section of which, in its air intake area, can be varied so as to change the oxygen injection rate. To this end, the diffusor stage (8) of the aeration system (2) extends along a conical surface. The hollow-configured conical diffusor inner portion (13) is arranged, together with a surface aeration impellor (16), on a common drive shaft (14), and can be moved along its longitudinal axis (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: Joseph R. Kaelin
  • Patent number: 4702830
    Abstract: A water aeration apparatus is used for aeration purposes in the water-filled areas such as dams, impounded water or reservoirs, and lakes and marshes, and includes a tubular casing and supply chamber that causes large quantities of water to be exposed to the flotation action of air supplied under pressure, thus raising the water up to the surface. The apparatus may be used for water purification, or for anti-freezing purposes particularly in cold climate regions. The apparatus includes a collective tubular casing and a multiple-partitioned or common air supply chamber below the casing, the tubular casing including a plurality of tubular air and water passages formed by dividing the interior of the casing into several longitudinal passages or by combining individual tubes together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Kaiyo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisao Makino, Masahiko Makino
  • Patent number: 4690764
    Abstract: This invention provides an aerator comprising a jet stream generator for ejecting a gas and a liquid in a mixed state from a nozzle, and a tubular flow straightener for mixing the bubble-containing stream ejected from the nozzle with ambient water and discharging the resulting mixture from the discharge orifice thereof, characterized in that the flow straightener has a tubular form whose internal diameter is reduced from the inlet toward the discharge orifice through at least a part of its length.This aerator can produce a stream containing minute gas bubbles, even when a gas is supplied thereto in such a large amount as to give a gas-to-liquid volume ratio of 3/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Okumura, Takao Nomura, Tadashi Matsuda, Shojiro Kido, Shinichi Ishii, Hideki Hattori
  • Patent number: 4686045
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the aeration of cesspools in operation. In one embodiment there is a tool for inserting the aeration device under the bottom of the cesspool. The tool comprises a central cylinder with retractable arms. The aeration device has retractable arms which attach to the tool and compressed air is supplied to the tool to facilitate its passage through and beneath the pool. The tool is then removed leaving the aeration devices in place with a line extending out of the pool to receive compressed air. Other embodiments include the method of inserting the aeration device, a system for aerating a pool, and methods for controlling the operation of the aeration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: George B. McKee
  • Patent number: 4676899
    Abstract: An oil treating system for use with a tank of oil on-board a tankship includes a container of oil treating agent, means for creating a plume of gas bubbles rising in the oil in the tank, a vent for allowing escape of gas from the tank, and means for introducing the oil treating agent into the plume of gas bubbles rising in the oil, whereby the rising bubbles induce upward flow in their vicinities in the oil with counterbalancing downward flows elsewhere in the oil, with turbulence generated by flow of oil around the bubbles and in their wakes, for rapid and efficient mixing of treating agent into the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Jerome H. Milgram
  • Patent number: 4670142
    Abstract: An aerated grit tank is provided having a longitudinally extending control wall dividing the tank into parallel lift and settling chambers. An air discharge apparatus is provided at the bottom of the lift chamber to induce an upward flow of sewage causing a generally helical flow of sewage around the control wall. The control wall is supported in the tank by mechanisms selectively operable to vertically position the wall with a bottom longitudinally extending edge in predetermined spaced relationship to a bottom floor of the tank whereby the velocity of the cross currents may be effectively controlled. One form of the structure has a single control wall unit while a second form of the invention has two wall forming panels with an uppermost panel supported in fixed relationship to the tank and a lowermost panel supported for vertical displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: E & I Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Lowry
  • Patent number: 4668632
    Abstract: A sparger useful for introducing gas into a liquid is composed of one or more gas-permeable members positioned between a gas inlet means and a gas distribution means. A method and apparatus for culturing cells, eukaryotic cells and hybridomas in particular, wherein circulation of a liquid medium contained in the apparatus is achieved by gas introduced into the liquid medium by means of the aforementioned sparger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: VXR, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Young, Henry W. Founds, Peter Zuk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4664795
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of waste water from relatively small structures such as single family residences, dwellings and the like includes first and second vessels connected by a flow line, the first vessel including a waste water inlet and the second vessel including an outlet for the discharge of clarified water. A transverse baffle divides the second vessel into aeration and clarifier sections, the clarifier section including a transversely mounted inclined plate which prevents the accumulation of solid material in the clarified section and redirects the solid material back into the aeration section. A multiple angle discharge piping arrangement prevents clarified liquid from discharging the apparatus until it has made at least two right angle turns before reaching the discharge piping of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: William A. Stegall
    Inventors: William A. Stegall, Marty E. Tittlebaum
  • Patent number: 4665033
    Abstract: In a process for culturing microorganisms in a sealed vessel, the nutrient solution is circulated directionally and the microorganisms are kept in suspension in the moving directional flow. The oxygen-containing gas for aeration of the nutrient solution is run into the solution in such a way that it has a component of motion normal to the direction of flow of the nutrient solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Zentrale Finanz- und Kommerz-Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerard Buchwalder
  • Patent number: 4660585
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the detoxification of polymeric film chip materials which have been contaminated with cyanide compounds during the process for the reclamation of their silver content. The present invention includes the steps of providing within a substantially impervious container a quantity of polymeric film chip materials containing a cyanide compound, and then submerging the cyanide containing polymeric film chip materials in a solution containing hypochlorite ion at a pH of approximately 9.5 to 10.5 until the cyanide in the polymeric film chip material is substantially converted into cyanate. In preferred alternative embodiments the treatment solution is replaced with a second treatment solution containing hypochlorite ion and having a pH of approximately 7.5 to 8 until the cyanate is substantially converted into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases. Mixing means in the form of influent and effluent means are provided in such apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: International Technology Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Schoenhard
  • Patent number: 4659485
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for aerating flowing water which includes a plurality of successive aerating chambers having divider baffles therein to direct the flowing water downwardly while introducing a flow of oxygen and water thereto and permit the oxygen level in the flowing water to be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Aeras Water Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic S. Arbisi, Thomas A. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 4657675
    Abstract: A solar water conditioning apparatus for a fishpond which includes a top container and a lower container interconnected by an elongated member. The top container is adapted for exposure to the atmosphere and the bottom container is adapted to be immersed in the fishpond. On the top of the top container is provided a device for converting solar energy into electric power which actuates a motor so as to operate an air pump to introduce fresh air into a hollow column which has its lower portion embedded in a filtering medium of the bottom container and has its upper portion extended outward from the bottom container. The apparatus not only replenishes the amount of oxygen dissolved but also filtrates some polluting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Ja D. Zan
  • Patent number: 4655918
    Abstract: Device and method for cleaning waste water, wherein the waste water (19) and oxygen gas (31) are flowing in opposite directions through a cylindrical multireactor (20) having a central rotatable pipe (24), the multireactor comprising a number of bioreactors and at least one separation chamber (75). The average pressure difference between two successive bioreactors is at most seven meter water column. The bioreactors are separated from each other by stationary walls (40, 41, 48, 55, 60), and each bioreactor has its own mixing device (50) for mixing waste water and oxygen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Bastiaan B. Eertink
  • Patent number: 4652371
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating waste water by the solids contact aerobic biological treatment process comprises a clarifier and a reaction basin in liquid communication with one another. In one embodiment, the reaction basin has an aerator which also circulates liquid through the clarifier by way of pipes arranged to collect liquid from the surface of the reaction basin and deliver it to a location adjacent a back wall of the clarifier. The clarifier has a bottom wall which slopes towards the reaction basin. Sludge particles in the liquid settle out in the clarifier and liquid discharged from the pipes flushes the settled biological sludge back into the aeration section of the reaction basin. In another embodiment the clarifier and reaction basin together form an oxidation ditch defining a closed loop. An aeration device continuously circulates liquid around the loop and through the clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Leonard S. Love
  • Patent number: 4649114
    Abstract: The growth of animal cells in a fermenter is promoted by enriching the liquid nutrient medium or broth with oxygen diffused into the liquid through a permeable membrane, such as one made of silicone rubber or polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon). Superior cell growth in larger volumes is achieved by feeding in the oxygen in this way instead of bubbling it in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Intermedicat GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert G. Miltenburger, Sigfried Hessberg
  • Patent number: 4647372
    Abstract: A cloudy liquid to be clarified is inserted, after twice receiving flocculation additive, into the bottom of a belt of sludge (4a) in a clarification chamber (4) via a plurality of injectors (22) distributed over the area of said chamber. Uniform distribution of overall flow between these injectors is ensured by internal head loss. The clarified liquid is removed via an upper overflow (4b).Each injector is constituted by a flat cyclone and forms a jet which is highly diverting from its vertical axis in such a manner that the injected flowrate spreads out over an expansion zone belonging to said injector and meeting the expansion zones of adjacent injectors. Further, these jets set up swirling motion which prevents the formation of a layer of sludge having insufficient permeability. The sludge formed in the chamber (4) is directed via a central well (7) towards a secondary clarification sludge (3) situated beneath said chamber and supplying both clarified liquid and dense sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Alsthom-Atlantique
    Inventor: Elie Condolios
  • Patent number: 4645603
    Abstract: In the treatment of livestock waste, liquid to be aerated is pumped from a storage container, holding pond or lagoon and drawn through a magnetic air inductor inlet then pumped into a conical chamber towards an outlet port at the narrow end of each of a series of conical chambers. Air is drawn into the chamber by pressure differential and intermingled with the liquid and waste to be treated to hydrolyze the fines as the material passes through the chambers. A conically shaped expansion cone attached as an extension of each chamber outlet port permits further expansion and intermingling of the air and liquid waste mixture. An open-ended sleeve is attached in surrounding relation to the outlet of each discharge cone so that the air/liquid stream from each cone is directed axially through its sleeve, each sleeve having a spiral baffle plate extending along the interior length thereof to further promote agitation of the mixture and most complete aerobic digestion of the fines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Gerald P. Frankl
  • Patent number: 4639314
    Abstract: An improved fine bubble diffuser and diffuser system is provided. The diffuser includes a filtered blow-down tube for containing an internal gas pressure within the diffuser and allowing water to be removed from the system and further includes a filter disposed between the blow-down tube and the diffuser for filtering solids from water entering the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventor: Robert R. Tyer
  • Patent number: 4631134
    Abstract: A process for the aeration of off-water or the like media in an aeration tank with the aid of an aeration face arranged below the water surface as well as an aeration device for carrying out this process in practice are described. The device comprises a rigid, self-supporting supporting body provided with throughholes or being of porous material and covered with an elastic diaphragm; air is supplied to the supporting face of the body at the center of gravity or a gravity line thereof into a deflecting region and from there to the periphery of the body which is slightly raised vis-a-vis the central region of the body, from where the air escapes with decreasing pressure into the water to be aerated. The aeration face can be adapted to be swivelled, and the cross-sectional area of the supporting body can be of pyramid, wedge, circular or frustoconical configuration or it can be vaulted in a concave or convex manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: Karl H. Schussler
  • Patent number: 4629559
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in an activated sludge process for treating wastewater wherein raw sewage or the like is mixed with activated sludge and the resulting mixture is circulated in a confined aerated tank (usually in the form of additional subsurface aeration) so that the mixture follows a predetermined vertical flow cycle through a plurality of flow passageways created by gas impermeable baffle means in order to optimally increase the retention time of aerating air in the tank. The retention time of the air is increased by means of at least one secondary horizontal baffle means specifically designed to collect large bubbles of air trapped beneath said gas-impermeable baffle means and to be permeable to gases, so as to provide additional air/liquid surface area to escaping air. The secondary baffle is situated adjacently above and substantially parallel to the gas impermeable flow directing baffle means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Envirex Inc.
    Inventor: George W. Smith
  • Patent number: 4624791
    Abstract: A method for increasing bubble production enhancing surface area contact of a gas bubbled through a liquid media, with resulting improved agitation and/or purification and/or absorption and/or adsorption and/or reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventor: Jon S. Ferriss
  • Patent number: 4624781
    Abstract: An air diffusion device for aerating water with small bubbles, such as for use in clarification ponds, has a perforated air diffusion foil mounted above a tight backing plate. Cross strips are fixed above the foil. The foil is joined tightly at its edges to the solid plate by means of edge strips; cross strips are joined directly to the backing plate. Ballast inlays, preferably extending crosswise, are mounted at intervals in the solid plate to increase the weight of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventor: Rudolf Messner
  • Patent number: 4622134
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating sewage is disclosed wherein incoming sewage is in turn put into a balancing tank, an aeration tank and a precipitation tank, settled sludge in the precipitation tank being returned to the aeration tank, which aerates the sewage in adjusted relation with its flow rate, but permits intermittent aeration in the absence of sewage flowing into the aeration tank and prolonged aeration after termination of sewage flow into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Hidenori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4622139
    Abstract: An aeration/mixing apparatus for a water body has a centrally located circular manifold and a plurality of evenly spaced, peripherally located air output connectors is positioned over a base plate. The manifold is supported a fixed distance above the plate and a plurality of microporous diffuser tubes inserted in the output connectors. The plate is at least coextensive with the tubes. The apparatus is placed in the bottom sediment of a water body and air supplied to the manifold. Air escaping from the diffuser tubes creates an upwelling convection current which mixes oxygen in the water by direct contact with the air. The base plate isolates the turbulent water at the diffuser assembly from the loose bottom sediment thereby preventing stirring of such sediments and concomitent resuspension of oxygen depleting nutrients into the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Charles J. Brown
  • Patent number: 4620925
    Abstract: An aerobic sewage digestion system has a tank including a treatment chamber 16 with a floor, sides, and a top, a sewage inlet into the treatment chamber and an access port means 19 at the top of the treatment chamber located centrally thereof. An agitating and aerating unit, suspended from the access port, includes an elongated generally cylindrical housing 22 having open ends and means 47 for supporting the housing from the access port in a vertical orientation within a pool of sewage contained in the treatment chamber, the housing being in predetermined spaced relation to the floor of the treatment chamber. An electric drive motor 25 having a closed casing is mounted within the housing with its rotatable output shaft 28 extending upwardly through the casing, and a motor mounting plate 26 fastened between the housing and the motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Inventor: Douglas M. Allen
  • Patent number: 4618426
    Abstract: Apparatus for jet aeration of wastewater which may be readily retrieved for cleaning or other servicing and replaced in service. Methods of placing the aeration apparatus in service are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventor: Mikkel G. Mandt
  • Patent number: 4614596
    Abstract: A method of dissolving a gas in water comprising directing an aqueous stream to rotate in a downwardly moving spiral stream from a high downward velocity to a lower downward velocity and diffusing a gas into the aqueous stream so as to produce small gas bubbles which are rotated in a generally spiral path by the aqueous stream thereby providing a long flow distance over which the bubbles have increased contact time with the aqueous stream to facilitate dissolution of the gas therein and in which rising of the gas bubbles is progressively opposed by the increased downward velocity of the higher portion of the aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: David K. Wyness
  • Patent number: 4596658
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decanting clarified waste water in a sequencing batch reactor or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventor: Mikkel G. Mandt
  • Patent number: 4594164
    Abstract: Continuously flowing water contaminated with organic and inorganic materials is treated by being fed to the top of a downdraft column (25) of a hydraulic column reactor (10) and conducted to the bottom thereof to a reaction chamber (18). The pressure and temperature conditions in the reaction chamber (18) are maintained at approximately the necessary pressure and temperature to create supercritical water conditions to thereby treat the water and its lower specific gravity. The treated water can then be separated in the reaction chamber (18) into a particulate and precipitate enriched portion and a particulate and precipitate depleted portion, which portions are conducted upwardly in separate updraft columns (29, 30) and continuously removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Inventor: James A. Titmas
  • Patent number: 4585555
    Abstract: An improved barrier oxidation ditch is provided which has an inclined duct for the induced flow, whereby energy in the dammed-up momentum is more efficiently released. This induced-flow duct is inclined at 30.degree. to 60.degree. to the horizontal, preferably 45.degree., and is disposed upstream of, downstream of, or alongside of the circular/aerator in the intake channel. The induced-flow duct is preferably rectangular in cross-section and may have its downstream wall formed by the barrier if it is downstream of the circulator/aerator. It is connected at its lower end to the discharge duct to initiate a combined-flow portion thereof. An in-channel clarifier, disposed in the discharge channel so that its upstream wall is the barrier and its solid bottom is the ceiling of the combined-flow portion of the discharge duct, provides prolonged bubble retention time at maximum hydraulic pressure, whereby the efficiency of oxygen transfer is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: John H. Reid
  • Patent number: 4581182
    Abstract: A submersible mixer apparatus for circulating liquid in a body of water, such as a sewage lagoon, includes an upright beam member closed to form an air reservoir chamber and upper and lower supports holding the beam member in the body of liquid. A submersible motor and propeller are connected to the beam member by a bracket movable up and down on the beam member and a square tubular support arm affixed to the bracket and to which the submersible motor and propeller are mounted. The support arm is hollow and pressurized air is routed through the upright beam member and the support arm to an outlet of the support arm positioned substantially at the propeller to inject air into the flow area created by the propeller. A selectively engageable and disengageable connector arrangement is positioned between the upright beam member and the support arm which, when engaged, routes the air from the upright beam member into the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Air-O-Lator Corporation
    Inventors: Barry G. Cramer, Roy A. Cramer
  • Patent number: 4581137
    Abstract: An improved gas diffuser tube assembly, particularly for diffusing bubbles of oxygen gas into liquid sewage during treatment thereof, is provided. The assembly is characterized by a construction which creates substantially the smallest bubbles that would be operationally practical and which satisfactorily prevents back flow of liquid into the diffuser assembly by including the following. An inner support tube has apertures extending radially therethrough in a bottom portion thereof for passing gas from the inside to the outside thereof. A flexible membrane surrounds the support tube and has a plurality of minute punctures extending therethrough and located in an upper section thereof for receiving the gas which passes between the support tube and the membrane and discharging the gas under pressure out of the membrane sheath in the form of fine streams of tiny bubbles of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Ozonics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard N. Edwards, deceased, by Richard N. Edwards, Jr., co-executor
  • Patent number: 4576720
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for subcyclonic grit separation under aeration conditions utilizing elevated wastewater hydraulic jet recirculation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Inventor: Mikkel G. Mandt
  • Patent number: 4569757
    Abstract: A skirt for a sewage aerator mixer is supported on a bubble generator pipe beneath the mixer structure in a sludge basin or directly on the floor of the basin in surrounding relation to the lower end of the mixer structure to extend the sphere of influence of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventor: Foster L. Moore
  • Patent number: 4564447
    Abstract: An apparatus for high-degree purification of liquid contaminated by solvent comprises a vessel (1) of flat configuration, the liquid (16) being caused to flow through the vessel at a given level (17) determined by an overflow (19) or the like. The liquid flows in a thin stratum above holed air outlet elements (21) separated by liquid compartments (23), said elements (21) distributing the purification air uniformly in the liquid in the form of small bubbles. The elements (21) preferably have the form of perforated tubes, arranged separated and in parallel transversely across the bottom (11) of the vessel. The residue concentration of solvent in the outlet water can be kept under 1 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Assignee: VICO Kemisk Tekniska Fabrik AB
    Inventor: Wolfgang Tiedemann
  • Patent number: 4563277
    Abstract: A plurality of aerators are arranged in a preselected pattern on the floor of a basin or lagoon containing waste water. Compressed air is supplied to the aerators by aeration pipes anchored by hanger brackets to the floor of the basin. Each aerator has a porous diffuser plate through which the air is passed and released into the waste water in the form of ultra fine air bubbles less than 60 microns in diameter. The air bubbles are generated in an intense manner with a high rate of air flow to increase the mixing action and liquid circulation pattern, and to create turbulent boils at the surface which provide surface aeration from atmospheric air and re-entrainment of air from eddy current circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Environmental Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Tharp
  • Patent number: 4555335
    Abstract: A system for injecting air mixed with ozone into a water tank at normal line pressure of about 20 to 60 psi. Water from the outlet of the tank at, or near, the bottom of the tank is pumped through a by-pass circuit back into the tank near the bottom, and the output of an ozone generator is entrained with the water in the by-pass circuit. In the preferred form, the pump is of the kind capable of developing a suction at its inlet, the water is fed to it through a restrictor so that at the inlet the pressure is lower than the pressure in the ozone generator, and the gas is fed at the inlet of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: W. Alan Burris