Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a sewage treatment device of the marine type and operates on an extended aeration principle employing an aerator, clarifier and disinfector. The clarifier is disposed beneath the aerator and the top of the clarifier with a common wall therebetween which forms the bottom of the aerator. A first passage conducts fluid from the aerator to the clarifier and has a central port in the common wall. A second passage conducts fluid from the clarifier to the disinfector. The aerator has an influent inlet and the disinfector has an effluent outlet.The treator includes in the aerator vessel nozzle means for admitting air to the vessel in a direction to cause fluid in the vessel to move orbitally about a vertical axis with the nozzle means being disposed at a level proximate the common wall between the aerator and clarifier.

Abstract: A sludge agitating method includes a support platform attached to pontoons for floating on a body of water, such as a waste water treatment facility lagoon, a paddle wheel, and a paddle wheel drive train for moving the platform across the surface of the water, an air distribution pipe, including a plurality of air outlets, movable in a vertical direction into and out of the lagoon, and an air compressor positioned atop the support platform and having an air outlet hose coupled to the air distribution pipe. The air distribution pipe is attached to the ends of two slide members which are attached to one end of the support platform. Initially, with the air distribution pipe positioned slightly below the top layer of sludge, as pressurized air is delivered to the air distribution pipe, the surrounding sludge is agitated and mixed with the surface water.

Abstract: The invention is an improved controlled natural purification system for an advanced wastewater treatment and protein conversion and recovery. The system provides for treating municipal wastewater and associated organic industrial discharges anaerobically and aerobically. The system consists of such treatments in a tank complex where the waste organics are reduced to inorganic forms available for microalgae culture in tanks uniquely designed for rapid growth. The system includes a recovery mechanism to recover the algae for food purposes. Utilizing organic wastewater as the renewable resource, the system has the potential to develop from a wastewater treatment process that removes excess nutrients, producing reusable water and a commercially valuable algal by-product, to large scale algae farming cost-effectively producing millions of tons per year of sterile, stable, high protein algal foodstuff.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating lightweight particles from heavyweight and middling particles of the slurry generally consisting of means defining an upper cylindrical chamber, means defining a frusto-conical chamber communicating an upper end thereof with a lower end of the upper cylindrical chamber, means for tangentially injecting the slurry into the upper end of the upper cylindrical chamber to create a swirling vortex of the slurry, descending through the upper cylindrical chamber and the frusto-conical chamber, providing an axially disposed, low pressure zone, means for discharging an overflow of the slurry containing lightweight particles, the overflow discharging means including an intake orifice disposed in communication with the low pressure zone in the frusto-conical chamber and means for discharging an underflow of the slurry containing heavyweight and middling particles, the underflow discharging means having an intake orifice communicating with the frusto-conical chamber.

Abstract: An aeration filtration tank and system for treating raw feed water includes a first tank or chamber and a second tank or chamber within the first chamber. An annular overflow platform is provided atop the second chamber and around the periphery of said platform are a plurality of weirs.Raw feed water enters a precipitation chamber at the bottom of the first chamber and flows slowly into the second chamber. As the water rises in the second chamber it is treated, as necessary, with fluid reagents and with air.Because the overflow platform is substantially larger in area than the cross sectional area of the second chamber, the water flows relatively slowly through the weirs and any gases entrained in the water are liberated. The gases are removed from the first chamber by an exhaust fan and conduit atop the first chamber.A small third tank within the first tank is fluidly connected with a conduit to withdraw clarified and purified water from the first tank.

Abstract: Pasty, aqueous sludges of industrial or sewage treatment origin are dried for further use as raw material. The sludge particles are loosened by intense motion and substantially dry gases are introduced under pressure into the loosened sludge. The moisture enriched gases are removed from the sludge. The loosening and drying may be facilitated by repeatedly and sequentially increasing and decreasing the total surface area of the sludge. The intense motion is imparted to the sludge by at least one sludge stirring member and the drying gases may be introduced through the stirring member. The surface area of the sludge may be increased by plough-shaped or scraper-shaped tools. The surface area of the sludge may be decreased by rollers.

Abstract: There is provided a sewage treatment apparatus particularly intended for marine use where the apparatus is subject to tilting as a result of pitching and rolling of the ship. The apparatus includes an oxidation tank having a sewage liquor outlet incorporating a discharge weir. This weir is disposed at the center of a horizontal plane across the interior of the tank and containing the discharge weir, so that the above tilting of the tank substantially does not affect the rate of sewage liquor discharge and therefore substantially does not result in surging in the flow of sewage liquor from the oxidation tank to a settlement chamber. Such surging could adversely affect the maintenance of quiescent conditions in the settlement chamber. The settlement chamber is substantially fully enclosed and has a clarified liquid outlet incorporating an upstanding discharge weir presented coaxially by a top wall of the chamber.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for monitoring a waste influent stream to a waste treatment biological basin which contains active microorganisms for levels of materials that are toxic or otherwise injurious to the microorganisms in the basin involving the (a) measurement of the rate of oxygen uptake, R, in a first sample of mixed liquor from said basin, the first sample having a predetermined volume and a predetermined dissolved oxygen content; (b) measurement of the rate of oxygen uptake, M, in a mixture of a second sample of mixed liquor taken from said basin and a sample of liquid from said waste influent stream, the second sample of mixed liquor having substantially the same volume and dissolved oxygen content as said first sample; (c) computation of the differential, M-R; (d) provision of a toxic condition signal when said differential, M-R, is lower than a predetermined value indicating a toxic effect of the influent stream sample on the sample of mixed liquor from the basin; and/or provision of an undue oxyge

Abstract: This flow-control apparatus for an oxidation ditch comprises a barrier which divides a channel of an oxidation ditch into an intake channel and a discharge channel, at least one submerged turbine which pumps mixed liquor from the intake channel, and at least one discharge duct which connects each turbine to the discharge channel and passes beneath the barrier. Compressed air is supplied to each turbine and/or to each discharge duct. Activated sludge is fed to the anoxic portion of the ditch and/or to each turbine which provides complete mix and propels the mixed liquor in plug-type flow through the channels of the oxidation ditch. By selectively and independently controlling turbine speed and amount and/or feed location of compressed air, the timed aerobic/anoxic ratio for the ditch can be controlled in accordance with independent parameters, such as seasonal temperatures.

Abstract: A waste treatment apparatus provides a cylindrical vessel adapted to receive a waste water flow therethrough to be treated. The vessel provides an aeration chamber at the outer peripheral portion thereof, with a desirable generally helical flow being generated by aeration bubbles striking angularly deposed baffle plates. A clarifier is provided at the central portion of the cylindrical vessel for clarifying a liquid which enters the clarifier from the aeration chamber. The clarifier comprises a first settling chamber and a second decant chamber through which clear water is collected and transmitted to a chlorination chamber for subsequent discharge. The angularly deposed baffle plates are mounted in the upper portion of the aeration chamber and aid in spinning waste water in a circular or curved path. Likewise, a pair of aeration diffusers mounted in the lower portion of the aeration chamber near the center of the cylindrical vessel move waste water to be treated upwardly and outwardly in a circular path.

Abstract: Sludge thickening apparatus comprising a vertical tank including sludge inlet and outlet pipes, and a discharge pipe weir; a vertical hopper within the tank having walls which diverge outwardly from a hopper bottom toward a top opening wherein the weir has openings communicating with the hopper interior; a cover plate closing the top opening and having a raised central portion with an opening; and a baffle plate spaced from the bottom opening and having an opening therethrough. A vertical airlift member is supported by the bottom of the tank and extends through the baffle opening, the bottom opening and communicates with the cover opening. An assembly including an air shut-off valve selectively controls air to the airlift member whereby the shut-off valve is closed when the outlet pipe is opened.

Abstract: An aeration apparatus, which entrains gas and circulates liquid mass. The apparatus consists of vertical tubes and a pumping device beneath the vertical tubes, all of which are constrained by a flow-confining barrel. The suction force of the pump draws down the liquid surface through the vertical tubes which induces a vortex action in each tube, and entrains gas into the center of the vortices from the gas body above the liquid surface. The entrained gas mixes with liquid and flows downward through the flow-confining barrel and is dispersed into the liquid of the tank.

Abstract: Liquid is collected and gasified within the same pressure sealed chamber from which it is displaced. The liquid is gasified toward saturation under a high pressure for a limited time by recirculation of the gas through the chamber. Flow control valves establish a closed circuit through which recirculation occurs while the chamber is maintained pressurized as well as to effect displacement of gas saturated liquid from the chamber during spaced intervals of time while the chamber is depressurized.

Abstract: A chlorine generator is disclosed as including an assembly for an electrolytic cell generating the chlorine and a separate assembly for feeding the chlorine gas into a body of water. The cell assembly preferably includes two separate electrolytic solutions separated by an ion permeable membrane, such that an anode and a cathode are positioned on each side of the membrane. The gas feed assembly is in fluid communication with the cell housing by two separate conduits which accomodate the flow of gas from the cell to the feed assembly, within which the gases are accumulated and intermixed with a portion of water which has been diverted from the main body of water to flow through the feed assembly and then back to the main body of water.This is a division of application Ser. No. 025,291, filed Mar. 30, 1979.

Abstract: An improved aerobic waste treatment package which both simplifies maintenance of the system and increases the interval between necessary maintenance through the use of a removable surge bowl which forms part of a centrally disposed, large capacity, surge chamber positioned above the waste treatment holding tank. The package also simplifies maintenance by permitting removal of the surge bowl without disconnecting the electrical connections to the package and through the use of a simplified system for suspending porous filter bags from a hanger plate extending across the top of the holding tank.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating waste water biologically and clarifying the biologically treated water; considerable economic advantage is obtained by conducting both the biological treatment and the clarification of biologically treated water in a single vessel rather than in separate vessels; it is further found possible to treat in this system water containing much higher concentrations of waste; in the process the supply of oxygen to the biological reaction zone is carefully monitored to meet the biological oxygen demand and avoid the occurrence of undissolved oxygen in the form of gas bubbles in the biological reaction zone or the clarification zone; there is further provided improvements in oxygen dissolving devices rendering them especially suitable for the two zone treatment.

Abstract: An improved system for aerating and mixing waste water which is circulated through a plurality of passages in submerged mixing chambers from an inlet to outlet of each wherein gas is mixed with the water, preferably by forming two parallel streams. To flush debris from the mixing chambers and conduits: (1) each inlet is connected to a location higher than the inlet, and at a lower pressure; (2) circulation of water is stopped; and (3) gas is continued to be forced into the passages to create backward flow of waste water through each chamber from outlet to inlet and thence to the higher location, carrying lodged debris out of the chambers and conduits. Intermittent gas flow creates pulsations which help dislodge debris.

Abstract: An aerator apparatus for use in waste treatment plants and the like for imparting oxygen to the waste water forced through the apparatus by an axial flow impeller. The entire apparatus may be submerged, resting on the bottom of the body of water and has an intake area for directing water from the bottom of the body of water through the apparatus. The water is forced into a discharge chamber where it is aerated and agitated by a compressed oxidizing gas, such as air, through an array of ports surrounding the discharge chamber. From the discharge chamber the aerated water is directed out of the apparatus on a generally horizontal plane into the surrounding body of water. In one embodiment, the flow of water may be drawn from a certain direction and discharged in the same or opposite direction, as desired, to maintain a flow or current pattern in conjunction with a plurality of like aerators.

Abstract: An aerator device which includes a submersible unitized electric motor-pump assembly designed by a housing in which is an electric motor having a shaft projecting therefrom and carrying a pump impeller, a second housing having a liquid chamber in which is located the pump impeller, a first opening in the second housing through which the pump impeller is insertable into the liquid chamber, a second opening in the second housing in general axial alignment with the first opening through which liquid is drawn into the liquid chamber, first and second plurality of nozzles arranged in generally axially aligned pairs for directing a liquid discharge from the liquid chamber in generally radially outwardly directed streams to atmosphere, and an aerator chamber opening into individual aerator chambers between the pairs of nozzles for aerating the liquid prior to the discharge thereof into a body of water within which the device is adapted to be submerged.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00224 Sec. 371 Date April 10, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date April 10, 1979, PCT Filed April 10, 1979. An apparatus (10, 212) for mixing a gas and a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a hollow outer housing (22) and a hollow inner tube (24) received for rotary motion within the outer housing (22). A motor (61) is attached to the outer housing (22) adjacent a first end thereof and is drivingly coupled to a first end of the inner tube (24). The inner tube (24) has a support tube (214) which extends beyond the second end of the outer housing (22). Propeller blades (216) are attached to the support tube (214) for rotation therewith. An inlet (82) is formed in the inner tube (24) for admitting a gas to the hollow interior of the inner tube (24). The support tube (214) has a diffusion section (222) that extends below the propeller blades (216).

Abstract: A diffuser for the treatment of waste sludge utilizes low pressure air injected from below to produce a bed capable of being handled as a fluid such as to permit pumping from a sedimentation basin to a tank truck for transport to a point of use or disposal. A system of air discharge pipes strategically located in the basin below the sludge connects with common air receiving manifold at the periphery of the basin, and a complete valve arrangement permits control of the air discharge to accommodate for all types of sludge under various conditions as required prior to and during emptying of the contents of the basin.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating sewage to obtain substantially complete organic matter substrate and biological sludge oxidation prior to effluent discharge in a treatment system comprising a series of treatment chambers in a single unit; each treatment chamber having a generally circular peripheral crosssectional configuration, conduit means in each treatment chamber for directing the flow of mixed liquor in each chamber, gas supply means for supplying an oxygen containing gas to each treatment chamber so as to cause a continuous flow pattern of mixed liquor in the treatment chamber; inlet means for supplying raw sewage to the first treatment chamber of the series; outlet means for withdrawing clarified effluent from the last treatment chamber of the series; and fluid communication means for providing fluid communication between an intermediate top portion of each successive treatment chamber of the series.

Abstract: A gravity flow disinfectant contactor adapted to enhance contact between a disinfectant solution such as chlorine and the water to be treated to effect a more rapid and efficient disinfection activity. The contactor is constituted by a rectangular conduit having a cross-sectional diffusion plane adjacent its inlet within which is an array of evenly-spaced diffuser tubes supplied with the disinfectant solution. The tubes each have a row of equi-spaced holes drilled diametrically therethrough to produce side-by-side opposing jets of disinfectant in the diffusion plane at right angles to the cross-flowing water stream. As a consequence, the water flowing through the conduit is subjected to a dense cross fire of multiple jets of disinfectant that are uniformly distributed throughout the diffusion plane and quickly interact with the water within a relatively short downstream distance.

Abstract: An aerator comprises an air diffuser rotor for receiving air and forcing out the air through small perforations formed in its peripheral wall, and an agitator-pump unit rotatably disposed immediately above the rotor. When the aerator is installed on the bottom of a waste water purifying tank, the agitator-pump unit raises water from the bottom of the tank and produces a circulating flow of water through the interior of the tank, while the air diffuser rotor forces out air bubbles into the circulating flow, whereby an improved aeration efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: A system for performing an oxygenation process within a body of sewage at atmospheric pressure includes an oxygen absorber coupled to an oxygen supply at superatmospheric pressure. A storage vessel has an elongate chamber therein which is oriented vertically in the system. Pipes and valves are coupled to the upper and lower ends of the chamber so that the chamber is alternately communicated with the oxygen absorber and the body of sewage, thereby providing alternate high pressure and low pressure half cycles respectively. Initially, oxygenated liquor at superatmospheric pressure is in the oxygen absorber and the elongate chamber is filled with a quantity of low oxygen content liquor at atmospheric pressure. The valves are then operated during the high pressure half cycle to admit oxygenated liquor into the elongate chamber through the lower end and to simultaneously expel liquor and undissolved oxygen from the upper end into the oxygen absorber.

Abstract: A waste treatment tank has a cylindrical enclosure defining a chamber. A cylindrical side wall of the enclosure and a cylindrical baffle are arranged concentrically with respect to one another. The side wall and baffle divide the chamber into first and second chamber portions. Means for generating a horizontal circulatory flow pattern in the first, radially outward chamber portion is mounted within that chamber portion and includes a submersible pump means. The pump means has an inlet, an outlet and connector means between the inlet and outlet. The second radially innermost chamber portion forms a clarification section, while the first chamber portion forms the aeration section of the waste treatment tank. Inlet means are provided between the first and second chamber portions. The baffle also permits the communication between first and second chamber portions along the bottom of the baffle. Means for supplying air to the aeration tank section is operatively attached to the connector means of the pump.

Abstract: A boiler feedwater conditioning tank for removing mud, iron and any other settleable solids from boiler feedwater and adding soluble chemicals to the same, wherein the feedwater is mixed and heated by passing the mixture down and around and up into and through a system of concentric open-ended standpipes erected within the tank. The outlet for clean feedwater lies at the top of the tank inside the upper end of the inner standpipe, and the inlets for the same lie distributively around the outside of the outer standpipe at the bottom thereof. The input port for chemicals lies in the tank side walls and steam heating coils lie between the outer standpipe and the wall of the tank in the path of convective flow of feedwater up between the same.

Abstract: A process for supplying a liquid such as a liquid containing chlorine to a stream of another liquid such as a cooling water stream is disclosed wherein the stream to which the liquid is fed is passed in a generally horizontally disposed conduit and the liquid being fed thereto is introduced into a stationary manifold disposed thereabove which manifold is in fluid communication with the plurality of vertically disposed discharge hoses of differing lengths each of which has an outlet opening, the oulet opening is being substantially evenly distributed throughout the cross-section of the conduit. Also disclosed is an apparatus for effecting such a process.

Abstract: An aerator for the treatment of liquid by immersion in the liquid to form in the liquid a liquid stream and introduced gas bubbles. The stream is to be produced with efficient use of power to have sufficient bubbles small enough to avoid waste by bubbles reaching the surface too quickly. The aerator has a pressure chamber (49), with a liquid inlet and gas inlets (422) positioned between the liquid inlet and a restricted outlet throat (47) associated with a chamber wall surface (44) arranged to direct an outlet stream deflected from the liquid inlet direction. The aerator can be formed without immersed moving parts by two tubes, a smaller inner one (41) expanding toward an outer larger one (42) to define the throat and pressure chamber and wall surface. The gas supply is applied through holes large enough to resist algal obstruction at a position where the gas and water enter a part of the pressure chamber of reducing cross-section for subsequent deflection out of the throat.

Abstract: A modular capping arrangement for an anaerobic slurry digester comprising a basin which may conveniently be dug out of the earth and a plurality of elongate capping members of inverted channel form comprising wall members which, when the channel members are placed in side-by-side arrangement, define therebetween channels which are upwardly open. The capping members are formed with outlets in upper regions thereof for removal of gas produced during slurry digestion and are weighted down on the slurry by ballast means positioned in the upwardly open channel. The capping members are disposed in parallel arrangement and held together at the ballast means and are so formed that the capping arrangement is capable of floating on a body of slurry while being held thereon by the ballast means and being lifted therefrom by gas under pressure thereunder.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of waste water in a body such as a lagoon in which a submerged aeration device is suspended from a floating platform. Air is supplied to the aeration device by a conduit passing through the buoyant base of the platform to a central opening so that the conduit is an integral, structural part of the platform.

Abstract: Disclosed is novel apparatus and method for introducing various gasses into liquids. This as is commonly done in aerating or oxygenating liquids where growing aquatic life such as fish; instances concerning lagoon and pond treatment, absorption of oxygen in sewage or sewage -activated sludge mixture, introduction of chlorine or carbon dioxide gas into water for chemical treatment thereof. The method includes water treatment comprising the improved diffuser, aerator or sparger apparatus with the result of substantial enlargement in the known beneficial effects of such treatments; also, substantial and unexpected attendant benefit attributable to function of the diffuser apparatus. Principally the apparatus and method reduces the viscosity of water reducing the hydrogen bonding thereof at the time when presented for gas absorbtion. This when utilizing gas for aqueous liquid treatment or treatment of water with suspended pollutants.

Abstract: A method is provided for isolating an elastomer from a mixture of the elastomer and water containing up to about 90% by weight water by feeding the mixture into a thermally controlled, vertical separator containing a rotating screw, simultaneously feeding excess water under pressure into the separator, withdrawing concentrated elastomer containing less than about 10% by weight total volatiles (including water) from the metering section of the separator and withdrawing feed water and excess water from a water discharge port located near the upper end of the separator.In addition, apparatus for isolating elastomers from mixtures of elastomers and water is provided.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously aerating and chemically treating lakes to prevent or retard the process of eutrophication in the lake waters. The device has a venturi outlet passage for the discharge of a pressurized stream of water and a venturi inlet chamber spaced upstream of the outlet passage, as well as a mixing chamber in which air and treating chemicals can be turbulently ingested into the stream. The device is positioned underwater for use with an open line extending from the mixing chamber to a point above the water surface. A nozzle is attached to the venturi outlet passage. This nozzle has a pair of side openings to draw water into the stream passing through the outlet passage to give the stream greater density and turbulence as it leaves the nozzle. Also, the venturi outlet passage has three communicating chambers with walls shaped to create turbulence in the stream even before it reaches the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of producing bubbles for treating a suspension by flotation, wherein in which the suspension enriched with dissolved gas is caused to flow into a flotation vat via a pipe the flow in the pipe is rapidly interrupted at a predetermined frequency by a shutter unit which is suddenly closed and produces, in the downstream portion of the pipe, a periodic wave of low pressure such that cavitation bubbles are produced in the flow in said downstream portion, the low pressure wave propagating in the pipe up to the flotation vat where it is reflected as a wave of high pressure which produces the collapse of the cavitation bubbles and forms micro-bubbles which become fixed to the particles to be floated, the conditions in the pipe being such that the micro-bubbles are in a super-saturated medium in relation to the local pressure conditions and tend to be enlarged during their flow up to the flotation vat.

Abstract: An improved system for mixing gas with waste water in which the water is pumped through a plurality of mixing chambers into which the gas is injected at a step region to form parallel streams of gas and water. An extending chamber contains the parallel streams as the interface between them becomes unstable, breaks down creating vortices and produces tiny bubbles which mix with the water. The extending chamber is divided into two sections with at least the section remote from the step surface tapered inwardly at a rate of 11.degree.-22.degree. to permit operation at higher air flow rates without blowing the bubble forming vortices out of the chamber.

Abstract: Sewage flows through an inflow pipe into a receiver. Large solids are trapped in the receiver, and dissolved and suspended materials pass with the waste water through apertures in the receiver wall. A lower portion of the receiver has a solid wall to trap fine heavy grits. The receiver is held suspended from a lower opening in an upward opening holder. When the receiver is full of solids, waste water flows through larger apertures in the holder. A cover of the holder is removed, and the receiver is withdrawn through an upper opening in the holder by a handle which extends from the receiver to the upward opening. One holder and receiver are mounted directly within a closed self-contained underground tank. Several tanks are coupled in parallel or series. The tanks are provided with aeration devices in a main portion and have a partition which forms a chlorifying portion with a sludge return at the bottom of the partition and a skimmer return at the top of the partition.

Abstract: A solar still adapted to float on a body of water has a toroidal evaporating chamber with sunlight admitting and absorbing, respectively, top and bottom walls for vaporizing water from the body admitted to overlie the bottom wall. A surrounding inner float ring and underlying toroidal inflatable float support the chamber. A condenser depends from and communicates with the evaporating chamber through elongate coaxial vapor outlet and air return tubes, and in turn supplies distillate to a pendent holding tank. A rotatable shaft extending coaxially down through the evaporating chamber carries a fan to propel vapor from the evaporating chamber into the condenser due to rotation of a windmill atop the chamber. A curved reflector is rotatably driven atop the inner ring to direct additional sunlight on the evaporating chamber as the sun moves overhead. An outer float ring loosely coaxially surrounds the inner float ring.

Abstract: Waste water can be advantageously purified, removing environmental pollution such as offensive odor and pathogens, by making the best use of processes in which in a continuous way the fluid fluctuates repeatedly in fluid-gas flow in a tank, in addition to maximum utilization of activities of useful soil organisms.

Abstract: A sewage treatment process wherein sewage is passed into a deep subterranean shaft is improved by passing a liquor of the sewage into the subterranean shaft through an inner shaft which extends only partway down into the subterranean shaft. Located at the lower proximity of the inner shaft is a mixing shaft. The mixing shaft extends from the lower end of the inner shaft to a point near the bottom of the subterranean shaft. Incorporated into the mixing shaft are a plurality of liquor mixing nozzles. The descending sewage liquor passes downwardly through the mixing nozzles to the bottom of the subterranean shaft. It then ascends upwardly in the subterranean shaft. The action of the descending liquor through the nozzles entrains ascending liquor from the subterranean shaft back into the descending liquor. This recirculates the liquor in the bottom of the shaft allowing for extended contact time of the liquor with the microorganisms used in the liquor to aerobically digest the sewage.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a pH control system for alkaline wastes from carbonated beverage plants and the limitations of an equipment design and method and operation which provide maximum efficiency at minimum cost. These limitations include size and shape of the reaction vessel, the pressure of carbon dioxide and time of release, the rate of flow of the effluent and its relationship to diffuser vessel, and the size of the gas bubbles as released so as to prevent waste of the carbon dioxide in excess of 30% of the gas utilized.

Abstract: An aerator for bodies of water having a housing with a concave top wall, an annular buoyant core and a plurality of aerator pumps which draw water from beneath the core and spray the water in vertically spaced sheets onto the top wall of the housing. A telescoping tube extends from the central opening of the top wall down through the core and down near the bottom of the lake. An impeller is provided in the telescoping tube for driving the water down through the tube and out through the outlet opening thereof. A heater is provided below the top wall and on the outside edges of the aerator pump to prevent ice formation thereon. A screened enclosure is provided beneath the buoyant core through which filtered water can be drawn by the aerator pump. A plurality of legs are adjustably secured to the housing for supporting the housing on the bottom of the lake bed.

Abstract: Device for the injection of a gas in a liquid, constituted by a gas feed tube in which at least a part of the walls is immersed in the liquid at the place where the injecting of the said gas is to be effected, flexible pipes having a small inside diameter being connected up along the said walls, the gas escaping in the form of bubbles from their free ends in the liquid.

Abstract: An improved means for biological treatment of sewage characterized in the provision of a single aerating device feeding waste water serially into first and second settling chambers. The aerating chamber has a horizontal sectional area which generally increases in size from a relatively smaller horizontal sectional area at the bottom of a relatively larger horizontal sectional area at the top. The aeration chamber is characterized in the introduction of relatively large air bubbles within the water being aerated. The larger bubbles tend to move more quickly to the surface of the liquid being aerated, thereby increasing normal water movement and achieving more rapid oxidation. Plural settling chambers are connected by passageways to the aeration chamber, and an aerator in the aeration chamber causes recirculation of activated sludge from both chambers through the passageways, thereby treating in succession and maintaining sludge loss in the effluent at a minimum.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for mixing a gas with a liquid in a reactor vessel, in which a gas-liquid downward flow results in the pressurization of said gas in a separation chamber. The separated liquid in said chamber is injected back into the reactor by a pump means for generating jet streams while the separated gas is introduced into the mixing zones of said jets. The turbulence produced by said jet streams promotes an efficient gas-liquid mass transfer in the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A closed loop waste treatment and water recycling system that includes a delivery system, an anoxic reactor, an aerobic digestion chamber, a filtering system, an adsorption system, a disinfecting system and a water return system. The delivery system includes one or more flush-type toilets and urinals which receive flush water from the water return system and deliver the toilet and urinal waste and flush water to the anoxic reactor. The anoxic reactor contains bacteria which utilizes organics in the toilet waste to convert oxidized nitrogen compounds, such as nitrates, to nitrogen gas, produce bicarbonates and other products. The bacteria, in accomplishing this, lower the organic load on subsequent processes.

Abstract: An improved system for mixing gas with waste water in which the water is pumped through a plurality of nozzles or vortex mixing chambers into which the gas is injected at a step region to form parallel streams of gas and water. The multiple stage nozzle includes an extending chamber which contains the parallel streams as the interface between them becomes unstable, breaks down creating vortices and produces tiny bubbles which mix with the water. The extending chamber is divided into three sections or stages with at least one section tapered inwardly at a rate of 11.degree.-22.degree. to permit operation at higher air flow rates without loss of efficiency and the outermost section from which the mixed stream is directly discharged into the body of waste water being non-diverging, preferably cylindrical.

Abstract: A water treating or aeration device for transferring gases to a liquid such as used for waste water treatment. The aeration device is comprised of an elongate hollow tube supported in an upright position having a bell-shaped member attached to one end forming a chamber between the inside of the tube and the outside of the bell-shaped member. The chamber is enclosed by a ring attached to the bell-shaped member and flaring outwardly into abutment with the inside of the tube. A gas, such as air, is supplied to the chamber and discharged into the interior of the tube through a plurality of apertures in the ring closing said chamber. A cone mounted on a base plate is positioned beneath the entrance of the bell-shaped member and secured to the aeration device or tube by a plurality of adjustable legs. Air introduced into the chamber is discharged through the apertures drawing fluid in a swirling motion through said bell-shaped member up and out through the upper end of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for promoting gas-liquid reaction in a reactor comprise pumping the reacting liquid to a predetermined height in a flow conduit. Gas is admitted to the liquid flow course to affect entraining gas in the flowing liquid and forming a gas-liquid mixture in the flow conduit. Said gas-liquid mixture is then guided to flow downwardly in a sustaintially vertical tube and subsequently discharged in a submerged eductor means for inducing a secondary circulating flow in the reactor. The circulating flow of the reactor liquid disperses the discharged gas homogeneously throughout the reactor and promotes a effective gas-liquid mass transfer.

Abstract: Systems for flocculation processing in water purification treatment in which a first jet flash mixing field of relatively high specific energy requirement and turbulence intensity is provided for intimate mixture of the flocculant and influent water to produce a thoroughly mixed product stream having residual energy, and in which the product stream from the first mixing field is used as the motive stream to power a flocculation field of lower specific energy requirement and turbulence intensity.