Abstract: The supply of water used in dental operations and other applications in a dental office, or other medical facility, wherein non-contaminated water is necessary to avoid transmission of microorganisms, is enriched with oxygen, whether from ambient air or a source of oxygen. The oxygenated water is passed through a silver containing catalyst cartridge. The water borne oxygen is attracted to the silver and forms a weak bond sufficient to permit dissociation to oxidize organic matter, including microorganisms. A small amount of silver dissolves in the water and flows downstream through the attendant conduits to and through dental handpieces and dental implements. A portion of the silver will adhere to the walls of the conduits, handpieces and implements where it is free to react with the oxygen dissolved in the water flowing therepast. The resulting oxidizing of the organic matter will destroy any biofilm present and prevent biofilm buildup.

Abstract: A diffuser for mixing and oxygenating water or other liquid with an airstrip employs a self supporting microporous tubular membrane, arranged in a spiral or grid configuration, with openings between proximate elements which, are at least equal to the diameter of the membrane. Gas, when forced through the tubular membrane, forms fine bubbles which agitate, oxygenate and entrain the surrounding liquid as it slowly passes through the openings. The tubular membrane is flexible and is to be mounted on a manifold which connects it to a source of air or gas, and which may also impart buoyancy or serve as anchor in the liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the treatment of a desulfurization absorbing fluid after gas-liquid contact with combustion exhaust gas in which fine particles of unburned carbon and other materials are efficiently removed from the desulfurization absorbing fluid to improve the quality of a by-product (e.g., gypsum) obtained therefrom. The method of this invention comprises the steps of feeding a gas into a desulfurization absorbing fluid (A) containing fine particles of unburned carbon and other materials and thereby producing gas bubbles so as to cause the fine particles to adhere to the surfaces of the gas bubbles and create a foam phase (D) consisting of the gas bubbles; and breaking the foam phase (D) to obtain a liquid (E) containing the fine particles.

Abstract: An improved method for aeration of septic tanks and the like by drawing atmospheric air into an expansion chamber and from there into agitated sludge to provide low pressure small microbubbles which have long hold times in the sludge material.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus for use in an offshore marine environment includes a vertically elongated vessel having upper and lower end portions, wherein at least half of the vessel is submerged during use. The vessel provides an interior for containing fluid during use and is attachable to an offshore marine structure such as a fixed platform or floating marine rig. An influent flow line adds produce wastewater to the interior of the vessel. An effluent is provided for discharging treated fluid from the vessel interior. The upper end portion of the vessel interior defines a free oil separation section, the lower end portion of the vessel interior defines a disposal caisson section. The middle section of the vessel interior defines an induced gas flotation section. A plurality of spargers are provided at the gas flotation section for emitting bubbles at multiple elevational positions within the middle section of the vessel interior.

Abstract: The bubble elevator includes an orifice intermediate between the air tapping point for entraining liquid and the top opening for ejecting the air/liquid mixture. The liquid can be ejected through the orifice when the tank has a low liquid level and its content cannot therefore be entrained as far as the top, or on the other hand an additional suction of liquid can be produced. A bubble elevator is generally used to stir and homogenize the liquid content of a tank.

Abstract: Flotation apparatus (1) for the purification of polluted water, comprising a flotation vessel (3) having an inlet means (23) for supplying polluted water to said vessel, an assembly (41) of spaced elements (43, 65) defining passages for the flow of water through said elements, and outlet means for surface sludge (15, 17) and outlet means (39, 45; 57, 61) for treated water, further comprising flow directing means for forcing the incoming polluted water to reach a level above said assembly (41) and to flow downwardly through said assembly and towards said treated water outlet means (39, 45; 57, 61); and a process for the purification of polluted water by flotation performed in such apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for waste water treating system including a working tank, waste water treatment apparatus in the working tank by which organic waste in the waste water is treated. A discharge outlet is provided from the working tank. A waste water holding tank is located upstream of the working tank. A first transfer pump between the working tank and the holding tank is provided to transfer waste water from the holding tank to the waste water tank. A second transfer pump is provided to discharge waste water from the working tank through a discharge outlet. A sensor is provided to sense the values of physical characteristics of the waste water in the tanks and to issue signals indicative of the different values. The time of operation of at least one of the transfer pumps by the control computer is varied in accordance with the value indicated by the signal issued from the sensor.

Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus comprising a gas distribution network in a water impound; a device for introducing treating gas into the network; a source of cleaning agent; a device for intermittently introducing the cleaning agent into the network alone or in admixture with the treating gas; a plurality of synthetic thermoplastic or thermoset resin plenums; a plurality of a least ten diffusion elements sealingly engaged and in communication with the plenums for receiving the treating gas and cleaning agent, the elements having air diffusion pores extending therethrough, but being free of through-holes other than air diffusion pores, the pores defining paths for discharge of the treating gas and cleaning agent and which exhibit an increase in dynamic wet pressure and/or bubble release pressure as a result of deposition of foulants; retaining ring engaging the diffusion elements about their peripheries for securing the elements to the plenums; sealing device adjacent the peripheries of the diffusion elements for

Abstract: In a process for transferring oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas into water or aqueous solutions in the treatment of water or aqueous solutions, oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas is added to the water or aqueous solution continuously or at intervals through an injector and simultaneously through at least one tube sparger.

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

Abstract: The method for de-inking paper pulp produced by the reduction to pulp, with water, of old papers of various qualities according to which a stream of air bubbles (C) is sent through the flow (E2, S2, E3, S3) of pulp at least once, is characterized by the fact that a countercurrent of water (E1) is sent into the stream of de-inking air bubbles after said bubbles have passed through the pulp and become laden with ink particles so that the countercurrent releases the particles (fibers, fines, fillers) borne along by these de-inking bubbles and carries them away.

Abstract: Process and apparatus to strip volatile contaminants from a liquid supply stream in which the contaminants are dissolved. A gas inducing mixer-injector injects a stripping gas into the stream to form a mixed stream of liquid with its contaminants and bubbles of the stripping gas. The mixed stream is passed through a tangential degasser separator, withdrawing separated gas and water, while maintaining the flow part from the injector to the outlets of the separator at sub-atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system having a treatment tank with an inlet and an outlet, a pump tank having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the treatment tank, and a connector affixed to a wall of the treatment tank and to a wall of the pump tank so as to maintain the treatment tank and the pump tank in fixed spaced relationship to each other. A pretreatment tank has an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the treatment tank. The connector is affixed to the wall of the pretreatment tank so as to maintain the pretreatment tank and the treatment tank in fixed spaced relationship to each other. The bottoms of the treatment tank, the pump tank and the pretreatment tank are arranged in coplanar relationship. The connector is in the form of a band extending around a portion of a circumference of the walls of the treatment tank, the pump tank and the pretreatment tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for clarifying by flotation a liquid charged with a solid material that includes a tank for holding a quantity of liquid to be clarified. A plurality of U-shaped components are mounted in said tank below the level of the liquid in a relationship so each component is spaced apart a given distance from an adjacent component. Collectors are mounted in the base of each component to either introduce or remove liquid from the component to establish both a concurrent and countercurrent flow about the walls of the components.

Abstract: A household wastewater purification system includes a first treatment tank having a household wastewater inlet in an upper part thereof, a photocatalytic decomposition treatment device having a photocatalytic material at least a part of which lies above the water surface, and an anaerobic treatment device. A second treatment tank is adjacent to the first treatment tank and isolated therefrom by a partition wall except a lower part thereof that is communicated with a lower part of the first treatment tank. The second treatment tank has an aerobic treatment device therein and a purified water outlet in an upper part thereof. A light-introducing part is provided above the first treatment tank.

Abstract: A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier treats raw water with suspended solid contaminants first in a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. The flocculator has a fixed, cylindrical sidewall. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank with a straight cylindrical outer wall where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, within a set of fixed, inclined lamellae, where a final clarification occurs. The bottom wall of the tank has a set of apertures which allow a gravity flow of clarified water through a layer of pressurized gas to an underlying collection compartment. A set of rotating paddles push the sludge layer up a ramp to an opening in an inclined discharge conduit.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system and method is disclosed for coupling to a first solution source comprising a suspension solution and particles suspended in the suspension solution. The fluid conditioning system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and having an inlet apparatus. The inlet apparatus is coupled to the solution source for receiving a solution stream and directing the solution stream through the passage helically along the cylindrical wall. The containment vessel includes a sparging apparatus disposed downstream of the inlet apparatus for introducing a gas into the solution stream, and an outlet for discharging the sparged solution stream. The system further includes a flotation tank disposed proximate the containment vessel outlet for receiving the discharged solution stream.

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