Abstract: A filtering apparatus and method for removing solid impurities contained within a fluid. A plurality of filters each define successive stages and are linked in series whereby the output from a first filter feeds the input of a second filter and so on. Successive stages remove impurities of progressively smaller particle size whereupon the last stage provides a fluid substantially clean of all impurities and polished for subsequent reuse. The specific environment associated with the instant apparatus and method involves cleaning cooking oil in deep fat fryers.

Abstract: A new apparatus for extracting water from product or sewage sludge on the spot is provided. It is characterized by a frame matched to the dimensions of a low loader and having lifting supports which can be pivoted in and out and which have multi-step vertical adjustability. Filter presses of substantially higher capacity than those on known apparatuses employing a semitrailer can be used.

Abstract: The oil and water separator includes a container having an oil and water inlet, an oil receiving means with an outlet, a skimmer mechanism for moving the oil at the surface of the fluid in the container into the oil receiving means, and a water outlet. The skimmer mechanism is formed by a plurality of angularly spaced apart blades located in the interior of the container above the level of the oil receiving mean and a ramp leading to the oil receiving means. Each blade is formed by an arm having a plurality of flexible blade members extending downward from the arm such that the blade members engage the top surface of the ramp upon rotation of the blade means past the ramp to move oil at the upper level of the fluid in the container, into the oil receiving means. Fluid flow directing device is provided for directing fluid injected into the interior of the container by way of the oil and water fluid inlet, downward and outward from the axis of the container.

Abstract: A dewatering system for use in the treatment of waste water is disclosed which includes a tank, an inclined filter bed having a plurality of filter elements and components for inducing a flow of air through the filter bed to accelerate drying of the removed solids. Also disclosed are components for adjusting the angle of inclination of the filter bed and mechanical components for removing solids from the filter elements. In one embodiment, the filter bed is disposed within an upper unit mounted for rotation on the tank floor to facilitate cleaning of the filters. Adjusting the angle of inclination of the filter bed provides access from the frame, below, for cleaning the underside of the filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide automated collection and transfer of particles from a liquid suspension to a glass slide for visual examination. A solution which contains particles, for example cells, is drawn through a filter element so that particles too large to pass through the filter element collect against a first surface of the filter element. A transfer fluid, such as alcohol, is applied from a second surface of the filter element to the first surface, to transfer cells from the filter element to a glass slide positioned adjacent the filter element. An alternative transfer mechanism applies a selected pneumatic signal to the filter element for transferring collected cells to the viewing slide. The apparatus includes a device for dispersing the liquid suspension of particles prior to the collection process and particles collect against the filter element with a spatial distribution advantageous for visual examination. The transfer operation maintains this spatial distribution.

Abstract: A portable pressure screen apparatus is disclosed having a cylindrical shaped pressure housing defining upper and lower hingedly connected halves. The housing includes a slurry inlet aperture raised relative to a filtered slurry discharge port situated at the opposite end of the pressure housing from the slurry inlet aperture. A screen spans the interior of the housing, separating the interior into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Collected particulate matter from the slurry inlet aperture is accumulated in the upper chamber and slurry filtered through the screen leaves the interior of the housing through the filtered slurry discharge port connected to the lower chamber. A support frame is employed to adjustably support the housing in a generally angled attitude relative to the horizontal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-site treatment of a fluid, such as sewage, utilize a plurality of self-contained, separately housed, and separately transporable modules (2a, 2b,2c) for carrying out one or a sequence of treatment operations on the fluid. There is an inlet (3) whereby the apparatus is connectible with a source of the fluid to be treated and an outlet (4) from the apparatus for discharge of the treated fluid. The apparatus may be moved between different sites.

Abstract: A soil reclamation system that separates the contaminant from all soil particles greater than one micron in diameter and generates resuable soil and contaminant products. The process is based on a novel application of gas-sparged centrifugal separation under operating conditions and equipment specifications tailored to optimize the separation of the particular contaminant. The apparatus is mounted on a front-end loader for mobility and self-contained on site operation.

Abstract: A portable self-contained water remediation unit having a generally rectangular structural housing dimensioned for ease of transporation from one location to another, a vessel mounted within the housing structure having a vertical baffle dividing the vessel into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber with communication in the lower portion of the baffle between the chambers, a vertical stripper column having a lower portion and a severable upper portion, the lower portion being received within the structural housing and the upper portion being removably attachable in vertical alignment with the lower portion, the upper portion having a water inlet and the lower portion having a water outlet and the lower portion having an air inlet, the upper portion having an opening in the upper end thereof adaptable to receive a removable exhaust tower, packing positioned within the strippper column upper section down through which water trickles and an air pump mounted within the structural housing for forcing air into th

Abstract: A coolant recycling apparatus having first and second storage tanks mounted on a wheeled cart. The first tank has a suction device associated therewith to which is coupled a flexible suction hose to suck contaminated coolant from the sump of a machine tool, whereby the coolant flows through the suction device and then through a filter for removing larger solids, whereupon the contaminated coolant is then deposited in the first tank. A pump sucks the contaminated coolant from the first tank and supplies it to a filter disposed adjacent the upper end of the second tank. This filter has a stack of oil absorbent pads which remove tramp oil as the coolant flows downwardly and then collects in the second tank. The clean coolant in the second tank is sent back to the pump through suitable valving which enables the coolant to be supplied to a dishcarge hose which feeds the clean coolant back to the sump.

Abstract: A system for on-site recovery of reusable industrial waste components, such as solvents, from a liquid waste stream includes a trailer that is internally partitioned to separate system components through which the waste stream passes in a first partitioned section of the trailer from support and control components in the second trailer section. Input waste is fed into a horizontal thin-film evaporator within the first trailer section, while steam is fed in a closed loop through the evaporator from the second section of the trailer for evaporating volatile solvents in the waste stream, and thereby separating the volatile solvents from non-volatile liquid and solid components of the waste stream. The evaporated volatile solvents are fed to a heat exchanger, again enclosed within the first partitioned section of the trailer, for recondensation through heat exchange with a coolant fed to the heat exchanger in a closed loop from the second trailer section.

Abstract: A method and system for handling polluted liquids with a mobile sewage vehicle, especially stratified oil products in a petrol or oil tank wherein the contents of the tank normally separates into horizontal layers of useless polluted liquid and fully useable liquid, respectively. The fractions of the polluted and useable liquid are respectively drawn into a sludge tank and an extra tank so that the extra tank receives an immediately reuseable product which may be returned to the petrol or oil tank. The selective filling of the sludge tank and extra tank is obtained by providing an arrangement for enabling an inspection of the suctioned liquid as the suctioned liquid enters the sludge tank and a valve device for facilitating the necessary switching operations.

Abstract: In association with a hydrocarbon producing well, a unit is mounted to receive the discharge from the well. The unit includes a separation tank, a float shut-off valve, and a vertically oriented orifice meter.

Abstract: A self-cleaning vacuum head is disclosed which has the ability to discriminate between particles of different size, or the ability to separate fluids from particulate matter. The invention has two relatively moving surfaces which provide a changing locus of vacuum so that particles drawn against the surfaces are later separated therefrom. An oil spill clean-up system is also disclosed utilizing the self-cleaning vacuum head.

Abstract: A system for separating particulate matter from an airstream during pneumatic loading of a tank is disclosed. The system includes a compact filter unit that can be housed within the periphery of a standard manhole in the tank of a pneumatic truck trailer. The system further includes a canister to protect the filter, and a means of storing extra filter units within the interior of the tank.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a plurality of treatment tanks containing a water treatment material and defining a fluid flow path through the material extending between a first tank port and a second tank port. A first remotely controlled three way valve associated with the first tank port controls the fluid communication of a source manifold and a regeneration discharge manifold with the first tank port of each tank. A second, remotely controlled three way valve controls the fluid communication of a product receiving manifold and a regeneration chemistry supply manifold with the second port of each tank. A regeneration control monitors the loading of each tank and initiates regeneration in a given tank when that tank reaches a predetermined exhaustion level.

Abstract: A unitized system for the processing of well water that is contaminated with volatile substances, such as organic substances, at a site where the contaminated water exists. This system has the primary components thereof mounted on a skid/frame that can be transported to the site. In the preferred form, the contaminated water is first processed in a spray tower where it is countercurrently contacted with air to remove the volatile contaminants. This air-treated water then is passed through an activated carbon bed for further purification before being used. While the treated water is not considered safe for human consumption, it can be used for most other uses. The system is controlled to normally operate only upon water demand by the system being supplied. Since activated carbon can cause the gradual growth of bacteria, the system is provided with a system for the periodic back flushing of the carbon bed, with the wash water being discarded in a separate holding tank or to a local sewer.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a liquid, such as a coolant, employing an endless belt partially submerged in the liquid passing through the surface. The belt is threaded over the upper portion of a primary drive roller having a horizontal axis and pressure rollers mounted upon linkage sets are biased towards opposite sides of the primary roller in engagement with the belt to squeeze the collected oil from the belt permitting the oil to flow to a collector located below the rollers. The linkage sets include reversing rollers, and the apparatus is constructed to readily permit belt replacement.

Abstract: A mobile soil and sludge treatment apparatus and a method of treating soil and sludge useful in a soil washing process or a biological decontamination of soils and/or sludges. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of tanks are mounted on a vehicular trailer for over-the-road movement and each tank includes aerator/mixers and a plurality of peripherally arranged air jets with the mixing, aeration and air jets combining to prevent settling of the solids in the slurry during the decontamination process. In a second embodiment of the invention, a single large tank is mounted on a vehicular trailer with the tank including aerator/mixers and a slurry pump for recirculating the slurry throughout the tank with the recirculating pipes terminating in jet nozzles or eductors which enhance mixing and solids suspension. In a third embodiment, the aeration/mixing is obtained by a plurality of downwardly directed air jet nozzles adjacent the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: This invention increases the efficiency and flow rate of rotary drum filtration and makes possible the use of such filtration for volatile and high temperature materials. According to the invention a rotary drum filter unit operates continuously in a pressure vessel and solids are intermittently discharged from the vessel. The filtered solids are scraped from the drum periphery and dropped into a trough in the vessel communicating with a discharge passageway. When the passageway is filled with solids, a shroud, driven by a reciprocating ejector traps the solids in the passageway. The ejector compacts the trapped solids forming plugs which are sequentially discharged from the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A device for removing material from the free surface of a contained body of liquid comprises a scoop supported from a fixed member by two links that carry a substantially horizontal arm on which the scoop is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of the arm. The connections of the links to the fixed member and to the arm are pivotal connections at the four corners of a quadrilateral. First actuating means pivots the link about its connection to the fixed member thereby to move the arm to and fro substantially in a horizontal plane. Second actuating means rotates the scoop about the axis of the arm.

Abstract: A coal slurry washer which, importantly, is portable for usage at the site of the coal slurry, where the components are disposed on movable platforms capable of highway travel. A mast or boom is provided which carries, at the free upper end thereof, cyclone-sieve bend components, assuring an effective elongated gravity discharge path to a dryer component therebelow. The platform carrying the mast provides space for receiving the cyclone-sieve bend components during a non-use or transporting position of the latter, further assuring the desired portability.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for processing liquids includes filtering element which is provided outside a clean liquid tank so that the clean liquid discharged through an outlet provided at the bottom of a filter tank is stored in a clean liquid tank. It is therefore possible to prevent processing powder from falling in the clean liquid tank and contaminating the clean liquid during the work of changing the filtering element and easily perform the work of changing the filtering element while maintaining the amount of processing liquid contained in the filtering element at the minimum level. It is also possible to easily perform the maintenance of the filtering element and remove the need for a maintenance space around the filter for processing liquids.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering a wide size range of impurities from a fluid. The filter assembly comprises a basket having a porous surface of a first average pore size defining an interior space for collecting impurities filtered from a fluid and a filter liner of a second average pore size less than the first average pore size disposed inside the basket for filtering impurities from the fluid. A nozzle is disposed at approximately a 20.degree. angle from the vertical axis for providing an unfiltered fluid to the filter assembly and for increasing the swirling intensity of the fluid therein. The present invention also contemplates a filtration unit including at least one filter assembly described above and a pump for suctioning an unfiltered fluid through the filter assembly so that the pump will draw a filtered fluid.

Abstract: The truck has an hydraulic pump for receiving dredged mixture of solids and water from a pumping site and delivering the mixture to the truck body. A fixed partition wall is mounted transversely in the body and divides the body into first and second open compartments. The first compartment receives the mixture from the pump means to enable solids to settle at the bottom of the first compartment and the water rises towards the top of the compartment. The second compartment receives the water which rises in the first compartment and the partition wall. Drain means are selectively operable to effect removal of substantially all water from the second compartment. A one-way valve is located between the first and second compartments and is operable when the body is tilted to permit residual water in the second compartment to flow into the first compartment to effect removal of remaining solid matter from the first compartment by washing it out of the tilted body via the open tailgate.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a liquid using an endless belt partially submerged in the liquid, the belt passes over a primary roller having a vertical axis and pressure rollers squeeze the belt on the primary roller removing oil from the belt which flows by gravity to a collection receptacle mounted upon a frame supporting the primary roller and its drive structure. The belt twists whereby its lower portion submerged in the liquid defines a reversing loop whose configuration is maintained by a weight roller having a horizontal axis of rotation.

Abstract: A mobile tank for decontamination of waste or ground water contains multiple cells for biological treatment and clarification of the water. Systems are provided for aerating the treatment cells and for recycling activated bacteria from the clarifier cell to the primary treatment cell.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a swimming pool has a pair of spaced parallel and aligned wings connected at their ends by bridge members to define a mouth, a bag fast with the wings at their trailing edges, a hinged draw-bar centrally connected to the front sides of the bridge members, triangular fins extending from outer surfaces of the wings, and a connecting component for connection to a hose which supplied water under pressure, the connecting component being connected to the draw bar by a ball-and-socket joint and having two jets angled towards the draw-bar. The device is heavier than water and is such that when it sinks in water the wings pivot about the hinge of the draw bar so that their trailing edges are above their leading edges.

Abstract: An apparatus for thickening by flotation suspensions contained in a liquid, notably slurries produced during treatment of residual water, formed of a circular basin having a scraping system, the scraping members of which are supported by arms connected to a central device driving them in rotation, or a similar apparatus, and having a flexible cover rotating with the scraping system arms wherein the arms provide the supports for the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning algae and debris from a water treatment tank includes a carriage that is mounted for movement while extending over a clean water flow channel of the treatment tank. A motor drives the carriage around the tank while a guide maintains the carriage in the proper position for cleaning. A series of brush assemblies are connected to a frame of the carriage. The brushes of these assemblies are adapted to engage and clean the weir, baffle, spillway and clear water flow channel of the tank as the carriage moves. Additionally, a directional controller automatically controls the direction of operation of the motor and hence the direction of movement of the carriage. The directional controller also includes a sensor adapted to sense any obstructions, such as a service walkway, extending across the movement path of the carriage. Upon sensing an obstruction, the direction of movement of the carriage is reversed.

Abstract: In a suction apparatus (1) for sucking up wet and/or dry suction material there is a single suction chamber (6) having an approximately constant inside diameter over its entire height forming in the bottom region a preseparating chamber (9) for heavier parts and optionally liquid, as well as spaced above the same in the top area a filter chamber (10) for receiving a wet or a dry filter (11) for filtering before or after the preseparation. The main container (2) forming the suction chamber (6) and to be opened level with filter (11) is immediately adjacent to an electromotive exhauster unit (3) relative to which it can be tilted for emptying the preseparation chamber (9). So that the filter (11) is not subject to liquid or heavier parts to be preseparated, there is an adjustable fill level limiting device (25) with a limit switch (26) directly responding to the suction material, which switches off when the exhauster unit (3) responds and then automatically switches in again.

Abstract: A dump truck has a tiltable dump body with a tailgate at its rear end. A partition or weir mounted in the dump body and of lesser height than the walls of the dump body divides the dump body into front and rear compartments. A siphon is connected between the two compartments and extends over the partition. The rear compartment, having a discharge opening at its rear end which is closed by a tailgate, receives dredged material in the form of a mixture of water and sand (or silt) pumped thereinto through a supply conduit on the dump body. As the rear compartment is being filled with dredged material, gravity causes the sand (silt) to settle at the bottom and the water to rise to the top and spill over the partition into the front compartment. Some water also flows through the sipon into the front compartment.

Abstract: A portable liquid-solid separator for handling sludge in bulk with an upright vessel having a bed with a drain and surrounding sides. A grate overlays the interior of the vessel, bed and sides. A filter overlays the grate, extending up the sides and overlapping the side grate. The separator is filled with a sludge which is then separated by gravity filtration and the wicking action of the filter. Liquid is drained out the bottom of the vessel and the solids are transported within the vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is a bath tub style trailer with dumping capabilities.

Abstract: An arrangement for operation to reduce organic contaminant concentration in water passing therethrough as provided. The arrangement includes at least one reactor comprising a plurality of treatment chambers oriented in series, each chamber including an upstream downcomer portion and a downstream column portion separated by a wall member. Fluid flow is provided between a downcomer portion and the column portion. Means are provided such that water can flow through any associated chamber by introduction into an upper portion of the downcomer portion of the chamber, with passage downwardly to a feed space and a bottom portion of the column portion of the chamber and upwardly through the column portion. The water then flows outwardly from the chamber, into a next downstream chamber if one is provided.

Abstract: A process for treating sewage sludge having a predetermined water content to produce a soil conditioner, comprising (a) transporting the sludge aboard a vehicle; and (b) heating the sludge during the transporting step (a) to a temperature and for a time sufficient to pasteurize the sludge without substantially reducing the water content of the sludge. The treatment is conducted aboard any suitable vehicle, such as a ship, railroad car or truck. The heat required to pasteurize the sludge may be obtained from the vehicle's engine waste heat and/or an auxiliary heat source. The sludge is pasteurized during the vehicle's transit from one destination to another and thereby eliminates the requirement of performing a separate pasteurization process before the sludge has been loaded on the vehicle or after it has been unloaded from the vehicle. The present invention protects the public health and saves both time and money as compared with conventional processes of the prior art.

Abstract: This is a water aerating unit which is particularly adapted for aerating bodies of water adjacent the shoreline and is readily transportable from one location to another. A suitable transporting vehicle is provided such as a tractor having a power take-off and hydraulic system for providing the driving power water for the propeller as well as the air blower mounted on the unit. The unit is supported on a wheeled frame by which the elevation of the lower submerged end thereof may be adjustably varied by a hydraulic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and process for production of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen rich fertilizers by anaerobic digestion of waste materials. The waste materials are digested in rotary digestion modules, and the chemical composition of the organic materials in the modules is monitored to determine the progress of the decomposition.

Abstract: A process for removing by coalescence condensation water from large quantities of lubricating oil of a steam driven turbine a significant portion of which water is in the form of an oil/water emulsion. The process is capable of reducing the free and emulsified water content of lubricating oil having a viscosity rating of 150 ssu at 100.degree. F. from 5000 ppm to 25 ppm in a single pass through the unit at a flow rate of 100 gallons per minute with most of the water in the oil as received by the equipment being in emulsion.

Abstract: In the improved system and method of the present invention, a batch of contaminated oil is deposited into a tank, with the oil preferably being passed through a filter during the depositing step to assist in removal of solids. Once the contaminated coolant has been deposited into the tank, the oil is agitated by injecting several streams of air into the bottom of the tank. This creates several bubble streams which pass upwardly through the coolant toward the surface and, during this passage, agitate the coolant and effect separation of the oil so that it rapidly rises to the coolant surface. The bubble streams are created by different sized orifice member whereby the bubbles of one stream are smaller than the bubbles in another stream.

Abstract: Water supply in aircraft for on-board use in conjunction with water outlets in lavatories and a galley, includes a waste water tank connected to at least some of the waste discharge outlets on board of the aircraft; a water purifying plant connected to and receiving water from the waste water tank; and a fresh water tank having outlet means, connected at least to some of the water outlets, and having an inlet connected to said water purification plant, for receiving therefrom purified waste water; an additional tank for drinking water may be provided as well as a separate supply line therefrom leading to drinking water outlets on board of the aircraft.

Abstract: Discloses transportable liquid clarifying and screw conveyor/compactor liquid-solid separator apparatus which includes a pressureable clarifier vessel portably mounted on a base with a top and sides converging to the bottom of the vessel for attachment to a sludge disposal apparatus. A sludge inlet enters the top of the vessel and extends to near the bottom of the vessel. An effluent discharge flow control valve is connected through a conduit in the top of the vessel to provide a designated back pressure within the vessel while controlling the discharge flow of effluent liquid from the vessel. The sludge disposal apparatus includes an elongated screw conveyor/compactor mounted at an angle and extending upwardly from the vessel bottom. The compactor housing is tapered to compact the sludge as the screw conveyor carries the sludge to a liquid extraction section. The liquid extraction section has a screen tapered to further compact the slurry while extracting liquid being forced out of the slurry.

Abstract: Discloses apparatus for separating the solids from a liquid of a sludge or slurry which includes a slurry source, a slurry container receiving slurry from the source and a filter cage removably mounted inside the container. The filter cage includes a cage frame, a supported screen liner mounted within the cage and a filter liner removably fitted inside the liner. The container has a liquid drainage conduit removably connected to a suction device for removing liquid from the drainage chamber. The container is constructed and adapted to be picked up, carried about, and tilted to remove solid material deposited within the filter cage. The filter cage is constructed and adapted to be hoisted up out of the container and separately moved about and tilted to remove solids deposited within the filter cage. A liquid injection apparatus may be provided for injecting a selected amount of a flocculating agent into the slurry received into the container to cause flocculation of solid particles in the slurry.

Abstract: A special, easy to use, economical frame is provided to quickly and efficiently align water purification cells in a vertical stack. The dependable, effective frame has moveable side and back posts and convenient crank or slide rod adjustments.

Abstract: A water absorbent device for a fuel tank that has a permeable housing through which a liquid passes. Within the permeable housing is a permeable container through which liquid passes. Water absorbing material is contained within paper bags that are disposed within the permeable container for absorbing water within the fuel tank. The permeable container is removably disposed in the housing. At least one end of the housing is an open end, which is closed by a cap for retaining the removable container within the housing. The cap is removed to enable the container to be removed from the housing for replacement. A chain is attached to the housing for placing the housing into the fuel tank and for removing the housing from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A peripheral traction unit for a thickener is ground-mounted on a circular support base, normally of concrete, extending circularly at ground level below and exterior of the vertical walls of an above-ground thickener tank. A continuous rail and rack are mounted on a sole plate and integral key embedded and grouted in a support base pocket. A wheel and pinion assembly is provided on a traction frame so that the wheel rolls on the rail and the pinion meshes with the rack. The bottom of a box beam is pin-connected to the traction frame and the top of the box beam is fixedly connected to a rake-driving rotatable truss extending radially or diametrically across and above the tank wall. All erection, adjustment and maintenance of the traction unit is done at ground level rather than at the elevation of the upper edge of the tank wall where heretofore peripheral drive units have been positioned.

Abstract: A self contained water treatment system and enclosure for a water treatment system. The water treatment includes an enclosure having a removable lid and a base. The base includes a bottom and side walls forming an upper opening structured to sealably receive the lid. The base also includes a partition which sealably engages along its upper margin against the lid. The partition forms a first and second compartment, the first compartment being water tight for receiving water. The second compartment, having a removable side wall panel, houses the water treatment system operably connected therein. A well water source is connectable to and received through an inlet in one side wall into the water treatment system and aeration-sprayed into the first compartment to remove gases from the well water. Purified and degasified water is removed from the first compartment by the water treatment system and delivered out an outlet tube in one side wall connectable to a dwelling water inlet line.

Abstract: Dredging apparatus including a diver-operator controlled and hand-held dredge head which permits the diver to move about freely in the water bed being dredged, and provides for continuously dredging the mixture of water and solids from a first body of water and pumping the mixture to a second solids collecting body of water. Submersible, hydraulic dredge pumps are used in the bodies of water. The conveying water is continuously reused in a quasi-closed system by being returned to the immediate vicinity of the nozzle or alternatively being returned through a sleeve concentrically mounted around the nozzle. The returned water discharges downwardly to counterbalance the weight of the operator-held dredge. The second, solids collecting area may take the form of a truck body into which the solid material is dumped and the dredge water passes through into a filter tank from which it is pumped and returned to the dredge area for reuse in transporting additional solids.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a tapered conveying cylinder, a rotating filtration cylinder disposed around the tapered conveying cylinder, a pair of spaced-apart driving members movably supported to the rotating filtration cylinder for freely changing a size of a treatment zone between the tapered conveying cylinder and rotating filtration cylinder and one or more steam injection pipes disposed above the rotating filtration cylinder. The solid waste product in the treatment zone is heated and cleaned away by spraying the surface of the cylinder with hot steam through nozzles of the injection pipes, and freely changing the size of the treatment zone on demand.

Abstract: Crude oils and other oleaginous substances which have washed onto and socket thoroughly into coarse bottom sediments such as sand beaches and sediments forming the bottom of certain holding ponds may be released for recovery by mechanical or hydraulic plowing of the relatively loose sediments followed by hydraulic agitation of the sediments to permit the substances to float to the surface of the body of water. Shallow water beach areas may be plowed by a conventional crawler tractor having an array of ripper teeth fitted with hydraulic jet nozzles for severaly agitating the sands which are plowed by the ripper teeth. A submersible pump or pump intake is preferably supported spaced from the normal path of the tractor and in the body of water to collect relatively clean water for discharge through the nozzles.

Abstract: Spills of hazardous materials are treated at the site of the spill using an integrated spill responder system which enables personnel to remain at a safe distance from the spill. The mobile, fully self-contained system is dispatched to the spill site and uses a remotely controlled spill treatment head which is maintained in close non-contact proximity to the spill. The system continuously monitors the progress of the treatment operation through various sensors mounted on a boom assembly, or by vacuum drawing samples of the spilled material and chemical treatment agents mixed therewith aboard the spill responder vehicle. Once the spill has been reduced to a non-hazardous form, the treated material can be left at the site of the spill, removed by standard vacuum trucks, or removed by the spill responder system itself by using internal storage tanks.