Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for composting feces and treating. Human feces is collected within a composting retainer and exposed to sufficient air and water to allow the feces to compost, thereby forming compost product. Urine is collected within an urine treatment retainer which is at least partially partitioned from the composting retainer and wherein the urine is passed through a substrate supporting aerobic nitrifying bacteria, thereby nitrifying a significant portion of the ammonium ions in the urine to form liquid product. The compost product is suitable for subsequent use, such as fertilizer or for use in forming a mixture with soil to form topsoil.

Abstract: A device for separating manure into wet and dry phases is disclosed herein. The manure separator includes a cylindrical strainer portion, a jacket disposed around the strainer portion to collect the wet phase, and a rotatable screw conveyor disposed within the strainer portion. The rotatable screw conveyor includes a shaft, and first and second screw thread sections disposed on the shaft and spaced from one another to include a longitudinal, annular zone that is free of obstruction around the entire circumference of the shaft. The longitudinal, annular zone causes a plug of relatively dry manure to form therein, the forming of which exerts back pressure on upstream portions of manure adjacent the first screw thread section enhancing the separation. The second screw thread section removes downstream portions of the plug for discharge of the dry phase from the device.

Abstract: A water generating device for obtaining portable water from ambient air inside or outside a structure or dwelling. There is an air filter for filtering the air prior to processing of the air. The air filter may include a one-time sensing element which renders it unusable when removed from the generator. A condenser is provided for extracting water vapor in the air. Between the condenser and the collection point, there is an immediate temporary holding reservoir, or plumbing to this reservoir, which contains an ultraviolet light to kill existing microorganisms, as well as a pump to transport the water through a subsequent water filter, a second exposure to ultraviolet light, and ultimately, at the final discharge point to the internal or external water storage unit there may be another ultraviolet light that creates a sterile outlet from the primary system. The water filter may also include a one-time sensing element which renders it unusable when removed.

Abstract: A method and system for the treatment of blood and/or other body fluids (such as amniotic fluids) as well as synthetic fluids such as tissue culture medium whereby a fluid to be treated is mechanically filtered for elimination of particles contained therein which exceed 0.2 microns in size (or some other minutely small size) and in addition subjecting the fluid being treated to electric field forces in the microwatt/milliwatt region induced by relatively low voltage of a few volts and low current density which does not exceed values which could impair the biological usefulness and characteristics of the blood or other fluid being treated.

Abstract: A multi-purpose environmental work vessel, to be used in a variety of waterways, canals, and other coastal areas to perform a variety of necessary tasks including skimming oil or debris from the surface of the water, dredging for debris beneath the water's surface, and assisting in firefighting. The vessel includes a catamaran-type hull having a pivotally positioned trash scoop at a forward end of the hull to scoop debris and unload into an adjacently positioned active trash container, a removably positioned dredging system, a fire monitor, a spinning drum-type oil skimmer, an inboard crane, and a pair of outboard motors to propel the vessel and allow it to run at high speeds at a substantially shallow draft.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor having a chemical decontamination system is provided in which every piece of decontamination equipment which processes radioactive materials is located within a decontamination building. The decontamination system is designed to provide for adequate protection for personnel safety and also incorporates a modular design for equipment transportation and storage.

Abstract: A water generating device for obtaining potable water from inside or outside ambient air, having ducts for bringing a supply of inside or outside ambient air to the device and for releasing the air back outside the device after it has been processed. There is an air filter for filtering the air prior to processing of the air. The air filter includes at least one filter element which becomes unusable when removed from the generator. A condenser is provided for extracting water vapor in the air brought thereto by the ducts. Within the ducts there is a fan or blower to move air from outside the device through the condenser and for returning the air back outside after it has traversed the condenser. Between the condenser and the collection point, there is a water filter for filtering the water from the condenser. The water filter includes a filter element cooperating female sensor which becomes unusable when removed.

Abstract: New and improved filtration purification or water treatment systems for providing improved purified drinking water at a point of use are provided in a substantially leak-free fluid flow control device to which the other filtration purification system elements may be matedly engaged. Other system elements may include various filters or filter modules, as well as, system leads for conveying incoming tap water in, outgoing waste water out to drain and purified water from the filter section to a storage tank until desired for use. The fluid flow control device is preferably a unitary thermoplastic body having a number of discrete fluid flow passages extending therein. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid flow control device includes integrally formed input/output connector features, filter-receiving socket portions and an automatic shut off valve disposed in fluid flow communication with certain ones of the passages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process and apparatus for developing photopolymer plates which are useful for flexographic printing on account of their rubber-like elasticity, capability for development by water washing, and good ink resistance. The process and apparatus are designed to circulate by force the washout solution during the development operation in order to minimize the aggregation of photopolymer particles suspending in the washout solution and to completely catch scum which occurs when the unexposed part of the polymer plate is rubbed off in the washout solution.

Abstract: A system for treating effluents such a sewage includes a mixing chamber and a separation chamber. In the mixing chamber various chemical additives are introduced in to the effluent and thoroughly mixed to act as a flocculent to extract the solid materials in the separating chamber. In the separating chamber the mixed materials are caused to flow longitudinally in a laminar flow condition to allow stratification of the liquid from the solid materials. In the mixing chamber there is provided a plurality of transverse baffles spaced longitudinally and rotated angularly relatively to a longitudinal axis of the tube. Each baffle has tapered holes to act as a venturi to mix the materials. In the separation chamber there is provided an auger flight rotating slowly which has holes through the flight thus generating a laminar flow to provide improved separation of the solid and the liquid components.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a viscous valve opener material within an engine oil filter is disclosed herein. The engine oil filter includes an anti-drain back valve that is normally closed on a seat, the seat having inlet passages therethrough for oil passage into the filter. The apparatus includes a base and a plurality of injectors extending from the base arranged so as to be insertable into the inlet passages of the oil filter. The injectors are sized to lift the valve off the seat thereby forming a space between the valve and seat. The injectors include openings facing the space between the valve and seat for depositing the temporary viscous valve opener material into the space.

Abstract: A water generating device for obtaining potable water from ambient air inside or outside a structure or dwelling, having ducts for bringing this supply of ambient air to the device and for releasing the air back outside the device after it has been processed. There is an air filter for filtering the air prior to processing of the air. The air filter includes a one-time sensing element which renders it unusable when removed from the generator. A condenser is provided for extracting water vapor in the air brought thereto by the ducts. Within the ducts there is a fan or blower to move air from outside the device through the condenser and for returning the air back outside the device after it has traversed the condenser.

Abstract: The filtering apparatus is used in combination with at least one analytical instrument, especially a particle analyzer and substantially comprises a controlled pump unit having an inlet side and an outlet side. The inlet side of the controlled pump unit is connected to a reservoir for a liquid medium to be filtered. The outlet side is connected to a filtering unit. An intermediate storage unit for intermediately storing the filtered liquid medium is connected to the filtering unit. The filtered liquid medium is fed to the analytical instrument from the intermediate storage unit which contains level detectors for detecting the liquid level in the intermediate storage unit. The level detectors are connected to a control unit for controlling the controlled pump unit.

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 liquid purification arrangement comprising a housing having an ambient inlet and lineally extending exhaust passage between the housing wall and a drain pan, the housing having a liquid inlet and outlet for a liquid system disposed within the housing which system includes a pump to move the liquid in the system, a blower, an orificed, looped liquid circuit and filtering arrangement, a moveable frame support, a disinfection/rejuvenation receptacle, an ultra-violet and distillation microbial reduction arrangement, a heating and cooling storage arrangement with a collapsible-expansible storage bag and switch arrangement therefor, and a check and alternating valve arrangement.

Abstract: An improved fluid pick-up assembly for the control of the flow of fluids upwardly through a pick-up tube from a fluid reservoir is disclosed comprising, a slidable tubular gate, disposed over a hollow tube having fluid inlet voids therein for fluid flow from said reservoir to said hollow tube, said gate sliding upwardly or downwardly over said inlet voids in response to a fluid level within said reservoir. Provision is also made for said fluid pick-up assembly in combination with an ultrafiltration device.

Abstract: A fluid control mechanism for a fluid control system including a flexible fluid conduit with first and second gripping members to grip the conduit at preselected first and second locations, the gripping members being relatively movable to flex the conduit from a preselected minimum arc position to a maximum arc position to control the rate of fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A bag assembly for storing fluids including first and second placket members sized and shaped to provide a portion of enclosing walls of at least two bag members having at least one fluid inlet and outlet passage and a communicating passage therebetween with a common seam along the surrounding edges.

Abstract: A diagnostic filter device for monitoring electrically conductive and semiconductive particles entrained by a fluid, composed of:a filter element (4) disposed to receive the fluid and to permit passage of the fluid while retaining particles entrained in the fluid;a component (8) disposed for producing an alternating electromagnetic field which extends across at least one region of the filter element (4); andan eddy current detecting instrument (12) connected to the electromagnetic field producing component (8) for detecting the influence on the field of particles in the filter element region.

Abstract: A fluid purification system including a filter membrane, a down stream storage receptacle and a down stream tap for the fluid, the system further including ultra violet microbial reduction treating circuits upstream the storage receptacle and a microbial reduction treating circuit downstream the storage receptacle before the fluid top.

Abstract: Waste water treatment for the removal of heavy metals is optimized by continuously removing and filtering a sample flow of treated waste water subject to pH level control to determine the presence of remaining metals in solution to be precipitated. Filtering of the sample removes metals precipitated by pH level control. Optimized pH level control can cause precipitation of most non-chelated and/or non-complexed metals, so that controlled feeding of a precipitating agent, preferably a calcium dithiocarbamate, to the treated waste water is effectively determined by only those metals remaining in solution, which are typically either chelated and/or complexed heavy metals. The filtered sample is injected with a diluted solution of the precipitating agent, and then a turbidity meter is used to determine the degree of turbidity of the injected clear sample. The resulting degree of turbidity corresponds to the level of precipitation caused by injection of the diluted precipitating agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a viscous valve opener material within an engine oil filter is disclosed herein. The engine oil filter includes an anti-drain back valve that is normally closed on a seat, the seat having inlets therethrough for oil passage into the filter. The apparatus for depositing the temporary viscous valve opener material includes a base and a plurality of injectors extending from the base arranged so as to be insertable into the inlets of the oil filter, the injectors being dimensioned to lift the valve of its seat thereby forming a space between the valve and seat. The injectors include openings facing opposite the space between the valve and seat for depositing the temporary viscous valve opener material into the space.

Abstract: In a fluid storage arrangement for a fluid storage system including a plenum defining housing having a collapsible - expansible fluid impervious storage bag and a planar switch responsive to preselected positions of the storage bag to control the volume of fluid flow to the bag, the switch including contact member(s) responsive to bag movement.

Abstract: A liquid chlorine injection line cleaner is provided and consists of a cylindrical housing with a built-in cleaning mechanism between a pipe line from a liquid chlorine metering pump and a water main line so as to prevent liquid chlorine chemical build up and line blockage.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly, particularly adapted for use in wastewater settling tanks, is provided, which assembly is adapted to be supported on a shaft having a longitudinal axis. The sprocket assembly includes a polymeric sleeve adapted to be mounted on the axially extending shaft, the sleeve including a low friction bearing surface formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The sprocket assembly further includes a sprocket wheel adapted to be mounted on the bearing surface of the sleeve for rotation relative to the sleeve about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Seals are further provided to inhibit the introduction of grit between the sleeve and the sprocket wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus and process useful in the separation of undesirable organics from various types of compositions including sludge. The apparatus comprises a contactor vessel, a sludge conduit for conveying sludge to the contactor vessel, and a sludge cutter for reducing the sludge conveyed by the conduit to reduced cross-section extrudates for deposition in the contactor vessel. The sludge cutter includes a foraminous member and can operate to roughen the surface of the extrudates to provide increased surface area for contacting with solvent. The sludge cutter is arranged to effect free fall of the reduced cross-section extrudates from the sludge cutter for initiating breakup of the extrudates into reduced length segments. A deflector preferably is positioned in the path of the free-falling extrudates to promote further breakup of the extrudates into relatively short segments or pellets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for efficiently disposing of human waste material without the use of power or expendables other than waste heat and flow resulting from the normal operation of an internal combustion engine. Human waste is inserted into an incineration chamber located in the engine exhaust system, is incinerated by the engine exhaust heat, and the resultant ash is expelled from the system by the flow of engine exhaust gasses. The device may be utilized for the disposal of human waste generated by personnel on board various motor vehicles, i.e. various combat vehicles (armored personnel carriers, tanks, command post vehicles, etc.), and is easily adaptable for marine (i.e. various types of boats) or various other applications.

Abstract: A separation system for separating oil and water components of a liquid mixture wherein the oil component is comprised of droplets of a less dense phase in a more dense water phase. The mixture is fed to separation devices including a hydrocyclone for generally reducing the oil in water concentration to less than 500 ppm. The underflow of the hydrocyclone is passed to a downstream flotation device for further separation as by settling, which may be further assisted by liberating gas in the mixture, in the flotation device, to adhere such gas to oil droplets and thereby carry such droplets to the surface of the device. Pressure of fluids leaving the hydrocyclone may be reduced before entering the flotation device. A residence vessel upstream of the hydrocyclone may be provided to precoalese the mixture prior to entering the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A liquid purification arrangement comprising a housing having an ambient inlet and lineally extending exhaust passage between the housing wall and a drain pan, the housing having a liquid inlet and outlet for a liquid system disposed within the housing which system includes a pump to move the liquid in the system, a blower, an orificed, looped liquid circuit and filtering arrangement, a moveable frame support, a disinfection/rejuvenation receptacle, an ultra-violet and distillation microbial reduction arrangement, a heating and cooling storage arrangement with a collapsible-expansible storage bag and switch arrangement therefor, and a check and alternating valve arrangement.

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying rinse water used to remove excess resin from articles which have been impregnated with a sealant material. The impregnating resin is customarily a curable composition comprising acrylate monomer and anaerobic or heat cure initiator and results in the formation of an emulsion in the rinse water. A photoinitiator is added to the foregoing composition enabling the emulsion to polymerize when exposed to UV radiation. After the rinse water containing the emulsion has been so exposed, the resulting rinse water and polymer composition is filtered in one or more stages to remove the polymer, leaving substantially pure water as a result. The water, thus purified, can either be returned to the process for re-use or discharged to the environment.

Abstract: A fluid purification system includes an elongated ultraviolet radiation emitting tube and independent fluid flow-controlling conduits. Each conduit is transparent to allow ultraviolet light emitted by the tube to enter the conduit, and defines a continuous path, and is helically wound closely about the tube to insure that fluid flow through the conduits is exposed to the ultraviolet light. One embodiment of the system includes a filter typically a carbon filter, having inlet and outlet ports. An end of each conduit is connected to one of the inlet and outlet ports of the filter. The system thus exposes the fluid to ultraviolet radiation both before and after the fluid is filtered. Other embodiments include reverse osmosis units and deionization units wherein each entry, exit or discharge port is isolated from contamination by having a coiled connecting tube for the fluid exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: Provided in a reverse osmosis system (R.O.

Abstract: An oil filter for an internal combustion engine lubrication system has an anti-drainback valve that is temporarily held open with a quantity of special grease during the initial filling of the engine's oil lubrication system with oil, and then passively melts or dissipates upon contact with the oil so as to allow the anti-drainback valve to thereafter close.

Abstract: A coffee percolator having a brewing chamber wherein at least one of the boundary wall surfaces of the brewing chambr is adjustable transversely of the direction of flow of the hot water through the coffee powder so that the thickness of the coffee powder bed in the direction of flow may be kept substantially constant for the coffee charges of varying size. The coffee percolator may include a brewing sieve having a support sieve with openings of a size exceeding the dimensions of the ground coffee particles and a fine sieve supported on the side of said support sieve facing towards the brewing chamber and having openings of a size smaller than the dimensions of the ground coffee particles.

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: A portable ultrafiltration device is disclosed comprising a prefilter, pump, membrane filter cartridges, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, process interdiction and control means placed to detect temperature and pressure variations of a feed mixture being processed by the device, and means cooperating with said temperature and pressure means to interdict the operation of the device to prevent damage to the components. Provision is also made for an improved feed mixture pick-up tube comprising a sliding gate means for interdicting liquid pick-up from an oil/water feed mixture.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a method of dehydrating a wet sludge. The wet sludge which is subjected to a preliminary dehydration by gravity dehydration or the like, is pelletized by a pelletizer, and obtained pellets of the sludge are subjected to compression dehydration with a pair of endless filter fabrics.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention comprise an elongated auger housing having a rotatable auger therein. Augers are provided for delivering sludge and an additive such as cement kiln dust to the intake end of the mixer housing. An auger within the mixer housing conveys the material to the discharge end of the housing, and at the same time mixes the materials together.

Abstract: As useful in a filter device for removably securing a filter housing to a valve assembly housing, there is disclosed a fluid tight coupling means for a fluid conduit, the coupling means being readily uncoupled, the coupling means comprising cooperating elements of a double dovetail connection means, the double dovetail connection means having a dovetail connection in two perpendicular planes.

Abstract: In a waterjet cutting system utilizing abrasives added to the cutting liquid, a liquid purifier is provided to remove the abrasives from the liquid before the liquid is disposed of including a disposable reservoir with a removable end plate sealingly engaged with the end of the reservoir. A baffle plate is rigidly connected to the end plate such that when the end plate is in position, the baffle plate will divide the interior of the reservoir into two compartments. An inlet nozzle is attached to the end plate to feed the liquid into one of the compartments on one side of the baffle plate, and an outlet nozzle is attached to the end plate on the other side of the baffle plate, such that the liquid must change directions when it travels from the inlet to the outlet nozzle to assist in the separation process.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for preventing the accumulation of paraffin deposits is disclosed. The invention is practiced by conveying the production fluids into contact with a metal which has a nickel content greater than seventy-five percent. In one embodiment of the invention, a gas anchor tool is disclosed which prevents the accumulation of paraffin solids.

Abstract: A system for continually reforming sewage and other organic materials into liquid oils and gases by pyrolysis using the contained and entrained water in the inorganic and organic constituents of the sewage.This application is a division of now U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,728 application Ser. No. 912,222 filed Sept. 29, 1986, which is a division of application Ser. No. 661,342 filed Oct. 16, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,318, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 622,708 filed June 20, 1984, abandoned which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 560,520 filed Dec. 12, 1983.

Abstract: Waste water treatment for the removal of heavy metals is optimized by continuously removing and filtering a sample flow of treated waste water subject to pH level control to determine the presence of remaining metals in solution to be precipitated. Filtering of the sample removes metals precipitated by pH level control. Optimized pH level control can cause precipitation of most non-chelated and/or non-complexed metals, so that controlled feeding of a precipitating agent to the treated waste water is effectively determined by only those metals remaining in solution, which are typically either chelated and/or complexed heavy metals. The filtered sample is injected with a diluted solution of the precipitating agent, and then a turbidity meter is used to determine the degree of turbidity of the injected clear sample. The resulting degree of turbidity corresponds to the level of precipitation caused by injection of the diluted precipitating agent.

Abstract: Both an apparatus and method for water washing garments and removing radioactive contaminates therefrom without the generation of liquid effluents is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a washing machine unit having a wash water inlet, a rinse water inlet and an outlet conduit, and a hydraulically closed wash water system. The wash water system in turn includes a reservoir of filtered and demineralized water connected to the wash water inlet, a particulate filter unit connected to the outlet conduit for removing particulate impurities from the wash water discharged through the conduit, and a water polisher connected between the particulate filtration unit and the reservoir for supplying the reservoir with filtered and demineralized and chemically purified water.

Abstract: A lint strainer for removing the lint from the exit hose of a washing machine before the lint can enter the drain of the residence or other structure in which the washing machine is located. The lint strainer has a flexible fabric mesh strainer tube having an open end and a closed end. A polymeric ring is affixed to the open end, and the polymeric ring is larger than the opening of the drain pipe which conducts the waste away from the washing machine.

Abstract: An electric steam iron wherein the path for the flow of water from a permanently installed or detachable water tank to the heater contains a supply of water softening agent which can be observed from the exterior of the housing and can be replaced, when necessary, or discarded jointly with an expandible tank or with a perforable envelope or an apertured cartridge.

Abstract: A plurality of magnets are detachably attached to the exterior of the cylindrical casing of a liquid filter unit to attract and capture ferromagnetic particles from the fluid, particles too small to be captured by the basic filtering element but large enough to cause further harm if allowed to remain free in the liquid. The magnets are magnetized such that their ends are north or south poles and shaped so that the ends are in close, positive contact with the casing. The attachment apparatus comprises springs interconnecting the magents and links and springs to position the magnets in the lengthwise direction of the casing.

Abstract: An improved process for the biomethanation of an organic substrate includes treating the substrate in a first reactor to form organic acid anions, passing an aqueous preparation containing dissolved organic anions through an ion exchanger so that the organic acid anions are adsorbed and separated from the remainder of the aqueous preparation, desorbing; the organic acid anions and passing the desorbed acids to a second reactor containing methanogenic bacteria which convert the acids to methane. In a preferred embodiment, a bicarbonate solution is produced in the second reactor and it is used to desorb the organic acid anions and regenerate the anion exchanger into the bicarbonate form. A preferred apparatus first and second reactors, and a pair of anion exchangers connected by tubing to both reactors also is disclosed.

Abstract: A water purifier continuously circulates water under treatment between heating and purification apparatus. The purified water is selectively dispensed either directly into a vessel for food preparation or other uses requiring purified water, or into a beverage maker wherein a liquid distribution apparatus is utilized to uniformly distribute the liquid, for example, into a basket containing ground coffee for producing hot coffee through a percolation technique. The combined water purifier and beverage maker reduces the utensils needed for the above-mentioned functions and reduces the amount of space required for such utensils.

Abstract: In photographic processing apparatus for developing, bleaching-fixing and washing photographic materials, a predetermined quantity of fresh wash water is supplied into a washing tank every time a predetermined amount of the photographic materials have been washed. The fresh wash water is provided by deionizing city water and is reservoired in a replenisher tank. In order to detect a predetermined loss of the fresh wash water in the replenisher tank, a conductivity increasing material is dissolved in the fresh wash water in the replenisher tank when a predetermined quantity of the deionized water is supplied so as to electrically connect a pair of electrodes disposed at a predetermined depth of the replenisher tank. A sterilizer is mixed in the fresh wash water to prevent bacterial growth in the replenisher tank.