Abstract: A new apparatus and method for the removal of waste material including solid wastes from a fluid is provided. The apparatus and method employ a unique combination of processes that result in extended periods of use between cleanings of the apparatus.

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 high strength wastewater treatment system having a first tank with an inlet and an outlet, an aerator positioned within the first tank for passing oxygen into wastewater within the first tank, a second tank having a clarifier compartment positioned therein, an aeration device positioned in the second tank for passing oxygen into a liquid within the second tank, and a pipe connected to the first tank and the second tank for passing liquid from the second tank to the first tank. The second is interconnected to the outlet of the first tank. The second tank has an outlet extending from the clarifier compartment. In particular, the pipe has an end opening within the second tank and a diffuser connected to the pipe within the first tank. The diffuser is a venturi diffuser having a narrow section and a wide section. An air pump is connected to the venturi diffuser for injecting air into the narrow section. This delivery of air serves to draw liquid from the second tank through the pipe and into the first tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating contaminated water are described wherein contaminated natural water or industrial wastewater is treated to remove contaminants in a packaged modular treatment unit.

Abstract: This clarification plant consists of a circulating reactor in a housing which has a treatment area and a sedimentation area and which is characterized by at least one gas-input element and at least one treatment element which interlock with each other; in the gas input element, the water to be purified is highly enriched with oxygen and subsequently undergoes strong turbulence in the treatment element. The gas input elements and the treatment elements are modularly constructed out of disk-shaped components so that the clarification plant can be scaled as desired. The main purification is done by means of biological reduction processes in micro-organisms which are specifically introduced or cultivated.

Abstract: A vessel (10) for placement on a land site for treatment of wastewater, in which an inlet (22) communicates wastewater, grit, and suspended solids into a grit collecting chamber (24) for settling grit particulates therefrom. An aeration zone (34) receives air from nozzles (37) for facilitating biological digestion of the suspended solids and conversion to activated sludge. The activated sludge communicates through an airlift (70) to a mixing chamber (30) which also receives wastewater with suspended solids from the grit collecting chamber. The air from the nozzles (37) creates an upflow of wastewater and activated sludge to secondary clarifiers (42) having sludge receiving plates (48) on which the sludge settles, accumulates, and falls from, resulting in treated water in the upper portions of the secondary clarifier (42). The treated water discharges in a trough (62) from the vessel (10). A method of sanitary treating of wastewater is disclosed.

Abstract: A water treatment and disinfection apparatus is provided, which has separate flow channels to allow entry and exit of separate streams of water through the apparatus, with an ultraviolet light source emitting rays through first and second ultraviolet transparent sleeves having an annular space therebetween to form an inner flow channel and an annular space between the second sleeve and an ultraviolet resistant pressure vessel. The apparatus of the invention is specially suited for disinfection of water in reverse osmosis water purification systems, whereby pre-reverse osmosis (untreated) water and post-reverse osmosis (treated) water are directed inside the apparatus of the invention to be separately and simultaneously disinfected by ultraviolet rays and again separately exit the apparatus.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system having a tank with an inlet and an outlet and an offset access opening residing at a top of the tank, a clarifier compartment positioned within the tank, an aeration compartment formed within the tank around an exterior of the clarifier compartment, and aerators extending into the aeration compartment so as to supply air to the wastewater within the aeration compartment. The access opening is formed between a center of the top and an outer wall of the tank. Each of the aerators includes an air inlet, a conduit connected to the air inlet, a diffuser assembly connected to an end of the conduit opposite the air inlet and an anchor connected to the diffuser assembly opposite the conduit so as to maintain the diffuser in a fixed position within the aeration compartment. The diffuser assembly has a plurality of diffusers formed thereon.

Abstract: A sewage treatment apparatus including a treatment tank with a floor and walls and having an upper aperture. A hopper having a clarifier chamber with upper and lower apertures is centrally disposed on hopper supports in the treatment tank, maintained at a predetermined height. A deflector cone is centrally disposed on the tank floor with its vertex received in the lower aperture of the hopper. The exterior of the hopper, the deflector cone and the interior walls of the treatment tank define an aerator chamber, subdivided into a plurality of aerator zones. Diffusers in each aerator zone introduce air into the aerator zones, inducing sewage to flow in a generally vertical orientation in the treatment tank. A cover mounted over the treatment tank aperture maintains a pressurized pocket of air above the sewage for increased oxygenation of the sewage. Treated sewage passes from the aerator zones into the clarifier chamber, then into the environment.

Abstract: A clip for supporting the clarifier and the droplines in a wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The clip comprises a pair of parallel main plates separated by a bracing plate. The bracing plate is perpendicular to the main plates and is attached to the ends of each. Attached to the free ends of each of the main plates is a pair of mounting plates. These mounting plates are parallel to the bracing plate. In a preferred embodiment, the main plates each contain a hole. This pair of holes is vertically aligned, and each hole is sized to contain a dropline.

Abstract: An automatically operating sewage purification plant for industrial and domestic sewage systems, comprising at least one conduit for conveying untreated sewage to at least one first chamber for preliminary sedimentation in which larger solid particles are separated out, at least one second chamber which communicates with the first chamber via at least one delivery conduit and in which partially purified supernatant liquid that flows in from the first chamber undergoes a chemical purification process. Each second chamber is provided with an outlet conduit for discharging purified supernatant liquid. Each second chamber is provided in its upper part with a supernatant receiving device which receives the partially purified supernatant liquid from the first chamber and which is adapted to pivot about an axis when filled to a predetermined level and therewith deliver its load to a cyclone arrangement.

Abstract: A device for producing fibrinogen includes a platen having a surface configured for heat exchange with a container, which is adhered to the platen by device of a vacuum and heat exchange allowing both cooling and heating to occur along the boundary between the container and the platen. The platen is operatively coupled to a device of rocking the platen about a horizontal axis and the container allows scavenging of a cryoprecipitate fibrinogen from the blood product for subsequent utilization.

Abstract: A filter with a horizontally fed filter chamber having loose bulk material as the filter medium has a wall on the upstream side and downstream side to hold back the loose bulk material in the filter chamber. The filter chamber includes a compressed air-lift pump disposed inside of the filter chamber for pumping the loose bulk material from a bottom area of the filter chamber, through a bottom lifter connected with a stand pipe to an upper rinse chamber, and a hopper disposed at a bottom of the filter chamber having entrance slots and surrounded by a chamber that is provided with a rinse water inlet tube connected to a raw water chamber.

Abstract: For the biological purification of waste water, use is made of a column containing a UASB reactor (1) at the bottom and an aerobic reactor (2) at the top. The two reactors (1; 2) are separated from one another by a partition (12) in which openings are provided to allow the anaerobic effluent through into the aerobic reactor. The partition (12) is situated at some distance above the gas collection means (8) in order to form a buffer zone (13) for anaerobic sludge which has flowed through. Preferably, a floatation apparatus (3) is mounted on the aerobic reactor in order to separate biomass from the purified water.

Abstract: A tank (1) for an apparatus for receiving and conditioning organic waste by anaerobic bioconversion, in particular, waste produced by restaurant kitchens and other facilities, includes a main enclosure wherein bioconversion takes place, and a secondary enclosure (18) for receiving and storing ground organic waste before it is transferred to the main enclosure for completion of its bioconversion. A hopper (4) or other device for receiving the organic waste is associated with a grinder (2) and is connected to the secondary enclosure (18) of the tank for feeding the ground organic waste. A recirculation system (12, 15) for recycling the contents of the tank includes a pump (13), means for distributing (17a, 17b) the contents of the main enclosure between the different levels thereof, and separate means (9, 22) for removing solid residues and liquid waste.

Abstract: A liquid purification system (10) and method for decontaminating microbe infested liquid (14) is provided. The liquid purification system (10) includes a primary tank (18) which contains both a purifying liquid composition (24) and an initially treated microbe infested liquid (44) with the liquids being immiscible with respect to each other. A heating element (30) is immersed in the primary tank (18) for heating the purifying liquid composition (24). Microbe infested liquid (14) passes through a secondary conduit (16) and is inserted into the primary tank (18) where the microbe infested liquid (14) is heated by contact with the heat purifying liquid composition (24) and descends to a lower portion of the primary tank (18). A primary conduit (34) is mounted within the primary tank (18) and secondarily heats the initially treated microbe infested liquid (44) to provide a purified liquid composition.

Abstract: A continuous loop reactor system has flow channels in the form of 3-dimensional spirals, defined by a pair of nested vortical walls and vanes which extend from the innermost of the vortical walls towards the outermost wall without contact. The vanes in combination with the vortical walls define a false bottom ditch for treating waste water, particularly for oxidative denitrification. Air exposure is limited to the beginning portion of the spiral flow pattern where the process is still in its aerobic stage. Denitrification is completed in an anoxic stage as waste water progresses further along the pattern. Aeration and motivation are provided by a lift tube/aerator assembly. By employing a false bottom, frictional surface area is decreased and sediment accumulation is eliminated between two vertically adjacent flow paths to provide energy efficient water treatment at low minimum flow rates.

Abstract: A device for distributing and dispersing highly pressurized air-saturated water, preferably for use in a flotation tank (1) of a water purification plant, is placed adjacent to inlet openings (2) through which water to be treated in the flotation tank (1) passes. The distribution and dispersion device includes a pre-dispenser (27, 28) which is arranged in a distribution pipe (21, 22) or its supply conduit (24), and which includes a perforated pipe mounted, preferably, coaxially in the distribution pipe or the supply conduit. Air-saturated water passes through the perforations or throttling holes (26) resulting in a first pressure decrease and subsequent dispersion. The water then passes to the distribution pipe (22) from which it passes through one or more openings (23) in the wall of the distribution pipe (22), and is forced out the flotation tank (1) during a further decrease in pressure and dispersion of the water.

Abstract: A filter housing having a bracket for attaching the housing to a septic tank outlet port and adapted for fluid flow connection to an outlet port on the housing, contains a removable filter element having an outlet port connected to the outlet port on the housing and an opening in the lower end of the housing for delivering septic tank fluid to the filter, and includes a seal element buoyantly responsive closingly to fluid in a septic tank when the filter housing is mounted in a septic tank, operatively connected to the filter element for closing the open lower end of the filter housing and forming a temporary second filter at the lower open end when the filter element is removed from the filter housing.

Abstract: A carrier-separating and liquid-collecting mechanism in a liquid-waste treatment apparatus having a treatment tank in which carriers having microorganisms immobilized thereon are suspended. The carrier-separating and liquid-collecting mechanism includes a cylindrical screen (13) and a liquid-collecting devices (14) disposed in the cylindrical screen. The cylindrical screen is provided in the treatment tank, such that the axis of the cylindrical screen extends in a substantially horizontal direction. The liquid-collecting device is a pipe or a gutter having liquid-collecting holes, and is capable of collecting liquid at a plurality of positions through the cylindrical screen. The carrier-separating and liquid-collecting mechanism may further include a rotation mechanism for supporting the cylindrical screen and intermittently rotating the cylindrical screen on the axis thereof and a brush (18) which is fixed so as to be in parallel to the cylindrical screen in contact with the cylindrical screen.

Abstract: A water filter system having a housing for a plurality of serial-flow connected filter cartridges with distinct filtering characteristic related to the direction of flow of water being filtered. Each filter cartridge has a membrane wrapped activated carbon filter body. One of the filter bodies includes a heavy metal bacteriostat. The cartridges are each releasably retained in a manifold by keyed connectors including rotatable locking rings. Each cartridge having a distinct filtering characteristic includes a keying structure to ensure that the cartridge can only be connected to the manifold for placement in proper serial-flow relationship in the system. The filter system includes a spent filter cartridge indicator. The filter system is particularly suited for countertop placement and connection to a faucet.

Abstract: An oil-water recovering and separating apparatus for separating a raw fluid consisting of a mixture of oil and water into an oil part and a water part on the basis of difference in specific gravity, comprising: intake means for taking in the recovered raw fluid; a separation tank for separating the taken-in raw fluid; a water-part reservoir tank continued to the separation tank; a drain tank continued to the water-part reservoir tank; an oil part recovery portion disposed in the separation tank, the oil part recovery portion having a recovery port disposed slightly above the fluid level of the raw fluid in the separation tank; and scrape-up means provided in a position facing the recovery port so as to move along the fluid level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating wastewater is provided including a cylindrical tank having a top, a bottom, an outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall extends from the bottom of the tank to a point above a desired water level. The inner wall, the top and the bottom define an inner aerobic zone. The inner wall, the outer wall, the top and the bottom define an outer anaerobic zone. Wastewater may pass from the outer anaerobic zone to the inner aerobic zone through holes in the inner wall. An open ended conical hopper is positioned within the inner aerobic zone with its smaller end pointed toward the bottom of the tank. Several radially spaced air outlet pipes connected to a compressed air source extend downward into the inner aerobic zone where air is discharged through the open ends of the outlet pipes. An inlet line connected to the tank opens into the outer anaerobic zone of the tank. An outlet line is positioned within the clarification zone to remove purified water from the tank.

Abstract: Rotary filtration devices and processes are disclosed. The devices have at least one inner member and at least one outer member, one or both of which rotate so that they rotate with respect to one another and which define a fluid filtration gap therebetween. There are one or more filters facing the fluid filtration gap and which are located either on the inner member or on the outer member or on both. During the filtration process, permeate passes from the feed fluid in the fluid filtration gap through the one or more filters. The inner member has an internal pathway for the flow of feed fluid. Fluid from the body of fluid to be filtered flows from the body of feed fluid to be filtered through the internal pathway, reverses direction, and then flows through the fluid filtration gap back to the body of feed fluid.

Abstract: A fuel filter assembly (10) has a head portion (12) and an element portion (14) enclosing a replaceable cartridge (18). The assembly has a first inlet port (22) which accepts fuel from a tank (90) and filters it by passage through a screen (43) supported on a tube (36). The fuel that has been filtered by passage through the screen is delivered from the assembly through a first outlet port (24) for delivery to a lift pump (96). Fuel from the lift pump is returned to the fuel filter assembly through a second inlet port (26). The fuel is finely filtered by passage through a loop of filter media (60). Clean fuel is delivered from a second outlet port (28) to an engine (104). Contaminants separated from the fuel by passage through the screen and the media loop are collected in first and second sump areas (78), (80) of the filter housing respectively. An alternative embodiment (110) includes a prefilter screen (158) integral with a replaceable cartridge (118).

Abstract: A water purification system for home or light commercial application including a preconditioning stage followed by an integrated water sterilization stage. Both stages utilize a single pressure chamber in which the active medium for the preconditioning stage is placed within this chamber as is the entire sterilization stage. More specifically, UV sterilization is contemplated with the UV stage having a stainless steel vessel which, however, is operated at zero differential pressure. A single head is fitted to the top of the pressure chamber and serves multiple functions of admitting the water to be purified and expelling the purified water and, further, to retain the UV vessel, the UV lamp and quartz shield. A segregation device is positioned at the inlet to the UV vessel to separate the respective stages and to assure that none of the preconditioning medium is admitted to the UV vessel.

Abstract: A clip for supporting the clarifier and the droplines in a wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The clip comprises a pair of parallel main plates separated by a bracing plate. The bracing plate is perpendicular to the main plates and is attached to the ends of each. Attached to the free ends of each of the main plates are a pair of mounting plates. These mounting plates are parallel to the bracing plate. In a preferred embodiment, the main plates each contain a hole. This pair of holes are vertically aligned, and each hole is sized to contain a dropline.

Abstract: A septic tank filter system comprises a mounting member adapted for attachment to an interior surface of a septic system tank, at least one open-ended, cylindrical filter housing fixed to the mounting member, and a hollow foraminated filter nested in each filter housing. The filter has a first conduit providing a fluid flow connection between the filter interior and an outlet port in the filter housing. Liquid sewage is filtered during passage from the outside of the filter to its interior. Filtrate flows through the first conduit, then through the filter housing outlet port, thence through the mounting member and finally exits the tank through the outlet pipe in the tank wall. A score line in the filter housing side wall permits ready removal of a section thereof to form an inlet port. Telescoping channel members on the outside of the filter housings allow them to be interconnected with the outlet port of one in fluid flow connection with the inlet port of another.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a liquid containing suspended solids comprising a clarifying vessel and a number of filters positioned around the periphery of the clarifying vessel for receiving and filtering liquid from the clarifier. A filter may be backwashed by isolating that filter, filling the other filter cells with clarified liquid and draining them into the isolated cell to remove filter media contaminants.

Abstract: A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier and clarification process utilize three zones for clarification which operate in sequence in a single clarifier. Raw water with suspended solids enters a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles introduced to the inflow float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, in a set of plate-like lamellae, radial and conical, which form inclined channels 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.

Abstract: A water purification system utilizes a radial filter and an ultraviolet lamp in a small, portable, countertop housing. A standpipe is positioned between the filter and the ultraviolet lamp to control the flow of water so that it flows along substantially the entire length of the UV lamp. The lamp is made integral with a quartz-tube covering and a threaded cap and connector to enable replacement of the UV lamp assembly. The housing encompassing the filter system is also easily disassembled to enable cleaning of the housing and replacement of the filter. A pressure vent is provided in the housing cover to equalize pressure and provide for a water level differential when the filter is disabled. A UV lamp indicator is included to show that the lamp is in operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of oil and other substances from a liquid such as water consisting of a first, vertical and mainly cylindrical reservoir in which separation takes place by means of gravity, a second reservoir for additional separation, and a third reservoir in which separation takes place by means of flotation such as inducing gas. The second reservoir is coated round the first reservoir over a part of the cylinder, with the third reservoir above the second reservoir and also around the first reservoir. In the wall between the first and the second reservoir, interconnecting tubes are located. The second and the third reservoir are connected with each other via an opening in a ceiling plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a liquid containing suspended solids comprising a clarifying vessel and a number of filters positioned around the periphery of the clarifying vessel for receiving and filtering liquid from the clarifier. A filter may be backwashed by isolating that filter, filling the other filter cells with clarified liquid and draining them into the isolated cell to remove filter media contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating wastewater is provided including a cylindrical tank having a top, a bottom, an outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall extends from the bottom of the tank to a point above a desired water level. The inner wall, the top and the bottom define an inner aerobic zone. The inner wall, the outer wall, the top and the bottom define an outer anaerobic zone. Wastewater may pass from the outer anaerobic zone to the inner aerobic zone through holes in the inner wall. An open ended conical hopper is positioned within the inner aerobic zone with its smaller end pointed toward the bottom of the tank. Several radially spaced air outlet pipes connected to a compressed air source extend downward into the inner aerobic zone where air is discharged through the open ends of the outlet pipes. An inlet line connected to the tank opens into the outer anaerobic zone of the tank. An outlet line is positioned within the clarification zone to remove purified water from the tank.

Abstract: A flotation/entrainment reactor is poured with a plurality of concentric tubes forming respective chambers, the tubewear for receiving and filtering a liquid from solids contained therein, and with an inlet cylindrical base receiving the liquid and guiding it and, a rising flow along a cone wall of a frustoconical cap mounted on the base to the region of formation of a foam column in one of the concentric tubes encompassing an imaginary apex of the cone wall of the cap.

Abstract: A process of dewatering primary-treated sewage which includes mixing the sewage with a coagulant or flocculant aid, usually activated polymer. The sewage is then mixed and flocculated at conditions which involve extensive mixing turbulence of the sewage and whereby part of the sewage is recycled so as to be again subjected to such mixing and flocculating. Flocks form the solid particles in the sewage. The pH of the sewage is chemically adjusted into the basic pH range or to a higher basic pH. The sewage is applied to a sand bed whereby the flocculated solids in the sewage are separated from the liquid in the sewage, by collecting on the top of the sand bed. The flocculated solids located on the top of the sand bed are air dried. The dried flocculated solids are removed from the top of the sand bed.

Abstract: An integral activated sludge wastewater treatment system has a vessel having at least one internal baffle dividing the vessel into at least one treatment chamber and at least one settling chamber. The settling chamber is at least partially defined by a first wall of the baffle. The treatment chamber is at least partially defined by a second wall of the baffle. A recycle pump is provided for recycling aerated wastewater from the treatment chamber back into the settling chamber and inducing a downward sludge velocity in excess of the velocity that would be caused by gravity alone.

Abstract: A filter device for use in a waste water treatment system including a filter element of two-piece construction disposed within a filter casing with a fluid chamber therein defined by an outer surface of the filter element and the inner surface of the filter casing. The filter casing has a central opening in the bottom which extends upwardly and is in flow communication with an outlet discharge from the tank. The filter element includes a first filter section having a main body of U-shaped cross-section with opposed outwardly extending L-shaped portions at each terminating end of the U. Each L-shaped portion is provided with a first locking device. A second filter section is of substantially flat configuration with the terminating sides of the second filter section having a second locking device therealong for mating with the first locking device of the first filter section.

Abstract: In a method of treating an untreated flow of liquid charged with particles and/or colloids, the flow is caused to flow in a coagulation zone that is kept turbulent and in which the flow is mixed with a coagulant. The untreated flow and a granular material which is insoluble in and more dense than the flow are caused to flow in an intermediate zone in which the granular material is maintained in suspension. The flow with substantially all of the added granular material and the colloids or particles aggregated therein is caused to flow in a sedimentation zone in which a clarified effluent is separated from sludge consisting of the granular material and the aggregated particles or colloids. The sedimentation zone has an undivided flow cross section with no separator plates and the effluent is caused to flow therein at an average settling speed of at least 15 m/h.

Abstract: Reactor for biological sewage purification having a tank with a casing and a bottom surface and a funnel-shaped member in the tank. An activation space is defined between the casing and the funnel-shaped member and a separation space is defined inside the funnel-shaped member with a passage in the funnel-shaped member for communication between both spaces. A partition extends from the casing to the funnel-shaped member. A recirculation means defines an inlet communicating with the separation spaces and an outlet communicating with the activation space. A circulation circuit is formed for circulating fluid between the activation space and the separation space.

Abstract: A centrifugal oil filter includes a housing having a rotatable bowl disposed in a first fluid chamber and rotatably disposed about a shaft extending through the first fluid chamber. The rotatable bowl has a flow directing member connected generally at the bottom thereof to define a particle collection basin and the flow directing member extends upwardly to form a passageway adjacent the shaft so that the fluid flow within the rotatable bowl is directed to a pair of nozzles which act to rotate the rotatable bowl responsive to fluid flow therethrough. A particle retention insert is made of a cellular structure and disposed in the particle collection basin. The particle retention insert functions to receive foreign particles within the cellular structure and retain them therein by protecting the particles from the fluid flow within the rotatable bowl.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating contaminated stormwater runoff from roads and adjacent lands. A multi-stage and self-contained integrated module is designed to collect the first flush of stormwater runoff (which contains the majority of pollutants) and to treat the pollutants using sedimentation, filtration and constructed wetlands. The apparatus is mass-produced to provide standardized hydrologic controls, important to the reliability of the constructed wetland component of the apparatus. Raw stormwater enters the central sedimentation chamber of the apparatus which is divided into multiple segments designed to provide a series of sedimentation/filtration chambers. At least one chamber is provided with a removable filter bulkhead. Effluent from the final sedimentation chamber is discharged to the constructed wetland system which surrounds the central sedimentation tank.

Abstract: A flotation method and apparatus for separating a selected constituent from an effluent of an industrial process is provided. The apparatus includes a conditioning tank and a flotation cell. The conditioning tank allows mixing a flotation reagent with an effluent and includes a mechanism for also dissolving gas in the effluent within the conditioning tank. The flotation cell includes a dissolved gas flotation chamber having an overflow for recovering the selected constituent and a tailings drain. In addition, the flotation cell also includes an added gas flotation chamber having a sparger for injecting gas into the effluent, an overflow for recovering the selected constituent and a tailings drain.

Abstract: A modular sewage treatment plant is disclosed using a vessel adapted to contain the standard three phases of a sewage treatment, aeration, settling and clarification. The vessel of this invention uses an inverted, centrally located funnel section to received raw sewage to be treated at the upper opening, and to inject air, counter-currently, at a 180 degree angle to the descending sewage. The aerated sewage leaves the bottom of the aeration section and solids enter a settling section therebelow whereas water to be clarified rises around the outer surface of the funnel shaped aeration section. A hopper shaped bottom in the settling section is provided to facilitated solids removal and a weir system is provided on the upper surface of the clarification section to serve as a scum remover for the clarified water.

Abstract: A saturated brine tank in an apparatus for production of electrolyzed water having a box-type cabinet formed to contain the vessel of a brine tank mounted thereon and covered with a lid, wherein the brine tank includes a funnel-shaped chute formed to cover an upper opening of the vessel of the brine tank and detachably coupled at its outer periphery with the upper opening of the vessel for introducing an amount of water-soluble salt supplied into the vessel, a netted bag of fine mesh fixedly coupled at its opening end with a lower opening end of the chute to retain the salt introduced therein from the chute, an overflow pipe disposed within the interior of the vessel outside the bag, and a communication pipe connected to the bottom of the vessel for connection to a diluted brine tank.

Abstract: The method of cleaning porous ceramic filters with a backwashing apparatus comprising an accelerating circulation path and a unit for mixing accelerated water with high-pressure air can be implemented with compact equipment to achieve efficient cleaning. The pool water purifying apparatus and system that adopt this method of cleaning porous ceramic filters comprise a filtering means that uses the ceramic filters, a disinfecting means and an adsorbing means and, optionally, an ultrafiltration means as an additional filtering means, and are capable of removing not only bacteria but also viruses so that the water purified by this apparatus and system may be as clean as potable water. Such an extremely high efficiency of water purification achieved by the apparatus and system can be maintained over a prolonged period since both the filtering and adsorption means can be cleaned by backwashing.

Abstract: A secondary sewage treatment system is provided with a treatment vessel disposed within a septic tank. The treatment vessel has a draft tube for aerating and circulating waste liquor through the treatment vessel and through media contained within the treatment vessel. The media has one part that is submerged media and another part that is an unsubmerged trickle media. The operation of the draft tube circulated waste liquor within the treatment vessel through the submerged media and up through the draft tube where it is expelled and trickles down through the trickle media back into the liquor in the lower portion of the treatment vessel.

Abstract: Water purification apparatus provides an elongate ultraviolet lamp extending into a surrounding hollow tube capable of passing ultraviolet light. The lamp and tube are surrounded by a housing, with water inlet and outlet, which provides an annular flow path around the hollow tube through which water may pass for exposure to ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet reflective surface in the annular flow path reflects ultraviolet rays through the water. A unique seal is provided around an open end of the hollow tube to seal the lamp from water in the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating waste liquid and solid material comprises an upwardly inclined passage containing an auger for conveying the solid waste material upwardly along the passage, with an inlet opening at a lower end of the passage for receiving a mixture of waste liquid and solid material into the auger, a drainage opening at the lower end of the cylindrical passage for draining liquid from the solid waste conveyed by the auger, and a compactor for receiving the solid material fed upwardly by the auger and compacting the solid waste material. An extruder receives and extrudes the compacted solid waste material from the compactor, and may be arranged to convert the compacted material into pellets.

Abstract: A sewage treatment system which includes a cylindrical treatment tank fitted with an air distribution system and an inverted, cone-shaped clarifier, wherein air is supplied to the aeration chamber of the treatment tank through the air distribution system by means of a compressor. The treatment tank is normally installed below the surface of the ground and the air distribution system includes downwardly-extending air drop lines, the plugged ends of which project at or below the plane of the bottom open end of the cone-shaped clarifier. The drop lines are provided with spaced air openings which face the clarifier and are located above the plane of the bottom open end of the clarifier, to facilitate optimum diffusion of air into the aeration chamber toward the clarifier from the drop lines, responsive to operation of the compressor.