Abstract: A constant-recirculation filter system for decontaminating and reusing wash water in vehicle washing installations and other applications in which water recycling is needed. The elements of the system are selected to avoid need for backwashing operations, thereby enabling use by unskilled personnel. Unrecycled fresh water is used to rinse vehicles, and to provide makeup water to the recirculating system.

Abstract: A hollow-fiber filtering module includes a casing having an open end and an inlet for introducing water to be treated thereinto. A bundle of hollow fibers is mounted within the casing, each of the hollow fibers having an open end. A fastening member sealingly joins the open ends of the hollow fibers to the open end of the casing in sealing relation thereto, the open ends of the hollow fibers opening to the exterior of the casing. Part of the hollow fibers are made of a microporous membrane having a portion of a hydrophobic nature, and the other hollow fibers are hydrophilic microporous membranes. Gas introduced into the filtering module can easily permeate the hydrophobic portions of the hollow fibers and is discharged through the bores of the hollow fibers from their open ends together with the filtered water. There is also disclosed a water purification device employing such a hollow-fiber filtering module.

Abstract: A considerable portion of the gas developed by fermentation in an anaerobic purification equipment for waste water, together with buoyant sludge, is collected by at least one additional collecting system (5), before it may reach the upper part of the reactor. This additional collecting system is fitted at a distance below the collecting system (6) fitted as usual just below the level of one or more overflow gutters (3; 23) for purified water. The additional collecting system (5) has a hydraulic link with one or more rising pipes (7, 7', 27, 32, 31) for raising the liquid sludge mixture by gas lift action. The rising pipes discharge into a separation device (8) from which one or more downpipes (9; 29) for returning separated liquid and sludge extend to the lower section of the reactor chamber. As a result of the tranquility at the top and the turbulence near the bottom, a substantial increase of the load capacity of the equipment can be obtained.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for subcyclonic grit separation under aeration conditions utilizing elevated wastewater hydraulic jet recirculation systems.

Abstract: A particle precipitator in the form of a cylindrical tank accepts raw water through a tangentially and horizontally mounted pipe. The precipitator is divided into three separate chambers, a lower, middle, and upper chamber separated by two baffles. The raw water enters and circulates into the lower chamber and because the lower chamber is of much larger volume than the inlet pipe, the velocity of the raw water is substantially reduced. During the raw water's residence time in the lower chamber, many of the larger particles are permitted to precipitate out to the bottom of the precipitator tank. The water then flows through a center opening of the lower baffle to the middle chamber and around the outer edges of the upper baffle to the upper chamber. By the time the water reaches the upper chamber, most of the larger particles have had a chance to precipitate out and the water in this upper chamber is substantially cleaner than it was when it entered the precipitator tank.

Abstract: A magnetic separator useful for treating chips in a machine tool is disclosed, which comprises a separating cylinder, a plurality of magnetic plates arranged at an outer periphery of the cylinder and spaced apart each other, an inlet for a fluid suspension at a middle part of the cylinder, outlets for a separated fluid at one end and for the suspended matter, such as machined chips, at the other end of the cylinder, and a screw conveyor inserted into the cylinder in such a way that the screw conveyor is contacted at its peripheral edge with an inner wall of the cylinder. The magnetic plates are arranged in a circle around the cylinder with the polarity of the adjacent magnetic plates arranged in a special sequence for generating a maximum magnetic flux toward the axial center of the cylinder. Also, the magnetic plates extend from the inlet near the middle of the cylinder to both outlets at opposite ends of the cylinder for achieving a strong magnetization of the chips suspended in the fluid.

Abstract: A device for clarification of liquids and separation of precipitates is characterized by that it comprises a contact chamber 1 above which there is a multi-stream settling tank 2 and below which a chamber 6 for thickening the precipitate is comprised, and comprises an overflow pocket 5 for clarified liquid, the contact chamber 1 has the shape widening upwards, preferably the shape of an inversed cone or an inversed truncated pyramid and the axis of the contact chamber 1 is skew to the level, whereas on the upper edge of the contact chamber 1 an adjustable overflow edge 4 is situated, in the upper part of the multi-stream settling tank 2 there is an outflow unit 7, and the overflow pocket 5 is comprised below the outflow unit 7, the outflow unit 7 is constructed of many uniformly distributed outlet elements 8 which are stub pipes directed upwards and situated on the upper horizontal or inclined surface of the cover plate of the unit 7, the outlet surface of all stub pipes being situated on the same common plan

Abstract: The invention provides an artificial kidney extracorporeal circuit assembly including an artificial kidney having detachably attached multifunctional subassembly means for automatically venting gas bubbles from liquid flowing therethrough, for continuously sensing the liquid pressure of and for filtering said liquid, together with blood tubes for connecting a patient's artery to the kidney and the subassembly outlet port to a patient's vein.The subassembly includes means associated with a hydrophobic gas bubble vent which prevent clogging, minimize blood clotting and insure against ambient gas entry through the vent.

Abstract: An artificial kidney adapted to be implanted in the human body comprising a housing including a diffusion chamber and a dialysate bath chamber. A plurality of microtubules, preferably torqued or spiraled, are arranged substantially vertically in the diffusion chamber. Each microtubule has at least three longitudinal passages therethrough, an arterial passage, a venous passage, and at least one urinary passage, one of the urinary passages extending co-extensively between the arterial and the venous passages, and being separated by walls permeable to waste products from the bloodstream. The arterial and venous blood from the body flow counter-currently through each microtubule, so that the chemical imbalance between the arterial bloodstream and the venous bloodstream causes diffusion across the urinary passage, and the waste products are collected in, and discharged from, the urinary passage.

Abstract: Biological fermentation of organic matter is conducted in a single, unitary, integral vessel with both aerobic and anaerobic processes being conducted within that single vessel. Heat generated in the aerobic process is used to maintain the temperature of the anaerobic process at a desired level, and high molecular weight organic materials are reduced to matter having low molecular weight in that aerobic process. Low molecular weight material is transferred to a chamber in the vessel to be fermented in the anaerobic process.

Abstract: Reactor for anaerobic prefermentation of aqueous waste waters provided with a waste water inlet, an outlet for discharging prefermented waste water and a sludge outlet. The interior of the reactor comprises one first reactor space and one second reactor space, while a precipitation cone is suspended by ribs between the first and second space. A covering sheet extends from the wall of the reactor into the precipitation cone, said covering sheet being provided with a gas escaping tube which ends above the upper edge of precipitation cone.The reactor is further provided with a storage vessel for supplying basic substances to the second reactor space. The outlet debouches into an annular precipitation space having an annular partition; the precipitation space is further bounded by an annular overflow with tooth-shaped recesses.At last a protein removing line and a liquid drain-cock are present.

Abstract: The upflow filter assembly includes a primary chamber situated above a secondary chamber within an enclosure and having a filter element spanning the primary chamber towards the upper end thereof. Airlocks are situated near the dividing floor of the two chambers so that when in the liquid treating or filtering mode, they operate to maintain the air/liquid interface between the chambers and prevent liquid from passing into the secondary chamber assisted by compressed air introduced into the secondary chamber. Liquid containing solids and/or flocculents, is fed into the primary chamber adjacent the lower side thereof and gradually fills the chamber with much of the flocculents and solids settling out by gravity. The partially deflocculated liquid then passes up through the filter element to a height above the filter element with excess, relatively clear effluent flowing out through an outlet spaced above the filter element to provide a hydraulic head above the filter element.

Abstract: In an automobile fuel system and particularly for a diesel powered vehicle, it is desirable to provide a water separator to prevent passage of water to the engine and particularly the fuel induction components. It is also desirable to provide ejection means for the separated water which may include a provision to prevent the ejected water from falling to the ground.

Abstract: The installation comprises two essential elements, on the one hand a water intake apparatus in which various operations of physical and chemical treatment are carried out and, on the other hand, a more elaborate purification apparatus controlled by the intake apparatus, particularly with respect to the transfer of the waters to be treated, this transfer from the intake to the settling being effected by means of a single pump the controlled rate of flow of which conditions the entire treatments up to the settling.

Abstract: There is described a device comprising a filtering compartment enclosing a filtering body, an inlet for unfiltered water and an outlet for filtered water, said inlet being preceded by a liquid-receiving compartment which communicates with a container containing a sterilizing product at a level lower than the highest permissible water level inside said receiving compartment and above the filtered water outlet level.

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

Abstract: A device for separating a mixture of, for example, oil and water consists of a number of elements treating the mixture in stages, said elements being arranged in overlying position in order to manufacture a compact device.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for separation of two liquids in a common mixture from each other, said liquids having different densities and being non-soluble in each other. The device comprises a pressure-tight vessel, which contains a charge of a high-porous material, which is resistant to the mixed liquids to be separated and has a high surface ratio and small flow resistance. The liquid mixture is introduced under pressure through at least one inlet conduit into a chamber located within the charge in the vessel but free from the charge material, an outlet for the heavier liquid being disposed in the bottom of the vessel in order to bring said liquid to flow substantially vertically and downwardly through the vessel, after which the two liquids each are carried to an individual spillway.

Abstract: A manure collection and storage system includes a collecting receptacle for receiving manure collected from an animal confining facility, and a water line for adding water to the manure in the collecting receptacle to form a slurry. A storage receptacle is located at a distance from the collecting receptacle and is connected thereto by a conduit. A first pump is coupled in the conduit for transferring slurry from the collecting receptacle to the storage receptacle. A second pump is coupled to the storage receptacle for recirculating the slurry therein thereby to agitate the same, the second pump being adapted to discharge slurry from the second receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus for eliminating impurities by flotation of such impurities wherein a stream of air is injected into a flow of liquid in a flotation cell so as to form distributed air bubbles fixed on the impurities, which air bubbles rise to the surface for their discharge as foam.

Abstract: A system of waste treatment and disposal which receives and completely destroys waste solids biochemically and disposes of the effluent by total evaporation within a sealed dispersion reservoir surrounding a two stage tank assembly. Raw sewage is reduced in first and second stages of anaerobic digestion in upper and lower tank units of a double tank assembly. Liquid effluent is forced outwardly through discharge openings in the lower tank unit and upwardly through a rock bed in the dispersion reservoir under the pressure of a liquid column in the upper tank unit. The liquid effluent evaporates in the rock bed as a third stage of disposal, with the resulting vapors being filtered through a sand bed over the rock bed and dispersed to the atmosphere in a fourth and final stage.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing harmful substances from effluents has two chambers located symmetrically at opposite sides of an effluent channel. Each chamber contains two or more stacked trays which are each provided with a spiral flow path descending from a tray inlet to a tray outlet. All tray inlets are so located in the channel that substantially all effluent flowing in the channel is compelled to enter them and to travel by gravity through the respective tray. Air, an insert gas or a mixture of both is bubbled from below through the effluent flowing in the trays to expel and entrain the harmful substances. The treated effluent is then discharged back into the channel at locations downstream of its point of admission into the inlets.

Abstract: The invention provides a septic tank system of greatly improved effectiveness in maintaining optimum bacterial action for a maximum length of time by utilizing a plurality of series connected tanks with the water level in each successive tank being lower than that in the first tank so that gravity flow is established between the successive tanks. A unique transfer means is provided between each of the successive tanks comprising one or more horizontal pipes having their inlet ends closed, and each horizontal pipe having one or more horizontal slots formed in the wall thereof at a level above the bottom of the pipe bore to permit the removal of scum through said slots by entrainment and/or suction action of the fluid flowing through the transfer pipe, thereby permitting gases to freely escape through the scum from the effluent surface of each tank and preventing the deleterious effects of trapped gases upon the biodegradation action normally produced in each successive septic tank.

Abstract: A diffusion system for blood including a membrane diffusion device comprising a plurality of blood flow paths positioned in interleaving diffusion exchange relation, with second fluid flow paths positioned on opposite sides of semi-permeable membrane means. The first and second flow paths each communicate with an inlet and an outlet. Heat exchange means having an inlet and an outlet is connected at the inlet thereof to the outlet of the first flow paths. A rigid reservoir, also having an inlet and an outlet is connected at its inlet to the outlet of the heat exchange means. A blood flow circuit is defined through the membrane diffusion device, heat exchange means, and reservoir. The flow circuit defines an essentially constant width, perpendicular to the directions of blood flow, from its beginning to end, to provide a system having good flow distribution in combination with a low pressure drop.

Abstract: A continuous waste water treatment system comprising a reservoir providing a single, closed, continuous, substantially horizontal path through at least two adjacent substantially concentric loops, each of said loops having a beginning and an end, said reservoir being provided with waste water inlet means, treated liquid outlet means, and aeration and circulation means, and wherein said treated liquid outlet means is connected to clarifying means which removes at least some of the sludge carried by the treated liquid and sludge return means is provided to return at least some of the removed sludge to said reservoir.

Abstract: An automated entrainment abundance sampler for the collection of ichthyoplankton specimens and its operation is disclosed. An inverted conical screen or net is utilized to collect specimens from water supplied by a suitable pump. After a set time period, the collected specimens are further concentrated in a secondary concentrator and transferred to a sample container. The conical screen is rinsed to insure that all the specimens are transferred to the secondary collector which is, in turn, rinsed to further insure that all the specimens are carried to the sample container. A suitable control system is provided to allow the sampler system to operate automaticaly in the collection of specimens over a preselected period of time.

Abstract: A sewage treatment system is divided into two stages with a collection system dispersed therebetween. The first stage includes anoxic treatment units producing an anaerobic effluent which is moved through the vacuum tight collection system to the second stage of treatment including an oxidation unit producing an aerobic effluent containing nitrates, dissolved oxygen and activated sludge. The two liquids are mixed in a chamber and are subjected to treatment before discharge for producing a highly treated effluent from which a major part of the nutrients have been removed.

Abstract: A rotary driven conical drum into a large end of which sludge and a flocculating polymer are discharged, constitutes a contact chamber, and is equipped with baffles and weirs. The polymer is supplied to a large end of the drum and mixing is accomplished in the large end of the drum where the surface area of the drum is moving most rapidly. Thereafter the mixing action is slowed down by travel of the mixture to the smaller end of the drum, where the surface area of the drum is moving more slowly, to build up the flocs. The sludge/polymer mixture produced in the contact drum is then discharged through a conduit into the large end of a rotary driven conical concentrator drum. A maximum amount of the free water in the mixture is released from the concentrator drum through its screen side wall at the large end of said drum. The flocs remaining in the screen drum, after initial release of the water therefrom, are protected by their travel to the smaller end of the drum where the surface movement is slower.

Abstract: A sewage purification system for purifying liquid sewage containing biologically degradable solid waste material. The sewage is subjected to successive treatment steps in three basic consecutive stages during which the sewage is agitated to break up the solid waste material and encourage the proliferation of microorganisms for the digestion thereof, settled to effect separation of the purified liquid component from the residual solid waste material in suspension component with recycling of the latter, and thereafter distributed into the ground.

Abstract: The peripheral surface of a coil of a filter web wound about a hollow shaft is covered by a liquid impervious flexible coating, and the outer periphery of a first end of the coil is secured to a supporting disc so that when liquid to be filtered is caused to pass through the coil in the axial direction thereof, the convolutions of the coil near a second end expand radially outwardly to trap contaminants in the spiral gap. Purified liquid collected at the first end of the coil is discharged through the hollow shaft. The filter unit is constructed such that a number of units can be readily connected in series.

Abstract: Decantation tanks receive an oil-water mixture from a holding tank. These decantation tanks are set at varying elevations and are arranged to operate in series to drain off oil that has separated out. These tanks may have heat producing elements associated therewith to increase the efficiency of oil separation, and chemicals may be employed in these tanks also to increase such efficiency if necessary. Separator tanks are also provided in the system and receive oil-water mixture from the bottom of the decantation tanks for further separation of oil from the water. These separator tanks have a skimming apparatus therein and also have a pair of baffles under which the water must travel to accomplish further separation of the oil. The separator tanks have a cross partition, and water in a main portion of the tank flows over such partition to a rear compartment from where it is directed to an open top inspection tank and filtered. The pH of the effluent may be altered at this point if necessary.

Abstract: A system for separating emulsions containing water, an emulsifying agent, petroleum products and possible contaminants, wherein emulsion is fed under controlled laminar flow into at least one separation chamber containing previously separated water and a petroleum layer floating thereon. The emulsion is fed into the separation chamber immediately below the petroleum layer, while the temperature of the emulsion is maintained above the temperature of the previously separated water. The emulsion is thus caused to propagate freely and horizontally in a thin layer between the petroleum layer and the previously separated water, whereby the emulsion self-separates while being substantially stagnant.

Abstract: A housing for a bilge pump-filter has a lower part in which oil and like light pollutants are separated from the polluted water. A pump has its intake connected to the lower region of this lower part and its output connected to an upper compartment of a compensation chamber in the upper housing part which is subdivided by a filter into this upper compartment and a lower compartment. A funnel under the filter conducts liquid coming down through the filter by gravity to the lower region of the lower compartment and a drain at the upper region of this lower compartment off the filter water. A level detector in the lower separation chamber operates the pump only when liquid level in this separation chamber is above a predetermined minimum level.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing grit and fiber from waste activated sewage sludge prior to introduction into a centrifuge for further separation. Grit removal is accomplished by hydrocyclones and fiber removal is carried out on a 300.degree. screen. The hydrocyclones and screen, together with connecting conduits, are conveniently mounted on a supporting frame for facilitating transportation of the unit and for maintaining the predetermined structural relationships of the various members.

Abstract: An apparatus and a control system for receiving the mud-like discharge from a liquid clarifying vessel and dewatering it into the form of slugs by vacuum means connected to the annular space surrounding a stand pipe connected to the discharge outlet. A timing and control system effects squeeze-out action and discharges the dewatered slugs from a flapper valve on a timed basis, as well as effecting periodic clean-out action.

Abstract: A device for separating liquids of lower density than water, in particular oil, from water, comprises a pump and a separator receiving the liquids from the pump. The separator comprises a settling chamber and a filter pack arranged behind the latter. A line between the pump and the settling chamber feeds the liquids exclusively to the latter. The line includes a vent valve. An overflow opening device is provided between the settling chamber and the filter pack. A shut-off member is provided for closing the overflow opening in response to the thickness of the layer of liquid of lower density collected in the settling chamber.

Abstract: A grit selector having an upper settling chamber and a lower grit storage chamber. The settling chamber communicates with the storage chamber through a relatively small opening in a flat transition surface therebetween. Rotating paddles critically positioned within the settling chamber cause the flow of liquid entering the settling chamber adjacent the outer periphery to rotate about the chamber in a forced vortex having upward spiral flow. Settled grit attaches to the transition surface at the settling chamber perimeter before one revolution. The spiral flow urges the grit across the transition surface towards the opening while the organics are lifted upward and back into the flow. The grit drops through the opening into the grit storage chamber and the organics are carried out of the settling chamber through an outlet passageway.