Abstract: A filter apparatus of the dynamic mass granular filter type, for filtering contaminants from a liquid includes a vessel which contains a first chamber, a second chamber and a conduit pipe which connects the two chambers. The first chamber includes a sump defined by vertical walls and a flat bottom, and supports a dynamic filter bed of granular filter material. The second chamber receives a portion of the mass of granular filter material drawn from the filter bed in the sump and a portion of the liquid, in a flow of liquid through the conduit pipe and cleans and returns the portion of the mass of granular material to the dynamic filter bed through an opening in the second chamber, the size of which is adjustable from a position remote from the vessel. A filtrate recovery chamber, positioned within the dynamic filter bed, has perforated side walls for passing filtrate into the recovery chamber. The side walls are parallel with the movement of the filter materials passing the filtrate recovery chamber.

Abstract: A deep bed filter system comprising a plurality of filter media beds, each having a respective media regeneration sub-system that includes some components associated with an individual filter bed and other components that are shared with all filter beds in the system, thereby improving the utilization of available space and lowering the materials and labor costs relative to known systems. A central column extends upwardly along the axis through the upper and lower portions of the vessel, thereby defining an annular volume extending substantially from the bottom of the vessel through the upper and lower portions. A plurality of distinct tubes extend through the central column, with each tube having a lower, intake end situated at the bottom for drawing dirtied filter media from the lower portion of the vessel into the column and transporting the drawn media upwardly through the column to a second discharge end at an elevation above the filtrate level of the filtrate region.

Abstract: A filter apparatus of the dynamic mass granular filter type, for filtering contaminants from a liquid includes a vessel which contains a first chamber, a second chamber and a conduit pipe which connects the two chambers. The first chamber includes a sump defined by vertical walls and a flat bottom, and supports a dynamic filter bed of granular filter material. The second chamber receives a portion of the mass of granular filter material drawn from the filter bed in the sump and a portion of the liquid, in a flow of liquid through the conduit pipe and cleans and returns the portion of the mass of granular material to the dynamic filter bed through an opening in the second chamber, the size of which is adjustable from a position remote from the vessel. A filtrate recovery chamber, positioned within the dynamic filter bed, has perforated side walls for passing filtrate into the recovery chamber. The side walls are parallel with the movement of the filter materials passing the filtrate recovery chamber.

Abstract: A moving bed filter in which the liquid to be filtered is introduced into an internal chamber centrally disposed in the filter bed. The liquid flows through the filter bed to filtration nozzles which are disposed near the outer periphery of the filter bed. A portion of the filter bed media is continuously removed from a recessed chamber below the floor of the filter bed, transported by gas lift through a lift conduit to a washbox located above the filter bed, and cleaned by a countercurrent flow of the filtrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a fluidized bed reactor with improved method and apparatus for inhibiting and clearing clogging of the fluid distribution network in such reactor. In particular, at least one channel or reservoir of fluid is provided over at least a selected portion of the distribution network, with fluid from such column/reserve being released to maintain flow and pressure in the distribution network as the media bed is defluidized. For the preferred embodiment, the fluid column is (a) a feed pipe connecting a fluid inlet which is above the reactor fluid level to the distribution network; and (b) a plurality of risers which, for the preferred embodiment, extend from the end of each lateral tube of the distribution network. A vacuum breaker is provided for each fluid column to permit fluid to flow from the column into the network when pressure is removed.

Abstract: A deep bed upflow filter (10) for removing suspended solids from an influent stream to provide a clean filtrate, comprising an upright vessel (12) having a vertical axis (14), top and bottom ends (16,18) and contiguous upper (20), lower (22), and intermediate (24) regions between the ends. The upper region contains filtrate (26) up to a first elevation (28) and an outlet (30) for drawing the filtrate out of the vessel. The intermediate region contains particulate filter media (32) for removing the suspended solids from influent moving upwardly through the media as the media, dirtied with solids, moves downwardly into the lower region. The lower region is generally tapered (36) inwardly toward the vessel bottom and contains dirty media (34) that has moved downwardly from the intermediate region. Influent is introduced (44) between the intermediate and lower regions, and the dirty media is collected (46) at the bottom and transported (50) to a regenerative washing compartment (52).

Abstract: A chromatography column having a media supply and product/buffer inlet assembly positioned at the inlet of a dispersion section at the top of the column and an outlet assembly positioned at the collection section at the bottom of the column for receiving and discharging product components and buffer liquid and for discharging liquefied spent media. The media and product inlet assembly includes a housing having a product and buffer inlet passage including a selectively movable media supply nozzle extending through the housing. The nozzle may be positioned through the dispersion section into the column housing for spraying media in the form of a slurry into the column housing, and may be withdrawn after the media bed is packed. The collection section of the column includes a hollow rod extending through a discharge conduit through which spent media may flow. The rod has a probe at the upper end for entering into the column, a point at the end of the probe being adapted to puncture and chip spent hardened media.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a vertical column of filter media contained in and defined by a liquid-impervious vessel. A filtrate collection chamber is fixedly and centrally located in the media column. The collection chamber has liquid impervious top and sidewalls and an open bottom, whereby liquid to be filtered and introduced through a feed pipe at the top of the media column passes downward through the media column past the collection chamber and then upward into the collection chamber, is removed through a filtrate collection pipe. The apparatus may include equipment for continuously washing and recycling the filter media, and auxiliary alternatives for increasing the efficiency of the apparatus. Also included is the novel method for practicing the invention, particularly with the novel apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a lining of a pulsed column which allows for an extended exchange of the solid phase with the liquid phase. The lining is composed of stacked baskets and rings, the baskets having a perforate bottom and the rings having a central hole. The size of the perforations in the baskets are such that the solid phase is retained therein while the central hole in the rings allows the solid phase to pass therethrough and go on to the next lower basket. The inside of the column is subjected to high frequency, low energy pulsations which move the liquid and solid phase in a back-and-forth manner. Additionally, the inside of the column is subjected to extremely low frequency, high energy pulsations so as to remove one portion of the solid phase located in a basket and cause it to go down towards a next lower basket.

Abstract: Sorbable ions are removed from aqueous compositions by the use of an apparatus and method which permits the aqueous composition to flow in an uninterrupted or continuous manner. Included is a resin cycling contactor assembly which continuously accepts the flow of aqueous composition and which turbulently contacts it in a generally co-current elongated contactor path during which ions are removed from the aqueous composition and sorbed to the resin. The resin cycles within the resin cycling contactor assembly until a selected degree of resin contamination is achieved, at which time a predetermined portion of the resin is removed from the resin cycling contactor assembly and replaced by regenerated resin. The resin is regenerated within a regenerator assembly which accomplishes regeneration by counter-current flow of liquids through a packed resin bed.

Abstract: A filtering system includes a filter vessel containing a movable granular media bed, a feed stream inlet port for flowing a liquid-solid stream through the bed for filtration, a dirtied media outlet and a cleaned effluent outlet. A vertical cleaning section in either a separate stand-alone washing section vessel or in a washing section within the filter vessle, includes a wash path in which a washing liquid typically a portion of the cleaned effluent washes contaminants from the dirtied media resultant from filtration of the feed stream. The resultant contaminants-containing wash water is pumped to waste but a sidestream thereof is recycled at least in part to the filter vessle to a location in the vessel between the feed stream inlet port and the dirtied media outlet so that the liquid ordinarily transported with the dirty media at the bottom of the filter is replaced, at least in part with the recycle liquid.

Abstract: A sand filter is provided where dirtied filter media, generally sand, is continuously withdrawn from the filter container and lifted to the top of a juxtaposed separate wash vessel outside the container. The dirty media cascades in zig-zag fashion across and down a series of vertically spaced inclined baffles in the wash vessel extending alternately from opposite sides of the vessel so that a thin, relatively wide media stream falls from one baffle down to the next. A wash liquid, normally clean filtrate from the sand filter container, enters an inlet port adjacent to the bottom of the wash vessel and due to the coaction of the spaced baffles forms vertically-oriented circular flow patterns or vortices in alternative clockwise and counter clockwise directions so that portions of the wash liquid flow are directed to flow along with and in the same direction i.e. co-current flow, as the downwardly progressing and cascading media stream falling from one baffle member to the next baffle member.

Abstract: Process for contacting a particulate solid phase and a liquid in a column, which solid phase and liquid interact with each other, in which process the column is filled with packing material that is inert in respect of the solid phase and the liquid, in that the solid phase and the liquid are contacted countercurrently, and in that the liquid is subjected to pulsation.

Abstract: A liquid/solid contacting column and method of operating same is provided. The column is of the type in which a vertical series of stages is defined by vertically spaced perforated plates or trays which allow for forward flow up the column during which solid adsorbent in a fluidized state is contacted by liquid flowing up the column, and flow of solid adsorbent and liquid down the column during a reverse flow part of the operating cycle. The column is provided with outlet means in the form of one or more ports or ducts for a stream of liquid and solid adsorbent from the space above the lowermost plate or tray and wherein such outlet means is located at a predetermined height above said lowermost plate or tray.

Abstract: By this method, the fluid to be filtered is led through a filter bed formed of particulate filter particles, such as sand, which filter bed is retained in an upstanding annular space. The fluid is introduced to the interior part 15 of the annular space and is led transversely to the movement the filter bed, through it and away. The filter bed is provided on the inner wall of annular space with a microfilter, such as sieve grid 16, with a mesh size of 10 to 200 microns, whereby the heavy and flocculated dirt particles settling upon the microfilter are led down and away and are drawn off together with the particulate filter particles 32. To avoid stoppages of the microfilter, it is flowingly hydraulically cleaned from the inner space. Additionally, by introduction of water in the take-off space 11 there is produced a vortex bed, whereby at this space the withdrawal of the particulate filter medium is effected with a mammoth pump 17 known per se.

Abstract: A bed of particulate material of varying sizes is located within a vessel. This bed comprises an upper and lower region. Particulate material is supplied continuously to the center of the upper region so as to form a peak shape which descends downwardly and radially outwardly from the center. Liquid to be filtered is introduced to this peak shape and is filtered downwardly through the bed. A majority of the filtered liquid passes through a screen located between the upper and the lower regions into a screen filtrate enclosure. The remaining liquid continues to the lower region. This liquid and dirty particulate material are transported by an air lift tube from the lower region to a position above the upper region. At this position, the particulate material is washed and supplied to the center of the upper region. The remaining liquid and filtered particles are removed from the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-cleaning filter in which the suspension to be filtered is introduced into the filter media at a lower portion of the apparatus. The dirtied filter media flows out the bottom of the apparatus by gravity, while the material being filtered flows upwardly through the filter media into an annular chamber, over a weir and out an outlet pipe. The dirty filter media is mixed with clarified liquid that is received from a confined chamber in the upper portion of the filtering apparatus and the slurry so formed flows into the inlet of a pump. The pump scours the material acting to partially separate the liquid and particulate from the filter material. The slurry is then pumped up into a separator wherein further separation takes place with the liquid and particulate matter being directed out of the separator back for reprocessing and the clean filter medium is reintroduced into the filtering apparatus.

Abstract: A reaction column for the physical or chemical treatment of a solution in heterogeneous phase. Such a column operates under a pressure substantially equal to the height of charge in the column; its lower part is conical, the lining comprises a static component and, arranged within the cone, layers of inert materials of a size and density increasing from the top to the bottom; a free height being left between the top of the upper layer and the top of the column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration apparatus composed of: a container comprising a central well and a number of radial individual chambers, each of said chambers comprising: a filtration bed placed on a plate, said plate defining with the bottom of the container an evacuation chamber; an open gullet admitting the water, and an aperture situated towards the top end of the well and connecting said chamber with said well, each well being equipped at its base with a discharge pipe and said container comprising at its base a discharge pipe for the pure water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous elution and absorption apparatus comprising an upright column having a first upper end and a second lower end, means for feeding particulate material into the first end of the column, inlet means for feeding liquid into the column adjacent the second end thereof, outlet means for removing liquid from the column and means for removing particulate material from the second end of the column, wherein the outlet means for removing liquid comprises a screen located at an intermediate point between the first and second ends through which screen the liquid passes while the particulate material is retained in the column, said intermediate point being located above the point of introduction of the liquid so that liquid flows upwardly through the column, and there being provided screen means for preventing upflow of liquid to the first upper end of the column so that particulate fed into the first end of the column tends to rill and excess liquid flows downwardly and out thr

Abstract: A suspension is filtered by a granular filtrating layer while flowing through the granular filtrating mass as a vertical ascending current. The granular mass is, for the purpose of being washed with air, driven continuously by a compressed air ejector into a tube where it follows an ascending motion and at the outlet of which it is washed with water above the layer where the filtration is carried out. Thereafter, the washed mass is recycled by gravity onto the upper portion of the filtration layer. The charged granular mass which has been subjected to the first or air washing operation is fluidized above the filtration layer and subjected to an extra washing operation with water and pressurized air.

Abstract: A back rinse arrangement for ion exchange resin in an ion exchange bed through which a liquid to be treated flows in a substantially vertical direction to have contaminants captured therefrom in the ion exchange resin includes an inlet chamber arranged at a lower region of the fixed bed, an injector that opens into the inlet chamber and has a transporting and rinsing liquid selectively supplied thereto, and a conveying and cleansing pipe which extends vertically through the fixed bed and provided with an outlet opening at its upper end. The particulate ion exchange resin, which is particulate or granular, is gradually withdrawn by the flowing transporting and rinsing liquid from the lower region of the fixed bed, and is conveyed through the conveying and cleansing pipe, with simultaneous performance of a cleansing action, to the upper region of the fixed body which gradually descends as the ion exchange material is being withdrawn from its bottom region.

Abstract: A batch system apparatus for collecting lysozyme from egg white by adsorption on an ion-exchange resin, which includes a lysozyme adsorption tank, equipped therein with a stirring mechanism for stirring an egg white solution and an ion-exchange resin, having a strainer provided in a lower portion thereof, having liquid discharge pipes connected thereto at a position below the strainer, preferably at the bottom of the tank, and at the side wall above the strainer at a height such that the resin when left at rest will not overflow, respectively, and further having a resin discharge pipe connected thereto at the lower portion of the side wall, above and in the vicinity of the strainer; a positive displacement pump connected to the liquid discharge pipes for transferring the egg white solution after removal of lysozyme to a reservoir tank; and a centrifugal pump connected to the resin discharge pipe for transferring the mixture of the resin and water to a separate tank, whereby collection by adsorption can be mad

Abstract: A vertical column extractor for the continuous countercurrent treatment of a solid-liquid system wherein an active zone of mass transfer is communicated to a discharge section which is selectively isolated from the active zone for discharging the treated solids without interrupting the continuous flow of solids and liquids through the active zone. The discharge zone is characterized by a collecting chamber divided into an upper section continuously communicating with the output from the transfer zone and a lower section which is intermittently isolated from the upper section for the batch removal of the treated solids collected therein. A liquid inlet and air vent is provided in the discharge section to prevent vapor bubbles from entering the active zone.

Abstract: Filtering apparatus of the sand-circulating type in which the backwashing conduit means, by which the filtering medium is circulated from the bottom of the bed to the top and washed in the process, are located around the periphery of the vessel. The conduit means may comprise a series of tubes, each associated with a water jet and equispaced around the vessel wall. Emerging from the tubes, the washed medium may be constrained to pass radially inwards between upper and lower guiding baffles before finally falling onto the top of the bed. The support plate on which the bed rests may be upwardly conical in shape, may contain water nozzles to help direct the lower part of the bed towards the backwashing conduit, and may be formed with perforations through which filtrate may pass.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for effecting counter-current mass exchange between two non-miscible phases A and B, for example a liquid phase A and a liquid or solid phase B, circulating in opposite directions from one end to an opposite end of a vertical tower comprising a plurality of superposed chambers in which the first phase A is caused to circulate continuously and the second phase B is caused to circulate discontinuously. One chamber is empty and is adapted to receive the phase B contained in the next chamber thereabove, the two chambers being isolated from any supply of phases A and B. A small fraction of the liquid phase A is diverted for directing continuously this phase to the other chambers of the tower, the thus diverted fraction being introduced into the next chamber above the empty chamber for carrying away the phase B contained in the lower empty chamber, this diverted fraction being reintroduced into the circuit.

Abstract: A turntable for placing a recording disk such as an optical information storage disk has a rotatable shaft to which an electrically conductive rotor is fixed. Inner and outer stators are disposed in confronting relation to each other with the rotor interposed therebetween. Each stator has a C shape with a recess in which there is placed one end of a radial feed unit for moving a pickup head radially across the turntable for recording information on or retrieving information from the disk on the turntable while the latter is being rotated. The outer stator comprises a comb-shaped block having a plurality of teeth with coils wound thereon in different phases. When sinusoidal currents are supplied to the coils, the stator produces a moving sinusoidal magnetic field to rotate the rotor according to the principles of a polyphase induction motor. The rotor may double as the turntable.

Abstract: Solids from a liquid containing heavy metals are filtered by first degassing the solids-laden liquid and then subjecting the degassed liquid to sedimentation to remove large particles and subsequently intermediate size particles. The suspension of fine particles is then passed in counterflow to a moving bed of granulate, especially black peat, to which the particles tend to adhere externally and internally. Clear liquid is removed from the top of the moving bed and the granulate is washed after being withdrawn from the bottom of the bed and is recycled to the moving bed.

Abstract: The lower end of an ion exchange column is provided with a rotatable valve member which, in a first position, supports resin material in the column and, in a second position, allows the resin material to drop out of the column. The valve member can include a sintered body which in the first position supports the resin material and permits drainage of reagents introduced into the column. On rotating the valve member into its second position the sintered body can fall out of the valve member to permit the resin material to fall out of the column through the valve member. A replacement sintered body can be dropped down the column on to the valve member and the column can be refilled with resin material for further use.

Abstract: An apparatus charges weakly acidic cationic ion exchange resin particles with uranyl ions by contacting the particles stepwise with aqueous uranyl nitrate solution at higher uranium concentrations from stage to stage. An alkaline medium is added to the uranyl nitrate solution in each stage to increase the successive pH values of the uranyl nitrate solution contacting the particles in dependance upon the uranium concentration effective for maximum charging of the particles with uranyl ions.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a self-contained unit wherein a continuous flow of contaminated liquid, such as steam-plant condensate recycled as feedwater, may be processed on an on-line basis through a replaceable demineralizing resin bed and through a replaceable filter cartridge. The disclosed configuration incorporates two cylindrical chambers within a single housing. Flow for demineralizing purposes is directed downwardly through the resin bed in the space between chambers, and the thus-demineralized flow is then directed upward through the filter cartridge in the inner chamber.

Abstract: An hydraulic system for the discharge of a bed of granular material supported on a screen (3), for example a sand filter, comprises an upright cylindrical vessel (1) with a horizontal plate (2) at the lower end of the vessel to support the bed of granular material. The support plate carries screens (3) to allow the passage of water and to block the passage of bed material. The vessel is provided with entry and discharge ports (8 and 10) and a ring of fluidizing jets (13) is located a short distance above the support plate (2). A discharge pipe (11) rises through the bed. The bed of material can be discharged hydraulically from the vessel through the discharge pipe (11) without any mechanical items requiring maintenance within the vessel (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for continuously extracting ions from a clear liquid or a liquid containing materials in suspension, by means of a bed of grains of exchange substances.The process comprises maintaining the bed in a permanent condition of fluidization by an absolutely continuous feed of liquid, and subjecting the bed to cyclic pulsation phenomena in such a way as to ensure grading of the grains on the basis of density, in dependence on their ion charge. To carry out that process, an apparatus comprises a fluidization column which does not have any plate capable of interfering with the grading operation, a pulsation generator which operates by taking off liquid at the top of the column and re-injecting it in a surge manner at the base of the bed, and a system for centrifuging the liquid to be treated, for removing the sandy materials therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for filtering a liquid through a movable filter bed consisting of granular material, with continuous scavenging of the bed material and having the characterizing functions as follows:the filtering takes place in that liquid from a central inlet passes outward and upward through the filter bed.the filter bed in operation moves continuously downward, and the bed material is renewed continuously by supply to the upper portion (A) of the filter.the separation of impurities in the liquid takes place substantially in the central portion (C) of the filter and to a small extent in the portions located closest to the outlet.the washing of polluted bed material takes place in several steps, the first one thereof by fluidization of the material in the lowermost portion (D) of the filter, and the last one with liquid and air in the upper portion (A) of the filter.

Abstract: A bottom for a filter of the type that employs granular material for removing impurities from liquids includes a trough, the bottom wall of which is interrupted by an egress passage for the granular material. Lateral wall sections of the bottom slope upwardly away from the trough toward sidewalls of the filter. An elongate header, having a central passageway therethrough, is embedded in an elongate sidewall section defining a part of the trough, and a plurality of openings are provided through an outer wall of the header and spaced-apart along the elongate extent thereof for permitting filtered liquid to pass into the header. A plurality of conduits extend laterally from the header and include central passageways communicating with the central passageway of the header. These conduits are spaced-apart along the elongate extent of the header and slope upwardly from the header toward sidewalls of the filter and are embedded in the sloping lateral wall sections of the bottom.

Abstract: A countercurrent liquid-solid contacting apparatus comprises a liquid purifying column for substantially purifying a liquid by passing the liquid upwardly through a bed of purifying material and a regenerating column for regenerating the purifying material used to purify the liquid. The liquid purifying column includes supply and transfer ports defined respectively at the top and bottom thereof and has therein the bed of purifying material which is spaced a predetermined distance from the top of the liquid treating column to provide a vacant space. The purifying column further includes a liquid inlet and outlet with a portion of the purifying bed above the liquid outlet serving as a settling layer to avoid any possible fluidization and/or expansion of the purifying material.

Abstract: A continuous clarification apparatus provides a vessel having a bottom portion and a preferably cylindrical and upwardly extending sidewall defining therewithin a liquid retaining space at least partially filled with a "floc" carrier forming a moving media bed with flow normally being downwardly through the bed. A clear water discharge outlet allows the discharge of clarified effluent from the vessel. An inlet header allows the addition of an influent to be clarified into the vessel. A vertically extending inner separation wall generally concentric with the vessel sidewall defines a moving bed area and an annulus area. The annulus area provides a lower scour zone, a middle return zone and an uppermost reject zone. The floc carrier is placed within the moving bed area and an aeration means is placed within the vessel annulus with the air being bubbled upwardly in the annulus during continuous cleansing.

Abstract: Apparatus for liquid/solid contact including apparatus for single or multiple fluidized beds provided with one or more trays having a number of inverted frustum-shaped depressions with an opening located therein.

Abstract: Continuous or semi-continuous ion exchange treatment, such as desalination, is achieved by utilizing a column packed with a heterogeneous thermally regenerable ion exchange resin in a single bed divided into a loading zone, a heat displacement zone above the loading zone, and a resin regeneration zone above the heat displacement zone. In operation, feed liquid flows upwardly through the loading zone and the treated liquid is removed. Loaded resin is transferred from the loading zone to the regeneration zone, the resin bed then being displaced downwardly, counter-current to the flow of feed liquid. A hot regeneration liquid, which may be a portion of the treated liquid, is passed through the loaded resin in the regeneration zone for thermal regeneration of the resin.

Abstract: A fluid purification system having a vertical bed of granular material disposed in a tank which communicates with a charging compartment and a discharging compartment respectively positioned above and below the tank. The charging compartment is provided with a perforated bottom plate and an injection nozzle which blows in the granular material horizontally so that it drops by gravity into the beds through the plate. The discharging compartment comprises a hopper in the form of a dihedron whose arris is inclined to the horizontal in the direction of a drainage port provided at the base of the compartment. The system is of particular utility in the nuclear and chemical industries for the purification of air contaminated with radioiodines or noxious gases.

Abstract: A countercurrent liquid-solid contacting apparatus having combined filtering and regenerating columns stacked one above the other. The filtering column has a liquid inlet and outlet, a liquid medium to be filtered being supplied into the filtering column through the liquid inlet and discharged to the outside through the liquid outlet after having passed upwardly through a bed of filtering material within the filtering column. The regenerating column has its bottom end opening into the filtering column and supplies a filtering material in an amount necessary to compensate for a reduction in the amount of the filtering material within the filtering column each time a portion of the filtering material in a lower region of the filtering column is withdrawn and then transported back into the regenerating column.

Abstract: A method for clarifying coke quenching water or other waters which are contaminated by solids, with a wide grain spectrum, in an operation in which the fine portions of the solids suspended and carried along with the water are removed from the water by filtration and the clarified water is returned in a cycle, comprising, depositing the water into a filter shaft so that the substances removed from the contaminated water build up in the shaft and themselves form a filter bed, continuing to pass the water through the filter bed from the top to the bottom in a manner so that the velocity of flow of the water in the filter bed decreases constantly and so as to preclarify the water which passes through the bed and subsequently refiltering the preclarified water in a trough basin which rises from the bottom to the top. Thereafter, the refiltered water is directed into a discharge channel from the trough basin which overflows above the basin.

Abstract: Sintered glass pellets which generally decrease in particle size as they increase in specific gravity provide a unique filter medium which varies from larger pellets at its inlet (upstream) upper portion to smaller pellets at its outlet (downstream) lower portion. In view of the variation in specific gravity, particles forming the filter medium generally resume substantially their initial respective positions after the medium is back-flushed for cleaning. Although pellets throughout the medium differ in specific gravity, they are made of the same ingredients. The individual pellets are formed by granulating finely-ground glass with a suitable binder and sintering the resulting granules.

Abstract: An improved withdrawal means for removing spent adsorbent from the adsorber beds of a filter apparatus is disclosed comprising a fixed tube and a rotatable tube positioned concentrically and having a different pattern of slots through each so that a different portion of the slots in each come into an aligned relationship as the rotatable tube is rotated so that spent adsorbent can be pneumatically removed from zones where the slots are aligned. This withdrawal means allows the external selection of adsorbent withdrawal zones, which is especially important in filter apparatus used to filter fluids containing radioactive contaminants.

Abstract: Apparatus for purification of waste water includes an upright adsorber filled with active carbon passing in downward direction through the adsorber while waste water flows in upward direction therethrough. A distributing arrangement at the region of the lower end of the adsorber, into which waste water is fed, is provided to assure a substantial even distribution of the waste water during its upward flow through the carbon column. Furthermore, a regulating arrangement is provided to regulate the flow of the carbon through the adsorber in dependence on the concentration of the organic contaminants adsorbed by the carbon.

Abstract: In the described embodiment of the invention, apparatus is provided for continuous filtration of a suspension or emulsion comprising a tank containing a bed of particulate filtration medium and an inlet arrangement within the filtration bed to introduce the suspension or emulsion. A transport pipe carries dirty filtration medium from the bottom of the tank to a wash device located above the filter bed zone which washes the medium as it passes downward along a washpath. An apertured cone disposed below the wash device distributes the cleaned filtration medium across the top of the filtration bed and an outlet for clarified liquid is positioned above the wash device, which has an inlet above the top of the filtration bed to receive clarified liquid.

Abstract: A liquid purification apparatus which comprises a hollow cylindrical column having a liquid rectifier and collector positioned respectively adjacent the bottom and top of the column in communication with liquid inlet and outlet. A mass of adsorbent material is accommodated within the column in such an amount that a portion of the material within the column and above the liquid collector forms a settling layer to avoid any possible fluidization and/or expansion of another portion of the material situated between the liquid rectifier and collector. The column has a material inlet at the top thereof through which material is continuously supplied into the column while a portion of the material adjacent the bottom of the column is exhausted to the outside through an outlet at the bottom of the column. The uppermost surface level of the material within the column is maintained within a predetermined range.

Abstract: In a carbon contact column for a system for removing certain organic compounds from waste water, carbon supplied to the column flows in counter-current contact with the stream of waste water flowing through the column. Carbon is removed from the bottom of the column by a jet eductor. A source of fluidizing water is connected to the column adjacent to the eductor to prevent the formation of a cavity in the carbon bed in that area adjacent to the jet eductor.

Abstract: A method of filtering a liquid comprising the steps of providing a bed of particulate material, withdrawing material from the base of the bed, supplying replacement particulate material to the bed in such a manner that the bed has a free inclined upper surface, and causing the liquid to be filtered to flow through the bed by entering the same through said inclined upper suface, and apparatus for carrying out such method. Preferably the particulate material is comprised by particles of various sizes whereby a classifying action takes place to give a structured filter bed.

Abstract: Disclosed are improvements in and relating to a fluidized-bed type multistage solid-liquid contact apparatus which comprises a contact column incorporating therein a multiplicity of a spaced and horizontal support plates each carrying thereon a fluidized bed of solid particles and having a downcomer for communicating between the upper and lower sides of the plate, a storage tank for the liquid to be treated by contact with said layer of fluidized solid particles in said contact column, a storage tank for receiving the treated liquid and a storage tank for solid particles for use in said layers.