Abstract: A water treatment apparatus for use in a post-mix beverage dispenser enables purification of water, removal of water hardness and sterilization of water which is normally accomplished by a precipitation/floculation process used in a bottling plant. This apparatus can treat the water for beverage dispensing purposes and will not require high capital expenditures. The apparatus includes a removable, disposable cartridge having a reactor or first section filled with sand, carbon granules or other heat-conducting material for removing the bicarbonate content and other impurities from the water and a filter or second section having a filter and activated carbon screen for removing solids, traces of chlorine and dissolved organic material from the water. The apparatus also includes heat exchanger coils and a heating element for raising the temperature of the water as well as a holding tank having a gas trap for collecting and removing carbon dioxide and chlorine gas.

Abstract: A portable water container for home use wherein a replaceable container for the conditioning media is provided with a locking base and a surrounding envelope. A top cap is provided to maintain the container and the output conduit therefrom in a fixed position within the envelope during operation. The removal of the top cap and envelope enable the container to be readily detached from the base and a new container installed.

Abstract: An inexpensive, throw-away water purifier is provided for use with water receiving household devices such as coffee makers, portable water containers, ice makers and the like, to treat the water with dosages of water softening and purifying chemicals as the water flows into the devices. The purifiers are small, compact, flat pancake-like units, used singly or in stacked combinations directing water flow in an extended serpentine path through one or more dosages of water treating chemicals. The purifiers have thin impervious plastics material housings, thin porous membranes separating the water treating chemicals from the inlet and outlet of the housing and baffle means directing the water flow in an extended serpentine path as it flows through the membranes and chemicals from a top inlet to a bottom outlet. The purifiers can be thrown away after a single usage and are sized to be compatible with the inlet mouths of standard water receiving household appliances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating an oil phase from an aqueous phase by means of a rotating drum apparatus containing one or more compartments, each being partially filled with oleophilic free bodies. When containing two or more compartments, they are separated by an apertured baffle. The interior surfaces of the drum are oleophilic and the portion of the drum sidewall, where the mixture is removed is apertured. Due to the oleophilic free bodies and interior oleophilic surfaces, the aqueous phase velocity through the drum is faster than the oil phase which adheres to the oleophilic surfaces causing an in situ buildup and agglomeration of oil phase in the drum. The mixture exiting the apertured drum sidewall is partitioned by the tumbling free bodies, oleophilic drum surfaces and drum rotation such that aqueous phase leaves the drum between the 6 and 9 o'clock positions of counter clockwise rotation where free body concentration is minimal.

Abstract: Filter cartridge for the improvement of the quality of drinking water, consisting of a vessel (10) with sieve-type covered apertures (18, 44) filled with a compound (16) of ion exchange resin and/or absorbent carbon together with a bacterio-statically effective material, in particular silver, in dissociable form, through which the water to be treated is conducted mainly in a downwards direction, the vessel having a collection space (48), for a limited quantity of water, originating from the vessel's floor (42), which is separated from the outlet aperture (44). Thus drying out of the cartridge through non-use over a longer period of time or through misuse is prevented and the effectiveness of the bacterio-statically effective material is retained to combat the feared multiplication of germs in the treatment compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting filtration, clarification and purification of liquid which comprises a housing containing a filter element made up of a plurality of layers of adsorbent material, comprising a porous, non-woven fibrous matrix in which is included an adsorbing agent for removing dissolved or suspended matter from the liquid, and a plurality of layers of liquid-permeable material. The layers of adsorbent material and liquid-permeable material are interdigitated in a stack between liquid impervious walls, and the flow of liquid through the filter element is along path generally parallel to the confronting surfaces of the layers of adsorbent material and liquid-permeable material. A process for removing dissolved, suspended or particulate matter from a liquid containing same, utilizing the filter apparatus, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An enclosed filter is disclosed herein having an elongated container or housing composed of transparent material incorporating a plurality of adjacent filtering chambers separated by a mesh partition or grid. Filter material especially suited for removing chloramine occupies each chamber and pump apparatus is employed for drawing water through an open grid end of the housing through the chambers for existing via a discharge port in the pump apparatus.

Abstract: The filter comprises a pressure vessel, which contains vertically spaced apart partitions for supporting respective layers of a particulate filtering material. In order to ensure that the result of the filtration will not be influenced by fluctuations of the flow, pressure and temperature conditions of the solids-laden fluid to be filtered, each layer of filtering material is enclosed by a sheath, which is permeable to the fluid to be filtered and impermeable to the filtering material and which together with said filtering material constitutes a filtering package, which is engaged at its top and bottom by two of said partitions and is compressed by said partitions under constant pressure. The partitions engaging each of said filtering packages at its top and bottom define with said filtering package passages for the supply of said solids-laden fluid to said filtering package and for withdrawing filtrate from said package.

Abstract: A fluidized bed plate has been provided which provides uniform flow of a sodium-gold-cyanide or sodium-silver-cyanide solution in gold and/or silver recovery by means of sorbing or desorbing in a fluidized carbon bed. The bed plate comprises a floor grate which supports a screen mesh which in turn supports one or more layers of shot. Carbon particles are supported by the shot. The flow of the fluid is uniform through the mesh and shot because of the arrangement of the voids created between the shot due to their natural stacking characteristics. This fluid flow is effective in fluidizing the carbon particles uniformly with little abrasion. A unique tank design permits desportion of the carbon particles while the tank is temporarily taken off-line. After the tank is reactivated it can be placed back on-line as required. The fluidized bed plate of this invention can be used in a column where processing of the solution in series is desired.

Abstract: A method of, and a device for, providing a disinfectant carried by a water supply flowing through a conduit, comprising introducing a predetermined portion of the water into a sealed container having a reservoir and a chamber below the reservoir in intercommunication therewith, the reservoir holding a quantity of iodine crystals and being of a predetermined size sufficient to hold a quantity of water proportional to the maximum flow rate attainable through the conduit and such that a minimum concentration of 120 parts per million (milligrams per liter) is obtainable as an outflow from the container when the supply of water is at least above freezing, the predetermined portion of the water being introduced into the chamber and outflowing from the reservoir above the iodine crystals whereby all said water portion passes between the iodine crystals. The device includes inlet means opening into the chamber and outlet means opening from the reservoir above the iodine crystals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a counter-current adsorption filter for the treatment of liquids, with different adsorbents which require different regenerating agents, in which loading of the different adsorbents is effected in a stream of liquid flowing upwards and regeneration of the different loaded adsorbents with the different regenerating agents is effected in a stream of liquid flowing downwards, the inside of which filter is subdivided, by horizontal devices which are permeable to liquid, into a number of chambers corresponding to the number of different adsorbents to be used; in which the adsorbents which are regenerated with different regenerating agents are present in adjacent chambers; the chambers - with the exception of the topmost chamber of the filter - are equipped with a liquid drainage system which is located below the device which is permeable to liquid and forms the upper boundary of the chamber, and which is embedded in a layer of inert material; and in which the individual chambers are filled w

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for purification and activation of water not only from a water purification plant but also from other sources by passing water through dechloration zone, to eliminate chlorine ion, activation zone to disorder the equilibrium state of water and ionize the water and settlement zone to disturb the ionic balance of the ionized water and make it oriented to be softened successively.

Abstract: An apparatus for the countercurrent treatment of liquids with adsorbents in an adsorption-filter the space of which is divided by trays which are permeable to liquids into at least 2 chambers, in which before and/or during the charging of the adsorbent in the upward flow, the regeneration of the charged adsorbent in the downward flow and the backwasting in the upward flow particular levels to which the industrial chambers are filled are established by transferring adsorbent from one chamber to the adjacent chamber.

Abstract: An upflow filter of the type in which a liquid influent (e.g. water) is directed upwardly through buoyant filter media particles includes a porous supporting member, preferably in the form of a screen having openings through it that are larger than the nominal size of the media particles. A layer of particulate material is positioned on the upper surface of the porous supporting member and has a nominal particle size that is greater than the size of the openings through the supporting member. This layer of particulate material includes a plurality of interstices, or passages through which filtered liquid influent can pass, and, in the most preferred embodiment, also retains the buoyant media particles in the filter.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system includes a tank divided into a horizontal series of filtering sub-chambers by perforated plates. A series of graded filtration media, beginning with a coarse medium and progressing to a fine medium such as sand is disposed in consecutive sub-chambers. Various features are provided with this system to perform desirable system operations. For example, the system is provided with input and outlet pressure sensors, and means for detecting the pressure differential between those two sensors, to indicate the desirability of backwashing the filtration media contained within one or more sub-chambers. The system is further provided with plural pumps and valves to permit backwashing of the fine filtration medium in a direction reverse to the direction of filter flow, and transverse to that direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a counter-current adsorption filter for the treatment of liquids, with different adsorbents which require different regenerating agents, in which loading of the different adsorbents is effected in a stream of liquid flowing upwards and regeneration of the different loaded adsorbents with the different regenerating agents is effected in a stream of liquid flowing downwards, the inside of which filter is subdivided, by horizontal devices which are permeable to liquid, into a number of chambers corresponding to the number of different adsorbents to be used; in which the adsorbents which are regenerated with different regenerating agents are present in adjacent chambers; the chambers--with the exception of the topmost chamber of the filter--are equipped with a liquid drainage system which is located below the device which is permeable to liquid and forms the upper boundary of the chamber, and which is embedded in a layer of inert material; and in which the individual chambers are filled wit

Abstract: A filter assembly particularly for the filtration of compressed air and other compressed gases as well as for air and liquids is formed with a pair of porous support jackets having a filter element located therebetween and defining an inlet side. The filter element is composed of a plurality of layers of filter material having different porosities with the finely porous layer being covered, at least on its surface facing the inlet side of the filter assembly, by a less finely porous layer and the filter element is particularly characterized in that it contains active charcoal.

Abstract: A water filter includes a main housing defining a primary filter chamber in which is disposed an elongated tubular inner or secondary filter. Media arranged in the direction of flow includes, within the primary filter, layers of relatively coarse and fine flint gravel followed by a substantial layer of packed charcoal. The inner filter includes a substantial layer of packed charcoal and discrete layers of fine and coarse gravel near the outlet of the inner filter. The arrangement of media provides for repeated backflushings without contaminating the primary filter media. The main filter housing includes spaced apart head members which are interconnected by cylindrical tubular liners and an outer tubular shell disposed around the inner liners. The filter inlet and outlet conduits are provided with self-sealing quick disconnect coupler members for coupling the filter to a diverter circuit from the main water line or to a suitable circuit for backflushing operations.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for active filtration and treatment of liquid metals and alloys and particularly to the purification of aluminum, magnesium, or alloys based on aluminum or magnesium, prior to molding. It comprises a detachable cartridge, closed at at least one end by a porous block based on grains of fritted flux and filled with grains of flux, solid at the temperature of the metal to be filtered. The cartridge may include a means for injecting an active or inert gas into the grains; it may be arranged in a heated, heat insulated ladle.

Abstract: A filter regeneration method comprising mixing precipitate deposited on a bed of filtering particles throughout the bed to thereby reduce the pressure drop across the filter generally occurring during use. Regeneration is conveniently accomplished by fluidizing the precipitate and filtering particles into another portion of the filter. Two types of apparatus are described in which the regeneration method may be used.

Abstract: A water filter (10) includes a housing (12) which receives unfiltered water through an input line (54). The water enters the housing (12) and passes through a baffle (30) and upward through charcoal filter material (86). Various pollutants within the water are removed by the charcoal (86). After being filtered by charcoal (86) the water passes through a filter cloth (24) into a lateral line (22). The water is transmitted through a return line (16) which passes through housing (12) into a supply line (46) for delivery to the consumer. The filter (10) is back washed by supplying hot, pressurized water into the return line (16) where it is fed through the lateral line (22) into the charcoal filter material (86). The back wash water passes through the baffle plate (30) and is collected at the bottom of housing (12) where it is forced out through a waste water disposal line (74).

Abstract: A filter apparatus having multiple filter medias for use in environmental control, food processing and other industrial applications, is provided with movable filter media separators that maintain media separation while permitting bed expansion during a backwash cleaning operation. The filter bed can comprise, for example, a lower sand layer and an upper anthracite layer, as well as a free board zone above the anthracite layer. Said layers are separated by a movable filter media separator. A screen is provided at the filter inlet to prevent loss of filter media during the backwash cleaning operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of filtering liquids in a vertical tower filter tank with a flat bottom and liquid inlet and outlet means for flowing liquid under pressure into a sand filter column in the tower tank causing the liquid to flow through distribution gaps which direct the flow horizontally through the filter into a collection pipe and upward out the outlet. In addition the filter is regenerated by backflowing washwater under pressure so the filter grains are slurried and the impurities are removed therefrom and washed out an overflow outlet. The apparatus for conducting the filtering and regeneration are also disclosed. The apparatus has a flat bottom and at least one perforated wall to divide the filter column into sections. There is an inlet for the washwater having a speed accelerating throat.

Abstract: A liquid treating apparatus in which a vertically disposed tank has a series of longitudinally arrayed volume variable beds of liquid treatment material with fluid permeable partitions between the beds which move longitudinally in response to expansion and contraction of the beds. Forming a part of each partition and moving therewith is a fluid conduit system for collecting and distributing fluids between pairs of beds.

Abstract: A device for removal of excess water from blood is formed by having a plurality of solution chambers and a plurality of blood chambers arranged alternately, partitioning the adjoining ones of the alternately disposed chambers by insertion of semi-permeable membranes one each along the boundaries thereof and having a sorbent retained in the form of a bed inside the blood chambers, whereby the blood containing waste material and excess water in consequence of renal insufficiency is freed from such fouling substances by causing the blood to flow through the blood chambers in order for the beds of sorbent to deprive the blood of the waste material through sorption and for the high concentration solutions flowing through the adjoining solution chambers to deprive the blood of the excess water through osmosis effected through the medium of the semi-permeable membranes.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering silver from spent photographic processing solutions is disclosed. The silver recovery apparatus includes a cylindrical container in which a plurality of fluid permeable layers of a chemical reduction agent are disposed in interleaved relation with a plurality of fluid permeable layers of a non-reactive filter material. The interleaved combination of the layers defines a fluid permeable flow path through the container. The chemical reduction agent in each reduction layer comprises a metal which is electropositive with respect to silver. In a preferred embodiment, the chemical reduction agent disposed in an adjacent pair of reduction layers comprises first and second metals occupying relatively different positions in the electromotive series, respectively, thereby producing a galvanic effect which enhances the precipitation of silver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the purification of water in emergency situations is provided, comprising a manually operated pump having a discharge port connected to a plurality of series-connected treatment filters. Each filter is chosen for its ability to perform a desired purification function in a preferred sequence which enhances the performance of the subsequent filter in the series. The filters are designed to accept water from a contaminated source, thereafter removing particulate matter, organic impurities and inorganic impurities, and finally physically filtering out bacteria and other organisms larger than 0.20 microns in size to deliver potable water from the outlet port of the final filter. Preferably, all components are mounted in a suitable portable enclosure for ease of storing and for transporting the unit to a water source in an emergency situation.

Abstract: Toxic heavy metal ions are removed from water by electrochemical replacement as the water flows through a tandem bed of (a) activated zinc and then (b) magnesium alloyed with a minor amount of manganese to inhibit corrosion. The zinc is activated by contact with a noble metal salt. Preferably, fine granules of zinc and Mg/Mn are used. Clogging is prevented by intermittent vacuum degassing of the beds. The activated zinc and the Mg/Mn advantageously are prepackaged and stored in cartridges which become part of the processing column. The Mg/Mn cartridge has a non-reactive atmosphere of e.g., argon, retained by frangible or soluble barriers that hermetically seal the ends of the cartridge. The barriers are torn away or dissolved by the initial water flow when the cartridge is installed. System scale-up is simplified by a "half-length" concept characteristic of the present invention.

Abstract: A water and wastewater treatment apparatus including a tank divided into a horizontal series of filtering subchambers by parallel, perforated septa. Effluent flows through the septa and through a reverse-graded media series including at least one fine medium such as sand. The media may be backwashed by counterflow and right angle flow, the latter being effective to expand and scrub one or more of the layers of media.

Abstract: A sintered porous metal filter having upper and lower surfaces with grooves in the filter alternately in communication with the upper and lower surfaces is strengthened by filling the grooves with granular material. The filter is formed from an alloy containing 30 to 40 percent by weight chromium, about 3 percent by weight silicon, minor amounts of carbon and nitrogen and the remainder iron.

Abstract: A fluid treating apparatus and method are provided which employ finely subdivided surface active particles arranged in loose bed form and confined within a treating tank by means which prevent the escape of such particles but which permits fluid flow therethrough at a high rate with a minimum pressure drop. In an important embodiment, the apparatus and method of this invention are particularly directed to the treatment of water with fine mesh ion cation exchange resin particles of below 50 mesh size, and preferably 100 to 200 mesh or smaller, measured on a dry basis.