Abstract: An axially rigid, tubular grid is fitted over a conduit having a single longitudinal row of apertures; a fine mesh flexible tube is fitted over the grid; an end cap closes one end of the conduit and seals the tube thereto; and a tubular connection is threaded onto the other end of the conduit to seal the adjacent portion of the flexible tube to the conduit.

Abstract: An elongated horizontal housing is provided including a pair of longitudinally spaced interior baffles dividing the interior of the housing into first, second and third compartments spaced longitudinally therealong. Filter material is disposed between the baffles and the latter are each provided with a plurality of spaced apertures for the passage of water therethrough. The housing includes outlet structure for the discharged water from the third compartment and the first compartment includes water and air inlet structure operative to admit jets of water and jets of air under pressure into the first compartment in a manner thoroughly commingling jets of water and air. Still further, the housing includes an air vent for venting air from the upper portion of the first compartment.

Abstract: An axially rigid, tubular grid is fitted over an apertured conduit; a fine mesh flexible tube is fitted over the grid with the ends of the tube being folded back over annular sealing gaskets disposed at the ends of the grid; and an end cap is threaded onto the distal end of the conduit to compress the gaskets against the conduit at the ends of the grid to seal the ends of the flexible tube to the conduit.

Abstract: A system for sustained release of phenolic material into a fluid from phenolic complexes of water-insoluble, but water-swellable crosslinked N-vinyllactam or N-alkyl-N-vinylamide polymers in the form of porous beads or granules. The complexes, which are particularly suited for use in situations wherein fluids containing phenolic materials in limited quantities are desired, and are provided by leaching a limited amount of phenolic material from the complex by contacting the porous granules in a container, such as in a canister or column which is used to treat liquids or water.

Abstract: Combination flow distributing and collecting apparatus for collecting and distributing fluids at different flow rates includes at least one cylindrical screen member portion having a cylindrical distribution and collection pipe positioned interiorly thereof. The distribution and collection pipe contains a plurality of openings in its sides, with at least some of the openings serving to permit flow in one radial direction while restricting or preventing flow in the other radial direction while the other openings permit flow in either direction.

Abstract: Conduit segments are mounted above a horizontal plate which supports an upper bed of media. The segments have perforations formed on their underside. A screen is draped over each segment and extends down the sides of a cradle mounted on the plate to support the segment. The screen laterally supports the media and functions to isolate the media from a fluid volume beneath the perforations in the underside of the conduit.

Abstract: A tank containing a bed of particulate material, e.g. a sand filter bed or an ion exchange bed, has a bed-supporting bottom structure formed by upper and lower bottom plates rigidly connected with each other through a plurality of vertical sleeves opening into the spaces above and below the tank bottom structure. Openings in the wall of each sleeve connect the interior of the sleeve with the compartment formed between the bottom plates. A strainer unit is removably inserted in each sleeve through the lower end of the sleeve and passes liquid between the bed and the compartment between the bottom plates by way of the openings in the side wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: A modular container which includes a housing frame containing particulate material through which contaminated liquid is passed for purposes of purification. The container includes flow distribution members which are secured within the housing frame for dispersing flow of the incoming contaminated liquid equally throughout the particulate material. Containment members formed of a fibrous material are bonded to the flow distribution members to constrain the particulate material within the housing frame. The containment members are porous to permit passage of the liquid therethrough but of sufficient density to retain the particulate material within a chamber of the housing frame. Upper and lower cover members are hermetically sealed to the housing frame and include conduits to permit insertion of contaminated liquid and egress of purified liquid after it has passed through the particulate material.

Abstract: A horizontal multiple-chamber, packed column structure for adsorptive separation process wherein loading and unloading of packing material is facilitated, and efficient, effective contact between the packing material and a fluid passing therethrough is provided by the configuration and placement of a fluid inlet and distributor at one end thereof and fluid collector and fluid outlet at the horizontally opposite end, each chamber also including a plurality of axially extending rods to maintain a relatively uniform packing density of packing material in the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating fine oily particles from aqueous liquids at very high flow velocities by passing the mixture upwardly through an unconfined mass of oleophilic granules in a column with adequate velocity to separate and lift the individual granules into the upwardly flowing mixture within the column where movement of the individual granules serves to collect and coalesce the fine oily particles, and finally to release large oil drops back into the mainstream of the upwardly flowing mixture column. These large oil drops are then intercepted and extracted by a steeply inclined screen and caused to flow to storage in the form of a fine oil film propelled by the force of the flow of the aqueous liquid through the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating oily particles from an emulsion thereof in an aqueous liquid. The emulsion is passed through a bed of oleophilic granules supported on a foraminous support, the oleophilic granules, by virtue of their density, pressing against the foraminous support and the bed is unconfined downstream thereof so that the granules in the bed are fluidized by the passage of liquid therethrough. The oily particles are removed from the emulsion by the oleophilic granules in the bed, and the oily material accumulates and agglomerates and is transported out of the bed by the passage of liquid therethrough. The movement of the liquid then carries the oily droplets which are formed in the bed and deposits them upon a screen positioned downstream of the bed, the aqueous liquid passing through the screen in purified form. The oil accumulates on the screen and is propelled by the moving liquid into an oil reservoir positioned downstream of the screen.