Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying separator waste water from a dry cleaning process. The present invention utilizes 3 stages of purification. In Stage one, highly contaminated separator waste water is put into a solvent separator tank. Liquid solvent settles out of the separator waste water, sink to the bottom of the solvent separation tank where it accumulates below the separated water. In Stage 2 air bubbles are introduced through the separated water, stripping out much of the solvent which is dissolved in the separated water and reducing the dissolved solvent concentration. This air stripping process dramatically extends to useful life of the granulated carbon in the granulated eaton filter. Stage 3 takes the air stripped water and filters it through a granulated carbon filter, which results in the carbon purified water having a dissolved solvent of less than 0.7 parts per million. The carbon purified water can then be safely and economically disposed of without harming the environment.

Abstract: Ferrofluid coated particles resulting from a ferrofluid materials separation process are washed with a solvent which is the same material as the liquid carrier employed in the ferrofluid. The result is a "dirty" solvent which is a very weak ferrofluid. The dirty solvent is then filtered or centrifuged to remove dust particles and other impurities and then the solvent is recovered by distillation in a distillation unit. The solvent can then be reused in the materials reclamation process. The residue in the distillation unit is surfactant-coated particles of ferrofluid. This residue is mixed with either clean or unprocessed solvent in the right proportion and the slurry is passed through an attritor to convert it to a high grade ferrofluid. The ferrofluid can also be reused in the materials separation process.

Abstract: A separator for separating solids from a liquid/solid mixture. The separator has a cylindrical separation chamber in which a stream is subjected to centrifugal forces against a separation wall. An exit port near the bottom of the separation chamber passes solids and some liquid into a filter chamber where the liquid passes through the filter and in response to a negative pressure in the separation chamber the liquid is made to return the separation chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved in-line contaminant removal from engine lubricating oil are provided which employ gravity to achieve a desired flow rate of oil. The invention is adapted for use with an existing engine oil lubrication system and continuously processes a side stream that after processing, is returned to the engine oil. During processing, the oil is first filtered and then drained and deposited upon the upper central surface portions of a heated dome whereon the oil forms a thin film from which relatively low boiling volatile impurities (especially water) are rapidly separated in a gaseous state. The gas is vented through a pressure relief valve to the manifold while the recovered reconditioned oil is collected and recycled.

Abstract: A system for separating plasma from whole blood comprises a blood separation device and a blood separation driver. The blood separation device includes a flexible tube having a needle and shield at one end and a filter member at the other end. The needle may be used to access blood in a conventional blood collection device. The separation driver applies a peristaltic force to the flexible tube of the blood separation device, thus drawing blood from the collection device through the tube and to the filter member. Plasma may be collected from the filter element.

Abstract: Polyolefin oil/water separator. An oil/water mist separator for use with exhausts from air compressors, air separators, air receivers, and air dryers, as examples, is described. The separator utilizes fibrous polyolefin strips placed in a hollow receptacle therefor to separate the oil from the water in the mist, the oil being retained on the polyolefin, while the water, now having sufficient purity, may be discharged in conventional sanitary drains. The separator may also be used to separate oil from water from other sources thereof.

Abstract: A food starch seperator comprising a serially connected centrifuge and a membrane seperator further comprising a sintered pipe providing pore flow paths including a pumped source of food plant liquor, outputs for the centrifuge and membrane seperator and a control system to regulate the flow of the food plant liquor.

Abstract: A filter bed base for the treatment of wastewater discharged from a dwelling, business or like producer. The filter bed base is generally rectangular in shape and includes an upper and lower surface. The upper surface of the filter bed base has a plurality of orifices for distributing filtered effluent into various chambers inside the base. The lower surface of the base has a plurality of orifices which are positioned beneath a select number of the chambers for discharging a portion of the filtered effluent into the soil underlying the base.

Abstract: A drive system for a filtration apparatus includes a housing, a motor, an input gear driven by the motor, a ring gear, an eccentric gear assembly, an internal gear assembly, and an output gear. The ring gear is driven by the input gear about a central axis. The eccentric gear assembly includes an eccentric plate rotatable about the central axis, concentric rollers, and eccentric rollers. The eccentric plate is fastened to the ring gear to rotate therewith. The concentric rollers are interposed between the eccentric plate and the housing to enable rotation therebetween. The eccentric plate is eccentrically movable about the central axis within a bore of the housing. The internal gear assembly has an eccentric plate rotatable about the central axis and circular bores extending through the eccentric plate.

Abstract: A particle separator having a housing, a radially centered core, helical augers which force a fluid stream in a helical flow direction, and separator devices for the progressive separation of particles from a particulate contaminated fluid stream.

Abstract: A rectangular clarifying tank has an inclined beach formed of sheet metal and having 575 holes per square inch, each hole having a diameter of 20 thousandths of an inch. Two side chain drives advance several scrapers along the beach. Each scraper has a rotatable knurled pipe which turns the sludge and aids dewatering through the beach. The sludge removed from the clarifier has a solids content of between eight and twelve percent. Additional dewatering may be accomplished by applying a vacuum to the last one-quarter of the beach. A tray positioned beneath the beach collects water which drains through the beach. The drain water may be returned to the clarifier tank or may be directly treated as clarified water.

Abstract: An oil-water separator system and method to separate contaminated oil and water into clean water and free coalesced oil for collection and removal. The system includes a process tank for the oil and water, a pump to pump the oil and water through first and second stage oil-coalescing filters and through a full depth, fibrous filter under back pressure to provide filtered clean water of selected purity; typically, less than 20 ppm. The coalesced and filtered oil-water is returned and recycled to the process tank wherein a free coalescing oil layer forms on the surface, which free coalesced oil is removed by a belt skimmer for collection and removal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating waste water to generate clarified water for reuse in industrial processes which includes the steps of adding agents to the waste stream to generate floccules, aerating the waste stream to cause a portion of the floccules to float, decanting floating floccules and lighter than water immiscible pollutants from the top surface of the waste stream, directing the waste stream through an incline clarifier so as to permit heavier than water floccules to form sludge in a bottom region of the clarifier. Sludge and decanted pollutants are sent to a bioremediation tank where hydrocarbons are decomposed and the remaining sludge is dewatered and compacted to a solid condition for disposal in a public waste facility. The clarified water is transferred to a steam generator or pressurized water delivery system for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for equipment cleaning operations such as in truckyards or airports.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for purifying water used for forming a water curtain of a wet spray wall in paint spray and/or glue processing booths, wet dust removal plants and the like. The water to be purified is caught in a receptacle (1) and the water is sucked out under the surface of the water present in said receptacle (1), mixed with air and introduced into a basin (14) at the bottom side of said basin (14). The water mixed with air is introduced into a basin (14) which widens in upward direction, and contaminations floating on the surface of the water present in said basin (14) are pushed towards an outlet disposed near one side of said basin (14) by means of a pusher, whilst the water flows out on the opposite side of the basin via an overflow. A few perforated plates disposed one above the other are provided in the basin (14) whose sectional area gradually increases in upward direction.

Abstract: For production of mineralized drinking water, water is distilled and then passed through a layer of soil which is taken from an area adjoining the source of natural mineral water.

Abstract: A water reclamation system for a vehicle wash system that provides water that is purified to enable reclaimed water to be used in a positive displacement pump. The reclamation system provides for continuous flow of water through the vehicle wash settling pit with an aerator to oxygenate the water and prevent odors typically produced by stagnant water from wash system settling pits. The water reclamation system is operable to clean the carwash system settling pit except for the primary pit in which the debris accumulated from the secondary settling pit is deposited.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning system, which includes a barrier type filter having a back-flush arrangement for recovering filter contaminants from the back-flushed liquid which is available only at a low, not necessarily consistent, rate, includes a fluid-powered centrifugal cleaner which, in addition to the normal shaft-mounted rotor through which liquid is passed to separate contaminants centrifugally due to rotor speed, includes fluid drive means in the form of fluid reaction drive nozzles supplied with pumped liquid from the system as a drive fluid to rotate the rotor at a speed above the minimum to effect centrifugal separation of the contaminants from the back-flushed liquid in the rotor and accumulation of the outlet of the rotor. The spent drive fluid mixes with the cleaned back-flushed liquid in a discharge region and both may be re-used in the system.

Abstract: A waste water filter for use within a septic tank. The waste water filter comprises a shield including an upstanding peripheral wall, the peripheral wall defining a shield interior within the shield. The shield further includes an inlet opening for allowing the entry of unfiltered wastewater into the shield interior. A filter enclosure is disposed within the shield interior at a spaced apart distance from the shield. The filter enclosure includes an upstanding peripheral wall, a top end, and a bottom end. The bottom end includes a bottom panel for preventing the passage of unfiltered waste water into filter enclosure. The filter enclosure further includes at least one filter surface disposed intermediate the top and bottom ends of the filter enclosure for allowing the passage of water restricting the passage of solids.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying raw water taken from a raw water reservoir. The method includes the steps of subjecting the raw water to magnetic treatment, causing the magnetically treated water to flow through a filter medium in a first direction for purification of the treated water, and discharging the purified water into the raw water reservoir. The method further includes the steps of causing the magnetically treated water to pass through the filter medium in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and discharging the oppositely passing water into the raw water reservoir. The apparatus for realizing the above method includes a water intake assembly, a filter assembly and a water discharge assembly. A magnetic treatment device is mounted on the water intake assembly for subjecting the raw water to magnetic treatment. A switching device is operated to cause the magnetically treated water to flow through the filter assembly selectively in the first and second directions.

Abstract: Contaminated glycol is refined by vacuum distillation. Specifically the evaporator is heated to a temperature below the degradation temperature of the glycol. The vacuum is used to bring the flashpoint down sufficiently so that glycol evaporates or flashes at that temperature. The glycol is condensed and filtered through activated granular carbon. The principal use of refining the glycol is to refine the triethylene glycol used in natural gas dehydration plants. For such purposes the equipment is mounted upon a trailer to be taken to the plant for cleaning glycol. In such instance, in addition to refining the glycol, a cleaning agent (which contains a degreaser) is added to the refined glycol. The glycol is refined while the natural gas dehydration plant is in normal operation and therefore it is not necessary to stop the natural gas dehydration plant for refining the glycol used therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a suspension, comprising a collection vessel; and a cyclone fixably received within the collection vessel, the cyclone having an inlet for receiving the suspension, a wall having at least a porous section for separating the suspension into at least two components, and a lower underflow outlet for dispensing one of the two components, wherein the other of the two components is received by said collection vessel.

Abstract: A compact cyclonic filter assembly used for separating unwanted debris from a fluid. The cyclonic filter assembly uses the centrifugal forces to separate large pieces of debris from the fluid and a filter to separate the remaining unwanted debris from the fluid. The present invention can be contained in a compact single housing which may be disassembled for easy cleaning and replacement of parts. The cyclonic filter assembly of the present invention has a vertically oriented cylindrical tube which receives a tangential injection of the debris laden fluid. The tangential injection causes the fluid to circulate around a cylindrical vortex finder which is inside of and coaxial with the tube. The centrifugal forces acting on the debris causes the debris to move outward away from the center of the vortex. The vortex finder has an opening which pulls in the relatively clean fluid near the center of the vortex while the debris laden fluid settles into a collection chamber below the cylindrical tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for processing relatively small volumes of waste water such as that found in residential home use. The system first comprises a chamber adapted to hold the waste water. The system further comprises a first filter adapted to remove course material from the waste water and a second filter adapted to remove fine materials from the waste water. The system further comprises a disinfectant chamber adapted to disinfect the waste water. The system comprises a pump adapted to pump the waste water from the chamber through the first and second filters, and the disinfectant chamber.

Abstract: A mixture of liquid particles dispersed in a fluid is introduced into an upright cylindrical separator at one end of an involute channel formed therein by a coaxial spiral partition of fibrous material to flow continuously under near plug-like flow conditions in an involutional or evolutional direction. The centrifugal force of the fluid in the channel causes the particles to impinge the fibrous material, separate from the fluid, and form films of the liquid which drains by gravity to a collection at the bottom of the separator.

Abstract: Methods of maintaining or providing sterile or specific pathogen free environments are disclosed. The methods involve the use of semi-permeable membrane materials between the sterile or pathogen free environment and surrounding potentially hostile environments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for salvaging blood from a patient are disclosed. A blood salvaging and/or blood processing circuit coupled to a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit, cardiotomy circuit, or directly to the patient comprises a hemocentrator for removing water, fluids, and low molecular weight solutes by ultrafiltration and a sorbent-containing plasma separator for removing a selected solute, such as heparin. A combination device for salvaging blood comprises a closed plasma chamber containing a plasma chamber solution, a hollow fiber plasma-separating membrane for receiving blood and permitting plasma to be transported therethrough into the plasma chamber solution and for refiltering the treated plasma back into the blood circuit, a selective sorbent for contacting the selected solute in the plasma and binding the selected solute, and an ultrafiltration membrane for removing water, fluids, and low molecular weight components from the plasma.

Abstract: A waste-oil cleaning apparatus includes a processing tank for holding waste-oil, and arranged such that non-oil liquids in the waste-oil settle in the base of the tank. A conduit and valve arrangement is provided for withdrawing the settled non-oil liquids from the base of the tank. The apparatus also incorporates an oil cleaning unit including a pump, a mesh filter and a centrifuge. Waste oil in the tank is cleaned by pumping oil out of the tank and passing the oil sequentially through the mesh filter and the centrifuge after the settled non-oil liquids are withdrawn from the base of the tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blood filter comprising a housing having a top portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion and a blood inlet. A filter element is disposed within the housing and divides the housing into an inlet chamber in flow communication with the blood inlet and an outlet chamber. The filter element comprises a portion of non-woven filter material and a portion of screen filter material and both the non-woven filter material portion and the screen filter material portion are in contact with the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. The housing also comprises a blood outlet in flow communication with the outlet chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for filtering or straining water taken into a marine vessel so as to remove solid contaminants that may impede operation of water consuming devices on the vessel such as electrical generators, air conditioners, refrigeration systems, propulsion engines and the like. Solid contaminants retained by a filter or strainer are collected and then macerated and removed by a macerator pump. The solid contaminants removed and macerated include marine weeds, grasses, solid matter and marine organisms, including, but not limited to jellyfish and fish of such size as may be able to enter the sea water intake served by the invention. The water so treated may be fresh, brackish or salt water.

Abstract: A rapid, convenient, and highly sensitive method and kit for counting the number of living microorganisms are disclosed. A test solution is filtrated through a membrane filter element having a plurarity of hydrophilic sections substantially perfectly separated from each other by hydrophobic partitions. A microparticulate spray is then applied to said filter in order to add extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents in such an amount that allows the filter membrane within each section to become wet. Thereafter the sample obtained is processed by applying a highly sensitive bioluminescence image analyzing system thereto. The employment of a spray method for applying the extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents allows to substantially perfectly entrap the reagents and extracted substances within each of the hydrophilic sections, thus enabling, when combined with the use of a bioluminescence image analyzing system, to rapidly count the number without any or substantial requirement of cultivation.

Abstract: Systems and methods separate whole blood containing leukocytes in a first separation chamber into a first layer comprising red blood cells, a second layer comprising a suspension of platelets, and an interface between the first and second layers. The systems and methods convey the suspension of platelets into a second separation chamber while simultaneously filtering the suspension of platelets to reduce the number of leukocytes. The systems and methods separate the filtered suspension of platelets in the second separation chamber into a platelet-rich concentrate and platelet-poor component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to treat dental waste water has been developed in ch a slurry of water and solid waste particles, including mercury-containing amalgam and soluble and suspended mercury and other heavy metals, is collected under vacuum into an main chamber. The particulate-containing liquid slurry settles into a main chamber and into the central collection well of a removable filter while the vacuumed air exits the main chamber and continues toward a vacuum source. The liquid slurry is drawn by vacuum through a removable filter making the effluent substantially free of mercury-containing particulate material. The resulting filtered effluent is ready for further treatment of soluble and suspended mercury, if necessary, before being conveyed into a public sewer system. When a certain level of particulate material has been collected, the removable filter can be sealed and the particulate contents disposed or reclaimed.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a separator is disclosed. Generally, the apparatus includes a vessel connected to a well that produces an effluent. The vessel is used for separating the effluent. Also included is a discharge member which is attached within the vessel for discharging a liquid onto solids located at the bottom of the vessel, and a drain adapted for draining the solids from the bottom of the vessel. The apparatus may further include a chemical injection device, operatively associated with the discharge member, for injecting a radioactive dissolution chemical. A process for cleaning the vessel and treating the entrained solids of the effluent with the radioactive dissolution chemical is also described.

Abstract: A centrifugal soil separator for a dishwasher having a rotating centrifuge connected for rotation with a centrifugal impeller, the centrifugal impeller providing a majority of recirculating wash water for the dishwasher while the centrifuge accepts a second portion of flow and spins that portion of flow for soil separation and to achieve a pumping action to move that quantity of water to the wash water delivery system with the quantity of water moved by the centrifugal impeller. By a coordinated stopping, reversing and starting action of the centrifuge, soil collected therein can be disposed to a soil sizing and drain apparatus for flushing and draining the centrifuge.

Abstract: A pressure screening system for processing contaminated pulp fiber including a pressure screen apparatus for separating an accepts stream of clean fiber from a rejects stream carrying contaminants, and a feed tank for supplying a pulp fiber slurry to the inlet of the pressure screen apparatus, wherein the feed tank has a flotation section for receiving the rejects stream together with air for generating a froth separating a rejects overflow of contaminants from the remainder of the feed stock for recovery of additional pulp fiber from the rejects stream. The air may be contained in the rejects stream when it enters the flotation section, or it may be introduced at or near the input to the flotation section. The feed tank with flotation section can receive the rejects streams from multiple pressure screen stages, or a separate feed tank can be used for each pressure screen stage.

Abstract: A filtering system for filtering effluent in a septic system comprising a filter housing with sides, a top and an open bottom, a filter element holder secured within the filter housing, wherein the filter element holder contains a top and a side portion, a discharge opening in the filter housing located generally above the filter element holder for discharging filtered effluent from the filter housing, a plurality of filter elements, each secured to the filter element holder, each with a top, bottom and side, wherein the bottom of each filter element is closed to prevent flow of the effluent through the bottom of the filter element, wherein each filter element contains filtering slots for filtering solids contained in the effluent and a separation element for separating one filter element from other filter elements, which element does not significantly impede the flow of effluent through the filtering system.

Abstract: A device for removing material screened or filtered out of a liquid flowing in a channel (3), especially in waste water treatment plants, is described. The device comprises an unpowered cylindrical grating surface (8) being immersed partly in the liquid and being formed by a plurality of substantially semicircular grating bars (10) located with distance to each other. The device further comprises a removing beam (12) rotatably driven about the axis (2) of the grating surface (8) and having removing elements (15) extending between the grating bars (10) from the inside of the cylinder to the outside. A conveying device (17) for the material is provided which is positioned with respect to the grating surface (8) and leads to a point outside the liquid in the channel (3), the device having a tube-like housing (22) with an opening (23) for the entry of the material and a driven screw (20) inside the housing (22).

Abstract: A process for cleaning recycled pulp includes an upright cylindrical vessel having an upright cylindrical screen member open at its top and bottom ends and having a perforated screen wall which is centered on a vertical axis in the vessel. A plurality of upright, elongated blades are mounted for rotation on the vertical axis in close proximity to the screen wall. A pulp slurry entrained with pressurized air is introduced under pressure into an inlet in the bottom of the vessel. The rotating blades clear the screen wall while creating a rising vortex of air bubbles produced by the pressurized air for carrying ink and/or contaminant particles upwardly through the inner volume of the screen member. An "accepts" outlet at the center of the vessel draws off pulp in suspension that has been passed through the screen wall. A "rejects" outlet at the top of the vessel draws off ink and contaminant particles carried by the air bubbles in the upwardly-moving vortex.

Abstract: A particulate removal assembly for a fluid distribution system comprising a particulate collection chamber having an inlet through which particulate and fluid enter said collection chamber; a detector for sensing when said chamber has fried to a preselected degree with particulate; said chamber having an intermittent discharge responsive to said detector whereby the particulate is flushed from said chamber. The particulate removal assembly for a fluid distribution system further comprising a closure member for said intermittent discharge; said closure member actuated by fluid pressure delivered from said collection chamber.

Abstract: A hydro-dynamic separator incorporating a solids interceptor (21) upstream of the overflow (19) for intercepting solid matter above a predetermined size entrained in liquid flowing towards the overflow (19), the solids interceptor (21) comprising: (a) a wall (51) terminating in an upper edge (51a) which constitutes a weir in the flow path of liquid flowing to the overflow (19); (b) a barrier (53), extending from the said wall (51) towards a solids collection region (55), said barrier (53) comprising a plurality of openings (69) to permit flow of liquid therethrough but to retain solids, the upper surface of the barrier (53) being disposed such that solids retained on the barrier (53) are washed across the surface by the flow of liquid towards the solids collection region (55); and (c) a liquid collection region (59) beneath the barrier (53) for collecting liquid flowing through the openings (69) in the barrier (53), said liquid collection region (59) being in fluid communication with the overflow (19) of the

Abstract: An upflow clarifier comprises an enclosure defining a bounded volume for holding liquid. An inlet is coupled to the enclosure, and an outlet is coupled to the enclosure above the inlet. A barrier is provided in the enclosure, between the inlet and the outlet. The barrier has a plurality of apertures therethrough, and the barrier defines an upper compartment above the barrier and a lower compartment below the barrier. A plurality of filter membranes are respectively mounted to the apertures, wherein liquid flowing through the apertures flows through the filter membranes. The filter membranes extend upwardly from the barrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clarifier for use in treating a liquid containing non-soluble particles in suspension in order to separate these particles from the liquid. It comprises a tank, a liquid supply duct opening into the bottom portion of the tank and an injector for injecting a gas under pressure into at least part of liquid supplied to the supply duct in order to saturate this liquid with said gas and thus to generate gas bubbles as the saturated liquid is subject to depressurization within the tank. The gas bubbles that are so-generated adhere to the particles in suspension in the liquid and lift them up to form a floating layer of sludge in the top portion of the tank. A scraper is provided in the top portion of the tank for skimming off the layer of sludge while it is formed. A plurality of plates extend at an angle within the tank above the supply duct.

Abstract: The fluid handling devices are capable of accurately handling substantially continuous fluid flow rates as low as about 0.01 cc/day. The devices are so miniaturized, corrosion-resistant and non-toxic that they are suitable for being implanted in the human body; and are capable of being mass produced at costs so low, by using micromachining techniques, such as etching, that they may be considered to be disposable. The devices are either passive devices which consume no electrical energy at all, or are active devices which consume very small amounts of electrical energy. The devices are reliable because they may have as few as only two parts, only one which is a moving part; and because they may handle fluids at very low pressures. The fluid handling devices include active piezoelectrically driven membrane pumps; and passive fluid flow regulators, on-off valves, flow switches and filters.

Abstract: Recycling apparatus for use in a closed-loop waste-treatment system includes components for removal of inert materials. Typically, the system includes a treatment vessel used in conjunction with a clarifier in an internal recycle configuration; clear water from the top of the clarifier is conducted away from the system as treated effluent, while a portion of the biomass settling at the bottom of the clarifier is returned to the head of the treatment vessel through a hydrocyclone and screen arrangement to remove inert content, thereby substantially increasing the efficiency of biological waste-digestion processes.

Abstract: A reduced size apparatus for centrifugal separation, has a housing, a motor coupled to the housing, and a cartridge in the housing. The cartridge is coupled with and rotated by the shaft of the motor. A feeding channel carries liquid into the cartridge. A second channel extends from the upper region in the cartridge through the rotary shaft to a third channel for ejecting the liquid.

Abstract: A filter assembly (10) includes a housing (12) defining a chamber (14). A filter substrate (16) is disposed within the chamber (14) for filtering fluids passing therethrough. The housing 12 includes an inlet (22) disposed in fluid communication with the chamber (14) for allowing flow of fluid into the chamber (14). The chamber (14) defines a flow path between the inlet (22) and filter substrate (16) for perfecting fluid flow therebetween. An outlet (24) is disposed in fluid communication with the chamber (14) for allowing the flow of fluid to exit the chamber (14). A snagging element (26) is disposed within the housing (14) between the inlet (22) and the filter substrate (16) on the flow path for snagging and retaining gelatinous particulate material from the fluid prior to being filtered. A method of filtering gelatinous material from a flow of fluid includes the steps of snagging gelatinous material from the flowing fluid and then passing the fluid through a filter.

Abstract: A rapid, convenient, and highly sensitive method for counting the number of living microorganisms is disclosed, wherein a test solution is filtered through a membrane filter element having a plurarity of hydrophilic sections separated from each other by hydrophobic partitions. A microparticulate spray is then applied to the filter in order to add extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents in such an amount that allows the filter membrane within each section to become wet. Further, the sample obtained is processed by applying a highly sensitive luminescence image analyzing system thereto. The employment of a spray method for applying the extracting and luminescence-inducing reagents allows entrapment of the reagents and extracted substances within each of the hydrophilic sections. Therefore, when combined with the use of a luminescence image analyzing system, the number of bright spots so produced of which represent the living microorganisms may be rapidly counted without the requirement of cultivation.

Abstract: A polishing filter having the capabilities for removing small solids and hydrocarbons present within a liquid flow is a filtration device to be used either in conjunction with processes already in existence or as a stand-alone unit. The polishing filter can be used for marine, commercial or industrial activities. Small solids will be discriminated hi( size by a removable and replaceable bag filter. Residing inside the bag filter is the polishing filter bonding media, a hydrocarbon encapsulation agent used to separate and bond emulsified and dissolved oils. This bonding media is contained inside a porous membrane bag which is also removable and replaceable. The .addition of this device to already existing equipment utilized by ocean vessels and commercial and industrial activities will enhance the decontamination process and assist in compliance with local, national and international clean water laws for effluent from ships and shore-based activities.