Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for the feeding and drainage of a column or a treatment station such as a demineralization station.The device includes a centralized distribution valve mounted on top of the column; which is equipped with at least three inner chambers having movable pistons adapted to connect various ports which the valve contains. The valve is connected with driving means, e.g., a hydraulic dispenser adapted to generate the shifting of the movable pistons for the purpose of positioning them in several specific positions.The device of the invention can especially be used in conjunction with demineralization columns containing ion exchanging resins. The device makes it possible to initiate and progress through the various operating phases or modes either automatically or semi-automatically.

Abstract: The combustion of fluid fuel, typically fuel oil in burners or boilers is improved by applying a magnetic field to the fuel at the point upstream of the burner to impart a magnetic flux density of at least 10 gauss to the fuel, and adjusting the magnetic field to reduce to a minimum the dust and residual oxygen contents in an exhaust gas. A magnetizing apparatus is also disclosed which comprises permanent magnets and movable yokes for adjusting a magnetic flux density traversing a pipe for feeding fuel. The magnetizing apparatus is located on the pipe between pumping means and the burner.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for regenerating a diatomaceous earth filter cake of a pressurized liquid filter system by liquidizing the diatomaceous earth filter cake formed on filter elements in the filter chamber of the system; by uniformly mixing with the liquidized diatomaceous earth the insoluble particles, or impurities, removed by the filter cake from liquid that has passed through the cake; and by reforming the fluid cake with the impurities uniformly distributed throughout the filter cake. The liquidizing of the filter cake and impurities and mixing of the diatomaceous earth and impurities result from oscillations induced in the liquid in the filter chamber by several cycles of rapid reversal of the flow of liquid through the filter chamber.

Abstract: A multi-ported backwash valve for a swimming pool and filter, comprises:(a) a valve rotor and a body having five ports communicating with the rotor, said ports including(i) a fluid inlet port,(ii) a first outlet port for fluid delivery to a container,(iii) a second outlet port for fluid delivery in a first selected path through filter means,(iv) a third outlet port for fluid delivery in a second selected path through filter means, and(v) a fourth outlet port for fluid delivery to discharge,(b) the rotor having an axis and the body having an internal wall, the inlet port located at the internal wall, the first, second, third and fourth ports spaced about said axis,(c) the rotor having a flow directing chamber to selectively place the inlet port in communication with the first through fourth ports, and other flow directing chamber structure to selectively and simultaneously intercommunicate pairs of the first through fourth ports.

Abstract: A process is described for clarification of an aqueous liquid by imparting magnetic characteristics to flocculated particles by addition of a ferromagnetic organic composition to the liquid to associate the ferromagnetic composition with the flocculated particles.

Abstract: Separation of a mixture of non-magnetic particles on the basis of their different densities is accomplished by levitation in a magnetic fluid using a multiplicity of magnetic gaps created by a grid of magnetic poles oriented with respect to each other such that the polarity of the magnetic field generated in each gap is opposite to that of each adjacent gap.

Abstract: Filtering apparatus in which a fluid filter has a filtering flow passage with an inlet end connected to an inlet control valve, and an outlet end connected with an outlet control valve, said filter having a fluid storage reservoir in communication with the outlet end of the flow passage so that by closing the outlet valve and opening the inlet valve clean filtered fluid may be forced into the reservoir in a manner to compress the entrapped air and provide a supply of pressurized clean filtered fluid for use in a backwashing reverse flow operation through the filtering flow passage, during which the inlet and outlet valves are both closed.The backwash flow is controlled by a unique quick-opening backwash poppet valve which is so connected with the flow passage that the fluid pressure of the backwashing fluid will act to normally urge the backwash valve to a closed position which prevents the reverse flow until the backwash poppet valve is opened.

Abstract: A method and system for use with rotary vacuum filters having a plurality of circumferentially spaced filter segments, for selectively applying blower air to the filter segments at predetermined rotational positions at which relatively unrestricted openings to the valve ports are provided to thereby blow the filter segments, and for bypassing the stream of blower air to the atmosphere when the filter segments are not blown. The apparatus for practicing the invention may also include a blow-back trap for trapping excessive amounts of residual blow-back filtrate during blowing of the filter segments.