Abstract: A blood bag support system is described which is very useful for supporting a blood bag in a centrifuge. The support system includes two upright support members and horizontal connecting means extending between the upright supports. A blood bag is suspended from the connecting means. The support system is balanced so as to avoid vortexing or mixing inside the blood bag during centrifuging. The support system holds up the ports at the top of the bag, enabling red blood cells in the ports to be forced downwardly during centrifuging. This prevents contamination of blood components with red blood cells.

Abstract: A press for driving a plasma layer and a buffy-coat layer in succession out of a centrifuged whole blood bag which has upper and lower press plates between which a clamping element is displaceable, all juxtaposed with a stationary plate so that after displacement to the lower press plate to drive off plasma and operation of the upper press plate to spread the buffy-coat layer in height, the clamping element can be actuated to clamp off the bag between the buffy-coat layer and the red cell concentrate so that advance of the upper press plate can drive off the buffy-coat layer.

Abstract: A funnel stock/sauce separator for separating fat from liquid is provided and consists of a funnel having a conical vessel for storing therein the liquid which is to be separated from the fat at top of the liquid, a cylindrical housing which supports the funnel onto a support surface and a manually operated closure member positioned within the funnel over a spout for controlling outflow of the liquid through the spout.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovering apparatus for separating one component from a second component of a liquid solution and recovering one of the components comprising at least one chamber for generating vapor from the liquid solution and a condensing chamber for condensing the vapor. The at least one vaporizing chamber and condensing chamber being divided by an overflow weir having a controlled overflow area so that liquid solution will be caused to overflow at a preselected location along the length of the weir.

Abstract: A self-cleaning mud pit (10) includes a container (18) mounted on a base (12). Supporting brackets (14) and (16) are provided for attachment to hinges (20) and (22) mounted on the side of the container (18). The container (18) is operable to rotate about the hinges (20) and (22) to decant liquid contained therein. An inlet port (36) and an outlet port (38) are disposed on either end of the container (18) with the centers thereof coinciding with the rotational axis of the container (18). Rotation of the container (18) causes liquid to decant through the inlet and outlet ports without displacing the inlet and outlet ports from the rotational centers thereof. Hinged doors (40) and (44) are provided to selectively inhibit flow through the inlet port (36) and the outlet port (38) such that the contents thereof decant over the edge of the container (18).

Abstract: A water closet system comprising a lavatory which is connected to a collection tank or mouldering chamber (2) over a discharge piping (3), and a liquid separator (4) interconnected in said discharge piping (3) adjacent and above the tank or chamber (2). The liquid separator (4) comprises an inlet pipe (8) having a widened bottom portion (13), an outlet pipe (9) preferably having a widened top portion (14) and a liquid container which sealingly encloses at least the end portions (13, 14) of said inlet and outlet pipes (8, 9). The diameter (D2) of the top end (14) of the outlet pipe (9) is equal to of larger than the diameter (D1) of the non-widened portion of the inlet pipe (8), and the said diameter (D3) of the bottom end (13) of the inlet pipe (8) is larger than said diameter (D2) of the top portion (14) of the outlet pipe (9).

Abstract: The invention provides a septic tank system of greatly improved effectiveness in maintaining optimum bacterial action for a maximum length of time by utilizing a plurality of serially-connected tanks with the water level in each successive tank being lower than that in the first tank so that gravity flow is established between the successive tanks. A unique transfer means is provided between each of the successive tanks comprising one or more horizontal pipes having their inlet ends closed, each horizontal pipe having a wide opening in the upper portion thereof at a level preferably above the centerline of the pipe in order to permit the removal of scum through said openings by entrainment and/or suction action of the fluid flowing through the transfer pipe, thereby permitting gases to freely escape through the scum from the effluent surface of each tank and preventing deleterious effects of trapped gases upon the biodegradation action normally produced in each successive septic tank.

Abstract: Blood is transferred from a test tube having a supply of blood covered by a head of foamed blood into a second tube which is provided with a graduated scale and both ends of which are open. An apparatus for performing the transfer includes a cap having a sleeve which is frictionally attached to and surrounds one end portion of the second tube. The cap further includes a bottom wall which is spaced apart from the end face of the one end portion of the second tube, a nipple which extends from the bottom wall in a direction away from the second tube, and an elastic sealing element which surrounds the sleeve and can slide along the internal surface of the test tube toward the supply of blood therein. The nipple defines a portion of a first path wherein the resistance to the flow of blood is much less pronounced than the resistance to the flow of foam along a second path which is defined by the cap in a region adjacent to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A sedimentation tank comprises two sedimentation sections each extending from a narrow end at a common pole to a wide end on the periphery of the structure. The sections are walled by a double start spiral. A flocculating flume runs in one wall and an overflow launder on top of another wall. The spirals preferably follow an exponential law.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating combs from beehives so as to separate the honey from the beeswax.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating raw water by introducing the raw water and a flocculating agent into a cylindrical container, preferably in a tangential manner of flow between the cylindrical container wall and a baffle spaced radially inward from the container wall, flowing the fluid radially inward towards the center of the container to a central conduit extending axially upward in the container and opening at the internal bore of the conduit through the bottom of the container, the central conduit being surrounded by a coaxial pipe having a plurality of circumferentially defined, spaced openings therein to induce a radial, i.e., from the wall of the container to the central conduit, flow of water with minimal axial flow components in order to facilitate settling of the flocculated particles from the treated water.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the removal of one or more phases from a liq-liquid extractor having a mixer and a settler for light and heavy phases. The apparatus has a riser tube for the removal of one or more of the heavier phases having one end connected to an opening in the wall of the settler adjacent to a heavier phase and the other end open at a height of a light phase in the settler and a gas intake tube having one end connected to a gas source and its opposite end connected to the riser tube. The control apparatus of the instant invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of organic solvent wastes from radioactive systems.

Abstract: A device is provided for removing and containing debris present in a fluid as the fluid moves through the device. The device includes a cover member attachable to an inlet pipe for receiving the fluid-carrying debris and an outlet pipe for removing the debris-less fluid. A receptacle is removably secured to the cover member while a replaceable trap bag is housed therein to contain the debris that is deposited by the fluid. The trap bag has a longitudinal seal portion which includes a flat seal portion to overlie a portion of the rim of the receptacle. A gasket member underlies the cover member to engage that portion of the trap bag which overlies the receptacle rim, including the flat seal portion. The flat seal portion substantially eliminates leakage of fluid along the longitudinal seal portion of the trap bag since there is virtually no difference in width between the flat seal portion and other portions of the trap bag overlying the rim.

Abstract: A method of pressing and draining whey from cheese curd particles in manufacturing large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed into a pressing container mold which has a removable internal draining means having dimple-like projections maintaining a space between the plates of the screen. In one embodiment of the invention, pressure is applied in a vertical direction on the curd particles uniformly draining the whey. The drain means is extracted, and a second application of pressure closes remaining interstitial voids. In a second embodiment of the invention, a first application of pressure is applied to the curd particles in two separate directions at the same time. A spreading spade is inserted between substantially vertical parallel foraminous plates thereby moving these plates further apart exerting a relatively horizontal force on the curd particles and, in conjunction, a press plate pushes down on the curd particles exerting a relatively vertical force on the curd particles.

Abstract: A waste disposal system provides a mixing stage where waste matter is water-charged, the water charged mixture is then steam exploded by being sprayed onto a white hot surface in a chamber with only one outlet where the expansion on vaporization forces the vapor out through a chemical spray stage; next a vertical-filter stage removes and gravitationally drains coarse filtrate and finally a horizontal filter stage treats the vapor in the presence of a counterwash spray of fresh water before the vapor is released into the atmosphere; recirculation of the material filtered and treating materials is provided.

Abstract: A method and a device for bringing about particle growth in a flowing liquid by making use of the velocity differences caused by wall friction in a flow duct through which the liquid is caused to flow, which duct is directed at an angle in respect of the vertical direction, and is, in particular, horizontally directed.

Abstract: A diffuser for the treatment of waste sludge utilizes low pressure air injected from below to produce a bed capable of being handled as a fluid such as to permit pumping from a sedimentation basin to a tank truck for transport to a point of use or disposal. A system of air discharge pipes strategically located in the basin below the sludge connects with common air receiving manifold at the periphery of the basin, and a complete valve arrangement permits control of the air discharge to accommodate for all types of sludge under various conditions as required prior to and during emptying of the contents of the basin.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube for the separation of liquid phases in a liquid/liquid raction process is provided with a tube reaching below the upper phase and into the lower phase which receives a centrifugally ejectable block. After insertion of the tube and stratification of the liquid phases, the system is again subjected to centrifugation to remove the block and allow the lower phase to be withdrawn, e.g. through a disposable pipette.

Abstract: Apparatus for skimming surface fluid off of a main fluid including a floating collection housing adapted to float in such main fluid and a rotating skimming wheel having an annular skimming chamber including a plurality of compartments, each compartment being opened by a gravity actuated valve for skimming surface fluid off of the main fluid when such compartment is rotated into the main fluid so that the surface fluid is skimmed from the main fluid into such compartment, the compartment being subsequently emptied into the floating collection housing after rotation out of the main fluid. The buoyancy of the apparatus is adjustable to control the position of the compartments during skimming operations with respect to the interface between the surface and main fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus separates grease from a waste effluent containing a grease and water mixture prior to disposing of the effluent in a sanitary sewage system. A separator tank receives and holds the effluent while the mixture separates into an upper grease fraction and a lower water fraction. A means is provided for introducing the effluent into the tank either periodically or directly from the source of the effluent. A withdrawal means is associated with the tank for withdrawing at least a portion of the water fraction from the tank means when the effluent in the tank means reaches a first predetermined level. The withdrawal means stop withdrawing the water fraction from the separator tank when the effluent in the tank reaches a second predetermined level lower than the first predetermined level. The grease can be stored in th separator tank itself or can be transferred to a separate storage tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for causing coalescence of particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in a carrier liquid which moves in a continuous flow, by generating in said liquid flow velocity gradients so that particles in adjacent flow layers having a small velocity difference can overtake one another and can, thus, coalesce to larger particles, the velocity gradients being controlled in such a manner that the coalescence is not annihilated by shearing forces between adjacent layers, and the liquid flow rate being controlled in such a manner that separation of the coalesced particles will not take place in the device itself.

Abstract: An improved gravitational separator for mixtures of immiscible liquids of different densities, particularly oil and water, includes a reaction member in the form of a dome or diaphragm immersed in more dense liquid to be separated and which floats upwardly in the more dense liquid under the influence of liquid of less density accumulated beneath the dome or diaphragm. A coalescer screen filter system is provided in the water outlet path in the separator, the coalescer screens being contained in a chamber provided with automatically operating, one-way, pressure responsive valves to ensure proper flow of water in a forward and backflush sense through the chamber. A flotation feature for the reaction member is provided, and the reaction member includes an auxiliary air chamber to prevent loss of a minimum desired residual layer of less dense fluid beneath the reaction member when air accumulates in this area. A specific inflow and outflow conduit arrangement is provided to minimize turbulence in the separator.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and process for extracting bitumen from mineral particles such as sand. The invention avoids many of the problems of the conventional hot water or solvent extraction processes by using an abrading process to remove the bitumen or oil from sand particles, using cool water and little solvent. The abrading process involves agitating a pulp of tar sand and water, preferably with some small amount of diluent, and then moving this around an annular space at a speed low enough to allow settling of clean sand to form a sand bed in contact with the moving pulp, the speed being high enough to prevent settling of bitumen coated sand particles, so that the bitumen is abraded from the sand particles and rises in the pulp. Fines and clay which are removed with the water and bitumen can be separated from the water, after removal of the bitumen, to give a sludge suitable for mixing with the clean sand prior to disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from a liquid carrying the solid particles. The liquid carrying the solid particles enters a cylindrical chamber having an upper portion with an air evacuation opening. The liquid flows down the sides of the chamber onto a funnel-shaped member. An exchangeable collecting vessel is positioned below the funnel-shaped member and retains and collects solid particles which precipitate out from the liquid. The liquid flows through an opening to a drainage container. The exchangeable collecting vessel has a self-closing resilient membrane covering its opening. The resilient membrane is pierced by a wedge-shaped projection at the drain opening when the collecting vessel is in position. When the collecting vessel is removed, the opening is closed by the resilient membrane to form a hygienic seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of three metallurgical phases by decantation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for using ultrasonic waves for removing microscopic particles from a liquid medium, such as algae from a solar or refuse pond, or blood cells from blood. The described apparatus includes an ultrasonic generator propagating ultrasonic waves of over one megacycle per second through the liquid medium to cause the flocculation of the microscopic particles at spaced points. In two described embodiments, the ultrasonic waves are propagated in the horizontal direction through the liquid medium, and baffle plates are disposed below the level of propagation of the ultrasonic waves. The baffles are oriented to provide a high resistance to the horizontal propagation therethrough of the ultrasonic waves and a low-resistance to the vertical settling therethrough of the flocculated particles.

Abstract: A marine vessel is provided with a closed tank for gravity separation of oil and water. A boom extending laterally from the vessel sweeps the surface of a body of water on which the vessel floats and a skimmer associated with the boom skims surface oil and some water into a conduit leading to a manifold extending around the upper inner periphery of the tank. The manifold discharges upwardly into the tank through a multiplicity of ports, the tank preferably being completely filled with oil and/or water. Separated water is withdrawn from the bottom of the tank through a plurality of coalescing filters having large exposed coalescer screens. Hoods over the coalescers direct flow thereto to ensure uniform distribution of water and oil globules over their surfaces and direct coalesced oil toward the upper region of the tank in a concentrated stream. A pump withdraws the water from the tank and discharges it into the ambient water. Flow produced by the pump can be reversed for backwashing the coalescers.

Abstract: An apparatus for bringing about coalescence of particles suspended in a liquid by means of a transverse velocity gradient in the liquid flow in a substantially vertical duct caused by friction against the walls defining said duct, the latter being formed by one or more tube or hose sections, consecutive sections being interconnected by bends, and the cross-section of said duct increasing either gradually or step-wise from the inlet towards the outlet end of said duct.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for separating solid particles from a liquid, including both light particles which tend to flow on or close to the surface of the liquid and heavy particles which tend to sink to the bottom of the liquid. The apparatus includes: a separation tank, an inlet means, a weir, a heavy particle outlet means, and a substantially clear liquid outlet means.

Abstract: A decantation separation apparatus in which the material to be separated flows upwardly through an annular weir, and overflows to a decantation zone defined between the weir and a surrounding jacket. The separated liquid is withdrawn from the bottom of the decantation zone and the separated lighter phase from the top of the jacket, an obstacle for example in the form of a thin plate, being provided in the decantation zone above the liquid outlet for slowing the velocity of liquid within the decantation zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating oil and water comprising a pipe coiled annularly along the inner surface of the upper portion of a treating chamber and containing therein a large number of small diameter members arranged parallel to one another. The pipe is connected at its lower end to an inlet for an oil and water liquid mixture and the pipe is open at its upper end to form a rough separating section having an upper oil accumulating portion with an oil discharge pipe. A distribution layer is mounted below the rough separating section to form a flow distribution section for passage of a roughly separated water therethrough. A filter tube having a wall composed of a filter layer comprising a mixture of lipophilic fibers and hydrophilic fibers is mounted in a lower portion of the treating chamber to form a fine separating section having an oil accumulating portion at the top thereof with an oil discharge pipe and a separated water discharge pipe at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment and disposal of effluent, particularly the treatment and disposal of sewage, by apparatus which is floatable in water and able to be located by moorings or otherwise for example at sea wherein sewage can be pumped out to the apparatus, treated and dispersed in the ambient water.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water from aqueous wastes by evaporation while avoiding scaling and fouling as well as corrosion of the evaporator tubes. Addition of an oil, preferably a volatile oil, to the aqueous waste feed results in the formation of a coating of said oil on the surfaces of the tubes, thereby preventing corrosion and fouling and build-up of scale deposits. Volatile oil that distills over is separated from the aqueous distillate by conventional means and may be recirculated.

Abstract: An aquarium water-clarifying system is disclosed in which water at one location from near the tank bottom or gravel is raised through a first tube into a container to an accumulated level above water level in the tank; such raised water is transiently retained for water-surface air exposure in the container, and air-laden surface water from the container is then returned to the tank through a second return tube that also terminates near the tank bottom. The lower ends of both tubes are spaced from each other and give rise to a gentle circulation or sweep of primarily the stratum near the tank bottom, using only the air-laden surface water from the container. Under controlled conditions, in one embodiment, the return flow of such air-laden water may contain an intermittent stream of air bubbles.

Abstract: The means of this invention is in combination with an underground sewage reservoir having a water-holding strata extending therearound adapted to receive water from the reservoir. A perforated conduit extends around the reservoir and through the strata and is adapted to receive water from the strata. A circulating fluid line extends through the conduit so that the circulating fluid will tend to assume the temperature of the water in the conduit. The circulating fluid line is operatively connected to a heat pump means.

Abstract: An apparatus for bringing about coalescence of particles suspended in a liquid by means of a transverse velocity gradient in the liquid flow in a substantially vertical duct caused by friction against the walls defining said duct, the latter being formed by one or more tube or hose sections, consecutive sections being interconnected by bends, and the cross-section of said duct increasing either gradually or step-wise from the inlet towards the outlet end of said duct.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for disposing of aqueous sewage and for producing fresh water by coking the sewage in the liquid phase to form gases, coke and an effluent which is extracted with a hot liquid hydrocarbon to form a hydrocarbon-water solution and a hot concentrated brine. The hot brine is injected into the sewage sludge to heat same to coking temperature. Hot water is removed from the hydrocarbon-water solution, used for space heating or the like and thereby cooled. The cool water then is passed through a carbon absorber to remove traces of hydrocarbon dissolved therein, and chlorinated to give potable water.

Abstract: Gravity settler comprised of a conical vessel positioned in the lower portion and surrounded by an ellipsoidal (preferably a sphere) housing whereby the settler has a spherically shaped upper portion and conically shaped lower portion. The settler is particularly suited for separating solids from a coal liquefaction product.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water from aqueous wastes by evaporation while avoiding scaling and fouling as well as corrosion of the evaporator tubes. Addition of an oil, preferably a volatile oil, to the aqueous waste feed results in the formation of a coating of said oil on the surfaces of the tubes, thereby preventing corrosion and fouling and build-up of scale deposits. Volatile oil that distills over is separated from the aqueous distillate by conventional means and may be recirculated.