Superposed Compartments Or Baffles, E.g., Parallel Plate Type Patents (Class 210/521)
  • Patent number: 5725760
    Abstract: A tank interceptor for rain water and waste-water includes a container divided by a partition into an upper by-pass compartment and a lower treatment compartment. An inlet and outlet for the container are located in the side wall adjacently above the partition. The partition defines a raised weir which constrains liquids entering at low flow rates to pass downwardly through an adjacent opening through the partition, to collect in the treatment compartment below the partition. A second opening through the partition is located adjacent the outlet, and pipes are associated with both openings. One of the openings is made large enough to allow passage of maintenance personnel, thus obviating the need for a further access opening and a liquid-tight seal for that further opening. An access opening at the top of the container is generally aligned with the large-diameter opening through the partition, thus allowing inspection, sampling and pumping out, without requiring maintenance personnel to enter the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Stormceptor Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Gordon Monteith
  • Patent number: 5718824
    Abstract: An improved collector hood for a sedimentation tank. The collector hood is disposed within the tank and separates the tank into an upper reaction compartment and a lower settling compartment. The collector hood has the shape of an inverted funnel including a tubular upper portion connected to an outlet in the sidewall of the upper reaction compartment and a downwardly diverging conical wall lower portion, the periphery of which engages the sidewall of the tank for separating the tank into the upper reaction compartment and the lower settling compartment. A plurality of downcomer pipes are arranged around the axis of the collector hood and depend from the downwardly diverging conical wall into the lower settling compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Crane Co.
    Inventors: Shyam Kannan, Raghavachari Kannan
  • Patent number: 5714069
    Abstract: An assembly for removal of grease from waste water is provided. The assembly has an inlet conduit which is connected to a modified J-trap. The J-trap has a perforated grease deflecting dispersion means in fluid receiving relation to the outlet end of the J-trap. The dispersion means serves to disperse the grease on the upper surface of the liquid contained within the housing of the assembly. A pair of vertically extending baffles serve to effectively block the flow of grease to the outlet. A first baffle is connected to the sidewalls of the assembly thereby substantially reducing the flow of grease containing waste water. A second baffle is secured to the bottom of the assembly and is proximate the outlet conduit. The dispersion means can be adjusted to control the flow rate of liquids passing through the assembly thus allowing the device to be used with a range of sink sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Robert Sager
  • Patent number: 5707523
    Abstract: A dynamic vertical solids separator acts as a dynamic filter to produce a clarified supernate sample for use in measuring the net electrokinetic charge demand of finely divided particles suspended in the slurry. The dynamic vertical solids separator first removes silt by simple solids separation, and then promotes rapid agglomeration of particles by first directing the slurry across serrated floc plates and then discharging the slurry upward through a venturi. Above the venturi a dynamic sample pool forms, within which the clarifying action occurs. The clarified supernate forms above the sample pool with a visible boundary separating the two. The clarified supernate can be fed to a streaming current detector for measuring the net electrokinetic charge demand of finely divided particles suspended in the slurry, or the position of the boundary can be measured as an indication of the concentration of finely divided particles suspended in the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Stephen R. Temple
  • Patent number: 5705055
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating grease from an effluent stream containing grease and water includes a separation tank, having a separation chamber; in which the grease and water in the effluent separate with the grease floating on top of the water. Grease is heated to a liquid state then pumped from the separation tank when the depth of the grease has reached a predetermined depth below an upper surface of the effluent in the separation tank. The pumping of grease from the separation tank is interrupted after a predetermined period of time. Separated water passes through a relatively low passage to a trap chamber which has a water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Josam Company
    Inventors: Caswell F. Holloway, Jr., Conrad Held, Thomas Roach, Roger Mielbeck
  • Patent number: 5700378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the gravitational separation of fine particles out of a liquid. The liquid containing the particles which are to be separated is conducted with laminar flow through the gaps between a plurality of closely separated, essentially horizontally orientated surface-forming elements (16). The liquid flow through the gaps is interrupted when the particle concentration in the liquid which has flowed through the gaps exceeds a predetermined value. The surface-forming elements (16) are repositioned to an essentially vertical discharging position in order to remove the particle collection present on the surface-forming elements. The surface-forming elements (16) are then returned to the essentially horizontal working position and a new gravitational separation cycle begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Vivex AB
    Inventors: Hyosong Lee, Lars Ehnstrom
  • Patent number: 5698102
    Abstract: A lamellar separator for clarification of aqueous influents comprising a primary clarification section provided with inclined co-current lamellas fed by the said aqueous influents at the upper ends of the said lamellas and discharging streams of concentrated solids and streams of clarified liquid at the lower end of the said lamellas, and an interception section attached to and being in hydraulic communication with the said primary clarification section at the lower ends of the said lamellas, the said interception section housing at least one interception means, whereby the said streams of concentrated solids are combined into a flow of concentrated solids and the said streams of clarified liquid are combined into a flow of clarified liquid, and the said flow of concentrated solids and the said flow of clarified liquid are evacuated from the said lamellar separator without intermixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Khudenko Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Boris Mikhailovich Khudenko
  • Patent number: 5685974
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid separator for isolating a component from a composite fluid having one fluid entrained within, but immiscible in, another fluid, and the two fluids have differing specific gravities. An enclosed chamber of the separator houses an elongated spillway having a first end that receives the composite fluid through an inlet-port. A second end of the spillway, located in the chamber's sump, includes spillway outlet-ports for discharging the composite fluid into the chamber. The separator also includes a flat, first solid plate that slopes diagonally across the chamber from the top of the spillway near the inlet port to the sump. A flat, second solid plate slopes diagonally across the chamber from the bottom of the spillway in the sump to a juncture with the first solid plate. Fluid flowing through the separator passes through gaps between the peripheries of the first and second plates and a wall that encloses the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fluid Separation Technologics Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Fleming
  • Patent number: 5679265
    Abstract: For the separation of a contaminated floating top layer of oil or oil substances, a continuous laminer flow is created on or near the surface, by placing a number of baffles (8, 8') in the path of the flowing liquid (V) as it moves through a tank (1). The total amount of liquid flowing through the tank (1) is now adjusted in such a way that the correct control of the upper laminar flow (5) and the dominant more turbulent lower flow near the bottom (9) of the tank (1) produces a controllable constant difference in height (delta h). This total difference in height (delta h) can also be attained by cascade operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Lemacon Techniek B.V.
    Inventor: Louis Van Schie
  • Patent number: 5679258
    Abstract: A system to collect by vacuum conveyance, separate, and discharge two mixed immiscible liquids with different specific gravities comprising a grit, sediment, particulate, and floating debris removal/collection chamber 11, vacuum tank 51, optional heavy phase supplemental separation stage 47A, and optional light phase supplemental separation stage 47B. Vacuum tank 51 is under a constant regulated vacuum, which sucks mixed immiscible liquids with different specific gravities from their respective remote source(s) through conduit(s) connected to vacuum tank 51. Collection conduits can have manually, mechanically, or electro-mechanically controlled valves at their source ends. Any grit, sediment, particles, floatable debris, and entrained air in the collection conduits is removed from the mixed liquid stream prior to undergoing any phase separation stages. Initial phase separation occurs automatically in vacuum tank 51, which provides quiescent conditions for gravity separation of mixed immiscible liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Robert N. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5676834
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Spokane Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Kuntz
  • Patent number: 5670039
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved solids removal and concentrating unit. The solids removal and concentrating unit comprises a tank, an inlet line, an outlet line, and a sludge removal line communicating with the tank. The solids removal unit further has a plurality of linear baffles positioned in the tank forming a baffle row, with the baffles being positioned in a substantially vertical orientation. Finally, the tank further has a plurality of baffle rows. The baffles operate to reduce the velocity of a carrier liquid behind the baffles. The baffles also operate to form slight vortexes in the carrier liquid behind the baffles and thereby facilitate the downward movement of solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Ronald B. Harris
  • Patent number: 5658461
    Abstract: The invention relates to sedimentation apparatus (1) for treating liquid containing solids, such as sewage, whereby solid constituents of the liquid are substantially removed for subsequent handling/treatment and the liquid now clean of solids is taken off separately for subsequent treatment. To the end, the apparatus (1) comprises two lamella separators (2) the flow channels (3) of which are at an angle to the direction of flow "S" of liquid containing solids towards the inlet (4) to the separators. In the embodiment the angle is substantially 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Thames Water Utilities Limited
    Inventor: Philip Marsh
  • Patent number: 5656173
    Abstract: A method of removing dispersed oil from an oil in water emulsion is accomplished by the steps of dissolving gas in water to form an aerated solution, introducing the emulsion and aerated solution into a treatment vessel in which is positioned a coalescing media formed by an assembly of closely spaced corrugated plates of oleophilic material, the emulsion and aerated solution passing in contact with the plates to cause oil droplets to coalescence on the plates and small gas bubbles carried with the aerated solution to adhere to the oil droplets to increase the buoyancy of the oil droplets so that the oil droplets more readily rise to the surface of the emulsion, accumulated oil being removed from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventors: James Michael Jordan, Thomas James Denton
  • Patent number: 5647977
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing impurities anticipated to be found in industrial waste water, which system is particularly well suited for waste water systems such as those used for laundry or vehicle washing operations. The system includes aeration, mixing/flocculating, and contact media mechanisms to remove suspended solids, hydrocarbons, organic materials and undesired dissolved minerals from the treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud
  • Patent number: 5639366
    Abstract: A solids concentrator for a liquid and solid mixture utilizing a first container including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a transverse dimension that is larger than the transverse dimension of the lower portion. A second container fits within the first container and includes upper and lower portions that are configured to fit within the first container. The upper portion of the first and second containers forms a channel or chamber therebetween. Another chamber is formed between the lower portions of the first and second container, but is narrower across than the first chamber. The flowable liquid and solid mixture is introduced into the first chamber to induce a swirling flow to the second chamber and the inner space of the second container at the bottom of the concentrator. A solid-rich portion of the liquid solid mixture is removed from the lower portion of the inner space of the second chamber or the second chamber itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Bazell Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Graydon C. Bazell, Michael P. Engel
  • Patent number: 5628904
    Abstract: This process involves the flowing of wastewater across a mass of zebra mussels that are attached to a fixed media such as a steel plate. The filtering action of the zebra mussels will remove contaminants. These contaminants will be used as food and incorporated into the mussels body tissue or excreted as feces. Filtered material that is not used as food is encapsulated and excreted as psuedofeces. Periodically the accumulated feces and psuedofeces, along with dead mussels, will have to be removed from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Ronnie A. Bean
  • Patent number: 5624580
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating suspended solid particles and/or fluid droplets from a body of liquid is described. Fluid is caused to flow through at least one helical flow path defined between axially facing surfaces of a number of conical helical plates. Preferably, a substantially vertical flow channel of circular cross-section has disposed therein at least one conical helical plate with a diameter substantially equal to that of the flow channel. The conical helical plate or plates are arranged coaxially in the flow channel and define at least one helical flow path coaxial with the flow channel between axially facing surfaces of the plate or plates. The plate or plates are preferably capable of rotating about the axis of the flow channel, and may be driven. While they may be driven at a greater or lesser speed, they are preferably driven at a speed so as to approximately correspond with the flow rate of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Southern Water Services Ltd.
    Inventor: David De Hoxar
  • Patent number: 5620600
    Abstract: Settler, notably for liquid treatment installations, consisting of a settling tank fed with liquid from a feed channel and a spillway, the settler including a system for distributing the liquid consisting of a plurality of gauged openings formed respectively in partitions of liquid inlet chambers fed from the spillway, in such a way that each opening receives a specified fraction of the throughput of the liquid, the openings being staggered in at least two horizontal rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventor: M. Adbellatif Smati
  • Patent number: 5605636
    Abstract: A method and a device for clarifying liquid by separating particles from a mixture of particles and liquid. The clarifying device includes a housing having an inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The housing defines a settling chamber. A first wall member is located within the housing and defines an inlet chamber therein. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. An adjustable inlet flow passage is formed by the first wall member and includes an opening which is selectively variable in size. The inlet flow passage provides fluid communication between the inlet chamber and the settling chamber. A plurality of settling members are located within the housing above the settling chamber. The liquid within the settling chamber is rotated about a generally horizontal axis by the orientation of the flow passage and deflector members within the housing. Liquid from the settling chamber enters the settling members by changing the direction of its flow by approximately 120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: McNish Corporation
    Inventor: David Wyness
  • Patent number: 5601705
    Abstract: A skimmer/coalescer system includes a skimmer which skims a two-component liquid from the surface of a liquid mixture in a tank, and a pump which pumps the skimmed liquid to a coalescer for separating and collecting a lower density liquid component from the mixture and returning the rest of the liquid to the tank. The skimmer includes a housing submerged below the liquid surface in the tank, an outlet operatively connected to the pump and an intake which supplies liquid to the housing by gravity. The intake includes a vertically movable inlet which remains adjacent the liquid surface regardless of liquid level changes in the tank, thereby to skim near the surface where the lower density liquid dominates, and to enhance skimming efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: James A. Glasgow
  • Patent number: 5599463
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the separation of mixtures of liquids and finely divided suspended particles to produce a liquid product stream having a reduced concentration of finely divided suspended particles. The process and apparatus use a generally vertical separator vessel having a feed inlet distributor located in a lower locus of the vessel which directs the feed mixture in an upward direction in order to initially flow through a multiplicity of vertical and intersecting baffles located in the upper locus of the vessel and then to flow through a horizontal baffle having a multiplicity of holes to allow passage of the liquid and located above and adjacent to the vertical baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: UOP
    Inventor: Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 5595660
    Abstract: A plate-type fluid separator is used to separate a plurality of mutually immiscible components from a mixed fluid stream thereof. The separator contains at least one separator flow plate which has formed on a common facial surface thereof at least one separation chamber. Each separation chamber contains at least one inlet means; a channel assembly in fluid communication with the inlet means and composed of a main flow channel split at a downstream end thereof into a plurality of branching flow channels; and a plurality of outlet means in fluid communication with the branching flow channels. The main flow channel separates the stream passing therethrough into a plurality of substantially discrete fluid phases having different average density or viscosity values. Each branching flow channel receives a discrete phase and passes such phase to the outlet means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Otto M. Ilg, Jeffrey S. Dugan
  • Patent number: 5593589
    Abstract: A clarifier for separating suspended solids from waste water to provide clarified water, including a generally rectangular tank for containing waste water to be separated, the tank including generally parallel spaced apart first and second sidewalls, each sidewall having upper and lower sidewall portions, and the tank also including upper and lower regions; a first influent passage extending along at least a portion of the first sidewall and comprising an aperture for introducing waste water into the tank; a first effluent passage proximate the influent passage and including a weir over which clarified water flows for removing clarified water from the upper region of the tank. The clarifier preferably includes a baffle mounted to define a space between the first sidewall and the baffle, and a distribution baffle proximate the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Envirex Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Boyle
  • Patent number: 5589064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for liquid solid separation of liquid effluents or wastewater containing pollutant particles in a suspension. A vessel defining a reactor for receiving and containing a flow of the liquid effluent or wastewater has an inverted lower distribution cone defining a coagulation zone into which the flow is injected toward the apex of the cone at the bottom of the reactor to provoke an intense mixing of the polluted or contaminated liquid with a water-soluble chemical alkaline agent added to the injected flow externally of the reactor as required to control the pH of the injected liquid. The reactor has a wider volume above and contiguous with the lower coagulation zone and is dimensioned for effectively defining a flocculation zone, and an upper part of the reactor defines a turbulence-free volume above the flocculation zone and contiguous therewith for settling of flocculant comprising the coalesced contaminant particles and the separation of solids and liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Samuel Elmaleh
  • Patent number: 5587065
    Abstract: A system is provided for handling of watery, oily waste which constitutes a closed vessel divided into two chambers by a dividing wall, such that lower chamber portions are in fluid communication. The vessel contains an inlet for flowing fluid into the upper portion of one chamber, an upper outlet for the other chamber, an air passage connecting upper portions of the chambers and effective for maintaining normal liquid levels in the two chambers, a sensing device in the one chamber and a discharge conduit for the first chamber which is controlled selectively by the sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: H2Oil, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Burns
  • Patent number: 5584993
    Abstract: A settling unit for separating a liquid and the particles. Such as sand, suspended therein, comprises a basin with an inlet for the liquid mixture containing the particles, and an overflow for discharging the liquid after at least some of the particles have been removed therefrom through settling. With a view to increasing the efficiency, a plate separator is provided at the position of the overflow, which plate separator has a liquid outlet which is connected to the overflow and an outlet for settled particles which is connected to the basin. The gaps defined between the plates can be shut off at their underside by a non-return valve which can be moved into an open position under the influence of the weight of the separated particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Hollandsche Beton Groep N.V.
    Inventor: Gerard L. M. Van Der Schrieck
  • Patent number: 5585008
    Abstract: A method of separating two or more immiscible components from a multicomponent fluid stream thereof involves passing the stream through one or more separation chambers of a plate-type separator. The separator contains at least one separator flow plate, each of which has formed on a common facial surface thereof at least one separation chamber containing at least one inlet means, a channel assembly in fluid communication with the inlet means, and a plurality of outlet means. The channel assembly contains at least one branched-channel structure composed of a main flow channel split at a downstream branch-point end thereof into at least two branching flow channels. The main flow channel is adapted to separate the multicomponent stream passing therethrough into a plurality of substantially discrete density-differing or viscosity-differing fluid phases. Each of the branching flow channels is adapted to receive one of the discrete phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Otto M. Ilg, Jeffrey S. Dugan
  • Patent number: 5582716
    Abstract: A filter unit for use in a septic tank system includes a housing having an upper section and a lower section wherein the upper section has a cross-sectional area greater than the lower section. The lower section receives a plurality of disc-dam units to form a filter unit therein wherein each disc-dam unit is provided with an outer periphery partitioned by an upwardly directed dam to define a fluid inlet on one side of the dam and a fluid outlet on the opposite side of the dam. The distance between an upper surface of the dam and a lower surface of a disc-dam unit forming slots of preselected height to provide defined slots for the flow of waste water thereacross from the inlet side to the outlet side of the disc-dam units. The lower section is also provided with a vertical chamber therein in flow communication with the fluid outlet of the disc-dam units and the upper section of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Harry L. Nurse, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5575909
    Abstract: A separator including an assembly of a first vessel and an upwardly elongate unit including a helical baffle forming a spiral passage in the unit. The first vessel includes a sump. An inlet is provided to convey a mixture to be separated into the assembly and at least two outlets are provided through which the separated components are removed from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: William W. Foster
  • Patent number: 5569381
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Spokane Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Kuntz
  • Patent number: 5565094
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing free and emulsified water as well as solid contaminants from an oil/water mixture produced in lubricating the bearings of a steam turbine employs a singular, closed housing having a lowermost, filter-free gravity chamber, an uppermost filter element chamber, and a filter-free water collection chamber between the gravity chamber and the filter element chamber. The oil/water mixture introduced into the housing has its free water component removed in the gravity chamber and has its emulsified water and solid contaminant components removed by coalescence in the filter element chamber. Free water, emulsified water and solid contaminants are collected, monitored and selectively drained from the water collection chamber and gravity chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Zoch, David A. Meier
  • Patent number: 5565103
    Abstract: In a solid material flow-separating method for separating fine solid material from fluid, plural massive, net-shaped or pipe-shaped flow-separating members each having opening portions of about 1 to 5 cm in equivalent diameter are disposed along a fluid flowing direction in a treatment tank, and the fine solid material floating in the fluid is trapped and collected through the opening portions, and help up in a predetermined area, thereby separating the fine solid material from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Aquatech, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunji Eto
  • Patent number: 5549827
    Abstract: A process for treating a suspension of solid particles in a carrier liquid comprises subjecting the particles in the suspension to gravity settling in a treatment zone. The treatment zone has at least an upper free settling region in which free settling of solid particles through the liquid takes place, a hindered settling region below the free settling region in which hindered settling of particles takes place, and a compaction region below the hindered settling region in which the solid particles are in contact with one another so that a slurry is formed in this region. Clarified liquid is withdrawn from the free settling region. Liquid is allowed, in at least the compaction region, to move upwardly along at least one upwardly inclined pathway, while at least partially protected from settling solid particles. Slurry is withdrawn from the compaction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Technology Finance Corporation (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Richard G. Batson
  • Patent number: 5546852
    Abstract: A food preparation assembly is disclosed which includes a carving board unit including a carving platform having a substantially planar carving surface with a collection channel defined therein extending about the periphery of the carving surface to collect drippings for separation into fat and juice, and a cutting board unit including an upper cutting surface and a lower undersurface. At least two parallel flanges depend from the undersurface of the cutting board unit which are dimensioned and configured to engage the collection channel in the carving platform to stabilize the cutting board unit during utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Robert E. Bidwell
  • Patent number: 5547569
    Abstract: A sloped plate water clarifier is provided with multiple clarifying stages. Slurry enters a feeding and mixing passageway that contains chemical flocculant in the form of polymer gel logs. Agitating drums in the passageway provide controlled mixing of the slurry with the flocculant. At the end of the passageway the slurry flows over a static screen that separates the useable process product from solid refuse. The slurry passing through the screen flows into a settling tank containing sloped plates arranged in three ascending stages, with the plates in the uppermost stage being angularly adjustable. As the slurry rises inside the tank, the sloped plates allow the suspended solids in the slurry to settle and eventually accumulate on the tank bottom for periodic removal, including as an alternative by a venturi pump. The clarified water exits a spillway at the top of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Hinkle Contracting Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5543064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating grease from solids and water in a sewage lift station, and separately transferring said grease, and said solids and water, from said station to remote higher destinations, comprising conveying grease from a first chamber to an adjacent second chamber at a first given level, and pumping solids and water from the first chamber from below the first given level to a third chamber; conveying water from the second chamber to the third chamber at a second given level no higher than the first given level, and pumping grease from the second chamber at the second given level to a first, remote, higher destination; and pumping water and solids from the third chamber at below the second given level to a second, remote, higher destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Clearline Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Batten
  • Patent number: 5538631
    Abstract: A dissolved air flotation (DAF) system and method for gas-liquid contacting operations. A mixture of untreated liquid and liquid saturated with dissolved air is passed through a series of upward deflecting screens placed across the flowpath in a rectangular tank. Microbubbles of air released from the mixture produce a buoyant force which carries contacted particles to the surface. Floated particles released from the microbubbles form a sludge which is supported above the surface of the mixture by a layer of air derived from the microbubbles. A top layer of the sludge is skimmed off according to a predetermined residence time of sludge at the surface. Liquid containing dissolved air is also introduced downstream of each deflecting screen to enhance flotation and clarification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: George C. Yeh
  • Patent number: 5535476
    Abstract: An improved mobile cleaning apparatus is provided having an increased cleaning radius consisting of a movable carriage with integrated fresh and soiled liquid compartments contained therein which are separated by a fixed partition, a cleaning rotor is connected to the fresh liquid compartment at one end of the housing and at least one suction nozzle feeding into the soiled liquid compartment is also provided adjacent to the rotor. A pressure equalizing opening is provided in the upper part of the fixed partition. The fixed partition is also adapted to allow an overflow pipe to pass therethrough having an inlet opening situated in the soiled liquid compartment, and an outlet opening situated in the fresh liquid compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Rainer Osberghaus
  • Patent number: 5536409
    Abstract: A water treatment tank for separating particles from water, has a separation chamber with at least one set of inclined parallel plates, with a slot between each pair of adjacent plates for substantial horizontal flow of water between the plates. A sludge chamber is located beneath the separation chamber for collecting sludge including the particles separated from the water during passage of the water through the separation chamber. An inlet chamber on one side of the separation chamber introduces the substantially horizontal flow of water into the separation chamber, and an outlet chamber on an opposite side of the separation chamber receives the flow in the substantially horizontal direction from the separation chamber. The outlet chamber is located above and communicates with the sludge chamber and further separates particles from the water in the outlet chamber, the particles descending into the sludge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Citec International Incorporated
    Inventor: Karl R. Dunkers
  • Patent number: 5534141
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for deployment in a body of water having a floor and a water surface includes an in-pond clarifier extending across the body of water. The in-pond clarifier defines a clarifying chamber and includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is suspended above the wastewater surface. The lower portion is maintained adjacent to the floor of the body of water. As a result, the body of water is divided into distinct treatment zones on opposite sides of the clarifying chamber. The in-pond clarifier further includes a plurality of pumps for removing biological solids which settle within the clarifying chamber. Separate pumps are provided for either returning settled solids to the body of water or for wasting settled solids from the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: The Lemna Corporation
    Inventors: David W. McAnaney, John R. Dorner
  • Patent number: 5520825
    Abstract: A compact gravitational oil-water separator particularly adapted for use in small drainage systems in order to avoid pollution to the environment is provided with a plurality of separating components housed within a tank. More specifically, these components include a baffle member which provides initial separation of an incoming oil-water flow stream and distributes the flow substantially across the entire width of the tank. After the flow impinges the baffle member, the flow is directed downward towards a sediment bucket which captures any large particles separated from the flow and then the flow is directed upwardly at an angle through a coalescer unit. After exiting the coalescer unit, the flow is guided over a separation plate and then is re-directed, in a reverse direction, to an inlet opening of an outlet flow passage. By reversing the fluid flow, substantially the entire tank is utilized in the separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: McTighe Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren M. Rice
  • Patent number: 5518617
    Abstract: A separator for separating contaminants from a base liquid. The separator includes a roof arrangement, part of which extends downwardly and radially inwardly into the liquid in the separator. The roof arrangement is generally in inverted conical form. The decontaminated liquid flows from the separator through a flow modifying member which dampens any circulating flows in the liquid, and flows upwardly out of the separator to a reservoir defined by the inverted conical roof arrangement. The arrangement also includes structure for releasing gases from the volumes beneath the roof arrangement, thereby maintaining the whole of the roof arrangement in contact with the liquid to assist in reducing circulating flow in the liquid on the upper regions of the separator vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: The Clean Water Company Limited
    Inventor: Alban Timmons
  • Patent number: 5505861
    Abstract: A gravity cartridge filter for filtering fine particles from a fluid comprises a cartridge for disposition in a contaminated fluid tank. The cartridge comprises a plurality of layers that include a fluid passage in vertical juxtaposition with a filter medium, such as a mat, in each layer whereby gravity effects settling of particles suspended in the fluid onto the medium within each respective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Gene Hirs
  • Patent number: 5505860
    Abstract: A trap for separating and retaining grease, oil, and particulates from water or other fluids. The inventive device includes a trap body having an inlet fitting extending thereinto and terminating in a deflecting cup such that fluid entering the trap flows vertically upward from the cup. A planar baffle plate extending across an interior of the trap body retains grease on a first side thereof while permitting the water to flow under the planar baffle plate to a second side thereof. An angled baffle plate also extends across the interior of the trap body and includes an angled weir for deflecting food particles and the like from passage thereover. An outlet fitting extends from below the water to permit exiting of the filtered water from the trap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Robert J. Sager
  • Patent number: 5503753
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for dewatering waste that has been collected in a sewer trap built into a tiltably mounted tank which is divided into two main chambers divided into a number of compartments. A pump is selectly connected to each main chamber to impose a pressurized atmosphere or a partial vacuum. An entry pipe connects to a suction hose outside the tank and to the first main compartment on the inside. Barriers in one main chamber are sealingly connected to the interior tank wall around the top potion and have hinged plates at a second potion. Barriers in the second main chamber are solid and sealed to the interior tank wall. A group of return pipes are adapted to return dewatered waste from the second to the first chamber and the cleaned water to the sewer line. The method taught involves drawing waste from a sewer trap into the first chamber of the tank by vacuum through the entry pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Wallace Woodall Vacuum Pumping Service, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Woodall, Damon W. Woodall
  • Patent number: 5503747
    Abstract: Device for treating waste water, especially rainwater by jointly carrying out degritting, degreasing and settling, which includes a degritter fitted with a grit trough, passed through by a descending then ascending flow of the water to be treated, a degreasing surface provided above a part of the degritter and the feed region of the settling tank, and a settling tank which includes a feed or presettling basin, a floor, a laminar settling region and an extraction trough, wherein the partition separating the degritter from the settling tank includes a flap valve making it possible, when it is open, to transfer the untreated water without perturbation towards the settling tank, and therefore allowing correct settling during this filling phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventors: Patrick Vion, Herve Labaquere
  • Patent number: 5500116
    Abstract: In a non-agitated, countercurrent flow type liquid-liquid contacting tower, trays consisting of column plates and dams are installed horizontally inside the tower shell alternately in vertical direction with a suitable interval. The column plate share a part of the cross-section of the tower to provide a flow channel or channels for the liquids, and the dam extends from the end of the column plate vertically downward and has openings near the column plate. The liquid-liquid contactor has high contacting efficiency, and thus relatively small sized apparatus can have a large treatment capacity. Because the apparatus has no moving element, maintenance is easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Nakayama, Hiroshi Sagara
  • Patent number: 5499643
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for removing oily waste from articles which includes two tanks located in proximity, preferably in side-by-side relationship, to one another. The upper edge of one end of these tanks is provided with an overflow that causes the light surface fraction of the liquid in the cleaning tank to flow out of the cleaning tank and onto the surface of the liquid in the separating tank. The bottom edge of the opposite end of the separating tank is provided with an outlet through which the dense bottom fraction of the liquid in the separating tank may be withdrawn and pumped back into the cleaning tank. The effect of this top/bottom relationship between outlets and inlets is to establish a density gradient which favors the migration of oily waste from the cleaning tank to the separating tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventors: C. Elmas Vincent, Jr., Anthony Galanis
  • Patent number: 5500132
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid to liquid coalescing separator (10) in which the liquid flows through sides of upright perforated tubes (20). One of the liquids coalesces on the inner walls of the tubes until large enough to break away and flow out of internal passages in the tubes, and the other liquid free of coalesced liquid flows through the tubes and to an outlet (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Modern Welding Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Hadi Elmi