Abstract: A particle separator comprising a liquid column having a liquid admission point located above the column lower end. Coarse size particles migrate downwardly to a hopper in the columns lower end. Carrier liquid flows upwardly through the column; fine size particles are removed at different levels along the liquid path.

Abstract: In a waterjet cutting system utilizing abrasives added to the cutting liquid, a liquid purifier is provided to remove the abrasives from the liquid before the liquid is disposed of including a disposable reservoir with a removable end plate sealingly engaged with the end of the reservoir. A baffle plate is rigidly connected to the end plate such that when the end plate is in position, the baffle plate will divide the interior of the reservoir into two compartments. An inlet nozzle is attached to the end plate to feed the liquid into one of the compartments on one side of the baffle plate, and an outlet nozzle is attached to the end plate on the other side of the baffle plate, such that the liquid must change directions when it travels from the inlet to the outlet nozzle to assist in the separation process.

Abstract: A sedimentation process for the collection and removal of solid particles from a liquid includes a basin provided with a plurality of planar baffles or settler members each having opposite ends attached to support rods, with the latter obviating the need for any beams or the like, to support the lower edges of the settler members. Manipulation of an adjustment mechanism permits simultaneous alteration of the inclination of all of the settler members without halting operation of the process. Influent is directed into the basin through a plurality of ports spaced longitudinally of one side wall thereof to more evenly distribute the influent throughout the bottom expanse of the settler members. Preferably, the settler members comprise stretchable membranes with the support rods including a shiftable, lockable mechanism permitting quick installation and variation of the tension as applied to the settler members.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for extracting bitumen from oil sands. The process includes the step of conditioning the oil sands by adding hot water and steam to the oil sands. The conditioned oil sands are then introduced into a separation zone. Separation of the oil sands into a bitumen froth phase, a middlings phase and a tailings phase occurs in the separation zone. Water with air dissolved therein is continuously injected under pressure upwardly through the separation zone. The water is at a low temperature relative to the oil sands. At least two of the phases are then separately withdrawn from the separation zone.

Abstract: An intrachannel clarifier for an oxidation ditch includes an enclosure positioned in the flow path of the oxidation ditch. This enclosure defines a perimeter wall which surrounds an internal volume made up of an upper zone, a middle zone and a lower zone. The cross-sectional area of the internal volume increases progressively from the lower zone to the upper zone. A water inlet port introduces waste water from the flow path into the lower zone, a submerged pipe in the upper zone removes clarified water from the upper zone, and sludge is actively removed from the middle zone via a sludge removal manifold disposed in the middle zone to reduce the residence time of sludge in the middle zone while maintaining a filter blanket of sludge in the middle zone.

Abstract: Operation of an intra-channel clarifier within a circulating sewage stream can be enhanced by flow adjusting vanes positioned within the sewage stream between the clarifier and channel wall, proximate to the clarifier sludge ports. In a preferred embodiment, the vanes are aligned perpendicular to the flow of the stream, on a vertical axis. The vanes are divided into an independently adjustable upper and lower portion which can be used to direct the sewage flow and alter the cross sectional area of the sewage stream in the vicinity of the clarifier. The rate at which sludge is removed from the clarifier is affected by the velocity of the sewage stream beneath the sludge ports as well as any turbulence or eddy currents which are produced.

Abstract: A sedimentation tank for separating activated sludge from a suspension of activated sludge and sewage water, with an intake (11) for the suspension, an outlet (3) for the activated sludge at the conical bottom, and a discharge (4) at the top for the sewage water that the activated sludge has been eliminated from. A pipe (7) that is open at the top and closed at the bottom by a floor (9) is accommodated at the center of the tank and an inlet (10) that communicates with the intake opens into the pipe in the vicinity of the floor. The central pipe extends above the surface (20) of the liquid in the tank, which is dictated by how much is leaving, is loosely surrounded by another pipe (8) that extends above and below the surface of the liquid, and accommodates an agitator (12) with a speed that can be set to shape the suspension at the top of the pipe into a paraboloid (21) of rotation, which extends to the edge and from which the suspension spills over the edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the presence in a liquid of a material which is at lest partially immiscible in the liquid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a container and an overflow outlet for allowing a surface layer of the liquid to flow out of the container. A slick of the material forms in the container on a surface of the liquid. The container includes a settling portion with an adjustably angled baffle and a second, fixed baffle located therein, a concentrating portion for concentrating the slick downstream of the settling portion, and an intermediate constricting portion for gradually constricting the surface of the liquid. An ultraviolet light source and visible light detector are provided for detecting the fluorescent radiation produced by irradiating the surface of the liquid and the material.

Abstract: A cross flow plate separator of the type having an assembly of parallel plates inclined to the horizontal plane in a container between a supply chamber and a discharge chamber, and at least one collecting chamber above or below the plate assembly for collecting components separated from liquid flowing between the plates from the supply to the discharge chambers, and wherein transverse dividing baffles extend the collecting chambers to a depth below a collected sediment layer or into a floating layer as the case may be, is improved by provision of auxiliary transverse baffles in the collecting chamber between the larger dividing baffles, the auxiliary baffles each having one edge in contact with the plate assembly and extending into said collecting chamber a distance substantially short of either sediment or floating layers, to suppress liquid flow exterior to the plate assembly between the dividing baffles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids such as water from oil such as lubricating oil or diesel and fuel oil contained in a reservoir, including an outlet adjacent the lowest part of the reservoir, a first conduit having an inlet connected to the outlet of the reservoir, and a first conduit outlet where a selected segment of the conduit between the conduit inlet and outlet is of reduced diameter, and where a segment of the conduit intermediate the inlet and outlet is offset downwardly, a vertically disposed elongate separator having a midsection of selected diameter with an inlet connected to the outlet of the first conduit, a first receiver having a diameter greater than the diameter of the midsection and having an inlet communicating with the midsection where the first receiver is located above the midsection and a second receiver located beneath the receiver having a diameter greater than the midsection, with an inlet communicating with the midsection where the first receiver includes an en

Abstract: A clarifier basin is provided with upflow channels for removing solids from liquid that flows up the channels. The channels are defined by pairs of spaced sheets. Each sheet is provided with three-dimensional (3D) members, such as spherical bubbles or ellipsoids, that are in a two-dimensional array or regular pattern. The sheets are positioned closely adjacent to each other so that the 3D members on one sheet nest with the 3D members of the adjacent sheet to form interstices that collect the solids. The sheets are movable to enlarge the interstices so that air bubbles can flow up a selected channel and remove the solids for collection by a reservoir located above the selected channel. An air supply and the reservoir traverse the channels to remove the solids from the channels on a one-by-one basis.

Abstract: Water clarifying apparatus has a cylindrical tank where particulate contaminants suspended in raw water are separated using flotation techniques. A set of concentric mutually spaced, conical plates are positioned in the flotation tank. The plates rotate about the tank, preferably in unison with a (i) header that distributes equal quantities of raw water to each annular zone in the tank defined by the conical plates and (ii) a scoop for removing the contaminants which form a floated sludge layer. A screw conveyor is located in a discharge pipe of the floated sludge scoop. A infrared sludge detection array in a window in the side wall of the tank senses the sludge-water interface. Air dissolving tubes operating in parallel have common feeds and discharges coupled through three way valves operated to pressurize a closed volume of water with high pressure air in one tube while reloading and discharging the other tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bio-filtration system that provides excellent solids removal and carbonaceous B.O.D. and ammonia nitrogen removal and which comprises in combination a tank, wedge wire panels disposed horizontally therein, a fixed film media reactor with vertical channels therein, and means for introducing effluent to be treated into said tank whereby said effluent flow upwardly through said fixed film media reactor and then through said wedge wire panels.

Abstract: Method of treating liquid by sedimentation in which reagents are injected into a flow of untreated liquid and there is created in the flow a colloid mixing and stabilization area; the flow is passed into an intermediate aggregation area and then into a sedimentation area equipped with separator plates from which clarified liquid is taken; characterized in that insoluble granular material which is more dense than the liquid is injected into the liquid in predetermined proportions in the mixing area where the flow is made turbulent, turbulence is induced in the intermediate aggregation area to maintain the granular material in suspension, virtually all of the granular material is brought into the sedimentation area, the sludge recovered in the sedimentation area is removed, the granular material is removed therefrom (D) and is recycled after cleaning.

Abstract: A pressurized oil filter/carbon separation device includes a housing containing a plurality of separator chambers, a transfer chamber and a filter chamber. The housing includes a dirty oil inlet through which lubricating oil from an internal combustion chamber is delivered the separator chambers for serial flow therethrough. Within each chamber, carbon particles from the lubricating oil are separated from the oil flow owing to the forces of gravity within each chamber. The carbon particles are allowed to exit the lower portions of the separator chamber via discharge pipes at the bottom of the housing. From the last separator chamber, the oil is delivered to the transfer chamber for introduction into a filter chamber which contains a mesh-type filter screen to remove further minute particulates from the oil. The filtered oil exits the housing via a plurality of openings at the top of the housing and is delivered by a discharge pipe back to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A circular lamella clarifier is disclosed having a radially extending lip member to provide optimum flow straightening prior to entering the gap separation between the stacked lamella members. Other features of the circular lamella clarifier such as preferred gap separation is disclosed. A method for making the lamella members is disclosed.

Abstract: In a gas dehydration system utilizing glycol a condensate skimming reflux column separates and skims natural gas condensate off glycol by a settling tank-type reservoir having a syphon-type glycol outlet to a reflux section spaced a predetermined distance below a condensate outlet pipe.

Abstract: A device for separating the oil from an oil/water mixture collected in the bilge of a marine craft immediately prior to draining water from the craft in order to meet U.S. Coast Guard standards and eliminate or substantially reduce the discharge of pollutants, such as oil, into waterways when the bilge pump of the marine craft is activated in the conventional manner.

Abstract: A gravity cross-flow separator of the type comprising mutually parallel spaced-apart plates defining a substantially horizontal liquid flow path between each pair of adjacent plates for passing a liquid to be treated by gravity separation, the plates being inclined relative to a horizontal plane and defining upper and lower gutters extending substantially in the direction of liquid flow for collecting components separated from the treated liquid and disposed above and below the flow path, respectively, is improved in that the upper gutters of each flow path are in facing alignment with the lower gutters of the same flow path.

Abstract: Cold trap for the purification of liquid metals containing dissolved impurities comprises several independently operating cooling modules, so as to bring about the crystallization of impurities, a liquid metal supply pipe, a purified liquid metal discharge pipe and a series of filter assemblies arranged in a staggared manner and on which the impurities crystallize. The cold trap is particularly suitable for the purification of the molten sodium used in nuclear power stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a fluid from an immiscible fluid composition including a floating liquid and a carrying liquid are disclosed. A body having floatation supports, means to permit rotation about a horizontal plane and free movement in a vertical plane, and an internal cavity is disposed in the immiscible composition, and the floating liquid is allowed to enter the cavity. The floating liquid in the cavity is skimmed by a slidable pickup conduit disposed coaxially with a receiving conduit coextensive with the bottom of the cavity, and is then removed from the cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating coarse grained and agglomerated pigment particles from a suspension containing coarse grained, agglomerated, and fine grained pigment particles by sedimentation by gravity, are described. The suspension, for example of titanium dioxide powder and water, is introduced through an inflow device (3) at the bottom (4) of a vessel (1) from below and flows upwardly through the vessel (1), in which stationary plates (2) are located arranged parallel to each other and at an angle of <90.degree., preferentially 40.degree. to 60.degree. to the horizontal line. In the upper part (6) of the vessel (1) the suspension which there contains primarily fine grained pigment particles is removed from the vessel (1) through a drain or overflow device (5). In the lower part (4) the suspension containing primarily coarse grained and agglomerated pigment particles is removed from the vessel (1) through an overflow device (7).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing a floating pollutant such as oil from a liquid such as water by passing the oil and water over the top of a weir and allowing the oil and water to fall between a side of the weir and a baffle closely adjacent to the weir and extending into a pool at the bottom of the weir. Oil collects in a quiet area adjacent the baffle while the water passes over a subsequent weir to removal.

Abstract: Discloses transportable liquid clarifying and screw conveyor/compactor liquid-solid separator apparatus which includes a pressureable clarifier vessel portably mounted on a base with a top and sides converging to the bottom of the vessel for attachment to a sludge disposal apparatus. A sludge inlet enters the top of the vessel and extends to near the bottom of the vessel. An effluent discharge flow control valve is connected through a conduit in the top of the vessel to provide a designated back pressure within the vessel while controlling the discharge flow of effluent liquid from the vessel. The sludge disposal apparatus includes an elongated screw conveyor/compactor mounted at an angle and extending upwardly from the vessel bottom. The compactor housing is tapered to compact the sludge as the screw conveyor carries the sludge to a liquid extraction section. The liquid extraction section has a screen tapered to further compact the slurry while extracting liquid being forced out of the slurry.

Abstract: A filter bed clarifier comprising a tank (1), which consists of an upper, cylindrical part (2) and a lower, tapered part (3) and which is provided with a centrally disposed feed pipe (11) for the liquid to be clarified. The feed pipe has an outlet leading into the tank at the top opening (7) of the circulating/mixing cone (6) disposed in the lower, tapered part of the tank. The top opening is larger than the outlet opening (12) of the feed pipe so that the sludge being discharged from the feed pipe draws sediment flocs from the lower part of the bed, thus causing internal circulation of the sediment. The apparatus is especially suitable for clarifying green liquor.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating dispersed phases from fluid mixtures comprising a fluid separation chamber provided with a plurality of fluid outlet ports for discharge of fluids with different densities, and fluid inlet means for introducing the mixture into the chamber comprising at least one tubular neck portion in which a cluster of fibers is compressed to a fibrous bed. Each tubular neck portion is arranged to a level between the top portion and a bottom portion of the chamber and at an angle relative to the vertical thereby reducing the chance of accumulation of foamy or solid contaminants in the fibrous bed and allowing continuous removal thereof from the separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling operating conditions of a corrugated plate interceptor vessel using at least two transparent windows located in proximity of the oil and treated water layers which are maintained transparent by washing their interior surfaces with a clean fluid such as water.

Abstract: A method of separating trub from hot wort, in which unpurified hot wort is supplied to a settling device and after the settling process purified wort is withdrawn at a level above the bottom of the settling device, and trub is withdrawn at a level at or near the bottom of the settling device. According to the invention, a gravity-induced circulation is created in the settling device by withdrawing heat from one part of the surface of the wort liquid and screening off the other part of the surface against heat loss. A column of liquid topped by said one part is kept separate from a column of liquid topped by the other part throughout its entire height, except for a narrow upper gap and a bottom gap.

Abstract: A sewage or waste material treatment plant or apparatus includes adjacent aeration and clarifier chambers with an intermediate internal wall having a bottom opening normally providing the sole communication between the chambers. A deflector member in the upper portion of the aeration chamber in the path of incoming material, a deflector surface on the lower portion of the internal wall, together with a diffuser assembly, provides a substantially circular flow of fluid and solids to promote maximum suspension of solids and their oxidative or bacteriological breakdown. A specially configured deflector on the lower portion of the internal wall further directs the moving fluid in the aeration chamber so as to promote the circular movement of material therein and also to enhance the return of settled floc from the adjacent clarifier chamber back into the circulating stream in the aeration chamber.

Abstract: Bitumen froth is treated in a circuit comprising a plurality of serially connected mixer and inclined plate settler units. A light hydrocarbon diluent moves countercurrently through the circuit. Thus, as the bitumen content of the stream being settled diminishes, the concentration of diluent in that stream increases.

Abstract: An oil and water separator is disclosed having plural nested separating tanks. An oil/water mixture is introduced into the innermost tank. A fluid exchange means, such as a corrugated pipe wound to form a helix, transfers fluid from the innermost separating tank through successive separating tanks to the outermost tank. The majority of oil is trapped within the innermost tank and is transferred to a recovery tank by an overflow device. In outer separating tanks, a biological digestion of the small amount of remaining oil takes place.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating waste water by the solids contact aerobic biological treatment process comprises a clarifier and a reaction basin in liquid communication with one another. In one embodiment, the reaction basin has an aerator which also circulates liquid through the clarifier by way of pipes arranged to collect liquid from the surface of the reaction basin and deliver it to a location adjacent a back wall of the clarifier. The clarifier has a bottom wall which slopes towards the reaction basin. Sludge particles in the liquid settle out in the clarifier and liquid discharged from the pipes flushes the settled biological sludge back into the aeration section of the reaction basin. In another embodiment the clarifier and reaction basin together form an oxidation ditch defining a closed loop. An aeration device continuously circulates liquid around the loop and through the clarifier.

Abstract: A method of treating and progressively densifying liquid waste. It comprises thoroughly mixing and aerating by a continuous mixer and/or aerating raw water and chemical treating materials, discharging the resulting mixture downwardly into a reaction compartment, thence drawing the resulting material upwardly by means of an impeller and gravity flow, then allowing a portion of the resulting denser sludge to descend downwardly by gravity into a floc tunnel, thence in a horizontal portion, further densifying and separating takes place. The remaining portion is directed horizontally against inclined, closely spaced parallel plates to clear the resulting fines mixture. Thereafter, there is still further densifying of the sludge. By this method, a very dense sludge is obtained in a relatively small space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clarifying solids from a solids containing liquid having a multilayer baffle system and integral solids removal sump. The apparatus can have a variable speed impeller at its outlet so that an operator of the clarifier can control the flow rate therethrough to optimize efficiency.The multilayer baffle system includes a first set of baffles placed above the main liquid flow path minimizes horizontal flow thereabove but creates local turbulence so as to promote efficient settling and assure no solids settle on the baffles. A second set of vertical flow interrupting baffles substantially eliminates upward turbulence created the first baffles and are shaped such that solids will not settle thereon. A third layer of baffles interrupts any horizontal flow component remaining in the clarifier so as to define a quiescent zone thereabove. Clarified liquid is removed from the surface of the quiescent zone.

Abstract: An oil water separator is disclosed having a vertical, cylindrical tank with a plurality of corrugated, oleophilic plates. A corrugated diffusion baffle is located adjacent an oil-water mixture inlet to remove the larger particulate material from the mixture and to cause coalescing of the larger oil droplets. The flow of the oil-water mixture proceeds generally in a vertical direction and passes between the corrugated plates to cause further coalescing of the oil droplets. A separate oil channel directs the coalesced oil to an upper portion of the tank. The clarified water then passes downwardly to a clean water outlet. A second coalescing unit may be located upstream of the clean water outlet to further coalesce and remove the smaller oil droplets. In this case, a second oil relief channel directs these coalesced oil particles to the upper portion of the tank, from which the oil may be removed.

Abstract: An ascending flux lamellar decantation apparatus for treating a liquid having a plurality of parallel lamellar modules which define a plurality of ducts disposed within an enclosure. The apparatus includes a channel aligned parallel to the lamellar modules for introducing liquids into the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a repartition device for maintaining hydraulic flux of liquids, which repartition device is positioned above at least one of the lamellar modules. The repartition device is made of a plurality of hydraulically independent sections of substantially equal size such that the treated liquid flow in each section is equal. The repartition device further includes a treated liquid recovery means for collecting treated liquid.

Abstract: A debris catching strainer grid for capturing and retaining deleterious debris carried by reactor coolant before it enters the active region of a fuel assembly and creates fuel rod cladding damage has a plurality of fuel end cap compartments defined by pairs of first and second intersecting and slottedly interlocked grid-forming strips attached to a perimeter member and to each other. The end cap compartments defined by strips including vertical rows of integral leaves on opposite sides of the strip or by pairs of adjacent integral leaves intermediate their intersections. In the latter case, each leaf of the pair of leaves is the mirror image of the other leaf of the pair with an asymmetric shape with the greatest distance of projection out of the plane of the strip remote from the midpoint of the strips between their intersections.

Abstract: A turbulence control system is provided comprising a first baffle, fixedly connected across the interior of an intra-channel clarifier having side walls between the side walls near the point of entry of wastewater into the clarifier, the first baffle covering a desired portion of the cross-sectional flow area within the clairifier; and a second baffle, fixedly connected across the interior of the clarifier between the side walls downstream of the first baffle and covering a desired portion of the cross-sectional flow area left uncovered by the first baffle. The turbulence control system may also comprise at least one accumulation baffle, connected between the side walls and near the bottom of the clarifier, the accumulation baffle extending upward to a desired height within the clarifier, but not so high as to produce a flow velocity which would impede settlement of sludge within the clarifier.

Abstract: Continuous, noncentrifugal, unit gravity, sedimentation apparatus for separating blood into an erythrocyte-enriched plasma fraction and a leukocyte/platelet-enriched plasma fraction.

Abstract: The reaction vessel is provided with a partition to separate a sub-chamber from the reaction chamber of the vessel. The sub-chamber also contains lamellar flowbacks for the separation of liquid and biomass. Clean liquid is collected in troughs at the top end inside of the flowbacks and is transported via a circular trough to a discharge spigot. Biomass is discharged via sludge pockets which open directly into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An improved extraction apparatus comprises (a) an elongated trough-like vessel; (b) first and second inlets for introducing relatively heavy and light materials, respectively, into the vessel; (c) first and second outlets for removing relatively light and heavy materials, respectively, from the vessel; (d) a plurality of horizontally spaced parallel plate assemblies located in the vessel to provide for material separation based on material density and to provide the relatively light and heavy materials to be removed from the vessel; and (e) a plurality of agitation devices, at least one device being located in each space between the parallel plate assemblies to facilitate contact between the materials present in the space.Improved methods for extraction are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clarifier composed of a plurality of upright supports, perforated pipes and angulated flow directioning members is disclosed. The supports, pipes and directioning members are adapted for detachable association to form a clarifier which avoids short circuiting of the flow path. The various components of the clarifier, being integer and subject to detachable association, provide a clarifier system which may be transported through and installed in environments which are spatially restricted.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for conjuncting and separating density differentiated components from a moving carrier liquid. The liquid to be treated flows through zig-zagging separation passages comprising cells extending through a three-dimensional lattice constructed of interconnected triangle pairs each defining a cell therebetween. The shear of the liquid is increased to induce component particle conjunctions by flowing the liquid through a narrow cell passage opening. The shear is then decreased as the liquid flows through the ever-widening cell to a wide cell passage opening to induce separation of the component particles. Heavy and light separated component particles are channeled to a lower side and upper side, respectively, of the lattice along zig-zagging channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating oil, gas, and sand from a waste water stream and for separating oil from oily sand in said waste water stream including:a. upper oil manager means for removing low pressure gas and at the same time collecting and conveying any oil separated from said waste water stream;b. sand helix means connectable to said upper oil manager means for separating sand particles and oil particles from said waste water stream;c. sand manager means connectable to said sand helix means for collecting sand separated from said stream of waste water and removing oil from said sand;d. flow control means connectable to said sand manager means and the lower oil manager for controlling the flow of oil, water and sand through said apparatus;e. lower oil manager means connectable to said flow control means for receiving oil and transferring said oil to a storage tank outside of said apparatus;f. oil reservoir means located beneath said lower oil manager means for receiving and containing oil, andg.

Abstract: A crystallizer which incorporates a lamella settler and which is particularly applicable for use in batteries and power cells for electric vehicles or stationary applications. The lamella settler can be utilized for coarse particle separation or for agglomeration, and is particularly applicable to aluminum-air batteries or power cells for solving the hydrargillite (aluminum-hydroxide) removal problems from such batteries. This invention provides the advantages of very low energy consumption, turbulence, shear, cost and maintenance. Thus, due to the low shear and low turbulence of this invention, it is particularly effective in the control of aluminum hydroxide particle size distribution in the various sections of an aluminum-air system, as will as in other elecrochemical systems requiring separation for phases of different densities.

Abstract: Apparatus for anaerobic digestion of organic waste material comprises a container divided into three interconnected chambers situated one below the other, the upper chamber being an inlet chamber, the lower chamber being a mixing chamber and the intermediate chamber being a settlement chamber, the inlet chamber having an inlet for material to be treated, a duct from the inlet chamber down into the mixing chamber, at least one transfer duct from the mixing chamber up into the settlement chamber, the duct or ducts extending below the upper extent of that mixing chamber, a gas collection zone at the upper extent of the mixing chamber, at least one recirculation duct from the base of the settlement chamber down into the mixing chamber, a further gas collection zone in the upper extent of the settlement chamber and an outlet from the settlement chamber situated below the further gas collection zone.

Abstract: Oil-water separation apparatus and method employing a velocity head diffusion baffle facing upwardly and towards the feed end of a separator tank to which feed flow is directed. The separator tank comprises a relatively turbulent inlet section and a relatively large separator section and the baffle tends to isolate inlet turbulence from the separator section. Furthermore, the baffle tends to reduce flow turbulence in the separator section and to distribute flow of the inlet stream over the entire width of the tank. The baffle tends to improve the separation of solids and any immiscible liquids which are susceptible to gravity separation.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating liquids and particularly water and oil. The separating apparatus includes a tank containing two coalescent cells or units, one of which receives the liquids directly from a supply pipe and immediately disperses the liquids through a perforate recess into the cell. The liquids are partly separated in that cell and further in the second cell. Oil is separated from the top of the tank into a separate chamber and water is separated from the bottom into another chamber from which it is discharged and can be recirculated. The cells, which contain bodies with a high surface-to-weight ratio and are made of a material having an affinity for oil, are readily removable from the system for cleaning or replacement of the bodies.

Abstract: Chemicals are added to a fluid such as sewage to flocculate and precipitate solids therefrom which are deflected downwardly and sink by gravity to the base of an elongated chamber so that the substantially clarified fluid flows over a weir at one end of the chamber with the flocculated and precipitated material forming a sludge in the base thereof whereafter it may be removed either through a fluid lock device or pressurizing the system to stratify the flow and provide still areas for the sludge to settle through the fluid and be removed as required.

Abstract: A cloudy liquid to be clarified is inserted, after twice receiving flocculation additive, into the bottom of a belt of sludge (4a) in a clarification chamber (4) via a plurality of injectors (22) distributed over the area of said chamber. Uniform distribution of overall flow between these injectors is ensured by internal head loss. The clarified liquid is removed via an upper overflow (4b). Each injector is constituted by a flat cyclone and forms a jet which is highly diverting from its vertical axis in such a manner that the injected flowrate spreads out over an expansion zone belonging to said injector and meeting the expansion zones of adjacent injectors. Further, these jets set up swirling motion which prevents the formation of a layer of sludge having insufficient permeability. The sludge formed in the chamber (4) is directed via a central well (7) towards a secondary clarification stage (3) situated beneath said chamber and supplying both clarified liquid and dense sludge.