Abstract: A method of inserting a stack of interconnected corrugated plates, into a housing having spaced side walls is disclosed which utilizes the distortability of resilient material making up the corrugated plates to change at least one dimension of the stack and permit insertion of the stack in the housing. A combination of the first distorted and then released stack, with the housing is also disclosed. The method of inserting and stack with housing combination is useful in liquid separators for separating liquids at different densities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of an emulsion of at least one dispersed phase emulsified in at least one continuous phase of different density wherein the emulsion is passed into a vessel and axially through a fixed coalescing bed for coalescing the dispersed phase, and continuing the flow over a guide wettable by the dispersed phase whereby the coalesced dispersed phase travels along the guide axially to establish a layer of the coalesced dispersed phase and the continuous phase passes substantially radially outwardly through the guide to establish a layer of the continuous phase, the interface of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase being maintained at approximately the midpoint of the guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering precious metal particles from a liquid mixture environment, wherein liquid mixture containing varying sizes of valuable metal particulate is directed into a plurality of baffled compartments successively arranged in a sealed chamber. Elements within the compartments, together with additional jogging and skimming devices, segregate out the precious metal particles from the liquid mixture to release the liquid portion of the mixture substantially devoid of its valuable metal particulate. In one embodiment, electrostatic charging devices are utilized to more efficiently assist the skimming operations within the apparatus.

Abstract: Contaminating particles in lubricating oil have a density higher than the density of the oil. The present invention provides a device for removing the contaminating particles by settling out the heavier particles and separating them from the oil.The device comprises means to establish laminar horizontal flow and means to withdraw sinking particles vertically over the bottom surface of the horizontally flowing oil. In its preferred embodiment the device has a pressure tight cylindrical settling chamber over a hemispherical sump which are separated by a foraminous partition of elongated, slender vertical passages.

Abstract: The installation comprises two essential elements, on the one hand a water intake apparatus in which various operations of physical and chemical treatment are carried out and, on the other hand, a more elaborate purification apparatus controlled by the intake apparatus, particularly with respect to the transfer of the waters to be treated, this transfer from the intake to the settling being effected by means of a single pump the controlled rate of flow of which conditions the entire treatments up to the settling.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction apparatus, which apparatus comprises a liquid-liquid extraction column with timing controls for sequentially pulsing the light and heavy phases and controlling the operation of the valves which introduce into the withdraw from the column the liquid phases, based on the percent of phase-volume changes occurring in the liquid-liquid extraction in the column.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a settler and a piping for discharging clarified water, mounted on a floating means. The settler is encompassed by an enclosure and has a plurality of parallel inclined passages for upwardly passing therethrough water from a water basin and for enabling said particles suspended in the water to settle on the walls of the passages and subsequently slide down into the water basin. In accordance with the invention, the enclosure is at its bottom portion divided by vertical partition walls into cells which communicate with the inlet openings of the settler passages and are adapted to dispersely admit water into the settler. The apparatus comprises also a collector adapted to uniformly collect water flowing out of the settler, which collector is a system of horizontal channels forming a single channel communicating with said piping.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a tank of steel, or concrete, into which the liquid to be treated is introduced vertically through a centrally located inlet at the tank bottom. Disposed inside the tank, above said inlet, are a tubular venturi-type eductor member and a conical partition member which defines a liquid mixing, coagulating, flocculating and sludge recirculating zone. As the entering liquid flows through the eductor, it draws in a very large volume of surrounding sludge to establish a high degree of sludge recirculation and mixing.

Abstract: There is provided a system for treating wastewater having a tank and a partition mounted in the tank to define an endless circuitous channel. An aerator and impeller is mounted in the tank to cause the liquid to flow through the channel. A clarifier is disposed in the channel and has a liquid outlet in its upper portion.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of untreated water. The untreated water mixed with a flocculating agent is introduced tangentially into the circumferential area of a tank through a feed connection directed at the tank wall. The tank includes a perforated partition circumferentially spaced from the wall of the tank and a conduit in the center of the tank which passes axially through the tank bottom and whose upper end carries a circular overflow disc located below the water level of the tank. Alternately, the partition comprises upper and lower rings, between which there are disposed guide plates which form openings distributed over the circumference of the partition. The circumferential speed of the water flowing through the partition is reduced by braking such that the occurrence of upwardly directed, secondary flows is prevented and clean water is led downward through the center of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids and liquid components of different densities from a fluid mixture or emulsion. The apparatus is comprised of a stack of vertically disposed spaced plates that are positioned within a container and between an inlet and an outlet. The plates are corrugated and the fluid mixture flows from the inlet, and through the stack, parallel to the corrugations, whereby the solids in the mixture drop through to the bottom of the plates, and the light density liquid components flow up toward the top of the stack, while the heavy density liquid components pass through the lower portion of the stack and out towards the outlet.

Abstract: A settler-soaking apparatus for treating the effluent from an acid-catalyzed alkylation reaction is disclosed which comprises three interconnected vertically aligned chambers. The uppermost chamber possesses a hydrocarbon outlet means above an acid hydrocarbon inlet means and a downspout having an acid transfer means extending through and ending in the lower end of the middlemost chamber. The latter possesses a hydrocarbon outlet means at an elevated position with respect to the end of the acid transfer means in the downspout and a lower situated acid outlet means. The lowermost chamber possesses a multitude of spaced horizontal perforate trays and an acid hydrocarbon inlet means, which is in connection with the hydrocarbon outlet means of the uppermost chamber. The middle and lowermost chamber are in open communication via a chimney which extends upwardly into said middle chamber to provide a hydrocarbon outlet means at a point above the end of said downspout.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating oil and water from an emulsion including a horizontal vessel having an emulsion inlet at the inlet end and an upper oil outlet and a lower water at the discharge end. Baffles within the vessel cause the emulsion to flow vertically through an electric grid system, subjecting the emulsion to an electric field, and a plurality of spaced apart paralleled separator screens between the baffles and the discharge end of the vessels, each separator screen being a planar foraminous reticulum of integrally formed small width and small thickness strands of which are longitudinally downwardly inclined which carry separated water to the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: Devices to remove polluting components from waste liquids are usually designed to operate satisfactorily as long as the input flow rate remains less than some maximum allowed value. Greater flow rates will cause inadequate purification and resulting downstream pollution, as well as possible damage to the device. An emergency overflow weir may be provided to divert excessive input flow into a buffer vessel or alternative discharge channel. The weir will divert a part of the excess flow, but the remainder will pass through the device; the relative portions depend on the relative flow resistance of the weir and of the device, respectively. The present invention enhances the flow resistance of the device when the flow rate through it is greater than the maximum allowed value, so that a greater fraction of the excess flow will be diverted by the emergency overflow weir.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating waste water biologically and clarifying the biologically treated water; considerable economic advantage is obtained by conducting both the biological treatment and the clarification of biologically treated water in a single vessel rather than in separate vessels; it is further found possible to treat in this system water containing much higher concentrations of waste; in the process the supply of oxygen to the biological reaction zone is carefully monitored to meet the biological oxygen demand and avoid the occurrence of undissolved oxygen in the form of gas bubbles in the biological reaction zone or the clarification zone; there is further provided improvements in oxygen dissolving devices rendering them especially suitable for the two zone treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mixture of liquids of different specific gravities, e.g. oil and water, comprising a vessel containing a settling chamber and associated with conduits for the supply of mixture to be separated and the separate discharges of the components of the mixture, respectively, and with means to suppress completely or to reduce considerably turbulences occurring in the settling chamber.

Abstract: Filtration apparatus in which the filter medium is mounted at a slope with respect to the horizontal and in which there are means to vibrate the medium in a horizontal direction to assist the cleaning of the medium. A single chamber may contain many sheets of media, one version of the apparatus comprises a plurality of separate modular structures each containing at least one filter medium and in another version modular structures are so designed that they assemble into a stack and when so assembled form the necessary conduits by which each filter medium communicates with the necessary inlets and outlets for the relevant materials.

Abstract: A separator for separating a solid or liquid from a liquid in which the former is suspended. In sedimentation (FIG. 1) the suspension is introduced into the lower end of plate stack 10 which is made up of plates 11. The clarified liquid flows out of the upper end of the plate stack and is withdrawn through conduit 32, while the separated material, e.g. solids, falls from the sides of the lower end of the plate stack into collector 33. Baffles 12 are disposed between the plates adjacent the lower end of the plate stacks and the baffles direct the incoming suspension toward the centerlines of the plates. This provides a zone of reduced velocity in the area adjacent the downstream side of the baffles, and results in more efficient removal of settled material from the plates.

Abstract: A selfcontained apparatus for on-site renovation of sanitary waters comprises of three aeration chambers, a mineral storage and dispensing container, a submerged suspended solids separator located in the third aeration chamber, a flow equalizer, a chemical oxidizing agent dispensing system, a chemical oxidation-clarification chamber and a charcoal containing chamber, all enclosed in a single tank designed for use on land as a single or multiple family wastewater renovation system, or off-shore as a marine sanitation device.

Abstract: A split flow water treatment plant includes a settling basin comprising a pair of banks of generally horizontally extending settling tubes and an inlet baffle comprising a plurality of parallel vertical perforated sheets upstream of and adjacent to each of the banks. An inclined diverting plate extends from the downstream end of the lowermost tube in the first of the banks to the upper upstream end of the inlet baffle adjacent the second bank. The distribution of flow between the banks may be regulated by an adjustable weir or by water level control.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous flow gravitational separator having inclined membrane baffles therein which separates solid particles and also foam from a suspension liquid. A rectangular membrane assembly with a plurality of parallel inclined flexible membranes is received in a cylindrical tank, thereby defining four vertically extending arc-shaped compartments or segments between the membrane assembly and the wall of the tank. The tank has a funnel shaped bottom solids outlet and oppositely located inflow and outflow segments are connected respectively to the liquid inlet and outlet. The liquid flow across the inclined compartments between the membranes is distributed evenly by vertical inflow and outflow distributor plates. The solid particles settle along the inclined membranes to a solids receiving segment, while the foam rises along the membranes to an oppositely located foam receiving segment.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for on-site renovation of sanitary waters comprises of three bioreaction chambers, a mineral storage and dispensing container, a submerged suspended solids separator located in the third bioreaction chamber, a flow equalizer, a chemical oxidizing agent dispensing system, a chemical oxidation-clarification chamber and a charcoal containing chamber, all enclosed in a single tank designed for use as on-site single or multiple family waste water renovation system.

Abstract: A sedimentation basin for purifying waste water includes first and second basins separated by a baffle and a tube settler mounted substantially horizontally in the baffle. The tube settler comprises a plurality of individual tubes which communicate liquid between the two basins. A mechanism is provided to flow unclarified liquid into the first basin and slowly through the tube settler, whereby particles suspended in the unclarified liquid settle onto an inner surface of the tubes, and the resultant clarified liquid flows into the second basin. A tube cleaner is mounted on the device for intermittent registry with an upstream end of the tubes, and creates a suction backwash therein during the registry which reverses the direction of fluid flow with sufficient velocity to dislodge and draw the settled particles from the inner surface of the tubes, and flush the same into a sludge disposal duct.

Abstract: A system for gravitationally separating suspended solids material from contaminated liquid through a plurality of concentric upwardly diverging frusto-conical sections, collecting the contaminants removed from the liquid and conveying them from the system in a semi-dry state for reuse or disposal.

Abstract: Device for purification of liquids, especially waste water from industrial processes, and including a flocculation chamber having means for supply of a flocculant, a precipitation or sedimentation chamber for separation of the precipitate and a filter unit for further purification of the liquid from the precipitation or sedimentation chamber. In the device the filter unit is arranged as an annular filter array having substantially radially arranged, inclined lamellas, said filter array being slidably and rotatably arranged on a vertical outlet tube in the precipitation or sedimentation chamber and being provided with a float member, which keeps the filter array in predetermined height relative to the surface of the liquid in the precipitation or sedimentation chamber. The flocculation chamber comprises an annular, upwardly open channel, which is arranged around the filter array in the precipitation or sedimentation chamber.

Abstract: A device for separating particles from a fluid suspension has a container supplied with fluid containing suspended particles. A plurality of parallel, planar first plates are spaced apart in a direction normal to the plates and are stationarily disposed within the container. Interspersed in the spaces between the first plates is a plurality of second parallel, planar plates movable with respect to the first plates in a circular path and operating to provide limited shearing forces in the fluid and substantially without eddy currents. A discharge pipe receives particles separated by gravity from the sheared fluid between the various plates. In a related form, the plates instead of being planar are circular-cylindrical, spaced apart, and are relatively rotated about a common axis.

Abstract: In countercurrent decantation, upwardly flowing liquid is treated with downwardly falling solids in a progressive series of vertically stacked treatment cells. Solids fall through a valve from one cell to the next. The valve is a buoyant sphere which will sink, to open, under a weight of solids, but the valve is sufficiently buoyant to close when there is still enough solid queuing thereon to prevent liquid from passing through it.

Abstract: Improved structure for a settling tank to be used for oil-water separation. It has a reduced height and greatly increased length for a given volume. Also, there are baffles across the width to create a piston-like displacement of the mixture as it moves from the inlet end to the outlet end. The inlet for the mixture is near the top at one end, and the outlet is near the bottom at the other end. The outlet for oil is at the outlet end and higher than the mixture inlet.

Abstract: In a system for decantation treating of liquid containing therein suspended material, the liquid to be treated is pulsatingly introduced into the bottom of a sludge bed and pulsated therein. The liquid is passed upwardly through the sludge bed at a predetermined speed whereby the suspended material is agglomerated and removed from the liquid. The liquid is forced through the sludge bed from the bottom to the top thereof in paths which are inclined both to the horizontal and to the vertical. Specifically, the liquid passes generally upwardly through an assembly of inclined flow control devices which are positioned within the sludge bed throughout substantially the entire height thereof. Sludge settles within the inclined passageways between the flow control devices for a slight distance until the sludge contacts an inclined bottom wall. The sludge then slides downwardly in an inclined manner along the bottom wall in a concentrated path or current.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing dust particles from an air stream includes a tubular housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; a plurality of Venturi tubes having open inflow ends and open outflow ends supported side-by-side within the housing, with their axes parallel to the housing axis so that their inflow ends receive air flowing into the inlet end of said housing; a nozzle for spraying water into the air entering each of the Venturi tubes whereby dust particles in the air are collected in the water and whereby sludge-containing water and air are discharged through the outflow ends of said Venturi tubes; a tank which surrounds said tubular housing, the tank having an outer wall surrounding and spaced from the tubular housing and partition means in the space between said outer wall and the tubular housing dividing the space into first and second compartments; a sludge separator in communication with the outflow ends of the Venturi tubes; conduit means connected to the sludge separator for supplying sludge-cont

Abstract: An oil-water mixture is introduced into a horizontal trough which is in a container and has baffles directing flow upwardly toward an opening in the container to a trap on the top of the container. Oil separates from the water as it flows along the baffles and moves by gravity separation up into the trap. An interface sensor in the trap opens an oil outlet from the trap whenever a sufficient quantity of oil accumulates. The water flows down from the upper part of the container through a coalescing filter to a water outlet located in the lower part of the container, being a three-stage separator.

Abstract: A trap for grease or other foreign matter dissolved or entrained in a liquid comprises a housing containing a chamber for receiving the liquid to be treated, a turbulence reducing channel for conducting the liquid from the chamber to a settling tank, a cage for trapping trash as the liquid enters the tank, a grease collector at the normal surface level of the liquid in the tank, a trap for collecting sediment at the base of the tank and an outlet for draining decontaminated liquid from the tank. The outlet may be in communication with a liquid seal and means may be provided to syphon the liquid from the settling tank. Means may also be provided to cool the liquid in the housing. The housing is in modular form which is preferably segmental in plan. An assembly of such modules may be constructed with a common outlet in the shape of an all but complete circle or polygon. In this way access may easily be gained to the trap for servicing, maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: A single, integrally formed tank has an upper portion of a rectangular configuration and a lower portion of downwardly decreasing volume and defined by a plurality of exterior walls, at least two of which are inclined downwardly and inwardly toward each other. The interior of the tank is divided into three serially connected compartments by means of interior walls which are inclined in directions substantially parallel to one of the inclined exterior walls. The compartments thus formed are a first, neutralization and coagulation compartment, a second, flocculation compartment, and a third, lamellar decanting and sludge settling compartment. Within the flocculation compartment are arranged a plurality of spaced inclined plates defining upwardly inclined flow passages into which extend deflectors to create eddy currents in the water passing upwardly through the flocculation compartment.

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: Solids are separated from a liquid in a gravity settler provided with inclined solid intercepting surfaces to intercept the solid settling path to coalesce the solids and increase the settling rate. The intercepting surfaces are inverted V-shaped plates, each formed from first and second downwardly inclined upwardly curved intersecting conical sections having their apices at the vessel wall.

Abstract: An alarm system for the detection of oil pollution in a feedwater system, comprising a housing having an inlet water line at one end and an outlet water line at the other end and formed with a series of internal, alternately disposed baffles adapted to retard water flow and forming passes thereinbetween, a light disposed in the floor of the housing before the first baffle with its beam directed to the roof of the housing, and an electric eye circuit disposed in the housing roof in registry with said beam, whereby dimming of the light beam by the introduction of oil in the water flowing inbetween activates an audible and visual alarm. Filter means are provided at the discharge end of the housing to remove sediment and particles passing through the housing.

Abstract: A separating device for separating substances from a liquid to be purified includes a tank having opposing end walls spaced from each other and a separator, comprising two parallel inclined plates spaced from each other, in the tank. The separating device also includes an inlet in one end wall of the tank for the liquid to be purified, a first outlet in the other end wall of the tank for the purified liquid, and an overflow between the first outlet and the separator. The one end wall of the tank and the one of the two parallel plates closest to the one end wall are spaced throughout their extent from each other and define a space therebetween to substantially eliminate turbulence of the liquid to be purified before entering the separator. The separating device also includes a second outlet from said space for substances to be separated that are lighter than the purified liquid. The second outlet is in the upper end of the one end wall of the tank above the inlet.

Abstract: A settling tank for resolving a mixture of oil, water, and solids from an oil and solids-in-water influent includes two inclined and parallel baffles about which the influent water successively passes. Each baffle preferably has parallel V-shaped grooves in the under surface thereof for entrapping, guiding, and coalescing the oil droplets into large globs for channeling and passing through the openings between the baffles and the tank wall for rising to the surface for draw off. The clear water outlet is positioned on a horizontal plane intermediate horizontal planes through the low forward end of the upper baffle and the high rear end to ensure delivery of an oil-free and solids-free water. An upper oil outlet ensures delivery of a solids-free and water-free oil from the settling tank. A new method for assembling a settling tank is disclosed.

Abstract: A device which is adapted to receive a liquid having particles suspended therein includes a one-piece plastic container having an open top, a closed bottom, and an endless side wall extending between the open top and closed bottom to define with the bottom of the container a hollow interior thereof. A partition structure which is integral with the side wall of the container is situated between the open top and closed bottom thereof to define in the interior of the container upper and lower chambers separated from each other by the partition structure. This partition structure extends across the interior of the container and has therein a free edge defining with an inner surface of the side wall of the container an opening through which the above chambers communicate with each other.

Abstract: A process for mass transfer between heterogeneous systems or phases in a vertical exchange column having at least one plate, a heavier stream of matter being introduced above the plate and, a lighter stream of matter being introduced countercurrently thereto from the bottom of the plate, wherein (a) a heavier stream of matter fed from the top is deflected, above the plate, into a mixing zone in which the heavier stream undergoes vertical rotary movement and is mixed with a lighter stream of matter passing from below through a first passgeway of the plate and introduced into the mixing zone to also undergo vertical rotary movement, (b) a heavier phase, suspension, or the like fluid-like mass forming in the mixing zone during the mass transfer therein is accumulated in a zone superjacent to a second passageway of the plate; and (c) after a sufficient pressure gradient has been built up, the accumulated mass flows as another heavier stream through the second passageway into a space underneath the plate and is at

Abstract: A fluid, such as air or water, carrying suspended solids is directed between a pair of oppositely charged, corrugated surfaces in order to subject the flow to an undulating action that increases the frequency with which the solid particles impinge against one another, thereby increasing the rate of flocculation of the solids. In the case of airborne particles, the corrugated surfaces are arranged in an upright condition so that the flocculated particles attracted to one or the other of such surfaces gravitate therefrom into a conveying mechanism that delivers such particles to a collecting receptacle. In the case of liquid-borne particles, the flow is forced to travel upwardly against the force of gravity after passing between the surfaces, thereby encouraging the flocculated particles to settle out into a sump that is associated with the uphill flow passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating oil from a mixture of oil and water wherein a stream of the mixture is directed along an upwardly inclined inverted channel to separate the oil from the mixture by contact of the oil with the under-surface of the channel for flow upwardly in the channel, and wherein the oil is collected from the upper longitudinal end of the channel and wherein the remainder of the stream is allowed to fall downwardly out of the channel.

Abstract: A grease separating system includes four successive chambers. The heated, emulsified grease is passed through a solids retention box into an inlet chamber where cool water is sprayed onto the emulsified grease. This mixture is passed through a connecting chamber, and then over baffles at the entrance of a collection chamber. The grease having been separated from its emulsified state rises to the top of the mixture in the collection chamber, and the water passes into a discharge chamber and in to the connected sewer system. After successive operations, the floated grease is sensed when it reaches a predetermined level, and an alarm is sounded to indicate that the accumulated grease should be removed.

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: The present invention provides a process for separating floc in a liquid and for accomplishing the sedimentation of the floc, and provides an apparatus for carrying out the same. In the present invention, a plurality of partition chambers having a narrow gap and being constructed in a square and tubular shape is formed by a plurality of separate plates in the settling tank and a plurality of fins to hit the floc against the fin thereby catching effectively the floc suspended in the mother liquid and separating smoothly and accomplishing the sedimentation of the floc.

Abstract: A lamella separator for sedimenting (gravity separating) comprises a lamella stack in which the lamellae are disposed horizontally. At least one sludge-removing device is arranged for cooperation with each lamella. A relative movement between each lamella and its associated sludge-removing device is effected.

Abstract: Oily water is introduced into the lower ends of outer vessels and flows upwardly in annular spaces between the outer vessels and inner separating vessels and into the inner vessels below inwardly spaced, shallowly cupped, annular separating discs. Larger particles of oil flow past the discs directly to the tops of caps on the outer vessels. The smaller particles of oil coalesce on and flow slowly along the bottoms of the discs to central openings in the discs, and up into the caps. The oil flows out of the caps when valves are opened by ultrasonic sensing probes actuated by accumulation of predetermined quantities of oil in the caps. The water flows out of outlets positioned near the bottoms of the inner vessels. In an alternate embodiment, a filter member of foam plastic is inclined to the flow toward the water outlet and coalesces any oil yet remaining in the water.

Abstract: A compound separation device including at least two separators each comprising a plurality of inclined separation passages defined between inclined corrugated plates or the like, connecting means being provided to interconnect said separators selectively in series or in parallel.

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 cage comprising one or more wire grids for supporting corrugated plates in a device for treating suspensions.