Abstract: A filter and housing for waste water treatment includes a housing having a plurality of coaxially mounted vertically extending sections adaptable to receive a filter cartridge therein. An upper section is provided with an outlet consisting of at least two coaxially aligned rings of preselected diameters wherein the thickness of the rings and the spacing between the rings is sufficient to receive waste water treatment outlets of different diameters. The filter cartridge is comprised of a stacked arrangement of a plurality of disc-dam units wherein each disc-dam unit is provided with a serpentine configured first dam, the first dam extending upwardly from an upper surface of the disc-dam unit, the first dam having terminating ends spaced at outer terminating edges of the disc dam unit to define a cord segment therebetween. The terminating ends are connected by a second dam having a height less than the first dam.

Abstract: A vortex sewage disposal apparatus for the disposal of construction sewage, comprising a hopper-type casing, a water inlet pipe, a lower outlet and a frame; within the water inlet pipe these are provided rapid-mixing blades, on the wall of the inlet pipe there are provided an upper and a lower reagent-filling holes used to add two treatment reagents successively, at the center of the hopper casing there is provided a central tube, at the lower end of the central tube there is mounted a conical separator, and inside the central tube there is provided a screw-type water lifter; on the top of the hopper casing there is provided a top baffle plate acting as an upper cover; a bleed pipe is provided for discharging oil and gas, the silt is discharged through the lower outlet, and the clear water ascents to a clear water tank and a water-directing tray and then flows into a water discharging pipe after crossing a dam board to be discharged.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with apparatus for the purification of liquids which can be used in communal, agricultural and industrial applications. The apparatus provides containment of backwashing liquid within the apparatus with subsequent purification of backwashing liquid and supply of purified liquid to the consumer. The apparatus comprises a filter with a filtering element made of, for example, floating bead material (expanded polystyrene with bead size 0.5-3.0 mm) and a filtrate discharge pipe. A pipe-type settler is positioned below the filter, and the upper ends of settler pipes are connected to a partition which separates the settler from the filter. In the upper part of settler, an interpipe working space is formed and is connected to the filter through pipes, and a pipe for the supply of liquid to be purified is connected to filter under floating bead media.

Abstract: A liquid purification and separation apparatus for separation of pollutants in stormwater runoff is disclosed. This apparatus utilizes gravitational separation and tortuosity, resulting from a plurality of baffles both perpendicular to and oblique to the primary water flow direction, to trap substances less-dense and more-dense than water. The apparatus features improved resistance to pollutant remobilization through an interactive hydraulic design process resulting in greater pollutant retention.

Abstract: A fluid separator which includes an outer housing and a center fluid inlet tube which has a beveled lower end. Fluid enters the top of the housing into the inlet tube rotating as it passes downwardly through the tube and out the beveled end with the heavier particulate matter in the fluid settling to the bottom of the housing and the separated fluid being directed upwardly along the housing to the exterior of the inlet tube and out an outlet port in the housing.

Abstract: A phase separator, upflow reactor apparatuses and methods for separating phases are provided. The phase separator includes a first separation unit and a second separation unit, each of which has walls defining a coagulation area. One of the walls adjoins a deflector inclined to the horizontal and vertical. The separator also includes a plurality of parallel plates spaced from each other and vertically and horizontally inclined which each have a lower edge. The other wall of the separator adjoins one of the parallel plates and the deflector extends below and across the lower edges of the parallel plates. Each of the first and the second separation units is capable of separating a gas from a liquid by diverting the gas around one wall of each of the separation units and by creating a circulation of the liquid around at least one of the parallel plates such that liquid is directed into the coagulation area.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a wastewater contact tank that is broken into three distinct zones: a selector zone positioned between a stabilization zone and a contact zone. The entire influent is introduced into the selector zone which is maintained in an anoxic condition. Baffles positioned within the selector zone permit control of microorganisms levels present in the zone. The wastewater introduced into the selector zone and treated via the microorganisms present therein, flows over a weir into the contact zone. In the contact zone, the solids suspended in the liquor (the mixture of the wastewater and activated sludge) settle to the bottom and pass through a line which returns it to the selector zone. The return line, however, includes a valve which controls the rate of passage. The treated wastewater (which includes waste activated sludge and treated water) passes from the contact zone into the clarifiers for final processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.

Abstract: A single chamber processing apparatus employing a plurality of kinds of processing material to process a spinning substrate in a chamber and selectively recycle the remaining processing material. The processing apparatus comprises a grouping recovery device for selectively recycling the remaining processing material. Thus, a single chamber processing apparatus having multi-chamber functions is provided.

Abstract: A treater for electrostatically and/or mechanically separating emulsified brine from oil during longitudinal flow through a horizontally elongate metal tank. Emulsion is directed through a louver stack made up of a large number of inclined parallel plates. The openings on the upstream end and on the downstream end of this louver stack are adjustable from outside of the metal tank, so as to allow the operator to adjust the flow rate through the treater as operating parameters change.

Abstract: A multi-directional flow gravity separator for separating a mixture of two immiscible fluids with different densities includes an elongated generally vertical tank, in which the mixture flows in a generally downward direction, and an effluent discharge tube through which the clarified effluent flows upward and out the tank. Alternatively, the separator includes an elongated vessel, or shroud, within the tank, through which the mixture flows in a generally upward direction before flowing downwardly in the tank; the clarified effluent is discharged from about the bottom of the tank. Alternatively, a separator includes both the elongated vessel and an effluent discharge tube. Alternatively, the vessel of a separator includes a coalescer; preferably, the coalescer results in an increased length of the fluid flow path through the vessel; most preferably, the coalescer is a helical spiraled vane, which results in a helical fluid flow path.

Abstract: A phase separator, upflow reactor apparatuses and methods for separating phases are provided. The phase separator includes a first separation unit and a second separation unit, each of which has walls defining a coagulation area. One of the walls adjoins a deflector inclined to the horizontal and vertical. The separator also includes a plurality of parallel plates spaced from each other and vertically and horizontally inclined which each have a lower edge. The other wall of the separator adjoins one of the parallel plates and the deflector extends below and across the lower edges of the parallel plates. Each of the first and the second separation units is capable of separating a gas from a liquid by diverting the gas around one wall of each of the separation units and by creating a circulation of the liquid around at least one of the parallel plates such that liquid is directed into the coagulation area.

Abstract: A water purification system including a rectilinear housing having a plurality of vertical baffles spaced therein. The ends of each of the baffles are located a certain distance below the housing upper edge or above the housing floor to allow for the flow of washwater therethrough from a housing inlet to a housing outlet. A rectilinear array of media, e.g. corrugated plastic, is located between the baffles for harboring bacteria, and an air supply means is provided therebeneath. A feeder mechanism is also provided on an exterior wall of the housing for feeding supplemental bacteria into the housing to make up for bacteria depleted through the operation and use of the system.

Abstract: A wastewater separator to separate waste from a mixed wastewater stream including one or more of heavy waste, light waste and water. The wastewater separator comprises a separation container, a inlet and an outlet. The separation container comprises (1) a wastewater stream director within the separation container, the wastewater stream director being sized, shaped and positioned relative to the wastewater inlet to direct the wastewater stream along a preferred flow path to permit the light waste to separate from the wastewater stream in a first direction to a collection area and to permit the heavy waste to separate from the wastewater stream in a second direction towards a heavy waste removal area; and (2) a flow-directing outlet baffle within the separation container for directing the wastewater stream to the wastewater outlet from the heavy waste removal area to remove the heavy waste from the separation container.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of immiscible liquids from liquid influent has a containment vessel. An influent channel discharges influent vertically upward against an upwardly divergent plate. This causes the influent to move radially outward, thus slowing the influent and facilitating gravitational separation of lighter immiscible liquids from the influent. As the separating liquids pass through a gap between the plate and the vessel to an upper region of the vessel, a hood funnels the separated lighter liquids to a collection zone. A transfer tube, a sensor, and a pump are provided to pump the lighter liquids out to a remote location. A pan in a lower portion of the vessel causes heavy solids to collect, and a suction conduit suctions the solids from the vessel. An effluent channel channels heavier liquids such as water from a central region of the vessel to a remote location, such as a sewer.

Abstract: For separating off solids from a solid/liquid mixture occurring in a dental treatment station, a housing has a sedimentation tank, in which two sedimentation zones are disposed one above the other. Both the mixture inlet and the liquid outlet are disposed above a predetermined sedimentation height, and the liquid outlet is provided on a tube that leads through the sedimentation tank into an outlet chamber disposed below it.

Abstract: A method and device for separating a fluid from a formation into several fluid components in a well is disclosed. The method and device include feeding the fluid into a mainly horizontal section of pipe located in a down-hole, mainly horizontal section of the well, such that the fluid is set to flow at a speed through a length of the mainly horizontal section of pipe such that the fluid components are separated and a boundary layer is formed between the fluid components. The fluid components with a lower density are formed in a top part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe and fluid components with a higher density are formed in a bottom part of the mainly horizontal section of pipe. The fluid components with the lower density and the fluid components with the higher density are removed through separate outlets of the mainly horizontal section of pipe.

Abstract: Improved settlement of solids is provided, while minimizing problems in collecting clarified liquid from a clarifier, by controlling the flow of clarified liquid from a given one of many flow channels of a clarifier. Such control is by causing a substantial amount of that flow of clarified liquid to be collected immediately as that flow exits the given flow channel. Such collection of the substantial amount, if not all of that flow of the clarified liquid from the given flow channel, minimizes if not eliminates, the mixing of the flow from all of the flow channels of a clairfier. As a result, during normal settling operations the flow of the clarified liquid from the given flow channel is substantially isolated. During such normal operations, the isolated flow may be separately sampled for examination of the performance of the separate flow channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling liquid flow from a holding vessel to a discharge line wherein insoluble material received into the vessel with liquid is intended to be retained in the vessel. The apparatus comprises wall means within which an interior cavity is defined for connection to the discharge line at a location below the surface of liquid in the vessel, apertures spaced along the wall means for admitting liquid from the vessel into the cavity, wall elements between the apertures providing inclined confronting ramps between which pockets are provided such that the liquid therein is relatively quiescent to facilitate movement upwardly of buoyant components of the insoluble material to be deflected by the superior ramp towards the top of the vessel and movement downwardly of non-buoyant components of the insoluble material to be deflected by the inferior ramp towards the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A method for filtering hydrocarbon contaminated water for separation and recovery of the contaminants and recirculation of the water, wherein the water contaminated by hydrocarbons is, in a series of successive stages, caused to flow down through a cushion of a filtering hydrocarbon that floats on a defined surface of a water body and is permitted to flow via an underflow into the free portion of the water body prior to transfer via an overflow to the next stage, and where, in a final stage, approximately anhydrous hydrocarbon is drawn off as overflow while hydrocarbon-free water is removed as underflow, is carried out with the aid of an apparatus which, in operable state, comprises a series of successive basins filled with water (2, 3, 4) separated by walls (22, 23), where an upper part of each basin is bounded by means of fixed partition walls (32, 33) projecting downward in the water and is filled with a filtering hydrocarbon (12, 13, 14), where the final cushion of filtering hydrocarbon (14) downstream is

Abstract: A sub-soil wastewater treatment vessel, especially for wastewater produced by single family residences and small businesses and the like. The vessel is divided into at least three contiguous chambers by at least two transverse walls, forming at least two contiguous aeration chambers and a clarifier chamber. Wastewater flows into the first aeration chamber via an influent line, thence through an opening in the first transverse wall into the second aeration chamber. From there, wastewater flows through passages at the bottom of the second transverse wall into the clarifier chamber. Air is supplied to the first and second aeration chambers via low pressure diffuser lines. Three inclined surfaces within the clarifier chamber direct solids through passages in the second transverse wall back into the second aeration chamber for further processing. An effluent line connected to the clarifier chamber permits wastewater outflow.

Abstract: A system and method for separating free oil from industrial coolant comprises directing said fee oil and coolant through a coalescing cartridge having a plurality of polymeric elements therein into a tank having a plurality of settling chambers. Free oil is removed from the coolant through oleophilic attraction between the free oil and the surface of the polymeric elements. Free oil remaining in the coolant is further separated from therefrom through Gravitational separation. A plurality of weirs and baffles interposed between the settling chambers provide continuous return of purified coolant to the system and periodic decanting of separated free oil.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved water treatment process for separating particulate contaminants from raw water. The process is performed by introducing, into a single tank, raw water injected with a coagulating agent for neutralizing charges on the particles and a flocculating agent for agglomerating the neutralized particles; mixing, in the mixing area of said tank, the neutralized and agglomerated particles with a granular medium to increase the size and weight of the particles; directing the particles and water from the mixing area of said tank to a baffled quiescent zone for settling; further directing said water, free of settlement, in said quiescent zone through a buoyant medium to entrap unsettled particles; and wherein the improvement is characterized by conducting tapered flocculation in the mixing area of said tank with a turbine mixer having a plurality of radial blades of varying surface areas, said blades tapered in decreasing areas as the distance from the point of influent increases.

Abstract: A solids separation system may be used to separate solids, such as cuttings from drilling fluids used in well drilling operations. The system includes a settling tank having transverse baffles defining a fluid receiving chamber, a fluid output chamber and one or more intermediate chambers. Fluid introduced into the fluid receiving chamber can flow in a sinuous path through apertures in the baffles to the fluid output chamber. Solids settle to the bottom of the settling tank. A material conveyor, preferably an auger, extends along a bottom surface of the settling tank to an outlet port in the fluid receiving chamber. A centrifuge is connected to the output port to receive fluid in which solids have been concentrated. Fluid output from the centrifuge is reintroduced into the settling tank. The apparatus and method of the invention permit a single centrifuge to be used to handle a higher volume of fluid than is possible with conventional methods and apparatus. This provides significant cost savings.

Abstract: A drainwater treatment system positionable within a horizontal flow passage of a drainage system utilizes a partition which divides the flow passage into an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber. In addition, a mid-panel is supported within the upstream chamber for dividing the interior of the upstream chamber into an upper section and a lower section so that the drainwater enters the upper section before entering the lower section through a first opening provided in the mid-panel. A conduit is also joined between a second opening provided in the mid-panel and the opening of the partition for conducting drainwater from the lower section of the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber so that the drainwater which enters the upper section and then into the lower section is decelerated to flow conditions at which debris and suspended are permitted to separate and settle from the drainwater before being conducted from the lower section and into the downstream chamber through the conduit.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained skimming system for removing waste material from aqueous cleaning solutions used in parts washers. A single tank contains a sloped floor, two compartments separated by a baffle, and an opening between a bottom edge of the baffle and the floor. Waste liquid collects in the first stage compartment, where gravity initially separates water and coarse debris from the waste material containing oil and grease, some water, and fine debris. A partially immersed rotating skimmer further adsorbs the waste material. A waste collection system transfers the waste material to the second stage compartment, where gravity further separates the fine debris and additional water from the oil and grease. The oil and grease flow through a waste drainage system out of the second stage compartment. The fine debris and water flow along the downwardly sloping floor, through the opening at the bottom of the baffle back into the first stage compartment.

Abstract: A separator includes a barrier 53 for retaining solid material thereon and an automatic mechanism for alternately preventing and allowing the flow of liquid to the separator outlet. When the flow is prevented, the liquid backs up through the barrier and washes the solids to a solids collection region 55. In one embodiment, the automatic mechanism includes a pivoted flap 101 and, in another embodiment, a siphon.

Abstract: A separator includes a vessel having feed means for feeding liquid containing suspended solids into the vessel, a liquid outlet, a sludge outlet, and at least one settling member located above the sludge outlet, the settling member having an inner settling surface and outer settling surface, with the inner settling surface surrounding an aperture extending through settling member.

Abstract: Apparatus for clarifying by flotation a liquid charged with a solid material that includes a tank for holding a quantity of liquid to be clarified. A plurality of U-shaped components are mounted in said tank below the level of the liquid in a relationship so each component is spaced apart a given distance from an adjacent component. Collectors are mounted in the base of each component to either introduce or remove liquid from the component to establish both a concurrent and countercurrent flow about the walls of the components.

Abstract: A subsea raw water injector including a pump which is connected to an injection string and a filter connected to an inlet of the pump to remove particulates from the surrounding sea water. The filter is in the form of an inclined tube settler disposed such that particulates separated from sea water flowing through it are discharged to the seabed.

Abstract: A longitudinally horizontal pressure vessel desalts a fluid mixture of oil, an emulsion of oil globules encapsulated in salt water casings, gas and/or free water. A vertical wall splits the vessel into a double length flow path extending from an inlet to separate outlets for discharging the gas, the free water and the oil. A plurality of vertical baffles at intervals between the inlet and the outlets are divided along horizontal lines into a lowermost perforated zone for passing free water, a lower central zone for blocking passage of the emulsion, an upper central perforated zone for stripping the salt water casing from the oil globules and for passing oil and an uppermost open zone for passing gas. The line dividing the lower and upper central zones of each baffle are higher than the corresponding line of each preceding baffle along the flow path extending from the inlet to the outlets.

Abstract: Improved installation for cleaning/recovering liquids with particles in suspension, which is comprised of a first tank, which contaminated liquid with particles in suspension from cleaning the filtering equipment, reaches. This tank includes a guillotine-like mobile separation element, which subdivides it into two independent compartments. Contaminated liquid reaches one of them and the particles in suspension settle in the other compartment, forming sludge, which is evacuated to a second tank, which includes a grill-tank supplied with a renewable filter bag where the particles in suspension of this sludge are retained, recovering dirty liquid. This dirty liquid is evacuated to a third storage tank, from where it is recycled to the filtering equipment.

Abstract: A method for separating a first liquid from a second liquid, with the one liquid not being soluble in the other, the first liquid being contained as droplets in the second one, and with the two liquids having different densities. In a first step the liquid mixture is conducted during a first time interval as a turbulent flow through installations, in particular through a filler body in a packing column or through a static mixer, for coalescing the droplets. In a second step the flow rate of the mixture is reduced during a second time interval to continue the coalescence, and, in a third step, the speed of the mixture flow is further reduced and directed opposite to or with the force of gravity so that larger descending or rising droplets can be collected and separated out. The smaller droplets are carried along further by the second liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus for separating particulate dispersed in a liquid phase from the major volume of the liquid. The separator comprises a substantially cylindrical member formed of a flexible material and adaptable to nest or be seated in a receptacle, such as a pail of sufficient size to hold enough liquid or cleaning solution and to accommodate the washing accessory such as a sponge. The separator has an annulus or rim which has at least one opening so that when the separator is inserted into a pail of water or other liquid, air will not be trapped beneath the separator and force it from its seat or to the surface of the liquid. The cylindrical member has an integrally formed concave surface disposed substantially horizontally when the separator is in use, in that this surface is configured as an inverted cone. The concave surface is provided with a centrally disposed opening to allow for the passage of particulate therethrough.

Abstract: An oil separating buoyant surface vessel for separating oil from surface water level from a large body of oil-contaminated water and for economically reclaiming this oil The vessel comprises a pair of lateral buoyancy members and a liquid flow-through separator rigid open frame integral to the buoyancy member and destined to be maintained in partly submerged condition in water. The separator frame comprises a first chamber having a front surface water intake port, and a pair of first channel members extending to a rear surface water outlet port; a second chamber located rearwardly of the first chamber; a third submerged chamber located beneath the first and second chambers and having a second channel member, extending to a front submerged water outlet port, a third arcuate channel member, an intermediate section of the third channel member extending spacedly over water line, and a fourth upright channel member, opening at its top end mouth into the second chamber over water line.

Abstract: A clarifier for use in treating a liquid containing non-soluble particles in suspension in order to separate these particles from the liquid includes a tank, a liquid supply duct opening into the bottom portion of the tank and an injector for injecting a gas under pressure into at least part of liquid supplied to the supply duct in order to saturate this liquid with the gas and thus to generate gas bubbles as the saturated liquid is subject to depressurization within the tank. The gas bubbles that are so generated adhere to the particles in suspension in the liquid and lift them up to form a floating layer of sludge in the top portion of the tank. A scraper is provided in the top portion of the tank for skimming off the layer of sludge while it is formed. A plurality of plates extend at an angle within the tank above the supply duct. These plates define a set of upwardly inclined channels each having an upper end that is opened and through which the liquid fed into the tank may enter the channel.

Abstract: A dental environmental filter is provided for the collection of heavy metals and other particles during dental or other procedures. The dental environmental filter incorporates a manifold with an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, with an adjustable control handle on the top of the manifold and a baffle plate in the inside of the manifold. The manifold is sealed to the top opening of a collection chamber. During procedures which require withdrawal of fluids, the control handle and baffle plate are adjusted to a fluids mode which connects a internal adjustable conduit, which transverses through the baffle plate, with the lumen of the inlet and outlet conduits to form a continuous lumen with which to withdraw fluids through. During procedures which require the withdrawal of heavy metals or other particles, the control handle and baffle plate are adjusted to a solids mode which orients the baffle plate to face the both the lumen of the inlet and outlet conduits.

Abstract: This clarification plant consists of a circulating reactor in a housing which has a treatment area and a sedimentation area and which is characterized by at least one gas-input element and at least one treatment element which interlock with each other; in the gas input element, the water to be purified is highly enriched with oxygen and subsequently undergoes strong turbulence in the treatment element. The gas input elements and the treatment elements are modularly constructed out of disk-shaped components so that the clarification plant can be scaled as desired. The main purification is done by means of biological reduction processes in micro-organisms which are specifically introduced or cultivated.

Abstract: A separation system (10) for immiscible liquids such as oil and water. The system is particularly useful for treating bilge water on ships. The system includes a bilge water holding tank (12), pre-filter tank (14), separator (16), oil accumulator (18), coalescer (20), air refining chamber (22), and pump (24). Oily water is drawn by pump (24) from holding tank (12) and is then processed sequentially through pre-filter tank (14), separator (16), and coalescer (20) and can thereafter be pumped overboard. Separator (16) and coalescer (20) are disposed at an inclined angle so that the oil will float upwards and out into oil accumulator (18) and refining chamber (22). At each stage in the process, oil is separated out from the water and accumulates at the surface of the water in pre-filter tank (14), oil accumulator (18), and refining chamber (22). Using a second pump (28), the accumulated oil can be intermittently or continuously pumped from these vessels into a waste oil holding tank (26).

Abstract: An oil spill skimmer is disclosed. The skimmer is designed to be arranged quickly on an oil-spilled area upon an oil spill accident, thereby quickly recovering oil from water while restricting a spread of oil over a wide area. In the skimmer, upper and lower housings are arranged in the top and bottom of the skimmer, with a plurality of anteflex wings being regularly arranged in a space formed between the two housings. A power chamber is concentrically positioned inside the lower housing and acts as a main buoyancy chamber of the skimmer. In the operation of the skimmer, an oil slick and an oil-water mixture are introduced into the interior of the lower housing through associated suction pipes while being pumped by associated pumps, thus individually forming a jet allowing the skimmer to be rotatable. In addition, an external blade, mounted to the outside end of one anteflex wing, allows the skimmer to eccentrically rotate and move around within an oil-spilled area when the skimmer rotates due to the jet.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating floating and non-floating particulates from drain water wherein the apparatus includes a first chamber for collecting non-floating particulates, a second chamber for collecting floating particulates, and a third chamber through which treated drain water can be discharged from the apparatus. An inlet pipe for introducing drain water into the first chamber is provided tangential to the first chamber to provide a vortex flow of drain water into the first chamber, and an outlet pipe providing flow of drain water from the first chamber to the second chamber has an inlet at the vortex of drain water flow in the first chamber.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating both soil and mixed waste water polluted by hydrocarbons in a single integrated process is disclosed. Contaminated mixed waste fluid is separated into water and hydrocarbons which are then used in the thermal decontamination of polluted soil through the volatilization of hydrocarbon contaminants. Flue gases containing the volatilized hydrocarbons from the thermal soil decontamination undergo oxidation. Thermal energy from the soil decontamination process and the thermal oxidization of the flue gases can be recovered and used to facilitate the separation of hydrocarbons and water. In this integrated system, every by-product of each step is either decontaminated or consumed in another operation of the system. Energy conservation within this system is also realized by the use of heat exchangers to transfer energy from where it is created by the process to where it is used elsewhere to enhance efficiency within the process.

Abstract: A method and a basin serve the purpose of sedimenting sludge in waste water, which in a flow is supplied to the basin via an inlet and in clarified condition is removed via an outlet placed opposite to the inlet. In the inlet there has been built in resistances of flow which create a heavy turbulence in the water flowing and transform a substantial part of the energy of flow from the water into energy in the whirls which create the turbulence. Thereby there are created flow conditions which increase the creation of sludge flocs and the succeeding sedimentation of these.

Abstract: An upflow liquid clarifier for treating a liquid that contains dissolved or suspended solids has a lower chamber with an annular shape, an inner wall extending upwardly and inwardly from that lower chamber, and an outer wall that extends upwardly and outwardly from the lower chamber. Inlets in communication with the lower chamber provide entry for liquid, which rises in a helical motion through the clarifier. Motion of the water establishes a sludge blanket, through which clarified water rises and can be removed from near the top of the clarifier. A sludge removal structure allows the continuous or periodic removal of sludge.

Abstract: An oil and water separation apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart vessels, the first vessel having an interior for holding liquid and a separator unit that is positioned in the interior of the first vessel. The separator unit receives incoming flow at its upper end portion. This flow fills the interior of the separator. The inclined walls of the separator help accumulate oil that moves upwardly therewithin. Lowermost pipes discharge water from the separator. A plurality of vertically spaced apart conduits are positioned around the exterior wall of the separator and communicate with its interior. Each of the vertical openings has a larger cross sectional area base portion and a smaller cross sectional area top through which oil can exit. Accumulated oil can be channeled away from recycling. Water escaping the first vessel enters the second vessel where it encounters a plurality of alternating baffles and filters that further clarify any water that is discharged from the first vessel.

Abstract: For separating solids from a mixture of liquid and solids arising at a dental treatment site, a housing (1) has a solids separator chamber (12) in which there are sedimentation dishes (14) which are arranged coaxially above one another and through which the mixture flows from the bottom upward. Both the mixture outlet and the liquid outlet (24) are arranged above the submerged sedimentation dish (14).

Abstract: An Oil/Water Separator apparatus includes a portable container advantageously having rigid sides, including spaced apart side walls and rigid floor. Within the rigid container are defined at least two, advantageously, three chambers in an adjacent array in a downstream direction. The chambers are separated by rigid separating partitions or baffles rigidly mounted to, so as to extend between, the opposite side walls of the container. Adjacent chambers are connected in fluid communication therebetween so that influent water containing oil to be separated may enter into a first upstream reservoir chamber. The influent water is deposited into the reservoir chamber. A downstream partition or baffle separates the reservoir chamber from the downstream coalescing chamber. The first partition has an opening under a lowermost edge thereof. Water passes under the partition from the reservoir chamber into the coalescing chamber.

Abstract: An interceptor tank for primary treatment of rainwater runoff which may contain a variety of pollutants. The tank is a multi-chambered device which provides a partial separation of the pollutants contained in the effluent rainwater. A bypass system prevents overload of the tank during periods of heavy inflow conditions. Under low inlet flow conditions, an orifice in the bypass system functions to allow the effluent to drop into the first chamber which serves as a trash and debris collector. The effluent passes from the first chamber to a second chamber where free petroleum based products are separated and held. The effluent from the second chamber passes into a third chamber where sediment is separated from the effluent. The effluent from the third chamber may be fed back into the bypass conduit to be fed into a sewer system or alternately through an aperture in one of the exterior walls of the last chamber to a sewer.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating contaminants from a fluid stream is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a vessel containing a gas blanket. The apparatus will have contained therein a water skimmer member adapted for allowing for retention of the fluid stream. The apparatus further includes a first gas flotation cell contained within the vessel and arranged in series with the water skimmer so as to receive the fluid stream. Also included is an oil bucket positioned within the vessel and adapted to receive a portion of the fluid stream from the water skimmer and the first gas flotation cell. In one embodiment, the first gas flotation cell comprises a first screen member having a porous structure, a plate baffle having a first passage therein, and an eductor device adapted for introducing a gas stream into the fluid stream.

Abstract: A separator tank for rain water and waste-water treatment includes a container divided by a divider into an upper by-pass compartment and a lower treatment compartment. The divider includes a drop pipe assembly having a tapered cross-section. The drop pipe assembly includes a drop pipe having a T-shaped connection. For assembly, the drop pipe is lowered down through an opening in the divider and forms a friction fit with the opening. The drop pipe assembly also optionally includes an appropriately sized flow restricting plate positioned over the opening in the divider.