Abstract: Disclosed is a circular gravity clarifier for and method of clarifying liquids of entrained liquid droplets and solids. The clarifier has an upright cylindrical body, a cylindrical baffle extending substantially the depth of the body forming an annular flow path, a rotating stilling well in which the liquid to be clarified is introduced and flows downwardly in a generally cone shaped pattern, the liquid droplets rising to the surface where they are removed, and the clarified liquid flows upwardly in the annular flow path and is discharged. A number of features of the clarifier and the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A paint spray booth (40) having an air supply system for processing air is improved in that a housing arrangement (16) for the air supply system is located entirely within the paint spray booth (40).

Abstract: A sludge removal apparatus for a clarifier/thickener tank includes a central rotatable or stationary sealed sludge collection box submerged in the tank and surrounding a vertical, central influent column or support shaft. The collection box is positioned at any elevation between the tank bottom to a position just below the liquid/air level in the tank. At least one rotatable rake arm, preferably one or two pairs of spaced rake arms each having a spiral blade, is affixed to and rotates with the box and a driving cage, to inwardly push or pick-up sludge at the tank bottom for transport to the collection box. A substantially controlled flow of sludge may be provided into the collection box by valved or adjustable gate control through a sidewall opening in the collection box.

Abstract: A tank is provided with an outer cylindrical wall having a vertical axis, and a bottom wall. A cylindrical scum baffle is located inward of the outer cylindrical wall. A support structure extends from the outer cylindrical wall to the vertical axis of the tank. A support pier extends from the bottom wall of tank upward at the vertical axis. A skimmer truss extends from an upper end of the support pier outward for rotation. A drive is supported by the support pier for rotating the skimmer truss. A cylindrical retaining wall is located inwardly from the scum baffle. A scum trough extends between the scum baffle and the retaining wall generally along a radial line from said vertical axis and is located below the skimmer truss. The scum trough has two generally parallel side walls and ramps having leading and trailing edges generally parallel to the scum trough walls. An elongated skimmer is supported by the skimmer truss for rotation with the skimmer truss.

Abstract: The new floating sludge evacuating unit for circular tanks having a drain, and a scraper blade movable in relation thereto is characterized in that the scraper blade is lifted repeatedly in order to evacuate the tank surface by sections, advanced to a position remote from the drain where it is stopped and lowered, while the drain follows the scraper blade and pushes the floating sludge together, and that prior to the lowering motion causing the floating sludge to be evacuated a push-down unit causes the intake edge of the drain to be pre-lowered to a position which takes the level in the tank into account. Then, the lowering path for floating sludge evacuation will always be correct, and evacuation of water will be avoided. A scraper blade interacting with several stationary drains is operating according to the same principle. It is lowered behind every drain and pushes the floating sludge toward the next drain.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating solids and liquids has an initial separator for removing coarse solid material from a mixture of solids and liquids, a first screen for separating further solid material from the liquid and a first auger extending axially through the first cylindrical screen for removing the separated further solid material from the first cylindrical screen. A second screen receives the liquid from the first screen and separates fine particles from the liquid, and a compactor between the first and second screens compacts the solid material removed from the first screen by the first auger. A second auger is provided in the second screen for mixing and removing the compacted solid material and the separated fine particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for separating constituents of a liquid containing solids, comprising an upflow inlet for a liquid mixture into a central stilling chamber, a pair of separator units having a plurality of baffle plates extending in opposite directions at an upward angle from the stilling chamber, lighter constituent removal means above each separator unit, and a heavier constituent outlet in the stilling chamber.

Abstract: An activation plant for the treatment of waste water by the activated sludge method is disclosed wherein the plant has an outer, annular activation tank, a concentric, inner, funnel shaped secondary sedimentation tank, and a rotating aeration bridge rotating about the central axis. The return sludge, excess sludge, and floating sludge chambers, and the associated pumps, are provided in a central shaft that is the central axis for the concentric tanks. The floating sludge chamber is supplied by an annular trough circumscribing the central shaft. Clean water is removed through a conduit in the central shaft. The central shaft, chambers, and aeration bridge are supported by at least three rectangular tubes that are mounted on the wall of the secondary sedimentation tank and extend radially from the conduit for clean water in the central shaft. The rectangular tubes provide a flow space for clean water from the activation plant and are connected to outlet troughs for collecting the clean water.

Abstract: A clarifier tank having a center column is provided with a center-driven bottom rake mechanism for settled sludge removal, a rotating scum rake mechanism comprised of pipes with longitudinal openings for scum removal via the center column, the rake mechanisms rotating in the same or opposite directions at different speeds, and submerged effluent pipes projecting from the sidewall of the tank toward the center of the tank to drain the clarified sewage into an effluent launder exterior of the tank.

Abstract: A tank with a generally flat, rectilinear bottom wall receives raw water for clarification by flotation. An array of lamellae define a set of generally vertically oriented channels. Flotation occurs in each channel. The channels are preferably inclined. A pair of endless chains or the like rotate alongside the tank to move a succession of mutually spaced, paddle-like lamellae through the tank. Sliding seals secured to the edge or edges of the lamellae isolate individual channels, or groups of channels, as they move through the tank. The channels lock and move a column of water through the tank with substantially no turbulence.

Abstract: A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank having a tank bottom, a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank is formed by a plurality of individual and cooperatively-engageable baffles mounted on the peripheral tank wall. Each baffle includes a panel member that downwardly slopes from the peripheral tank wall toward the interior of the tank and the tank bottom and terminates at a lower ledge disposed in space relation above the tank bottom. A first lateral end of the panel member unitarily carries an end bracket securable to the peripheral wall for supporting the panel member in a cantilevered fashion. The plural baffles are disposed in end-to-end relation about the peripheral tank wall such that the second lateral end of the panel member of each baffle is secured to the end bracket of the next-adjacent baffle whereby each end bracket supports the panel members of each set of two immediately-adjacent baffles on the peripheral wall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wastewater treatment facility including a stacked tank clarifier having a lower tank, and an upper tank above the lower tank, the upper tank having a bottom defining a ceiling of the lower tank, and the lower tank further having a floor. The wastewater treatment facility includes a mechanism for scraping the ceiling of the lower tank. The mechanism includes a driven endless chain loop in the lower tank, and a buoyant member carried by the chain loop.

Abstract: A biological treatment system involving the use of a gas dissolving pressure vessel, a pressurized water release assembly, a pretreatment chamber, a bioreactor, an open vessel, a post-treatment unit, a sludge removal unit, and a removable gas collection and purification unit for both wastewater treatment and air emission control is described. Gases are dissolved efficiently in a water inside the pressure vessel under controlled high pressure and high rotating velocity. Chemicals, or microorganisms, or both arm dosed to an influent water producing a pretreated water containing chemical flocs and biological flocs. The bioreactor comprising a hanging biological contactor is adopted when biochemical reaction is intended. A pressurized water containing supersaturated gases is produced in the pressure vessel and than depressurized through the pressurized water release assembly becoming a depressurized water containing micro bubbles.

Abstract: An oil separation method and apparatus for the continuous separation of acceptable oil from contaminated oil containing solids and liquids withdrawn from an oil well. Three separate settling tanks are partitioned and provided with skimmers, as appropriate, to enable contaminated oil to dwell sufficiently within the tanks. After sufficient dwell time, the skimmers remove separated oil from the top layer and move it to an oil tank. Liquids such as water and emulsified oil are separated into an intermediate layer and moved to further settling tanks to provide sufficient dwell time for oil separation and collection. The first settling tank has a rotating jet spray header for agitating the solids accumulated in the bottom of the first tank and a series of suction headers for withdrawing the solids without interruption of the top oil layer or the separation operation.

Abstract: A process for separating the grease, solids and water components from grease such as grease traps and fry grease. The grease is collected and introduced into a primary holding tank to effect primary crude separation. The grease is removed to a second stage separator for further concentration. The water and solids are separately directed to a second stage to separate these components. The separated water is treated suitable for discharge into a sewer. The solids are dried and the solids and grease are then suitable for re-use. In the preferred embodiment, the separators are centrifuges. Heating of the grease may also be necessary to achieve proper viscosity for handling and to remove bacteria.

Abstract: A sludge removal apparatus for a clarifier tank includes a rotatable or stationary sealed sludge collection box submerged in the tank and surrounding a vertical, central influent column. The collection box is positioned at any elevation between the tank bottom to a position just below the liquid/solids level in the tank. A rotatable rake arm or pick-up pipe or sludge collection duct may be affixed to and rotates with the box and a driving cage to push or pick-up sludge at the tank bottom for transport to the collection box. A substantially constant flow of sludge may be provided in the collection box by valved or adjustable orifice control over the flow of sludge from the pick-up pipe(s) or duct(s) or center tank cone. A fixed flanged manifold spool with spaced branches is positioned between flanged vertical sections of the center column and sludge is transported from the collection box through the branches to a concentric sludge withdrawal pipe extending downwardly within the center column.

Abstract: A circular clarifier includes a skimmer assembly mounted on a rotatable arm of the clarifier. The skimmer assembly includes a parallelogram linkage having a pair of end links pivotably connected between upper and lower intermediate links. The skimmer blade is mounted to one of the end links to skim the liquid containing volume of the clarifier. The parallelogram linkage is mounted to the rotating arm by a support assembly at upper and lower pivot connections. These pivot connections are positioned at central portions of the respective intermediate links such that both of the intermediate links extend outwardly on both sides of the respective pivot connection. Either a counterweight or a floatation element is mounted to the parallelogram linkage to bias the linkage for rotation about the pivot connections to position the skimmer blade in an upper position.

Abstract: Water clarifying apparatus has a cylindrical tank where particulate contaminants suspended in raw water are separated using flotation techniques. The treatment capacity of such a unit is increased several times, with no increase in the size of the tank, by using a set of concentric, mutually spaced, conical plates positioned in the flotation tank. The increase is proportional to the combined area of the plates when projected onto a horizontal plane, the overlap of the projection producing an area which is greater than that of the horizontal plane without plates. 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the continuous clarifying of liquids containing suspended solid substances comprises a flotation cell with a liquid head height of less than 1 meter, with a ratio between the liquid head and the cell diameter comprised between 0.25 and 0.05. The cell has a bottom axial inlet for liquid to be clarified, supersaturated with gas, so as to generate an axial ascending current of the liquid to be clarified with radial divarication toward the surface of the liquid head. A framework associated with the cell rotates concentrically with respect thereto and supports a spillway unit for collecting the flotated layer and a scraper unit which affects all the wet surfaces of the cell. A discharge outlet is furthermore provided in the lower part of the cell for the outflow of clarified liquid which falls toward the bottom of the cell.

Abstract: An improved sand pan and flushing jet apparatus is provided along with a process to separate solids from a fluid stream. The sand pan has openings along the side which increase in flow area with increasing distance from a slurry blowdown. Flushing jets are provided within the sand pan to remove slurry drawn into the sand pan by blowdown flow.

Abstract: An improved gas dissolving and releasing liquid treatment system involving the use of multi-stages gas dissolving pressure vessel and the use of a pressurized water release assembly and an open vessel is described. The gas dissolving and releasing liquid treatment system includes a liquid pressure pump, a pressure vessel, a gas injector, an inlet nozzle assembly, a gas compressor, gas regulators, gas flow meters, pressure gauges, a safety valve, a bleed-off point, feeders, pumps, a pressurized water release unit, a liquid flow meter, an open vessel, sludge removal means, and air emission control means. More than one gases introduced at different inlets are dissolved simultaneously and efficiently in the pressure vessel under controlled high pressure and high rotating velocity. The improved liquid treatment system is compact, simple and cost-effective, and is applied to ozonation, chlorination, recarbonation, oxygenation, bio-oxidation, nitrogenation, aeration, and flotation processes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for an apparatus for removing granular material and debris from a basin of a body of water. The apparatus comprises a first pump having an input port for collecting granular material, debris and water from of the basin. A conduit conducts the removed granular material, debris and water from the basin to a mobile reservoir. An Archimedean screw conveyor extends angularly relative to the mobile reservoir for conveying the granular material, debris and water away from the mobile reservoir and for separating the granular material and debris from the water. A second pump discharges the water from the mobile reservoir back into the basin.

Abstract: A radial mixing header for use with apparatus that removes solids from a liquid by dissolved air flotation (DAF). The header comprises a par of concentric pipes circumscribed by a concentric mixing chamber having a tangential port for introduction of the recycled gas-liquid stream thereinto. The recycled stream achieves rotary and turbulent motion and mixes in a larger diameter pipe with the raw solids-containing stream which flows through a smaller diameter pipe.

Abstract: The oil and water separator includes a container having an oil and water inlet, an oil receiving means with an outlet, a skimmer mechanism for moving the oil at the surface of the fluid in the container into the oil receiving means, and a water outlet. The skimmer mechanism is formed by a plurality of angularly spaced apart blades located in the interior of the container above the level of the oil receiving mean and a ramp leading to the oil receiving means. Each blade is formed by an arm having a plurality of flexible blade members extending downward from the arm such that the blade members engage the top surface of the ramp upon rotation of the blade means past the ramp to move oil at the upper level of the fluid in the container, into the oil receiving means. Fluid flow directing device is provided for directing fluid injected into the interior of the container by way of the oil and water fluid inlet, downward and outward from the axis of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for clarifying water. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing the water to be clarified with pressurized water and air to obtain a mixture in which particles attached to air bubbles are suspended. The mixing chamber is connected to a flotation tank which holds a body of water whose upper surface is maintained at a predetermined level. The mixture, including the particles attached to air bubbles, is delivered by a distribution pipe from an upper part of the mixing chamber onto the surface of the water in the tank so that the floatables come to a floating position on the surface without causing agitation or turbulence below the surface. A skimmer rake skims the floatables to an outlet where they are removed from the tank leaving the water at the bottom of the tank clarified.

Abstract: A decanter and support assembly includes a pair of mooring arms pivotally attaching the decanter to a wall of a wastewater reactor basin and hingedly attached to a float buoyantly supporting the decanter. The decanter includes a valve for controlling the draw of liquid thereinto and a flexible discharge conduit that is fixedly attached to the decanter. A control line for powering the valve is mounted at the top of the non-detachable mooring arm. The float supports an actuation device which is operably connected to the control line. In a first embodiment of the decanter valve, the valve is oriented generally vertically at the inlet of the flexible conduit. In a second embodiment of the decanter valve, an actuator mechanism moves an exterior valve hood with a sealing flange which seals the discharge conduit against liquid. The valve hood sleeves a generally cylindrical intake manifold that supports the decanter.

Abstract: A separation tank adapted for use in washing and separating recycled polymeric material from contaminants, the separation tank comprising a centrally disposed baffle and being adapted to receive and circulate an aqueous medium around the baffle; transversely mounted, rotatable members adapted to submerge floating material within the aqueous medium; transversely mounted, rotatable members adapted to aggressively agitate the surface of the aqueous medium; and longitudinally spaced sumps disposed in the floor of the tank on the side of the baffle opposite the agitation members to collect contaminants settling out of the aqueous medium; and members adapted to divide the aqueous medium into surface and subsurface portions for the respective recovery of the polymeric material and recirculation of the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A spraying system to be used on wastewater settling tanks for skimming the top scum layer into a drain. The system includes a spray nozzle that causes the top liquid layer to move in a circular fashion about the center of the tank. The nozzle can be in the form of a wall mounted spray unit that sprays water onto the surface of the contained wastewater. The nozzle can also be in the form of a multiorificed tubular body mounted directly onto the top of the drain trough. Water sprayed from the latter nozzle is directed into the trough and thereby causes a suctioning of the scum layer into the drain. The system can employ either of the nozzles or both nozzles in combination.

Abstract: An automatic dross removal apparatus (10) is disclosed for removing dross from the surface of a solder bath (22) in an automated electric component handling system. A rotatable wiper blade (14) is positioned adjacent the solder bath (22) which skims the dross off of the surface prior to the dipping of a robot conveyed component into the bath. An electronic control circuit (34) causes a motor (32) to rotate the wiper arm (14) one full rotational cycle each time a pulse is received from a robot controller (44) as a component approaches the solder bath (22).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dewatering combined ash or other combustion related products. The apparatus aspects of the invention consist of a quench bath having a curved portion containing a plunger adapted to push combustion materials contained in the quench bath up an inclined trough. A vibrator is mounted below a portion of the inclined trough located above the waterline in the quench bath. As a result, material moved up the inclined portion is subject to vibration and compaction resulting in a substantial dewatering of the combustion material. The method of the present invention provides for the steps of quenching, moving and vibrating combustion by-products to obtain a dewatered material having reduced free water run-off.

Abstract: The present invention is a scum-treating apparatus installed in the disposal pond for removing the scum floating on the surface of the water with the movement of the flights in the disposal pond as the motive power to purify the water. The trough is fixed and the damming-up device is provided in front of the trough to move up and down the damming-up device by being interlocked with the flights. In particular, the interlocking is provided by a plurality of projecting portions and dented portions between the projecting portions at a pointed end thereof, so that the large scum are flowed into the trough when the flights correspond to the respective projecting portions while the float is slightly risen up under the surface of the water when the flights correspond to the dented portions to collect the far scum toward the trough. Thus, both the large scums and the small scums can be effectively introduced into the trough.

Abstract: A scum skimming device is disclosed for use in a waste treatment system having a circular sedimentation tank. Such tanks typically have a central waste liquid inlet pipe having inlet ports and an outlet weir around the periphery to maintain the waste liquid level in the tank at a predetermined desired level. The scum skimming device consists of at least one scum skimming blade which is biased into a position partly above and partly below the liquid surface and which sweeps the surface of the tank, the blade being supported from a bottom sludge rake by articulated support posts. The device also consists of a generally helical blade extending to the tank periphery and being positioned with a portion of the helical blade below the waste liquid level when the tank is in use, and a drive means for rotating the generally helical blade.

Abstract: There is disclosed a solids collection and removal system for a settling tank. It is particularly designed for installation in generally rectangular, in-ground settling tanks such as is commonly used for water treatment. The collection device includes a plurality of bottom-travelling collectors which have elongated, open-bottomed channel housings, each with a scraper blade pivotally supported by a pin-in-slot attachment to provide a modified pendulum suspension. The collectors, which span the width of the tank, are mounted on a track or other suitable mechanical linkage for oscillatory travel across preselected portions of the bottom of the settling tank. Each collector is divided by a longitudinal baffle into a lowermost collection chamber and an upper evacuation chamber. The latter is connected through a conduit to a vacuum system for the evacuation of the solids from the collectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for the clarification of liquids, such as notably water, fruit juices, musts such as grape musts, including an enclosure in which is brought the liquid to be clarified after a pretreatment operation, such as screening, as well as a flotation equipment, fed by a transfer pump with liquid pressurized and relieved of the pressure prior to its introducting in the flotation equipment, from which the clarified liquid is introduced in a filtration system. The apparatus includes the features that the flotation equipment is placed above the assembly used for the pretreatment of the liquid so as to obtain a sufficient load for bringing about a hydraulic balance of the various constituents of the apparatus, in order that it can operate with a small load available upstream and allow a possible recycling, by simple gravity, of the floating particles collected at the surface of the flotation equipment to any point of the pretreatment.

Abstract: A sludge removal apparatus (10) disclosed includes a tank (12) having bottom (14), side walls (16,18) and first and second end walls (20,22) for receiving and holding an immiscible mixture of fluid and floatable sludge. A skimmer (32) mounted on the tank (12) is movable in a sequential path for skimming the sludge from the surface of the mixture. The tank bottom (14) and side walls (16,18) are sloped so that any settling particles are reintroduced into a high velocity fluid stream communicated into the tank bottom (14) for further processing. A guide portion (28) guides skimmer (32) into the sludge immediately in front of a diverter (26) in the direction of circulation within the tank (12) to eliminate regions of stagnated sludge on the mixture.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor for occluded water is provided to detect the surface water level as in a spray booth tank. The water level sensor may control the water level in the tank or it may be used to maintain a relatively constant outflow of water from the tank through a vertically movable weir. The weir is moved in response to changes in the liquid level detected by the sensor which includes an electronic signal sensor capable of detecting a level of a liquid relative thereto. The sensor is mounted in an elongated housing that has its lower end disposed in the liquid in the reservoir. The upper end of the housing is vented to the atmosphere to equalize the pressure between the interior thereof and the atmosphere ambient the housing. A flexible diaphragm is secured to the housing so as to seal the open lower end, and a substantially pure test liquid is held within the housing isolated from the liquid in the reservoir.

Abstract: Sweeper means for circular settling basins wherein at least a pipe is supported by a radially extending support structure adapted to be rotated about a central vertical axis by driving means, wherein further the discharge end of the pipe being connected to a sewage sludge return line which is extended below the settling basin and extended into the basin in the central area thereof and which is adapted to deliver the sewage sludge outwards of the settling basin, the support structure being suspended on a vertical rotary shaft coupled to the driving means, the other end of the pipe moving in conjunction with the support structure being connected to a rotary connection below the level in said settling basin to which also the sludge return line is connected.

Abstract: Waste water contaminents are treated and/or removed in a process and a separator that incorporates a hydrocyclone, a constrictive collection passageway for lighter materials to be removed from the water by a skimmer and skimmer ramp that effectively entrap and remove floatable contaminents while clarified water is removed from the separator at a point in the lower portion of the separator below the hydrocyclone after being aerated with recycled and aerated clarified water above the removal level in the separator vessel.

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: An activated-sludge sewage treatment plant includes an aeration chamber having at least two aeration sections and an intermediate sludge scalper device. The sludge scalper device is positioned to receive the effluent of a primary aeration section the effluent of the sludge scalper being received by a hydraulic plug flow section. The primary aeration section may be a complete-mix basin, a hydraulic plug-flow basic or a combination of both. The secondary aeration section must include at least one hydraulic plug-flow basin. A final clarifier receives and treats the effluent from the secondary aeration section. By removing the more settleable fraction of the activated sludge from the sewage being treated, prior to the final stage of plug flow aeration, the sludge scalper avoids settling of this sludge in the final aeration chamber.

Abstract: A skimmer for decanting treated liquid from sewage treatment basins comprising a weir, barrier, sealing means and mounting means so constructed and disposed as to define a solids-free decantation zone of increasing size during lowering of the weir during decantation is described.

Abstract: A solids excluding subsurface fixed liquid decanter is used primarily to decant the settled liquid above the decanter. The decanter has no moving parts and will discharge this liquid at a constant flow rate regardless of the liquid head pressure above the decanter over the time of decant. The decanter is designed to exclude solids and liquid from entering the confines of the device during the fill and mixing cycles of an SBR waste treatment process. During the aeration cycle, air is directed into a bell or hood of the decanter to replace any absorption or leakage in vent piping of the decanter. The decanter also has a mechanism for skimming the surface of the liquid volume for removing floating solids that are undesirable to the process.

Abstract: A septic system tank assembly, including a primary outer tank having a cylindrical wall, and within which there is nested a second tank also of a cylindrical configuration, extending diametrically across each tank is a dividing partition dividing the two tanks up into four chambers which carry out anaerobic, aerobic, clarification and disinfection treatment, the assembly further includes an air pump and conduits which delivers air to the aerobic chamber and a dispenser to dispense disinfectant material into the disinfectant chamber. The assembly also includes separate conveyor means to transfer both solid matter and floating matter from the clarification chamber to the anaerobic chamber.

Abstract: A cleaner apparatus for a sewage treatment tank has a rotatable arm which passes over the surface of the liquid in the tank. Articulated arms carrying scrubbing members are attached to the rotatable arm and biased to maintain the scrubbing members in contact with the surfaces to be cleaned. A fluid conduit means having a plurality of spray nozzles is carried by the arm, and the nozzles are positioned to direct a liquid spray on the surfaces to be cleaned.

Abstract: A peripheral traction unit for a thickener is ground-mounted on a circular support base, normally of concrete, extending circularly at ground level below and exterior of the vertical walls of an above-ground thickener tank. A continuous rail and rack are mounted on a sole plate and integral key embedded and grouted in a support base pocket. A wheel and pinion assembly is provided on a traction frame so that the wheel rolls on the rail and the pinion meshes with the rack. The bottom of a box beam is pin-connected to the traction frame and the top of the box beam is fixedly connected to a rake-driving rotatable truss extending radially or diametrically across and above the tank wall. All erection, adjustment and maintenance of the traction unit is done at ground level rather than at the elevation of the upper edge of the tank wall where heretofore peripheral drive units have been positioned.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner which has a housing to which suction is applied via a flexible hose. Water flow through the housing is used to drive a turbine which powers a propeller to cause movement of the housing. The buoyancy of the housing is adjusted by filling a chamber, of the housing, with water. The hose is permitted to rotate, and pivot, relatively to the housing to increase the mobility of the cleaner.

Abstract: A clarifier tank for a water and sewage treatment system is provided. A plurality of spaced columns extending along the lengths of the tank include arms extending therefrom to receive rails on which flight members ride. Cables are connected from the ends of the tank to the arms of the columns to maintain the columns stabilized.

Abstract: An arrangement for separation by flocculation of flocculable substances contained in a suspension, as such is used particularly for purifying the backwater of deinking installations for waste paper processing, comprises a container supplied by a conduit with a suspension coming from a reservoir and admixed with flocculating agents and with air. The container contains a rotor with vertical shaft from which two arms extend outwardly at different heights. The suspension to be purified is delivered by the shaft and the upper arm, and by means of the lower situated arm leading the upper arm at an acute angle the purified water is removed. The floated-up flocculated substances are withdrawn from the surface as flotation scum and optionally by means of a conveying device through a scum conduit.

Abstract: Waste water contaminents are treated and/or removed in a process and a separator that incorporates a hydrocyclone, a constrictive collection passageway for lighter materials to be removed from the water by a skimmer and skimmer ramp that effectively entrap and remove floatable contaminents while clarified water is removed from the separator at a point below the skimmer and above the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A piping and flow control system for a wastewater reactor having a reaction vessel includes an influent distribution and sludge withdrawal conduit located near the bottom of the reactor, an aeration device located within the reactor, a treated effluent decanting system and an automatic control mechanism including a liquid level sensor. The influent distribution and sludge withdrawal conduit along with the aeration device are selectively flow connected with a pumping mechanism by a piping manifold which is also selectively connected to a source for influent wastewater to be treated by the reactor and sludge disposal. The pumping mechanism is located in a pump column within the vessel.