Abstract: Disclosure is made of apparatus for the separation of solids having relatively low specific gravities from heavier liquids, such as water. The apparatus comprises a multiplicity of separate chambers, through which mixtures of the solids or their liquified forms with the water are passed. The passage is a tortuous route designed to solidify liquid forms of the solids and to effect separation according to specific gravities.

Abstract: A longitudinally elongated settling tank with a converging longitudinal hopper bottom along the length thereof has a longitudinally elongated travelling bridge reciprocating continuously or intermittently through a relatively short stroke between the inlet and outlet ends of the tank from which depends a plurality of longitudinally spaced sludge pick-up heads each sucking sludge from a zone in the bottom of the tank during a preset cycle. Liquid fed into one end of the tank forms a settling pond from which clarified liquid flows over longitudinal weirs at the opposite end of the tank. Because of the short stroke of the bridge, the tank can be reinforced with internal framework between the paths of the suction heads permitting use of lighter sheet metal for the tank. A skimmer is automatically lowered into the top of the pond as the bridge advances to sweep oil, scum, and other material floating on the pond into an outlet and is retracted above the pond on the return stroke of the bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for clarifying liquid waste having a tank with a center column mounted in its center and suction pipes to remove sludge which has settled to the floor of the tank. The center column is provided with an influent trough to introduce liquid waste into the tank, and ports are formed in the upper part of the column to introduce waste into the influent trough. The ports and the influent trough are located at about the level of the liquid in the tank so that the waste leaving the ports creates a radially outward current on the surface of the liquid in the tank to carry scum towards the periphery of the tank for collection.

Abstract: A flow of liquid containing suspended solid particles enters a top inlet of a setting tank of a liquid-solid separator. The tank is of such dimensions that the liquid flows in a nonturbulent flow path under a lengthwise partition in the tank and through an outlet weir opening formed in the tank on a side opposite the inlet. From the outlet the liquid may be returned for further use in a process. Under the influence of gravity, a substantial portion of the solids in the flow slowly settles downward and collects to form a cake on a movable collection means serving as part of a bottom of the tank. Periodically the movable collection means is advanced toward a discharge point located exterior to the tank for convenient disposal of the solids collected on the movable surface.

Abstract: A waste water treatment apparatus of the type in which a carriage support rail extends across the top of the tank intermediate the side walls of the tank and a carriage is mounted on the rail and driven by a carriage drive including an endless chain which reciprocates the carriage along the rail, and a tank cleaning head is mounted on the carriage for movement along a path adjacent the bottom of the tank. The carriage support rail is in the form of a box-shaped beam having inwardly directed flanges at its underside and the chain is mounted inside the box-shaped beam to be protectively enclosed in the beam and the carriage has wheel mounting portions extending upwardly into the beam at opposite sides of the chain and carriage support wheels mounted on the wheel mounting portions inside the beam and in rolling engagement with the flanges on the beam to support the carriage for movement therealong.

Abstract: Apparatus for clarifying treated waste water in which the waste water is floated and settled in a flotation tank equipped with a rotatable carriage provided with multi-scoop means. The multi-scoop means is rotated as it is passed through the upper strata of the treated waste water for the removal of floated particles or sludge with no appreciable disturbance of the main body of waste water. The multi-scoop carries the floated particles or sludge to a sludge outlet in an efficient manner without clogging by an unique construction self-cleaning in operation.

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: An apparatus for removing oily sludge from an installation bottom includes at least one gas sparge pipe, a collector in the form of a sloping inverted channel positioned above the sparge pipe so that sludge lifted by gas from the sparge pipe rises up into the collector, a riser pipe connected to the collector, and a gutter to which entrained sludge is fed by the collector via the riser pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus for degassing floating solids containing entrapped gas in an open-topped liquid-solid settling chamber wherein floating solids tend to accumulate at the surface of liquid being separated from solids. Liquid containing floating solids is gently agitated in a trough enclosure for degassing of same to form liquid containing degassed solids, and the latter is discharged from the trough disclosure into the liquid-solid settling chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous cleansing of industrial liquids which maximizes the floatation and settling of waste out of dirty liquids having submerged introduction of the liquid into a large settling tank followed by upflow into the inlet of a standpipe in said tank, and accelerated upflow of the liquid into a separator pipe wholly within said standpipe followed by downflow from the top of said separator pipe to separate floatable wastes and discharge clean liquid outwardly at the top of said tank.

Abstract: A device for discharging floating material from a supernatant layer floating on a carrier liquid in which the discharged material is moved along a discharge surface to an overflow. The device includes a carrier positioned above the supernatant layer. Blades are secured to the carrier for immersion in the supernatant layer in moving the layer toward the overflow. Means are further provided to move the carrier such that the blades supported by the carrier undergo movement through a trajectory with the trajectory of each blade or group of blades encompassing only a portion of the total displacement of the floating material by the movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A circular decanter includes a stationary hollow column rotatably supporting a bridge which spans the decanter. A trough is integral with the bridge and rotates therewith, whereby sludge drawn by vacuum from the bottom of the decanter is collected in the trough. A sludge evacuation duct is positioned centrally within the hollow column. That portion of the trough which is closest to the column is formed as a siphon having an upstream branch extending downwardly into the sludge collection chamber of the trough and a downstream branch extending downwardly into the sludge evacuation duct. An electric motor for rotating the bridge, trough and siphon is positioned above the column and includes rotating elements attached to the siphon and non-rotating elements. The power supply cables for the electric motor are led upwardly through the column, the sludge evacuation duct and the downstream branch of the siphon and are enclosed within a stationary casing and tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling the problem of crud formation in solvent extraction equipment. "Crud" is the name commonly given to the thick interfacial layer of semi-floatable material that accumulates and interferes with many solvent extraction operations.The apparatus disclosed is used in combination with mixer-settler equipment, and it includes a rotatable shaft, a blade mounted on the shaft, apparatus for moving the shaft and blade across a plane parallel to the surface of the liquid inside a rectangular settler vessel, equipment for rotating the blade and shaft about the shaft's longitudinal axis, and a locking device for locking the blade into an extended or retracted position.

Abstract: The apparatus for removing fish manure from fish ponds of this invention comprises a movable vacuum chamber for receiving fish manure and solids suspended in water connected to a settling tank and separators by a suction hose.

Abstract: A method and a control system for controlling the height level position and horizontal movement of a suction device which is vertically movably suspended from a horizontally movable supporting device according to variations of the inclination, or angular velocity, of a flexible suspending element in relation to the vertical, on which element the suction device is suspended.

Abstract: Apparatus that removes solids from a liquid by flotation and by sedimentation has a uniform surface distribution of small bubbles for making solids float. Large bubbles which would cause turbulence and uneven bubble flow are confined and eliminated.

Abstract: A scum removal system for sewage settling tanks and the like employs a floating skimmer system which is lowered onto the surface of the liquid at one end of the tank and then moved toward the opposite end where floating materials collected by the skimmer are passed into a scum trough. At the trough end of the tank, the skimmer is raised from the surface of the liquid and returned to the first end while being held above the liquid surface. Continuous flow into the scum trough is prevented by a floating beach hinged to the scum trough. The beach is submerged as the skimmer approaches so that flow over the submerged beach carries the collected materials into the scum trough. Flow over the submerged beach is controlled by the depth as well as the length of time that the beach is held beneath the surface.

Abstract: Decantation tanks receive an oil-water mixture from a holding tank. These decantation tanks are set at varying elevations and are arranged to operate in series to drain off oil that has separated out. These tanks may have heat producing elements associated therewith to increase the efficiency of oil separation, and chemicals may be employed in these tanks also to increase such efficiency if necessary. Separator tanks are also provided in the system and receive oil-water mixture from the bottom of the decantation tanks for further separation of oil from the water. These separator tanks have a skimming apparatus therein and also have a pair of baffles under which the water must travel to accomplish further separation of the oil. The separator tanks have a cross partition, and water in a main portion of the tank flows over such partition to a rear compartment from where it is directed to an open top inspection tank and filtered. The pH of the effluent may be altered at this point if necessary.

Abstract: Scum skimmer apparatus having a skimmer blade slideably disposed on support rods extending downwardly from an oscillating bridge which is moveable over the clarifying tank in a biological waste treatment plant. An air tight ballast chamber is secured to the skimmer blade having a source of air communicating with the ballast chamber, the source having a valve for controlling the air flow. As the bridge moves toward the scum trough at one end of the clarifying tank the air is evacuated from the ballast chamber, allowing the blade to engage the surface of the liquid. Upon moving away from the scum trough air is pumped into the ballast chamber providing a buoyancy force which raises the skimmer blade away from the surface. When the opposite end of the clarifying tank is reached the skimmer blade is lowered back to the water by venting the air out of the ballast chamber.

Abstract: An air and water vapor permeable open cell solid resin foam resistant to passage therethrough of noxious chemicals in liquid or vapor form said foam having dispersed therein a particulate adsorbent material for said noxious chemicals said particulate adsorbent material being bonded in said foam by an organic binder which is substantially free from substances which substantially deactivate the adsorbent.

Abstract: In a continuously operating square settling tank, the provision of scum skimming devices wherein a pivotally mounted corner exploring skimmer member is swingable in a predetermined horizontal plane, while kept in contact with the peripheral scum baffle during rotation of the supporting rake structure. This skimmer member forms with the scum baffle a scum collecting pocket whereby when the thus collected scum is pushed up along the slope of a ramp, it is trapped and thereby contained on the ramp for delivery into a receiving box connected to the ramp.The scum collecting effectiveness of the skimmer member may be enhanced by the additional provision of a directional skimmer blade cooperatively so related to the swingable skimmer member, that floating scum material is thereby guided into said collecting pocket.

Abstract: A peripheral feed sewage treatment final clarifier having a channel with lower distribution ports is provided with a vertically adjustable riser which is placed in the port where the scum tends to collect in the channel. The riser is set vertically so that diurnal variations in the elevation of the flow in the channel raises and lowers the collected scum past the upper lip of the riser at which times the scum is removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for clarifying waste water is disclosed in which the waste water being treated is moved through the apparatus with minimum turbulence so that the flotation rate of suspended particles is brought closely to a theoretical value. The apparatus includes a flotation tank unique in that its height is low compared to its area. Inlet pipes for waste water are supported by a carriage which moves around the flotation tank supported on the outer edge of the tank and a runway towards the center thereof. The clarified water is removed by pipes also supported by the carriage and so supported that advantage is taken of the movement of the carriage to effect a longer flotation path for the rising particles.

Abstract: A scum removal system for sewage settling tanks and the like employs a floating skimmer system which is lowered onto the surface of the liquid at one end of the tank and then moved toward the opposite end where floating materials collected by the skimmer are passed into a scum trough. At the trough end of the tank, the skimmer is raised from the surface of the liquid and returned to the first end while being held above the liquid surface. Continuous flow into the scum trough is prevented by a floating beach hinged to the scum trough. The beach is submerged as the skimmer approaches so that flow over the submerged beach carries the collected materials into the scum trough. Flow over the submerged beach is controlled by the depth as well as the length of time that the beach is held beneath the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to clarifiers for use in the gravity separation of suspended particles from liquids. A clarifier according to the invention includes a tank having a sludge outlet through which settled sludge can be removed and means for conveying settled sludge towards said outlet. A gantry is supported for movement above the surface of liquid in the tank. Gantry drive means are provided and are adapted to cause the gantry to perform repeated passes over said surface. A sludge conveyor device is submerged in liquid in the tank in use and is positioned at a clearance above the bottom of the tank. Conveyor drive means are coupled to the sludge conveyor device. The device is coupled to the gantry by support means arranged so that the device moves with the gantry and sweeps over the bottom of the tank as the gantry performs said repeated passes above the surface of liquid.

Abstract: Continuously operating sedimentation tank wherein a load yieldable composite rotary rake arm structure is constructed and arranged to conform to the compound slope of the tank bottom, while being dragged over the tank bottom by draft means connecting it to a driving arm spaced upwardly from the rake arm structure.

Abstract: An efficient, modular, drop-in type aeration and separation assembly for use in relatively small sewage treatment facilities is disclosed which includes perforated aeration conduits or diffusers situated adjacent the sewage inlets of the apparatus for inducing an upwardly directed hydraulic suction or "pumping action" which serves to increase the turbulence and aeration of sludge and other solids entering and collected within the unit. The assembly preferably includes a multi-tube particulate removal unit which effectively removes entrained solids from sewage passing upwardly therethrough, in conjunction with an inverted V-shaped grease collector positioned below the multi-tube separator which also serves as an air diffuser to facilitate selective air cleaning of the latter.

Abstract: A fluid clarification device of the type which includes a cylindrical, flat-bottomed separator tank is provided with an elongate sludge collecting trough in the bottom of the tank having an upper portion in open communication with the interior thereof. A conveyor is disposed in the collecting trough for horizontally transporting sludge accumulated therein to a vertically disposed sludge elevator-conveyor in which the sludge is elevated to a discharge port above the fluid level of the separator tank whereby the discharged sludge will be substantially free of excess fluid.

Abstract: A scum drag for removal of floating scum from a closed methane generator is a float having a fence or rake extending upwardly. Draglines are connected to it to pull the float and fence in a direction transverse to the fence. The pile of scum that accumulates with movement is engaged by the fence and bodily moved to a scum exit, where it is discharged into a truck or otherwise transported away.

Abstract: A clarification tank having a plurality of pick-up trays and a central collection column which is connected to an externally located riser having a high volume discharge weir at the upper end thereof. The tank also includes a plurality of sand pan draw-offs connected to a collection piping system which permits gathering material from all of the sand pan drains in a single discharge line by static pressure differential.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding the raw influent water into a center post clarifier including an uptake zone defined around the center post forming an eductor tube having an upper and lower end respectively in communication with an upper and lower portion of the mixing and recirculation chamber. A first set of openings is provided intermediate the center post for directing the flow of raw water upwardly into an intermediate portion of the uptake zone. A second set of openings positioned above the first set of openings is provided for directing the remaining flow of raw water from the center post into an upper portion of the uptake zone. The relative flow rates of raw water through the first and second openings being such as to cause sludge which has accumulated adjacent the lower end of the uptake zone to be lifted therein to and recirculated with the raw water. Means are provided to selectively control the flow rates of raw water through the first and second openings to adjust the sludge recirculation rate.