Abstract: A system and method for separation of liquids and gases within a multiphase fluid are provided herein. The method includes flowing a multiphase fluid into a number of divisions within a multiphase separation system, wherein the divisions are configured to lower a velocity of the multiphase fluid. The method also includes separating the multiphase fluid among a number of lower pipes and a number of upper pipes, wherein each lower pipe includes an expansion zone configured to lower a pressure within the lower pipe to allow entrained liquids to drain from a corresponding upper pipe via a downcomer.

Abstract: An influent feed system for directing the influent liquid via hydraulic energy to scour the surface of primary treatment tank walls and base to move the scoured solids to a sludge trough. Scouring action takes place during periods of low liquid levels in the tank. The system comprises two identical, adjacent tanks sharing a common distribution box. Either or both of the tanks are in use at any given time. The tank in use will be empty occasionally each day. Influent feed troughs disposed transversely in each tank directs solids towards a sludge hopper in the tank bottom. The IFTs extend over the width of the tank to provide scouring of the entire end wall and floor surface. Each IFT has a sump with a valved discharge piped directly to the sludge trough, and the floor of each IFT is sloped towards the sump to facilitates draining of solids.

Abstract: An apparatus includes integrated ultra-filtration and clarification, and an optional electrocoagulation capability. The apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank. Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters. Optionally, and upstream electrocoagulation unit and a downstream reverse osmosis unit are provided. Alternatively, the electrocoagulation function is provided by a plurality of reaction plates mounted to the interior sidewall of the tank.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for treating a fluid containing solids which has been flushed back from a reversible flow filter, comprising a sedimentation device for separating solids from the flushed back fluid by a process of sedimentation in a sediment collecting region which enables solids to be removed in a manner free from filter-aids and which exhibits as small a degree of fluid loss as possible, it is proposed that the sediment collecting region is arranged to be subjected to a positive pressure and/or a negative pressure in order to remove residual fluid from the sediment collecting region.

Abstract: A new settlement tank and its associated method of operation. The settlement tank has side surfaces and a bottom surface that define a tank of a predetermined volume. A trough is disposed in the bottom surface of the tank. At least one outlet port communicates with the trough. A press assembly is provided that includes a press head and an actuator for selectively advancing the press head into the trough. In operation, the settlement tank is filled with material that includes liquids and solids. The heavy solids are permitted to settle at the bottom of the tank. The solids are then collected in the trough. Once solids are in the trough, the press assembly is used to compact and concentrate the solids within the trough. Once concentrated, the outlet port is opened and the contents of the trough are flushed out of the settlement tank.

Abstract: A ClariCone-type clarifier is provided with a level sensor, a flow-condition detector, and a controller that work together for automatic control of a blow-down valve. The flow-condition detector detects a condition of the flow through the tank. The detector sends the input to the controller, which uses the input to determine a desired blow-down level. The level sensor detects the height of slurry in the tank, and the controller opens the valve when the slurry level reaches the level determined by the controller. The valve can be set to close after a predetermined fixed period of time, by a timer, or when the level sensor detects that the slurry level has fallen to a predetermined or calculated blow-down termination level.

Abstract: A ClariCone-type clarifier is provided with a level sensor, a flow-condition detector, and a controller that work together for automatic control of a blow-down valve. The flow-condition detector detects a condition of the flow through the tank. The detector sends the input to the controller, which uses the input to determine a desired blow-down level. The level sensor detects the height of slurry in the tank, and the controller opens the valve when the slurry level reaches the level determined by the controller. The valve can be set to close after a predetermined fixed period of time, by a timer, or when the level sensor detects that the slurry level has fallen to a predetermined or calculated blow-down termination level.

Abstract: The present invention involves an improved integrated reactor and solids settler system for solids removal from a water stream. The integration of the rapid mix reactor and the solids settler of the present invention uses an overflow line from the rapid mix reactor to eliminate both the rapid mix reactor level indicator and controller and the flow controller in the solids settler clarified water outlet. The proposed design is simple, cost effective, and eliminates the possibility of unnecessary downstream unit shutdowns.

Abstract: Sludge collection and removal systems are disclosed. The present invention provides methods and apparatus that include piping system of headers and laterals selectively provided with flow from a central point so that sludge can be removed from areas where it accumulates most rapidly. The adaptable nature of the piping system additionally permits the number of collection laterals and orifices to be varied to suit the sludge accumulation characteristics of the sludge basin. Additionally, improved multiple port valves are disclosed that permit the selective connection of the flow among sections in preferred embodiments of the sludge collection systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement in a separator, especially a gravity separator (1), to which separator is supplied with well fluid containing sand, and to avoid sand settling on walls of pipes or separators; it is according to the invention, suggested that the separator (1) comprises a conical part (5), which passes into a sloping or mainly vertical arranged bottom pipe (7), for, so to speak, continuous bottom outlet of sand (6), which is suspended in a fluid, mainly sand carrying water.

Abstract: A method of removing sludge from a continuously supplied sedimentation tank which discharges through a pipe having a substantially vertical section and an outlet at or just above the fluid level of the tank by supplying pulses of gas to the base of the vertical section of the tank to lift the sludge therein and discharge it from the pipe outlet in which the pulses are continued until the sludge thickness diminishes to a value which is determined by measuring one or more conditions of the sludge, the conditions including the measurement of the drop in level of the sludge at the pipe outlet after discharge due to an air pulse compared with that before discharge and/or the measurement of pressure of the shock wave produced against time and the time taken for this is stabilised to a predetermined value and/or the measurement of the amplitude of the pressure induced in the sludge after commencement of an air pulse and the time taken for this to reduce to a predetermined amplitude.

Abstract: Sludge collection and removal systems are disclosed. The present invention provides methods and apparatus that include piping system of headers and laterals selectively provided with flow from a central point so that sludge can be removed from areas where it accumulates most rapidly. The adaptable nature of the piping system additionally permits the number of collection laterals and orifices to be varied to suit the sludge accumulation characteristics of the sludge basin. Additionally, improved multiple port valves are disclosed that permit the selective connection of the flow among sections in preferred embodiments of the sludge collection systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a feed mixture, advantageously suitable to an anaerobic bioreactor and containing liquid and solid materials, for the further treatment of waste materials. The method of the invention includes at least the following steps:a) into a feed mixture reactor (1), there is first fed liquid so that the free liquid surface (5) is located essentially above the solid material feed point (6) provided in the reactor (1),b) the solid waste material fed into the feed mixture reactor (1) is fed to below the free liquid surface (5) of the reactor (1), and from the solid waste material there is separated (10, 14) both light and heavy rejectable materials by utilizing an agitator (7) installed in the feed mixture reactor (1), and countercurrent washing (14) directed towards the bottom part of the reactor (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separatory funnel for preventing vortexing of liquid and identifying an interface between immiscible liquids, said separatory funnel having a baffle plate completely covering the space directly above the outlet opening of the separatory funnel and positioned such that at least a portion of the periphery of the baffle plate is placed directly against the interior wall of the separatory funnel chamber, forming at least one passage for the flow of liquid through the chamber. The present invention also relates to a method of separating a mixture of at least two immiscible liquids that reduces contamination and allows the mixture to form a distinguishable interface so that the liquids can be separated.

Abstract: In a gravity-type separator for floating and sinking matter operating without a free level, both the separated floating matter and the separator content must be withdrawn or removed. According to the invention, this is accomplished with a pump that on the suction side has connecting ducts to the vertical center of the separator housing and the sinking matter outlet, and on the pressure side has connecting ducts to the waste water inlet duct and the clean water outlet duct. The pressurized water duct for the floating matter removal is taken from the inlet duct.

Abstract: An oil/grease separation apparatus includes a chamber for receiving a liquid flow containing water, oil/grease and gross solids. An inlet section is separated from a downstream section by a weir, so that a higher static water level is maintained in the inlet section than the downstream section, to facilitate one-way passage of oil/grease from the inlet section to the downstream section. A grinder/pump has an input port in a lower portion of the inlet section. The inlet section has an inlet port, a strainer separating the inlet port and the top of the weir to inhibit passage by solids to the downstream section, and a bottom which slopes downwardly toward the input port of the grinder/pump. An oil/grease separator located in the downstream section removes oil/grease from water held in the downstream section.

Abstract: A paint sludge separator tank includes a sludge drain formed on an upper end of a reservoir region for discharging paint sludge floating on a surface of stored liquid, and a liquid feeder for feeding paint-containing liquid to an upper position of the reservoir region horizontally spaced from the sludge drain. The liquid feeder includes a feed hopper defining a sectional passage area progressively enlarging toward an upper delivery opening thereof communicating with the upper position of the reservoir region. The feed hopper has a liquid supply passage connected to a lower position thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing descending particle matter and chemical precipitate so that this material can be removed from a water body on a timely basis to remove offending nutrients. This method uses a plurality of funnel shaped collection chambers each attached at its apex to a collection conduit. Descending particle matter and precipitate concentrates at the apex of the chamber where a flow control valve closes upon activation of a suction on the receiving conduit so that external flow is restricted and flow velocity within the tube is maximized to aid suspension and removal of accumulated material. A tube selector is utilized to apply suction to only one collection conduit at a time, and a chemical feed apparatus is employed to produce the chemical precipitate above the receiving chambers. By this method, nutrients and particle matter can be removed from water bodies thus restoring their water quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the automatic removal of water collecting in a fuel filter having a water separator. The evacuation takes place by means of a piston acted upon by a pressure medium, preferably a fuel pressurized by the pressure of the fuel pump, the piston being guided in the container of the fuel filter containing the water. It is particularly advantageous for an already existing drive to be usable for producing the pressure medium and that therefore a simple and inexpensive solution is offered for the removal of the water.

Abstract: For separating sulfur from a sulfur-lye suspension, the suspension is fed into a flooded separation tank, a temperature above the melting temperature of sulfur is maintained in the separation tank, and liquid sulfur and lye are withdrawn from the separation tank. To reduce the formation of sodium thiosulfate, the area of the interfacial separation layer between liquid sulfur and lye is maintained as small as possible in separation tank (15) by providing that the liquid sulfur be fed into a relatively small diameter vertical separation pipe (4), in which the separation layer (6) between liquid sulfur and lye is established, and the liquid sulfur is drained out through separation pipe (4). (FIG.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing lead contaminants from drinking water wherein the apparatus includes a first lead-separator tank which receives water from an incoming line. Lead particles are allowed to settle to the bottom of the first separator tank for sequential deposit in a waste tank. A second lead-separator tank receives water from the first tank by means of a mist spray. Lead particles are further precipitated and collected at the bottom of the second tank, and again are sequentially discharged into the drain tank. The second separator tank is connected to a third separator tank, whereby water from the second separator tank is siphoned off and transferred to the third separator tank. Any remaining lead particles in the last tank are again discharged into the waste-water tank. The lead-free water in the last tank is allowed to be directed to various outlets for drinking or cooking purposes only. The remaining or waste water from the waste tank is used for various other purposes, such as washing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removal of sludge (26) from a tank (10) having a floating roof (16) floating on the upper surface of oil within the tank (10). Discharge nozzles (58) are received within existing sleeves (22) on the floating roof (16) and positioned adjacent the upper surface of the sludge (26) for the recirculation of the contents of tank (10) directly into the sludge (26) from a position above the sludge (26). A recirculation pump (30) provides pressurized fluid to a manifold (48) on roof (16) for distribution through flexible lines (54) to the discharge nozzles (58).

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a fluid separation vessel to improve the separation of liquids of different densities which includes a tubular conduit extending upwardly a distance from a liquid outlet in the bottom of the vessel, a vertical center plate disposed across the open upper end of the tubular conduit, a pair of mutually parallel vertical side walls on opposite sides of the tubular conduit mounted perpendicular to the center plate, and a horizontal baffle plate mounted on the upper edges of the center plate and the vertical side walls.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for continuously separating components of mutually different density from a liquid mixture. The apparatus includes a separation space which is divided by a partition wall into a primary separation chamber and a secondary separation chamber. The partition wall guides the flow of liquid in an S-shaped path prior to the liquid passing a lamella separator, a part of the liquid flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber being allowed to flow back to the primary chamber through an opening in one wall element.

Abstract: A packaged, transportable waste treatment system for hazardous and non-hazardous wastes comprises a pair of mixing tanks having a flow inlet at the lower bottom central portion of the tanks, the flow inlet providing an injection conduit which proceeds vertically a distance into one of the tanks. A floc concentration tube is provided with an inner bore, the tube being vertically mounted in the tank about the injection conduit with the tube having a lower fluid inlet and an upper fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being in communication with the tank by means of a plurality of perforations in the tube at the fluid inlet adjacent the bottom of the tank. A rotatable propeller shaft having a mixing propeller mounted thereon is attached to the tank structure, the shaft being mounted at least in the tube bore above the injection conduit with the propeller being between the lower fluid inlet and the upper outlet immediately adjacent the outlet of the injection conduit.

Abstract: A coke oven flushing liquor decanter apparatus that has a vertically elongated vessel that has a variable cross-sectional dimension so as to separate the flushing liquor into a lower liquid phase and an upper liquid phase. A vertical tube extends downwardly into the tar phase and a second vertical, downwardly extending tube concentrically surrounds the first vertical tube but concentrically surrounds the first vertical tube but does not extend into the tar phase. A lateral tube connects with first lateral tube in the tar phase to remove tar from the vessel, and a second lateral tube connects with the second vertical tube in the liquid from the vessel.

Abstract: A tractor trailer chassis compactly mounts a waste oil cleaning apparatus of hydraulically connected, primary components. A diesel fuel burner fired heater of vertical cylindrical form mounts at one end of the chassis. A blower feeds a large volume of air under pressure to a cylindrical fire box where a fuel air mixture is ignited and fed tangentially into the base of the central chamber within the heater where the products of combustion follow a helical path within the central heat exchange chamber. Waste oil is fed counterflow along a second helical path through an annular chamber separated by a cylindrical metal heat conductive wall from the chamber bearing the products of combustion. Heated waste oil is fed from the heater to a vibrating table type solids separator or shaker mounted at the opposite end of the trailer chassis from the heater where solids are separated from the heated waste oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer/settler-type apparatus for continuous liquid-liquid extraction. The apparatus is comprised of a separating vessel with an inclined bottom portion and an agitator-provided mixing vessel. The mixing vessel is tightly mounted to the inclined bottom portion of the separating vessel, the latter being formed with an upper outlet and a lower outlet and having a level indicator LI for determining phase boundary surface area installed therein. The lower outlet is passed through the separating vessel near its lowermost level and the upper outlet is passed therethrough near its upper end. The level indicator LI is connected to a regulator giving adjustment instructions to a structural element permitting the phase boundary surface area to be established in the separating vessel, distinctly above the upper end of the mixing vessel.

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: A method for separating components suspended in a liquid, in which a gas-liquid mixture is pressurised, and then is depressurised just before being introduced in a separation device so as to obtain a substantially colloidal gas bubble mixture, the gas bubbles adhering to particles of the suspended components which are made flotating thereby, the device for executing this method comprising a liquid compression pump, a relief valve, and a nozzle opening into the separation device just behind this nozzle.

Abstract: A separation device comprising a tank in which a plate separator assembly is positioned at an angle in respect to the horizontal plane. The tank is subdivided into a supply chamber and a discharge chamber by means of a transverse partition joining the oblique upper wall of the plate assembly near its lower edge. The partition and upper wall of the plate assembly define a triangular space, the supply for the liquid to be treated in the device opening into this space near its lowest point. A plurality of substantially vertical plates is arranged in this triangular space and defines a plurality of passages for the liquid flowing from the supply to the intake end of the separator plate assembly. The vertical plates bring about a transverse velocity gradient in the liquid flowing in these passages, causing coalescence of the particles suspended in the liquid.

Abstract: A settling apparatus includes a decanter having a sludge bed therein. A raw water inlet leads raw water to be treated into the decanter, such that the raw water passes upwardly through the sludge bed, whereby impurities in the water are removed in the form of settling sludge, a portion of which collects in a concentrator. A vacuum source is connected to the decanter to allow for pulsating introduction of the raw water into the sludge bed. At least one siphon extends into the concentrator and is selectively connectable to the vacuum source to withdraw collected sludge from the concentrator and pass such sludge to a sludge removal station. The siphon is also selectively connectible to the vacuum source and the raw water inlet to cause raw water to be passed through the siphon and wash the concentrator and the interior of the decanter.

Abstract: A system for reducing the hardness of raw water to a level where it is suitable for circulation to a boiler wherein the water is converted to steam for generating power and subsequent use in equipment for building tires. The system employs, (i) a sedimentation tank in which a mixture of raw water, lime and soda ash is heated to cause the precipitation of calcium carbonate from the water as a sludge; (ii) a filter with a bed of coal for removing sludge which escapes with the water removed from the sedimentation tank; (iii) a softener with a resinous bed of sodium zeolite resin for further reducing the hardness of the water to a desired or tolerable level; and (iiii) a special filter or trap between the coal filter and zeolite softener for removing particles of coal carried along by the water as it flows through the coal filter, since the particles of coal eventually destroy the capacity and effectiveness of the zeolite softener.

Abstract: A sphincter cone for water treatment and clarification, which cone involves no moving parts. At the top of the cone there is provided a surge tank with an open bottom surrounded by an annular well extending along the perimeter of a cylindrical extension of the cone. The bottom of the well is tapered downwardly toward an outlet pipe. Water entering the top of the surge tank is distributed downwardly through the surge tank and radially outwardly into the annular well, while the particulate flows downwardly through the apex of the cone where it is formed into small compacted slugs and discharged. A second cone, in series, of similar construction may be used to further clarify the water.

Abstract: A clarifier for purifying liquids containing solids or contaminants. The liquid to be treated enters the clarifier and is directed into a primary sludge contact zone where it is mixed with recirculating sludge. Liquid from the primary sludge contact zone is pumped via flumes to the entrance of a settling corridor for horizontal flow therethrough. The liquid flows through the corridor forming an upper free-fall zone and a lower sludge zone as the precipitates settle out. As the liquid reaches the settling corridor exit, it approaches a point of positive separation of the clarified liquid above from the sludge stream below, which is formed by the kinetic capture of precipitates settling from the free-fall zone into the sludge zone of increasing velocity.