Abstract: A large-scale oil recovery vessel has a primary oil separation tank, secondary and tertiary separation tanks and plural oil storage tanks for receiving, separating and recovering oil from the sea. Oily water is admitted through bow openings in the vessel to a sluiceway and an adjustable height weir for skimming oil, debris and other pollutants from the seawater for discharge into the primary separation tank. Oily water is pumped from the primary separation tank to the secondary and tertiary separation tanks which are interconnected by a gravity flow conduit for gravity flow and separation of oil from water in each tank and gravity discharge of clean water overboard. The vessel may be constructed from a converted oil tanker and includes separate pumping systems for oil transfer and storage, water separated in the primary and secondary separation tanks and ballast water.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method of and system including a ship for recovery of oil from an oil spill. The system includes a main ocean-going ship having a floating intake device with large submersible pumps; a clarifier system in the ship for separating the oil from the water; a discharge system for discharging the separated water; a bow thruster for laterally positioning the bow; a plurality of other vessels using floatable oil recovery booms for containing the spill and urging it toward the oil recovery ship, and pumps for pumping the processed oil back to shore or to another ship. A plurality of secondary and smaller vessels each having pumping means associated therewith. The smaller vessels can use booms to contain the spill and can have their pumping means operated so as to create controlled currents in preselected directions.

Abstract: A barge has a submersible pump which pumps sea water from a depth of about three feet, heats the water, and uses a boom to direct the heated sea water on the rocks and sand on the beach. The oil which is washed from the beach enters the sea around the barge but is contained by a containment boom. The floating oil in the water around the barge is then recovered by conventional skimming techniques. The sea water from the pump is heated by oil-fired burners. The temperature of the water may be controlled by regulating the amount of heating oil fed to the burners or by varying the number of oil-fired heaters used. The boom is a 100 foot long articulated structure which can be moved across the beach at will to direct the hot water on any desired part of the beach. Either a series of nozzles producing high intensity fan sprays on a series of nozzles producing cone sprays may be selected.

Abstract: A process for separating emulsified, suspended and separate oil as well as other contaminants from the water phase of a compressed air system condensate comprises the steps of discharging air and condensate from a compressed air system into a water filled separation tank where air is separated from the condensate. Some of the contaminants heavier than water are allowed to settle to the bottom of the separation tank while lighter oil contaminants are allowed to float to the surface where they are removed. Water and the remaining contaminants which did not flow to the surface or settle to the bottom of the tank are drained away until a given amount of liquid mass has been accumulated. Pressure applied to the liquid mass forces the mass into and through an underwater coalescing media. Such action causes substantially all of the remaining oil constituents to coalesce and thereby form a floating oil phase while other contaminants are retained by the coalescing media.

Abstract: An oil retriever for recovering heavy oil, including bunker c, from a body of water is a self-contained unit that is maneuverable independently of land. The retriever has two pontoons that are spaced apart and parallel from one another. Across the front of the pontoons, there is rotatably mounted a cylindrically-shaped drum with closed ends. The drum is light enough to float on the oil and/or water. The drum is rotated about its longitudinal central axis by a reversible variable speed motor. There are two scrapers extending along the entire rearward side of the drum. A first scraper forms a line of contact with the drum but a second scraper is out of contact with the drum. Between the pontoons to the rear of the drum is a storage tank that is initially filled with water. Most of the storage tank is located below the water surface.

Abstract: An oil skimming apparatus for use in skimming oil, or hydrocarbons, or pollutants, from the surface of water. The apparatus includes a boat subassembly having left and right pontoons and a deck, an adjustable primary skimming wing portion suspended from the deck by hydraulic cylinders; a channel subassembly having a plurality of channels mounted on the top of the wing portion, a plurality of secondary skimming units respectively disposed at the outlet ends of the channels, and an oil collector and separator and storage subassembly.

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: There are disclosed a method of and system including a ship for recovery of oil from an oil spill. The system includes an ocean-going ship having a floating intake device with large submersible pumps; a clarifier system in the ship for separating the oil form the water; a discharge system for discharging the separated water; a bow thruster for laterally positioning the bow; a plurality of other vessels using floatable oil recovery booms for containing the spill and urging it toward the oil recovery ship, and pumps for pumping the processed oil back to shore or to another ship.

Abstract: Liquid purification apparatuses and methods; an open filtration, treatment and siphon apparatus and process; a porous mass formation apparatus and process; and a liquid-solid separation apparatus and a process using a siphon member. In one embodiment, a liquid or liquid containing mass, gel, or mud having solids is contained in or introduced into an upper vessel. The liquid and particles of undissolved solids are drawn away from the upper vessel by siphonage. Particles of solids may either settle to the bottom of the upper vessel, remain in the liquid or mass, or float to the top of the surface in the upper vessel. Particles of undissolved solids may be deposited in a siphon member of porous media as the liquid and particles of undissolved solids flow through the porous media.

Abstract: A system and method for containing oil or other contaminants which have leaked from an oil tanker or similar structure is disclosed. A series of flotation members are connected end to end and stored around the perimeter of the tanker. A membrane is folded and packed into a recess in each member and held between the member and the tanker. The members are held against the sides of the tanker by a movable stay. In case of an oil leak, a triggering mechanism sequentially moves the stays to release the flotation members, which drop off the tanker into the water. One edge of the membrane is attached to the members while the opposite edge of the membrane is free. The free edge of the membrane falls from the members so that the membrane forms a curtain in the water. Each flotation member is further connected to adjacent members by a flexible jacket and adjacent edges of each membrane are connected to each other.

Abstract: A floating layer recovery apparatus is disclosed for selectively pumping a liquid floating on groundwater. The apparatus preferably includes a first float which is buoyant in the floating layer attached by a guide to a bottom float which has neutral buoyancy in the groundwater. A middle float is slidably attached to the guide for upward and downward movement between the first and bottom floats. The middle float being an inlet is constructed to have an effective density in the assembly such that it rests at a point where its inlet is near the bottom of the floating layer. Coiled conduits disposed above and below the bottom float carry the floating layer liquid received by the inlet to a pump disposed below. The pump then pumps the floating layer liquid from the conduit to the ground surface. In a preferred embodiment, more precise control over the level of the inlet port is achieved by means of an adjustable inlet port means.

Abstract: The cross flow filter method includes an open tank having a first liquid retaining section, a second filter retaining section and a third solids collecting section in fluid communication with each other. A filter assembly is retained within the second section and includes a filter panel having a generally vertically disposed porous media surface. Filtrate is removed by applying very low vacuum pressure in communication with the filter panel such that filtrate is drawn through the pores of the filter media surface at a flow rate Q.sub.out. Fluid to be filtered is simultaneously cross flowing vertically downward across the filter media surface at a flow rate Q.sub.x, such that the horizontal velocity V.sub.h of fluid drawn through the filter media surface is very slight with respect to the vertical velocity V.sub.v of the cross flowing unfiltered fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for concentrating and separating materials, particularly immiscible fluids of different densities. It is useful for concentrating and separating oil spilled on water. The invention includes a concentrator which comprises a tank into which the materials are fed. The tank is placed in the mixture which is fed into the tank. The mixture forces the denser material at the bottom of the tank out of a bottom opening in the tank. This results in a greater concentration of the lower density material remaining in the tank. The present invention includes a skimmer which can be used in combination with the concentrator. This invention can be useful to collect oil spilled on water.

Abstract: A method and system for removing and recovering fuel oil, and other liquid hydrocarbons, from ground water. A well is drilled and the ground water and any other liquid floating thereon are allowed to enter the well. An enclosed tank is filled with water, and essentially sealed to prevent ingress of air. An outlet tube is connected to the tank at one end, and its other end is placed in the well, below water level. Another tube is connected at one end to the tank and fixedly attached at the other end to a float device at a position above the hydrocarbon/water interface. As water drains from the tank into the well it is replaced by the liquid hydrocarbon which is thus forced to travel up the tube into the tank. Thus, this system is operated entirely by gravity due to the difference in specific gravities of water and the liquid hydrocarbon, and no pump or other external power source is required.

Abstract: Spills such as from oil, chemicals, and the like on a body of water are recovered by overlaying the spill, or a portion thereof, with an inflatable, weighted collector. The collector may be airlifted or carried by boat to the spill site, followed by overlaying on the spill surface. Following inflation, the weights will cause the central portion of the collector to sink below the level of the spill of the contaminated area, and the contaminants will overflow, and/or be pumped into the collector. If required or necessary, water entering the collector may be removed by pumping. When the collector is filled, it can be towed away to a recovery unit by a barge or simultaneously pumped into a tanker or other on-shore facility.

Abstract: A system for separating phases of a liquid stream, comprising a plurality of members each member having an inlet and an outlet such that the outlet of one member is connected to the inlet of another with members being horizontally or vertically stacked in relation to each other.

Abstract: A conventional filtering system of a swimming pool is modified by the provision of an adaptor which is shaped to be inserted into the discharge opening of the pool skimmer so as to prevent extraction of water from the pool into the filter system. The plug member is shaped with a lower cylindrical plug portion two inches in diameter so as to insert into the discharge opening. A channel runs along the length of the plug member and opens at its upper end into a female screw threaded coupling for receiving the conventional male screw threaded end of a garden hose through which fresh water is supplied for the backwashing of the filter.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for froth flotation of particulate matter is disclosed wherein ridges or ribs are provided on the froth discharge surface of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for cleaning oil-contaminated water in a bathing or swimming area comprising circulating absorbers of open-cell cross-linked polyolefin foam on the surface of said oil-contaminated water, the contaminating oil being removed by said absorbers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a fluid from an immiscible fluid composition including a floating liquid and a carrying liquid are disclosed. A body having floatation supports, means to permit rotation about a horizontal plane and free movement in a vertical plane, and an internal cavity is disposed in the immiscible composition, and the floating liquid is allowed to enter the cavity. The floating liquid in the cavity is skimmed by a slidable pickup conduit disposed coaxially with a receiving conduit coextensive with the bottom of the cavity, and is then removed from the cavity.

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 system for recovery of plastic material floating on the surface of water in a settling basin is disclosed. The system includes a transportable trailer having a hoist extendable from the trailer. Additionally, the trailer includes a floating boom structure extendable between the shoreline of the basin for dividing the basin into a first surface are a and a second surface area both containing floating plastic material. The trailer further includes a pump suspendable from the hoist for pumping the plastic material from the settling basin to a transportable container positioned on the shore of the settling basin. The pump includes an intake base that is positioned at a predetermined distance below the surface of the settling basin to aid in the operation of the system. The plastic recovery system of the present invention provides a method to quickly and efficiently recover plastic materials floating on the surface of the water while increasing the safety to the operator of the system during its operation.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and system for treating waste water. More specifically, for the removal of a floating component of the waste water from the remaining water relatively free of the floating component. The apparatus includes a separating chamber having a movable flow gate disposed at one side thereof. A preferred embodiment of the present apparatus includes a skimmer that is movable in both horizontal and vertical directions for facilitating the removal of the floating component of the waste water from the separating chamber. The present system includes an apparatus for treating waste water and sludge.

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: A fluid carrying chain is drawn through a perforated cannister containing fluid removal nodules that remove fluid from the chain.

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: 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: An improved skimmer is provided for recovering hydrocarbons floating on the surface of a body of water. A floating hull defines first and second tunnels, and a holding tank for housing the collected hydrocarbons. A power driven propeller in the first tunnel draws subsurface water from an inlet port through the first tunnel and out a discharge port. The inlet port of the second tunnel is positioned above the first tunnel to receive floating hydrocarbons and water. The second tunnel has a water outlet in fluid communication with the first tunnel. A skimming gate passes hydrocarbons floating on the surface of water in the second tunnel to the holding tank, and thereby separates hydrocarbons from the water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a plant for separating low density material, in particular plastics, in particular with a density of less than 1, from substrate mixtures, preferably from waste material fractions or presorted garbage fractions optionally containing essential portions of plastics or optionally presorted to paper/plastics fractions, wherein a gravity separation, in particular a sink-float separation, is carried out and the low density material phase, in particular polyolefin plastics, is withdrawn and optionally further processed as a separate fraction after drying.According to the invention, the separating effect and the cleaning of the low density material phase withdrawn are increased by carrying out at least one centrifugal separation, preferably in a hydrocyclone, in addition to at least one gravity separation, preferably in a sink-float basin.

Abstract: A method and device for harvesting brine shrimp eggs, wherein the method comprises the steps of positioning a concentrating funnel slightly below the layer of brine shrimp eggs at the surface level of a body of salt water; moving the concentrating funnel forward with respect to the eggs to collect a portion of the layer and pumping the slurry mixture of eggs and salt water to a porous receiving container which passes the salt water and retains the collected brine shrimp eggs. A device for implementing this method includes a platform and attached channeling structure with a receiving end and a smaller, rearward feeding end. This channeling structure includes a height adjustment mechanism for selectively raising and lowering a forward leading edge of the channeling device to a depth just below the egg layer. Plumbing hardware is provided to transport the egg and salt water slurry to a container for receiving the eggs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for picking up oil from water and from the surface of water, the device being installed to a water craft and comprising at least one collecting means passing around rolls and being installed obliquely, there being at the upper end of the collecting means devices for removing the oil collected by the collecting means and for directing it into a tank in the water craft. The object is especially to eliminate the disadvantages of previously known devices of the mat type that, when the craft moves, the mat tends to direct water and, along with it, also oil to the sides, past the mat. In accordance with the invention the device comprises a number of parallel loop-like collecting means, each of which is made up of pieces provided with upwards and sidewards extending bristles and fixed to the chain, the sidewards-directed bristles extending sufficiently far to come into contact with each other, but allowing water to flow without hindrance through the device.

Abstract: A primary separation vessel is separated into a plurality of chambers having fluid communication therethrough; in each of the chambers there is further included a downwardly depending eductor system having a coaxial bore wherein fluid induces air into the eductor system where the educted air in the fluid being projected downward into the flow of fluid and the bubbles rising along the curved wall of the tank and carrying contaminants through a centrally located collection trough, which through gravity the contaminants collect in the trough and move to a circulation collected in the trough. The contaminants then move via gravity to a separation zone within the vessel, wherein the oil that is collected is allowed to spill over in an oil collection zone for recovery, and the level of the water is monitored to draw off any water collected within the zone.

Abstract: A vehicle for collecting and dewatering the contents of sanitary sewer traps. The vehicle includes a frame and an elongated tank mounted on the frame with the tank having a rearward end and a forward end. The frame includes a mechanism for elevating the forward end and the tank is pivotally connected to the frame adjacent the rearward end of the tank. A divider separates the tank into a rearward compartment for receiving the contents of the traps and a forward compartment, while a crossover pipe for conveying supernatant liquid from the rearward compartment to the forward compartment has a first leg extending generally parallel to the divider wall from a location adjacent the floor of the rearward compartment. An inlet conduit extends into the rearward compartment for conveying the contents of the traps into the rearward compartment. The vehicle also includes a pump for selectively establishing a subatmospheric pressure in either the rearward compartment or in the forward compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for the dispersed gas flotation and separation of insoluble, dispersed contaminants from a liquid comprised of a horizontal series of flotation cells, separated by baffles that permit the substantially horizontal flow of liquid from one cell to the next, each cell being equipped with one or more gas dispersing nozzles and screens which aid in the coalescence and flotation of the contaminant particles, and an inclined baffle above the horizontal series of cells to urge the floated impurities toward a weir positioned to remove the impurities from the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: Vacuum pressure applied to a hydrostatic chamber causes a rise of carrier liquid from an underlying flow stream to an equilibrium level in a hydrostatic column passage and stacking of floating liquid thereabove for separation from the carrier liquid by overflow into siphoning passages conducting the floating liquid to a recovery container vented to atmosphere. The liquid conducted through the siphoning passages seals the hydrostatic chamber, within which an adjusted vacuum pressure maintains recovery operation under established hydrostatic relationships for a given set of dynamic flow conditions.

Abstract: A siphon fluid-solid separation apparatus and a process, wherein a liquid having undissolved solids is introduced into an upper vessel. The liquid and smaller particles of undissolved solids are drawn away from the larger particles of undissolved solids by siphonage. In one embodiment, the larger particles of undissolved solids settle to the bottom of the upper vessel. The smaller particles of undissolved solids are deposited in a porous medium as the liquid and smaller particles of undissolved solids flow through the porous medium by siphonage.

Abstract: A method for separating liquids, particularly hydrocarbons from water, whereby a small amount of a high molecular weight polymer is dissolved in the hydrocarbon to render it viscoelastic. A hydrocarbon layer is then mechanically removed from the water in a manner which causes rapid stretching of the hydrocarbon with attendant development of elastic properties in the hydrocarbon layer. The polymer may be applied to the surface of the hydrocarbon as droplets of a relatively concentrated polymer solution or as solid particulates having a polymer core covered by a powdered solid material which is non-reactive toward the polymer.

Abstract: A method of playing a fish swallowing game comprises the steps of placing a hollow fish shaped receptacle (10) in water, with the receptacle (10) having a mouth opening (16) which is placed in water so as to be partly depressed below the level (22) of the water and at an angle with respect thereto for collecting water therethrough. The opening (16) is partly depressed for ensuring that the water level (24) of any collected water flowing into the receptacle (10) will be below the water level (22) of the water in which the receptacle (10) has been placed for creating a waterfall effect flow (28) of collected water from the water level (22) of the water in which the receptacle (10) has been placed to the water level (24) of any collected water in the interior (14) of the receptacle (10). The opening (16) has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the fish shaped objects (12) in the water so as to limit the collection of the objects (12) to one at a time through the opening (16).

Abstract: The apparatus for continuously separating liquid phases of different density consists of a separating basin (1) within which are arranged partition walls (5) for being lifted and lowered and for being moved one in direction to the other or for being swivelled. Swivelling of the partition walls (5) is effected about an eccentrically arranged axis (7) such that during the swivelling movement the partition walls (5) are simultaneously lifted or lowered. The partition walls (5) can be driven by push rods (8) and thus be swivelled in the contrary sense. When swivelling the partition walls (5) in one direction, the liquid level is lifted in the chamber defined between the partition walls and is lowered in the adjacent chamber, noting that the portion having the lower specific gravity flows over the upper edge, assuming a lower level, of the one partition wall in one direction (11) and that the proportion having the higher specific gravity flows in direction of the arrow (12), i.e.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, and a condenser. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then communicated to a digester for degradation or transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastewater from a cleaning tank or the like is provided. A settling tank provides for separating the fluid and sludge, the sludge being passed to a filtration system having a plurality of filter trays with the filtrate being recycled to the settling tank. The decontaminated water from the settling tank is recycled to the cleaning tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a water sludge suspension is initially separated from the water by skimming and then is conveyed to a dewatering station at which the sludge is oscillated or vibrated to separate mechanically the water from the solid sludge material. Preferably, at the dewatering station, the sludge is dropped a predetermined distance onto a sieve, the impact of the falling sludge producing a squeezing action on the sludge to initially exude the occluded water. The sieve, which is inclined, is then oscillated or vibrated to work the sludge to further exude water therefrom and to urge the sludge down the inclined surface of the sieve. After traveling to the bottom of the sieve, the sludge, now substantially dewatered, is received by a container for disposal.

Abstract: A sludge remover and processor includes a first vessel holding cleaning liquid and a second, phase separating vessel. Cleaning liquid from the first vessel is sprayed against a dirty surface. A vacuum pump keeps the second vessel upper region at a partial vacuum so cleaning liquid and dislodged matter from the dirty surface is sucked into the second vessel. Solids and liquid are pumped from the second vessel into a solids separator where the larger solids are removed for disposal and liquid is pumped into a centrifuge which removes fine solid particles. The fine particles are mixed with a bulk solidification medium for disposal. Oil collection in the vessels is enhanced by the partial vacuum which lowers the boiling point so tiny bubbles are formed to aid separation of the oily and non-oily phases. Passing the liquid through a centrifuge also aids separation of the oily and non-oily phases in the first vessel.

Abstract: A clarifier is provided with an elongated settling tank having an inlet at one end, an outlet at the opposite end, a generator producing air saturated liquid released near the inlet end of the tank to float lighter sludge to the top of the tank, suction heads removing settled out heavier sludge from the bottom of the tank, skimmers pushing scum or foam floating on top of the liquid in the tank to the overflow outlet near the inlet end of the tank, a travelling bridge moving the suction heads along the length of the tank, elongated outlets for clarified liquid projecting into the tank from the discharge end thereof, and outlets at different levels for discharge of clarified effluent and recirculating effluent. The recirculating effluent is pumped to a mixing device to be saturated with air and the air saturated effluent is discharged back into the inlet end of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for froth flotation separation of the components of a slurry, said apparatus comprising at least one flotation cell, at least one spray nozzle for feeding slurry to said flotation cell, and a rotatably mounted skimmer means for skimming froth from said flotation cell, wherein said spray nozzle is affixed to and situated behind the rotational direction of said skimmer means and wherein said spray nozzle and skimmer are adapted to simultaneously rotate thereby causing the skimmer to skim the froth in the direction opposite to the spraying direction of the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming fats and oils from sewage scum includes a scum cooker, a solids separation system, a vacuum dryer, a condenser and product storage tanks. The scum cooker liquifies and renders sewage scum obtained from a sewage treatment plant by maintaining the raw sewage scum at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure to sterilize and separate the scum into the solid, aqueous, and oily components. The solid separation system removes the solid and particulate matter from the liquified scum for disposal, preferably after washing the solids with treated water from the sewage treatment plant. The solid-free liquified scum is then transferred to the vacuum dryer which is maintained at an elevated temperature and preferably at least a moderate vacuum to remove the water and other volatiles from the liquified scum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of cleaning debris from swimming pools includes upper spray jets mounted to one of the pool endwalls for moving a surface layer of pool water approximately 150 millimeters in depth toward the opposite endwall, lower spray jets mounted to each pool sidewall near the bottom for carrying submerged debris to the moving surface layer of pool water, and at least one weir mounted in the opposite endwall which connects to a filter. The weir is adapted to create a positive suction force in the surrounding pool water when the system is operating to draw the pool water and debris it contains from the pool, into the weir and then to the filter for removal of the debris from the water.

Abstract: The sweeping assembly performs the method of drawing impurity-laden liquid from a reservoir throughout the depth of a body of liquid. The assembly comprises a flotation section, a surface skimming section, an intermediate suction section, and a bottom sweep and suction section. The flotation section includes a floating assembly which supports the surface skimming section, the intermediate depth suction section and the bottom sweep and suction section therebelow within the liquid in the reservoir. The surface skimming section includes a mechanism for removing impurity-laden liquid from the surface of the liquid in the reservoir. The bottom sweep and suction section includes a mechanism for placing impurities from the bottom of the reservoir into suspension within the liquid body for drawing impurity-laden liquid from the bottom of the reservoir.

Abstract: Waste matter contained in a liquid is removed therefrom by introducing the liquid into a cell and introducing gas into the liquid to float waste matter to the liquid surface in the form of a floating scum. Gas nozzles situated adjacent the liquid surface are oriented to eject streams of pressurized gas across the liquid surface to blow scum into a waste outlet disposed adjacent the liquid surface. The nozzles are vertically adjustable to conform to different liquid surface levels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating sewage wastewater comprising in lieu of activated sludge treatment mixing into wastewater a bactericidally effective and disinfectant amount of a formulation comprising compounds selected from the group consisting of quaternary organic ammonium halides or mixtures thereof and an organo-tin disinfectant compound. A plant employing the above method is also disclosed.