Abstract: For the separation of sulfur from a sulfur/alkaline solution suspension, the suspension is heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the sulfur and is introduced under pressure into a separating tank 1, containing a separating chamber 8, alkaline solution chamber, and sulfur chamber 12. From the separating tank, settled liquid sulfur is continuously withdrawn, on the one hand, via conduit 16 and alkaline solution is continuously withdrawn, on the other hand, via conduit 9. In order to provide a system having little susceptibility to trouble, the separating chamber and alkaline solution chamber are operated in the flooded mode, thereby avoiding the necessity for a steam blanket therein.

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 method 20 for decontaminating plastic products and materials which have become radioactively contaminated. The treatment method 20 involves dissolving such plastics in a dissolution tank 28 in an organic solvent and treating the resulting solution by a solvent extraction technique in column 36 to remove particulate and dissolved radioactive contaminants from the plastic. The contaminants can be buried in a low level radioactive waste site and the separated plastic material can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill or recycled into other plastic products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the effectiveness of the removal of zirconium from an aqueous, zirconium-containing nuclear fuel and/or fertile material solution in nitric acid in a liquid-liquid extraction process.Accordingly, the object of the invention is to improve the removal of zirconium from the reprocessing solutions and, at the same time, to simplify the course of the process. The invention seeks to improve decontamination of the uranium product and the plutonium product while, at the same time, reducing the outlay involved.According to the invention, this object is achieved in that, in a process step carried out before the first extraction of the nuclear fuels and/or fertile materials, the zirconium is converted from the dissolved state into a filterable or centrifugable solid phase by the use of an adsorbent from the group of inorganic ion exchangers and is removed from the aqueous solution together with the adsorbent.

Abstract: A separator is fed with liquid from a slaughterhouse which will be a mixture of water, tallow, and solids. The tallow rises to the top, and solids go to the bottom. Nearly clean water is withdrawn between the top and bottom. The nearly clean water is withdrawn into a plenum ring which is blocked at one point and has an outlet pipe connected adjacent to the block. Therefore, the liquid in the plenum ring flows in only one direction. The cross section of the plenum ring is many times greater than the cross section of the outlet pipe so that the flow within the plenum ring is gentle. Baffles in the plenum ring divert any tallow which rises to the top of the plenum ring back into the separator. A sump in the plenum ring adjacent to the outlet pipe draws off any solid which settle out in the plenum ring. A constant bleed is provided at the bottom of the sump to help withdraw the settling solids.

Abstract: Liquids can be separated from the solids contained in slurries, sludges, etc. by forcing a liquid-permeable fabric, downward into the slurry so that solid materials are retained below said liquid-permeable fabric and liquids can be pumped or drained from above said liquid-permeable fabric. Apparatus is provided, comprising liquid-permeable fabrics and weighting means.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a liquid from a mixture of liquids in a collecting tank has a drain box in the collecting tank having a weir for passage of liquid being removed into the drain box and a conduit for discharge of the liquid from the drain box. The drain box is movable up and down in the tank. To improve the separation of the liquids by control of the position of the weir, the vertical location of the drain box in the tank is determined by height-adjusting means connected to the drain box. the height-adjusting means is controlled in dependence on the output of a sensor sensing the level of liquid in the drain box.

Abstract: A desulphurization apparatus and method for natural gas in which red iron oxide is reacted with the sulphur compounds found in natural gas to remove these compounds from the gas. The treating solution is then recycled to regenerate the red iron oxide solution with elemental sulphur formed as a byproduct for removal.

Abstract: A septic tank sludge level indicator including a float assembly that can be inserted downwardly into a septic tank through a permanently installed introducer tube or access pipe that has an upper end substantially flush with ground surface and provided with a removable cap for insertion and removal of the float. The float is constructed so that it will not be buoyant in a liquid material or floating scum on the upper surface of liquid material normally found in a septic tank but will be supported when the float comes into contact with collected sludge in the bottom portion of the septic tank with the upper end of the float assembly including indicia indicating the depth of sludge in the septic tank thereby providing an indication as to whether the sludge should be pumped from the tank.

Abstract: A method for separating volatilizable contaminants from soil by introducing the soil into a rotary aggregate dryer through which a working gas indirectly heated to between 750.degree. F. and 1800.degree. F. is drawn to vaporize the contaminants, and for recovering the contaminants for environmentally sound disposal or recycling by downstream treatment of the effluent drawn off from the dryer. The downstream treatment includes cooling the effluent to condense and precipitate out a substantial portion of the contaminants and passing the effluent through activated carbon.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for liquid removal from a mixture with solid particulate materials utilizing a screw conveyor within a housing for transport of solids, the screw conveyor upcoming side being in proximity to the housing means and the screw conveyor downcoming side being spaced from at least a portion of the housing means to form a liquid collection volume from which the liquid is removed.

Abstract: An oil-water separator includes a vessel having an inlet for the oil and water mixture. A vertical conduit positioned in the vessel has an inlet near the bottom of the vessel. A horizontal conduit is sealingly coupled between the vertical conduit and a first opening in the vessel wall at a level above the inlet to the vertical conduit. The first opening defines a water outlet. A second opening in a wall of the vessel above the level of the first opening defines an oil outlet. The inlet for the oil and water mixture can include a diffuser to prevent turbulence caused by air and high velocity liquid flow.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons and other liquids from underground at sites of refineries, oil, gasoline and other liquid storage and distributing facilities, tie creasoting plants, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, for petroleum origin hydrocarbon recovery, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities that are free of mechanical pumping action, are employed for raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, and under the static pressure of the compressed air.

Abstract: Apparatus for generation of cavitation within a flowing liquid, wherein expenditure for equipment for purposeful generation of cavitation and control of the cavitated liquid portion can be achieved by passing the liquid from a high-level reservoir through a downwardly flowing path which includes an outlet nozzle, at least one pipe bend connected to the outlet nozzle and a drop-pipe with a control valve in the vicinity of the lower end of the drop-pipe.

Abstract: A system for rapidly dewatering sludge in large quantities makes use of a filter plate that is capable of supporting heavy mechanized removal equipment without damage to the filter plate. The filter plate is monolithic and includes granular filter material that is rigidified and bonded together. In the disclosed process, sludge is pretreated with a polymer coagulant that breaks up solids and flocculates the sludge particles. The flocculated sludge is then spread on a bed of filter plates. As the bed is being filled, the large coagulated sludge particles settle and water is drawn off by gravity. A vacuum is then applied to the bed and the sludge is rapidly dewatered. Upon completion of dewatering, front end loading equipment may be used to remove the dried sludge cake from the bed.

Abstract: In an electric discharge machining method, a workpiece is subjected to an electric discharge machining at a high working speed using water as the dielectric fluid, and after this, the workpiece is finish-machined using oil as the dielectric fluid. An apparatus for carrying out the method has a feeding system for selectively feeding water or oil as the quenched surface of a workpiece is removed by using water as a dielectric fluid in electric discharge machining (EDM) the dielectric fluid to a machining gap between the workpiece and a tool electrode and a returning device for selectively returning the dielectric fluid used in the machining gap to an oil tank or a water tank.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons from ground water tables at sites of refineries, oil and gasoline storage and distributing facilities, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities that are free of mechanical pumping action, are employed for raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, and under the static pressure of the compressed air.

Abstract: A technique for continuous gravity separation of a produced oil and water emulsion has particular utility in separating water for reinjection during a waterflood secondary recovery operation without loss of saleable oil. The method employs a flow direction means to introduce the produced oil-water emulsion into a large volume settling tank substantially tangential to the tank wall and then withdraws the separated oil and water. The apparatus of the instant invention comprises: (a) a tank, (b) an oil-water inlet means, (c) a flow direction means connected to the oil-water inlet means to direct the oil-water emulsion into the settling tank tangential to the tank wall, (d) a bottom-center located water outlet pipe, and (e) an oil outlet pipe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dewatering mill tailings, slimes and slurries, wherein ultra fine particles materially reduce the rate of natural dewatering and hinder their disposal in the mining and processing of phosphate, coal, potash, uranium, talc and the like. The invention is preferably carried out in a closed loop system involving the use of electrokinetic densification and substantially continuous decanting of the supernatant.

Abstract: Apparatus for aiding the separation of the components of a liquid dispersion comprises at least one pair of electrodes, arranged so as to be able to apply a unidirectional, varying electric field across at least a portion of a flow path 5a of the dispersion, at least one of the or each pair of electrodes being separated from the dispersion by a layer of electrically insulating material.A method for aiding the separation of the components of a liquid dispersion is also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons from ground water tables at sites of refineries, oil and gasoline storage and distributing facilities, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities, are employed in a well or wells at the site for separately raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, under the static pressure of compressed air and free of mechanical pumping action on the liquids.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the recovery of petroleum origin hydrocarbons from ground water tables at sites of refineries, oil and gasoline storage and distributing facilities, and the like. Pursuant to the invention, separate liquid handling devices, each in the nature of a vessel or canister and having liquid trapping and ejecting facilities, are employed in a well or wells at the site for separately raising the ground water and liquid hydrocarbons that accumulate on the ground water table, respectively, through which the well or wells extend, under the static pressure of compressed air and free of mechanical pumping action on the liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separator for the separation of non-condensables and of additives from aqueous lithium bromide used in chillers of the type using water as refrigerant and lithium bromide as absorbent, comprising a vessel of adequate size, provided with inlet means for the liquid containing the non-condensables and/or additive, outlet means for the non-condensables and for the solution enriched with additive, and outlet means for the main quantity of the solution depleted of said non-condensables and/or additive, the configuration of the vessel being such that the liquid flows therethrough in a substantially laminar stream, the time of retention in the vessel being adequate to attain the desired degree of separation. A preferred embodiment comprises a separator of horizontal configuration, comprising a conical or polyhedric shell having an opening angle of about 6.degree. to 10.degree.

Abstract: In a time-marking sedimentation process where two or more fractions in a sample containing liquid are to be separated entirely or partially by their specific weights in a tube or corresponding structure, a plug (2) of a hydrophilic plastic substance is brought into contact with the sample. The plug (2) has original dimensions smaller than the inner diameter of the tube (1) and has a specific weight lying between the specific weights of the fractions. The plug is adjusted with respect to its dimensions and/or substance so as to attain a swelling degree sufficient for the plug to jam in the tube (1), to mark the separation line between the fractions (3,4) after a certain predetermined period. Thereafter the position of the plug (2) in the tube is read. The method and device are particularly advantageous in medical connections, especially in the determination of the sedimentation reaction of blood, in which blood corpuscles are separated from plasma.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating heavy solids from an effluent, for example wool scouring effluent, comprising a tank having a solids discharge outlet at its base and an ultra-sonic sensor located at a predetermined distance from this outlet. Means responsive to the output of the sensor, for example a solonoid controled valve, are provided for opening the discharge outlet when the solids concentration exceeds the preset limit. Preferably, a secondary settlement tank immediately below and directly communicating with the main tank is provided and the discharge outlet, controlled by a suitable valve, is at the base of the secondary tank. The secondary tank has a zone offset from the main solid flow in which the sensor may be located in order that large aggregates of solids do not lead to spurious operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cells according to differences in sedimentation velocity comprises a vessel preferably constructed from a cylindrical body of ring formation, the height of which is substantially less than its diameter, and from top and bottom plates sealingly and removably attached to the ring. The vessel is preferably mounted on a tiltable platform for controlled movement between tilted and horizontal positions and has a small horizontal cross-sectional area in the tilted position relative to such area in the horizontal position. The vessel is provided with two ports; a lower port communicating with a lowermost level of the vessel while in the tilted position and an upper port communicating with the uppermost level in the tilted position. Flow distributing structure is provided preferably between each port and the interior of the vessel whereby the force of liquid flowing into the vessel through a port is dissipated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating blood components by means of sedimentation action due to gravitational force are disclosed. The blood to be separated is continuously passed through a flat blood flow channel having a thickness of 20 mm or less and is separated into multiple streams of the separated blood components. An opening for a feed line of the blood is provided at the upstream side of the blood flow channel and at least two openings for discharge lines of the separated blood components are provided at the downstream side of the blood flow channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effectively and efficiently separating blood components by means of sedimentation action due to gravitational force are disclosed. The blood to be separated is continuously passed through a blood flow channel comprising plural flat empty spaces each having a thickness of, for example, 20 mm or less, or a plurality of tubular empty spaces each having a sectional area of, for example, 3 cm or less. An opening for a feed line is provided in a first empty space of the apparatus and two or more openings for discharge lines of the separated blood components are provided in a second empty space. These empty spaces are connected with the blood flow channel.

Abstract: A system for separating two immiscible fluids of different densities. An outer conduit extends down from the earth's surface at least to a depth determined as a function of the average difference between the weights of the two fluids to be separated. An inner conduit extends down from the earth's surface inside the outer conduit and terminates above the bottom of the outer conduit so as to be in open communication with the space defined in the outer conduit. A mixture of two immiscible fluids is supplied to one of the conduits and the system is kept under sufficient pressure to maintain a defined fluid separation region within the one conduit such that the lower limit of the fluid separation region, below which occurs substantially only the heavier of the two immiscible fluids, is maintained above the lower end of the inner conduit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating sewage in which the combustible components of the sewage are separated from the sewage and utilized as a primary fuel. Scum is collected, preferably by skimming, from screened sewage. This scum comprises oils, greases, fats, water and intermixed solid material. The collected scum is then transferred to a separation tank. The scum is maintained within the tank in a quiescent and substantially nonagitated state for at least twelve hours, during which the combustible oils, greases, fats and the like are rendered separable from the other components of the scum. The scum is then conveyed from the tank to a processing unit where the fats, oils, greases and the like are separated from the water and solid material remaining in the scum. The resulting product is a combustible product and can be used as a primary fuel.

Abstract: A special trawl net for collecting floating products has a dorsal or upper face of a close-mesh netting which extends over the two wings of the trawl and forms on the ventral or lower face thereof two lateral strips separated by a central net zone having a wider-mesh netting, so that water can easily escape therethrough. An impervious sleeve surrounding the bag formed by the trailing end of the trawl, and extending beyond this trailing end, is connected to the bag at one end and is open at its other end. This sleeve makes it possible to sealingly enclose the bag when the latter is filled with the products to be collected.

Abstract: The invention concerns the separation of granular products of different density in a pneumatically pulsated liquid medium. To control the pulsation amplitude, the level of separation of two layers of the product is detected by a sensor which emits a corresponding control signal and the pulsating air is intermittently vented. The beginning of the venting is controlled after the air inlet valve has been opened completely, the termination of the air venting is controlled at the same time as the closing of the air inlet valve, and the duration of the venting is determined by the control signal from the level sensor. This signal is transmitted to a first input of a computer receiving the control signal and a second input receiving the output signal from a memory unit wherein the air inlet valve opening and closing program is stored, and the output signal of the computer controls the venting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of an emulsion of at least one dispersed phase emulsified in at least one continuous phase of different density wherein the emulsion is passed into a vessel and axially through a fixed coalescing bed for coalescing the dispersed phase, and continuing the flow over a guide wettable by the dispersed phase whereby the coalesced dispersed phase travels along the guide axially to establish a layer of the coalesced dispersed phase and the continuous phase passes substantially radially outwardly through the guide to establish a layer of the continuous phase, the interface of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase being maintained at approximately the midpoint of the guide.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating spent geothermal brine to remove silica. The process includes introducing the brine into the reaction zone of a reactor-clarifier and allowing the brine to flow therefrom into the clarification zone of the reactor-clarifier. In the clarification zone, particles settle from the brine and are urged to the center of the tank beneath the reaction zone, and the settled particles are drawn upwardly into the reaction zone by an impeller. The particles mix with the brine in the reaction zone to form a substantially uniform distribution therein to provide nuclei for silica precipitation from the brine. A stream of sludge is removed from the bottom of the reactor-clarifier and disposed of.

Abstract: Method for collecting pollution, especially oil, from a surface contaminated liquid. An oil collecting apparatus is adapted to float on the surface of the liquid. A surface layer of liquid with pollutant is drawn into a rotating hollow rotor by virtue of a liquid vortex established therein. The incoming liquid contacts the overlying surface of a concentrically arranged stator. This contact reduces the rotational velocity of the boundary layer of liquid containing the pollutant. The resultant force urges the pollutant toward the center of the vortex, when it is drawn off through a collecting cavity located centrally of the stator.

Abstract: Waste products derived from coking coal, such as coal tar decanter wastes and wash oil muck, are processed to recover an oil fraction and a granular coke breeze residue. The wastes are mixed with a diluent oil, preferably having a saponification number of about 100 or more, are subjected to agitation and mixing and are thereafter filtered to produce a granular, coke breeze cake and a filtrate comprising water and oil which separate easily by decantation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the settling out of suspended solids in a liquor are described. A diffuser of a particular type is used to introduce a liquor containing a flocculant suspension into a sedimentation tank with low turbulence. The diffuser is so shaped that the liquor velocity can be reduced in a controlled manner. Liquid shear conditions are made so low inside the diffuser that excessive break-up of flocs does not occur. The diffuser has a flare angle and a discharge opening to throat dimensional ratio whereby these conditions of low turbulence and formation can be established. Several embodiments of sedimentation apparatus employing such diffuser are described.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from an oil containing fluid mixture ecologically acceptable fluid is disposed of in a water body through the use of an open ended skim pile disposed in the water body and an interconnected skimmer vessel where fluid is maintained at a level independent of the mean level of the water body.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating tar from a tar sand mixture. The separating step is by a novel mechanical process avoiding the complication of heating, freezing and the use of solvents. In the process a suitable suspension liquid is added to a tar sand mixture which is then struck with a plurality of striker arms to separate tar from said particles and agglomerate tar into droplets. After the striking step, the sand particles are allowed to settle to the bottom and tar droplets rise and float, the tar droplets are skimmed off the mixture, and the tar droplets are also scraped off the striker arms. The resulting tar droplets are washed at least once to remove remaining sand particles.

Abstract: Industrial waste water, containing oil, sand and other debris, flows into the separator via a sewer line. In a first phase of operation, solids are separated by mechanical filter means, such as a bar screen, and the water is separated by permitting the oil to rise to the surface of the oil-water mixture in a large settling chamber where turbulence is reduced by various baffles. The water in the settling chamber flows through a passageway formed near the bottom of the tank by a vertical wall extending to the top of the tank. This oil-free water is continuously removed and directed to a settling pool until phase two begins. Phase two begins when the oil floating on top of the water in the settling chamber reaches a predetermined depth. The sewer and water discharge valves are closed. Liquid is then pumped into the bottom of the settling chamber to raise the liquid level in that chamber.

Abstract: A separation compartment of a multiphase separation vessel receives production fluid from a petroleum well and that fluid separates by gravity into the gas, oil and water phases in the vessel. An adjustable siphon leads from a water space in the separation compartment to a discharge compartment of the vessel. The level of the discharge from the siphon determines the elevation of an oil phase-water phase interface within the separation compartment and the presence of the desired of the fluid phases at a pickup for power fluid. The siphon includes a removable line that permits a change in the elevation of the outlet of the line into the discharge compartment. Preferably, the discharge compartment comprises an upstanding pipe, the top of which acts as a weir for receiving oil from the separation compartment. Oil from the vessel may pass through a cyclone for further separation of solids from the oil and then introduced by a pump back into the well to act as the power fluid for the well.

Abstract: In countercurrent decantation, upwardly flowing liquid is treated with downwardly falling solids in a progressive series of vertically stacked treatment cells. Solids fall through a valve from one cell to the next. The valve is a buoyant sphere which will sink, to open, under a weight of solids, but the valve is sufficiently buoyant to close when there is still enough solid queuing thereon to prevent liquid from passing through it.