Abstract: A method of effecting efficient flow equalization in a settling and retention basin having a peripheral wall housing a removable design flow equalization port and a filter member exteriorly of the peripheral wall by (a) observing the height of liquid level induced during wastewater flow upon the filter member relative to the flow equalization port. Thereafter (b) determining whether the observed height of step (a) is outside a desired optimum height range reflective of meeting the design flow characteristics of the design flow port. Thereafter (c) replacing the design flow equalization port with a different size flow equalization port based upon the performance of step (b).

Abstract: A method for removing helminth egg and other suspended solids from a wastewater stream includes directing the wastewater to a ballasted flocculation system and adding a coagulation agent, flocculation agent and a ballast into the wastewater. Sludge is settled from the wastewater in a settling tank at a rate of at least 10 meters per hour. The method further includes removing helminth egg by filtering the effluent through a fine screen having a mesh diameter of approximately 5 micrometers to approximately 25 micrometers. After passing through the fine screen, the filtered effluent has less than one helminth egg per liter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a fluid stream incorporated in an aircraft rinse system. The present invention includes a first pressure source which transports collected rinse fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation physics allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the filter media. The filtered fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant particulate matter retained on the exterior of the filter media may be removed by the instantenous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a concentrator for further treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing solid matter from process liquids that are miscible with water. A brine made from water and dissolved salt and which is more dense than the process liquid is placed underneath and in contact with the mixture of process liquid and solid matter. The particles and pieces of solid matter move from the process liquid and then through the brine. In so doing the process liquid that is carried with the solid matter is displaced by the more dense brine.

Abstract: A filtering method which prevents adhesion between an outlet vessel and a filter element and which uses a flexible filter which allows smooth flow of liquid and is superior in filtering performance; and a filtering system. A filtering method which uses a flexible vessel having an inlet and an outlet for liquid, a sheet-like filter element, and a filter in which the inlet and outlet for liquid are separated by the filter element, wherein in filtering a liquid by the action of gravity or of a liquid feed pump, the pressure in the outlet of the filter is not less than 0 mmHg with respect to the atmospheric pressure; and a filtering system. Further, a filtering method in which a suitable combination of the filter and the hydrodynamic characteristics of the flow channel upstream or downstream of the filter is selected to make the pressure in the outlet of the filter not less than 0 mmHg with respect to the atmospheric pressure; and a filtering system.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate solids from drilling slurry, having an inlet positioned over an outlet of a concentration tank to displace water that would otherwise enter the down-stream centrifuges. Baffles are provided to direct solids to the outlet and minimize the time that solids spend in the concentration tank. Fluids having solids removed therefrom are removed from the apparatus at a location remote from the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fat separator device having a container with a spout portion and a cover portion releasably attached to the container. The cover portion including a surface having at least one aperture to allow for passage of a liquid through the cover portion and a plug portion extending down from the surface, the plug portion being operable to releasably cover the spout portion of the container.

Abstract: A device for separating constituents of a fluid mixture includes an elongate vessel oriented at an acute angle to horizontal. The vessel is operable to receive the fluid mixture and direct the fluid mixture to flow in a convection cell spanning substantially a length of the vessel. The convection cell is formed by gravitational forces acting on the fluid mixture and is operable to deposit a heavy constituent of the fluid mixture about a lower end of the vessel and a light constituent of the fluid mixture about an upper end of the vessel.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

Abstract: A feedstream comprising tar is feed to a solvent deasphalter wherein it is contacted with a deasphalting solvent or fluid to produce a composition comprising a mixture or slurry of solvent containing a soluble portion of the tar, and a heavy tar fraction comprising the insoluble portion of the tar. These fractions may be separated in the deasphalter apparatus, such as by gravity settling wherein the heavy tar fraction is taken off as bottoms, and the solvent-soluble fraction taken as overflow or overheads with the solvent. The overflow or overheads is sent to a solvent recovery unit, such as a distillation apparatus, wherein solvent is recovered as overheads and a deasphalted tar fraction is taken off as a sidestream or bottoms. The solvent or a portion thereof, recovered as overheads, may be then be recycled to the solvent deasphalter, or in a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the solvent is steam cracked to produce a product comprising light olefins.

Abstract: A method to process grease trap waste or refuse and remove organic matter, and reclaim fats, oils, and grease (FOG) found in it. The process is initiated after dewatering the grease trap material to increase its concentration; the resulting sludge is then mixed with a solvent. The dissolved fractions of fats, oils, and grease are separated using mechanical methods. The solids are washed to further remove any traces of fats, oils, and grease. The solids, substantially free from organic content, are dried to remove any water and/or organic matter remaining, rendering inert solids that can be safely disposed of according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. All fats, oils, and, grease fractions are separated, containing no inert materials, and no water. The solvent is recuperated (recycled), allowing it to be used over again. The recuperated grease fractions, highly pure and homogeneous, constitute an excellent raw material for further oleo-chemical processes and applications.

Abstract: A coalescer is used in series with a hydrocyclone to enhance the removal of a dispersed phase from a continuous phase by first using a coalescer that lacks removal of any separated dispersed phase prior to cyclonic action in the hydrocyclone. The coalescer has no oil outlet and serves to coalesce the droplets or particles of the disperse phase together thereby increasing contaminant size distribution. The second hydrocyclone functions as a separator operating at higher removal efficiency. The method and apparatus are useful to clarify produced water from hydrocarbon recovery operations.

Abstract: In a process for the continuous recovery of free tartaric acid from raw materials containing potassium hydrogentartrate, the same are mixed with water and the potassium hydrogentartrate is dissolved. The process is improved in that the suspension is decanted, the clarified liquid is refiltered, the filtrate is cooled to crystallization temperature under a vacuum, the potassium hydrogentartrate crystals formed are dissolved, the solution is subjected to a cation exchange, and the tartaric acid solution obtained is evaporated.

Abstract: A process line for separating oil sand slurry comprising coarse solids, fines, bitumen and water, into a first product comprising bitumen, fines and water and a second product comprising coarse solids, fines and water is provided comprising a plurality of countercurrently operating solid/liquid separators arranged in series along a pipeline, wherein the underflow of one separator is fed to the next separator in series and the overflow of each separator is fed to the preceding separator, the underflow of the last separator being the second product and the overflow from the first separator being the first product.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring slurry from a vessel having a plurality of slurry collection points. The apparatus includes a manifold having a plurality of inlets in flow communication with one or more outlets and a plurality of pressure-reducing cyclones. Each cyclone is associated with a respective one of the collection points and a respective one of the manifold inlets and each cyclone has an inlet port and at least one outlet port. In use, each duct being brings a respective one of the slurry collection points of the vessel into flow communication with an inlet port of a respective one of the cyclones, and/or each duct brings an outlet port of a respective one of the cyclones into flow communication with a respective one of the inlets of the manifold.

Abstract: A method for the separation of particles of different densities using a step-wise gradient density extraction method as described herein where a sample is suspended in a liquid volume of an extracting medium of specific density and the particles that have a density less than or equal to that of the extracting medium of specific density can be recovered from a horizonatally rotatable hollow disk or a removable receptacle within a horizontally rotatable hollow disk designed for such purposes while the particles that have a density greater than the extracting medium of specific density form a deposit which can be cycled through the extraction process in an iterative fashion by varying the density of the extracting medium allowing the recovery of discrete particles of differing densities from a test sample.

Abstract: Apparatus in fluid communication with a water leg portion of a hydrocarbon-contaminated water, e.g., a water leg portion of a produced water stream or an offshore drilling or production platform sump tank for conveying water, separated from oil, into contact with non-woven fiber/particulate polymer coalescing media-containing canisters such that the hydrocarbon droplets and other organic material droplets commingled with the sump tank or produced water will be coalesced by passage through the coalescing media. The canisters preferably are provided in a plurality of stacks in each vessel. Solids that do not pass through the canisters are accumulated at the bottom of the vessel and easily drained through a drain port. The water and hydrocarbons will pass through the coalescing media within the canisters and will be separated easily from each vessel, e.g., by gravity separation, sot that the water can be conveyed back to the ocean water without contamination.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the fountain solution of a printing press with an automatically emptying separator (16), separates the dirt particles and oil residues from fountain solution and supplies them, as a mixture of dirt and fountain solution, to a dirt and fountain solution container (24) and passes the remaining fountain solution into a fountain solution storage tank (20). The dirt and fountain solution mixture in the dirt and fountain solution mixture container (24) is caused to settle in layers and the layer, containing the fountain solution, is transferred by an overflow (26) in to the fountain solution storage tank (20).

Abstract: A drip-filter extraction apparatus comprises a container, a flow rate controller and an extraction device. The container receives a liquid therein. The flow rate controller controls the liquid in the container flowing out at a constant flow rate. The extraction device collects the liquid and mixes it with extraction material to form a mixed liquid, and then the extraction device filters and collects the mixed liquid.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system and process for treating waste water received in a batch tank. The waste water is discharged in a headwork screen for removing large solids in the water. The solids are into a sludge drying bin. The screened water is transferred into a top of an influent surge tank with an oil/water separator. The oil/water separator includes a plurality of coalescing plates for separating free oil from the waste water. Heavy solids in the surge tank are drained into the sludge drying bin. The waste water is now dropped into a containment pan. From the containment pan, the waste water is pumped into a water treatment tank. The water treatment tank includes two or more electrodes mounted in the top thereof. The electrodes are separated using insulating support spacers for providing proper electrode spacing and insulation between the electrodes. The electrodes are used for providing current to the waste water and separating the contaminates in the water by electrocoagulation.

Abstract: An automatic tank cleaning system includes a water recycling unit having a weir therein and a conically-shaped bottom, a cutting box having a portable weir therein, a hydrocyclonic separator, and a mud tank. Tank slop is pumped from the mud tank to the water recycling unit where solids collect at the bottom. The solids are removed and collected in the cutting box. Water in the recycling unit may be pumped through the hydrocyclonic separator. Solids removed by the separator are collected in the cutting box and the water is directed into a clean water compartment defined by the weir within the recycling unit. Water in the cutting box is collected by the portable weir therein and pumped to the clean water compartment. Water from the clean water compartment is pumped to one or more rotary jet heads within the mud tank. Overflow from the water recycling unit may be directed to the cutting box. A chemical inductor may be used to add cleaning chemicals to the water prior to being directed through the wash nozzle.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

Abstract: A process for the continuous treatment of sugar cane filter cane mud separates and extracts components including fiber which can be used as an animal feed or a source of energy generation, lignin, beta-carotene, oil containing a high content of phytosterol, refined wax which is a resource of policosanol and which can also be used for many other established purposes, and resin which can be used an additive in asphalt mixtures and tire manufacturing or can be recycled back into the sugar milling process. The process is self contained, requiring the input only of fresh water and chemical additives to adjust pH and coloration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for clarifying, by flotation, waters contaminated with suspended matter, wherein the clarification treatment takes place in two successive steps implemented in a single installation. The method principally involves flowing contaminated water through a downflow static flocculation step and then down through a lamellar settler separation step positioned directly below the downflow static flocculation step, the settling rates of the heavier particles of the lamellar settler separation step removing heavier particles from the water retained during the static flocculation/lamellar separation step being less than or equal to the settling rates of the floatable particles. The water which has passed through the static flocculation/lamellar settler separation step is then subjected to a flotation step which removes the light particles in the water of which the settling rate is lower than a flotation cutoff threshold.

Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.

Abstract: A method of treating animal manure yielding a final liquid fraction and solid fractions whereby the final liquid fraction has a suspended solids (SS) content of about 3 g/L or lower comprising subjecting at least a part of said manure to a first biological passive flotation step in a flotation unit having a hydraulic residency time (HRT) of about 4 to about 24 hours with a polymer to yield a first flotation solid fraction and a first flotation liquid fraction, said method comprising a further treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separating device and method for clarifying must during wine production, especially with a separator (7). Gas and/or gelatine and/or other additives are added to the must that is clarified in the separating device after the must has passed through the separating device and before it passes through the constant pressure valve (13) of the separating device, as the must is discharged (9), in order to obtain flotation.

Abstract: A method which uses a process reactor having three separate reaction stages to remove high concentrations of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions. During each of three stages the pH level of the wastewater is increased and sludge and flocculate organic and metal hydrocyl matters are removed from the wastewater to provide clean water which is discharged in to a sewer system.

Abstract: The method of continuously processing raw brine with a solids content to obtain substantially solids-free pure brine (E) for use in chlor-alkali electrolysis. In this method the raw brine (A) is separated, by means of a decanter (1), into a clear brine (B) with a lower solids content and an underflow (C) with a higher solids content, and the entire clear brine (B) and a metered fraction of the underflow (C) are supplied to a backwash pressure filter (5), from which the substantially solids-free pure brine (E) and a thickened slurry (F) are separately removed. The metered fraction and the clear brine (B) are controlled so that a solids concentration at an inlet to the pressure filter is 5 to 10 times that of a solids concentration in the clear brine (B), which stabilizes operations and increases filtration output.

Abstract: An apparatus which uses a process reactor having three separate reaction stages to remove high concentrations of 3000 mg/l heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions. During each of three stages the pH level of the wastewater is increased and sludge and flocculate organic and metal hydroxyl matters are removed from the wastewater to provide clean water which is discharged in to a sewer system.

Abstract: A chamber having an inlet for receiving polluted storm-water runoff and an outlet for the storm water to flow out. Within the chamber are a screen, one or more baffles, a collection reservoir, and a pivotal filter. The screen is elevated for separating and suspending miscellaneous debris such as vegetative matter, paper, and plastic. The baffles increase storm-water residence time to encourage settling of particulate matter such as sand and grit. The collection reservoir has an adjustable weir for skimming off floating matter such as motor oil, other hydrocarbons, and detergents. And the pivotal filter catches clay during typical storm flows and pivots out of the way during higher flows. In addition, a method for maintaining the pollution trap includes removing the screen for cleaning, suctioning out the particulate matter and oil, and replacing the pivotal filter member.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid or from lipid-containing organisms from a fluid, such as plasma. These systems combine a fluid with at least one extraction solvent, which causes the lipids to separate from the fluid or from the lipid-containing organisms. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The at least one extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a concentration enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid or to a different patient for therapy.

Abstract: A separation tank having an inlet and an outlet and forming a low flow path and a high flow path, both conveying water from the inlet to the outlet. At normal, low flows, the water enters the inlet and passes through the low flow path having treatment chambers to remove, respectively, heavy materials and floatable materials. At high flows such as with heavy storm runoff, water exceeding a predetermined flow rate is conveyed from the low flow path into the high flow path where there are baffles to treat the water to remove both heavy materials and floatable materials. In optional embodiments, there is a filter/recharge chamber that may contain a filter and/or a groundwater conveyance system such that filtered or unfiltered water can be discharged from the low flow path through a groundwater conveyance system to groundwater, to the normal outlet, or both.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-site treatment and reclamation of oil and gas well waste water or fracturing fluids. The mobile treatment process and apparatus provide both chemical precipitation and filtration to treat the drilling fluid waste to a technically and environmentally acceptable level allowing for reuse. Alkaline treating agents are applied to the drilling waste fluids, as they are pumped through the treatment apparatus, to increase the pH of the fluid waste to a preferred pH range and to also cause selective soluble contaminants in the fluids to form a precipitate. The waste fluid is allowed to clarify as the precipitate of insoluble contaminants, through flocculation, settle and form a sludge at the bottom of the drilling pit. The clarified fluids are then filtered to satisfy applicable industry and environmental requirements.

Abstract: A vacuum separation, transport and collection system for immiscible liquids includes a separator (12) for separating two immiscible liquids such as oil and a water-based coolant, and for directing the separated immiscible liquid into a holder (16). A collector (18) is secured through a vacuum line (20) with the holder (16) and a vacuum generator (22) applies a vacuum to the collector (18) and holder (16). A controller (28) controls the vacuum generator (22) to apply a vacuum to the collector (18) and the holder (16) for a predetermined vacuum duty cycle for periodically removing separated immiscible liquid (26) from the holder (16) into the collector (18). Contaminants in the immiscible liquid cannot degrade performance of the system because such contaminants do not contact the vacuum generator (22) or controller (28).

Abstract: Methods of treatment of fluids produced by an oil or gas well following a stimulation operation, allowing separation from the fluids and re-injection of oil and gas hydrocarbons in a production pipeline under pressure, and allowing achievement of suitable quality for the residual fluids compatible with their rejection, for example into the sea, including the following three elements; neutralization of the fluids by mixing with a high pH chemical, until the resulting pH reaches a level compatible with the equipment and pipes; use of optimized emulsion breakers in a phase separator, selected for best results with the fluids produced by the well, to accelerate the separation of oil from the fluids, and to lower the residual oil content in the fluids to levels compatible with environmental regulations; and use of a multi-phase pump to pump the oil and gas hydrocarbons produced and reinject them in a pipeline under pressure.

Abstract: A grease removal system includes a solid interceptor fluidly coupled to a grease trap tank, which is fluidly coupled to a secondary tank. The secondary tank contains an enzyme solution which biodegrades the grease. The grease removal system may also include a solid interceptor fluidly coupled to a grease trap tank which is fluidly coupled to a replaceable container. Grease is diverted from the grease trap tank into the replaceable container and thereafter discarded. The grease removal system may include a grease trap tank utilizing a unique arrangement of grease baffles and solids baffles which work together to isolate grease within a single region of the grease trap tank for ease of disposal. Finally, the grease removal system includes two level sensors which detect the level of grease within the grease trap tank and, at the appropriate level direct the accumulated grease from the grease trap tank.

Abstract: A duct for conveying influent to a head cell having multiple, vertically aligned trays has an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end can be connected to an influent channel positioned at a level above the head cell apparatus. The outlet end is positioned downstream of the inlet end and can be connected to the head cell. The outlet end has multiple, discrete nozzles that are spaced apart in a vertical direction and correspond in number to the multiple trays. Influent that enters the inlet end of the duct travels downwardly and exits the duct through orifices in the nozzles, entering each of the respective trays.

Abstract: A method for preparing a high-purity ionic liquid having a pH value of 7 and an elemental analysis deviation of less than 0.5 wt % between a calculated elemental analysis and a found elemental analysis for each of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, wherein the method comprises forming a monophasic or biphasic mixture of an ionic liquid and an inert liquid. When the monophasic mixture is formed, it is filtered to yield a filtrate from which the high-purity ionic liquid is recovered. When the biphasic mixtures is formed, it is separated into an aqueous phase and ionic liquid phase, whereby the ionic liquid phase is filtered to yield a filtrate from which the high-purity ionic liquid is recovered. Furthermore, the present purification procedure can be used for the clean-up of a contaminated ionic liquid by extracting it into a polar extractant to form an extract containing the ionic liquid. Water traces are removed from the extract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for handling and/or disposing catalyst fines produced in an oxygenate-to-olefins reactor. The process enhances the way catalyst fines are separated from the liquid fraction by use of a flocculent.

Abstract: In the process for the continuous recovery of free tartaric acid from raw materials containing potassium hydrogentartrate, the same are mixed with water and the potassium hydrogentartrate is dissolved. The process is improved in that the suspension is decanted, the clarified liquid is refiltered, the filtrate is cooled to crystallization temperature under a vacuum, the potassium hydrogentartrate crystals formed are dissolved, the solution is subject to a cation exchange, and the tartaric acid solution obtained is evaporated.

Abstract: A batch process for carrying out a hydrogenation reaction comprises mixing a pyrophoric catalyst with reactants and solvents to form a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel. Hydrogen is added to the reaction vessel. After hydrogenation, the desired hydrogenation product is removed from the reaction vessel and the pyrophoric catalyst-rich material from the reaction vessel is delivered to a pressure filter. Water is added to the pyrophoric catalyst-rich material in the filter and the spent pyrophoric material is removed from the pressure filter in a water wet form.

Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid stream. The system includes a first separator device mounted to a container. The container includes a settling compartment and baffle plate module, with the initial settling compartment receiving the fluid from the first separator device. The fluid stream proceeds through the baffle plate module. The solids within the fluid stream will descend to the bottom of the container. A spiral blade is positioned at the bottom of the container, with the spiral blade adapted to convey solids to a first pump member. The speed of rotation of the spiral blade may be varied. The first pump member discharges the slurry to a second separator device. The second separator device will discharge the separated fluid stream into the baffle plate module. In one embodiment, the first separator device is a linear shaker and the second separator device is a cyclone separator and linear shaker mounted in tandem.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process to recover oil from spent bleaching earth recovered from vegetable oil refining process. The process involve three sub-processes comprising of reacting the spent bleaching earth with a solvent selected from a group consisting of toluene, acetone, xylene, isopropyl alcohol or n-hexane at a temperature between 35° C. to 50° C.; separating the solids and liquid from slurry formed in the previous step; and extracting oil from the liquid fraction obtained in the previous step. The separation of the solids and the liquid from slurry can be formed in two steps. The slurry mixture of solids and liquid is first separated into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction. The solid fraction so separated still contains a significant portion of oil. Therefore the solid fraction is reacted with some solvent. The next slurry of solids and liquids is again separated into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction.

Abstract: A filtering method and system which prevents adhesion between an outlet vessel and a filter element and which uses a flexible filter which allows smooth flow of liquid and is superior in filtering performance. The method uses a flexible vessel having an inlet and an outlet for liquid, a sheet-like filter element, and a filter in which the inlet and outlet for liquid are separated by the filter element, wherein in filtering a liquid by the action of gravity or of a liquid feed pump, the pressure in the outlet of the filter is not less than 0 mmHg with respect to the atmospheric pressure; and a filtering system.

Abstract: A particle separator includes a vortex chamber receiving feed slurry via a feed inlet. The feed inlet is positioned relative to the vortex chamber to effect rotation of the feed slurry upon entry in the vortex chamber and to generate a fluid vortex. The vortex chamber includes a conical section beneath the feed inlet, wherein the conical section terminates at an apex. A bulb housing is coupled with the vortex chamber and includes a vortex destroyer disposed adjacent the conical section apex. The vortex destroyer serves to contain the fluid vortex to the vortex chamber. A settling chamber is defined by the bulb housing beneath the vortex destroyer for collecting solid particles.

Abstract: A fluid filtration system of well workover fluids, the system comprising: a first settling tank which stores fluid; a second settling tank which stores fluid; a low pressure pump in fluid communication with the first and second settling tanks; a low pressure filter in fluid communication with the first and second settling tanks; a high pressure pump in fluid communication with the second settling tank; and a high pressure filter in fluid communication with the second settling tank, wherein the high pressure filter comprises: an inlet; an outlet; a plurality of input feed lines in fluid communication with the inlet; a plurality of output feed lines in fluid communication with the outlet; a plurality of filter canisters, wherein at least one filter canister is in fluid communication with each input feed line and each output feed line.

Abstract: A three-phase separator for separating off from a fluid gas and particles contained therein, includes at least one pair of two gas collection caps extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction (L) and each having a plate section. The plate sections converge in the downward direction. At the bottom ends the plate sections leave an inlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for the fluid containing particles and an outlet passage, elongated in the longitudinal direction, for settled particles. A discharge opening for fluid, opening into the settling chamber, is provided at a level higher than the inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passage and the outlet passage are located in the extension of one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating oily wastewater, such as bilge water or ballast water, generated on a ship. The process uses a combination of a centrifugal separation step and a membrane separation step, such as an ultrafiltration step. The membrane separation step uses a dense, non-porous filtration membrane. The process is able to remove both emulsified oil and dissolved oil from the wastewater to low levels.

Abstract: A process for extracting and purifying naturally occurring zeolite from ores in the presence of other mineral phases by using mechanical dispersion and differential suspension to remove a majority of the clay content of the ore. The process continues by removal of contaminants with a higher mass to surface area ratio than that of the desired zeolite product by employing the properties of demineralized water in combination with a countercurrent flow separation column. No chemical flocculating or flotation agents need be employed in the process.