Abstract: Foam mitigation using a variety of articles, systems, and methods is generally described. According to certain embodiments, surfaces with certain wetting properties can be used to reduce or eliminate the formation of foam from bubble-containing liquids. In some embodiments, a surface with certain wetting properties is configured and/or arranged within bubble-containing liquids such that the surface provides a gaseous fluidic pathway through which gas from the bubbles within the liquid may be channeled to a gaseous environment outside the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a process for purification of grey water. In particular the invention relates to in-home purification of grey water generated from laundry wash and/or rinse liquor for water saving by re-use. Surprisingly it has been found that it is possible to design a device and a process where, by continuous aeration, foam breaking and separation, the laundry wash and rinse water can be made substantially free of surfactants. This water is then preferably filtered to recover fresh water which can be reused for multiple applications.

Abstract: A main air bubble separation apparatus which uses a swirling flow of oil introduced from a main tank separates the oil into a first oil with air bubbles removed therefrom, and a second oil containing air bubbles; a sub-air bubble separation apparatus is provided in which the second oil is introduced and then separated into a third oil with air bubbles removed therefrom and a fourth oil containing air bubbles; and a sub-tank into which the fourth oil is introduced, and in which the air bubbles contained in the fourth oil are captured and combined with each other so as to be removed from the fourth oil, so that a fifth oil is formed, and is configured such that the first, third and fifth oils are returned to the main tank.

Abstract: A bubble-removal device (100) includes a main body (100a) having a cylindrical barrel part (110a) and end wall parts (110b, 110c) that close both end parts of the barrel part (110a), and a pipe part extending along a center axis of the barrel part (110a), one end side of which is attached to the end wall part (110c), and the other end side of which is located inside the main body and extends toward the end wall part (110b), wherein in the main body (110), an opening H1 to introduce a refrigerant is formed and an inner surface of the barrel part (110a) has a spiral groove (116) extending spirally relative to the center axis at least on the opening H1 side.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluid containment systems such as gas delivery configurations, foam control systems and bag molding methods and articles for supported collapsible bag vessels and bioreactors. A vessel may include a device which can reduce the foam produced or contained within the vessel. Sensors and/or controllers may optionally be used to monitor and/or control foaming.

Abstract: Electrocoagulation effluent treatment apparatus and methods are disclosed, the apparatus including a primary electrocoagulation reactor chamber having treatment electrodes maintained therein and an effluent inlet and treated effluent outlet. An integrated flotation chamber is located above the reaction chamber, a vacuum device connectable with a vacuum source being received in the flotation chamber and including a foam intake and an output. A sludge chamber is defined below and integrated with the primary reaction chamber and has a settled sludge output.

Abstract: A deoiler including a hub mounted on the vent shaft and a cover mounted on the hub between two stop faces which fix the cover avoiding the need to weld or bolt the cover.

Abstract: A foam removing device, containing: a liquid container; a foam-containing liquid supply pipe; an air bubble outlet pipe; a foam-removed liquid outlet pipe; an inner rotating cylinder: a liquid supply opening; and an air bubble outlet, wherein the inner rotating cylinder contains a foam-removed liquid guide hole formed therein, where the foam-removed liquid guide hole is configured to guide the foam-removed liquid reached to an area adjacent to a perimeter surface of the inner rotating cylinder by the centrifugal separation into a foam-removed liquid accommodating space between an outer surface of the inner rotating cylinder and an inner surface of the liquid container, and a foam-removed liquid outlet opening is provided in the foam-removed liquid accommodating space of the liquid container, where the foam-removed liquid outlet opening is configured to connect the foam-removed liquid outlet pipe with the liquid container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inhibiting foam formation in an acid gas removal system are provided. Preconditioning a rich amine or triethylene glycol stream exiting an absorber of an acid gas removal system through a rotary separation turbine can provide pre-separation of gas from rich amine or triethylene glycol, as well as effectively reduces or inhibits foam formation. Systems provided enhance plant reliability and also recovers hydraulic power into electricity.

Abstract: Unburned carbon is efficiently removed from fly ash, and effective utilization of the fly ash and removed unburned carbon is attained. Water is added to fly ash to thereby obtain a slurry. A collector is added to the slurry, and shearing force is applied to the slurry and collector to thereby attain a surface modification. The mixture is subjected to flotation operation at which unburned carbon of fly ash is attached to froths and surfaced. The application of shearing force to the slurry and collector can be carried out by means of a submerged agitator whereby an agitation power of 0.7 to 10 kWh/m3 is applied per unit quantity of slurry. The fly ash concentration of the slurry is in the range of 3 to 50 wt. %, and the amount of collector added is in the range of 5 to 100 wt. % based on the amount of unburned carbon of fly ash. The unburned carbon separated by flotation can be used as fuel, and the fly ash (product) having its unburned carbon content reduced to 1 wt.

Abstract: An air trap is disclosed that includes a body having a sealed interior space with an inner wall, a center axis, and an inlet and an outlet on the center axis. The air trap also includes at least one projection disposed within the interior space and coupled to the inner wall. The at least one projection extends from the inner wall toward the center axis with an inner edge nearest to the center axis.

Abstract: The cyclone is for separating gas from a gas laden liquid stream by pressure reduction of the liquid stream. The cyclone has a cylindrical casing, having a tangentially directed inlet arrangement for the gas laden liquid stream, a lower outlet line for liquid and an upper outlet line for vapor and gas. The inlet arrangement is connected to a common supply source (BLPR), and has at least two insertion pipes. The flow in at least one of these insertion pipes is controlled by at least one valve that depends upon an order of flow from the common supply source to maintain a flow velocity above a critical value.

Abstract: A number of pocketed apparatus for separating various materials are described. A pocketed cyclonic separator that includes a cyclone chamber, which includes interior chamber walls, an inlet connected to the cyclone chamber, and one or more pocket separators, located on the interior chamber walls, is described. A substance may be introduced through the inlet into the cyclone chamber so as to create a rotational force sufficient to generate a cyclone in the cyclone chamber. Forces generated by the cyclone will cause heavier material in the substance to move towards the interior chamber walls when in use. The one or more pocket separators define one or more pockets that trap heavier material in the substance when in use.

Abstract: A number of pocketed apparatus for separating various materials are described. A pocketed cyclonic separator that includes a cyclone chamber, which includes interior chamber walls, an inlet connected to the cyclone chamber, and one or more pocket separators, located on the interior chamber walls, is described. A substance may be introduced through the inlet into the cyclone chamber so as to create a rotational force sufficient to generate a cyclone in the cyclone chamber. Forces generated by the cyclone will cause heavier material in the substance to move towards the interior chamber walls when in use. The one or more pocket separators define one or more pockets that trap heavier material in the substance when in use.

Abstract: A member for controlling foam in a material reservoir includes a body, a concave space in the body, and wings extending from the body in the concave space. A method of controlling foam in an ink reservoir of a printing system includes rotating a foam control member above ink in the reservoir to dissipate accumulated foam, where the member includes a concave space open toward the ink and wings extending in the concave space.

Abstract: A filter apparatus capable of releasing air from a filter body, comprising a filter body held by a holder. The filter body includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The filter body is disposed in the holder so as to rotate around an axis of rotation that passes through the fluid inlet. The holder includes a front panel. The front panel comprises engaging portions, for temporarily engaging the fluid outlet at either an air releasing position or at a filtering position, and a fixing means for fixing the filter body at each position. The filter apparatus further includes means for rotating the filter body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation pump (1) for pumping a fluid mixture (2) of gas (3) and liquid or suspension (4) and for separating gas (3) and liquid or suspension (4) from each other. The separation pump (1) comprising a rotatable drum means (10) for rotating fluid mixture (2). The rotatable drum means (10) having an inner wall (11) and an inner space (12). The rotatable drum means (10) being rotatable for causing liquid or suspension (4) of fluid mixture (2) to form a layer of liquid or suspension (4) on the inner wall (11) and for causing gas (3) of the fluid mixture (2) to migrate towards the axis of rotation (13). The separation pump comprises foam discharging means (15) for discharging foam (16) from the inner space (12) of the rotatable drum means (10). The foam discharging means (15) comprises a second outlet (17).

Abstract: A liquid foam system and process for treating an aqueous medium volume includes foam breaking equipment for treating foam floating on a liquid medium. The foam breaking equipment includes a foam conveyer, a rotatable driven screw for sucking foam present in the foam conveyor and for causing at least a partial defoaming of the foam and for expelling foam out of the foam conveyor, and an exhaust gas tube for removing gas within the foam conveyor released from the foam during defoaming. The foam breaking equipment may be used in conjunction with a first tank having a liquid medium and the process includes conveying foam downwardly into the foam conveyor and at least partially defoaming the conveyed foam.

Abstract: A member for controlling foam in a material reservoir includes a body, a concave space in the body, and wings extending from the body in the concave space. A method of controlling foam in an ink reservoir of a printing system includes rotating a foam control member above ink in the reservoir to dissipate accumulated foam, where the member includes a concave space open toward the ink and wings extending in the concave space.

Abstract: This invention teaches a process that includes extraction of gas in which the presence of foam results in the carry over in the outlet gas stream of excessive liquids and/or solids, including the steps of injecting the foam laden gas stream tangentially into a cyclonic separator having an axial gas outlet and a liquid outlet, under conditions in which the inlet stream is subjected to at least about 150 G's, the outlet gas being substantially liquids/solids free and the outlet liquid stream being conveyed for disposal or further processing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a module for processing foaming wastewater containing organic compounds. The UV/ozone oxidation removal module mainly includes an ozone generator, an ozone injector, an ozone dissolution tank, a gas-liquid separator, an ozone destruct unit, a UV reaction tank, a recycling pipeline. The gas-liquid separator contains a stainless tank with an adsorbent inside, preferably activated carbon, for removing foams and a portion of ozone, so that foams are prevented from entering and adversely affecting the ozone destruct unit, and thus a foaming organic wastewater can be treated with the UV/ozone oxidation removal module of the present invention.

Abstract: A defoaming apparatus comprises, in juxtaposition, a defoaming treatment chamber internally provided with a defoaming unit for defoaming, as a result of a rotation of a impeller in a casing having a suction port and discharge ports, by suctioning foam of a foaming liquid via the suction port of the casing and colliding the suctioned foam against an inner circumferential surface of the casing by centrifugal force of the impeller and a substantially closed-type tank for housing a foaming liquid, wherein the suction port of the defoaming unit is located in a foam phase region of the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for scum removal is disclosed wherein toothed paddle induces turbulent effect on the fluids present in the reactor by means of its rotary motion. This results in both breaking and radial displacement of the scum, accumulated on the fluid during the course of the biochemical or chemical reaction, towards the outlet of the reactor, thereby ensuring that the reaction continues in scum free environment uninterruptedly.

Abstract: The device includes a tubular body, superiorly closed by a cover, having a truncoconical transversal section and a vertical lie, internally of which a separator wall is housed, for collecting liquid, having an inlet mouth and a drainage channel. The device includes a rotating organ for separating polluting substances, which rotating organ is closed internally of elements for collecting and percolating the polluting substances.

Abstract: Device and process for the removal of air from flotation foam formed during the flotation of a paper-fiber-containing suspension. The device includes a driven rotor that includes a shaft and at least one rotor blade positioned on the shaft, and a non-rotating wall arranged to surround the rotor in a region of the rotor blade by a non-rotating wall. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: There is disclosed a defoaming rotor capable of skimming foam from the surface of the fermentation broth in a bioreactor, separating the solid and liquid components from the gaseous component of the foam, and returning the solid and liquid components to the broth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose pump apparatus of high achievement, which can continuously pump and convey liquid even containing a large amount of foams and can make high level defoaming function and degassing function, and pumped liquid sterilizing function, etc. The pump apparatus comprises a gas-liquid separating impeller disposed in a pumped liquid path of a primary pump for pumping liquid, a cavity receiver which receives the tail bottom of a tornado-shaped cavity produced by the rotation of the gas-liquid separating impeller to prevent the tornado-shaped cavity from extending, and vacuum means connected to a part in a vicinity of the center of the tornado-shaped cavity through a degassing path.

Abstract: Device and process for the removal of air from flotation foam formed during the flotation of a paper-fiber-containing suspension. The device includes a driven rotor that includes a shaft and at least one rotor blade positioned on the shaft, and a non-rotating wall arranged to surround the rotor in a region of the rotor blade by a non-rotating wall. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: There is disclosed a defoaming rotor capable of skimming foam from the surface of the fermentation broth in a bioreactor, separating the solid and liquid components from the gaseous component of the foam, and returning the solid and liquid components to the broth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that is used for removing gas from drilling mud coming from gas and oil well-bores. The apparatus receives the gas ladened drilling mud and utilizes the energy from the gas ladened mud to power blower fans that are used to discharge any released gas. A set of conical trays are used to catch the gas ladened mud that is dispersed in the energy utilization by a set of helical blades. The gas ladened mud will slowly flow down the conical trays and liberate gas with the assistance of a partial vacuum that is within the reaction vessel. A liquid trap is also formed in the bottom portion of the reaction vessel, to prevent air from entering the reaction vessel. The gas generated is expelled out of the reaction vessel and burned off by a flare line or simply released into the outside air.

Abstract: A combined arterial-venous blood flow set comprises connected lengths of flexible tubing for receiving blood from a patient, for conveying the blood to a blood processing device such as a dialyzer or an LDL filter, and for returning the blood to the patient. An optional first bubble trap chamber is connected in series flow between two of the lengths of tubing at a flow position downstream from the patient and upstream from the blood processing device. A second bubble trap chamber is connected in series flow between two of the lengths of tubing at a flow position downstream from the blood processing device and upstream from the patient. A first portion of the tubing which is in a flow position upstream from the blood processing device extends by the second bubble trap chamber, and is physically, laterally connected to it without direct flow connection. This helps to stabilize the positioning of components of the flow set and to reduce confusion in set-up and priming.

Abstract: A gas separator having a reduced rotating mass. The gas separator includes a stationary flow inducer that creates a vortex within an outer housing. The flow inducer includes an accelerator mechanism that increases the velocity of the fluid mixture as it flows through a portion of the gas separator. The resultant liquid and gaseous phases are directed from the gas separator through separate outlets.

Abstract: A tubular set for the conveyance of blood includes flexible set tubing and a bubble trap chamber connected to the tubing for any desired extracorporeal blood transport process. The bubble trap chamber includes a housing defining an outer wall, a flow inlet to the interior of the housing, and a flow outlet at or near the bottom of the housing. The housing also includes an inner wall adjacent to its top. The inner wall is radially inwardly spaced from the outer wall within the chamber, extending circumferentially and generally parallel to the outer wall for at least about 90.degree. of the circumference of the outer wall and preferably at least 180.degree., to define a circumferential passageway between the inner and outer walls. The flow inlet communicates with the circumferential passageway, so that blood can be directed to flow from the inlet horizontally and circumferentially through the passageway to a pair of passageway outlets.

Abstract: A gas elimination system includes a gas elimination device and a priming system. The gas elimination device includes a vortex chamber that forms a vortex in the fluid flowing into the chamber and a particulate filter that removes particles from the fluid. The particulate filter is located in the vortex chamber such that the vortex is formed in a substantial volume of the chamber before it encounters the particulate filter. When the fluid encounters the particulate filter, the vortex is generally stopped, and additional released gasses rise through the open top of the particulate filter. The device also includes an outlet chamber connected to the vortex chamber, and the particulate filter extends into the outlet chamber. A check valve is located at the outlet of the outlet chamber to shut off flow when the device contains excess gas. The priming system in the form of a pillow block is arranged to force air or fluid upward to dislodge the check valve, should it become stuck in the valve seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating froth from liquid includes a feed conduit to carry partially aerated feed liquid, and a separator to receive and separate the feed liquid into a first component of froth or gas and a second component of de-aerated liquid or sludge.

Abstract: A defoaming apparatus is used in a reactor in which a chemical reaction, involving the formation of foam, is effected. The defoaming apparatus includes an impeller disposed at an upper portion of an interior of the reactor, and a motor for rotating the impeller about an axis thereof. The impeller has a plurality of radially outwardly-extending blades. Each of the blades is in a form of a flat plate or a curved plate. A plurality of impellers may be arranged along the axis of rotation. In this case, the impellers of the same configuration can be circumferentially disaligned from each other. The outer edge of each blade is inclined.

Abstract: An apparatus, e.g. centrifugal evaporator, has at least one rotary treatment surface, e.g. a heated evaporating surface, which rises outwards from the rotation axis, a liquid feed in the vicinity of the lowest point of the treatment surface close to the rotation axis and a product removal on the periphery of the treatment surface. Such an apparatus is characterized in that the treatment surface over at least part of its axial length has a stepped construction and each step has a step angle of approximately 90.degree.. Thus, as desired, a laminar or turbulent flow is possible. Through the construction of the steps it is possible to widely vary the nature of the flow and consequently the heat and material exchange, as well as the residence time of the liquid.

Abstract: A multistage two-phase turbine having multiple stages to receive fluid, each stage having an inlet and outlet including nozzles at the inlet to each stage to accelerate the fluid that consists of a mixture of gas and liquid, to form two-phase jets; a rotating separator structure to receive and separate the two-phase jets into gas streams and liquid streams in each stage; the turbine having a rotating output shaft, and there being structure to convert the kinetic energy of the liquid streams into shaft power; structure to remove the separated liquid from at least one stage and transfer it to nozzles at the next stage; structure to remove the separated liquid from the last stage and transfer it to primary outlet structure; and structure to remove the separated gas from at least one stage and transfer it to a secondary outlet structure.

Abstract: A gas elimination device for cellular fluids has a cylindrical chamber that is divided radially into two parts by a cylindrical filter centrally located in the chamber. The fluid inlet is directed tangentially to the outer part of the chamber to create a vortex flow. The vortex flow is stopped by passage of the fluid through the filter, and gas bubbles that have formed rise to the top of the outer part of the chamber. A hydrophobic membrane covers the top of the chamber and allows the gas to exit the chamber to the atmosphere. A one way valve formed in a two part cap covering the chamber prevents flow of air into the chamber. A float valve stops flow when the chamber fills with air.

Abstract: An improved liquid/gas separator is disclosed for separating liquid and gas from a mixture that is mostly gas, within a zero gravity or variable gravity working environment. The separator includes a main housing that defines a pre-swirl chamber for receiving a liquid/gas mixture and an adjacent cylindrical separator chamber for containing liquid and gas separated from the mixture. A main shaft is rotationally secured along an interior longitudinal axis of the main housing and includes a hub portion defining exhaust slots in fluid communication with an exhaust duct within the hub for passing gas out of the separator chamber. A plurality of apertured coalescing disks are secured to the hub portion of the main shaft within the separator chamber for rotationally impacting liquid droplets and directing any droplets, bubbles or sheets of liquid formed on the disks away from the shaft toward and into a rotating liquid ring formed adjacent an interior circumference of the separator chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for defoaming aerobic fermentation cultures is provided, where the amount of liquid culture medium used is greater than that in conventional aerobic cultures (70% or more of the total capacity of the culture tank) without lowering the productivity of the intended, desired product. In the present apparatus and method, a device for separating vapor from liquid of a foam is in fluid communication with the fermentation tank, a device for condensing residual liquid of the vapor received from the separating device is in fluid communication with the separating device, and a sensor for detecting foams is provided in a location along the fluid communication pathway. In the defoaming apparatus, an optional defoaming device is provided, which may be based on either a rotary body rotating at a high speed by use of an electric motor which beats the foams, or on a centrifugal atomizer. The defoaming device may be provided between the vapor-liquid separating device and the condensing device.

Abstract: The liquid/gas separator for soapy water consists of a fixed cylindrical housing defining a fixed chamber for supporting a rotating shaft supported about the longitudinal axis. A preswirl chamber communicating with the main chamber in which are disposed parallelly spaced annular coalescing disks supported to the rotating shaft, serves, with the preswirl chamber, to rotate the centrifuged water to form a water ring adjacent the outer wall of the chamber and flows the gas through a central passage formed in the shaft along the longitudinal axis to be vented in response to a control valve located at the open end of the shaft remote from the preswirl chamber. Control means responsive to the differential of the static pressure of the water ring and the gas pressure, control the venting of the gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for de-inking waste paper pulp using a foam flotation process to recycle printed waste paper for the manufacture of new paper. Pulped printed paper is fed as a slurry to an inlet of a shallow tank. Internal guide walls in the tank establish a flow path from the inlet to an outlet. The walls are sized and positioned to create a generally uniform cross-sectional flow area. A plurality of modules are disposed along the flow path. Each module includes at least one injector that aerates the flow and an extractor that removes floated ink foam. A portion of the flow from each module is recycled to an upstream module, preferably by a conduit and associated pump. In a preferred form, an injector (or injectors) alone located at the inlet is fed by the next downstream module and an extractor alone is located near the outlet. The invention also includes a main recycling loop from the downstream end of the flow path to the upstream end.