A floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning head configured for cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning solution. A collection mechanism is configured to collect used cleaning solution following use by the cleaning head. A conduit fluidly connects the collection mechanism with a recovery tank. The conduit is configured to convey a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collection mechanism to the recovery tank. A defoaming system is positioned proximate the recovery tank and includes a solid chemical defoaming form. The solid chemical defoaming form is configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution. The flow of the used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemical defoaming form and into the recovery tank.

A floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning head configured for cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning solution. A collection mechanism is configured to collect used cleaning solution following use by the cleaning head. A conduit fluidly connects the collection mechanism with a recovery tank. The conduit is configured to convey a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collection mechanism to the recovery tank. A defoaming system is positioned proximate the recovery tank and includes a solid chemical defoaming form. The solid chemical defoaming form is configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution. The flow of the used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemical defoaming form and into the recovery tank.

A floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine includes a solution tank for a cleaning solution. A pre-canister sensor receives the cleaning solution and measures the concentration of any dissolved solids. A canister assembly receives a portion of the cleaning solution from the pre-canister sensor and dissolves portions of a solid chemical form into the cleaning solution thereby forming blended droplets. The canister assembly has a spray nozzle positioned vertically above the solid chemical form. A post-canister sensor receives a mixture of the cleaning solution from the pre-canister sensor and the blended droplets from the canister assembly. The post-canister sensor measures the concentration of any dissolved solids within the mixture of the cleaning solution from the pre-canister sensor and the blended droplets from the canister assembly. A comparison of the baseline and post-canister measurements outside of a desired range results in replacement of the solid chemical form.

An apparatus (12) for treating water, in particular for removing surfactants from waste water, includes a vessel (14), defining an inlet (16) for receiving waste water containing air bubbles, and an outlet (20) for the exit of water, following treatment. Inside the vessel there is at least one tubular member (50) having a lower open end (52) into which the flow of waste water from the inlet may be directed in use. The tubular member (50) extends from the inlet towards a top of the vessel where an upper exit (54) from the tubular member is defined. In use, most un-aerated water entering the vessel through the inlet can exit the tubular member at the lower open end. Foam formed in the water by the air bubbles may travel up the tubular member to the upper exit, which is preferably located above the water level (60) in the vessel.

An apparatus (12) for treating water, in particular for removing surfactants from waste water, includes a vessel (14), defining an inlet (16) for receiving waste water containing air bubbles, and an outlet (20) for the exit of water, following treatment. Inside the vessel there is at least one tubular member (50) having a lower open end (52) into which the flow of waste water from the inlet may be directed in use. The tubular member (50) extends from the inlet towards a top of the vessel where an upper exit (54) from the tubular member is defined. In use, most un-aerated water entering the vessel through the inlet can exit the tubular member at the lower open end. Foam formed in the water by the air bubbles may travel up the tubular member to the upper exit, which is preferably located above the water level (60) in the vessel.

The present invention relates to a nozzle for an air trapping device configured to remove air from a fluid, the nozzle comprising a body having an input opening configured to receive the fluid and an output opening configured to distribute the fluid along an edge of the output opening, wherein the edge comprises a control element configured to reduce surface tension of the fluid. The present invention further relates to an air trapping device 200 configured to remove air from a fluid and comprising the nozzle.

The present invention relates to a nozzle for an air trapping device configured to remove air from a fluid, the nozzle comprising a body having an input opening configured to receive the fluid and an output opening configured to distribute the fluid along an edge of the output opening, wherein the edge comprises a control element configured to reduce surface tension of the fluid. The present invention further relates to an air trapping device 200 configured to remove air from a fluid and comprising the nozzle.

Methods of making various capillary foams are provided. The foams can include liquid foams having a plurality of particles connected by a network of a secondary fluid at the interface between the discontinuous and continuous phase. The foams can also include solid foams where the continuous phases (bulk fluid) is removed to produce the solid foam having high overall porosities and low densities. Densities as low as 0.3 g cm.sup.3 and porosities as high as 95% or higher can be achieved. The secondary fluid can be polymerized to further strengthen the solid foam. Methods and devices are also provided for oil recovery from water using a capillary foam. The methods can include forming a capillary foam wherein the oil is the secondary fluid, and wherein the foam can transport the oil to the surface of the water.

Methods of making various capillary foams are provided. The foams can include liquid foams having a plurality of particles connected by a network of a secondary fluid at the interface between the discontinuous and continuous phase. The foams can also include solid foams where the continuous phases (bulk fluid) is removed to produce the solid foam having high overall porosities and low densities. Densities as low as 0.3 g cm.sup.3 and porosities as high as 95% or higher can be achieved. The secondary fluid can be polymerized to further strengthen the solid foam. Methods and devices are also provided for oil recovery from water using a capillary foam. The methods can include forming a capillary foam wherein the oil is the secondary fluid, and wherein the foam can transport the oil to the surface of the water.

A vapor recovery apparatus degasses oil and water produced by an oil well. The apparatus has a first vessel forming a column. Oil containing gas enters the bottom of the first vessel and flows up to a liquid outlet. Heat applied to the rising oil, wherein the oil foams. Gas escapes into the upper end. The foam flows into a second column and along a roughened surface. The bubbles in the foam break apart releasing the gas. The oil flows down the second column to an outlet. Water is introduced into a third vessel. The water releases gas therein, which gas mingles with the gas from the oil. The third vessel is located around the first and second vessels. A compressor may be used to withdraw the gas and provide hot compressed gas to heat the rising oil in the first column.