An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element. An assembly bracket includes upper and portions that can be cooperatingly attached to one another about the aeration element for securing the aeration element to a floor of a tank or pool. The assembly bracket includes through-going passages for enabling water to circulate around the bracket and reduce buoyancy of the assembly. Two aeration elements of shorter lengths can be positioned adjacent two one another, secured within assembly brackets, and connected at adjacent ends, so that one of the aeration elements functions as a conduit to the other aeration element when air is supplied into one of the aeration elements.

An apparatus for use with a wastewater treatment tank is described. The apparatus includes a track, pipe modules coupled to the track such that the pipe modules are translatable along the track, and diffusers attached to the pipe modules. Each pipe module defines a respective partially curved mating surface, a respective partially curved mating cavity, and a respective gas passage passing through it. The respective partially curved mating surface of a first pipe module is inserted into the respective partially curved mating cavity of a second pipe module, while the respective partially curved mating surface of the second pipe module is inserted into the respective partially curved mating cavity of a third pipe module. Each gas passage of the pipe modules is in gaseous communication with the other gas passages of the pipe modules. At the same time, each diffuser is in gaseous communication with the gas passages of the pipe modules.

A method for biologically treating effluent involves pouring the effluent into a basin in which mobile supports are submerged for developing a biofilm and for carrying out a treatment by fixed fluidized bed, aerating the effluent in the basin with a distribution of air flow, from the bottom of the basin, according to a floor configuration, the aeration supplying air for treating the nutrients, and keeping the supports moving, regulating the aeration to modulate the air flow depending on at least one parameter taken from the following parameters: the residual oxygen concentration, and/or the concentration of oxygen and the concentration of NNH4, and/or the permitted load; modifying the distribution of the air supply from the floor configuration to a spiral flow configuration when the operating conditions result in an air flow lower than a minimum air flow required to keep the mobile supports moving in the floor configuration.

A liquid mixing system includes a support housing at least partially bounding a compartment. A mount is secured to the support housing. A drive motor assembly is configured to engage a drive shaft for moving the drive shaft within the compartment of the support housing. A four bar linkage system extends between the mount and the drive motor assembly, the four bar linkage system being movable between a first position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a first elevation and a second position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.

A fountain has: a water source; a housing; a vortex chamber defined within the housing, the vortex chamber connected to receive water from the water source; a bubble chamber defined within the housing and connected to receive water from the vortex chamber and cause air bubbles to percolate within the bubble chamber; and a water outlet defined in the bubble chamber. A fountain has: a water source; a housing; a vortex chamber defined within the housing, the vortex chamber connected to receive water from the water source; a second chamber defined within the housing and connected to receive water from the vortex chamber; and a plurality of water outlets defined in the second chamber.

In a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR or SMU), diffusers are used to eject air bubbles, primarily to facilitate the movement of mixed liquor past the membrane surfaces, cleaning and scouring the surfaces of the membranes with the mechanical energy of the combined air/liquid/solids movement. Oxygen transfer from the bubbles into the mixed liquor is often a secondary goal, for supplying oxygen to biological processes. The invention involves the use of a specific bubble diffuser, oriented at a selected upward angle, to enable a single style diffuser to accomplish simultaneous generation of mid-size and fine bubble aeration, with adjustment of the tilt angle varying the percentages of mid-size and fine bubble aeration. The angle selection, along with the number of diffusers and air volume selected, allows achievement of target liquid movement through the MBR.

A mixing chamber for use in a beverage carbonation system is provided. In one embodiment, the carbonation mixing chamber includes a housing, a fluid inlet pathway, a gas inlet pathway, and an outlet pathway. The housing may have an inner chamber, and the fluid inlet pathway can be configured to extend into the inner chamber of the housing and receive fluid from a fluid source. The gas inlet pathway can be configured to extend into the inner chamber of the housing and can be configured to receive gas from a gas source. The gas inlet pathway can include a plurality of nozzles positioned within the inner chamber and configured to direct gas in a plurality of directions that differ from one another. The outlet pathway can be configured to dispense a mixture of fluid and gas from the inner chamber.

A liquid mixing system includes a support housing at least partially bounding a compartment. A mount is secured to the support housing. A drive motor assembly is configured to engage a drive shaft for moving the drive shaft within the compartment of the support housing. A four bar linkage system extends between the mount and the drive motor assembly, the four bar linkage system being movable between a first position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a first elevation and a second position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.

A water aeration diffuser has a base with an internal cavity defining an air pocket, and a ceramic plate removably attached to the base. The base is in flow communication with air supply such that air is received in the cavity and then diffused by the ceramic plate to create an aeration column in a body of water. To allow for repair and servicing, the ceramic plate is removably attached to the base by one or more fasteners. The base includes a perimeter lip around its top portion that supports the ceramic plate and maximizes the exposed surface area of the plate. A water and air-tight gasket is provided between the lip and the ceramic plate. An eye-bolt may be provided through the ceramic plate and attached to the base to provide an attachment point for a ballast or other means used to position the diffuser.

A reciprocating stirrer device with which favorable gas absorption into the stirred substance can be obtained. The reciprocating stirrer device is obtained from: a stirring vessel in which the substance to be stirred is placed; a reciprocating drive shaft provided inside the stirring vessel; a stirring blade connected and affixed so as to intersect the drive shaft; and a microbubble-generating unit. The microbubble-generating unit is obtained from a sparger that is made of a porous body and a gas supply means for supplying a gas to the sparger. Bubbles are generated in the substance being stirred by passing gas supplied to the sparger by the gas supply means through pores of the porous body.