Pivotable fluid diverter for recirculation system

Claim 2

In a reservoir having an inlet and outlet means for liquid, wherein a predetermined liquid level is to be maintained in said reservoir by recirculation of sprayed liquid through a spraying means disposed above said liquid level the improvement comprising a float responsive means disposed in said liquid, and spray collection means rigidly affixed to said float responsive means in vertically spaced apart relationship therewith, said spray collection means being pivotally disposed near one end to selectively place a portion of said spray collection means in open fluid communication with said outlet means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spray collection means is alternately inclinable from the horizontal in one direction so as to divert sprayed liquid into said reservoir when said liquid level falls below said predetermined liquid level, and in the opposite direction so as to divert liquid to said outlet means when said liquid level rises above said predetermined liquid level.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outlet means is provided with at least one pivot on which said onE end of said spray collections means is pivotally disposed.

Claim 5

Apparatus for the tertiary treatment of effluent sewage containing a minor amount of solids and having an unacceptable high biological oxygen demand, comprising: a reservoir having an inlet means and outlet means, said reservoir being in open communication with an oxygen containing gas, filtration means disposed within said reservoir, above a predetermined liquid level, to separate said solids from liquid in said effluent, pump means to recirculate said liquid, spraying means, disposed above said predetermined liquid level in fluid communication with said pump means, to provide a liquid spray, an elongated trough or diverter adapted to receive a portion of said liquid spray, pivotally disposed near one end to selectively place said trough in open fluid communication with said outlet means, said trough being alternately inclinable from the horizontal in one direction so as to divert said spray into said reservoir and in the opposite direction so as to divert said spray to said outlet means, and float responsive means rigidly connected to said trough means to effect inclination of said trough in said one direction when the liquid level in said reservoir falls below said predetermined liquid level, and in said opposite direction when the liquid rises above said predetermined liquid level so as to maintain said predetermined liquid level in said reservoir while lowering the biological oxygen demand of said liquid.

Claim 6

Apparatus for the tertiary treatment of effluent sewage containing a minor amount of solids and having an unacceptable high biological oxygen demand, comprising: a reservoir having an inlet means and outlet means, said reservoir being in open communication with an oxygen containing gas, filtration means disposed within said reservoir, above a predetermined liquid level, to separate said solids from liquid in said effluent, pump means to recirculate said liquid, spraying means, disposed above said predetermined liquid level in fluid communication with said pump means, to provide a liquid spray, an elongated trough or diverter adapted to receive a portion of said liquid spray, pivotally disposed near one end to selectively place said trough in open fluid communication with said outlet means, said trough being alternately inclinable from the horizontal in one direction so as to divert said spray into said reservoir and in the opposite direction so as to divert said spray to said outlet means, and float responsive means rigidly connected to said trough means to effect inclination of said trough in said one direction when the liquid level in said reservoir falls below said predetermined liquid level, and in said opposite direction when the liquid rises above said predetermined liquid level so as to maintain said predetermined liquid level in said reservoir while lowering the biological oxygen demand of said liquid.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pump means is intermittently operable and said spraying means is a foraminous conduit closed at one end.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said trough or diverter is extensible.

Claim 9

In a reservoir having an inlet and outlet to a contact chamber disposed within said reservoir for liquid, wherein a predetermined liquid level is to be maintained in said reservoir by recirculation of sprayed liquid through a spraying means disposed above said liquid level the improvement comprising a float responsive means disposed in said liquid, and spray collection means rigidly affixed to said float responsive means in vertically spaced apart relationship therewith, said spray collection means being pivotally disposed near one end to selectively place a portion of said spray collection means in open fluid communication with said contact chamber disposed within said reservoir, and outlet means through which liquid from said contact chamber is discharged.

Claim 10

In a reservoir having an inlet and outlet to a contact chamber disposed within said reservoir for liquid, wherein a predetermined liquid level is to be maintained in said reservoir by recirculation of sprayed liquid through a spraying means disposed above said liquid level the improvement comprising a float responsive means disposed in said liquid, and spray collection means rigidly affixed to said float responsive means in vertically spaced apart relationship therewith, said spray collection means being pivotally disposed near one end to selectively place a portion of said spray collection means in open fluid communication with said contact chamber disposed within said reservoir, and outlet means through which liquid from said contact chamber is discharged.