MILOS KROFTA
Engineering in Lenox, MA

5846413, Dec 8, 1998

Apr 26, 1996

8/638116

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Inc. - Lenox MA

C02F 900, C02F 124, B01D 2108, B01D 17035

2102212

A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier and clarification process utilize three zones for clarification which operate in sequence in a single clarifier. Raw water with suspended solids enters a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles introduced to the inflow float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, in a set of plate-like lamellae, radial and conical, which form inclined channels where a final clarification occurs. The bottom wall of the tank has a set of apertures which allow a gravity flow of clarified water through a layer of pressurized gas to an underlying collection compartment. Level sensors control a valve in the clarified outflow line and an air bleed from the pressurized gas layer to regulate liquid levels in the clarifier.

6174434, Jan 16, 2001

Jan 25, 1999

9/236910

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

The Lenox Institute of Water Technology, Inc. - Lenox MA

C02F 124, C02F 900, B01D 2108, B01D 2102

2102212

A compact dissolved-air-flotation (DAF) clarifier treats raw water with suspended solid contaminants first in a flocculator at the center of an annular tank where microscopic air bubbles float flocked contaminants to form a floating sludge layer. The flocculator has a fixed, cylindrical sidewall. A first clarification, calming and degassing occur here. The water then flows radially outwardly into the tank with a straight cylindrical outer wall where further quiet clarification occurs. A third level of clarification occurs in a lower portion of the tank, specifically, within a set of fixed, inclined lamellae, where a final clarification occurs. The bottom wall of the tank has a set of apertures which allow a gravity flow of clarified water through a layer of pressurized gas to an underlying collection compartment. A set of rotating paddles push the sludge layer up a ramp to an opening in an inclined discharge conduit. The paddles extend generally from the region over the full surface area of the tank, to its outer wall, which is preferably cylindrical.

5320750, Jun 14, 1994

May 19, 1992

7/885522

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

B01D 2424

2102212

A two stage raw water clarifier with first stage flotation and second stage filtration divides at least the lower portion of a flotation tank into independent cells. A branched slotted conduit located in a filter medium in each cell collects clarified water. Valves control the flow of clarified water from each branched conduit either to a clarified water ring conduit or to a first filtrate/backwash ring conduit connected to a storage tank. The filter media is preferably a dual media, a layer of anthracite or activated carbon over a layer of sand. High cell walls and inclined baffles in each cell retain the filter media during backwashing. The baffles also slow the flotation process. A decompression valve for pressurized water with dissolved air has a very narrow annular slot in the flow path through the valve to create microscopic air bubbles of optimal size for the flotation. A movable member sets this annular slot at a proper value.

5078861, Jan 7, 1992

May 17, 1990

7/525890

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

Lenox Institute for Research, Inc. - Lenox MA

B01D 2132

210 86

Water clarifying apparatus has a cylindrical tank where particulate contaminants suspended in raw water are separated using flotation techniques. The treatment capacity of such a unit is increased several times, with no decrease in the size of the tank, by using a set of concentric, mutually spaced, conical plates positioned in the flotation tank. The increase is proportional to the combined area of the plates when projected onto a horizontal plane, the overlap of the projection producing an area which is greater than that of the horizontal plane without plates. The plates rotate about the tank, preferably in unison with a (i) header that distributes equal quantities of raw water to each annular zone in the tank defined by the conical plates and (ii) a scoop for removing the contaminants which form a floated sludge layer. To accommodate this increased clarification capacity the clarifying apparatus also includes (1) a screw conveyor located in a discharge pipe of the floated sludge scoop, (2) an infrared sludge detection array operating in conjunction with a window in the side wall of the tank to sense the sludge-water interface and the turbidity of the water below the interface, and in response thereto, to coordinate and control the operation of the apparatus, and (3) air dissolving tubes operating in parallel that have common feeds and discharges coupled through three way valves operated to pressurize a closed volume of water with high pressure air in one tube while reloading and discharging the other tube. Where a sandbed filter is used at the bottom of the tank, the apparatus also includes clarified water extraction pipes imbedded in the sand and a steam backwashing system.

4022696, May 10, 1977

Mar 24, 1976

5/670067

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

B01D 1708

210520

Apparatus for clarifying waste water is disclosed in which the waste water being treated is moved through the apparatus with minimum turbulence so that the flotation rate of suspended particles is brought closely to a theoretical value. The apparatus includes a flotation tank unique in that its height is low compared to its area. Inlet pipes for waste water are supported by a carriage which moves around the flotation tank supported on the outer edge of the tank and a runway towards the center thereof. The clarified water is removed by pipes also supported by the carriage and so supported that advantage is taken of the movement of the carriage to effect a longer flotation path for the rising particles.

4923600, May 8, 1990

Aug 28, 1987

7/090775

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

Lenox Institute for Research, Inc. - Lenox MA

B01D 2324

210107

Apparatus adapted for use in a water clarification system which removes particles of greater than a predetermined size from the clarified water includes a screen or a pair of concentric screens positioned in a clarified water storage area between an inlet and a clarified water outlet. One or more spray heads for direct a shower of high pressure filtered clarified water at the outlet side of the screen or screens to loosen or remove particles therefrom. In addition, a rotating brush can act on the inlet side of the screen. Particles removed by the cleaning elements are recirculated through the system. Water levels are maintained by overflow control or by monitoring the water level and utilizing the output from the monitor or monitors to selectively control valves in the inlet or outlets from the system.

4377485, Mar 22, 1983

Sep 15, 1981

6/302566

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

Lenox Institute for Research, Inc. - Lenox MA

B01D 2101, B01D 2108

210704

Apparatus and a method for removing suspended particles from water in a circular tank having a distribution and flocculation chamber immersed in the tank of water and carried circularly around the tank by a carriage. Flocculating material and inlet water are introduced into the body of water from the moving flocculating chamber at the same rate as clarified water is discharged through a filter substantially covering the bottom of the tank. A majority of particles in the water is collected by flocs in the water and floated to the water surface by air bubble action. The floating sludge is removed by a spiral scoop carried by the carriage. The water is then passed through the bottom filter which removes the remaining flocs completing the clarification of the water for discharge. Apparatus is provided for selectively back washing sections of the filter while the remainder of the filter is in operation.

5296149, Mar 22, 1994

May 20, 1992

7/886414

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

C02F 124, B01D 2102

210704

A tank receives raw water for clarification by flotation. An array of lamellae define a set of generally vertically oriented channels with solid side walls. Flotation occurs in each channel. The channels are preferably inclined. With a round tank, a frame rotates an interlocking array of radial and concentric lamellae. A stationary raw water inlet distribution box fills the channels with raw treated water. An aligned clarified water collection box withdraws clarified water. A stationary skimmer directs floating sludge to a removal conduit with a variable pitch screw conveyor. Sliding seals on the lamellae isolate individual channels or groups of channels as they move through the tank. The channels lock and move columns of water through the tank with substantially no turbulence.

4673494, Jun 16, 1987

Aug 30, 1985

6/771105

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

Lenox Institute For Research, Inc. - Lenox MA

C02F 124

210202

Apparatus for treatment of septic tank effluent to remove suspended particles for clarifying and purifying the water prior to discharge into the leaching field or for use for other purposes. The apparatus, which is small enough to be conveniently installed in individual households, comprises a vertical main tank, flocculation material supply means to form flocs for combining with suspended solids in the unclarified water introduced into the main tank, a water electrolysis unit in the main tank for producing gaseous bubbles to which the flocs become attached and which rise to the surface where the entrapped solids are removed and returned to the septic tank, and a filter device at the bottom of the main tank for removing remaining precipitated flocs with entrapped solids. The anode of the electrolysis unit is made of aluminum to provide aluminum hydroxide as a flocculating agent.

4151093, Apr 24, 1979

Mar 24, 1978

5/889943

Milos Krofta - Lenox MA

Lenox Institute for Research - Lenox MA

B01D 3304

210386

Apparatus for washing stock such as used in papermaking and like industries in which an upward moving inclined filter screen is used to separate washed stock from the washing water. A structure is provided carrying in counter flow movement an endless filter screen past an inlet for watered stock and past at least one washing station in which additional washing water is supplied. The washed stock is finally compacted between a drum and the filter screen to remove surplus water and conveyed away from the filter screen.