Variously configurable rotating biological contactor and prefabricated components therefor

Abstract

Improved fabricated subcomponents, components and rotating biological contactor embodiments that are assembled from, and that incorporate, such subcomponents and components are achieved. The components comprise tank sections, bulkheads, contactor drums, paddle wheels, shaft assemblies including associated bearings and supports, each of which may be assembled from preformed subcomponents if desired. Rotating biological contactors are assemblable at an installation site, which may be a confined space if desired, by two men with simple tools. In an assembled rotating biological contactor, the shaft assemblies can rotated by an electric motor, by fluidic pressure exerted upon paddle wheel blades, or by both in combination.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A unitarily formed trough defining section for a rotating biological contactor, said section having a longitudinally extending trough defined therethrough.  
   
   
       30 . A housing section for a rotating biological contactor, said housing section comprising 
 (a) a trough defining portion having a longitudinally extending trough defined therethrough and a lateral side defined on each side of said trough,    (b) a side wall portion on each said lateral side for supporting said trough defining portion with said trough in a gravitationally lower position compared to upper side portions of said trough defining portion,    (c) each of said trough defining portion and said side wall portions being unitarily formed.    
   
   
       31 . The housing section of  claim 30  wherein at least one of said side wall portions is separate from but engageable with one said lateral side.  
   
   
       32 . The trough defining section of  claim 29  which is unitarily formed in combination with one side wall portion on one lateral side thereof, and which is detachably engageable with another side wall portion on the opposite lateral side thereof, said side wall portions in combination with said trough defining section being adapted to support said trough defining section in a working position.  
   
   
       33 . The trough defining section of  claim 29  which is in combination with detachably engageable side wall support members on each lateral side thereof.  
   
   
       34 . A contactor drum for a rotating biological contactor said contactor drum comprising in combination 
 (a) a plurality of interfacially arranged and interconnected corrugated sheet members, the exterior perimeter of said plurality being cylindrically configured and the central axis of said plurality having a cross-sectionally square aperture defined therethrough,    (b) adjacent pairs of said sheet members having adjacent respective surface portions that are attached to each other, thereby to define channels through which water can flow transversely relative to said axis when said plurality of sheet members rotates about said central axis, and    (c) a circular, flattened plate member for association with one side of said plurality of sheet members.    
   
   
       35 . The contactor drum of  claim 34  wherein each opposite side of said plurality of sheet members has said circular flattened plate member associated therewith, including association means therefor.  
   
   
       36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A paddle wheel assembly for a rotating biological contactor comprising in combination 
 (a) a pair of spaced, parallel, circular coaxial plates each having a central axis through which a cross-sectionally square aperture extends, and    (b) a plurality of generally radially extending, circumferentially equally spaced paddle blades, each said paddle blade being generally radially oriented and disposed between said plates and having lateral side portions that are adjacent each of said plates, including fastening means for mounting each said blade to each said plate.    
   
   
       38 . The paddle wheel assembly of  claim 37  wherein each said blade has an arcuately configured outer end portion and all said blades are similarly configured and oriented.  
   
   
       39 - 52 . (canceled)