Importance

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Abstract

A liquid treatment apparatus comprising a gas distribution network in a water impound; a device for introducing treating gas into the network; a source of cleaning agent; a device for intermittently introducing the cleaning agent into the network alone or in admixture with the treating gas; a plurality of synthetic thermoplastic or thermoset resin plenums; a plurality of a least ten diffusion elements sealingly engaged and in communication with the plenums for receiving the treating gas and cleaning agent, the elements having air diffusion pores extending therethrough, but being free of through-holes other than air diffusion pores, the pores defining paths for discharge of the treating gas and cleaning agent and which exhibit an increase in dynamic wet pressure and/or bubble release pressure as a result of deposition of foulants; retaining ring engaging the diffusion elements about their peripheries for securing the elements to the plenums; sealing device adjacent the peripheries of the diffusion elements for preventing leakage of air from the plenums past the peripheries of the elements; and measuring device for monitoring the operation of the liquid treatment apparatus by measuring changes in operating parameters of the apparatus that indicate dynamic wet pressure changes across the diffusion elements with sufficient precision for initiating the flow of cleaning agent with sufficient frequency for maintaining the dynamic wet pressure across the diffusion elements in a range not to exceed about 25 inches of water gauge above a base condition of the elements.

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First Claim