Abstract: Apparatus for removal of a desired material from a liquid is described, in which the liquid is cycled through a plurality of liquid treatment containers in a first direction and brought into countercurrent contact with a medium for recovery of the desired material cycled through the treatment containers in a second, opposite direction. After treatment of the liquid, the medium is advantageously regenerated in a plurality of medium regeneration containers. The used medium is cycled through a plurality of medium regeneration containers in a first direction and brought into countercurrent contact with a medium regeneration liquid cycled through the regeneration containers in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous separation and optional recovery of one or more contaminants from a liquid, and in particular, for isolation of one or more specific elements, isotopes, ions, complexes and/or compounds from mixtures of similar or dissimilar materials, whereby the liquid containing such mixture is treated continuously, and the thus-isolated material may if desired be economically recovered. Through the use of means for continuously moving an affinity medium in a direction countercurrent to the flow of a liquid containing the material to be isolated, it is possible to obtain contaminant removal efficiencies comparable or superior to what would be obtained with heretofore known methods, and to achieve selective removal of one or more contaminants from a mixture. The affinity medium is selected on the basis of its ability to form an association with one or more of the components of the mixture being treated.

Abstract: A method for removal of at least one contaminant from a liquid is described, wherein a first step in liquid is introduced into a first of a plurality of liquid treatment containers and brought into contact in a liquid-medium suspension with a first quantity of a solid contaminant recovery medium for removing the contaminant for a period of time sufficient to achieve a desired efficiency of recovery of the contaminant. The liquid is then cycled from the first liquid treatment container sequentially through each of the plurality of liquid treatment containers to a final liquid treatment container while contacting the liquid in each of the liquid treatment containers with additional quantities of the medium in liquid-medium suspension for periods of time sufficient to achieve the desired efficiency of recovery in each of the liquid treatment containers.