Abstract: A process for treating ground water containing nitrogen compounds, including ammonia, urea and nitrate, is provided. The ground water is extracted downgradient of the source of contamination and mixed with a chemical oxidant to oxidize the nitrogen component to nitrogen gas. The chemical oxidant may be any suitable oxidant, including a halogenated oxidant, such as a hypochlorite, hypobromite or hypoiodite compound, and Fentons reagent, or combinations thereof. The ground water can be further treated as desired to remove residual oxidants, as well as nitrate, to provide a processed water having characteristics suitable for discharge with limited to no adverse impact on the discharge environment.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for controlling growth of harmful algal blooms generated by the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, and other harmful algal species. The method includes the steps of applying seawater containing low levels of dissolved ozone directly onto or under the surface of water containing harmful algal blooms. Since only low levels of ozone are required for this method to be effective and since the application of ozonated seawater is directed to the bloom itself, release of excess ozone into the atmosphere and/or surrounding water is minimal, which is advantageous since it greatly reduces adverse effects of ozone on the environment, marine life, and human health. The low concentration of ozone utilized in this method is sufficient to destroy the red tide organism, but leave surrounding marine life unharmed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting water is provided including treating water by irradiating the water with ultraviolet light and introducing silver ions to the water. The water may be treated by either initially irradiating the water with ultraviolet light followed by introducing silver ions to the water or by introducing silver ions to the water and thereafter exposing the silver ion-containing water to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A method for treating a work material containing a target constituent, including the steps of presenting the work material for treating in accordance with the method; and applying a treating agent to the work material operable to treat the work material to render substantially harmless the target constituent in the work material.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for ozonating water and applying the ozonated water to surfaces for cleaning purposes. The instant invention allows a user to transform water into a liquid with more robust cleaning properties conveniently and in a short time. The present invention includes a cleaning apparatus having a reservoir containing water, the reservoir able to be easily manipulated by a user to dispense the water, a device for increasing the level of oxidative properties in the water, and a circulation flow path communicating with the reservoir and the device to allow at least some of the water in the reservoir to flow from the reservoir to the device and back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A process for removing metal sulfates from dilute aqueous solutions in which a conductivity control solution is injected into the stream. The solution is selected to increase the conductivity of the stream to a value wherein the ion state of each metal is then modified by passing the stream between electrodes of each pair of an array of pairs of electrodes. A voltage is imposed across each pair of electrodes, selected according to a target ion state for each of the various contaminants. The pH of the stream is then increased to a value where precipitate of metal hydroxide of the metal sulfates are formed. The precipitated metal hydroxide is then removed from the stream leaving a reduced amount of sulfate ions.

Abstract: Methods for treating wastewater comprising adding to wastewater a defoaming and/or surfactant-effective quantity of at least one base-catalyzed branched reaction product comprising the following reactants: A) at least one compound of formula I R1(X)3??(I) wherein each X group is a halogen atom or one X group is a halogen atom and two X groups represent an epoxy oxygen atom, which is attached to two adjacent carbon atoms in the R1 group to form an epoxy group, and R1 is an alkanetriyl group containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and B) at least one compound having the formula II R2X(AO)nY??(II) wherein R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, organic group having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms; X is —O—, —S—, or —NR3— where R3 is hydrogen or a C1–C18 alkyl group; each AO group is independently an ethyleneoxy, 1,2-propyleneoxy, or 1,2-butyleneoxy group, n is a number of from 0 to 200; and Y is hydrogen, or Y can be a mercapto group or an amino group or a C1–C6 alkylamino group in place o

Abstract: The method is for treating a liquid or a slurry of a liquid and solids, such as sludge, soil or fiber webs, with an ultrasonic energy. Movable endless members (214, 230) are provided that are permeable to the liquid portion of a slurry (204). An ultrasonic transducer (236) is disposed adjacent to the member (214) and the ultrasonic transducer (234) is disposed adjacent to the member (230). The slurry is fed in between the members (214, 230). The transducers (234, 236) generate pressure pulses through the members (230, 214) to form imploding bubbles (227) in the slurry. The bubbles (227) have a diameter (d5) that is greater than a distance (d3) between the transducer (234) and the member (230) and a distance (d4) between the transducer (236) and the member (214) to prevent the bubbles (227) from being captured between the transducers (234, 236) and the members (230, 214).

Abstract: A grease removal system includes a solid interceptor fluidly coupled to a grease trap tank, which is fluidly coupled to a secondary tank. The secondary tank contains an enzyme solution which biodegrades the grease. The grease removal system may also include a solid interceptor fluidly coupled to a grease trap tank which is fluidly coupled to a replaceable container. Grease is diverted from the grease trap tank into the replaceable container and thereafter discarded. The grease removal system may include a grease trap tank utilizing a unique arrangement of grease baffles and solids baffles which work together to isolate grease within a single region of the grease trap tank for ease of disposal. Finally, the grease removal system includes two level sensors which detect the level of grease within the grease trap tank and, at the appropriate level direct the accumulated grease from the grease trap tank.

Abstract: A method for treating an electroless plating liquid or other metal-containing solution that also contains reducing agents. The method includes providing a reaction vessel containing an anode, a cathode, and a hydrogen ion-permeable membrane separating the anode and the cathode, placing the metal-containing liquid in contact with the anode, placing a catholyte solution in contact with the cathode; driving an electrical current through the anode and the cathode to oxidize the reducing agents present, and removing the used catholyte solution and the partially treated liquid from the electrodes, optionally from the reaction vessel to separate reservoirs. The partially treated liquid and an anolyte solution are placed in contact with the cathode and anode, respectively, and a current is again driven through the anode and cathode, plating a majority of the metal ions onto the cathode. The steps of oxidizing the reducing agents and plating the metal ions may also be reversed in order.

Abstract: The present invention is an oxidative reaction that converts organic content in the wastewater into harmless CO2 and H2O. The heat produced by the oxidative reaction evaporates the water, thereby concentrating the remaining solids in solution. The final product from the process is the crystal form of sodium carbonates and other oxidized salts carried in by the raw wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluid purification and disinfection system, which includes a housing, an ultraviolet lamp and a photocatalytic oxidation device. Said housing therein is an enclosed case that is fitted with an inlet and an outlet. Furthermore, said ultraviolet lamp is mounted inside the housing. Said photocatalytic oxidation device is a disinfection core coated with photocatalyst. Said disinfection core is installed around said ultraviolet lamp, and is fixed onto said housing. Said photocatalyst therein is titanium dioxide. The working principle of the fluid purification and disinfection device in accordance with the present invention is to utilize ultraviolet light to irradiate the titanium dioxide-coated surface of the photocatalytic oxidation device to generate the photocatalytic oxidation process.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus used to prevent the formation of scale around electrodes which form part of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one electrode containing a proportion of an ion-emitting electrode such as copper, silver or a copper and silver alloy and at least one electrode containing a proportion of a non-emissive metal such as titanium. The electrodes are connected to a DC power supply which has switching means to reverse the polarity of the electrodes at predetermined intervals. The apparatus ensures accurate control of disinfection and minimal equipment maintenance.

Abstract: A coal bed methane wastewater treatment system for efficiently and cost effectively treating wastewater generated from coal bed methane production. The coal bed methane wastewater treatment system includes collecting wastewater into an ozone diffusion tank where ozone is injected into the wastewater, passing the wastewater through a prefilter tank and then through a primary membrane. The treated water is separated to a permeate tank and the concentrated water is passed through a secondary membrane for further separation. The concentrated water is then placed within a holding pond for evaporation thereof. The treated water may be utilized to clean the prefilter tank and the membranes. The treated water is then dispensed into a sodium adsorption ratio tank prior to being released to a natural waterway.

Abstract: An inline dispenser and purification device combination comprising an inline dispenser having fluid ports directly mateable to the ports of a fitted cartridge and a universal cartridge having no ports for connection with the fluid ports of the inline dispenser and a method of replacing a fitted cartridge located within a inline dispenser with a universal cartridge having no ports for connection with the fluid ports of the inline dispenser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a filter and at least one electrodeionization (EDI) unit for chemical recovery. The filter is adapted to receive a fluid and to remove a selected chemical element or contaminant from the fluid. The EDI unit is coupled to the filter and adapted to recover a chemical element from the fluid and to separate the recovered chemical element from the fluid.

Abstract: A process for wet oxidation of a waste stream containing organic carbon and organic or inorganic nitrogen-containing pollutants which comprises initially removing organic or inorganic nitrogen-containing pollutants using a nitrate salt of an aliphatic or aromatic amine as the denitrifying agent at a temperature from 180 to 300° C. and a pressure sufficient to maintain liquid phase conditions; and, then, effecting further removal of the organic carbon containing pollutant by treatment with activated carbon, chemical oxidation, or biotreatment.

Abstract: A method for treating liquid includes directing a pressurized stream of the liquid into a cyclone apparatus having an inlet closed to the atmosphere and a submerged outlet. A liquid vortex is formed along an inner surface of the cyclone apparatus, and a central portion defined by an inner surface of the liquid vortex is substantially evacuated of gases to create a near vacuum condition. Treatment gas may be selectively added to the liquid vortex through the evacuated central portion. Photon energy may be directed through the evacuated central portion and into contact with the treatment gas, or the liquid vortex. Pressure levels within the evacuated central portion are measured using a pressure sensor or gauge. Upon exiting the cyclone apparatus, the liquid is subjected to collision and cavitation forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the resistivity of ultra pure water, including a housing to house a gas permeable membrane, an inlet for untreated ultra pure water which communicates with an ultra pure water path, and an outlet for resistivity-controlled ultra pure water which communicates with the ultra pure water path. The gas permeable membrane divides the interior of the housing into the ultra pure water path and a mixed gas path. A mixed gas is selected from the group consisting of a mixed gas including carbon dioxide and a gas having a lower resistivity controlling ability than carbon dioxide and a mixed gas including ammonia and a gas having a lower resistivity controlling ability than ammonia. The gas permeable membrane is capable of supplying carbon dioxide or ammonia to the untreated ultra pure water at a concentration equal to or more than 90% of the equilibrium concentration.