Abstract: A method of disposing of photographic silver halide processing solutions including developer, bleach and at least one silver bearing solution comprising a) combining the developer and bleach solutions to oxidize the developing agent in the developer and form a developer/bleach waste solution, b) treating the silver bearing solution(s) to reduce the silver ion level and form a low silver waste solution; and c) contacting the developer/bleach waste solution and the low silver waste solution with an absorbent material to form an apparently dry waste material having a leachable silver ion level below 5 ppm.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device for reducing the level of a chemical compound in a fluid. The device comprises: a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet; a flow-through fluid treatment zone having comprising: a radiation source, an adsorbent and a photocatalyst. The fluid treatment zone is reversibly operable between: (i) a first mode in which the fluid flows in a first direction and at least a portion of the chemical compound is adsorbed on the adsorbent; and (ii) a second mode in which the fluid flows in a second direction different from the first direction in which the absorbed chemical compound is exposed to radiation from the radiation resulting in photooxidation of the chemical compound.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a personal water purification system providing a watertight polymeric container 12 having a removable, threaded unfiltered water fill cap 18 that provides access through port 28 to an upper unfiltered water receiving chamber 20. At the lowest integral portion 24 of the receiving chamber 20, a threaded port 30 is provided for the attachment of a disposable filter cartridge 26 that is vertically threaded into the port 30. This allows for gravity induced filtering through cartridge 26 as opposed to pressure induced filtering. A plurality of filtered water ports 32 are also located in the lower integral portion of the unfiltered water chamber 20, one or more opposite the other and/or juxtapositioned, which allow filtered water to be dispensed from the lower filtered water chamber 16 to a drinking spout 22 provided at the top most portion of the container and to flow by gravity through a plurality of channels/conduits 34 when the container is tipped to its side.

Abstract: A filter sheet is provided which comprises a self-supporting fibrous matrix having immobilized therein particulate filter aid and particulate ion exchange resin, wherein said particulate filter aid and particulate ion exchange resin are distributed substantially uniformly throughout a cross-section of said matrix. A process for removing ionic impurities from a photoresist solution is also provided which comprises passing the photoresist solution through said filter sheet to remove ionic impurities therefrom.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrapure water producing apparatus with reduced problems resulting from impurities generated after replacement of unit apparatuses. A TOC-UV (1), a CP (2) and a UF film (3) are provided in this order from the upstream side of a pure water supply route. Ultrapure water flowing through the UF film (3) is supplied to a use point. A branch route branched from the pure water supply route is provided downstream of the UF film (3). A dissolved oxygen concentration meter (M1) is interposed in the branch route for measuring dissolved oxygen concentration in ultrapure water passed through the UF film (3). The branch route is connected to an oxidant decomposition unit (11). Oxidants included in ultrapure water flowing through the branch route are all converted into DO at the oxidant decomposition unit (11).

Abstract: A nozzle and associated system is for treating fluids is provided, particularly for a system including a reaction vessel containing a granular filter or ion exchange medium and a fluid manifold immersed in the granular or ion exchange medium. The nozzle has an outer screen defining a interior cavity, a duct for providing flow to the interior cavity, and a restrictor having at least one orifice through which the duct is in communication with the cavity. The orifice or orifices of the restrictor have a total open area that is less than the total open area of the outer screen. By this sizing relationship the nozzle flow rate is dictated by the inner orifice area, not the outer screen open area. In comparison to the outer screen openings each of the inner orifices is less susceptible to plugging or wearing than the narrow outer screen openings which are adjacent to medium. The nozzle according to the invention therefore provides a consistent predetermined flow rate and pressure drop profile over extended periods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus including a pressure layer having an ability of following up the deformation or movement of a packed bed of a solid catalyst and/or solid adsorbent which is provided on the packed bed. Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus in which a pressure layer having an ability of following up the deformation of the top surface of the solid catalyst packed bed is provided on the packed bed, or in which a water-permeable pressure layer having an ability of following up the deformation of the solid catalyst packed bed is provided on the packed bed. Such pressure layers are effective in sufficiently preventing the solid catalyst from moving in the packed bed. As a result, there is no problem such as the abrasion of solid catalyst mainly caused by its movement, the deterioration of the performance thereof, and an increase in pressure loss, thereby treating waste water in a stable manner for a long period of time.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an eluter instrument for an SPE system, including: a housing; an upper seal mounted in the housing for up and down motion with respect thereto; a lower seal mounted in the housing for up and down motion with respect thereto, and the upper seal and the lower seal being moveable between a first position in which the upper seal and the lower seal are spaced apart and not in proximity and a second position in which the upper seal and the lower seal are in proximity and spaced apart sufficiently only to clamp therebetween a first area of a plurality of areas of an SPE medium, the first area containing therein one or more compounds of interest, such as to permit elution of the one or more compounds of interest to another instrument.

Abstract: A continuous Liquid-Solids Circulating Fluidized Bed (LSCFB) preferably for use as an ion exchanger consists of two fluidized bed columns, a fluidized bed adsorber (downer) operating in conventional fluidized bed mode for adsorption of ions of interest and a fluidized bed riser for desorption of ions (operating as a riser fluidized bed) to provide regenerated particles. Ion exchange particles circulate continuously between the riser and the downer i.e. the particles that have adsorbed ions in the absorber pass from the adsorber (downer) to the desorber where they are regenerated and the so regenerated particles are return to the adsorber near the top of the adsorber column. The LSCFB can be used in processes for continuous recovery of the ions of interest.

Abstract: An ion chromatography system having a suppressor means which is provided with a main body for accommodating an ion exchanger ready for measuring; a chamber for accommodating a virgin ion exchanger, and an automatic exchanging means which discharges a used ion exchanger from the main body after an optional number of times of measurement and supplies the ion exchanger accommodated in the chamber to the main body. The ion chromatography system can measure a slight amount of ion species in a sample at a high sensitivity by conducting continuously a large number of times of measurement while the discharge of waste liquid can be minimized without causing a reduction of suppressing effect and a reduction of resolution performance of a desired ion species.

Abstract: A method for treating metal-working fluid comprises the steps of: a) transferring the metal-working fluid into a heating vessel; b) heating the metal-working fluid in the heating vessel to maintain the fluid at an elevated temperature during a heating period; c) agitating and aerating the fluid during the heating period; d) transferring the fluid out of the heating vessel into a holding vessel after the heating period; and e) transferring the fluid out of the holding vessel. The fluid may pass through a particle filter before entering the heating vessel, where it may be heated to between about 145° F. and about 210° F. for at least about 30 minutes. During heating, heated ambient air may be drawn through air inlets and through the fluid to agitate and aerate the fluid, thereby ensuring uniform heating and extracting gaseous contaminants. Mist and gaseous contaminants are removed from the airflow prior to its release into the environment.

Abstract: Water contaminated with halogenated organics, including chloroform, trichloroethane, solvents, pesticides, etc. is treated by passing the water through a permeable mixture of activated carbon and iron fillings. When the mixture is brought to a negative Eh voltae, the metal causes the contaminants to undergo chemical breakdown. The activated carbon acts to retard the contaminant, giving it a long residence time close to the iron. The negative Eh conditions demand oxygen exclusion, such that a favoured application is to place the mixture in a trench below the water table in an aquifer, in the path of a plume of contaminant. The mixture may also be contained in a tank above, or in, the ground. An inert filler material, such as sand, may be included in the mixture.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed which includes a casing defining a fluid chamber with inlet and outlet apertures to and from the chamber to respectively conduct unfiltered fluid to the chamber and filtered fluid from the chamber. A flow path is defined within the chamber and a filter is interposed in the flow path substantially normal to the direction of flow of the fluid in the chamber. The filter includes a screen having a covering of a filter aid, such as diatomaceous earth, on an upstream side of the screen. The filter is regenerated by reciprocating the screen relative to the casing in a path corresponding to the path defined by the direction of flow.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a filtering apparatus which incorporates a flow deflector, to divert an incoming flow of the fluid to be filtered, which serves as a device to cause one or more multifaceted bead members to circulate throughout and to impinge upon every surface of an inlet chamber of the filter apparatus so that contaminents tend to be removed from the filter inlet surface portion of the inlet chamber.

Abstract: A spilled oil collection catamaran includes a submerged waterfoil extending between a pair of floats and submerged at its bow, a rotating impeller extending between the floats and above the waterfoil with its bottom partly dipped in the water, a spraying pipe extending between the floats and in front of the impeller for spraying a gelling agent for having the spilled oil drifting in the water surface gelled, and a vertically movable cage in the rear of the impeller for housing therein a porous collection bag which has an open side directed toward the bow to collect gelled oil in the bag. The catamaran also includes a spray gun at the bow for spraying the gelling agent over the spilled oil drifting in the water surface in front of the catamaran.

Abstract: A self supporting fibrous matrix containing immobilized therein at least about 5% by weight of micro-particulate, with an average diameter less than 1 micron, preferably fumed silica, or alumina, and flocculating amounts of an organic polycationic resin and an organic polyanionic resin, is useful for fluid treatment and filtration processes, especially delipidization and depyrogenation of fluids such as serum.

Abstract: An improved control for a resin bed water softener includes a microcomputer which is supplied with input data from a flowmeter indicative of the quantity of soft water leaving the softener. In accordance with the flow data, the microcomputer determines the amount of water used since the last regeneration and also determines the average daily soft water consumption. The microcomputer also coupled to a data input device and receives input data indicative of the total resin bed treating capacity and the incoming water hardness. At a prescribed hour each day, the microcomputer determines the remaining water softener resin bed treating capacity as calculated from the water hardness, the total resin bed treating capacity and the amount of water used since the last regeneration.

Abstract: A self-propelled aeration device comprising a jet-aerator mounted on floats and connected by a hinged arm to a central pile for enabling the said aerator to rotate around the pile thus mixing and aerating both the large surface and great depth of a reservoir. As the jet-aerator a weir or orifice, preferably tooth-shaped orifice, are employed. In order to reduce the obstruction of jets and the wind resistance most of the elements of the floating structure are combined in a central box. The said box is self-supporting on water so that only small balancing floats are needed in addition to the central box in order to provide the stability of the floating structure. The device has provisions for preventing icing and clogging.

Abstract: A mixed-bed device for producing pure water for use in the electronic industry, the pharmaceutical industry, etc., comprises a water collector which is shaped to spread along the bottom of a container and which has water collecting apertures positionable as substantially uniformly distributed over the bottom.

Abstract: The strainer assembly comprises a body (1) which is to be mounted in the floor (14) of the filter and which has open upper and lower ends. A hollow open ended stem (3) has an external screw-thread (4) which engages with an internal screw-thread (2) in the body. The stem projects outwardly from the body below the lower end of the body and is axially adjustable relative to the body so that the effect of filter construction errors can be eliminated. A flexible tab (11) on the stem engages with ribs (10) on the body to prevent unintentional relative rotation of the stem and body. A strainer (8) is fitted to the upper end of the body and a flow control orifice (5) is provided in the stem. The area of the orifice is smaller than the total open area of the strainer.