Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and, more specifically, to a process for the removal of components from a starting material. Optionally, the process is used for the removal of contaminants from ion exchange regenerant material.

Abstract: Contaminant mass collection in saturated sedimentary environments for bioavailability determination. A casing includes a screen between the environment that is subject to sampling, such as a saturated sediment and the device itself. The casing includes a water intake zone, a pump, and sorptive media. The water intake zone, the pump, the screen and the sorptive media, are all operably linked in sequence. The screened casing is secured to form an in situ device; the screen is in fluid communication with the water intake zone and excludes endemic sediments and aquatic life. The in situ device is deployed in the saturated sedimentary environment. The pump operates to concentrate analytes from the selected environment in the sorptive media, where the concentrated analytes include the analyte mass of time-weighted fluid samples.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a fluid medium and a saccharifying agent.

Abstract: A flotation process for recovering feldspar from a feldspar containing feed material is disclosed. The process includes forming an aqueous suspension of a feldspar containing feed material, in the absence of hydrofluoric acid, wherein the suspension includes from 0.004 to 0.3% wt. of a flotation reagent including: (a) one or more amines, containing at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, including 8 to 50 carbon atoms, or a salt thereof; and (b) one or more primary, secondary or tertiary alcohols, containing at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, including 8 to 50 carbon atoms; the ratio of (a) to (b) ranging from 500:1 to 1:40 by weight. The process further includes agitating the obtained suspension to produce a feldspar containing fraction, and separating the feldspar containing fraction.

Abstract: An aqua-robotic pollutant removing device includes a buoyant body, an electromechanical housing coupled to the buoyant body, and a pollutant absorbing belt coupled to the electromechanical housing and extending outward from the buoyant body. The electromechanical housing is constructed and arranged to rotate the pollutant absorbing belt.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for facilitating maintenance of water treatment apparatus at multiple locations and which include multiple components designed with an operational life that is greater than an apparatus exchange duration. The system includes tracking the usage of each component and determining an exchange date for an existing apparatus. A refurbished apparatus is sent to the location when the existing apparatus is at or near its exchange date. The operational life remaining for each component in the existing apparatus is determined based on the usage of the component. Each component that has operational life remaining that is less than the exchange duration for use as a refurbished apparatus is removed and replaced or refurbished so as to create a refurbished unit.

Abstract: A filter insert (10) comprising: a body portion (12) and a closed-ended tube (14), an open end of which is sealingly affixed around the periphery of the body portion (12); an inlet aperture (16) and an outlet aperture (18) each aperture communicating via a through hole in the body portion (12) with the interior of the tube (14); a filter medium (20) located within the tube (14) and being sealingly interposed between the inlet aperture (16) and the outlet aperture (18), wherein the tube (14) is at least partially manufactured of a flexible plastics material, and wherein the body portion (12) is relatively rigid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the extraction of metals from an aqueous phase by means of specific ionic liquids.

Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.

Abstract: Methods including the step of producing a bulk fluid from a subterranean formation, the bulk fluid comprising at least water and a hydrocarbon. The bulk fluid is then sampled to form at least one sampled fluid. Next, constituent parameters of the sampled fluid are determined using the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) model. The constituent parameters include the salinity (S) of the sampled fluid, the salinity constant (b); the equivalent alkane carbon number for the hydrocarbon in the sampled fluid (EACN); T is temperature of the sampled fluid; the characteristic curvature for an ionic surfactant composition (cc) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (ccn); the surfactant temperature constant for the ionic surfactant composition (?T) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (cT). Also determining an optimal surfactant or optimal surfactant blend to achieve an oil-water separation morphological phase distribution of the sampled fluid.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for discharging pretreated biomass from a pressurized reactor. Pretreated, hot biomass is added under high pressure at the top of a discharge vessel, which is partially filled with water or aqueous solution. The vessel comprises water jets situated on its sides through which water or aqueous solution is injected in order to establish a strong turbulence in the lower part of the vessel. This turbulence, preferably a vortex turbulence or “hydrocyclone,” blends biomass and water and disintegrates any clumped material prior to its ejection at high speed as a slurry through an orifice or valve at the bottom of the vessel. A stable temperature stratification is established within the discharge vessel, whereby hot water remains at the top of the vessel, reducing heat and steam loss from the pretreatment reactor.

Abstract: Rheology modifying agents and methods of modifying the rheology of a slurry are disclosed, in addition to methods for the prevention of fouling. The slurry can be a lime slurry or a magnesium oxide slurry. The rheology modifying agent can be a low molecular weight anionic polymer, a high molecular weight polymer, a mixture of a low molecular weight anionic polymer and a high molecular weight polymer, a mixture of a high molecular weight polymer and a chelating agent, and a mixture of a chelating agent, a high molecular weight polymer, and a low molecular weight anionic polymer.

Abstract: Guanidine-functionalized particles and methods of making and using such particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of iron and silica compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions of the treated brine contain concentration of silica ranging from 0 to 80 mg/kg and concentration of iron ranging from 0 to 300 mg/kg. Exemplary compositions of the reduced silica and iron brines also contain reduced concentrations of elements like arsenic, barium, lead, and lithium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for purifying water containing soluble species capable of forming one or more sparingly soluble salts or minerals, said process comprising feeding a pressurized water stream into a treatment zone having one or more membranes disposed therein, passing said stream along said membrane(s) to recover a permeate and to withdraw a concentrate therefrom while periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said stream in said treatment zone, wherein the periodicity of the flow reversal is such that said one or more membranes are exposed to supersaturation conditions evolving in said water stream for a period of time which is less then the time required for said supersaturated water stream to precipitate one or more of said sparingly soluble salts and/or minerals therefrom.

Abstract: System and method of recycling grey water, and more particularly a system and method to utilize grey water resulting from a cleaning activity such as a laundry or shower as an environmentally safe form of irrigation. In accordance with one embodiment of said system, pressure sensors and transmitters in various zones may be communicatively coupled to a system controller capable of regulating the use of at least one variable frequency drive with said system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a zero-emission dialysis clinic including a building envelope, daylight concept, lighting concept, mechanical ventilation (71), a chilled and heated ceiling (61) with capillary tubes (60), heat pump (50), and a photovoltaic system (80). Specifically, the present invention balances the energy consumption with energy generation by a photovoltaic system. The CO2 emissions are thus balanced and the building produces no net emissions.

Abstract: This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of iron, silica, and zinc compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions contain concentration of zinc ranges from 0 to 300 mg/kg, concentration of silica ranges from 0 to 30 mg/kg, concentration of iron ranges from 0 to 300 mg/kg. Exemplary compositions also contain reduced concentrations of elements like lithium, manganese, arsenic, barium, and lead. Exemplary compositions include Salton Sea brines containing a concentration of zinc less than 10 mg/kg, a concentration of silica ranging from less than 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of iron less than 10 mg/kg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for desalinating and/or treating polluted water. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for desalinating and/or treating polluted water using gas hydrates. In particular, the system comprises a desalination tank configured to form gas hydrates using a suitable hydrate former taken from a storage tank that is operatively connected to the desalination tank. With all operations, including formation of gas hydrates, discharging of highly saline water, washing the gas hydrates and dissociation of gas hydrates being conducted in a single pressurized tank such as the desalination tank, the present apparatus provides a simple and efficient solution at a low manufacturing and operating cost.

Abstract: This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of silica, iron, and potassium compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions of the treated brine contain a concentration of silica ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, a concentration of iron ranging from about 0 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, and a concentration of potassium ranging from about 300 mg/kg to about 8500 mg/kg. Other exemplary compositions of the treated brines also contain reduced concentrations of elements like rubidium, cesium, and lithium.