Abstract: A polymer mixture in solid or aqueous form includes a content of from 5 to 95% by weight of a first polymer and a content of from 5 to 95% by weight of a second polymer. The first polymer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 to 20 000 g/mol. The second polymer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 1000 to 50 000 g/mol. The polymer mixture can inhibit precipitation and sedimentation of calcium salts and magnesium salts in water-bearing systems.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the recovery or removal of one or more crystallizable compounds from an aqueous solution containing, apart from the said crystallizable compounds, one or more organic or inorganic scale-forming or scale-inducing materials having a lower solubility in water than the said crystallizable compounds, said process comprising subjecting the said solution to at least one eutectic freeze crystallization step with recovery of ice and said one or more crystallizable compounds in crystalline form, recycling at least part of the mother liquor formed in the said eutectic crystallization step and subjecting the said recycle to a treatment with seed crystals for said scale forming or scale inducing compounds, removing at least part of the solid material obtained in said treatment step and recycle of the aqueous liquid thus obtained to the eutectic freeze crystallization step or to the feed thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reverse-osmosis water desalination plant comprising: a reverse-osmosis membrane unit (TP); at least one high-pressure pump (HP); a pressure-exchange-type energy collector (SRE) capable of transferring pressure from the concentrate leaving the membrane unit to a portion of the water to be treated; sensors for various operating parameters, in particular pressure, flow rate, temperature and salinity level, said sensors being provided at suitable locations; and control loops so that the various adjustable elements are maintained at a setpoint value. The plant also includes a secondary control system (D) comprising calculation means (26) programmed to determine, on the basis of the operating conditions of the plant supplied by the sensors, a combination of setpoint values for the flow rate of the high-pressure pump, the mixing ratio of the energy collector and the conversion ratio, which combination minimizes the energy consumption of the high-pressure pump.

Abstract: A filtration system for an appliance includes a water source coupled with the appliance to provide an intake water flow. A filter unit is coupled with water source to receive the intake water flow and dispense a filtered water flow. An isolation valve is coupled between the water source and the filter unit and movable between a first position and a second position. A distribution valve is coupled with an ice maker and a water dispenser of the appliance. The distribution valve receives the filtered water flow when the isolation valve is in the first position, and the distribution valve receives the intake water flow via a bypass line when the isolation valve is in the second position. The isolation valve is configured to move to the second position upon expiration of the service life of the filter unit.

Abstract: A method for dispersing oil spilled into the aqueous environment comprising the treatment of the spilled oil with an oil dispersant composition comprising a phospholipid and a polysaccharide derivative is disclosed.

Abstract: Polymer flocculants are described comprising blends of high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and high molecular polyacrylamides. When introduced in desired amounts and with desired molecular weight ranges, excellent flocculation function is found that can be used to reduce polymer consumption to obtain a desired purity of clarified waste water. It has been found that the desirable polymer blends can be effectively added upstream from locations in which polyethylene oxide would generally be added so that the polymer blend can effectively mix with the slime flow to reduce or eliminate the need for excess polymer use to compensate for less effective mixing with the slime flow. Suitable waste treatment systems are described to provide for the delivery of the flocculants in the waste treatment process.

Abstract: A fluid filtration system comprising a cross-flow filter is arranged to permit a first pump to recirculate part of the retentate of the filter to the inlet of the cross-flow filter and a second pump to return part of the permeate to the inlet of the cross-flow filter. A third pump is configured supply source fluid to the inlet of the filter. The flow path between the second pump and the cross-flow filter inlet may include an adsorption filter that may selectively remove contaminants, toxins, or pathogens in the permeate. A controller may control the first, second and third pumps to provide predetermined flow ratios among the fluid flow paths of the system in order to achieve a desired filtration level. This system may be applicable to the removal of harmful substances from blood, by first separating the plasma from the blood and then removing harmful substances from the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention is to a process for reducing and removing organic phosphorus acid from waste stream. The process involves adding a multivalent metal salt to the waste stream and adjusting the pH level of the waste stream to an optimum level to maximize the removal of organic phosphorus acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flotation of sulfidic copper- molybdenum- and gold-containing minerals. More specifically, the invention relates to sulfoxy reagent-assisted flotation for separating of sulfides of copper, molybdenum and gold from pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, and other gangue minerals following aerating by an oxidizing gas and contacting by a sulfoxy reagent. To promote collection and flotation the feed mineral materials are preferably not contacted with an externally generated non-oxidizing gas to lower the dissolved molecular oxygen content prior to flotation.

Abstract: A method of water discharge management in a water processing system is provided. The method includes providing a supply of a first solution, providing a supply of a second solution, and selectively supplying the first solution to a water processing system and the second solution to the water processing system. The method further includes controllably and selectively directing discharge water formed in the water processing system through a first multi-way valve to a waste outlet during a period in which the discharge water satisfies a first selected criteria, and to a second multi-way valve during a period in which the discharge water satisfies a second selected criteria.

Abstract: A method of mixing organic carbon with the final effluent for water treatment systems and applying the mixture to manmade stratified sand filters or natural soils to induce proper conditions for high removal of total nitrogen in the final effluent. In one embodiment, water having a concentration less than about 30 mg/l of Total Nitrogen (TN) and a BOD5 concentration of less than about 30 mg/l is mixed with a sufficient amount of dissolved carbon to cause a reduction of the nitrogen pollution in the water, and the water and dissolved carbon are percolated through a fixed bed. A method of mixing organic carbon with any water having dissolved TN and applying the mixture to manmade stratified sand filters or natural soils to induce proper conditions for high removal of total nitrogen in the applied water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to separate grease and solids from wastewater before reaching the sewers using a grease trap, wherein said grease trap comprises a turbulence buffer and a plurality of chambers which efficiently trap solid particles from the water waste in other to make easier the compliance with regulating agencies.

Abstract: A method for recovery of cerium oxide from the abrasive waste composed mainly of cerium oxide arising from the polishing of glass substrates, said method including the steps of (i) adding to the abrasive waste an aqueous solution of a basic substance; (ii) adding to the resulting solution a precipitant, thereby forming precipitates composed mainly of cerium oxide, and removing the supernatant liquid; (iii) adding to the resulting precipitates a solution of an acid substance, thereby making said precipitate slightly acid to neutral; (iv) washing the precipitates with an organic solvent; and (v) drying and crushing the precipitates. The method males it possible to recycle abrasive waste into a pure abrasive composed mainly of cerium oxide which can be reused to polish synthetic quartz glass substrates for state-of-the-art semiconductor technology relating to photomasks and reticles.

Abstract: Method for purifying an aqueous composition by removing silicon therefrom, according to which a compound comprising aluminum is added to the aqueous composition in order to obtain a molar aluminum content greater than the molar silicon content in said composition, the pH of the composition is controlled and maintained at a value higher than or equal to 8 and lower than or equal to 10, and the precipitate formed is separated from the aqueous suspension obtained.

Abstract: A pollutant collector retrofit for a marine vessel or the like for collecting and removing pollutants from the surface of a body of water, and in particular a modular skimmer system configured to be mounted to the hull of a conventional marine vessel, to facilitate same for use in oil spill skimming operations or the like. The present invention also includes a method for converting a marine vessel for use in skimming operations, utilizing a unique skimmer system configured for mounting to one or both outer sides of a marine vessel, along its hull.

Abstract: A thermally treated expanded perlite that can be coated or impregnated with at least one active material and the use of the thermally treated expanded perlite as a light-weight filtration media. Methods for forming thermally treated expanded perlite as well as methods for forming thermally treated perlite coated or impregnated with an active material are also disclosed.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for treating wastestream, particularly a liquid or aqueous radwaste, for safe disposal and, in final processing, converting it into one or both forms including an aqueous form for safe discharge to the environment and a solidified form for safe disposal. Another aspect provides the capacity to employ a step where a specific target element strategy can be set up synchronizing sorbent substance choices and multiple recycle options to remove target substances from wastestream as a part of its Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step (II). Other steps cooperate with Sorption step (II) including Oxidation (I) to inactivate or destroy existing chelants, Solid-Liquid separation (III), and Selective Ion Exchange (IV) to deliver the wastestream to final processing. Still further aspects of the invention address the recovery and safe handling of substances such as C-14.

Abstract: A method for removing sulfate from a wastewater stream includes mixing gibbsite and a calcium source to precipitate Ettringite from the wastewater stream and produce an effluent with a reduced sulfate concentration. The gibbsite in the precipitated Ettringite is regenerated by mixing an acid with the Ettringite and precipitating gibbsite particles, after which the gibbsite particles are subjected to a crystallization process to increase the size of the gibbsite particles which are recycled back to the main stream.

Abstract: A cleaning method of an immersion liquid includes supplying an immersion liquid on a surface of a cleaning substrate. The immersion liquid is to be used in a liquid immersion lithography apparatus. The cleaning substrate has a substrate and an organic film laminated on a top face side of the substrate. The immersion liquid is allowed to move on the substrate to remove contaminants from the immersion liquid.

Abstract: An open fluid channel with wind powered cyclonic separation for debris removal. The present disclosure is a channel shape, applied to a rain gutter, that harnesses wind energy to create cyclonic separation wherein channel debris, excited to rotary motion by a vortex are, upon gaining sufficient angular momentum ejected from the channel, reducing the need to manually clear the rain gutter.