Abstract: A swimming pool filter including a cylindrical receptacle made of plastic material and casket-forming ends to which a valve head is coupled, the latter to be connected by conduits to a diffusor and a manifold located, respectively, at the top and bottom of the receptacle; the filter including sand as filtering material, and a buffer is located between the bottom of the receptacle and the manifold occupying a predetermined sand-free space, which buffer when subject to an inner overpressure that causes the receptacle to expand, prevents the sand from accumulating at the bottom of the receptacle, thus neutralizing the pressures that may act upon the manifold. The cylindrical wall of the receptacle is reinforced with a band made of a resistant material.

Abstract: In the biological purification of sewage water or drinking water, it is known to purify the water in a filter bed of granular filter medium, wherein the filter medium is transported from the bottom of the bed to its upper side with the aid of air, so as to obtain a continuously working filter. It is suggested in accordance with the invention that the amount of filter medium to be transported is divided into two or more parts which are transported in parallel, so as to prevent the flow conditions in the transport tube having a negative effect on the reactivity of the filter bed by decreasing the bacteria strain.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting a silver-mercapto-s-triazine precipitate to a solid containing silver and a solution containing mercapto-s-triazine by contacting the silver-mercapto-s-triazine precipitate with one or more reducing agents. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the reducing agents has a redox potential more negative than about -0.9 V vs. Normal Hydrogen Electrode, NHE.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various methods, such as an above-ground method and an in-ground method, of using a palladized iron bimetallic system for the dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds from effluents containing the same. The use of palladized iron bimetallic system results in the dechlorination of the chlorinated organic compound into environmentally safe reaction products. The present invention also provides kits, devices, and other instruments that use the above-mentioned palladized iron bimetallic system for the dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds.

Abstract: A suction sieve has a cylindrical sieve body made up of several annular, modular cassette elements that are axially spaced apart and coupled to one another. The cassette elements surround a central suction chamber and are clamped together between an end plate that covers the suction chamber and a flange for connection to a suction line of a cooling water pump. Each cassette unit is formed of two annular, perforated side wall sections and several perforated wall segments that are circumferentially spaced apart and arranged between the side wall sections. The perforated wall segments and the side wall sections form sieve pockets that essentially extend in the radial direction and open toward the outer periphery of the sieve body so that water can flow through the sieve pockets in all directions. Discharge gaps extend in an essentially radial direction, open into the suction chamber, and are formed between the sieve pockets and between the cassette units.

Abstract: In a process for separating substances from a liquid mixture by crystallization in a crystallizer, a two-phase seed layer in the form of a melt or solution of the mixture to be separated, with crystals suspended therein, is applied, prior to the crystallization, to those surfaces of the crystallizer from which crystals grow during the crystallization.

Abstract: A contaminated fluid such as water or a gas stream containing at least one organic contaminant is contacted in a continuous process with a particulate geothite catalyst in a reactor in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or ozone or both to decompose the organic contaminants.

Abstract: A method for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal from waste streams and with minimal amounts of umprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the enviroment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the like are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered.

Abstract: An annular throughflow photoreactor for oxidative photopurification includes an elongate radiation source surrounded by a transparent wall in the form of a spacer tube at a radial spacing of more than 3 cm, preferably in the range of more than 3 cm to 13 cm. The irradiance, i.e. the radiant flux per irradiated area is thereby reduced in comparison to a classic annular photoreactor. At unchanged irradiation power, this results in considerably increased quantum yields or extent of photoconversion in cases in which such conversion is dependent upon the square root of the irradiance, and thus enables enormous savings in radiation energy. Under such conditions, the photoconversion may be additionally increased by using low absorber concentrations and infeeding further absorber on the inside of the outer wall of the photoreactor as well as by working in the presence of gaseous oxygen at an oxygen pressure up to 3 bar and, preferentially, at pH 3.

Abstract: The Corona Inception Voltage of insulating oils is increased by repetitive cycles of prestressing the oil with a voltage greater than the corona inception voltage, and either simultaneously or serially removing byproducts of corona by evacuation and heating the oil.

Abstract: Various filters are known for purifying water in an aquarium, a fish pond, a swimming pool or a storage container at a horticultural farm. The device according to the invention contains filtering means at the top of a space in which water fleas are present, which water fleas eat the contaminations (organic waste materials) present in the water and by doing so purify the water indirectly. Said filtering means are necessary because otherwise the water fleas are carried back to the basin along with the purified water. A connecting piece comprising a water lift for transporting purified water extends through the cover of an encasing surrounding said space.

Abstract: A process for dye removal from effluent is disclosed which includes treating the effluent with a reducing agent, adjusting the pH to a selected value in the range of 2-7, treating the effluent with a particular charge neutralization mixture, adjusting the pH a second time and subjecting the mixture to a flocculating process with selected chemicals.

Abstract: A swimming pool debris removal system includes a recirculating pump and a vacuum chamber having an access port, an inlet port, and an outlet port connected to a suction inlet of the pump. The inlet port is connected to receive water and debris pumped from the pool. A removable vacuum seal lid is disposed in the access port, forming a vacuum seal therewith. An air bleed tube coupled to the outlet port draws air trapped between the lid and water in the chamber into the outlet port and suction inlet when the pump is operating, causing the trapped air to be replaced by water and thereby reducing momentum forces of water in the chamber against the lid as the pump is turned off. The lid includes a disk with a circumferential groove and a handle attached to an upper surface of the disk.

Abstract: A novel method is proposed for the preparation of a calcium silicate powder particularly useful as a filter aid in the filtration of an acidic aqueous liquid by virtue of the extremely high acid resistance of the calcium silicate powder. The inventive method comprises a hydrothermal reaction of a blend of a silica-containing material and calcium oxide or hydroxide in a specified molar ratio under specified reaction conditions to form calcium silicate, which is then subjected to a heat treatment at 800.degree.-1200.degree. C. for 0.5-2 hours. An improvement can be obtained in the clarity of the filtrate obtained by the filtration using the calcium silicate powder prepared by the inventive method as a filter aid when the hydrothermal reaction for the preparation thereof is conducted in an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide in a specified concentration.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of inhibiting the formation of foulants and residues, gums and precipitates, polymeric tars and other highly oxidized carbonaceous tars which can be formed in the process of manufacture and recovery of acrylonitrile. The method comprises adding to the liquid or gaseous phases passing through, or stored in acrylonitrile process equipment, an effective antifouling amount of a dispersant which is stable in the environment within an acrylonitrile process and is neutral to the equipment used for the manufacture of acrylonitrile.

Abstract: A continuous sand filter has a tank provided therein with a first separation container and a second separation container. The continuous filtration of the waste water is carried out in the first separation container and the second separation container. The first separation container is provided with an arresting piece capable of enhancing the filtration effect. The light and the heavy impurities are treated separately in the first separation container. The further filtration process is carried out continuously in the second separation container.

Abstract: An aquarium filter for removing chemical and physical waste from an aquarium. The filter includes a fluidized bed of particles, such as sand, for removing ammonia from the water. The filter can also include a physical trap for solid material and activated charcoal for removing organic material from the aquarium water. The filter can be constructed in an aesthetically desirable manner and can be convenient to maintain.

Abstract: A removable storm drain filter to be used in combination with an absorbent media, and a catch basin having grated inlet and standpipe outlet to remove pollutants carried in surface drainage. The storm drain filter is designed to fit within a catch basin, below the grated inlet, and upon the upward terminus of a vertical stand pipe. A filtration vessel (50) is provided to contain absorbent media and to provide a primary flow path through the absorbent media and a secondary flow path (bypass) for high flows. The filter includes a cover plate (70), structurally supported by and above the filtration vessel, to prevent deposition of sediment upon the absorbent media and to prevent direct striking of the absorbent media by influent storm water. The storm drain filter further includes a floatables screen (60) to prevent clogging of the absorbent media by floating debris such as leaves, pine needles, and cigarette butts.

Abstract: A method of treating contaminants in soil and/or groundwater comprising adding a source of an oxidizing agent and a reaction product complex of a ligand donor and a metal catalyst to the in situ environment and the reaction product complex employed therein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the removal of solid CaS from a gas stream in which the CaS has been formed and then the conversion of that solid CaS by reaction with an aqueous NaOH solution to produce solid Ca(OH).sub.2 and a liquor stream containing dissolved NaHS. This removal and conversion process is described as being used in conjunction with a process for gasifying black liquor from a kraft pulping process in which H.sub.2 S is scrubbed from the gases using calcium compounds to form the CaS.