Abstract: Biowaste treatment agents for treating biowastes in a manner which: (a) keeps noxious and toxic substances from being released from the biowaste, and (b) neutralizes such substances released during the course of stabilizing the biowaste. The treatment agents include a surfactant in an amount of from 1.0 to 99 percent of the treatment agent, a metal component in an amount from 0.5 to 85 percent of the treatment agent, the metal component including a source of zinc, or copper, or a combination of copper with aluminum or iron, and an aldehyde in an amount from 0.1 to 80 percent of the treatment agent.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the microbial adhesion on surfaces in contact with an aqueous system is disclosed, which comprises adding to the system a treatment comprising an alkylsulfosuccinate surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replacable cartridge for use in a photocatalytic fluid purification system. The cartridge is capable of modifying impurities in a fluid flowing through the cartridge in the presence of light. The cartridge includes a flexible, porous element having a semiconductor coating associated with it and a rigid support structure which supports the element. The cartridge may be used in a variety of fluid purification applications where photocatalysis has not heretofore been utilized.

Abstract: A removable filter assembly includes a relatively thin support grate positioned on top of an inlet grate, a filter fabricated from a geotextile material is positioned on the support grate and has an appropriate filter size for removing suspended particulate materials from ground water before the ground water passes into the catch basin, and a covering grate positioned above the filter for protecting the filter from contact damage caused by passing vehicular traffic. The cover includes depending sides for positioning the covering grate and blocking flow. In one embodiment, the support grate has a plurality of spaced apart pads around the exterior thereof, and the filter is placed on the support grate and over the pads. The pads extend into holes in the covering grate to trap the filter therebetween. The covering grate also has a depending peripheral flange that depends downwardly to circumscribe the support grate and an upper portion of the inlet grate.

Abstract: Selenate ion is removed from a selenate ion-containing aqueous waste liquid by treating the aqueous liquid with an organic reducing agent in the presence of a photocatalyst while irradiating the aqueous waste liquid with an actinic radiation to convert the selenate ion into elemental selenium which is in the form of solid precipitates and/or hydrogen selenide which is in the form of a gas.

Abstract: Emulsified oil contained in oil-in-water emulsions is removed from waste water by mixing cationic polyacrylamide high polymers with the waste water, forming oil-containing aggregations and separating the aggregations from the demulsified water. The demulsified water can then be more effectively polished, typically by contact with adsorbent particles, and subsequently passed to environmentally acceptable disposal locations.

Abstract: Process for removing unwanted material from wanted material containing water by bringing an isocyanate-containing prepolymer into contact with the materials, allowing the prepolymer to react with the water to form a flexible foam and removing the foam obtained from the wanted material.

Abstract: Waste water is reclaimed for reuse by combined use of settling tanks, ozonation and filtration. The settling tanks remove substantial solid matter from the waste water. The waste water from the last settling tank is treated with ozone to remove contaminants and purify the water. This ozonated water is then returned to the last settling tank to mix with the waste water. This ozonated water in the last tank is then subjected to a plurality of filtering actions before being stored in a clean water holding tank. Partially treated water or discharge from filters is returned to a different holding tank to mix with waste water and dilute the waste water.

Abstract: External filter assembly for aquariums includes a filter chamber containing a mechanical and/or chemical filter and a functionally active filter upstream of the mechanical filter for actively filtering the water before the water is filtered by the mechanical filter. Fresh air is mixed with the aquarium water immediately upstream of the functionally active filter whereby the functionally active filter is directly exposed to both dissolved oxygen in the water and atmospheric oxygen mixed in the water which significantly improves both the efficiency and capacity of the filter in performing its active function. Both the mechanical/chemical filter and the functionally active filter are cartridge type filters, whereby either may be replaced without disturbing and/or affecting the operation of the other.

Abstract: A system for treating wastewater wherein the need for the addition of an external carbon source during the denitrification step is reduced or eliminated. In accordance with the system, the centrate is removed from the centrifuge at the end of the treatment process and is fed back into the denitrification zone, where it serves as a carbon source during the denitrification reaction. By eliminating the need for an external carbon source, the operating costs of the system are dramatically reduced. Furthermore, since the centrate is not fed into the wastewater stream entering the plant and is therefore not subjected to unnecessary processing, the process is more efficient than existing methods.

Abstract: An electronic descaling system to prevent or remove mineral deposits by exposing moving fluids to magnetic and electric fields includes an improved power supply. In particular, the power supply adapts to the varying length, diameter and impedance of attached coil and cable combinations, and still provides the proper current and power levels to effectuate electronic descaling. A constant current D.C. power supply having a regulated D.C. current output level is provided. The substantially constant D.C. current output is then switched in a switching circuit responsive to a switching control signal to provide a bi-directional current through the coil in one direction and then switched to conduct current through the coil in the other direction. The switching frequency of the switching control signal is time variable or constant. The present improved current driver adapts for such varying frequencies while providing a substantially constant D.C.

Abstract: A filter for removing particulate matter from water flowing into an inlet, such as a catch basin is disclosed. The filter may comprise an envelope of filter material adapted to receive an inlet cover device, such as a catch basin gate. The inlet device may be inserted within the envelope and placed in an opening of the inlet. Water, for example, may then be double filtered before entering the inlet. A roll filter comprising porous material is also disclosed that may be used in combination or alone when filtering runoff entering a curb drain or other inlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for UV radiation for the disinfection of liquids comprising at least one high or medium pressure UV emitter (1) arranged coaxially inside a protective sheath (2) transparent to UV, the assembly formed by the emitter and the sheath being located coaxially inside a tubular shell (3) whose internal face reflects at least 30% of the incident UV at 250 to 260 nm coming from the emitter (1), the liquid to be treated transiting according to a flow pipe in an active chamber (4) defined by the internal face of the shell (3) and the external face of the sheath (2), the reactor being characterized in that it is connected to washing means (30) of the active chamber (4) including means making it possible to make a cleaning liquid circulate in the active chamber (4) and air injection means (8) provided upstream from the active chamber (5) making it possible to improve the turbulence of the cleaning liquid during washing.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus are disclosed for the supercritical water oxidation of organic waste materials which avoids or at least substantially reduces the corrosion and solids deposition problems associated with prior art techniques. According to this invention, externally heated supercritical water is fed to a platelet tube reactor to both protectively coat its inner surface and heat the waste stream to oxidation reaction conditions. Higher reaction temperatures can be used as compared to prior art processes, which significantly improves the reaction rate and permits smaller reactors to be used. The protective film of water on the reactor inner surface, coupled with the elimination of preheating of the waste material, substantially reduces solids deposition and corrosion.

Abstract: A method of anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge including the steps of subjecting surplus sludge to preliminary heat treatment at 60.degree. C. or higher, dewatering the surplus sludge to make dewatered sludge of 10 to 25% by weight, mixing the dewatered sludge with digested sludge which is taken out from a methane fermentation vessel of dewatered sludge, and supplying the resulting mixture to the methane fermentation vessel of dewatered sludge while discarding digested sludge whose amount is equal to that of the dewatered sludge supplied. According to the method, the sewage sludge containing a large quantity of surplus sludge is subjected to preliminary heat treatment, and then the heat-treated sludge is dewatered to permit a nitrogenous component to be transferred to eliminated water whereby the nitrogenous component in the dewatered sludge can be reduced. The resulting dewatered sludge can stably undergo methane fermentation even at a high concentration of 10 to 25% by weight.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively converting formaldehyde in an acidic organic waste aqueous stream in the most part to formose sugars rather than to alkali metal formate and methanol by reacting the stream with a strong alkali base to provide a pH of at least about 8.5 and heating the resulting basic solution to a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C. The formaldehyde is present in the waste stream in amounts between about 1000 ppm to 10,000 ppm.

Abstract: A water filtration system for preventing a Zebra Mussel from entering a water system having a water intake line extending into an aquatic environment exposed to Zebra Mussels. The system contains an intake line connection for connecting the filtration system to the intake line; at least one water collection line extending from the intake line connection; a water intake line which is disposed sub-statantially parallel to the water collection line and which contains an orifice with a top surface and a copper screen recessed at least about 2.5 inches from the top surface; a first water filter and a second water filter, wherein each of these filters has a largest pore size that is small enough to prevent passage of an egg or veliger of Zebra Mussels; a a copper screen surrounding each of the first water filter and said second water filter; and a housing surrounding each of the water filters and including a first filter intake and a second filter intake.

Abstract: Mine waste water is treated to remove both dissolved and particulate metal values by an improved process, the process comprising:A. Mixing with the mine waste water a sufficient amount of anionic polymer to combine with the dissolved and particulate metal values to form a polymer/metal particle complex,B. Mixing the polymer/metal particle complex of Step A with a source of ferric ions, e.g. ferric chloride, to form a ferric/polymer/metal particle complex,C. Mixing the ferric/polymer/metal particle complex of Step B with a source of hydroxyl ions, e.g. a solution of calcium oxide, to form a hydroxylated ferric/polymer/metal particle complex,D. Mixing sufficient flocculent, e.g. a polyacrylamide, with the complex of Step C to precipitate the complex, andE. Separating the slurry of Step D into a clean water effluent and a high density (e.g. >50% solids), low toxic sludge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling mollusk infestation, and particularly zebra mussel infestation, in residential water systems by use of a ceramic filter. The ceramic filter has pores, each of which has a width less than the size of zebra mussel veligers. The ceramic filter is preferably cylindrical in shape and fastened to the interior wall of a submerged protective containment housing. The submerged containment housing supports one or more filters and provides protection from external threats. The filters are directly connected to the residential water system whereby water can be drawn through the means of a vacuum created by whatever apparatus is employed by the residential water system.

Abstract: A system for the purification of contaminated water to produce potable water. The apparatus of the system may be mounted on a mobile platform for use in remote locations or may be sized and adapted for permanent installation. The process ozonates the contaminated water, while the water is maintained under substantially laminar flow conditions, in a series of vessels under countercurrent process flow conditions. The water is treated with sufficient ozone, and the apparatus provides a sufficient residence time, to oxidize pathogens and oxidizable matter. Residual ozone is substantially completely neutralized with ultraviolet radiation. Ozone off gas not dissolved in the water during ozonation is collected and any ozone in the gas is converted to oxygen to prevent ozone release into the atmosphere.