Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy method and system for quantifying the concentration of arsenic and/or other aqueous solution constituents. A variety of spectroscopy probe configurations and a chemical auto-dosing system are provided as well as a method for deconvoluting a spectrum with overlapping peaks to identify and quantify the concentrations of individual constituents of the solution based on a single spectrum.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and fluoride from aqueous solutions in the same process is provided. Specifically, the pH of the aqueous solution is adjusted to a pH in the range of about 5 to 8. A combination of calcium salts, and ferric or aluminum salts are added to form insoluble arsenic and fluoride bearing solids. The solids are then removed from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from large volumes of wastewater is disclosed. The process involves treating a wastewater stream containing the contaminant with a coagulant that reacts with the contaminant to form a particulate or aggregate of particulates having a size greater than 10 &mgr;m. The treated wastewater is passed through a microfiltration membrane having a pore size in the range from 0.5 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m at low pressure (less than 20 psig) to remove the contaminant. Under such conditions, the treated wastewater flux rate is greater than 200 gallons per square foot of membrane per day (“GFD”), and typically from 200 to 1500 GFD.

Abstract: A method of treating industrial wastewaters is provided. Specifically, the wastewater includes one or more organic contaminant materials and is pre-treated prior to filtering by the following steps The pH of the wastewater is adjusted to a pH in the range of about 2 to 6, and a combination of iron salts and peroxide are added to the wastewater and allowed to react for a period of at least about three minutes. Next, the pH of the wastewater is adjusted upwards to a value of at least 7 and precipitating or flocculating agents are added to form an insoluble contaminant bearing compound. The compound is then filtered from the wastewater thereby removing the contaminant materials from the wastewater. This invention is particularly suited for use with single pass flowthrough filters, and most particularly suitable for high flow rate single pass flow-through filters.

Abstract: A method and system of removing arsenic from aqueous solutions is provided. Specifically, the aqueous solution includes arsenic, said arsenic being present in the +3 oxidation state. Arsenic can also be present in the +5 oxidation state. The pH of the aqueous solution is first adjusted to a pH in the range of about 3 to 5. Iron salts , such as ferric or an ferrous salts, are introduced into the aqueous solution. Hydrogen peroxide is added to the aqueous solution wherein the arsenic present in the +3 oxidation state is oxidized to the +5 oxidation state. Next, the pH of the aqueous solution is adjusted to a value in the range of about 5 to 8 to form an insoluble ferric hydroxide compound including arsenic in the +5 oxidation state adsorbed onto the compound which is then removed from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method and system for removing heavy metals from wastewaters is provided wherein the wastewaters are pre-treated with a polymeric metal removing agent to assist in the removal of the heavy metals. The polymeric metal removing agent promotes the precipitation of large particles which may then be filtered by a high flow rate, low pressure filtration system.

Abstract: A process and system for removing heavy metals, fluoride, silica and other contaminants from large volumes of wastewater is disclosed. In the process, a wastewater stream containing the contaminant is treated with a chemical coagulant to create a particle having a diameter greater than 5 microns. Treated wastewater is passed through a microfiltration membrane which physically separates the metal contaminant particle from the wastewater. Commercially available microfiltration membranes having a pore size from 0.5 micron to 5 microns may be used. The treated wastewater flow rate through the microfiltration membranes can range from 700 gallons per square foot of membrane per day (“GFD”) to 1500 GFD. Solids are removed from the membrane surface by periodically backflushing the micro-filtration membranes and draining the filtration vessel within which the membranes are located. The dislodged solid material within the filtration vessel is flushed into a holding tank for further processing of the solids.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to new luminescent materials. Specifically, this invention relates to the discovery of phosphor materials in the forms of A.sub.2 BX.sub.4, ABX.sub.4-y :M and A.sub.3-z B.sub.5 X.sub.12 :M.sub.z. More specifically, this invention relates to the discovery of phosphor materials having compositions of matter in the forms, Sr.sub.2 CeO.sub.4, (Y.sub.0.82 Al.sub.0.07 La.sub.0.06)VO.sub.4 :Eu.sub.0.05 and (Y.sub.0.5 Gd.sub.0.5).sub.2.97 (Al.sub.0.5 Ga.sub.0.5).sub.5 O.sub.12 :CeO.sub.0.03.

Abstract: Single phase solid materials containing metal clusters are produced by dissolving a metal cluster having chemically bound polymerizable organic ligands in a polymerizable organic solvent, homogeneously dispersing the metal cluster, and then copolymerizing the organic solvent and the chemically bound polymerizable organic ligands.

Abstract: Single phase solid materials are produced by dissolving a metallopolymer, preferably of (LiMo.sub.3 Se.sub.3).sub.n, in a polymerizable organic solvent, preferably vinylene carbonate, homogeneously dispersing the metallopolymer, and then polymerizing the solvent.