Abstract: A process for recovery of lithium ions from a lithium-bearing brine includes contacting the lithium-bearing brine with a lithium ion sieve (where that LIS includes an oxide of titanium or niobium) in a first stirred reactor to form a lithium ion complex with the lithium ion sieve, and decomplexing the lithium ion from the lithium ion sieve in a second stirred reactor to form the lithium ion sieve and an acidic lithium salt eluate.

Abstract: Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds in an effluent stream are destroyed by means of electro-oxidation. Although electro-oxidation can be used to directly treat effluent, a more efficient use is to pre-concentrate applicable pollutants with filters or sorbents. Concentrated perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds are removed from the filter or sorbent with a regenerant solution and treated by electro-oxidation. A current density of 0.5 mA/cm2 or 1 mA/cm2 effectively reduces the level of perfluorinated contaminants within 1-3 hr. using a titanium electrode. This allows both the regenerant and filter or sorbent to be reused and greatly reduces the amount of material that must be treated as hazardous waste.

Abstract: A sorbent composition for the sequestration of mercury from a gas stream, a method for sequestering mercury from a gas stream and a method for the manufacture of a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition includes a highly porous particulate sorbent and at least two additive components, namely a non-halogen metal compound comprising a metal cation and an inorganic sulfur-containing compound, where at least a portion of the sulfur in the sulfur-containing compound has an oxidation state of equal to or less than +4. The method includes injecting the highly porous particulate sorbent and the two additive components into a gas stream, either discretely or as a single sorbent composition, to sequester mercury in the particulate sorbent. The method has a high degree of efficacy for mercury removal without requiring the addition of halogens to the gas stream.

Abstract: A process for preparing a copper sulfide of the formula CuxSy, wherein the process comprises the following steps: (i) reacting an aqueous solution of a copper salt with a molar excess of a sulfiding agent so as to precipitate copper sulfide from the solution; (ii) isolating the copper sulfide precipitate from the reaction mixture; and (iii) drying the copper sulfide precipitate at a temperature of less than 100° C., wherein x and y are integer or non-integer values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dual extract flush for feeds for xylene extraction processes. More specifically, the present invention relates to dual extract flush for feeds for simulated moving bed extraction processes. It decouples line flush in and line flush out, providing a means for optimizing each flush independently. This scheme will allow for minimizing each bedline and flushing each according to its own bedline volume, which will minimize any additional non-ideal compositions added to the chambers or downstream fractionation.

Abstract: Low-dusting, granular compositions are provided that comprise at least 15% by weight crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a carbon-based boron removal medium with hydroxyl groups and amine group, and in particular, to a method for forming the carbon-based boron removal medium. In a specific embodiment, nitrogen-doped (“N-doped”) graphene oxide is synthesized by a simple two-step process: (1) oxidation of graphite to graphene oxide, and (2) nitrogen-doping (“N-doping”) the graphene oxide to form the amine group. The resultant N-doped graphene oxide can efficiently remove boron from aqueous solutions. In another embodiment, a method of sensing or detecting the presence of boron in an aqueous solution by using a boron sensing medium comprises at least two hydroxyl groups and at least one pyridinic nitrogen or pyrrolic nitrogen or quaternary nitrogen (i.e. pyridoxine, in particular vitamin B6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating metal ions from a liquid, which method comprises contacting liquid comprising metal ions with non-functionalized cellulose, adsorbing the metal ions to the cellulose, and separating the liquid from the cellulose, wherein the liquid is an essential oil.

Abstract: A sustainable system for removing and concentrating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The system includes an anion exchange vessel having a selected anion exchange resin therein configured to remove PFAS from the water. A line coupled to the vessel introduces a flow of water contaminated with PFAS such that the PFAS bind to the selected anion exchange resin and are thereby removed from the water. A regenerant solution line is coupled to the anion exchange vessel to introduce an optimized regenerant solution to the anion exchange vessel to remove the PFAS from the anion exchange resin, thereby regenerating the anion exchange resin and generating a spent regenerant solution comprised of the removed PFAS and the optimized regenerant solution. A separation and recovery subsystem recovers the optimized regenerant solution for reuse and separates and concentrates the removed PFAS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for exchanging interlayer anions of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) with other anions whose affinity for the LDH is lower than the one of the starting interlayer anions, which comprises the successive steps of: (1) exchanging the starting interlayer anions of a layered double hydroxide with polyoxometalate anions in order to obtain a layered double hydroxide with polyoxometalate anions as interlayer anions, and (2) exchanging the polyoxometalate anions of the layered double hydroxide obtained in step (1) with other anions whose affinity for the LDH is lower than the one of the starting interlayer anions in order to obtain a layered double hydroxide with other anions as interlayer anions.

Abstract: A radioactive cesium adsorbent includes photocatalyst particles and Prussian blue. The ferric ions of the Prussian blue are reduced to ferrous ions by activation of the photocatalyst particles. A method of removing radioactive cesium using the radioactive cesium adsorbent includes preparing a composition comprising photocatalyst particles and Prussian blue; preparing a precursor solution by mixing radioactive cesium and the composition prepared in the preparing of a composition; and reducing ferric ions of the Prussian blue to ferrous ions by activating the photocatalyst particles in the precursor solution prepared in the preparing of a precursor solution.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a sorbent precursor comprising the steps of: (i) forming agglomerates comprising a particulate support material, (ii) coating the agglomerates with a coating mixture powder comprising a particulate sulphidable copper compound and a particulate calcined, rehydratable alumina to form a coated agglomerate, and (iii) drying the coated agglomerate to form a dried sorbent precursor. The sorbent precursor may be sulphided and used to remove heavy metals such as mercury from fluid streams.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a sorbent comprising the steps of: (i) mixing together a particulate copper sulphide material and a particulate calcined rehydratable alumina, (ii) shaping the mixture, and (iii) drying the shaped mixture to form a dried sorbent.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a sorbent comprising the steps of: (i) forming agglomerates comprising a particulate support material, (ii) coating the agglomerates with a coating mixture powder comprising a particulate copper sulphide and a particulate calcined, rehydratable alumina to form a coated agglomerate, and (iii) drying the coated agglomerate to form a dried sorbent.

Abstract: Methods for removing a target selenium entity from fluids by treating the fluid with a rare earth impregnated media containing an immobilized rare earth. The methods including obtaining a contaminated fluid comprising water and dissolved selenate; contacting the feed fluid with a rare earth impregnated media for removal of at least a portion of the selenate from the feed fluid thereby forming a treated fluid comprising less selenium than the feed fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a water softener valve and a water softener, the water softener valve includes a valve body, including a valve cavity, a water inlet passage that is communicated with the valve cavity, a forward washing passage, a backwashing passage, an ejecting passage, a softening inlet passage, a softening outlet passage, a waste water passage, and a saline solution suction passage; a valve core assembly is provided with a forward washing position and a backwashing washing position, at the forward washing position; and a switching unit, the switching unit is defined to communicate the forward washing passage with the ejecting passage, when the valve core assembly is at the forward washing position; and to communicate the backwashing passage with the ejecting passage, when the valve core assembly is at the backwashing position.

Abstract: Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and processes for producing the same are provided. Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is produced by a process of contacting metal-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with an acidic ion-exchange resin having sulfonic acid groups. Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is removed from spent acidic ion-exchange resin after ion-exchange.

Abstract: The invention relates to ion exchangers laden with transition metal hexacyanoferrate complexes, to processes for the production thereof and to the use of these ion exchangers for removal and purification of cesium ions.

Abstract: A method for removing chromium from a water source can include delivering source water having a hexavalent chromium oxyanion into contact with an ion exchange resin to exchange the hexavalent chromium oxyanion for an anion and convert the source water to treated water, discharging the treated water, rinsing the ion exchange resin with a brine solution to remove the hexavalent chromium oxyanion from the ion exchange resin, converting the hexavalent chromium oxyanion to a trivalent chromium cation, binding the trivalent chromium cation to a chelating resin, and removing the trivalent chromium cation bound to the chelating resin.

Abstract: A method of preparing aqueous hydrogen fluoride is provided. The method includes providing a composition including a cross-linked polymer with absorbed hydrogen fluoride. The cross-linked copolymer includes acrylamide units and acrylic acid salt units. The method further includes contacting the composition with water to release at least a portion of the hydrogen fluoride from the composition to the water to form the aqueous hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: Novel water softening products and methods of treating hard water are provided. The products comprise a salt and a metal chelating agent. The products are useful for regenerating ion exchange material in a water softening system and providing softened water containing both sodium and potassium ions, while having dramatically increased efficiencies over prior art products.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing reducing water that maintains a neutral range of pH and exhibits superior reducing force. The apparatus for producing reducing water includes an electrolytic bath including a cathode chamber provided with a cathode, an anode chamber provided with an anode, and an intermediate chamber interposed between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber, wherein the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber are provided with an inlet through which water is supplied, and an outlet through which water is discharged, a cation exchange membrane is provided between the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber, and the intermediate chamber includes a cation exchange resin that dissociates hydrogen ions when the cation exchange resin reacts with water.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting analytes in a liquid sample may include an elongated primary channel through which an ionic species flows, the primary channel extending through a primary channel member, a first regenerant channel through which a regenerant flows, the first regenerant channel extending adjacent to the primary channel and being formed in a first block, a first charged barrier having exchangeable ions capable of passing ions of only one charge, positive or negative, and of blocking bulk liquid flow, the first charged barrier disposed between the primary channel member and the first block for separating the primary channel from the first regenerant channel, and a first sealing member disposed between the first charged barrier and the first block defining the first regenerant channel.

Abstract: An optical computing device and method utilizing an Integrated Computational Element (“ICE”) to predict and/or mitigate hydrate formation. Fluid is allowed to flow through a first conduit. A sample fluid is separated from the fluid flowing through the first conduit. The sample fluid is allowed to flow through a second conduit. At least one property of the sample fluid corresponding to hydrate formation is detected using at least one Integrated Computational Element (“ICE”) computing device positioned along a tubular. A determination is made as to whether the detected at least one property is adequate for hydrate formation.

Abstract: Implementations herein relate to a method for extraction of phthalates using hydrophilic magnetic resins with high specific surface areas. The implementations relate to a technical field of preparation of resins for fast enrichment and separation of trace organics in water. By adding magnetic particles, precursor resins may be prepared using divinylbenzene, vinyl benzoate and glycidyl methacrylate copolymerization ester. After the cross-linking reaction, surface areas of the resins are increased and hydrolysis of the ester group in alkaline solution may be implemented to obtain high specific surface magnetic resins rich in hydroxyl groups. The resins have higher adsorptive capacity and selectivity to adsorb phthalates in water samples. Rapid extraction may be implemented using magnetic solid phase extraction rod to achieve enrichment and separation of phthalates in a large amount of water samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adsorbent and a method for desulfurization of gasoline. The adsorbent is obtained by loading active metal component on a composite carrier comprising zeolite and active carbon subjected to alkali treatment respectively, the active metal is selected from one or more elements of IA, IIA, VIII, IB, IIB and VIB groups in the periodic table. This method uses the adsorbent to conduct gasoline adsorption desulfurization, which especially cuts the gasoline into a light and a heavy gasoline fraction firstly, then the light fraction is subjected to adsorption desulfurization using the adsorbent, and the heavy fraction is subjected to selective hydrodesulfurization, a cutting temperature of the light and the heavy gasoline fraction is 70-110° C. The adsorbent has a large sulfur adsorption, a long service life, and simply to be regenerated; the method can realize deep desulfurization of gasoline, and has a less octane number loss.

Abstract: Processes for treating aqueous solutions to remove dissolved selenium species, for example in the presence of an excess of sulphate anions, which include the use of strongly basic anion exchange resins, or co-precipitation and adsorption of the selenate (and selenite) with mixed ferrous and ferric iron, or combinations thereof. Co-precipitation and adsorption of selenate may take place in an electrolytic cell in the presence of ferrous and/or ferric iron.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrate ions from a solution is presented. The method includes providing a polymer comprising a protonated amine moiety and an anion derived from an acid having a pKa value greater than about 1. The method further includes contacting the polymer with the solution to bind at least a portion of the nitrate ions in the solution with the polymer, and form a polymer-nitrate complex. The method furthermore includes separating at least a portion of the polymer-nitrate complex from the solution.

Abstract: Protein concentrates and protein isolates, in addition to processes for the production of protein concentrates hydrolyzates thereof and protein isolates, are disclosed. In particular, the disclosure relates to a process for removing fiber from an oilseed meal, comprising: i) mixing an oilseed meal with a blending solvent, optionally water, saline solution, polysaccharide solution or protein containing solution, to form a mixture; ii) optionally adjusting the pH of the protein slurry to a pH of about 2 to about 10; iii) separating the mixture to form a protein slurry comprising soluble and insoluble proteins and an insoluble fiber fraction, and iv) hydrolyzing the insoluble proteins.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of inhibiting precipitation of biodiesel fuel components. The method includes providing a biodiesel fuel composition; providing a copolymer comprising at least first and second polymer units, said first polymer units derived from a carboxylic acid anhydride and said second polymer units derived from an olefin; and blending said copolymer with the biodiesel fuel to form a treated fuel composition. Alternatively, instead of the copolymer, a dialkylene glycol additive can be provided. Embodiments of the invention provide a method of reducing the cold soak filter blocking tendency of a biodiesel fuel composition.

Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed LED system containing an active composition having an amount between 0.06 and 2.5 mg per cm2 of the system optical window area is described. The active composition contains an active material in powder form, wherein at least 75 wt % of the active material is chosen from one or more of active carbons, silver, copper, zinc, copper oxide, zinc oxide, calcium oxide, and silver oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method which can efficiently adsorb and remove ionic mercury and/or organic mercury contained in a hydrocarbon oil for a long period of time. The method involves bringing the hydrocarbon oil into contact with an adsorbent containing a layered silicate mineral having an interlayer charge of 0 or an interlayer charge of greater than 0 to 0.6 or less.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for binding a polycarboxylic acid to a solid phase. Further, the invention refers to a solid phase having a polycarboxylic acid immobilized thereto and methods of using the solid phase, e.g. for purifying His-tagged recombinant polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique which allows stable use of an ion-exchange resin for removing boron impurities over a long period of time in the purification step of a silane compound or a chlorosilane compound. In the present invention, a weakly basic ion-exchange resin used for the purification of a silane compound and a chlorosilane compound is cleaned with a gas containing hydrogen chloride. When this cleaning treatment is used for the initial activation of the weakly basic ion-exchange resin, a higher impurity-adsorbing capacity can be obtained. Further, use of the cleaning treatment for the regeneration of the weakly basic ion-exchange resin allows stable use of the ion-exchange resin for a long time. This allows reduction in the amount of the resin used in a long-term operation and reduction in the cost of used resin disposal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chromatographic process complex for the refining of krill oil extract including desalting, removal of impurities such as trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), and the production of krill oil products including desalted krill oil extract, polar lipid products having polar lipid contents greater than 50 wt-% on a dry or solvent free basis, neutral lipid streams for biodiesel production and astaxanthin. The refinery includes a continuous desalting zone, a fixed bed polar lipid extraction zone to adsorb neutral lipids and astaxanthin to provide a polar lipid extract stream comprising solvent and polar lipids and being essentially free of neutral lipids and astaxanthin, and an astaxanthin separation zone to recover essentially pure astaxanthin and provide a neutral lipid stream. The enriched products of the krill oil refinery are essentially free of TMAO and salt and provide products which can be used as dietary supplements and as medicinal additives.

Abstract: A supercapacitor desalination cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a spacer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a monovalent ion selective layer disposed on at least one of the first and second electrodes. A supercapacitor desalination device and a method for desalination of a liquid are further presented.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the on-site manufacture of aqueous-based mercury sorbent compositions prepared using a process water. The sorbent compositions may be aqueous-based materials manufactured from a silica containing precursor, a metal species, and a sulfur-based species, in the presence of a process waters, such as a process water from a coal-fired power plant.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a calcium removal method capable of reducing operation cost. A solution L2 containing potassium or/and sodium, and calcium is passed through an ion-exchange resin 35 to separate the solution into a solution containing potassium or/and the sodium, and a solution containing calcium. Operation cost can remarkably be decreased since potassium carbonate is not required to remove calcium as before. Timing for changing a calcium-containing water L3 and a salt water L4 discharged from the ion-exchange resin can be performed based on at least one measurement result selected from the group consisting of: a calcium or chlorine concentration; electrical conductivity; and pH of a fluid which is discharged from said ion-exchange resin. The solution may be a filtrate L1 that is obtained by washing a chlorine bypass dust D generated in a cement burning process, or a leachate W of a final disposal site 50.

Abstract: A metal adsorbent which can adsorb a wide variety of metals, can conform to various uses, and adsorbs metals in large amounts. Metal adsorbents in various forms, which have the property of highly efficiently adsorbing metals, are produced by (a) a method in which a polyamine polymer is chemically bonded and immobilized to a porous support, (b) a method in which a polyamine polymer is blended into a solution of a raw material for fibers and the mixture is formed into fibers by wet-spinning or dry spinning, and (c) a method in which a polyamine polymer is blended into a solution of a film-forming polymer and the mixture is formed into a film by a method of film formation from solution.

Abstract: A metal adsorbent which can adsorb a wide variety of metals, can conform to various uses, and adsorbs metals in large amounts. Metal adsorbents in various forms, which have the property of highly efficiently adsorbing metals, are produced by (a) a method in which a polyamine polymer is chemically bonded and immobilized to a porous support, (b) a method in which a polyamine polymer is blended into a solution of a raw material for fibers and the mixture is formed into fibers by wet-spinning or dry spinning, and (c) a method in which a polyamine polymer is blended into a solution of a film-forming polymer and the mixture is formed into a film by a method of film formation from solution.

Abstract: A method for pretreating and extracting a liquid sample by sorbing an aqueous liquid sample, including an organic analyte and an acid or a base, in a solid sorbent material, and at least partially neutralizing the acid or base by reaction with neutralizing ions retained on a support surface, and contacting the liquid sample-sorbed sorbent material at elevated temperature and pressure with an organic solvent to extract the analyte into said solvent, preferably in a vessel having an extraction chamber with a zirconium metal interior surface.

Abstract: A method of removing chromium from water using a weak base anion exchange resin at a pH above about 5 includes the step of periodically reducing a flow of the water through the ion exchange resin for a rest period, such that a secondary mechanism of chromium removal predominates, wherein chromium ions are removed from the weak base anion exchange groups and precipitated inside the ion exchange resin. In an alternative embodiment, rather than resting, the ion exchange resin is periodically conditioned with an acid so as to enhance the secondary mechanism.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulfide from various types of gas emitting sources containing carbon dioxide and/or gas or liquid emitting sources containing carbonyl sulfide, using ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A method of separating one or more valuable metal cations from an ionic solution by (a) contacting the ionic solution with an activated photoisomerizable host molecule containing a photoisomerizable moiety and a host moiety, where the photoisomerizable moiety has first and second states, and where the host moiety has a greater affinity for a metal cation when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the first state (active binding state) than when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the second state (release state), so that an ion-host molecule association is formed, and (b) separating the ion-host molecule association from the ionic solution. Also disclosed are photoisomerizable host molecules, a method of recovering valuable metals from a waste stream using the photoisomerizable host molecules, and an apparatus comprising a photoisomerizable host molecule attached to a support.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a process is described for a water treatment process in which water produced from a fuel production process is treated with recycled biochar. In accordance with one aspect, process water is passed through activated carbon generated by the biomass pyrolysis and gasification. In accordance with another aspect, the process water is treated to expel gaseous compounds within the process water. In this manner both inorganics, light organics and heavy organics can be removed from the process water. No fermentation is involved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water treatment, in particular to a process for the removal of contaminants in a raw water source where the contaminants consist of organic species and inorganic species.

Abstract: A method for fluid treatment that provides variable or alternative regeneration cycles within the same fluid treatment device. The duration of all stages of the regeneration cycle can be adjusted depending upon the amount of fluid treated so that regenerant resources such as water are not underutilized and waste is not discharged unnecessarily into the environment. Additionally or alternatively, a regeneration sequence may include a fluid release sequence in which a fluid is released from a water treatment tank by successive linear movement of a piston in a valve assembly.

Abstract: Methods for producing or regenerating an iodinated anion exchange resin are presented. The methods include treating an iodide loaded anionic resin with an aqueous solution comprising an in situ formed I2 to produce the iodinated resin. The iodinated resins show reduced and stable levels of iodine elution compared to resins produced by conventional methods. Methods and systems for purifying water are also presented.

Abstract: Methods for producing or regenerating an iodinated resin are presented. The methods include converting iodide residues on a surface of and in pores of an iodide loaded anion exchange resin to iodine and iodine intermediates using a source of active halogen to form an iodinated resin having iodine and iodine intermediate residues on the surface of and in the pores of the iodinated resin. The iodinated resins show reduced and stable levels of iodine elution compared to conventional iodinated anion exchange resins and may utilizes less iodine raw materials during the manufacturing process. The iodinated resin can also act as an end-of life indicator in a water purification system that incorporates the iodinated resin to reduce microbial, including bacterial and viral, contamination in drinking water sources. Methods and systems for purifying water are also presented.

Abstract: Organic material may be removed from a fluid, such as an aqueous fluid, by contacting the fluid with a surface active porous medium. The surface active porous medium includes a bed of substrate particles (e.g. sand), at least a partial coating of nanoparticles on the substrate bed, and a plurality of absorbing particles fixated on the nanoparticles. The absorbing particles may include, but are not necessarily limited to, coal fines, activated carbon, activated charcoal, activated coal and combinations thereof. The surface active porous medium may be regenerated by contacting the surface active porous medium with an acid solution to substantially remove the organic materials therefrom.