Abstract: A method for guaranteeing at least one characteristic of a fluid used for producing food products. This method utilizes a system for piping and delivering the fluid, combined with means for producing the products, in order to use the fluid for producing the products; the measuring a value of the characteristic; the comparing the measured value with a predetermined threshold value; the act of executing an action if the measured value departs from the threshold value; the combining the measured value with first information for identifying at least one product; and then the storing the associated value and the associated information.

Abstract: There disclosed a water reuse method in which a surfactant is easily removed from surfactant-including for-treatment water in a cleaning device, whereby water can be reused, and an adsorbent can easily be regenerated only by exposing the adsorbent to an electrolytic solution, and a washing machine including the function. The method includes a surfactant adsorption treatment step of performing a treatment to adsorb and remove a surfactant in surfactant-including for-treatment water such as cleaning water and rinse water used in a washing machine W by hydrotalcite as an anion exchanger or zeolite as a cation exchanger, and a water reuse step of using, in the washing machine W, the for-treatment water treated in the surfactant adsorption treatment step.

Abstract: a water softening system includes a water softening resin tank, an anion resin tank in flow communication with the water softening resin tank, an in-line water heater in flow communication with the water softening resin tank and a heat exchanger in flow communication with the in-line heater. A water heater is in flow communication with the heat exchanger and the in-line heater. A plurality of flow control valves are operatively connected to the water heater heat exchanger, in-line water heater, anion resin tank, and water softening resin tank. The flow control valves are configured to control the flow of water through the water softening system.

Abstract: A large amount of a medium containing a volatile chlorinated organic compound (VOC) with a low concentration is passed through an adsorber filled with an adsorbent which adsorb and desorb the VOC to collect the VOC in the medium in the adsorber; a gas containing water vapor is then brought into contact with the adsorbent to desorb and discharge the VOC from the adsorber; the desorbed gas is cooled to condense the VOC and water; a small amount of the VOC with a high concentration vaporized from the condensate is further irradiated with light in the presence of chlorine to decompose the VOC; and the decomposed product is subsequently treated. This constitution can allow a large amount of the VOC with a low concentration to be irradiated with light in the presence of chlorine to efficiently treat the VOC.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The intention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: A brine recycling apparatus and process form a part of a water softening system (10). The water softening system (10) has a brine tank (43) for receiving brine solution that has passed through a softening tank (19) of the softening system (10) to remove hardness ions adsorbed on resin regenerating particles in the softening tank (19). The brine solution in the brine tank (43) is forced through a filter such as a nanofilter (25) that allows a much higher proportion of the brine ions to pass than the hardness ions. The liquid passing through the filter (25) is returned to the brine tank (43). The liquid that does not pass through the filter (25) may be directed to a drain. A preferred system uses a pump (51) to force the brine solution through the filter (25).

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: A method of treating water to remove fluoride ions from the water, thereby to reduce the dissolved fluoride content of the water, is provided. The method includes, in a contacting step, contacting water containing dissolved fluoride ions with alumina, to cause the fluoride ions to react with and become bound to the alumina. In a regenerating step, the alumina, when spent, is regenerated to drive off fluoride ions bound thereto. The regenerated alumina is recycled to the contacting step where it is used to remove further fluoride ions from the water. The fluoride ions driven off the alumina in the regenerating step are passed on to downstream processing thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water are provided. A feed water such as seawater can be fed to a filter such as a microporous or nanofiltration membrane to produce a permeate that can, in turn, be fed to an electrodeionization system to produce fresh water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-tank water treatment system. In operation, water flows through each tank in succession, with each tank performing one or more treatment operations. By allocating a separate tank for the copper/zinc redox alloy filtration medium, some embodiments of this system allow for a greater amount of the redox alloy to be deployed than is practical with existing systems. This increases the effectiveness of this type of filtering and increases the lifetime between necessary changes of the filtration media. In a preferred embodiment, the three tanks are placed in a vertical column. Each of the uppermost two tanks has one dome hole or bulkhead hole near its top and another near its bottom. When the time comes to exchange the filtration medium in a tank, the top and bottom holes are opened, and the media is easily drained out and replaced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the removal and destruction of ammonia from an aqueous medium. The methods and apparatuses include the removal of ammonia from an aqueous medium by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is regenerated for continuous use, while the ammonia is concentrated as ammonium sulfate, and ultimately destroyed via combustion. A system for monitoring and maintaining an ammonia removal system by an off-site provider is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method to remove a polluting agent or contaminant, including but not limited to mercury, from the liquid phase of a process system using an adsorbent. In one exemplary embodiment, a magnetic or non-magnetic support with a chemisorbing or physisorbing sorbent is suspended in the liquid phase of a process system, under conditions in which the polluting agent binds to the adsorbent. The pollutant-bearing adsorbent may then be separated from the process system by either physical or magnetic means. The polluting agent may then disassociated from the adsorbent so the adsorbent is regenerated and capable of repeated use.

Abstract: A multi-stage water conditioning system is structured for conditioning a flow of influent water passing through the conditioning system by removing one or more cations including sodium, iron, barium, and or ammonia from the influent water, while also possibly adding (as required) calcium and magnesium. Such a conditioning of the influent water results in a reduction in the sodium adsorption ration (SAR) and electrical conductance (EC) of the influent. Versions of the water conditioning system may include a surge and equalization stage, and at least one conditioning stage, which is typically followed by an output finishing stage. Each included conditioning stage provides for a contacting of the influent water with surfaces of a load of molecular filtering material causing a reduction in sodium and other cations as the influent waters flow through the water conditioning system.

Abstract: An appliance using water including an incoming water valve is provided. The appliance also includes a sensor disposed in-line to an incoming flow of water received from the incoming water valve and is configured to sense a degree of hardness in the incoming flow of water. The sensor includes a substrate and a sensing element disposed on the substrate. The sensing element includes a sensing matrix, an indicator for one or more chemical species in a flow of water, and a selectivity component that reacts reversibly with the one or more chemical species in the water. The sensor also includes a light source configured to direct light through the substrate and the sensing matrix. The sensor further includes a light detector configured to receive transmitted light from the substrate and the sensing matrix and to generate a signal representative of selective wavelengths of the light indicative of the one or more chemical species in the flow of water.

Abstract: A lignocellulose-based anion-adsorbing medium (LAM) and process for making and using same for selectively removing phosphates and arsenic contaminants from aqueous solutions is disclosed. Making the LAM comprises (a) dissociating cations such as Fe and Al, from their counterions by adding a chemical compound containing said cations to water and acidifying; (b) pelletizing a lignocellulose; (c) adsorbing the cations to the lignocellulose by bringing the lignocellulose into contact with the solution of step (a) and incubating; and, (d) exposing the lignocellulose of step (c) to an alkaline fixing agent to replace hydrogens (H) of the hydroxyl groups of the lignocellulose with the adsorbed cations to produce the LAM with a positive charge. The LAM may be used to selectively and cost-effectively remove phosphate and arsenic contaminants from aqueous solutions by retaining them at the Fe or Al on the LAM.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing perchlorate load off of ion exchange resins are disclosed. The systems and methods rely upon direct contact between the resin and a liquid product formed by the culturing of perchlorate-destroying microorganisms. These methods can be incorporated into methods for removing perchlorate from aqueous streams. A resin product comprising an anion exchange resin with a coating of perchlorate-destroying microorganisms on its surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for supplying oxygen to a water purification process, said method comprising providing an oxygen carrier of at least one copolymer of dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, adding said oxygen carrier to the water purifying process, and contacting said oxygen carrier with an oxygen containing gas. The invention further relates to the use of at least one copolymer of dimethylsiloxane, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, as an oxygen carrier in a water purification process.

Abstract: A method of and system for removing phosphorus from wastewater using a waste sludge that has a high affinity for phosphorus. So the waste sludge can be used in a flow-through contact reactor to remove the phosphorus from a wastewater stream, the waste sludge is pelletized. The waste sludge pellets are packed into one or more flow-through contact reactors. In the configuration described herein, phosphorus removal is maximized by flowing the wastewater through the reactor(s) in a “pulsed” manner, rather than continuously. Thus, wastewater is flowed through the reactor(s) for a period of time and stopped for a period of time. By giving the sludge absorbent a rest period, the absorption capacity of the sludge is increased significantly, thus decreasing the frequency of regeneration or replacement of the sludge. Sludge regeneration can be accomplished with a stripping step using an alkaline solution of pH 13, followed by rinsing with water.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-cyclic, meso-frequency traveling wave electro-kinetic system capable of use in purification/separation and/or refrigeration/heat pump processes. In particular, the invention provides an adsorption system that can be used for fine or bulk chemical separations of liquid and gaseous materials. Similarly, the adsorption system can be readily adapted to function as a refrigeration/heat pump unit for use in heating and cooling systems. This reusable adsorption system provides high efficiency purification and/or cooling/heating with low energy demands and no moving parts. The invention can function in parallel or in series with other similar such adsorption units (though it can also operate as a single unit).

Abstract: A method is provided for removing an inorganic ionic species or organometallic ion contaminant, or combination contaminants, including such as arsenic, chromium, bromide, bromate, perchlorate, and/or others from water which contains an unacceptably high concentration of the contaminant(s). The method includes treating the water with an ion exchange resin, preferably a magnetic ion exchange resin such as MIEX® Resin, which is capable of adsorbing the inorganic ionic species contaminant(s), and regenerating and recycling the ion exchange resin back to the process. The method produces potable water from ground water containing such contaminants and eliminates breakthrough and chromatographic peaking problems observed with conventional ion exchange systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water softener capable of producing soft water at various temperatures and facilitating the regeneration of an ion exchange resin thereof. The water softener includes a water softening tank in which an internal region containing therein the ion exchange resin is partitioned into a plurality of water softening regions which are individually assigned into a predetermined temperature; a regeneration tank integrated with the water softening tank into a single body and containing the regeneration material of the ion exchange resin; a cold/hot control valve to supply raw water to a selected one of the plurality of water softening regions according to the temperature of the raw water to rapidly supply the soft water at a desired temperature to a user; and a regeneration valve to facilitate the periodic regeneration of the ion exchange resin through a simple manual operation.

Abstract: The present invention realizes an ion exchange apparatus capable of enhancing the reliability of regeneration operation. Further, the present invention realizes an ion exchange apparatus capable of simplifying the construction of a salt water supply device. The ion exchange apparatus includes a resin bed housing part (2) in which an ion exchange resin bed (5) is housed; a flow passage control valve (3) for switching between a water service operation and a regeneration operation; and a salt water tank (40) for reserving salt water to be used in regeneration, the flow passage control valve (3) being connected to the salt water tank (40) through a salt water supply line (31), in which the salt water supply line (31) is provided with a flow detecting unit (48) for detecting a flow rate in a direction of supplying salt water and a flow rate in a direction of supplying refill water.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating water for human consumption, so as to eliminate manganese and possibly other metals comprising steps which consist in: causing said water to pass at least over a bed of filtering material (3) consisting at least partly of manganese dioxide granules, said granules having a real density ranging between 3.5 and 4.5 and a hardness higher than 6 on the Mosh scale; regenerating, if necessary, said manganese dioxide, said regeneration being carried out mechanically.

Abstract: Process for drying wet F32, which comprises placing a stream of the said F32 in continuous contact with a feed stock of a composition comprising a molecular sieve chosen from a 3A type sieve, at a temperature of between 5 and 78° C. and at a pressure of between 0.5 and 25 atm.

Abstract: A continuous ammonium removal system comprising generally an ion-exchange medium, a brine source, and an oxidative reactor. The reactor can operate with ozone as an oxidant and bromide as an oxidation catalyst. Brine recycles continuously from the reactor to the ion-exchange medium for further ammonium removal. Modular components for inline static mixing, degassing, heat exchange, flow control and electrocoagulation affect ammonium removal from waste water.

Abstract: A water treatment system for removing hard ions from source water. The water treatment system is of the type that includes a pair of ion-exchange water softener tanks connectable to a source of pressurized water and with a water system to supply softened water to the water system, the tanks each being capable of regeneration by flushing with a regeneration solution to replenish depleted ions. A process for preventing system failure due to salt crystallization includes flowing water during brine replenishment from a second nozzle and a first nozzle at a defined ratio. The first nozzle diluted the brine in a reservoir after regeneration cycle is complete. The second nozzle replenishes brine by flowing water directly onto a salt material.

Abstract: A process and adsorbent for removing contaminants from silicone based solvents is disclosed. The process provides for cleaning a solvent for reuse, and regeneration of the adsorbent. The adsorbents are for adsorbing organic and inorganic compounds that have accumulated in the silicone solvents.

Abstract: Methods for removing arsenic from water by addition of inexpensive and commonly available magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium oxide, or calcium hydroxide to the water. The hydroxide has a strong chemical affinity for arsenic and rapidly adsorbs arsenic, even in the presence of carbonate in the water. Simple and commercially available mechanical methods for removal of magnesium hydroxide particles with adsorbed arsenic from drinking water can be used, including filtration, dissolved air flotation, vortex separation, or centrifugal separation. A method for continuous removal of arsenic from water is provided. Also provided is a method for concentrating arsenic in a water sample to facilitate quantification of arsenic, by means of magnesium or calcium hydroxide adsorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the rejuvenation of cupric oxide having adsorbed arsenic from arsenic contaminated water. The rejuvenated cupric oxide may be recycled to again react with and adsorb arsenic in arsenic contaminated water.

Abstract: An improved system of resins comprising a combination of a sulfate-specific strongly basic anion exchange resin and a heterogenous hybrid thermally regenerable salt sorbent (TRSS) resin is provided. The anion exchange resin contains triethylamine and/or tributylamine groups. The TRSS resin comprises a macroporous host copolymer and a crosslinked guest copolymer having, respectively, weak acid groups and weak base groups. The system is used to treat feed water containing dissolved ions, including sulfate ions, and is efficiently regenerated.

Abstract: A process for the cyclical regeneration of an adsorbent bed containing sulfur-oxidated compounds. The adsorbent bed is used to adsorb and separate sulfur-oxidated compounds from a hydrocarbonaceous stream to produce an adsorbent having adsorbed sulfur-oxidated compounds.

Abstract: A process for removing soluble and insoluble inorganic, organic, and microbiological contaminants from a fluid stream employing a pretreatment module, a post-treatment module, a recycle stream module or any combination thereof, and a membrane module, is provided. The process provided reduces the problems associated with membrane fouling and increases contaminant removal capacity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for recycling the waste regenerant from softeners. The method includes passing a high concentration of monovalent ionic halide salt through a resin bed. The high monovalent cation concentration causes the divalent cations on the resin to be exchanged with the monovalent cations by osmotic forces. The regenerant is then treated to precipitate the divalent cations and replace them with monovalent cations.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for treating wastewater from a sewer system including the steps of: (A) removing solids contained in the influent to create solids-depleted preliminary effluent (PrE) and to protect downstream systems from premature failure due to wear from solid particles; (B) removing suspended solids from the PrE to produce a suspended solids-depleted primary effluent (PE); (C) treating the PE biologically by exposing it to bacteria-supporting media that removes soluble organic material, thereby creating trickling filter effluent (TFE); (D) separating the bacterial organisms by settling to create a secondary effluent (SE); (E) subjecting the SE to tertiary treatment including granular activated carbon pressure filters to remove PCB's and other compounds and create a carbon filter effluent; (F) disinfecting the CFE to create a final effluent (FE); and (G) discharging the FE to a receiving environment, separately settling and disposing the backwash solids in a backwash clarifier.

Abstract: The method for removing silicon dioxide from a contaminant-removal media bed comprises adding a scrub solution containing an acidic solution of sodium fluoride to a media bed containing silicon dioxide. The scrub solution is allowed to remove the silicon dioxide before the scrub solution is removed from the bed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively removing metal ions of interest from a solution (12), such as the wastewater from a chemical mechanical polishing process. The method comprises contacting a solution (12) containing solid particles, an oxidizing agent and a first concentration of the metal ions with an ion-exchange resin (20), such as a crosslinked poly-4-vinylpyridine resin, that is resistant to damage by the oxidizing agent and that is operative when in contact with the solution (12) to exchange selected ones of the metal ions in the solution for selected preferred ions in the ion-exchange resin thereby to produce a treated solution (22) having a second concentration of the metal ions that is lower than the first concentration. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (100) and system (500) for use with the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing a raw fluid to a process tank. The raw fluid may be water having varying degrees of contamination or another type of fluid. The method further consists of adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture. After the fluid has been sufficiently contacted with the ion exchange resin, treated fluid is removed from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank. The method is completed by regenerating the ion exchange resin within the same process tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for enhancing the metal contaminant sorption capacity of mineral compounds within a groundwater-bearing formation by manipulating the pH and the surface acidity of the mineral compounds. The process is useful in removing metal contaminants from groundwater within a groundwater-bearing formation, providing a backstop treatment for groundwater after previous water treatment, and for protection of water sources, for example well-head protection.

Abstract: System and method for purifying and recycling spent brine in a water softener are provided. The system may be made up of a cation exchange resin tank fluidly coupled for passing spent brine comprising monovalent and divalent ions. A fluid mixer valve is coupled to the resin tank and to a water tank to dilute the spent brine to a desired concentration of a regenerant salt, e.g., NaCl. An ion-separation device is fluidly coupled to the fluid mixer valve to receive the diluted spent brine and separate the diluted spent brine into first and second streams. The first of the streams comprises monovalent ions and the second of the streams comprises divalent ions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to open-framework and microporous solids well suited for use in catalysis and ion exchange. The microporous solids are constructed by using a salt template which can be readily removed without destroying the framework of the micropore. Various microporous solids can be formed having different geometric structures depending upon the templating salt used and the concentration. Examples of two compounds include Na2Cs[Mn3(P2O7)2]Cl and K2.02Cs2.90[Cu3(P2O7)2]Cl2.92. Both compounds have 3-D (Mn, Cu)-P-O frameworks.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber. A mixture of a fluid and a matrix material are introduced through a column chamber inlet so that the matrix material is packed within a column chamber to form a packed column. The column chamber having the column chamber inlet or first port for receiving the mixture further has an outlet port and an actuator port. The outlet port is partially closed for capturing the matrix material and permitting the fluid to flow therepast by rotating relative one to the other of a rod placed in the actuator port. Further rotation relative one to the other of the rod and the column chamber opens the outlet and permits the matrix material and the fluid to flow therethrough thereby unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an installation for removal of metal cations contained in a liquid, in which said liquid is brought into contact at a temperature greater than or equal to 60° C. with a chelating ion exchange resin formed from a polyazacycloalkane grafted on a solid support, said resin having been conditioned, previously to said contacting, at a pH of 4 to 6.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of a metal from a liquid medium containing the metal I solution or in finely divided insoluble from comprises contacting the medium with a functionalized polymer fiber capable of binding the metal and recovering the metal from the fiber. The polymer fiber is suitably a polyolefin, a fluorinated polyethylene, cellulose or viscose, which is functionalized by the radiation grafting of at least one monomer. The method is particularly suitable for the recovery of platinum group metals from process residues.

Abstract: A nanoporous reactive adsorbent incorporates a relatively small number of relatively larger reactant, e.g. metal, enzyme, etc. particles (10) forming a discontinuous or continuous phase interspersed among and surrounded by a continuous phase of smaller adsorbent particles (12) and connected interstitial pores (14) therebetween. The reactive adsorbent can effectively remove inorganic or organic impurities in a liquid by causing the liquid to flow through the adsorbent. For example, silver ions may be adsorbed by the adsorbent particles (12) and reduced to metallic silver by reducing metal, such as irons, as the reactant particles (10). The column can be regenerated by backwashing with the liquid effluent containing, for example, acetic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively removing metal ions of interest from a solution (12), such as the wastewater from a chemical mechanical polishing process. The method comprises contacting a solution (12) containing solid particles, an oxidizing agent and a first concentration of the metal ions with an ion-exchange resin (20), such as a crosslinked poly-4-v resin, that is resistant to damage by the oxidizing agent and that is operative when in contact with the solution (12) to exchange selected ones of the metal ions in the solution for selected preferred ions in the ion-exchange resin thereby to produce a treated solution (22) having a second concentration of the metal ions that is lower than the first concentration. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (100) and system (500) for use with the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operation position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid by providing raw fluid to a process tank, adding an ion exchange resin to the process tank to form a raw fluid/ion exchange resin mixture, removing treated fluid from the process tank through a membrane filter located within the process tank, and regenerating the ion exchange resin within the process tank. The method may be set up as a batch process or as a continuous process using a magnetic ion exchange resin and continuous withdrawal of the magnetic ion exchange resin from the process tank by use of a magnetic separator. The method may also consist of reusing the regenerant in multiple regeneration steps and periodically filtering the regenerant to restore its regenerative properties. Alternatively, an upflow bed of ion exchange resin may be used to treat the raw fluid before membrane filtration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of removing a fluorinated surfactant from waste water comprising fluoropolymer particles. The method comprises (i) adding a non-fluorinated surfactant to the waste water (ii) contacting the thus obtained waste water with adsorbent particles to adsorb at least a portion of the fluorinated surfactant to the adsorbent particles and (iii) separating the waste water and the adsorbent particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of a fluorosurfactant present in an aqueous solution, in a gaseous effluent or in both involving a) obtaining an aqueous solution or gaseous effluent comprising 1 to 1,000 ppm of surfactant, b) removing any suspended solids, c) optionally concentrating the solution, d) passing the aqueous solution over a stationary bed of granular active charcoal such that all the surfactant is adsorbed without any solvents being adsorbed, e) halting the passage of the solution and gaseous effluent over the beds of activated charcoal which are eluted with a solution comprising a solvent and an inorganic acid, and then f) treating the solution recovered in stage e) to regenerate the fluorosurfactant.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods of regenerating and using affinity chromatography material, in particular Protein A affinity chromatography resins.