Abstract: Described herein is a method for treatment of at least one surface of a substrate at least partially made of aluminum and/or an aluminum alloy, including at least a step of contacting said surface with an acidic aqueous composition (A) including one or more metal compounds (M) selected from the group of titanium compounds, zirconium compounds, and hafnium compounds and one or more linear polymers (P) containing (m1) N,N-dimethyl (meth)acryl amide, (m2) vinylphosphonic acid, and (m3) (meth)acrylic acid in form of their polymerized monomeric units, the one or more linear polymers (P) being included in the acidic aqueous composition (A) in an amount of 50 to 5000 ppm. Also described herein is an acidic aqueous composition (A), a master batch to produce the acidic aqueous composition (A), a method of using the acidic aqueous composition (A) for treating surfaces, and substrates comprising the treated surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of a wastewater stream that is generated from animal processing such as the processing of chicken, beef or pork. More particularly, the present invention relates to the separation of usable protein from an animal processing wastewater stream using a density modifier and a modification of the protein phase density to enhance lipid fat phase separation from protein solids.

Abstract: A water-softening system includes a filter device including filter units that are provided in at least some of a plurality of supply channels arranged in parallel to supply raw water to a consumption site and that remove at least part of ionic matter contained in supplied raw water by electro-deionization and discharge soft water containing less ionic matter than the raw water, a plurality of supply valves provided in the plurality of supply channels to open or close the supply channels, and a processor connected to the filter device and the plurality of supply valves. The processor determines whether water is supplied to the consumption site and controls at least one of the plurality of supply valves to remain open to maintain a state in which water is allowed to be supplied to the consumption site, when it is determined that no water is supplied to the consumption site.

Abstract: Provided is a powder of a ?-iron oxyhydroxide-based compound that is a group of particles of a ?-iron oxyhydroxide-based compound represented by Formula (1) below; in which a surface of the particles of the ?-iron oxyhydroxide-based compound is modified with a surface modifier; in which, in a case where the powder is dispersed in water to be made into a sol, a zeta potential of the powder is equal to or higher than +5 mV at pH 10; and ?-AaFe1-aOOH??(1) in which, in Formula (1), A represents at least one metallic element other than Fe, and a represents a number that satisfies a relationship of 0?a<1.

Abstract: Jute stick/stalk can be used to prepared and carboxylated to yield useful activated carbons, e.g., for removing Pb2+ from drinking water. Such activated carbons can act as an inexpensive adsorbents using agricultural waste or by-products. Carboxylation of jute stick activated carbon (JSAC) can improve its efficiency for Pb2+ removal, e.g., from aqueous solutions, even if its BET surface area is reduced. Carboxylated JSAC (JSAC-COO?) can have surface areas around 615.3±0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 m2/g. JSAC-COO? can treat varied Pb2+ concentrations, 10, 25 mg/L, etc., pHs, e.g., 4.0, 7.0, etc., temperatures, e.g., 15° C., 27° C., etc., and contact periods, e.g., 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes, etc., achieving up to 99.8% Pb2+ removal within 15 minutes of contact JSAC-COO? adsorption capacity can be >25.0 mg Pb2+/g, as well as other metal ions, with potential for water and/or gas treatment.

Abstract: A novel method for producing a porous carbon material which makes it possible to easily produce a porous carbon material having a desired shape; and a spherical porous carbon material are provided. The method includes immersing a carbon-containing material having a desired shape and composed of a compound, alloy or non-equilibrium alloy containing carbon in a metal bath, the metal bath having a solidification point that is lower than a melting point of the carbon-containing material, the metal bath being controlled to a lower temperature than a minimum value of a liquidus temperature within a compositional fluctuation range extending from the carbon-containing material to carbon by decreasing the other non-carbon main components, to thereby selectively elute the other non-carbon main components into the metal bath while maintaining an external shape of the carbon-containing material to give a porous carbon material having microvoids.

Abstract: A system for reducing algae blooms and microbial growth in aqueous systems is disclosed. The system includes a phosphates adsorption container having an ingress and an egress and a phosphates adsorption element contained therein for gathering and removing phosphates as phosphates-rich influent water flows through the phosphates adsorption container thereby producing low phosphates concentration effluent water. The system also uses a first solution combining the phosphates gathered from the influent water producing a phosphates-enriched first solution and for restoring high loading capacity for adsorption of phosphates properties and high attraction to phosphates properties of the phosphates adsorption element. The system includes a first solution recovery element for receiving the phosphates-enriched solution and for separating the phosphates from the phosphates-enriched first solution.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin comprises a crosslinked resin and a salt covalently bonded to a carbon of the resin, wherein the salt comprises a first non-metallic cation and a first counteranion, wherein the first counteranion comprises a second non-metallic cation and a thiosulfate counteranion, and wherein the ion exchange resin is essentially free of metals. The ion exchange resin finds particular use in the removal of impurities from solutions that are useful in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for enhanced boron removal from water. The process includes the steps of reacting potassium carbonate or ammonium carbonate with calcium borate in a stream of feed water to form a stream having calcium carbonate and potassium borate salt or ammonium borate salt. The stream having calcium carbonate and potassium borate or ammonium borate is introduced to an ion exchange vessel containing resin having methylglucamine in salt form with potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate to form borate and potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate. The resin in the ion exchange vessel is periodically regenerated.

Abstract: Amorphous metal chalcogenides having the formula A2xSnxSb3-xQ6 are provided. In the chalcogenides, A is an alkali metal element, such as K or Cs, and Q is S or Se. The value of x can be in the range from 0.8 to 1. Porous chalcogenide materials made from the amorphous chalcogenides are also provided. These porous materials comprise metal chalcogenides having the formula (AB)2xSnxSb3-xQ6, wherein x is in the range from 0.8 to 1, A and B are two different alkali metal elements, and Q is S or Se.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst comprising an active component based on molybdenum and on potassium and a support based on hydroxyapatite, and also to a process for preparing said catalyst and a process for producing methyl mercaptan in a catalytic process by reaction of carbon monoxide, sulphur and/or hydrogen sulphide and hydrogen, comprising the use of said catalyst.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process and system for the recovery of precious metals; specifically, palladium, rhodium, and platinum metals, at high purity and with limited waste and environmental fouling.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for enhanced boron removal from water. The process includes the steps of reacting potassium carbonate or ammonium carbonate with calcium borate in a stream of feed water to form a stream having calcium carbonate and potassium borate salt or ammonium borate salt. The stream having calcium carbonate and potassium borate or ammonium borate is introduced to an ion exchange vessel containing resin having methylglucamine in salt form with potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate to form borate and potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate. The resin in the ion exchange vessel is periodically regenerated.

Abstract: Storage stable polyhydroxylated aromatic ether adducts of polyalkylene oxide are described. Reactive compositions are formed by combining an ether adduct with an aldehyde, optionally further adding a phenolic-aldehyde prepolymer. The reactive compositions are cured by removing water, by acidification, or both. The cured compositions sorb solvated compounds from environments containing water. The cured compositions are also useful for pre-loading with compounds that are subsequently released at a controlled rate into environments containing water.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses for sorbent recharging are provided. The methods and related apparatuses for recharging can recharge a specific rechargeable layer of a sorbent material such as zirconium phosphate in a sorbent cartridge. The methods and apparatuses include passing solutions containing combinations of acids, bases and salts through a module containing a rechargeable sorbent material such as zirconium phosphate in order to replace ions bound to the zirconium phosphate with hydrogen and sodium ions. The method allows for a customizable zirconium phosphate, with control over the ratios of sodium to hydrogen on the recharged zirconium phosphate.

Abstract: A method for treating drinking water by modifying the ion concentration in the filtered water by means of a replaceable cartridge filtering system comprises: —defining a plurality of types of water to be filtered on the basis of chemical and physical features of the water to be treated; —defining a plurality of classes of filtered water to be obtained with the filtering system on the basis of chemical and physical features of the filtered water; —providing a plurality of filter cartridges containing a filtering material based on a mixture of two or more ion exchange resins, the mixture being formed from predetermined proportions of the two or more resins, each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges having a different mixture of the two or more resins and being capable of retaining ions from, and/or releasing ions into, the water filtered in the filtration process; —correlating one or more of the classes of filtered water with each cartridge of the plurality of cartridges for each type of water to be filtere

Abstract: A groundwater treatment system for collecting a non-aqueous-phase liquid (NAPL) in a flow path of contaminated water in a body of water, the contaminated water moving toward a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) including a treatment agent for treating the contaminated groundwater. The groundwater treatment system including a collection layer positioned up-gradient of the PRB and permeable to the NAPL and the contaminated water. The collection layer including a NAPL collecting element to inhibit the NAPL from flowing to the PRB.

Abstract: Potable drinking water is plagued with widespread arsenic contamination, particularly in developing communities. Ferric ions were introduced to interact with arsenate based on the strong affinity of arsenate for ferric hydroxides, followed by mucilage addition. The mucilage coagulated and flocculated the ferric-arsenate complex and formed visible flocs that settled at the bottom of the tubes. The system showed 75-96% arsenate removal in 1 hour, while longer retention times showed 100% removal. The role of the mucilage was demonstrated by untreated solutions showing no concentration difference and remaining stable for more than 15 days. This mucilage-based technology has the potential to be a relatively inexpensive, environmentally sustainable alternative to synthetic polymer flocculants for removing arsenic from drinking water.

Abstract: A water treatment composition includes a water soluble film formed into a sealed pouch. The pouch contains a composite of a phosphate removing substance, a polymer flocculant, or an enzyme, or any combination. The phosphate removing substance, the polymer flocculant, and the enzyme are bound to each other within the composite. The pouch is added to a body of water. The pouch dissolves to release the compounds and treat the water.

Abstract: A natural gas stream is passed through a single membrane element that is fabricated with two or more distinct types of membrane fibers. The membrane fibers have different characteristics in order to reduce the number of membrane elements required for gas separation and to improve gas separation performance due to changing gas composition because of permeation as the gas travels through the membrane element.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of modified carbon products. More in particular, the invention is in the field of graphitized activated carbon bodies. The invention is directed to carbon bodies and ferromagnetic carbon bodies, the production of these bodies from activated carbon, and the applications of the carbon bodies and ferromagnetic carbon bodies, for instance in water treatment and in electrochemical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for removing nitrogen species from fresh water or high salinity water recirculated aquaculture systems. The processes are based on physico-chemical treatments which are performed at ambient temperatures and at low p H values thus keeping the total ammonia nitrogen concentrations below a value which is considered detrimental for the growth or survival rate of cultured fish/shrimp.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition for purifying water comprising a magnesium oxide component and a binder. The magnesium oxide component includes magnesium oxide, a pH regulator, and an additional water purifying material. The binder can be an organic polymer, an inorganic binder, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A process for removing Hg2+ ions from a liquid stream is disclosed. The process involves contacting the liquid stream with specified UOP Zeolitic Materials. These molecular sieves are particularly effective in removing Hg2+ ions from aqueous streams even in the presence of Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions. The effective molecular sieves have an intermediate range of Si/Al ratios between about 2 and 20 and preferably between 3 and 10.

Abstract: Novel compounds useful as chelators, intermediates for their production and methods for removing trivalent and tetravalent metal ions from solution are presented.

Abstract: Composite ion-exchange materials for use in an ion-exchange column are provided. Also provided are ion-exchange columns packed with the materials and methods for using the materials to remove metal ions from samples, such as waste water samples. The composite ion-exchange materials comprise a composite material comprising a metal chalcogenide and an alginate, wherein the composite material is mixed with a granular material.

Abstract: Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.

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: A method is provided for regenerating spent zirconium phosphate for reuse in sorbent dialysis treatments or other re-uses as a sorbent material. The method includes contacting spent zirconium phosphate with an aqueous disinfectant solution having at least one antimicrobial agent, and treating the resulting disinfected zirconium phosphate with an acidic solution to provide a treated zirconium phosphate that can be re-used as a sorbent material. Sorbent cartridge products containing the regenerated spent zirconium phosphate are also provided. Methods and systems for sorbent dialysis which re-use the regenerated zirconium phosphate such as part of sorbent cartridges, additionally are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a valuable-metal recovery method for recovering metals from lithium ion batteries using comparatively simple equipment and without using a cumbersome process. In said method, a positive electrode material from lithium ion batteries, containing lithium and a transition metal, is dissolved in an acidic solution, thereby generating lithium ions and ions of the transition metal in the acidic solution. Said acidic solution and a recovery liquid are then made to flow with an anion-permeable membrane interposed therebetween, causing the lithium ions to permeate from the acidic solution to recovery solution. Lithium ions are then recovered from the recovery liquid containing dissolved lithium ions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polymeric beads, methods of making the beads, and methods of using the beads as high-capacity anion exchange materials. In particular, the disclosure provides polymeric beads comprising a cross-linked polyamine and having a crush strength of about 250 g/bead or more. Preferably, the beads are substantially spherical. Also disclosed are polymeric beads comprising a cross-linked polyamine that has a substantial number of both strong base sites and weak base sites. Methods of using the polymeric beads in various industrial applications, such as groundwater remediation, radio waste management, municipal wastewater management, demineralization, toxin removal, mining, food refinery, research, agriculture, and the like, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A cartridge for treating drinking water, the cartridge comprising a mixture of an ion-exchange material, one part of which is a highly acidic ion-exchange material and another part of which is a weakly acidic ion-exchange material, wherein one of the materials is loaded with alkali ions or alkaline earth ions.

Abstract: Storage stable polyhydroxylated aromatic ether adducts of polyalkylene oxide are described. Reactive compositions are formed by combining an ether adduct with an aldehyde, optionally further adding a phenolic-aldehyde prepolymer. The reactive compositions are cured by removing water, by acidification, or both. The cured compositions sorb solvated compounds from environments containing water. The cured compositions are also useful for pre-loading with compounds that are subsequently released at a controlled rate into environments containing water.

Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides a process for treating de-oiled oilfield produced water or de-oiled process affected water from hydrocarbon production. In particular, such water is treated with a regenerable polymeric ion exchange resin to remove water soluble ionic surfactants. The treating can involve ion-exchanging ionic polymeric membrane foulants with non-fouling soluble ionic species that can be removed by polymeric membrane.

Abstract: The invention employs composites of zeolite and ferric oxide hydroxide for removal of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus wastes from animal environments.

Abstract: Mass transfer sorption processes involve passage of a processed aqueous solution through a layer of granulated sorbent pre-filled with an organic liquid immiscible with either water or an aqueous solution under treatment. The apparatus for mass transfer of sorption processes is a vertical tank with inlet and outlet fittings loaded with a layer of sorbent disposed between the upper and the lower distribution and drainage systems. The industrial plant for separation of the components of aqueous solutions of inorganic substances includes the said apparatus and the apparatus for the separation of organic liquids from aqueous solutions. The latter has a casing with three chambers, the middle one of which is separated from the first outer one by a grid and from the other by a hydrophobic drainage layer. The emulsion to be separated is introduced into the middle chamber, and the separation results are derived from the outer chambers.

Abstract: A method of forming a treated granulized zeolite product includes applying a cationic surfactant to a granulized zeolite material, such that an amount applied to the granulized zeolite material covers at least 20 percent of the ECEC sites of the granulized zeolite material, granulizing a zeolite material to produce the granulized zeolite material, the zeolite material having a d50 in a range of 300 to 30 micron size.

Abstract: Provided is a method for high concentration cation exchange metathesis of divalent ions such as calcium with univalent ions such as sodium or potassium. Due to the difference between ionic valences between the exchanged ions, the provided process behavior is strongly dependent upon the selection of resin properties and to total solution normality. A combination of resin properties and solution normality is provided to achieve the cation exchange.

Abstract: A process for treating waste water having a low level of metallic contaminants by reducing the toxicity level of metallic contaminants to an acceptable level and subsequently discharging the treated waste water into the environment without removing the treated contaminants.

Abstract: Provided is a surfactant-free, single-step synthesis of delaminated aluminosilicate zeolites. The process comprises the step of heating a borosilicate zeolite precursor in a metal salt solution, e.g., an aluminum nitrate solution, zinc nitrate solution or manganese nitrate solution. The delaminated aluminosilicate zeolite product is then recovered from the solution.

Abstract: A system for producing and supplying a coolant to a filtration sub-system, and for reconditioning and recombining a return flow of used coolant. A main reservoir is in two way communication with the filtration sub-system via a clean coolant outlet and a dirty coolant return. An inlet feeds an untreated water supply to a de-ionization canister. A mixing valve in communication with the inlet recombines a remaining untreated portion of the water supply with the de-ionized portion. A mixing pump intermixes the water supply with a chemical concentrate to produce a coolant delivered to a main reservoir. A volume of coolant is drawn through an outlet from the reservoir and communicates the coolant to a particle filter, a chiller, and prior to outputting to the filtration sub-systems. The used return coolant is filtered and reintroduced to the main reservoir.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for removing an ionic material from a fluid using a capture polymer that sequesters the ionic material and an anchor particle bearing a tethering polymer. The tethering polymer complexes with the capture polymer after the capture polymer has sequestered the ionic material, thereby affixing a complex of capture polymer and ionic material to the anchor particle to form a removable complex. The removable material can be segregated from the fluid via a removal system, thereby removing the ionic material from the fluid.

Abstract: The cross-linked polyaminocarboxylates for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions of the present invention are cross-linked anionic polyelectrolytes CAPE 6 and CAPE 9, containing pH-responsive amino acid residues. The cross-linked anionic polyelectrolytes have been synthesized via cycloco-polymerization and ter-polymerization of a diallylammonioethanoate monomer (90 mol %) and a cross-linker, 1,1,4,4-tetraallylpiperazinium dichloride (10 mol %) in the absence of SO2 (CAPE 6) and in the presence of SO2 (CAPE 9), respectively. For the sorbents CAPE 6 and CAPE 9, the efficiency of Cu2+ removal at an initial metal concentration of 200 ppb was found to be 77.5% and 99.4%, respectively. Treatment of real wastewater samples spiked with Cu2+ ions showed the excellent ability of the cross-linked anionic polyelectrolytes to adsorb metal ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to granulated zeolites with high adsorption capacity for organic molecules and the use of the zeolites for adsorbing organic molecules from liquids or gas streams.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a water treatment system includes: a membrane separation device and a water softening device including a valve unit switching between a softening process in which soft water is obtained by passing raw water through a cation exchange resin bed downward and a regeneration process in which a whole of the cation exchange resin bed is regenerated by generating an opposite flow of a regenerant by supplying the regenerant from both sides of a top portion and a bottom portion of the cation exchange resin bed and collecting a liquid at an intermediate portion of the cation exchange resin bed, and a regenerant supply supplying the regenerant in a volume which gives a regeneration level of 1 to 6 eq/L-R, to a hardness leakage prevention region set in a predetermined depth on the bottom portion of the cation exchange resin bed, in the regeneration process.

Abstract: A water treatment system including a filter, an aerator, a hydrogen absorption manifold, a first treatment container, a second treatment container, a boiler, a superheater, a fractional distillation separator and a condenser. The filter is adapted for removing chloride ions and transmutated chlorine ions; while the hydrogen absorptive manifold is designed for absorbing hydrogen ions and reducing the pH of the water. The boiler and superheater may be utilized to convert the water to a superheated steam, while the fractional distillation separator is adapted for condensing and separating elements, including radioactive elements, from the superheated steam. A method for treating contaminated water using the water treatment system is also provided.

Abstract: A biodegradable iron-crosslinked alginate is useful as a remediation agent for environmental contaminants such as phosphate. When charged with phosphate, or other nutrients, the iron-functionalized alginate can be used as an agricultural fertilizer.

Abstract: A method of removing di-, tri- and tetra-valent cations from aqueous media with a relatively short residence time, by causing cations and/or hydrous metal oxides to bind to a negatively charged media immobilized on a support structure thereby incorporating the cations into or onto the structure and removing them from the aqueous media. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a structure useful for removing di-, tri- and tetra-valent cations from aqueous media. The structure is designed to facilitate adherence of cations and/or hydrous metal oxides to the structure thereby incorporating the cations into or onto the structure and removing them from the aqueous media.

Abstract: A novel thermophilic bacterium is provided, which has a 16S rDNA sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO. 1. The thermophilic bacterium excretes extracellular proteins having excellent metal-ion binding ability, being useful in the treatment of boiler equipment, pipelines, geothermal wells or industrial wastewater or hard water.