Abstract: According to some embodiments, a flocculated material, product and method for making the product are provided including providing a methanotrophic material having an amount of 2.68% Total Suspended Solids (TSS); treating the methanotrophic material with phosphoric acid; providing a lime solution in an amount of 0.0212 M; combining the treated methanotrophic material with the lime to increase a pH of the solution and to precipitate calcium phosphate; generating a flocculated material by flocculating the combined lime and treated methanotrophic material. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In described embodiments, a method of processing sludge of a poultry plant into solids includes storing sludge in a tank where the sludge is a dissolved air floatation (DAF) float treated with Polymer Chemistry. A polymer is added to the sludge to produce a slurry that is separated into at least one liquid phase and solids in a horizontal decanter centrifuge having a weir ring. In conjunction with operating the centrifuge with a laminar flow, adjusted feed rate and polymer dosing, the system allows for production of low moisture solids (<50%) from the poultry plant DAF float and discharge of a clear liquid phase.

Abstract: A nonpowered mixing and coagulation basin is provided, which generates turbulences of at least two kinds inside the mixing and coagulation basin to which the raw water flows so that foreign matters contained in the raw water come into contact with each other while circulating by a water flow to be coagulated into a predetermined size, and a dissolved air floatation device using the same. The nonpowered mixing and coagulation basin has multiple stages with different packing materials and packing densities to form turbulent flows inside the raw water and control a flow speed, thereby uniformly mixing raw water and coagulant to enhance coagulation efficiency. The nonpowered mixing and coagulation basin simultaneously carries out mixing and coagulation at the front end part of the water treatment system, reduces equipment expenses by having no electric motor and agitator, and reduces power consumption because it does not use any power unit.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided in relation to flocculation and/or dewatering of thick fine tailings, with shear conditioning of flocculated tailings material in accordance with a pre-determined shearing parameter, such as the Camp Number. One example method of treating thick fine tailings including dispersing a flocculant into the thick fine tailings to form a flocculating mixture; shearing the flocculating mixture to increase yield stress and produce a flocculated mixture; shear conditioning the flocculated mixture to decrease the yield stress and break down flocs, the shear conditioning being performed in accordance with the pre-determined shearing parameter to produce conditioned flocculated material within a water release zone where release water separates from the conditioned flocculated material. The conditioned flocculated material can then be subjected to dewatering, for example by depositing, thickening or filtering.

Abstract: A clean-in-place process may begin with a pre-rinse step in which soil (e.g., contaminants, residual product) is flushed from industrial equipment prior to circulating a cleaning agent through the equipment. To determine when the equipment has been suitably flushed, pre-rinse fluid exiting the industrial equipment and containing soil may be fluorometrically analyzed. A concentration of the soil is determined from fluorescent emissions emitted by the soil itself. Based on this information, the pre-rinse flushing process can be controlled, for example, to minimize water usage, maximize pre-rinse cleaning, or based on any other suitable metric.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a particle sorting device capable of simply detecting bubbles, foreign substances, or the like in droplets, a method for analyzing particles, a program, and a particle sorting system. The particle sorting device includes a judgment unit, and the judgment unit judges whether or not captured image information including captured droplet image information about a brightness of an image of particle-containing droplets captured after discharge from an orifice has changed with respect to previously-set reference image information including reference droplet image information about a brightness of an image of droplets captured after discharge from the orifice.

Abstract: A wastewater purification system that uses mechanical and chemical processes to separate contaminants from municipal and other sanitary wastewater, concentrates the resulting sludge for disposal, and purifies the resulting product water for reuse as irrigation water, potable water or for disposal. The wastewater purification system can be scaled from a mobile system mounted on a skid or a tracker trailer to a large municipal wastewater treatment system. The wastewater purification system can include a hydrocyclone feeding a flotation tank. Flocculant is added upstream from the hydrocyclone after air injection by a Venturi air injector or similar device. Coagulant is added before the air injection. A dose of flocculant is added after the hydrocyclone within the vortex of the hydrocyclone and before the wastewater exits near the top of the flotation tank.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and a method for reducing a selenium-content of a fluid-input stream. The present disclosure includes components and steps for performing chemical modifications of a fluid-input stream and further components and steps for performing physical modifications of a chemically-manipulated fluid stream. When the fluid-input stream has a selenium content the chemical modification of the fluid-input stream drives at least a portion of the selenium content into a selenium-containing solids phase. The chemical modifications include at least oxidation, coagulation, chelation and flocculation. The present disclosure also includes components and steps for performing physical modifications that separate and remove some or all of the selenium-containing solids phase from the liquid phase, which reduces the selenium content of the liquid phase.

Abstract: Techniques for dewatering thick fine tailings may include one or more pre-treatment steps, such as pre-shearing to reduce the yield stress prior to flocculation, hydrocarbon removal below a threshold to improve flocculation and dewatering, flocculant dosing on a clay basis, and providing certain properties of the thick fine tailings related to coarse and fine particle sizes and/or chemistry such as divalent cation content. Various advantages may result from pre-treatments based on thick fine tailings properties, such as reduced flocculant dosage requirements, improved dispersion of flocculant into the thick fine tailings and/or enhanced dewatering, for example. One or more of the pre-treatments may be performed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dissolved air flotation system using ambient air, and more particularly, to a dissolved air flotation system that is capable of allowing ambient air to be introduced in front of a pump to generate micro air bubbles with the water discharged from the pump, so that the ambient air may be used instead of compressed air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device comprising a compound having Formula (1): ABx (1), wherein A is a structural moiety that consists of at least two atoms and comprises a conjugated system of delocalized electrons, each B is independently selected from an imine functional group (1a), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently selected from C1-C30 alkyl, C2-C30 alkenyl, C2-C3 alkinyl, C3-C30 cycloalkyl, C6-C30 aryl, C2-C30 heteroaryl, C7-C30 arylalkyl, C3-C30 heteroarylalkyl, the wave line represents a covalent bond to the imine nitrogen atom, G is in each group (1a) independently selected from a quarternary carbon atom and from a cyclopropenylidene structural moiety, x is an integer equal one or higher, preferably equal two or higher, and the lone electron pair of the imine nitrogen atom and/or the pi-electrons of the imine double bond of at least one group B is conjugated with the conjugated system of delocalized electrons comprised in the structural moiety A, with the proviso that two or more of th

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to remove neutrally buoyant metal particles composed of solid particles and droplets of oil from water such as produced water from petroleum production or refinery wastewater. In one aspect, the water is contacted with oleophilic adsorbent materials which adsorb the neutrally buoyant metal particles. Also disclosed is a process for removing metal particles from a fluid volume that includes crude oil and/or condensate. The fluid volume is washed with a volume of water to form a volume of wastewater, thereby transferring at least a portion of the metal particles from the fluid into the wastewater. The volume of wastewater including the transferred metal particles is then contacted with an oleophilic adsorbent material wherein the neutrally buoyant metal particles are adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The adsorbent material is then separated from the wastewater. Finally, the treated wastewater is used to wash the crude and/or condensate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for reducing residual soap in crude tall oil, wherein crude tall oil is supplied via piping to at least one vessel, soap number of the crude tall oil is determined using on-line measuring technique and sulphuric acid is added to the crude tall oil at a site of blending, where the dosing of the sulphuric acid is adjusted on-line to provide soap number of not more than 2.

Abstract: Methods for use of enzymes for sustainable wash water maintenance are disclosed. The invention relates to use of enzymes for removing soils from wash water sources in a variety of cleaning applications. The invention cleans wash water sources, prevents the re-deposition of soils on treated surfaces and enhances detergency. Methods of wash water maintenance according to the invention provide sustainable practices by improving water quality and minimizing water and energy consumption in wash systems.

Abstract: Modified polysaccharides, acrylamide copolymers, water-soluble amino acid copolymers, and combinations thereof are described for uses including flocculation of solids, particularly flocculation of soil in an agricultural settings and clarification of process waters from oil-sands mining operations. Also described are methods of preparing selected amino acid copolymers and modified polysaccharides.

Abstract: Methods and a system for removing carbon nanotubes from a water stream are provided herein. The system includes a purification vessel, wherein the purification vessel is configured to form a carbon oxide from the carbon nanotubes within the water stream.

Abstract: A clean-in-place process may begin with a pre-rinse step in which soil (e.g., contaminants, residual product) is flushed from industrial equipment prior to circulating a cleaning agent through the equipment. To determine when the equipment has been suitably flushed, pre-rinse fluid exiting the industrial equipment and containing soil may be fluorometrically analyzed. A concentration of the soil is determined from fluorescent emissions emitted by the soil itself. Based on this information, the pre-rinse flushing process can be controlled, for example, to minimize water usage, maximize pre-rinse cleaning, or based on any other suitable metric.

Abstract: The application relates to a process comprising: treating a wastewater stream in a membrane bioreactor, treating the effluent from the previous step in a cationic on exchanger, and treating the effluent from the previous step in a nanomembrane filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to stable percarboxylic acid compositions comprising, inter alia, at least two stabilizing agents, and various uses for water treatments, including water treatments in connection with oil- and gas-field operations. The present invention also relates to slick water compositions and gel based compositions that comprise stable percarboxylic acid compositions and the use thereof in oil- and gas-field operations.

Abstract: An economical method for recovering phosphate or phosphate and nitrogen from liquid streams. A liquid containing phosphate is introduced into a culture of autotrophic microorganisms in the presence of natural or artificial light, thereby producing a liquid effluent with elevated pH and reduced alkalinity. The alkalinity is reduced through the consumption of bicarbonate/carbonate by the autotrophic microorganisms. The effluent is then chemically treated with low-cost chemicals to provide Ca++ or Mg++ ions necessary to form a phosphate precipitate such as calcium phosphate or magnesium-ammonium-phosphate (MAP). The autotrophic microorganisms can be cultivated in ponds, lagoons, or photobioreactors. The pH of the culture is adjustable within a preferred range of 7.5 to 10.5 by adjusting the photobioreactor operation.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous concentration of multiple toxins from large volumes of water. The method includes the steps of providing a disposable separation centrifuge bowl, the centrifuge bowl including a positively charged material at it's inner core. A large water sample contaminated with toxins from a group consisting of protozoa, bacteria, bacterial spores, and toxins is delivered to the centrifuge bowl. A centrifugal force is applied to the separation bowl. The water sample is concentrated to remove large particles of the toxins in the bowl due to the centrifugal forces. The concentrated water sample is passes through the positively charged inner core to capture any remaining concentrated targets by electrostatic forces and the concentrated targets are eluted.

Abstract: A method is described for cold-cutting a lamp having an inner pressure that is lower than the atmospheric pressure and containing a pollutant. The method includes keeping the lamp in position; cutting the lamp at at least one cutting point; prior to cutting, submerging the cutting point in a liquid or pasty composition; keeping the cutting point submerged during the cutting; and suctioning part of the composition into each cut-off portion. The composition is a dilatant and has a temperature no lower than the pour point thereof, prior to the cutting step. After the cutting, the temperature of the dilatant composition is reduced to a temperature lower than the pour point thereof, such as to increase the viscosity thereof and create a sealed stopper.

Abstract: Method for recovering bitumen from tar sands, according to which sands are brought into contact with at least one partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) (co)polymer A.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treating hydrocarbons recovered with steam condensate from a formation. The treating removes particulates from the hydrocarbons by addition of a flocculant to produced fluids containing the hydrocarbons and an aqueous phase with the condensate. The flocculant causes the particulates suspended in the hydrocarbons to agglomerate and be transferred to the aqueous phase, which is then separated from the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the negative effects of adhesive contaminants in the processing of waste paper, wherein an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising one component A and one component B for coagulation and detackification of stickies is added during the processing of waste paper, wherein component A is a homo- and/or copolymer of methyl methacrylate, acrylate and/or styrene and component B is a styrene copolymer having acrylic acid, maleimide and/or maleic acid hydride. The polymer dispersion can optionally comprise another component C, a cationic fixing agent that supports the coagulation of the stickies.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for green compositions and technologies. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating a first material from a second material. For example, the method can comprise mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition. The beneficiation composition can comprise one or more glyceride and fatty acid mixtures extracted from a fuel ethanol process. Air bubbles can be provided in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material and the bubble-particle aggregates can be allowed to be separated from the second material.

Abstract: Methods for removing particulates from an aqueous suspension are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method can include mixing a polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin with an aqueous suspension comprising one or more first particulates to produce a treated mixture. An amount of the polyamidoamine-epihalohydrin resin in the treated mixture can be less than 500 g/tonne of the one or more first particulates. The method can also include recovering from the treated mixture a purified water having a reduced concentration of the one or more first particulates relative to the aqueous suspension, a purified first particulate product having a reduced concentration of water relative to the aqueous suspension, or both.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving a froth flotation type separation. The method uses a microemulsion to improve the effectiveness of a collector. The improvement allows for low dosages of collector to work as well as much greater amounts of non-microemulsified collector.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of contaminated fluid and wastewater containing residuals from food processing and waste and residuals from animal feeding operations and effluent from the digestion of these residuals is disclosed. The process is carried out in an enclosed tank using a separation procedure that maintains the state of the separated solids in the same state as they were upon introduction to the system, i.e., aerobic, anaerobic or anoxic, based on the condition of the solids upon introduction to the system. The system utilizes rotary flow instead of rakes to harvest the solids from the effluent. The process has applications in the recovery of emulsion in wastewater treatment and the operation of digesters for re-feeding to the digester.

Abstract: A multi stage process for the progressive removal of protein and isolating streams containing cellulose fibers and oil from a waste stream containing Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles is disclosed. Targeted polymers are added to the source and separated streams prior to passing the streams through separation equipment including a rotary screen, a multi disk press, a dissolved air floatation device and optionally a centrifuge in which the waste stream is separated into a stream containing predominantly protein, a stream containing predominantly oil and a stream that contains predominantly cellulose and hemicellulose fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to particulate and/or liquid droplet separation processes from liquids containing the same and the use of specific chemical additives to control surface wetting, hydrophobicity and surface forces in such processes.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fluorine recovering apparatus includes a precipitating device allowing fluoride ion-containing water to react with calcium source to form precipitate, a mixing tank mixing a filter aid including particles of a magnetic material having a diameter of 0.5 to 5 ?m with a dispersion medium to produce slurry, a filter aid feeder to the mixing tank, a solid-liquid separator with a filter depositing a filter aid layer, and depositing the precipitate on the filter aid layer, a cleaning mechanism removing the filter aid and the precipitate, a separating tank separating the filter aid and the precipitate, and a returning mechanism returning the filter aid to the filter aid feeder.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a membrane biological reactor mixed liquor containing one or more nonionic polysaccharides and/or one or more organic molecules is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment installation of aqueous fluid, in particular to ensure elimination of organic micropollutants and natural organic matter, comprising a single reactor (10) for treatment of aqueous fluid by contact with a fluidized bed of coagulated and flocculated powdered activated carbon, operating in ascending flow, said reactor being equipped with injection means of new powdered activated carbon, coagulant and polymer, arranged to define three distinct operating zones in the reactor: a first arranged zone (A) at the base of the reactor to ensure intake and homogeneous distribution of the aqueous fluid pre-treated by contact with coagulant and polymer, a second zone, surmounting the first, constituted by the fluidized bed of coagulated and flocculated powdered activated carbon (B), and a third zone (C), arranged in the top part of the reactor for separation and recovery of the purified aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A method of treating produced water containing hydrocarbons includes introducing microbubbles of a lift gas into the produced water in a separation stage to float oil to a surface of the produced water. The top layer of oil is removed from the surface of the produced water. Microbubbles of an oxidizing gas are introduced into the produced water in an aeration stage to oxidize contaminants. Microbubbles of an ultra-violet light treated oxidizing gas are introduced into the produced water in an advanced oxidation stage to oxidize remaining contaminants.

Abstract: A sono-molecular-conversion device and method for effecting nitrification of ammonia in water, the method including feeding the water containing ammonia through a sono-molecular conversion device including a plurality of ultrasound transducers; and applying ultrasonic energy to the water containing ammonia by the sono-molecular conversion device to ultrasonically collapse microsized bubbles with transient cavitation in the water containing ammonia to effect nitrification of ammonia therein by sono-molecular-conversion.

Abstract: Methods of deoiling oily water such as SAGD and frac produce water. The oily water is treated with a natural coagulant selected from tannins and chitosan. A cationic and/or anionic flocculant may also be added to the treated oily water. The thus treated oily water may be subjected to conventional mechanical oil separation techniques such as hydrocyclonic separation, dissolved air flotation, entrapped air flotation, induced gas flotation, gravity filters, reverse osmosis filters, API, or Voraxial® bulk separators and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing multiply charged cations and suspended solids from water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing multiply charged cations and suspended solids from an aqueous or oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is used in the presence of a source of alkalinity or anionic reactant as well as surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate multiply charged cation and suspended solids removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing an oil phase from an oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is combined with surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate oil removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.

Abstract: A system and method for removing gas from a gas producing subterranean formation and removing contaminants from the produced water is provided. The method includes providing a mixture of gas and water gathered from a gas producing well. Thereafter the method entails separating the gas from the mixture to produce a gas product and the produced water which includes organics, suspended solids and dissolved solids including silica. Thereafter, suspended solids are removed from the produced water. After removing some of the suspended solids, the produced water is directed to a micro porous polymer extraction (MPPE) unit. In the MPPE unit aromatic organic compounds are removed from the produced water. Thereafter the produced water is treated in a membrane bioreactor to remove additional organics. Thereafter the produced water is directed to at least one RO unit that produces a high dissolved solids containing reject stream and a low dissolved solids permeate stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing particles from cooling water employing a flotation process to remove particulate matter from the cooling water, particularly during times of the year when particle content in the water is at its peak.

Abstract: A deoiling or demulsifying composition including talc. Also disclosed is a process for removal of hydrocarbons, oil or oil-bearing formations from an aqueous stream by adding talc to the aqueous stream. The process may also include one or more of: aerating or injecting air or gas into the aqueous stream; agitating the treated stream to form a layer comprising the hydrocarbons, oil or oil-bearing formations; and separating the layer from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: A multistage dissolved air flotation and advanced oxidation (MDAF-AO) system/method with multi-functions in oil recovery, solids removal, emulsion breaking, and advanced oxidation. Influent, with oil and suspended solids, enters a first stage for oil recovery includes a gas ionizer and an air dissolving pump. A second stage includes of two coagulation/flotation compartments connected in serial to enhance solids removal efficiencies. Micro air bubbles are created by air dissolving pumps in each compartment. A third stage is for the emulsion breaking unit to further remove or recover the emulsified oils. A fourth stage includes advanced oxidation by using ultraviolet (UV) and hydrogen peroxide to oxidize and disinfect the bacteria and microorganisms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for wastewater purification. The system may include a sludge filtration unit, a screen filtration unit, a multi-media filtration unit, and a soluble hydrocarbon filtration unit. The sludge filtration unit may remove impurities from wastewater. Impurities include hydrocarbons, suspended solids, and/or dissolved solids. The screen filtration unit may remove impurities from the wastewater. The multi-media filtration unit may remove impurities from the wastewater. The soluble hydrocarbon filtration unit may remove impurities from the wastewater.

Abstract: The invention relates to block polymers, for example, arborescent copolymer compounds, and to methods of making and purifying such compounds. In one embodiment, the invention relates to arborescent polymer compounds that contain one or more styrene polymeric blocks in combination with one or more isobutylene polymeric blocks. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for purifying arborescent polymer compounds that contain at least one styrene polymeric block in combination with at least one isobutylene polymeric block.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method to system for enhancing TOC removal while maintaining membrane filter performance is the implementation of a dual pH control system. This embodiment will enhance the ability to maximize TOC removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. By adjusting pH, dosing a chemical coagulant and incorporating liquid-solids separation, a considerably higher degree of TOC removal is possible. By adjusting pH again after liquid-solids separation this embodiment can drastically increase the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration/ultrafiltration system. Thus pH control for soluble organic removal is critical. This pH level however may not be the ideal set point for minimizing membrane fouling which is the basis for this embodiment. An example: the pH set point for optimum soluble organic removal is designated to be 5.5. However, the optimum pH set point for optimum membrane performance is 7.0.

Abstract: Process for recovering a polymer by injection of steam, and optionally liquid water, into a solution of this polymer comprising a polar aprotic organic solvent (PAOS) that has an azeotrope with water and an apolar organic compound that is miscible with the PAOS and immiscible with water and that acts as a phase separation agent (PSA), the boiling point of which is below that of the water/PAOS azeotrope, the amount of steam injected being sufficient to give rise to the substantial removal of the PSA via stripping and that of the PAOS via azeotropic distillation, and the total amount of water being sufficient to give rise to the precipitation of the polymer, this process being characterized in that the polymer solution also comprises an alcohol, at least during the precipitation of the polymer.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for treating and remediating or abating carbon containing wastes to produce clean water, non-toxic, non-hazardous ash has been taught and described, the method, systems and devices are particularly suited to treating aqueous hydrocarbon containing waste streams generated in the oil and gas drilling and hydrofracking industry including electrocoagulating which removes flocculent, the flocculent is removed and then the aqueous stream is separated into light fractions and heavy fractions. The heavy fraction and flocculent are recombined and then gasified to produce syngas and ash, the syngas can then be used in generating power.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from a fluid system comprises contacting the fluid system with an inversely fluidized material, for example a particulate aerogel, thereby removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the fluid system. The method can be used to remove oil or other organic materials from wastewater streams. It can be conducted in a fluidized bed, which includes nanoporous particles and a fluidizing medium, wherein the nanoporous particles have a density lower than that of the fluidizing medium.