Abstract: A process for removing silver from a silver containing photoprocessing solution, including the steps of:a) mixing a mercapto-s-triazine, or a water soluble salt thereof, with the solution thereby causing formation of a mixture of i) precipitates and fines of silver mercapto-s-triazine and ii) the solution;b) mixing a copolymer flocculant with the mixture thereby causing flocculation and agglomeration of the silver TMT fines; wherein the copolymer i) consist of monomers selected from the group consisting of acryloyloxyethyl trimethylamine chloride and acrylamide and ii) has a reduced viscosity of 21 to 30 dL/g.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for removing true and apparent color from pulp and paper waste waters. It comprises treating these waste waters with a coagulant and vinylamine polymer. The coagulant is selected from the group consisting of epichlorohydrin-dimethylamine, guanidine-formaldehyde condensation polymers, cyanoguanidine-formaldehyde condensation polymers, urea-formaldehyde condensation polymers, polyethyleneimines, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, copolymers of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylamide, and ethylenedichloride-ammonia. The vinylamine polymer includes from about 1 to about 100 mole percent vinylamine and from about 1 to about 99 mole percent of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of amidine vinylformamide, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, vinyl pyrrolidinone and the esters, amides, nitriles and salts of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

Abstract: A method for treating cattle, fish, and poultry processing waste streams by the sequential addition of natural flocculants wherein at least one of the natural flocculants is liquid chitosan and another of the natural flocculants is an anionic natural flocculant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil and clarifying waste water from an oil field are disclosed. The method includes the step of treating the waste water with an aqueous de-emulsifying agent comprising wattle tannin, an inorganic coagulant and a synthetic polymer flocculant to destabilize the oil emulsion and rapidly agglomerate the oil particles formed thereby. Efficiency of the present de-emulsifying agent permits use of flotation equipment for rapid clean-up of the waste water and obviates the need for large settling pits.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel method of removing emulsified oils, dissolved solids and particulates from a water containing liquid wastestream comprising chemically treating the wastestream with an acid, a coagulant, and a flocculant and subsequently flowing such treated wastestream upwardly through a vertical plate pack chamber.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for treating a heavy metal containing waste water by using acorns. Acorns and nuts of other trees belonging to the Eagaceae group are dried at the room temperature and under the sun beams. Then acornic acid is extracted from the dried acorns. Then the acornic acid is filtered until it becomes colorless. A heavy metal containing waste water (low concentration and high concentration) is maintained at pH=8-11.5 by adding NH.sub.4 OH, Ca(OH).sub.2 and NAOH. Then the acornic acid is added into the waste water, and then, Ca.sup.++ ions singly or together with other divalent cations are added by 50 ppm. Then this solution is agitated for several minutes, and then, the heavy metals are precipitated, or the solution is filtered, thereby treating the heavy metal containing waste water.

Abstract: A method for conditioning food processing waste prior to chemical dewatering comprising the step of treating the food processing waste with an effective amount of at least one hydrophobic polymer coagulant.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of waste water containing a silver compound, comprising the steps of (1) adding to said waste water a salt of a poly(guanidine) or poly(biguanidine) polymer (2) adding a flocculant, and (3) filtrating the formed flocculate.The invention is particularly suitable for the removal of silver from the effluent of a photographic processor, and more specifically the effluent of a processor of wash-off materials, said effluent also containing gelatin.A most preferred poly(guanidine) compound is poly(hexamethyleneguanidine) hydrochloride.

Abstract: A method and related product for purification of waste water, especially of water polluted with phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals, and chlorinated solvents. The purification process consists of:a) adding two liquid mixtures in sequence to the waste water;b) letting the pollutants react with the two mixtures;c) subsequently removing the sludge that forms.One of the two liquid mixtures in question is a liquid mixture of two acids that may be extracted from lignite, leonardite and fossils of vegetal origin like peat.

Abstract: Geothermal brines are extracted from the earth, flashed and the remaining liquids are injected back into the earth. Although it would be advantageous for resource maintenance to inject the same amount of liquid as extracted, addition of liquid causes massive system upsets that prevent such addition. River or other similar surface waters can now be added to the brine stream created when extracting power from a geothermal source, after adding a crystal structure modifier to the brine stream. In operations where the brine stream is returned to the earth, the weight rate of the brine injected into the earth is brought to at least 90% what it was when extracted from the ground.

Abstract: NORMs are inhibited or prevented from precipitating with scale produced by a hot aqueous solution by adding multiple portions of a crystal structure modifier to the aqueous solution as it cools before and during removal of silicon containing components by precipitation. Preferred crystal structure modifiers include polyacrylate crystal structure modifiers and phosphonomethylated amines.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and method for chemical precipitation and removal of metals from wastewater in a continuous or batch treatment process includes an ion-selective sulfide electrode and a reference electrode disposed in a precipitation tank for measuring an electrochemical potential therebetween in a predetermined range. A controller unit is provided which is responsive to the electrochemical potential in the predetermined range and is connected to a precipitant feed unit for automatically controlling the chemical precipitant fed into the precipitation tank.

Abstract: A process for removing carboxylic acids from aqueous solutions using a composition of a polyaluminum chlorohydrate and a cationic polyelectrolyte is described. After or during the initial contact of the aqueous solution with the composition, an organic liquid may optionally be added after which separation into an aqueous phase and an organic phase occurs whereby the organic acids are removed in the organic phase. The preferred polyaluminum chlorohydrate is aluminum chlorohydrate, and the preferred cationic polyelectrolyte is a high molecular weight poly(dimethyl diallyl) ammonium chloride.

Abstract: Process and composition for treating aqueous media to remove impurities using chitosan, polysilicic acid and/or poly aluminosilicate, ferric compound and clay.

Abstract: A method of treating an aqueous system is disclosed. The method may be used to treat sewage streams as well as aqueous streams in pulp and paper mill processing. The method includes the steps of adding a polymeric composition to an aqueous stream. The composition is an anionically modified acrylamide polymer in an aqueous medium. The polymer is formed by reacting an acrylamide polymer with phosphorous acid, and has at least 5 mole percent phosphonate groups based on the acrylamide content of the polymer, and has a molecular weight of at least about 40,000. the pH of the composition is adjusted to at least about 7.7.

Abstract: A secondary polishing process for Bayer Process liquors suspension is described. The polishing process uses a combination of bio-polymers, particularly such bio-carbohydrates as dextran, with an inert insoluble solid, such as a filter aid, to treat the primary red mud settler overflow, then clarifying these treated overflow liquors in a secondary clarifier. Results provide for from 0-20 milligrams per liter suspended solids, often from 0-5 ppm suspended solids, and may make sand filter or Kelly filter operation an option in the Bayer Process.

Abstract: Metal scavengers suitable for use in the treatment of waste water are disclosed. The metal scavengers individually comprise a polyamine derivative and a polyethyleneimine derivative. The polyamine derivative is formed of a polyamine having a molecular weight not higher than 500 and contains, per molecule of the polyamine, at least one dithiocarboxyl group or a salt thereof as an N-substituting group substituted for an active hydrogen atom of the polyamine such that at least 30% of suitable active hydrogen atoms contained in the polyamine are substituted by the dithiocarboxyl group or salt thereof.

Abstract: A stable blended product comprising a melamine aldehyde, urea aldehyde or melamine-urea aldehyde and colloidal silica is useful as a detackifier for solvent-borne paints and other resinous materials. This product is also useful as a conditioning agent prior to collection of water-borne paints, a treatment for water containing oils or greases, a color-remover in natural waters, and for enhanced removal of suspended solids.

Abstract: A water-treatment process which simultaneously performs degritting, degreasing, coagulation, flocculation and settling. The steps include breaking down into two elementary steps, at least least one of the degritting and degreasing functions and, simultaneously performing at least one of the following associated steps:coarse degritting and coagulation of untreated water;fine degritting and a first step for coalescence of grease particles, and high-energy flocculation;a second step for coalescence of the grease particles and low-energy flocculation, andseparating the greast particles and commencing a settling operation.

Abstract: A method for removing metal compounds from waste water comprising the steps of adjusting the pH of the water to from 5 to 12 and preferably 6 to 9; aerating the waste water; adding a flocculating agent to the water and allowing floccules including metal compounds to form; and separating said floccules including metal compounds from the water. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the removal of toxic resin acids and fatty acids from pulp and paper effluent and from other streams containing resins and fatty acids. The addition of an anionic material, such as albumin, gelatin, alginate or alginic acid prior to clarification with conventional or state of the art cationic coagulation clarification or retention will improve the removal of resin acids and fatty acids.

Abstract: A highly colored dye wastewater is treated by a sequence of steps to obtain a color reduction of 90 percent or more. The method requires acidifying the wastewater and adding a cationic flocculant. A reducing agent is then, optionally, added to further reduce the color value of the wastewater and produce an oxidation-reduction potential of at least -200 and, generally, about -400 to -800. The reducing agent is, preferably, either a hydrosulfite or both a bisulfite and an alkali metal borohydride.

Abstract: A treatment method for removing arsenic from water includes conditioning the water with one more additives including an iron salt, an acid, and an oxidant until the water contains more ion than arsenic, is acidic, and has an ORP of about plus 600 mV. A reagent is then added to the conditioned water until it becomes basic and the water and additives are then reacted in a reaction chamber wherein iron and arsenic are co-precipitated in the form of iron arsenate and iron hydroxide or iron oxide. Treated water is then separated from the precipitate by settling of filtering.

Abstract: Wood-resin-containing process water or wastewater from the pulp industry is purified by adding, as flocculants, a high-molecular-weight polyethylene oxide and a water-soluble, non-ionic cellulose ether, suitably having a flocculation temperature of 35.degree.-80.degree. C. The added amount per liter of water is preferably 2-20 mg of the high-molecular-weight polyethylene oxide and preferably 5-30 mg of the non-ionic cellulose ether.

Abstract: A method for treating waste pickle liquor solution comprising the steps of (a) adding a flocculating agent to the pickle liquor solution; (b) allowing at least some of the silica in the pickle liquor to begin to flocculate; (c) again adding a flocculating agent to the pickle liquor solution; (d) allowing the floccules containing silica formed in step (b) to increase in size; and (e) physically separating floccules formed in step (d) from the pickle liquor solution.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of dissolved heavy metals from aqueous solution contaminated therewith wherein at least one of said heavy metals is reacted with a water-soluble inorganic sulfide or hydrosulfide at a defined elevated temperature and a controlled pH of between about 2 to about 3.5 to thereby precipitate heavy metal sulfide, and thereafter separating the precipitate from the filtrate.

Abstract: Solutions such as for example groundwater, drinking water, extracting solutions and effluents contaminated with metals, radioactive species and organics, singly or in combination, are treated by first removing undesirable oxidizing agents from the contaminated solution. Then the contaminated solution is separately treated with aqueous solutions of ferrous sulfate and hydroxide, which precipitate substantially all of the contaminants. Next, the precipitate is treated with a flocculant and/or a coagulant to form an easily dewaterable and separable solid. The solid contaminants are readily removed from the cleansed solution. The process utilizes a novel combination of steps which maximizes contaminant removal, minimizes waste volume, and produces a recyclable solution and a manageable waste stream. The preferred hydroxide solutions are sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A process for removing color from a pulp and paper wastewater which comprises the following steps: (a) treating the wastewater with a reducing agent which is capable of inactivating color producing functional groups of the wastewater; and (b) treating the wastewater subsequent to step (a) with a polymer which is capable of removing color from the wastewater.

Abstract: A process for selectively recovering dissolved heavy metals from a solution is disclosed that involves selectively reacting a xanthate with such dissolved heavy metals. Selective reaction of a xanthate with selected dissolved heavy metals is accomplished by conducting the reaction under conditions such that only some of the heavy metals react with the xanthate, to the exclusion of reaction with other dissolved heavy metals. Selectivity of the reaction is particularly influenced by the pH at which the reaction occurs. Typically, the reaction should occur at a pH below about 4.0. Xanthates, once reacted, can be separated from the heavy metal xanthate reaction product and recycled for use within the process. Purified heavy metal product can be produced if desired.

Abstract: An effluent treatment process having the steps of: a) adding a coagulant to the effluent to concentrate the organic material therein; b) treating the thus concentrated organic material with a mixture of a cationic polymer of copolymer in the presence of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant or both; and c) separating the organic material from the effluent by flotation.

Abstract: A method for improving the dispersibility of over-sprayed, solvent-based paints in aqueous systems which comprises adding an effective amount of a chelating agent to an aqueous system containing solvent-based paints, particularly in high-hardness waters.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing a solid material, e.g., sludge, from the bottom of a body of water. The method includes the steps of: a) placing a turbidity curtain of water impermeable material about a first minor portion of a body of water, the curtain extending from the surface to the bottom of the body and defining a first cell, b) pumping sludge from the first cell, c) placing a turbidity curtain around a second minor portion of the body of water, the curtain extending from the surface to the bottom of the body and defining a second cell, d) pumping sludge from the second cell after pumping from the first cell has ceased, e) after the resuspended solids in the water in the first cell have been allowed to settle for a predetermined time after pumping, moving the first cell to a different location in the body of water, and f) repeating steps d) and e) with the first cell, after being moved, becoming the second cell and the second cell becoming the first cell.

Abstract: A composition and method of treating paint spray booth water to detackify organic solvent based paint particles. The composition comprises a melamine polymer obtained from the reaction of melamine, aldehyde and an amine selected from the group consisting of dicyandiamide and glycine. These melamine polymers may be used in combination with a polyacrylamide, which combination exhibits surprising and unexpected effects when used to detackify organic solvent paint particles.

Abstract: Radioactivity and fluoride ion are inhibited or prevented from precipitating in scale formed from a geothermal brine by adding a scale inhibitor to the cooling brine solution. Preferred scale inhibitors include polyacrylate dispersants and phosphonomethylated amines.

Abstract: A method for treating an ink-laden wastewater stream comprising adding an effective amount of a melamine-aldehyde polymer to the ink laden stream being treated and segregating at least some portion of the resulting ink-laden agglomerated solids from the treated water.

Abstract: A method for treating waste water such as that from an industrial processing facility comprising the separation of the waste water into a dilute waste stream and a concentrated waste stream. The concentrated waste stream is treated chemically to enhance precipitation and then allowed to separate into a sludge and a supernate. The supernate is skimmed or filtered from the sludge and blended with the dilute waste stream to form a second dilute waste stream. The sludge remaining is mixed with cementitious material, rinsed to dissolve soluble components, then pressed to remove excess water and dissolved solids before being allowed to cure. The dilute waste stream is also chemically treated to decompose carbonate complexes and metal ions and then mixed with cationic polymer to cause the precipitated solids to flocculate. Filtration of the flocculant removes sufficient solids to allow the waste water to be discharged to the surface of a stream.

Abstract: The use of quaternized polyvinylamine for use in clarification of water in a deinking loop of a paper, such as newspaper, recycling operation.

Abstract: Effluent containing inks undergoes flocculation by the action of a flocculating agent, followed by the continuous centrifuging of the effluent consisting of an acceleration between 1,000 and 20,000 g, while avoiding an air-liquid interface during centrifuging.

Abstract: A waste stream such as from an animal or poultry processing plant is mixed with bentonite or Grafted Bentonite and then with liquid Chitosan as natural flocculents to form a rigid floc which removes fats, oils, greases, and/or proteins from the waste stream. The flocculated solids (sludge) is removed and dried, and either formed into granules or pellets. The recovered material may be used as animal feed, when appropriate. However, it is particularly useful when mixed with coal fines and pelletized to form fuel pellets or used in granule form as a fuel source.

Abstract: Radioactivity and fluoride ion are inhibited or prevented from precipitating in scale formed from a geothermal brine by adding a dispersant to the cooling brine solution. Preferred dispersants include polyacrylates and polyphosphonic acids.

Abstract: Wastewater contaminated with heavy metals is treated in a multi-stage process. In a first stage, wastewater is treated with an effective amount of calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide in the form of lime to adjust the pH so that various metals in the water become insoluble. Gypsum formation may also occur if sulfate ions are present in the wastewater. In a second stage, an effective amount of sodium carbonate is added in the form of soda ash to allow formation of calcium carbonate. In a third stage, a coagulant, preferably a polymer, is added to facilitate the formation of a sludge comprising heavy metals, gypsum and calcium carbonate. In a final stage, the pH of the resulting effluent may be adjusted with a suitable acid, such as hydrochloric acid, to attain acceptable discharge requirements. The sludge formed is substantially stable and dewatered and has low toxic metal leaching characteristics.

Abstract: A non-toxic composition, and method, for the clarification of raw sugar-containing juices, especially sugar cane juice, and related products, for analysis. A composition constituted of A) aluminum chloride hydroxide, B) lime and C) activated bentonite, bentonite containing calcium aluminum silicate, and preferably also a polymeric flocculating agent, has been found highly effective as a reagent for the clarification of sugar-containing juices, notably sugar cane juice, and related products.

Abstract: Methods of treating circulating water containing oversprayed, water-borne paint, such as in a paint spray booth operation, with aluminum salts such as aluminum chloride or polyaluminum chloride and a flocculant, resulting in removal of sludge from the paint spray booth water.

Abstract: Dithiocarbamic salts made from the reaction products of certain polyamines and epoxides have been found to be useful to clarify water, particularly the oil-in-water emulsions which accompany crude oil production. The water clarification may be accomplished by demulsification or flocculation. The polyamine reaction products themselves are novel and may have the structure ##STR1## where R" is selected from the group consisting of the structure --R--NH.sub.2 and ##STR2## where R is selected from the group consisting of straight, branched or cyclic alkylene moieties; arylene moieties; substituted straight, branched or cyclic alkylene moieties; substituted arylene moieties or mixtures thereof; and where R' is--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --O--R--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --where n and m independently range from 1 to 5 and q is 0 or 1. The dithiocarbamic salts made from these polyamines also find use as corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: A process for the precipitation of aqueous plastics dispersions containing polyvinyl alcohol, preferably from waste waters, and separation of the polymeric solids content, which comprises adding the following to the dispersion in order, with thorough mixing:a) a boric acid component,b) a basic compound for making the pH alkaline, thenc) an iron salt andd) a cationic polymeric polyelectrolyte, and isolating the precipitate which forms in the alkaline medium. The process according to the invention is advantageously applicable in all relevant sectors of technology and waste water treatment in which polymer dispersions containing polyvinyl alcohol are used or have to be disposed of, and where waste waters in which dispersions containing polyvinyl alcohol are present have to be processed. Degrees of clarification of more than 95% can be achieved.

Abstract: A method is proposed for performing precipitation reactions which yields precipitate particles in the form of flakes. The precipitate particles are coarse, having cross-measurements in the order of 10 to 400 microns. According to this method, a suitable precipitant is one which will react with the ionic species to be precipitated and which is sparingly soluble, such as lime, and therefore capable of forming a slurry as opposed to a solution. Prior to adding the precipitant to the solution containing ions to be precipitated, the precipitant is slurried, normally in aqueous medium, and flocculated such that discrete floccules having diameters in the order of 1 to 6 mm are formed. Upon addition of the flocculated precipitant to the solution containing ions to be precipitated, a layer of precipitate forms on the surface of the precipitant floccules, encapsulating or partially encapsulating the floccule.

Abstract: A novel method of treating circulating water containing over-sprayed, water-borne paint, such as in a paint spray booth operation, comprises adjusting the alkalinity of the paint spray booth water to between about 20 and 600 ppm, on a calcium carbonate basis, by adding a designated alkalinity source thereto, adding a cationic potato starch to the water, contacting the over-sprayed, water-borne paint with the alkalinity-adjusted paint spray booth water after addition of the cationic potato starch, adding an effective amount of a polymer floccing agent to the paint spray booth water, and removing resulting sludge from the paint spray booth water.

Abstract: In a method of dewatering suspensions or the like slurry-like mixtures, in particular waste water slurries, fed to a belt filter press formed by filter belts, with the waste water slurry, is a crumbly dry substance which has been produced by drying from the solids discharge of the belt filter press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for treating waste water, particularly metal-containing waste water. The process includes separating and removing metals and other impurities from the waste water by the sequential addition of a base, a polyelectrolyte and an acrylamide-containing copolymer dispersion. The purified water is recycled for continuous reuse while the small quantities of metal-rich residue are available for reclamation.

Abstract: High molecular weight cationic flocculents in combination with water soluble dithiocarbamates remove dissolved and colloidal silver from aqueous suspensions thereof.