Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for recovering mercury from drainage, mercury-containing waste water is fed into a first treating tank where the waste water is heated together with a metal having a stronger ionizing tendency than mercury, to reduce mercury ions in the waste water and free the mercury ions as metallic mercury. The solution under treatment is then transferred to a second treating tank where the solution is alkalinized, and mercury ions remaining in the solution is reduced by means of a water soluble metallic salt having a stronger ionizing tendency than mercury, to free the mercury ions as metallic mercury. Mercury vapor containing gases generating from the first and second treating tanks are cooled in a cooling device, and condensed and liquefied mercury is collected in a gas-liquid separator. Exhaust gas generating from the gas-liquid separator is fed into the solution under treatment in the second treating tank.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxification of contaminated liquids or solid materials by the application of ultrasonic energy to the material in the presence of agents capable of initiating chemical reactions with toxic contaminants, which chemical reactions facilitate the removal of the toxic contaminants.

Abstract: Ultrapure water is formed by a process employing a simple system for safely and easily removing oxygen from water containing dissolved oxygen; which process comprises dissolving a reducing agent in water containing dissolved oxygen and irradiating the resulting water with ultraviolet rays. The ultrapure water is particularly utilized as a rinsing water in the electronics industry.

Abstract: A process for treating a photographic developer solution containing silver ion comprises contacting the solution with a silver recovery element (10), which comprises a substrate (12) having thereon a hydrophilic colloid layer (16) containing physical development nickel. The contacting is carried out for a time sufficient to reduce the silver concentration in the developer solution to a desired level. The process is useful for treating a seasoned or unseasoned photographic developer solution containing silver ions.

Abstract: New oxygen scavengers for boiler waters have been discovered, which oxygen scavengers are based upon substituted quinoline compounds. These compounds provide oxygen scavenging capabilities, metal passivating capabilities, and volatility such that condensate systems in an operating boiler are protected. The compounds may be formulated with other oxygen scavengers and other common treatment agents used in boiler waters, especially the volatile amine, such as, but not limited to, morpholine and diethylhydroxylamine.The preferred quinoline compounds is ethoxyquin, i.e. 6-ethoxy-1,2,-dihydro-2,2,4-dihydroquinoline.

Abstract: A method of removing undesired ions, such as chlorine, hypochlorite, chromium, cyanide and heavy metal ions, from an aqueous preparation containing one or more of said ions consists of adding to the aqueous preparation an effective amount of magnesium bisulfite to inactivate the undesired ions and then adjusting the pH of the mixture to an appropriate pH. Compositions containing magnesium bisulfite and divalent and trivalent ions are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater including a heat-curable (meth)acrylic monomer-containing composition, at temperature below that necessary to effect heat-curing of the composition. The wastewater may be produced by aqueous washing of porous parts impregnated with a sealant composition containing such monomer. The monomer-containing wastewater is (1) adjusted in pH to a value in the range of from about 8 to about 10, and (2) contacted with an effective amount of a reducing agent which is polymerizingly effective for the monomer, to yield corresponding polymer from the monomer. The wastewater is mixed with a cationic flocculating agent in sufficient quantity to flocculate the polymer in the wastewater, and the resulting wastewater is physically separated to recover a monomer- and polymer-reduced wastewater effluent which may be discharged to receiving waters.

Abstract: An improved filter device is provided for removing contaminants from water comprising a filter housing having an inlet at one end for water to be purified and an oulet for purified water at an opposing end, said filter device including in sequence first, second and third layers of purification material, a first layer of purification material comprising metallic particles which establish a suitable redox potential in the first layer, a second layer of purification material comprising activated carbon, and a third layer of purification material comprising a weak acid ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for regenerating spent alkanolamine solutions containing diethanolamine, to restore their acid gas sorption capacity by converting diethanolamine degradation products to the diethanolamine precursor while avoiding substantial thermal decomposition of diethanolamine.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater containing (meth)acrylic monomer, such as is produced by aqueous washing of porous parts impregnated with a sealant composition containing such monomer. The monomer-containing wastewater is (1) adjusted in pH to a value in the range of from about 8 to about 10, and (2) contacted with an effective amount of a reducing agent which is polymerizingly effective for the monomer, to yield corresponding polymer from the monomer. The wastewater is mixed with a cationic flocculating agent in sufficient quantity to flocculate the polymer in the wastewater, and the resulting wastewater is physically separated to recover a monomer- and polymer-reduced wastewater effluent which may be discharged to receiving waters.

Abstract: A fluid treating method for treating fluid to reduce the concentration of undesirable metal constitutents contained therein is disclosed. The method utilizes a bed of metal particulate matter. The metal particulate matter comprises copper. Preferably, the metal particulate also contains zinc and can be in the form of an alloy. The fluid treated is often water, preferably, drinking water. Among the metals that may be effected by the present method are aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, iron, lead, mercury, selenium and silver.

Abstract: Heavy metal ions react with ferrous dithionite in acidic aqueous solution. They are reduced to metallic particles that are suitable for recycling and reuse when recovered from the acidic water. When chelating agents are present, they are deactivated by bonding to the ferrous ions. Ferrous dithionite, (FeS.sub.2 O.sub.4) is either generated in-situ or ferrous ions and dithionite ions can be provided by other methods.

Abstract: Substrates polluted with toxic substances are treated in-situ with solvated electrons prepared chemically or electrochemically. The process is useful in treating porous and nonporous substrates, such as earth, clay, sand, soils, concrete, asphalt, wood, brick, block and other masonry surfaces, including liquids such dielectric fluids contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons without the usual separation procedures to provide substrates suitable for recycle having <1 ppm pollutant remaining.

Abstract: A method is provide for deoxygenating water that is at substantially ambient temperature and contains dissolved oxygen. A selected reducing agent is injected into a stream of the water, and the water that contains the organic reducing agent is then passed over a packed catalyst bed. This causes the reducing agent, with the catalyst at the ambient temperature, to reduce the oxygen in the liquid.

Abstract: Thiosulfate in anhydrous form is added in minute amounts to beverages or food mixes, wherein tap water is added in quantities not greater than about one quart, to neutralize or destroy chlorines or chloramines in the water, such neutralization or destruction taking place almost instantaneously and, in any event, in a length of time not greater than about twenty seconds, depending upon the pH of the beverage or food. The thiosulfate may be added directly to the beverage or to the water or may be mixed with syrup or powder mix, and may be encapsulated with a food grade material which is readily dissolvable in water. Because of the rapid reaction of the thiosulfate with the chlorines and chloramines, the neutralization or destruction of same is essentially complete before a person commences to consume the food or beverage. The thiosulfate may be applied to articles which are inserted into the beverage or the food, or which receive same such as cups, stirrers, straws and the like.

Abstract: An improved method for detoxifying waste materials contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method achieves dehalogenation of such halogenated hydrocarbons in a manner as efficient as previous methods, but at a considerably lower cost. The economic advantages of the present invention arise from the use of lower temperatures and/or smaller quantities of reagents, which in turn is made possible by the discovery of a surprisingly superior reagent, 2-methoxyethanol, and superior catalysts, the crown ethers, which allow reagents other than 2-methoxyethanol to function very efficiently in dehalogenation reactions.

Abstract: A filter system (10) is disclosed that includes a filter assembly (12) and input/output hardware (14). The filter assembly includes a housing (16) and cap (18) that cooperatively support a prefilter (20) and main filter (22) in a fluid flow path. Fluid flow through the filter assembly occurs radially through the prefilter and axially through the main filter. The prefilter and main filter are cooperatively designed to produce enhanced filtration rates and to remove particulate down to 0.5 micron. By substituting the cap and hardware, the filter assembly (12) is readily converted to different applications.

Abstract: A chemical process for selectively removing organoselenium compounds and selenate from water supplies. The process utilizes a combination of transition metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and copper and an electropositive metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium and aluminum to effectively remove selenium whether present in the water as organic or inorganic compounds or in ionic or non-ionic form.

Abstract: A method for detoxifying ammonia in an ammonia-containing aquatic system comprises adding to the system a novel composition comprising an amine-based ammonia detoxifying solution in an amount effective to detoxifying substantially all of the ammonia, where the solution is non-toxic and has a pH suitable for aquatic life. Further, a method for detoxifying contaminants selected from the group consisting of ammonia, chlorine and chloramine from a contaminated aquatic system comprises adding to the system a novel composition contaminant according to the present detoxifying solution in an amount effective to detoxifying the contaminants, the solution comprising an amine-based ammonia detoxifying compound and a dechlorinator, where the solution is stable, non-toxic and has a pH suitable for aquatic life. In addition, methods for preparing the ammonia detoxifying and contaminant detoxifying compositions and the compositions produced thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide gas evolution from water or hydrocarbons, especially during storage or transport of petroleum residua is suppressed by the incorporation of an effective amount of a diamine of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are independently an alky radical containing 1 to 14 carbon atoms, (CH.sub.2).sub.n --OR.sub.6 or cycloalkyl containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms and R.sub.5 is hydrogen or methyl. R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 can be alkylene groups joined together with their respective adjacent N to form a heterocyclic ring. R.sub.6 is hydrogen or an alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and n is an integer of 1 to 5.

Abstract: The deposition of metal-containing scale, such as iron silicate scale, from a hot aqueous geothermal brine, or the like, is controlled by blending into the brine sufficient reducing agent effective for reducing trivalent iron and manganese cations in a high temperature brine solution to divalent ions to cause an overall decrease in scale deposition, especially of iron silicate scale. Preferably, from 2 to 7 times the stoichiometric amount of reducing agent is used to effect a 70 to 90 percent reduction in the formation of iron silicate scale.

Abstract: A chemical process for the denitrification of water comprising treating water with a metal sufficiently electropositive to decompose the water while regulating the pH within a range effective to permit efficient reduction of nitrate ion. The pH is regulated with alkali in a manner that avoids metal oxide formation and loss of metal by decomposition of water and results in the selective reduction of nitrate ion in the presence of sulfate and chloride ions.

Abstract: A method of detoxifying a component of contaminated soil containing a halogenated organic compound including contacting the contaminated soil with atomic hydrogen in an amount effective to react with halogen contained in the compound and substituting the hydrogen for the halogen.

Abstract: The improved method and apparatus are capable of efficient removal of radioactive europium from solutions of radioactive gadolinium in a simple way. A mixture of a zinc and a graphite powder is packed into a column and both a conditioning solution corresponding to a liquid electrolyte and a sample solution containing radioactive gadolinium and europium are allowed to pass through the column.

Abstract: This invention relates to the removal of hypochlorite groups from aqueous effluent solutions, so as to permit the disposal of the effluent by deep well injection. More particularly this invention relates to the catalytic decomposition of such hypochlorite groups from scrubbing water effluent used to remove chlorine from a gaseous effluent, wherein a solid catalyst is dissolved, recycled and reprecipitated in situ.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating water or solids contaminated with a nitro- or nitroso- substituted compound comprising reducing a nitro- or nitroso- substituted compound in the presence of an effective catalytic amount of at least one of a corrin- or porphyrin- metal complex. The present invention is particularly useful in treating waste water or soil contaminated with nitro- or nitroso- substituted compounds.

Abstract: Anions containing sulfur and oxygen, e.g. thiosulfate, can be catalytically reduced using a protonated anion ion exchange resin as a catalyst. The process is preferably conducted in an aqueous system and at a pH below about 8.

Abstract: A process for recovering copper from cupric ion containing aqueous solutions which comprises adding to the aqueous solution containing cupric ions an amount of reducing agent which corresponds from 0.1 to 10 moles of reducing agent per mole cupric ion, and heating the reaction mixture in the absence of oxygen in a closed vessel to a temperature of from 170.degree. to 240.degree. C., said reducing agent being one or more members of the group consisting of:(a) organic aldehydes RCHO (R=H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl)(b) carboxylic acids R COOH (R=H, linear or branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl)(c) hydroxycarboxylic acids R.sub.1 COOH (R.sub.1 =HO(CH.sub.2).sub.n, CH.sub.3 CH(OH)--, CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.n, CH(OH)-- with n=1 to 3)(d) dicarboxylic acids R.sub.2 COOH (R.sub.2 =HOOC(CH.sub.2).sub.n with n=1 to 3)(e) amino acids R.sub.3 COOH (R.sub.3 =CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.m CH(NH.sub.2)-- (CH.sub.3).sub.2 (CH).sub.m CH(NH.sub.2 -- with m=1 to 3, CH.sub.3.CH(OH)(NH.sub.2), HOO C.CH(NH.sub.2).(CH.sub.2).sub.

Abstract: Hydroperoxides can be removed from a lubricating oil by contacting the oil with a heterogenous hydroperoxide decomposer. This extends the useful life of the oil and the equipment being lubricated. In a preferred embodiment, the hydroperoxide decomposer is incorporated on a substrate immobilized within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A continuously performable process for the removal or reduction of the nite and/or nitrate content of nitrite-polluted and/or nitrate-polluted water with the selective formation of nitrogen by catalytic hydrogenation. Catalysts suitable for carrying out such a process are also described.

Abstract: An improved method for scavenging dissolved oxygen from waters used to generate steam which comprises treating said waters with at least 0.3 mole of gallic acid per mole of oxygen contained in said bioler waters.An aqueous concentrate useful for treating boiler waters to scavenge oxygen therefrom which contains at least 0.3% by weight of gallic acid. This aqueous concentrate has a pH adjusted to at least 8.5.

Abstract: In a method for the treatment of sewage containing nitrites comprising the reduction of the nitrite with urea in an acid medium it is provided, to obtain end products friendly to the environment and an economic conduction of the method, that a greatly acid urea solution be supplied and circulated through a pipe reactor, and that the sewage containing nitrite to be treated should be injected into the pipe reactor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method and to an examination device which is particularly suitable for the periodic determination of the nitrite content in a circulation duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing radioactive ruthenium from an aqueous solution, comprising oxidizing the ruthenium in the aqueous solution of ruthenium tetroxide, extracting the resulting ruthenium tetroxide with a halogen-free aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon solvent, allowing the ruthenium tetroxide to be reduced in the solvent, and separating the precipitated solid ruthenium dioxide.

Abstract: An aqueous concentrate useful for treating boiler waters to scavenge oxygen therefrom which contains at least 0.3% by weight of either gallic acid or propyl gallate. This aqueous concentrate has a pH adjusted to at least 8.5 by a water-soluble neutralizing amine of the type used to treat boiler waters. Additionally, a method for treating boiler waters with an oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion due to dissolved oxygen wherein trihydroxybenzene compounds, alone or in combination with conventional oxygen scavengers, preferably hydroquinone, are added to boiler water to prevent corrosion by reducing dissolved oxygen levels in boiler feedwater.

Abstract: Process for the neutralization of a layer of acidic water over a sediment comprising a humic substance, according to which blocks of a sodium compound are made to fall through the water layer and to enter the sediment at least partially.

Abstract: Process for controlling, or reducing, the level of oxidized anions, usually oxidized sulfur compounds or oxidized nitrogen compounds, in a reaction medium, preferably in a closed loop recirculating system. The process comprises withdrawing a purge stream from the reaction medium and reducing the oxidized anions in a reduction furnance 44 having a char bed 48. The reduced compounds are recovered from the reduction furnace as smelt 50. Where the reduced compounds are useful in the reaction medium from which the purge stream was withdrawn, the reduced compounds are preferably returned to the reaction medium for further use therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of macroporous weakly-basic anion exchangers, charged with palladium or platinum and based on crosslinked polystyrene, as catalysts for the removal of oxygen from aqueous media by catalytic reduction, a process for the preparation of these catalyst resins, and new macroporous weakly-basic anion exchangers, charged with palladium or platinum and based on crosslinked polystyrene, in which the amino groups are primary or secondary amino groups.

Abstract: When an aqueous system containing dissolved oxygen and erythorbate or ascorbate is passed through an activated carbon bed, the oxygen is removed at ambient temperatures. This method of oxygen removal finds practical application in the removal of oxygen from boiler condensate, low temperature boiler feedwater and oil well injection water or brine.

Abstract: Removal and/or clean-up of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated surfaces with novel compositions of petroleum distillates and wetting agents.

Abstract: The deposition of metal-containing scale, such as iron silicate scale, from a hot aqueous geothermal brine, or the like, is controlled by blending into the brine sufficient reducing agent effective for reducing trivalent iron and manganese cations in a high temperature brine solution to divalent ions to cause an overall decrease in scale deposition, especially of iron silicate scale. Preferably, from 2 to 7 times the stoichiometric amount of reducing agent is used to effect a 70 to 90 percent reduction in the formation of iron silicate scale.

Abstract: A process for denitrating aqueous, nitric acid and salt containing waste solutions, comprises mixing the waste solution at room temperature with ethyl alcohol, and heating the mixture to at least 75.degree. C.

Abstract: Water for use in steam generation systems, which is contained in a storage tank, is deoxygenated for use in the system by adding hydrogen to a stream of the water and intimately mixing the same, pressurizing the stream to a pressure of 60-150 psig, and contacting the pressurized stream with a catalyst bed of palladium or platinum dispersed on a solid carrier. The hydrogen reacts with the dissolved oxygen in the presence of the catalyst at ambient temperatures, to produce a deoxygenated stream of water containing less than 10 ppb of oxygen. The deoxygenated water can be returned to the storage tank or supplied directly to the steam generation system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of catalytically decomposing sodium hypochlorite in an aqueous alkaline solution to oxygen and chloride ion. Specifically, the present invention discloses a method of decomposing aqueous hypochlorite into oxygen and chloride in a solution having a pH value greater than 13 using a solid catalyst comprising nickel oxide, cobalt oxide or mixtures thereof on an inorganic support selected from magnesium oxide or titanium oxide. The resulting sodium chloride solution may be recovered and used further.

Abstract: A process for the removal of trace quantities of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from an aqueous stream which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the aqueous stream with an adsorbent to remove trace quantities of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream to provide an aqueous stream having a reduced concentration of hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting spent adsorbent which has accumulated the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream with an elution solvent to remove the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the spent adsorbent thereby regenerating the adsorbent; (c) contacting the elution solvent in admixture with the hydrocarbonaceous compounds which were removed from the spent adsorbent in step (b) in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone; (d) contacting the hydrotreating reaction zone effluent with an aqueous scrubbing solution; and (e) introducing a resulting admixture of the reaction zone effluent and the aqueous scrubbing solution

Abstract: A method of inhibiting corrosion due to dissolved oxygen is disclosed, whereby chelant-stabilized sodium erythorbate, alone or in combination with conventional corrosion inhibitors, is added to boiler water to prevent corrosion by reducing dissolved oxygen levels in boiler feedwater.

Abstract: Effluent acid from a non-evaporating chlorine dioxide-generating process is subjected to diffusion-dialysis across an anion-exchange membrane to preferentially transfer sulphuric acid from the effluent acid stream to a recipient aqueous medium while sodium sulphate remains in a waste stream. The sulphuric acid extracted from the effluent acid stream on this way may be recycled to the chlorine dioxide generator, after concentration, if desired.

Abstract: Concentrated solutions of sodium sulfite and related compounds can be inhibited against sodium sulfate precipitation by substituting potassium for a portion of the sodium contained in such compounds. A typical concentrate would contain a water-soluble sulfite mixture comprising sodium and potassium sulfite with the sodium to potassium ratio ranging between 1:1 to 15:1.

Abstract: A process for removing SO.sub.x pollutants from a stack gas by (1) absorbing the SO.sub.x pollutants into an aqueous absorbent containing a formate compound and (2) regenerating the spent absorbent containing dissolved SO.sub.x compounds by contact, in the presence of added formate anion, with a water-insoluble, solid substance containing one or more tertiary amine functional groups. Nitrogen monoxide is removed by providing in the aqueous absorbent an iron(II) chelate, such as a chelate of ferrous ion with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Regeneration of the spent absorbent containing absorbed NO is accomplished under the same conditions as for spent absorbents containing absorbed SO.sub.x compounds. SO.sub.x and NO pollutants dissolved in the absorbent are, during regeneration, converted to hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen, respectively.

Abstract: An integrated process for treatment of wastewater from steam boiler clean operations, containing sodium nitrite and also usually heavy metal ions such as Cu, Fe, Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn and Ni, as well as suspended solids and sludge, to remove the nitrite, substantially reduce the amount of such metal ions and remove suspended solids and sludge in the treated wastewater. The process comprises adding sulfamic acid to the wastewater, particularly in about stoichiometric proportions with respect to sodium nitrite to form gaseous nitrogen. The reaction takes place at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. An alkali such as sodium hydroxide is added to the resulting solution in amount sufficient to raise the pH thereof to about 10, and precipitating the metal ions.