Abstract: The invention provides a range of modified organoclays comprising intercalated moieties to provide an effective mechanism for attracting organic compounds into the interlamellar spaces in close proximity to other intercalated reactants. The intercalated moieties provide three functions, namely (a) pillaring to create adequate interlamellar spacing to provide access for larger molecules, e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls and poly aromatic hydrocarbons, (b) organophilic attraction of like polarity organic compounds, and (c) a reactive environment in which the organic substrates can be permanently bonded to the clay surfaces and pillaring agents. The invention also resides in methods of treating soil or other materials with such modified organoclays in order to remove or bind hazardous organic molecules.

Abstract: Objectionable byproduct aqueous effluents containing contaminating amounts of hydroxynitroaromatic compounds, in particular those aqueous effluents produced during the synthesis of nitroaromatic compounds, e.g., dinitrotoluenes, via reaction of an aromatic compound with nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid, are efficiently, facilely and economically treated/removed by (a) intimately contacting a mixture of at least one nitroaromatic compound and at least one hydroxynitroaromatic compound with an aqueous wash medium containing a neutralizing agent, (b) separating the resulting admixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase, (c) recycling a fraction of the separated aqueous phase to the aqueous wash medium to thus constitute a portion thereof, and (d) periodically draining a fraction of the wash medium, whether to destruction thereof or to waste.

Abstract: Noxious wastes are detoxicated by admixing a detoxicating agent to noxious wastes containing heavy metals, PCB, or the like and eliminating noxious materials in the wastes, in which the detoxicating agent comprises sodium, potassium, calcium, lithium, barium, magnesium, strontium, cobalt or nickel, copper and zinc contained in an ionic state to a diluted aqueous solution comprising tannin and pyrolignous acid as the main ingredient. Further, the detoxicating agent is admixed together with cement to the noxious wastes containing heavy metals, PCB or the like, thereby eliminating noxious substances in the wastes and solidifying them.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable assembly for treating hazardous waste water having a plurality of paired filter units having filter mediums and operated at high filter rates to minimize solids build up wherein solids are caused to be smashed and broken by shear forces and wherein chemicals are sequentially added to facilitate solids reduction, to oxidize organic compounds and to precipitate dissolved solids and wherein the process stream is subjected to ultraviolet light to reduce organic loading and downstream ultra filtration units to further reduce solids followed by reverse osmosis and/or ionization treatment.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of aqueous effluent with a view to its purification, the process including at least one stage consisting of causing the water to pass into the interior of at least one battery of several biological filters with fixed cultures or other devices with fixed cultures operating in parallel, characterized in that it comprises supplying the filters at constant flow and to cause the number of filters supplied and the number of filters not supplied in the battery, to be varied, in accordance with the total flow of aqueous effluent to be treated. Such a process allows the performance of biofilters and other devices with fixed cultures to be improved.

Abstract: A process for removing nitrocresols in a crude aqueous alkaline dinitrotoluene wash stream derived by nitration of toluene using a mixed acid technique followed by treatment with aqueous alkaline material in which the crude aqueous alkaline dinitrotoluene wash stream is mixed with a dilute oxidizing acid such as nitric acid, heated to 130.degree. to 180.degree. C. for a period of time required to reduce the nitrocresols to a level at which it does not precipitate from the mixed acidic wash stream at temperatures above about 60.degree. C., and removing the remaining nitrocresols by conventional methods such as adsorption or activated sludge biotreatment.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating aqueous streams contaminated with electron affinic contaminants. Accordingly, these contaminants are removed by producing a reactive intermediate that is generated in-situ and then reacting the reactive intermediate thus produced with the electron affinic contaminant. The reactive intermediate is produced in the aqueous stream by maintaining low levels of oxygen in the stream and by providing a reducing radical precursor, such as an alcohol, to the aqueous stream.

Abstract: An in situ thermally enhanced microbial remediation strategy and a method for the biodegradation of toxic petroleum fuel hydrocarbon and halogenated organic solvent contaminants. The method utilizes nonpathogenic, thermophilic bacteria for the thermal biodegradation of toxic and carcinogenic contaminants, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, from fuel leaks and the chlorinated ethenes, such as trichloroethylene, chlorinated ethanes, such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and chlorinated methanes, such as chloroform, from past solvent cleaning practices. The method relies on and takes advantage of the pre-existing heated conditions and the array of delivery/recovery wells that are created and in place following primary subsurface contaminant volatilization efforts via thermal approaches, such as dynamic underground steam-electrical heating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the decomposition of material selected from halogenated organic compounds, to compounds which are environmentally acceptable, or are amenable to further degradation by conventional disposal systems to produce environmentally acceptable products, which process comprises: (a) conveying an aqueous solution or an aqueous slurry of material into a reaction zone capable of withstanding the temperatures and pressures of decomposition of the material; (b)contacting the material in the reaction zone with aqueous sodium carbonate as a reactant in an amount effective to decompose the material under hydrothermal oxidation conditions of between about 300.degree. and 400.degree. C. and a pressure of between about 20 and 400 atmospheres for between 0.

Abstract: In a process of remediating chemical contamination of a pond contaminated with one or more toxic heavy metals or aromatic compounds, the steps include: preparing a silage of grass clippings, placing the silage on the surface of a pond, and inoculating the pond with an alga and Bacillus cereus in sufficient quantities to cause a mixed algal and bacterial bloom to form on the pond surface and become annealed to the silage, leaving the silage with the annealed bloom on the surface of the pond for a sufficient amount of time to allow the bloom to withdraw at least some of the toxic heavy metal content or to degrade at least some of the aromatic compound content of the pond, and removing the silage with the annealed bloom from the pond.

Abstract: Aromatic organic contaminants in waste water efficiently removed by oxidizing the contaminants with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of ferrous ions, at an acid pH, to produce an oxidized water which may be passed through activated carbon to adsorb residual organic contaminants; the process is especially useful for treatment of contaminated water derived from a wood preservation treatment and containing polyaromatic hydrocarbons and phenols and/or chlorinated phenols.

Abstract: Phenols are extracted from a phenol-containing waste water by means of two solvents A and B. The waste water is first of all passed through a first extraction zone, and then through a second extraction zone. To the first extraction zone a mixture of the solvents A and B is supplied, and into the second extraction zone at least one of the two solvents is introduced. From the first extraction zone, solvent-mixture loaded with phenols is withdrawn, phenols am separated therefrom, and the solvents are used again in at least one of the extraction zones. Solvent B is lower-boiling and has a lower water solubility at a temperature in the range from 10.degree. to 60.degree. C. than solvent A. Solvent B has a water solubility at 40.degree. C. of up to 2 wt.-% and a boiling point at 1 bar of 50.degree. to 100.degree. C., and it is miscible with solvent A. Solvent A has a boiling point at 1 bar of not more than 172.degree. C. and a water solubility at 40.degree. C. of not more than 5 wt.-%.

Abstract: A process is described whereby phenolics and other water soluble, organic materials are removed from certain aqueous refinery waste streams by an extraction process whereby the brine is contacted with a hydrocarbon solvent containing at least about 2% by weight of a trialkylamine.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a supported noble metal catalyst and also a process for catalytic treatment of wastewater containing, in particular, organohalogen contaminants, in which the process for regenerating the catalyst is a part of the overall wastewater treatment process.

Abstract: Polluted groundwater is purified by separating off solids and adsorbing dissolved organic compounds to an adsorber resin. The adsorbed organic compounds are desorbed using steam and the adsorber resin is regenerated using an acid and an oxygen-containing gas. The process makes it possible to separate aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons off of heavily polluted groundwater to the extent that the groundwater can be added to flowing surface water without reservation. The purified water can, if appropriate, be used as cooling water, or after further biological purification, as drinking water.

Abstract: In a catalytic treatment process for effluents containing organic and inorganic compounds, a noble metal catalyst on a support is used. The support preferably is produced according to the sol-gel process.

Abstract: A process is described for removing noxious compounds such as hydrocarbons which may or may not contain halogen and/or may or may not be aromatic, from solids (soil), water or gas, according to which process the solid, the water or the gas is treated with a complex of a transition metal and an alkaline polyamine in the presence of a peroxide. The complex is, for example, a complex of iron chloride and 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazonane. The peroxide is preferably electrochemically produced hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A biological degradation process is disclosed. The biological gradation process utilizes a unique thermophilic aerobic bacterial mixture capable of converting, biologically or via oxidation, aqueous and other liquid streams containing substances that are ordinarily considered toxic to conventional biological systems. Substances ordinarily considered toxic to conventional biological systems, but which nevertheless are converted by the thermophilic aerobic bacterial mixture, include aniline; benzothiazole; 5,6-dihydro-2-methyl-N-phenyl-1,4-oxathiin-3-carboxamide; lindane (technically known as 1.alpha.,2.alpha.,3.beta.,4.alpha.,5.alpha.,6.beta.-hexachlorocyclohexane) ; 2-mercaptobenzothiazole; toluene; and combinations thereof. The unique thermophilic aerobic bacterial mixture comprises relative effective amounts of Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas mendocina and Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans.

Abstract: Organic contaminants are removed from water by microbial biodegradation in a stirred tank system having a powdered or granular media for biofilm support. A stirring impeller maintains the media suspension, provides a shear force to remove excess biomass from media particles and is adjustable to provide an optimal biofilm thickness.

Abstract: A process for decontaminating oils and synthetic liquids containing polychlorobiphenyls comprising passing the liquid through a catalytic bed at an elevated temperature. The catalytic bed comprises a carrier and one or more active metal compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds of nickel, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, and chromium.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of halogenated organic materials in aqueous systems by hydrogenating the halogenated organic materials in the aqueous system in the presence of ions of a metal from the 8th secondary group of the periodic system of elements at a pH of from 7 to 14 and a temperature of from 20.degree. C. to 140.degree. C.

Abstract: Hydrophobic organic substances are separated from aqueous industrial effluent containing said hydrophobic organic substances and hydrophilic organic substances by adding to the effluent at substantially neutral pH a salt of a metal having an insoluble hydroxide thereby forming an hydroxide sludge entraining said hydrophobic, oxidizable organic substances, and separating the sludge from the treated effluent containing the hydrophilic organic substances. The invention has particular application to the removal of toxic hydrophobic, oxidizable organic substances from aqueous industrial effluent and their subsequent destruction by oxidation, especially ozonation, of the separated sludge, thereby reducing the oxygen demand compared with oxidation of the entire effluent to reduce said toxic substances to their discharge consent level.

Abstract: In the process and installation for decontaminating a liquid effluent contaminated by at least one organic substance, a gaseous combustible is burned in a reactor to produce a flame containing hydroxyl free radicals OH.degree. and oxygen O.sub.2 and that flame is centered on the geometrical axis of the reactor. A helical flow of liquid effluent is produced on the inner cylindrical wall of the reactor to cause a direct contact between the hydroxyl free radicals and the organic substance contaminating the liquid effluent. By means of the hydroxyl free radicals, the organic substance is oxidized in liquid phase. The high temperature of the flame enables completion of the oxidation of the organic substance, in liquid phase, by means of the oxygen O.sub.2 present in the flame. At the outlet of the reactor, the liquid and gaseous products are separated; the liquid product is collected while the gaseous product is evacuated.

Abstract: This procedure includes detecting and rejecting the used mineral motor oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and/or polychlorinated triphenyls (PCT's) before filtering; before the decantation and/or distillation step, if necessary, submitting the used mineral motor oil to thermal shock treatment. In the recycling process, stabilizing the used mineral motor oils that normally contain heavy metals by adding to bitumen, using 0 to 15 percent of used mineral motor oil and a minimum of 85 percent bitumen for bituminous pavements and 1 to 20 percent of used mineral motor oils and a minimum of 80 percent bitumen for bitumen emulsions and paints. Also in the recycling process the used mineral motor oils are mixed with bitumen and paraffinic elastomers, stabilizing the heavy metals contained in the used mineral motor oils, getting usual bituminous pavements, self-draining bituminous pavements, sport pavements, etc. EPM EPDM or butyl rubber are used as paraffinic elastomers.

Abstract: A process of soil remediation in which an encapsulation solution is introduced into contact with a soil matrix containing chemical contaminants such as polynucleated aromatics chloronated hydrocarbons and the like in an amount sufficient to form a saturated admixture of the soil matrix and the encapsulation solution, the encapsulation solution being capable of preferentially attracting the chemical contaminants contained in the soil matrix, and containing an effective amount of non-ionic surfactant material, an anionic surfactant material and water; and the admixture is admixed for an interval sufficient to permit the chemical contaminants to preferentially dissociate from contact with the soil matrix in favor of association with the encapsulation solution and at least one carbon bond in the chemical contaminant to be broken as a result of interaction between the non-ionic surfactant material and the contaminant.

Abstract: A method of creating an environment which promotes degradation of nitroaromatic organic chemical contaminants in water, sediment, or soil by adding a combination of fibrous organic matter and certain multi-valent metal particles to the water, sediment or soil.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the detoxification and/or chemical remediation of soil contaminated with volatile organic compounds. The process comprises treating the soil with the sodium and calcium salts of naphthalene sulfonates, lignosulfonates, their derivatives and mixtures thereof. The volatile organics are then forced from the soil as the soil is more attracted to the admixture than it is to the volatile organic contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various methods, such as an above-ground method and an in-ground method, of using a palladized iron bimetallic system for the dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds from effluents containing the same. The use of palladized iron bimetallic system results in the dechlorination of the chlorinated organic compound into environmentally safe reaction products. The present invention also provides kits, devices, and other instruments that use the above-mentioned palladized iron bimetallic system for the dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds.

Abstract: Nitrogen-containing substituents of aliphatic or aromatic compounds can be reduced by treatment with a reagent comprising (i) at least one complex of a transition metal of group 4 or 5 with a multidentate or unidentate organic or inorganic ligand and (ii) a reducing agent. The reaction is conducted optionally in the presence of an aliphatic or aromatic amine, and/or in the presence of an inert organic solvent.

Abstract: An integrated synchronous aerobic/anaerobic bioreactor is disclosed for treating waste liquids, such as pulp and paper waste water, and to methods of treating such waste liquid. The apparatus includes a bioreactor and an external aerator for injecting a controlled amount of an oxygen-containing gas into the waste liquid as it is cycled through the apparatus. An aerobic/anaerobic biofilm is provided in the reactor, having a decreasing gradient of oxygen concentration toward its core.

Abstract: An quaternary phosphonium ion-exchanged clay and method of removing organic contaminants from air and/or water, by contacting the contaminants in the air or water with a quaternary phosphonium organo-clay. The clay is prepared by ion-exchange of an ion-exchangeable clay with (a) tetra-short chain alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) quaternary phosphonium ion or (b) a di- or tri-short chain alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) quaternary phosphonium ion having 1 or 2 mono-substituted or unsubstituted cycloakyl moieties, or one or two alkaryl moieties for removing air-laden and water-laden organic contaminants. The new organo-clays and methods are particularly adapted for removal of aromatic petroleum-based contaminants from water, such as benzene; alkyl-benzenes, such as toluene; xylenes (o-, m- and p-isomers); and chlorinated 1 and 2 carbon compounds, such as CCl.sub.4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treatment of soils polluted by high-boiling organic substances, such as petroleum, polynuclear aromatics and chloro-organic substances, which process uses an extractant with high dissolving power for the pollutant, and which improves the soil-extractant contact thanks to the addition of a minimal amount of a hydrophilic co-solvent.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of at least one organic compound present in an aqueous feedstock, wherein said feedstock is supplied to one side of a substantially water-insoluble selectively permeable polymeric sheet or tubular membrane whose permeability to the or each said organic compound exceeds its permeability to chloride ion whilst simultaneously maintaining in contact with the other side of said membrane an aqueous reaction medium containing biologically active reaction means capable of reacting with said at least one compound after it permeates through the wall of the tubular membrane. Apparatus, preferably enclosed, for carrying into effect the method is also disclosed and permits treatment of waste waters containing volatile organic compounds. Modular bioreactor apparatus in the form of a cartridge containing a bundle of polymeric membrane tubes is also disclosed.

Abstract: Arsenic and TOC are removed from drinking water or wastewaters by use of finely-divided metallic iron in the presence of powdered elemental sulfur or other sulfur compounds such as manganese sulfide, followed by an oxidation step. A premix may be produced for this process, by adding the iron, sulfur and oxidizing agent to water in a predetermined pH range. The iron and sulfur are mixed for a period of time dependent upon the temperature and pH of the water and the presence of complexing or sequestering minerals and organic acids in the water. An oxidizing agent is added to the mixture and agitating is continued. In a preferred embodiment the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide. Water is decanted from the mixture after a sufficient reaction time, to produce a concentrated premix. This premix can be added to water intended for drinking or to industrial effluents containing toxic materials.

Abstract: A method for significantly improving the dechlorination of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds is disclosed. The method involves admixing preformed ferrous citrate with chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminated aqueous compositions both in situ and ex situ. The use of ferrous citrate decreases the oxidation potential of the Fe.sup.+2 /Fe.sup.+3 redox couple to cause oxidation by the chlorinated hydrocarbon with its concomitant reduction, thereby generating chloride ion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using the simple, environmentally-friendly organic compounds gamma-butyrolactone and benzyl alcohol to develop and to strip free radical-initiated, addition polymerizable resists, cationically cured resists and solder masks and Vacrel photoresists. In all cases the developers and strippers include gamma butyrolactone or benzyl alcohol. The developers and strippers optionally also include a minor amount of methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol monomethylacetate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, formamide, nitromethane, propylene oxide, or methyl ethyl ketone, acetone and water. During development of the photopatterned resist or solder mask, the unpolymerized regions are dissolved in the disclosed developers. During stripping of the resist or solder mask, the polymerized regions are debonded from a circuit board in the disclosed strippers.

Abstract: A method of degrading hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) comprising heating the HOCs in the presence of a microorganism capable of metabolizing the HOCs to cause degradation thereof, an embodiment of such method including contacting at ambient temperature said HOCs with a microorganism capable of metabolizing the HOCs for a period of time sufficient to degrade some but not all of the HOCs, heating the HOCs not degraded, and thereafter contacting the HOCs not degraded with a microorganism capable of metabolizing said HOCs.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable assembly for treating hazardous waste water having a plurality of paired filter units having filter mediums and operated at high filter rates to minimize solids build up wherein solids are caused to be smashed and broken by shear forces and wherein chemicals are sequentially added to facilitate solids reduction, to oxidize organic compounds and to precipitate dissolved solids and wherein the process stream is subjected to ultraviolet light to reduce organic loading and downstream ultra filtration units to further reduce solids followed by reverse osmosis and/or ionization treatment.

Abstract: Objectionable byproduct aqueous effluents containing contaminating amounts of hydroxynitroaromatic compounds, in particular those aqueous effluents produced during the synthesis of nitroaromatic compounds, e.g., dinitrotoluenes, via reaction of an aromatic compound with nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid, are efficiently, facilely and economically treated/removed by (a) intimately contacting a mixture of at least one nitroaromatic compound and at least one hydroxynitroaromatic compound with an aqueous wash medium containing a neutralizing agent, (b) separating the resulting admixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase, (c) recycling a fraction of the separated aqueous phase to the aqueous wash medium to thus constitute a portion thereof, and (d) periodically draining a fraction of the wash medium, whether to destruction thereof or to waste.

Abstract: A process to decontaminate soil containing a chlorinated phenol compound. Water is added to the soil to produce a solution of the chlorinated phenol compound containing at most about 2% by weight of the compound. Ozone is then passed through the solution to decompose the chlorinated phenol compound. The invention is of particular application in decontaminating soil containing chlorophenols, dibenzo-p-dioxins and chlorinated dibenzofurans.

Abstract: The catalytic oxidation of offensive substances, such as cyanides, sulfides, sulfites, thiosulfates, mercaptans, disulfides, phenol, cresol, ammonia and mixtures thereof, contained in wastewater. The process involves contacting the wastewater with a source of oxygen over a catalyst comprising a combination of a Group VIII and a Group VIA metal or metal compound on a support that is inert in the hydrothermal conditions of the wastewater treatment. An example of the catalytic support is activated carbon and examples of the metal combinations include NiMo, NiW, and CoMo.

Abstract: A water treatment system and process separates contaminants from water by flotation, by forming a removable floating scum of impurities utilizing a bubbling process, by filtering out suspended solids, by stripping dissolved impurities from the water with air, by oxidizing organic compounds, by adsorbing organic compounds, and finally, by disinfecting. Utilization of the disclosed process and system will transform contaminated water into an environmentally suitable state.

Abstract: A method is provided for remediation of contaminated solutions using a tiered metal wall or column. The tiered metal wall or column has at least three zones with graduated sizes of reducing metal particles. Contaminated solutions pass through the tiered wall or column to dehalogenate contaminant halogenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Tis invention relates to a process for reducing the concentration of an organic pollutant such as phenol in an aqueous stream which comprises passing the stream through a bioreacter containing a plurality of biologically active particles comprising a hydrophobic polyurethane substrate having an effective amount of one or more aerobic microorganism capable of metabolizing at least one of said organic materials on; in or on and in said substrate in the absence or in the substantial absence of a carbon absorbent.

Abstract: A method for stimulating microbial dechlorination of the unflanked para-chlorine substituent of PCBs having one or two unflanked para-chlorine substituents in an active PCB-contaminated sediment having a population of microorganisms capable of para-dechlorinating PCBs involves incubation of the sediment with a fluorochlorobiphenyl compound such as 2,6-difluoro-4-chlorobiphenyl that has a para-chlorine at position 4, hydrogens on positions 3 and 5, and fluorines on positions 2 and 6, for a time and under conditions sufficient to decrease the levels of PCBs containing unflanked para-chlorines.

Abstract: A method for decomposing volatile organic halogenated compounds in water containing such compounds and metal ions by removing the metal ions from the water and then contacting the deionized water with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst. The volatile organic halogenated compounds are efficiently decomposed with a small energy requirement and low cost to eliminate, thus, making the water safe.

Abstract: Method of decontamination of a hydrocarbon-polluted environment by the use of bacterial compositions. The method is a process of biological decomposition of the hydrocarbons using, as decontaminating active ingredients, bacterial compositions composed of one or more strains from among the following microorganisms: Azotobacter vinelandii 21, Pseudomonas sp.9, Pseudomonas sp.19, Pseudomonas sp.31 and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 23. In the method, prior analysis of the chemical composition of the pollutants is essential in order to select, in accordance with this composition, the mixture of strains of the most active microorganisms from among the five mentioned above, taking into account the natural conditions of the polluted environment. The bacterial composition also contains inorganic salts supplying N and P, and additives needed for bacterial growth.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water with ozone in which trace amounts of organic substances contained in water to be treated are oxidized and decomposed by diffusing ozone into the water introduced into a reaction tank, by injecting a chelate compound into the water to be treated after or just before the introduction of the water into the reaction tank. Preferred chelate compounds include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid calcium salt, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid magnesium salt, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron salt and iron citrate.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a liquid or gaseous fluid to decompose volatile organic halogenated compounds therein comprises bringing the fluid containing volatile organic halogenated compounds in contact with a reducing agent in the presence of a metal catalyst and optionally thereafter treating the thus treated fluid with at least one of an adsorption treatment, a thermal decomposition and a biological decomposition treatment. The method efficiently decomposes the volatile organic halogenated compounds contained in a fluid, such as water or a gas, with a small expenditure of energy and at low cost and renders the fluid harmless to the environment.

Abstract: A system for automatically preventing the discharge of spilled oil from electrical distribution substation equipment into streams or ground water. The system utilizes a containment basin, sump, electric operated water drain valve and a thermal dispersion type oil/water interface detector. The oil/water interface probe is placed at a specified height in the sump. It is capable of determining if the probe is in oil, water or air. The interface detector along with other relays will allow water to be draped from the containment basin but prevent oil from being discharged. The system will also initiate an alarm which may locally or remotely warn that a spill has occurred.