Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an integrated process for the pre-treatment of biomass and its use as a feedstock in a process for the production of biochemicals and biofuels, said integrated process preferably allowing the obtaining of quality bio-oil from a biomass such as wood, forest residues, and residues from the sugar-alcohol and energy cane industry.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a copper recovery apparatus includes a precipitation tank, a mixing tank, a filter-aid feeder, a solid-liquid separator includes a filter, a cleaning-water supply line, a cleaning-water discharge line, a separation tank, and a filter-aid return line. The precipitation tank is configured to receive copper ions-containing water to be treated and an alkali to prepare treated water containing a precipitate of copper compound. The solid-liquid separator is configured to allow the treated water to be passed through the filter on which the precoat layer is deposited to separate the precipitate retained on the precoat layer from a filtrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a controlled method of minimizing radioactive sludge generation in treatment of wastewater from an oil and/or gas well. The method comprises measuring a concentration of a radioactive material in wastewater to be treated and measuring a concentration of barium in the wastewater to be treated. The method further comprises adding a calculated quantity of sulfate to the wastewater to be treated sufficient to precipitate a quantity of barium sufficient to reduce the concentration of the radioactive material to a level such that sludge precipitated in a secondary precipitation has a radiation level below a defined radiation level.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a copper recovery apparatus includes a precipitation tank configured to precipitate copper hydroxide grains in water, a filter aid supplier, a mixing tank configured to mix the filter aid with a water to produce a suspension, a separator provided with a filter, a line configured to supply the suspension to the separator, thereby forming a precoat layer formed of the filter aid on the filter, a separation tank configured to receive the detached matter of the precoat layer discharged together with the detaching water from the separator to magnetically separate copper hydroxide grains and filter aid, a line configure to discharge and recover the detaching water from the separation tank, and a line configured to return the separated filter aid to the filter aid supplier from the separation tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer comprising structural units of formula and formula wherein R1, R2, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, a methyl group, or —COOH, only one of R1 and R2 or R5 and R6 is —COOH; R3 and R7 are independently hydrogen, or a methyl group; R4 is —COOH, —CONH2 or —OH, when R4 is —OH, R1, R2 and R3 are respectively hydrogen; and R8 is —COO, —CONH, or —O—, when R8 is —O—, R5, R6 and R7 are respectively hydrogen. Methods for preparing and using the polymer are also described herein.

Abstract: An in situ recovery of uranium operation involves circulating reactive fluids through an underground uranium deposit. These fluids contain chemicals that dissolve the uranium ore. Uranium is recovered from the fluids after they are pumped back to the surface. Chemicals used to accomplish this include complexing agents that are organic, readily degradable, and/or have a predictable lifetime in an aquifer. Efficiency is increased through development of organic agents targeted to complexing tetravalent uranium rather than hexavalent uranium. The operation provides for in situ immobilization of some oxy-anion pollutants under oxidizing conditions as well as reducing conditions. The operation also artificially reestablishes reducing conditions on the aquifer after uranium recovery is completed. With the ability to have the impacted aquifer reliably remediated, the uranium recovery operation can be considered inherently safe.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from slurry samples is set forth. The method includes the utilization of repeated pressurizing and depressurizing steps to disrupt solidified particles in solid-containing slurries thereby increasing decontamination efficiency. An expansion fluid is injected into the slurry sample sufficient to create microbubbles when the slurry sample is depressurized. The micro bubbles mechanically disrupt the solidified particles increasing contaminant exposure. The microbubbles also provide for increased interfacial regions where contaminants can accumulate at gas-liquid thin films that are in close proximity to and can be effectively removed using a suitable expansion fluid and optional decontamination agents.

Abstract: A method for sulfurous acid leaching of heavy metals from soils into a contaminated water fraction for subsequent precipitation with alkaline and nutrient reagents for filtration removal to provide a metal free soil and reclaimed water suitable for raising crops and open stream discharge.

Abstract: A process for treating acidic mine drainage water to remove heavy metal ions is described in which acidic mine drainage water is contacted with direct process residue gel.

Abstract: A method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising collecting metal salt precipitates from a water softening process, drying said precipitates, contacting water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with said precipitates, and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s).

Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems, methods and apparatus for polishing a wastewater stream comprising a plurality of contaminants are provided. One system includes a vessel containing a plurality of natural media filtration agents selected to remove selected ones of the plurality of contaminants from the wastewater stream. In one embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of bauxite residue and at least one other natural media filtration agent. In another embodiment, the vessel includes a bed of compost and at least one other natural media filtration agent. The vessel includes a wastewater inlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents. The vessel includes a wastewater outlet that is in fluid communication with one or more of the natural media filtration agents.

Abstract: A method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising collecting metal salt precipitates from a water softening process, drying said precipitates, contacting water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with said precipitates, and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing radium from drinking water using a natural zeolite.

Abstract: A method for precipitating uranium from an aqueous solution and/or sediment comprising uranium and/or vanadium is presented. The method includes precipitating uranium as a uranyl vanadate through mixing an aqueous solution and/or sediment comprising uranium and/or vanadium and a solution comprising a monovalent or divalent cation to form the corresponding cation uranyl vanadate precipitate. The method also provides a pathway for extraction of uranium and vanadium from an aqueous solution and/or sediment.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for remediating oxic water having transition metal ions comprises the steps of providing oxic water having transition metal ions. The water is introduced to a chamber. The pH is adjusted to a range from 2.5 to 7.5 forming a pH-adjusted oxic water. Thiosulfate ions are introduced and reacted with the transition metal ions to form insoluble transition metal-thiosulfate species complexes, which are immobilized forming remediated oxic water.

Abstract: A method of in situ treatment of fracture fluid that is contaminated with a heavy metal may include passing a flow of contaminated fracture fluid through a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel may contain a plurality of biofilm retaining structures. Each of the structures may at least be partially coated with a biofilm. Additionally, the biofilm may include a plurality of bacteria retained in a matrix and the matrix may include DNA, protein and carbohydrates produced by the bacteria.

Abstract: A method of in situ treatment of wastewater that is contaminated with a heavy metal may include passing a flow of contaminated wastewater through a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel may contain a plurality of biofilm retaining structures. Each of the structures may at least be partially coated with a biofilm. Additionally, the biofilm may include a plurality of bacteria retained in a matrix and the matrix may include DNA, protein and carbohydrates produced by the bacteria.

Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising passing a stream of water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals through an adsorbent comprising granules of a mixture of from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % clay and a thermoplastic polymer matrix; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s) downstream of said adsorbent.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide-end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: A sulfurous acid/alkalinization pre-treatment method for wastewaters to condition and remove a number of chemicals/pharmaceuticals and heavy metals before the recovered treated influent undergoes further biological reduction via anaerobic and aerobic digestion.

Abstract: A method for removing a metal from a metal-containing solution comprising contacting the metal-containing solution with a metal-removing composition comprising a substrate, an organic ion, and a metal binding agent, and recovering a solution having a lowered metal concentration when compared to the metal-containing solution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for heavy metal separation and recovery from heavy metal-containing sludge or wastes. The method utilizes ultrasonic treatment assisted acid leaching process to separate and recover different heavy metals from multi metals-containing sludge. The technique can be cost effectively implemented for heavy metal separation and purification processes in the real world at industrial scales.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.

Abstract: An aquarium filter element having a removable insert. The removable insert may include a chemical agent or biological agent for treating aquarium water.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a remediation system for oxic water having transition metal ions includes a first chamber defining a first cavity having a first inlet and a first outlet. The first cavity includes oxic water having dissolved ions of reduced species of chalcogenides. The system also includes a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. The oxic water has a pH ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 when present in the first chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning of wastewater comprising a submerged membrane biological reactor system (MBR) and a submerged membrane module (MBD) wherein the MBR is in fluid communication with the MBD for feeding excess sludge from the MBR to the MBD and wherein the MBR comprises an outlet which releases permeate passed through the membrane of the MBR and the MBD is in fluid communication with the MBR for feeding permeate passed through the membrane of the MBD back into the MBR and comprises an outlet for releasing gas.

Abstract: A method for purifying a water process stream whereby a precipitating agent is added to the water process stream to elevate the process stream pH to at least 10.5 to drop out precipitates which form separated solids comprising at least one of calcium precipitate, magnesium precipitate, barium precipitate, strontium precipitate, and silica precipitate. The separated solids are then coagulated and removed from the water process stream so as to yield a purified water process stream.

Abstract: A method for purifying an aqueous alkaline solution, which comprises: bringing a fibrous activated carbon into contact with an aqueous alkaline solution to remove a metal component other than alkali metals and alkaline earth metals from the aqueous alkaline solution.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for treating a chlorine-containing waste, which can separate and recover a chlorine component from a chlorine-containing waste, and also can achieve a high chlorine removal thereby obtaining a high purity chlorine compound, and can decrease the amount of water for recovering chlorine.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a fluid bed reactor is provided, comprising: a housing, at least one tray disposed within the housing, at least one motor operatively connected to the at least one tray, wherein the motor rotates the at least one tray; and at least one wiper associated with at the at least one tray which directs product on a top surface of a respective tray down through at least one radial slot in each respective tray as each respective tray is rotated by the motor. At least one of the trays is at least partially perforated material which a gas to flow up out of the top surface of the tray, at least partially fluidizing product on the top surface of the tray.

Abstract: A sulfurous acid treated wastewater disposal method employing soil aquifer treatment (SAT) for artificial recharge of groundwater through infiltration basins allowing fully or partially-treated sewage effluent to infiltrate into the soil and move down to the groundwater through a “vadose” zone, which acts as a natural filter to remove essentially all suspended solids, biodegradable materials, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical dewatering sewage treatment plant and method employing rapid sludge chemical dewatering technology in conjunction with slower conventional mechanical dewatering solids agglomeration and disposal methods to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for disposal of sewage and wastewater.

Abstract: Arsenic is a poisonous metalloid which, because of its hydroscopic nature, is primarily transported through water. Most plant species, including the nopal cactus, produce a sticky substance called mucilage. Mucilage swells in water but is insoluble and can precipitate ions, bacteria and particles from aqueous solutions. The invention includes a method of separating particulates and heavy metals such as arsenic (As) from drinking water using natural flocculants obtained from cactus mucilage. The extraction techniques and the methodology for using the cactus mucilage obtain higher As removal than conventional methods, like aluminum sulfate precipitation.

Abstract: In a method for removing sulphate and heavy metals from waste water: a) in a first treatment step (I) hydrogen sulphide is guided through the waste water, heavy metals that are present in the waste water are precipitated as sulphide, and are removed from the waste water, b) in a second treatment step (II), calcium sulphate is precipitated from the waste water by adding a precipitation auxiliary agent, c) the calcium sulphate is removed in the second treatment step (II) and one part thereof is guided to a third treatment step (III) in which sulphate is converted into hydrogen sulphide with the aid of sulphate-reducing bacteria, d) hydrogen sulphide formed in the third treatment step (III) is guided back to the first treatment step (I).

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for treating contaminant-containing wastewater are provided. The systems generally include a reducing zone for reducing the oxidation-reduction potential of the water and a clean-up zone comprising zero valent iron for removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the contaminant-containing water. The systems are operable to remove one or more contaminants from the contaminant-containing water and are operable for extended durations without clogging due to the formation of iron hydroxides.

Abstract: A method for removing arsenite and arsenate from water is provided. The method comprises reacting the water with cupric oxide (CuO) particles for a predetermined time and filtering the reacted water. A system for removing arsenite and arsenate from liquids is also provided.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide- end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: A process for the decontamination of an effluent containing one or more dissolved metals is provided. The process includes producing hydrogen sulphide in an aqueous medium by culturing alkaliphilic sulphate-reducing or thio-sulphate reducing bacteria in the presence of an organic compound serving as an electron donor and in the presence of a sulphurous compound serving as an electron acceptor. The effluent is contacted with the hydrogen sulphide and the dissolved metals are reduced and/or precipitated in the form of metal sulphides.

Abstract: It is to provide a process of treating a selenium-containing liquid which can inexpensively treat the selenium-containing liquid. The formation of selenate is inhibited by adding at least one selected from a group consisting of Ti and Mn into the selenium-containing liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing at least one constituent from a solution, comprising:—forming a liquid mixture by bringing together said solution (1) and a particulate seed material (6) under conditions or in the presence of one or more substances which cause the constituent to be removed to crystallize out on the surface of the seed material; and—separating the seed material having the constituent to be removed crystallized out thereon from the liquid mixture by passing the liquid mixture through a filter (3), wherein the pore size of the filter (3) is greater than or equal to the particle size of the seed material (6). The invention also relates to a method for preparing a particulate material wherein use is made of the method according to the present invention. The invention also relates to the particulate material obtainable by this method. The invention further relates to an apparatus that can be used in the process of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for low-cost arsenic removal from drinking water using chemically prepared bottom ash pre-treated with ferrous sulfate and then sodium hydroxide. Deposits on the surface of particles of bottom ash form of activated iron adsorbent with a high affinity for arsenic. In laboratory tests, a miniscule 5 grams of pre-treated bottom ash was sufficient to remove the arsenic from 2 liters of 2400 ppb (parts per billion) arsenic-laden water to a level below 50 ppb (the present United States Environmental Protection Agency limit). By increasing the amount of pre-treated bottom ash, even lower levels of post-treatment arsenic are expected. It is further expected that this invention supplies a very low-cost solution to arsenic poisoning for large population segments.

Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to using alcalophilic sulphate-reducing bacteria selected from at least one species of a Desulfohalobiaceae or Desulfonatronum species family or from species whose gene encoding for ribosomal PARN 16S has a homology equal to or greater than 97% with a corresponding gene of any species of the Desulfohalobiaceae or Desulfonatronum species family for producing a hydrogen sulphide substantially soluble in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A reducing water purification material having a reducing iron-based precipitate selected from green rust, iron ferrite, reducing iron hydroxide, and a mixture thereof. A wastewater treatment process having steps of adding a reducing iron compound to wastewater, leading the wastewater to which the reducing iron compound is added to a reaction tank and forming a precipitate, separating the formed precipitate by a solid-liquid separation to obtain a sludge, and alkalinizing all or a portion of the separated sludge to form an alkaline sludge followed by returning to the reaction tank, wherein in the precipitation step, the wastewater to which the reducing iron compound is added and the alkaline sludge are mixed and are allowed to react in a non-oxidizing atmosphere under alkaline condition to form a reducing iron compound precipitate as the precipitate, thereby incorporating contaminants in the precipitate to remove the contaminants from the wastewater.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a purification method characterized by adding a chitosan powder or a chitosan-coated substance, and optionally further adding a silica sol to liquor and filtering the mixture by a filter machine to remove unsaturated fatty acids, compounds of unsaturated fatty acids with metal ions, or fusel oil from the liquor.

Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.

Abstract: A method for removing metals from metal-containing acidic mine wastewater uses a basic sludge produced by the method for treating the wastewater. The wastewater is mixed with a lime slurry and with the basic sludge. This mixture is allowed to separate into an aqueous effluent and an acidic sludge. The effluent is mixed with the lime slurry and with a composition containing an iron compound, to produce a mixture. This mixture is allowed to separate into an aqueous effluent and the basic sludge. Lignin derivatives, such as calcium lignosulfonate, may be included in the treatment mixture.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reactive filtration method includes continuously regenerating a reactive filter media while simultaneously filtering contaminants from fluid flowing through the filter media. In one embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises mixing metal granules with the filter media and agitating the mixture. In another embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises introducing a metal in the fluid flowing through the filter media and agitating the filter media. In one embodiment, a method for removing phosphorus, arsenic or a heavy metal from water includes introducing a metal salt reagent into the water at a molar ratio of 5:1 to 200:1 to the phosphorous or the arsenic in the water and passing the water through a bed of moving sand.