Abstract: Compositions and methods for removing phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Corrosion in a CO2 removal system is reduced or even entirely avoided by use of a metal ion chelator unit that removes metal ions, and especially iron ions from an amine solvent to a level of equal or less than 1 mg/l without substantially binding heat stable salts.

Abstract: In order to be able to test completely transparent surfaces (22) as well as mirror surfaces (22) with optical testing methods in which light (3) is radiated onto the surface (22) to be tested and the light reflected by the surface (22) is checked by an optical test unit (6a, b) a precipitation of moisture is generated on the surface before optical testing, wherein the precipitation is generated in the form of plural small liquid droplets (8) on the surface (22) which causes a diffuse reflection of the irradiated light.

Abstract: The invention is directed to decreasing the amount of particulate material suspended in air or water, in any situation in which it is desired to decrease the amount of particulate material in suspension, and especially in industrial processes that generate particulate material suspended in air or water. In particular, the invention is directed to decreasing the particulate material in suspension by means of agglomeration with negatively charged ExoPolySaccharides (EPS). To decrease the amount of particulate material suspended in air, this can be sprayed with a negatively charged EPS solution according to the invention, or the EPS can be immobilized on a filter which the air with particulate material passes through. To decrease the amount of particulate material in water, a suspension with a negatively charged EPS solution according to the invention is added to said water, which agglomerates and settles the particulate material by means of the charge attraction principle.

Abstract: A river water utilizing flue gas desulfurization system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pre-treatment facility 13 that removes humic substances in river water 11 to produce makeup water 12; and a desulfurization apparatus 17 that brings sulfur content in flue gas 15 into contact with limestone gypsum slurry 16 in an apparatus body 14. The pre-treatment facility 13 includes a flocculant mixing basin 22 in which a flocculant 21 is added to the river water 11 to flocculate and remove the humic substances contained in the river water 11; and an activated carbon absorption unit 23 in which the humic substances contained in the river water 11 are absorbed and removed by way of activated carbon.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for minimizing a quantity of particulate matter entrained within a gas stream is provided. A course filter removes at least a portion of particulate matter having a relatively-large particle size from the gas stream. An agglomerator agglomerates particulate matter having a relatively-small particle size remaining in the gas stream into particulate clusters after the portion of the particulate matter having the relatively-large particle size has been removed by the course filter. An injector introduces an agglomerating material into the gas stream before the gas stream enters the agglomerator. The agglomerating material promotes agglomeration of the particulate matter having the relatively-small particle size into the particulate clusters. And a second filter receives the gas stream and removes at least a portion of the particulate clusters entrained within the gas stream exiting the agglomerator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a composition and process which makes it possible to remove floating particulates or prevent the dissemination or particulates, by the misting of a solution that readily captures any particulate material in the air. More specifically, the present disclosure teaches the composition and use of aromatic compounds that are semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) or slow evaporators in water-based carriers with surfactants as the misting/fogging agent for dust suppression. The particulate material is lowered to surfaces and removed by vacuuming, damp-wiping or using a dry cloth with a cationic charge (static cloth). This method can be achieved with neutral air pressure differentials in the work areas.

Abstract: A method of removing elemental mercury from gas phase fluids by contacting the gas with an organic compound dissolved in a gas scrubbing liquid.

Abstract: This provides a method for producing fine particles of liquid or a mixture of liquids that contains dissolved solids in it. This particularly applies to solutions of salts that specially need to be added to gaseous streams at temperatures above ambient. The method can also be applied for producing very fine particles and aerosols of materials that are normally solid or liquid by selecting appropriate solvent, pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A method of drying liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons by contacting a feed stream of the hydrocarbon with an aqueous solution of a salt drying agent prior to passing the stream through a salt dryer to remove part of the water in the stream. The aqueous solution of the salt drying agent is generated in the salt dryer when the partly dried stream comes into contact with the drying salt and forms the solution. The solution is circulated in a loop from the salt dryer to the incoming feed and then through a liquid/liquid coalescer which removes a portion of the water together with dissolved salt from the mixture before the mixture is passed on to the salt dryer where further removal of water occurs. The salt dryer is off-loaded by a substantial factor by the initial partial dehydration and does not require to remove such a large amount of water; the salt consumption is therefore reduced in proportion to the amount of water removed in the treatment steps which precede the dryer.

Abstract: The invention is a composition and method for treating paint booth water systems to facilitate paint removal. The composition comprises water, solid particles of insoluble organic polymer, such as, by way of non-limiting example, urea methanal copolymer, preferably including less than 50 weight percent of particles of diameter of 1 micron or less, and optionally surfactants, thickeners, polymeric flocculents different from the organic polymer, clarifiers, anti-corrosive components, and/or biocides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for removing and stabilizing mercury from mercury-containing gas streams. A gas stream containing vapor phase elemental and/or speciated mercury is contacted with reagent, such as an oxygen-containing oxidant, in a liquid environment to form a mercury-containing precipitate. The mercury-containing precipitate is kept or placed in solution and reacts with one or more additional reagents to form a solid, stable mercury-containing compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing heavy metals contained in exhaust gas which has been generated by burning a waste liquid containing the heavy metals discharged in a process of producing organic compounds. The method includes the steps in the order of: (a) a combustion step of burning the waste liquid to produce exhaust gas; (b) a gas-liquid contact step of rendering a liquid containing an alkali compound in contact with the exhaust gas to collect the heavy metals in bottoms of the liquid; and (c) a coagulating step of adding a coagulant to the bottoms to coagulate the heavy metals in the bottoms for removal of the heavy metals. According to this method, the heavy metals contained in the exhaust gas can be efficiently separated and removed.

Abstract: Aqueous suspensions of paints in waste waters can be treated to detackify the paint and facilitate its removal by contacting the paint suspension at a pH of from about 5 to about 14 with a polyarylamine that is produced by reacting an aldehyde with an arylamine in the presence of an acid in an aqueous suspension. The same polyarylamine can also be used for reducing the color content of highly colored liquids. Compositions containing the polyarylamine are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating an exhaust gas containing volatile organic compounds. The method includes the steps of: introducing an exhaust gas into a wet scrubber, so that the organic pollutants in the exhaust gas are absorbed by a scrubbing water; pumping the scrubbing water containing the organic pollutants into at least one oxidation tank, thereby causing oxidation reaction between the organic pollutants and an oxidizing agents containing ozone; and introducing the scrubbing water after the oxidation reaction into the wet scrubber. The oxidizing agent further comprises hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A method for preventing scale formation in a wet type exhaust gas treating apparatus is disclosed. An exhaust gas is contacted with a washing liquid containing water. The washing liquid contains at least one chelating agent which reacts with ions becoming a cause of scale formation to form a water-soluble chelate compound.

Abstract: Wastewater streams containing tacky or sticky components and heavy metals, such as photoresist-containing streams from printed-circuit board manufacture and water streams from paint spraying processes, can be detackified and the metals simultaneously removed by addition of a metal salt, such as an iron salt, and a sulfide material. The combination of metal salts and sulfide reacting products produces a detackified metal sulfide sludge that improves the filterability of the wastewater while also removing dissolved metal ions from the wastewater.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for use in well drilling, for separating rock cuttings, gas, water, drilling mud, gases, or foam which may be part of the drilling fluid returning from a bore hole. The apparatus has a plurality of compartments through which the drilling fluid flows. The first compartment makes use of a degasser to extract gases from the fluid, as well as break down foam. Subsequent chambers involve the use of shale shakers, centrifuges, and flocculants to aid in the separation of liquids from solids. The invention also employs a deduster unit which eliminates the spread of dust common in air drilling operations. Through the use of these various devices, the invention eliminates the need for venting the drilling fluid to the environment surrounding the well site.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detackifying and dispersing, and coagulating/flocculating and dispersing solventborne and waterborne paints, respectively, in paint spray booth waters are disclosed. An aqueous composition of water soluble cationic polymer, nonionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant is used in conjunction with a silicate compound to treat the paint spray booth waters.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detackifying and dispersing, and coagulating/flocculating and dispersing solventborne and waterborne paints, respectively, in paint spray booth waters are disclosed. An aqueous composition of water soluble cationic polymer, nonionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant is used in conjunction with a silicate compound to treat the paint spray booth waters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for binding emulsified resin and tar substances in circulating water of a wet-cleaning and wet precipitation system for waste gas produced in the wood industry. Wood dust is metered into the circulating water and receives the emulsified substances adsorptively. The wood dust is removed from the water circulation path and sedimented.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for removing undesired particles from a gas stream including the steps of contacting a composition containing an adhesive with the gas stream; collecting the undesired particles and adhesive on a collection surface to form an aggregate comprising the adhesive and undesired particles on the collection surface; and removing the agglomerate from the collection zone. The composition may then be atomized and injected into the gas stream. The composition may include a liquid that vaporizes in the gas stream. After the liquid vaporizes, adhesive particles are entrained in the gas stream. The process may be applied to electrostatic precipitators and filtration systems to improve undesired particle collection efficiency.

Abstract: A sewage purification method which includes a first step in which at least two kinds of flocculants are introduced in sewage for stirring and mixing therewith so as to float and settle inorganic and organic materials. The first step is sequentially repeated more than one time. Next, at least three kinds of flocculants are introduced into the supernatant obtained in the first step for stirring and mixing therewith so as to further float and settle remaining inorganic and organic materials. At least one of the first and second steps is sequentially repeated more than one time. In the above way, middle water, drinking water and super-pure water can be obtained from sewage. Purification of exhaust gas is also possible by introducing such exhaust gas in one of the above steps.

Abstract: In a paint spray booth wherein water is used to collect oversprayed paint, a process is disclosed for detackifying and coagulating oversprayed paint by the independent and concurrent addition of specific amounts of specific anions and cationic polymers to the water system.

Abstract: The invention is an improved process for denaturing and coagulating paint in an aqueous medium in which denatured and coagulated paint must remain in a dispersion in the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium contains a coagulant and the aqueous medium is maintained at an alkaline earth metal ion equivalent of less than 1.0 mmole/liter.

Abstract: A gas-scrubber apparatus, including a chamber having an inlet means for receiving polluted gases to be scrubbed and having outlet means through which scrubbed gases are discharged, and heating elements for heating the chamber to maintain the polluted gases at predetermined temperature levels between the inlet means and the outlet means. The chamber includes a reaction zone for receiving a mixture of solid scrubbant materials for reacting with the polluted gases and a gas blower for directing the polluted gases to travel through the chamber to react with the scrubbant materials. At least one scrubber assembly is mounted in the reaction zone of the chamber having a baffle for collecting the polluted gases in the area adjacent the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: To purify smoke from a liquid fuel (in particular heavy fuel oil) boiler by eliminating unwanted components including acids, the smoke, before it is exhausted to the atmosphere, is caused to pass along a vertical path in a heat exchanger adapted to recover the latent heat of condensible components together with the substantive heat of the smoke. Water is sprayed at the top of the vertical path and collected at the bottom in the form of an effluent comprising the water, condensates and soot. A reserve water supply is provided. Water is fed from this reserve supply to the top of the heat exchanger where it is sprayed after adding to it an alkaline solution in sufficient quantity to neutralize acid components of the smoke. The effluent is recovered at the bottom of the heat exchanger. An effective dose of a floculating agent is added to it. The effluent is fed into a settling tank where is separates into a soot sludge and a clarified effluent which is fed to the reserve water supply.