Abstract: A method and apparatus that processes time series, event and/or activity data of a process according to a data structure is disclosed. The data structure defines one or more activities that frame the time series, event and/or activity data. Each activity and each event has one or more attributes. Each attribute has a value. At least one of the attributes defines an interval of the activity by start and end times. Another attribute includes a time varying parameter that represents the time series data. Another attribute defines a time stamp of an event. The time varying parameter is linked to a device that produces the time series data when the process is run. The time series, event and/or activity data is collected and processed according to the data structure for storage in and/or retrieval from a memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously controlling multiple control systems is provided. The resulting hybrid control system provides for sharing of inputs and outputs on a control surface membrane between the multiple distinct control systems. A unified tactile/LED interface for both systems is achieved, allowing for a single hybrid control system experience for operators in industrial, manufacturing and control-room environments.

Abstract: There is provided a process control system having a display program that permits an program designer to create and edit dynamic picture objects in a persistent heap and save the heap to a storage medium. The display program rapidly reads the dynamic picture objects from the storage medium and invokes the objects for viewing on the system's interactive display. When the persistent heap is subsequently read from the storage medium by an operator, the dynamic picture objects stored in the heap do not need to be instantiated and, thus, invocation of the objects is accelerated and optimized. Accordingly, the persistent heap greatly improves the speed in which picture objects can be read from the storage medium, processed by the display program and called-up to the interactive display.

Abstract: A liquid slurry of bentonite which comprises bentonite, water, a polyacrylate, and a sodium salt of silicic acid. Optionally, a sulfonate is present in an amount of between about 10 to about 30% by weight.

Abstract: A process for removing color from a pulp and paper wastewater which comprises the following steps: (A) treating the wastewater with an enzyme which is capable of oxidizing at least a portion of the color forming components of the wastewater; and (B) treating the wastewater subsequent to the enzyme treatment of step (A) with a tannin-degrading microorganism capable of degrading at least a portion of the oxidized color forming components.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting calcium sulfate scale formation and deposition and/or dispersing iron from a feedstream passing through a reverse osmosis system which comprises the steps of: controlling the pH of the feedstream within the range between about 6.0 to about 7.0; controlling the temperature of the feedstream within the range between about 50.degree. to about 80.degree. F.; and adding a scale inhibitor and/or iron dispersant to the feedstream in an amount between about 0.002 ppm per ppm hardness (as CaCO.sub.3) of the feedstream to about 0.005 ppm per ppm hardness (as CaCO.sub.3) of the feedstream, the scale inhibitor comprising a water-soluble organic phosphonate, an N-substituted acrylamide polymer, caustic and water.

Abstract: A flocculating agent which comprises: a particulate polyethylene oxide; an inert liquid vehicle comprising a mixture of a glycol and glycerine, wherein the specific gravity of the polyethylene oxide is approximately the same as the specific gravity of the inert liquid vehicle; a suspension agent, and, optionally, an acidic compound.

Abstract: A method for concentrating coal tailings which comprises steps of: feeding the coal tailings to a thickener; treating the coal tailings with a hydrophobic polyelectrolyte copolymer coagulant which comprises diallyldimethylammonium chloride and a more hydrophobic monomer, the coagulant is added to the coal tailings in an amount between about 0.05 to about 0.25 lb/ton; treating the coal tailings with a flocculant in an amount between about 0.05 to about 0.25 lb/ton; discharging substantially concentrated tailing; and withdrawing substantially clarified liquid from the thickener.

Abstract: An antifoam/defoamer composition a polyether surfactant and a polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester. The polyether surfactant being admixed with the polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester in a ratio in the range between 10:90 to 90:10% by weight.

Abstract: A method for reconstituting superabsorbent polymer fines comprising the following steps: wetting the superabsorbent polymer fines sufficient to form a continuous amorphous gel of the fines; grinding the gel; and drying the gel which has been around to form a superabsorbent polymer material. Drying can optionally be followed by grinding and classification of the reconstituted superabsorbent polymer fines to desired sizes.

Abstract: A vinyl grafted lignite fluid loss additive comprising a lignite grafted with at least one vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of: dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, methacrylamido propyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, N-vinylformamide, N-vinylacetamide, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and diallylamine. The vinyl monomer may also be blended with at least one co-monomer. Preferred co-monomers are: 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, dimethylacrylamide, acrylamide, vinylpyrrolidone, vinylacetate, acrylonitrile, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, styrenesulfonate, vinylsulfonate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methyl chloride quaternary, acrylic acid and its salts.

Abstract: An improved froth flotation process wherein solid coal particles are selectively separated under coal froth flotation conditions as a froth phase from remaining solid feed particles as an aqueous phase in the presence of a frother, the improvement comprising a frother of at least 4-methyl cyclohexane methanol.

Abstract: A method of preventing the interaction of cationic softeners coated upon the surfaces of glass fibers with anionic polymers contained in aqueous baths used in forming the glass fibers into mats which comprises treating the fiber with at least 3 parts per million, of a water-soluble anionic vinyl polymer having a molecular weight range of from 500-50,000.

Abstract: A method for dewatering a slurry of solid particles suspended in a liquid using a twin belt press dewatering system, comprising the following steps:feeding the slurry of solid particles into the dewatering system;feeding a cationic amine salt solution into the dewatering system at a point just prior to the mixing drum, the cationic amine salt being a latex copolymer of acrylamide and dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate sulfuric acid salt having a mole ratio in the range between about 30:70 to 70:30, preferably 53:47;mixing the cationic amine salt solution with the slurry of solid particles in the mixing drum; andfeeding the cationic amine salt solution/slurry mixture to the twin belt press, whereby the slurry of solid particles is dewatered. The cationic amine salt solution having a strength of less than 1% and a polymer concentration of about 35%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging a cake of suspended solids formed on an electrode structure, the electrode structure comprising an electrode, a membrane wall, an electrolyte chamber formed by the membrane wall, and means for increasing the pressure inside the electrolyte chamber so that the membrane wall expands, whereby the cake of solids of suspension are discharged therefrom. The means for increasing the pressure inside the electrolyte chamber are injecting gas into the electrolyte chamber, injecting liquid into the electrolyte chamber, and/or reducing the vacuum means applied internally to the electrolyte chamber.

Abstract: A membrane for dewatering a suspension of solids in a carrier liquid by means of either an electrically augmented vacuum filter (EAVF) or an electrically augmented crossflow device. The EAVF and crossflow devices both include an anodic structure comprising an anode, anolyte and a filter membrane for depositing or concentrating solids from the suspension of solids; and a cathodic structure comprising a cathode, catholyte, a catholyte chamber, and a filtrate chamber for filtering the filtrate of the bath of the suspension of solids. The catholyte chamber having a membrane wall which is liquid impervious and either an anion exchange membrane or a non ion selective membrane. Filtrate being removed at the filtrate chamber.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for dewatering a suspension of solids in a carrier liquid by means of an electrically augmented vacuum filter having an anodic electrode structure comprising an anode and a liquid impervious wall, wherein the wall is a non ion selective membrane which is permeable to both cations and anions. The non ion selective membrane being impervious to the suspension solids, carrier liquid, electrolyte and gaseous electrode reaction products. This non ion selective membrane comprises a substrate and a solid polymeric film, wherein the substrate is a cloth support and the solid polymeric film comprises a cation exchange resin, an anion exchange resin and a binder. The charge transfer numbers of the non ion selective membrane t.sup.+ is in the range of 0.20 to 0.80 and t.sup.- in the range of 0.80 to 0.20, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling biomass growth in a fluidized bed reactor during anaerobic or aerobic treating of a waste feed. In particular, means is provided for concentrating a portion of bioparticles, the bioparticles being media with biomass adhered thereto and the concentrating means being integral to the fluid bed reactor, so that bioparticles delivered to a separator means for separating the biomass from the media are of high concentration requiring little downstream processing of the biomass separated thereby.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in dewatering a suspension of solids in which an electric field augments an applied vacuum includes a chamber having walls comprising an ion exchange membrane on which a cake of solids is deposited and an electrode element with the chamber immersed in an electrolyte.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for dewatering a suspension of solids in a carrier liquid by means of an electrically augmented vacuum filter (EAVF). The EAVF including an anodic structure comprising an anode, anolyte and a filter membrane for depositing solids from the suspension of solids thereon; and a cathodic structure comprising a cathode, catholyte, a catholyte chamber and a filtrate chamber for filtering the filtrate of the bath of the suspension of solids. The catholyte chamber having a membrane wall which is liquid impervious and either an anion exchange membrane or a non ion selective membrane. Filtrate being removed at the filtrate chamber.