Abstract: Self-cleaning electrochemical cells, systems including self-cleaning electrochemical cells, and methods of operating self-cleaning electrochemical cells are disclosed. The self-cleaning electrochemical cell can include a plurality of concentric electrodes disposed in a housing, for example, a cathode and an anode, a fluid channel defined between the concentric electrodes, a separator residing between the concentric electrodes, first and second end caps coupled to respective ends of the housing, and an inlet cone. The separators may be configured to localize the electrodes and dimensioned to minimize a zone of reduced velocity occurring downstream from the separator. The end caps and inlet cone may be dimensioned to maintain fully developed flow and minimize pressure drop across the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing an aqueous solution into the electrochemical cell, applying a current across an anode and a cathode to produce a product, monitoring the voltage, dissolved hydrogen, or a condition of the aqueous solution, and applying the current in a pulsed waveform responsive to one of the measured parameters is disclosed. An electrochemical system including an electrochemical cell including an anode and a cathode, a source of an aqueous solution having an outlet fluidly connectable to the electrochemical cell, a sensor for measuring a parameter, and a controller configured to cause the anode and the cathode to apply the current in a pulsed waveform responsive to the parameter measurement is disclosed. Methods of suppressing accumulation of hydrogen gas within the electrochemical cell are also disclosed. Methods of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtering panel (100) for a disk filter and a disk filter for water purification, comprising a metal filter cloth (16, 116) such as a stainless steel filter cloth, pre-tensioned in both warp and weft directions and fastened to a frame (10, 110) comprising a peripheral portion (11, 111), which is integral with an inner grillwork (12) and which divides the inner area of the peripheral portion (11, 111) into fields (15, 115). The frame (10, 110) comprises a plastic material reinforced with glass fibers or carbon fibres such as polypropylene loaded with fibreglass in an amount of at least 20 weight percent. Each field of the grillwork (12, 112) has an area not exceeding 10% of the inner area of the peripheral portion (11, 111). The pre-tensioning of the filter cloth (16, 116) in both directions is from at least 20% of the yield stress of the cloth (16, 116).

Abstract: A system for removing undesirable compounds from contaminated air includes a biofilter having porous glass media. Hydrogen sulfide is removed from contaminated air by passing the contaminated air through the biofilter.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for two-stage filtration is provided. The system includes an inlet fluidly connectable with wastewater, a first stage filter assembly that is fluidly connectable with the inlet and has a rotary drum with a filter surface configured for radially inward fluid flow, a second stage filter assembly that is fluidly connectable with the first stage filter and has a plurality of filter discs configured for radially outward fluid flow, and an outlet fluidly connectable with filtrate generated by the second stage disc filter assembly.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a first chamber having an anode, a second chamber having a cathode, at least one ionic connection between the first chamber and the second chamber, such that liquid electrolyte from the first chamber is prevented from mixing with liquid electrolyte in the second chamber is provided. The first chamber and the second chamber can be arranged in parallel and positioned remotely from each other. An electrochemical system including the electrochemical cell, and first and second sources of saline aqueous solutions is also provided. Water treatment systems are also provided. A method of operating an electrochemical cell including introducing first and second saline aqueous solutions into first and second chambers of the electrochemical cell, and applying a current across the anode and the cathode to generate first and second products, respectively is also provided. A method of facilitating operation of an electrochemical cell is also provided.

Abstract: A filter press includes a plurality of filter plates, a hydraulic cylinder, a follower plate through which the hydraulic cylinder is configured to apply pressure to the plurality of filter plates, and a spacer rod configured to transfer force from the hydraulic cylinder to the follower plate. The spacer rod is coupled to the follower plate by a moveable support that is displaceable between a home position in which the spacer rod is aligned with the hydraulic cylinder and a disengaged position in which the spacer rod is unaligned with the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A system for removing undesirable compounds from contaminated air includes a biofilter having an alkaline material introduction system and a fuzzy-logic based controller. A contaminant, such as hydrogen sulfide, is removed from contaminated air by passing the contaminated air through the biofilter.

Abstract: A method and system for treating wastewater is disclosed. In one example the method comprises activating a mixing system that imparts a motive force on wastewater in a vessel, measuring at least one property of a first portion of the wastewater at a first time, measuring the at least one property of a second portion of the wastewater at a second time subsequent to the first time, calculating a difference between the at least one property measured at the first time and the at least one property measured at the second time, performing a determination of whether the difference is within a predetermined allowable range of differences, and responsive to a result of the determination, controlling a component of the mixing system.

Abstract: Self-cleaning electrochemical cells, systems including self-cleaning electrochemical cells, and methods of operating self-cleaning electrochemical cells are disclosed. The self-cleaning electrochemical cell can include a plurality of concentric electrodes disposed in a housing, a fluid channel defined between the concentric electrodes, and an electrical connector positioned at a distal end of a concentric electrode and electrically connected to the electrode. The electrical connectors may be configured to provide a substantially even current distribution to the concentric electrode and minimize a zone of reduced velocity occurring downstream from the electrical connector. The electrical connector may be configured to cause a temperature of an electrolyte solution to increase by less than about 0.5° C. while transmitting at least 100 W of power.

Abstract: Methods of treating wastewater with a sequencing batch reactor are disclosed. The methods include determining an anticipated flow rate of the wastewater and independently operating one or more reactor in a continuous flow mode responsive to the anticipated flow rate. Sequencing batch reactor systems are also disclosed. The systems include a plurality of reactors operating in parallel, a loading subsystem, a measuring subsystem, and a controller. The controller can be configured to independently operate each of the reactors in a batch flow mode or in a continuous flow mode responsive to the anticipated flow rate. Methods of retrofitting existing sequencing batch reactor systems and methods of facilitating treatment of wastewater with sequencing batch reactor systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sludge digester including a vessel and floating cover. The vessel includes a sidewall and an interior volume configured to receive and contain sludge. According to one embodiment, the cover comprises a frame structure that is constructed and arranged to form a skirt member formed at a periphery of the cover and extending downwardly into the vessel, and a continuous ballast ring attached to a lower portion of the skirt member and configured to form a trough member with an interior surface of the skirt member. The sludge digester may also include a guide system coupled to the sidewall and the skirt member and configured to allow vertical displacement of the cover with change in volume of at least one of a gas and a sludge contained in the vessel beneath the cover.

Abstract: A method and system of providing ultrapure water for semiconductor fabrication operations is provided. The water is treated by utilizing a free radical scavenging system. The free radical scavenging system can utilize actinic radiation with a free radical precursor compound, such as ammonium persulfate. The ultrapure water may be further treated by utilizing ion exchange media and degasification apparatus. A control system can be utilized to regulate a continuously variable intensity of the actinic radiation.

Abstract: An electrochlorination system comprises a source of feed fluid, a product fluid outlet, and a plurality of electrochemical cells connected fluidically between the source of feed fluid and the product fluid outlet. The system is configured to operate at least one of the plurality of electrochemical cells at one of a first current density or a first flow rate, and to operate another of the plurality of electrochemical cells at a second current density or second flow rate different from the respective first current density or first flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method of treating wastewater. In one embodiment, the system comprises a biological reactor fluidly connected to a source of wastewater and having a treated wastewater outlet, a fixed film biological reactor connected to the source of wastewater and having a fixed film effluent outlet, and a ballasted system fluidly connected to the fixed film effluent outlet. The ballasted system may comprise a ballast reactor tank configured to provide a ballasted effluent, and a source of ballast material fluidly connected to an inlet of the ballast reactor tank. The system may further comprise a bypass line having an inlet fluidly connected to the source of wastewater, a first outlet fluidly connected to the ballasted system, and a second outlet fluidly connected to the fixed film biological reactor, the bypass line configured to bypass the fixed film biological reactor.

Abstract: A conditioning system for a filter module is disclosed. The conditioning system may generally include an inlet, a heat exchanger, a magnetically levitated pump, a channel provided to bypass the heat exchanger, a controller, an outlet, and a base. The system may have components lined with corrosion-resistant materials. A method of conditioning a filter module is also disclosed. The method may generally include measuring TOC in a source of ultrapure water, heating the ultrapure water, rinsing a filter module with the heated water, flushing the filter module with ambient temperature water, and repeating the rinsing with heated water and flushing with ambient temperature water. A method of facilitating conditioning of the filter module is also disclosed. The method may generally include providing a portable filter module conditioning system and providing instructions for installation or use.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for treating groundwater contaminated with an organic contaminant is provided. According to some embodiments, the contaminated groundwater is treated by introducing a persulfate to produce a first treated aqueous solution, exposing the first treated aqueous solution to ultraviolet light to produce a second treated aqueous solution and one or more gases, and removing the one or more gases generated from exposing the first treated aqueous solution to the ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system including a contact tank, a dissolved air flotation unit, a fermentation unit, and a biological treatment unit is disclosed. A method of retrofitting a wastewater treatment system by arranging the wastewater treatment system such that floated biosolids are fermented in an anerobic environment and fluidly connecting the biological treatment unit to receive at least a portion of the fermented solids is also disclosed. The method optionally includes providing a fermentation unit and fluidly connecting the fermentation unit to a biological treatment unit. A method of treating wastewater including combining the wastewater with activated sludge, floating biosolids from the activated wastewater, fermenting the floated biosolids, and biologically treating the effluent with the fermented solids is also disclosed. A method of facilitating delivery of soluble organic carbon to a biological treatment unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for water and wastewater treatment. The system comprises a fixed film biological process and a ballasted flocculation process.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system including an aeration unit, a contact tank, a dissolved air flotation unit, and a biological treatment unit is disclosed. A method of retrofitting a wastewater treatment system by providing an aeration unit and fluidly connecting the aeration unit to the wastewater treatment system is also disclosed. A method of treating wastewater including aerating wastewater with oxygen, combining the aerated wastewater with activated sludge, floating biosolids from the activated wastewater, and biologically treating the effluent is also disclosed. The method optionally includes combining the floated biosolids with the aerated wastewater and/or activated wastewater. A method of facilitating treatment of high solids content wastewater is also disclosed.