Abstract: Provided is a granular filtration media comprising a mixture of granular filtration media and less than 5% of nanofibers based on the dry weight, method of making the same and uses of the same for removing contaminants from water, including metals, heavy metals, synthetic or natural organic matters, colloidal or suspended particles to improve the chemical safety and purity of water for the purpose of water purification, specifically, one embodiment of the present invention disclosed is use of the granular filtration media to remove particulate lead from high pH water.

Abstract: A polymeric hybrid particle or composition comprising of polymers, such as polystyrene or methylated polystyrenes with cyclic amines and their halogenated forms, and nanoparticles (NPs). The method for the preparation thereof and uses as nano-adsorbent, or a biocide, or a dual function combination of biocide and adsorbent for use in a fluid system for the purpose of purification or remediation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Formulations, methods, and products for preventing or decreasing insolubilization of chitosan-containing compositions are provided. By employing embodiments discussed herein, the ability of a chitosan-containing composition to properly solubilize at a desired time may be preserved.

Abstract: A method uses anionic and cationic polymers added in, any order or simultaneously, to aqueous media for the removal of substances. The sequential addition of the two biopolymers, anionic xanthan, followed by cationic chitosan, causes the rapid formation of very large and cohesive fibrillar aggregates that may exhibit high solids to liquid ratios and that quickly settle out from the aqueous media. The aqueous media can be easily separated from the large fibrillar aggregates by settling under gravity or by filtration through a porous containment device, such as a synthetic or non-synthetic woven or non-woven fabric including a geotextile fabric or a solid containment device containing a solid mesh screen.

Abstract: A method for removing components from an aqueous medium is described. The method includes dispensing a formulation comprising one or more of zinc chloride, calcium chloride, zirconium acetate and zirconium oxychloride to an aqueous medium. The method includes allowing the formation of floccules in the aqueous medium, wherein the floccules contain the component to be removed. The method includes separating the floccules from the aqueous medium to remove the component.

Abstract: Methods for clarifying water, reducing turbidity of water, and removing phosphate from water include adding a water treatment composition having an aluminum-containing coagulant, and a natural non-charged polysaccharide, such as guar. The aluminum-containing compound can include polyaluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, polyaluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate, polyaluminum sulfate, polyaluminum silicate chloride, polyaluminum silicate sulfate, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for removing submicron colloidal particulates, such as hydrocarbons, from water. The method includes first adding a soluble, cationic polymer, such as chitosan, a salt, or solution of chitosan to water containing the submicron particulates and a halogenating agent, followed by adding a soluble, anionic polymer or anionic salt to the water. The resulting flocs are filtered to remove the submicron particulates.

Abstract: A method uses anionic and cationic polymers added in, any order or simultaneously, to aqueous media for the removal of substances. The sequential addition of the two biopolymers, anionic xanthan, followed by cationic chitosan, causes the rapid formation of very large and cohesive fibrillar aggregates that may exhibit high solids to liquid ratios and that quickly settle out from the aqueous media. The aqueous media can be easily separated from the large fibrillar aggregates by settling under gravity or by filtration through a porous containment device, such as a synthetic or non-synthetic woven or non-woven fabric including a geotextile fabric or a solid containment device containing a solid mesh screen.

Abstract: A water treatment composition includes a water soluble film formed into a sealed pouch. The pouch contains a composite of a phosphate removing substance, a polymer flocculant, or an enzyme, or any combination. The phosphate removing substance, the polymer flocculant, and the enzyme are bound to each other within the composite. The pouch is added to a body of water. The pouch dissolves to release the compounds and treat the water.

Abstract: A method uses anionic and cationic polymers added in, any order or simultaneously, to aqueous media for the removal of substances. The sequential addition of the two biopolymers, anionic xanthan, followed by cationic chitosan, causes the rapid formation of very large and cohesive fibrillar aggregates that may exhibit high solids to liquid ratios and that quickly settle out from the aqueous media. The aqueous media can be easily separated from the large fibrillar aggregates by settling under gravity or by filtration through a porous containment device, such as a synthetic or non-synthetic woven or non-woven fabric including a geotextile fabric or a solid containment device containing a solid mesh screen.

Abstract: A method includes the steps, adding divalent calcium to an aqueous medium containing sulfate anions in solution and forming insoluble calcium sulfate in the aqueous medium; adding a water-soluble chitosan to the aqueous medium and forming a chitosan sulfate complex; adding a water-soluble anionic polymer to the aqueous medium to form aggregates comprising the chitosan sulfate complex with the anionic polymer; andremoving the aggregates from the aqueous medium to remove the sulfate anions.

Abstract: Therapeutic and prophylactic treatments of aquatic species and aquatic diseases through the controlled introduction of a heterocyclic N-halamine into an aquatic habitat.

Abstract: Methods for clarifying water, reducing turbidity of water, and removing phosphate from water include adding a water treatment composition having an aluminum-containing coagulant, and a natural non-charged polysaccharide, such as guar. The aluminum-containing compound can include polyaluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, polyaluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, sodium aluminate, polyaluminum sulfate, polyaluminum silicate chloride, polyaluminum silicate sulfate, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Chitosan-containing blends and methods of dissolving and using chitosan are disclosed. A blend includes a solid acid or a solid agent that generates a proton in situ in the presence of water mixed together with a dry solid chitosan, and may optionally contain other components. The blends are in a dry, free-flowing, particulate form. Methods of dissolving a blend typically comprise adding a quantity of the blend to a low volume of water and mixing until the chitosan and solid acid or solid agent are dissolved and then further diluting this mixture by the addition of water, or used as-is. Devices containing the blends are also described along with methods of using the devices, such as for controlled release of solubilized chitosan in a body of water, such as a stream, containing impurities (e.g., particles, sediment, or suspended matter or dissolved substances) to cause flocculation or precipitation of such impurities.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the growth and biomass of algae and algae lipids by growing the algae in the presence of a polycationic substance such as soluble or insoluble chitosan and/or chitin are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of harvesting algae from an aqueous environment by growing the algae in aggregated clumps and/or mats (formed by the inclusion of soluble or insoluble chitosan and/or chitin or other polycationic or cationic substances) that can be easily removed from the aqueous environment either by filtration, surface skimming, and/or growing in a porous containment device, such as a natural or synthetic fabric, and removing the fabric from the aqueous environment containing the aggregated algae. The methods disclosed have direct applications in biofuel and energy production, agricultural feedstock production, nutrient production, greenhouse gas reduction, removal of microconstituents from water, and water reclamation.

Abstract: Formulations, methods, and products for preventing or decreasing insolubilization of chitosan-containing compositions are provided. By employing embodiments discussed herein, the ability of a chitosan-containing composition to properly solubilize at a desired time may be preserved.

Abstract: End-of-life apparatus for use in water purification cartridges are disclosed. The apparatus includes a water-disintegrable tablet configured to disintegrate a predetermined amount after contacting a predetermined volume of water flow. The tablet prevents the stoppage of water until the tablet has been contacted by the predetermined amount of water. The various end-of-life apparatus use different means to stop the water flow when the tablet has disintegrated a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Chitosan-containing blends and methods of dissolving and using chitosan are disclosed. A blend includes a solid acid or a solid agent that generates a proton in situ in the presence of water mixed together with a dry solid chitosan, and may optionally contain other components. The blends are in a dry, free-flowing, particulate form. Methods of dissolving a blend typically comprise adding a quantity of the blend to a low volume of water and mixing until the chitosan and solid acid or solid agent are dissolved and then further diluting this mixture by the addition of water, or used as-is. Devices containing the blends are also described along with methods of using the devices, such as for controlled release of solubilized chitosan in a body of water, such as a stream, containing impurities (e.g., particles, sediment, or suspended matter or dissolved substances) to cause flocculation or precipitation of such impurities.

Abstract: A method for removing components from an aqueous medium is described. The method includes dispensing a formulation comprising one or more of zinc chloride, calcium chloride, zirconium acetate and zirconium oxychloride to an aqueous medium. The method includes allowing the formation of floccules in the aqueous medium, wherein the floccules contain the component to be removed. The method includes separating the floccules from the aqueous medium to remove the component.