Abstract: A method of treating produced water from heavy oil production to provide feedwater for the production of high quality steam. A produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is initially treated by first removing oil and grease to a desired level, preferably to about twenty parts per million, or less. The pH is then adjusted, normally downward and by acid addition, to release at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Preferably, all non-hydroxide alkalinity is removed, or substantially so, by introducing the feedwater into a decarbonator. In some cases, the pH may be raised (without, or subsequent to decarbonation, depending upon water chemistry) preferably by caustic addition, to maintain silica solubility in the feedwater.

Abstract: A storage rack for storing nuclear fuel rod assemblies is provided with an array of cell housings having damping elements which are preloaded against the outer walls of the individual cells. The damping elements are slabs which when preloaded against the cell walls provide a coulomb damping function which is highly effective in absorbing vibration from rough handling or seismic events. The cell housings may be located in alternating positions in the array and cells may be formed from the outer walls of the surrounding cell housings. The cell housings are held together in the array by support bars which are affixed to the top and bottom ends of the cell housings. The support bars may include recesses to align the cell housings.

Abstract: A process for demineralization of whey-based material using electrodialysis. The process involves increasing the conductivity of the diluting stream, i.e, the stream containing the material to be demineralized, at one or more points in time during the electrodialysis cycle. When removal of divalent ions is desired, the increased conductivity may occur by the addition of salts of monovalent ions.

Abstract: This invention describes the process of separating fructose preferentially from a mixture of glucose and fructose by using ion exchange membranes. More particularly it relates to the process comprising the steps of (1) passing a liquid mixture of fructose and glucose through a first feed chamber of an electro-osmosis cell comprising at least two chambers defined between ion exchange membranes having alternating high and low permeability coefficients with respect to each other, (2) passing a direct electric current transversely through said membranes and chambers in a direction to cause the fructose to pass from said feed chamber through said high permeability coefficient membrane into a second chamber with said fructose being substantially retained in the second chamber, and (3) recovering a glucose enriched and a fructose enriched effluent from the separate chambers.

Abstract: A heat pipe recuperator for recovering heat from flue gas stacks is disclosed. The recuperator consists of a toroidal shell forming a fluid heating chamber having inlet and outlet fluid circulating ports. A plurality of heat pipes are mounted within the chamber and are attached to the inner wall of the shell such that the condensor sides of the pipe reside within the shell and the evaporator sides extend outside the shell into the center of the toroid. The recuperator is positioned in a flue gas stack wherein the hot flue gas stream contacts the heat pipes which transfer heat into the fluid heating chamber. Fluid, gas or liquid, is passed through the chamber resulting in a rise in temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: An electrode reversal system for an electrodialysis cell is disclosed in which acidic anolyte produced in the anode chamber is collected and simultaneously recirculated through both the anode and cathode chambers. The cathode effluent is removed from the cell and on reversal of electrical polarity, the hydraulic flow paths to and from the chambers are reversed.

Abstract: A gasket for preventing fluid flow from the interior to the exterior of a chamber is disclosed in which tab members or projections from a body portion lockingly cooperate with corresponding recesses in the chamber wall. Transverse openings in the gasket body allow access to the interior of the chamber. The apparatus is particularly applicable as a means for sealing an electrode terminal extending from the interior to the exterior of an electrodialysis filter press stack.

Abstract: A liquid flow distribution screen is disclosed in which two sets of spaced apart strands are oriented at an angle to each other to form a mesh screen. A portion of the screen is composed of areas in which the two sets of strands are more or less of the same thickness and the remaining portion composed of strands in which one of the sets is of greater thickness than the other, resulting in the creation of liquid flow channels between and among the channels. Using this concept, any desired flow pattern may be achieved when the screen is placed between two surface barriers. The device is particularly suited as a membrane support and spacer in electrodialysis or electrochemical apparatus.