Abstract: This disclosure provides new filtration systems, filtration media, and processes for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from PFAS-contaminated water. The filtration systems, filtration media, and processes use a combination an activated carbon and a calcium sulfate which are mixed and immobilized or contained within a filter component such as a filter housing which provides a flow path for the contaminated water. This combination of components can remove PFAS contaminants to concentrations below the level of detection and provides other unexpected benefits as disclosed herein.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to new filtration systems, granular substrates, granular media and processes that are highly effective for removing suspended oil, particulates and oily particulates from an oil-water mixture. The new filtration media comprises a microporous granular substrate having a combination of specified micro-porosity, hardness and additional characteristics, the substrate being modified by an infused or coated absorption composition. This resulting filtration media displays excellent filtration performance, including outstanding durability and robustness to sustain its excellent performance over a large number of backwash cycles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to filtration screens for use in a backwashable granular media bed filtration system. Drop-in retrofit kits for a backwashable granular media bed filtration system comprising one or more filtrations screens are provided herein. Such screens and kits can comprise a media support screen, a backwash filter screen, or a combination thereof. The kit can further comprise an agitator element comprising an impeller having vanes in which the impeller vane surfaces are coated with an abrasion resistant material. Associated filtration systems and processes are also described herein.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to new filtration systems, granular substrates, granular media and processes that are highly effective for removing suspended oil, particulates and oily particulates from an oil-water mixture. The new filtration media comprises a microporous granular substrate having a combination of specified micro-porosity, hardness and additional characteristics, the substrate being modified by an infused or coated absorption composition. This resulting filtration media displays excellent filtration performance, including outstanding durability and robustness to sustain its excellent performance over a large number of backwash cycles.

Abstract: A visual indicator device and method for determining the presence of oily contaminants in an aqueous stream are provided. The device includes a filtration status chamber for receiving and discharging the aqueous stream, and a transparent wall enabling viewing of the chamber interior. A fluid-pervious filtration media within the chamber is infused with an absorption composition at which the contaminant on contact with the media is immobilized. The media has a surface viewable through a transparent wall of the filtration status chamber, and the stream flow path causes the stream to impinge at the media via the surface, whereby the contaminants collect selectively at the media surface and are highly visible through the transparent wall.

Abstract: A visual indicator device and method for determining the presence of oily contaminants in a gaseous stream are provided. The device includes a filtration status chamber for receiving and discharging the gaseous stream, and a transparent wall enabling viewing of the chamber interior. A fluid-pervious filtration media within the chamber is infused with an absorption composition at which the contaminant on contact with the media is immobilized. The media has a surface viewable through a transparent wall of the filtration status chamber, and the stream flow path is such as to cause the stream to impinge at the media via the said surface, whereby the contaminants collect selectively at the media surface and are therefore highly visible through the transparent wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating droplets of finely aerosolized elemental mercury from a fluid stream in which the droplets are dispersed, particularly a gaseous stream. In the method, a precious metal wire capillary surface or precious metal-coated wire capillary surface is contacted with the gaseous stream, causing the aerosolized droplets to deposit on the capillary surface and by capillary action to coalesce with other of such droplets. The surface is oriented to allow the mercury to flow by gravitational forces and capillary action to the lowermost portions of the surface, where it accumulates and can be collected. Metallic capillary surfaces comprised of finely braided strands of silver, gold, palladium, platinum, or rhodium wire, or wire coated with one or more of these metals, are particularly preferred.

Abstract: Viscoelastic compositions capable of preventing microbial proliferation and capable of capturing microbial membrane and cell wall decomposition products are provided. The compositions comprise thermal reaction products of blends of fatty acids derived and isolated from drying and semi-drying oils such as linseed, safflower, and tung oil, with a polymer component such as for example poly (isobutyl methacrylate). These compositions are capable of capturing microbes and controlling their proliferation at a material on which the compositions are deposited, and further capable of absorption or incorporation of lipopolysaccharide and protein membrane materials and endotoxins.

Abstract: Viscoelastic compositions capable of preventing microbial proliferation and capable of capturing microbial membrane and cell wall decomposition products are provided. The compositions comprise thermal reaction products of blends of fatty acids derived and isolated from drying and semi-drying oils such as linseed, safflower, and tung oil, with a polymer component such as for example poly (isobutyl methacrylate). These compositions are capable of capturing microbes and controlling their proliferation at a material on which the compositions are deposited, and further capable of absorption or incorporation of lipopolysaccharide and protein membrane materials and endotoxins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making coagulant and viscoelastic compositions for use in removal of dispersed, solubilized, and emulsified oils and hydrocarbons and other noxious species from water and air. The composition comprises thermal reaction products of blends of fatty acids derived, isolated and purified from drying and semi-drying oils such as linseed, safflower, and tung oil with a polymer such as for example poly(isobutyl methacrylate) and can include a solvent. The product of the invention facilitates cohesion of oils and hydrocarbons independent of agitation and temperature and may be used in both salt and fresh water, air and other gaseous streams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating droplets of finely aerosolized elemental mercury from a fluid stream in which the droplets are dispersed, particularly a gaseous stream. In the method, a precious metal wire capillary surface or precious metal-coated wire capillary surface is contacted with the gaseous stream, causing the aerosolized droplets to deposit on the capillary surface and by capillary action to coalesce with other of such droplets. The surface is oriented to allow the mercury to flow by gravitational forces and capillary action to the lowermost portions of the surface, where it accumulates and can be collected. Metallic capillary surfaces comprised of finely braided strands of silver, gold, palladium, platinum, or rhodium wire, or wire coated with one or more of these metals, are particularly preferred.

Abstract: A method for facilitating removal of mercury from a primary fluid stream of interest which is contaminated with organically-bound, elemental, and ionic mercury species. The stream is analyzed to establish the relative content of the organically-bound, elemental, and ionic mercury species present therein by forming a diverted side stream from the primary stream, and passing the side stream successively through three in series filter stages, the first captures organically bound mercury, the second captures elemental mercury, and the third captures ionic mercury. The side stream flow through the filter stages is continued for a predetermined period, and upon conclusion of the period the quantity of mercury collected at each of the filtration stages is determined. This data is then utilized to determine the capacity of the three different filtration stages required to reduce the mercury content in the mam stream to a desired level.

Abstract: A visual indicator device and method for determining the presence of oily contaminants in an aqueous stream are provided. The device includes a filtration status chamber for receiving and discharging the aqueous stream, and a transparent wall enabling viewing of the chamber interior. A fluid-pervious filtration media within the chamber is infused with an absorption composition at which the contaminant on contact with the media is immobilized. The media has a surface viewable through a transparent wall of the filtration status chamber, and the stream flow path causes the stream to impinge at the media via the surface, whereby the contaminants collect selectively at the media surface and are highly visible through the transparent wall.

Abstract: A visual indicator device and method for determining the presence of oily contaminants in a gaseous stream are provided. The device includes a filtration status chamber for receiving and discharging the gaseous stream, and a transparent wall enabling viewing of the chamber interior. A fluid-pervious filtration media within the chamber is infused with an absorption composition at which the contaminant on contact with the media is immobilized. The media has a surface viewable through a transparent wall of the filtration status chamber, and the stream flow path is such as to cause the stream to impinge at the media via the said surface, whereby the contaminants collect selectively at the media surface and are therefore highly visible through the transparent wall.

Abstract: A visual bilgewater quality indicator for use in a bilgewater filtration system which includes a filtration stage for removing oily contaminants. The quality indicator utilizes one or more filtration status chambers which are provided with a fluorescent or phosphorescent dye or pigment treated filtration media. The status chamber has a transparent outer wall. Flow through the status chamber is from the outer lateral wall toward its central axis, whereby oily contaminants in the flow collect selectively at the outer portions of the filtration media which are highly visible to an observer. Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter and are instantly visible against the background of the exemplary dye. If two status chambers are used in series, the second chamber is always kept transparent until complete loading and supersaturating breakthrough at the primary chamber.

Abstract: Viscoelastic compositions capable of preventing microbial proliferation and capable of capturing microbrial membrane and cell wall decomposition products are provided, the compositions including reaction products of drying oils and semi-drying oils and methacrylate polymers. The compositions are capable of absorption or incorporation of lipopolysaccharide and protein membrane materials and endotoxins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making coagulant and viscoelastic compositions for use in removal of dispersed, solubilized, and emulsified oils and hydrocarbons and other noxious species from water and air. The composition comprises thermal reaction products of blends of fatty acids derived, isolated and purified from drying and semi-drying oils such as linseed, safflower, and tung oil with a polymer such as for example poly(isobutyl methacrylate) and can include a solvent. The product of the invention facilitates cohesion of oils and hydrocarbons independent of agitation and temperature and may be used in both salt and fresh water, air and other gaseous streams.

Abstract: A visual bilgewater quality indicator for use in a bilgewater filtration system which includes a filtration stage for removing oily contaminants. The quality indicator utilizes one or more filtration status chambers which are provided with a fluorescent or phosphorescent dye or pigment treated filtration media. The status chamber has a transparent outer wall. Flow through the status chamber is from the outer lateral wall toward its central axis, whereby oily contaminants in the flow collect selectively at the outer portions of the filtration media which are highly visible to an observer. Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter and are instantly visible against the background of the exemplary dye. If two status chambers are used in series, the second chamber is always kept transparent until complete loading and supersaturating breakthrough at the primary chamber.

Abstract: A method for facilitating removal of mercury from a primary fluid stream of interest which is contaminated with organically-bound, elemental, and ionic mercury species. The stream is analyzed to establish the relative content of the organically-bound, elemental, and ionic mercury species present therein by forming a diverted side stream from the primary stream, and passing the side stream successively through three in series filter stages, the first captures organically bound mercury, the second captures elemental mercury, and the third captures ionic mercury. The side stream flow through the filter stages is continued for a predetermined period, and upon conclusion of the period the quantity of mercury collected at each of the filtration stages is determined. This data is then utilized to determine the capacity of the three different filtration stages required to reduce the mercury content in the mam stream to a desired level.

Abstract: A visual bilgewater quality indicator for use in a bilgewater filtration system which includes a filtration stage for removing oily contaminants. The quality indicator utilizes one or more filtration status chambers which are provided with a fluorescent or phosphorescent dye or pigment treated filtration media. The status chamber has a transparent outer wall. Flow through the status chamber is from the outer lateral wall toward its central axis, whereby oily contaminants in the flow collect selectively at the outer portions of the filtration media which are highly visible to an observer. Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter and are instantly visible against the background of the exemplary dye. If two status chambers are used in series, due to the ability of the infused media to permanently capture oil without re-entrainment, the second chamber is always kept transparent until complete loading and supersaturating breakthrough at the primary chamber.