Abstract: A method or process for treating wastewater containing high organics, silica, boron, hardness, and suspended and dissolved solids. The method includes degasifying the wastewater for the removal of dissolved gases and thereafter chemically softening the wastewater. After the chemical softening step, the wastewater is directed through a media filter or membrane which removes additional solids and precipitants. Thereafter the wastewater is directed through a sodium ion exchange that further softens the wastewater. The effluent from the ion exchange is directed through a cartridge filter and the effluent from the cartridge filter is directed through one or more reverse osmosis units. At a selected phase of the process, prior to the wastewater reaching the reverse osmosis unit or units, the pH of the wastewater is raised and maintained such that the pH of the wastewater reaching a reverse osmosis unit is at a pH greater than 10.5.

Abstract: A water collection device for collecting clarified water in a basin. The collection device includes a floating ring having a water inlet recessed within the central portion of the floating ring. The water collection device is configured to facilitate a greater flow of water into the water inlet from one peripheral zone than another peripheral area or zone around the floating ring.

Abstract: The biological water or wastewater treatment process described herein alternates aeration and anoxic phases during a water treatment process. According to one exemplary process, the water or wastewater is directed into a biological tank. The water or wastewater in the biological tank is aerated until measured nitrate or redox values meet high nitrate or high redox set value conditions relative to minimum aeration and maximum aeration time requirements. Subsequently, the water or wastewater is subjected to anoxic treatment until the measured nitrate value meets low nitrate set value conditions relative minimum and maximum anoxia time requirements.

Abstract: A method for treating water to produce potable water is described herein. The inventive method enables the efficient removal of iron, manganese, and arsenic without the addition of powerful oxidants and without requiring a complex procedure for preparing the filtering material. The described method treats the water by passing the water through at least one bed of filter material, where the filter material comprises an association of manganese dioxide grains and at least one iron-based divided material in the hydroxide, oxide, or metallic state. The association may comprise a mixture of the iron-based divided material and the manganese dioxide grains. Alternatively, the association may comprise a superposition of layers of the iron-based divided material and the manganese dioxide grains.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater wherein the biomass associated with the wastewater is subjected to simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a single reactor. The method entails directing a wastewater influent stream into the reactor and measuring the concentration of N—NH4 in the influent wastewater stream at a point upstream from the reactor. Air is supplied to the reactor for aerating the biomass in the reactor. The method includes controlling the quantity of air introduced into the reactor based in part at least on the measured concentration of N—NH4.

Abstract: A method and system for treating water or wastewater to remove both soluble BOD and suspended solids. The method entails directing first and second water or wastewater streams to a treatment system including an activated sludge system and a ballasted flocculation system. The first water or wastewater stream is directed to the activated sludge system which includes at least one reactor and a clarifier. The second water or wastewater stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system. Mixed liquor or activated sludge is directed from the activated sludge system to a mixing chamber that is located upstream from the ballasted flocculation system. The water or wastewater of the second stream is mixed with the mixed liquor or activated sludge in the mixing chamber. The mixed liquor from the mixing chamber is directed to and through the ballasted flocculation system. In the end, the soluble BOD in the second water or wastewater stream is reduced and suspended solids in the water or wastewater are also reduced.

Abstract: A method or process for treating wastewater containing high organics, silica, boron, hardness, and suspended and dissolved solids. The method includes degasifying the wastewater for the removal of dissolved gases and thereafter chemically softening the wastewater. After the chemical softening step, the wastewater is directed through a media filter or membrane which removes additional solids and precipitants. Thereafter the wastewater is directed through a sodium ion exchange that further softens the wastewater. The effluent from the ion exchange is directed through a cartridge filter and the effluent from the cartridge filter is directed through one or more reverse osmosis units. At a selected phase of the process, prior to the wastewater reaching the reverse osmosis unit or units, the pH of the wastewater is raised and maintained such that the pH of the wastewater reaching a reverse osmosis unit is at a pH greater than 10.5.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for evaporating a liquid to produce a product liquid and a vapor. Liquid is evaporated under the influence of a heat transfer medium in a heat exchanger comprised of a bank of tube plates formed from corrugated sheets. Vapor produced is separated from product liquid by a vapor collector which causes vapor to flow upward and into the collector from a downward-flowing product liquid and vapor stream. Backsplash entrainment into the vapor collector is prevented by an anti-backsplash device disposed between the vapor collector and a reservoir into which product liquid flows.

Abstract: The invention concerns a water treatment method which consists in introducing coagulated water in a flocculation zone, to enable flocculation of microflocs in the presence and around a ballast; introducing the mixture in a decantation zone; separating the treated water in overflow and a mixture of sludge and the ballast in underflow; conveying at least part of said mixture to a sludge/ballast separating system and recycling into or upstream of the flocculation zone the ballast and part of the sludge introduced in said separation system.

Abstract: A method of treating water including mixing the water with an inorganic powder reagent for reducing the content of organic matter. The water, after being mixed with the inorganic powder reagent, is subjected to a membrane separation step that produces blow off products that are then separated into two fractions: a first fraction containing a majority portion of the powder reagent in a first stream of water, and a second fraction containing a majority portion of inorganic matter not absorbed on the inorganic powder reagent rejected by the membrane separation step in a second stream of water.

Abstract: A method is provided for thickening sludge produced through a ballasted flocculation process. The sludge and granular material from the ballasted flocculation process are directed to a sludge separator where the sludge is separated from the granular material. Thereafter the separated sludge is sent to a degassing area and the sludge is degassed. A flocculating agent is mixed or injected into the sludge. The sludge is directed to a sludge thickener with a load at a sill calculated on the surface of the thickener greater than 200 kgMIS/m2/day. This process produces a thickened sludge having a concentration greater than 10 gm/l.