Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the removal and recovery of radionuclides from waste waters and process streams. The process of the present invention utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. Additionally, the invention provides a family of new extractants, alkyl phenylphosphonic acids, for the removal and recovery of radionuclides and/or metals, including the use of the new extractants in the process. The new extractant selectively removes radionuclides and metals from the feed stream to provide a concentrated strip solution of the target species.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of extractants and a method of manufacture for the extractants. The extractants are useful for the removal and recovery of metals from waste waters and process streams. The removal process utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. The new class of extractants include dialkyl phosphoric acids containing alkyl chains of at least 8-12 carbon atoms. The method of manufacture includes mixing phosphorus pentasulfide with an alcohol, followed by hydrolysis of the intermediate reactants with a mineral acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a two-step process for the removal and recovery of chromium from a feed solution, such as waste water, using supported liquid membranes (SLMs). In the first step of the process, the feed solution, which contains hexavalent chromium, is treated with a first strip solution to produce a moderately concentrated Cr(VI) solution. In the second step, the moderately concentrated Cr(VI) solution is treated with a second strip solution. The process advantageously produces a treated feed solution having a decreased concentration of chromium which is acceptable for discharge or recycle and a product solution which contains a highly concentrated Cr(VI) solution having little or no sulfate contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a supported liquid membrane carrier liquid with a dielectric constant between approximately 20 and 32, more particularly between 22 and 28, and preferably about 24, and the use of that carrier liquid in a supported liquid membrane device to extract one or more chemical species from a feed liquid. The invention further comprises such a device where a temperature gradient is maintained between any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids. In another embodiment of the invention, any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids are conditioned, for example, by passing the liquids through a purifier, or replacing lost carrier liquid. In another embodiment of the invention, two or more devices are connected in series or parallel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a supported liquid membrane carrier liquid with a dielectric constant between approximately 20 and 32, more particularly between 22 and 28, and preferably about 24, and the use of that carrier liquid in a supported liquid membrane device to extract one or more chemical species from a feed liquid. The invention further comprises such a device where a temperature gradient is maintained between any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids. In another embodiment of the invention, any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids are conditioned, for example, by passing the liquids through a purifier, or replacing lost carrier liquid. In another embodiment of the invention, two or more devices are connected in series or parallel.

Abstract: A method for removing ammonia from coal fly ash contaminated by ammonium salts is disclosed. The method involves the addition of small amounts of water, and in some cases, small amounts of an alkali source, to the fly ash to liberate the ammonia trapped therein. The ammonia liberation may be further aided by vigorous mixing of the fly ash.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating carbon particles from flyash includes one of increasing a relative humidity of the flyash or decreasing the relative humidity of the flyash to within an optimum humidity range, and introducing the flyash within the optimum humidity range into a triboelectric separator so as to triboelectrically charge the carbon particles and the flyash and so as to electrostatically separate the charged carbon particles from the charged flyash.

Abstract: In a belt separator system for separating constituents of a mixture of particles, the belt having a leading deflective surface at an acute angle to the direction of belt travel so as to impart a transverse momentum component to the constituent in a direction toward a longitudinal centerline of the belt separator system.

Abstract: A belt-type counter-current separator for separating a mixture of particles, including conductive particles, includes a voltage radiant assembly having a plurality of conductive elements inter-disposed with a plurality of dielectric elements. The plurality of conductive elements are coupled to respective nodes of a voltage dividing circuit for dividing a voltage between a high potential electrode, of the electrostatic separator, and a reference potential. The plurality of conductive elements and dielectric elements in combination with the voltage dividing circuit limit a voltage potential between any adjacent conductive elements to a maximum potential so as to prevent sparking due the presence of conductive particles in the separator. In one embodiment of the separator, the voltage gradient assembly is an extruded plastic material having both conductive and non-conductive elements and pieces of alumina are disposed between the conductive elements to provide a durable voltage gradient surface.

Abstract: Improved belt for a charged particle separation system, the belt being an extruded article made from a host polymer and additive composition. The host polymer and additive are selected to yield a belt with tailored properties such as wear resistance, creep, coefficient of friction, and charging properties.

Abstract: Macrocyclic antibiotics having ring structures with at least 10 members act as separation agents in crystallization, precipitation, filtration, electrophoresis and chromatography. The macrocyclic antibiotics include ansamacrolides, macrolides, macrocyclic peptides, polyenes and derivatives thereof. The process has been found to be especially advantageous for separation of optical isomers by electrophoresis and chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel rotor design employed in a centrifuge for use in separating fluids. The rotor is configured with a separation chamber which comprises a plurality of channels extending axially and radially throughout the separation chamber. Radial plates extending axially and radially throughout the separation chamber at least partially define the channels. A first and a second weir, each having a front face and a crest extending substantially annularly about the axis of rotation, are also included in the rotor. A fluid outlet passageway is also provided through which the second fluid may exit the separation chamber. The fluid outlet passageway comprises a plurality of channels configured to permit radially inward flow and prevent circumferential flow of the second fluid. These channels are at least partially defined by radial partitions which extend axially and radially within the fluid outlet passageway.

Abstract: A centrifuge (10) for spinning blood sample tubes (14) has a conical rotor head (17) rotated within a cavity defined by an upwardly open annular trough (39) and a domed lid (50). The tubes (14) are inserted into transparent plastic tube holders (48). The holder top ends (60) are funnel-shaped to capture spillage and enable manual gripping. The trough has oppositely sloping walls (40, 41) and holder bottom ends (59) are exposed for ready viewing below the head bottom edge. A reader station (15) includes a pointer (80) with a lens (86) that has hairlines (87) for aligning the pointer over the spin tube (14a) to enter data on the red cell/plasma interface. The lines (87) are spaced to match the diagonal appearance of the interface. An interlock assembly includes a solenoid operated shuttle arm (108) that blocks movement of a pin (95) out of a bore (94) in a lid tab (92), unless motor (23) is deenergized.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor head has a hollow frusto-conical housing with parallel inner and outer, upwardly and inwardly inclined walls joined at top and base ends by top and bottom annular flanges, and closed at the top by a central horizontally extending disc portion. The top flange is interrupted at equiangularly spaced intervals by circular openings which, together with an internal annular chamber, present steep angled cavities making angles of about 20.degree. with the rotor cone axis. The housing is capped at its upper end by a circumferentially-extending crown-shaped ring which has a plurality of upwardly and inwardly inclined projections located radially outward of the openings. The projections support the exposed upper ends of tubes placed in the cavities, to guard against neck breakage and stopper dislodgement during spinning.

Abstract: A pulse dampener for use in a pumping system including a reciprocating pump comprising a body having a cavity formed therein and a cover for sealed connection with the body. A diaphragm is secured between the body and the cover for sealing the cavity from said cover. The cover includes an inlet and outlet and the cover and the diaphragm cooperate to define a liquid flow path through the pulse dampener. The body also includes a gas inlet means for receiving gas into a chamber defined by the cavity and the diaphragm. A gas is supplied into the chamber such as to provide a smooth flow through the pumping system. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The media is an ether derivative of cyclodextrin such as a permethylated hydroxy ether of cyclodextrin or a dialkyl trifluoroacetyl ether derivative of cyclodextrin and is used in capillary gas chromatographic columns. Particular benefit is obtained using the ether derivative of cyclodextrin in a fused silica capillary.

Abstract: An automatic hematocrit reader wherein a sample of blood in a microhematocrit capillary tube is banded with a standing wave from an ultrasonic transducer. A light source and photocell combination is used to determine the relative thicknesses of the bands of red blood cells and the bands of plasma. The hematocrit of the sample of blood is electronically calculated from this data. A calibration strip is included so that the device is calibrated each time the hematocrit is determined. The device includes a mechanical interlock/eject system for the microhematocrit capillary tube and is specifically configured so that the operator does not handle or even touch the microhematocrit capillary tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrophoresis. More particularly, the present invention relates to utilization of electrophoresis with controlled cooling. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating chemical components in a solution in both a batch and a continuous mode.

Abstract: The present invention involves a dual column chromatographic apparatus with column switching capability that is useful in any pressurized fluid chromatography system. The apparatus has at least a first and second chromatographic column, a detector, a fluid conveyance system having a multivalve arrangement, pressurizable fluid conduit assembly, and a controller.The columns are adapted for containing stationary phase or packing for separation of a multicomponent sample into one or more components. The multi-valve arrangement has a plurality of multi-port, multi-modal valves and can include an ingress-egress valve; a guard pre-column valve; detector isolation valve; a set of four, four-port, multi-modal valves; or a set of two four-port, multi-modal valves and one six-port, multi-modal valve or a first valve set and a second valve set. The two chromatographic columns, multi-valve arrangement, and detector are linked for pressurized fluid communication by the pressurized fluid conduit assembly.

Abstract: The media is an ether derivative of cyclodextrin such as a permethylated hydroxy ether of cyclodextrin or a dialkyl trifluoroacetyl ether derivative of cyclodextrin and is used in capillary gas chromatographic columns. Particular benefit is obtained using the ether derivative of cyclodextrin in a fused silica capillary.