Abstract: A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane, preferably a hydrophobic/hydrophilic blended membrane, eg P VdF/PVP comprising the step of contacting the porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate, preferably an aqueous solution of 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fibre membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fibre membranes (5), at least one end of the fibre membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fibre membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).

Abstract: A porous polymeric membrane formed from a blend of a polymeric membrane forming material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polysulfone and a polymeric reactivity modifying agent adapted to modify the surface active properties of the porous polymeric membrane. The reactivity modifying agent is preferably a linear polymeric anhydride, such as poly(alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride). The surface activity modifications include modification of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity balance of the membrane, or hydrolysis followed by reaction with a polyamine to form a crosslinked polyamide layer. Such modified membranes have use as reverse osmosis membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane bioreactor process combined with an advanced biological sludge digestion process that provides significant improvements in sludge digestion by reducing the costs and resources required for disposing of digested sludge. The offline treatment vessel is used to solubilize the organic material by operating in a very low oxygen environment. Digested process fluid is transferred back to the membrane bioreactor. The processes and apparatus substantially reduce the production of waste sludge.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for removing chlorite ion from a body of water containing unacceptably high levels of chlorite comprising adding to said body of water a chlorite removal chemical selected from the group comprising sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, trichloroisocyanurate, polyaluminum chloride, sodium permanganate, potassium permanganate, and catalase enzyme.

Abstract: A system and process for treating water are described. Water may be purified by passing feed water through an electrochemical deionization device. The water may be suitable for cooking, washing, and beverage production.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices able to purify fluids electrically that are contained within pressure vessels, as well as to methods of manufacture and use thereof. Liquids or other fluids to be purified enter the purification device and, under the influence of an electric field, are treated to produce an ion-depleted liquid. Species from the entering liquids are collected to produce an ion-concentrated liquid. Increasing the exterior pressure on the device may reduce the pressure difference between the interior of the device and the exterior, which may reduce manufacturing costs or simplify construction.

Abstract: A method and filtration module (5) for providing gas bubbles within an array of vertically disposed porous hollow membranes (6) to clean the outer surfaces of said membranes (6) when the array is immersed in a liquid by feeding (10) the gas bubbles into the array transversely of the vertical axis of the array. In one preferred form, the gas bubbles are retained within the array using a sleeve (11) surrounding the array (6) at least along part of its length.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method an apparatus for treating wastewater. The wastewater treatment system includes an aeration system that cycles between biological multiple biological basins. The system also includes one or more membrane basins. A method of the invention includes controlling the introduction of air into each biological basin in response to one or more operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of soot containing an insoluble metal. The soot is formed into a soot slurry and a characteristic of the soot slurry is maintained to solubilize at least a portion of the metal to act as a catalyst. The soot slurry with the soluble metal is wet oxidized.

Abstract: An electrochemical treating device having low scale potential is disclosed. The device has a variety of configurations directed to the layering of the anionic exchange and cationic exchange. The treatment device can also comprise unevenly sized ion exchange resin beads and/or have at least one compartment that provides a dominating resistance that results in a uniform current distribution throughout the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fiber membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (5), at least one end of the fiber membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fiber membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).

Abstract: A method of coating a polymer comprising the step of treating said polymer with an activating agent to produce a reactive polymer, for example treating a polymer bearing at least one X (halogen) group and at least one H with base to eliminate HX. The reactive polymer is then with a reactive coating, for example PVP, preferably in the presence of an initiator like persulfate anions, to produce a coated polymer, which maybe hydrophilic in nature.

Abstract: A method and system of treating wastewater that can provide operating flexibility is disclosed. The system is operated with a sequencing batch reactor, which is typically cycling to any of fill, react, settle, decant, and idle stages, to treat the wastewater. The system can further utilize a membrane filtration system to further treat water from the sequencing batch reactor and produce suitable water. A solids-reducing system can be connected to the sequencing batch reactor and reduce an amount of biodegraded solids by converting the character or distribution of microorganisms population in the biomass.

Abstract: A synergistic composition is provided for controlling odor from waste products. The composition comprises a combination of nitrate salt, sulfide-consuming compound, pH-elevating compound, sulfide-oxidizing, nitrate-reducing bacteria, and sulfide-oxidizing enzyme. The method includes adding a sufficient amount of the composition to a waste stream to provide sufficient sulfide-consuming compound to effect immediate removal of sulfide. The composition incorporates a pH elevating compound, which both decreases the amount of gaseous H2S and puts the aqueous phase into a pH range where naturally occurring bacteria can more easily metabolize the sulfide. The composition also includes one or more nitrate salts which will accomplish longer term prevention of odors. Specific bacteria are incorporated into the formulation to insure that the nitrate has the right type and amount of bacteria present to prevent formation of and/or consume sulfide.

Abstract: A filter device is configured to filter a liquid. The filter device includes a drum sized to receive the liquid and a plurality of filter panels coupled to the drum to define a plurality of discs. The liquid passes through at least a portion of one of the discs. Each filter panel includes a perimeter frame that defines a panel normal flow area and a filter media coupled to the perimeter frame. The filter media may be adapted to include a plurality of pleats.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane bioreactor process combined with an advanced biological sludge digestion process that provides significant improvements in sludge digestion by reducing the costs and resources required for disposing of digested sludge. The offline treatment vessel is used to solubilize the organic material by operating in a very low oxygen environment. Digested process fluid is transferred back to the membrane bioreactor. The processes and apparatus substantially reduce the production of waste sludge. The device includes one or more weirs operable to remove grease and scum.

Abstract: An activated carbon-metal oxide matrix is disclosed. The activated carbon-metal oxide matrix may be obtained by a method including the steps of: preoxidizing a carbon material, grinding the preoxidized carbon material; mixing the ground preoxidized material with a metal oxide to form a carbon mixture; extruding the carbon mixture; carbonizing and activating the extrudate. The activated carbon-metal oxide matrix may be used to remove odorous compounds, acidic gases, and volatile organic compounds from a gas.

Abstract: A porous polymeric membrane formed from a blend of a polymeric membrane forming material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polysulfone and a polymeric reactivity modifying agent adapted to modify the surface active properties of the porous polymeric membrane. The reactivity modifying agent is preferably a linear polymeric anhydride, such as poly(alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride). The surface activity modifications include modification of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity balance of the membrane, or hydrolysis followed by reaction with a polyamine to form a crosslinked polyamide layer. Such modified membranes have use as reverse osmosis membranes.

Abstract: The invention provides low cost methods and apparatus that utilize at least one carbon-filled polymeric electrode to electrolytically generate desirable products.