Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for the treatment of hazardous biological materials being exhausted from sewer and grease trap vents. These vents may be located on the roof of public schools, commercial kitchens or multiple occupant restroom facilities. The method eliminates odors and kills bacteria associated with said emissions from sewer and grease trap vents. These emissions are neutralized when exposed to a mixture of ozone and ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A catalyst for the purification, e.g., disinfection, of water is disclosed. The catalyst of the invention comprises a substrate, a first metal, and at least one additional metal. The metals are codeposited on the substrate to form a unified structure. Methods of using the catalyst to disinfect water and devices for the purification of water are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable oxidant generator for generating oxidants suitable for sterilizing contaminated drinking water, thereby providing potable water. The oxidant generator optionally comprises an electrolytic cell and a power supply or source for powering the generator. In a preferred embodiment, the cell holds an electrolyte solution such that the solution contacts an anode and a cathode. The power supply provides electrical charge that is passed to the electrolyte solution and/or other electrolyte substance. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply includes an energy storage device that is charged to predetermined voltage. The energy storage device is preferably charged by a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The present invention optionally includes an electrolyte storage compartment in the cap.

Abstract: A polymer-micelle complex is disclosed. The polymer-micelle complex includes a micelle having a negative charge. The negatively charged micelle is bound electrostatically to a polymer bearing a positive charge. The complex can be in turn electrostatically bound to a siliceous material so that the complex is immobilized on the siliceous material. In addition, a composition comprising a negatively charged micelle, a positively charged polymer, and an aqueous carrier is disclosed. The aqueous carrier can exhibit salinity. In the composition, the micelle and polymer can electrostatically interact so as to form a polymer-micelle complex (which can either be soluble in the aqueous carrier or in the form of a precipitate or coacervate), or, alternatively, the polymer and micelle can remain separate such that a complex is not formed therebetween.

Abstract: A method for treating a liquid (e.g. water) with a gas (e.g. air) containing ozone includes passing air through an corona discharge ozone generator to produce air containing ozone and introducing the air containing ozone into the liquid; and, periodically de-energizing the ozone generator and passing air through the ozone generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of oxidation, of the wet oxidation or ozonization type, of a liquid contained in a reactor. The gas of the gas headspace is aspirated into the liquid, and the portion which is not dissolved in the liquid is recovered in the gas headspace. The agitation means creates a flow of liquid immediately adjacent to the end of the duct opening into the liquid, and generates a gas/liquid dispersion in the zone, within which the liquid reacts with the gas, then conveys and ejects the said dispersion at its periphery, such that the gas is dissolved in the liquid in the zone extending from the agitation means to the surface of the liquid. The said process is particularly suitable for oxidations which make use of considerable quantities of oxygen or of ozone. It is particularly applied for the oxidation of papermaking liquors.

Abstract: Describes a method for dissolving a solid chemical material, such as calcium hypochlorite, with a solvating liquid, e.g., water, in a chemical feeder operating under positive pressure wherein an inert gas, e.g., air, is injected into the solvating liquid, e.g., by use of an injector nozzle, and the resultant mixture of inert gas and solvating liquid is forwarded to the chemical feeder. Sufficient air is charged to the chemical feeder to limit the level of solvating liquid in the feeder and thereby limit the amount of solid chemical material contacted by the solvating liquid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for depositing a chemical over a body of water. In one embodiment the invention includes collecting and concentrating a floating contaminant between two floating booms pulled by one or more surface vessels. The booms define an aperture intermediate of their endpoints, and the towing of the boom results in the flow of concentrated contaminant through the aperture. One or more nozzles proximate the aperture deposit a chemical, such as a liquid dispersant, on the contaminant and water flowing through the aperture. Some embodiments also include a mixing apparatus placed at aft of the aperture for inducing mixing of the deposited chemical and the floating contaminant.

Abstract: A device for automatically feeding soluble fluid treating agents in tablet form into a fluid body having an elongated member, a platform member adaptable for holding a plurality of tablets and being selectively positionable relative to the fluid body, and an attachment mechanism for attaching the present device to a portion of the structure surrounding or containing the fluid body. When a plurality of tablets are loaded onto the platform member, the platform member can be selectively positioned such that any portion of one or more of the plurality of tablets can be immersed within the fluid body. Each tablet preferably includes an opening extending therethrough adaptable for receiving the elongated member, the present device having particular utility in a wide variety of different fluid treating applications including toilet bowl tank applications and swimming pool/spa applications.

Abstract: An extractant medium for extracting alkaline earth cations from an aqueous acidic sample solution is described as are a method and apparatus for using the same. The separation medium is free of diluent, free-flowing and particulate, and comprises a Crown ether that is a 4,4′(5′)[C4-C8-alkylcyclohexano]18-Crown-6 dispersed on an inert substrate material.

Abstract: A process for photocatalytic removal of organic substances from waste waters, wherein by way of photocatalyst use is made of granulates based on pyrogenically prepared titanium dioxide having the following physicochemical characteristic data: Mean grain diameter: 10 to 150 &mgr;m BET surface: 25 to 100 m2/g pH value: 3 to 6 Compacted bulk density: 100 to 1,200 g/l.

Abstract: Provided are methods for substantially removing organic substances from an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution is contacted with a synthetic hydrated calcium silicate. Components that can be removed from aqueous solution include bacterial, plant, algal and fungal components. Exemplary components include endotoxins. The aqueous solution comprises, for example, water, a chemically buffered solution, a pharmaceutical solution, a solution comprising a nutritional supplement, a culture medium, or a growth medium. Other examples include pharmaceutical compendial water and non-compendial water. In one embodiment of the method, the pH of the aqueous solution is maintained at a selected pH to promote the separation, for example, about pH 5.5 to 9.5, or, e.g., about pH 5.5 to 7.5.

Abstract: A system comprising an ozone generator for generating ozone and a venturi for mixing the liquid to be ozonated with the generated ozone. The ozone generator is coupled to an orifice for supplying the generated ozone thereto. A pump is coupled to an outlet of the reservoir for pumping liquid to be ozonated from the reservoir to venturi. An outlet of the venturi is connected to a return inlet of the reservoir for supplying ozonated liquid back to the reservoir. A mixing chamber interconnects the outlet of the venturi to the return inlet of the reservoir, and the mixing chamber facilitates adequate mixing of the ozone supplied to the liquid to be ozonated and facilitates substantially complete dissolving of any remaining ozone bubbles and ozone pockets within the liquid to thereby result in substantially uniform mixture of ozonated liquid for supply back to the reservoir having an increased contact rate of ozone to liquid of about 80% to 90%.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing dissolution of gases in liquids by ejecting the gas-liquid mixture through nozzles in a reaction vessel. The nozzles are pressurized, sized and directed to produce micro-fine gas bubbles in the liquid and to initiate rotational flow of the gas-liquid mixture in the reaction vessel. The small bubble size and rotational flow maximizes the time the gas is in contact with the liquid. The apparatus and method are used to increase the dissolution of ozone gas into aqueous solutions to increase the decomposition of aqueous-based organic compounds, precipitation of heavy metals, and destruct and/or deactivate enteric viruses, enteric bacteria, and protozoans. An alternative embodiment mixes the gas with the liquid prior to ejection through the nozzles.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention for treating excess wastewater from a sewer system includes receiving excess wastewater from the sewer system in a first portion of a shaft structure; allowing a first quantity of the wastewater to flow from the first portion of the shaft structure into a tunnel in inhibitable fluid communication with the shaft structure; allowing a second quantity of the wastewater to flow from the first portion of the shaft structure into a second portion of the shaft structure when flow into the tunnel is inhibited; injecting a treating agent into the second quantity of wastewater so as to treat the second quantity of wastewater; and allowing a portion of the second quantity of wastewater to flow from the second portion of the shaft structure to an effluent passage in fluid communication with the second portion of the shaft structure after the step of injecting a treating agent.

Abstract: A system and method for treating water to be used for irrigation. The system and method utilizes an apparatus for generating ozone and other atoms and molecules resulting from the bombardment of a feed gas with electrons has, preferably, a first electrode positioned within a channel in a second electrode. The first electrode is a substantially sealed tube made of dielectric material, having at least one electron gun positioned proximate an end thereof for firing electrons into the first electrode. In electrical communication with the electron gun is a rod, maintained in a tube also made of dielectric material, which acts to maintain a constant energy level through the length of the rod and thus the length of the electrode. Within the first electrode is an inert gas which, upon the firing of the electron gun, is formed into a plasma.

Abstract: An automatic system and process for effectively, reliably and economically reconditioning for direct reuse various waste water, and particularly that in the poultry and other food processing industries, without the use of added chemicals and filter-aid compounds. The system includes water filtration and purification units, the purification unit consisting of an ultra-violet sterilizer. The integrity of the reconditioned water is continuously monitored in-line by sensors, which information is directly correlated to correspond to associated levels of solids and microorganisms. This invention presents a fully automated process to provide reconditioned water essentially free of microorganisms and of acceptable clarity to meet current United States Department of Agriculture regulations for food processing reuse.

Abstract: A water purification device, method and system with the water purification device having a container for holding a water purification material therein with the water purification device including a shroud extending in a direction generally normal to a flow of debris laden water with the shroud inhibiting direct flow of debris into a water inlet in the water purification device by directing water and debris over the shroud and around the water purification device while a portion of the water can be directed laterally into the water purification material within the water purification device to thereby purify the water that flows over the water purification materials with the water purification device including multiple spaced and positioned water inlets so that the likelihood of the water inlet being completely obstructed is remote.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for purifying the water in spas or hot tubs are provided. Such apparatus include an ozone generator sized and adapted to purify the water in a spa or jetted tub, the ozone generator including a chip electrode assembly adapted to produce ozone from air using an electric discharge; and a transfer assembly cooperating with said ozone generator to pass ozone produced by the ozone generator to the water in the spa or jetted tub.

Abstract: A feeder uses vortex flow to facilitate the dissolving of a chlorine-containing water treatment chemical. A feeder inlet receives water which is directed to a chamber by a conduit. A vortex flow in the chamber receives amounts of the chemical from a reservoir. Chlorine-containing water exits through an outlet.