Abstract: A filter assembly for a water purifying apparatus including a plurality of cartridges. Each cartridge includes first and second ends and an interior volume containing a filtering medium. A plurality of end caps are respectively connected with the first ends of the plurality of cartridges and each end cap includes a water inlet and a water outlet. A removable manifold is coupled with the water inlets and water outlets and the manifold includes a pair of auxiliary ports. One auxiliary port directs water from the cartridge assembly to an auxiliary processing device and another auxiliary port directs the water from the auxiliary processing device back to the filter assembly. The water inlets and water outlets extend generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of each cartridge. The cartridge includes an outer tubular member in fluid communication with the water inlet and an inner tubular member in fluid communication with the water outlet.

Abstract: A single step wet oxidation process for treating wastewaters containing organic species, with or without heteroatoms, and anions of strong acids, e.g. sulfate or phosphate ion, or cations of strong bases, e.g., sodium, potassium or calcium ions, and which may contain ammonium ion and/or nitrate ion in addition to added ammonium ion and/or nitrate ion was developed which on thermal treatment near the critical temperature of water removes substantially all the COD and nitrogen through conversion to water, carbon dioxide or carbonate species, nitrogen gas and small amounts of nitrous oxide. Key to the success of the process is the balancing of all reducing species with an equivalent amount of oxidizing species and the balancing of all strong acid anions with strong base cations and including at least 0.06 acetate ion for moles of nitrate in the wet oxidation process.

Abstract: An agricultural lagoon and manure treatment system to maintain the lagoon and lagoon water in a more useable condition through the use of sulfuric acid to treat the system components of confined animal feeding operations, including the lagoon. Relatively pure sulfuric acid is controllably released from a storage tank, through an injection pump and into the fluid line transporting recirculation water from the lagoon to flush livestock alleys and maintain the pH of the lagoon fluid at approximately 6.5 to 7.0. A sulfuric acid injection pump injects the sulfuric acid into the fluid line through a fluid injector at a rate necessary to maintain the lagoon fluid in the desired pH range. The fluid injector injects the acid at or near the center of the water stream in the fluid line. The rate of sulfuric acid injected is determined by checking the pH of the water downstream of the injection point, such as at the flush alleys, with a hand-held, portable pH meter.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of aqueous waste streams having a pH of 5 to 11 and containing organoboron compounds of the formula R4B−1M+ with hydrogen peroxide in order to convert such organoboron compounds to boric acid and organic compounds.

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 process is described for dewatering sewage sludge consisting of the combination of an acidic oxidative preconditioning with an inorganic post-conditioning, in which case the preconditioning comprises an acidification of the sewage sludge and a catalytic partial oxidation by addition of a substoichiometric amount of hydrogen peroxide and iron ions at a pH≦5 and then an inorganic post-conditioning is carried out in which the acidified and partially oxidized sewage sludge is admixed with alkaline earth, and in which case, in the inorganic post-conditioning, sufficient calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is supplied so that the pH of the limed sewage sludge is in the range from at least 9 to at most 11, in order thereafter to dewater the conditioned sewage sludge mechanically.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide in drilling mud comprises adding to the drilling mud which is circulated in a borehole a relatively sparingly soluble divalent iron salt having a solubility from 0.1 to 1000 ppm at room temperature in the drilling mud, whereby the hydrogen sulfide reacts with the divalent iron salt to form iron sulfide.

Abstract: An inner housing (38) is positioned within an outer housing (36). An gas/liquid mixture is caused to flow along a helical path upwardly through an outer chamber (70) that is formed by and between sidewalls (56, 64) of the outer and inner housings (36, 38). The gas/liquid mixture flows through a passageway (74) between a top end wall (62) and an upper end edge (66), from outer chamber (70) into an inner chamber (72). Residual gas is removed from the gas/liquid mixture by a gas-vent device that projects from top end wall (62) downwardly into the inner chamber (72). Liquid in the inner chamber (72) flows downwardly through an outlet opening (54) into an outlet conduit (44). The outlet conduit (44) has an effluent branch that removes liquid from the apparatus. It also includes a second branch conduit that delivers some of the liquid to the inlet of a re-circulating pump (34). The re-circulating pump (34) pumps the re-circulated liquid back into the lower end of the outer chamber (70).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for putting into contact a defined quantity of treatment material with an aqueous solution to be treated. The apparatus comprises at least one medium permeable to the aqueous solution to be treated in which the treatment material is placed. The medium is made of polyester foam and has the form of a closed envelope. The treatment material present in the at least one medium is a material for trapping a compound to be eliminated from the solution.

Abstract: A method and system for wastewater treatment is described and is particularly suitable for industrial lagoons and pits. Specifically, an ozone gas is homogeneously distributed through an upper stratum of a contained liquid thereby creating an aerobic “cap”, while still maintaining an anaerobic lower stratum. A perforated tube or plurality of tubes fixed within the upper stratum serves to distribute the ozone. Alternately, a buoyant vehicle propelled across the surface of the liquid may also serve to distribute the ozone and create the ozonated “cap”. The vehicle provides an additional benefit of crust fragmentation and prevention thereby inhibiting and eliminating fly propagation, and hygienically improving lagoon or pit operation.

Abstract: Decomposition of excess hydroxylamine is accomplished by bringing a hydroxylamine-containing wastewater stream into contact with hydrogen peroxide. Most preferably, the wastewater stream is at neutral pH (e.g., pH between 7-8) and at elevated temperature (e.g., at least about 90° C.) when brought into contact with hydrogen peroxide. The presence of ammonium ion (NH+) accelerates the decomposition of hydroxylamine in the wastewater stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus turbulently exposes water flowing through a water system to a plurality of electrodes of an ion generator and provides a self-contained tank through which water flows. The generally cylindrical containment tank includes a tangential inlet pipe and an elliptical base having an outlet pipe. An aspect ratio, inlet pipe diameter versus containment tank diameter, is defined to achieve optimum ionization. A tank cover serves as the non-electrical conducting head for a plurality of electrodes which extend downwardly from the underside of the cover. The electrodes are functionally configured to maximize water flow between them. The rate of water flow within the containment tank is defined such that residence time of flow within the tank likewise optimizes water ionization. A sight glass allows for visualization of the container contents, and in particular anode wastage or wear, during operation.

Abstract: A system and process for removing contaminants from water and wastewater, where the water or wastewater is transformed into purified water that can be discharged to the environment. Wastewater is transported through several stations for purification, including an electrochemical cell. The purification process begins by sending the wastewater to a classifier through an in-line basket strainer. The wastewater stream in the classifier is drawn through a solid-liquid hydrocyclone, which returns the solids to the classifier and sends the remaining liquid to feed tanks. Contaminants that float are removed from the wastewater by skimming from the surface of the feed tank. The wastewater underflow from the feed tanks is pumped directly to the electrochemical cell where it enters into the bottom of the cell, and exits from the top of the cell. The discharge, including coagulated solids, hydrogen gas, and oxygen gas, is mixed with a polymer as well as compressed air just prior to entering a static in-line mixer.

Abstract: Process for removing heavy metal ions from aqueous media, characterized in that, to precipitate out the heavy metal ions, a sulphide precipitation is carried out in the presence of iron oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for sanitizing and cleaning filtration systems is provided. The apparatus includes a chamber fluidly connected to a source of fluid for backwashing the system, and a heat exchanger for increasing the temperature of the fluid. A filter media is positioned within the chamber. The method of sanitization involves backwashing the apparatus to remove debris, then continuing to circulate the backwash fluid through the system while increasing the temperature of the fluid, until the temperature of the water and apparatus is sufficient to deactivate microorganisms. The method may also involve increasing the disinfecting power of the fluid by adjusting the pH of the fluid. The apparatus may be provided with a scavenger to assist in the substantially complete removal of fluid from the chamber during and after a steaming or cleaning process.

Abstract: A single step wet oxidation process for treating wastewaters containing organic species, with or without heteroatoms, and anions of strong acids, e.g. sulfate or phosphate ion, or cations of strong bases, e.g., sodium, potassium or calcium ions, and which may contain ammonium ion and/or nitrate ion in addition to added ammonium ion and/or nitrate ion was developed which on thermal treatment near the critical temperature of water removes substantially all the COD and nitrogen through conversion to water, carbon dioxide or carbonate species, nitrogen gas and small amounts of nitrous oxide. Key to the success of the process is the balancing of all reducing species with an equivalent amount of oxidizing species and the balancing of all strong acid anions with strong base cations. The former ensures good removal of organic species, ammonium ion and nitrate ion. The latter ensures maintaining the pH in the range of from 1.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing water is treated by contacting the fluorine-containing water with calcium carbonate to react the fluorine in the fluorine-containing water with the calcium carbonate and fix it as calcium fluoride. After the fluorine-containing water is contacted with the calcium salt in the reaction tank to react the fluorine in the fluorine-containing water with the calcium salt and fix it as calcium fluoride, it is subjected to solid/liquid separation, and the treated water is removed while a portion of the sludge concentrated by the solid/liquid separation is returned to the reaction tank.

Abstract: Highly oxidative water containing ozone and/or OH radicals dissolved in a large amount is prepared by dissolving an oxygen rich gas at high pressure in water and then the pressure is lowered to form fine bubbles in water from the dissolved oxygen rich gas and the fine bubbles are exposed to pulse discharge. Method of and apparatus capable of forming highly oxidative water containing ozone or OH radicals at high concentration exhibiting an oxidizing performance at a level sufficient to practical use with excellent power efficiency and productivity by discharge in water.

Abstract: Waste waters are treated with hydroxyl producers in the presence of titanium-containing silicates as catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the treatment of aqueous waste stream containing aldehydes and ketones, in particular, alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, which can be rendered non-toxic to biological treatment systems by contacting the waste stream with organic polyamines and/or inorganic ammonium compounds at essentially ambient conditions.