Abstract: A process for synthesizing a family of non-pillared metal oxide triple layered perovskite has been developed. The perovskite has a surface area of at least 30 m2/g and an empirical formula of AB2M3O10−x where A is a monovalent exchangeable cation such as cesium, B is a divalent or trivalent cation such as strontium or lanthanum and M is a +2, +3, +4 or a +5 valent metal such as niobium, titanium, aluminum or copper. The process involves forming a reaction mixture containing reactive sources of A, B and M at a pH greater than seven and a temperature and time sufficient to form the perovskite. A process for removing contaminants from effluent streams using the above perovskites is also disclosed.

Abstract: A point of entry water treatment system. Components mounted on a base frame are interconnected and provide a system and method for treating freshwater, including from a lake, river, well or cistern, to provide potable water. A pre-filter removes sediment and reduces turbidity, followed by chlorine disinfection of the water. Finally, the water passes through an activated carbon filter to remove remaining free disinfectant and by-products resulting from the application of the disinfectant. Controls are provided that prevent untreated water or raw disinfectant from being output by the system. The controls also dampen the cycling of the system major components to reduce wear and maintenance.

Abstract: A method for removing accumulated metals from a cleaning solution is provided. After removal of the metals, the cleaning solution can be discharged or recycled. The process manipulates the pH levels of the solution as a means of precipitating solids. Preferably a dual phase separation at two different pH levels is utilized.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adsorbent made up of calix [4] arene polymer having a repeating unit, a method of separating divalent lead ions shown by the following chemical formula and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A simulated moving bed separation system is provided, in which a fluid circulation flow path can be washed for a short time. This system is provided with a circulation flow path having two or more packed beds connected in series and endlessly to each other, with desorbing-charging inlet, extract draw-out port, feedstock introducing port and raffinate draw-out port arranged in this order in the direction of flow of a circulation liquid, which are allowed to intermittently shift in the direction while being kept in this order, and with packed bed-washing pipes, valves and pumps. A desorbing liquid is introduced through the desorbing liquid introducing port into the circulation flow path. An extract rich in a strongly adsorptive constituent to be separated is drawn out through the extract draw-out port.

Abstract: An improved method for regenerating ion exchange resin in a treatment tank having a flow direction, which includes the steps of providing a supply of regenerant under pressure into the tank, and introducing the regenerant into the tank in an opposite flow direction to the treatment flow direction. In the preferred embodiment, the regenerant is a combination of CO2 which is mixed with water to form carbonic acid and citric acid. This mixture is then introduced into the treatment tank without storage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting blood substantially free of residual air and undesired matter also assure that accurate crossmatching and typing of cellular blood components can be done prior to transfusion.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying water in large quantities for drinking. The system comprises a housing having a water inlet, filtering means connected to the water inlet for filtering sediment and particulate matter from the water, an inlet pump to keep the water flowing through the housing at a predetermined pressure and a mixed bed multimedia unit connected to the filtering means for removing pollutants and controlling organic growth from the water. There is also an ultra-violet treatment means connected to the mixed bed multimedia unit for subjecting the water in the system to ultraviolet radiation and carbon block filtration means disposed for a final filtering prior to dispensing the water at one or more dispensing. There is also a bottle washing means provided within the housing for cleaning water bottles prior to filling with the purified water. The system can supply drinking water for entire communities, yet is portable enough to be easily transported to disaster areas.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating the heavy hydrogen isotope content of the contaminated water by contacting the contaminated water with a molecular separation material including a support medium carrying a plurality of hydration sites having associated waters of hydration, whereby a portion of the waters of hydration are replaced with heavy hydrogen isotope water molecules from the contaminated water. The hydrogen isotope water molecule content of the contaminated water is thus decreased. The molecular separation material is preferably a polymer, such as a polystyrene/divinyl benzene cross-linked polymer, having hydration sites with associated waters of hydration. Preferred hydration sites are obtained by reacting the polymer, which has been sulfonated or phosphonated to create reactive sites, with a salt of, for example, aluminum, sodium, magnesium, copper, zinc, cobalt, iron, nickel, manganese, potassium and chromium.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning wastewater containing metal ions in solution, hydrogen peroxide, and high solids, e.g., greater than about 50 mg/l particulate solids. A carbon adsorption column removes hydrogen peroxide in the wastewater feed containing high solids. A ion exchange unit removes the metal ions from solution. The process and apparatus remove metal ions such as copper from a high solids byproduct polishing slurry from the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of integrated circuit microchips to form an environmentally clean wastewater discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing deionized water, which has an ion exchanger accommodated in demineralizing compartments of an electrodialyzer having cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes alternately arranged between an anode and a cathode, wherein the ion exchanger is a composite ion exchanger comprising a first porous ion exchanger having a mixture of 60 to 95 wt % of cation exchange resin particles and 5 to 40 wt % of anion exchange resin particles bonded to each other and a second porous ion exchanger having a mixture of 60 to 95 wt % of anion exchange resin particles and 5 to 40 wt % of cation exchange resin particles bonded to each other.

Abstract: A process for removing toxins from fluids, such as bodily fluids or a dialysate solution, is disclosed. The process involves contacting the fluid with a microporous ion exchanger to remove toxins in the fluid.

Abstract: A showerhead having a water filter element held therein. The water filter element is easily changeable by unscrewing two halves of a body forming the showerhead. The body halves are easily gripped and turned, so as to be opened or closed, and the showerhead preferably includes a massage-type head at the lower end thereof, which may be rotated to vary the streams of water exiting the showerhead. The water filter element cooperates with internal components of the halves of the body to direct the flow of water through the filter element, and then out of the massage head. The showerhead may be easily and quickly adapted to be held on any shower arm, and to replace any existing showerhead without taking up as much room as currently existing filter elements used with available showerheads.

Abstract: A water-based heating or cooling plant incorporating a filtration device and a pipeline network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration device having a tank with an upright column of horizontal layers of granulated filtration materials, the densities in the layers increasing from the layer at the top downwardly to the most dense bottom layer, at least one layer being a mechanical layer and at least one layer having a chemically active material to increase the pH value of the water to a magnitude exceeding neutral. The invention includes a method for operating the plant and for backwashing the granulated filtration material.

Abstract: A radial flow fluidized unit (RFFU) (250) employing non-bonded media particles (56) for removing impurities from an influent, that can be backwashed and/or regenerated by fluidizing the media particles (56) to free the impurities therefrom. During a fluidization operation a fluid applies a drag force on a section of the media particles (56) within a volume of the unit where the media co-acts with the influent: (Volume 1). The drag force transports the media particles (56) into a second volume (Volume 2) for fluidization. Under normal conditions the top portion of the unit contains the packed media (56) where the influent co-acts with the media (56) (Volume 1). The RFFU (250) can also operate in the reverse where the bottom or opposite end contains the packed media (56) for co-acting with the influent.

Abstract: A fluid filter comprising a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter element defining an upstream surface communicating with the fluid inlet and a downstream cylindrical surface communicating with the fluid outlet, the filter element comprising a stack of filter disks defining a hollow volume interiorly thereof and a longitudinal axis, and backflushing means for removing filtered out sediment from the filter element comprising an axially displaceable backflushing nozzle assembly disposed within the hollow volume comprising a rotating head coupled to the fluid inlet and having fluid outlet means, arranged to provide a generally radially directed pressurized jet and rotational motion of the rotating head.

Abstract: This invention relates to wastewater treatment, process and preferred systems for practice of the process for the removal of organic and inorganic ingredients contaminating wastewater, thereby to allow the reuse or sewer discharge of water used in various manufacturing and other processes. The process of the invention typically involves initial filtration of the wastewater and contact with a paste mixture consisting of magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium orthophosphate, ferric sulfate, sodium hydrocarbonate, and activated carbon, the activated carbon removing organics such as dyes and the like while the paste mixture precipitates inorganics for subsequent mechanical removal. After treatment with the paste mixture, precipitating compounds are added to precipitate other inorganics. Flocculating agents are then added for further clarification purposes. Material removal then occurs by mechanical extraction including filtration, settling and the like.

Abstract: A deep bed filter principally used for filtration of contaminated aqueous fluid comprises a layer of polymeric cylindrical particles in combination with a layer of anthracite particles and a layer of sand. The polymeric cylindrical particles are approximately 1.5 millimeters in diameter and in the range of 6-12 millimeters high, with a specific gravity of approximately 1.15. When the filter is backwashed particles of anthracite mix with a portion of the polymeric particle layer, thereby creating larger surface voids for penetration of larger contaminant particles into the filter.

Abstract: An adsorbent for toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) comprising a compound which has a log P value of at least 2.50 wherein P is a partition coefficient in an octanol-water system and which is immobilized on a water-insoluble carrier; a method for removing TSST-1 body fluids by adsorption which comprises bringing a body fluid containing TSST-1 into contact with the adsorbent; an adsorber for TSST-1 comprising an adsorbent packed in a container having an inlet and an outlet for a body fluid and a means for preventing the adsorbent from flowing out of the container; and use of the adsorbent. TSST-1 in body fluids can be efficiently removed by the adsorbent.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning wastewater containing metal ions in solution, hydrogen peroxide, and high solids, e.g., greater than about 50 mg/l particulate solids. A carbon adsorption column removes hydrogen peroxide in the wastewater feed containing high solids. A chemical precipitation unit removes the metal ions from solution. The process and apparatus remove metal ions such as copper from a high solids byproduct polishing slurry from the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of integrated circuit microchips to form an environmentally clean wastewater discharge.