Abstract: A water filter device mountable on a faucet facilitates water flow in substantially one linear direction through a filtering cartridge which comprises activated carbon or charcoal material. The water filtration device includes a valve assembly for selectively operating the filtering device for generating filtered or unfiltered water. The filtering device preferably includes a disc shaped filtering housing having a disc shaped filtering block of activated carbon material therein for filtering water. The present invention simplifies the flow path of water from the inlet through the filtering cartridge and provides for a more compact and lower profile filtering device which saves space in the sink associated with the water filtration device. It also provides for little or no pressure differential for flow through the filter.

Abstract: A water filtering apparatus with water flow switch valve device includes a water container filled with filtering materials and a switch valve device. The switch valve device includes a valve seat, a split valve, a control rod, and a valve cover. The valve seat is provided with threaded holes for connection with water pipes. The split valve has an interior divided into two isolated and non-communicating chambers. The outer wall of the split valve enclosing the chambers is provided with spaced water holes. When the split valve is installed in the valve seat and the valve cover is assembled to the valve seat, the split valve may be used to control the direction of flow of water into the water container for purposes of filtering water or purging the water container.

Abstract: An installation for separating and purifying solids from a suspension and/or for leaching out solid particles has a cylinder and a piston movable therein. A sealing part of the piston is in contact with the interior wall of the cylinder. A filter is positioned some distance away from the sealing part of the piston. A discharge chamber is located between the filter and the sealing part of the piston. A pump chamber is formed below the sealing part of the piston and a washing column chamber containing a packed bed of solid particles is formed above the filter. During a downward pump stroke of the piston, suspension is forced, via at least one connecting channel between the pump chamber and the washing column chamber, to the washing column chamber. During a compression stroke, liquid is brought via the filter to the discharge chamber and discharged via a discharge line. Solid particles, such as crystals, remain behind on the filter and are compressed against the packed bed.

Abstract: A cyst reduction water filter and a method and carafe system for using it, wherein the filter incorporates a cellular ceramic honeycomb filter element of a selectively plugged channel configuration wherein all water filtration paths traverse porous channel walls, the walls exhibiting open porosity characterized by a median pore diameter in the range of about 2-8 micrometers and with pores over 10 microns in diameter comprising not more than 10% of the open pore volume, and wherein the filter element has a primed water flux of at least 0.3 ml/min/cm3 under a water pressure of 0.3 psig.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for contacting solids and fluids are provided, where the fluids are allowed to traverse a downward path through a plurality of vertically arranged chambers in which said solids are located. The solids may be transferred upwardly through the chambers to assure optimal contact between the solids and the fluids. The transfer of the solids may be accomplished by fluidizing the solids and transporting them in a carrier fluid in a fluid flow loop. At the desired transfer location, the solids are prevented from completing passage through the fluid loop.

Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrocarbon contaminates from groundwater and/or wastewater in ground wells, treatment trenches or above-ground tanks which utilizes differential pressure between the area above the groundwater and/or wastewater and the purging gas introduced therein to the upward flow of bubbles of the purging gas through the groundwater and/or wastewater requiring stripping or volatilization to remove the hydrocarbon contaminates therefrom.

Abstract: A waste water stream containing cyanide bearing compounds and heavy metals such as copper, silver, nickel, iron and the like is directed from a source after pH adjustment to a first tank containing adsorption material in the form of granular activated carbon. The waste water is oxygenated by compressed air. The cyanide bearing compounds and heavy metal are adsorbed onto the surface of the adsorption material which is pretreated to an initial pH in the range between about 8.5 to 11. The effluent from the first tank is pH adjusted by a pH controller which adds a caustic solution to the effluent to maintain a control point pH. The pH adjusted effluent is directed toward a second tank containing pretreated adsorption materials. The water stream free of cyanide and metal contaminants is directed to an effluent tank for safe discharge. Thereafter a stripping solution preferably containing sulfuric acid is circulated through the tank to remove the adsorbed metal for the adsorption material.

Abstract: A method for removing selenocyanate from aqueous waste water containing a reducing agent by adding a water soluble cupric salt, said waste water containing a reducing agent having a potential to reduce the cupric ion to the cuprous ion, and removing the resulting selenocyanate precipitate from said waste water.

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: The present invention relates to a process to remove quaternary ammonium salt (QS), from brine solution. The process uses an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbon and pyrolyzed sulfonated polystyrene divinylbenzene resin, or mixtures thereof which aids in removing the quaternary ammonium salt (QS). The process can be generally carried out at a temperature ranging from about −10° C. to about 90° C., at a pH ranging from about 1 to about 13.

Abstract: A method for removal of cesium from aqueous solution, particularly from nuclear waste liquids. The cesium-containing aqueous solution is contacted with a solid-state hexacyanoferrate compound of a transition element for binding cesium to the hexacyanoferrate. The aqueous solution of reduced cesium content is separated from the hexacyanoferrate. Preferably, a nickel or cobalt hexacyanoferrate is utilized having a fraction of exchangeable transition elements smaller than 35 %. The hexacyanoferrate compound of said transition element may be produced by slowly adding an aqueous solution of the hexacyanoferrate into the transition element salt solution, the concentration of the transition element salt solution being at least 0.35 mol/l, stirring the mixture at ambient temperature during the addition, and separating and recovering the resulting hexacyanoferrate precipitate from the mixture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing oxyanionic contaminants, such as arsenate (As(V)) and selenite (Se(IV)), from polluted water. The system utilizes calcium alginate which has been doped with ferric iron. The system is operated as either a batch-type or continuous feed purifier. A dehydrator is included for drying spent absorbent beads to form a dry disposable solid waste product.

Abstract: Arsenic filtering media consisting essentially of calcined diatomite particles, and between 5% and 30% by weight of ferric ions bonded to the calcined diatomite particles. One method for producing the filtering media consists of: generating a mixture of calcined diatomite particles and ferric chloride; allowing the mixture to sit for an extended period, thereby allowing ferric chloride to thoroughly impregnate the diatomite particles; and slowly adding sodium hydroxide to the mixture until the pH of the mixture reaches a value of at least 9.0, for ensuring unhasty and full conversion of ferric chloride into ferric hydroxide. The filtering media thus obtained have strong and durable bonds between ferric ions and the diatomite particles. The filtering media are renewable several times with minimum reduction to their arsenic adsorption capacity. A method for renewing the filtering media comprises in-situ desorption of arsenic using sodium hydroxide and rinsing with water.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use with a bottle having a substantially circular cross-section neck or open end includes a cap for closing the bottle neck or open end including an upper surface, and a manual valve associated with an outer substantially liquid impermeable housing may be operatively connected to the cap at an upper end of the housing and has a number of substantially radially extending openings adjacent the upper end portion to allow liquid to flow into a substantially annular open cavity within the housing. The cavity substantially radially surrounds an inner at least primarily radial flow filter element, such as a carbon/plastic matrix which removes chlorine from drinking water. A treating element is positioned so that water flowing through the openings and into the cavity is treated, either by removing contaminants from the water, or by chilling it.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of removing trace acidic impurities from an impure solution of photoacid generating compounds in a solvent, comprising contacting an impure solution of at least one photoacid generating compound containing trace amounts of acidic impurities with an amine-containing ion exchange resin for a sufficient amount of time to remove substantially all of the acidic impurities from the impure solution, thereby producing a pure solution of at least one photoacid generating compounds substantially free of trace acidic impurities. The invention is also directed to a solution of at least one photoacid generating compound substantially free of trace acidic impurities made by the above process.

Abstract: A process for removing or stabilizing arsenic and/or selenium from aqueous streams or slurries is provided that includes contacting the streams or slurry with a composition containing lanthanum chloride. The lanthanum chloride composition can optionally contain various lanthanides. The composition can optionally contain ferric or ferrous sulfate. The process is preferably conducted by adjusting the pH of solution to between about 8 or 10, adding 2 moles of lanthanum chloride for every mole of arsenic or selenium ions present in solution, adding 5 to 6 moles ferric or ferrous ions for every mole of arsenic or selenium ions present in solution and adjusting the oxidation potential of the solution to between 200-400 mV for removal of selenium ions and between 100-200 mV for removal of arsenic ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a protein-polysaccharide complex composition as an adsorbent and filtering aid for in the processing of fluids or solids to absorb or decompose a variety of separable components including halogenated organic compounds such as PCBs and dioxins.

Abstract: A water softening system includes a resin tank which has an open drain during a regeneration cycle, and a pressurized brining system communicating with the resin tank. The brining system includes a closed brine reservoir with an outlet communicating with the resin tank and an inlet adapted to be coupled to a pressurized source of water, a salt reservoir at atmospheric pressure, and a semi-permeable membrane in communication with and forming a partition between the reservoirs and allowing free movement of salt ions therethrough while substantially inhibiting flow of water therethrough to form brine in the brine reservoir, which brine is then urged through the brine outlet and into the resin tank by the water pressure in the brine reservoir.

Abstract: For the removal of trace quantities of iodine-containing contaminants from corrosive liquid feed streams, an alternative with distinct advantages over the prior art is provided. The treatment method involves the use of a crystalline manganese phosphate which has been cation-exchanged with an iodine-reactive metal. This inorganic adsorbent may be used in unbound form, or it can bound with a substantially insoluble porous inorganic refractory metal oxide binder. A reactivation technique for this material is also presented.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of decontaminating a photographic effluent. The method comprises contacting the effluent with a fibrous polymeric alumino-silicate and, optionally, with a cerium-based catalyst on an activated carbon membrane. The iron, silver, thiosulphate and organics contents of photographic effluents are reduced.