Abstract: A system and method for removing heavy metals, such as hexavalent chromium from water. The system comprises at least two reactor containers for independently mixing chemicals with water. The system further comprises a flocculator and a clarifier whereby each container can separately treat water therein and separately transfer the treated water to the flocculator such that water treated in batches at the containers can be treated in a relatively independent manner with relatively constant results. The method of chemically treating the water in the containers includes decreasing the pH value, adding a reducing agent and then increasing the pH value in preparation for precipitating the heavy metals in the clarifier.

Abstract: A method is shown for separating water from an oil-water system. A separator composition is blended from cactus extract, and activator and a carrier liquid. The separator composition causes separation of the oil and water into distinct layers which allows the water to be drawn off.

Abstract: Hydroperoxides can be removed from a lubricating oil by contacting the oil with a heterogenous hydroperoxide decomposer. This extends the useful life of the oil and the equipment being lubricated. In a preferred embodiment, the hydroperoxide decomposer is incorporated on a substrate immobilized within the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A bead having an exterior surface which is at least partially coated with a material that under illumination and in the presence of air is capable of accelerating the oxidation of organic compounds floating on water. The coated bead is water floatable and has an equivalent diameter of less than about 2 mm, preferably on the order of 10-30 microns. These coated beads can be used to accelerate under illumination oxidation of a floating oil film (e.g. from an oil spill) by dispersing the coated beads in the film and allowing them to be exposed to solar illumination and oxygen.

Abstract: A process for separating a relatively high molecular polymeric sulfonate, such as a polyvinyl sulfonate, from undesirable by-products of solfonation. An aqueous solution having a polymeric sulfonate dissolved therein is contacted with from about 7.5 to about 40 volume percent of a solvent selected from methanol, ethanol, acetone, or dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether to remove undesirable by-products of sulfonation therefrom and to enhance the molecular weight of the polymeric sulfonate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dewatering aid which functions unexpectedly efficiently in the dewatering of a particulate solids slurry, e.g. mineral ore concentrate or slurry, wherein a dewatering aid is added thereto followed by filtration of the slurry. Such improved dewatering results are achieved by adding to the mineral ore slurry, an effective amount of a dewatering aid comprising an alkoxylated C.sub.6 -C.sub.11 alkanol or alkanoic acid wherein alkoxylation is conducted with propylene oxide or butylene oxide.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for killing and inhibiting growth and reproduction (aftergrowth) of microorganisms comprising adding sufficient chloramine to kill the microorganisms without oxidizing high molecular weight organics, which are not easily assimilated by organisms that survive, into lower molecular weight ones, which are easily assimilated.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing the dissemination of aquatic organisms and decreasing the risk of diseases caused by fungi, such as Pythium and Phythophthora spp, in greenhouse plants grown hydroponically by Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) by treating the water to be used in the NFT with ultraviolet radiation at a wave length of 2537 .ANG. by passing the water in a zone of restricted width adjacent and exposed to the source of ultraviolet radiation and maintaining the temperature of the water in the range of 15.degree. C. to 26.degree. C. as it is passed at the zone. The apparatus includes an elongated cylindrical housing including a top cap and a bottom cap sealingly closing the cylindrical housing. A water inlet is located on the cylindrical housing near the bottom end cap and water outlet on the cylindrical housing near the top cap. An ultraviolet lamp in the form of an elongated cylindrical member extends concentrically within the housing and through the top cap and bottom cap.

Abstract: A method for treating industrial waste water prior to its discharge into the city or county sewer system is provided. The method includes introducing into the waste water an iron-containing compound, a hydroxide and a flocculating agent. This method results in the formation of a sludge cake layer on top of the waste water. The sludge cake is then removed, and the treated waste water is discharged into the sewer system.

Abstract: Surface-distributed hydrocarbons, in particular mineral oil and mineral oil processing products, are removed by allowing water and a polyether containing isocyanate end groups to act on the hydrocarbons and by mechanically removing the gel containing hydrocarbons which is formed.

Abstract: A method of purifying water by processing raw water with a high density light beam obtained by condensing solar light to obtain drinking water, and an apparatus for carrying out the same method, are disclosed.The apparatus according to the invention comprises a light condenser for condensing solar light to obtain a high density light beam and a heat-resistant glass tube having a transparent section for passing original water through a portion corresponding to a focal point of the light condenser.

Abstract: A method for separating mixtures into a first fraction and a second fraction employing a combination of settling, ultrafiltration and permeate/retentate recycle to the settling zone is disclosed. A multi component feed stream is fed to a settling zone wherein it is permitted to separate into two major phases. At the interface of these two phases is an intermediate zone which is relatively equal in concentration of the component in the feed. A slip stream is drawn from the settling zone at this intermediate zone and fed to a membrane separation unit wherein the slip stream is separated into a retentate enriched in one component and a permeate enriched in the other component. The retentate is fed back to the settling zone to an area therein which has a high concentration of the component present in the retentate. The permeate is fed to the settling zone to an area therein which has a high concentration of the component present in the permeate.

Abstract: An automatic processor (1) has a developing tank (2) filled with a developer. In a memory (12), five programs for conducting various types of replenishments of the developer with chemicals (A, B and C) are previously stored. Mixing ratios of the chemicals are also stored in the memory. Area of photosensitive materials brought into the automatic processor are detected by a sensor (8), and in accordance with the area, the chemicals are delivered to the developing tank. By variably determining the mixing ratios according to the respective purposes of the replenishments, the replenishments can be attained under optimum conditions.

Abstract: A surfactant stabilizer and method for aqueous boiler treatments is disclosed. The method includes using the combination of one or more lower alkyl or substituted amines or phosphoric acid with nonionic surfactant boiler water treatments. The addition of one or more lower alkyl or substituted amines or phosphoric acid stabilizes the nonionic surfactant boiler water treatments by increasing high temperature stability and/or high salt concentration tolerance.

Abstract: An aqueous solution for removing metals from waste water contains sodium borohydride, sodium aluminate and sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: The removal of fluoride ion from potassium chloride containing at least a small amount of an acidic component with water is improved by adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution employed in a fractional crystallization of between about pH6 and about pH9 or adjusting the pH of the extractant used in an aqueous extraction by adding an amount of base so that final pH of the the extract is between about pH6 and about pH9. The fluoride ion contamination of potassium chloride, for example, was reduced from 1000 ppm to 90 ppm by adjusting the aqueous solution employed in a recrystallization of pH6.5 before precipitation.

Abstract: Cationic organic impurities such as ternary sulfonium ions and quaternary ammonium and phosphonium compounds are effectively removed from polar liquids such as water or water/alcohol mixtures by contacting the polar liquid with an absorbent comprising a trinitroarenol such as a picric acid. This method is particularly effective for removing such cationic impurities from polar liquids containing organic zwitterions.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the detoxification of effluents containing cyanide by treating with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating waste water which comprises the steps of adding thermal decomposition product consisting of CaO-MgO-SiO.sub.2 system compound singly or in combination with at least a metal salt selected from the group consisting of iron salts and magnesium salts to waste water containing an emulsion or a latex, thereby causing coagulation and sedimentation of particles consisting mainly of resin existing in the waste water and then removing the coagulated particles.

Abstract: In a processing for treating waste containing effluent water from a food processing plant, the effluent water is contacted with a flocculant comprising a crude algal composition or a crude alkali processed algal composition obtained from algae selected from the classes Rhodophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Phaeophyceae, at an acidic pH. A floc, which contains substantially all of the solid waste components of the effluent water, is formed as a result of the treatment process, and can be recovered for use in animal feedstocks or as other products such as fertilizers, or safely disposed of an in landfill operations. The clarified effluent water is sufficiently waste free that it can be forwarded to a secondary treatment facility or back into the food processing plant for reuse in certain plant operations.