Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a carbon-based boron removal medium with hydroxyl groups and amine group, and in particular, to a method for forming the carbon-based boron removal medium. In a specific embodiment, nitrogen-doped (“N-doped”) graphene oxide is synthesized by a simple two-step process: (1) oxidation of graphite to graphene oxide, and (2) nitrogen-doping (“N-doping”) the graphene oxide to form the amine group. The resultant N-doped graphene oxide can efficiently remove boron from aqueous solutions. In another embodiment, a method of sensing or detecting the presence of boron in an aqueous solution by using a boron sensing medium comprises at least two hydroxyl groups and at least one pyridinic nitrogen or pyrrolic nitrogen or quaternary nitrogen (i.e. pyridoxine, in particular vitamin B6).

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. The apparatus preferably includes at least one underdrain lateral having at least an inner chamber, a first outer chamber and a second outer chamber. The first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably in fluid communication with the inner chamber. The inner chamber, the first outer chamber and the second outer chamber are preferably formed by an inner liner and an outer liner. The outer liner is a separate piece from the inner liner and surrounds the inner liner. The inner chamber is preferably configured to simultaneously receive a liquid and a gas during a washing procedure including simultaneous use of a liquid and gas to clean a filter bed to create a liquid and gas interface in the inner chamber.

Abstract: A water processing device is provided for removing micro-pollutants, in particular medicaments, from water, the device comprising at least one filter unit which is provided for at least one filtering of water in at least one operating state and which comprises at least one tubular filter element with at least two end portions, and comprising at least one adsorption unit which at least partially adsorbs the micro-pollutants in at least one operating state, wherein the at least two end portions enclose an inner angle of from 0° to 90° when in the assembled state.

Abstract: A modular underdrain system is disclosed. The modular underdrain system may comprise an intermediate modular component having a first peripheral side including a first mating portion and a second peripheral side including a second mating portion. The second mating portion may be sized and shaped to engage with a first mating portion of an adjacent modular component. A modular component chamber may be bounded by an underdrain floor side and an internal side. The underdrain floor side may comprise a plurality of slots. The metering pipe is sized to be positioned within a metering pipe opening in the internal side with a distributor head positioned within the modular component chamber. The metering pipe may comprise a set of one or more remote orifices and a set of one or more proximate orifices.

Abstract: A reusable water filter cartridge comprises a housing having a water-permeable base and a body extending from the base. The base and the body define a cavity for receiving filter media. There is a water-permeable lid which is removably securable to the housing via interlocking connectors on the lid and the housing. The lid is securable to the housing by rotating the lid relative to the housing in a first rotational direction to engage the connectors on the lid and the housing with each other. The lid is releasable from the housing by rotating the lid relative to the housing in a second rotational direction which is opposite to the first rotational direction to disengage the connectors on the lid and the housing from each other. Water to be filtered enters the housing via the lid, passes through the filter media contained in the cavity, and exits the housing via the base.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of water containing low quantities of hydrocarbons (as dispersed or dissolved or emulsified) by means of expanded graphite having an apparent density from 2 to less than 5 g/l, wherein said hydrocarbons are present in a quantity less than or equal to 1 g/l, a specific surface area from 50 to 100 m2/g and a carbon/oxygen ratio (C:O)?100. The expanded graphite is mixed vigorously for a short time with the water contaminated by hydrocarbons and easily separated at the end of the treatment.

Abstract: An underdrain block for filtering water includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define an internal chamber. The bottom wall contains a plurality of orifices that allow liquid and solid materials to enter and exit the internal chamber. An underdrain filtering system can be formed by securing an underdrain lateral, which is formed from one or a plurality of underdrain blocks, to a filter floor. Also included is a method of preparing an underdrain lateral for providing even distribution of backwash water along the underdrain lateral and a method of validating even distribution of backwash water across an underdrain lateral.

Abstract: A filter media retainer has a plate having a first end wall, a second end wall, and a pair of longitudinal sidewalls connected to opposing sides of the first end wall and the second end wall. The plate has a top surface opposite a bottom surface. A plurality of hopper-shaped compartments are formed on the top surface and have a first sloped wall and a second sloped wall angled toward the first sloped wall in a direction from the top surface toward the bottom surface. The plate further has a top sidewall on the top surface of the plate separating adjacent hopper-shaped compartments from each other. The plate further has at least one first slot extending through at least one of the first sloped wall and the second sloped wall, and at least one second slot extending through the top sidewall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for exchanging interlayer anions of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) with other anions whose affinity for the LDH is lower than the one of the starting interlayer anions, which comprises the successive steps of: (1) exchanging the starting interlayer anions of a layered double hydroxide with polyoxometalate anions in order to obtain a layered double hydroxide with polyoxometalate anions as interlayer anions, and (2) exchanging the polyoxometalate anions of the layered double hydroxide obtained in step (1) with other anions whose affinity for the LDH is lower than the one of the starting interlayer anions in order to obtain a layered double hydroxide with other anions as interlayer anions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating an aqueous fluid, comprising bringing into contact the aqueous fluid with a fluidised bed of powdered activated carbon, and separating the aqueous fluid from the bed of powdered activated carbon, including a step of managing the fluidised bed of powdered activated carbon. The management step comprises the extraction of a fraction of the fluidised bed of powdered activated carbon in the form of sludge, at least a separation of the sludge extracted in the previous step so as to obtain a fraction having an insoluble index HCl which is higher than that of the sludge before separation by at least 5 percentage points, and a reinjection of said fraction into the fluidised bed of powdered activated carbon.

Abstract: A method of removing an organic pollutant from water by contacting the water with a ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder to adsorb the organic pollutant onto the ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder. A method of producing a ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder involving ball milling oil fly ash to provide ball milled oil fly ash particles with an average particle size of less than 1 ?m and sonicating the ball milled oil fly ash particles in an aqueous medium to form the ball milled and sonicated oil fly ash powder. A method of improving recovery of valuable metals/elements from oil fly ash.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the removal and disposal of radium form an aqueous medium. The systems and methods include the removal of radium from a source by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is monitored for radiation levels and replaced with fresh zeolite when the level of radioactivity reaches approximately 9,000 pCi/g. Spent zeolite is disposed of at a low-level radioactive waste site. A system for monitoring and maintaining radium removal and disposal by an off-site provided is also disclosed.

Abstract: Industrial and residential water treatment systems and devices are disclosed for use in preventing hard water buildup or in removing such buildup. The systems and devices include fixed and removable components for delivering water treatment composition. In addition, novel water treatment compositions and methods of treating water are disclosed.

Abstract: A self-regenerating ion-exchange water softener has an inlet connectable to a source of softenable water under pressure, a resin chamber connected thereto, and an outlet connected to the resin chamber. A salt chamber is located above the resin chamber and contains a water-soluble salt for regenerating the resin. A chamber connection allows controlled downward flow of fluid from the salt chamber to the resin chamber. A first normally-open pressure-sensitive valve closes in response to increased water pressure in the resin chamber, and normally permits a downward fluid flow from the salt chamber to the resin chamber. A passageway permits pressurized water to flow upwardly from the resin chamber to a point above the high-water mark of the salt chamber to generate salt solution for contacting and regenerating the resin, and has a discharge control above the high-water mark.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering a fluid stream is disclosed herein. The filter system includes a first fluid passage, a first chamber, a second chamber, an adsorbing media, and a second fluid passage. The first fluid passage is arranged such that a fluid stream can flow through the first fluid passage and into the filter system. The first chamber is arranged to hold suspended or dissolved solids, pollutants, and nutrients that are filtered from the fluid stream. The second chamber is positioned above the first chamber and in fluid communication with the first chamber. The adsorbing media is positioned in the second chamber. The second fluid passage is arranged such that filtered fluid from the fluid stream can flow out of the filtering system through the second fluid passage.

Abstract: A method for removing chromium from a water source can include delivering source water having a hexavalent chromium oxyanion into contact with an ion exchange resin to exchange the hexavalent chromium oxyanion for an anion and convert the source water to treated water, discharging the treated water, rinsing the ion exchange resin with a brine solution to remove the hexavalent chromium oxyanion from the ion exchange resin, converting the hexavalent chromium oxyanion to a trivalent chromium cation, binding the trivalent chromium cation to a chelating resin, and removing the trivalent chromium cation bound to the chelating resin.

Abstract: Multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate stormwater environmental runoff of sediment, hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The stormwater filter socks comprise at least two tubes that are spaced apart by a separator web, and are filled with different types of absorbent media. The stormwater filter socks may be placed around the top grate of a storm drain chamber, and around other environmental runoff sources such as trash bins, roof downspouts and outdoor material stockpiles. The multiple-tube stormwater filter socks may be used to mitigate drips and spills of hydrocarbons such as motor oils, and may be used to contain zinc, copper, lead, chromium, cadmium and other heavy metals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water softener valve and a water softener, the water softener valve includes a valve body, the valve body includes a valve cavity, and an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a waste water passage all communicated with the valve cavity, the valve cavity, the inlet passage, the outlet passage, and the waste water passage all extend towards a first direction, the inlet passage, the outlet passage, and the waste water passage are all located at a periphery of the valve cavity, and adjacent to the valve cavity; ends of the inlet passage, the outlet passage, and the waste water passage which are all located at a same end of the valve body towards the first direction respectively form an inlet, an outlet, and a waste water port.

Abstract: Methods and nanocomposites for the adsorptive removal of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene from contaminated water sources and systems are provided. The nanocomposites contain carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanoparticles such as Al2O3, Fe2O3 and ZnO impregnated on a surface and/or in pore spaces of the carbon nanotubes. Methods of preparing and characterizing the nanocomposite adsorbents are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for water treatment and environmental remediation using nanoparticle supported lipid bilayers (NP-SLBs). In one embodiment, the NP-SLBs are single or multilayer lipid bilayers of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) supported by silica.