Abstract: This invention relates to an intermittent process for inhibiting the settlement of zebra mussels in the post-veliger state in addition to providing infestation control of zebra mussels in the veliger state. The process comprises (a) connecting a chlorine dioxide generator to an entry means, such as a water intake pipe or reservoir, of a flowing aqueous system containing a population of zebra mussel veligers and post-veligers, (b) pumping specified amounts of chlorine dioxide into said aqueous system.

Abstract: Aluminum particles are reacted with heavy metal ions in a first acidic aqueous solution to form heavy metallic particles that are suitable for recycling and reuse when recovered from the first aqueous solution. The first residual aqueous solution may also contains ferrous ions obtained by acid redissolving a co-precipitated heavy metal hydroxide and ferrous hydroxide sludge that is produced in the treatment of a dilute chelated heavy metal solution. The first residual aqueous solution with heavy metals substantially removed is recycled and reused as the ferrous reagent for treating said dilute chelated heavy metal bearing solution. The process disclosed herein is useful for treating both dilute and concentrated wastes and wastewaters generated by industries such as metal plating and metal etching and printed circuit board fabrication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined flocculating and clarifying medium for flocculating and separating solid particles from waste water comprising a mixture of solid filtering or aggregating particles and a dry flocculating agent effective to flocculate the solid particles to form larger and heavier aggregates with the filtering or aggregating particles in the waste water and filtering or gravity separating the formed aggregate from the waste water. Preferably, the filtering and aggregating particles are silicious particles, such as rice hull ash, diatomaceous earth, and perlite. The flocculating and clarifying medium can be combustible or can chemically fix the aggregated solid particles in a silicious cement, which solid particles can include heavy metal particles in silicious cement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, and aspects thereof, and a method for the decomposition of organic material and/or micro-organisms in a solution. The apparatus and the method concerns the provision and irradiation of a semiconductor material in the presence of an applied voltage so as to ensure that electrons liberated by a photochemical reaction are transported away from the semiconductor material, so aiding decomposition of the organic material and or micro-organisms. Further the invention concerns the use of a thermally formed semiconductor film and/or an aerogel semiconductor film for the decomposition of organic material and/or micro-organisms; and also the use of a doped semiconductor film.

Abstract: This is a method of treatment of materials with the use of a sacrificial metal and reducible ions which comprises steps ofa) contacting the material to be treated with the surface of the said sacrificial metal, wherein the said material to be treated is included in an aqueous solution or emulsion or suspension; andb) inducing treatment processes at the surface of the said sacrificial metal by providing said reducible ions included in an electrolyte, wherein the said reducible ions react with the said sacrificial metal to form oxidation-reduction products comprising dissolved or suspended reduced species and dissolved or suspended species from oxidizing the said sacrificial metal.The method can be used for treatment of water, groundwater, including in-situ, wastewater, polluted gases, solid waste, and other materials.

Abstract: A sewage treatment apparatus including a treatment tank with a floor, walls and having an upper aperture. A hopper having a clarifier chamber is centrally disposed in the treatment tank, maintained at a predetermined height above the treatment tank floor by hopper supports. A deflector cone is centrally disposed on the floor of the treatment tank, its vertex being received in the lower aperture of the hopper. The exterior of the hopper, the deflector cone and the inner walls of the treatment tank define an annular aerator chamber, subdivided into a plurality of aerator zones. Diffusers disposed in each aerator zone introduce oxygenation of and induce flow of sewage in the treatment tank. A cover mounted over the treatment tank aperture maintains a pressurized pocket of air above the sewage for increased oxygenation of the sewage. Treated sewage passes from the aerator zones into the clarifier chamber, then into the environment.

Abstract: A method of purifying water includes contacting water containing an oxide of chlorine, such as chlorine dioxide, chlorite, or chlorate, with a water purification composition that includes a Group 11 or Group 12 metal such as silver, copper, or zinc.

Abstract: A photocatalyst composition containing a substantially non-oxidizable binder which allows large amounts of photocatalytic particles to be adhered to a surface. Upon application to a surface, the composition dries or cures to form an adherent, abrasion-resistant, thermostable, and photocatalytic coating.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treatment of sludge is provided. The process includes providing sludge in a substantially liquid form and an alkaline additive to a preferably substantially closed reactor vessel, mixing the sludge and additive to ensure said pH is greater than about 12, maintaining the pH for a predetermined period of time, optionally applying supplemental heat to the sludge mixture in the reactor vessel to a predetermined elevated temperature for a predetermined period of time, maintaining the sludge mixture in a substantially fluid liquid condition, and discharging the sludge and additive mixture from the reactor vessel in a substantially liquid form such that it lends itself to be handled by gravity flow. The apparatus provides means to accomplish the above process.

Abstract: A method to prevent the degradation of water soluble film placed in contact with halogenated hydantoin or chlorinated cyanuric acid and an apparatus for disinfecting water systems. Halogenated 5,5-dialkyl hydantoin or chlorinated cyanuric acid is combined with a stabilizing agent to prevent the halogenated hydantoin or chlorinated cyanuric acid from discoloring or degrading a polymeric film which it may contact. The oxidizing agent includes alkaline hydroxide, alkaline carbonates, alkaline bicarbonates, alkaline phosphates, alkaline silicates, and alkaline borates. Polymeric films for which this is suitable include 2-hydroxy propyl cellulose and poly(vinyl alcohol).

Abstract: A skimming apparatus for a swimming pool that includes a ladder, the skimming apparatus is provided with a bracket to be mounted to a side rail of the ladder, the bracket having an offset arm and the skimming apparatus having a beam with a pivot rod pivotally mounted to the end of the offset arm so that when the skimming apparatus is deployed the beam will be blocked by the side rail of the ladder. The skimming apparatus has a pair of floats one on each end of the beam and a net is attached to the beam and the floats forming a pocket through which the water pushed by the current will pass through.

Abstract: A photocatalyst composition containing a substantially non-oxidizable binder which allows large amounts of photocatalytic particles to be adhered to a surface. Upon application to a surface, the composition dries or cures to form an adherent, abrasion-resistant, thermostable, and photocatalytic coating.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of preventing a buildup of water conditioning chemicals in a swimming pool water circulation system in the event of a circulation system failure. The invention involves providing a control for the chemical regulation system which is responsive to the water pressure in the circulation system and determinative of the output of the chemical pumps of the chemical regulation system as a function of the pressure of water in the circulation system. The chemical injection pumps may be disabled when circulation pressure falls below a predetermined threshold, whether caused by power failure, mechanical pump failure, or obstruction of the intake pipe. Related apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Turbulent mixing in a UV system is increased by positioning one or more ring-shaped devices, such as washers, at one or more predetermined locations on the exterior surface of each lamp unit in the system. The washers may have the same or different diameters. Turbulent mixing is also increased by retaining the upstream end of each lamp unit in a ring-shaped device, alone or in combination with washers positioned on each lamp unit exterior surface as described above.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of paper comprising the steps of:a) forming an aqueous cellulosic papermaking slurry;b) adding an effective coagulating amount of a coagulant and a flocculant to said cellulosic papermaking slurry, wherein said coagulant is prepared by blendingi) an effective coagulating amount of an aqueous conditioned colloidal silica sol with an average particle size within the range of from 1 to 150 nm and wherein the aqueous colloidal silica sol is conditioned by contacting said sol with a strong acid cation exchange resin, andii) an effective coagulating amount of a cationically-charged water-soluble polymeric coagulant;c) draining said cellulosic suspension to form a sheet; and,d) drying said sheet.The components of the invention are blended together so that addition is simultaneous. The colloidal silica is conditioned by passing over a cationic exchange resin prior to addition of cationic polymer.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a wheel capable of rotating rapidly to aerosolize wastewater inside an enclosure designed for placement between a septic tank and its associated drainage area which reduces substantially the pathogenic organism content of effluent emanating from the septic tank. A source of UV light can be added inside the enclosure to further detoxify the effluent.

Abstract: A method for reducing and controlling the formation and release of acid gases and odors associated therewith, particularly from hydrogen sulfide, in sewerage or waste water, wherein magnesium hydroxide and/or magnesium oxide are added to the sewerage or waste water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for purifying and maintaining the purity of water in a swimming pool by initially feeding into the pool water treated in an ion exchanger to render it acidic and hardness-free, lime water consisting of a clear and saturated aqueous solution of white lime or white lime hydrate being thereafter added to provide a lime-carbonic acid equilibrium, at least some of the acidic and hardness-free water being recirculated over a body of crushed limestone to establish a pH of not less than 7. Carbon dioxide and oxygen may also be added.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for controlling contamination of oil production system waters by sessile bacteria, comprisinga) addition of a slug dose of a biologically effective amount of a quick-kill biocide, simultaneously with or followed byb) intermittent addition of a biologically effective amount of a control biocide.This dosing regime is found to be surprisingly effective when compared with known dosing regimes.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods for reducing or deterring biological contamination is described. The apparatus features a housing defining a chamber and a reservoir for mixing a fluid with a barrier chemical.