Abstract: Sodium and borate ions are separated in supercritical water by addition of dissolved CO.sub.2 to cause precipitation of carbonates and the formation of boric acid. Carbonates and boric acid are then recovered as separate products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method of administering same for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. The composition of the present invention includes sufficient amounts of a peracetic acid or peracetic acid/peracid blend and a non-oxidizing biocide. The method of the present invention includes the step of adding sufficient amounts of the peracetic acid or peracetic acid/peracid blend and the non-oxidizing biocide to industrial process waters.

Abstract: Methods of removing contaminant metals from aqueous waste streams. A preferred method includes providing an aqueous waste stream containing a metal having a valence of at least one, such as zinc, lead, chromium, copper, iron, aluminum, manganese, cadmium, gold, silver, and mixtures of these metals. The waste stream is substantially free of calcium and magnesium. The process also includes forming a substantially insoluble precipitate of said metal by mixing with the waste stream fatty acids; zinc, potassium, and sodium salts of fatty acids; and mixtures of these materials. The metal precipitate is separated from the waste stream and the water that is subject to the removal process remains substantially free of calcium and magnesium throughout the entire process. The methods of the present invention are particularly effective for the removal of trace amounts of zinc from aqueous waste streams from polystyrene processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing micro-organism concentrations in a liquid having a surface has a portion of a first electrode that is disposed within the liquid. A portion of a second electrode is also disposed within the liquid. The second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode and, in one embodiment, consists of a copper and silver alloy wherein the ratio of copper to silver is in the range of from 1:1 to 11:3. A direct current power supply, having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, applies an electrical potential between the second electrode and the first electrode, thereby creating an electrical current from the second electrode to the first electrode and thereby liberating copper ions and silver ions from the second electrode into the liquid. In one embodiment, the electrodes are suspended from a floating member. In another embodiment, the electrodes are placed in a porous sheath that is suspended in the liquid.

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 of treating water by adding to the water a shelf-stable composition of hydrogen peroxide and a polyquaternary ammonium compound, followed by intermittent treatment with chlorine-, bromine- or oxygen-releasing compounds.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a housing that contains a purification material for purifying the water. The water purifier is placed a flow of circulating water in the spa. The purification material preferably can be a silver-containing material.

Abstract: A method of treating water with peroxyacids and/or chlorine dioxide to supplement PHMB and/or H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and/or polyquaternary ammonium compounds and/or boron-containing compounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mineralizing organic contaminants in water or air provides photochemical oxidation in a unique two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in each pore of a TiO.sub.2 membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In the three-phase system, gaseous oxidant, liquid contaminant, and solid semiconductor photocatalyst meet and engage in an efficient oxidation reaction. The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter of water to that o f a capillary tube resulting in a diffusion layer that is several orders of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors. The photocatalytic reactor operates effectively at ambient temperature and low pressures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the analysis of mineral precipitate formation, and for the identification of compounds that affect mineral precipitation. The invention also provides methods and compositions for inhibiting formation of mineral precipitates, especially of mineral precipitates including struvite and/or calcium phosphate. Furthermore, the invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of struvite kidney stones.

Abstract: An oxidation process for regeneration and closed loop recycling of cleaning solutions contaminated with used surfactants, fats, oils, greases, and inorganic and organic contaminants converts the contaminated cleaning solution into a reusable cleaning solution containing useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The contaminated cleaning solution is mixed with a stoichiometrically limited amount of an ozone containing gas. The reaction with ozone containing gas is carried out in a mixed vapor state (a gas/liquid mist). Fats, oils, greases and organic contaminants are converted into useful polar water soluble surfactants, detergents, wetting agents and emulsifiers. The regenerated cleaning solution has a cleaning strength at least as great as the strength of the original cleaning solution prior to contamination. The regenerated cleaning solution is reused as the cleaning solution in the original cleaning process from which the contaminated cleaner was obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of water and of surfaces in contact with the said water in order to prevent the attachment and/or to, remove and/or to control macroorganisms, in particular molluscs, on the said surfaces in contact with the water, in which process at least one biocidal and/or biostatic active product is employed which is injected into the water and/or applied to the said surfaces, according to which process the active product(s) used comprise(s) at least one polyamine of formula I:R.sub.1 --NH?(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --NH!.sub.n --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 NH.sub.2(I)in which formula R.sub.1 is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl radical and/or at least one monoamine of formula II:R.sub.2 NH.sub.2 (II)in which formula R.sub.2 is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl radical, and n is an integer between 0 and 3 (inclusive).The invention also relates to a composition to be injected into the water and to a paint for covering the surfaces in contact with the water.

Abstract: A catalyst for the treatment of a waste water comprises an oxide and/or a composite oxide of manganese, the oxide and/or the composite oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, titanium, and zirconium, and optionally a precious metal. A method for the production of this catalyst is also disclosed. A method for the treatment of a waste water comprises subjecting the waste water to wet oxidation treatment with an oxygen-containing gas by the use of a catalyst under pressure such that the waste water retains the liquid phase thereof.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system: The system entails an aerobic tank and an anaerobic tank. Wastewater enters the aerobic tank where it is aerobically treated. The effluent then flows to the anaerobic tank where it is anaerobically treated to remove nitrogen in the wastewater. A filter may be added to the discharge line from the anaerobic tank to remove any suspended solids emitted with the effluent from the anaerobic tank.

Abstract: The invention features a water purifier for purifying water in a pool having a volume less than about 13,500 gallons. In general, the water purifier has a threaded fitting that allows it to be removably-attached to a water-exchange fitting, preferably on the side of the pool. The water purifier contains a purification material for purifying the water. The purification material preferably can be a silver-containing material.

Abstract: A process and an arrangement for continuously carrying out photoreactions cloudy, colored or UV-absorbing media. The object of providing a possibility for increasing the photon yield while continuously carrying out photoreactions in liquid substances is met in that the liquid dripping down a vertical inner wall of a pipe is wiped vertically to the dripping direction by means of distributor rollers which rotate on the rods of a cage-shaped rotor and is exposed proceeding from the center of the pipe by a rod-shaped photolamp. In this way, a liquid film of defined thickness is produced on the pipe wall and this liquid film is acted upon by immobilized catalyst layers at the pipe wall or at the distributor rollers or by gases introduced into the interior of the pipe to assist the reaction.The process and arrangement are used for photochemical cleaning of media containing chlorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and fluorocarbons and for preparing drinking water and highly purified water.

Abstract: This invention refers to an original solution for the purification of contaminated water streams with the activated sludge method, involving: a) a two-stage aeration system operating at high rate and low rate conditions respectively, where the first stage operates in anoxic conditions promoting denitration, whereas the second stage operates under oxidant conditions so that nitrates are removed to an extent of 70%; b) a system for moving the biological sludge, where the sludge produced in the first aeration tank is totally rejected, and that produced in the second aeration tank is recycled to the first.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating water includes a vertically extending contact vessel, wherein water is contacted with ozone, and a return vessel which contains a column of water of a sufficient height to drive water through downstream solids separation stages. Ozone is removed from the water and the rate of ozone injection is monitored and automatically adjusted so that no great amount of ozone remains in water entering the solids separation stages. The ozone is generated in elongated elements that are cooled by the process water and that are positioned to serve as a static mixer for such water.

Abstract: A composition for treating water or flue gases that contains metal ions and possibly also organic and/or inorganic compounds is produced by reacting sulfur with an alkali- and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in the presence of water.The inventive composition corresponds to general formula IM.sub.x S.sub.y O.sub.z, (I)where M represents an alkali or alkaline earth metal,x is 1 or 2,y is in the range 0.5x-4.0x, andz is in the range 0.1-2.5.Alkali sulfite salts, particularly sodium salts, may also be added to the compound for reducing H.sub.2 S emission.

Abstract: A process is proposed for the chemical oxidative treatment of a medium, e.g. sewage sludge, containing organic constituents, which comprises two process steps. In the first process step, the medium is heated to a first preset low temperature range and kept in this temperature range for a preset treatment duration. In a second process step, the sludge is then heated to a second preset low temperature range, pressurized in a preset low pressure range and kept in this temperature and pressure range for a preset treatment duration. In the course of this, an oxygen-containing gas, e.g. air or oxygen-enriched air or technical grade oxygen is introduced into the medium at least intermittently. The low temperatures and pressures provided in the two process steps are below or at most in the lower third of the temperature and pressure ranges of 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and 10-220 bar conventional in the wet-oxidation processes.