Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the disposal of waste or the conversion of hydrothermally labile chemical groups and compounds to species which are environmentally acceptable, or are amendable to further degradation by conventional disposal systems to produce environmentally acceptable products, which process comprises:(a) conveying an aqueous solution or slurry of the waste material into a reaction zone capable of withstanding the temperatures and pressures of hydrothermal decomposition;(b) reacting the waste material in the reaction zone with an aqueous composition comprising catalyst selected from silica or one or more alkali metal silicates, borates, phosphates, biphosphates, or trisubstituted-phosphates, or comprising as promoting reagent independently selected from one or more alkali metal nitrites, alkaline earth metal nitrites or combinations thereof at between 200.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. and at a pressure between 10 and 400 atmospheres for between about 0.

Abstract: Tabletized ionene polymers, methods for their preparation and their use in water treatment is described. The tablet contains about 5 to about 60 percent by weight of an ionene polymer, about 40 to about 95 percent by weight of a salt carrier matrix, 0 to about 10 percent by weight of a disintegration rate regulator, and 0 to about 10 percent by weight of an anticaking agent. The tablets may be made by mixing an aqueous solution of an ionene polymer with a carrier matrix to form a moist mass, drying the moist mass to form granules, reducing the granule size to form a powder, and compressing the powder into a tablet. The tablets are useful in a wide variety of water treatment applications. Accordingly, the specification describes a method for controlling the growth of microorganisms in an aqueous system. Using the method, one treats an aqueous system with an ionene polymer in an amount effective to control the growth of at least one microorganism. The ionene polymer is contained in a tablet of the invention.

Abstract: A process for treating effluent from a flue-gas desulfurization system wherein the resulting gypsum is removed, comprises filtering the gypsum and fly ash free effluent by a filter, transferring the filtrate to an electrodialyzer wherein cation-exchange membranes and univalent anion-exchange membranes are alternately set up, concentrating chlorine ions in the solution therein by dialysis, further concentrating the solution by evaporation in an evaporator, kneading the concentrated solution with cement or a mixture of cement and coal ash to a solid matter with no harm, and thereafter abandoning for landfill; and an apparatus for treating effluent from a flue-gas desulfurization system, comprising a filter for filtering the effluent to a turbidity low enough for treatment by an electrodialyzer wherein the effluent is to be separated into concentrated and dilute solutions, the electrodialyzer equipped with an alternate arrangement of cation- and anion-exchange membranes, with concentration and dilution compartme

Abstract: An in-pool skimmer is disclosed for maintaining large area swimming pools and demarcated swimming areas free of offensive floating debris. PVC tubing interconnected in a water-proof manner, and having additional buoyancy floats attached, forms the frame for the skimmer netting. In place of traditional perimeter operation of a pool skimmer, the in-pool skimmer floats within the pool and is directed by an operator either walking behind or swimming behind the skimmer, guiding the skimmer with its convenient handles. When not in use the wedge shaped skimmer floats open side up, above the water, retaining collected debris within the netting of the skimmer.

Abstract: A method for incinerating excess sludge from biological waste water treatment plants, in particular sludges arising from the manufacture of paper or paper pulp, preferably using the magnesium fusion process. Before incineration, the excess sludge is neutralized with the same base as used in the paper pulp process and the dust entrained by the combustion gas is precipitated to recover the base.

Abstract: A water collection trough has an edge arranged in the plane of a roof and a bottom, arranged with spacing from the edge, with an opening. The opening leads to a drainage pipe mounted down at the bottom of the trough. Two parallel plates are arranged spaced apart, a lower plate being fixed in the water collection trough and an upper plate being fixed above the edge of the water collection trough. The edge of the upper plate projects beyond the edge of the water collection trough in such a way that, to form a closed flow in the drainage pipe. The water to be led away is accelerated ahead of the edge of the water collection trough and, after a two-fold deflection of about 90.degree. in each case, ahead of the opening in the bottom.

Abstract: A chemical composition for use in purifying water used in swimming pools having surfaces that are comprised of materials that do not react with or dissolve in water, comprising for 2.5 kg of the chemical composition, 1.25 kg of potassiumpersulphate, 300 g of sodium bisulfate, 250 g of ammonium chloride, 100 g of aluminum sulfate, 250 g of sodium bicarbonate, 250 g of calcium chloride and 100 g of ethylendiamine tetra acetic acid (abbreviated EDTA). The potassiumpersulfate and the ammonium chloride are effective in disinfecting water to be purified and in eradicating algae and bacteria therein. The sodium bisulfate, sodium bicarbonate and the calcium chloride are effective in balancing the pH of water to be purified to a pH value within an optimum range between 7.2 and 7.6. The aluminum sulfate serves as a flocculation aid and the copper sulfate is effective in the eradication of black algae. The EDTA is effective to complexing heavy metals in the water.

Abstract: A process and composition for the treatment of animal excrement that has collected in an enclosure housing animals is disclosed. The process includes the steps of flushing the enclosure to produce a stream containing water and suspended particulate excrement and passing the stream through a filtration system comprising at least one filter having a filter medium for trapping substantially all of the solid animal excrement and filtering liquid from the excrement to produce an animal excrement mixture containing the solid animal excrement and the filter medium. A deodorizing composition is mixed into this animal excrement mixture. The deodorizing composition contains about 5 percent to about 90 percent by weight of lime, and about 10 percent to about 95 percent by weight of cellulose. The deodorizing composition is mixed with animal excrement mixture in a relative proportion of about 1 to 20 parts by weight animal excrement mixture to about 1 part by weight deodorizing composition.

Abstract: A formaldehyde reduction composition which comprises from about 0.1% to about 0.6% by weight of a water soluble lignosulfonate salt, from about 22% to about 28% by weight of a di- or tri- alkylene amine, from 0% to about 28% by weight of di- or tri- alkanol amine, and from about 43.4 about 77.9% water. The composition is particularly useful in the treatment of aqueous media, especially calcium carbonate and kaolin mineral slurries which have been treated with a formaldehyde-releasing biocide.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating or clarifying a turbid wastewater containing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of proteinaceous materials, fats, oils, and other biological contaminants. The methods of the present invention include the steps of (a) contacting turbid wastewater to cellulose ester fibrets under conditions sufficient to flocculate the contaminant to form a treatment suspension, and then (b) separating the flocculants from the treatment suspension to provide a clarified wastewater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the anaerobic activity in a landfill in order to boost methane production by injecting ammonia to thereby reduce residual oxygen levels, provide a rich source of nitrogen nutrient for the anaerobic microbe population and increase the pH. The ammonia may be injected via dedicated injection wells or via extraction wells that are temporarily used as injection wells. The ammonia may be injected in any form, diluted by a non-oxidizing carrier gas or may alternatively be introduced in aqueous form.

Abstract: A liquid filter for purifying mineral oil, the components of which are composed of a thermoplastic polymer, preferably polyacetal, is produced by welding the individual parts. Since no foreign materials are present, the filter can be subjected to a recycling process easily and without problem.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a supported noble metal catalyst and also a process for catalytic treatment of wastewater containing, in particular, organohalogen contaminants, in which the process for regenerating the catalyst is a part of the overall wastewater treatment process.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device, especially for reducing or removing the effects of hard water, has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. A dielectric channel separator (preferably of plastics material, more preferably PTFE) is located in the cavity between the inlet and the outlet and extends at least part way along the cavity. The dielectric channel separator divides thecavity into a plurality of elongate channels which are mutually coextensive for at least part of their length in the direction of fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet and are at least partially bounded by dielectric material. A metallic channel separator, preferably of zinc, can also be provided to provide a degree of protection against corrosion. The channel separators are preferably configured to encourage turbulence in the fluid flowing through the device.

Abstract: It is known to treat the effluent resulting from photographic processing apparatus. Such treatment takes the form of either neutralization where the effluent is mixed with a neutralizing solution prior to disposal, or evaporation where the effluent is heated to form a precipitate and a concentrated liquid portion prior to disposal. However, both these techniques have disadvantages they do not account for toxic particles which may be suspended in the solutions. Described herein is apparatus in which photographic effluent can be treated to provide harmless end products which can be disposed of directly. The apparatus comprises a mixing unit (10) in which the effluent (S1) is mixed with treatment chemicals (S2, S3, S4, P1, P2, P3) and is then passed to a separation unit (20) in which the treated effluent is separated into non-toxic liquid and solid phases. A computer (100) is used to control all stages of the treatment of the effluent.

Abstract: A system and method of sewage treatment which comprises the sequential steps of:(i) subjecting waste water to be treated to a primary settling means to remove settleable solids and suspended solids and produce settled effluent;(ii) passing the settled effluent through a peat filter; and(iii) collecting the effluent from the peat filter and passing it through a sub-surface constructed wetland.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus for producing primary treated brine, i.e. <20 ppm calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium ions at the wellhead of underground salt caverns formed by depletion of their salt content by previous solution mining operations. The purified brine produced is maintained in an anerobic state and transported to chlor-alkali plant installations for use in electrolysis cells for the production of chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. Raw brine produced at an operating brine wellhead is injected into a depleted salt cavern along with the treatment chemicals required to purify the raw brine. A novel installation including a producing well or wells, a depleted well cavern or caverns, and support facilities for producing primary treated brine is provided.

Abstract: A biochemical filter ball that substitutes for the parallel elongated vertical plates of standard biochemical balls a plurality of vertical, transverse, and angled plates which have intersecting angles of about 90 and 45 degrees with one another. All the plates are parallel to a central axis. With such an arrangement, no matter what orientation the biochemical filter balls may take, they will all effectively retain the filtered water on their plates. By this placement of the vertical, transverse and angled plates, surface area for water retention as well as the flow time of the filtered water can be increased. Thus oxygen content in water can be increased, and the object of having improved efficiency of biochemical filtering can be achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and method for ferrite formation and the removal of heavy metal ions by ferrite co-precipitation from an aqueous solution at ambient temperature have been developed. Magnetically susceptible ferrite crystals can be continuously formed from aqueous solution and the heavy metal ion solution can be continuously treated by the ferrite co-precipitation process. The heavy metal ions are incorporated into the lattice points of the spinel ferrite structures. The precipitates of ferrite materials can then be magnetically separated. The main apparatus includes a ferrous sulfate mixing tank with a feeder assembly; a reaction tank or, alternatively, neutralization and oxidation tanks; settling and polishing tanks; and a magnetic separator. The reaction tank or oxidation tank includes an air distributor; a pH controller; and promoter feeding and ferrite product recirculating systems.

Abstract: A swimming pool filter apparatus cover providing protection to a pool service technician servicing the filter apparatus, the cover forming a barrier between the technician and the filter apparatus. The filter apparatus is of the type having a central cylindrical body with upper and lower hemispherical portions, and an outwardly protruding flange base, with water inlet and outlet pipes intersecting the cylindrical body. A removable top cap which, when removed, reveals an entrance opening through the upper hemisphere. The technician extends his arm through this opening to remove contaminated sand or other filter material for replacement. The cover consists of a heavy flexible vinyl material having a rectangularly shaped main body to encircle the filter apparatus cylindrical body.