Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying an ionic liquid, which comprises the steps (a) partial crystallization of the ionic liquid from its melt and (b) separation of the crystals from the residual melt.

Abstract: A process for treating and disposing a liquid waste, which is solidified prior to disposal, includes steps of adding to said liquid waste a dry treatment product generally comprising approximately 25% to 75% bentonite clay and respectively 75% to 25% of a liquid-sorbing polymer, subjecting the liquid waste to a single pass high shear mix so as to incorporate the treatment product into the liquid waste with increased dispersion and reduced agglomeration, subjecting the treated liquid waste to a retention time suitable for solidification, and disposing of the solidified liquid waste. The liquid waste preferably is recirculated prior to addition of dry treatment product so as to permit a calibration of the characteristics of the liquid waste, and subsequent determination of the correct rate of dry treatment addition.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for treating contaminant-containing wastewater are provided. The systems generally include a reducing zone for reducing the oxidation-reduction potential of the water and a clean-up zone comprising zero valent iron for removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the contaminant-containing water. The systems are operable to remove one or more contaminants from the contaminant-containing water and are operable for extended durations without clogging due to the formation of iron hydroxides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a water treatment device comprising a reactor (1) and means for injecting (2) at least one reagent into said reactor, characterized in that it comprises means for supporting said injection means mobile relative to said reactor (1) between an active position whereby the injecting means (2) are arranged inside said reactor and a retracted position whereby the injecting means (2) are brought outside said reactor.

Abstract: Scaling is controlled in a cooling water system with CO2 based upon measurements of the cooling water's pH, alkalinity and Ca2+ concentration.

Abstract: Hot water pipes, in areas with hard water, tend to fill with scale until they no longer pass enough water. De-scaling water pipes with acid is dangerous, expensive and damages the pipes. Ion exchange and reverse osmosis water softeners eliminate scale buildup in pipes, but are expensive. Embodiments of this invention provide a means of keeping an amount of the scale precipitate, created when water is heated, inside a housing by passing the hot water through a removal medium where the scale sticks to the surface. The removal medium can be placed inside the water heater or in a separate housing connected to the water heater; both configurations remove the precipitate from hot water; both save hot water pipes from scale accumulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating off coloring components from aqueous plant extracts in which magnesium ions (Mg2+) are added to the plant extract, at least one alkaline component is added to the plant extract, a precipitate is formed, and the precipitate formed is separated off from the plant extract.

Abstract: A method for purifying a water process stream whereby a precipitating agent is added to the water process stream to elevate the process stream pH to at least 10.5 to drop out precipitates which form separated solids comprising at least one of calcium precipitate, magnesium precipitate, barium precipitate, strontium precipitate, and silica precipitate. The separated solids are then coagulated and removed from the water process stream so as to yield a purified water process stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing sludge, comprising the addition of a lime-based basic agent to a sludge having a first pH value in order to raise the pH to a second value higher than the first one, adding at least one anionic organic flocculating agent that is active at said second pH value, flocculating the sludge, and separating the flocculated sludge between dehydrated sludge and a liquid phase, wherein the sludge to be dehydrated has a first above-mentioned pH value lower than 9, while the lime-based basic agent induces said pH raise to said above-mentioned second value within less than 5 minutes. The invention also relates to a composition for implementing said processing.

Abstract: A container (10) for liquids is provided, in which pressurization of the container is used to force the liquid through one or more membranes to an output. The membranes are disposed across substantially an entire length of the container, and pass liquid in preference to air. As a result, the liquid may be extracted from the container in any orientation. A particular use for this kind of container is as a portable water bottle containing a filter (20).

Abstract: A process for removing phosphorus from wastewater wherein an iron or aluminum salt is added to the wastewater. The iron or aluminum salt results in the precipitation of certain iron or aluminum species that include phosphorus adsorption sites. These iron or phosphorus species are settled and become a part of sludge produced in the course of the wastewater treatment process. By recycling substantial portions of the sludge, the concentration of these iron or aluminum species in the wastewater is increased. This increased concentration results in the presence of large quantities of unused phosphorus adsorption sites that attract and adsorb phosphorus, resulting in phosphorus being removed from the wastewater.

Abstract: A method of treating tailings comprising a solids fraction and a hydrocarbon fraction is disclosed. A primary flow is supplied to a jet pump, the primary flow comprising water and less than 20% solids by mass. A secondary flow is supplied to a mixing chamber of the jet pump, the secondary flow comprising a slurry of water and tailings, the slurry comprising more solids by mass than the primary flow. The jet pump is operated using the primary flow such that the tailings are agitated to effect at least a partial phase separation of the hydrocarbon fraction from the tailings. The methods disclosed herein may also be applied to treat tailings ponds.

Abstract: A vessel system comprising a vessel is presented. The vessel system comprises at least one internal wall located within the vessel. The vessel system further comprises at least one inflatable seal to create a seal between an outer periphery of the internal wall and an internal cavity wall of the vessel. The vessel system further comprises a shaft longitudinally traversing the vessel and adapted to transmit a force applied on the at least one internal wall to an end of the vessel.

Abstract: Wastewater can be purified in a device, which includes a cup-shaped vessel, having a wastewater inlet tube for the water at a certain level and an outlet tube at a lower level than the inlet tube, and a horizontal distribution disc, which vertically divides the vessel, has at least one opening and is provided with a substantially vertical distribution tube for receiving the water from the inlet tube. Water above the distribution disc is pumped through a filter head with a filter. Filtered water is let out through the outlet tube, whereas unfiltered water is transferred back to the distribution tube. Flocculation agent is added to the unfiltered water before reaching the distribution tube.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of removing acidic and/or aromatic contaminants, such as benzene, xylene, toluene, phenols and polyphenols, from produced water of an oil or gas well. The method comprises the step of contacting the produced water with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to remove the contaminants from said water.

Abstract: Substitution of a single Ga-atom or single Ge-atom (GaAl12 and GeAl12 respectively) into the center of an aluminum Keggin polycation (Al13) produces an optimal water-treatment product for neutralization and coagulation of anionic contaminants in water. GaAl12 consistently shows ˜1 order of magnitude increase in pathogen reduction, compared to Al13. At a concentration of 2 ppm, GaAl12 performs equivalently to 40 ppm alum, removing ˜90% of the dissolved organic material. The substituted GaAl12 product also offers extended shelf-life and consistent performance. We also synthesized a related polyaluminum chloride compound made of pre-hydrolyzed dissolved alumina clusters of [GaO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided whereby polymers with least 0.5 mole % of the pendant group or end group containing —Si(OR?)3 are used to control aluminosilicate scaling in an industrial process having an alkaline process stream such as a pulping mill process stream or a high level nuclear waste processing plant. When materials of the present invention are added to the alkaline process stream, they reduce and even completely prevent formation of aluminosilicate scale on equipment surfaces such as evaporator walls and heating surfaces. The present materials are effective at treatment concentrations that make them economically practical.

Abstract: A process for removing microorganisms and/or precursors of disinfection by-products from a medium sought to be treated comprising treating the medium with one or more elements capable of forming an oxide, a hydroxide, and/or an oxyhydroxide through corrosion is disclosed. A system for effecting the removal or inactivation of microorganisms and/or disinfection by-product precursors is also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for decontaminating aqueous media comprising organic contaminants. The process is targeted at reducing the COD and/or the TOC of an aqueous medium comprising organic molecules. It consists in subjecting the aqueous medium to an electron beam generated by an electron accelerator in the presence of a catalyst and in then removing the precipitates formed from the treated solution, said catalyst comprising a metal ion persulfate and optionally an Fe(II) salt or an Fe(III) salt.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure includes an oil removal reclamation clarifier system in communication with a body of oil laden wastewater fluid and a conduit for transporting the fluid to the reclamation clarifier system. The reclamation clarifier system includes an oil removal mixing containment device having an influent port, an agent inlet, a sludge collection section in a lower portion of the device for collecting the dispersed liquid, a sludge outlet, and, at least one decant valves located on or near an upper portion of a sidewall of the oil removal clarifier device for permitting unsettled material to exit from the clarifier.