Abstract: A process for the separation of production fluids is provided. The production fluids comprise an oil/water emulsion stabilized with fine solids. The emulsion may further comprise asphaltenes and naphthenic acids and resins. The process includes subjecting the emulsion to a flocculating agent to flocculate solids within the emulsion, and separating water and solids from crude oil in a first separator. The process further includes subjecting the separated crude oil to a demulsifier after subjecting the emulsion to a flocculating agent, and further separating water from the crude oil in a second separator. A process for producing fluids from a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir is also provided, using the separation processes herein.

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: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles comprising the steps of adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the suspension thereby forming flocculated solids in which the flocculated solids are allowed form a layer of solids and thereby forming a more concentrated suspension in which the process comprises the addition of an effective amount of an agent that is selected from the group consisting of free radical agents, oxidising agents, enzymes and radiation, in which the agent is applied to the suspension prior to or substantially simultaneously with adding the organic polymeric flocculant and/or the organic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension in a vessel and the agent is applied to the suspension in the same vessel. The process is particularly suitable for solids liquid separation in which the flocculated solids are allowed to settle by sedimentation in a gravity thickener.

Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A method for treating water in a ballasted flocculation system comprises directing water into a ballasted flocculation zone and adding ballast and a flocculation reagent to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed into a settling zone to form treated water and sludge containing ballast. The ballast is then directed to a recirculation line where the ballast is recirculated to the ballasted flocculation zone. The method further includes determining the ballast concentration and comparing the ballast concentration with a predetermined threshold value. The rate at which ballast is recirculated to the ballasted flocculation zone is adjusted based on the determined ballast concentration and the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for dewatering a mineral slurry concentrate and increasing the production of the resulting filter cake consisting essentially of mixing an aqueous mineral slurry concentrate with an effective amount of a nonionic surfactant and an effective amount of a cationic polymer to form a nonionic surfactant and cationic polymer treated aqueous mineral slurry concentrate, and subjecting the treated aqueous mineral slurry concentrate to a liquid water removal process for dewatering the treated aqueous mineral slurry and for increasing the production of a resulting filter cake of the dewatered mineral slurry. An improved mineral slurry concentrate composition and an improved mineral concentrate filter cake is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising treating the suspension with a dewatering amount of a reverse phase polymer, and subjecting the suspension to a mechanical dewatering to form a cake, characterized in that the reverse phase polymer only partially inverts to bring about flocculation and thickening of the suspension, and then fully inverts during the further dewatering to form a cake.

Abstract: An automatic, self-regulating method of water treatment for use in water circulating towers in which water is evaporated, and make up water is added, with components which synergistically function to cut chemical, energy, water, corrosion, pollution, and maintenance costs, by passing the water through a Water Conditioning unit to prevent adhering evaporation scale deposits along with their content of concentrated biofouling nutrients from forming on the flooded surfaces of the tower and its associated water flow circuit, adding a trace level of iodine to the input make-up water to enhance the further disinfection of nutrient-deprived surfaces from any residual biofilm and chance pathogen contaminations, and adding a trace level addition of zinc ions in the water such as by an assured treatment feeder to the input make-up flow for inhibiting residual iodine-resistant algal and bacterial organisms of hazard for restoring bionutrient tower conditions, such as within sun-lit environments, and apparatus for carryi

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide from a hydrolysable metal compound, accompanied with contaminated water treatment. The present invention comprises steps of: a) adding a hydrolysable metal compound as a coagulant to a contaminated water to form a separable floc between the hydrolysable metal compound and contaminants present in contaminated water; b) separating the separable floc and the pre-treated water after flocculation treatment; and c) calcinating the separated floc over 500° C. to produce an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide. More preferably, the present invention further comprises subjecting the pre-treated water of the step b) to a microwave treatment to cause a photocatalytic degradation of an organic contaminant that remains in the pre-treated water, with the assistance of the remaining hydrolysable metal compound.

Abstract: A system for recycling a drilling fluid that includes a first cuttings storage vessel, a second cuttings storage vessel, and a module fluidly connected to the first and second cuttings storage vessels, the module having a valve configured to fluidly connect the first and second cuttings storage vessels. The module further includes a filter system configured to fluidly connect to at least the second cuttings storage vessel, and at least one pump to facilitate the flow of a fluid between the first and second cuttings storage vessels. Also, a module for use at a drilling location that includes a valve for directing drilling fluid between at least a first cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module and a second cuttings storage vessel disposed outside the module. The module further includes a filter system for filtering the drilling fluid and at least one pump for facilitating the flow of the fluid between at least the first and second cuttings storage vessels.

Abstract: A multiphase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.

Abstract: A suction device is disclosed for thoroughly cleaning the a bottom surface of a structure, covered with a non-porous plastic liner, that contains a body of water larger than 15,000 m3 for recreational use, with color, transparency and cleanness characteristics similar to swimming pools or tropical seas, said device operating by suctioning impurities from the bottom surface by a pumping system of said the structure.

Abstract: The invention aims at enabling, in a catalytic decarbonation apparatus, inert particles coated with calcium carbonate to be constantly and systematically extracted from the reactor, with no risk of clogging the discharge pipes. Therefor, said pipes (7?a, 7?b) have an inside diameter ranging between 40 and 60 mm and they have a downward incline up to their connection to an outside discharge conduit (8?), except, possibly, a horizontal portion starting from the orifice through which they emerge into the reactor (1?).

Abstract: A filter element is formed from a filter material configured to capture a foreign substance in fuel. A lower case is attachable to and detachable from a bottom portion of a housing in a movable direction. The housing and the lower case are configured to accommodate the filter element. The filter element defines a passage extending through the filter element in the movable direction. The passage is configured to accommodate the component. The component is configured to be attached to and detached from the housing together with the lower case when the lower case is attached to and detached from the housing.

Abstract: Materials and a method are provided whereby polymers with least 0.5 mole % of the pendant group or end group containing —Si(OR?)3 (where R? is H, an alkyl group, Na, K, or NH4) are used to control aluminosilicate scaling in an industrial process having an alkaline process stream such as a pulping mill process stream. 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: An apparatus for treating an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The apparatus comprises a container that includes a housing, an inlet located at a first end of the housing and an outlet located at a second end opposite the first end. An outer wall extends between the first and second ends and enclosing a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet and an arsenic fixing agent is disposed in the fluid flow path. The arsenic fixing agent can include an insoluble rare earth-containing compound, more specifically, a compound comprising one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The inlet and the outlet are adapted to be closed during transport and storage. The container is adapted to be sealed for long term disposal after exposure to an aqueous solution containing arsenic.

Abstract: A water reaction tank for reacting water containing suspended solids with a flocculant includes a housing having an input, an output, and a water flow path between the input and the output. The flow path has a mixing section and a reaction section. Sealable flocculant ports are provided for inserting a flocculant into the mixing section of the housing. Each of the mixing section and the reaction section contains baffles. The mixing section baffles encourage turbulent flow to increase contact with the flocculant, and the reaction section baffles encourage turbulent flow and increase the length of the water flow path.

Abstract: A method and system for removing from an aqueous system which is contaminated therewith: (1) mercury present as colloids, ions and/or organically bound compounds, and (2) hydrocarbons solubilized, dispersed, and/or emulsified in the said system. Pursuant to the invention the aqueous system to be treated (such as “produced water”) is passed successively through three filtration stages. The first filtration stage is provided with absorption media which effects reduction/removal of dispersed organically bound mercury species and of the dispersed and partially dissolved hydrocarbon phases, as well as of some colloidal mercury and other dissolved metallic species. The second filtration stage utilizes a salt modified reticulated granular filtration media for reduction/removal of slightly dissolved hydrocarbon phases, mercury in colloidal and ionic form and other dissolved metals.

Abstract: A method for treating water includes directing untreated water into a mixing zone in a water treatment system and mixing the untreated water with a flocculating agent and a ballast to form a ballast-floc mixture. Thereafter, the ballast-floc mixture is directed to a settling zone where the mixture settles to form sludge. Treated water is discharged from the settling zone and the sludge is directed to a separator. The method further includes separating at least a portion of the ballast from the sludge and directing the separated ballast from the separator to the mixing zone. Finally, the sludge is directed from the separator to a sludge treatment reactor where at least some of the remaining ballast settles from the sludge and substantially ballast-free sludge is discharged from the sludge treatment reactor.