Abstract: A decontamination treatment of process water is disclosed herein originating from electroplating/metal finishing and etching operations wherein the process water is loaded with heavy metal ions. The inventive process combines predetermined quantities of alkali/acid solutions together with a quantity of Sodium Humate so as to produce a disposable sludge which is environmentally safe and poses the least risk for leeching of harmful metals from the resultant sludge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering sludges and/or concentrating suspen and dissolved impurities in solutions by simultaneously freezing and rotating same. Rotation of the sludge is accomplished in a rotatable cylindrical apparatus capable of controlled rotational rate sufficient to continuously maintain a thin layer of water between suspended particulate impurities and an ice front which forms on inner cylindrical surfaces of the cylindrical apparatus. The ice front moves progressively inwardly to displace the suspended impurities toward the center of the cylindrical apparatus, thereby concentrating the sludge both by this displacement and by the removal of liquid water from the sludge. The concentrated sludge is discharged from the cylindrical apparatus when the rotation of said apparatus becomes insufficient to maintain the thin water layer between the ice/sludge interface.

Abstract: A process for removing inorganic gels and dispersed, particulate incompressible solids from a highly acid aqueous slurry (e.g., pH of -2 to +3) and a soluble metallic chloride content (e.g., 3 to 50%) involving rapidly and intimately contacting the slurry with a cationic Mannich polyacrylamide of molecular 4-15 million until a desired amount of gel and particulate solids are flocculated. By slowly and gently mixing a floc of the desired size is formed which is then removed. The process is especially suited for treating slurries produced by water quenching the hot metal chlorides and blowover ore and coke from a TiO.sub.2 chlorinator after TiCl.sub.4 has been removed.

Abstract: This invention comprises the steps of (1) acid phase anaerobic digestion of biomass to produce volatile acids and a stabilized sludge, (2) use of the volatile acids as the carbon source and electron donor for biological sulfate reduction for removal of acidity, metals and sulfate from acid mine drainage, and to produce acetate, (3) use of the acetate solution as feed for methane phase anaerobic digestion to produce methane and to reduce the organic content of the effluent of the process, (4) and use of the methane to satisfy the energy requirements of the process. Key to the process is the use of kinetic control (i.e., a relatively short mean cell residence time) to ensure partial oxidation of higher molecular weight volatile acids (e.g., propionic, butyric, valeric) and production of acetate during the sulfate reduction step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing manure, comprising the steps of:i) adding an organic carrier liquid to the manure;ii) concentrating the mixture of manure and carrier liquid;iii) condensing the formed vapor;vi) anaerobic treating of the condensate; andv) aerobic treating of the effluent from the anaerobic treatment.Preferably the effluent deriving from the anaerobic treatment is denitrified in a denitrification unit and nitrified in a nitrification unit, and wherein a portion of the sludge-influent mixture from the nitrification unit is recirculated to the denitrification unit.The treating yield is greater than 90%, preferably greater than 95%, such as 97-99% BOD.

Abstract: Apparatus 1 for monitoring impurity in a liquid, specifically toxin(s) in activated sewage sludge, comprises a vessel 2 with a plurality of chambers 3 and 4 through which the liquid (sludge) is circulated in use to promote mixing, and a compartment 5 in the vessel in fluid communication with the chambers 3 and 4 and adapted to promote a quiescent settlement zone from which liquid is removable.

Abstract: Methylotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms are supported on a rigid substrate bed. Oxygen, such as from air, and a low-molecular-weight alkane, such as methane, flow through the bed. Organic compounds in contaminated water processing through the bed are biodegraded by the microorganisms. The bed may be formed of manufactured particlate material, such as of activated carbon. These bed-forming materials may be preloaded with organic carbon materials to provide a nutrient source for the microogranisms. The biological reactor may continuously treat effluent from, for example, an industrial plant, in either a batch or continuous process. A water solids removal subsystem may be positioned upstream of the biological reactor to remove organic carbon compounds and various solids from the contaminated water prior to treatment. Optional bed cleaning mechanisms may also be included in the biological reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed are pellets for use in a fluidized bed type of system to provide optimum surface configuration and maximum effective surface area per unit volume for the culture of microorganisms. The pellets are of low density, preferably plaster, having a buoyancy relative to the liquid in which they are fluidized substantially neutral or slightly positive. The pellets preferably have indentations on its surfaces to enhance the growth of microorganisms. The pellets are manufactured by either cutting discs from an extruded filament or punching discs from sheets of the appropriate material, with indentations being formed during the process.Also disclosed is an aquaculture apparatus and system in which the pellets are preferably used.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas assisted flotation process and apparatus useful in the separation of solids from liquids in a slurry, such as treated waste waters, paper pulp solutions etc. The gas assisted flotation process may be operated on a continuous basis. The upper portion of the main chamber of the apparatus is tapered inward to terminate in an apex which has an opening through which the floated and compressed solids and gas are removed. The apparatus also has a fluid discharge line through which the separated fluids may be removed which also contains a fluid discharge valve which may be opened and constricted intermittently to control the flow of slurry through the system.

Abstract: A method for treating polluted material such as industrial waste water or polluted water from other sources, sewage or sewage sludge or other forms of sludge, or polluted soil, to degrade oxidizable substances therein, comprising subjecting the polluted material to a wet oxidation process in a reactor so as to decompose and/or modify oxidizable substances therein and optionally improve the filterability of solids when present in the material; the material may optionally be pretreated so as to facilitate the wet oxidation process. Solid polluted material is preferably in the form of a liquid suspension, such as an aqueous suspension, when subjected to wet oxidation. The wet oxidation process is performed to such an extent, optionally with subsequent substantial removal of heavy metals, that the decomposed and/or modified substances remaining after the wet oxidation and the optional removal of heavy metals are substantially biodegradable.

Abstract: A treating process is shown for removing cloggants from the pores and surfaces of aeration diffuser elements used in an activated sludge treatment process or the like. In this process, an acid solution is made to fill the aeration piping network, is fed through the plenum chambers that support the respective elements to be treated, and into the pores in said elements for reacting with the cloggants to be removed. The process is performed so that the acid solution fills the pores and contacts the surfaces of the diffusers and the plenums and the submerged piping network. The acid solution is reacted with the cloggants and is then agitated in contact with the diffusers and with the cloggants in the pores and on the surfaces of the diffusers to rejuvenate these elements.

Abstract: The process for immobilizing a hazardous waste containing heavy metals comprises the steps of pretreating the waste by adding a sulfide to the hazardous waste so as to generate the sulfides of the heavy metals from the hazardous waste, mixing a chemical reagent with the pretreated waste, and blending the mixture of the chemical reagent and the pretreated waste with a pozzolanic material. The chemical reagent contains a mixture of a retarder and an accelerator. This process further comprises the step of mixing a neutralizing reagent with the hazardous waste so as to cause the hazardous waste to have a pH of between 5 and 14. The neutralizing reagent is an alkaline material, preferably lime, hydrated lime, or calcium hydroxide. The sulfide is either sodium hydrosulfide or sodium sulfide.

Abstract: Waste water treatment for the removal of heavy metals is optimized by continuously removing and filtering a sample flow of treated waste water subject to pH level control to determine the presence of remaining metals in solution to be precipitated. Filtering of the sample removes metals precipitated by pH level control. Optimized pH level control can cause precipitation of most non-chelated and/or non-complexed metals, so that controlled feeding of a precipitating agent, preferably a calcium dithiocarbamate, to the treated waste water is effectively determined by only those metals remaining in solution, which are typically either chelated and/or complexed heavy metals. The filtered sample is injected with a diluted solution of the precipitating agent, and then a turbidity meter is used to determine the degree of turbidity of the injected clear sample. The resulting degree of turbidity corresponds to the level of precipitation caused by injection of the diluted precipitating agent.

Abstract: A system for removing hazardous contaminants such as radon gas and volatile synthetic organic chemicals from domestic water supplies includes a perforated, horizontally-oriented tray which is baffled to define a curved (e.g., serpentine, spiral) liquid flow path. Contaminated water is distributed upon a portion of the tray and flows as directed by the baffles to a downcomer and into a storage tank. Air is blown into the storage tank, which is located below the perforated tray, and up through the perforations. The forced air causes the water flowing across the tray to froth, and evaporates the contaminants out of the frothing water. The forced air, carrying the volatilized contaminants, is then vented outside the home.

Abstract: The method of treating hydrocarbon contaminated soil that includes forming the soil into a flowing particulate stream; forming an aqueous liquid mixture of water and treating substance that reacts with hydrocarbon to form CO.sub.2 and water; dispersing the liquid mixture into the particulate soil stream to wet the particulate; allowing the substance to react with the wetted soil particulate to thereby form CO.sub.2 and water, whereby the resultant soil is beneficially treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating industrial waste water which comprises either: (a) pre-treating the waste water with at least two different pre-treatments selected from adsorption, membrane filtration and oxidation and then, biologically purifying the waste water or, (b) neutralizing and biologically purifying the waste water and then after-treating the waste water either by membrane filtration in combination with adsorption or oxidation or, by oxidation optionally in combination with adsorption or filtration on a nanofiltration membrane or, by filtration on a nanofiltration membrane.

Abstract: During conditioning of a suspension to be dewatered through incorporation of flocculant, the optimum dewaterability depends on the amount of added flocculant and on the mixing energy expended. According to the invention, the sludge flocs present or formed in the suspension after incorporation of the flocculant are determined metrologically, and the amount of flocculant and/or the mixing energy expended and/or the location of flocculant addition is controlled as a function of the floc number, size and/or structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to pretreat aqueous biological sludge in order to provide combustibles solids to an autogenous combustion system used to thermally oxidize the sludge.

Abstract: A biological contactor (8) comprises a granular bed including a layer (17) based on activated carbon the material of which satisfies the following conditions:density between 0.18 and 0.32 g/cm.sup.3,carbon tetrachloride adsorbing power between 60% and 120% by weight,carbon tetrachloride retention less than 25% by weight of the carbon tetrachloride adsorbed mass,methylene blue: between 5 and 30 ml,particle size: between 0.5 and 1.5 mm effective size with a coefficient of uniformity less than 2.A washing cycle (21, 24) (air only; air plus water; water only) of the contactor is triggered (38) when a parameter (36, 37) representative of the population of algae in said layer reaches a predetermined set point threshold.

Abstract: An improved fine bubble diffuser and diffuser system is provided. The diffuser includes a filtered blow-down tube for containing an internal gas pressure within the diffuser and allowing water to be removed from the system and further includes a filter disposed between the blow-down tube and the diffuser for filtering solids from water entering the diffuser.