Abstract: Methods, systems and computer software program code products enabling the matching of a large number of names across any of a range of different languages comprise: receiving incoming names in any of a set of languages or scripts; generating high-recall keys based on the received incoming names; executing a full-text index process based on the generated high-recall keys; and looking up candidates for matching.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring a dilatation of cervix uteri during the first stage of labor. The instrument has two elongated legs pivotally connected to each other. Each leg has a proximal end and a distal end; the top end has an attaching device that can be attached to an inner surface of the cervix. The lower end of one leg is secured to a scale and the lower end of the other leg can move along this scale as the cervix dilates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating settled, unfiltered effluent out of the secondary (aeration) stage of wastewater treatment facilities are disclosed. Designed principally for the denitrification, phosphorous removal, and exhaustive disinfection of the liquid phase after the secondary treatment of wastewater, all this in a single step and without chemical addition. Since no chemical agents are employed, (alkaline earth carbonates are considered a normal constituent of the water) the method is particularly applicable to the purification of drinking water supplies. The method and apparatus achieve high degrees of purification, thereby laying the basis for the reuse of wastewater so treated. Bio-solids are also disinfected and made filterable. Preferred and particularly advantageous embodiments bf the system are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrolytic process and apparatus purifies contaminated bulk aqueous solutions and remediates soil. The apparatus is an electrolytic treatment or remediation unit consisting of one or more electrolytic cells having a cathode chamber separated from at least one anode chamber by a separation membrane. The cathode chamber has cathode plates positioned at an angle to the perpendicular or vertical axis of the cell made of valve metals with an irreducible oxide coating. Non-turbulent flow of the solution in an interfacial zone adjacent to the cathode is controlled by the evolution of hydrogen during electrolysis, resulting in a steady state flow of colloidal particles and cations in the cathode-solution interface sufficient to collapse the Gouy-Chapman layer, thereby causing total and irreversible agglomeration of all colloidal particles. A separation membrane separates cathode and anode chambers and allows conductivity driven ionic transfers, and prevents electro-osmotic reflux of the anolyte.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of recovering neodymium (Nd) from waste by-products of rare earth magnet manufacture. Two main waste by-products, NdFeB swarf and NdFeB slag, are treated by two respective chemical schemes as described above. However, the only major consumption of chemical compound in both schemes is hydrofluoric acid (HF). The present invention scheme for NdFeB swarf recovery is characterized by using acetic acid (HC.sub.2 H.sub.3 O.sub.2) having a pK value of approximately 4.7. The present invention scheme for NdFeB slag recovery is characterized by using sulfamic acid electrolyte bath having a pH value of approximately 2.7. The moist neodymium trifluoride (NdF.sub.3) produced by both schemes can be dried by using the same microwave radiation technique to produce dry neodymium trifluoride (NdF.sub.3) which contains less than 3% moisture.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of recovering neodymium (Nd) from waste by-products of rare earth magnet manufacture. Two main waste by-products, NdFeB swarf and NdFeB slag, are treated by two respective chemical schemes as described above. However, the only major consumption of chemical compound in both schemes is hydrofluoric acid (HF). The present invention scheme for NdFeB swarf recovery is characterized by using acetic acid (HC.sub.2 H.sub.3 O.sub.2) having a pK value of approximately 4.7. The present invention scheme for NdFeB slag recovery is characterized by using sulfamic acid electrolyte bath having a pH value of approximately 2.7. The moist neodymium trifluoride (NdF.sub.3) produced by both schemes can be dried by using the same microwave radiation technique to produce dry neodymium trifluoride (NdF.sub.3) which contains less than 3% moisture.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for recovering copper (Cu) and regenerating ammoniacal etchant from spent ammoniacal etchant for the process of milling printed circuit boards. The basic steps of the present invention include (a) adding an adequate amount of hydrochloric acid (HCl) into a spent ammoniacal etchant containing copper ions (Cu.sup.2+), ammonium ions (NH.sub.4.sup.+) and chloride ions (Cl.sup.-) to produce an acidified spent ammoniacal etchant having a pH value in the range of between approximately 3 and approximately 6 and having increased concentrations of the ammonium ions (NH.sub.4.sup.+) and the chloride ions (Cl.sup.-) substantially stoichiometrically equivalent to that of the copper ions (Cu.sup.2+), so that all copper (Cu) contained in the acidified spent ammoniacal etchant is substantially precipitated as double salt copper ammonium chloride [(NH.sub.4).sub.2 CuCl.sub.4(S) ]; (b) separating the double salt copper ammonium chloride [(NH.sub.4).sub.2 CuCl.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for separating copper (II) from chromite in a material containing both copper (II) and chromite. The present invention separation method essentially comprises the steps of: (a) extracting the material with a combined hot vapor-liquid phase of volatile carboxylic acid to dissolve the copper (II) as cupric carboxylate, thereby removing the copper (II) from the material; and (b) crystallizing the cupric carboxylate. The present invention method may further comprise the step of reducing the chromite in the remaining material to chromium metal by reduction with hydrogen at about 1500.degree. C. Preferably, the substantially volatile carboxylic acid is acetic acid. The present invention method and apparatus is useful for treatment of exhausted catalyst pellets containing copper (II) and chromite and recovering both copper and chromium in a useful form from the pellets.

Abstract: An electrolytic treatment method and a unit in which such a method is practiced are provided wherein heavy metal hydrous oxides are precipitated and recovered from a dilute waste stream to render the waste stream suitable for discharge. The waste stream is passed into the cathode chamber of an anion exchange membrane delineated electrolytic cell and subjected to high current density electrolysis to promote the formation of regular, noncompressible metal hydrous oxide crystals. Fluoride ion is added to the precipitate-containing waste stream, the precipitate is filtered and the clarified liquid waste stream is split so that a portion is discharged and a portion is recycled into the metal ion-containing waste stream for further treatment.

Abstract: A method of processing an aqueous feed liquid to precipitate at least one metal (e.g., copper, nickel or a combination thereof) in a form to make the metal subsequently removable from the feed liquid by filtration, comprises the initial step of mixing (i) an aqueous feed liquid containing a soluble salt of the metal to be removed, (ii) oxalic acid in excess of that required to react with metal, and (iii) a pH-adjusting liquid in a quantity sufficient to lower the pH of the feed liquid to a point between that at which the feed liquid becomes slightly supersaturated with respect to the oxalate of the metal and that at which precipitation of the metal oxalate is initiated. The mixture is then allowed to stand (either at room temperature or heated to elevated temperatures) for a period of time sufficient to form metal oxalate, and finally the formed metal oxalate is separated from the feed liquid to leave an aqueous liquid suitable for discharge to a sewer line.

Abstract: An electrolytic treatment method and a unit in which such a method is practiced are provided wherein heavy metal hydrous oxides are precipitated and recovered from a dilute waste stream to render the waste stream suitable for discharge. The waste stream is passed into the cathode chamber of an anion exchange membrane delineated electrolytic cell and subjected to high current density electrolysis to promote the formation of regular, noncompressible metal hydrous oxide crystals. Fluoride ion is added to the precipitate-containing waste stream, the precipitate is filtered and the clarified liquid waste stream is split so that a portion is discharged and a portion is recycled into the metal ion-containing waste stream for further treatment.

Abstract: Anhydrous sodium sulfate is employed as an additive to animal litters formed from mineral, cellulosic, or chlorophyll-containing base materials. The amount of anhydrous sodium sulfate added is from approximately 0.5 to 4 parts for each 100 parts of the base material of the litter formulation. Additionally, an additive composition can include approximately 1 part citric acid for each 10 parts, by weight, of anhydrous sodium sulfate, approximately 1 part sodium chloride for each part of citric acid, by weight, and smaller amounts of activated carbon granules and germicidal agents.