Abstract: A process for treating water contaminated with refractory organic matter, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), comprising the following steps: (a) lowering the pH of the water for hydrolysis of organic matter; (b) subjecting the water with lowered pH to catalytic reduction by zero valent iron for organic matter degradation; (c) optionally aerating the water to oxidise the iron to ferric hydroxide; (d) optionally clarifying the water; and (e) optionally a catalytic advanced oxidation step. A system for conducting the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a method of water treatment including the steps of: a) Stripping water or dissolved gas by an inert gas b) Subjecting water to oxidation treatment to precipitate metals; and c) Removing precipitates from water. Oxidation treatment is a multi-stage oxidation treatment including the stages of: (1) contacting water with oxidant under pressure to precipitate metals from water; and (2) catalytic oxidation of water with oxidant, oxidation being catalysed by a catalyst, such as a zeolite catalyst, in a bed reactor or filter. Inert gas stripping is aimed at preventing growth of iron bacteria in the treatment system. Pressurised oxidation reduces the amount of oxidant injection required for catalytic oxidation. The method is particularly suited to removal of contaminants such as iron, manganese and arsenic from ground water.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for use in a joint in a work-piece comprises a first fastener component for extending through a hole in the work-piece, a second fastener component and a resilient element. The first component has a first contact portion for engaging the work-piece. The second fastener component has a second contact portion for co-operating with the first fastener component to compressively load the work-piece thereby forming the joint. The resilient element is located between the first and second contact portions so that it is it is compressed under load. The resilient element has a first stiffness characteristic when subjected to loading less than a predefined amount and has a higher stiffness characteristic when subjected to loading more than the predefined amount.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of at least partially cooking food items by exposing them to a heated liquid cooking medium supplied by a cooking medium delivery pump and piping to a cooking zone of a cooker including a control unit which, during a cooking process; (a) controls the temperature of the cooking medium delivered to the cooking zone to a pre-determined setpoint specific for the food items by controlling heat output from a heat exchanger for heating cooking medium throughout the cooking process; (b) controls the rate of convective heat transfer to the food items by directly controlling a sensed condition of cooking medium delivered to the cooking zone, other than temperature which is controlled in step (a), related to the rate of convective heat transfer; and, optionally, (c) controls the rate of convective heat transfer to the food items by controlling a sensed condition of the cooking zone related to the rate of convective heat transfer. Cookers which implement the method are also described.