Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the inactivation of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) in ex vivo stored blood products, such as plasma and/or platelets, by means of directing visible light radiation from an illuminating device into blood product storage containers in order to achieve effective pathogen inactivation without the presence of an added photosensitising agent in the blood product. An exemplary apparatus includes a control unit that operates a light source that emits light in the wavelength region of about 380-500 nm which is directed onto blood product storage bags at sufficient intensity to penetrate the bag material and the opaque blood product therein in order to inactivate pathogens in the blood product but at dose levels that cause no significant detrimental effects on the blood product.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of effluents; more particularly it relates to the destruction of compounds or complexes which are normally very stable and which pose problems in the purification and control of effluents.Specifically, the process for recovering metal present as a stable complex in an aqueous effluent comprises the steps of:(a) adjusting the pH of the effluent as necessary to a pH of 6.+-.0.5;(b) removing by filtration a substantial quantity of base and amphoretic metals from the so treated effluent of step (a);(c) heating the filtrate from step (b) to a temperature in the region of 70.degree. C.;(d) electrolyzing the heated filtrate from step (c) at a substantially constant temperature maintained at least at 70.degree. C. so as to destroy the stable complexes and thereby precipitate the said metals in the form of hydrated oxides or hydroxides, and(e) filtering-off said precipitate.

Abstract: A process for recovering platinum group metal present as a stable complex dissolved in an aqueous effluent from a platinum group metals refinery which comprises (1) adjusting the pH of the effluent to an alkalinitz of at least 10; (2) heating to above 60.degree. C.; (3) electrolyzing the effluent at said alkalinitz and temperature using an anode potential having a half-cell voltage of at least 7.5 volts and current density of at least 0.2 A/cm.sup.2 so as to break down said complex by anodic oxidation and precipitate metal present in the complex; and (4) filtering off the precipitated metal.

Abstract: A process for recovering platinum group metal present as a stable complex dissolved in an aqueous effluent from a platinum group metals refinery which comprises (1) adjusting the pH of the effluent as necessary to an alkaline pH of at least 10; (2) heating the effluent to a temperature above 60.degree. C; (3) electrolyzing the effluent at said temperature and alkaline pH using an electrode comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt and alloys thereof at an anode potential having a half-cell voltage of at least 7.5 volts and a current density of at least 0.2 A/cm.sup.2 so as to break down said complex by anodic oxidation and precipitate metal present in the complex; and (4) filtering off the thus precipitated metal.