Abstract: A method and recyclable magnetic adsorbent are provided for removing contaminants from a fluid stream that has by-products. The method includes providing an adsorbent material that has incorporated at least one ferromagnetic material. Contacting the ferromagnetic adsorbent material to at least a portion of contaminated stream to adsorb the contaminant. The contaminated adsorbent is then separated from the by-products using a magnetic separation process. The adsorbent is recovered from the solid by-products and reusable in the present method.

Abstract: A process for concentrating and destroying the perchlorate and nitrate anions present in ground water and drinking water sources is disclosed. In the process, the perchlorate and nitrate anions present in feed water are concentrated into a much smaller effluent stream. A typical process configuration involves using a continuous contacter apparatus known as ISEP wherein the perchlorate present in feed water is adsorbed on to an ion-exchange resin resulting in a perchlorate-free treated water. The ISEP unit also incorporates a regeneration zone where the adsorbed perchlorate is effectively removed from the resin using relatively low volumes of concentrated brine solution as the regenerant. The waste from the ISEP unit is a concentrated brine solution containing perchlorate and other anions that may be present in the feed stream.