Abstract: A process to remove transition metals from waste water. The process includes the steps of passing waste water to a first pH resin bed, monitoring the effluent from the first resin bed, and adjusting pH to greater than 4. The effluent is passed to a first stage liquid tank and to a first brackish water membrane to filter out complex metals. Rejected effluent from the first brackish water membrane is passed to a second stage liquid tank and thereafter to a second brackish water membrane. The permeate from the second brackish water membrane is passed back to the first stage liquid tank. The rejected effluent from the second brackish water membrane is heated and evaporated. The evaporated effluent is condensed so that metal crystals are gathered for disposal. The permeate through the first brackish membrane is passed to an EDTA resin bed to sequester metal ions. The pH of the discharge from the second pH resin bed is adjusted to between 7 and 11.

Abstract: A method and system for handling tar sands and extracting bitumen or oil from the tar sands. The method includes the steps of depositing tar sands in a hopper assembly with a first input auger. An organic solvent mixture is introduced to the tar sands in the hopper assembly and is dissolved by the organic solvent mixture. Sand and rocks from the tar sands is allowed to separate. The sands and liquid in a slurry of fluid are transported from the hopper assembly to a rinse chamber. The slurry of fluid is delivered into the top of the rinse chamber tangentially to cause cyclonic action of the slurry in the rinsing chamber. The cyclonic action and gravity draws the sand downward. Solvent mixed with hydrocarbons are drawn off from the top of the rinse chamber and recirculated in a closed loop process. A portion of the solvent and hydrocarbon liquid mixture is pumped to a separator system in order to separate the oil and bitumen from the solvent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for continuously or substantially continuously separating particulate matter based on particle size and/or density of the matter. The system includes a separation chamber having a bottom portion disposed within a cavity of a rotatable bowl having fluid therein, preferably water. The internal cavity of the separation chamber is maintained under negative pressure such that fluid is drawn through the separation chamber at a predetermined velocity to separate the solids. Larger, dewatered and/or denser solids are directed to the cavity of the rotatable bowl and can be removed by rotation of the bowl while the smaller and/or less dense solids and fluid travel up through the separation chamber.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is stabilized by the addition of tri-potassium phosphate. This enhanced product is environmentally friendly and can be used in a variety of odor and disinfection applications without hazard to people, plants and things.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is stabilized by the addition of tri-potassium phosphate. This enhanced product is environmentally friendly and can be used in a variety of odor and disinfection applications without hazard to people, plants and things.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously removing oil from oil-bearing solids such as tar sands, vegetables or other solid materials using a solvent is provided. By providing a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of an oil extraction chamber, substantially oil free solids may be removed from the oil extraction chamber through a solids extraction channel without removing any substantial volume of solvent through the solids extraction channel.

Abstract: The dry charge machine and method disclosed carefully monitor the temperature above and below the plates as well as the water temperature exiting the machine and introduce cooling water at a flow rate and temperature so as to maximize thermal efficiency in drying and minimize the energy necessary to raise the temperature of the drying gas. The machinery is arranged and controlled so that water droplets are not introduced into the air. Oxygen leakage into the machine in minimized and the oxygen content of the air is monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing storage batteries comprises a rinse section for removing water soluble acid, followed by a wash section to remove non-soluble contaminants. The water in the rinse section is isolated from the water in the wash section. Means are provided for collecting acid solution from the rinse section, and for filtering and recycling the water in the wash section. Batteries are moved through the sections in sequence on a carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the rinse section comprises a partitioned collecting pan underlying the carrier to create sequential rinsing in progressively less acidic rinse water and to concentrate the most acidic rinse water before the first partition for extraction as an acid solution. A drying section using air blowers along the carrier may be included after the washing section.

Abstract: A process for purifying contaminated aqueous solutions without using ion exchange resins or organic solvents is provided. The process comprises contacting an aqueous solution with a getter compound and a non-polymeric carrier compound in a dispersed state to remove dissolved contaminants or recover dissolved valuable materials. Suitable carrier compounds having pendant long chain hydrocarbon radicals and hydrophilic moieties are disclosed. The process is highly efficient and effective for removing a wide variety of dissolved contaminants such as metal ions, non-metal ions and dissolved organic contaminants such as dyes.

Abstract: A process for purifying contaminated aqueous solutions without using ion exchange resins or organic solvents is provided. The process comprises contacting an aqueous solution with a non-polymeric getter compound in a dispersed state to remove dissolved contaminants or recover dissolved valuable materials. Suitable getter compounds having pendant long chain hydrocarbon radicals and complexing moieties are disclosed. The process is highly efficient and effective for removing a wide variety of dissolved contaminants such as metal ions, non-metal ions and dissolved organic contaminants such as dyes.

Abstract: A method for washing batteries includes washing batteries in water flowing at a low flat rate at a rinse station, collecting the water from the station, introducing fresh water, and repeating this at sequential stations, and causing water to flow between the stations at a given rate by creating a flow channel between them.

Abstract: An improved dip method of enveloping a battery plate with a microporous separator material. The method involves first removing air bubbles and residual water from the plate by dipping the plate in an anhydrous liquid such as anhydrous solvent or anhydrous solvent/nonsolvent solution, then dipping the plate in a second liquid comprising a polymer-solvent-filler or polymer-solvent/nonsolvent-filler suspension. After removal from the second liquid, the plate is dried by evaporation. The result is the formation of a microporous separator envelope about the battery plate. The plate may be dipped in a third liquid before drying. The third liquid may have a viscosity greater than that of the second liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for enveloping a battery plate with a microporous battery separator material by a dip method. The method involves first removing air bubbles from the plate by dipping the plate in a liquid, then dipping the plate into a polymer-solvent-filler suspension. After removal from the polymer-solvent-filler suspension, the plate is dried by evaporation or contacted with a nonsolvent and then dried. The result is the formation of a microporous separator envelope about the battery plate. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tanks for housing components for the production of the envelopes, into which tanks a battery plate can be sequentially dipped. Additionally, the apparatus includes a screen between the first two tanks for attracting liquid when contacted by a wet battery plate, a dryer, and a plate carrier.

Abstract: A method for preparing plates primarily intended for use in a dry charge battery includes washing pasted and formed battery plates in water flowing at a low flow rate until most, but not all, of the forming acid has been removed, and thereafter washing said plates in additional water flowing at a higher flow rate to remove residual acid; treating the additional wash water using an ion exchange bed to remove the acid and reusing the deacidified water as wash water.

Abstract: Formed negative plates for use in dry charge storage batteries are treated with an aqueous solution of an oxidation inhibiting agent such as salicyclic acid or 2-naphthol, and then dried.

Abstract: A dip method of enveloping a battery plate with a microporous battery separator material. The method involves a first removing air bubbles from the plate by dipping the plate in a liquid, then dipping the plate into a polymer-solvent-filler suspension. After removal from the polymer-solvent-filler suspension, the plate is dried by evaporation or contacted with a nonsolvent and then dried. The result is the formation of a microporous separator envelope about the battery plate.