Abstract: A method for using foam fractionation to remove a PFAS contaminant from a water source is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a feed stream to an inlet of an active column. The method also includes introducing the feed stream into an interior of the active column. The method also includes flowing gas through an active column into the interior of the active column. The method also include rising gas through the feed stream in the interior of the active column to form gas bubbles in the feed stream. The method also includes forming a foam layer. The method also includes, in instances where insufficient foam is generated due to depletion of surfactant in the earlier columns, adding additional surfactant through ports located in various columns throughout the system to ensure the presence of sufficient surfactant in all columns and optimize the volume of foam produced in each stage.

Abstract: A system for the destruction of PFAS compounds through mineralization with reactive oxides is disclosed herein. The system includes an acquisition unit for obtaining reactive oxides. The system also includes a mixing unit operatively connected to the acquisition unit, where the mixing unit is configured to combine PFAS-contaminated waste with the reactive oxides. The system also includes a high-temperature treatment unit operatively connected to the mixing unit to subject the mixture of PFAS-contaminated waste and reactive oxides to a chemical reaction. The system includes a cooling unit operatively connected to the high-temperature treatment unit. The system includes a waste collection receptacle connected to the cooling unit. The system includes particulate vapor treatment systems, where PFAS-contaminated atmospheres from the high-temperature treatment unit and the cooling unit are captured to prevent emissions to the environment.

Abstract: A method for using foam fractionation to remove a PFAS contaminant from a water source is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a feed stream to an inlet of an active column, where the feed stream comprises the PFAS contaminant and water; introducing the feed stream into an interior of the active column; flowing gas through an active column into the interior of the active column; rising gas through the feed stream in the interior of the active column to form gas bubbles in the feed stream; forming a foam layer; passing the purified stream into a next column; continuously perform foam fractionation until the feed stream becomes a cleaned stream; collecting the foam layer; and disposing of the foam layer.

Abstract: A method and system for the destruction of PFAS compounds using reactive metal oxides is disclosed herein. The method includes introducing a metal oxide into a vessel, where the vessel is heated to a temperature in a range of approximately 300° C. to approximately 700° C. The method also includes introducing a contaminated stream to the vessel, where the contaminated stream includes one or more PFAS compound. The method also includes reacting the contaminated stream with the metal oxide. The method also includes, resultant to the reacting, producing a solid non-toxic product.

Abstract: A system and method for foam fractionation with gas recycling is disclosed herein. The method includes using foam fractionation to remove a contaminant from an aqueous source. The method includes providing a feed stream to an inlet of an active column; introducing the feed stream into an interior of the active column; flowing gas through an active column into the interior of the active column; rising gas through the feed stream in the interior of the active column to form gas bubbles in the feed stream; forming a foam layer; extracting the foam layer; passing the foam layer through a liquid-gas separator to obtain a recycle gas stream; feeding the recycle gas stream to a recycling device; and re-introducing the recycle gas stream to the active column using the recycling device.

Abstract: A system for the separation of rare earth elements, the system including a separation vessel, the separation vessel including an inlet configured to receive the aqueous solution, an interior configured to house the aqueous solution, where the interior is configured to receive a supply of air; the aqueous solution including one or more rare earth elements, a surfactant, and a complexing agent; a compressed air source, where the compressed air source is operatively coupled to the separation vessel, and configured to propel the supply of air through the aqueous solution; and the supply of air, where the supply of air is operable to induce a plurality of bubbles to form in the aqueous solution, and create a foam layer to form at and above the interface of the aqueous solution, wherein the foam layer comprises the one or more rare earth elements from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A seed tube guard assembly for agricultural planters has floating wear plates to improve the wear life of the seed tube guard. The assembly includes a support bracket having an upper end attached to a planter shank assembly and a lower end positioned between a pair of opener disks. A seed tube guide extends rearwardly from the support bracket for receiving a lower end of a seed tube. A pair of dowels are pressed into openings in the support bracket and protrude from the sides thereof. A metal ball is press fit into an opening in the support bracket between the dowels with opposite sides of the metal ball protruding from the respective sides of the support bracket. The floating wear plates are supported by the dowels on the respective sides of the support bracket with the metal ball engaging the wear plates at respective fulcrum points between the dowels.

Abstract: A pivot assembly is provided for attaching a closing wheel frame to a planter. The closing wheel frame has a pair of closing wheels attached at a rear end and a pair of mounting openings formed at a front end. The pivot assembly includes ball bearings having outer races fit loosely within each of the mounting openings of the closing wheel frame. The inner races of the ball bearings are secured to the planter frame using threaded nut and bolt assemblies. The closing wheel frame is pivotal relative to the planter frame during normal operation by relative movement between the inner and outer races of the bearing. Variations of the mounting openings in the closing wheel frame are disclosed, including a tubular part, heavy washer or other annular structure welded to an outside surface of the closing wheel frame, or a bearing housing formed integral with the closing wheel frame.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for attaching a closing wheel arm to a bearing housing of a no-till drill has a pair of sleeve bearings, a pair of seals, and a pivot bushing or pivot pin that extends through the sleeve bearings and seals. The sleeve bearings are press fit into opposite ends of a bore of the bearing housing and have grooves formed across bearing surfaces thereof for grease to flow to outer ends of the bearings. The seals are also press fit into the opposite ends of the bearing housing bore. The pivot bushing or pivot pin is installed into the sleeve bearings with an outer surface thereof providing a close-running fit with the bearing surfaces of the sleeve bearings. The close-running fit has a clearance within the range of 0.001 to 0.002 inch and can be provided by passing a reamer through the inner bore of the sleeve bearings.