Abstract: A method of producing sodium carbonate from any solution or carbonate mineral, especially trona, that includes: removing calcium and magnesium compounds from an input solution; passing the input solution to a precipitator, adding methanol of 30% to 70% by volume to the solution in the precipitator so as to precipitate carbonate from the solution, washing the precipitated carbonate with a methanol-containing solution, and drying the washed precipitated crystals at low temperatures. The present invention provides a refined technique for reducing impurities and increasing efficiency of the process whereby sodium carbonate crystals can be formed of various sizes, shapes, densities and distributions by adjusting various parameters of the process.

Abstract: A method of producing sodium carbonate crystals from a sodium carbonate-containing solution including the steps of passing the sodium carbonate-containing solution to a precipitator, adding methanol to the sodium carbonate-containing solution in the precipitator such that a resultant liquor has methanol in a concentration of between 15% and 70% by volume, precipitating the sodium carbonate crystals from the resultant liquor, washing the precipitated sodium carbonate crystals with an alcohol-containing solution and drying the washed precipitated sodium carbonate crystals. The sodium carbonate-containing solution has a sodium carbonate concentration ranging between 100 g/l to saturation. The methanol is in residence with the sodium carbonate-containing solution for between 10 and 100 minutes. The alcohol-containing solution has an alcohol concentration ranging between 50% and 100%.

Abstract: A steam stripping method for the softening of a feedstream of water including the steps of passing the feedstream of water into intimate contact with uncondensed steam such that the steam elevates the temperature of the feedstream of water, increasing the pH of the feedstream of water, reacting the feedstream of water with the steam so as to produce uncondensed steam byproducts and liquid byproducts, and passing the liquid byproducts through a filter so as to remove solids from the liquid byproducts. The steam is reacted with the feedstream of water at a rate of one pound of steam per ten pounds of feedstream water. A quantity of magnesium hydroxide can be added to the feedstream of water so as to initiate silica crystal formation. The liquid byproducts can pass through a bed of aluminum prior to the step of passing through a filter so as to reduce a silica content of the liquid byproducts.

Abstract: A filtration system including a crossflow filter having an interior membrane and a backpulse piston-and-cylinder assembly having a first port connected to a permeate outlet of the crossflow filter and a second port positioned at a different location than the first port. The piston-and-cylinder assembly has an interior piston movable between a first position blocking fluid flow between the first port and the second port and a second position permitting fluid flow between the first and second ports. An actuator is connected to the piston so as to move the piston from the second position to the first position. The piston defines an interior chamber within the assembly. The first port and the second port are in fluid communication with the interior chamber when the piston is in the second position. A controller is connected to the actuator for causing the movement of the piston relative to a temporal event or to a pressure differential across the interior membrane of the crossflow filter.

Abstract: A method of controlling odors from a hydrocarbon-containing sludge including the steps of mixing a quaternary ammonium compound with water, adding a surface-active agent to the mixture of the quaternary ammonium compound and water, and dispersing the mixture into the hydrocarbon-containing sludge. A masking agent may be introduced to the mixture of the water, the quaternary ammonium compound, and the surface-active agent. A pH control agent is added to this mixture, along with a quantity of a polyglycol ether. The quaternary ammonium compound is benzalkonium chloride. The surface-active agent is butyl cellosolve. The masking agent is limonene. The step of dispersing the mixture includes spraying the mixture onto the hydrocarbon-containing sludge.