Abstract: A method of reducing the organic compounds in an aqueous stream by generating an oxidant in-situ using at least one electrolytic cell. The method may comprise contacting at least a portion of the aqueous stream with the electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may have at least two electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is a metal electrode and, a power source for powering the at least two electrodes. A water treatment system for generating an oxidant in-situ comprising at least one electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may have at least two electrodes, wherein at least one electrode is a metal electrode, and a power source for powering the at least two electrodes. A method of improving the rejection rate of a reverse osmosis membrane using an oxidant generated in-situ. The method may comprise contacting at least a portion of the aqueous stream with the electrolytic cell thereby creating an oxidized aqueous stream.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrate ions from a solution is presented. The method includes providing a polymer comprising a protonated amine moiety and an anion derived from an acid having a pKa value greater than about 1. The method further includes contacting the polymer with the solution to bind at least a portion of the nitrate ions in the solution with the polymer, and form a polymer-nitrate complex. The method furthermore includes separating at least a portion of the polymer-nitrate complex from the solution.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of sludge with microwave irradiation for improving its dewatering are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes exposing the sludge to microwave irradiation at an absorbed power density of between about 7 W/ml and about 13 W/ml. Turbidity, total solids content and overall dewaterability are improved when the microwave irradiation treatment is combined with another method for dewatering sludge, such as enzyme treatment, conditioning with a flocculating agent and mechanical dewatering.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of reducing fouling and increasing the efficiency of microfiltration and ultrafiltration systems by adding an effective amount of a tannin-based polymer to wastewater containing high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), such as produced water, prior to filtration. Additional pretreatment to separate out and remove coagulated solids before filtration is not required. Typically, the tannin polymer used in treating the process water is a modified tannin comprised of a Mannich reaction product of an amine, an aldehyde, and a tannin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer derived from: reaction of glycidyl (meth)acrylate, allyl glycidyl ether or [(vinyloxy)methyl]oxirane with ammonia or primary amine to obtain a mixture of monomer compounds; reaction of the mixture of monomer compounds with at least one of acrylic acid, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, acrylamide, methylacrylic acid, and methylacrylamide to obtain an intermediate polymer; and reaction of the intermediate polymer with a dithiocarbamic acid salt. Methods for using the polymer are also described herein.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrate ions from a solution is presented. The method includes providing a polymer comprising a protonated amine moiety and an anion derived from an acid having a pKa value greater than about 1. The method further includes contacting the polymer with the solution to bind at least a portion of the nitrate ions in the solution with the polymer, and form a polymer-nitrate complex. The method furthermore includes separating at least a portion of the polymer-nitrate complex from the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer derived from: reaction of glycidyl (meth)acrylate, allyl glycidyl ether or [(vinyloxy)methyl]oxirane with ammonia or primary amine to obtain a mixture of monomer compounds; reaction of the mixture of monomer compounds with at least one of acrylic acid, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, acrylamide, methylacrylic acid, and methylacrylamide to obtain an intermediate polymer; and reaction of the intermediate polymer with a dithiocarbamic acid salt. Methods for using the polymer are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer comprising structural units of formula and formula wherein R1, R2, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, a methyl group, or —COOH, only one of R1 and R2 or R5 and R6 is —COOH; R3 and R7 are independently hydrogen, or a methyl group; R4 is —COOH, —CONH2 or —OH, when R4 is —OH, R1, R2 and R3 are respectively hydrogen; and R8 is —COO, —CONH, or —O—, when R8 is —O—, R5, R6 and R7 are respectively hydrogen. Methods for preparing and using the polymer are also described herein.

Abstract: A method for remediating bacterially-induced corrosion, environmental damage, and/or process inefficiencies in an industrial process includes identifying an industrial process where target bacteria adversely affect corrosion, environmental impact, and/or process efficiencies. The process also includes identifying the strains of the target bacteria, obtaining a bacteriophage virulent against one or more of the strains of the target bacteria, and exposing the target bacteria to the bacteriophage. The method can utilize an aqueous composition comprising bacteriophage encapsulated in at least one selected from the group consisting of: liposomes, foam, and gel.

Abstract: A coagulant composition includes chitosan, methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate and a redox initiator. A coagulant, method for making the coagulant and clarifying wastewater is also provided.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane bioreactor includes dispersing a treatment additive in the mixed liquor. The treatment additive includes a water soluble block copolymer. Methods for improving flux in a membrane bioreactor and clarifying wastewater are also provided.

Abstract: Clarification of surfactant laden wastewaters of the type commonly encountered in the laundry, dishwashing, textile manufacturing, and metal cleaning and degreasing processes is provided by use of a chitosan/(meth)acrylyloxy alkyl quaternary ammonium salt graft polymer.

Abstract: Clarification of surfactant laden wastewaters of the type commonly encountered in the laundry, dishwashing, textile manufacturing, and metal cleaning and degreasing processes is provided by use of a chitosan/(meth)acrylyloxy alkyl quaternary ammonium salt graft polymer.

Abstract: A method for reducing inorganic contaminant levels during supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) is provided. The method utilizes a fluidized bed reactor wherein inorganic contaminants in the water precipitate out onto the catalyst. The clean water is reclaimed after oxidation of organic contaminants and reduction of inorganic contaminant levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer comprising structural units of formula and formula wherein R1, R2, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, a methyl group, or —COOH, only one of R1 and R2 or R5 and R6 is —COOH; R3 and R7 are independently hydrogen, or a methyl group; R4 is —COOH, —CONH2 or —OH, when R4 is —OH, R1, R2 and R3 are respectively hydrogen; and R8 is —COO, —CONH, or —O—, when R8 is —O—, R5, R6 and R7 are respectively hydrogen. Methods for preparing and using the polymer are also described herein.

Abstract: A coagulant composition includes chitosan, methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate and a redox initiator. A coagulant, method for making the coagulant and clarifying wastewater is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) system comprising adding an effective amount of a tannin containing polymer to the mixed liquor. Also disclosed is a method of improving flux in an MBR system comprising adding an effective amount of a tannin containing polymer to mixed liquor of the MBR. An effective amount of the tannin containing polymer may be added separately or in combination with other water soluble sludge filterability improvement polymers or sludge filterability improvement inorganic coagulants to the mixed liquor of the MBR. In one embodiment, the tannin containing polymer is a water soluble or dispersible copolymer of a tannin and a cationic monomer. In another embodiment, the tannin containing polymer is a water soluble or dispersible polymer of a tannin, a cationic monomer, and at least one monomer.