Abstract: A system and method for treatment of soot-laden waste water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of separating the soot from the waste water initially in a clarifier. The concentrated soot is then treated with an activated sludge mixture in a digester with a very long average hydraulic retention time to effectively digest the materials found in the concentrated soot. Soot-free waste water is treated via standard aerobic, and anoxic reactor basins and a clarifier with activated sludge recirculation. The system effectively removes soot from soot-laden waste water in a cost effective manner.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of soot-laden waste water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of separating the soot from the waste water initially in a clarifier. The concentrated soot is then treated with an activated sludge mixture in a digester with a very long average hydraulic retention time to effectively digest the materials found in the concentrated soot. Soot-free waste water is treated via standard aerobic, and anoxic reactor basins and a clarifier with activated sludge recirculation. The system effectively removes soot from soot-laden waste water in a cost effective manner.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of soot-laden waste water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of separating the soot from the waste water initially in a clarifier. The concentrated soot is then treated with an activated sludge mixture in a digester with a very long average hydraulic retention time to effectively digest the materials found in the concentrated soot. Soot-free waste water is treated via standard aerobic, and anoxic reactor basins and a clarifier with activated sludge recirculation. The system effectively removes soot from soot-laden waste water in a cost effective manner.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of soot-laden waste water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of separating the soot from the waste water initially in a clarifier. The concentrated soot is then treated with an activated sludge mixture in a digester with a very long average hydraulic retention time to effectively digest the materials found in the concentrated soot. Soot-free waste water is treated via standard aerobic, and anoxic reactor basins and a clarifier with activated sludge recirculation. The system effectively removes soot from soot-laden waste water in a cost effective manner.

Abstract: A method and a reactor system for continuous waste water treatment are disclosed. The method involves the steps of continuously flowing an influent into a treatment basin and continuously flowing an effluent out of the treatment basin into a clarifier. The influent is continuously and completely mixed in the treatment basin. In an additional step, oxygen is introduced into the basin for a first predetermined time period. The introduction of oxygen into the basin is then stopped for a second predetermined time period and then the steps of introducing and stopping the oxygen are repeated. The reactor system includes a treatment basin having an inlet for continuously receiving an influent stream, an outlet for continuously discharging an effluent stream, and contains a mixed liquor. At least one mixer completely and homogeneously mixes the mixed liquor.

Abstract: Methods of removing contaminant metals from aqueous waste streams. A preferred method includes providing an aqueous waste stream containing a metal having a valence of at least one, such as zinc, lead, chromium, copper, iron, aluminum, manganese, cadmium, gold, silver, and mixtures of these metals. The waste stream is substantially free of calcium and magnesium. The process also includes forming a substantially insoluble precipitate of said metal by mixing with the waste stream fatty acids; zinc, potassium, and sodium salts of fatty acids; and mixtures of these materials. The metal precipitate is separated from the waste stream and the water that is subject to the removal process remains substantially free of calcium and magnesium throughout the entire process. The methods of the present invention are particularly effective for the removal of trace amounts of zinc from aqueous waste streams from polystyrene processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing caprolactam emissions from a broad variety of sources, especially from caprolactam polymerization operations and thermoplastic polycaprolactam processing operations which contains a header for collecting air containing the emissions, a duct, and a candle filter housing, which is connected to the header by the duct, a candle filter located in the candle filter housing, which is connected to the duct, a nozzle for rinsing the candle filter with an aqueous caprolactam solution, which is connected to the candle filter; a reservoir having a drain which is connected to the candle filter, a circulation pump for recirculating the aqueous caprolactam solution from the reservoir to the candle filter, a refractometer and a feedback equipment for maintaining the caprolactam concentration in the reservoir at a predetermined level and a fan for moving the air through the header, duct, candle filter and candle filter housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing emissions from caprolactam polymerization operations and thermoplastic polycaprolactam processing operations by collecting air containing the emissions, directing the air, containing the emissions, to a candle filter in a candle filter housing and rinsing the air, containing the emissions, within the candle filter with an aqueous caprolactam solution, containing at least 4% by weight caprolactam.