Abstract: Disclosed is a low-temperature process for regenerating carbon adsorbents utilized in flue gas desulfurization where carbon loss is minimized. The carbon adsorbent is soaked or washed in a basic reducing solution having a pH greater than 7.0 at room temperature to remove sulfur-containing compounds from carbon.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and method for separating lint particles in a clothes dryer. In the present invention, the device and method use a cyclone to separate the lint particles. The cyclone includes a housing container having an inlet port and an outlet port. A screen is positioned about the inlet port. A tubing extends through the outlet port into the housing container. A drawing means draws moisture and lint laden air from the clothes dryer through the screen. A circulating means circulates the moisture and lint laden air in the housing container about the tubing. A removing means removes the moisture and lint laden air from the housing container and retains any lint particles within the housing container. The cyclone improves upon the efficiency of accumulating lint particles without compromising the passage of air flow in the exhaust duct and improves upon the passage of air flow without decreasing the amount of lint particles being trapped.

Abstract: The process for removal of contaminants from coolants involves using an inorganic hydrophilic membrane, such as a ceramic membrane with varying pore sizes, to remove lead particulates, including soluble lead that is converted to insoluble lead precipitates, and oil from machining coolant solutions. The treated coolant with the lead substantially removed is then recycled back to the coolant tank that is used for machining lead alloy parts.

Abstract: Contaminated material is decontaminated using a process in which fractions of the contaminated material are sequentially exposed to a polymeric sorbent to enhance removal of contaminants. The contaminated material is first converted into a slurry which may be divided into a sand slurry and a slimes slurry. A quantity of large polymeric sorbent particles are first contacted with the slimes slurry and then separated and contacted with the sand slurry. The sorbent particles are then separated from the sand slurry which is exposed to the action of a flotation cell. The concentrate removed from the flotation cell is then exposed to the polymeric sorbent particles. At least a portion of the sorbent particles are then thermally regenerated and recycled. One preferred material for the polymeric sorbent is nitrile-butadiene rubber.

Abstract: This invention provides a method or process for separating an organic chlorinated contaminant such as polychlorobiphenyl from an inert porous material which comprises admixing the material with an effective amount of a volatilizable organic liquid in which the contaminant is soluble, heating the admixture under vacuum to a temperature above the boiling point of the organic liquid but below the decomposition temperature of the organic liquid and the contaminant, while maintaining a flow of an inert sweep gas through the porous material, and collecting the vapors for further treatment which includes recovery of the organic liquid for reuse in the decontamination of soil and other porous materials. Recovery of the organic liquid is achieved by passing the vapors from the separation step through a bed of activated carbon at a temperature above the vaporization temperature of the organic liquid.

Abstract: An adsorbent electrode assembly electrically enhances contaminant removal in soil washing processes. The adsorbent electrode assembly is immersed in the froth of a flotation cell and connected to one pole of a battery. The other pole of the battery is connected to the flotation cell tank. The resulting electric charge (either positive or negative depending on the nature of the contaminant) applied to the adsorbent electrode assembly attracts contaminants in the froth to the adsorbent electrode assembly which adsorbs them. The adsorbent electrode assembly is then easily removed from the cell for replacement or regeneration. The adsorbent electrode assembly can comprise one or more carbon rods, a carbon screen, or a porous bag filled with an adsorbent material and having an electrode disposed therein.

Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated hydrocarbons are separated from soil by oil assisted desorption followed by vacuum stripping in presence of a sweep gas.