Abstract: Ion exchange techniques are utilized to treat waste water flows, especially those from plating baths, by passing the waste water through a multi-level ion exchange resin bed, the bed thereafter being regenerated by a series of steps, including backwashing, passage of an acidic regeneration fluid through the bed, multi-stage rinsing of the bed, and passage of a caustic regeneration fluid through at least a portion of the bed. Acidic waste flows developed during regeneration steps are, when desired, further treated to recover cyanide values therefrom by heating same within a generally closed tank to drive off a hydrocyanic gas, which is then reacted with caustic within a circulation reactor having an inclined passageway in order to form and recover a cyanide salt liquor suitable for re-use in the plating bath.

Abstract: A waste solvent recovery apparatus to recover tetrahydratfuran (THF) from waste sludge. THF sludge enters the apparatus container through a sludge jet generally pointing in a downward direction. Steam is directed downwardly and at the THF waste sludge jet tending to vaporize the THF while solid contaminants fall to the bottom of the container. The flow rate of steam with respect to waste sludge is adjusted so that the temperature at the bottom of the container exceeds the boiling point of THF and the temperature at the top of the container is less than the boiling point of water.

Abstract: A reactor suitable for extracorporeal treatment of blood includes a conduit defining within itself a passage of generally circular cross section and wound in a plurality of concentric helices so as to generate a transverse double toroidal secondary fluid flow in a fluid passing through the conduit. A spacer means is provided about the conduit to separate adjacent helices and permit circulation of a heat transfer fluid around each helix of the conduit.

Abstract: Continuous or semi-continuous ion exchange treatment, such as desalination, is achieved by utilizing a column packed with a heterogeneous thermally regenerable ion exchange resin in a single bed divided into a loading zone, a heat displacement zone above the loading zone, and a resin regeneration zone above the heat displacement zone. In operation, feed liquid flows upwardly through the loading zone and the treated liquid is removed. Loaded resin is transferred from the loading zone to the regeneration zone, the resin bed then being displaced downwardly, counter-current to the flow of feed liquid. A hot regeneration liquid, which may be a portion of the treated liquid, is passed through the loaded resin in the regeneration zone for thermal regeneration of the resin.

Abstract: A process for purifying liquids comprises the steps of feeding the liquid to be purified into a sealed chamber and to guide the liquid in such a relation to a stream of air which is guided to circulate in a cycle in said chamber and is heated during part of its cycle, that the liquid will come into contact with the stream of air in a location where said stream of air has a raised temperature, bringing the damped air thus generated to condensate and discharging the resulting condensate from said chamber such as through a first line whereas the rest of the liquid is discharged separately through a second line.The invention also refers to a plant or device, designed to carry out the process.

Abstract: Processes are provided for accomplishing wet oxidation using a reaction zone wherein the gas phase (oxygen) is allowed to pass therethrough at a flow rate independent of the liquid phase (waste water) flow rate so that more oxygen can be supplied to a given volume of waste water than is possible for a conventional reactor of the equivalent size. A high efficiency wet oxidation is provided by which the process technology can be practiced either in a single stage or multistage. The reactor is directed to operate at temperatures ranging from about 350.degree. to 600.degree. F. at pressures ranging from about 800 to 2200 psig and the reactor provides a gas phase/liquid phase separation feature.

Abstract: A method for separating components of a substance, for example, a fatty acid ester such as palm oil, by dissolving the substance in a solvent. The resultant solution is circulated and cooled in a circuit with crystals being formed in the solution as the temperature is lowered. The crystals are continuously separated from the circulating solution during the crystal separation phase of the process. The crystals are then preferably washed and recovered. Preferably there is a second crystallization phase in the process. The invention includes the apparatus used to carry out the process and, particularly, novel fractionating columns and filter surfaces within said columns used in the preferred embodiments of the process.

Abstract: Sewage sludge and municipal solid waste are simultaneously processed by first dissolving a catalyst, such as sodium aluminate, in the sludge, then mixing the sludge-aluminate mixture with the municipal waste to form a carbonizing mixture. After dewatering and drying, the mixture is carbonized in a furnace heated by a mixture of city gas and pyrolysis gases given off by the furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting contaminated water with ultra-violet light to eliminate potentially harmful organisms as well as to provide air cooling necessary for efficient operation of the UV lamp and simultaneous production of ozone in the apparatus for secondary disinfection of the water, the water after treatment by the ultraviolet light being discharged into a water storage tank, and the irradiated air that contains the ozone being discharged into the tank into contact with the water for carrying out the secondary disinfection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating heat hardenable constituents from an aqueous solution of thermohardenable fiber binder material by insolubilizing the constituents through the application of both heat and pressure are disclosed.

Abstract: A purification device for utilizing a gas to purify a liquid, principally useable as an artificial lung, and employs a simple mixing tube so as to assure the mixing of a purification gas with the liquid, with the liquid and gas mixture exiting from the mixing tube into a housing carrying gas separation means in the form of a filter with the purified liquid flowing through the housing in reverse direction to liquid flow in the mixing tube and being collected at one end of the housing while the separated gas is vented from the opposite end of the housing. The housing carries a heat exchange device for maintaining the purified liquid at a predetermined temperature as it exits from the purification device. A pump is provided for pumping the purified liquid from the housing. In order that the housing will not be pumped dry, there is provided a float valve arrangement for controlling flow of the purified liquid out of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for aeration of water for reduction of the biological oxygen demand, which comprises a cylindrical vessel with vertical axis of selected cross-sectional area and height. A horizontal dividing wall is positioned near the bottom of the vessel. Water enters into the space below the dividing wall and passes upwardly through a plurality of narrow slots spaced equally from each other. An air manifold is provided including a plurality of small diameter pipes, or arms, each of which is positioned over one of the slots in the dividing wall. A plurality of small diameter orifices are drilled on the underside of the arms, divided substantially equally on each side of the center line, so that as the water rises it is immediately contacted by the air bubbles, which issue through these orifices. The air bubbles and liquid would rise in a column above the arms. Near the top of the chamber is a horizontal baffle plate, which has an annular space between its outer circumference and the inner wall of the tank.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator with heat exchanger comprising an annular oxygenation chamber provided with a blood entry, an oxygen diffuser and a duct for the passage of the blood from the oxygenator chamber to a defoaming element. A heat exchanger is provided extending from an upper container housing the defoaming element to a second container located below the oxygenation chamber. In the oxygenation chamber the blood follows a labyrinth passage defined by radially disposed, longitudinally extending baffles uniformly distributed in the annular chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the precipitation of human blood plasma components characterized in that the initial blood plasma and the precipitating agent are continuously introduced into a precipitation container in an adjusted relationship but separated with simultaneous control of the required pH values. The suspension of the individual precipitants is conveyed across a delay station and then separated. The delay station includes a flow passageway connecting the precipitation container to a separating means, with the flow passageway being so constructed as to permit substantially laminar flow of fluid therethrough. Means are also present in the flow passageway for changing the residence time of fluid therein by permitting selective variation of the length of the flow passageway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular membrane apparatus, which may be made as a disposable unit, and the method of operation of that apparatus to achieve a transfer or exchange function. More specifically, the present invention may be used to oxygenate blood, purify water, as a dialysis medium, and for other purposes. The apparatus comprises a series of tubular membranes which are deformed at spaced intervals along their lengths to induce turbulent flow and secondary flow patterns which displace the stationary boundary layer which would otherwise exist adjacent to the inner surface of the tubular membrane such that the resistance to diffusion or exchange is substantially reduced. Pulsatile flow of the fluid within the tubular membrane and/or the fluid surrounding the tubular membrane may be employed to enhance the effectiveness of the unit. In a preferred embodiment, a liquid is flowed through the tubular membranes and a gaseous medium is caused to flow around the outer surface of the tubular membrane.