Abstract: The present invention refers to titanium oxide microspheres having photocatalytic properties which can, for example, be used in a method for cleaning wastewater which uses a submerged membrane reactor.

Abstract: Method and systems, for processing biological material, that contain a biological material in a vessel; add an aggregating agent to the material in the vessel and allow the material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; extract one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; automatically transport one or more of the submaterials remaining in the vessel to a filtration device; and collect a resulting target retentate into a target retentate receptacle.

Abstract: A low water recovery rate desalination system and method. This system and method enables the purification of water in a more environmentally sustainable manner than conventional systems. The environmental benefit of this invention is derived from its ability to desalinate water and produce a brine byproduct that is less concentrated than that of conventional desalination systems. The system is composed of three elements. They are a water makeup element, a concentration element and a desalination system. The water makeup element and the concentration element can integrated with a conventional desalination technology to form a complete desalination system.

Abstract: A method for separating carbon nanotubes comprises: providing a mixture of carbon nanotubes; introducing an organic molecule having an end group capable of being chelated by a metal ion to the mixture of carbon nanotubes to covalently bond the organic molecule to at least one of the mixture of carbon nanotubes; and introducing a metal salt to the mixture of carbon nanotubes to chelate the end group of the organic molecule with the metal ion of the metal salt; and centrifuging the mixture of carbon nanotubes to cause the separation of the carbon nanotubes based on a density differential of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: To provide a purification process where a fluorine-based solvent can be obtained at a high purity by relatively small equipment without using a distillation apparatus. A purification process of a mixed solution containing a fluorine-based solvent which is a process for purifying a fluorine-based solvent from a mixed solution containing a fluorine-based solvent, a water-soluble organic solvent contaminant, an organic contaminant and an ion contaminant, the process comprising: step (1): washing the mixed solution with water to obtain a first treated solution in which the water-soluble organic solvent concentration is reduced to 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for the continuous processing and solids handling in near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a barrier fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a combination of a polymeric chelant and coagulant to treat metal containing wastewater. More particularly, the invention is directed at removing copper from CMP wastewater. The composition includes a combination of (a) a polymeric chelant derived from a polyamine selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetraamine (TETA), tertraethylenepentaamine (TEPA), poly[vinylamine], and branched or linear poly[ethylenimine] (PEI); and (b) a water soluble or dispersible copolymer of a tannin and a cationic monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate quaternary salt of dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, diethylaminoethyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide, and diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the small-scale separation of a mixture of two or more components with different boiling points into enriched fractions. In some embodiments, a first and second fluid (e.g., a liquid and a gas, a liquid and a liquid, etc.) are passed through a channel. The first fluid may comprise at least two components, each with a unique boiling point. Upon contacting the first and second fluids within the channel, at least a portion of the most volatile of the components in the first fluid (i.e., the component with the lowest boiling point) may be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. In some instances, the transfer of the volatile component(s) from the first fluid to the second fluid may be expedited by heating, in some cases above the boiling point(s) of the component(s) to be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. Contact between the first and second fluids may be maintained, for example, via segmented flow, bubbling flow, etc.

Abstract: A process for obtaining one or more than one salt of an organic acid(s), or organic acid(s), from an aqueous sugar stream comprising one or more than one mineral acid and the organic acid(s) is provided. The process comprises introducing the aqueous sugar stream to a separation system comprising one or more beds of anion exchange resin and obtaining a stream therefrom comprising the sugar. The one or more beds of anion exchange resin are then regenerated in one or more stages to produce at least one product stream comprising the organic acid, a salt of the organic acid, or a combination thereof, and a separate outlet stream comprising the mineral acid, a salt of the mineral acid, or a combination thereof. The product stream is then recovered. The separation may be conducted with two separation units, or using a single anion exchange unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for two separate processes for removing impurities from an organic solvent based ruthenium precursor. The first process comprises the steps of contacting the organic solvent based ruthenium precursor with one or more drying agents under an inert gas blanket for a sufficient period of time to allow at least a portion of the impurities in the organic solvent based ruthenium precursor to be adsorbed by the one or more drying agents; and separating the one or more drying agents which have at least a portion of the impurities adsorbed thereon from the organic solvent based ruthenium precursor.

Abstract: Methods of making macroporous cation exchange resins are described. The macroporous cation exchange resins are in the form of particles such as beads that contain a hydrophilic, crosslinked, (meth)acrylic-type polymeric material. The macroporous cation exchange resins are prepared using an inverse suspension polymerization process in the presence of a water soluble, organic, aliphatic porogen having at least three hydroxy groups.

Abstract: A method and construction for treatment of sludge from waterworks and wastewater treatment plants is disclosed. The method for treatment of sludge from waterwork or wastewater treatment plant, comprising precipitated inorganic chemical coagulants and precipitated organic substances, comprises adding an acid to the sludge in such a way that a first sludge mixture with low pH is received. The first sludge mixture includes the inorganic chemical coagulants in solution and the organic substances. The sludge mixture is pumped, via heat exchangers to a pressure tank. An obtained first concentrate is fed to at least one membrane filtration process in which a second concentrate and a first permeate are obtained.

Abstract: A method for recovery of fuel-grade ethanol from dilute aqueous ethanol feed in a continuous or batch-wise process includes providing a feed tank containing a dilute aqueous ethanol liquid phase and a vapor phase, removing a portion of the vapor phase from the tank and circulating it through a membrane contactor having an inner lumen and an outer shell, recovering from the membrane contactor a feed phase substantially reduced in ethanol and a solvent phase substantially enriched in ethanol, separating an enriched ethanol phase from the solvent phase, and removing a substantial amount of water from the enriched ethanol phase to produce a fuel-grade ethanol stream. A Venturi nozzle may be used in lieu of the membrane contactor.

Abstract: Environmentally protective Method of treating an aqueous radioactive fluid (AF) in a nuclear reactor cycle or radwaste system to selectively capture or remove radioactive isotopes in a reduced quantitative package to minimize radwaste generated and revitalize neutron absorption capacity of nuclear reactor coolant by separately carrying away boron constituents, when B10 is later added.

Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a method of testing the integrity of a microporous membrane using a colloid solution containing metal particles or metal compound particles that can accurately determine the integrity of a virus removal membrane formed of hydrophilized synthetic polymer that has been subjected to protein solution filtration, and to provide a method of producing the colloid solution.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of removing a deleterious substance bound to a protein in blood of a patient by introducing a displacer substance into the blood under conditions in which the displacer substance replaces deleterious substance bound to the protein, thereby resulting in additional unbound deleterious substance in the blood, and removing unbound deleterious substance from the blood by extracorporeal renal replacement treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The treated material exhibits superior separation properties for delivery into a centrifuge for enhanced solid waste removal. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.

Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.

Abstract: At the time of loading a ship, ballast water is sent to a ceramic filter membrane having a mesh of 9 to 12 ?m by a filtration pump, and at the time of unloading, ballast seawater is sent to the membrane by the filtration pump to be filtrated under pressure. Thus, marine organisms larger in size than this mesh are removed. The permeated water containing marine organisms smaller in size than the mesh is sterilized with a chemical agent made of chlorine or ozone in a facility for sterilizing with chemical agent, and then discharged into the sea or poured into the ballast tank. With this, it is possible to purify a large amount of ballast water, in a short time, into a level at which the water quality standard according to the guideline can be cleared without requiring any large-sized facility or any high-concentration chemical agent.

Abstract: A system is described for the treatment of fluorochemicals in an aqueous environment, the system includes: a first treatment station configured to receive a first stream or volume of water comprising fluorochemicals, the first treatment station configured to provide a first treatment to the first stream or volume of water to thereby provide a second stream or volume of water comprising fluorochemicals; and a second treatment station configured, to treat the second stream or volume of water by ultrasonically induced cavitation at a frequency within the range from about 15 kHz to about 1100 kHz.

Abstract: A method of removing phosphonates from water includes directing the water into a first settling zone. The water is then directed to a membrane filtration zone and is filtered therein to produce a concentrate containing phosphonates. The concentrate containing phosphonates is then contacted with sludge such that at least some of the phosphonates in the concentrate are adsorbed onto the sludge. Flocculant is added to the sludge and the concentrate to form a floc-mixture which is directed to a second settling zone to form treated concentrate.

Abstract: A method for concentrating sugars and decreasing fermentation inhibitor concentrations simultaneously before fermentation is disclosed. The method includes the steps of adjusting the pH value of a hydrozylate containing sugars and fermentation inhibitors; separating solid and liquid in the hydrozylate, for removing large particles in the solution; and applying a semi-permeable membrane, for concentrating the sugars and decreasing the total concentration of the fermentation inhibitors in the hydrozylate, so as to obtain a concentrated solution. By the aforesaid method, the sugar concentrations in the hyrozylate are increased, thereby increasing the concentration of ethanol in the subsequent fermentation. Therefore, the cost of purifying ethanol and the volume of the fermentation tank are both reduced. Moreover, the total concentration of the fermentation inhibitors, such as acetic acid, furfural and hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF), is decreased, favoring onset of fermentation.

Abstract: A solid-phase extraction device utilizing a section of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tubing as the stationary phase is disclosed. The microscopic pores of ePTFE tubing are impregnated with a binding agent having an affinity for a target constituent within a matrix. The matrix is prepared and loaded onto the stationary phase of the system. The target constituent is retained by the stationary phase. The constituent is stripped from the stationary phase with a stripping solution, and collected for further analysis or use.

Abstract: A settling system for use in solvent extraction separation of a first phase from a second phase after mixing, the second phase having a greater chemical affinity for a component dissolved or dispersed in the first phase for extracting the component from the first phase. The settling system includes a pre-settler of a plurality of channels arranged for flow of the first and second phases generally counter-currently with respect to each other for initial separation of the first and second phases. The settling system also includes a main settler for further separating the first and second phases.

Abstract: Metal complexing agents are used to purify polymers including conducting polymers to provide very low metal content. The process comprises precipitating the polymer in solution into a solvent system comprising the metal complexing agent. Very low levels including undetectable levels of metals such as nickel and magnesium can be achieved. High purity polymers are used in electronics and photovoltaic applications.

Abstract: It is described a kit for treating a systemic inflammatatory related disease comprising a) a high permeability filter having a pore size designed to let inflammatory mediators to pass and b) means to retain said mediators but not serum albumin.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for further purifying ultrapure water, according to which any impurities in ultrapure water can be stably removed to a high degree within a small space over a prolonged period; and an apparatus therefor. Ultrapure water introduced into an ultrapure-water purifying apparatus 10 passes through an ion exchange resin layer 5 in a lower chamber 1a. During this process, metal ions, for example, in the ultrapure water are removed by the ion exchange resin. The ultrapure water then passes through a perforated plate 4, flows into an upper chamber 1b, and permeates an ion exchange filter 6. During this process, metal ions and other impurities remaining unremoved by the ion exchange resin layer 5 are removed. Specifically, metal ions are removed to a certain extent by the ion exchange resin, so that it is enough for the ion exchange filter provided downstream thereof to remove an extremely small amount of metal ions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for recycling a sodium salt by decomposition of a sodium nitride liquid waste, comprising a neutralization step in which a nitric acid liquid waste or an off-gas having nitric acid dissolved therein which is produced through a wet reprocessing process comprising a dissolution step for dissolving a spent nuclear fuel in nitric acid is neutralized by adding or contacting the nitrate liquid waste or the off-gas to or with at least one sodium salt selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogencarbonate and sodium carbonate, thereby yielding a sodium nitrate liquid waste; a sodium nitrate-decomposition step in which the sodium nitrate liquid waste is reductively decomposed with a reducing agent, thereby decomposing sodium nitrate into a nitrogen gas and the sodium salt; and a recycle step for recycling the sodium salt into the neutralization step or wet reprocessing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the floatation-clarification of difficult water, in particular heavily polluted surface water, urban or industrial wastewater, rainwater or any type of water that floats with difficulty, particularly water which contains a high percentage of mineral matter or requires the injection of a flocculation aid and which originates from filters or membrane technologies such as ultrafiltration, said method comprising: a coagulation step (A1) in which a dose of coagulant (1) is injected into the water to be treated; a flocculation step (B) in which flocculant (2) is injected (B1) into the water after the coagulation step, in order to agglomerate the suspended particles in the form of flocs; and subsequently a floatation step (C) in which the flocculated water is mixed with an emulsion of air micro-bubbles in a floatation apparatus. A second coagulant injection step (A2) is performed downstream of the flocculant injection (B1) and upstream of the floatation (C).

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-recovery integrated recycling process to treat water and waste water having high hardness, silica, and other contaminants to facilitate operation of a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane at very high overall recovery when treating waste water containing high concentration of sparingly soluble inorganic salts like hardness, silica, and other components such as silica, etc. The RO membrane continuously operates in low or conservative recovery conditions, but can still achieve a very high overall system recovery. The process includes precipitation softening in a softening clarifier where the scale forming salts are reduced followed by filtration and reverse osmosis. The precipitated salts are removed as underflow from the clarifier. The softened or partially softened water is then filtered by a conventional filtration system, for example by a media filter. This is then fed to a reverse osmosis membrane unit that is designed to operate at an appropriate recovery to avoid scaling and fouling.

Abstract: Phosphate binding materials and compositions comprising them which are solid ligand-modified poly oxo-hydroxy metal ion materials are disclosed that are based on ferric iron oxo-hydroxides modified with carboxylic acid ligands, or ionised forms thereof. These materials are made and tested in the examples provided in the application to demonstrate that they can bind phosphate in in vitro and in in vivo studies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid clarification. More closely, the invention relates to beverage clarification, such as reduction of colloidal (not microbial) haze-causing substances in beer or related beverages such as wine, juices, flavorings etc. The method of the invention uses a hydrophilic surface for adsorption of haze-forming substances by hydrogen bonding interaction properties between the surface and the haze-forming substances.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for use in the treatment of an individual suffering from liver disease, including: (a) means for selectively removing albumin from the blood of the individual; and (b) means for selectively removing endotoxin from the blood of the individual.

Abstract: A method for treatment with a reverse osmosis membrane to reduce decrease in flux that occurs even under the conditions that water supplied to a reverse osmosis membrane treatment apparatus contains only a trace amount of iron and that the formation of scales of substances such as calcium and silica is prohibited. A method for performing a treatment with a reverse osmosis membrane to treat raw water containing iron at 1000 ?g/L or less as total iron with a reverse osmosis membrane, including a step of adding a compound having a sulfo group to the raw water.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating a fluid. According to the invention, the fluid is contacted with a substrate at the surface of which there is a network of organic molecules, hereafter referred to as “network molecules”, having a central corre and at least one lateral arm, said molecules being adsorbed at the surface of the substrate. The invention also concerns a two-dimensional molecular sieve consisting of substrate at the surface of which a network of network molecules is adsorbed. The invention further concerns a module for treating a fluid comprising means for circulating the fluid to be treated and containing one or more two-dimensional molecule sieves.

Abstract: A fullerene mixture comprising any two or more of C60, C70 and higher fullerenes having greater than 70 carbon atoms is brought into contact with an amine having two or more nitrogen atoms, especially an amine having an amidine structure, in a solvent to form a complex of a specific fullerene contained in the fullerene mixture and the amine, and the complex is separated from a solution in which fullerenes not forming the complex are dissolved. Consequently, a method of fullerene separation, by which the specific fullerene is separated from the fullerene mixture with ease and at low cost, and the complex having the fullerene can be provided.

Abstract: A discrete drop dispensing device comprises a substrate comprising an upper surface and a lower surface and orifices extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, adapted to receive a fluid at a flow rate. The discrete drop dispensing device also comprises an oscillator disposed adjacent to the substrate and configured to vibrate the substrate to expel drops having a substantially equal volume of the fluid. The flow rate is substantially identical to a drop dispensing rate. A method and a device for performing liquid chromatography are also described. The method comprises automatically adjusting the drop dispensing rate to a change in the flow rate or a change in a composition of a mobile phase of the fluid.

Abstract: Method of maximizing resin utilization and optimizing reverse osmosis performance to polish an aqueous or radwaste fluid. The method provides resin scavenging of targeted isotopes and exposes filter media and resin to a higher influent activity concentration to enable higher waste loading and longer life of resin while protecting downstream reverse osmosis system from high concentration of contaminants. An aqueous waste feedstream is processed through steps of filtering, demineralizing, and reverse osmosis; and the feedstream is separated into permeate and reject streams for recycling and evaluation, respectively. The permeate stream is recycled in ways that permit it to return to a supply area for recycle reuse or discharge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.

Abstract: A process in which isotopes of the same element belonging to the alkaline earth metals, transition elements and heavy metals having an atomic mass of less than 209, in particular lanthanide metals, are separated in an aqueous medium by treating an aqueous medium.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a membrane reactor for the treatment of liquid effluents containing organic pollutants, of the type comprising at least one porous membrane (3) for the diffusion of an oxidizing gas, characterized in that it includes at least one selective membrane (2), (4) of said pollutants, which selective membrane defines, with said porous membrane for the diffusion of an oxidizing gas, a reaction space (31) into which said liquid effluents are injected, said reactor having means (34) for extracting retentates from said reaction space (31) and a space (32) for recovering the treated effluents, which space is separated from said reaction space (31) by said selective membrane or membranes (2), (4).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing nitric acid from an aqueous liquid containing various components such as vegetable extract, and nitrate ion is removed selectively without spoiling the taste or other components, by subjecting the aqueous liquid to chromatographic treatment with an amphoteric ion exchanger to separate nitrate ion from other components contained in the aqueous liquid. A nitric acid-reduced drink is produced by preparing a raw drink material comprising an extract or juice of plant tissue; removing nitric acid from the raw drink material with use of the method of removing nitric acid from an aqueous liquid as described above; and preparing a drink using the raw drink material after the removing of nitric acid.

Abstract: Containers for controlled release of an additive composition into a liquid composition include a liquid impermeable casing having a hollow interior, at least one opening and a membrane component secured to the casing. Methods of releasing additive compositions into liquid compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A processes is provide herein for converting waste bio-product pomace to useful bio-product extracts. The process includes the steps of forming a mixture of water as a solvent and a specified quantity of the waste bio-product pomace. Then optionally adding a suitable quantity of citric acid to the water/waste bio-product mixture. Then heating waste bio-product pomace/water mixture to an elevated temperature below the boiling point of water. Then optionally adding a suitable quantity of sodium metabisulfite to the heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture Then stirring heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture for a suitable time to disperse the waste bio-product uniformly in the water solvent. Then cooling the stirred, heated waste bio-product pomace/water mixture to a suitable lower temperature at a rate of about 60° C. per hour. Then removing solids from the stirred waste bio-product pomace/water mixture. Then clarifying the cooled stirred water/waste bio-product mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for esterifying free fatty acids in vegetable and animal fat with alcohols over heterogeneous acidic ion exchange resin catalysts at temperatures of 60 to 120° C.

Abstract: A method for concentrating a nanosuspension including nanopowder particles suspended in a liquid includes reducing the liquid content of the nanosuspension and controlling the dispersion of the nanopowder particles in the liquid.

Abstract: Provided herein is an innovative hemoperfusion system and method including a thermal-fused broad-spectrum biocidal iodinated interactive polymer for the treatment of biological contaminants in body fluids. In one exemplary embodiment, the system and method utilizes a Triosyn® thermal fused broad-spectrum iodinated interactive polymer, included in a hemoperfusion column, for devitalizing high levels of cell-free microorganisms in whole blood and biological fluids in relation with the characterization of blood cells viability and function post-treatment.

Abstract: Generally, systems for air and water purification using unpowered charged sorbent mediums (3) which may include layered double hydroxide (LDH) (1) compositions, lignin (2), and methods of sorbing inorganic or organic material(s) onto such mediums, including anionic contaminants (10), cationic contaminants (11), non ionic organic contaminants (20), and even biological agents (7) such as bacteria or viruses present in liquids or gases.

Abstract: A chromatographic method including chromatographically separating sample ionic species in an eluent stream, detecting the separated sample ionic species, catalytically combining hydrogen and oxygen gases or catalytically decomposing hydrogen peroxide in a catalytic gas elimination chamber, and recycling the effluent stream from the chamber to the chromatography separation column. The residence time between the detector and the chamber is at least about one minute. Also, flowing the recycle sequentially through two detector effluent flow channels of an electrolytic membrane suppressor. Also, applying heat or UV energy between the detector and the chamber. Also, detecting bubbles after the chamber. Also, a Platinum group metal catalyst and ion exchange medium in the chamber. Apparatus for performing the methods.

Abstract: Water contaminated with sodium, calcium or magnesium salts or chloride, sulfate or carbonate salts is processed to produce a clean water stream and a waste water stream. The clean water stream is analyzed to determine if the sodium content is too high for potable use and, if so, the clean water stream is applied to soil to improve rain catchment for pond sealing.