Abstract: A water treatment system combines a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane system with a downstream reverse osmosis membrane system. The MF or UF system has multiple trains of immersed membrane modules. The trains are connected to a common permeate pump. The permeate pump discharges directly into the inlet of an RO feed pump. The membrane trains are each subjected to the same suction. The permeate pumps are operated to provide the required flow to the RO feed pump at or above the minimum inlet pressure of the RO feed pump.

Abstract: CO2 absorption and desorption affords differing osmotic pressure metal salt osmolyte draw solutions from a common solution. These draw solutions serve a staged forward osmosis membrane process. First stage draw solution is the lowest osmotic pressure osmolyte. First stage concentrate is fed to the second stage and fresh water is externally extracted from the first stage diluted osmolyte. Concentrated first stage osmolyte returns from fresh water extraction, blends and is heated with solid precipitates of the lower osmotic pressure solute. CO2 desorbs from the lower osmotic pressure osmolyte converting to a higher osmotic pressure osmolyte. The higher osmotic pressure osmolyte serves as second stage draw solution to further dewatering the first stage concentrate. Second stage concentrate conveys to external processing or discharge. CO2 absorption converts the dilute high osmotic pressure osmolyte from the second stage to the lower osmotic pressure osmolyte serving as draw solution in the first stage.

Abstract: A method of separating oxygen from nitrogen involves delivering air to a first side of a membrane comprising a polymer support and a layer of zeolite nanosheet particles with thickness of 2 nm to 10 nm and mean diameter of 5 nm to 5000 nm. The delivered air provides a pressure differential between opposite sides of the membrane, thus causing oxygen in the hollow core to diffuse through the polymer support and the zeolite nanosheet layer to the second side of the membrane. The preferential diffusion of oxygen (compared to diffusion of nitrogen) through the membrane produces nitrogen-enriched air on the first side of the membrane and oxygen-enriched air on the second side of the membrane.

Abstract: A method for preparing an unsaturated carboxylic acid comprising (a) preparing an aqueous solution comprising an ammonium salt of hydroxycarboxylic acid and a salt of inorganic acid; (b) contacting the aqueous solution with a cation exchange resin to prepare a conversion aqueous solution comprising a hydroxycarboxylic acid and an inorganic acid; and (c) dehydrating the hydroxycarboxylic acid using the inorganic acid as a catalyst is provided.

Abstract: The particle components may be collected by using a phenomenon that the particle components in the aqueous phase aggregate at the liquid-to-liquid interface. Both of the particle components and the dissolved components in the aqueous phase may be simultaneously collected if combined with liquid-liquid extraction phenomenon that the dissolved components in the aqueous phase are collected into the solvent phase through the liquid-to-liquid interface. The aggregation phenomenon of the particle components at the liquid-to-liquid interface may be promoted by using an emulsion flow method, a method of applying mechanical external forces (such as stirring and vibrating) or another method combining both the above-mentioned methods.

Abstract: The removal of boron from saline water based (10) using alkalized NF membrane pretreatment (14) can be adopted at 90% recovery and pH 8-9.5 to produce softened and alkalized NF permeate having SDI<1 with significant reduction in feed boron, TDS and scale-forming ions depending on the properties of the NF membrane polymer structure. NF process (14) acts as a partial desalination process, a softening process, as well as a boron removal process. An additional RO membrane alkalization (16) can be adopted at a wide range of RO feed at pH 8.5-10, resulting in production of desalinated water (18) with almost nil boron content.

Abstract: A process for treating water used in a coal tar process is described. The process involves treating the water with extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and soluble cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes insoluble cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and processes for the recovery of oleaginous compounds from biomass and in particular biomass comprises photosynthetic microorganisms. Also disclosure are oleaginous compounds obtained using the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A process for treating water containing dissolved organic compounds, including naphthenic acids, for example, oil sands process water, using petroleum coke is provided, comprising: removing petroleum coke from a coking operation; forming a petroleum coke/water slurry by adding the water containing dissolved organic compounds to the petroleum coke; adding a pH-lowering agent to the petroleum coke/water slurry either during slurry formation or after slurry formation to form a treated petroleum coke/water slurry; and allowing the treated petroleum coke/water slurry to mix for a sufficient time in a carbon adsorption reactor to allow the petroleum coke to adsorb a substantial portion of the dissolved organic compounds from the water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for recovering diphosphite-containing compounds from mixtures comprising organic mononitriles and organic dinitriles, using liquid-liquid extraction. Also disclosed are treatments to enhance extractability of the diphosphite-containing compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method which uses magnetic ionic liquids for the liquid-liquid, liquid-solid, or liquid-gas extraction, wherein the partition of the phases occurs in a magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating wastewater, such as high-solids contend wastewater from a fracking operation, includes a solids-oil-water separation apparatus coupled to a low-pressure membrane filtration apparatus, with a wastewater recycling conduit coupled at one end to the low-pressure membrane filtration apparatus and coupled at a second end to the solids-oil-water separation apparatus, whereby progressive recycling of membrane concentrate from the low-pressure membrane filtration apparatus through the wastewater recycling conduit, into the solids-oil-water separation apparatus, provides recovery of as much as 97% of the water from a raw wastewater stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating aqueous fluid and apparatus therefor. The method comprises adding an organic compound to a mass of aqueous fluid comprising at least one Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI). The organic compound comprises a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail comprises at least one C—H bond and the hydrophilic head comprises at least one of: a hydroxyl (—OH) group; and a carboxyl (—COOH) group.

Abstract: A process for producing ultrapure water, in which a stream of water is purified in a reverse osmosis device, wherein the water stream is subject to pretreatment including splitting the water stream into at least two partial streams, partial exchange of cations present in at least one of the partial streams for H+ ions by a cation exchanger operated in the H+ mode, and complete exchange of the anions present in at least one further of the partial streams for OH? ions by a softener operative in parallel to the cation exchanger, and treating the partial streams treated by the cation exchanger and the softener by at least one anion exchanger operating in the OH? mode, and wherein the water stream obtained from the pretreatment is fed into the reverse osmosis device.

Abstract: Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes circularly disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes. A feed spacer element having a window-pane pattern can be disposed between adjacent membrane leaves to reduce membrane fouling.

Abstract: A method of wastewater reutilization by which reusable water can be stably obtained from a wastewater. Ozone is added to a wastewater, such as water resulting from sewage treatment, in such a small amount as to result in a residual ozone concentration as measured before membrane filtration of 0.01-1.0 mg/L. Ozone is thus brought into contact with fine solids contained in the wastewater to alter the surface properties of the fine solids so that the solids are easily to coagulate. Thereafter, a coagulant, e.g., PACl, is added from a coagulant addition device (3). The fine solids are coagulated in a coagulation tank (5) or a line mixer and the resultant water is subjected to membrane filtration with an ozone-resistant separation membrane (6) such as ceramic membrane. Thus, reusable water is obtained which has a residual ozone concentration, as measured after filtration through the membrane, less than 0.5 mg/L.

Abstract: In a device and a process for purifying water which is contaminated with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions, the water is collected in a water reservoir and a substance having basic activity in water is fed to the water reservoir in such a manner that a precipitant having heavy metal ions is precipitated from the water, wherein at least a subquantity of water is taken off from the water reservoir and is separated into pure water which is substantially freed from sulphate ions and heavy metal ions and dirty water which is enriched with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions. The dirty water is at least in part recirculated to the water reservoir, as a result of which a concentration of sulphate ions in the water reservoir is achieved such that a precipitant having sulphate ions is precipitated from the water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing molybdenum and other possible impurities from an organic copper-containing extraction solution in connection with the liquid-liquid extraction related to copper recovery. The removal of impurities occurs in one or several removal units built into the organic extraction solution storage tank.

Abstract: A process for treatment of water. Hardness and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from feedwaters to an extent sufficient to avoid scaling when concentrated. Sparingly ionizable components in the feedwater are urged toward increased ionization by increasing the pH of the feedwater. In this manner, species such as silica become highly ionized, and (a) their rejection by membranes used in the process is significantly increased, and (b) their solubility in the reject stream from the membrane process is significantly increased. Sparingly ionized species such as boron, silica, and TOC are highly rejected. Recovery ratios of ninety percent (90%) or higher are achievable with many feedwaters, while simultaneously achieving a substantial reduction in cleaning frequency of membranes used in the process.

Abstract: A device and mechanism for recommending a water filter in a beverage dispenser is described. A sensor senses qualities of unfiltered water. Another sensor senses qualities of a flavorant container, such as the flavorant contained within the container. Based on the quality of the unfiltered water and the particular flavored beverage desired, the device will recommend a water filter to optimize the flavor of the beverage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preparation method of a granular oxide adsorbent for water treatment in which a metal oxide is bound to the surface of polymer particles, and more specially, to a preparation method of a granular oxide adsorbent, comprising the following steps: putting polymer particles in an acidic solution; adding polymer particles to a metal oxide aqueous solution and adjusting a pH; and washing and drying the obtained product. Accordingly, a granular oxide adsorbent prepared by the preparation method is provided and is utilized in water treatment and the like.

Abstract: A field water purification system filter is described. The filter includes a water tight enclosure formed between two layers of a polymeric material, an inlet and an outlet are coupled to the water tight enclosure. A filter envelope including a quantity of filter media is inside the water tight enclosure. The water filter having a minimal thickness when not filled with water. The filter envelope is formed by a first set of bonded segments of the two layers of polymeric material. The filter can also include an outer channel having a first side formed by the water tight enclosure and a second side opposite from the first side. The second side can include a second set of bonded segments of the two layers of polymeric material interspersed with a set of nonbonded segments, the nonbonded segments defining openings in an intermittent barrier between the outer channel and the filter media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering an aqueous phase comprising biomolecules dissolved therein from a multiphasic mixture, comprising at least said aqueous phase and a further liquid phase which is immiscible with said aqueous phase wherein said further liquid phase comprises at least one hydrocarbon compound. The invention further relates to the use of a hydrophilic filtering material, a device comprising such a filtering material or a kit comprising said device for recovering an aqueous phase comprising biomolecules dissolved therein from a mixture of said aqueous phase and at least one hydrocarbon compound comprising further liquid phase which is immiscible with said aqueous phase.

Abstract: A method of producing drinking water from wastewater comprises ozonating the wastewater and treating the wastewater with powdered activated carbon (PAC). The ozonated wastewater and the PAC are mixed together in a contacting zone. The mixture of PAC and wastewater is directed through a membrane filtration unit that separates a PAC rich concentrate from treated water. The PAC rich concentrate is recirculated to the contacting zone to increase the concentration of PAC in the contacting zone.

Abstract: A system for purifying non-potable water to make said water potable includes an intake pump for bringing the non-potable water into the system. At least one centrifugal separator separates the non-potable water into suspended solids, saline water and oil. At least one ozone contact chamber injects ozone into a water stream being injected into at least one of the at least one of the centrifugal separators. A series of progressive filtration components are used for progressively filtering the saline water from the at least one centrifugal separator. The salinization filters then desalinate the progressively filtered saline water.

Abstract: A method of processing a return oil-based drilling fluid includes centrifuging a primarily fluids phase at a first speed and separating the primarily fluids phase into a first effluent and a first residual, centrifuging the first effluent at a second speed and separating the first effluent into a second effluent and a second residual, and centrifuging the second effluent at a third speed and separating the second effluent into a third effluent and a third residual. A surfactant, a polymer, combinations of surfactant(s) and polymer(s) and/or a wash water may be added to one or more of the return oil-based drilling fluid, the primarily fluids phase, the primarily solids phase, the first effluent, the second effluent, and the third effluent.

Abstract: A process for treating waste water having a low level of metallic contaminants by reducing the toxicity level of metallic contaminants to an acceptable level and subsequently discharging the treated waste water into the environment without removing the treated contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for the preparation of an aqueous solution comprising at least one earth alkali hydrogen carbonate and its uses. The process is carried out in a reactor system that comprises a tank (1) equipped with a stirrer (2) and at least one filtering device (4).

Abstract: An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) containing a poly(oxyethylene) (POE) and a poly[sodium (diallylamino)alkylphosphonate-alt-sulfur dioxide] form a pH-responsive dianionic polyelectrolyte (DAPE). The two polymers form ATPS's at low concentrations, where the addition of HCl changes the charge types and their densities on the polymer chains.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and processes for the recovery of nutrients from non-organic phases produced during recovery of oleaginous compounds from biomass. The nutrients recovered can then be utilized to grow additional biomass.

Abstract: In a seawater treatment method in which after seawater is coagulated by a coagulant and is processed by a solid-liquid separation treatment, an RO treatment is performed, RO feed water having a good water quality is obtained by a small addition amount of the coagulant, and by the RO treatment of the RO feed water, a stable RO treatment can be performed over a long period of time. In a seawater treatment method which is a pretreatment method performed prior to a membrane separation treatment of seawater, after a cationic organic flocculant and/or an inorganic coagulant is added to seawater to conduct a reaction, a coagulation treatment is performed by addition of an alkaline solution of a high molecular weight compound which has a phenolic hydroxide and which is insolubilized under a high salt concentration, and a solid-liquid separation treatment is then performed. Subsequently, this treated water is desalinated by a membrane separation treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.

Abstract: A system for separating solids from fluid including a solid-laden fluid including a base fluid, a first separator configured to receive the solid-laden fluid and separate the fluid into a solids portion and an effluent, and a membrane separator configured to receive the effluent and separate the effluent into a permeate and a concentrate is disclosed. A method for separating solids from fluid including obtaining a solid-laden fluid, wherein the solid-laden fluid comprises a base fluid, feeding the solid-laden fluid through a centrifuge, removing at least a portion of high gravity solids from the solid-laden fluids, flowing the solid-laden fluid through a membrane separator, removing at least a portion of low gravity solids from the solid-laden fluid, and collecting a permeate from the membrane separator is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating organosilicon compounds from organosilicon wastewater. In the first step, the wastewater is heated to at least 10° C. In the second step, the wastewater is stored for at least 30 minutes at at least 10° C. In the third step, the wastewater is conducted through a phase separation element, in which droplets that are formed and contain organosilicon compounds are separated.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for separating solute material from an algal cell feed stream. The algal cell feed stream, which contains the solute material, can be introduced into on portion of a mixer-settler vessel, and a solvent feed stream can be introduced into another portion of the vessel to mix with the algal cell feed stream, with a goal of separating at least a portion of the solute material from the algal feed stream.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for removing pathogens from a transfusion grade platelet composition. The method comprises the steps of passing a platelet preparation through a first tangential flow filtration (TFF) device having a TFF filter, and collecting a retentate from the TFF device, wherein the retentate comprises filtered platelets to be used for transfusion. The platelet preparation comprises a platelet activation inhibitor and an anti-coagulant. During the TFF process, a diafiltration solution is added to the retentate to maintain the volume of the platelets.

Abstract: The cross-linked polyphosphonate-sulfone composition for removal of metal ions from wastewater relates to a cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer for the removal of metal ions, such as lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) ions, from wastewater and the like. The cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer has the formula: The cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer is made by cyclopolymerization of diallylaminomethylphosphonic acid, 1,1,4,4-tetraallylpiperazinium dichloride (a cross-linker), and sulfur dioxide in the presence of AIBN (an initiator) in DMSO at 65° C. to form a cross-linked polyzwitterionic acid (CPZA). The CPZA is then treated with base (such as sodium hydroxide) to form the cross-linked anionic polyelectrolyte polymer having the formula shown above.

Abstract: A method of producing sterile water from raw water during a production cycle in a production plant P, including adding a disinfectant to the produced sterile water during the production cycle to permanently monitor the condition of the sterile water and/or the production plant, and determining and evaluating a reduction of concentration of the disinfectant directly in the production stream. In a production plant suited for carrying out the method, a sterile sensor is provided directly in the production stream through which the reduction of concentration of the disinfectant added to the produced sterile water can be permanently measured and evaluated to provide a sterility evidence.

Abstract: A process for recovering solvents from inorganic and organic solutions is disclosed. The process utilizes a polymer capable of selectively extracting the solvent from the inorganic or organic solution. Introduction of the polymer into the solvent solution creates formation of a polymer-rich phase and a solute-rich phase. The recovered solvent may be separated from the polymer-rich phase by heating the polymer-rich phase to at least the cloud point of the polymer. The polymer and/or solute may be recycled for further use in the solvent recovery process.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for producing highly hydrophilitic, functionalized inorganic filtration membranes, pre-treating organic and biological-containing waste waters for minimal membrane fouling and scaling when processed using such functionalized membranes, and use of such functionalized membranes of the present invention in filtration systems for separating such pre-treated waste waters, all with respect to optimal permeate production rates, purity of permeate and resistance to fouling and scale formation on the membranes.

Abstract: A method and system for treating waste water from hydraulic fracturing is disclosed. The treatment includes removing the sand, suspending the inorganic metals and impurities, using flocculation to engulf the impurities, and separating the impurities from the water, resulting in pure water that can be reused in the process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for separating plasma from whole blood. The method combines size exclusion filtration through a separation membrane and erythrocyte (RBC) agglutination.

Abstract: Improvement in separating lower, C2 saturated and/or C3, and/or C4, saturated and/or unsaturated mono carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via extraction by using as the extractant an organic acid or ester or mixtures thereof with a melting point below 10° C., a normal boiling point between 190 and 280° C. and a Hildebrand solubility parameter between 8 and 11 cal1/2 cm?3/2.

Abstract: This invention provides processes for extracting organic compounds from aqueous samples by using relatively small amounts of extraction solvent and of the aqueous sample to be extracted. This is accomplished by increasing the surface area of the extraction solvent while preventing evaporation of the extraction solvent, which allows for greater extraction efficiency. There is little or no restriction on the aqueous sample types from which organic compounds can be extracted with the processes of this invention. An apparatus that can be employed in these processes is also provided.

Abstract: The removal of boron from saline water based (10) using alkalized NF membrane pretreatment (14) can be adopted at 90% recovery and pH 8-9.5 to produce softened and alkalized NF permeate having SDI<1 with significant reduction in feed boron, TDS and scale-forming ions depending on the properties of the NF membrane polymer structure. NF process (14) acts as a partial desalination process, a softening process, as well as a boron removal process. An additional RO membrane alkalization (16) can be adopted at a wide range of RO feed at pH 8.5-10, resulting in production of desalinated water (18) with almost nil boron content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treatment of wastewater. In some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more modules such as an electrochemical module, an electrocoagulation module, a flotation module, an evaporation module, and an ultrafiltration module. One or more detection modules may also be provided to analyze the concentration of one or more wastewater components in the wastewater. Data from such modules may be used to adjust one or more operational parameters or conditions in the treatment system. The system may also comprise one or more features designed to minimize adverse effects on the environment, such as avoiding adding chemicals to the stream, extracting salt or other chemicals for re-use, and/or use of carbon dioxide gas from on-site combustion processes.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes: a recycle line that brings a part of salt-enriched membrane separation concentrated water 26 back to the rear flow side of a pretreatment apparatus 12; a water discharge line that discharges the remained concentrated water into a sea area; and a control apparatus 31 that controls to adjust the ratio between the discharging amount of the discharging membrane separation concentrated water to be discharged into a sea area and the supplying amount of supplying seawater. A pH is set to be equal to or less than 7.3 by adding acid 21. The salt 18 is obtained from the dryer 19, and produced water (fresh water) 29 is obtained by combining evaporated water 28 supplied from the evaporator 16 with the permeated water 24 supplied from the reverse osmosis membrane apparatus 25.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for optimization of dilution of a viscous starting material to isolate and/or concentrate the product of interest from the starting source material such that the process minimizes the volume of diluent and the total volume of the waste stream generated during the process as well as maximizing the yield of desired product. The system employs cross-flow filtration modules with sub-channels that are equidistant to the inlet and outlet of said modules and such modules are characterized by optimal channel height, optimal transmembrane pressure, etc., which are selected in order to achieve the best combination of product quality and production yield.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating useful energy includes a first chamber containing a draw solution which includes an osmotic agent and a second chamber containing a feed solution. A semi-permeable membrane allows the feed solution to move thereacross by osmosis, from the second chamber to the first chamber, to form a diluted draw solution. Pressurizing means apply a pressure to the diluted draw solution in the first chamber. Energy conversion means convert mechanical energy in the diluted draw solution, which is generated by osmotic movement of the feed solution across the semi-permeable membrane, into useful, electrical energy. The osmotic agent includes particles in the range of 0.5 nm-5 mm and the semi-permeable membrane has pores with diameters that are no larger than the diameter of the particles, thereby improving the amount of power or useful energy generated by the apparatus. There is further provided a corresponding method of generating power or useful energy.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for producing highly hydrophilitic, functionalized inorganic filtration membranes, pre-treating organic and biological-containing waste waters for minimal membrane fouling and scaling when processed using such functionalized membranes, and use of such functionalized membranes of the present invention in filtration systems for separating such pre-treated waste waters, all with respect to optimal permeate production rates, purity of permeate and resistance to fouling and scale formation on the membranes.