Abstract: A process for treatment of an aqueous stream to produce a low solute containing distillate stream and a high solute/solids containing blowdown stream utilizing a method to increase the efficiency of an evaporator while providing an essentially scale free environment for the heat transfer surface. Multi-valent ions and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from aqueous feed streams to very low levels and then the pH is increased preferably to about 9 or higher to increase the ionization of low ionizable constituents in the aqueous solution. In this manner, species such as silica and boron become highly ionized, and their solubility in the concentrated solution that is present in the evaporation equipment is significantly increased. The result of this is high allowable concentration factors and a corresponding increase in the recovery of high quality reusable water with essentially no scaling.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system allows the operator to certify the integrity of the filters within the filter housing at the customer site without additional equipment. In one embodiment, a tracer gas, such as helium or hydrogen, is added to a carrier and injected into the system. The concentration of tracer gas at a specific operating transmembrane pressure is indicative of bubble pointing specific pores in the filter. This test will give a more sensitive indication of the bubble point and the presence of defects than a standard diffusion test. In a second embodiment, two gasses, in a known ratio, are introduced into the filter housing.

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: The present invention discloses an integrated desalination and salt plant for the production of a salt or slurry product of high purity. The reject stream from the desalination plant is used as the feed stream for the salt plant. The salt plant feed stream is filtered to effectively remove sulfate, which prevents scale formation in the salt plant equipment. The filtering may also reduce the level of calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, or other components of the feed which may also prevent scale formation in the salt plant equipment. The salt plant produces a high purity salt product without the use of chemical purification.

Abstract: In the water purification process, apparatus, and method, contaminated water vapor is exposed to liquid solvent, which causes a transfer of contaminants from the contaminated water vapor to the liquid solvent. In an advantageous embodiment, this latter step is followed by a second purification step where the decontaminated water in liquid phase is exposed to water vapor which causes a transfer of solvent remaining in the decontaminated water to the water vapor. The energy freed during the condensation of the vapor can advantageously be used for evaporation of the liquids, optionally by compressing the vapors prior to condensation thereof within heat exchangers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a treatment apparatus capable of inhibiting growth of microorganisms and carrying out long-term stable treatment in an activated carbon tower and a reverse osmosis membrane separation device during processes including activated carbon treatment and RO membrane separation treatment of a later step in a system for manufacturing ultrapure water used in an electronic device factory.

Abstract: A process for operating a cooling tower (10), said process comprising: introducing a feed solution into a cooling tower, evaporating solvent from the feed solution to produce a concentrated solution, removing a portion of the concentrated solution as blow-down, passing at least a portion of the blow-down through a first membrane in a nanofiltration unit (14), such that at least some of the solute in the blow-down are retained as a concentrated blow-down solution on the retentate-side of the first membrane, contacting at least a portion of the concentrated blow-down solution (42) with one side of a second membrane (12) and contacting a solution having a lower solute concentration than the combined concentrated blow-down solution and the return from the cooling tower with the opposite side of the second membrane, such that solvent flows across the second membrane to dilute the concentrated blow down solution by direct osmosis, and re-introducing the diluted blow-down solution to the cooling tower.

Abstract: A nanotube separation method includes depositing a tag on a nanotube in a nanotube mixture. The nanotube has a defect and the tag deposits at the defect where a deposition rate is greater than on another nanotube in the mixture lacking the defect. The method includes removing the tagged nanotube from the mixture by using the tag. As one option, the tag may contain a ferromagnetic material and the removing may include applying a magnetic field. As another option, the tag may contain an ionic material and the removing may include applying an electric field. As a further option, the tag may contain an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon and the removing may include applying a centrifugal force to the nanotube mixture. Any two or more of the indicated removal techniques may be combined.

Abstract: A method for extracting proteins from heterogeneous fluids by precipitation using microfluidics. The method uses an automated protocol for precipitation of proteins onto surfaces, rinsing the precipitates to remove impurities, and resolubilization in buffer for further analysis. The method is compatible with proteins representing a range of different physicochemical properties, as well as with complex mixtures such as fetal bovine serum and cell lysate. In all cases, the quantitative performance (measured using a fluorescent assay for % recovery) was comparable to that of conventional techniques, which are manual and require more time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating, in an aqueous medium, at least one actinide element from one or more lanthanide elements by using at least one molecule which sequesters the said actinide element to be separated and membrane filtration, the said process successively comprising: a) a step of bringing at least one molecule which sequesters the said actinide element in contact with the aqueous medium, the said molecule not being retained in the non-complexed state by the said membrane and being capable of forming a complex with the actinide element to be separated, comprising the said element and at least two of the said sequestering molecules, which complex is capable of being retained by the membrane; b) a step of passing the aqueous medium over the membrane in order to form a permeate on one side, comprising an aqueous effluent depleted of the said actinide element, and a retentate comprising the said complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to process to prepare a chlorine-containing compound using an aqueous salt solution containing at least 100 g/l of sodium chloride and a contaminating amount of polyvalent cations comprising the steps of (i) preparing an aqueous salt solution containing at least 100 g/l of sodium chloride and at least 0.01 ppm of polyvalent cations by dissolving a sodium chloride source in water, (ii) adding an effective amount of at least one positive retention enhancing component to the aqueous solution, (iii) subsequently subjecting the solution to a nanofiltration step, thereby separating the solution into a retentate which is enriched for polyvalent cations and a permeate which is the purified aqueous salt solution, (iv) reacting the chloride anions in the permeate to a chlorine-containing compound by an electrolysis step, and (v) recycling at least part of the retentate to dissolution step (i).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to prepare salt comprising the following steps: (i) preparing an aqueous salt solution containing at least 100 g/l of sodium chloride and at least 0.01 ppm of polyvalent cations by dissolving a sodium chloride source in industrial water, (ii) adding an effective amount of at least one positive retention enhancing component to the aqueous salt solution, (iii) subsequently subjecting the solution to a nanofiltration step, thereby separating the solution into a retentate which is enriched for the polyvalent cations and a permeate which is the purified aqueous salt solution, and (iv) concentrating the permeate to produce salt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and devices related to bilayer and monolayer membranes, their encapsulation in a hydrogel, and their formation. Methods of using the disclose compositions and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agent for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises an ionic macromolecule having a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater; a process for increasing the rejection with a permeable membrane which comprises treating a permeable membrane with the agent; a permeable membrane which is treated in accordance with the process; and a process for water treatment which comprises using the permeable membrane are disclosed. By using the above agent, an increased rejection of inorganic electrolytes and organic compounds soluble in water can be maintained for a long time easily and safely at the location of the use of the membrane without extreme decrease in the flux of permeation in the membrane separation using a selective permeable membrane such as a nano filtration membrane and a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing fresh water, having a plurality of desalination processes in parallel where raw water or pre-treated raw water is treated by a first semi-permeable membrane unit, and the resulting permeate of which a pH is raised is treated in the second semi-permeable membrane unit, comprising: temporally, in part of desalination process A; lowering a pH of raw water or pre-treated water to be supplied to a first semi-permeable membrane unit A1 and to make a pH of the resulting permeate of the first semi-permeable membrane unit A1 lower than that of feed water of a second semi-permeable membrane unit B2 in desalination process B to be supplied to a second semi-permeable membrane unit A2; and mixing the permeate obtained from the second semi-permeable membrane unit A2 with the permeate obtained from the second semi-permeable membrane unit B2 in said desalination process B.

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: A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.

Abstract: Environmentally friendly solvents used to dissolve or remove residues and/or substances from substrates wherein the residue and/or substance is contacted with a Generally Recognized As Safe solvent to dissolve the residue and/or substance in the solvent followed by the extraction of the residue and/or substance from the solvent such as by contact with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the removal of contaminants from water using sugar based surfactant enhanced ultrafiltration. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a process for removal of an at least slightly water-soluble organic compound from an organic-contaminated water solution to provide a purified water solution, including: adding a surfactant to the organic-contaminated water solution in sufficient quantity to achieve at least a critical micellar concentration of the surfactant in the organic-contaminated water solution, wherein the surfactant comprises an alkylglycoside, to provide a micellar water solution comprising micelles comprising the surfactant and the organic compound; contacting an ultrafiltration membrane with the micellar water solution under pressure and temperature conditions sufficient for liquid flow through the ultrafiltration membrane to take place; and collecting liquid permeating the ultrafiltration membrane to provide the purified water solution.

Abstract: An artificial lung includes a housing, a tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle contained in the housing and providing a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes having a gas exchange function, a gas inflow port and a gas outflow port communicating with each other through hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port through which blood is distributed. The tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle has a cylindrical overall shape, and a filter member having a bubble-trapping function is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are diatomaceous earth products containing reduced soluble metal levels, processes for reducing soluble metal levels in diatomaceous earth products, and methods of using the same. In particular, diatomaceous earth products are disclosed that have been treated with at least one surface metal blocking agent, and then subjected to at least one thermal treatment process to reduce the level of soluble metals associated therewith. Such diatomaceous earth products containing reduced soluble metal levels may be useful for various applications including, but not limited to, as filter aid materials.

Abstract: A high recovery sulfate removal process comprises treating a feed water stream conditioned with antiscalant from a source with a reverse osmosis membrane system to produce a purified water permeate stream and a reject stream containing the retained or rejected ions and organic matter. The reject stream is further treated to remove dissolved and suspended species. The reject stream flows to a desaturation/clarification process. A preferred process includes a constant stirred tank reactor (CSTR) where co-precipitation agent is added followed by a clarifier. Water recycled from the clarifier overflow is blended with feed water stream. The removed solids are collected as sludge or a slurry and disposed of in a manner consistent with applicable regulations.

Abstract: Methods of deoiling oily water such as SAGD and frac produce water. The oily water is treated with a natural coagulant selected from tannins and chitosan. A cationic and/or anionic flocculant may also be added to the treated oily water. The thus treated oily water may be subjected to conventional mechanical oil separation techniques such as hydrocyclonic separation, dissolved air flotation, entrapped air flotation, induced gas flotation, gravity filters, reverse osmosis filters, API, or Voraxial® bulk separators and the like.

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: A Chelating agent comprising a polymer backbone. The polymer backbone has a plurality of carbon atoms. There are two carboxylate groups or carboxylic acid groups per repeating unit being coupled to separate carbon atoms of the backbone.

Abstract: An object is to provide a fresh water generating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.

Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding an airflow path. A misting system is positioned within the airflow path for spraying a wastewater into the airflow path. Water in the misted wastewater is evaporated, thereby concentrating minerals in the wastewater. A pretreatment system is positioned upstream from the fluid evaporator. The pretreatment system includes a gas induced separator. Separation of hydrocarbons and water are enhanced using a polymer and/or by lowering the pH of the wastewater.

Abstract: A system for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform having an upper surface, a system mass input, a polymer feeding and blending system on the upper surface, a liquid extraction assembly on the upper surface, and piping having a first section between the system mass input and the polymer feeding and blending system, and a second section between the polymer feeding and blending system and the liquid extraction assembly. The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input, transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system through the first section of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system, and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system to the liquid extraction assembly. Pressure from mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of wastewater from an aldolization process which is contaminated with water-soluble and/or dispersed organic impurities by means of single-stage or multistage extraction with an organic liquid of the aldolization process wastewater which has been set to a pH of from 0 to 6, in which an organic liquid obtained by stripping of the acidified aldolization process wastewater or of the acidified and extracted aldolization process wastewater, condensation of the stripped compounds and phase separation of the condensate is used as extractant for the extraction of organic impurities from the acidified aldolization process wastewater and wastewater having a lower content of organic impurities than the aldolization process wastewater fed to the extraction is taken off from the stripping apparatus.

Abstract: A method of enhancing flux of tailings settling pond water from an oil sands process through a membrane separation system and purifying the water comprising is disclosed. The process comprises the following steps: (a) treating the water with an effective amount of one or more water-soluble cationic polymers, amphoteric polymers, zwitterionic polymers, or a combination thereof; (b) passing the treated water through a membrane separation system; and (c) optionally, passing the permeate from step (b) through an additional membrane separation system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of separating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by their electronic type (e.g., metallic, semi-metallic, and semiconducting). Perhaps most generally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of separating CNTs by bandgap, wherein such separation is effected by interacting the CNTs with a surface such that the surface interacts differentially with the CNTs on the basis of their bandgap, or lack thereof. In some embodiments, such methods can allow for such separations to be carried out in bulk quantities.

Abstract: An immersion type membrane separation device is disclosed. The immersion type membrane separation device includes a membrane module case including a plurality of membrane modules, a diffuser case positioned under the membrane module case, the diffuser case including a diffuser, and a supply unit for supplying air to the diffuser, the supply unit including a pipe connected to the diffuser. Air is supplied to the diffuser through the pipe, and a wastewater existing in the pipe is discharged through the diffuser.

Abstract: Water (23) that contains micro-nano bubbles generated in a micro-nano bubble generation tank (6) is introduced and treated in a charcoal water tank (ii) which is filled with a charcoal (15) and in which an air diffusing pipe (12) is placed and thereafter introduced and treated in a membrane device (21). Thus, activities of microorganisms propagating in the charcoal (15) are increased by the micro-nano bubbles, markedly increasing ability of decomposing organic matters in the water. Therefore, a clogging phenomenon due to the organic matters can be prevented by reducing organic loads on the membrane device (21). Moreover, a very small amount of alcohols or salts are added as a micro-nano bubble generation aid to the micro-nano bubble generation tank (6), improving an incidence rate of the micro-nano bubbles. The alcohols and salts are easily decomposed by the charcoal water tank (ii) and easily removed by the membrane device (21).

Abstract: The addition of buffer to a harvest stream during diafiltration can cause increased turbidity and have other undesirable effects including limiting product recovery. Methods and compositions related to the use of a non-ionic surfactant are provided for improving diafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing porous structures, particles or matrixes, which may be comprised of one or a plurality of components, an apparatus for carrying out the method and particles formed in accordance with the method. The method is particularly suitable for producing porous composite or pure particles for pharmaceutical applications. In accordance with the method, a composite comprising a material such as a pharmaceutical, a biodegradable polymers and/or a biological agent is formed. The composite must further comprise a material that is soluble in supercritical fluid. Extraction of the supercritical fluid soluble material produces porous structures, which may be in the form of particles or matrixes.

Abstract: A system for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform having an upper surface, a system mass input, a polymer feeding and blending system on the upper surface, a liquid extraction assembly on the upper surface, and piping having a first section between the system mass input and the polymer feeding and blending system, and a second section between the polymer feeding and blending system and the liquid extraction assembly. The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input, transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system through the first section of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system, and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system to the liquid extraction assembly. Pressure from mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.

Abstract: An object is to provide a sea water desalinating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods are provided herein for passively filtering out droplets of different size such as satellite droplets from the generation of primary droplets and use these satellite droplets as the source for monodispersed production of submicron emulsions. The systems and methods described use active flow control to sort droplets of different size into desired collecting zones and use conventional shearing principles, and, as a result, provide 100% filtration of satellite droplets regardless of size differences.

Abstract: This invention is to a process for separating condensed water and entrained solids from an olefin stream so that fouling of the separation equipment by the entrained solids is reduced or eliminated. The process involves injecting an antifouling agent into a water condensing or quench system in an amount to maintain a zeta potential of fouling liquid and a zeta potential of the surface of the quench system both in a positive range or both in a negative range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood is provided. The extracorporeal system includes an antimicrobial device to inactivate at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator/filtration unit to remove approximately 50-75% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms, as well as by the patient's cells. These molecules include endotoxins from Gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, interleukin 6, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and bradykinin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing steam comprising the successive steps of: providing feedwater containing carbonate and/or sulfate ions; adding a crystallizing reagent able to react with carbonate and/or sulfate ions to the feedwater, in order to produce carbonate and/or sulfate crystals; filtering the feedwater with a ceramic membrane to produce a permeate stream; supplying the permeate stream to a boiler; and generating steam in the boiler. The invention also relates to an installation adapted for implementing said method, as well as to a process for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation using the abovementioned method for producing steam.

Abstract: There is provided a process capable of inexpensively producing reclaimed water having excellent quality from wastewater without using a large amount of ozone. The process for producing reclaimed water comprises: bringing ozone into contact with raw water such as treated sewage using an ozone contact column 2 or the like to enhance coagulability of a solid matter contained in the raw water; injecting a coagulant into the raw water using a coagulant-injecting pump 6 to coagulate the solid matter; and membrane-filtering the coagulated solid matter through a separation membrane 8. A residual ozone concentration in the raw water before a separation membrane is measured by a dissolved-ozone meter 5. When deterioration of quality of the raw water results in an ozone demand exceeding capacity of an ozone generator and in the residual ozone concentration lower than a given value, an amount of the coagulant to be injected is increased.

Abstract: The invention pertains to removing soluble alkali metal or ammonium salt of a divalent anion from brine comprising following steps: obtaining brine with NaCl-concentration between 150g/L and saturation in the presence or absense of a cyrstal growth inhibitor for NaCl(GCI-NaCl),or with NaCl concentration above saturation in the presence of a CGI-NaCl, said brine optionally comprising a crystal growth inhibitor for the alkali metal or ammonium salt of the divalent anion(CGI-DA); if necessary, acidify the solution to pH<11.5; if the concentration of CGI-DA is less than 20 mg/L, adding CGI-DA to obtain at least 20 mg CGI-DA/L; subjecting the solution to a membrane filtration; if the concentration of CGI-DA in the concentration from the separation is less than 20 mg/L, adding CGI-DA to obtain at least 20 mg CGI-DA/L; crystalling the concentration; removing the crystallized alkali metal or ammonium salt of the divalent anion.

Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material (10) using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction in an extraction system (100). Multiple solvents are used sequentially to replace the water with a first solvent, then replacing that solvent with a second solvent, etc., then eventually removing the last solvent from the solid materials. The solvents have progressively lower heats of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point or related property, so as to conserve use of thermal energy.

Abstract: A system and process for continuously and immediately removing contaminants from wastewater and treating wastewater, where the wastewater is treated to supply fluid that can be reused in the cleaning system or discharged safely into the environment is disclosed. The system and method comprises one or more pumping means for circulating and recirculating fluids captured or collected by the system to one or more of the processes in the system, such as wash water applications or further treatment cycles. According to one embodiment, the wastewater is transported through purification sections of the device. Depending on the system used, these sections could include several of the following: pretreatment to remove debris and certain heavy solids; treatment by methods such as a conductivity solution injection system and/or electrolytic coagulation system, a polymer injection system, and a inline mixer for mixing the polymer in the wastewater stream; and an ozone treatment system.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a mobile unit for the treatment of raw water. It relates to the technical field of mobile installations and processes for potabilizing raw water for the purpose of providing an immediate solution to supplying drinking water to the heart of regions to be treated as being difficult to access. According to the invention, the mobile unit comprises:—a pumping means (5) for pumping the raw water (4) to be treated, connected to a supply circuit (6);—a transportable container (1) provided with said supply circuit and containing: <span lang=EN-GB style=‘font-size:11.0pt:font-family:Symbol’></span> a system (8) for analyzing the characteristics of the raw water to be treated, <span lang=EN-GB style=‘font-size:11.0pt:font-family:Symbol’></span> a first treatment module (9) for treating soft surface water or drilling water, <span lang=EN-GB style=‘font-size:11.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method to system for enhancing TOC removal while maintaining membrane filter performance is the implementation of a dual pH control system. This embodiment will enhance the ability to maximize TOC removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. By adjusting pH, dosing a chemical coagulant and incorporating liquid-solids separation, a considerably higher degree of TOC removal is possible. By adjusting pH again after liquid-solids separation this embodiment can drastically increase the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration/ultrafiltration system. Thus pH control for soluble organic removal is critical. This pH level however may not be the ideal set point for minimizing membrane fouling which is the basis for this embodiment. An example: the pH set point for optimum soluble organic removal is designated to be 5.5. However, the optimum pH set point for optimum membrane performance is 7.0.

Abstract: A process for separating one or more metal ions forming a first group of metal ions such as copper, zinc and ferric ions, from one or more other metal ions forming a second group of metal ions such as cobalt and nickel, comprising: contacting an aqueous solution comprising said first and second groups of metal ions with an organic solution comprising a phosphinic acid and a hydroxyoxime to extract one of said groups of metal ions into the organic phase, and separating the organic and aqueous phases.

Abstract: An improved livestock wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater produced by a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) facility to reclaim water and solids from the wastewater, and to reduce the environmental footprint of the CAFO facility is provided. The treatment system combines both mechanical and chemical water treating and includes separation of liquids from solids, collection of the separated solids at various stages, and treatment of the remaining liquid so that it can be reclaimed. Methods of treating livestock wastewater with the livestock wastewater treatment system is also provided.

Abstract: Advanced control method for a membrane filtration unit, applied to the treatment of an effluent, employing microcoagulation on a membrane, which consists in injecting, upstream of the membrane, a dose of coagulation reactant(s) 30 to 80 times below the dose (X) making the zeta potential of the effluent zero, in which method: quantities defining the quality of the effluent to be treated and quantities defining the state of membrane clogging are measured as input variables; the operating point of the microcoagulation process is located on the basis of the results of the above measurements; thresholds for the input variables are determined, the microcoagulation having to be initiated when said thresholds are violated; and the coagulation reactant(s) is(are) injected depending on the results of the measurements and on the comparison of the input variables with the respective thresholds.