Abstract: Sorbents prepared according to the invention useful in remediation of polluted effluents including waste waters and other fluids such as air, the invention is particularly directed to use of sulfidized red muds in treatment of sanitary waste waters to substantially remove or reduce bacterial levels such as fecal coliform as well as phosphates and total dissolved solids (TDS). The sulfidized red mud sorbents of the invention are derived by sulfidation of red mud, a waste product of Bayer processing of bauxite ores, red muds being sulfidized by reaction with sulfidizing agents including H2S, NA2S, K2S, (NH4)2S and CaSx as examples. Sulfidized red muds used according to the invention typically exhibit a sulfur content from about 0.2 to about 10% above residual sulfur in the red mud used as the starting material for preparation of the sulfidized red mud sorbents used in the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: A water treatment process for substantially removing one or more ionic species from a feed water includes an ion containing aqueous solution to produce a treated water product, the process including: (a) a sorption step, including contacting a solid sorbent with said feed water to produce a solution depleted in said one or more ionic species and a loaded sorbent; (b) a concentrating step, includes concentrating an inlet stream including the ionic species depleted solution to produce a concentrate rich in said one or more ionic species and said treated water product; and (c) a desorbing step, including contacting said loaded sorbent with an aqueous desorbant including said concentrate to thereby desorb at least some of said one or more ionic species from said loaded sorbent.

Abstract: A method of recording and monitoring the operation and status of devices operating to purify water employed in the operation of a dialysis clinic, by providing a software program that monitors water purification devices that include a water softener, brine tank and reverse osmosis machine. This computer program is a data logging system that enables the user to monitor and record the status and performance of water purification equipment that is housed and used in a dialysis clinic. The software program will be used by technicians that work in three shifts on a daily basis to ensure that the water being purified for dialysis treatment is within an acceptable range of purity. This software replaces a paper logging system and is more versatile in security, accuracy, function and reporting.

Abstract: In production of ultrapure water by purifying primary pure water with a secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and a tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus, high-purity ultrapure water is produced, wherein generation of hydrogen peroxide is minimized and the concentrations of TOC, DO, and hydrogen peroxide are reduced to the limit. In an ultrapure water manufacturing system, each of the secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and the tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus includes an ultraviolet oxidation device and a deionization device, downstream therefrom, by using an ion exchange resin. UV light control is performed in such a way that the hydrogen peroxide concentration results in 1 to 30 ?g/L and the TOC concentration results in 1 to 10 ?g/L at the outlet of the ultraviolet oxidation apparatus of the secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and, in addition, the TOC concentration results in 0.

Abstract: A method and system for recycling and treating dyeing wastewater are provided. To begin with, the dyeing wastewater is added with an adsorbent for assisted decolorization and filtration. Then, the wastewater is filtered with a first filtration device having hydrophilic membranes. The liquid having passed through the hydrophilic membranes undergoes an RO membrane-base filtration process to produce recycled water and concentrated wastewater. The concentrated wastewater is delivered into a second filtration device having hydrophobic membranes, before a micro-bubbling process is performed on the concentrated wastewater in the second filtration device to turn the concentrated wastewater into a creamy-white nebulized working liquid of high gas content. The steam in the working liquid can readily pass through the hydrophobic membranes to produce an effluent that meets effluent standards.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for processing tarry or resinous liquid suspensions derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. The suspensions are processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling, a volatiles exhaust system utilizing suction, and a means to isolate the gas and light solids radially of the inner liquid surface and thereby enabling the gas and light solids to be extracted continuously to a location outside the centrifuge bowl. The removed tar, char and volatiles can be used as fuel or recycled as feedstock. Polymers can be added prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Tar, resin, char or volatiles depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or easily treated prior to disposal.

Abstract: A desalination apparatus is disclosed which uses a salt sponge unit to remove a majority of salt from water. A parallel plate capacitor can be connected after the salt sponge to remove remaining salt ions. The salt sponge is a nanoporous, high surface area carbon scaffold to which crown ethers are attached. A power supply is connected to the salt sponges for applying a bias voltage to regenerate the salt sponges. A chlorine treatment unit can be connected after the parallel plate capacitor. A method of purifying sea water using the apparatus also is disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer, a composition, and uses for either are disclosed. The polymer is derived from at least two monomers: acrylic-x and an alkylamine, and has attached to the polymer backbone a functional group capable of scavenging at least one metal. The polymer has a polymer backbone with a fluorescing quantity of conjugated double bonds, thereby providing a method for controlling metal scavenging via fluorescence. These polymers have many uses in various media, including wastewater systems.

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: Procedure for the magnetization of different inorganic surfaces, whether natural or synthetic, such as aluminosilicates, both synthetic and natural (natural zeolites, synthetic zeolites, alumina, allophane, among others) that give magnetic properties to those surfaces. Objectives of the present application are also the above mentioned surfaces, magnetized, and their different uses.

Abstract: Methods of removing impurities from an impurity-loaded organic salt solution by intermixing the impurity-loaded organic salt solution with a stripping solution to form a biphasic mixture, wherein the intermixing effectively reduces the concentration of impurities in the impurity-loaded organic salt, thereby removing impurities from the organic salt and forming an impurity-reduced organic salt solution phase and a stripping solution phase are provided herein.

Abstract: New magnetic dye-adsorbent catalyst has been described in this invention, which is the modification of conventional magnetic photocatalyst. The catalyst consists of a composite particle having a core-shell structure, with a magnetic particle as a core and a dye-adsorbent (which may also exhibit photocatalytic activity) as a shell. The shell is made up of 1-dimensional (1-D) nanostructure, which enhances the specific surface-area of the conventional magnetic photocatalyst. The new magnetic dye-adsorbent catalyst removes an organic dye from an aqueous solution via surface-adsorption mechanism; while, the conventional magnetic photocatalyst uses the photocatalytic degradation mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced water treatment comprise inorganic filter systems for impurity removal. Embodiments for water impurity removal include introducing contaminated water into an impurity removal system having an inorganic filter. The inorganic filter comprises an inorganic membrane layer supported by an inorganic support. The inorganic membrane layer comprises pores sized from about 1,000 Daltons to about 10 microns for filtering impurities such as kinetic hydrate inhibitor. Other pre-treatment and post-treatment stages may be included. The inorganic membrane layer or inorganic membrane support may comprise a ceramic such as alumina, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, and mixed oxides.

Abstract: Adsorption devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an adsorption device includes a fabric and an adsorbing complex attached at least partially attached to a surface of the fabric, the adsorbing complex being reactive to selectively adsorb a substance from a liquid passing through the fabric to remove at least a portion of the substance from the liquid. In one embodiment, the adsorption device can be incorporated into an extracorporeal blood circuit adapted to filter phosphate from blood of a hemodialysis patient without altering chemistry of the blood.

Abstract: Discolored organic compounds (DOC) may be extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxitic ores. In some aspects, the sorbent composition is slurried with the medium. In other aspects, the sorbent composition is formed into pellets or the like, which are contacted with the medium. The red mud (along with adsorbed contaminants) is then separated from the water using any suitable technique, such as filtration, sedimentation, or centrifugation.

Abstract: Sulfolane is removed from contaminated groundwater by passing the contaminated groundwater through a filtration system to form purified water having drinking water quality. The filtration system includes untreated activated carbon having no biological remediation component. The filtration system may be a point-of-entry system designed for use in a residential location, and includes one or more primary carbon adsorption tanks and at least one secondary carbon adsorption tank. The primary carbon adsorption tank(s) and secondary carbon adsorption tank are charged with granular activated carbon. The filtration system optionally includes a sediment filter and a water softener.

Abstract: A water filtration system with a filter and method for filtering raw water having a series of media layers in the following order: 1) sand to gravel or coarse silica; 2) zeolite; 3) activated carbon; 4) a second layer of sand to gravel or coarse silica; and 5) a second layer of zeolite is disclosed. Optionally, the series further has a ceramic media layer, which may have a reactive coating such as calcium hypochloride. Further options include ferruginous latertic clay spheres (FLCS) or iron oxide brick particles, at least one grid, which may be charged, and/or at least one sand arch. A rapid sand filter may be used prior to filtering water through the series of media layers. The water may also be further filtered through a mixture of zeolite and carbon. Chlorine may be added to the filtered water. Specialized water filters for reducing fluoride and arsenic concentrations and taste aesthetics are also disclosed.

Abstract: By sequentially aligning various filtration media and delivery systems, enhanced synergistic reduction of water contaminants is obtained compared to the prior art or separate use of the individual media/filters. Specific filtration media are formulated with proper proportioning and sequencing to enhance the ability to reduce metals that cause staining, odors and bad taste such as iron, copper and manganese. Also disclosed is the reduction of potentially hazardous metal radionuclides metals such as uranium, iodine, cesium, plutonium and radium. Also disclosed is improved removal of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium, and mercury as well as organic compounds such as halogenated carcinogenic compounds. The present devices and methods remove specific bacteria and their toxins from water to reduce the risk of dermatitis. Thus, the present invention enhances our ability to achieving cleaner and safer water for drinking, swimming, washing, bathing and cooking.

Abstract: Hemodialysis dialysis systems are disclosed. Hemodialysis systems of the invention may include a dialysate flow path including a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. The circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuits may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the system. A gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. The hemodialysis systems may include fluid handling devices, actuated using a control fluid, optionally delivered using a detachable pump. Fluid handling devices may be generally rigid and of a spheroid shape, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into compartments.

Abstract: A method to remove virulence factors from infected blood by passing the blood through a surface cartridge with immobilized carbohydrates, such as heparin, wherein the virulence factors are toxins released from pathogens such as B. anthracis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.

Abstract: A river water utilizing flue gas desulfurization system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pre-treatment facility 13 that removes humic substances in river water 11 to produce makeup water 12; and a desulfurization apparatus 17 that brings sulfur content in flue gas 15 into contact with limestone gypsum slurry 16 in an apparatus body 14. The pre-treatment facility 13 includes a flocculant mixing basin 22 in which a flocculant 21 is added to the river water 11 to flocculate and remove the humic substances contained in the river water 11; and an activated carbon absorption unit 23 in which the humic substances contained in the river water 11 are absorbed and removed by way of activated carbon.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of using Electron-beam technology to remove recalcitrant organic matter and/or volatile organic compounds from a target water sample or other fluid samples. A fluid is directed into a first vessel; and a beam of electrons from an electron beam generator is used to irradiate the fluid. Specifically, once the water is loaded into a first vessel and the organic contaminants are absorbed to saturation levels, a control sensor initiates influent water to be directed to a second vessel while the first vessel is isolated and desorbed using an energy means such as heat or microwave. The desorbed materials are directed through a common manifold containing an E-beam. The E-beam is then used to destroy organic matter desorbed from the first vessel. VOCs may be treated in this way as well, or they may be treated directly without first sorbing and desorbing prior to irradiation.

Abstract: Reducing the concentration of kinetic hydrate inhibitors in produced water may be accomplished by treating the produced water using a method selected from the group consisting of chemical adsorption, solvent extraction, chemical coagulation, electrochemical coagulation and combinations thereof. Such reductions may in some instances allow for the reuse of produced water for irrigation or recycle in oil and gas production.

Abstract: A polymer composite is provided for a water treatment. The polymer composite with excellent workability is capable of adsorbing impurities in water, being rapidly separated from the water using magnetic forces. The polymer composite includes secondary aggregates. The secondary aggregates are formed of clumped particles, the particles being magnetic particles covered with a polymer. The polymer composite has porous structures suitable for adsorbing underwater impurities.

Abstract: A filter unit may include an electrode structure, a fluid-purifying flow path, and a pH adjusting chamber. The electrode structure may include a cathode, a cation exchange membrane, an anion exchange membrane, and an anode in that order. The fluid-purifying flow path may be at least one of a path in the cathode, between the cathode and the cation exchange membrane, between the anion exchange membrane and the anode, and in the anode. The fluid-purifying flow path may include an adsorption function. The pH adjusting chamber may be between the cation exchange membrane and the anion exchange membrane. The pH adjusting chamber may be configured to control the pH of the fluid in the fluid-purifying flow path.

Abstract: A phosphorus compound adsorbent; a phosphorus compound adsorption system, wherein the phosphorus compound adsorbed can be desorbed in a neutral solvent; and a method of using the phosphorus compound adsorbent are provided. The phosphorus compound adsorbent includes a nitrogen-containing compound having an amino group at an end of the molecular structure, a support carrying the nitrogen-containing compound, and at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of a zinc ion, a copper ion, an iron ion, and a zirconium ion, which is fixed to the nitrogen-containing compound.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for depleting fluids of immunoglobulins and leukocytes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated method and system for treating a contaminated fluid. The integrated system and method is configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions, for example, transportation, mixing, treatment and separation. The contaminated fluid and treating agents are pumped simultaneously into a processing tank and vigorously mixed by at least one pump-mixer. The at least one pump-mixer is configured to simultaneously perform combined functions such as fluid transportation, rapid and vigorous mixing and treatment. The rapid and vigorous mixing by at least one pump-mixer enhances the processing rates considerably. The contaminants and the disaggregated particles undergo treatment as a result of their reactions with the treating agents. The process residuals, usually in the form of sludge, are separated from the treated fluid. The separation system is also configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical process for the purification of water containing soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic compounds using single-stage or two-stage membrane processes that integrate membrane water purification with chemical precipitation softening and residual hardness and silica removal from the membrane concentrates using ion exchange resins and silica sequestering media, respectively.

Abstract: Multi-layered macromolecules wherein the layers are covalently bonded together and wherein the macromolecules are covalently bonded to solid particulate substrates, methods for the preparation of such compositions, and methods for their uses in a multitude of end use applications ranging from the purification of waste chemical and metal process streams to the separation and identification of proteins, peptides, and oligionucleotides.

Abstract: Media and devices, such as depth filters including such media, wherein the media is impregnated with a polymer such as a polyallylamine. The resulting device offers strong binding of protein impurities and superior removal of host cell proteins from biological samples.

Abstract: Media and devices, such as nitrocellulose-based filters, wherein the media is coated with a polymer such as a polyallylamine. The resulting device offers strong binding of protein impurities and superior removal of host cell proteins from biological samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water are provided. A feed water such as seawater can be fed to a filter such as a microporous or nanofiltration membrane to produce a permeate that can, in turn, be fed to an electrodeionization system to produce fresh water.

Abstract: Dissolved metals are removed from contaminated water by passing the water through a bed containing media bodies, preferably limestone bodies. Various contaminants carried by the water become associated with the media bodies, thereby inhibiting water flow. The media bodies are rehabilitated by using an excavator, loader, or other machine to scoop them into a bucket having a peripheral wall including a sieve, immersing the container into a liquid held in a wash pit, rotating the bucket so that contaminants abraded from the bodies fall through the sieve into the pit, removing the container from the liquid, and dumping the rehabilitated media bodies from the bucket. When the media bodies have filtered mine drainage containing a particular dissolved metal such as manganese or iron for example, a residue remaining in the basin is a rich source of metal compounds that can be recovered for economic use.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptoid reagents that interact preferentially with a pathogenic form of a conformational disease protein as compared to a nonpathogenic form of the conformational disease protein where the peptoid reagent comprises an amino-terminal region, a carboxy-terminal region, and at least one peptoid region between the amino-terminal region and the carboxy-terminal region where the peptoid region comprises 3 to about 30 N-substituted glycines, and optionally one or more amino acids. The invention also relates to methods of using the peptoids in detecting and isolating prions, and in the treatment and prevention of prion-related diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic nanoparticles and methods of using magnetic nanoparticles for selectively removing biologics, small molecules, analytes, ions, or other molecules of interest from liquids.

Abstract: A unit for pretreating water by heat and/or ion treatment. It provides a pretreatment unit including a direct contact heat and/or ion exchanger having a continuous or dispersed phase that includes a fluorinated liquid that is not miscible with water with a density of more than 1.25.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device, system, and process are described that provide a filtered, metal-depleted (treated) fluid. The system includes two pairs of tanks that are piped and valved to allow one pair to fill/react while the other pair decants/discharges, which provides a continuous flow of metal-depleted (treated) fluid. Power requirements are minimal since fluid is pumped at a low head pressure. The design has applications in the potable water, industrial, mining, chemical and environmental sectors.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering oil/water compositions from waterways and wetlands and for separating oil and water from one another. The system includes a plurality of polymeric sorbent articles for collection of oil/water compositions from waterways or wetlands. A centrifuge treatment system having a centrifuge housing, a cover and a rotatable basket is configured for receiving the plurality polymer sorbent articles containing oil/water compositions for removal of oil/water compositions therefrom. Fluids extracted from the sorbent materials are collected in a collection tank in flow communication with an annular area of the centrifuge. A centrifugal oil/water separation unit is provided for essentially continuous separation of oil and water from one another with an efficiency of at least 97%. The system optionally includes a polishing unit for treatment of the water to provide substantially hydrocarbon free water.

Abstract: Provided is a method that can remove fission products in a spent electrolyte produced in a dry reprocessing process by an easy operation and can vitrify the fission products easily, the fission products including not only the fission products that generate precipitate but also the fission products that generate no precipitate. A spent electrolyte produced in a dry reprocessing process is subjected to a phosphate conversion processing to obtain a processing target substance; the processing target substance is passed through a separating material 10 including an iron phosphate glass at a temperature of not more than a softening point of the iron phosphate glass in order to remove insoluble fission products included in the processing target substance by filtration with the separating material and to sorb fission products in solution to the separating material for separation; and the iron phosphate glass holding the fission products is used as a waste vitrification material.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for polishing wastewater (i.e. non-potable water) using filtration media. More particularly, the instant disclosure relates to wastewater polishing using a bed of mixed metal oxides under certain operating conditions to remove a plurality of contaminants from a wastewater stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vessel with a textured inner surface and methods of using the vessel to trap aggregated substances. The vessel facilitates the separation of the substance from surrounding media. The present invention relates to vessels with a textured inner surface and methods of using such vessels for the separation of a trapped aggregated target substance from a media containing one or more other substances.

Abstract: Metal oxide particles heated while immersed in water in a closed container are combined with membrane filtration to remove contaminants from water. The use of the heated particles reduces fouling of the membrane typically encountered when membranes alone are used to remove contaminants from water.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatuses for removing selenium from water. Sulfate and organics are first removed to discourage such materials from overwhelming subsequent processing of water to remove selenium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of water by adding surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate or an aqueous suspension comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate and having a pH greater than 6.0 measured at 20° C., to the medium, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids and the use of the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate for this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds from an aqueous medium by adding surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate or an aqueous suspension comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate and having a pH greater than 6.0 measured at 20° C., to the medium, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids, the use of the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate for the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds, as well as to a combination of a surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate and activated carbon for the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for manufacturing wafer-like slices from a body of a substrate material, especially for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. The method comprises providing a slicing device with a cutting wire equipped on its surface with abrasive particles; providing an aqueous cooling and lubricating fluid, said fluid having an ionic strength corresponding to an electrical conductivity of about 30 IJS/cm or less; cutting said body with said cutting wire into slices while dispensing said cooling and lubricating fluid into a kerf area where said cutting wire contacts and cuts said body, said cooling and lubricating fluid promoting removal of powdered substrate material from said kerf area resulting in spent fluid; and removing said spent fluid from said cutting device and recovering said powdered substrate material from said spent fluid.

Abstract: Devices and methods for water purification are provided. An improved demister (70) for removing liquid or other particles from steam is disclosed. The demister can have adjustable outlets. In other embodiments, a demister apparatus is placed, at least partially, inside a boiler apparatus (310). Additionally, a filter flow indicator (401) that provides an optical indication of the efficiency of a water filter is also provided. The filter flow indicator has a viewable side passage that connects the input and output sides of a filter unit. A weighted object, such as a ball (440), can move up and down the side passage in response to the pressure differential in the filter system. The user can determine the status of the filter by viewing the location of the weighted object in the side passage. Additionally, a device and method of adding various minerals back to purified water in order to improve the flavor of the water is described.

Abstract: Novel ultrasonic treatment systems for separating compounds in an aqueous effluent and processes for using the ultrasonic treatment systems are disclosed. More particularly, the ultrasonic treatment systems use ultrasonic energy to energize adsorbent to provide efficient and effective removal of compounds from aqueous effluents, such as textile effluents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in desalinating water. A desalination processes uses a polymer material to bind sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) ions in salt water. Once the polymer binds to the sodium and chlorine ions, they can be separated from the water. Once separated from the water, the sodium and chlorine molecules can be separated from the polymer, and the polymer reused in subsequent desalination cycles.