Abstract: An improved method for reclaiming waste printing ink is provided that requires no dilution nor blending with virgin ink wherein substantially all entrained water and solvent contamination is removed in a vacuum distillation step. Solid impurities are removed via a subsequent filtration method that leaves the ink's pigment content substantially undiminished.

Abstract: A method, liquid and apparatus is disclosed that is capable of effectively removing contaminated liquids from nonabsorbent articles. Articles wet with such liquids are immersed in azeotropic mixtures. Liquid film is displaced by the azeotrope which, in turn, is purified through a still and recycled. Articles moved through a vapor phase are clean and dry. In a typical operation, articles to be cleansed and dried are introduced into the solvent then rinsed and then elevated into a vapor zone. Suitable heating coils maintain the desired temperatures in the various compartments. In the vapor zone, all liquid film is changed to vapor while the article temperature is raised above ambient to prevent moisture condensation on the surface of the article upon removal from the system. In the solvent treating or reprocessing compartment, solvent with any accumulated moisture contained is processed through a molecular sieve (solvent dessicant) and filtered and the solvent collected and recirculated.

Abstract: A method for substantially removing both alkaline earth metal cations and dissolved acidic gases from a water source contaminated therewith to produce a substantially nonscaling and noncorroding water supply therefrom. The method includes contacting the contaminated water source with an ion exchange resin to substantially remove the metal cation contaminants contained therein and produce a demineralized intermediate effluent having a pH of less than about 3.5. The demineralized intermediate effluent then is stripped of the acidic gas contaminants dissolved therein and the pH of the stripped effluent adjusted to a value in the range of from about 9.0 to about 10.0.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously separating and recovering an organic liquid such as a hydrocarbon solvent from immiscible water and/or other impurities mixed therewith. The apparatus and method comprise a system for treating liquids while continuously flowing therethrough, including in series a gravity separation step followed by a distillation separation step.

Abstract: In a process for processing a waste solution containing ammonium ions and fluoride ions to recover ammoniacal water and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, the waste solution is treated with a strong acid type ion exchange resin to separate ammonium ions; the resin is eluted with hydrochloric acid to recover ammonia as ammonium chloride; the effluent is distilled with addition of concentrated sulfuric acid to recover hydrogen fluoride; the remaining diluted sulfuric acid is concentrated and recycled to the hydrogen fluoride recovery step; the ammonium chloride solution is distilled with addition of magnesium hydroxide to recover ammonia water; the remaining formed magnesium chloride is thermally decomposed into hydrochloric acid and magnesium hydroxide, which are recycled to the regeneration of the ion exchange resin and the treatment of the ammonium chloride solution respectively.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for removing volatile and nonvolatile organic chemicals from water comprising: (1) passing said water through an induced draft air stripper; and (2) passing the effluent of said induced draft air stripper through a carbon adsorption bed.

Abstract: A water purifier for treating water intended for drinking and like purposes, for installation at point-of-use, i.e., home, office or workplace, which is effective in removing additional contaminents therefrom using a heated carbon filter and distillation, in which the water being purified is heated and induced to alternately flow back and forth between an open compartment used for the filter and a closed evaporator in which it is distilled, the intervals of flow into the filter compartment being effective to heat the filter to thereby increase its ability to remove heavy molecular pollutants (e.g., pesticides, herbicides, etc.) and also being an advantageous location from which there is released to atmosphere low molecular volatile pollutants (e.g.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing organic contaminants from an aqueous composition contaminated therewith. The method comprises passing the composition through a first column packed with an organoclay, to adsorb substantial quantities of high molecular weight and/or emulsified components of said organic contaminants, and passing the effluent from said first column through further separating means for separating substantial quantities of the low molecular components of said organic contaminants which remain in the effluent from said first column, and recovering the effluent from said separate means as product.

Abstract: A process for treating contaminated transformer oil which comprises heating the contaminated transformer oil in a first heater to a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 125.degree. F., passing the heated contaminated oil from the first heater through an adsorber containing Fuller's earth of about 30 to 60 mesh particle size, conducting the treated oil from the adsorber to a chiller where the temperature is reduced to about 50.degree. to 70.degree. F., conducting the treated oil from the chiller to a centrifuge to remove free water, conducting the treated oil from the centrifuge to a second heater where the oil is heated to a temperature of about 100.degree. to 160.degree. F. (preferably about 120.degree. F.), conducting the treated oil from the second heater to a degasifier wherein the oil is subjected to a vacuum of about 0.2 to 2 mm of mercury, removing the treated oil from the degasifier and passing it through a polishing filter.

Abstract: A method of neutralizing and detoxifying waste material containing both an acid and a toxic organic compound. The waste material is combined with sufficient oil and sufficient caustic to form a pumpable slurry having a pH of 7 or higher. The oil is then separated from the slurry leaving a dry, deoiled material, containing a salt and the toxic organic compound. This material is pyrolyzed at a temperature below the melting point of the salt and sufficiently high to vaporize the toxic organic compound. The resultant vapor is then incinerated to detoxify the vaporized organic compound.

Abstract: In an automated process for deaerating and purifying both the water which is recirculated in a coolant loop through a stack of fuel cells and the make-up water for the coolant loop, a portion of the water from the coolant loop is blown down into a deaerator water reservoir to which make-up water is added by condensing water from the fuel cell stack reactant gas streams into a deaeration column disposed above the reservoir. The blowdown provides some of the heat for deaeration; and the amount of blowdown is controlled as a function of the amount of make-up water added to the coolant loop by sensing the location of a steam/liquid interface within the deaeration column. Water is withdrawn from the reservoir, purified, and then introduced into the coolant loop at a rate sufficient to maintain the desired amount of water circulating in the coolant loop.

Abstract: In a process for deaerating and purifying both the water which is recirculated in a coolant loop through a stack of fuel cells and the make-up water for the coolant loop, a portion of the water from the coolant loop is blown down into a deaerator water reservoir to which make-up water is added as required by the coolant loop. Water is withdrawn from the reservoir, purified, and then introduced into the coolant loop at a rate sufficient to maintain the desired amount of water circulating in the coolant loop. The blowdown provides some of the heat for deaerating the water; and the rate of blowdown flow into the reservoir is sufficient to maintain an acceptable level of impurities in the recirculating coolant loop water. Preferably, the blowdown flow rate is controlled as a function of the amount of make-up water required to be added to the coolant loop.

Abstract: Tin ions are provided to the electrolyte-containing cathode compartment of an electrolysis cell in which the anode and cathode compartments are separated by a cationic permselective membrane. The anolyte is generally a mineral acid or tin salt thereof. Operation of the electrolysis cell results in the deposition of tin in a purified form onto the catode which may be recovered as tin metal. Alternatively, the deposited tin and cathode compartment can be washed and the cathode compartment filled with an acid solution. Reversal of the current polarity results in the production of tin salts which may be recovered. Tin salts may also be concurrently anodically produced while tin metal is cathodically electrowinned.

Abstract: Process for producing fully desalted process water by the treatment of raw water with cation and anion exchangers in a separate multi-stage arrangement. The water which leaves the main cation exchanger stage or stages, has a residual sodium content of less than 0.5 mg Na/l before entering the anion exchange stage. Such water is fed through a strong acid cation exchanger stage, in which the exchanger material is present at a maximum of 50 percent as a suspended bed and the remainder as a solid bed. The exchanger material in the strong acid cation exchanger stage following the first strong acid cation exchanger stage, is present at a maximum of 25 percent as a suspended bed and the remainder as a solid bed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the method of defoaming an aqueous amine gas purification scrubbing solution by stripping gaseous contaminants from the scrubbing solution and then passing a side stream of from about 10% to about 20% of the scrubbing solution through a carbon filter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the purification of aqueous solutions of low molecular weight polyhydroxyl compounds containing calcium or lead compounds or mixtures thereof. Methanol and a precipitant for calcium and/or lead ions in a quantity equivalent to the ions to be removed are added to the solutions. The deposits thus formed are removed and the residual solutions are treated with a cation exchanger followed by distillation of the low-boiling fractions. The distillation sump which essentially contains the low molecular weight polyhydroxyl compounds is then treated with an anion exchanger.

Abstract: A method of receiving retrieved blood from the surgical field of a patient and treating the blood so that it is in condition for direct or indirect return to the patient. The method treats a relatively large volume of blood, which when received in a housing adapted to receive such blood volumes, removes air bubbles and other foreign matter. The received blood flows smoothly both to and from a fibrous membrane interposed in the path of blood flow thereby avoiding bubbling and damage of the blood. Significantly, means within the housing are provided to inhibit clotting of the blood within the housing.

Abstract: Measurement is made of low levels of chloride, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate and other inorganic anions in a relatively low pressure condensate having a temperature preferably below 40.degree. C. The condensate is passed through a hydrogen exchange resin bed and the effluent from the resin bed is heated to atmospheric boiling temperature to eliminate gases such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. Heat to maintain a constant atmospheric boiling temperature is supplied by an electric heating element. A temperature sensor on the influent test water adjusts the voltage or current supplied to the electric heating element to maintain the constant atmospheric boiling temperature. A fail-safe device prevents electric heater failure on water flow stoppage. The conductivity of the heated water at or very close to atmospheric boiling point temperature is measured and is an indication of the contamination present in the relatively low pressure, low temperature test condensate.

Abstract: Apparatus of high sensitivity and accuracy for detecting and measuring very low levels of chlorides, sulfates, phosphates and nitrates in high pressure, high temperature feedwater present in once-through and supercritical boilers, nuclear reactors and cogeneration systems. A sample of feedwater at 350.degree. F. and above is maintained near atmospheric boiling point in a vented chamber where volatile gases, mainly carbon dioxide, are removed by venting. The effluent from this chamber passes through a flow-type conductivity cell, is cooled to 20.degree.-40.degree. C. and flows upward through a hydrogen exchange resin bed at a flow rate of approximately 250 and 1,000 ml/min and higher. Subsequent reboiling of the condensate in a reboil chamber with the help of a small orifice valve through which a part of the hot feedwater sample passes provides constant temperature control of the condensate at or near atmospheric boiling and at a constant level prior to flow through another flow-type conductivity cell.

Abstract: A process for obtaining colorless and stable isophorone is characterized by distilling a raw synthesis mixture to remove alkaline agents, acetone, and a major portion of the water which is present, thermally treating the distilled mixture with an acidic ion-exchanging resin, neutralizing the effluent following said thermal treatment with an excess of an alkaline agent, adding water in a volume sufficient to dissolve any salts which may have formed, then again, neutralizing the now alkaline mixture wherein the pH of the resultant mixture is between 6.5 and 7, washing the mixture in water by decantation, and distilling the mixture under reduced pressure.

Abstract: Inorganic salts are removed from an unpotable water stream, particularly a salt-containing inland water stream. The stream is passed sequentially through anion and cation exchange beds. Periodically the anion exchange bed is regenerated with sodium hydroxide and the cation exchange bed with hydrochloric acid to form spent regenerant streams which are combined with hydrochloric acid in the presence of calcium ion to precipitate calcium salts of anions from the mixture. The soluble portion is then mixed with sodium hydroxide in the presence of carbonate ion to precipitate insoluble cations from the mixture as hydroxides or carbonates. The soluble portions, comprising essentially an aqueous sodium chloride stream, is separated into a more concentrated and less concentrated portion. The more concentrated stream is electrolyzed to provide a source of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide for the above steps, while the less concentrated stream is recovered as a source of potable water.