By Making An Insoluble Substance Or Accreting Suspended Constituents Patents (Class 210/665)
  • Publication number: 20130336877
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising: pre-activating the particulate matter to form a pre-activated particulate matter; providing an activating material capable of being affixed to the pre-activated particulate matter; affixing the activating material to the pre-activated particulate matter to form an activated particle; providing an anchor particle and providing a tethering material capable of being affixed to the anchoring particle; and attaching the tethering material to the anchor particle and the activated particle to form a removable complex in the fluid that comprises the particulate matter, wherein the particulate matter is derived from a mining operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: David S. Soane, Nathan Ashcraft, Phyo Kyaw
  • Patent number: 8603344
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a method and an apparatus for removing metals in waste water, such as thallium contained in waste water generated by rinsing waste containing chlorine, ash obtained by burning garbage, fly ash, etc. and reduces the concentration of metals in the waste water to a discharge standard, and the present invention provides a method for removing metals comprising applying direct-current electricity by an electrolyzer 5 to waste water S5, which contains metal aggregate, discharged via a reaction tank 1, a settler 2, and a reaction tank 4, and thereby the waste water S5 is electrolyzed together with depositing metals dissolve in the waste water S5 as metal oxides, separating the waste water containing deposited metal oxides in a precision filtration apparatus 6 into suspended solid MP and waste water S7, and removing a small amount of metals dissolve in the waste water S7 after removing the suspended solid MP in an ion exchange unit 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Konishi
  • Publication number: 20130319947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus that treats waste water, in particular waste water containing surfactants and including grey water, for local reuse. According to the invention, the process comprises a) collecting waste water in a reservoir; b) injecting gas into waste water from the reservoir to form bubbles in the waste water; c) separating the bubbles, and any entrained contaminants, from the waste water; d) drying the separated bubbles and returning any water recovered from the dried bubbles to the waste water undergoing treatment; e) optionally repeating steps b) to d) to achieve the desired purification of the waste water; and f) collecting the purified waste water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: William Peter Keith Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20130292336
    Abstract: The present invention is a wastewater treatment method using dried BOF slag and hydrogen peroxide, wherein hydrogen peroxide is oxidized to generate hydroxyl radicals that reacts with soluble metal contaminants in the sludge such that these contaminants can be adsorb on the catalyst particles and/or eliminated from the wastewater stream by separation techniques. The process can use catalytic oxidation for soluble metals removal. In addition, catalytic oxidation can produce a filtered water saturated with Oxygen and higher in pH resulting in enhanced precipitation of soluble metals when softening agents, such as Sodium Carbonate, are added in a subsequent processing step. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method using ferrous sulfate for removing soluble metals in wastewater, followed by Catalytic Oxidation to remove soluble Fe without addition of metal salts, and removing sulfates by adding Barium Carbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Frederick Douglas, SR.
  • Publication number: 20130240450
    Abstract: A method for treating highly concentrated resin-desorption liquid generated from wastewater deep purification, including channeling the highly concentrated desorption liquid generated from anion exchange resin treatment through a nanofiltration membrane, the liquid being separated into nanofiltration permeate that can be reused as the desorption agent and highly concentrated nanofiltration retentate; adding a coagulating agent to the highly concentrated nanofiltration retentate to generate coagulation-precipitation; subjecting the supernatant formed after the coagulation-precipitation process to Fenton oxidation or ozone oxidation; after the reaction, adding to the liquid an alkali solution for further coagulation-precipitation; then channeling the liquid so treated back to the biochemical system of biochemical effluent treatment for further biodegradation is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Nanjing University
    Inventors: Aimin Li, Ling Xu, Jun Fan, Bicun Jiang, Danning Jiang
  • Patent number: 8535538
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein include methods and apparatuses for purification and recycling of hydrofracture water used in natural gas drilling and production. Embodiments include removal of dissolved solids by precipitation with sodium sulfate and by evaporation using, for example, a multiple effect evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fairmount Brine Processing, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Keeling, Rex B. Tennant, II, David B. Wingard
  • Patent number: 8532829
    Abstract: A controller for water treatment in a cooling system includes a processor, a user interface, a plurality of relays, at least one network port, and at least one communication port. The processor is configured to monitor cooling fluid in the cooling system and cause the system to drain fluid when an amount of dissolved solid in the fluid exceeds a predetermined threshold. The plurality of relays are configured for both wet operation and dry operation. The controller is accessed using a web server on the controller through a communication port. The controller is controller and control parameters are modified via the web server. A relay of the plurality of relays in the controller is configured for either wet operation or dry operation. The configuration of the relay of the plurality of relays is dynamically changed to the other of wet operation or dry operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Haller, Taylor M. Goon, Stephen J. West, Philip M. McDermott, Matthew S. Hayas, Terry Tincher
  • Publication number: 20130220926
    Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from a fluid system comprises contacting the fluid system with an inversely fluidized material, for example a particulate aerogel, thereby removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the fluid system. The method can be used to remove oil or other organic materials from wastewater streams. It can be conducted in a fluidized bed, which includes nanoporous particles and a fluidizing medium, wherein the nanoporous particles have a density lower than that of the fluidizing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: New Jersey Institute of Technology
  • Patent number: 8500847
    Abstract: A gold thiosulfate leaching process uses carbon to remove gold from the leach liquor. The activated carbon is pretreated with copper cyanide. A copper (on the carbon) to gold (in solution) ratio of at least 1.5 optimizes gold recovery from solution. To recover the gold from the carbon, conventional elution technology works but is dependent on the copper to gold ratio on the carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Courtney Young, Mariam Melashvili, Nicholas V. Gow
  • Patent number: 8475658
    Abstract: Arsenic is removed from water and other aqueous feeds by (1) treating the feed with a compound containing cerium in the +4 oxidation state, preferably cerium dioxide, to oxidize arsenic in the +3 oxidation state to arsenic in the +5 oxidation state and (2) removing the arsenic in the +5 oxidation state from the aqueous phase, normally by contacting the treated feed with alumina or other precipitating agent containing cations in the +3 oxidation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Donald Witham, Edward Bayer McNew, John Leslie Burba, III
  • Publication number: 20130161259
    Abstract: A device and method for continuously breaking an initial emulsion of the water-in-oil type includes a first step of mixing the initial emulsion with a superheated washing water so as to obtain an intermediate emulsion of the water-in-oil type that comprises a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase, and that has a number-average diameter of the droplets less than or equal to 50 ?m, and a temperature above 100° C. and below the boiling point of the hydrophilic phase at the pressure of the intermediate emulsion. A second step includes destruction of the intermediate emulsion by a liquid-liquid separator so as to obtain a separated hydrophilic phase and a separated hydrophobic phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20130153506
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cost effective method of clarifying wastewater. The method comprises the steps of providing wastewater and adding a substance to the wastewater. The substance comprises a porous particulate material. The porous particulate material may be perlite, and the substance may additionally comprise a coagulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Prasad Duggirala, Weiguo Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130118985
    Abstract: A method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising collecting metal salt precipitates from a water softening process, drying said precipitates, contacting water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with said precipitates, and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
  • Patent number: 8435411
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: John Lean, Scott Griffin, Matthew Taylor
  • Patent number: 8430164
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Total S.A.
    Inventor: Annie Audibert-Hayet
  • Publication number: 20130068694
    Abstract: Novel filter elements for sequestering acids from oil or fuel, the strong base flocs that comprise the filter elements, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. The filter elements comprise a mechanically linked interlocking fiber matrix interspersed with strong base particle flocs wherein the strong base particles constitute at least 30% by weight of the filter element. Certain filter elements may be useful for sequestering acids or neutralized acids in certain oils or fuels, for example, the acids originating in the combustion and lubrication system of an internal combustion engine or those contained in oils in an oil circulation system. Other filter elements may be useful for reducing oxidation of an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: LUTEK, LLC
    Inventor: Lutek, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130048562
    Abstract: A method of treating a wastewater is provided and can be used, for example, to treat a gas well production wastewater to form a wastewater brine. The method can involve crystallizing sodium chloride by evaporation of the wastewater brine with concurrent production of a liquor comprising calcium chloride solution. Bromine and lithium can also be recovered from the liquor in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Various metal sulfates, such as barium sulfate, can be removed from the wastewater in the production of the wastewater brine. Sources of wastewater can include gas well production wastewater and hydrofracture flowback wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: PROCHEMTECH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Edward KEISTER
  • Publication number: 20130032542
    Abstract: The emergency personal portable water purifying apparatus can be used by individuals to purify water that has become contaminated by natural or man-made disasters. The apparatus is lightweight, self-contained, fits on most standard bottlenecks by using an expanding sealing collar integrated into the purifier and needs to extra power supply. The water is forced through the filter by pressure on the sides of the bottle or suction from the mouthpiece. The water purifier has a water inlet with a residue collection area and quick fitting changeable mouthpiece valve on the water outlet. Water is flocculated and large particles, residue and sediments are contained in the particular residue collection area. Water then passes through the micron net to remove remaining particles and is forced through the active carbon chamber via the spiral form to the water outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Moshe Golan
  • Publication number: 20120318743
    Abstract: The invention comprises water desalination methods and a system for such, which includes treatment of water in cation and anion ion exchange columns, and regenerating the columns after treatment of the water to set them up again for a further treatment cycle, and also providing recoverable by-products during the regeneration of the ion exchange columns instead of waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Ockert Tobias Van Niekerk
  • Publication number: 20120280180
    Abstract: Processing of wet biomass feedstock by liquid-phase catalytic hydrothermal gasification must address catalyst fouling and poisoning. One solution can involve heating the wet biomass with a heating unit to a pre-treatment temperature sufficient for organic constituents in the feedstock to decompose, for precipitates of inorganic wastes to form, for preheating the wet feedstock in preparation for subsequent removal of soluble sulfate contaminants, or combinations thereof. Processing further includes reacting the soluble sulfate contaminants with cations present in the feedstock material to yield a sulfate-containing precipitate and separating the inorganic precipitates and/or the sulfate-containing precipitates out of the wet feedstock. Having removed much of the inorganic wastes and the sulfate contaminants that can cause poisoning and fouling, the wet biomass feedstock can be exposed to the heterogeneous catalyst for gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Douglas C. Elliott, James R. Oyler
  • Publication number: 20120255912
    Abstract: Process for treating water to be treated by clarification comprising an adsorption of a portion of clarified water and a clarification of a mixture of adsorbed clarified water and water to be treated The invention pertains to a process for treating water to be treated comprising: a step for clarifying said water to be treated producing a clarified water; a step for placing a part of said clarified water in contact with a powdered adsorbent reagent producing a mixture of clarified water and powdered adsorbent reagent; a step for mixing said mixture with said water to be treated; a step for discharging the remainder of the clarified water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Isabelle Giraud, Abdelkader Gaid, Philippe Sauvignet
  • Patent number: 8282833
    Abstract: A method for recovering thallium in a cement production facility according to the present invention includes: a collecting process of collecting dust from combustion gas at a passage of the combustion gas, which is downstream of a gas outlet of a suspension preheater or a gas outlet of a demineralizer of a cement kiln of the cement production facility; a water-cleaning process of producing slurry or a water solution by cleaning the collected dust using water; and a filtering process of separating the slurry or water solution into a solid and a liquid and recovering thallium, wherein thallium is recovered from the combustion gas exhausted from the cement production facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Konishi
  • Publication number: 20120241382
    Abstract: Novel water softening products and methods of treating hard water are provided. The products comprise a chloride-free, organic salt and a chelating agent. The products are useful for regenerating ion exchange material in a water softening system and providing softened water containing both sodium and potassium ions, while avoiding the formation of undesirable precipitates (e.g., low Ksp byproducts).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: NORTH AMERICAN SALT COMPANY
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Brown, Kristopher Shelite, Jerry Poe
  • Publication number: 20120241381
    Abstract: A method of treating selenium contaminated water to reduce the concentration of selenium in the water to levels below 5 ?g/L uses a first stage treatment by an iron co-precipitation process to remove a bulk concentration of selenium from the water, followed by a second stage treatment wherein the water from the first stage is treated by either a hydride generation process or an ion-exchange media, or a combination thereof, to achieve a selenium concentration level below 5 ?g/L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce L. Bruso
  • Publication number: 20120211426
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Oronzo Santoro, Tiziano Pastore, Mostafa Moghaddami, Mehrdad Raisee, Ferdinando Crapulli, Domenico Santoro
  • Publication number: 20120175309
    Abstract: Novel filter elements for sequestering acids from oil or fuel, the strong base flocs that comprise the filter elements, and methods of their preparation and use are disclosed. The filter elements comprise a mechanically linked interlocking fiber matrix interspersed with strong base particle flocs wherein the strong base particles constitute at least 30% by weight of the filter element. Certain filter elements may be useful for sequestering acids or neutralized acids in certain oils or fuels, for example, the acids originating in the combustion and lubrication system of an internal combustion engine or those contained in oils in an oil circulation system. Other filter elements may be useful for reducing oxidation of an oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: LUTEK, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Lockledge, Darrell W. Brownawell
  • Publication number: 20120138529
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a metal and separating arsenic from an arsenic-containing solution. The method includes contacting the arsenic-containing solution with a fixing agent that comprises a rare earth compound to produce an arsenic-depleted solution and an arsenic-laden fixing agent. The fixing agent comprises a rare earth-containing compound that can include cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The fixing agent is separated from the arsenic-depleted solution and a recoverable metal is separated from one or more of the arsenic-containing solution and the arsenic-depleted solution. Recoverable metals can include metal from Group IA, Group IIA, Group VIII and the transition metals. The arsenic-containing solution can be formed by contacting an arsenic-containing material with a leaching agent. Arsenic-depleted solids formed during the leach can also be separated and recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120138530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating arsenic from an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The method includes the steps of contacting an arsenic-containing solution with a first portion of fixing agent to remove at least a portion of the arsenic. An arsenic-laden fixing agent is separated from the solution and the partially depleted solution is contacted with a second portion of fixing agent. The fixing agent can include a high surface area insoluble compound containing one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. Following removal of the arsenic, the arsenic-depleted solution can be further processed to separate a recoverable metal through metal refining. The arsenic-laden fixing agent can be filtered to recover and recycle a filtrate to the solution for additional treatment, as well as using a partially saturated fixing agent to remove arsenic from fresh solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120103909
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and compositions for removing contaminants from streams and is particularly concerned with methods and compositions for removing contaminants from municipal wastewaters, municipal drinking waters and recreational waters. The present disclosure is to particulate cerium, more particularly to particulate cerium (IV) formed by an in situ oxidative process and to a method for removing target materials from a target material-containing stream using particulate cerium formed in situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John Burba, Carl Hassler, Robert Cable
  • Publication number: 20120097614
    Abstract: A method for treating low barium frac water includes contacting a frac water stream with a radium selective complexing resin to produce a low radium stream, passing the low radium stream through a thermal brine concentrator to produce a concentrated brine; and passing the concentrated brine through a thermal crystallizer to yield road salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Manio Silva, Hope Matis, William Leonard Kostedt, IV
  • Publication number: 20120080383
    Abstract: A process for treating waste includes reacting a feedstock in a reactor to form an effluent. The feedstock is part of a reaction mixture that includes sulfuric and nitric acid. The effluent is separated into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction. Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, molybdenum, and/or selenium are removed from the liquid fraction to form a cleaned liquid fraction. The reaction mixture, excluding solids, includes no more than 7.5 wt % of the total of the first oxidizing acid and the nitric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: EARTH RENEWAL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Frederick P. Kesler, George G. Foster, Shannon Comp, Malcolm Draper
  • Publication number: 20120024794
    Abstract: A low cost method and system for treating water, which will be used in an industrial process, is provided. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordination means can control the necessary processes depending on the system needs (e.g., water quality or purity). The method and system of the invention purifies the water and eliminates suspended solids without the need of filtering the totality of the water volume, but only filtering a small fraction of up to 200 times less than the flow filtered by a conventional water treatment filtration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Crystal Lagoons Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Fernando Fischmann T.
  • Patent number: 8092656
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aquatech International Corporation
    Inventors: Keith R. Minnich, Ramkumar Karlupudi, Richard M. Schoen
  • Patent number: 8066884
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Omya Development AG
    Inventors: Patrick A. C. Gane, Joachim Schōlkopf, Daniel Gantenbein
  • Patent number: 8057683
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Omya Development AG
    Inventors: Patrick A. C. Gane, Joachim Schölkopf, Daniel Gantenbein, Daniel E. Gerard
  • Patent number: 8034246
    Abstract: A method for removing ionic, organic and elemental mercury from aqueous streams such as wastewater streams from hydrocarbon processing. The method comprises four primary removal steps. First, a mercury precipitant is added to the stream to convert dissolved ionic species of mercury water-insoluble form. The majority of these precipitated solids, as well as other forms of particulate mercury, are subsequently removed by means of gas flotation. Following the flotation step, additional particulate and precipitated ionic mercury removal is accomplished with media filtration and finally, activated carbon acts to remove the remaining dissolved ionic mercury species as well as elemental and organic forms of mercury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Meredith B. Gustafsson, Bal K. Kaul, Brian S. Fox, David A. Masciola, Bowornsak Wanichkul
  • Publication number: 20110203993
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treating fluid to at least reduce selenium content within the fluid. The treating includes conditioning stages to alter a composition of the fluid prior to removal of the selenium content from the fluid. The composition of the fluid after the conditioning stages facilitates the removal of the selenium content or at least limits detrimental impact to selenium removal efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Hughes, Charles J. Lord, III, Bruce B. Randolph, Joe B. Cross, Sumod Kalakkunnath, Mike K. Corbett, Roger K. Goenner, Larry E. Reed
  • Patent number: 8002990
    Abstract: A filter for removing soluble, colloidal, and insoluble particles from a fluid, including lead using a first filter media for filtering soluble material from the fluid, a second filter media, adjacent and in fluid communication with, the first filter media, for filtering soluble material from said fluid, wherein the first and second filter media create a physical non-soluble particle barrier at their interface for capturing non-soluble particles, that when retained at the interface, become soluble over time in the fluid, and are subsequently removed by the second filter media. At least one of the filter media can be fibrillated nanofibers that are loaded with finely subdivided media of powdered ion exchange resins. A third filter media may be placed between the first and second filter media to enhance capturing and dissolving the physical non-soluble particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: KX Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John H. Schroeder, Kenneth DeRosa, Andrew W. Lombardo, Nichole Pennisi, Peter A. Yarnell
  • Publication number: 20110195166
    Abstract: Biogenic silica is produced by combusting a biogenic source material such as rice hulls to give rich hull ash (RHA), and the combusted biogenic silica may be subsequently treated to improve the filtration or adsorption properties thereof e.g. by changing the surface charge, the surface tension, the surface area, the average pore size, the pore size distribution, particle size distribution, and/or the permeability thereof. Such biogenic silica is useful to remove a species, such as an impurity, from a fluid to purify the fluid and/or to recover the species therefrom. RHA may be used to remove species including organic, inorganic or microbial particulates, surfactants, metal ions, non-metallic anions, organic compounds, color bodies, odor-producing species, chlorinated compound, pigment, free fatty acids, phospholipids, peroxides, oil and/or grease different from the non-aqueous fluid, algae, bacteria, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Powell Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Wenping Li, Carl E. Kiser
  • Publication number: 20110180482
    Abstract: A device for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The device includes a resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product, where the resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The device further includes at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position. In certain embodiments, the device does not require conditioning immediately prior to filtration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Leach, Peter Miller, Eric Telfeyan, David Brandon Whitt
  • Publication number: 20110163037
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for treatment of industrial waste water and/or marine vessel bilge water before discharge into waterways, said waste water having hydrocarbon, and synthetic oils, chemical or surfactant based hydrocarbon emulsions, and water soluble hydrocarbons, containing hydrocarbon coated organics and fine suspended particulate matter, said treatment utilizing a hydrocarbon sorbing pre-filter media together with filter structural elements to first remove hydrocarbon contaminated organics and particulate, coalesce then bifurcate and adsorb heavier hydrocarbon elements; the remaining liquid entering the second stage of filtration wherein a cryogenically pulverized recycled tire powder material removes the remaining hydrocarbons, synthetic oils, hydrocarbon emulsions, and water soluble hydrocarbons, providing a highly clarified and oil free effluent at high flow rates and with substantially reduced filter system maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Craig A. Mason
  • Patent number: 7967984
    Abstract: An apparatus for water treatment which comprises a means of removing ingredients contained in water and a means of adsorbing ions with a porous molding as an adsorbent, wherein the porous molding comprises fibrils comprising an organic polymer resin and an inorganic ion adsorbent. The fibrils form interconnecting pores open to the outer surface and have voids in inner parts thereof, at least part of the voids being open to the surface of the fibrils. The inorganic ion adsorbent has been deposited on the outer surface of the fibrils and on the surface of the voids in the fibrils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Midorikawa, Akihiro Omori, Tadashi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20110132839
    Abstract: An integrated process for removing sulfate from water sources, such as pretreated acid mine drainage (AMD). The multivalent cation (MVC) content of a sulfate stream is reduced by strong acid cation (SAC) ion exchange and sulfate is concentrated with a membrane system and separated as precipitate and overflow. Precipitation results from reaction of sulfate with MVC produced by regeneration of SAC with sodium chloride. The overflow is reacted with carbonate to precipitate MVC, generate sodium chloride and give a further overflow stream. This latter stream is concentrated to a level capable of being a regenerant for the SAC and when needed, used to regenerate the SAC and produce MVC for sulfate precipitation. The process minimizes the use of chemicals by treating, reconcentrating and recycling input species. Capital expenditures are minimized by precipitation of only side streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Edward Zuback, Richard Woodling
  • Publication number: 20110127220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating water charged with colloidal impurities, either dissolved or suspended, in a treatment plant, wherein said method comprises: the step of contacting said water, in an advanced oxidation area, with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of at least one transition-metal salt; a flocculation step that comprises contacting said water, in a flocculation area, with at least one flocculation additive and with at least one ballast comprising at least one non-soluble granular material denser than water and used as a biomass carrier; the step of feeding the water and floc mixture thus obtained into a settling area; the step of separating the treated water at the upper portion of said settling area from a mixture of sludge and ballast resulting from the settling of said flocs; the step of extracting the sludge and ballast mixture at the lower portion of said settling area; and the step of recycling at least a portion of the sludge into said advanced oxidation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: OTV SA
    Inventors: Marielle Coste, Arnaud Bucaille, Sebastien Logette
  • Publication number: 20110100918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water purifier of tap water. According to the present invention, a metal having a higher ionization tendency is ionized by exposing the metal to water to be purified. The metal having a higher ionization tendency is selected based on iron (Fe) and limited to metals having a higher ionization tendency as compared with iron (Fe). Electrons generated when a metal is ionized into water react with heavy metal ions that have already existed in the water to reduce the heavy metal ions. The heavy metal ions react with the electrons and are converted into heavy metal components. The heavy metals are pulled by magnets with a strong magnetism and removed from the water safely. When using a water purifier according to the present invention, users can drink water useful to the human body safely and hygienically since mineral components dissolved into water are not removed at all while removing the heavy metals although small quantities of heavy metals are dissolved into water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Hak-Sub Shim, Duk-Soo Lee
  • Publication number: 20110059028
    Abstract: A metal sulphate is added to the alkali metal chloride solution in membrane electrolysis in order to increase the amount of catholyte solution formed. At the same time, a metal sulphate is added to the anolyte solution in order to improve its stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Burkhard Ponitz
  • Patent number: 7887707
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for operating and regenerating ion exchange material a wash fluid or elution solution for rinsing the ion exchange material (1) is prepared, there is collected as a by-product of said preparation a first waste stream including cationic species to be eliminated, the ion exchange material (1) is subjected to a wash step in which there is eluted from the ion exchange material by the wash fluid or solution an anionic species to be eliminated and a second waste stream including the anionic species to be eliminated is obtained, the first waste stream (12) and the second waste stream (14) are combined to form a precipitate SW comprising a reaction product of said cationic species and said anionic species, and the precipitate is removed. The method provides an efficient means of eliminating undesired species from a circuit containing an ion exchange material to be regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The BOC Group Limited
    Inventors: Peter James Mawle, Michael John Waite
  • Publication number: 20110023715
    Abstract: A method or process for treating wastewater containing high organics, silica, boron, hardness, and suspended and dissolved solids. The method includes degasifying the wastewater for the removal of dissolved gases and thereafter chemically softening the wastewater. After the chemical softening step, the wastewater is directed through a media filter or membrane which removes additional solids and precipitants. Thereafter the wastewater is directed through a sodium ion exchange that further softens the wastewater. The effluent from the ion exchange is directed through a cartridge filter and the effluent from the cartridge filter is directed through one or more reverse osmosis units. At a selected phase of the process, prior to the wastewater reaching the reverse osmosis unit or units, the pH of the wastewater is raised and maintained such that the pH of the wastewater reaching a reverse osmosis unit is at a pH greater than 10.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventor: LNSP Nagghappan
  • Publication number: 20100320147
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved water treatment cavitation reactor cone. The tank operates on a continuous flow of fluids which are subjected to ultrasonic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The treatment tank includes a tangential inlet that induces a rotating flow into the tank thereby increasing the mixing of the ozone within the effluent. The effluent is further treated with DC current. The treatment tank provides a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling fluids as contaminated as frac water, used to stimulate gas production from shale formations, as well as other types of fluids having various levels of contaminants such as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and suspended solids. The calcium carbonate scaling tendency is reduced to an acceptable level without the use of acids, ion exchange materials, or anti scaling chemicals which is of economical and environmental significance and benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis McGuire, Sanjeev Jakhete
  • Publication number: 20100300974
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Henry O. Pate