Abstract: Potable water from a municipal water supply is treated to remove suspended solids, organic and inorganic dissolved solids, dissolved carbon dioxide gas and metal contaminants so as to produce ultra-pure water in the 16 megohm-cm.sup.3 and greater range. The process involves prefilteration of the water; activated carbon filtration; secondary guard filtration; double reverse osmosis treatment of the water. The process further involves the use of either an anion exchange or electrodialysis unit to remove further impurities from the water. A method for recycling part of the discharged water is also provided.

Abstract: A combined membrane/sorption process is used to selectively remove ions from liquid streams. As an example, nitrate ions can be more effectively removed from an aqueous stream also containing sulfate ions. Sulfate ions normally are not required to be removed from drinking water, but are typically sorbed by the available ion exchange resins and result in inefficient use of the ion exchange capacity. The disclosed process and apparatus use an ion selective membrane to first remove the sulfate ions from the stream and then remove the nitrate ions by ion exchange.

Abstract: A process for the decontamination of materials such as soil, sediments and sludges contaminated with organic contaminants such as PCB's. The process comprises the steps of separating the material into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction when liquid is present leaching the solid fraction with a leaching solvent to obtain contaminated leaching solvent and a mixture of decontaminated solids and leaching solvent and stripping the contaminant, from the contaminated leaching solvent with a stripping solvent to concentrate the contaminants. When liquid is present in the material adsorbing residual contaminants from the liquid fraction are adsorbed onto decontaminated solids to produce decontaminated liquids and contaminated solids.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of heat stable salts from ethanolamine gas purification process units using ion-exchange resins and for regenerating said ion-exchange resins in-situ.

Abstract: A process for purification of crude glyceride oil compositions which comprises diluting a crude glyceride oil composition containing gum material and wax as main components of impurities with an organic solvent, bringing the diluted crude glyceride oil composition into contact with a semipermeable membrane composed of polyimide consisting essentially of a repeating unit represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a divalent organic group, under pressure to obtain a semipermeable membrane permeable liquid in which the gum material in the glyceride oil after removal of said organic solvent is 100 ppm or less, carrying out bleaching of the glyceride oil obtained from said semipermeable membrane permeable liquid with at least one kind of an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of clay, activated clay, activated carbon and bone black, and then carrying out deodorizing to obtain a purified glyceride oil.

Abstract: Cesium chloride is recovered from used density gradient solutions by extraction of lipophilic and coloring components using a lipophilic solvent, subsequent extraction with a polar protic organic solvent, adding perchlorate ions to the extraction residue, and converting the precipitated cesium perchlorate into cesium chloride.

Abstract: Waste from a nuclear power plant, containing organic ion-exchange resin containing radioactive metals, is decomposed to form volatile substances by means of oxidation in an acid, aqueous liquid (8). Radioactive metal ions thus dissolved in the liquid, which are precipitable with hydroxide, are then caused to precipitate by the addition of a hydroxide (10) at a pH value of at least 9, and the metal compounds thus precipitated are separated from at least most of the liquid. Radioactive caesium and strontium ions in this liquid are removed therefrom. The liquid (24) separated from precipitated metal compounds and freed from caesium and strontium ions is released to a recipient, with the remaining substances still dissolved in it, and the precipitated metal compounds (11k, 11s) are solidified in a deposition container (22). The ion-exchange resin preferably consists at least partially of sulphonated ion-exchange resin and the hydroxide preferably of sodium hydroxide or some other alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A method for treating a radioactive metal-containing natural water or liquid such as a radioactive metal-containing wastewater stream, an oil containing one or more radioactive metals, or other nuclear metal-bearing liquid by contacting the radioactive heavy metal-containing liquid with a water-in-soluble carboxylated cellulose to separate the heavy metals from the liquid. The process has been found to be unexpectedly effective on radioactive wastewaters or any other liquid containing one or more radioactive heavy metal ions such as U, Ce, Sr, Ru, Ra, Np, Tc, as well as radioactive ions such as I.

Abstract: A mixture containing a viscous oil phase and an aqueous phase is separated by means of an apertured oleophilic endless sieve supported in a separation zone by a revolving cylindrical cage having apertured sidewalls and supported in a recovery zone by a support roller, each section of sieve surface alternately revolves through the separation zone and recovery zone. The mixture is introduced into the rotating cage in the separation zone. The endless sieve partly covers the outside surface of the cylindrical cage sidewall. The mixture tumbles inside of the cage and passes through the cage sidewall apertures to the sieve surface. The oil phase of the mixture is captured by the sieve upon contact and is conveyed out of the separation zone.In the recovery zone, oil phase is removed from the sieve by squeezing the oil phase on the sieve between two rollers at least one of which is oleophilic.

Abstract: A combination of pollution control technologies are employed in the treatment of effluent from photographic processing. The technologies employed are evaporation, oxidation by photolysis and catalyzed ozone, condensation, treatment by activated carbon and electrolysis. The method includes the steps of filtering the liquid wastes, electrolytically treating the filtered liquid, evaporating the wastes to create steam and vapors, oxidizing the steam and vapors by photolysis and photolytic catalyzed ozone, and condensing the vapors and passing them through a column of activated carbon. The carbon is regenerated by oxidizing the carbon sites with ozone.

Abstract: An over-the-counter, free-standing, water purification system including a pressure vessel that encloses a reverse-osmosis separator. Tap water at a pressure of between approximately 20 and 100 psig is introduced into the pressure vessel and a portion of the water is forced through the reverse-osmosis separator, while the remaining water is discharged from the pressure vessel along with the pollutants that are too large to penetrate the membrane of the reverse-osmosis separator. The product water passes through the reverse-osmosis separator at a rate of between approximately 5 to 100 milliliters per minute and is then post-filtered at a slow rate through a large amount of activated carbon, between approximately 10 and 1,000 grams, contained within the housing for the purification system.

Abstract: Waste water streams from the steam-extraction of heavy oils are treated to remove organic contaminants, suspended solids and mineral contaminants, so as to produce a purified water stream of a quality suitable for reuse in steam production. Suspended solids are removed by coagulation, flocculation and flotation, organic contaminants are removed by activated carbon adsorption, and mineral contaminants are removed by electrodialysis or reverse osmosis and ion-exchange. Thermal economy also is effected by passing the purified water stream in heat exchange relation with the waste water stream after suspended solids removal.

Abstract: A system for water treatment includes the steps of superchlorinating the water to a level sufficient to destroy bacterial content in the water very rapidly, passing the water through a sand filter in which the medium includes beads of magnesium hydroxide and subjecting different portions of the filtered water to differing degrees of filtration by an activated charcoal filter, whereby to remove a sufficient proportion of the chlorine added to the water to reduce the residual chlorine to a level sufficient to maintain the water sterile without substantially influencing the taste of the water. Preferably, the sand and charcoal filters are disposed horizontally, and the depths of the filter beds are graded horizontally to provide the differing degrees of filtration to the water.

Abstract: Hydrazine is added to low-level radioactive waste, and the waste is contacted with an iron hydroxide-cation exchange resin so that its radioactive concentration may be lowered. The resin is a strongly acid cation exchange resin treated with ferric chloride and aqueous ammonia and containing a product of hydrolysis of ferric ions.

Abstract: The process consists firstly in adding, to the solution, an excess of a polyelectrolyte capable of forming an ionic association with the dissolved substance which it is desired to retain, and then in bringing the solution thus obtained into contact with a material possessing ionic groups which retain the polyelectrolyte by virtue of its ionic groups not associated with the said substance. The solution and the material can be brought into contact either by filtration or by tangential bathing. The polyelectrolyte can be retained either by ion exchange or by a charge repulsion effect.The material is advantageously a fibrous material of which the ionic groups are obtained by grafting.

Abstract: The total organic carbon and oxygen in water may be reduced by adjusting the pH of the water to within the range of from about 4 to about 6.9 and then adding an excess of a reducing agent over the amount necessary to react with all of the organic carbon and oxygen present in the water. Preferably the water containing the reducing agent is passed over an adsorbent, absorbent activated carbon bed within a treatment unit the interior of which is anaerobic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of purifying water for fish-breeding, according to which the water is optionally subjected to sedimentation, is subjected to sand filtration and to oxygenization, and to which the water also is subjected to a treatment with an ion exchanger mixture consisting of 40 to 70 percent clinoptilolite, 30 to 15 percent anion exchanger and 30 to 15 percent cation exchanger, the two latter being of cellulose type. The invention relates furthermore to the ion exchanger mixture mentioned.

Abstract: A process for chromatographic separation of dextrose from starch hydrolysate wherein the aqueous raffinate produced by contacting the starch hydrolysate with a chromatographic column or bed is treated with glucoamylase and recycled, at least in part, for use as an eluant for dextrose. An immobilized glucoamylase is used in the treatment to produce an aqueous dextrose-containing solution. It is this solution that is recycled and used, at least in part, as the eluant in the chromatographic column or bed used in the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing a silicic compound from the waste liquor of steel pickling. A filtering method using a filter fabric or biscuit plate is impractical as an industrial method because the filtering medium becomes clogged.The present invention is characterized by an adsorption method in which silicic compounds are adsorbed on adsorbent substrates in an optional part of an adsorption bed.The present invention is characterized in that the waste liquor is passed through the adsorption bed for a two-month period or longer without clogging occurring.

Abstract: Borate ions dissolved at low concentration in water are separated efficiently with the use of a hydroxide or hydrous oxide of a rare earth element as the adsorbent. By contacting a borate ion-containing water with the adsorbent, borate ions are separated by adsorption, and the adsorbent having adsorbed borate ions is desorbed and regenerated for reuse with a desorbing solution adjusted to pH about 2 to about 4 or pH about 12 to about 14.

Abstract: Industrial wastewater is contacted with a weak acid cation exchange resin, in the hydrogen ion form, to substantially reduce the sodium and ammonium alkalinity levels rendering the wastewater suitable, for example, as an environmentally acceptable cooling medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of the immunoglobulins present in colostrum, wherein a milk of colostrum or a serum of colostrum is fractionated by liquid electrophoresis, the immunoglobulin-enriched fraction is recovered and said immunoglobulin-enriched fraction is then fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography.

Abstract: Fermented beverages of a reduced alcohol contents are made by causing the fermented beverage having a normal alcohol contents as produced in the fermentation to flow along one face of a dialysis membrane at a pressure differential below 5.0 bar while simultaneously a dialysate liquid which is substantially alcohol-free is passed along the other face of the dialysate membrane. An apparatus for carrying out the process comprises a housing in which two separate chambers are provided. Each chamber has separate inlet and outlet ducts. The inlet ducts are connected to separate feeding devices for liquids. Separate regulating devices are arranged for regulating the flow through each of said two chambers and means are provided for regulating the pressure differential between the two chambers.

Abstract: A water purifier for producing potable water from contaminated water, the purifier includes a crystallizer chamber with a plurality of projecting freeze elements, and a water spray unit which directs a fine spray of water at the freeze elements to produce ice coating on the freeze elements. The purifier also includes a refrigerant unit to periodically chill and warm the freeze elements to alternately produce and release ice shells that are melted to form purified water.

Abstract: A deoxygenation process includes the steps of adding hydrazine to a liquid containing dissolved oxygen, passing the liquid through a bed of activated carbon to catalyze a reaction between the dissolved oxygen and hydrazine whereby carbon contaminants are added to the liquid, and removing the contaminants. In another embodiment, unreacted hydrazine that remains in the liquid following the catalysis is removed by passing the liquid through an ion exchange resin. In still another embodiment, an activated carbon-catalyzed deoxygenation process employing hydrazine is practiced on a mobile platform and the process further includes the steps of transporting the apparatus to a regenerating station for regeneration. The invention also includes apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A method of producing ultrapore, pyrogen-free water comprising providing a source of water, filtering the water to remove suspended solids and organics, deionizing the water to remove dissolved solids, and introducing substantially pure ozone into the deionized water at a concentration of at least two milligrams of ozone per liter of deionized water to thereby produce ultrapure, pyrogen-free water.

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: Salts and low molecular weight organic compounds are more efficiently separated from aqueous liquids by passing the liquid downwardly through a gel-type strong acid cation exchange resin, and eluting the resin. In a preferred embodiment, animal wastes and/or cheese whey are separated into usable components by removing insoluble organic material, then removing soluble proteins and/or enzymes by ion exchange with a macroporous weak base anion exchange resin, and then separating salts and nonionic organic compounds as above.

Abstract: A process for treating wash water from the manufacture of terephthalic acid, wherein the wash water includes terephthalic acid, metal catalyst, and organic acid byproducts. The process includes the steps of passing the wash water through a filter medium to remove undissolved terephthalic acid solids, passing the filtered water through a cation exchange resin in hydrogen ion form to remove the metal catalysts, and passing the water through an anion exchange resin to remove dissolved terephthalic acid and dissolved organic acid byproducts. The treated water and certain components removed from the wash water are recovered and reused in the manufacture of additional terephthalic acid. An apparatus in which the process is practiced is also described and, after a quantity of wash water has been treated, the apparatus is regenerated with regenerants that are also recovered and reused in the manufacture of additional terephthalic acid.

Abstract: A method of removing salts of the alkali earth metal group from water is provided wherein water is supplied at a controlled flow to a pair of serially connected five-micron prefilters which remove contaminants and reduce the flow rate. The effluent is then passed through at least twelve parallel connected activated charcoal filter units where the flow is reduced to approximately 0.5 g.p.m. allowing additional time for the alkali salt to be adsorbed in the charcoal.

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: The sewage consists of gas condensates from coal-gasifying plants and/or coal chemical plants and contains the anions SO.sub.4.sup.--, SCN.sup.-, NO.sub.3.sup.-, Cl.sup.- and F.sup.- in a total of at least 2 mval/l and contains organic matter corresponding to a chemical oxygen demand of at least 1000 mg/l. The sewage is passed through a biological purification stage (8), and a succeeding fine purification stage (13, 17, 18). In an anion exchanger (19), strong anions are exchanged with hydrogen carbonate ions. The water leaving the anion exchange stage has an alkalinity of at least 2 mval/l and is passed at least in part through a cation exchanger (26) before the water is recycled to the sewage (line 5).The water which has left the anion exchanger (19) may be used as cooling water in a cooling tower (21) before or after the cation exchanger (26).

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of removing anionic polymers and acidic organic impurities from aqueous trona solutions prior to crystallization whereby improved crystal formation is achieved which comprises treating such solutions with at least one nitrogen containing cationic compound consisting of water-soluble cationic polymers and fatty substituted quaternary ammonium salts followed by a solid adsorbant from the group consisting of clays and activated carbon.

Abstract: The treatment of raw water, particularly the desalination of waste or other water with a high salt content, is accomplished by means of a process which includes two membrane separation steps performed in concentrate sequence. The concentrate from the second membrane separation step is further treated by means of a thermal concentrating procedure. The water to be processed is first treated to minimize the formation of scale during the first membrane separation step and the concentrate from the first membrane separation step is similarly treated. The overall process also includes the production of materials necessary for reconditioning ion exchange apparatus employed for raw water conditioning and concentrate treatment.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing impurities such as iron compounds from water, which comprises the steps of:(1) colloidalizing the iron compounds in water under conditions of high shear and decompression/compression to finely divide existing insoluble iron hydrates, and by dissolution in the water of air in sufficient amount to oxidize and form colloidally dispersed iron hydrates from the dissolved iron present, thereby providing substantially all of the iron in the form of micelles having a surface charge;(2) maintaining the water under a pressure within the range from about 10 to 500 psig;(3) then passing the water under a pressure within said range through a mass of particulate material having a surface charge capable of attracting, removing, and collecting the dispersed iron hydrates; and(4) recovering water containing less iron than the starting water, and preferably less than 0.3 PPM of iron.

Abstract: A water treatment cartridge and method for producing ultrapure water is described. The cartridge comprises a container having therein a particulate admixture of activated carbon and mixed bed ion exchange resins. A source of water, preferably pretreated, is passed through the container, preferably following treatment by one or more cartridges containing mixed bed ion exchange resins. The carbon in the admixed cartridge removes residual organic contamination from the water and the resins remove ionic contamination from the carbon, without re-introducing organic material to the water.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process for separating methylparaben from a feed mixture comprising methylparaben and wintergreen oil, which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising a type X or type Y zeolite, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the methylparaben to the substantial exclusion of the wintergreen oil and thereafter recovering high-purity methylparaben. A desorption step may be used to desorb the adsorbed methylparaben. The process is carried out preferably in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A mixture containing a dispersed bitumen, oil or hydrocarbon phase and a continuous aqueous phase is passed for treatment through a rotating horizontal tumbler, containing oleophilic free bodies, for the purpose of increasing the particle size of the dispersed phase and facilitating subsequent separation of the phases of the mixture. Alternately, a mixture containing a dispersed aqueous phase and a continuous bitumen, oil or hydrocarbon phase is passed for treatment through a rotating horizontal tumbler, containing hydrophilic and oleophilic free bodies, for the purpose of increasing the particle size of the dispersed phase and facilitating subsequent separation of the phases of the mixture.

Abstract: An automated plant for the regeneration of exhausted cation exchange material and exhausted anion exchange material involves the use of novel pretreatment and separation procedures, the use of novel regeneration processes, neutralization of waste chemicals and the use of novel cylinder recharging procedures. Electronic process controls are used to effect automatic operation.

Abstract: Either commercial yellow phosphorus or a phosphorus sludge is reacted with a slurry of calcium hydroxide in aqueous sodium hydroxide to form a sodium hypophosphite solution containing calcium and hydroxide ions. The solution is neutralized with phosphoric acid or an acid phosphate salt with the co-production of an insoluble calcium phosphate. The neutral solution is contacted with an ion exchange resin charged with sodium ions to remove any remaining calcium ions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for purifying waste water in which a waste water containing contaminants, including dispersed solids, water-immiscible organic materials, and metallic cations, is first introduced to a sedimentation zone to remove water-insoluble materials having a density higher than that of water, then to a flotation zone to separate as an upper layer water-insoluble and water-immiscible materials having densities lower than that of water. The waste water stream is then introduced to an adsorption zone, where activated carbon particles are added to adsorb remaining water-insoluble and water-immiscible materials, following which the solids are removed in a liquid-solids separation zone. The aqueous phase from the last zone is then passed through a cation exchange zone to remove cations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastewater containing ammonia by passing the wastewater over a bed of ion exchange particles capable of exchanging ammonium and having a growth of nitrifying bacteria thereon. The wastewater is preferably first oxygenated and then passed through a biological filter, a solids filter, and an organic filter before reaching the ion exchange particles.

Abstract: Wastewater, particularly blowdown from a recycle gas-scrubbing and gas-cooling system of a blast furnace, is treated in a two-stage chlorination unit, the first stage including a chlorine addition at a pH of about 8.5 to about 10, preferably 9-9.5, and the second stage continuing the chlorination reaction at a pH of about 6 to about 8, preferably 7-7.5, while monitoring the oxidation-reduction potential of the second stage to utilize as a control point for chlorine addition in the first stage. Various contaminants, notably the nitrogen-containing compounds, are destroyed in the chlorination steps. A caustic or lime pretreatment is preferred for scale control at a pH of about 10.5 to about 11, preferably 10.7, while lime pretreatment is performed at a pH of about 9.6 to about 10, preferably 9.8. After chlorination, the process stream is preferably passed through activated carbon to remove organics.

Abstract: Process for treating wastewater, which includes measuring the pH of the wastewater, adjusting the pH to about 10-11; filtering the wastewater; and subjecting the wastewater to ion-exchange treatment; and certain filter media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering or maintaining phosphate ester type hydraulic fluids in serviceable condition which comprises sequentially filtering the fluid through at least a coalescer type filter and a mole-sieve type filter, preferably in conjunction with an activated charcoal powder filter and a small pore particle filter. In maintaining a hydraulic system in service, a small quantity of the hydraulic fluid is continually circulated from a reservoir through the filters and returned to the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus constructable in situ for filtering pollutants from a flowing creek or stream, comprising one or more adjacent and/or cascaded flume-type boxes supported by the stream bed, each of which boxes comprises parallel sides, top and bottom spacers, at least one upwardly sloping ramp between the sides to form a weir edge, and one or more replaceable porous trays containing a filtering or pollutant-removing medium located directly beneath the weir edge. A slotted cover for the trays uniformly distributes the stream's contaminated water over and onto the filtering medium and a screen bottom for the trays retains the filter medium therein. The apparatus is positioned in the stream so that all the water in the stream will flow into the box or boxes, up the ramp, over the weir edge or edges, and downwardly through the filter trays before resuming its course along the stream bed.

Abstract: Sewage contains much nitrogen as ammonium ions. The inventor has discovered that silica gel adsorbs ammonia very well under a high pH range. Silica gel is conditioned by an alkali solution and is packed in an adsorption vessel. The pH of sewage is also adjusted by adding alkali solution. The alkali-conditioned sewage is passed through the adsorption vessel. The ammonia molecules in the sewage are then adsorbed by the silica gel.

Abstract: A bed of spent solid adsorbent material previously used for removal of mixed solvent vapors from an air stream is steam stripped; the mixture of steam and vaporized solvent is passed through a condenser; and the resultant liquid condensate is passed to a decanter where the condensate separates into an upper layer of water insoluble solvent components and a bottom layer of water containing the water soluble solvent components. The upper layer is withdrawn for reuse, and the decanter bottoms stream is passed through another bed of solid adsorbent material which removes the organic solvent so as to produce substantially pure water suitable for discharge or reuse. After a period of use this adsorbent bed is also regenerated by steam stripping, and the effluent steam and solvent vapors are recycled to the same condenser serving the air treating adsorbent bed so that a combined condensate is passed to the decanter.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for the treatment of wastewaters using a rotating biological contactor in combination with an adsorbent.

Abstract: A process for removing colloidal and soluble contaminants from impure water moving through a hollow, cylindrical microscreen under a positive head pressure, comprising dispersing insoluble, finely divided particulate matter into the impure water and rotating the microscreen at a rate that will form, during each rotation thereof, an intermixed layer of contaminants and particulate matter over substantially the entire inner surface of the microscreen through which the impure water is passing. The intermixed layer forms a filter substantially impermeable to contaminants and particulate matter of a size that could pass through the microscreen pores, but it is not impermeable to water. Preferably, the finely divided particulate matter can be a sorbent material, e.g. powdered activated carbon, so that contaminants are both filtered and sorbed from the water.