Abstract: The micro-solid phase extraction of haloacetic acids is a procedure that extracts haloacetic acids from aqueous solution using iron-modified rice husk silica as the stationary phase or sorbent. Rice husks provide an excellent source of silica. The sorbent is prepared by incinerating the husks to produce a powder that is treated with 1.0 M nitric acid for 24 hours to produce rice husk silica. The silica is washed with base, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide is added, and then titrated with a 10% Fe3+ solution to pH 5, which forms a gel. The gel is aged, filtered, dried, and calcined to produce a nitrate-free iron-modified rice husk sorbent. The sorbent is then packaged in porous, heat-sealed polypropylene membrane envelopes and used for extraction of HAAs from water. The HAA analytes are desorbed by ultrasonication in methanol for analysis and quantification.

Abstract: A device for extraction of at least one analyte contained in a liquid sample, including an extraction and desorption zone of the analyte with a stationary phase as the extraction zone, a liquid supply inlet to the extraction zone, a gas supply inlet to the extraction zone, an evacuation outlet from the extraction zone that will be connected to either a collection tank, or a device for analysis of the analytes, a valve configured to connect the extraction zone to one of the supply inlets, a valve configured to connect the extraction zone to one of the evacuation outlets, a mechanism heating the valve zone such that when the extraction zone is supplied with liquid, evacuation from the extraction zone takes place to the collection tank.

Abstract: A water softening apparatus having an improved structure to provide a function of an air brake, a dishwasher including the same and a control method thereof, the water softening apparatus having an air brake assembly and a regeneration tank and configured to soften wash water being supplied from a tub, wherein the air brake assembly including a water supply valve allowing wash water to be introduced therethrough, an ion exchange tank to accommodate an ion exchange resin therein, and a plurality of valves installed on a first path allowing wash water being introduced through the water supply valve to flow toward the ion exchange tank, wherein the regeneration tank is connected to the air brake assembly and accommodates regeneration material configured to purify the ion exchange resin.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of the aqueous stream coming from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction comprising: feeding the aqueous stream containing the organic by products of the reaction to a distillation or stripping column; separation from the column of an aqueous stream enriched in alcohols having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and other possible volatile compounds; feeding the aqueous stream containing the organic acids leaving the bottom of the distillation column to an ion exchange step wherein said aqueous stream is put in contact with an anionic exchange resin bed and the production of two outgoing aqueous streams: an aqueous stream (i) enriched in organic acids having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; a purified aqueous stream (ii) with a low content of organic acids.

Abstract: A method for producing an ammonium tungstate aqueous solution includes the steps of: adding sulfuric acid to a solution containing tungstate ions; bringing the solution having the sulfuric acid added therein, into contact with an anion exchange resin; and bringing the anion exchange resin into contact with an aqueous solution containing ammonium ions.

Abstract: Crystals of [VOBDC](H2BDC)0.71 were synthesized hydrothemally. The guest acid molecules were removed by heating in air to give high quality single crystals of VOBDC. VOBDC was observed to show crystal-to-crystal transformations on absorption of the guest molecules aniline, thiophene and acetone from the liquid phase. Accurate structural data of the guest molecules and framework deformations were obtained from single crystal X-ray data. VOBDC was also shown to absorb selectively thiophene and dimethyl sulphide from methane.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for reducing the concentration of an endocrine disrupting agent in an aqueous solution. We describe compositions comprising various polymeric resins. The methods can be used to reduce the concentration of endocrine disrupting agents, including estrogens, perfluorinated compounds and bisphenol A in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a twin tank-type water treatment system includes and a tank selector valve assembly that includes first and second rotary selector valves driven in concert with another by a reversible electric motor. The motor drives the first and second selector valves between (a) a first position in which an untreated water inlet and a treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to a first resin tank, and a second resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve, and (b) a second position which the untreated water inlet and the treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to the second resin tank, and the first resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve. The rotary valves may be disks that rotate relatively rapidly on a common shaft driven by the electric motor through an arc of 180° or less.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a flow-through capacitor and a related controller for performing the method. The method includes establishing a summed-current capacity of the flow-through capacitor. In an operational cycle, the flow-through capacitor is operated to transfer ions between the pair of electrodes and water. A current is monitored during operation of the flow-through capacitor. This current is integrated over time to calculate a monitored-current value. To determine an end of the operational cycle, the monitored-current value is compared to the summed-current capacity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying water using a hybrid material based on carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles of clay, preferably laponite.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrate ions from a solution is presented. The method includes providing a polymer comprising a protonated amine moiety and an anion derived from an acid having a pKa value greater than about 1. The method further includes contacting the polymer with the solution to bind at least a portion of the nitrate ions in the solution with the polymer, and form a polymer-nitrate complex. The method furthermore includes separating at least a portion of the polymer-nitrate complex from the solution.

Abstract: Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metallated porous MOFs are provided. Also provided are methods of metallating porous MOFs using atomic layer deposition and methods of using the metallated MOFs as catalysts and in remediation applications.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from a quantity of contaminated liquid in a treatment reservoir (2,28) containing a carbon based adsorbent material capable of electrochemical regeneration. The adsorbent material is in the form of a bed supported on a plate (6) at the base of the reservoir. The bed is agitated for a period to distribute the adsorbent material in the liquid and adsorb contaminant therefrom. At the end of the period the agitation ceases, and the bed of adsorbent material is allowed to settle. The adsorbent is then regenerated, during or after settlement, by passing an electric current through the bed to release from the adsorbent gaseous products derived from the contaminant, in bubbles rising through the decontaminated liquid in the reservoir. Various methods of regenerating the adsorbent material are disclosed, as are apparatus in which the method can be applied.

Abstract: The systems and processes disclosed herein relate generally to multi bed temperature controlled adsorption for use in the recovery of sorbates that are removed from process streams by adsorption. Multi bed temperature controlled adsorber systems can include three or more temperature controlled adosrbers that operate in parallel. Each temperature controlled adsorber through a series of steps including an adsorption step, a first bed to bed interchange, a regeneration step, and a second bed to bed interchange.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes to treat water having halide ions and organohalides. The process comprises contacting a plant biomass with an alkaline solution to give an alkaline plant biomass, and contacting the alkaline plant biomass with water to give a biomass material. An aqueous sample with organohalides or halide ions is contacted with the biomass material to provide a low halide filtrate and a spent biomass.

Abstract: A process for treating feed water for desalination, the process comprising: (a) removing one or more polyvalent anions from the feed water by feeding the feed water into a bed comprising one or more anion exchange resins under conditions sufficient to exchange the polyvalent ions in the feed water with one or more monovalent anions in the resin; and (b) regenerating the bed by feeding a brine stream into the bed under conditions sufficient to exchange one or more polyvalent anions in the resins with one or more monovalent anions in the brine stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new water purification method and system using reverse osmosis. In particular, the present invention provides methods and water purification systems using an ion exchange resin and absorbent media for pretreatment of water being fed to a reverse osmosis treatment system, where the pretreatment reduces fouling of, or deposits or chemical attack on the membrane surfaces and passageways. Particularly, a macroporous resin having an average pore diameter in the range of 1,000 to 500,000 Angstroms and a crush strength or Chatillon value of at least 24 g/bead (710 ?m bead diameter) is used.

Abstract: Described herein is a melamine-aldehyde polymer, wherein the polymer has a pore volume in the range of about 1.5 to 5 cm3/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of liquid effluents laden with hydrocarbons, which comprises: feeding the effluents into a treatment tank; supplying the treatment tank with a reversible sorbent having a defined particle size; mixing the effluents with the reversible sorbent in the treatment tank in order to load said reversible sorbent with the hydrocarbons in the effluents; removing the hydrocarbon-laden reversible sorbent from the top of the treatment tank; extracting the treated effluents from the bottom of the treatment tank; and separating the hydrocarbons from the laden reversible sorbent from the treatment tank.

Abstract: A process for continuous production of biodiesel from vegetable oils or animal fats by transesterification with methanol or ethanol to give crude fatty acid alkyl esters, subsequent washing with water in a wash column to remove water-soluble impurities, subsequent drying by vaporization of the water content and subsequent removal of steryl glycosides by adsorption onto calcium bentonite, wherein the adsorption column(s) used is/are regenerated in a first step, for desorption of the steryl glycosides, by rinsing with a mixture consisting of fatty acid alkyl esters and methanol or ethanol, and in a subsequent second step, for removal of methanol residues, by rinsing with fatty acid alkyl esters or with gaseous nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of uranium from pregnant liquor solutions that comprise levels of chloride of 5 to 80 g/L by using an amino phosphonic functionalized resin. The method includes providing an amino phosphonic functionalized resin; providing a pregnant liquor solution comprising and uranium; passining the pregnant liquor solution over the amino phosphonic functionalized resin to separate the uranium from the pregnant liquor solution; and eluting the uranium.

Abstract: Methods for regenerating acidic ion-exchange resins and reusing regenerants in such methods are provided. A spent ion-exchange resin is contacted with an alcohol ion-exchange regenerant. The spent ion-exchange resin is thereafter contacted with an acidic ion-exchange regenerant to recharge the acidic ion-exchange resin to produce a regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin. Metal- and water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is then contacted with the regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin to produce low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin may be recycled. The spent alcohol and acid ion-exchange regenerants may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A method for fluid treatment that provides variable or alternative regeneration cycles within the same fluid treatment device. The duration of all stages of the regeneration cycle can be adjusted depending upon the amount of fluid treated so that regenerant resources such as water are not underutilized and waste is not discharged unnecessarily into the environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating mine tailings from water-absorbing polymers and regenerating the separated water-absorbing polymers. The systems and methods include a separation assembly that is configured to receive an augmented mine tailings slurry that includes mine tailings, water, and a swollen water-absorbing polymer. The separation assembly separates the swollen water-absorbing polymer from the augmented mine tailings slurry to produce a dewatered mine tailings slurry. The systems and methods further include a water-absorbing polymer regeneration unit that is configured to receive the swollen water-absorbing polymer. The water-absorbing polymer regeneration unit at least partially releases water from the swollen water-absorbing polymer to produce a regenerated water-absorbing polymer, and as a separate output or product, the released water.

Abstract: Cations that can precipitate from an aqueous composition to produce scaling are sequestered by adding a multi-dentate ligand to the aqueous composition. The multi-dentate ligand bonds with the cation to form a non-scaling ionic complex; and the aqueous solution with the ionic complex is used in a process that produces substantially pure water from the aqueous composition, where the cation, absent formation of the ionic complex, is subject to scaling. The pH of the aqueous composition (or a brine including components of the aqueous composition) is then reduced to release the cation from the multi-dentate ligand; and the multi-dentate ligand, after the cation is released, is then reused in a predominantly closed loop.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Ge adsorbent for a 68Ge—68Ga generator, which is a polysaccharide polymer having a glucamine group represented by the formula (1) or the formula (2), wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and * is a bonding position.

Abstract: A support impregnated with selenium and capable of effectively removing a heavy metal from a process stream that is at an ambient temperature or is at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the treatment of a contaminated liquid to remove contaminants from said liquid. The apparatus comprises a bed of a carbon based adsorbent material capable of electrochemical regeneration, at least one pair of electrodes operable to pass an electric current through said bed to regenerate the adsorbent material, and means to admit contaminated liquid into said bed to contact said adsorbent material at a flow rate which is sufficiently high to pass the liquid through the bed but below the flow rate required to fluidise the bed of adsorbent material.

Abstract: A process removes boron from ion exchange system regeneration solution including introducing a borate precipitator into the regeneration solution in a precipitation zone to generate borate precipitate; introducing a coagulator into the regeneration solution that coagulates solids and/or borate precipitate generated by the borate precipitator and absorbs boron into the solids; introducing the regeneration solution, solids and borate precipitate into a separation zone; introducing anionic polymer into the regeneration solution adjacent to or in the separation zone to increase the propensity of borate precipitate and solids to separate from the regeneration solution; and filtering the regeneration solution to remove residual suspended solids from the regeneration solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorption and separation with a reduced number of control valves, comprising separating the feedstocks comprising isomers by SMB adsorption, said SMB comprising m beds of adsorbent, each of which is equipped with grids, each of the grids being equipped with the materials charging and discharging pipeline of the bed, the materials charged into and discharged from SMB at least comprising adsorption feedstocks, desorbent, extract, raffinate and the flushing liquids charged from different beds, wherein the to extract is enriched with the target product; there are at least two streams of said flushing liquid selected from any one of the adsorption feedstock, desorbent, extract and raffinate; there are altogether n streams of materials charged to and discharged from the SMB, wherein there are s types of materials having the same composition and flow direction; p sets of on-off valves are used to control n streams of materials is charged to a

Abstract: A process for separating a product from a multicomponent feedstream to an adsorption apparatus or system is described. The apparatus or system may comprise a moving-bed or a simulated moving-bed adsorption means. The product comprises at least one organic compound, such as an aryl compound with alkyl substitutes. In embodiments the conduits used to supply the feedstream to the apparatus or system are flushed with media of multiple grades. The improvement is a more efficient use of the desorbent. In embodiments the process achieves improvements in one or more of efficiency of adsorption separation, capacity of adsorption apparatus systems, and purity of product attainable by adsorption process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying wastewater loaded with nitrogen-containing compounds, wherein the wastewater loaded with nitrogen-containing compounds is reacted with a smectic sheet silicate, wherein a clay material loaded with nitrogen-containing compounds is obtained, and the clay material loaded with nitrogen-containing compounds is separated off, wherein purified wastewater is obtained.

Abstract: Novel tetracationic cyclophanes incorporating ?-electron poor organic compounds into their ring structures, as well as methods of making the cyclophanes, are provided. The cyclophanes are able to form electron donor-acceptor complexes with a variety of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ranging in size, shape, and electron density. Also provided are methods of using the cyclophanes in the sequestration of PAHs in liquid or gaseous samples, the separation of PAHs from liquid or gaseous samples, the detection of PAHs in liquid samples, and the exfoliation of graphene via pseudopolyrotaxane formation.

Abstract: A treatment medium has a particulate natural substrate saturated, suffused and/or coated with hydrous iron oxide. The particulate substrate can be wood based, such as wood chips, bark, sawdust, wood waste or other plant material (such as straw, lucerne, hay, coconut husk or other bulk particulate plant material). The hydrous iron oxide is provided in aqueous suspension form. The substrate may be tumbled in aqueous hydrous iron suspension to achieve saturation/coating. The resulting hydrous iron oxide bearing medium is either placed loose directly into the target treatment site or contained in bags 18 before placing into the target site.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a water softening system and includes a first treatment tank having a first valve assembly, a first flow meter and a sensor probe, a second treatment tank having a second valve assembly and a second flow meter and a brine tank independently connected to each of the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank. A controller is configured for communicating with the sensor probe and the first flow meter in the first treatment tank, and the second flow meter in the second treatment tank.

Abstract: Embodiments of a water treatment system, a water treatment method, and an ozone kit for a water treatment system are provided. The water treatment system includes an ozone gas source; a regenerating fluid source; a water tank; a manifold having a first port in fluid communication with the regenerating fluid source, a second port in fluid communication with an outlet of the ozone gas source, and a third port in fluid communication with the water tank via a venturi nozzle; and a control system configured to: cause regenerating fluid to be drawn through the venturi nozzle into the water tank; and cause ozone gas to be drawn through the venturi nozzle into the water tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium recovery device comprising a separator reservoir and manganese oxide, a lithium recovery method using the same, and a lithium adsorption/desorption system. The separator reservoir includes a vacant space therein and an outer wall made of a polymer or a membrane of other useful materials. The manganese oxide is contained, as an adsorbent, in the vacant space inside the separator reservoir. The lithium adsorption/desorption system enables lithium recovery through adsorption and desorption of lithium dissolved in seawater using a lithium adsorbent prepared with the manganese oxide in one system, wherein the manganese oxide can be used as a lithium adsorbent with high lithium selectivity. The invention uses a separator reservoir including an outer wall made of a porous polymer or a membrane of other useful materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation and use of a three-dimensional polymer matrix including tungsten disulfide nanopowder coated on and embedded within a solid porous support for removing water soluble and micro-particulate mercury species from waste water including dental effluent. The solid porous support can be regenerated upon washing with an appropriate chelating ligand for reuse.

Abstract: A process is described for treating water, in particular for obtaining ultrapure water, in which a decationized water stream is passed at least through a first strong base anion exchange bed and a second strong base anion exchange bed, which is arranged downstream, in particular directly downstream, of the first strong base anion exchange bed. Furthermore, a water treatment system and a counter-current ion exchange unit for carrying out such a process are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lignin sorbent, a lignin removal unit, a biorefinery, a process for removing lignin, a process for binding lignin, and a renewable material. The lignin sorbent includes a substrate, and a lignin binding material dispersed with respect to the substrate. The lignin binding process includes the step of adding a lignin binding material to an input stream, and the step of converting the input stream into a renewable material.

Abstract: An adsorbent particulate product for treating contaminated fluid and capable of electrochemical regeneration. The product includes unexpanded intercalated graphite in particulate form, in the form of flakes or in powder form.

Abstract: Alkaline solutions resulting from extracting sulfide from hydrocarbon fluids can be treated in a combination of one or more electrodialysis cells and a bioreactor. The electrodialysis cell (2) includes an anode (4), a cathode (5), an electric power supply (7) and a first (12) and a second (11) compartment separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane (9). The alkaline solution is fed into the first compartment at the cathode side and the diluate (sulfide-depleted stream) leaving the first compartment has a lowered sulfide content and can be reused as the alkaline extractant solution. The concentrate (sulfide-enriched stream) leaving the second compartment is treated in the bioreactor (3) for removing sulfide and is then returned.

Abstract: Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and processes for producing the same are provided. Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is produced by a process of contacting metal-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with an acidic ion-exchange resin having sulfonic acid groups. Low metal biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is removed from spent acidic ion-exchange resin after ion-exchange.

Abstract: To achieve high efficiency in regeneration of waste fluid from metal plating electrolytes for example, a device and a method for recovering a recovering material from a recovering fluid containing the recovering material are provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus treat brackish or non-brackish waters containing an oxidant such as perchlorate. The feed water is converted into a treated water stream and a concentrate stream in an ED, EDR, NF or RO unit. The concentrate passes through an IX resin. The IX resin removes oxidant from the concentrate stream to produce a second treated water stream. The IX resin is periodically regenerated, for example biologically in a fluidised bed reactor in regeneration system. Concentrate that has passed through the IX resin has a reduced concentration of oxidant, preferably a concentration safe for discharge or use. In the case of a brackish feed water, the second treated water stream may be desalted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cross-linked thiazolidinone chitosan dibenzo crown ether, a method for its preparation as well as its use as adsorbent.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for preparation of water for various uses including blood treatment are described. In embodiments, fluid is passed either by pump or passively by gravity feed, through various filtration elements from a fluid source to a treatment fluid container. The latter forms a batch that may be used during treatment. The advantage of forming the batch before treatment is that the rate of filtering needn't match the rate of consumption during treatment which provides multiple benefits and liabilities to overcome, as discussed herein. Mechanisms for preparing pure water for infusion or medicaments are described such as elimination of chlorine and colloidal aluminum. Also various control mechanisms to help avoid contamination are describe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a versatile multi-use high water recovery process that integrates the use of water purification membranes including reverse osmosis and nanofiltration with ion exchange water softening resins in a number of configurations that optimize operation and achieve maximum membrane permeate recoveries while eliminating the use of fresh water, sodium chloride and other chemicals needed to regenerate the IX resin. The invention provides process mobility and flexibility that enable selection of optimum process configurations and features to address variability in the Influent Water quality.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening system (1) comprising an automatically adjustable blending means for mixing a blended water flow V(t)blended from a first, softened partial flow V(t)part1soft and a second untreated water partial flow V(t)part2raw and comprising an electronic control means (11), wherein the control means (11) readjusts the adjustment position of the blending means by means of one or more experimentally determined instantaneous measured values in such a fashion that the water hardness in the blended water flow V(t)blended is adjusted to a predetermined desired value (SW), is characterized in that the control means (11) ignores at least one of the one or more instantaneous measured values for readjustment of the adjustment position of the blending means in one or more defined operating situations, and instead uses the respectively last corresponding measured value that was valid prior to occurrence of the defined operating situation, or a standard value for the corresponding measur

Abstract: A water treatment system (50) utilizing granular activated carbon (GAC) for the removal of organic contaminants in a process water circuit (52), and including a carbon regeneration circuit (54) in fluid communication with the process water circuit. The carbon regeneration circuit may include a dedicated regeneration vessel (16), or the regeneration process may proceed within a GAC/water contactor (58) of the process water circuit. A process is described wherein spent GAC from the water treatment system is regenerated within the system with an oxidation process that minimizes damage to the carbon granules.