Abstract: Adjustably metered transfer of resin increments in folded bed ion exchange systems are provided by a method and apparatus in which compacted liquid-containing resin granules are expelled from a column into a metering chamber which is filled to a level of a granule-retaining screen, the cut-off of the granule filling being signaled by liquid moving through the screen to a control level thereabove and/or by an increase in the hydraulic pressure of the liquid below the screen. In preferred embodiments the measuring chamber is provided with a flexible wall which is positioned to either increase or decrease the volume of the measuring chamber and thereby selectively vary the volume of the granule increment captivated by the chamber. The invention provides for the pulsing of resin increments of precisely and adjustably metered volume, and provides a means for keeping the loading and regeneration sides of the system in resin transfer balance.

Abstract: A high degree of water purity is obtained from a mixed-bed deionization process by minimization of cross-contamination of the cation and anion materials. After service, the materials are classified into superimposed uppermost, intermediate and lowermost layers above a perforate barrier in a separator vessel. The vessel has an elongate conduit having an inlet adjacent the barrier and an outlet outside the vessel. At least a major proportion of the material of the lowermost layer is passed through the outlet of the conduit and an interface between materials is detected. Thereupon, the conduit outlet is isolated from the conduit inlet so as to segregate in the conduit material from the intermediate layer. The ion exchange materials are then regenerated and re-mixed. The segregated material is independently removed from the conduit before the next regeneration cycle starts.

Abstract: In a method of regenerating mixed ion exchange materials, the materials are classified into layers. The lower layer is then transferred from the separator vessel. The transfer is controlled by detecting an interface between materials. The separated materials are then regenerated after which the anion material is reclassified to allow any contaminant cation material to settle to the bottom thereof. Material is then removed from the bottom of the anion layer to remove settled contaminant cation material. The removed material is isolated from the regenerated materials which are then remixed.The method reduces the cross-contamination of materials that occurs during the separation of classified materials and, particularly, reduces the amount of cation material in the sodium form (following regeneration of the anion material) that is eventually returned to service.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for concentration of trace material from large voes of water. Carrier bodies having a lower density than that of water are introduced into a water layer, especially a natural sea current or stream; these carrier bodies are collected again after an automatic traversal of the sea flow or water layer under conditions determined by density differing from that of water. The carrier bodies are loaded and charged by depositing or accumulation of trace material, e.g. uranium concentration, on the carrier bodies. The carrier bodies are then conveyed to a further treatment location for isolating the accumulated and concentrated trace material. The carrier bodies are then again discharged into the flow or stream after being depleted.

Abstract: A process for the regeneration and recovery of a loaded adsorbent which comprises the steps of:(a) contacting the loaded adsorbent with an alkaline solution for a period sufficient to effect regeneration of the adsorbent;diluting the resulting slurry of the adsorbent in the alkaline solution with recycled overflow liquid from one or both of the subsequent separation steps, to thereby reduce the concentration of adsorbent in the slurry to at least the level where unhindered settling can occur;(c) separating the slurry to give a first liquid overflow and a first solids underflow containing the adsorbent and discharging at least a portion of the first liquid overflow to waste, the remainder (if any) being returned to step (b);(d) slurrying the first solids underflow from step (c) with washwater and recycled second liquid overflow from the subsequent separation step;(e) separating the thus formed slurry to give a second liquid overflow and a second solids underflow containing the adsorbent and returning a portion

Abstract: An activated carbon adsorption column for the treatment of waste water is continuously sterilized and/or regenerated in pulsed batches of carbon amounting to 5 to 25 percent of the working column quantity transferred, alternately, from the influent face of the column to one of two, off-stream blow case vessels for steam processing and returned to the effluent face of the working column upon the next programmed pulsing interim.

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 method of reproduction of a filter demineralizer for a cleanup of a condensate backwashes the filter demineralizer to separate ion-exchange resin therefrom. Backwash used for backwashing, and including the ion-exchange resin, is recirculated in a course including a crud removal apparatus to remove the crud thereby providing reproduced ion-exchange resin. On the filter demineralizer from which the ion-exchange resin has been removed, New ion-exchange resin is precoated to form a new ion-exchange resin layer, and then the reproduced ion-exchange resin is deposited on the new ion-exchange resin layer by passing the backwash through the new ion-exchange resin layer.

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: Apparatus and operating method improvements are provided for an ion exchange apparatus system utilizing moving folded beds for loading and regeneration of the resin. The improvements include separate treatment and pulse chambers in the resin circuit from the loading column to the regeneration column, and in the return circuit from the regeneration column to the loading column. With the improved apparatus and method, the resin is transferred in compacted metered increments from and into the loading and regeneration columns.

Abstract: In mixed bed ion exchange resin regeneration processes, transfer of resin after classification is controlled by detecting a change in a parameter of transfer water dependent on ion concentration, e.g. conductivity. The process includes increasing the ion concentration of the transfer water. The increased ion concentration ensures that large percentage uncontrolled fluctuations in the conductivity of the water do not mask the change required to be detected. The ion concentration can be increased by adding, for example, decationized water to the transfer water.

Abstract: Countercurrent process for the treatment of liquids with adsorbents in a adsorption-filter the space of which is divided by trays which are permeable to liquids into at least 2 chambers, in which process before and/or during the charging of the adsorbent in the upward flow, the regeneration of the charged adsorbent in the downward flow and the backwasting in the upward flow particular levels to which the industrial chambers are filled are established by transferring adsorbent from one chamber to the adjacent chamber.

Abstract: A receptacle has therein a lower bed of mixed anionic and cationic ion exchange resins and an upper bed of cationic ion exchange resins. The upper bed rests directly on the lower bed without any mechanical separation therebetween. Regeneration of the upper bed is achieved by removing the upper bed from the receptacle without removal of the lower bed. An output is located adjacent the boundary between the upper and lower beds. Pressure is exerted on the upper surface of the upper bed, and simultaneously a thin substantially horizontal spray of water is directed along a horizontal plane which is adjacent the boundary, thereby directing the water spray and the cationic resins of the upper bed through the outlet. The cationic resins are regenerated and returned to the receptacle to reform the upper bed. Prior to return of the regenerated cationic ions, the lower bed is dried by draining water therefrom to prevent the returning cationic resins from mixing with the resins from the lower bed.

Abstract: A countercurrent liquid-solid contacting apparatus comprises a liquid purifying column for substantially purifying a liquid by passing the liquid upwardly through a bed of purifying material and a regenerating column for regenerating the purifying material used to purify the liquid. The liquid purifying column includes supply and transfer ports defined respectively at the top and bottom thereof and has therein the bed of purifying material which is spaced a predetermined distance from the top of the liquid treating column to provide a vacant space. The purifying column further includes a liquid inlet and outlet with a portion of the purifying bed above the liquid outlet serving as a settling layer to avoid any possible fluidization and/or expansion of the purifying material.

Abstract: A high degree of water purity is obtained from a mixed-bed deionization process by minimization of cross-contamination of the cation and anion materials. After service, the materials are classified into superimposed uppermost, intermediate and lowermost layers above a perforate barrier in a separator vessel. The vessel has an elongate conduit having an inlet adjacent the barrier and an outlet outside the vessel. At least a major proportion of the material of the lowermost layer is passed through the outlet of the conduit and an interface between materials is detected. Thereupon, the conduit outlet is isolated from the conduit inlet so as to segregate in the conduit material from the intermediate layer. The ion exchange materials are then regenerated and re-mixed. The segregated material is independently removed from the conduit before the next regeneration cycle starts.

Abstract: A method and system for continuously extracting metals from sea water by deploying adsorber sheets in a suitable current of sea water, recovering the adsorber sheets after they become loaded with metal and eluting the metal from the recovered sheets. The system involves the use of hollow, perforated bobbins on which the sheets are rolled as they are recovered and through which elutant is introduced.

Abstract: Solid sorbents such as activated carbon and ion exchange resins are ballasted with finely divided particles of a non-corrosive, magnetic iron-chromium alloy to increase their effective specific gravity and to render them recoverable by magnetic means. The sorbents are used to selectively extract one or more constituents contained in a liquid as by contacting in a multi-stage fluidized bed.

Abstract: An improved ion exchange separation method in which the volume of spent wash liquid and treated feed liquid is reduced by withdrawing a slurry of regenerated resin and wash water from the regeneration column and introducing the slurry into the bottom of the main treating column. The wash liquid is withdrawn from the main treating column along with the de-ionized feed liquid.

Abstract: A treatment column includes a treatment zone which is completely filled with a bed of granular treatment material. A normal treatment operation includes passing a fluid to be treated in a downward direction through the bed of treatment material, thereby treating the fluid. Solid particles suspended in the fluid are removed by the upper portion of the bed of treatment material and are retained therein. Regeneration of the bed is achieved in a countercurrent direction within the treatment column. Retained solid particles are removed from the upper portion of the bed by periodically removing the upper portion only of the bed from the treatment column and transferring such upper portion to a separate washing column whereat the portion of the bed is cleaned and washed. The thus cleaned and washed treatment material is then returned to the upper portion of the treatment zone within the treatment column to replenish the bed.

Abstract: A mixture of anion and cation exchange resins is separated into their respective resin types by classifying the resin mixture, using a fluid such as water, in the presence of a solid, inert material (e.g., copolymer beads of styrene, divinylbenzene and methyl methacrylate) which, upon classification, forms a layer intermediate between the layers of the anion and cation resins. The degree of resin separation and the location of the layers of the classified anion resin and cation resin are determined by measuring a conductivity property of the resulting classified resin bed.

Abstract: Ammonia or an amine such as morpholine is recovered from a resin bed comprising an alkali metal, e.g., sodium, and ammonium or amine salts of a strong acid cation exchange resin by contacting the cation resin with an aqueous solution of an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, e.g., calcium hydroxide, thereby exchanging the alkali metal and ammonium or amine cations with alkaline earth metal cations. The aqueous liquid containing the alkali metal and ammonia or amine is subsequently passed through a cation exchange resin which removes the alkali metal from the liquid. The recovery of ammonia or the amine by such method is particularly useful in condensate purification system associated with a power production facility wherein the recovered ammonia or amine can be employed to reduce corrosion in the power production facility and the strong acid resin, upon regeneration, can be used to remove alkali metal ions, particularly sodium, from the facility.