Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous removal of ammonia from wastewater which converts the otherwise undesirable ammonia to a commercially useful end product such as ammonium phosphate. The process is carried out in an Advanced Separation Device which comprises a plurality of chambers moving about a circular path in periodic fluid communication with a plurality of fixed feed and discharge ports. The chambers are filled with a zeolite adsorbent which effectively adsorbs the ammonium ions contained in the wastewater at low pH levels but which, when contacted with an alkaline regeneration solution, releases the previously adsorbed ammonium in the form of ammonia gas, for which the zeolite has no affinity. By virtue of the ASD design, it is possible to add acidic materials to the wastewater in an intra-stage fashion i.e. during the adsorption step so as to optimize process efficiency. Similarly, intra-stage addition of alkaline materials during the regeneration step results in increased process efficiency.

Abstract: A process for the decolorization of pulp mill process streams is described. The effluent from the process contains color bodies and organic materials, and is first fed to an acidification reactor where the pH is reduced. This causes a portion of the color bodies to precipitate. A flocculant is added to coagulate the precipitated lignins, and the solution is filtered. The filtrate then passes through a series of chambers where it is contacted with activated carbon in an advanced separation device (ASD). The regeneration of the carbon occurs simultaneously in other chambers of the ASD. The treated filtrate with significantly lower color bodies passes out of the ASD in a substantially continuous stream.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for recovering metals from dilute solution utilizing ion exchange and, optionally, electrolytic recovery. Ammonium salt regeneration solutions for use in the process and apparatus are also provided. In one aspect, the invention provides a closed loop process and apparatus whereby metals may be recovered from spent electroplating rinse solutions for reuse in the electroplating bath with essentially no generation of waste.

Abstract: In a continuous liquid-solid contacting process with intermittent counter-current movement of particles between horizontally adjacent vessels, particle movement is effected by flowing liquid upwardly from a lower region of one vessel through a particle collection conduit into a lower region of an adjacent vessel. The sides of the vessel converge downwardly adjacent the inlet end of the conduit to a collection zone from which the particles can be transferred efficiently. A novel form of vessel for use in apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat exchange system and process for reducing bleed-off are disclosed employing a weak acid cation exchange resin for treating the aqueous liquid coolant. In one such system and process, the aqueous coolant is treated with a weak acid ion exchange resin to remove alkaline salts therefrom without removing salts of strong acids; suspended solids are removed from the circulating aqueous coolant; and an effective amount of additive selected from the group consisting of scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, microbiocides, and mixtures thereof is introduced into the circulating aqueous coolant so that bleed-off from said system is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A continuous process for removal of ammoniacal nitrogen from water is disclosed. This process is useful for maintaining water quality in aquaculture operations, e.g., fish hatcheries and the like. A particulate stream of zeolitic ion exchange material is circulated continuously through an exchanger and a regenerator. An aqueous process stream containing ammoniacal nitrogen, e.g., ammonia, is passed through the exchanger in continuous counter current liquid-solid contact with a stream of particulate, ammoniacal nitrogen-sorbing zeolitic ion exchange material of natural or synthetic origin. A treated liquid water stream having a reduced ammoniacal nitrogen content exits from the exchanger, as does a stream of ammoniacal nitrogen-enriched particulate zeolitic ion exchange material. The latter stream is regenerated in the regenerator at a temperature of about 350.degree. C. to about 650.degree. C. while an oxygen-containing gas stream, e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering raw material, especially uranium, f natural waters, especially from the sea. Carrier bodies capable of sinking are permitted to pass, in a free fall, through a layer of water, especially a natural sea current or stream, by concentration on the carrier bodies, which are collected at an appropriate depth and are then conveyed from there for further treatment. Carrier bodies of inert material are used having a protected outer surface with a thin layer, capable of being concentrated, coated thereon. The distance of falling amounts to approximately 100 meters. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a carrier body discharge located below water level. One end of a carrier body path has a collection device for collecting carrier bodies and is directed toward the conveyor path. The apparatus also has a conveying device operating especially hydraulically according to the principle of communicating pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for continuously extracting ions from a clear liquid or a liquid containing materials in suspension, by means of a bed of grains of exchange substances.The process comprises maintaining the bed in a permanent condition of fluidization by an absolutely continuous feed of liquid, and subjecting the bed to cyclic pulsation phenomena in such a way as to ensure grading of the grains on the basis of density, in dependence on their ion charge. To carry out that process, an apparatus comprises a fluidization column which does not have any plate capable of interfering with the grading operation, a pulsation generator which operates by taking off liquid at the top of the column and re-injecting it in a surge manner at the base of the bed, and a system for centrifuging the liquid to be treated, for removing the sandy materials therefrom.

Abstract: A simulated moving bed process divides the bed into separate zones, each of which includes one or more discrete vessels. The zones correspond to the functions of the process; typically sorption, displacement, elution and regeneration. Booster pumps in series with the vessels maintain a desired pressure head for each zone. The functions of each zone are rotated in sequence, the sequence being timed in relation to the migration of the front between adjacent phases in the fluid loop circulating through the zones.

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: An adsorptive separation process for separating ethanol from a feed mixture comprising ethanol and water, which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising activated carbon, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the ethanol to be separated to the substantial exclusion of the water and thereafter recovering high purity ethanol. A desorption step is used to desorb the adsorbed ethanol with the desorbent selected being capable of direct blending into motor fuel.

Abstract: A plurality of vortex cells are established in a tank of sea water. Each vortex cell is an individual unit with little mixing with adjacent cells. Cationic and anionic resins are introduced into an initial vortex cell. The resins are diffused through serially adjacent vortex cells and withdrawn from a final vortex cell. Sea water is added to the final vortex cell and purified water is withdrawn from the initial vortex cell, thus counter-flowing the resins and sea water. Water is transferred between cells by pumping. The exhausted resins are rejuvenated using a similar system. The materials removed during the rejuvenation are valuable by-products.

Abstract: A process for separating a ketose from a feed mixture comprising a ketose and an aldose which process comprises contacting the mixture with an adsorbent comprising a X zeolite containing one or more selected cations at exchangeable cationic sites thereby selectively adsorbing a ketose from the feed mixture and thereafter recovering the ketose. Preferably, the ketose will be recovered by desorption from the adsorbent with a desorbent material.

Abstract: Continuous or semi-continuous ion exchange treatment, such as desalination, is achieved by utilizing a column packed with a heterogeneous thermally regenerable ion exchange resin in a single bed divided into a loading zone, a heat displacement zone above the loading zone, and a resin regeneration zone above the heat displacement zone. In operation, feed liquid flows upwardly through the loading zone and the treated liquid is removed. Loaded resin is transferred from the loading zone to the regeneration zone, the resin bed then being displaced downwardly, counter-current to the flow of feed liquid. A hot regeneration liquid, which may be a portion of the treated liquid, is passed through the loaded resin in the regeneration zone for thermal regeneration of the resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing large volumes of contaminants or for recovering valuable minerals present in trace amounts or greater quantities by ion exchange treatment of phosphoric acid liquids or the like as they flow through a resin bed wherein ions in the liquid are sorbed into the resin by an ion exchange mechanism. The resin bed is folded, moving bed which exhibits all of the advantages of a packed ion exchange resin bed. Laminar flows are developed at times in the moving bed system, while the moving bed used is of a "folded" type having a maximum height approximately one-third that of conventional, unfolded countercurrent units. The ion exchange treatment occurs within a loading vessel resin bed, the beads in the feed portion of which become exhausted and sequentially move out of the loading vessel for subsequent regeneration and rinsing, followed by eventual return to the loading vessel.

Abstract: A process for absorbing ions of interest onto ion exchange resin particles from a feed liquor containing ions which when absorbed on said particles cause the density of the particles to increase. The process comprises the steps of(1) flowing the feed liquor upwardly through a main bed of ion exchange resin particles contained in a main chamber of an absorption column and thereby maintaining the bed in fluidized state;(2) continuously collecting the denser loaded particles from the lower region of the absorption column;(3) passing an outflow of the feed liquor from the upper region of the main chamber upwardly into the lower region of the polishing chamber containing a secondary bed of fluidized ion exchange resin particles whereby residual ions of interest are polished from the liquor, and(4) producing a barren liquor flowing out of the upper region of the polishing chamber.

Abstract: An emulsion, formed at the interface of an acidic solution and a solvent, is removed by passing at least one continuous belt through the emulsion by floating action, where portions of the emulsion attach to the surface of the belt material.

Abstract: Organic pollutant spills on aquatic bodies may be collected by a method comprising distributing a plurality of buoyant magnetically susceptible, oleophillic, hydrophobic, resilient sorbent particles on the surface of the pollutant, allowing the sorbent to attract and bind the pollutant, magnetically collecting the pollutant-bound sorbent particles, compressing the pollutant-bound sorbent particles to expel the pollutant to a pollutant sump, allowing the compressed sorbent particles to recover from compression, and redistributing the sorbent particles on the surface of the remaining pollutant.

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 fo 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 method and apparatus is provided for removing contaminants or for recovering valuable minerals in trace amounts by ion exchange treatment of liquids such as municipal and industrial waste waters, ore mining and processing tailings, and the like as they flow through a resin bed wherein ions in the liquid are sorbed into the resin by an ion exchange mechanism. The resin bed is a folded, moving bed which exhibits all of the advantages of a packed ion exchange resin bed. Laminar flows are developed throughout the moving bed system to maintain all interfaces intact, even during the rinsing operation, while the moving bed used is of a "folded" type having a maximum height approximately one-third that of conventional countercurrent units. The ion exchange treatment occurs within a loading vessel resin bed, the beads in the feed portion of which become exhausted and sequentially move out of the loading vessel for subsequent regeneration and rinsing, followed by eventual return to the loading vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing large volumes of contaminants or for recovering valuable minerals present in trace amounts or greater quantities by ion exchange treatment of phosphoric acid liquids or the like as they flow through a resin bed wherein ions in the liquid are sorbed into the resin by an ion exchange mechanism. The resin bed is folded, moving bed which exhibits all of the advantages of a packed ion exchange resin bed. Laminar flows are developed at times in the moving bed system, while the moving bed used is of a "folded" type having a maximum height approximately one-third that of conventional, unfolded countercurrent units. The ion exchange treatment occurs within a loading vessel resin bed, the beads in the feed portion of which become exhausted and sequentially move out of the loading vessel for subsequent regeneration and rinsing, followed by eventual return to the loading vessel.

Abstract: Loaded solid resin particles obtained as an output slurry from a continuous fluid/solid contactor are stripped by counter-current elution in which discrete measured batches of the loaded resin are isolated, each batch is drained of its carrier liquid, and successive drained batches are then slurried intermittently into the bottom of an elution column using strong eluate from the elution column to slurry the resin into the bottom of the column.