Abstract: The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying a solution, the method comprising the following successive steps: —bringing a solution to be purified into contact with an ion exchange resin by suspending the ion exchange resin in the solution to be purified, the ion exchange resin having the form of particles having a size Dv50 smaller than or equal to 200 ?m; —separating the solution into a purified solution and a loaded resin; —regenerating the loaded resin by passing at least one regenerating solution through a compact bed of loaded resin. The invention also relates to an assembly for implementing the method.

Abstract: Activated carbon having a low contact pH and their use in the purification of water, as well as methods for making such low contact pH activated carbon and filters and methods for purifying water are described herein. The methods for preparing such low contact pH activated carbons provides an effective and less costly means for preparing activated carbons for purification processes.

Abstract: A system is provided for removal of undesirable dissolved substances from solutions containing two or more dissolved substances to produce one or more new solutions suitable for beneficial use. The system utilizes amphoteric media in a treatment cycle where dissolved substances from the concentrated solution are first adsorbed by the media and subsequently rinsed with water to desorb and collect the dissolved substances sequentially into dilute effluent streams the substances are either aggregated or segregated based upon differences in relative concentrations of dissolved substances that is a result of differences in the affinity of the media for the dissolved substances. One or more of the dilute effluent streams are treated with a desalination process to recover water for media rinse and to concentrate the separated dissolved substances to facilitate beneficial use or disposal.

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: A regeneration process in the operating method of the invention includes a first regeneration process, and a second regeneration process after the end of the first regeneration process. In the first regeneration process, a regenerant is distributed at a top of an ion exchange resin bed and simultaneously the regenerant is collected at a bottom of the resin bed, thereby generating a downward flow of the regenerant to regenerate the whole of the resin bed. In the second regeneration process, the regenerant is distributed at a bottom of the ion exchange resin bed and simultaneously the regenerant is collected at a middle of the resin bed, thereby generating an upward flow of the regenerant to regenerate a part of the resin bed.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device includes a tank containing a fluid treatment medium and a fluid. A distributor plate is received in the tank and separates the bed from a lower end portion of the tank. A baffle is positioned beneath the distributor plate and is configured to direct fluid exiting a riser tube of the fluid treatment device toward the peripheral of the tank to thereby provide a more evenly-distributed flow through the radius of the distributor plate and through the fluid treatment medium. The baffle may have a downwardly facing concave surface that traps air bubbles generated during a brine draw operation.

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: Methods and apparatus for removing contaminants from liquid using a continuously circulating stream of purifying media are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes mixing a regenerated purifying media with a contaminated liquid containing diverse contaminants; co-currently transporting the purifying media and the contaminated liquid in a mixed state; removing, using the purifying media, while co-currently transporting the purifying media and the contaminated liquid, contaminants from the contaminated liquid so as to produce a mixture of a decontaminated liquid and a contaminated purifying media; and separating contaminated purifying media from the decontaminated liquid. In addition, the contaminated purifying media is contacted in counter current fashion with a regenerant solution so as to produce a regenerated purifying media and the regenerated purifying media is returned to the mixing step, whereby the continuously circulating purifying media selectively removes contaminants from the liquid.

Abstract: A system and process for removing divalent cations from a rich MEG feed stream is presented. An ion exchange bed containing a cation exchange resin adsorbs the divalent cations in the rich MEG feed stream as it flows through the ion exchange bed. After the divalent ions have been removed, the feed stream flows through a flash separator and a distillation column to reclaim MEG. Alternatively, the feed stream flows through a distillation column to regenerate MEG. The spent cation exchange resin may be regenerated in place using a regeneration brine comprised of sodium chloride and water. After use, the regeneration brine may be disposed as waste or recycled to the brine storage tank and re-used to regenerate the cation exchange resin.

Abstract: A product is enriched by a method for the processing of a reaction solution, in which: a) a pH value of the reaction solution is adjusted to less than 4; wherein said reaction solution comprises a whole-cell catalyst, an aqueous component, and an organic component, wherein the organic component contains a product to be enriched; and b) the reaction solution is filtered in the presence of a filter aid, thereby enriching the product.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening device, includes: producing soft water by passing raw water downward through a cation exchange resin bed which has a depth of 300 to 1500 mm and a ratio of the depth to a diameter being 1.8 to 3; and regenerating all the bed by generating an opposite flow of a regenerant by collecting the regenerant at an intermediate portion of the bed while supplying the regenerant from top and bottom sides of thereof, wherein the regenerating includes supplying the regenerant in a volume which gives a regeneration level of at least 1 to 6 eq/L-R, to a hardness leak prevention bed having a depth of 100 mm, and the producing after the regenerating includes supplying raw water having an electric conductivity of equal to or lower than 150 mS/m and having a total hardness of equal to or lower than 500 mgCaCO3/L.

Abstract: Compacted filter beds comprising a non-sintered, buoyant filter medium may be useful in fluid filtration apparatuses and methods. For example, a method may include filtering a first fluid through a filter bed that is compacted, the filter bed comprising a non-sintered, buoyant filter medium that is mechanically compacted; and backflushing a second fluid through the filter bed so as to fluidize the non-sintered, buoyant filter medium.

Abstract: A liquid filtering apparatus is placed in a vessel having a bed of filtration material, the bed comprising at least two different sizes of filter media wherein the filtration material is stratified using upper and lower spaced apart inverted cones so that the unfiltered liquid first contacts coarse grained filtration material and then finer grained filtration material. The apparatus includes an intake for introducing unfiltered liquid that includes a washbox, an airlifting tube extending from the washbox and including an intake end and means for introducing a primary gas to the airlifting tube, the airlifting tube passing through a central pipe, which extends from just below the washbox to a position just above the intake end. The apparatus is devoid of screen cartridges. Methods of filtering and cleaning the filtration material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: A treatment vessel (10) for a waste water treatment process system. The vessel (10) including a first section (12) and a second section (14). The first section (12) has a substantially constant first cross sectional area and is adapted for housing a granulated aerated charcoal biofilter material. The second section (14) has a substantially constant second cross sectional area, is below the first section (12) and is in fluid communication with the first section (12). The second section (14) is adapted for housing a sand filter material. The second cross sectional area is about 30 to 70% of the first cross sectional area.

Abstract: A method for generating a softened injection water comprising: (A) generating the softened injection water by (i) introducing a source water having a total dissolved solids content of up to 15,000 mg/litre and having a multivalent cation content of greater than 40 mg/litre to a vessel that contains a bed of a cation exchange resin in its monovalent cation form, (ii) passing the source water through the cation exchange resin bed so that at least a portion of the multivalent cations in the source water are replaced by monovalent cations from the cation exchange resin, and (iii) withdrawing from the vessel the softened injection water having a multivalent cation content of up to 40 mg/litre; (B) regenerating the cation exchange resin by (i) introducing a regenerating brine to the vessel, (ii) passing the regenerating brine through the resin bed and (iii) withdrawing from the vessel a brine containing displaced multivalent cations, wherein the regenerating brine is a naturally occurring high salinity water having

Abstract: A combination filtration and ion exchange system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a valve rotor, a carbon treatment tank, an ion exchange treatment tank and a valve. The valve rotor having a source water inlet, a service water outlet, a water treatment outlet, a water treatment inlet and a drain outlet. The carbon treatment tank having a service inlet and a service outlet, the service inlet coupled to the water treatment outlet. The ion exchange treatment tank having a service inlet and a service outlet, and the service outlet is coupled to the water treatment inlet.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods, apparatuses, and compositions for controlling water hardness. The methods, apparatuses and compositions also reduce scale formation. The present invention includes substantially water insoluble resin materials. The resin materials may be loaded with a plurality of cations.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a reverse-flow reactor comprising at least one catalyst bed which is preceded and followed by at least one bed containing selectively adsorbing material, and its application for in a process for the removal of contaminants from a process stream.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for purging an adsorptive material of entrapped particulates. Methods, systems and apparatus rely upon a reverse loop for reversing the flow of medium within an adsorption material, allowing particulates caught within the adsorption material to be preferentially moved through and out of the adsorption material.

Abstract: In the washing process of the invention, the solid particles in a high-concentration zone, which is formed in a washing tank by a gravitational sedimentation of solid particles, are continuously washed by a counter-current contact with upward flow of a washing liquid which is fed from the bottom portion of the washing tank. With this process, the impurities in the solid particles are sufficiently removed by a simple apparatus. Since the used washing liquid can be recycled as the disperse medium for feeding the solid particles and as the washing liquid, the amount of used washing liquid to be discharged as the waste from the system is reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid by trapping particles of an active material suspended in a flow stream by way of a particle-trap structure so as to form a multi-layer filtering media to treat the fluid. The particle trap is fully regenerative configured so that the particles are readily back flushed after achieving their absorption capacity in preparation for loading a fresh charge of active particles. The method also describes a combination of a centrifuge separator in-line with the regenerative particle trap configured such that the separator first removes contaminants of considerably different specific gravity than the fluid and the regenerative active particle trap then removes the remaining contaminants by absorption or chemical treatment.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for purging an adsorptive material of entrapped particulates. Methods, systems and apparatus rely upon a reverse loop for reversing the flow of medium within an adsorption material, allowing particulates caught within the adsorption material to be preferentially moved through and out of the adsorption material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a filter unit for depleting or enriching a liquid or gas with substance(s) comprising i) providing a filter unit comprising at least one convective layer and at least one receiving layer adjacent one another, ii) passing the liquid or gas through the filter so that the main direction of flow is along the layers and the main flow of liquid gas is in the convective layer, allowing the substance(s) to: a) be transferred from a convective layer to a receiving layer, and b) be retained or otherwise modified or transferred within a receiving layer, or c) be provided by the receiving layer, and d) be transferred from the receiving layer to the fluid in the convective layer.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating water for human consumption, so as to eliminate manganese and possibly other metals comprising steps which consist in: causing said water to pass at least over a bed of filtering material (3) consisting at least partly of manganese dioxide granules, said granules having a real density ranging between 3.5 and 4.5 and a hardness higher than 6 on the Mosh scale; regenerating, if necessary, said manganese dioxide, said regeneration being carried out mechanically.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for treating wastewater from a sewer system including the steps of: (A) removing solids contained in the influent to create solids-depleted preliminary effluent (PrE) and to protect downstream systems from premature failure due to wear from solid particles; (B) removing suspended solids from the PrE to produce a suspended solids-depleted primary effluent (PE); (C) treating the PE biologically by exposing it to bacteria-supporting media that removes soluble organic material, thereby creating trickling filter effluent (TFE); (D) separating the bacterial organisms by settling to create a secondary effluent (SE); (E) subjecting the SE to tertiary treatment including granular activated carbon pressure filters to remove PCB's and other compounds and create a carbon filter effluent; (F) disinfecting the CFE to create a final effluent (FE); and (G) discharging the FE to a receiving environment, separately settling and disposing the backwash solids in a backwash clarifier.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an installation for removal of metal cations contained in a liquid, in which said liquid is brought into contact at a temperature greater than or equal to 60° C. with a chelating ion exchange resin formed from a polyazacycloalkane grafted on a solid support, said resin having been conditioned, previously to said contacting, at a pH of 4 to 6.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operation position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: A method of regenerating an ion exchange resin, comprising the steps of packing a used ion exchange resin in a regeneration tower; and repeating at least twice a step comprising passing an aqueous solution of regenerant through the regeneration tower downward from a top part of the regeneration tower and thereafter passing ultra-pure water through the regeneration tower upward from a bottom of the regeneration tower. This method enables regenerating an ion exchange resin efficiently and homogeneously without mixing of the regenerant into ion exchange resin towers for purification.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: A method of coacting a fluid with a media, such as granular particles. The media is moved to an upper portion in an upright media container, and held there during a treatment cycle in which the fluid is coacted with the media. When the media requires regeneration, the media is allowed to fall to a lower portion of the media container where a regeneration fluid is passed through the media.

Abstract: This invention is a liquid separation system using ion exchange resin, adsorbent resin and catalytic resin based on U-tube principle. It is shown that relatively low fluid velocity is sufficient to maintain the resin bed in compacted state during the operation as well as during the regeneration processes so that high quality product, low regenerant consumption, and convenient operation are obtained.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device for reducing the level of a chemical compound in a fluid. The device comprises: a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet; a flow-through fluid treatment zone having comprising: a radiation source, an adsorbent and a photocatalyst. The fluid treatment zone is reversibly operable between: (i) a first mode in which the fluid flows in a first direction and at least a portion of the chemical compound is adsorbed on the adsorbent; and (ii) a second mode in which the fluid flows in a second direction different from the first direction in which the absorbed chemical compound is exposed to radiation from the radiation resulting in photooxidation of the chemical compound.

Abstract: A nozzle and associated system is for treating fluids is provided, particularly for a system including a reaction vessel containing a granular filter or ion exchange medium and a fluid manifold immersed in the granular or ion exchange medium. The nozzle has an outer screen defining a interior cavity, a duct for providing flow to the interior cavity, and a restrictor having at least one orifice through which the duct is in communication with the cavity. The orifice or orifices of the restrictor have a total open area that is less than the total open area of the outer screen. By this sizing relationship the nozzle flow rate is dictated by the inner orifice area, not the outer screen open area. In comparison to the outer screen openings each of the inner orifices is less susceptible to plugging or wearing than the narrow outer screen openings which are adjacent to medium. The nozzle according to the invention therefore provides a consistent predetermined flow rate and pressure drop profile over extended periods.

Abstract: A liquid filtering apparatus is placed in a vessel having a bed of filtration material and an intake for introducing unfiltered liquid, that includes a washbox, an airlifting tube extending from the washbox and including an intake end and means for introducing a primary gas to the airlifting tube, the airlifting tube passing through a central pipe, which extends from just below the washbox to a position just above the intake end. At least one screen cartridge is oriented in a generally angular downward direction in the bed and is in communication with an effluent chamber defined in part by the outer surface of the central pipe. A reject line extends from the washbox, and an effluent collector extends from the effluent chamber. A method of filtering and cleaning the filtration material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of harvesting rare cells from blood products and/or obtaining products of the rare cells. The method includes contacting a blood product containing rare cells with a porous medium, and selectively retaining rare cells of interest on the porous medium. The porous medium can be contacted with an elution fluid wherein a population of the rare cells is eluted from the porous medium. Rare cells selectively retained on the porous medium can be cultured on the porous medium, and products of the rare cells can be obtained.

Abstract: A self-regenerating ion exchange water softener has a lower tank for a resin chamber and an upper tank for a regenerative salt chamber, with an opening positioned between them, and with a restrictive pressure-sensitive valve, sensitive to pressure of water in the resin chamber, having a restricted opening limiting flow of water upwardly into the regeneration chamber or downwardly into the resin chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing arsenic from water at point of entry or point of use particularly for residential application. The point of entry system comprises a first stage having a manganese greensand oxidizer to convert arsenite (As+3) present in the water to arsenate (As+5) and a second stage for passing the water through an anion exchange resin. Each stage includes a control head for automatic regeneration at a predetermined frequency. The manganese greensand is regenerated with a solution of potassium permanganate and the anion exchange resin is regenerated with a salt solution. An alternate embodiment for point of use application comprises a manganese greensand oxidizer cartridge to convert arsenite (As+3) to arsenate (As+5) followed by removal of the arsenate (As+5) with a reverse osmosis system.

Abstract: An improved method for regenerating ion exchange resin in a treatment tank having a flow direction, which includes the steps of providing a supply of regenerant under pressure into the tank, and introducing the regenerant into the tank in an opposite flow direction to the treatment flow direction. In the preferred embodiment, the regenerant is a combination of CO2 which is mixed with water to form carbonic acid and citric acid. This mixture is then introduced into the treatment tank without storage.

Abstract: A water-based heating or cooling plant incorporating a filtration device and a pipeline network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration network for bleeding water from the heating or cooling plant to the filtration device, the filtration device having a tank with an upright column of horizontal layers of granulated filtration materials, the densities in the layers increasing from the layer at the top downwardly to the most dense bottom layer, at least one layer being a mechanical layer and at least one layer having a chemically active material to increase the pH value of the water to a magnitude exceeding neutral. The invention includes a method for operating the plant and for backwashing the granulated filtration material.

Abstract: A radial flow fluidized unit (RFFU) (250) employing non-bonded media particles (56) for removing impurities from an influent, that can be backwashed and/or regenerated by fluidizing the media particles (56) to free the impurities therefrom. During a fluidization operation a fluid applies a drag force on a section of the media particles (56) within a volume of the unit where the media co-acts with the influent: (Volume 1). The drag force transports the media particles (56) into a second volume (Volume 2) for fluidization. Under normal conditions the top portion of the unit contains the packed media (56) where the influent co-acts with the media (56) (Volume 1). The RFFU (250) can also operate in the reverse where the bottom or opposite end contains the packed media (56) for co-acting with the influent.

Abstract: Method of filtering liquid using a vertical filter, which includes media, an airlift, a washbox, a reject box, a filtrate chamber, and an effluent box. The method of filtration and media cleaning is automatic. The filtered liquid is collected by multi-cartridge screens before entering a filtrate chamber. The filtrate flows from the filtrate chamber into an effluent weir box. The liquid level in the filter is controlled by an effluent weir in the effluent weir box. The reject line is below the water level in the filter, which provides the driving force for the reject flow. The reject rate is controlled by liquid level in the filter tank and a throttling valve on the reject discharge line. The washbox includes a filtration material shield, a filtration material/dirtied liquid separation zone, and a washbox skirt with a washbox isolator, which prevents the dirt in the washbox form entering the influent zone.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of gold and/or silver values from activated carbon, wherein they are adsorbed as cyanide complexes. The process uses an eluant containing sugar. The process allows the eluant to pass through fresh carbon twice, thereby reducing the volume of the gold-loaded eluant. This, in turn, reduces the size of the electrowinning or zinc precipitation circuits. The process also improves elution efficiency when barren electrowinning solution is recycled in the elution process.

Abstract: A method and system for treating and purifying water on site provides a cascade series of alternating cation and anion beds with flow control controlling flow of water in a first direction to flow through all beds in sequence, to purify the water, and controlling back flow through only like ion resin beds to regenerate the resins contained therein. The subject system removes impurities which are ionic and dissolved in the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metathetic process of the type M'X+M"=M'Y+M"X, where M' dirs from M" and the reagents and the products are water-soluble salts, comprising the steps of (a) transferring a solution of M"Y through at least one column containing cation exchanger beads loaded with M' cations, obtained in step (b) hereinafter, whereby cation exchange takes place to form a solution of M'Y and cation exchanger beads loaded with M", and (b) transferring a solution of M'X through said column containing cation exchanger beads loaded with M" obtained in step (a) above.

Abstract: Wastewater discharge, which is generated in an ion exchange regeneration system having a cation exchange bed and an anion exchange bed, is minimized by circulating a displacement rinse through a cation exchange bed, saving an effluent of the displacement rinse to be used as a regenerant solution in a subsequent cycle, circulating the remaining rinse in the cation exchange bed through an anion exchange bed that has been exhausted by service flow, circulating a displacement rinse through the anion exchange bed, and circulating a final rinse through the cation and anion exchange beds. The volume of wastewater discharge can be reduced to a degree of approximately 80-90% of a typical conventional system, i.e., waste water discharge can be reduced to 1-2 bed volumes. Storage tanks, automation valves, etc. can be eliminated while high reduction of wastewater discharge is effected.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a water treatment system including a treatment tank having an ion-exchange mineral bed or filter bed therein, and a valve head assembly disposed on top of and in fluid communication with the treatment tank. The valve head assembly includes a passage for allowing a flow of fluid through the valve head assembly, a vacuum pressure creating device disposed within the passage, a drain disposed within the passage and at a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device, and a valve disposed within the passage and at a downstream side of the vacuum pressure creating device. The valve is movable to an open position and a closed position for allowing fluid flow through the vacuum pressure creating device, whereby a portion of fluid flows through the drain and a lesser remaining portion of fluid flows through the valve when the valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A back-flushable filter cartridge includes a cylindrical exterior fluid-permeable filter media cage, a cylindrical interior fluid-permeable core element coaxially disposed within the filter media cage so as to establish therebetween an interior space, and longitudinally pleated filter media surrounding the core element and disposed in the interior space such that individual pleats thereof extend substantially radially outwardly from the core element. An annular space is established between outer longitudinal folds of the pleated filter media and the filter media cage. The pleated filter media is radially expandable into the established annular space to allow individual adjacent pleats of the pleated filter media to circumferentially separate from one another in response to fluid flowing in a radial direction from the core element toward the filter media cage.